Search found 264 matches

by Rubiosa
Sun Jun 15, 2014 8:14 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: investment with student loan repayment
Replies: 54
Views: 3913

Re: investment with student loan repayment

[OT comments removed by admin LadyGeek]
by Rubiosa
Fri Jun 13, 2014 6:08 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: USAA Changes effective 6 Aug 14
Replies: 29
Views: 8374

Re: USAA Changes effective 6 Aug 14

Thanks for that. I'm going to call USAA Monday and get more info. What is "TF"?
by Rubiosa
Sat Jun 07, 2014 2:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How To Encourage A Young (Sensitive) Child In Sports
Replies: 115
Views: 14380

Re: How To Encourage A Young (Sensitive) Child In Sports

"Putzing" around out there is what six-year-olds do. It's normal.

It's also normal for daddies to over-emphasize sports.

But it's not usually a good thing to do. I'd say lighten up a tad and enjoy him. He won't be six again.
by Rubiosa
Tue Jun 03, 2014 10:31 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: "Retire Secure for Same-Sex Couples" -- A Gem
Replies: 12
Views: 4364

Re: "Retire Secure for Same-Sex Couples" -- A Gem

Thank you very much, Taylor. I hope you're doing well.
by Rubiosa
Tue Jun 03, 2014 6:33 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: "Retire Secure for Same-Sex Couples" -- A Gem
Replies: 12
Views: 4364

Re: "Retire Secure for Same-Sex Couples" -- A Gem

Taylor, may I port your post to another board?
by Rubiosa
Sat May 31, 2014 5:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Vacationing in Seaside Florida?
Replies: 13
Views: 2294

Re: Vacationing in Seaside Florida?

We vacation on the Redneck Riviera every year and usually spend a half day or so at Seaside. It's nice, but nothing special. We rent nearby condos - this year at The Breakers in Ft. Walton Beach. A much better deal, IMO. Be sure to visit the Naval Air Museum in Pensacola if you haven't already
by Rubiosa
Tue May 27, 2014 2:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: in-laws/student loans
Replies: 57
Views: 4980

Re: in-laws/student loans

Saviors are always crucified.
by Rubiosa
Fri May 23, 2014 12:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Paying of debt after Father in Laws death
Replies: 27
Views: 4537

Re: Paying of debt after Father in Laws death

The $11,000 funeral was a $10,000 waste. See a lawyer.
by Rubiosa
Mon May 12, 2014 1:19 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Friend needs assistance with Student Loans
Replies: 10
Views: 1108

Re: Friend needs assistance with Student Loans

There's no better place than right here for sound analysis and advice. But it's a GIGO thing. You must give full particulars as to her student loan debt, even if embarrassing. Otherwise, there's really no help.
by Rubiosa
Sat May 10, 2014 12:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: USAA Changing their AMA Agreement
Replies: 3
Views: 1021

Re: USAA Changing their AMA Agreement

Call the General. He can fix things for you.
by Rubiosa
Sun Apr 13, 2014 5:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Paying for MBA
Replies: 16
Views: 2387

Re: Paying for MBA

" need to draw from my Roth or take out a student loan for the summer term."

Don't enroll for the summer if you'll have to go the student loan route. You're a part-time student and most MBA programs allow eight years for completion of the degree; moreover, appeals for an additional two years are almost always approved. You have the luxury of taking time and paying as you go. Forget the off-setting 'making more money sooner' idea.

Pay.as.you.go.
by Rubiosa
Wed Apr 09, 2014 4:52 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Unsubsidized Fixed Rate Stafford Loans - a good deal?
Replies: 22
Views: 2150

Re: Unsubsidized Fixed Rate Stafford Loans - a good deal?

"I think if one needs the money to attend college (no other options), [Stafford loans are] a pretty good deal."

There are always other options. And plenty of them. The loans just seem easier. Of the 2 1/2 million students who will be taking BA and MA degrees this year, only about 35% will have incurred student loan debt. And most of these will have come from average middle class, middle income families. Other options have been discussed here for at least the last three years. I mean no disrespect, but your "no other options" 'solution' must be called lest others similarly rationalize, and to their kids' detriment.
by Rubiosa
Fri Mar 21, 2014 11:15 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Options for the medical grad but no residency
Replies: 98
Views: 17478

Re: Options for the medical grad but no residency

The 'reasons' for not undertaking residency do not compute.

Sorry.
by Rubiosa
Mon Mar 03, 2014 12:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Would you retire [to a tropical island with kids]?
Replies: 121
Views: 15087

Re: Would you retire like this?

[OT comments removed by admin LadyGeek]
by Rubiosa
Mon Feb 10, 2014 12:57 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Appreciation For Mel
Replies: 11
Views: 1891

Re: Appreciation For Mel

Mel and Taylor are treasures. We don't tell them enough. But they are and I hope they know it.
by Rubiosa
Tue Jan 28, 2014 8:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Student loans
Replies: 13
Views: 1630

Re: Student loans

It sounds like you are a teacher with a master's in the New York City school system and that you're interested in getting a $40,000 second master's. Would this second master's lead to more pay, e.g., move you from the classroom to an administrative position? If not, I wouldn't do it. If you just want to change teaching fields, you can do that with night, weekend, and online courses while you work, and WITHOUT a master's.
by Rubiosa
Sat Jan 18, 2014 11:34 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buried in Student Loans
Replies: 22
Views: 6952

Re: Buried in Student Loans

My mistake, sorry. The OP says he's "buried in student loans," and I was trying to make the point that alas, student loans are still not seen as a grave threat to the middle class and to the country itself. I bring my 35-year career as a professor at a large TX university to this question.
by Rubiosa
Sat Jan 18, 2014 10:09 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buried in Student Loans
Replies: 22
Views: 6952

Re: Buried in Student Loans

Sorry, but if you owe all that and are thinking about taking out more student loans, you cannot be helped. No offense intended. Good luck in any case.
by Rubiosa
Sun Oct 27, 2013 3:04 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Possible Job/Career Change Advice (Current Teacher)
Replies: 11
Views: 2408

Re: Possible Job/Career Change Advice (Current Teacher)

I'd think twice before blowing off the 11 years of teaching you already have. Moving into administration would be something to think about. You'd still have stresses, but a different kind. I doubt there are many teachers with your experience who don't have some or most of your concerns. You're really doing pretty well. You're contributing. Your students respect you. Parents appreciate you. Money's not a problem. The grass doesn't get a whole lot greener. There's stress everywhere. Etc. What the hey?!
by Rubiosa
Sun Oct 20, 2013 10:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Moving to Dallas, TX
Replies: 76
Views: 8822

Re: Moving to Dallas, TX

Life is too short to live in Houston. :^)
by Rubiosa
Sun Oct 20, 2013 2:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Moving to Dallas, TX
Replies: 76
Views: 8822

Re: Moving to Dallas, TX

I've lived in Dallas for forty years. Grapevine would be a great place to relocate, in my opinion. Very neat little town in the middle of a huge metroplex. (Lonesome Dove was Grapevine's original name - Larry MacMurtry liked the name and fictionally located it in SOUTH TX, not NORTH TX). Good schools. Fifteen minutes to DFW airport. Bistros, sidewalk cafes, etc. Close to everything. Upscale but very reasonable living costs.
by Rubiosa
Sat Oct 19, 2013 12:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Moving to Dallas, TX
Replies: 76
Views: 8822

Re: Moving to Dallas, TX

"Rubiosa wrote:[political comment deleted by admin alex]"

"I don't know what Rubiosa said, but perhaps it is allowed to say, Dallas is Red, Chicago is Blue. That may matter to you in terms of friendships."
-------------------------------------------

I made no political comment.
by Rubiosa
Thu Oct 17, 2013 6:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Moving to Dallas, TX
Replies: 76
Views: 8822

Re: Moving to Dallas, TX

[political comment deleted by admin alex]
by Rubiosa
Sat Oct 12, 2013 10:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Second career in teaching?
Replies: 28
Views: 3391

Re: Second career in teaching?

High school would proibably be the best way to go. Much more likely to get a job at that level, and you could easily make double what you'd make as an adjunct. You'd need certification, but there are inexpensive alternative certification programs (which you could begin working on now).

The current Ph.D. glut is making adjunct positions very difficult for Master's only candidates.

Be sure you only accept a high school teaching job in a Social Security paying district, and be sure to only accept a high school teaching job that has 403B programs with Vanguard options.

Good luck.
by Rubiosa
Mon Sep 30, 2013 9:32 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Payoff student loan, or invest? Annuity advice?
Replies: 33
Views: 14668

Re: Payoff student loan, or invest?

Your debt is certainly manageable now, but since your musician income is unstable, I would pay off the loan to avoid the long-term possibility of not being able to stay on top of the debt, which could lead to invasive debt collection methods, penalty fees, wage garnishment, and the withholding of IRS tax refunds, not to mention the fact that your student loan debt is not eligible for bankruptcy protections. Few students think they might have to default on their loans, but in fact 600,000 loans are currently in default and the number is growing at alarming rates. Student debt has reached crisis levels. Don't assume you'll be gainfully employed your first year or two out of college. Stay away from for-profit schools. This is an appeal to stud...
by Rubiosa
Fri Sep 27, 2013 10:56 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Student loan repayment plan
Replies: 20
Views: 2110

Re: Student loan repayment plan

You are making a horrible mistake; a lifetime of debt. Sorry, but you won't even be able to make your interest payments. The arithmetic is simple.
by Rubiosa
Tue Aug 13, 2013 6:57 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: USAA advice regarding bonds
Replies: 10
Views: 1326

Re: USAA advice regarding bonds

Yes, you can access USAA without enabling cookies. BUT THERE'S A LITTLE TRICK TO IT. HERE'S HOW. When you sign on to USAA, you'll get this "Welcome to USAA! To get started, please enable cookies. We take the security of our members' information very seriously, so we've recently enhanced the protection on our website. Please enable cookies in your web browser to continue. How to enable your cookies... It varies by browser, but you can usually change your cookie settings by going to the browser "Options" or "Settings" menu and finding the "Privacy" settings. Or, just search your browser's "Help" menu for "enable cookies". You should then be able to access usaa.com." IGNORE ALL INSTRU...
by Rubiosa
Mon Aug 12, 2013 8:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: USAA disappoints!
Replies: 67
Views: 12193

Re: USAA disappoints!

@Sally - Sorry about your loss of confidence in USAA.

I'm working on 56 years with them and have never had a bad experience.

I believe your experience is atypical, probably in the extreme, and I certainly wouldn't leave in a snit.

Call the General. I guarantee you he (or one of his aides) will fix your problem.

He needs to know about these things.
by Rubiosa
Sat Jul 27, 2013 8:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Student Loans and the Correct Course of Action
Replies: 44
Views: 4683

Re: Student Loans and the Correct Course of Action

I'm retired from thirty-five years of teaching at a large state university, and I can tell you that the situation in which Godeacs now finds himself is unusual but not THAT unusual. While tens of thousands of students manage to graduate every year paying their entire way through college without parental help and ENDING UP WITH NO DEBT AT ALL, an increasing number of students give no thought whatever to the morrow and wind up (like Godeacs) with $50K jobs (if they get a job) and owing the equivalent of $750 per month for their entire 30-year working life. This must stop. It's bad for the student. It's bad for the family. And it's awful for the broader economy at large. Unchecked, it will shrink the middle class. There are several components ...
by Rubiosa
Fri Jul 26, 2013 10:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Student Loans and the Correct Course of Action
Replies: 44
Views: 4683

Re: Student Loans and the Correct Course of Action

You're absolutely right. DO NOT ask for your girlfriend's help with your student loans.

I hope the relationship works out, but I'm sure you realize that she'll be reluctant to tie in to a loan as big as yours. She'll have much better offers, financially speaking.

I sincerely hope I'm wrong. Just speaking the truth as I see it.

Signed, Professor Emerita. Seen it all.
by Rubiosa
Fri Jul 26, 2013 6:37 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Student Loans and the Correct Course of Action
Replies: 44
Views: 4683

Re: Student Loans and the Correct Course of Action

1. How much, if anything, does your girlfriend owe for her college loans?

2. Is she a college graduate and does she work?

3. What is her income?

Thanks
by Rubiosa
Mon Jul 22, 2013 1:22 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Farmland--Cash Rent or Share Crop?
Replies: 10
Views: 6319

Re: Farmland--Cash Rent or Share Crop?

In the Mississippi delta the usual arrangement is for the farm operator to pay ALL expenses and take 75% of the gross. The farm owner takes the other 25%. This arrangement seems to work well.
by Rubiosa
Fri Jul 12, 2013 7:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Received offer on home today - would you take it?
Replies: 27
Views: 3165

Re: Received offer on home today - would you take it?

[Post openly questioning/challenging forum moderation removed by Mod Mel]
by Rubiosa
Fri Jul 12, 2013 12:54 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Received offer on home today - would you take it?
Replies: 27
Views: 3165

Re: Received offer on home today - would you take it?

You're not the first to rationally plan a suicide at age X.

Pulling it off is another matter, as the Somerset Maugham short story below illustrates.

http://maugham.classicauthors.net/lotuseater
by Rubiosa
Thu Jul 11, 2013 6:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: USAA to Geico for auto insurance?
Replies: 19
Views: 7653

Re: USAA to Geico for auto insurance?

I believe it would be a mistake to leave USAA just to save a few dollars, expecially since you've never had a single problem with them. If not now, you'll eventually want umbrella insurance, and in that case you cannot pick and choose among companies for this coverage and that. USAA will want it all. As would GEICO.

I've been with USAA 55+ years and use their bank, brokerage services, insurance, the works. You find very few houses these days where the military values of honor and integrity are still in play.
by Rubiosa
Sun May 12, 2013 2:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Academics vs Private Practice (Physician)
Replies: 20
Views: 5610

Re: Academics vs Private Practice (Physician)

"I like to teach, but research is ehhh just okay"

Then go private practice.
by Rubiosa
Thu Apr 25, 2013 6:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: College Time has arrived... and we need some advice.
Replies: 51
Views: 5630

Re: College Time has arrived... and we need some advice.

" . . . we could have been better stuarts [sic] over our money . . ."

All the more reason to refuse the "aid" of $20,000 a year and get realistic about your daughter's future.

You have the unbelievably good luck to be able to send your daughter to Georgia State University, right there in Atlanta, at the bargain price of $5484 per semester. TAKE IT.

You have the unbelievably good luck to be able to cut her room and board expenses to ZERO. TAKE IT.

Load her up with debt and her chances of marriage to a financially responsible mate are diminished.

Retired 35-year prof. Been there, done it, seen it all.
by Rubiosa
Tue Apr 16, 2013 1:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: College Financial Aid assistance
Replies: 13
Views: 1550

Re: College Financial Aid assistance

You are entirely right. Stay away from "planners" and especially stay away from the financial aid office. Lenders pay universities top commissions to direct students to their "services."
by Rubiosa
Mon Apr 15, 2013 8:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Second Career Abroad, Teaching ESL
Replies: 30
Views: 4777

Re: Second Career Abroad, Teaching ESL

The best teaching jobs abroad are for the Department of Defense and Department of State

http://www.state.gov/m/dghr/flo/c21946.htm
by Rubiosa
Thu Apr 04, 2013 11:54 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Wait Time For Tax Preparer
Replies: 12
Views: 1528

Re: Wait Time For Tax Preparer

Thanks to everyone. I'll get a new tax man.
by Rubiosa
Wed Apr 03, 2013 3:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Wait Time For Tax Preparer
Replies: 12
Views: 1528

Wait Time For Tax Preparer

My tax preparer is perfectly satisfactory; however I almost never get my return back from him before April 14 or 15. This year, this has resulted in my having to postpone an out-of-town trip I need to make. I make it a point to get my materials to him by February 15.
I know he's busy and I hate to be a bother. But still . . .

What is a reasonable wait time. Thank you. I should say he's a highly respected CPA. I should also say that it's not a complicated return and that the total fee is about $1500 per year.
by Rubiosa
Sat Mar 30, 2013 10:13 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: School Loans, IRA, Vanguard, OH MY!
Replies: 35
Views: 3382

Re: School Loans, IRA, Vanguard, OH MY!

" . . . my wife and I are both new medical professionals (PT and PA) with a combined $200,000 in federal loans. This was likely the worst financial mistake we could ever make, as our combined income is only $135,000."

I'm truly sorry for your predicament. I don't know how to help you.
by Rubiosa
Fri Mar 22, 2013 8:25 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What are the risks of re-writing your own will?
Replies: 18
Views: 2078

Re: What are the risks of re-writing your own will?

"House work never killed anybody, but why take the chance?" Phyllis Diller
by Rubiosa
Wed Mar 20, 2013 3:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Finding a house/realtor in Fort Worth
Replies: 7
Views: 789

Re: Finding a house/realtor in Fort Worth

Saginaw is a nice little country town, convenient to Carswell but 32-55 minutes to UTA depending upon traffic.
by Rubiosa
Fri Mar 15, 2013 8:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Projected College Costs Realistic?
Replies: 58
Views: 5652

Re: Projected College Costs Realistic?

There will need to be a lot of adjusting to the idea in the future, but in light of staggering degree costs, a B.A. via the military is beginning to make more and more sense. I really like this program at UC-Davis. http://catalog.ucdavis.edu/programs/MSC/MSCprog.html
by Rubiosa
Sun Mar 03, 2013 9:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [Should we] buy a two story house or a one story?
Replies: 43
Views: 6799

Re: Woud you rather buy a two story house or a one story?

If there's a chance this will be the last house you live in, I'd say go with the single story. Negotiating stairs in old age can be a pain. Even doorsteps can be a pain for that matter.
by Rubiosa
Sat Mar 02, 2013 6:40 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Advice for a college student
Replies: 8
Views: 1015

Re: Advice for a college student

Congratulations on being way ahead of the game. No student loans.
by Rubiosa
Wed Feb 27, 2013 6:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Is Med School still a good financial investment?
Replies: 123
Views: 14546

Re: Is Med School still a good financial investment?

FordBiggs - Have you thought about this? Interesting salaries -- http://scrubsmag.com/top-ten-highest-pa ... ecialties/
by Rubiosa
Tue Feb 26, 2013 2:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Is Med School still a good financial investment?
Replies: 123
Views: 14546

Re: Is Med School still a good financial investment?

If you still need a year or two of pre-requisites, that suggests you weren't very interested in science during your undergraduate work. That might be something to think about. Also, I'd talk to the SUNY pre-med adviser.