The social-media-psychology experiment has been a bust IMHO ;). It has wreaked havoc on too many Millennials, Gen Xers and Gen Zers - mentally and financially. Thankfully, my boys and wives seem to have a good handle on things.
Gotcha. Yes, the coast line is spectacular. I thought it was cool standing at that point on the continent. We had a memorable/fun lunch in a nearby beach town after visiting the point. Money well spent.
Mark,
I spent a week and a half in Portugal in May. Spent time in Lisbon and Porto and Braga (for a wedding). Fantastic time! Most time was spent in larger cities including 5 prepaid excursions. My wife and I definitely followed the “spend freely and enjoy the trip” mind set. Did you happen to visit the westernmost point on the European continent?
A Milan to Zurich train through the Alps sounds awesome! Does it ever get shutdown during winter months? Or is the train system set up for all weather in that region?
RQ,
This may have been already answered in the thread somewhere, but here’s my take. The Roth conversion decision is based on the marginal tax rate, not the effective tax rate because the “next dollar decision” is taxed at the marginal rate. Again, just to reiterate what Rick said: the effective rate is just the end result of your taxes overall but not to be used for your next dollar to be taxed. Just as you would use the marginal rate to make a long-term capital gains decision you would look at the 0%, 15% or 20% marginal rate for LTCG, not the effective tax rate to make that decision.
I agree with in-kind philosophy/strategy. Any regrets after doing a conversion experiencing a sizable market loss or do you feel like it averages out in the end after doing many conversions; I.e., catching the market ups and downs?
Comments
A Humble example for HumbleDollar 😉 My cluttered attic awaits me….. 🤣
Post: Make the Attic Great Again
Link to comment from September 6, 2026
Dan, I enjoy your fun articles. Keep ‘em coming…
Post: Make the Attic Great Again
Link to comment from September 6, 2026
The social-media-psychology experiment has been a bust IMHO ;). It has wreaked havoc on too many Millennials, Gen Xers and Gen Zers - mentally and financially. Thankfully, my boys and wives seem to have a good handle on things.
Post: Behind The Finery
Link to comment from September 6, 2026
Gotcha. Yes, the coast line is spectacular. I thought it was cool standing at that point on the continent. We had a memorable/fun lunch in a nearby beach town after visiting the point. Money well spent.
Post: The Intentional Spendthrift
Link to comment from September 6, 2026
Mark, I spent a week and a half in Portugal in May. Spent time in Lisbon and Porto and Braga (for a wedding). Fantastic time! Most time was spent in larger cities including 5 prepaid excursions. My wife and I definitely followed the “spend freely and enjoy the trip” mind set. Did you happen to visit the westernmost point on the European continent?
Post: The Intentional Spendthrift
Link to comment from September 5, 2026
Yes Michael. From the Nick’s Wealth Ladder book (at least that’s where I read about it).
Post: The Intentional Spendthrift
Link to comment from September 5, 2026
A Milan to Zurich train through the Alps sounds awesome! Does it ever get shutdown during winter months? Or is the train system set up for all weather in that region?
Post: The Intentional Spendthrift
Link to comment from September 5, 2026
Well said!
Post: Traditional or Roth
Link to comment from September 5, 2026
RQ, This may have been already answered in the thread somewhere, but here’s my take. The Roth conversion decision is based on the marginal tax rate, not the effective tax rate because the “next dollar decision” is taxed at the marginal rate. Again, just to reiterate what Rick said: the effective rate is just the end result of your taxes overall but not to be used for your next dollar to be taxed. Just as you would use the marginal rate to make a long-term capital gains decision you would look at the 0%, 15% or 20% marginal rate for LTCG, not the effective tax rate to make that decision.
Post: Traditional or Roth
Link to comment from September 5, 2026
I agree with in-kind philosophy/strategy. Any regrets after doing a conversion experiencing a sizable market loss or do you feel like it averages out in the end after doing many conversions; I.e., catching the market ups and downs?
Post: Traditional or Roth
Link to comment from September 5, 2026