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I've learned a lot on this forum over the years - so thank you very much for that. We've worked and saved all our lives and now at age 55 I feel like we are in a good spot - but can use some validation and encouragement to jump! DW and I are empty nesters with no debt and have always lived...

I need to prepare some prior year tax returns for friend - starting in 2004. Is anyone aware of where I can get free tax software for prior years/ I had the Taxcut software but lost it when computer crashed - doesn't have to be Taxcut - would prefer it though. Thanks

It's getting even more interesting folks! There could be some very angry folks at the convention in Denver. I don't have a dog in this race but I can't take my eyes off of it! Typically you would think that no matter how fierce the primary - that at the end - the party unites and does their...

I noticed in another thread that some folks think that it is a little risky to use 7-8% return in financial projections. I've always thought that 7-8% was very conservative in a portfolio with >75% equities - over a 15-20 year time frame. So what overall rate of return do you use? Apologies...

By the time the ice caps melt, the oil dries up and global warming does its thing, we will have options. NASA is working on it as we speak. A few FAQs from the International Space Station website. The place has been permanently inhabited since 2000! Can you imagine that someday Mother...

Been thinking about this lately. Have been a saver for a long time and have gotten to the point where if I don't save another penny - and get 7-8% annual returns, I will have a comfortable retirement. If expected inheritance arrives then life will be even easier - I understand it is not a...

Personally I'm thinking Secretary of State - I see tremendous bridges being built throughout the world by this man. YouTube - Jeremiah Wright - Obama's mentor - Hate speech

Heard a lot about why Florida and Michigan votes should count but haven't heard why these states put themselves in this position in the first place - in direct violation of Party Rules? Enlighten me.

Townhall.com::The Real Barack::By Armstrong Williams I haven't done a lot of research yet on the man though this is the best article I've seen so far. Seems to cut out the garbage and focus on his record. Does anyone think he does not deserve his rating as "Most Liberal Senator?"

I need to tap the wisdom on this board regarding the Army. My 17 yr old - Jr in High School - wants to join the Army Reserves now under the split option program. He does boot camp between Jr / Sr year then when he graduates High School he goes in - his intent is to go Full Time active duty as...

DW and I - basically on a whim - went out and got 2 Shelties - 7 weeks old. Did this 2 weeks ago. What a mess we had on our hands for the past 2 weeks - even after buying training books. So yesterday, we go to Petsmart and spend $15 on a one hour "Potty Training" session with their trainer...

Not a great picture but curious if anyone can guess who it is?

Another thread got me thinking about this so I thought I would start a new thread to ask the question. I'm not a fan but got enamored with thinking about what others might say when put in this perspective. To prove that I am not trying to start a Clinton bashing session, I will not respond...

The stimulus package may be ill timed. This is the time for the Earned Income Credit (EIC) - which allows low incomers with children to get refunds of as high as approx $4,500. Note that this is above and beyond the refund they get for any fed taxes paid in - since they will not have any...

:rant:Let me tell you why: 1. I'm hooked and spend way too much time here. 2. Started a family young and started saving at an early age so was on they way to FI without you. Was just going along very patiently. Thanks to you the 12 years until retirement now seem like an eternity. 3. You...

A Co-worker showed me this today. 5 Yr CD ($100K min) at 8.5% at Millenium Bank - link below. What is the catch? My friend is coming into $400K - is afraid of the market because of past disasters - and is contemplating dumping all in Millenium. Premium CD : Certified Deposit : Millennium...

Hard to believe they are looking out for the little guy when they have: Clinton - 2006 Income = $12.1 M / Net Worth of $34.9 M Edwards - 2006 Income = $3.7 M / Net Worth of $54.7 M Giuliani - 2006 Income = $17 M / Net Worth of $52.3 M McCain - 2006 Income = $3.9 M / Net Worth of $40.4M...

In 2008 am determined to get more serious about asset allocation and have created portfolio in Morningstar Portfolio X-ray - seems like an excellent tool. My overall expense ratio is .76% currently - approx half of what they say a "similarly weighted porfolio" might be. While that feels OK -...

My year end review finds me money in 40 different investments. The number itself does not necessarily bother me - but is there a downside? I took a trip to the T Rowe Price website and used their X-Ray tool which indicated that I did not have any excess concentration in any individual...

Any thoughts on the quality of a financial review with Vanguard. Father just moved significant $ there? Are they worth talking with?

For those of you with mortgages, are you in an ARM or a fixed? And what is your current rate? I have 30 Yr fixed at 5 1/8 - got it in July of 2003. I think I'm going to keep it!

I've always limited my credit card life to simply paying off the balance every month. Am thinking about taking advantage of a 3.99% for life offer by transferring 20K of Car and Motorcyle loan balances (with higher rates). Other than factoring in the Transfer Fee, what could I be missing? Thanks

I'm with all of you folks as it relates to advisors and their fees. With that said, how much are you willing to pay annually - in % of assets - for the convenience of having it all in one place - one statement - easy tax prep - one belly button to push? The question assumes you are Ok with the...

Considering going thru the training to be a Dale Carnegie instructor. Am a big believer in the basic principles they teach - like the fact they are simply often ignored, common sense type principles that when applied produce solid results. Any instructors out there in ER land? Looking for pros...

Been a member since August - I think - and just stumbled on the "more statistics" link on the home page. Amazed at all the stats on there. Didn't realize that everyone's social security number was posted here - just kidding. Spent some time checking it out and was very impressed. Wondering if...