Rick Dunn

Comments:

• Most wait staff depend on tips. In some places, tip money is shared with buss boys and cooks. I used to tip 15% if service was good and 20% if it was excellent. In rare cases I tip less due to poor service. I don't like taxes so I generally prefer to exclude taxes when estimating tips. My wife and I go out to eat a lots...typically 3 times per week. One place almost every week, we like the food, the wait staff etc. There I tip higher ... 25, sometimes 30%. We get treated well at that spot. That place we like, is actually the least costly ... sometimes "less is more".

  Post: Making Everyone Happy

  Link to comment from April 19, 2024

• The other big misconceptions is: "The Govt. may not fund SS ... It will run out of money." This has never occurred yet. Not going to happen. The politicians will be happy to send everyone's money and raise SS taxes.

  Post: Making Claims

  Link to comment from April 5, 2024

• Another nice article. Regarding how much fixed income, I often counsel those looking at retirement to have their AA set at what they want during retirement when they are 3 years away. This way if the market crashes 1-3 years before retirement...they likely can still retire. I saw too many people with 90% or more in equities...just before retirement.

  Post: Asking Myself

  Link to comment from March 16, 2024

• To me the objective of a Roth Conversion is to reduce taxes and other fees (IRMAA etc.).

  Post: Targeting Taxes

  Link to comment from March 11, 2024

• Thanks for this article. Can you or someone explain this statement using different wording: "QCDs helped my wife and me, though the tax savings would have been greater if we hadn’t previously been itemizing our charitable contributions." I'm not clear on why this is the case. Regards,

  Post: QCDs and Me

  Link to comment from March 5, 2024

• Ed, nice article. It sounds like you have thought things out-it seems to make sense to me. In some cases it actually makes sense to take SS around FRA to optimize the growth of the savings portfolio. In other words the time to take SS needs to be considered along with all other financial factors. Your plan sounds right for you. Dont forget to look at health insurance at age 65 and beyond. The other large 'cost' in retirement is taxes, so start considering that. Nice work!

  Post: Our Waiting Game

  Link to comment from February 28, 2024

• Yes can be ok in extreme cases. If the service is really poor, I will leave a 5% tip. Remember that the tip is not just for the wait staff.

  Post: Is it okay not to leave a tip at a full-service restaurant?

  Link to comment from December 30, 2023

• Ask: How often are the so called experts correct?

  Post: Aging Into Bonds

  Link to comment from December 30, 2023

• Excellent article. Burns was a great read. I like what Benjamin Franklin said including: "Beware of little expenses, a small leak will sink a great ship."

  Post: Longtime Worry

  Link to comment from December 26, 2023

• 529s are good if used with low cost investments such as index funds. My son ended up attending the US Naval Academy, which is fully paid by the Navy. Turns out there is a provision in the tax code for Cadets and Midshipman attending West Point, Annapolis, USAF Academy and US Coast Guard Academy where 529 funds can be withdrawn with out penalty. There are other tax beneficial aspects to use these funds while attending a US Service Academy. My son graduated from USNA in May and had a great expience at the #1 rated public university in the USA. Www.usna.edu

  Post: Strings Attached

  Link to comment from December 25, 2023