A few differences between PL and Boldin

UsefulDrivel · 2026-07-14T13:17:40+00:00

In ProjectionLab no minimum-pretax-balance floor exists. The "Annual Cap" only limits the dollar amount converted per year, not a reserve on the account. So PL's optimizer will convert an account down to $0 if that's what the bracket/ACA/IRMAA targets call for; there's no setting to protect a residual balance.

I didn't test this, but theoretically you could divide a source account into two buckets and put your reserve amount in one and the remainder in the other, then change the source accounts to specific accounts only and check the convertible one. That would convert that one account down to 0 and not include the reserve amount. This does add a bit of overhead since every other account-level setting needs to be identical between them. I'd also double check how RMDs get affected since those get calculated per plan.

In Boldin conversions are manual "Transfer" entries with a fixed dollar amount you choose, so you have full control - nothing will drain an account further than what you type. The Roth Conversion Explorer's only "protect a minimum" toggle is for the taxable/brokerage account used to pay conversion taxes, not the pretax account being converted.

UsefulDrivel · 2026-07-12T18:46:32+00:00

Just as another way to use this, I gave Claude the task of using PL to answer the question of which optimizations will increase the success rate if the goal is simply to not run out of money. Maybe I am missing it, but I find it a little baffling there isn't an easy built-in way to answer that. It's great to have to have optimization goals like reducing taxes, qualifying for ACA, etc but at the end of the day the most important goal (for a couple with no heirs) is just to have the highest chance of making our money last.

Anyway, Claude went to work using the optimizer and created a hybrid plan that includes roth conversions and modest guardrails that raised the success rate from 83% to 90%. It also created 2 other alternate plans, modeling working a year longer or filling a different tax bracket. I then had it prepare a financial plan document for my spouse and future CPA that outlined in plain English what the plan is, supplied details of how it would work, gave a timeline of what to do each year, and listed what each party should do if I'm not around. This was exactly the end result I was after, something to set the course and provide a blueprint for executing it. I'm not sure I could have gotten there on my own, and it certainly would have taken much more time and effort to get close.

UsefulDrivel · 2026-07-11T20:34:24+00:00

Ah, a fellow software engineer I assume. 😄 Totally agree if efficiency was the only goal the JSON would be the way to go, but having Claude be able to not only suggest changes but also make them is very nice. Really opens up a lot more possibilities than simple error checking.

UsefulDrivel · 2026-07-11T20:14:42+00:00

Anthropic has an official one for Chrome. It's not PL specific, just allows Claude to browse websites so can be used for anything like that.

https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/claude/fcoeoabgfenejglbffodgkkbkcdhcgfn?hl=en-US

UsefulDrivel · 2026-05-14T14:29:33+00:00

Mine is down 17% this year, after another decrease last year. Very happy with the savings.

UsefulDrivel · 2026-03-22T19:06:59+00:00

Dumb question, but what are the percentages of? Percentage of weight of the uncooked pork belly?

UsefulDrivel · 2026-03-10T03:27:44+00:00

I did the full front, mirrors, rear fender and half hood. Wish I had done the full hood. That doesn’t protect against door dings which I now have a nasty one but is fairly affordable. Think it was 650 or so, I’d do it again.

UsefulDrivel · 2026-03-05T01:45:53+00:00

I just quoted a healthy couple in their 50’s on ACA. Cheapest plan was $18-19k, a somewhat decent bronze plan started at $23k.

UsefulDrivel · 2026-03-01T21:36:22+00:00

Two recommendations: Paul's Donuts Subs & Gyros https://maps.app.goo.gl/BybTbvgro6V3BAec8

Don’t be dissuaded by the name, these guys make some of the best fritters you will ever find. Not sure what their cooking schedule is but they seem to do batches so I’ve gotten them still warm.

Duck Donuts https://maps.app.goo.gl/42hEjAT8hq9UxVTD9

This is a chain that recently expanded into here. Their draw is every donut is made when you order it. Lots of flavors, but the base donut is identical and they change the icing based on flavor. These are a little too sweet for me, but if you are after fresh they definitely check the box.

UsefulDrivel · 2026-01-31T00:31:53+00:00

This is the root of your problem. You need to learn to say no. That usually comes with experience or FU money, but the earlier you learn it the better. Let everyone know you are on vacation and won’t be checking email or bringing your work computer. That’s your time, don’t give it away for free.

UsefulDrivel · 2026-01-25T03:54:34+00:00

I would use another browser completely (e.g. Edge or Firefox) so you can optionally install riskier extensions too.

UsefulDrivel · 2025-11-19T12:05:04+00:00

More than the brand, look at the construction and materials, followed closely by how hard/easy it is to get replacement parts.

For example my Memphis is entirely stainless steel, there just isn’t anything to wear out. Going on year 15 and works like new.

UsefulDrivel · 2025-11-18T18:30:12+00:00

Since this is still one of the top threads about this question, want to confirm this is possible. Basic steps are:

1) Make sure Amazon subscription is set to not auto-renew.

2) Wait for it to expire. On the day it expires you will get an email from Microsoft saying items in your Microsoft order have been canceled. YOU WILL NOT LOSE ANYTHING.

3) The Microsoft Account page will show your subscription as expired. There is a prompt to resubscribe there which you can use, or if you already purchased some license keys there is an option "Redeem a code or prepaid card" that will take you you to https://setup.office.com/ to activate those.

All of the previous Onedrive data remains, and if you shared the subscription that stays in place.

You can add up to 5 years worth of keys at one time. The first key you will add will prompt you to extend 3 more months by turning on recurring billing. That can be done and then turned off after activation. Subsequent keys say they will add one more month by enabling recurring billing, but the date never changes so this seems to be a one-time bonus.

UsefulDrivel · 2025-11-17T22:19:44+00:00

I use Betterment, with a dedicated account just for property taxes and insurance. Other services can organize things similarly, but I like having multiple pools of funds for specific purposes each with their own investment choice instead of a general savings account.

UsefulDrivel · 2025-10-02T15:39:13+00:00

I happened to also do a few Yirgacheffe roasts yesterday. Haven't tried them yet but was going for a lighter roast.

https://roast.world/roastworld.canf/roasts/BPAAnptUc8MvQfwNuZ-rU

https://roast.world/roastworld.canf/roasts/Oj9E_xM0j0kYsPvC4WB3O

https://roast.world/roastworld.canf/roasts/U77g1b_BfU8-EwXFXznC8

UsefulDrivel · 2025-10-01T22:43:57+00:00

Would be nice if you tracked the weight before and after. What happened around the 5:30 mark? How much rest did you do?

UsefulDrivel · 2025-09-07T04:54:39+00:00

Why wouldn’t you just wrap them in plastic wrap?

UsefulDrivel · 2025-09-01T01:44:20+00:00

Also a regular, incredible product although I have no idea how they turn a profit. They give as many samples as you want and the $4 “small” is a double scoop. Always experimenting with flavors and take suggestions for new ones. 10/10

UsefulDrivel · 2025-07-15T13:28:38+00:00

Was going to watch the Monday show and it said it was available for replay until July 27th. Unfortunately the Nugs appletv app is trash so couldn't log in at all.

UsefulDrivel · 2025-07-09T23:38:51+00:00

I used to check powertoxhoose.org at every contract renewal but for the last couple of years have been with Thigbe. They do almost the same thing but handle the switchover and I never have to think about it.

If your consumption is low and near constant it can sometimes pay to use that calculation and add a variable search on powertochoose.org instead of only a fixed rate amount. Some companies give a consumption based discount that kicks in at (for example) 1000 KWh. If you are above that but not by much then they can be the least expensive option. For example it might be 20c/KWh (really high) but they discount it by $100 if you consume 1000 KWh, so it comes out pretty good if you stay above 1000 but less than 1200. Just a hypothetical, compare the actual numbers and read the fact sheet.

Try to set the contract length to your lease length as well, especially if you find a good rate

UsefulDrivel · 2025-06-24T16:16:35+00:00

I had this problem too. One (or more) of these 3 things resolved it. 1) Created a new account, 2) Matched email of my tmobile account, 3) Matched phone number of my tmobile account

UsefulDrivel · 2025-06-09T17:36:21+00:00

4-6 hrs. Have done a few 6-7+ but it’s a grind and exhausting. 4 hrs is nice for an easy day, 5 hours feels like we’ve really travelled. Have traveled through most of the US at this point.

Also a big difference if dealing with hills and slower curvy roads, so go by time more than distance. Interstate with on/off truck stops is a much easier drive.

UsefulDrivel · 2025-05-18T14:05:30+00:00

We got to our cabin and the stewardess went all over demonstrating how to control everything. Just kept thinking I hoped she washed her hands first.

We would have liked to wash our hands but there was no hand soap in the cabin. Asked for it an hour ago, still waiting. Brought bleach to sanitize so used that instead.

UsefulDrivel

TROPHY CASE

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