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Just read the contract again and they require a 1 million in renters insurance. I have never had renters insurance before. Who should I go with and about how much will this cost? Well if you go to geico you can probably get a quote... that said they only go up to $300,000... beyond that you have to...

They also sent a W 9 form for me to fill out and this is where the security deposit will be kept. Is this standard procedure? Any downsides for me when filling this out? In many states, the landlord must keep the security deposit funds segregated, in separate bank accounts. The title on this bank a...

Simplisafe vs fronpoint - anyone have any opinions on either of these?

Just read the contract again and they require a 1 million in renters insurance.

I have never had renters insurance before. Who should I go with and about how much will this cost?

Got the contract. Looks pretty standard.

They also sent a W 9 form for me to fill out and this is where the security deposit will be kept. Is this standard procedure? Any downsides for me when filling this out?

Asked about lowering rent, and she said no - so whatever it's okay. It is already the cheapest rent in the neighborhood.

She will be sending the contract soon from her lawyer.

Should I get a lawyer as well to read the contract or is that going overboard?

Thanks guys for the input. Reading some more about this stuff - very interesting. Do you guys have wired or GSM or internet or all of them as you preferred contact methods to the call center if something happens? The net recommends at least two of the three. Is is hard to do the DIY installs from pl...

Thanks for the replies. Ideally, I would like to do it myself and go with a wireless system. I was researching a little and they certainly seem doable for an average person. The house has a lot of ground level windows and the equipment cost will be surely be higher. I recently contacted safemart for...

Thanks for the input guys. I got further info and the deposit is actually one month's rent - not two.

I will look into renter's insurance and the handbook for my state.

After waiting longer than we should have, we are in the market to get our house fitted with an alarm security system. I was reading the net and it seems like most of the larger companies, such as ADT, use the same alarm monitoring towers/services when compared to the smaller mom/pop companies. We wi...

A friend of mine will be moving from MIchigan to the NJ/PA area in the near future. Moving with a house full of stuff but w/o any kids and about 6-700 miles. Can anyone recommend a good moving company? I was researching and have read some horror stories. Also, any wisdom shared about such a move is ...

The landlady wants two months deposit b/c we have a small pet. Is it common to negotiate the rent? I found this place on craigslist and then went to see it. Haven been communicating via email and was wondering if it would be okay to see if the rent will go any lower. Good idea or no? How would I go ...

The real estate company that owns the apartments around here has a policy where it's generally impossible to get the full security deposit back -- they always send in the painters & the crime-scene cleanup van when someone moves out, so that takes up most of the security deposit. Supposedly if ...

Thanks for the input.

Is two months security deposit standard? I think that is what the owner of the house is asking, but I can confirm.

I will be moving out for the first time and will be renting a townhouse in a gated community. I have never rented before and wanted to get some input form the Boglehead sages. What advice would you give someone moving out for the first time? I will take any and all input regarding anything, especial...

To the OP, what is your budget? I was in a similar situation not too long ago, but w/o the need for a flip up third row. I didn't really have a budget and was willing to go as high as 100K (glad I didn't though haha). I test drove and researched a lot, including x5, x6, cayenne w/ various trims, Rx3...

In the process of moving out and am wondering what are some principles that one must consider in order to decide whether to buy or rent. I am in an area where rents are in the upward of 2K+/month. I realize that each circumstance is different (i.e. whether you have debt, plan to stay long term in th...

Is it too late to do a backdoor roth for 2012?

Can you specify whether it is for 2012 or 2013 with Vanguard?

Is there a way to calculate my AGI from the W2 forms? I am not familiar with a 1040 form.

From looking at the two W2 forms and adding the "wages, tips, other comp." column my total comes to 133,550.

Instead of starting another thread, I figured I might as well ask in here (hope you don't mind bedrock!) 1. How do I determine my eligibility for 2012 Roth? I recently received my two W-2 forms from the two gigs that I have had in 2012. Do I just add the wages columns from both and see if it below t...

I thought the Cash Rewards rate was 0.25% on everything besides gas at the pump? I get the 5% rebate on the latter. Your 5/.25% rewards are for the Platinum Cash Rewards card which is the one mentioned in the title of this thread. The card that gives effectively 5/3/1 for gas/grocery/other is the P...

Interesting. I have the same card and haven't paid close attention to whether I am getting 1 or 5 percent returns.

How do we go about finding out whether a place qualifies for 5 percent?

Thanks for the replies. I called and converted to TD convenience checking. I am using this to park an e-fund and so far have around 20K. Only downside it that it is 0%....

The free credit report annualy is from Jan till December? Or does it start from the time you last checked your score with one of the bureaus?

I checked my equifax in Sept 2012 and am wondering how long till my 12 months run out.

Thanks for the replies.

I will defer 401 and focus on paying off the high interest loans.

A little background - Just finished school and now have a 6 figure job, BUT tons of loans. Currently, student loans at around 300K with some absurd rates (i.e. about 30K at 11% and about a 100K at 9%), and a car loan at 1.49%. Have an e-fund saved and am throwing everything I can at the high interes...

On a separate note, how much can you deduct from taxes w/o actually having to show proof that you actually gave to charity in 2012?

No home and no peace corps. The 10% loan is private, but I think the others are federal. I guess I can search and see if I can get a better rate, but so far I am seeing like 8-9% - not a significant jump from 10... I make a decent income this year, but next year in June it will be cut by 1/5 and I a...

Thanks.

PSFL probably won't apply and I am already throwing as much towards these loans as I can.

Is taking out a personal loan a a good idea to pay some of these off?

What about credit union consolidation going via http://www.custudentloans.org/ ?

What are some current strategies that I can use to lower interest on my student loans? I have the following loans with sallie mae that carry high interest rates: $27,157.07 @ 10.25% signature student loan $100,313.02 @ 8.25% graduate plus loan $50,000 @ 6.8% global heatlh stafford loan I have others...

I have a couple online banks already. I would prefer somewhere I can just walk into to make deposits or take out large sums if needed.

I work full time and my check is already deposited directly into my USAA account. I use the TD bank to take chunks out of USAA via direct deposit to build my e-fund.

I have had this account for a long time and only recently have I begun using it to store my emergency fund. I like the fact that there are plenty of physical locations close to home and I can walk in to deposit or withdraw funds. Recently, I got a letter in the mail stating that this account will no...

If one funds their 401a or 401K over 17K by accident for this year, is there a penalty? And, if so, how are you penalized?

Gemini , you have some great choices in your 401k. The Spartan funds are all you need for a complete retirement portfolio. 500 Index and Extended Market at a four to one ratio give you the total US stock market. International and Emerging Markets at a three to one ratio give you most of the interna...

Thanks again for the all the replies. The withholding game is tedious and I will just leave it alone and figure it out when tax day comes. On another note ( I figured I might as well ask here instead of creating a whole new thread), the job has a 401K w/ Fido and I am contributing aggressively to ma...

My thoughts exactly Paul.

I am just trying to figure out how I can have the max at hand now. I would rather pay what I owe later to the govt rather than carrying high interest debt (anything over 10%).

Thanks for the explanation cwied. I understand that the current withholdings are based on assumption and I am likely paying more in taxes now than I need to. I would rather have more money now as I have some high interest debt that I can pay off with the money rather than letting it sit with the gov...

Looked at the paystub and wanted to update and get more input. For hours and earnings: 80hrs @ ~ 11500 Retirement: 1987.50 Taxes: FIT - 2432.99 Medicare - 167.31 SS - 485 State SDI - 23 State Family Leave - 9 State SIT - 580 State SUI - 50 This is with 2 deductions on the W2. What can I do to save m...

I am bumping this old post to get ideas for 2012. I want to start saving for an emergency fund and was wondering what bank or what kind of account I should use. Currently, my check will go directly into USAA checking. I can keep it there, but I'd rather have the money taken out so it is not visible ...

Thanks for all the input.

I kept it simple and did only 2 deductions as recommended. I don't get my first check till about 2 weeks and will report back with what I get.

Thanks for all the help. I had an IBM and just ended up doing a system restore. It was a pain to move everything over and then re-install win xp, but so far it is good. Keeping my fingers crossed!

Thanks bob. Can someone walk me through the IRA calculator? It is driving me nuts! It is here: http://www.irs.gov/individuals/page/0,,id=14806,00.html For first page, I put "single" and "no" if someone can claim me as a dependent. Next page: jobs now is 1. check mark box for job ...

I will be finishing residency this upcoming June, will start work as an attending physician, and then likely head back to fellowship for one year before ultimately returning back as an attending physician. I am currently at a state university w/ approx salary around 60ishK. This salary will bump up...

Thanks for all the input. -I totally forgot about the previous six months of contributions that I have already made to a 401a. I am guessing there is no difference between the 401a and 401k and the 17K limit still applies? -I just spoke to my parents and my name is on the mortgage deed as well. Even...

[By request, I moved this thread from the Personal Finance to the Help with Personal Investments forum. Gemini needs portfolio help as posted below --admin LadyGeek] I will finally be starting my first real gig and waned to get input on sound financial decisions about the offerings. A little backgr...

Been researching a lot on the web and found conflicting answers about whether NJ will know or not.

I will bite the bullet and pay the $111 hoping for the best.

Also, the Penfed 5% gas/3%groceries card has a $250 bonus if you spend a relatively modest(can't remember exact) amount in the first three months. That's really what swayed me to choose it over the standard 5% card and go through the hassle of the gift cards. the standard 5% for gas has nothing to ...

New hd? I am not sure I would know how to install and do all the techie stuff. Furthermore, I don't have recovery discs - I was just planning to use the partition that was initially made by IBM to recover the console. Good idea or no?

Best cashback card for gas purchases is the Penfed Visa - 5% cashback on gas (and only gas) purchases anywhere.

I also use the Amex BC Preferred for 6% cb on groceries and amazon/other gift cards.