Recent content by mageedge

Hiked all over the area a few years ago at age 70. The hikes are not strenuous but it depends on what you mean by "still quite mobile". Do you hike locally on off-road paths going up and down hills? IF yes then Cinque Terre will be no problem. You may want to take hiking poles (or a hiking cane)...

An additional item to note is that the capital gain on the sale will be less than $168,000 because of the step up adjustment after spouses death (assuming joint ownership). I see you live in Texas - in that state you will get a 50% value step up. (it is 100% is some community property states)...

Sounds like your brokerage firm is sending you a combined 1099-Div for a number of funds. While I am not familiar with the Block software, on the 1099-Div reporting page it should provide a spot which says "amount exempt from state taxes" or something similar then asks for your state. So figure...

Note, as Midpack pointed out, this reduction is not available in California (plus a couple of others). If the relevant % is less than 50% in any of the 4 quarters of the tax year then none of the dividend can be deducted from state return. Not a big deal for the past few years of minimal returns...

It was a DIY trip. I enjoy doing the travel logistics and DW does not like organized tours. We jointly develop overall themes based on our interests - historical sites/museums and hiking - and then flesh out the geographical practicalities based on the trip timeframe. I then work on the...

Comments on Crete - As on the mainland, car rental is cheap and a car is necessary if you plan on sight seeing. One main highway runs along the north coast otherwise small country roads through olive groves and vineyards. High mountains and plateaus between the north and south make for some...

Just completed our first post-covid international trip - 2 weeks in mainland Greece and 2 weeks in Crete. Thought I'd offer some travel tips from the trip that others may find useful. First - Covid is still around - it laid me low for a week of Paxlovid upon return to the U.S. Timing suggests I...

Just a quick FYI - visa signature (and infinite) cover tire/wheels. That was actually one of my claims they paid after I ripped open a tire on barbed wire on a narrow country road in the UK.

Many cards offer CDW (collision damage waiver) insurance and most extend this coverage overseas - always check your card benefits detail to ensure the coverage exists. The coverage is generally primary overseas (because your domestic coverage does not extend beyond borders). Note that this is...

Roof rack tarp works fine - we had that first. The tent is just a regular dome tent which serves as sleeping quarters if we want a change from the van in addition to living room - a little more protected if weather is not cooperating. Cooler also a matter of choice - if you have regular access...

We've been doing this kind of camping for years using our minivan. The internet offers many ideas on crafting your vehicle to your needs. We kept it pretty basic but here are the things we've found most useful - - plywood platform for sleeping - can be exotic with storage underneath or just a...

We have a Magnum UI6 and an Amego Infinite. Both are rear hub drives and are, essentially, the same bike made in Germany with a Das-kit motor. The infinite has a larger frame. Like others I used electricbikereview.com a lot before settling on these 2. The prices are very similar - currently...

Chase has been doing some tasty offers during covid times. I got a 4% on everything else(5% Amazon) offer on the Amazon card good for 6 months. Nice boost for Property Tax payment next month! Freedom Unlimited and Freedom Flex are currently offering 5% on groceries for the first year. (plus a...

If you are talking about parking a significant amount of cash in the account, you may also want to look at "no penalty CD's" - usually an 11 month term and you can withdraw principal plus accumulated interest without penalty during that 11 month period (after an initial waiting period of c.5...

On your last question (not silly!) - yes, it's about tax efficiency. As much as possible within your overall asset allocation plan you want to place the least tax efficient instruments in tax sheltered accounts. Regular taxable bonds are the most obvious example of 'tax inefficiency'. Domestic...