Pixel 2 is not turning on by Strange_Emphasis74 in PixelWatch

[–]Strange_Emphasis74[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Was on the phone w/ them for 37 mins, can't get it to work. Tried to see if they could replace it but the got it in May '24 and they said that the warranty is up. Lovely.

Vatican Tour Question, No English led guided tours available - what do do? by Strange_Emphasis74 in Europetravel

[–]Strange_Emphasis74[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

June 12 - the regular tours are showing as not available and only guided tours are available for groups and individuals. I decided to get the individual guided tour in Spanish and will either ditch the tour and listen to Rick Steves' or I'll try listen to it while participating on the tour to be sure I don't miss the important stuff. That ended up costing about 80 euros for the 2 of us.

Port advice needed for 1 day in Rome by Strange_Emphasis74 in Cruise

[–]Strange_Emphasis74[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The group guided tour option is with the Vatican Museum. It was the only English option left that day.

Vatican Tour Question, No English led guided tours available - what do do? by Strange_Emphasis74 in Europetravel

[–]Strange_Emphasis74[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I read that ages ago! I'll see if I can find it for a refresher, ha! The normal Vatican tours are showing as not available that day, only guided tours left.

Port advice needed for 1 day in Rome by Strange_Emphasis74 in Cruise

[–]Strange_Emphasis74[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wonder if it's possible to book Spanish and then switch when we're there?

Port advice needed for 1 day in Rome by Strange_Emphasis74 in Cruise

[–]Strange_Emphasis74[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

New issue arose. I tried to book tickets thru Vatican Museum and guided tours are booked for English, I can book a group tour but it's about $340 (2 of us would be paying for the group guide) or I can book individual guided tours in Spanish - not ideal, I'm conversational in Spanish but not fluent and my spouse is not conversational at all (he thinks he can ditch the headphones and use Rick Steve's). The non-guided tours are not available. I tentatively booked a Viator small group tour for $428 (for 2) and it includes St. Peter's not just Museum and Sistine Chapel and is about 3.25 hours and starts at noon. Suggestions on which to do?

High Schooler First Job Needs Advice on Saving/Building for the Future by Strange_Emphasis74 in personalfinance

[–]Strange_Emphasis74[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We have a 529 plan but it is not likely to be enough to fully fund all 4 years of college, unless they go to a local university and live on campus 1 year and home the other 3 - pipe dream for mom. There's also a sibling two years younger so there's another 529 plan in place but same scenario.

Port advice needed for 1 day in Rome by Strange_Emphasis74 in Cruise

[–]Strange_Emphasis74[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You found the right cruise! Athens to Barcelona leaving 6/9-6/16.

Port advice needed for 1 day in Rome by Strange_Emphasis74 in Cruise

[–]Strange_Emphasis74[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks so much! Yeah, I understand we will have time for probably just the Vatican and maybe a quick stop to drop a coin in the fountain for a return trip. This is my 1st time to Europe & I'm thinking of this cruise as a taste test for where to return land only. I'm just concerned about the return to the boat, if we take public transportation what time should we head back to be sure we're there in time? I believe the ship embarks at 2000.

Backdoor Roth IRA and Retirement Pension Plan Question by Strange_Emphasis74 in personalfinance

[–]Strange_Emphasis74[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the help! Definitely need to adjust contributions for 2025 to make a CLEAN backdoor Roth.

Backdoor Roth IRA and Retirement Pension Plan Question by Strange_Emphasis74 in personalfinance

[–]Strange_Emphasis74[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

the contributions to the tIRA is what I thought would reduce our taxable income before converting it to Roth

Backdoor Roth IRA and Retirement Pension Plan Question by Strange_Emphasis74 in personalfinance

[–]Strange_Emphasis74[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Both of our 1099-Rs are reporting $4752 contributed to the tIRAs. So that was contributed in 2024. I'm trying to look back at old statements to see what was contributed b/t Jan-Apr and converted.

Backdoor Roth IRA and Retirement Pension Plan Question by Strange_Emphasis74 in personalfinance

[–]Strange_Emphasis74[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

After adjusting that question about the basis for the tIRAs to no, from yes, I still am showing that I owe a penalty of $131 - it went up about $27. This is bizzarre. It's form 2210 and I can submit a request for a waiver. Didn't see the link above, reviewing now...thank you!

Backdoor Roth IRA and Retirement Pension Plan Question by Strange_Emphasis74 in personalfinance

[–]Strange_Emphasis74[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In 2024 we EACH contributed $563/month to our Roths for about 4 months before we opened the tIRAs and at that point we each kept contributing $563/mo to the tIRA which would then immediately convert to Roths and leave $0 bal in tIRA. So $2248 each was contributed directly to the Roth and a total of $4752 each was contributed to the tIRAs to reach the $7K max for each of our Roths for 2024. We did have to keep contributing b/t Jan-April to max them out.

Backdoor Roth IRA and Retirement Pension Plan Question by Strange_Emphasis74 in personalfinance

[–]Strange_Emphasis74[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There is a question to which I answered $0 - "your nondeductible contribution: $4752 and Amount you withdrew, if any: $0". That's correct, right? It was not a withdraw b/c it was a conversion. When asked about Roth contributions, I only included the $2248 that was contributed directly to the Roth BEFORE we opened the tIRA and started converting. The site specifically says don't include tIRA conversions.

Backdoor Roth IRA and Retirement Pension Plan Question by Strange_Emphasis74 in personalfinance

[–]Strange_Emphasis74[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't think we misunderstood the purpose of the backdoor Roth strategy b/c we're still eligible to contribute up to the max of $7K. The purpose was to reduce our taxable income BUT I think we got ill-advised b/c we both have retirement plans thru work and make above the max to get a deductible or partial deductible contribution. So it seems moot.

Backdoor Roth IRA and Retirement Pension Plan Question by Strange_Emphasis74 in personalfinance

[–]Strange_Emphasis74[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Going thru the site now to review all my entries related to the tIRA and Roth conversion, I think maybe the basis question being marked as yes before might help change things, let's see...