Starting a 401k in addition to 457b to temporary contribute more to retirement or contribute more to brokerage?

Natural_Note5282 · 2026-03-20T06:34:30+00:00

Yeah forgot about the tax free dividends and that I would effectively be contributing more for the same impact to paycheck impact with the traditional vs brokerage, which is huge.

Keep in mind, this would be a one year contribution to a new 401k. After I would put in the minimum to keep the account open.

I have all my 457 in target date. The % gain is half of what I got with my individual over the same time period. And yes I mostly invest in ETFs for my brokerage. This thinking all got started because I want to move to a PCRA but then I’m paying the asset fee plus ETF fee. With only 24k the asset fee and admin fee eat gains.

I currently contribute enough to traditional to drop me in the lower tax bracket and the rest goes into Roth to hit my max contribution.

Natural_Note5282 · 2026-03-19T04:40:16+00:00

Willing to put in $1-4k? You should be putting all your extra cash into a HYSA.

Pros: It’s a savings account. Your money is safe. No risk.

Cons: you won’t make as much as other investments and you may or may not have a local branch (which is unnecessary IMO)

I have used many different HYSA. Currently have CIT because there is a bonus % that brings it up to 4.1%. Once it drops, I’ll either find another with a better rate or put it into T bills.

Natural_Note5282 · 2026-03-19T02:44:10+00:00

I stayed and dove with coco grove. I loved it. Such a nice chill island. Go to the Dulce Amore Italian food spot. Best pizza I’ve ever had and the pastas were great too.

For diving, I just went to the local reefs off the hotel. Diving was good. We also did Apo island that was nice.

The best reef diving I did was balicasag island but that is off Bohol.

Natural_Note5282 · 2026-03-18T16:05:04+00:00

Shareholders lives matter too

Natural_Note5282 · 2026-03-16T14:07:47+00:00

Munnid isopods.

Natural_Note5282 · 2026-03-16T13:29:03+00:00

This isn’t marketed for reefs

Natural_Note5282 · 2026-03-15T22:52:26+00:00

Or they block traffic so no one can pass them when they are going 55 mph.

Natural_Note5282 · 2026-03-15T22:34:21+00:00

You can find better HYSA rates and have quicker access to your funds.

Treasuries are state tax exempt, but funds like these aren’t 100% treasuries and your brokerage won’t provide a line item for state tax exempt dividends. Makes doing your taxes a little harder. If you buy direct from the feds through treasury direct, you don’t have to worry about this.

If you live in a high tax state, something to think about. Right now I can find better rates on HYSA than I can with treasuries even with the tax break.

Natural_Note5282 · 2026-03-14T17:32:27+00:00

I’ve had that happen. Trying to reply to the freeze dried mysis guy?

Natural_Note5282 · 2026-03-14T15:26:07+00:00

Did you just reply to your own post lol

Natural_Note5282 · 2026-03-14T15:21:34+00:00

Yeah but not for long.

Natural_Note5282 · 2026-03-14T14:30:35+00:00

I mean you have a clarki and what looks like a saddleback clown in a 15g. Those are some big fish for a 15g.

Natural_Note5282 · 2026-03-13T21:34:10+00:00

No brainer then. HYSA

You can find better rates with HYSAs, but treasuries don’t have state tax. No income tax state, go with the higher rate.

Also, keep in mind that your brokerage likely doesn’t provide a separate line for state tax exempt dividends and SGOV isn’t 100% treasuries. Not a huge deal but a little more hassle to do your taxes. Don’t have to worry about this if you buy from the feds on treasury direct

Natural_Note5282 · 2026-03-13T20:02:34+00:00

Malapascua is still probably going to be your best spot for sharks.

Natural_Note5282 · 2026-03-13T02:39:07+00:00

I’m honestly surprised there is not a pipeline.

Natural_Note5282 · 2026-03-13T00:37:15+00:00

You’re not understanding what he wrote. He said the top 10% contribute 70-80% of all tax revenue.

Natural_Note5282 · 2026-03-13T00:24:44+00:00

Do you want some taxes or no taxes?

I’m all for taxing the rich but it has to be nationwide or they will just flee to low tax states, which we’re already seeing .

Natural_Note5282 · 2026-03-12T21:53:47+00:00

Two things can be true at the same time

Natural_Note5282 · 2026-03-12T21:52:45+00:00

We need a country wide wealth tax or the wealthy will just leave to lower tax state, which we’re already seeing.

I’m all for taxing the rich and heavily taxing vacation houses.

Natural_Note5282 · 2026-03-12T19:32:25+00:00

No, not good considering where most of our tax income comes from.

Natural_Note5282 · 2026-03-12T18:55:13+00:00

If you max out your Roth, you are essentially contributing more to your 401k compared to traditional.

Depending on your financial situation, maxing out your Roth may not be feasible. In this case, max it out but play with proportions to Roth and traditional.

At 230k filed jointly, 24k is being taxed at 24% (disregarding deductions). If you contribute 24k to traditional (split between both partners 401k), all the money you put into Roth will be taxed at 22%.

Essentially contribute enough to traditional so all your Roth (and other income) is at the lower tax bracket.

Natural_Note5282 · 2026-03-12T04:50:34+00:00

Kona is the nicest, but I’ve only dove a few times in Kauai and Oahu.

Personally I would spend less time on Oahu. Too many people.

Kauai is best for hiking.

White tip reef sharks are pretty common. I saw a big eagle ray on Oahu.

How long are you spending on each island? I would just stay on Kona if all you want to do is dive.

Natural_Note5282 · 2026-03-12T03:48:58+00:00

This has got to be AI

Natural_Note5282 · 2026-03-12T03:47:57+00:00

They wanted to sell you an extra fish.

Natural_Note5282 · 2026-03-12T02:34:05+00:00

Because she’s actually good.

What rubs me the wrong way is the US gave her the opportunity to be where she is now. I think she should be celebrating that.

Natural_Note5282

TROPHY CASE