Search results

DW and I are going back and forth on updating our Will and Trust. Our two sons will both be 'of age' by the end of the year, and while both are currently listed as beneficiaries, they are not named as successor trustees. We are considering simplifying our respective named successor...

I just got around to freezing my credit with the 3 biggies starting with Equifax. I got all the way thru the process, was charged $10 for the freeze, got to the confirmation page with the big bold warning that I needed to print the information below using the Adobe Print Button. Problem...

DW and I established a Will and Trust many years ago when the boys were young. Now they will both be 'of age' this year and we have other family related decisions to update. So we have been thinking our Will & Trust need to be updated. Guardians will not be needed, but Executor and...

We are driving up to Nor Cal to drop our DS off at college for his sophomore year later in August, then plan a stop in Napa Valley on the way back to SD. We want to spend 2 full days in Napa Valley. Any tips on reasonable places to stay, wineries to visit, and modest places to eat...

I thought I would share some notes and pictures on a recent hike I took in the Los Penasquitos Preserve at the Western End. Name: Combination - Carmel Mountain & Los Penasquitos Open Space Preserve Location: Carmel Mountain Preserve Trail Head off of Canter Heights Rd (off of the 56)...

Was just now sitting in the kitchen and the phone rang. We have a phone with a Caller ID display and I NEVER pick up the phone unless it is someone I know. I look over and the Caller ID says "US GOVT" Still skeptical - let it ring and go to answering mode. No message. Huh...

I hope folks will find these useful, informative, or at the very least an entertaining diversion. Name: Torrey Pines State Beach/Preserve Location: Torrey Pines State Beach just south of Del Mar along the Coast 101 Highway Description: Torrey Pines State Beach is a combination of...

I thought I'd share my adventuring in the San Diego area for hikes and trails as an on-going ER posting. Maybe those in the SD area can share their thoughts, maybe those thinking of visiting SD can use the info to base some of their excursions in our wonderful city. I'm using my time in...

So my brother and I have been talking to our mom about what the future plans are for residency, care, finances, etc. Last Sunday I was talking with my mom as I do every Sunday just to catch up and we were talking about maybe me and my brother would come out and help with the 'heavy' chores...

May the 4th be with you....:laugh::angel::facepalm:

So, I retired from megacorp Jan of 2015. Filed all my paperwork in Jan for my pension benefit. I get a follow up that they need a copy of my marriage certificate and my wife's birth certificate in Feb. We make copies and I send it in via certified mail USPS. It gets there, but then...

So, I'm using Turbo Tax for doing a 'mock' joint return to see if I can match what our CPA comes up with for this year, with my plan of going it alone for 2015 if I can match or beat the CPA's results. My DW has a lot of after tax brokerage accounts using Sharebuilder. It sure would be...

Another tax question for your kind consideration and feedback. In 2014 we made a tax payment to the state of California for taxes still owed at the time our return was filed for the 2013 tax year. As such we should be able to list this as a deduction on our 2014 Federal return. I...

I have a tax question (maybe the first of many to come :facepalm:) which I would appreciate some input on. Our first DS started college in the fall of 2014. We have several different college savings accounts - one of which is a 529. For better or worse (based on web info on pros &...

So, be gentle - first time Turbo Tax user question.... I'm stepping thru the different income types for things like 1099-INT and -DIV. Do I need to keep importing the same consolidated statement from Fidelity for each of these income types? I would think that TT would be 'smart'...

So, I may or may not need a distribution from my 401k later in 2015. I called the plan administrator where I use to w*rk to confirm for a third time that I would not be subject to the 10% "early" withdrawal because of the Rule of 55 provision of the modified plan. I was told no, I would...

My folks in Santa Fe, NM put out bird seed and unsalted peanuts for the birds and it is quite the show to see how many birds show up and the interaction - quite entertaining - more so than the financial talking heads my dad will have on all day. So, I decided to institute the same...

So, after leaving megcorp last week, I requested that our benefit center send me the pension paperwork which I just got. I had some questions that I would appreciate input from the sage and experienced folks here. During my tenure, I made after tax contributions to the plan, and...

Just curious.... How much time per day or week do you spend on financial 'stuff' like checking your accounts, AA, financial blogs, this forum, other financial forums, watching the talking heads on TV, calculators, selling/buying assets, estimating taxes, etc 1 hr per day? 1 hr per...

So, this will be my first year of FIRE, DW is in the final throes of OMY (I hope 2015 is the last for her, work in progress) - and this will be the first year of decumulation. Our AGI will be lower since I won't have earned income and while I get a pension, it will be modest compared to my...

Just had another supposed long life CFL bulb go out in the kitchen! I now have a graveyard bag in the garage with over a dozen - all less than 3 years old. Shame on me for believing the hype. Shame on me for not keeping the sales receipts. I'm going old man grumpy from now on...

Monday I give formal notice to leave from megacorp and retire! I'll offer the standard two week separation period, but if I get walked to the door sooner - fine by me! Next chapter about to start - looking forward to it!

I hope everyone had a good Christmas and are relaxing. My question has to do with tax planning with regards to withholdings and estimated taxes. First year of FIRE for me will be 2015, but my DW is still w*rking. I will have a modest monthly pension and plan on selling After Tax...

I think I'll dive into TT to do my own pro-forma returns and was reading about the 'deals' other FIRE members were getting with Vanguard and Fidelity. I have several accounts at Fidelity, but the best deal I saw on TT was $20 'off' and a price of $34 for Premier. Should I jump on that...

My parents are getting on in age - at some point it may come to me getting durable power of attorney to be able to handle their financial affairs. How many here are in that situation now, and how 'involved' are you with the day the day oversight of accounts, expenses, taxes, payments, etc...