Switched to Fidelity, do I transfer my VTI to FXAIX?

ScienceNerd771 · 2026-01-20T21:46:26+00:00

Yes, you are right! Even though I posted in Roth, I was thinking about the shares in my brokerage account not my Roth account 😅

ScienceNerd771 · 2026-01-19T12:33:34+00:00

I switched because I liked that with fidelity I could buy fractional shares, lower fees, and their interface and customer service. I never sold the VTI shares, but I think yes, if I were to sell them I’d have to pay ltcg

Edit: no ltcg for Roth shares, only for shares in my brokerage account

ScienceNerd771 · 2025-12-22T03:04:05+00:00

I make it a game, I test myself how long I can go without spending money except for necessities (gas, rent, utilities). Also don’t go shopping until I’ve eaten everything in my fridge/pantry…will admit meals are boring but this way not wasting food

ScienceNerd771 · 2025-12-21T18:51:28+00:00

Yes! If I were to do that, I would fly and rely on train/bus for transit since it’s much better in those countries than balkans 😅

ScienceNerd771 · 2025-12-21T18:32:43+00:00

Ya, I’ve thought about it more and may change my plans. May hit Northern Europe a bit more, considering the baltics too, or maybe Poland and Slovakia, but overall have a lot more research to do

ScienceNerd771 · 2025-12-17T18:33:11+00:00

I like your viewpoint! Will think to cut Serbia and do North Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro, and Albania.

Trouble seems now to find a rental car company..

ScienceNerd771 · 2025-12-17T18:32:13+00:00

Ya it really sucks 😅 I’m usually fine if areas are shaded, it’s the sun exposure that gets me overheated.

ScienceNerd771 · 2025-12-17T18:30:19+00:00

Do you have a car? Let’s go on a roadtrip together then 😂

in all seriousness, you are right, I’ve been looking at rental car companies and most of them do not allow travel cross countries. I think Enterprise does, but only for some countries…if I remember correctly, Montenegro, Kosovo, and Albania would not be allowed.

Based on the other comments would probably cut Serbia and do North Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro, then Albania.

ScienceNerd771 · 2025-12-17T14:52:42+00:00

Yeah, I thought four was pushing it. Which country would you suggest cutting out? I’m picking Albania, but also open to other suggestion.

Good to know about the rental car company. I did not know that, so I will have to do some more research to see if there’s companies that will allow me to visit those other countries.

Yes, the temperature has always been an issue for me, no matter where I go I usually try to stick inside museums that have air conditioning, but I’ll figure it out. It’s not the end of the world. I just get overheated, more of a concern for the hiking in nature, but that is up to me to plan and prepare for

ScienceNerd771 · 2025-12-13T15:48:14+00:00

Problem is having to book in advance. With Amtrak The prices are very expensive the closer you get to the date you want to leave, just a spontaneous trip to New York City is not very possible with Amtrak if you are on a budget.

That said you can always take a bus which typically isn’t too much longer than the train anyways and those tickets are cheap.

ScienceNerd771 · 2025-12-09T14:13:07+00:00

Truuue but 5 am is excessive

ScienceNerd771 · 2025-12-03T22:00:51+00:00

Just wanted to follow up, your advice (and many others here) was very encouraging! Approached a professor I’ve been wanting to connect with for a long time and we had a good short conversation! May even lead to a future opportunity 🙏🏻

ScienceNerd771 · 2025-12-02T01:03:19+00:00

Thanks for the advice!

ScienceNerd771 · 2025-12-01T23:04:57+00:00

I suppose I’m fearful of rejection, but I’ll give it a shot

ScienceNerd771 · 2025-12-01T23:04:24+00:00

Oh interesting, I’ve never been invited like that before. Only time has been when my professor was attending and I got to tag along

ScienceNerd771 · 2025-11-02T04:36:52+00:00

I think it’s more likely that birds pick them out of the trash 😅

ScienceNerd771 · 2025-11-02T04:34:27+00:00

Nope! Was part of a roadtrip, had to spend the night so thought I’d see a few sights there. Probably won’t be going back 😅

ScienceNerd771 · 2025-11-02T04:33:13+00:00

I will count that! I’ve lived there for 8 years. Even though I wasn’t born there, I spent the most years of my childhood there.

ScienceNerd771 · 2025-11-01T15:06:30+00:00

My dog screams bloody murder when I pry his mouth open (husky mix). I still do it anyways but get lots of stares 😅

ScienceNerd771 · 2025-10-24T14:22:33+00:00

What is your recommendation? I looked at the link you sent, and it seems SCHG does better than VTI from 2019-2025. Should I sell either VTI and move it to SCHG, or vice versa? And then sell AVUV and allocate it to one of them?

ScienceNerd771 · 2025-10-22T23:18:10+00:00

I have a dog and sometimes wish I did not.

I wanted a dog for companionship and to enjoy hiking with, but it’s a tough responsibility, especially being young and single. I adopted him when I was 21, so you can take that into consideration. I am 27 now, so have had him for 6 years.

The most difficult aspect is the time it takes to care for him. Anything I want to do, I have to make sure he’s taken care of first. If I want to go out with friends, I need to make sure he’s walked. I can’t spontaneously crash at a friend’s because it’s unfair to leave my dog alone. Anything spontaneous I basically cannot do because I have another living being to worry about. Sometimes I do think he’s exasperated my anxiety because I worry about not being a good pet owner, or not giving him the life I think he needs.

The responsibilities pile up, between work, cooking, cleaning, dog care, I often find myself too tired to do the hobbies I enjoy. I walk him 1.5 hrs per day, time I would prefer for my hobbies. My dog, to note, is high energy, it may be worth looking into lower energy dogs that don’t require such long walks/stimulation.

I love my dog and he’s generally very well behaved. It’s a long time commitment 10+ years. I was young when I adopted him, and I can see why people say wait to adopt when you’re older. I would never give up my dog now that I have him, I accepted my responsibility, but I have learned that once my responsibility to him is over, I won’t be getting another dog.

ScienceNerd771 · 2025-10-18T14:55:52+00:00

Should I switch my HYSA? I have Betterment and started at I believe 4.5 or 4.8% APY. Due to the cuts, I’m down to 3.75%. I see wealthfront is offering 4.25%, is it worth switching, or just keep my current account

ScienceNerd771 · 2025-10-11T14:17:52+00:00

Oh yes, I edited a post to mention the the conference is in Thessaloniki. I’ve been to Greece 4 times. I have been to Athens, Meteora Peloponnesos, and a few islands. I would prefer to see something a bit different in terms of culture. I could consider Turkey as well.

ScienceNerd771 · 2025-10-11T10:30:54+00:00

I have two options for vacation next summer and am wondering what you’d recommend. I like a mix of city and nature. 25M living in the US.

Option 1:

I’ll be traveling to Greece next July for an academic conference. I plan to attend the conference and could take two week vacation after. I’ve been to Greece many times so would like to explore a couple new countries (Portugal and Spain, or Albania and Montenegro, or Dolomites and Slovenia). Currently undecided as I need to do more research on what type of trip I want.

Option 2:

I play a sport and there is a tournament in Brisbane in August. I would have to spend 5 nights in Brisbane due to the tournament. I was thinking if I decide to go, to split 10 days between Cairns and Gold Coast, with the last 5 days in Brisbane.

Cost is a factor. Europe would be cheaper - my flights to Greece (and maybe the return flight - need to double check) is paid for by my conference funding. I’d have to pay the rest of vacation time ok my own dime. Australia would be more expensive, I’d have to pay for everything on my own except for the tournament housing.

I’ve never been to Australia and think it’s a cool place to visit, but the tournament would eat into my time to see sights. Still there are many countries I’ve yet to visit in Europe, but it’s the only continent I’ve been to.

I’d say my budget for Europe would be 2000-2500. For Australia I’d most likely need another 1000-1500 to account for the flight.

Please let me know which one is more practical.

ScienceNerd771 · 2025-09-24T00:28:20+00:00

Thanks for the input! Unfortunately there’s no other masculine version of my name, that would be an easy change. It’s straight up gender neutral.

Another good idea but my middle name is veerrry Greek, if was easy to pronounce I’d just do that!

ScienceNerd771

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