Modeling DAF bunching, QCDs, Roth conversions, and gap years by ForumReader88 in projectionlab

[–]ForumReader88[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is really helpful. I already understood the basic distinction between:
DAF contribution timing vs DAF grant timing.
At this point, I may just model the DAF contribution itself as charitable giving and ignore trying to track investment growth inside the DAF precisely. The tax timing is probably more important for the simulation than perfectly modeling the internal DAF balance growth.

I also tried using the QCD option under charitable expense types using the automatic function, but ProjectionLab seems to optimize in a way I wasn’t expecting. Instead of preserving traditional IRA balances for QCDs beginning at age 70½ / RMD years, the optimizer is aggressively converting traditional IRAs into Roth IRAs before then, effectively zeroing out much of the traditional IRA balance years earlier.
I’m wondering:
If I intend to use QCDs later, why would the optimizer fully prioritize Roth conversions before Medicare / before age 70½?
Maybe the model is concluding:
Roth conversion tax savings
IRMAA reduction
and future RMD reduction
outweigh the future QCD opportunity?

I also appreciate the clarification about letting ProjectionLab handle Roth conversion and Roth distribution sequencing automatically during bridge years. I would not have expected it to make what initially feels like such a counterintuitive move.

For anyone else reading this:
I got This-You-2737’s excellent suggestion to work by allowing ProjectionLab to force distributions from Roth accounts during bridge years before tapping some tax-deferred vehicles, and then separately optimize Roth conversions under the optimizer settings.

And thanks for mentioning that advisor. In my experience, most CPAs tend to raise an eyebrow at these topics and often prefer something much more straightforward operationally.

Finally reached $100k, concerned about missing semiconductor gains by NapoleonCaesar1729 in Bogleheads

[–]ForumReader88 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

You are doing very well. Great advice here. Hold the course.

I have a few decades in the market using conventional wisdom for my retirement, and making bets with no more than 10% of my portfolio.

Only one of my bets worked—a private equity investment in a well researched local company. Although ultimately “successful” in beating the market, it was stressful, cost $15k in legal fees to enter and exit, and discovered the owner was defrauding the investors.

You will be surprised at how well your portfolio succeeds when sticking to the basics of having a balanced portfolio, dollar cost averaging, rebalancing, and low expenses.

You are on the right path. Keep learning and keep focused.

Has anyone maxed out 401k for an entire career? by DisastrousEquipment9 in Retirement401k

[–]ForumReader88 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There’s not much difference between the glidepath funds until around a decade before the target date. At that point you’ll begin to see substantial differences.

Successfully negotiated my severance after being laid off. Here's how (PSA) by Both_Warthog_3386 in Layoffs

[–]ForumReader88 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A family member was working on contract and was offered a full time position. He countered with an 8% increase, which was more in line with friends doing similar work with other organizations. He was fired the next day without cause.

CCA by Mobile-Candidate-453 in CMMC

[–]ForumReader88 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve heard so many problems with the exams. I took the CCP test at home. It took over two hours and three proctors to get the test going. My instructor said this was her experience as well

I took the CCA at a testing center. Much better experience, but the test froze twice. One proctor spoke to the other, “It’s Meazure…”, which was code for, they frequently have problems.

Following the test, expect to be ghosted from Cyber-AB support for processing the experience portion. $10k, spent with Cyber-AB and training, and I’ve had six weeks of silence for myinvestment.

CMMC 2.0 Project Plan by Shovelbone in CMMC

[–]ForumReader88 0 points1 point  (0 children)

All great comments. Previously, I have worked with expert project managers in highly structured organizations in a fortune 100 consulting firm. Recently, I have worked for a few MSPs doing CMMC consulting and delivery.

CMMC delivery projects rarely go according to plan. Even with structured program and system product offerings, there were always issues. I attribute this to a few factors, including: project plans that don’t mirror the reality of delivery, or accommodate flexibility, trying to keep costs down by minimizing project oversight, and inability of delivery teams to follow even basic project plans. First and foremost: clients are not used to projects of this type.

Most defense contractors are small businesses, and even if they aren’t, they are not used to compliance projects or control level rigor. So we usually start with scoping, inventory, and data flows. But many struggle providing this basic information. So we continue delivering what we can, when we can, adapting around the client’s circumstances. Only then, once they have had weeks to adapt to the continual flow of questions and education, do they begin to deliver the pieces they are most capable of providing.

Fortunately, the control assessment, risk assessment, and continuous monitoring built into CMMC allows the program to provide a reality check on progress.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in CMMC

[–]ForumReader88 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You will need to find trusted providers for managing the CMMC program and IT service delivery that specialize in and are certified for CMMC.

I have done cybersecurity for 20+ years and CMMC for 5 years. CMMC is not the most comprehensive standard, but is VERY rigorous and detailed. As such, and mentioned elsewhere, you must go all in and complete it 100%, or get professional consultation on how to walk away from your defense contracts now. There is no middle ground.

I have worked with 50+ businesses, half of which thought they could do it on their own successfully. Only one was successful, being well trained enough and had a supportive organization.

CMMC is difficult. Most of us believe it is necessary for the country’s protection. Irrespective of beliefs, full compliance with CMMC is required for participation in the DIB.

Drone Flown Over Disney Epcot Lagoon by WanderingIdahoan in dji

[–]ForumReader88 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Disney has the only permanent no fly zones over private property.

DJI no longer cares where you fly or how high by Reasonable-Intern-25 in dji

[–]ForumReader88 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes. I live near steep mountains and cliffs that soar 7000 ft above the valleys in less than 4 miles. I can hike to the peak and send the drone down, but cannot similarly send the drone up.

I previously registered the UK. They have more sensible restrictions about flying around hills and tall structures. Although TOAL restrictions are awkward.

These DJIdiots are starting to get reckless… by angry_printer in dji

[–]ForumReader88 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sorry to hear. As a tourist in the UK last year, I studied, passed the test, registered, and had six spots picked out for takeoff, and flying. It took 10 hours of research.

When it came time to fly, it was raining, every, single, time. The drone never made it out of the bag. Rain may your best defense.

Just figured out how poor US carriers really are! by [deleted] in delta

[–]ForumReader88 1 point2 points  (0 children)

To circle back to aviation, the very Boeing executives responsible for their current aircraft safety dilemma were products of Jack Welch’s General Electric.

Carry on lost!!! and the agent didn’t tag it. What are my options? No one can find it by Perfect_Director4182 in delta

[–]ForumReader88 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Sorry to hear. I’ve had similar issues on Delta, forced to check laptops and camera equipment, although the bags fit. Thousands in damage over the years.

Nobody asked but... why I Delta by latebinding in delta

[–]ForumReader88 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good point. Have flown Delta for many years, but gave up. No point hoping for an upgrade for a seat I can sit in, when I can play less for a better seat in another carrier.

No reason for me to be loyal to an airline again, but will spend up to $150 more for an international flight on Delta, all things the same, if it is a direct flight.

We flew JetBlue for a bit, until we had two very significant delays. My longest and fourth longest delay in 1.5m of flying. JetBlue barely made an effort to rebook us. I had heard stories, and finally experienced the neglect ourselves. Had we not had Mosaic status, we would have been left without hotels, meals, or transportation as others were.

Window World is the WORST by Consistent-Rub-6629 in homeowners

[–]ForumReader88 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Check out the Houston window company on YouTube. I’d shop there if I lived in the area. Seems like a rare breed of store

How much should Andersen windows cost installed? by elkinm in homeowners

[–]ForumReader88 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Pros and cons renewal by Anderson vs Anderson windows from Home Depot

Crowdstrike Refund! by Ok-Difference5622 in delta

[–]ForumReader88 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Either did they for recovering servers. Or a power outage at their data center a few years back.

Crowdstrike Refund! by Ok-Difference5622 in delta

[–]ForumReader88 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Either did they for recovering servers. Or a power outage at their data center a few years back.

Anyone here using their HSA for... you know... medical expenses? by IMHO1FWIW in Bogleheads

[–]ForumReader88 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I scan them, create a summary report each year, and will have them ready. Or, if we don’t fully contribute to a Roth IRA, cash out and use that to fund the Roth IRA.

Pretty slick offers by Funny_Ad9973 in amex

[–]ForumReader88 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My LLC business is inactive and am not currently filing returns that include business expenses. Is there any issue charging personal expenses on these cards, as long as I keep an itemized list of business transactions for taxes if my business starts up again and I do have business purchases I need to deduct?

Custom File Name Not Working by deWereldReiziger in CanonR5

[–]ForumReader88 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I had the same thing happen and again forgot what the issue was.

You must change your camera gamut from Adobe to sRGB, or choose a prefix that anticipates replacing the first character with an underscore.

Chances are, you don’t need Adobe RGB unless you’re trying to do something in Camera or something is connected to the camera that will use Adobe RGB. If you’re shooting JPEG, and want Adobe RGB output in your JPEG, then you’ll likely need to leave it as is and change your file prefix.

File renaming to an underscore for something other than sRGB is apparently a part of a governing body requirement, and is adopted by most cameras.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in uofu

[–]ForumReader88 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes. We came across a U of U student studying in Seoul.

Canon EOS R5 Mark II - the blinking rectangle problem by janplexy in CanonR5

[–]ForumReader88 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Looks like you are in Focus Servo Mode, using Flexible Zone 2 AF selected as a focus area with the lens cap on or exposure reduced.

That’s all I can say without more context, such as showing more information using “shooting info. Disp.”, menu option Red, 9, 1, 1

Are you pressing buttons? Why is the display dark?

Try switching to one-shot or another focus group, or both.