The month of June 2026 is another month of dividend income landing in my accounts.  Due to becoming debt free, I changed my pay myself model. Starting the beginning of August 2021, I am paying myself 30%, just like before. This will now consist of […]

Few retirement planning topics generate more debate than Roth conversions. Some view them as one of the most powerful tax planning opportunities available. Others argue they’re frequently oversold, causing retirees to pay taxes years before they need to. Both perspectives have merit, but the problem is that they often focus on the wrong question.  Many conversations begin by asking what tax bracket you’re willing to pay to complete a conversion. Some investors refuse to convert if it means moving into […]

If you ever get a mysterious package and can’t figure out why, it’s possible you’re a victim of a brushing scam. A scammer got your name and address, sent you a real package, and will use that information to file a 5-star review somewhere. Sometimes, the package will include a QR code that, if you scan and visit, will try to get you to install malware or enter in personal details “to find out more.” Brushing scams have evolved over the years. They used to do it for reviews, now they have broadened it to include trying stolen credit cards, delivering QR codes, test stolen accounts, etc. Here’s what you should do in response: Table of ContentsDiscard or Donate the ItemNever Scan a QR CodeReport to AuthoritiesCheck Your Shopping AccountsReview Your Credit Not Every Unexpected Package is a Scam Discard or Donate the Item If you don’t want the item, you can discard or donate it. Federal law says that unsolicited merchandise is generally considered a gift. You don’t have to pay for it and you don’t have to return it. If you want to keep it, you can. If you don’t, it’s yours to do as you wish. Never Scan a QR Code You may be tempted to “find out” who sent this to you… but don’t ever scan a QR code. That will almost always send you to a site that will try to convince you to download malware or enter in your personal information. You will not find out more, you will only tell them more. Report to Authorities If you can find out what marketplace “sold” you the item, try to reach out and report it to them. Amazon has a brushing report page as does Wal-mart. You can also report it to the carrier that delivered it: For USPS, the US Postal Inspection service. For UPS, this page has more information. For FedEx, this page has more information. If a QR code is involved, you will want to report it to the Internet Crime Complaint Center. Check Your Shopping Accounts If the package came from Amazon or Wal-mart or Temu or whatever, check those accounts. Log in directly (don’t scan a QR code!) and look for any orders you didn’t place, new payment methods or shipping address, and any hidden or archived orders. If you see anything weird, change your password and turn on two factor authentication. Review Your Credit Your name and address were probably obtained from a data breach, public records, or a data broker. Since mailing addresses are widely available, receiving a brushing package doesn’t necessarily mean criminals have your Social Security number or financial accounts. It does mean your information is circulating, so it’s worth being extra cautious. It’s important to review your credit reports to see if there’s any strange activity. While you’re at it, keep an eye on your credit card statements too (or turn on transaction notifications to see if there are any small test

Every month since 2017, I have written an article that shows the growth of our passive income. In the last few years, I’ve included a monthly update on the year’s goals. I had gotten later and later with these goals until the May one, when I just skipped it altogether. At the start of the month, I was finishing up taxes and preparing for travel. The travel was 11 days, and by the time I […]

As much as I might not want to admit it, I’m a sucker for complicated tax technical issues. See my writings here and here.  Recently an odd issue has come up: does income created by an in-plan Roth conversion count as modified adjusted gross income for purposes of determining eligibility to make an annual Roth […]

I started my investment journey at age 21 by making my first contribution to my RRSP. If memory serves, I’d learned about passive income through dividends and had become enthralled with with idea of living off dividends in retirement. Information about investing wasn’t as pervasive back then as it is now, so going online to … Continue reading “Hindsight offers a happy, new perspective on success.” The post Hindsight offers a happy, new perspective on […]

Welcome to “Thank God I’m FI” Friday, Volume #176 Here are some things I really like and that you might too!   Financial Independence/Work Life/Retirement Articles & Content It Just Got Harder to Make a Financial Complaint (And Get Relief)… The post T.G.I.F. Friday: Volume 176 appeared first on Accidental Fire.

A couple of weeks ago, a relative called me with this question: Should I buy an electric vehicle? She was concerned about high gas prices. I explained to her that since she already had a car that worked fine, buying an EV would be spending dollars to save pennies. Silly Humans Humans tend to think […] The post Die With $10,000,000? appeared first on 1500 Days to Freedom.