Author Topic: How does my situation look, any suggestions / improvements?  (Read 4095 times)

CAPSISLOCKS

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How does my situation look, any suggestions / improvements?
« on: October 21, 2014, 01:42:09 PM »
Long time reader, finally made up mind to ask suggestions since collective experience is much more than mine.

Me and wife are 34 years young (old), 1 kid 4 years, living a normal life however working towards FI for last few years only. Like most people my twenties were full of fun where I never cared how much I made or saved or spent, thankfully i did not spend more than i made.

Debt:
Mortgage - $165k
Auto - $17k
0% CC (till Sep 2015) - $3k

Current Asset/Investment -
Traditional IRA X 2 - $24.5k (100% stocks) (started both last year contributed max 2013 & 2014)
529 - $1,200  (started this year, planing to do 4k by EOY, currently on 100/week plan)
HSA - $2,050 (Vanguard ETF) (started this year, planning to do max 6.55 by EOY)
Cash Saving - $17k
House (living) - $235k (not sure if count as asset since it has mortgage)
Auto - $6k (this one is paid off couple years ago)
~
Off Shore CD Ladder (not in $) - $75k (at lowest currency exchange rate) - Generates $750+ / month and gets reinvested
Off Shore Condo - $115k (paid) - Generates $260 rent / month

2014 plan is to -
5500 X 2 - IRA (Done)
6550 - HSA (In Progress)
4000 - 529 (In Progress)

Any suggestions about where can/should i invest more? Both of us have a steady job and have no major out of ordinary expenses. Monthly expenses are under control, $ in savings are sitting idle and would like to put them to work.

Any guidance or suggestions will be appreciated.




hodedofome

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Re: How does my situation look, any suggestions / improvements?
« Reply #1 on: October 21, 2014, 02:42:44 PM »
Do you use the condo? Looks like it's only making you 3% a year. Doesn't seem all that great unless it's in a popular area and the price can appreciate over inflation.

CAPSISLOCKS

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Re: How does my situation look, any suggestions / improvements?
« Reply #2 on: October 21, 2014, 03:04:51 PM »
it is in an upscale area, bought for bought for $70k, kind of retirement home.

saijoe

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Re: How does my situation look, any suggestions / improvements?
« Reply #3 on: October 21, 2014, 03:08:51 PM »
Wait a minute.  You're getting $9,000 / year off a CD ladder?  If my math is right, that's 12%.  Not sure where you're getting that, but I'd like to sign up.

GGNoob

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Re: How does my situation look, any suggestions / improvements?
« Reply #4 on: October 21, 2014, 04:33:19 PM »
Do either of you have a 401k? What about 401k employer matching? If you have a 401k and the employer matches, contribute at least enough to get the full match.

CAPSISLOCKS

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Re: How does my situation look, any suggestions / improvements?
« Reply #5 on: October 21, 2014, 06:19:49 PM »
Wait a minute.  You're getting $9,000 / year off a CD ladder?  If my math is right, that's 12%.  Not sure where you're getting that, but I'd like to sign up.

About that yes, banks in developing nations pay 8-10% on CD's. You can compound.

CAPSISLOCKS

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Re: How does my situation look, any suggestions / improvements?
« Reply #6 on: October 21, 2014, 06:20:45 PM »
Do either of you have a 401k? What about 401k employer matching? If you have a 401k and the employer matches, contribute at least enough to get the full match.

No 401k for either, would have been priority #1 if we had 401k

YeahNo

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Re: How does my situation look, any suggestions / improvements?
« Reply #7 on: October 24, 2014, 09:31:00 PM »
Wait a minute.  You're getting $9,000 / year off a CD ladder?  If my math is right, that's 12%.  Not sure where you're getting that, but I'd like to sign up.

About that yes, banks in developing nations pay 8-10% on CD's. You can compound.

What bank(s) are you with specifically. Very curious in this....

YoungInvestor

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Re: How does my situation look, any suggestions / improvements?
« Reply #8 on: October 24, 2014, 10:38:01 PM »
Wait a minute.  You're getting $9,000 / year off a CD ladder?  If my math is right, that's 12%.  Not sure where you're getting that, but I'd like to sign up.

About that yes, banks in developing nations pay 8-10% on CD's. You can compound.

What bank(s) are you with specifically. Very curious in this....

Interested as well. The only examples of this I've found were in other currencies that had an high-enough inflation to offset the additional yield.

hodedofome

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How does my situation look, any suggestions / improvements?
« Reply #9 on: October 25, 2014, 03:50:06 AM »
There's a reason emerging markets pay a higher interest rate, because it's riskier. There is no free lunch.

Remember what the Cypress banks did a few years ago? Hope you do.

Hope you've also tried testing the withdrawal process. Many banks take your money, not all of them will return it