I'm in agreement that nice sports cars, especially Alfa Romeos, should pay attention to aesthetic detail. But hey, if it can't look pretty, at least it's functional. Maybe they'll tweak it into the fender better in a model year or two?

I'm just glad that spider-eye headlight is gone. Yeeeeesh.

Perhaps I wasn't clear before, so I'll try to explain my logic better. I am well aware of the ability to withdraw money from a Roth IRA to avoid penalties and even tax if you follow very specific rules and maintain excellent records. If you are in an emergency situation and have no other source of funds, then a Roth…

Once again, go read the Publication I cited and you'll see that you're very wrong about this. Calling people names isn't polite, so this is the last time I'll engage you in this conversation.

Most people in an emergency situation aren't going to distinguish between earnings and principal in a Roth IRA. If you leave open the possibility of early withdrawals for non-retirement purposes, let alone ENCOURAGE it, then you are going to cause people to realize unforeseen tax consequences. Period. This is…

Terrible advice! Roth IRAs are long-term retirement vehicles, and you should NOT be using them for any kind of short-term emergency savings. Non-qualified distributions of earnings can be subject to tax AND penalties. There is also a penalty for withdrawing funds within 5 years of opening a Roth IRA.

"It's very impressive what he had to go through, especially when you consider that he's deaf as well!"

In my experience, CPAs don't necessarily make good personal tax preparers. Instead, they are trained and certified for public accounting (periodic corporate or charitable disclosure filings and the like), and often will specialize in one area of expertise.

A tax attorney is overkill on any and all of these items. If you are being acted on by the IRS and your regular tax preparer is over their head or you don't have a tax professional, then a tax attorney is a worthwhile hire, yes. Short of that, a tax attorney is expensive and their services are wasted.

Hah, you beat me by seconds.

Try Jalopnik for starters. Automatch Tom has written pretty extensively about what he does: http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/tag/automatch-…

If it makes you feel any better, he obviously thought it was a good price, since he accepted the job. Just think of those billionaire Waltons, do you think they get all heartbroken because most of their employees qualify for public assistance?

I've met Ric Edelman and a few of his advisers before, and I'm only a little surprised they would have such a strong stance on this topic. I do know that they are in the business of trying to get people to invest as much in their proprietary investment accounts. It's not quite as bad as annuity sales, but it's not…

The low-hanging fruit would be getting the maximum match on any employer-sponsored retirement savings, i.e. your 403(b) and Roth 457(b). Once you get the maximum match, I would work toward maxing your individual retirement savings (2014 limits are $17,500 per year per person if you are in your 30s).

Also, whatever "popular financial planning firm" you are talking to is taking a massive credibility hit with this kind of rabid rumor-mongering. Steer clear, and seek the advice of a properly accredited professional that has your interests at heart. If someone is willing to go so far to dissuade you from a very…

Don't count on Congress ever reneging on Roth IRA tax status, for a couple good reasons:

Hah, that's another great way of saying the same thing! In all seriousness, if you take the time to set up an automatic savings it helps bypass the whole set of psychological barriers that most people have trouble with. You sound like you are well aware of the necessity of saving, so it just takes a little extra…

Don't kick yourself for being "out of the market", you are taking the hardest steps first by saving at a good rate. Saving rate is MUCH more significant than investment performance when you are younger, so be glad you are taking care of yourself better than the vast majority of those your age.

Automate your savings to occur before your paycheck shows up in your checking account. Payroll deductions for 401(k) or 403(b) contributions keep your retirement savings out of sight and out of mind, and the early withdrawal penalties should give you enough pause to keep from raiding them prematurely. Set it and…

Hey now, some of my favorite supercars were made by a farm equipment company!