This is the separate questions that I'm going to ask.
As far as my limited research and understanding tells me, since I'm over the income limit for TIRA deductions, the two better options would've been to (1) backdoor ROTH as soon as the yearly contributions settled so the gains/withdrawls are tax free or (2) traditional brokerage account so gains are taxed at capital gains rate vs. ordinary income.
I'd still like to move money into my ROTH via the backdoor but now understand either I need to zero-out the current TIRA balance (pay ordinary income tax on a decent amount of gains) or pay taxes according to the pro-rata formula. The other option I read was to roll the current TIRA into my 401K (if the plan allows it). Some of the things I wish I knew 6 years ago ...
