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I am a retired IT executive with 44 years of experience in IT. I am originally from Virginia and have lived in North Carolina the past 60 years. I am a widower who was married for 57 years to my late wife, Judy. We have 2 children and 3 grandchildren. I volunteer with my church and serve on the board of 2 retiree associations, one of which has more than 50,000 members. I still enjoy golf, travel and taking care of our home and 2 acres of land.
Comments
European companies have been negative on Microsoft, Google, Apple, et al for a long time. When I met with some around 2010 they were that way. I do not have any recent experience, but i doubt that has changed. I still believe in US companies. There may be one or two year blips, but long term I am bullish on USA.
Post: Sell America
Link to comment from February 15, 2026
I use my spreadsheet for tax planning to make sure I do any estimated tax payments. Also, it prevented me from submitting my TT return this year. I could see my AGI was too low in TT. Thanks to the help of TT phone support, the error was fixed and I submitted my return. Unlike in my working days, I have income coming from dividends, interest, SS, my pension and sometimes other sources. The spreadsheet is necessary to make sure I withhold enough money to avoid any interest penalties. FWIW, I make less income, but it is definitely more complicated.
Post: Yes, I am a NIIT wit
Link to comment from February 12, 2026
TT had a worksheet for that. It is not that complicated.
Post: 2025 Tax Return Time – Overview of Changes
Link to comment from February 12, 2026
Suzee. I was aware of things that affected me already. I just submitted my last MFJ return using TT as my wife passed in 2025. The only confusion was about how TT handled the transfer of her IRA to me. It took 3 tries, but I got a helpful lady that got that fixed. I have always done my taxes and I also do my son's return for his small business. Taxes have become so complicated that most people cannot do them on their own. My old accounting professor used to refer to the tax accountant's relief act of 19XX that in its quest for simplification would add hundreds of pages to the tax code and would assure tax accountants work for many years. It is even more true today. One piece of advice. If you donot already have an IP Pin, request one from the IRS. This will prevent bad actors from filing in your name.
Post: 2025 Tax Return Time – Overview of Changes
Link to comment from February 12, 2026
I like TIPS intermediates. I get 2%+ in real interest and do not have to worry about inflation. I agree that SPAXX is a good place to park money and have a fair amount there as well.
Post: High Interest Savings Accounts vs Bond funds
Link to comment from February 8, 2026
Thanks Mark. Sorry to hear of your wife and daughter's health situation. I retired at age 66 in 2010. I had planned to retire in 2008 but we had the great recession and I decided to go a couple more years to recover my losses. I regret not retiring sooner. More money does not move the retirement needle, but time to enjoy things with your loved ones does. My wife had issues that compromised her mobility which made travel and other leisure activities much more difficult in our later years. Had I retired a few years earlier we could have enjoyed more things together.
Post: The Right Time to Retire Isn’t Always the Optimal Time
Link to comment from February 5, 2026
Thanks. It is a step in the right direction.
Post: Lower drug prices?
Link to comment from February 5, 2026
That money would have been better spent on improving customer service. If Vanguard would invest a little in their customer service, they might still have customers like me.
Post: Vanguard Funds Fee Cut
Link to comment from February 3, 2026
I got surprised by that one year when I did a large Roth conversion. I normally do not have enough income to worry about it and it was not on my radar. Another way for the masked man to get you.
Post: Investments Tax
Link to comment from February 1, 2026
In some instances, these are bucket list items and create memories. Nothing wrong with that. However, I think pro sports are getting so expensive the average fans has difficulty affording games.
Post: Money to burn?
Link to comment from January 26, 2026