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Thanks guys, now are these the only two credit cards that have good offers for now?

I have no inheritance. I got into investing back in 1990 and frankly, like a lot of people just got lucky. 100k around 35, which was 10 years ago.

I've used Amerisave for refi's and purchases and just did another purchase and used them. Never really had a bad experience. They've been slow at times, but overall I give them 4.5 stars out of 5. They're rates are very competitive.

Oilburner, I just got a mortgage from Amerisave, I spend about the same amount of time uploading. Overall it wasn't bad and fairly easy, but you're right, they wanted to know about every transaction over $1200. I had to write a letter explaining why and what it was used for. I'm not complaining thou...

We've just completed buying our house, so now I figured we can start back up signing up for the credit card sign up bonuses. Last one I had was the 50,000 points from Saphire. Can't find anything that resembles that. Anyone seen anything worth mentioning?

My mother lives alone, she is 77 and in good health (knocking on wood here). She has 4 rental income properties. One is a single family house that is paid off and worth about 150k and can generate about 1.2k a month. The other three are apartments that generate about 3k a month, small balance on tha...

Hi guys, sorry, I should have been more specific. The SELLER is requesting the contingency.

I want to put in offer on a house, the seller wants a contingency of purchase. I don't think I'll have a problem with that, as long as I have my own contingencies such as "void if I put in an offer on another house". Is there any other contingencies I should consider? Also, what about the ...

Hello
Yes, high traffic and I commute a lot and carpool with wife. I consider myself a very good driver w/ little risk (you'd see me in the slow lane, headlights on).

For example, a new Camry vs a new Volvo S60. The Volvo is safer in terms of crash test worthiness. However the Volvo costs more. I'm always undecided and perplexed about weighing those differences. I've known some people that have been pretty banged up in a car wreck, on the other hand, want to be r...

I had the same question as I play the credit card sign up bonus, but didn't want to risk getting my credit score dinged so I'm staying away from new credit cards until my loan goes through.

these are public pensions with good funding...

No I have another 20 years before 65, and my wife has 25 years to go. I remember thinking about prepaying for surgery last December before the government decided to raise it for younger people, but wasn't sure if I wanted to go with a insured surgeon or not at that time.

"If, for a taxable year, you itemize your deductions on Form 1040, Schedule A (PDF), you may be able to deduct expenses you paid that year [b]for medical and dental care for yourself, your spouse, and your dependents. You didn't read far enough. You overlooked this: "If you file a separat...

I did ask about a cash discount, none, so I figure might as well pay by credit card.

This is from the IRS website, I think the government raised it to 10% for this year: "If, for a taxable year, you itemize your deductions on Form 1040, Schedule A (PDF), you may be able to deduct expenses you paid that year for medical and dental care for yourself, your spouse, and your depende...

okay, I plugged in it an annuity calculator. Together our pensions would be valued at $2.5 million at retirement. That seems pretty high, but what do I know. That is at monthly withdrawal rate of about $12K (for both) at retirement at age 60 (although we are younger than that now). The problem with ...

How do you define a net worth with pensions from those with a 401K? That's a huge difference as my wife and I have good pensions, but that can't be defined as a net worth because there is no lump sum value.

I'll be getting surgery in a couple of weeks (hip scope). The surgeon I have chosen doesn't take insurance, but he is one of the best, so I have decided to pay out of pocket. The surgeon fees will exceed 10% of our annual income, so we'll be able to take advantage of the tax write off for next years...

As you might see, I also have another post here regarding house offer. Another issue is how many here live in a two story house but wish they didn't? I've always lived in a single story house, but the house we're looking at is two story. Does climbing stairs everyday become a real issue? We're relat...

Yes the seller can get out of the contract for any reason. Is it really hard to find a house for sale somewhere? And you will be stuck with completing your purchase so you can't shop around. Want to play dueling contingencies? I would just counter with a contingency that my offer is void if I put i...

Hi again, No, there would be clauses on the rental agreement to allow them for a reasonable amount of time to look and start the purchase process of their own home, I'm good for up to 6 months as I have other issues myself to deal with. But at the 6 month mark, that would be it, they will have to mo...

Hi guys, sorry to be quick again, but I did offer them a rent back, that is how they came back with the con. on purchase offer. Second, they could just get an apartment out of state and rent while they house hunt. Unless their finances are shot, but he's retired on a good pension and she works, so I...

Don't have much time to write now, but will expand when I get back, but wife and I are putting an offer on a second house for us, our current house we'll rent out. The seller wants to put a contingency on purchase on the contract, because their looking to purchase a house out of state. This doesn't ...

Is there a website that will analyze individual stocks and etf's performance during bear markets?

What are your thoughts on buying new vs buying a used car? Some people around me, firmly believe that buying slightly used is a much better deal and will argue about it until blue in the face. However I have always believed that Mr Market for used vehicles being very large and around for a long time...

Guys, thank you very much for your replies. You have helped me out. Thanks again.

Hi, This time of year, I figure it might be a good time to seriously consider a new car. Ours is really getting worse for wear, and I think I've put off buying a new one long enough. So what is your strategy? How do you handle swimming with those sharks? I figure go take test drives, then come back ...

I have AmEx Blue. I buy gas cards at the grocery store with the card to effectively get 6% discount on gas.

Geez, thanks guys and thanks for pointing out that old post!!

Stupid question here, but who are the big three credit bureaus?
also:
Can they be frozen while we get mortgage pre-approval? Or should we do that first?

Thanks guys.

My wife and I would like to buy a new car in the next month or so. However, we're also on the verge of buying a second house. The car we can easily pay for outright with cash. However, my thought is don't do anything that might lower my credit score since we will be incurring a large mortgage soon. ...

What are some ways to prevent someone from getting into or stealing money from my bank and broker accounts? I have always had a linked savings and checking account. However, now I'm wondering if that is a good idea. I do transfer a lot of transfer between the accounts, however is it a good idea to h...

Later this week, I will have an apt with a mortgage broker to pre-qualify, is there any important questions I should be asking? It's been 1 years since I've done this, and don't remember much. Any special documentations I need to bring?

Sorry, I should have been more specific. Yes, it would be a new car from a dealership. I have heard something similar however what I was told was they will still run a credit check and want you to fill out a loan app in case the cashiers check or other method of payment falls through.

We are thinking of buying a new car, ours is going on 13 years. However, we will be buying a second home within the next year or so. If we buy a new car, we can easily pay cash for it. Is it safe to do this, or would be be better to get the mortgage first? Does paying cash for a car, still create an...

I thought I heard somewhere that it is best not to use your credit cards a few months before getting a mortgage, is this true? Does it make any difference since we pay off our balance every month? I might want to add, my wife and I both have very good credit.

Thanks guys!

I haven't had much luck with Amerisave, who else has low rates with good service?

Oh give me a break. My wife and I have been savers our whole lives, shopping at thrift stores, always eating in, and spending wisely, if being a "boglehead" is planning for the worst, then I better plan for a total fiat money system collapse while we all devolve into total anarchy. My wife...

Hi guys, My pension is pretty stable. All new hires for the past few years have less benefits, same with my wife. For them to switch benefits would mean litigation which from my understanding is tough to change the rules on existing employees. However, I don't expect that, there has been no signs of...

mudpuppy, Yes regarding the acreage. I grew up on farmland, and frankly can't stand subdivisions and having neighbors so close by. Right now I write this in the house I grew up in, overlooking acreage. Most of the land where we want to move is not suited for agriculture, just trees and the likes wit...

Age: Me 45, wife 40 Work: Me, 14 years at local government. Wife: 12 years at county government. Total income yrly: $190K We have one child Debt, we owe about $60K on a 15 year mortgage on our existing house which will end in about 5 years and the house is worth about $160K. No other debt. Savings: ...

Wondering if there's any new cards with nice sign on perks. Did the Chase thing a while ago, and got $500.

I've seen cars spin out and collide on the freeway k rails in the rain, most likely due to hydroplaning. Don't skimp on tires, what would you save, like $20 or so?? is that really worth it?

everytime someone leaves their receipt in the ATM where I go, it's usually less than a grand.

Sometimes I watch Suze Orman, I can't say that I follow her show intently but once in a while there is a good nugget of advice. Most of her show seems fluffy, but that is decides the point here. I noticed that her segment titled "How am I doing" which discusses the status via a grade of a ...

Neither my wife or I stopped working. I think that was the best for the both of us. It also kept us sane. Having a infant is very very demanding and very stressful, constant or near constant crying and lack of sleep. Once they hit about three years of age, things calm down. By four and five years ol...

Hi all, can't post much now, but the trip would only be for my wife and I. I forgot about those redeye flights and layovers, hummm, that could be a deal killer, I'm not doing some overnight layover or a 8hr flight. I'm going to call the dude I met and have him email me the terms. The gift is the fl...

Hi guys, well I'm back from the timeshare presentation, if you can call it that. First off my wife and I were visiting my mother, and the presentation is near her house, so it was only a short while away. When we got there, I immediately asked for my $20 deposit back. The girl at the counter said &q...

Before my children were born I bought a modest SUV (Saturn VUE). I disagree with others that you need a mini van, most of our travel is with our 12 year old Accord coupe. I also disagree that children will trash you car. I taught my kids to respect the cars such as no feet on the seat, and careful w...