The Go Curry Cracker 2024 Taxes
I have now submitted our 2024 tax return. Somebody (me) has exceptional procrastination skills.
The numbers this year are very nice – overall we “earned” more and paid about the same.
Why I Still Don’t Love 529s (even with 529-to-Roth rollover)
From the inbox:
Jeremy, I remember that you aren’t a big fan of 529s. But now that you can move excess 529 funds into a Roth IRA (thanks to Secure Act 2.0) … now, surely, you must LOVE them! Right?
Actually…. no.
Don’t Avoid the Pro Rata Rule
“How do I avoid the pro-rata rule in retirement? Can I do X to avoid it?”
I’ve seen this question numerous times.
My general answer – don’t avoid the pro rata rule in retirement.
Investing Our Mortgage – 3 year update
A few years ago we bought a house, paid in full with cash. Then I got a small mortgage as an inflation hedge and to invest for fun and profit.
We used a chunk of the mortgage to fund moving expenses and to acquire all of the typical home accoutrements, put solar on our roof, and pay the medium-sized tax bill that comes with selling enough stock to pay cash for a house. The remainder I put back into the market as a lump sum.
It has now been three years out of thirty. Let’s check in on how this investment is doing.
A Simple Year-End Tax Checklist
The end of the calendar year is quickly approaching, and that means it is time to run through our year-end tax checklist. The simpler the better.
Here are a few important items to review and actions to take.
Debt as a Recession Tool
Shortly after moving back to the US in mid-2021, an extended COVID-19 hangover meant excessive economic angst for large swaths of the population.
People responded to economic woes in a number of ways – some worked extra hours or took on side gigs, others cut back on expenses, perhaps eating out less often or vacationing near home.
We did neither. Instead, I loaded up on debt.
