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1500 questions
27
votes
7 answers
How much of a discount should I seek when prepaying a whole year's rent?
I'm currently looking for a new apartment. I am prepared to pay a whole year's rent up front in exchange for a discount. How much of a discount should I seek?
It adds risk for me and I lose some opportunity cost; meanwhile, the landlord's risk is…
dcacat
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27
votes
11 answers
How to pay less tax on a high salary?
I'm working as a software engineer in the Bay Area.
I file my taxes as "Single" and because of the high salary, I fall into the 32% bracket. Some of my salary goes into a 401(k).
What are some ways I can pay less tax?
Unknown Artist
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27
votes
10 answers
Why do investors pay trillions for minority stakes in companies, when their only potential payback is modest uncertain dividends?
I'm struggling to understand the core reason to invest in stocks as a minority shareholder. Majority shareholding makes more sense as you effectively control the company, so you can pay yourself dividends or even sell the entire company at will. You…
Jin Long
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27
votes
6 answers
What is the business model of discounted gift cards?
Context:
I have an account on a third-party website that sells discounted (first hand) gift cards — because my employer is part of the scheme.
For example, you pay ¤95 for a ¤100 gift-card, in the case of a mainstream supermarkets. There is also…
ebosi
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27
votes
5 answers
Why do baby boomers have to sell 5% of their retirement accounts by the end of the year?
This article on Marketwatch quotes Raoul Pal of Goldman Sachs claiming that baby boomers have to sell 5% of their retirement accounts by the end of the year. Here is the specific passage:
Pal says the third biggest issue facing stocks involves the…
Time4Tea
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27
votes
9 answers
In Germany, how can I maximize the impact of my charitable donations?
I have recently reached a point in my life where I want to start making regular donations to worthwhile charities, but I have no idea which charity is most "deserving" of my money.
I understand that this is very subjective and what seems very…
Matt M.
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27
votes
1 answer
How does retroactive COBRA coverage work?
I'm voluntarily leaving my job at the end of this month for a new position in a couple of weeks. At my new job, I have health care coverage effective my first day of work. My current coverage terminates on my last day of employment. This leaves a…
Jason R
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27
votes
7 answers
Why would a rational buyer offer to buy with no conditions precedent?
Assume that the Canadian Reddit commenter beneath is rational. I corrected typos.
As an investor, I have a tactic where I only buy houses via the
listing realtor, and do not use my own. Why?
If I go in with a clean offer 5k below a competing…
user102055
27
votes
3 answers
If a startup can always issue new shares, what value is there to stocks/options?
Since in most startups the board can issue more shares at will, what does it mean for an employee to own X% of the shares? When signing up, can an employee protect himself from the company printing more shares after he leaves the company in a few…
ripper234
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27
votes
4 answers
Daily interest calculation combined with monthly compounding: Why do banks do this, and how-to in Excel?
I often see banks advertise (for accounts with fixed yearly interest, let's say 1.5%) – "interested is calculated daily, and compounded monthly".
I have 2 questions:
Why are they calculating it daily?? If the compounding period is monthly, what is…
Saideira
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27
votes
5 answers
How can life insurance possibly work as investment?
Every here and there I hear about the following investment option: There's an insurance company that is willing to take my money and hold it for some very long time (like 5 years or more) and then repay it together with some rather conservative…
sharptooth
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27
votes
3 answers
Ask mother to pay off entire student loan, then pay her?
To avoid paying additional interest on my student loans, I want to ask my mother to pay off the entire loans with by lump sum, and then I would pay her back with interest.
Are there any issues regarding taxing for this?
(In NJ)
user
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27
votes
5 answers
How does the government shutdown affect tax returns?
Has a government shutdown in the past affected tax returns? In terms of refunds, is there anything to be expected differently based on historical precedent?
Paul Sweatte
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27
votes
4 answers
Can I start 529 plans for my niece & nephew without my sibling knowing?
If I wanted to start a 529 plan for them now to give to them at the end of their high school career as a surprise to both them and their parents, is it possible to do so?
My niece and nephew are both under two years old, so I would have a…
Lil' Bits
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26
votes
8 answers
Fee-only financial advice vs. asset management (which includes advice)?
My wife and I are looking for a financial advisor. I am 52 and she is 48. We have a million plus in assets, with most of that in 401k... about 500,000 in a brokerage account.
We have found a company/person we like. Our choices seem to be financial…
moscafj
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