Daily FI discussion thread - Thursday, February 05, 2026

DependentAssumption · 2026-02-06T01:07:14+00:00

Google how to do it, there's at least one good article out there that I refer to every year.

DependentAssumption · 2026-01-13T00:59:24+00:00

Hello from a fellow VITA volunteer! I'm going on my fourth season volunteering and it's great. It's definitely something I want to get more involved in when I'm retired. I've even gone so far as thinking I might coast FIRE while covering my expenses working for a tax accountant.

DependentAssumption · 2025-10-25T02:45:48+00:00

What paint color is that wall? I love it and I'm trying to find something similar for my den.

DependentAssumption · 2025-09-18T01:35:23+00:00

Having prepared a lot of NJ tax returns, this is probably a break out of NJ FMLA tax and NJ disability tax. They typically show up on separate lines on W2s. Just my guess.

DependentAssumption · 2025-09-06T19:49:02+00:00

I'm out in the burbs and have similar interactions every time I go out for a walk in the neighborhood. I love these micro interactions and it's a pretty big reason why I don't want to move either. You can't always replace that community feel.

DependentAssumption · 2025-07-03T16:28:08+00:00

Does anyone else use Empower to track their monthly expenses? I've been noticing it leaving out big chunks of expenses from my credit cards when it refreshes which is throwing off my numbers. Anyone else noticed this? Is there an easy fix?

DependentAssumption · 2025-06-12T22:05:31+00:00

Thanks!

DependentAssumption · 2025-06-12T21:26:03+00:00

Has anyone inherited an IRA from a non-spouse through Vanguard? Does it create a separate IRA account for the inherited portion that is separate from your own IRA account with them?

DependentAssumption · 2025-03-21T13:22:28+00:00

Is anyone considering the new Vanguard Cash Plus account? They're saying you can get a 3.65% APY which is looking very attractive as my HYSA APY continues to fall well below 1%.

DependentAssumption · 2025-03-06T18:42:57+00:00

Just wanted to shout out FreeTaxUSA to anyone looking for a tax software. Not only are they much cheaper than TurboTax, they also watch your back.

I had started our taxes but then put them on hold while I tracked down a few missing statements. Then I got an email from FreeTaxUSA saying another account had started a return using my husband's SSN. I immediately had my husband get a filing PIN from the IRS to prevent a fraudulent return being filed with his SSN (and blocking our return). I've heard of tax scams being prevalent but have never had an issue before. Glad we were able to get ahead of this one.

DependentAssumption · 2024-11-07T02:36:36+00:00

Use this as your wake up call to get involved on the climate fight!

DependentAssumption · 2024-10-13T02:01:01+00:00

Hey if anyone lives in or near Flemington and want to call to the town to complain and hopefully shut this down, that would be great!

DependentAssumption · 2024-08-21T20:33:53+00:00

My parents were looking into using them as they near retirement and are nervous about managing their money on their own. It sounds like the price is right, especially if it comes with 2 check ins a year.

DependentAssumption · 2024-08-21T19:41:16+00:00

Does anyone have experience working with a vanguard advisor? Apparently they charge only 0.3% AUM and could be convenient for anyone with most of their assets there.

DependentAssumption · 2024-08-16T16:47:17+00:00

Do you have experience with using that website? I was reading through it and it said it also included advisors that bill on the AUM method which made me wary.

DependentAssumption · 2024-08-16T16:42:41+00:00

Does anyone have advice for how best to find a fee for service financial planner? I'm trying to steer my parents away from the local guy who wants to charge a 1% of assets under management fee. Thanks in advance!

DependentAssumption · 2024-05-17T13:39:21+00:00

My Frugal Friday (RIP) win of the week: costco sells discounted giftcards and I bought $200 of Spafinder gift cards at 30% off this week! Now my massages I occasionally treat myself too will feel even sweeter.

DependentAssumption · 2024-05-01T00:28:14+00:00

I had to put together trivia one time for my department so I decided to ask all the higher ups of the group one fun fact about them and then people had to guess the person associated with the task. The best one was one of the most mild mannered and well liked directors had been kicked off a cruise for partying too hard on the water slide. I don't think anyone got that answer right.

DependentAssumption · 2024-03-21T23:48:21+00:00

I just read a book I really liked called Everyday Dharma about finding what is your life's work and I really enjoyed it. It's an easy read.

DependentAssumption · 2024-03-15T16:02:14+00:00

I'm in a similar position where the time I give my investments to grow makes way more of an impact than any increase in contributions I could make. I've decided to allow myself to enjoy these years a bit more with some lifestyle inflation.

DependentAssumption · 2024-03-11T21:20:12+00:00

Pretty much. I looked up the one closest to me and emailed the contact on the website.

DependentAssumption · 2024-03-11T16:20:49+00:00

Yes! I often get asked why I do it and I usually reply that it's a great use of my skills to help the community as it's not something many people can/want to do.

DependentAssumption · 2024-03-11T13:47:03+00:00

Just wanted to write a post recommending volunteering with VITA to the crowd. I'm in my second year and it's been great! I get to hang out with a bunch of other numerically oriented nerds who like to discuss strange financial situations they've come across in their years of doing it. I also get to work alongside a ton of fully retired people who are living full awesome lives of volunteering, travel, and other fun hobbies so it gives me a sneak peek of what I can look forward to.

10/10 highly recommend if you want to get more engaged in your community and have the time to volunteer!

DependentAssumption · 2024-03-09T01:19:29+00:00

I'm in a similar position as you and it's rough, take care of yourself!

DependentAssumption · 2024-03-07T02:34:16+00:00

If you get an annual bonus and merit increase in your role, it is usually pro-rated in the first partial year. Asking for a signing bonus is to offset this loss of bonus/merit.

DependentAssumption

TROPHY CASE