I'm not far behind you and I'll give you my set up.
About a year in savings at Ally and Redneck (1% and 1.25%) with a 5 year CD at Ally at 2% (no longer offered....180 day interest penalty for early withdrawal).
7 years spending in iBonds (been buying them since the early 90's.
Almost a year in my taxable account at Schwab
With this setup, I can stay out of my tax advantaged accounts for quite some time. Yes, I do have a good % of my portfolio tied up in iBonds.....that's sort of an accident that built itself from the days when iBonds could be bought online with a credit card for no fee and be cashed in 6 months. Lotsa free 1st class upgrades to Aruba out of that.
Long term cap gains can become either zero of 15% taxed when I sell those taxable ETFs. Since I'll have son #2 heading to college, iBonds will be cashed with zero tax on the earnings. Of course, I can start in on the IRA since that will be at a low tax rate and will reduce RMDs in the future. Social security......all depends if my income counts against me. Maybe take it at 62.....maybe wait and let it build. I'm old enough that I'll be able to collect a few years before it's drained to zero (please don't kill me and make me into Soylent Green).
