The real winners here can be young people who have appreciated assets in taxable accounts. If you or family members bought stock / funds in a UTMA account for your children when they were young, they likely have massive unrealized gains. These can be recognized using this strategy when they finish college or in early working years when they have low earned income. I did this for my kids as soon as they graduated from college and were no longer claimed as dependents on my return. It allowed me to reinvest the full amount of their assets with a current tax basis. Nice result.
I have accounts at Schwab, Fidelity, and Wealthfront. I was mildly surprised when Schwab offered to have a CFP sit down with me (virtually) to analyze our finances and investments. Very positive interaction, and didn't lead to recommendations to buy anything or feel overtly commercial. The trigger may have been when I set up - but never used - a line of credit backed by my brokerage account. Valuable customer service.
The best advice I've received on buying / selling ETF shares is to avoid transactions near market open or close. The bid/ask spreads during the trading day are usually within a penny per share for the broad, liquid funds that HD types tend to own. Spreads are a non-issue over the course of time that you'll own the investment.
Without getting political, I'd be really hesitant to make any permanent decision (like Roth conversions, emigrating to Portugal, etc.) based on the current situation in Washington. Nothing is thought through, nothing seems long term, and too much is fickle. HD folks should know better.
I strongly agree with Bogdan. I recently started a consulting biz where I work as an independent contractor for a large organization. My CPA and I discussed the pluses (few) and minuses (many) of incorporating my business. In the absence of having employees or a brick-and-mortar location, there was little reason to incur the costs. And I still get to deduct expenses, invest in a SEP IRA, take the health care premium and QBI deductions as a sole proprietor. Folks need to do their due diligence on this issue.
My British-born wife and I have a mixed US-UK marriage. I happily put vinegar on my chips (fries), and she enjoys, um, big American portions and driving in the West. We get by. . . .
So sad to hear this. Several years ago, Jonathan generously spoke with my daughter (an aspiring journalist) for well over an hour to assist her with a grad school project. He’s always been a top bloke in my mind since then - and a great role model for my daughter. Wishing his entire family well.
Comments
Only to the extent that you've held the shares for over one year to qualify for long term capital gain treatment
Post: Tax Gain Harvesting
Link to comment from November 8, 2025
The real winners here can be young people who have appreciated assets in taxable accounts. If you or family members bought stock / funds in a UTMA account for your children when they were young, they likely have massive unrealized gains. These can be recognized using this strategy when they finish college or in early working years when they have low earned income. I did this for my kids as soon as they graduated from college and were no longer claimed as dependents on my return. It allowed me to reinvest the full amount of their assets with a current tax basis. Nice result.
Post: Tax Gain Harvesting
Link to comment from November 8, 2025
I have accounts at Schwab, Fidelity, and Wealthfront. I was mildly surprised when Schwab offered to have a CFP sit down with me (virtually) to analyze our finances and investments. Very positive interaction, and didn't lead to recommendations to buy anything or feel overtly commercial. The trigger may have been when I set up - but never used - a line of credit backed by my brokerage account. Valuable customer service.
Post: Disappointed (and annoyed) with Vanguard.
Link to comment from October 25, 2025
The best advice I've received on buying / selling ETF shares is to avoid transactions near market open or close. The bid/ask spreads during the trading day are usually within a penny per share for the broad, liquid funds that HD types tend to own. Spreads are a non-issue over the course of time that you'll own the investment.
Post: Mutual Funds Vs. ETFs Which do you prefer and Why?
Link to comment from October 25, 2025
Without getting political, I'd be really hesitant to make any permanent decision (like Roth conversions, emigrating to Portugal, etc.) based on the current situation in Washington. Nothing is thought through, nothing seems long term, and too much is fickle. HD folks should know better.
Post: Contrarian Thinking About Roth Conversions
Link to comment from October 18, 2025
I strongly agree with Bogdan. I recently started a consulting biz where I work as an independent contractor for a large organization. My CPA and I discussed the pluses (few) and minuses (many) of incorporating my business. In the absence of having employees or a brick-and-mortar location, there was little reason to incur the costs. And I still get to deduct expenses, invest in a SEP IRA, take the health care premium and QBI deductions as a sole proprietor. Folks need to do their due diligence on this issue.
Post: LLC Tax Benefits
Link to comment from October 11, 2025
Ooops - meant therefore less lucrative.
Post: Free Lunch?
Link to comment from October 4, 2025
Sounds less risky - and therefore less risky- than selling covered calls on your portfolio.
Post: Free Lunch?
Link to comment from October 4, 2025
My British-born wife and I have a mixed US-UK marriage. I happily put vinegar on my chips (fries), and she enjoys, um, big American portions and driving in the West. We get by. . . .
Post: Our Special Relationship
Link to comment from September 27, 2025
So sad to hear this. Several years ago, Jonathan generously spoke with my daughter (an aspiring journalist) for well over an hour to assist her with a grad school project. He’s always been a top bloke in my mind since then - and a great role model for my daughter. Wishing his entire family well.
Post: Jonathan and website update
Link to comment from September 20, 2025