Hi - Thank you for responding - so to answer your questions:
L.A.S
- Yes, what you mentioned, the backdoor ROTH IRA contributions is what my CPA suggested. He had me open traditional IRAs last year and wants me to convert them to ROTHs this year (he may have wanted me to convert them last year but I don't think he mentioned it or I would have done it). I believe that is what you mentioned are Backdoor IRA's - correct? And yes, I will be funding and converting them this year.
Yes, I meant 65%/35% ( I corrected it - thank you).
Car Jack
In terms of the mortgage, I hear you. If I put the entire chunk, I would save $18,600 in interest and pay off 2.6 years early. BUT, I feel a little light in other investments - but maybe I'll put a chunk there to scratch that itch (at least a little). I hate owing the money.
Cwadda
Yes, you can definitely ask. So I feel uncertain about my tax return each year. My company gives me stock every year - and on the years I sell it, it can dramatically alter my tax payment or refund (I've since learned to hold back cash from the sale in my savings to pay for the taxes). Last year, instead of holding so much company stock (not diversified) - I sold it and paid off some of my mortgage. But I'm still figuring out how to balance stock sales without owing the IRS a big check at the end of the year. A few years ago, I owed the IRS 10K - I had reaction to that because writing them that check was not a pleasant experience when they get such a big chunk already. But I hear you, I think I need to have a goal of a lower tax refund each year - and figure out a way to automatically transfer that money in my paycheck to Vanguard. I'll admit I am guilty of using that refund as a savings tool (and not a brilliant one at that). Honestly, I think I also use it as my husband is more of a spender and I've used it as a forced savings mechanism. But he is becoming more sensitive to how we spend money so maybe a next step is to evaluate this approach more closely.
One other opportunity I have is my company offers a Retiree Medical Savings Account Plan. I think it is like a 401K but can only be used for medical expenses in retirement. I have not contributed to that at all although they put some seed money in there when they initiated it a few years ago. Is that what you meant by an HSA?