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How about using TurboTax online? Wouldn't your Chromebook handle that? I've been using it for many years regardless of operating system. Regarding Office 365, OnlyOffice is a nice free alternative. It even looks better (IMO) and is functionally more similar to MS software than LibreOffice is...

Thanks, I have thought about something like this but have resisted. Perhaps time to try it. My main machine is also on W11 now, as of last night, so I have two laptops that are set up the same. All is well so far. With some tweaks, they both look almost as nice and clean as my previous Linux...

⬆️ I had a Subaru when I lived in a very snowy region, and the symmetrical AWD is one reason I would not have another. If I were buying anything now, it would be a Mazda CX-30. Small, variable AWD (rather than symmetrical), highly rated, comparably priced, and some cool colors. As for driving in...

Up and running now on my backup machine. No issues so far. Just a long process to do a clean install and set my many picky prefs. I ran the debloat script above, so it's pretty lean and mean now. Looked horrible out of the box. I miss my favorite Linux distro (Zorin) but need one app that...

One of my W10 laptops says it will let me know when it's ready for W11. But PC Health Check says it's compatible. Can I go ahead and do a clean install from a USB drive? Or should I wait till Windows Update invites me to upgrade? Regarding privacy, I've been using this tool for a couple of...

How close to a major airport? Maybe an hour or two from Denver? Breckenridge, Frisco, Silverton? Or how about near Albuquerque or Santa Fe?

Hmm, Gemini is saying this, per the link above: Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs): If you have a traditional IRA or 401(k), you'll be required to take minimum withdrawals starting at age 59.5. Did the RMD age change? Or is this an AI error? Regarding FIRECalc, thanks for pointing out the...

Why respond to a thread if you don't have something helpful to add? Read my previous posts. I'm considering a "blow that dough" for a possible lifestyle change. This would mean more than a few taxi rides per year. Also, the thread is about opportunity costs. The car expense is just one example.

Thank you all for the helpful insights, as always. I agree that 9% is optimistic, but I was going for max impact. Even 6% or 7% leads to a big number. For me this exercise is about "blowing that dough," which is still mostly foreign to me. Last year I blew more than $3,000 on original art and...

True, if I took taxis 4,000 miles a year instead of a few dozen, there would be no contest. For me, a few hundred bucks a year. If I had the car, I would do some things that I currently don't do. For now this is because I'm not all that interested in doing those things. But if I were to...

Does anyone do this? Is it a legit consideration? Say I'm pondering buying a basic car, such as a new Toyota Corolla, for about $24,000. Edmunds.com has a True Cost to Own estimator that factors in price paid, depreciation, fuel, insurance, maintenance, repairs, and financing for five years...

Audrey, many thanks for posting this! I too am seeing 0% this year for my portfolio. Why is this? My year-end distros have varied a lot over the years but have never been zero. Maybe because of all the stock losses last year? Zero would be good news to me this year, as I'm trying to keep my...

My 2 cents here might not be popular, but I say don't rush to buy a house. I know the allure is strong, but there is nothing wrong with renting and keeping your options wide open, especially when you are so young. If you marry, you'll want to pick the house together anyway. Plus a house is...

Another big cheer for ElizabethT's advice above to read Your Money or Your Life and The Millionaire Next Door. On the former, I suggest following all the steps for a year. It will change your life and your finances. On the latter, read the original book from the 1990s, not the more recent...

I bought the painting. It will be delivered and installed at the end of the month. Two smaller ones are arriving at the gallery next week. I've seen photos and am considering them, about $500 for both. Good thing my wall space is limited so I won't go too crazy. The money will come from my MM...

Thanks, great discussion. The last line is what I needed to hear!

Interestingly, another time I hemmed and hawed over $1,400 (or about that amount) was 15 years ago when I wanted a prefab metal carport to keep the sun and snow off my vehicles. I was in deep frugal mode then (saving for FIRE) and felt it was a huge amount. But I went for it anyway and was...

Thanks, do you have a link to this podcast? Or an episode number? Is it on Sethi's website?

Thank you all. I agree that this would not be a material investment. Likely the painting would end up in my tiny estate sale someday or with a friend or at Goodwill. Until then it would be purely for personal enjoyment. @Aerides, that's a good mental exercise, and I've pondered a similar...

I'm in my third year of a lean FIRE and finally relaxing a bit, not quite as afraid of outliving my modest stash. But I am still pretty frugal (it's how I got here at all) and probably watch my balance way too often. Through various nips and tucks, I have managed to keep my personal inflation...

Ditto all of this. I have not had a car in more than a decade and hope I can get away without ever having one again. Might not be possible or practical, but I'll remain car-free for as long as I can.

Bumping this thread to ask about going the other direction, from all in one to maybe two or three. From the previous replies, I see a case can be made for going either way! For many years I've had everything at Schwab -- brokerage and checking. Only my credit card is separate. Now I'm...

Thanks. So could I set up a local user account as on W10 and just log in to it offline from a shutdown? Or would I need to be on Wi-Fi so I can log in to headquarters each time, so to speak?

It's been a year. Have the bugs been worked out? My main laptop is ready for the upgrade. Any reason not to do it? Are the monthly updates smaller and less annoying? I've read that one con is a required Microsoft account. What does this mean? Do you have to log in online just to use the OS? I...

Right, there's no one size fits all. It's a savory smorgasbord. I liked Manjaro a couple of years ago, but it kept crashing on my machine. During my latest Zorin install I discovered two apps that are new to me. OnlyOffice -- https://www.onlyoffice.com I never warmed up to LibreOffice or...