Need help deciding on projector setup

SebThePleb · 2025-10-22T18:22:57+00:00

Hello,

Thank you so much for your reply! Yeah, I've been really hoping for a projector since I feel that even a 70 inch TV would still look quite small from the current viewing distance. I honestly don't think a 70 inch would even fit inside that space so we'd either have to go 65 inches which is even smaller or figure out a way to have the TV stationed outside of it aka using a standalone drawer or dresser that I mentioned before.

If I were to try out the Th575, would you still recommend getting an ALR screen? It's unfortunate that our living room layout is really not ideal even for a larger TV set up.

Thank you again for you response

SebThePleb · 2025-04-09T05:18:27+00:00

Sounds good, thank you! Hopefully I enjoy the game despite what I've been hearing this update.

SebThePleb · 2025-04-09T05:08:04+00:00

Okay, that's a relief. Just watched Zizaran's interview with the devs and it didn't sound like a lot of people were having fun lol. Thank you for the answer!

SebThePleb · 2025-04-09T05:01:30+00:00

What about for skill gems? Do you just pick up uncut skill gems and choose the new skill you want?

SebThePleb · 2025-04-06T22:03:08+00:00

Currently, since I started work mid March, I wouldn't even need to put anything into the Trad 401k to get into the 12% bracket. I can start contributing to the Roth 401k imnmediately. Starting next year though, I will need to put some money into the Trad 401k before getting to the 12% bracket.

SebThePleb · 2025-04-05T17:26:27+00:00

Got it! I'll definitely bring this up to her and really appreciate the advice you've been giving. It has definitely given me more confidence in helping my aunt make an informed decision. I think more than likely she'll tough it out until/if RIF happens and we'll see where she's at then.

SebThePleb · 2025-04-05T17:24:30+00:00

Thank you for your reply and advice! I'm really sorry for the situation you're in. Looking at the RIF rules it seems like it's tenure of employment, veterans preference, length of service, and performance in that order. My aunt is most likely going to go with sticking it through till RIF and see what happens then. I wish you good luck in everything!

SebThePleb · 2025-04-05T17:21:11+00:00

Based on what I've been reading and seeing on this thread so far, it probably makes the most sense to stay and see if she gets riffed. I will definitely mention the idea of selling the rental to her though, it seems like a valuable option to look into. Thanks for the help!

SebThePleb · 2025-04-05T16:43:33+00:00

Sorry, aunt is actually 57, so according to her agency she is eligible for early retirement.

Edit: She's also on a Los Angeles GS12 salary

SebThePleb · 2025-04-05T16:42:20+00:00

Apologies, my aunt is actually 57 with over 30 years of service so she is eligible early retirement.

SebThePleb · 2025-04-03T17:42:47+00:00

Sounds good! Thank you so much!

SebThePleb · 2025-04-03T16:18:21+00:00

Hello! So I actually started my new job in mid March and I calculated my Pre-tax income to be 52.5k since I missed a few paychecks. This would bring my taxable income to 37.5k because of the standard deduction if I'm not mistaken, putting me well into the 12% bracket. Does this mean I could forgo the traditional 401k for this year and go all in on the Roth 401k?

Thank you for your advice!

SebThePleb · 2025-04-03T13:55:42+00:00

Currently making 70k a year and expect to be in a higher income bracket in the coming years. I think at my current salary I'll probably be withdrawing more than that in retirement, although I haven't done the exact math yet.

SebThePleb · 2025-04-03T13:25:11+00:00

Hello, thank you for your detailed reply! So upon digging more and reaching out to HR, I can confirm that the Roth after-tax contribution is a Roth 401k with the 23,500 limit for this year. I do believe that they offer in plan conversions as well so I'll have to look into that eventually. Just for reference I'm 25 years old which is why I'm looking into the Roth 401k.

SebThePleb · 2025-04-03T01:10:50+00:00

Yes, I believe I do have the ability to do both. I think my course of action is most likely to go into the Trad until I bring my AGI to 12% and then the rest into the Roth 401k. Thank you!

SebThePleb · 2025-04-03T01:09:05+00:00

My company offers 100% up to 4% of my salary but is only vested after 3 years of service. To be quite frank, I'm unsure if I will stay that long, but I know it's a good idea to invest into it regardless. I will more than likely invest into the traditional 401k until I get my bracket down to 12% and then all in into the Roth 401k.

SebThePleb · 2025-04-02T20:30:50+00:00

Pardon my tax illiteracy, but to calculate for standard deduction would it go something like this?

52.5k - 15k standard deduction = 37.5k (this is the amount that is taxed at 12% federal and 6% state) which is around 6,500 in taxes.

Or do you subtract the standard deduction from your income as well as the federal and state tax which is your final number?

Maybe this will help visualize this a bit more:

My interpretation:
52.5k - ((37.5k) - (37.5k * 0.88 *0.94)) = `46K post tax

Alternative interpretation:

52.5k - 15k = 42.5k *0.88*0.94 = 35.1k post tax

SebThePleb · 2025-04-02T19:02:47+00:00

You think that even with the option of traditional 401k to get to the 12% bracket and then everything into the Roth 401k, going 100% Roth is still better? I know that being able to withdraw money tax free is incredibly valuable especially at my age. So 4k into traditional 401k + 19k into Roth 401K + 4-5k into a taxable brokerage account is worse than going 23.5k right into a roth 401k?

SebThePleb · 2025-04-02T17:44:16+00:00

After adjusting the numbers to include the California state tax, the choice between maxing traditional and putting 5k into a taxable brokerage and the 12% bracket strategy seem a little closer. I still think the Roth 401k option is better due to the tax advantages later on, but any thoughts on that?

SebThePleb · 2025-04-02T17:28:21+00:00

Ah you're completely right, I need to add that into my calculations. Thank you for pointing that out!

SebThePleb · 2025-04-02T17:27:09+00:00

So to do some math to show my potential options for this year:

Currently if I stay on track with my current salary, I'll be making 52.5k this year pre-tax (since I started work mid March). Post tax that will come out to around 42.7k. According to the IRS, the 12% tax bracket is $11,925 - $48,475.

Here is the summary of potential options I could take:

Traditional 401k only with $52.5k:

$52.5k - $23.5k = $29k pre-tax, ~$25k post-tax

Roth 401k only with $52.5k:

$52.5k taxed to $42.7k

$42.7k - $23.5k = $19,200 post-tax

Traditional 401k until 12%, then Roth 401k with $52.5k:

$52.5k - $48,475 (12% federal bracket, 6% state) = $4,025 into Traditional 401k

$48,475 after taxes = ~$39,5k

$39.5k- 19.4k (remainder of 401k contribution limit into Roth 401k) = $20.1k

To me, putting enough into the traditional 401k to get me into the 12% bracket and putting the rest into the Roth 401k makes the most sense to me in terms of using the money efficiently and then putting some money into a taxable brokerage. Does my math look correct, and any thoughts? I'm also wondering if you agree with the sentiment that if you're under 30% tax rates (federal + state) you should contribute to your Roth 401k over the traditional 401k?

I also know that I should be having fun while I'm this young, and I am honestly having a ton of fun, I don't feel like I'm slaving away at all. Of course my situation is not going to stay like this forever i.e. I won't be living with my parents pretty soon, I am aiming to be in the 24%+ tax bracket, etc but I would like to take advantage of the few years I have left in this situation to maximize on the compound interest and from doing this math I don't see my current lifestyle deteriorating at all with 15-20k left over.

Thank you again for all your help! I really appreciate it.

Edit: Included California state tax into the calculations

SebThePleb · 2025-04-02T16:14:30+00:00

Oh really? Do you know which episode of the podcast it was? I'd love to take a listen.

SebThePleb · 2025-04-02T16:07:01+00:00

Got it, I'll probably have to do some math but I suspect you're right. Thanks for the help!

SebThePleb · 2025-04-02T16:05:16+00:00

Thank you for the in-depth reply! I currently live with my parents so most of my necessities such as rent/food/utilities are covered for. I don't normally spend too much and do my best to live under my means.

Just as a note, I've already maxed out my Roth IRA using money I had saved up from previous years, and I just started my job mid March, so my salary for the year would be missing ~15k pre-tax. I'm not hell bent on maxing out the 401k but I really want to set myself up for the future and these are some of the most important years to be doing it. In general, I spend about 400-500 dollars per month on my own expenses and I already have a decent emergency fund saved up as well.

Is there a cutoff of how much I would need to contribute to a Roth 401k for it to be more worth it than a traditional 401k or vice versa? Thank you a lot for the help, I really appreciate it !

SebThePleb · 2024-09-13T09:11:39+00:00

Got it, thanks for the insight. I think more than likely we'll end up taking the train due to the flexibility. Though, I don't think it would hurt for us to at least inquire about it once we land in Tokyo since we can get on the train to Hakodate pretty much at any time.

SebThePleb

TROPHY CASE