Search found 951 matches

by Ricola
Wed Mar 27, 2024 12:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Continuous Glucose Monitor
Replies: 13
Views: 781

Re: Continuous Glucose Monitor

United States: Dexcom Stelo will be the first OTC CGM available in the U.S. without a prescription.
Europe: The Libre Sense CGM is available over-the-counter in several European countries, including Austria, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and the UK
Also Canada and Mexico I believe.
by Ricola
Wed Mar 27, 2024 11:36 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: $90K 48 mos loan at 3% OR outright purchase
Replies: 42
Views: 1982

Re: $90K 48 mos loan at 3% OR outright purchase

btq96r wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 8:13 am
KlangFool wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 6:38 am Pay cash. It's a good habit to pay cash for luxury good. If you can't stand the pain, you can't afford it.
This is a great way to look at it. So many times, the thought of parting with the money I have set aside for a new vehicle has made me realize the one I have now is just fine. In forcing myself to look at more than a momentary feeling, I realize I don't value a new truck to that high a degree.
Agree, when I look at my old car and they say it's worth $4,000 and then look at a new one that is $40,000, I realize the old car is worth $40,000 if I keep it rather than replace it.
by Ricola
Mon Mar 25, 2024 11:24 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Does It Ever Make Sense For FEHB Enrollees To Drop Part B?
Replies: 24
Views: 1489

Re: Does It Ever Make Sense For FEHB Enrollees To Drop Part B?

If taking Part B you may also want to consider the added bureaucracy of getting claims processed. If the healthcare provider has issues getting documents processed with Medicare and then getting the denials back to the FEHB insurer you will need to intercede and work the issue with all three parties. I am 7 mos into such a situation and still working on it. :oops: I believe all providers are required by law to first submit the claim to Medicare if 65 or older whether the person has it or not so that could be part of the issue? The problem is that Medicare approves and also denies specific items. The denials are what the FEHB insurance is supposed to pick up and approve. Those Medicare denials need to be processed properly to the FEHB insur...
by Ricola
Mon Mar 25, 2024 10:54 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Does It Ever Make Sense For FEHB Enrollees To Drop Part B?
Replies: 24
Views: 1489

Re: Does It Ever Make Sense For FEHB Enrollees To Drop Part B?

If taking Part B you may also want to consider the added bureaucracy of getting claims processed. If the healthcare provider has issues getting documents processed with Medicare and then getting the denials back to the FEHB insurer you will need to intercede and work the issue with all three parties. I am 7 mos into such a situation and still working on it. :oops:
by Ricola
Mon Mar 25, 2024 9:15 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medicare: Getting Part A and D only
Replies: 89
Views: 4983

Re: Medicare: Getting Part A and D only

For my last post on this topic -- In 2024 dollars the Medicare Part B premium for a person that lives to age 90 is $90k if a 4% REAL return on premium savings is realized. $90k either way is not going to affect me personally in any measurable way except on paper, but I find it remarkable. From my POV, an important point in the argument in favor of Part B is mandated discounted pricing. However, it is so extreme that it has lead to an exodus of providers so it is very much a double-edged sword Dodecahedron wrote: but for folks inclined to play the odds as Eric Gold apparently does, my sense is that frequently there is a lag between the time when possibility of cancer first appears on horizon and a series of tests are run and results are ana...
by Ricola
Fri Mar 15, 2024 2:16 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Where does your [investing] inspiration come from?
Replies: 31
Views: 3115

Re: Where does your [investing] inspiration come from?

The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason
by Ricola
Fri Mar 15, 2024 12:29 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Great news! No more [fixed real estate] agent commission
Replies: 238
Views: 22587

Re: Great news! No more agent commission

It might all go to a web-based sales service with an added transaction completion service to finalize everything.
by Ricola
Sat Mar 09, 2024 11:18 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why is Vanguard so bullish on international exposure in their all-in-one funds?
Replies: 77
Views: 6894

Re: Why is Vanguard so bullish on international exposure in their all-in-one funds?

Still. He was aware of international markets and explicitly said they're not necessary. Later he said they're still not necessary but if you MUST, limit it to no more than 20%. Just saying. If it were good enough for him it's good enough for me. People will still be quoting his position centuries from now in arguing why the economies of other planets shouldn't be included in their asset allocation. Substitute Planets for Countries and the answer is still the same: :) “Everyone tells me I'm wrong,” Mr. Bogle said. “In my book, 'Bogle on Investing,' I said, for a lot of reasons, you don't need to own international stock.” His argument: International investing involves extra risk , ranging from currency risk and economic risk to societal inst...
by Ricola
Fri Mar 01, 2024 1:51 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard Announces CEO Retirement and Appointment of President
Replies: 372
Views: 36431

Re: Vanguard Announces CEO Retirement and Appointment of President

Do you think some board members might be members of this forum? :wink:
by Ricola
Wed Feb 28, 2024 10:48 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should 81-year-old parent convert $118k TSP account to a lifetime annuity?
Replies: 8
Views: 1030

Re: Should 81-year-old parent convert $118k TSP account to a lifetime annuity?

Is she not already taking RMD from the TSP? She could roll the TSP over to an IRA, take RMDs or additional amounts as needed, and also allow it to be passed on as an inherited IRA.
by Ricola
Tue Feb 27, 2024 11:53 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Experiences So Far With New FEHB MPDP Part D Options
Replies: 16
Views: 1515

Re: Experiences So Far With New FEHB MPDP Part D Options

Does the fact that you have Part D show anywhere at Medicare? Does your Medicare card change to add Part D to the card?
by Ricola
Tue Feb 20, 2024 6:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Hearing aids: Costco or audiologist?
Replies: 44
Views: 5427

Re: Hearing aids: Costco or audiologist?

On my second pair from Costco. I have the Philips 9040 that is rechargeable. More powerful range than my prior ones that used batteries. I would not want to go back to battery models. Have been pleased with Costco and their support.
by Ricola
Sun Feb 18, 2024 11:20 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I get a Lexus ES for its V6?
Replies: 96
Views: 8710

Re: Should I get a Lexus ES for its V6?

It's worth a drive. Most modern turbo 4's are tuned for boost at low RPM. There will still be some lag, due to physics. But's it's nowhere near as bad as the janky turbo 4's of yesteryear. They are surprisingly torquey down low. I had a Volvo sedan many years ago that had their 4 cylinder turbocharged engine. It took forever for the turbo to kick in, but once it did, it really kicked in 8-) I loved that car! Europeans have been successfully turbocharging engines for many years, but it's only recently become a thing in the states, so many people (unfortunately) still think turbocharged engines are unreliable and difficult to live with. That's certainly not the case with modern engines. Definitely worth a look! I also agree with the poster a...
by Ricola
Sat Feb 17, 2024 9:18 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Western Europe Traveling Apps?
Replies: 28
Views: 2243

Re: Western Europe Traveling Apps?

I found Google Maps very useful for walking, driving, & transit. I download maps for offline use. Google Translate is useful. The integrated former Google Lens is helpful for translating signs, menus, etc. You can also have someone speak into it and it will translate. Kindle for reading travel books rather than carrying one around. Rick Steve's audioguides are good. Tripadvisor for reviews of things to do and restaurants. Yelp for restaurant reviews. TripIt for keeping track of your itinerary. Apple Pay/Google Pay for paying for stuff. Airtags for keeping track of your stuff. WhatsApp for calling/video calling. Mobile Passport Control app if you don't have Global Entry. Uber/Lyft for ride share. Good list, I would add a weather app, ai...
by Ricola
Tue Feb 13, 2024 2:04 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Can you do better than BND?
Replies: 278
Views: 35803

Re: Can you do better than BND?

Northern Flicker wrote: Tue Feb 13, 2024 1:54 pm I think a better analysis is to note that in terms of diversifying equity risk, treasuries have historically been able to accomplish what a total bond index has accomplished but with a shorter duration.

https://www.portfoliovisualizer.com/bac ... HaE8dUI2o8

But the shorter duration bond portfolio takes less inflation risk, so you can diversify disinflation at a similar level as accomplished by BND while taking less inflation risk.

Note that VGIT is already a little shorter in duration than BND.
Adjust to 2021 and BND is slightly better.
by Ricola
Tue Feb 13, 2024 10:47 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Can you do better than BND?
Replies: 278
Views: 35803

Re: Can you do better than BND?

Nice analysis McQ
by Ricola
Tue Feb 13, 2024 10:22 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 3-4 Fund vs Single Fund
Replies: 10
Views: 1134

Re: 3-4 Fund vs Single Fund

Simplicity of a single fund:
No market timing when adding new money, balancing, or taking money out.
Easy to transfer and maintain for heirs.
Eliminates tinkering with recency events and bias.
Balancing is taken care of, always selling high and buying low.
Can be used in both tax-advantaged and non-tax-advantaged accounts.

If you can live without international use the following:
Non-Taxable: 100% in VBIAX balanced index fund
Taxable: 100% in VTMFX balanced index fund tax (Fed only) managed
IF:
Taxable in high taxable state: 60% VTI total stock market and 40% Your State Municipal bond fund
by Ricola
Mon Feb 12, 2024 12:17 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Nassim Taleb article - "White Swan" Risk
Replies: 50
Views: 6749

Re: Nassim Taleb article - "White Swan" Risk

Taleb is hoping for just such an event. He is involved in a hedge fund that bets heavily on devastating market events and loses money every day that they don't happen.
by Ricola
Sun Feb 11, 2024 10:35 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Starting young - teaching a 5 and 7 yo about investing
Replies: 9
Views: 726

Re: Starting young - teaching a 5 and 7 yo about investing

Read to or have them read The Richest Man in Babylon, by George Samuel Clason.
by Ricola
Sun Feb 11, 2024 10:08 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Asset location (401k, Roth, Taxable) guidance for $3.5 million portfolio at 60/40 AA.
Replies: 19
Views: 2830

Re: Asset location (401k, Roth, Taxable) guidance for $3.5 million portfolio at 60/40 AA.

If you want simplicity:

Non-Taxable: 100% in VBIAX balanced index fund
Taxable: 100% in VTMFX balanced index fund tax (Fed only) managed
IF:
Taxable in high taxable state: 60% VTI total stock market and 40% State Municipal bond fund
by Ricola
Thu Feb 08, 2024 11:50 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard Cash Plus Account
Replies: 511
Views: 69434

Re: Vanguard Cash Plus Account

Appreciate hearing others' feedback as they begin to use the CP account. For now, I still want to keep my banking and investing accounts separate. Banking items require a lot of accessing the account or using phone Apps which I still feel reluctant to do with brokerage accounts, just another vulnerability. Curious, when you access the CP does it state that you are leaving Vanguard and going to an outside web platform?
by Ricola
Sun Feb 04, 2024 10:07 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard Customer Service Mega-thread
Replies: 1514
Views: 169446

Re: Vanguard Customer Service Mega-thread

stan1 wrote: Sun Feb 04, 2024 9:15 am
Ricola wrote: Sun Feb 04, 2024 9:10 am Recently we had some complicated RMD fixes. Vanguard's response and support was extraordinary. One call and every aspect was worked through and fixes were made on the spot. We could not be more pleased.
Do you have over $5M with a named relationship manager, or a legacy named Flagship rep?
People who have those get better support than people who do not.
Nope, unlike some other reports, we have never had any issue to complain about with Vanguard.
by Ricola
Sun Feb 04, 2024 9:10 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard Customer Service Mega-thread
Replies: 1514
Views: 169446

Re: Vanguard Customer Service Mega-thread

Recently we had some complicated RMD fixes. Vanguard's response and support was extraordinary. One call and every aspect was worked through and fixes were made on the spot. We could not be more pleased.
by Ricola
Thu Feb 01, 2024 8:44 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: California Tax-Exempt Bond ETF - thoughts?
Replies: 44
Views: 5606

Re: California Tax-Exempt Bond ETF - thoughts?

I would like to compare VTEC against VCADX:
Both are intermediate bonds
ER .08 vs .09
Min purchase $1.00 vs $50k
Benchmark S&P California AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index vs Bloomberg Municipal CA Intermed Idx
SEC yield No known yet for VTEC vs 3.01%

A fund that has the same benchmark as VTEC to compare the long-term performance of VCADX vs SWCAX...VCADX performed better.
Image

The question is, is it worth switching from VCADX to VTEC in a Vanguard brokerage just for the better ER when performance seems suspect?
by Ricola
Tue Jan 30, 2024 10:31 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: California Tax-Exempt Bond ETF - thoughts?
Replies: 44
Views: 5606

Re: California Tax-Exempt Bond ETF - thoughts?

I suspect VTEI is equivalent or mirror of VWIUX MF and VTEC is a mirror of VCADX MF but not stated as such on their website. ER, .09 vs .08.
by Ricola
Tue Jan 30, 2024 9:09 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How Taylor Larimore made a difference in my financial life - Salute to Taylor's 100th
Replies: 53
Views: 10305

Re: How Taylor Larimore made a difference in my financial life - Salute to Taylor's 100th

I appreciate it when some of these treads start getting confusing and off-track and Taylor adds a post that brings me back down to earth and Bogle basics.
by Ricola
Fri Jan 26, 2024 11:06 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: VMFXX and 2023 taxes
Replies: 22
Views: 3924

Re: VMFXX and 2023 taxes

Is the 50% rule the same for all taxable states?
by Ricola
Wed Jan 24, 2024 10:49 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard Cash Plus Account
Replies: 511
Views: 69434

Re: Vanguard Cash Plus Account

runcyc wrote: Tue Jan 23, 2024 10:32 pm I linked my cash plus account with my Bank of America credit card. It is set up for monthly automatic payments. The first payment recently completed. The automatic payments are initiated at Bank of America and pull an ACH payment from Vanguard Cash Plus.
I thought one could only do CC auto payments with checking accounts and not savings accounts?
by Ricola
Mon Jan 22, 2024 9:23 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard Cash Plus Account
Replies: 511
Views: 69434

Re: Vanguard Cash Plus Account

watchnerd wrote: Mon Jan 22, 2024 8:54 am
Ricola wrote: Mon Jan 22, 2024 8:36 am So if you deposit $5M in the CP account you can be assured that it is spread around so that all of it is FDIC insured? That would be a nice feature.
Joint accounts are only FDIC insured at CP up to $2.5M.

Why would you put in $5M?
Ok, only $2.5M but still a nice convenience.
by Ricola
Mon Jan 22, 2024 8:36 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard Cash Plus Account
Replies: 511
Views: 69434

Re: Vanguard Cash Plus Account

So if you deposit $5M in the CP account you can be assured that it is spread around so that all of it is FDIC insured? That would be a nice feature.
by Ricola
Sun Jan 21, 2024 11:40 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard Cash Plus Account
Replies: 511
Views: 69434

Re: Vanguard Cash Plus Account

For everyone complaining that this is just a HYSA, remember in the not too distant past when HYSAs were paying more than money market funds. That can, and likely will, happen again at some point. That is when Ally worked best but will this PNC do the same? My Ally Savings account is 4.35%, while my Cash Plus is 4.7% so I am hopeful. I can transfer cash within Vanguard quicker than to Ally, so I have hope this will have utility by reducing financial institutions from three to two: from Vanguard, Ally, local brick and mortar credit union to just Vanguard and CU. My plan (assuming Vanguard's execution is reasonable on transfers, etc.) is to transition my spending account home from the credit union with an Ally short-term savings account to Ca...
by Ricola
Sun Jan 21, 2024 11:20 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard Cash Plus Account
Replies: 511
Views: 69434

Re: Vanguard Cash Plus Account

NYCaviator wrote: Wed Jan 17, 2024 2:49 pm For everyone complaining that this is just a HYSA, remember in the not too distant past when HYSAs were paying more than money market funds. That can, and likely will, happen again at some point.
That is when Ally worked best but will this PNC do the same? Also why go through Vanguard when you go to PNC Bank directly paying 4.65 in savings?
by Ricola
Sun Jan 21, 2024 10:03 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Do Bond Funds Really Make Sense for the Long Run?
Replies: 399
Views: 39288

Re: Do Bond Funds Really Make Sense for the Long Run?

Total Bond fund distributions coming in every month looked very good to me in 2008 and for some time afterward.
by Ricola
Fri Jan 19, 2024 5:58 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: No-state-income-tax states are not good for retirees.
Replies: 413
Views: 39635

Re: No-state-income-tax states are not good for retirees.

whodidntante wrote: Wed Jan 17, 2024 6:49 pm I wouldn't be caught dead in Florida, which is the most likely result if one retires there.

Texas has high property taxes.

All the cheapskates end up in Tennessee. You'll get 4 seasons but the winter doesn't settle in your bones. The state provides no services of any kind.
Ha Ha, reminds me of Danny Devito's quote to his secretary: " When I die, put it on my gravestone: - "He never went to Texas." - Yes, sir. I'll call the engraver."
by Ricola
Thu Jan 18, 2024 8:39 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Tax-Managed Balanced Fund (VTMFX) for Taxable account?
Replies: 40
Views: 5636

Re: Tax-Managed Balanced Fund (VTMFX) for Taxable account?

Also, you may want to consider state taxes if applicable and use a muni bond instead of VTEB.
by Ricola
Tue Jan 16, 2024 1:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tesla in Cold Weather
Replies: 197
Views: 18112

Re: Tesla in Cold Weather

Reading some of these news stories this morning about frozen EVs at charging stations, I learned that the EV battery needs to be at a certain temperature (25?) before it will charge. Is that correct?
by Ricola
Wed Jan 10, 2024 12:12 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Morningstar article: Do Stocks Really Make Sense for the Long Run?
Replies: 180
Views: 27573

Re: Morningstar article: Do Stocks Really Make Sense for the Long Run?

Is the TVAA-suggested future portfolio discussed in the Vanguard outlook an existing Vanguard fund or ETF?
by Ricola
Tue Jan 09, 2024 11:16 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 4Runner - new or used
Replies: 77
Views: 9007

Re: 4Runner - new or used

Has your wife test-driven a 4Runner? The reason I am saying this is that she is coming from a Minivan. When I first test-drove a 4Runner it was a new v8 model with 4wd. I thought the visibility out the front was small and it felt like I was driving a military vehicle. Very stiff with low gearing and you knew it was going to be using a lot of fuel. I then tested a Highlander. It had lots of glass very open and not the enclosed feeling like the 4Runner, and was as smooth as a car. When went with the Highlander and it has been great for many years, however, we do use it like a car or even minivan, not like an off-road truck.
by Ricola
Wed Jan 03, 2024 11:48 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Miele OR Bosch Dishwasher?
Replies: 89
Views: 10990

Re: Miele OR Bosch Dishwasher?

I am partial to Whirlpool. The current dishwasher is used daily and still running fine at 17 years old. Have a refrigerator moved many times, in the hot or cold garage, with zero maintenance, perfectly maintains temperatures, and is still running at 42 years old. Family thinks it must be in a different dimension. :happy
by Ricola
Wed Jan 03, 2024 11:24 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: RMD Distribution Dates
Replies: 19
Views: 1953

Re: RMD Distribution Dates

Vanguard set one up for a single distribution at the end of December each year. I suppose the reasoning is to keep it invested as long as possible.
by Ricola
Mon Jan 01, 2024 5:39 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Amazon Rate increases - alternatives [Amazon Prime Video]
Replies: 151
Views: 24132

Re: Amazon Rate increases - alternatives [Amazon Prime Video]

Think of the positive, more ads, higher fees may cause less binge-watching and increase productivity. :)
by Ricola
Sun Dec 31, 2023 11:33 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: USAA Claims Reputation
Replies: 51
Views: 5726

Re: USAA Claims Reputation

tj wrote: Fri Dec 29, 2023 4:37 pm
Impatience wrote: Fri Dec 29, 2023 4:17 pm
stan1 wrote: Fri Dec 29, 2023 3:23 pm We've never had a problem but I'd point out we are USAA top tier (retired officer, decades of reasonable claims history, low risk) not lower tier GIC, CIC, Guardian etc. May make a difference.
USAA offers different service to officers than enlisted? news to me :annoyed very helpful thread
Yeah, look at your insurance policies and they should have a lettered prefix. You might be insured by actual USAA ,or you could be insured by a subsidiary owned by USAA - CIC, GIC, GAR

Officers are insured by actual USAA.
I believe if you are in the lower categories you are subsidizing the high category with higher rates and less service.
by Ricola
Sat Dec 16, 2023 10:36 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Winning the game and Dry Powder
Replies: 157
Views: 26224

Re: Winning the game and Dry Powder

TheTimeLord wrote: Sat Dec 16, 2023 10:09 am
Ricola wrote: Sat Dec 16, 2023 10:06 am Cash is a Position so I do not consider it dry powder.
Which is fine. But you have me curious, what then qualifies as dry powder? BTW, I don't necessarily disagree, I think of dry powder as a defined flexible portion of your portfolio that can be invested however you choose as opposed to be constrained by an AA.
I believe you answered your question. Any of your existing positions can become dry powder whenever you choose, but cash being the most liquid would likely be the first choice.
by Ricola
Sat Dec 16, 2023 10:06 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Winning the game and Dry Powder
Replies: 157
Views: 26224

Re: Winning the game and Dry Powder

Cash is a Position so I do not consider it dry powder.
by Ricola
Thu Dec 14, 2023 10:42 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Pros and Cons of "Do Not Resuscitate"
Replies: 209
Views: 51777

Re: Pros and Cons of "Do Not Resuscitate"

This thread is so thought provoking. Thank you for all who have contributed. In light of this thread, I have a question. Our fire department is offering free CPR classes. I had planned to sign up for one. But because of this thread, I'm rethinking that. What do you think (especially you docs and nurses)? Is there a value for a lay person to attempt CPR when the results are often so poor? It feels "bad" to decide not to learn something (CPR) when, if there were a crisis situation, that lack of training could mean watching helplessly as someone dies. (Or is getting the training merely a way to deal with one's own feelings of helplessness in the face of mortality?) In general, do you think a lay person should take a CPR class in lig...
by Ricola
Thu Dec 14, 2023 10:29 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Pros and Cons of "Do Not Resuscitate"
Replies: 209
Views: 51777

Re: Pros and Cons of "Do Not Resuscitate"

This is an interesting and timely topic. Spouse just had annual Medicare Wellness appointment, and was pressured by the Dr. to do a POLST form. As couples are wont to do, we then had a discussion about this form. Since we have advanced directives in place already, I didn't see the benefit. In a F/U with the Dr. I asked how form would be beneficial. Dr.'s response was did spouse want to be resuscitated if she had in fact died, (not breathing or heart beating)? My response was to ask how the form would prevent resuscitation outside of their hospital? The answer of course is that it wouldn't. No one outside of their medical system would know of or have access to the form. If you are elderly and spend most of your time in your residence, tapin...
by Ricola
Thu Nov 30, 2023 10:44 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: FERS annuity: Does it keep up with increases in FEHB premiums?
Replies: 29
Views: 2605

Re: FERS annuity: Does it keep up with increases in FEHB premiums?

[/quote]

We were on BCBS Standard for many years and then switched to Basic. Basic at this time offers zero extra Skilled Nursing Facility days. We then switched to Aetna Direct which is a significantly lower premium and gives $1800 fund per year (self+one). See more comments in reply to Ricola.
[/quote]

I don't see the 50% savings. The $1800 a year reimbursement for Part B is similar to BCBS Basic which would be $1600 per year currently. Also I don't understand Aetna's international coverage as it seems to be a separate or added plan.
by Ricola
Thu Nov 30, 2023 9:48 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: FERS annuity: Does it keep up with increases in FEHB premiums?
Replies: 29
Views: 2605

Re: FERS annuity: Does it keep up with increases in FEHB premiums?

If you have a large enough FERS pension, the dollar increase in your pension could be greater than the dollar increase in your FEHB premium, in any given year. So percentages only have limited relevance. Oh, I see. Thanks. If the annuitant is on Medicare A/B, one can save a significant amount in premium each month by switching to a lower premium plan, as some others mentioned. As an example, we are on a FEHB self+one plan-- we switched upon both being on Medicare from a very popular plan to one designed for those on Medicare (not a Medicare Advantage Plan). Our premium was cut by approx 50%, and we were given a health fund (HRA) of $1800 per year, so our savings are approx $350 per month. We could save even more by dropping Part B and goin...
by Ricola
Tue Nov 28, 2023 10:59 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: CA Solar Decision
Replies: 90
Views: 12397

Re: CA Solar Decision

My opinion? Forget it, rooftop solar is dead in California, it just doesn't know it yet. Still pending but almost guaranteed: Fees per kw of installed solar (last I saw, $8/month per kw installed was proposed) This was stripped out of NEM 3.0 but it is NOT dead. "income based" monthly fees - this is already approved by the legislature and must be finalized by April 2024. For high earners it will be something in the range of $75-100/month. It supposedly will come with reduced per kwh costs. That means there is even less incentive to have extra solar capacity, since you will be offsetting "cheaper" power and cannot offset the income fees. Frankly @ $5/gallon of gas, electric cars are starting to be non-viable at PG&E ...
by Ricola
Sat Nov 25, 2023 12:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity Holiday Offer - $150 for $50 deposit
Replies: 408
Views: 58679

Re: Fidelity Holiday Offer - $150 for $50 deposit

Is Fidelity planning on offering this bonus again this year?