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Hi everyone. (It's been years since I have posted, though the advice on this forum has made that possible, since I have been just fine financially. I am grateful.) :) I recently got an email from my broker, Schwab, offering me a high interest rate if I would agree to loan Schwab...

I have logged out and in a couple of times to attempt to get rid of the ad box resting above the "Recent Threads" box. It remains, taunting me... :coolsmiley::laugh::blush: Is this something I can kill off? Or is this the new normal? Your advice appreciated.

When Financial Samurai wants to draw attention to his website, he un-ERs, or sets his hair on fire -- or cuts the 4% SWR by a factor of eight, to .5%. Yes, Financial Samurai has pronounced that .5% is the new safe withdrawal rate. He bases it on the 10-year bond yield in 1998 (year of...

Quick tax question for those Tax Gods out there: I'm trying to estimate my taxable income for 2020. If I sell an ETF or mutual fund that has increased in value, and that I've held over a year, I assume that only the LTCG is included in my taxable income? ??? So, for example, assuming I have...

I subscribe to Netflix and Prime, and use my cable provider for a $50/month high-speed internet connection to stream movies. Like most people, I am prepared to swear on a stack of bibles that Netflix and Prime's thousands of programming choices are inadequate. :laugh: So lately, rather than...

I have a late-model Acer Chromebook (specs below, pasted directly from the Amazon order description). I bought the Chromebook to replace a PC that was aging, but was still reasonably fast. While I generally like the Chromebook (no need to update, protection from viruses etc.), I am IN AWE --...

I would appreciate the input of those far more adept at understanding Roth conversions than I will ever be... I am 58, single, and have about $500K in my Roth IRA. I have about $1.3M in my TIRA. Both accounts were rolled over from my former empl*yer 401Ks about five years ago. I am...

Hello all -- For those tax and IRA whizzes out there: In 2019, I received a $6,500 referral fee from a personal injury lawyer for referring him a client. That matter settled, and the lawyer sent me the fee. I paid an amount approximating my estimated taxes on the $6,500 to the IRS and my...

I ask this question with trepidation, because I am such a financial, um, moron, but: Right now I am living off of dividends from taxable investment accounts, and interest income from a savings account. I am always just a hair over the ACA cliff, so I pay full-freight ACA premiums with no...

Short question which, since it's ACA-related, is probably hard to answer: :laugh: If I sell an ETF at a loss in 2019, will this lower my MAGI for ACA purposes? I am going to be right at the edge of the premium tax credit cliff. So I'm trying to figure out a way to back off of the cliff...

My elderly parents will soon need some assistance at home. Ideally, I'd like to start with a part-time caregiver who works a couple of hours a day. The local caregiving agencies have staff available for a minimum of 3 hours per day. They may be willing to charge a one-client rate of...

From the Tax Moron Department: I rebalanced in late December 2018, in hopes of lowering CG income for 2019 for ACA purposes. I know I owe $X in taxes, but I'm uncertain how to send a check to the IRS. I have made all my 2018 estimated tax payments and have therefore used up the quarterly...

My parents are pushing into their mid-80s, and each has significant health issues. One has early-stage Parkinsons and significant short-term memory loss caused by dementia. The other is mentally sound but has congestive heart failure and walks with a cane. My brother and I are trying to keep...

This question is for those who have some background with the ACA and with federal taxation (rare birds indeed!): When I early-retired, my ownership in interest in my former law firm was purchased by that firm pursuant to an LLC agreement. The firm is paying the purchase price in 60 monthly...

I am going with a gang of misfits to Italy during the first two weeks of October. I have been tasked with coming up with an agenda for Florence. We will be there only a few days. Apart from seeing the Duomo and David, any other suggestions based on recent travel experience in Florence? Any...

Has anyone had experience with pharmacies that custom-package medications in small packets, which can be torn open to reveal the meds to be taken? I am told that such pharmacies exist, and the packets sound like a solution to my parents' inability to take their meds properly. My father is on...

Michael Kitces just did an hour-long podcast interview with the Mad Fientist. No new revelations, but a useful overview/refresher of the 4% withdrawal rate and the reasoning behind it, as well as some good insights for those planning ER -- the most highlighted one being: "Avoid lifestyle...

I have always (correctly) claimed to be math- and tax-challenged when posting on this wonderful site. Here is some more proof for that claim: A recent thread about bond investing had some wise insights on how a position in a bond "bucket" can be drawn upon longer than many might believe...

I am at my first anniversary of ER as of today. For those pondering ER (or OMY), here are my thoughts: 1. Haven't missed the off*ce a bit. Not a smidgen. Not an iota. Have not been even back there (except once -- at 10pm! -- when I snuck in to drop off something for a co-w*rker). I many...

Wow, this will be an interesting time for Congress and the President. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia has passed. Age 79. Found dead after failing to show up for breakfast while a guest at a private Texas ranch.

My pug Mabel is almost 14 years old. Her hips are failing, despite two pain medications taken daily. I am assuming the vet will say there isn't much more to do. If that's the case, how about a doggie wheelchair? Anyone ever use one for their dog, and have any tips to provide if they have? I...

I retired at the end of February 2015. Right before I retired, I made a backdoor 2015 Roth contribution -- the maximum allowed for 2015. After ER, I did some 2015 independent contractor work for my former law fi*m. That IC w*rk will continue for a portion of 2016. Please note that some of...

I am in the process of getting my Dad out of a nursing home, where he did a two-week stint in physical therapy after a bout with pneumonia and an irregular heartbeat. He's 80, as is my Mom. Mom, however, has dementia and/or Alzheimer's. (Medical diagnosis pending.) So she is relatively...

I pay a significant amount (about $42/month or $504/year) to have Guardian Protection monitor my humble abode using its security system with a wireless connection. In my opinion, based on various online customer reviews I have read and my own experience, Guardian has been notorious for its...

My Mom is 80, and her memory is fading fast. I am gradually maneuvering her to the position where she will go see a doctor to test for Alzheimer's. Her older sister was just diagnosed with advanced Alzheimer's. My Mom appears to be following in her big sister's footsteps; she will ask the...