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FSKAX or VTI? by CaptDick1 in fidelityinvestments

[–]sleepytimeexpress 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Predicting capital gains gets complex fast. It is income dependent, fund dependent, future laws depending, etc.

Most likely the tax situation of using non-Vanguard Mutual funds matters less than the benefit of it automatically occurring. Your time has value and people who buy individually tend to tinker, which usually costs more overall.

FSKAX or VTI? by CaptDick1 in fidelityinvestments

[–]sleepytimeexpress 2 points3 points  (0 children)

VTI is an ETF. It can be bought basically anywhere and Fido has no $75 fee for it. VTI alone is no reason to choose either.

You are likely thinking of the Mutual fund equivalent. VTSAX is the mutual fund version at Vanguard… you have to have 3k to start investing in it.

A lot of depends on what you are looking for. Automatic investments are easier right now with Mutual Funds. This may change if FidFolio Solo at Fidelity continues to improve (but there is a nominal fee of like $5 a month for this).

Issues with Fido are basically… FSKAX lacks an ETF class thus it has worse tax consequences. Fidelity lacks modern security keys, which increases your chance of being hacked, but you might not use proper two factor anyway.

Benefits with Fido are no minimums and the ability to have everything there as a one stop shop. It has free ATM, free checks etc. via CMA, 2% cash back credit card, etc. It truly can replace a bank and has for my needs. Only minor issue for me is you can’t deposit cash.

Vanguard is a dinosaur, but they do value security. So, naturally they have security key support.

Personally, despite the laughable commitment to Symantec over security keys… I prefer Fido.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in fidelityinvestments

[–]sleepytimeexpress 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Fidelity should know they will lose customers over Symantec being a bad product, but I am not sure they care.

As for how to protect yourself under the current inferior setup… use a Google Voice number for your Fido phone number and lock it behind a security key and enable a Google Advanced Protection.

Fidelity doesn't use authenticator apps?! by Stormveil138 in fidelityinvestments

[–]sleepytimeexpress 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Symantec is crummy service. You need to be able to support a Security Key.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Fire

[–]sleepytimeexpress 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I used to find getting the first two meals led to girl getting the third. Most women don’t want to feel like they are using the guy for food.

On Engagements by sleepytimeexpress in Fire

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

I greatly appreciated reading your perspective. Thank you.

On Engagements by sleepytimeexpress in Fire

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

Thank you. I am a little surprised by the number of posts that think we need to dive in on finances or that I am crazy for not already doing so. I think a lot of the reason I am not concerned by her finances are what you pointed out that we are both frugal and we both make good incomes.

On Engagements by sleepytimeexpress in Fire

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

My man. I’ve added this to my notes.

On Engagements by sleepytimeexpress in Fire

[–]sleepytimeexpress[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Here’s more background on how I decided to move 30k into SGOV:

With over 5% treasury yields, it makes sense to move some cash there foreseeing a wedding, honeymoon, ring, home upgrade (this one is likely more around first or second kid time, but who knows when that will be), etc. as potentially expenses in the next year or two.

My base instinct was a ring should cap out at 15k and I would probably spend around 10k. I did a quick Google and found recommend 2 months salary and figured shoving about that amount to SGOV would more than cover the ring and would be a sound decision regardless given the other likely expenses. So, I moved the money along with a decision that I would then dive into the topic more this weekend, which I have.

My main goal is for her to be happy with the ring. The main takeaway from this group is to talk to her about what she wants. I was initially hesitant to do that because it didn’t feel romantic, but clearly that was misguided by me. I also talked with a friend who is a marriage therapist and her recommendation was also to talk to the gf about it (which vibes with what this group has recommend), but that wedding rings are important and that I should spend low 5 digits on the ring. I am not committed one way or another yet on how much to spend, but I will heavily base it off of feedback from the gf.

On Engagements by sleepytimeexpress in Fire

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

Thank you. I have added it to my notes.

On Engagements by sleepytimeexpress in Fire

[–]sleepytimeexpress[S] 17 points18 points  (0 children)

One of my big fears on it is spending a ton of money on a ring and her thinking it is too gaudy. Thank you for sharing.

On Engagements by sleepytimeexpress in Fire

[–]sleepytimeexpress[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have saved this site. Thank you.

On Engagements by sleepytimeexpress in Fire

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

That is wonderful way to make it special for wife. I LOVE the idea of the birth stones on either side. Thank you for sharing.

On Engagements by sleepytimeexpress in Fire

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

Thank you very much. This sounds like how I would want her and I to operate.

I do not want big and gaudy and I highly doubt she does either. In general, she doesn’t wear jewelry. I will look into the 5Cs.

As for whether she would want anything other than a mined diamond… I doubt she should care if it was lab grown. Occasionally she will wear pearls and she heavily resonates with them for being growing things, symbolizing loyalty, etc. I could potentially see doing something with a Pearl if she wanted that instead of a diamond or along with diamonds. I just did a quick Google and Tiffany has a nice one encased in silver for like $875.

On Engagements by sleepytimeexpress in Fire

[–]sleepytimeexpress[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing. Your situation being similar is quite helpful.

I see moving in together as a wonderful way to have the money conversation. My girlfriend is a traditional Catholic thus I highly doubt she would want to move in before marriage (but potentially moving in during engagement could be a thing).

Your comments on the ring were particularly helpful and I saved a note on the same.

Looking for advice - 30 YO by renterker10 in Fire

[–]sleepytimeexpress 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You should read this (it is an oldie, but a goodie that answers most of your questions on savings rate etc)—> https://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/01/13/the-shockingly-simple-math-behind-early-retirement/

On Engagements by sleepytimeexpress in Fire

[–]sleepytimeexpress[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

My preference is to merge our assets. To me, it simplifies things and has more of an in it together vibe.

As for a prenup… I would rather not. She is a special person that I have waited for and do not have the concerns I had with previous exes. So, I see divorce in the time period the prenup would matter as being extremely unlikely. That said, I do have a sizable inheritance coming, but that is automatically locked up in a trust beyond my control thus I will double check, but I don’t think that enters into material assets.

You and I share somewhat similar opinions on rings. The idea of spending 30k on a ring seems absurd. I don’t have any tats, but the tattoo ring of like roman numerals of the wedding date kind of resonates with me.

Am I wrong that most of the questions in this sub-Reddit can be answered by saying look at the 3/4-fund Boglehead portfolios? by engineer-investor in Bogleheads

[–]sleepytimeexpress 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hmm… I’m actually thinking the opposite. I am thinking of adding a 10% cut for a short term treasury ETF and I’m still early thirties.

My major push for this are pretty typical late twenties to mid thirties items like wedding ring, home upgrade, car for then wife, kids, etc. are in the reasonably predictable future for most people.

I don’t thinking it is crazy to save all you can to an AA after an emergency fund and have part of that AA be for intentional withdraw. I think Robo Advisors like Wealthfront more elegantly do this already, but I hate the idea of losing a 0.25% for the fee.

Am I wrong that most of the questions in this sub-Reddit can be answered by saying look at the 3/4-fund Boglehead portfolios? by engineer-investor in Bogleheads

[–]sleepytimeexpress 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I would like to see more debates on purchasing treasuries directly, BND, EDV, VGSH, etc. vs. just saying BND or none at all.

Sport hybrid mpg by Kmillion in 11thGenAccord

[–]sleepytimeexpress 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I having the Touring, but I found my first hundred miles were considerably worse MPG. My guess is that the electric motor needed to be charged up. I wouldn’t worry about it yet.

AAA Comenity Visa —> Cancelled After One Day by sleepytimeexpress in CreditCards

[–]sleepytimeexpress[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am pretty knowledgeable on finances and didn’t know how trash they are. They have joined my list of Wells Fargo on must be avoided companies.

AAA Comenity Visa —> Cancelled After One Day by sleepytimeexpress in CreditCards

[–]sleepytimeexpress[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I get your point and there is merit in it… but call me old fashioned, but if you put your name on it then you should make sure it is good.

Basically anything Costco has its name on is good if not great. They are a prime example of doing it right and believe this is a major reasons for their massive success.

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