Bogleheads.org

No, I would not pay for the NYT as I do not read it.

Better straight news sources out there.

High fees are bad, yes, and people will charge them if allowed. No argument there. But high fees and poor fund options are issues that savers need to concern themselves with. "Half of all Americans say they can’t afford to save for retirement. One third have next to no retirement savings at al...

I felt very sympathetic toward those people in the documentary who are not doing so well. I don't blame them for not being educated about retirement planning. I admired Martin Smith for exposing his own cluelessness; that was brave and honest. The nostalgia for pension plans is also perfectly under...

I've helped a number of my friends who fall into the category of persons who don't want to run their own investments. It's frightening to them. I think this is where fiduciaries come in and can provide a great service to people. I wish the PBS program expanded more on fiduciaries or other options t...

It was an informative program. However, it was a little disappointing that it appeared to say that most people just cannot understand this by themselves, which I believe is wrong given motivation. The solution they seemed to espouse apparently was government regulation. I think there are several pro...

It was an informative program. However, it was a little disappointing that it appeared to say that most people just cannot understand this by themselves, which I believe is wrong given motivation. The solution they seemed to espouse apparently was government regulation. I think there are several pro...

The program was interesting, excellent point on fund fees. However the personal responsibility aspect critical to investing for retirement was glossed over. There was an undercurrent of 'more government is needed'. Given it was PBS, but that does a disservice to the viewers. Mr Hiltonsmith seems to ...

I have used my USAA ATM card for years overseas. They rebate international and domestic ATM fees. I also have Chase accounts but would not consider using their ATM card overseas due to the fee issue. USAA also has a great iPhone app. I like using them overseas as I can isolate my ATM cash account fr...

Play 5 is a little bigger and for really great sound pair it with the Sonos wireless subwoofer. Fantastic sound. I have 5 of the Play 3 devices scattered throughout my house and a Play5/Wireless sub in the Family room. All of the music from my streaming services (Pandora, Rhapsody, Sirius, etc) plus...

Statch, If you or your husband qualify for USAA they will provide you with a very comprehensive financial plan prepared by a CFP. After a very detailed questionnaire and interview you will be sent a customized 55-60 page plan. The charge is $0 and I am quite sure as good as the guy who wanted to cha...

We are doing that now, but not U.S. cities. Having lived in many of those, and lived 7 years overseas, we decided that American cities are now too similar in too many respects. Interesting things to see, and I love America, but not enough differences really. Currently we are in France where we have ...

Great comments. I think the issue of finding a 'good lawyer' works far better in a small town where everyone knows who the good lawyers are. In a bigger metro area it is more of a roll of the dice. Much more turnover, higher fees, lack of personal touch. Recently I contacted our law firm who did our...

Funny thing happened along the way. In my 20's I took a significant pay cut to follow a job that was my passion. Never really thought about retirement (as I was planning to live forever), but decided to automate my savings anyway to max 401k/IRA/ and later Roth just because I thought it was a good i...

It would be informative to see some input here from those that are in their late 70's-80's as to what they have done to guard against cognitive decline as it relates to financial matters. What do you do when you are not sure you can manage your portfolio with confidence, or don't want to? Please no ...

I bought an unlocked iPhone5 direct from Walmart online (at the usual price) and it arrived configured for ST. In my area it operates off of the Verizon network so it does not need a sim. The service has been great for me and it well worth it not to have a contract. The other great thing is that whe...

Evac coverage is worth it, however regular supplemental policies are questionable. Keep in mind that virtually all places overseas will not bill your insurance company like is done in the States. We have BCBS which has great overseas coverage, however we pay cash up front and submit a claim. The goo...

It is a tough guess for sure. I smiled when I noticed the Dentists that apparently posted here. Going to the Dentist is becoming like buying a used car - you never know what you are getting, or what you are paying. Having this week tried a new dentist, for a basic cleaning, I can tell you some ways ...

Another vote for Sonos. If you have a good wifi network they are fantastic. I have six scattered throughout the house, can play the same or different music on each at the same time. They access the music on my NAS (home server - has my iTunes collection), Pandora, Rhapsody, as well as Sirius from my...

Straight Talk through Walmart (yeah yeah, it took me a while to get over this). You can use a variety of phones (read up on the website or forums first). It is $45/month for unlimited everything per phone, you can also pay for 3,6, or 12 month periods and the rate is reduced. My phone runs on AT&am...

I have similar aspirations. Living in a different country every 3-6 months is very appealing to me. Are there any typical financial problems when moving about every few months? Would you recommend establishing a banking account in each country? I am concerned about being taken to the cleaners by my...

Actually, the most successful expats I have engaged with have one thing that is far more important than language - adaptability. While it is true that fluently speaking the native language of any country you happen to be in is best case, it is not really needed at first - as long as you are adaptabl...

We plan to live 4-5 months outside of the States each year after we retire in one year. ... but that is not the case in Europe so for the time being we will limit our stays in one place to three months. Three months is the limit for staying without a visa in the entire Schengen Area . Is your plan ...

Diogenes, what about a house sitter? We are snowboarders and for the last six years have been leaving our house and pets in the care of a sitter while we spend the winters in Whistler. Sometimes the sitters aren't great as is to be expected, I suppose. However, our house is still standing and our p...

We plan to live 4-5 months outside of the States each year after we retire in one year. Most recently we returned from a 6 year period working/living in Europe and Africa. We have a short list of places we would like to go back to and plan to rent somewhere different each year, returning to our home...

The IHT was like reading the NYT, with all that baggage, and overpriced if you had to buy it. Many read it anyway as it was in familiar English. I usually compile my own more varied electronic new edition, thanks to the internet. Also always enjoy more reading the local papers for the different pers...

Diogenes » Thu Feb 21, 2013 wrote: I might be wrong, but I think USAA offers a fee only one time advice without the need for management....I believe they referred him to an approved adviser in the area for a no obligation review FYI: I do not have a managed account. I receive the advice services [i...

I would offer my congratulations and really mean it. We all should be so lucky not to be afraid to be so bold at 80 to take another chance.

The OP made me smile;).

I highly recommend Sonos (Sonos.com). They make modular plug-in wifi only players that you can scatter around your house and access multiple streaming sites. I installed 6 of these in my house and can use my iPhone, included controller, or my computer to stream all kinds of music. I can play the sam...

hq38sq43 wrote:

chaz wrote:USAA has good rates.

And always great service, based on 48 years happily with them.

Best regards,

30 years with USAA for me. If you qualify they are the best for many reasons.

_D_

I use StraightTalk with my iPhone5, works great, $45 a month no contract. I purchased the iPhone online from Walmart and it was all setup for ST. It uses the Verizon network and does not need a sim. However I have a sim to use when I am overseas.
Highly recommend.

_D_

I might be wrong, but I think USAA offers a fee only one time advice without the need for management. I also have never had a hard sell from them in any product over the past 25 years. A colleague recently used their financial assessment service. I believe they referred him to an approved adviser in...

I have read the negative reviews on Cnet, but was thinking about trying it out. I am frustrated with Comcast and would _really_ like an alternative.

If Comcast changed their billing structure so I did not need to pay for 400 channels of garbage I might be more satisfied.

Just learned that my neighborhood is now covered by Clear.com, http://www.clear.com/plans/home,
wireless broadband. Unlimited 6mps internet for $49/month.

Anyone have any experience with this service, does it work and can it satisfy as a Cable company replacement?

_D_

Financial concerns aside, be careful not to trade health for a few extra dollars in the bank. Life is too short. There is nothing sadder than seeing a 60 something trying to maintain a mid-level corporate job(not saying you are headed there;)). If you must OK, but it sounds like you have other optio...

Junk mailers are more offensive than spammers. I'm sure illegal spammers have kids to send to college also, and would write long posts to justify that. It just doesn't make it right to use the USPS to dump unwanted and useless paper at our homes every day. It may be legal to be a junk mailer, but th...

Hi, Alex. As one of those pesky junk mailers, albeit a very small one (I'm also a writer, editor, publisher and typical jack-of-all-trades in a very tiny small business), I thought I'd add a few thoughts. You may get more "in return", at least for junk mail, than you think. Bill, I don't ...

As I near retirement at 55 and am contemplating transiting to an 'encore' consulting career (even though I don't need the money) a grim reminder surfaced (two actually). The first was a colleague who decided to stay on one more year, but halfway though died on Thanksgiving Day of rapid and previousl...

I would prefer if lawyers passed most of the "winnings" to their clients but instead they use these lawsuits ad their magic lottery ticket. I would also like to defend the lawyers who take on cases like this, as well as their fees. Pursuing class action cases on behalf of consumers who ha...

I really hope you guys in the US get the same mobile plans we have in France soon. 2 hours (including international) + unlimited sms + all incoming calls free for 2 euros a month. Unlimited outgoing calls - 10 euros. Unlimited internet as well - 20 euros. Mind you, it wasn't always this way. The pr...

I have several Mac's. I recommend the Snapscan. I have the Fujitsu ScanSnap S1300i Instant PDF Sheet-Fed Mobile Document Scanner which has a very small footprint and is fast when scanning. It scans two sided with one pass if desired and comes with a suite of software. Works great on Mac. I was impre...

USAA requires you to have a trip planned before requesting one. Also they said you will have to register your trip online or it will not work. They need to change the policy of having to register your trip for it work. It is even more secure than the standard USAA MC with a PIN and you don't have t...

USAA requires you to have a trip planned before requesting one. Also they said you will have to register your trip online or it will not work. They need to change the policy of having to register your trip for it work. It is even more secure than the standard USAA MC with a PIN and you don't have t...

1. Buy a house that you and your spouse actually want to live in. 2. Plan to pay off the mortgage in 15 years, and automate those payments. 3. Do not buy a house that needs alot of work if you are not a handyman. 4. Avoid a HOA, if at all possible. 5. Do not buy without talking to the neighbors and ...

I have received my SDFCU account and received my chip Visa within two weeks or so. I am impressed by their service thus far, and range and depth of what they offer on the site. With the SDFCU card, and the new chip and pin card (Mastercard) I converted at USAA, I am in good shape for my next extende...

Thank you, Keith. I should stop procrastinating and do the same. Likewise here. I promised myself that I'd find a chip-and-pin solution by the time we visit friends outside London in May. Glad to see people having success here; until someone mentioned Andrews and SDFCU, I'd just about given up on f...

The point is that you can't get a policy cheaper by calling someone up online and "skipping the agent." A licensed agent is reviewing your policy (even if you don't speak to them), and you're getting charged the same fees with the online transactions. You're paying the same that you would...

bluemarlin08 wrote:21,000 per year, where did you get these rates?

Sorry Bluemarlin, corrected the numbers to remove any family history and include a small rate increase each year. Still see no utility based on benefit max and risk of much larger increases, but if you do please advise.

_D_

Browser: About 20 years ago my best friend bought a Genworth Long Term Care Policy. I told John that I thought he was making a mistake, primarily because the company could raise rates (as a group). Now, every Wednesday, a few friends and I have lunch with John at his home. John has Parkinson's dise...

Here's another option for a chipped visa - USBank travel rewards. https://www.usbank.com/credit-cards/flexperks-travel.html This looks like a 'Chip & Signature' card which is different... I use mine frequently - in the US you use the magstripe and sign - in Canadian/European restaurants they br...

hicabob wrote:Here's another option for a chipped visa - USBank travel rewards.

https://www.usbank.com/credit-cards/fle ... ravel.html

This looks like a 'Chip & Signature' card which is different...