The main reason I like ETFs is that transactions can be executed immediately. With mutual funds, selling or buying orders wait until the end of day. So if I'm replacing a mutual fund with a different investment, it takes me more than 1 day to execute the change. I also like to know what the price will be when executing, not after the trade is done. Lastly, I don't like capital gain distributions; makes it harder to manage taxable income. Not all mutual funds have those so not always an issue. That said, I do have some mutual funds (bought a long time ago) and one of my favorites is FXAIX which is an S&P500 index fund with a low cost of 0.015%.
"In 2025, filers will owe 0% in capital gains tax for gains above the exemption threshold if their taxable income is below $48,350 (or $96,700 if married filing jointly)" Would the capital gains from a home sale be included or excluded from taxable income threshold above?
I oversee brokerage accounts with Citi, Fidelity and Vanguard as I help my parents with their investments as well. As a DIYer, web experience and live customer service are my top values. No doubt Citi's web experience is the worse but their live phone service is good, which I think it would have to be given their poor website. Vanguard's web experience is ok but not great. Not as user friendly as Fidelity and I'm quite certain there are glitches in the portfolio performance calculations. Also like Citi, Vanguard has limited live customer service. I like the Fidelity web experience very much and their live customer service (weekends too). I've even grown to appreciate their web tutorials and articles which I don't get as much of from Vanguard or Citi.
From my perspective, your experience with HR is rare within corporate America. Usually, HR is focused on protecting senior management and executives. They might be honest about policy but rarely give advice to the benefit of the individual lower level employee. Congrats on your positive exit.
I do a categorization of my cash flow (banks, credit cards, etc.) once a month. I also question the necessity of this as my spending is pretty stable year over year and I don't spend excessively. I keep doing it for random questions that come up from time to time and the data is there for me to look things up. A potential downside of tracking expenses is that doing so may actually result in spending too little. Looking at variances, comparing with prior month or prior year, etc. may make one too spend conscious.
I'd make sure I have enough $ sooner than when you plan to retire. You're probably fine but most in Corporate America employees may get "retired" by their employer many years earlier than planned. And by enough, I also mean whether you stay married or separate (sorry to be Debbie Downer). I'd also shift more tax deferred assets to Roth. I'd start good health habits as soon as possible. I'd invest in strong relationships and community.
Comments
Very helpful. Regarding HSA, individuals 55 or older can contribute an additional $1,000 catch-up.
Post: IRS 2026 Updates
Link to comment from November 15, 2025
Great list! For me, I'd also add having endless opportunities to learn, grow, improve, etc. someone can probably suggest a pithier phrase...
Post: Wealth: A Short List on How to Recognize It
Link to comment from November 10, 2025
The main reason I like ETFs is that transactions can be executed immediately. With mutual funds, selling or buying orders wait until the end of day. So if I'm replacing a mutual fund with a different investment, it takes me more than 1 day to execute the change. I also like to know what the price will be when executing, not after the trade is done. Lastly, I don't like capital gain distributions; makes it harder to manage taxable income. Not all mutual funds have those so not always an issue. That said, I do have some mutual funds (bought a long time ago) and one of my favorites is FXAIX which is an S&P500 index fund with a low cost of 0.015%.
Post: Mutual Funds Vs. ETFs Which do you prefer and Why?
Link to comment from October 23, 2025
"In 2025, filers will owe 0% in capital gains tax for gains above the exemption threshold if their taxable income is below $48,350 (or $96,700 if married filing jointly)" Would the capital gains from a home sale be included or excluded from taxable income threshold above?
Post: Selling Your House and Reaping Tax Free Capital Gains May be in Jeopardy
Link to comment from July 24, 2025
I oversee brokerage accounts with Citi, Fidelity and Vanguard as I help my parents with their investments as well. As a DIYer, web experience and live customer service are my top values. No doubt Citi's web experience is the worse but their live phone service is good, which I think it would have to be given their poor website. Vanguard's web experience is ok but not great. Not as user friendly as Fidelity and I'm quite certain there are glitches in the portfolio performance calculations. Also like Citi, Vanguard has limited live customer service. I like the Fidelity web experience very much and their live customer service (weekends too). I've even grown to appreciate their web tutorials and articles which I don't get as much of from Vanguard or Citi.
Post: Vanguard Complaints?
Link to comment from July 18, 2025
loved Ireland. Our group unanimously said visiting Skellig Michael was the most memorable
Post: Trips in your “go go” years?
Link to comment from June 11, 2025
Am I not entitled to my own views based on my own interactions with HR? I don't think I suggested OP not give fair notice.
Post: How Did You Announce Your Retirement?
Link to comment from April 30, 2025
From my perspective, your experience with HR is rare within corporate America. Usually, HR is focused on protecting senior management and executives. They might be honest about policy but rarely give advice to the benefit of the individual lower level employee. Congrats on your positive exit.
Post: How Did You Announce Your Retirement?
Link to comment from April 30, 2025
I do a categorization of my cash flow (banks, credit cards, etc.) once a month. I also question the necessity of this as my spending is pretty stable year over year and I don't spend excessively. I keep doing it for random questions that come up from time to time and the data is there for me to look things up. A potential downside of tracking expenses is that doing so may actually result in spending too little. Looking at variances, comparing with prior month or prior year, etc. may make one too spend conscious.
Post: Detailed tracking expenses and spending. Is there real value?
Link to comment from March 8, 2025
I'd make sure I have enough $ sooner than when you plan to retire. You're probably fine but most in Corporate America employees may get "retired" by their employer many years earlier than planned. And by enough, I also mean whether you stay married or separate (sorry to be Debbie Downer). I'd also shift more tax deferred assets to Roth. I'd start good health habits as soon as possible. I'd invest in strong relationships and community.
Post: What wisdom can you share?
Link to comment from February 15, 2025