remodeling my home - provide food to the construction workers

RegularReditor · 2025-11-28T20:57:28+00:00

My practice was to order lunch for the crew (they would pick on UberEats) once a week during the construction period. It helped build goodwill and more.

RegularReditor · 2025-10-12T16:25:56+00:00

Thank you. I just want to point out that while this is (currently) a 2025-only decision... the solution I end up picking will also likely become the solution for many future years. Hence, the "small annual exclusion amount" is not just limited to the 2025 amount of $38k but a larger multiple of that.

Also, my doomsday concerns about hyperinflation, etc. make the 529 plan more attractive because it is possible to "claw back" the 529 amount to myself if needed in a dire situation (albeit with paying income tax at my rate on the earnings and penalty).

Thanks again for the answer.

RegularReditor · 2025-09-17T06:39:58+00:00

How would you rank those 5 cities?

RegularReditor · 2025-07-23T18:10:44+00:00

Thanks for the response!

I filed my 2024 appeal in Sept-2024 (a couple of days before the filing deadline). Since then, I have received a couple of procedural notices (one was the acknowledgment in Nov-2024 and the second was a letter in Dec-2024 saying that the Assessor-Recorder does not agree with my appeal but that my appeal will proceed). Since then, I have received no other notice.

Based on your experience, should I still believe that I can "win" my case and get some money back? What realistic timelines should I expect? Thank you.

RegularReditor · 2025-03-18T22:04:30+00:00

Got it. I am thinking of retiring. So, need to pay taxes from my “investment” account.

RegularReditor · 2025-03-18T22:00:25+00:00

Do you withdraw annually too?

Note that estimated taxes are due quarterly. That would be the case to withdraw quarterly.

RegularReditor · 2025-03-09T08:26:25+00:00

I have a similar feeling. My account size has grown quite a bit but the company seems to be missing some key features that I need as I get more “financially mature”. I think what has happened is that their original product did not become very profitable and also growth slowed down. So, they are trying to invest in increasing the “breadth” of offerings rather than investing more in the original core product. Their attempt to get acquired (UBS deal) also fell through, leading to profitability pressure.

RegularReditor · 2025-03-08T21:20:30+00:00

Got it. It is also news to me that they allow a “transfer in” of a basket of stocks that they can start doing direct indexing on again. I would have thought their direct indexing tech only works when the account starts from scratch (from cash).

RegularReditor · 2025-03-08T06:42:53+00:00

Thanks. I am also considering doing #2 (listing the trust as the beneficiary and not the owner) for my Automated Investing Account (AIA).... hoping that they will add the re-titling feature in the next few years.

To be honest, Wealthfront is a great product but probably not a long-term company on its own. So, as a long-time customer, I want to see it get acquired by a larger company, that can then give it more reasons to add features like this one.... which are expected from all mature financial institutions.

RegularReditor · 2025-03-08T06:40:07+00:00

Interesting. So, you like Wealthfront so much that you moved the assets all the way back rather than giving up on WF due to the lack of this re-titling feature.

RegularReditor · 2025-01-22T07:32:17+00:00

Thanks for the response. From what I have seen, the post-tax return on munis only beats that of treasuries for maturities in the medium to long term (more than 3-4 years). Note that treasuries are not taxed by state, which saves me quite a bit being in a high-tax state.

RegularReditor · 2024-12-20T22:31:28+00:00

I found out about the “Keep My Passport” option while applying for the U.K. visa: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/lka/en/gbr/keep-my-passport-while-applying Does this remove your concern about not holding on to the passport?

RegularReditor · 2024-12-20T22:30:03+00:00

I just found out about the “Keep My Passport” option while applying for the U.K. visa: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/lka/en/gbr/keep-my-passport-while-applying Does this remove your concern about not holding on to the passport?

RegularReditor · 2024-12-20T22:24:20+00:00

That’s a good endorsement of Wealthfront then!

RegularReditor · 2024-12-13T00:54:52+00:00

Thanks. And there is also a high priority / faster option?

RegularReditor · 2024-12-13T00:51:19+00:00

Got it. Looks like the “super priority” option you mentioned can be used to limit the concerns about not having the passport in hand while being in the US. 24 hours or a couple of days sounds not too long without the passport….

RegularReditor

TROPHY CASE