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1500 questions
39
votes
5 answers
How to report $27 in cap gains affordably
I'm preparing my taxes using TurboTax's basic free tier. Last year I had $26.62 in realized long term capital gains. To report this using TurboTax, I need Premier, which is a $54 add on.
Even in a fairly low tax bracket, I'm assuming the IRS cares…
Lost Odinson
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39
votes
6 answers
What did John Templeton mean when he said that the four most dangerous words in investing are: ‘this time it’s different'?
I found this quote on a site. John Templeton says,
The four most dangerous words in investing are: 'this time it’s
different'
What does he mean here?
user4884
39
votes
11 answers
How does gambling (like buying a lottery ticket) differ from investing?
Investors seeking a higher return on their investments may invest in things that they know have a higher risks associated with them. Greek bonds have higher interest rates, and banks charge more interest for credit card users with lower credit…
ACV
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39
votes
3 answers
In the USA, why is the Free File software only available for people earning less than $62k?
Free File is a software by the American IRS, which allows one to easily fill out their taxes as long as they earn less than $62k per year. Is there a particular reason for such a restriction?
I assume that the government generally wants its citizens…
JonathanReez
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39
votes
2 answers
How do you safely buy a car that the owner still owes money on?
I'm interested in purchasing a car from an owner in another state. The owner currently owes money on the car and so the bank has the title. I've verified the car's service history and ownership, but wish to retain the option to cancel the sale…
Nicholas
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39
votes
10 answers
Everyone says save at least 10% of your income. What counts as "saving"?
I made a financial planning spreadsheet a while back. Then, I realized that the money I'm saving has specific allocations.
This much goes to the future car payment. This much goes to the new PC I'm building. This much goes to something else I'll be…
Zaenille
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39
votes
6 answers
How can I adjust tax withholding so that I don't get a large Tax Refund?
I'm a few years out of college now. I've filled out my W4 accurately and I still get a tax refund every year of a pretty sizable sum. The thing is, I have student loans and I would much rather have been paying that extra money on a monthly basis…
Carlos Bribiescas
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39
votes
3 answers
My credit card company is asking for my current income citing "Federal Regulations"
So I received an e-mail today from a bank from whom I have an existing credit card as follows:
To consider you for a future credit line increase, federal regulations
require us to have your current income.
Keeping your account info up to date is…
JohnFx
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39
votes
7 answers
Why do banks want you to pay off interest before principal?
When you take out a traditional mortgage the first payment you make to a bank pays off mostly interest and then later payments start paying off principal.
What is the reason for this?
Is it just a historical accounting/industry convention? Or is…
bernie2436
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39
votes
1 answer
The Venezuela Stock Market Crashed 99.90% on March 15th, 2021. What happened and why?
https://tradingeconomics.com/venezuela/stock-market
Was looking at the graph above for the Venezuela Stock Market and the Caracas Stock Exchange Stock Market Index crashed 99.90% over the weekend of March 15th, 2021. It dropped from 2,700,000 to…
Wandering Fool
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39
votes
8 answers
Why do gas stations charge different amounts in the same local area?
I've noticed there can be a 5%-10% difference in the price of gas where I live. For example right now the cheapest premium price is $3.85 and the most expensive is $4.17. It's the same state and county, and the product being sold is considered a…
Vik David
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39
votes
2 answers
How does paying off the mortgage work if I demolish a home and rebuild another home on the property?
I own a single family home in NYC, Queens. I have a mortgage on that property. My Zone permits 3 Family house. I would like to demolish the single family home and build a 3 unit property. How does it work? Will my mortgage company let me do it? Or I…
user1459497
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39
votes
4 answers
In Reddit vs. Wall Street, what are the ramifications of those who had money with the bankrupt firms?
Story: Gamestop: 'Failing' firm soars in value as amateurs buy stock
My question is about the impact of such a "stick it to the man" approach that amateur investors on Reddit used. I understand that they took advantage of detecting firms shorting…
Jent
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39
votes
6 answers
When selling stocks at a stop-loss price during a crash, who do I actually sell them to?
Consider a situation where a stock that was performing normally for a while crashes, say because news about a catastrophic development in the company become public. The share price drops from USD 85 to USD 30 during one hour, in what on the chart…
jstarek
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39
votes
2 answers
House lost in fire.. tax impact?
Like hundreds of others, I lost my house (primary residence) during the Oregon wildfires in September. I had purchased it just two years ago, so still have ~$210,000 on the mortgage.
My homeowners insurance is good and when it processes, I'll have…
Ask About Monica
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