Out-to-Lunch
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
One of the rare occasions when we disagree. I consider all spending to be spending - groceries, taxes, whatever. In order to Roth convert, you permanently surrender some of your total portfolio to the tax man. If you agree with the Trinity study, then you can take 4% of your portfolio, including the taxes, every year - not 4% plus the taxes.
Yes, we will have to disagree, which I am grateful is rare. In the context of the Trinity study, this particular expenditure carries with it the promise of a future year where you withdraw LESS than 4% for the same ability to spend on non-tax expenses.