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  1. SteveL

    SS at 70 and RMDs - double tax 'whammy'?

    What some forget, is that growth of values may continue amidst a series of partial Roth conversions. Over the time I have been converting, the tax deferred account has grown enough to exceed the amount converted. This despite the 2008 recession. I've a couple of years left before 70.5, but it...
  2. SteveL

    Taxes & Form 1099 Composite Corrections

    Just another note about Schwab. I get everything from them electronically including 1099s. They always send an email EXCEPT when there is a corrected 1099. You have to go back into their site and keep checking! I am in the process of complaining about this "violation" of their agreement to...
  3. SteveL

    Adult Fluoride Treatment

    The other day I had a visit to the dentist for an exam and cleaning. The hygienist was pushing an extra cost fluoride treatment. I said no and went home to research this on the web. Nothing conclusive. We have fluoride in our water and toothpaste. I can't see the need for more. Has anyone...
  4. SteveL

    Auto Insurance for Children

    Personal auto insurance policies today are Family policies. They provide automatic coverage for any licensed relative who is a resident of the home. Because of this policy wording, insurance companies generally have rules that require the policyholder to report the name, age, and license...
  5. SteveL

    Multi-Employer Pension failures

    http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/04/12/thought-secure-pooled-pensions-teeter-and-fall/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0 Saw this just now. Hope no one in the forum is counting on these guys!
  6. SteveL

    Retire early, die early?

    Obviously, one should not take early retirement from the petrochemical industry.
  7. SteveL

    Years of work to maximize SS?

    Before I retired at 55, I went to the SS website and used their calculator, putting in max contribution for the next 11 years. I did the same with zeros. The difference was about $50 bucks.
  8. SteveL

    Oil - Gas

    There will always be these geopolitical risks. I think the question is how it might affect me here. Given the freedom of the market for pricing gasoline, if there was a problem somewhere we should expect to see the price increase. Between two cars, we use about 500 gallons a year. At $3 a...
  9. SteveL

    Procrastinating on taxes after ER

    Since we don't have pensions or other income which has taxes withheld, we have to pay estimates. I use TTax to model taxes so I can be close. Since I know what my tax situation is, and I am not getting a refund or I have to pay a little, there is no hurry. This way there is more time to read...
  10. SteveL

    should I go it alone

    Just a suggestion....as another user of Schwab, I'd like to recommend that you consider using etfs instead of regular mutual funds. I believe you can duplicate your holdings, or get similar etfs using Schwab etfs, for which you will pay no fee to buy and sell. If you post the names of your...
  11. SteveL

    Emergency!

    In order to capture the market, and keep people from going to clinics at Walmart, et al, the major health networks in our area have added urgent care hours on the weekends at many of their office locations. And, some have opened additional "Emergency" treatment centers. I think these are level...
  12. SteveL

    Dirt Nap Estate Planning

    Assuming your assets are below the Fed Estate Tax threshold of $5M each, one question is whether you live in a state with estate tax. Some have quite low thresholds. If you live in such a state, there might be reasons to do things differently. Did you do Will yourself or consult Atty? If...
  13. SteveL

    New Colonoscopy Test -- Available Now?

    The point with the colonoscopy is to find out if you have polyps and get them removed before you have cancer. The test itself is nothing, it is the prep that is a pain in the A__. I have had 5, several found polyps.
  14. SteveL

    Acupuncture is the bomb!

    Had terrible pain in shoulder after a visit to a gym. MD says nothing wrong, pain pills don't help. Months passed w/o improvement. Tried acupuncture, and after 10 visits pain gone. I am a believer.
  15. SteveL

    Why Is Tide So Valuable?

    There is certainly a lot of Tide for sale on Ebay.
  16. SteveL

    Cost of French drain

    As an alternative, have you considered adding a sump pump under your house. I dug a hole for a five gallon plastic bucket at the low spot under my house, wrapped the outside of the bucket with screening after drilling many holes in the bucket, hooked up a length of old garden hose to the...
  17. SteveL

    Taking a loan for the first time, advice needed

    If you have a local CU, S&L, you might be able to get a passbook loan. Thus, you would use your funds for collateral, rather than the car. The lender holds the funds, and you make payments.
  18. SteveL

    How Do I Find a Hourly Fiduciary CFP?

    1. I don't understand your need for a fiduciary. Unless you are turning your portfolio over to someone to manage for you, I don't think you can create a fiduciary relationship with an adviser. Definition of 'Fiduciary' A person legally appointed and authorized to hold assets...
  19. SteveL

    Guilt and Student Debt

    What seems missing to me is a connection between what is borrowed, and how the funds will be repaid. If, in order to get a loan, a student had to provide a plan for repayment based on future potential salary, many students would not qualify, or at least see that the low salaries available would...
  20. SteveL

    How Do I Find a Hourly Fiduciary CFP?

    Garrett Planning Network » Welcome To Garrett Planning Network This is a network of hourly planners. I use one in Seattle once in a while.
  21. SteveL

    Wired? WiFi? Competition?

    Saw this yesterday: Why is American internet so slow? - The Week Our basic problem with the Internet is monopolistic markets........
  22. SteveL

    Amex Savings reducing rate

    American Express has reduced the rate from .95% to .80%. They didn't notify me, just detected when I downloaded their March statement. Fortunately, both CIT Bank, and GE Capital Bank are paying .95% although with CIT you need to give them $25k.
  23. SteveL

    Underpayment penalties

    If you know the amount of dividends and interest received each quarter, go to Forms in TurboTax and select form 2210. If the vast majority of your dividends are 4th q, you will end with a much smaller penalty.
  24. SteveL

    PSA: on PSA (applicable for men)

    Stay off your bicycle for 5-7 days prior to PSA test. An hour on the saddle makes the number go up.
  25. SteveL

    Best DVD Ripper for PC iTunes?

    To make a legal back up copy try Any DVD. It supports any desired format.
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