Search found 436 matches

by thebbqguy
Mon Jul 22, 2019 8:28 pm
Forum: Money and Investment Questions
Topic: FOREX Book
Replies: 0
Views: 7405

FOREX Book

Has anyone read FOREX for Beginners by Anna Coulling?
by thebbqguy
Sun Jul 21, 2019 6:31 pm
Forum: Work & Education
Topic: Another reason to retire early.. avoid age discrimination
Replies: 9
Views: 3344

Re: Another reason to retire early.. avoid age discrimination

I've seen this trend up close. I have started learning new skills, trying to present a curious persona, building a larger network and using my leadership skills to promote change / improve processes. Of all of those building a larger network is vital. You can leverage your network to help you should...
by thebbqguy
Sun Jul 21, 2019 6:10 pm
Forum: Money and Investment Questions
Topic: Real estate vs. Stocks long term: stocks win by a landslide?
Replies: 59
Views: 18341

Re: Real estate vs. Stocks long term: stocks win by a landslide?

It's hard to compare. Buying raw land for the right price and developing it in the right location at the right time probably beats stock returns.

I have seen some phenomenal returns on land where my in laws live in Tennessee
by thebbqguy
Sun Jul 21, 2019 6:05 pm
Forum: Money and Investment Questions
Topic: Better Asset Allocation?
Replies: 34
Views: 9231

Re: Better Asset Allocation?

I think the chart rings true for me. When I was saving <10% of my salary I wouldn't have dreamed of allocating it to anything but growth stock mutual funds. I had less than $50,000 saved. Now I'm saving 33% of my salary and allocate 65% to passive index stock funds, 17% to aggressive growth and 17% ...
by thebbqguy
Sun Jul 21, 2019 3:32 pm
Forum: Money and Investment Questions
Topic: Is It Just Me or Do HSAs Suck?
Replies: 27
Views: 6794

Re: Is It Just Me or Do HSAs Suck?

I was skeptical about mine at first, but my employer contributes $1,000 annually into mine. The FICA advantage is something I overlooked originally. I currently contribute the maximum to mine and the maximum with catch up in my 401k. As someone who is having more healthcare expenses in my 50's I see...
by thebbqguy
Sun Jan 06, 2019 6:53 pm
Forum: Miscellaneous
Topic: Business Idea
Replies: 1
Views: 1047

Business Idea

I've seen family members achieve financial independence time and again a building a business and selling out to pull out the equity. But I think there is an argument to be made to keep the business and live off the cash flow. Take the cleaning industry... Its low tech Recession resistant Repeat cust...
by thebbqguy
Wed Nov 21, 2018 4:04 pm
Forum: Money and Investment Questions
Topic: Tax Career Questions
Replies: 13
Views: 2850

Re: Tax Career Questions

Update: I officially started studying for the Enrolled Agent exams today. I'm starting with #3 while I'm waiting for the updated materials for the 2018 regs that will be tested in 2019.

I plan to take the exam for #3 in February.
by thebbqguy
Fri Nov 09, 2018 11:13 pm
Forum: Money and Investment Questions
Topic: Tax Career Questions
Replies: 13
Views: 2850

Re: Tax Career Questions

Thanks. This week has been very informative for me. I find the possibilities very interesting. I have a great job now, but that may not always be the case. I think developing this skill will provide some potential that I don't currently have. My wife is very interested in this line of work at this p...
by thebbqguy
Thu Nov 08, 2018 9:18 pm
Forum: Money and Investment Questions
Topic: Tax Career Questions
Replies: 13
Views: 2850

Re: Tax Career Questions

I enrolled in the VITA program today and have access to those materials to get me started. I talked to a co-worker today who is an Enrolled Agent and CPA. He was pretty encouraging about the EA program. I've got the ball rolling now at least. I missed the Liberty Tax classes by about 2 weeks. I'll b...
by thebbqguy
Thu Nov 08, 2018 7:08 pm
Forum: Money and Investment Questions
Topic: Tax Career Questions
Replies: 13
Views: 2850

Re: Tax Career Questions

LOL
by thebbqguy
Thu Nov 08, 2018 1:04 pm
Forum: Money and Investment Questions
Topic: Tax Career Questions
Replies: 13
Views: 2850

Re: Tax Career Questions

I have not solved the training riddle yet.

There are several accreditation entities who offer online training but I prefer a classroom setting at least for some of it.

Most of the preparation offices around me are closed until January.
by thebbqguy
Wed Nov 07, 2018 7:14 am
Forum: Money and Investment Questions
Topic: Tax Career Questions
Replies: 13
Views: 2850

Re: Tax Career Questions

Thanks. I have looked into H&R. They have zero classes scheduled in my state unfortunately. The EA classes are already underway at the local community college for this cycle.
by thebbqguy
Tue Nov 06, 2018 9:14 pm
Forum: Money and Investment Questions
Topic: Tax Career Questions
Replies: 13
Views: 2850

Tax Career Questions

Can anyone guide me on how I can get tax preparation education?

I'd like to progress to Enrolled Agent, but don't think you just jump in and begin studying for those exams without preliminary training.

Can anyone help me?
by thebbqguy
Sat Oct 06, 2018 7:49 pm
Forum: Money and Investment Questions
Topic: Company Downsizing
Replies: 3
Views: 1033

Company Downsizing

My company is in the midst of a down sizing exercise. There is no indication I will be leaving but there's no guarantee I won't either. It appears there is up to a 6 month time horizon for these actions. I would like to start earning extra money in some way. I am a process auditor manager, have fina...
by thebbqguy
Tue Nov 14, 2017 12:04 pm
Forum: Miscellaneous
Topic: Charities
Replies: 11
Views: 3885

Re: Charities

Its been my experience that many people like the idea of doing charity work but once they discover the work involved; become disenchanted. I think the solution to that is for the charity to adjust to the times and structure themselves to enable younger people to participate. In this way there is a c...
by thebbqguy
Tue Nov 14, 2017 11:58 am
Forum: Miscellaneous
Topic: Web Based Business
Replies: 4
Views: 1826

Re: Web Based Business

I used to have a drop ship arrangement for a while also. I think that approach is the direction I should pursue among others.
by thebbqguy
Sun Nov 12, 2017 2:59 pm
Forum: Miscellaneous
Topic: Web Based Business
Replies: 4
Views: 1826

Web Based Business

I have in the past started 3 different online blogs that turned into part time income. -bbq spice rubs -bbq information -vermicomposting worms My wife has an eBay business that's generated $2300 YTD from $2 and $3 antique items. I raise fish but it takes awhile to grow them out. I am looking to star...
by thebbqguy
Sun Nov 12, 2017 2:54 pm
Forum: ERE Journals
Topic: 40 Year Plan
Replies: 13
Views: 4375

Re: 40 Year Plan

I don't plan to live in my current home after I retire. The move will eat up a significant chunk of my savings. My wife has different views on lifestyle than I do as well
by thebbqguy
Sun Feb 19, 2017 9:24 pm
Forum: ERE Journals
Topic: 40 Year Plan
Replies: 13
Views: 4375

Re: 40 Year Plan

I don't focus on the return used for those types of projections. They serve more as motivational tools to help keep me stay on track than anything else. I did several projections ranging from 4 - 8%. My gut feeling is that 7% is a "best possible" hope scenario and 5% is the more "real...
by thebbqguy
Sun Feb 19, 2017 10:48 am
Forum: ERE Journals
Topic: 40 Year Plan
Replies: 13
Views: 4375

Re: 40 Year Plan

On Friday I used a retirement estimator program provided by my employer and determined that with a 7% annual return, continued 401K funding by me of $18,000 a year, matching by my employer of $5,000, and 2% merit increases that have been typical recently, my combined 401k, IRA and investment account...