What are some legitimate "work at home" opportunities for someone looking for something to do while in "early/semi" retirement and living abroad?
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posted by fsmontenegro
on Nov 12, 2007 -
6 answers
The new job I'm at offers a crappy 401K program--no matching at all!! Should I enroll in it or just keep my money and put it into an IRA when I have the minimum?
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posted by misanthropicsarah
on Nov 6, 2007 -
23 answers
Looking for good articles, links, etc. that discuss (rationally, not all panicky-like) strategies for managing one's 401(k) in light of recent shifts in the market and (perhaps more importantly) the declining dollar. So far, everything I've found seems geared toward investors managing their stock portfolios rather than workers managing their retirement accounts.
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posted by anonymous
on Oct 1, 2007 -
7 answers
What experiences have people had rolling 401(k)s over into traditional IRAs?
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posted by moz
on Aug 15, 2007 -
11 answers
A tax question. Our family has experienced a drop in income and an emergency (not medical). I have a 40 thousand dollar 401K retirement fund and want to get 16K out of it. Our family makes 91K gross with two dependents. What will be the tax hit on the 15 k from the retirement fund (so we won't be surprised at tax time).
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posted by anonymous
on Jul 21, 2007 -
6 answers
IRAfilter: Am about to get a traditional IRA to roll some retirement funds into from an expired employer plan. Got stuck when I was asked which mutual funds to select.
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posted by ikahime
on Jul 17, 2007 -
10 answers
I've several tax-related questions. Background: (a) I just became eligible in my job to participate in the firm's 401K program--the firm makes a 3% contribution--since I'm over 50 (I'm 57), I'm told I can contribute a maximum of $20,500 during 2007; (b) I have a traditional IRA from the past; and (c) I also am self-employed in addition to working for the firm. My questions are: (1) Since I have ample assets, would it not make sense to immediately start contributing my ENTIRE salary into the 401K until I max out the $20,500 limit? (2) Related to #1, would it not make sense to change my withholding so that nothing is withheld, eg so that the entire amount of my gross is contributed to the 401K? (3) Is there any reason why I should not "roll over" my traditional IRA to the 401K? (4) Am I able to make a contribution to my IRA in addition to my contribution to the 401K? (5) If I don't roll over my IRA, should I convert it to a Roth?
posted by america4
on Jul 7, 2007 -
8 answers
Both my parents are mad, Scottish and retired. They're 65 and 68, and weren't brought up in a culture of exercise. Now that they don't have a dog, they're terrifyingly sedentary. When I bring up the subject of exercise they either get defensive, or blow it off as something that crazy Americans do. How can I get them into some sort of vaguely regular exercise routine?
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posted by forallmankind
on Jul 2, 2007 -
30 answers
We are semi-retired and live (and grew up) in Chicago.
I went to college in a little river town along the Mississippi in Iowa and we're now thinking about moving to the Quad Cities as we are sick of the density, smog and crime in Chicago and long for slower, more peaceful days.
There are some great running trails and fantastic old homes in Iowa in the Historic District, near the River, which appeal to us very much, but I'm worried about the lack of top notch hospitals/doctors and the fact that Iowa taxes both out of state pensions and Social Security.
Any thoughts on the benefits or lack of same of the Quads?
My husband and I both have some health problems but not immediate ones . Our specialists are in Chicago but I hate to think that we will not be able to enjoy the rest of our lives (we are 63 and 64) waiting for the Grim Reaper or trip to the ER.
Thanks for any help.
posted by Tullyogallaghan
on Jun 13, 2007 -
10 answers
Should we save for down payment or pay off our student loans? and what about retirement?
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posted by esolo
on Jun 11, 2007 -
20 answers
Where should my parents retire to? Criteria: Europe, warm, sunny, cheap rent, no car necessary.
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posted by wackybrit
on May 25, 2007 -
22 answers
Health Savings Accounts (HSA's) ... Can they be used as just another tax-free retirement account after you max out your Roth IRA?
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posted by MrBCID
on May 16, 2007 -
6 answers
I'm an employee at a small business. I need retirement fund ideas beyond the Roth IRA?
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posted by cschneid
on Mar 1, 2007 -
9 answers
Does it make sense to (and what are the tax implications) of converting IRA funds into a Roth IRA account?
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posted by mintchip
on Jan 25, 2007 -
12 answers
I'm not quite what sure what do about a financial situation, and I'd appreciate some opinions from the hive. I'll try my best to provide additional info if necessary. Also, I would loved to have asked this question anonymously, but I can't find the 'ask an anonymous question' link anymore?? Anyway... a former employer put contributions in my 401(k)...
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posted by matty
on Jan 23, 2007 -
13 answers
When must an employer deposit their matching funds in a 401(k) account?
I understand that employee contributions must be deposited "as soon as possible", but what about the employer's matching?
posted by blue_wardrobe
on Jan 18, 2007 -
7 answers
I'm planning to diversify my retirement account in the next 5-7 years. I need some advice on the best way to do this.
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posted by ThePinkSuperhero
on Jan 15, 2007 -
9 answers
With the housing market slowing, where are people "in the know" putting their money so that it generates income or equity for them? How did they find out?
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posted by salvia
on Jan 5, 2007 -
19 answers
A friend in her mid-40s is, for various reasons, only now getting a belated start on planning for retirement. Help me point her in the right direction!
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posted by fizzyliftingdrink
on Nov 3, 2006 -
13 answers
my new employer is offering a 401k package via fidelity investments that is, dare I say it, overwhelming to me. I am especially bothered by the fact that the only advise available on said fidelity investment choices is via the nice folks from fidelity investment. so I looked for financial advisors - but how to judge them?
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posted by krautland
on Aug 28, 2006 -
19 answers
My uncle's retiring from his job at the end of the month. I want to give him something meaningful, considering the fact that I don't have much in the bank. What can I get him?
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posted by micketymoc
on Aug 26, 2006 -
15 answers
Do any of you live in Belize? A friend of mine is toying with the idea of retiring in Belize and frankly he's got me curious as well. Have any of you actually done this or know anyone who has and would be willing to chat with him about it? Thanks in advance.
posted by BoscosMom
on Aug 18, 2006 -
9 answers
I'm confused - I want to plan for my retirement and have got as far as applications for a 401k and a Roth IRA; but then it all goes hideously wrong....
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posted by forallmankind
on Aug 13, 2006 -
19 answers
How can I invest more than $4000 per year toward my retirement without annually paying taxes on the gains?
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posted by letitrain
on Jun 29, 2006 -
16 answers
How much money do you need to retire at 40 these days? What amount of money do you need to survive comfortable indefinitely? What about if you just want it to last until you are, say, 85?
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posted by zaebiz
on Jun 23, 2006 -
23 answers
Creative, clever gift-filter. I need an appropriate gift for each of two separate occasions in June: My mom's retirement, and my ex-girlfriend's wedding.
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posted by |n$eCur3
on May 22, 2006 -
14 answers
My mother is planning on retiring in a little over a year, and she is worried that she won't be able to fill her time. Her birthday is coming and I'd like to get her a book that discusses different jobs, hobbies, or activities that a retired person could do.
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posted by billysumday
on Mar 12, 2006 -
9 answers
Please help with some early retirement advice: I am 35 and have a slowly progressive degenerative neurological condition. I would like to save money for the future because I'm not sure how long I will be able to work. I don't make a lot of money. I have a 401k at work, but what else would you recommend for someone in my situation.
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posted by spakto
on Mar 7, 2006 -
20 answers
My friend is traveling back to the US to deal with her estranged 83 year old acid-casualty father’s deteriorating health and living situation. Can she be held legally responsible for his debts?
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posted by zaelic
on Jan 19, 2006 -
13 answers
My father is retiring this week and I want to get him something special as congratulations (and thanks). Any ideas?
posted by xmutex
on Jan 16, 2006 -
7 answers
How can I start saving for retirement when my career will likely take me from the USA to New Zealand? I wish to benefit from the tax-free nature of a saving scheme like the 401k plans, but I do not expect to spend all that much of my career (or lifetime) in the USA. Is there any way to move 401k savings to a similar scheme in New Zealand without losing it all to the tax penalties for early withdrawal? Are there any cunning alternatives?
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posted by -harlequin-
on Jan 4, 2006 -
11 answers
When people who have worked all or most of their lives in a country in which they are not a citizen - I'm thinking of European countries like
Switzerland that have very restrictive citizenship rules - are they typically eligible for government retirement benefits and state health care?
posted by bonecrusher
on Dec 1, 2005 -
3 answers
My wife and I are both 59, hoping to retire at 62 if I don't get laid off before then. We live in the L.A. area which really isn't as bad as we'd feared -- then again, we're not into the studio/entertainment industry, so we tend to run across "regular" people.
But the housing costs are going to kill us when we retire ("half the income, twice the spouse") so we want to cash out our equity and move....... but where?
She's into crafts, I'm into music (bluegrass, play banjo). We're not afraid of the cold, or at least weren't 10 years ago when we moved from Cincinnati. Basically we want to buy a house for cash, be comfortable financially and otherwise and do something interesting and rewarding until we croak.
Beats us, hope it doesn't stump the MetaFilter posse.
/john
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posted by banjomensch
on Jul 22, 2005 -
38 answers
My retirement fund is with an online brokerage firm. The firm recently got bought by a national megabank. The
bank's web-site, however, says that it only works with MSIE. I dumped IE in favor of FireFox a long time ago and hate to go back to it -- especially when it comes to sensitive financial information. I'd love to switch to another online brokerage, but the bank charges a penalty for transferring accounts.
Any ideas on how to move my account without incurring penalties? As far as I'm concerned, by not supporting alternative browsers (given the US-CERT warnings against IE) they're failing to provide service and that should be grounds enough for me to leave them behind without penalty. It galls me that I have to pay them a fee so I can get away from their crappy service. Is there any sort of FTC or banking rule I can rely on to make a stronger case?
posted by fubar
on Jan 24, 2005 -
8 answers
I am presently working with a financial advisor to select mutual funds for my retirement plan. He has explained the differences between Class A, B, and C funds to me, and also suggested that Class A is probably the best option. Is he correct? [more inside]
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posted by ajr
on Dec 30, 2004 -
13 answers
If you had US$100,000 drop into your lap (I wish), and you were employed and debt-free, how would you put it to work to make a bigger nest egg or retirement fund? How would your strategy differ if you had high or low aversion to risk?
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posted by stavrosthewonderchicken
on Nov 23, 2004 -
27 answers