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by Saving$
Thu Aug 17, 2017 10:33 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestions for online tool for organizing an event?
Replies: 6
Views: 940

Suggestions for online tool for organizing an event?

Can the Bogleheads recommend a free online tool for organizing an event/project? Ideally it would be something 3-4 people could log onto. We would be able to organize notes and communication by topic and subtopic, such as the list below. The organizers could log on, attach documents, make notes, and provide updates. The tool would record who entered what data, and when. There is no budget to pay for a tool, but email is becoming VERY cumbersome - it is just a mess. There has got to be a better way. Using Google drive does not work because that only allows DOCUMENTS, we need a few docs, but it is mostly notes and communication. Using Evernote does not work because it's organizing tiers are limited, and it does not record who enters what, so ...
by Saving$
Thu Aug 17, 2017 10:21 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Other people's perception of your finances
Replies: 73
Views: 6503

Re: Other people's perception of your finances

This really depends upon whether the same issues happened before you moved to this new house (guest for 2 + weeks?) and if it reciprocal (do you visit these family members at holidays and stay in their house the entire time?) I agree that going out to dinner and not offering to pick up the tab may be boorish, but again, it depends upon who it is. If it were someone who exhibits behavior in other parts of their life that indicates they have disposable income, yes, they should offer to pick up the tab, they should show up with flowers or a bottle of wine, etc. If, on the other hand, it is a young family, or a lower income person, maybe they cannot pick up the tab. I have had relatives who otherwise could not afford a vacation stay at my house...
by Saving$
Wed Aug 16, 2017 11:22 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: please help...am I overextended - first home
Replies: 78
Views: 10550

Re: please help...am I overextended - first home

Did you make a decision? Don't leave us hanging. :happy I spoke with my realtor today. She is encouraging me to go through with the inspection (she even offered to split it with me but I can't let her do that). I am planning on staying where I currently am and save some money. I got such great feedback from the members of the group. I will be able to pay my monthly bills but I agree I will be better off when I have some more money saved. Now to break the news to my realtor :( This is a smart decision, to be applauded. Deferred gratification! 1. Break news to realtor 2. Start a new post listing income, expenses, assets, goals and get some good advice on getting on an upward financial trajectory 3. Declutter and get out out of the house/1bd ...
by Saving$
Wed Aug 16, 2017 10:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: ObamaCare 2018
Replies: 74
Views: 12891

Re: ObamaCare 2018

My state has about 5 providers, who together offer about 60 plans [edited to add: that are available in my particular urban county]. When I started looking at the networks, I was appalled. There is a major university hospital system 3 miles from me, and although some plans included certain doctors in that system, the only hospital in some plans was a rural regional hospital about an hour away...hope you never get sick... - In 2016, I was able to find only one PPO plan eligible for an HSA that had a decent provider network that I could buy off the exchange midyear. That insurer pulled out of my state for 2017. - For 2017, no PPO plan [edited to add: was available on the exchange], and no other plan eligible for an HSA that had a decent provi...
by Saving$
Tue Aug 15, 2017 9:54 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: please help...am I overextended - first home
Replies: 78
Views: 10550

Re: please help...am I overextended - first home

Yes, you are way overextended. And this is not totally based on the math. 1. You have a >$450/m 401k loan with 2 years left to pay 2. You have not saved for a sufficient down payment on the house 1+2 = not ready to buy a house. You need to stay in the apartment you are currently in - declutter if that will make it more bearable (you will have to do that before you move anyway). Start saving at a minimum the difference between your rent and the proposed house payment + $200 each month. So house payment is $1584 - $860 or $900/m rent = $700 + $200 = $900 minimum savings each month, more if you can. Start immediately. This will a) give you an idea of your cashflow situation if you were to go through with a home purchase later b) get you some s...
by Saving$
Wed Aug 09, 2017 9:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Insurance on Empty Lot
Replies: 10
Views: 1645

Re: Insurance on Empty Lot

The only thing you need to insure for is liability, since you have no property to lose on an empty lot (well, there is also owners title insurance, but that is not where you were going with the question). In many situations, your homeowner insurance will extend coverage to an empty lot. Some states/insurers will require you to "list" the property to have it covered, some will automatically cover any land you own. Once you start building, you will want to be covered by a builders risk policy. This can either be bought by your contractor, or by you. Check with your insurer and compare. When you compare, be sure to consider the amount of the deductibles in your comparison. And work out with your builder who is responsible for the ded...
by Saving$
Sat Aug 05, 2017 6:52 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: multi-location restaurant owner needs advice
Replies: 9
Views: 1188

Re: multi-location restaurant owner needs advice

You have an annual salary of $200k (regardless of where it comes from), live in a LCOL area, and have no emergency, 401k, Roth, HSA or tIRA accounts?
What are you doing with the $200k?
1. Immediately put $5500 in a Roth for you and $5500 in a Roth for your spouse. Temporarily that can also function as your emergency fund
2. Immediately open a 401k - whether it is a solo, or regular will depend upon how the business is structured. Fund it to the max for 2017.
3. Immediately start an emergency fund - 12 months of household expenses
If you cannot fathom putting away $11k Roth + $18k 401k (could be up to $50k+ if a solo)= $29k on a $200k salary, you have a severe spending problem. Figure out where the money is bleeding and plug that hole.
by Saving$
Fri Aug 04, 2017 2:48 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help: Fidelity or Vanguard
Replies: 33
Views: 3856

Re: Help: Fidelity or Vanguard

Vanguard Solo 401k dealbreakers:
1. Don't allow rollover of tIRA into the solo 401k
- This becomes the deal breaker if you need to enable backdoor Roth
2. Don't allow admiral class shares in the solo 401k
- This becomes the deal breaker if you think you might start the solo at Fido and roll it over to Vanguard

I would prefer Vanguard just due to the corporate structure, but honestly Fido has a better website, and currently has an ER of about 0.01 less than Vanguard, and there is always the local office if I need them (they won't impress you, so don't let that be the litmus test, but they will provide a medallion stamp if you need it.)
by Saving$
Fri Aug 04, 2017 9:42 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can my wife afford to stay home?
Replies: 36
Views: 3732

Re: Can my wife afford to stay home?

It's a bit unclear, but your presentation indicates you could meet expenses using only your base pay, but would then not be saving much, if at all. Since you don't have a mortgage, that not saving much can be viewed in a different context, but losing that tax advantaged space every year while she stays home is still disconcerting. And unless your overtime is mandatory, or is at something like triple pay, you really need to consider the relationship /family dynamics part of that more than the financial part. If your wife is home all the time with an infant, she will probably yearn for your company/companionship, and you will also want to spend time with your kid. The overtime interferes with both of those. Cutting back on the overtime and th...
by Saving$
Sat Jul 29, 2017 12:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Wooden flooring in kitchen
Replies: 51
Views: 10731

Re: Wooden flooring in kitchen

It works well. Having the same flooring throughout an open floor plan give the space a more finished feel and makes it seem larger, less cluttered. Ideally, you want site finished floors if the wood is in the kitchen and bath, as the poly will seal somewhat at the joint between the pieces. That said, I have prefinished engineered hardwoods the entire first floor, including kitchen, that I installed over 12 years ago and they look great, except for the 3 divots where things got dropped. HOWEVER, I installed a prefinished product with a commercial grade finish (lifetime residential finish warranty, 25 year commercial) and with a much thicker wear layer than most engineered products. My neighbors who have builder grade engineered products expe...
by Saving$
Sat Jul 29, 2017 11:56 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Tesla - next big lottery ticket ?
Replies: 179
Views: 25597

Re: Tesla - next big lottery ticket ?

Go for it if you have $5k to lose, and/or if a $5k writeoff will help your tax situation.

If it goes from $350 to $1k /share per your prediction, your $5k will be worth $14,300. If you have enough that you have $5k to lose, a $9,300 gain in 10 years is not much...and the real gain is less because you have to subtract the opportunity cost of that $5k...

Of course, if you do this and the above scenario plays out, you will be kicking yourself that you did not invest $50k. But do you have $50k to lose?

These are the types of decision that keep me solidly in the Boglehead 3 index fund portfolio camp.
by Saving$
Thu Jul 27, 2017 11:02 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 5500 Filings for Solo/Individual 401(k)s; public information
Replies: 11
Views: 1741

Re: 5500 Filings for Solo/Individual 401(k)s; public information

Another potential benefit to filing a 5500-SF over the EZ is per the IRS instructions, the EZ is required to be filed on an accrual basis. This would have sped up the filing requirement by one year for me. By doing the Form 5500-SF, I am able to report on a cash basis so my asset balance did not exceed $250k until 2014, rather than 2013. Personally, I think the accrual requirement on the EZ is an oversight but I'm not a fan of taking on risk by performing my own interpretation of IRS provisions. If you want to make it more difficult for searches on the internet, you should create a plan name with your company's initials rather than the company name. Many people looking for information might not think to search on an acronym. Also, in the s...
by Saving$
Tue Jul 25, 2017 8:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: My risk tolerance suddenly went down
Replies: 33
Views: 6829

Re: My risk tolerance suddenly went down

Pay yourself first.
1. Max out new 401k. If they let you participate immediately, attempt to max it out during this calendar year. Your premium for the balance of this year is almost $19k. Use all of that to attempt to fully fund your 401k.
2. Since you were saving before, you can still save - max out your Roth IRA also. Initially, use your Roth as your emergency fund.

With the above 2, you get no lifestyle change for 2017. The possible exception is putting your gf on your insurance.

For 2018, you can adjust the 401k contribution, front load the Roth, and then by about March you can start funding a separate EF. When that gets to a point you are comfortable, then you can start replenishing your taxable.
by Saving$
Wed Jul 19, 2017 12:24 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How Much Would You Spend on a Blender?
Replies: 47
Views: 6730

Re: How Much Would You Spend on a Blender?

Ninja Master Prep - $35 - been running strong for about 6 or 7 years now. Gets used about 2x week, more in summer. It replaced a 30+ year old Hoover blender I got at a garage sale when I was young. The Hoover thing had started to leak, and was just a general pain. The Ninja is terrific.
by Saving$
Sun Jul 16, 2017 4:02 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Personal loan to a family member
Replies: 114
Views: 12395

Re: Personal loan to a family member

One thing that was not clear is how much equity that relative has in the house. If they already had to put up 20% of the cost of the planned cost house and they could only finance 80% but then the cost overrun was 10% then there would be a margin of safety for you. Helping them out is one thing but making it a zero interest loan is a very bad idea. You loan should be at a slightely higher interest rate (5%+ ??) to modivate them to pay you off first even if they have to refinance the house once it is done. You could give the interest back to them after the loan is paid off if you wanted to. You could even write it into the contract that the interest will be forgivien if it is paid off by a certain date. One other thing that has not been men...
by Saving$
Tue Jul 11, 2017 10:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Healthy smoothie ideas
Replies: 18
Views: 2361

Re: Healthy smoothie ideas

Milk, banana and spinach. Throw in an avocado if you want.
by Saving$
Tue Jul 11, 2017 10:04 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Structuring payoff offer for house in foreclosure, above water
Replies: 27
Views: 4478

Re: Structuring payoff offer for house in foreclosure, above water

So there is $100k + $275k + $78k = $458k owed on a house worth $600k.

Do you have $458k to pay it off? If not, money is still owed. Can the homeowner make any monthly payments?

You wrote:
- The family wishes to keep the homeowner in place, in the house
- The owner is younger and not cooperative
The family may need to come to terms with the fact that apparently the homeowner does not wish to stay there as much as the family wishes for him/her to stay there. If the owner wants to stay, the owner will make the payments...if not, it is probably time for the owner to leave.
by Saving$
Mon Jul 10, 2017 9:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Which apartment should we rent?
Replies: 22
Views: 2841

Re: Which apartment should we rent?

If you really intend to stay 5-7 years, I would select the upper floor. The exercise will be good for you, and you won't hear folks walking around over you. I predict you won't last 5-7 years if people are walking around over you.
by Saving$
Mon Jul 10, 2017 9:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Keeping Pre-Marital Property Separate
Replies: 22
Views: 3897

Re: Keeping Pre-Marital Property Separate

OP, just decide how you will fund joint expenses, and open a new joint account for joint expenses. Either you both contribute the same amount monthly to the joint account, or you each contribute the same percentage of your income or you find some other equitable way. Pay all your joint expenses from the joint account. Open a credit card you each have that is paid from the joint account - only use that credit card for what you and spouse have agreed are joint expenses. If there is quite a difference in income, for example, maybe the low earning spouse does not want to fund alot of going out to dinner, but the higher earner prefers to do. The high earner just pays for those going out to dinner expenses from his/her personal account rather tha...
by Saving$
Mon Jul 10, 2017 9:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do not buy new cellphones on ebay
Replies: 54
Views: 9778

Re: Do not buy new cellphones on ebay

OP - I went through the exact same exercise a few months ago. I too had settled on the S5, due to the combo of price/features/size. Ordered one from a seller on Walmart.com that was supposed to be new. It also came in an original box, and looked new. The MNVO I was going to use it on confirmed the IMEI would work on their network. But when I called Samsung, they advised the phone was out of warranty - obviously it had previously been sold. And the power button intermittently did not work - I decided I did not want to deal with that and other potential issues so I returned it. I followed the advice of some posters here and bought a Moto G5. It is without a doubt the best phone I have ever owned. It is fast, has nice features, and just WORKS....
by Saving$
Sat Jul 08, 2017 5:05 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Additional contribution to ROTH 401k?
Replies: 9
Views: 597

Re: Additional contribution to ROTH 401k?

Correct. Max for 401k (Roth or regular) is $18k if under 50, $24k if 50 or over. Unless her company matches by the paycheck, don't worry too much about when they process it. Just calculate it for the longest time you think they might take to process it. So if you think it takes 6 weeks, and revise the 401k contribution to hit the max with the revised contribution in 6 weeks. If they happen to process it sooner, she will just hit the max allowed sooner, and the employer will stop withholding the 401k contributions from the paycheck. Some people on this board just contribute at much as possible out of their paychecks at the beginning of the year, and live on savings, until their 401k contribution maxes out. This front loading gives you the be...
by Saving$
Fri Jul 07, 2017 8:41 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: IRS Notice CP2000 for Tax Year 2015 Backdoor Roth
Replies: 5
Views: 1265

Re: IRS Notice CP2000 for Tax Year 2015 Backdoor Roth

Thank you very much for the responses. Since it seems to be confirmed I made an error on both the 1040 and the 8606, what should my next course of action be? 1. Follow the instructions from the IRS agent, who seems to think my forms don't have an error? 2. Call the IRS back, talk to another agent and try to get different instructions? 3. Ignore the instructions from the IRS agent I've spoken with and do something different, such as: a. Respond to the CP2000 with "I don't agree" and a new 1040, new 8606 and copies of both 5498's? b. Respond to the CP2000 with "I don't agree" and only a new 8606 since that seems to be the issue they have? c. Respond stating I'm filing an amended return, with new 1040 and 8606? d. Other?? (...
by Saving$
Thu Jul 06, 2017 10:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: IRS Notice CP2000 for Tax Year 2015 Backdoor Roth
Replies: 5
Views: 1265

IRS Notice CP2000 for Tax Year 2015 Backdoor Roth

I received an IRS Notice CP2000 for Tax Year 2015 Backdoor Roth. I have read about 4 other threads on BH that I could find on this issue, but my circumstances may differ. I think the IRS gave me incorrect advice on how to respond to this. After reviewing the other threads, I think (not sure, please see below) I did something wrong when answering the questions in Tax Act and as a result submitted a 1040 and 8606 with errors. I told the IRS agent I think I filled out the forms incorrectly. After taking my name & SS and looking up my return, the agent stated my forms are correct, and the IRS software made an error. The agent instructed me to send the CP2000, check "I don't agree," attach a copy of my form 5498 from the IRA custod...
by Saving$
Tue Jul 04, 2017 1:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: For those of you who handle all the finances, how do you keep your spouse "in the know"
Replies: 107
Views: 17613

Re: For those of you who handle all the finances, how do you keep your spouse "in the know"

Keep all the account logons in Keepass, and share the Keepass database. In your case, I guess you could keep your email logon out of the Keepass database. I don't know what you would do for 2 factor authentication...
by Saving$
Mon Jul 03, 2017 10:02 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Just found out my mom is in serious financial crisis. Need help ASAP.
Replies: 58
Views: 11813

Re: Just found out my mom is in serious financial crisis. Need help ASAP.

Your mother has a problem in addition to the financial problem. Either it is a refusal to deal with reality, shop a holic, delusional or something else, we don't know, but there is an underlying problem. No different than those with substance abuse have an underlying problem. In your shoes, I'd agree to help manage professionals to help her recover, but only if she agrees to the help. The professionals involved should be: 1. Mental health/counseling. 2. Financial counseling 3. Tax attorney to deal with the IRS 4. Accountant/book keeper type who maintains the receivables & payables, and gives your mother an allowance. This problem could be much worse, and if she decides she wants to, she can recover. As posted above, do some evening &...
by Saving$
Wed Jun 28, 2017 12:39 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Elderly Relative Reluctant to give POA
Replies: 30
Views: 3656

Re: Elderly Relative Reluctant to give POA

There are two scenarios: 1. Someone else has POA . They can write checks, pay bills, sell assets, move money around, etc. The POA is granted by the person for whom you have it. Usually they execute it prior to becoming mentally incapacitated. Often the person who received POA won't do anything with it until the person can't handle their own finances. Some nursing homes require residents to select a person to have a POA and execute the POA. The POA is just having another person who can handle finances; it does not prevent the elderly relative for whom someone has POA from also doing the same things. Sometimes this does not matter as the elderly person is too incapacitated to navigate doing anything financial. However, sometimes they are just...
by Saving$
Wed Jun 28, 2017 12:29 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Unable to Escape from Quicken Island ...
Replies: 66
Views: 10697

Re: Unable to Escape from Quicken Island ...

Use the original data file. No need to proceed with data missing when it is there for the taking. This is a one time decision, because once you go down the road with one of the two files, it will be manual thing to re-enter any missing data.
by Saving$
Wed Jun 28, 2017 12:23 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Would some outside advice on my next steps
Replies: 5
Views: 947

Re: Would some outside advice on my next steps

Makes no sense to have $15k in "post tax" investments if you are not maxing out both of your Roth's and maxing out your 401ks. At your savings rate, you should be able to fund both Roth's for 2017 and 2018, max out both 401k's and pay off the personal/student and car loan by September of 2018. I would not delay maxing the 401k's and Roths, because once that space is gone you never get it back. One or two more months of the student loan at 5% is a small price to pay to capture that 401k space. At $3k month extra to tackle debt, you will have the $14k paid off in less than 5 months. I'd readjust the cash flow right now to try to hit the max on 401k contributions for 2017; that will probably push the personal/student loan payoffs to ...
by Saving$
Tue Jun 27, 2017 10:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Elderly Relative Reluctant to give POA
Replies: 30
Views: 3656

Re: Elderly Relative Reluctant to give POA

I had a similar experience. Elderly relative did not want a $7k or $8k bill for the month for the nursing home paid; directed us to write a check for $500 or so dollars, that relative would sign, as that is all they "deserved." We had previously asked the nursing home for help in having the relative declared financially incompetent, and the nursing home had refused, stating they saw no evidence of that. This was in a state that made a distinction between making financial vs medical competence. So when the relative did not want to pay it was a actually a gift in disguise. I documented EVERYTHING in writing, first among the other relatives involved, and then sent the nursing home financial administrator a note. This relative was on ...
by Saving$
Tue Jun 27, 2017 9:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Etiquette question regarding access easement usage
Replies: 28
Views: 4634

Re: Etiquette question regarding access easement usage

...... because the legal easement is probably wider than a driveway needs to be (mine is 30' wide), if he has a preference where exactly you drive. Definitely do so before laying down gravel or pavement..... I'm wondering if you can clarify this statement? Yes, the easement is much wider than the actual driveway. I'm not sure why I would ask him where he would like me to install the road on the easement though. It would seem to me that I'm allowed to install the road anywhere within the bounds of the easement, and asking for his suggestions would simply put me in a subservient negotiating position. To be neighborly I wouldn't mind showing him where I am putting it, but don't see why I ought to get his preferences first. Whoaaa... You have ...
by Saving$
Sun Jun 18, 2017 1:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: So sick of it! [Paying off student loans]
Replies: 42
Views: 10249

Re: So sick of it! [Paying off student loans]

Mathematically, paying off does not make sense.

However, if it bothers you:
1. Beef up emergency fund to 2 years living expenses.
2. Use balance of extra cash to pay student loans off early, including temporarily suspending $30k /year towards investment in taxable account
3. Go outside and play with the kids.
by Saving$
Sat Jun 17, 2017 10:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Deck needs replaced, what should I get?
Replies: 17
Views: 3010

Re: Deck needs replaced, what should I get?

Get another estimate or two from competing contractors...
by Saving$
Sat Jun 17, 2017 9:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Paying for item on EBay - problem
Replies: 6
Views: 1077

Re: Paying for item on EBay - problem

I just figured something out. The credit card on my ebay account, that I have not updated since 2006, was my old Costco Amex. I looked up my email confirmation from my last ebay purchase in February. That also states "Paid with Credit Card." And I looked on my new Costco Visa - sure enough the charge was there. I guess by the time the credit card statement came in March, I did not remember I had not entered this credit card into ebay; I knew I had bought something on ebay, and the amount was correct, so thought nothing more of it. So I guess ebay, who has the old Costco Amex number, is somehow getting the charges to the new Costco Visa.... Since the February charge went through, I'm going to leave this alone until I get the item a...
by Saving$
Sat Jun 17, 2017 8:59 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Paying for item on EBay - problem
Replies: 6
Views: 1077

Re: Paying for item on EBay - problem

runner3081 wrote: If I were you, I would do this:

1) Withdraw your entire account balance
2) Add the credit card you want to use
3) Complete the purchase and MAKE SURE the CC is listed when making payment.

Based on the fact that you already did this, click on the transaction and look for something like this:
"Paid with
PayPal balance"
1. Do you mean withdraw my PayPal account balance? Have never done that; it will be good to learn
2. OK
3. OK
On my order confirmation email, it states "Paid $(entire amount) with credit card"
by Saving$
Sat Jun 17, 2017 8:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Paying for item on EBay - problem
Replies: 6
Views: 1077

Paying for item on EBay - problem

I have both an Ebay and PayPal account, both of which I rarely use. For context, the credit card associated with both of them expired in 2006, and is a card I no longer have. Tonight I found a part a group I am a part of needs on ebay, and clicked to buy it. My intent was to buy it with the group's credit card (which I am an authorized user for). The purchase went through without asking me for payment type. It appears to ebay purchases automatically default to being funded by PayPal. The problem is the PayPal account does not have enough money in it to fund the Ebay purchase. It has SOME money in it but not enough. I do not understand how the purchase went through. Ideally I would like to charge this purchase to the group's credit card, but...
by Saving$
Thu Jun 15, 2017 12:48 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Contractor took deposit but never did any work. What next?
Replies: 59
Views: 62658

Re: Contractor took deposit but never did any work. What next?

Does your state have contractor licensing? If so, check to see if he is licensed. Many states with contractor licensing require the contractors to carry general bonds associated with their license to protect from issues such as you describe. If you decide to go after his license and /or bond, do not give him any warning that you are doing so. However, before you do it, you need a robust paper trail. Check your contract and see what it says about notice, and follow that to a t, to give the contractor notice of non performance, and give a "cure" time. Be careful with this. You don't want a non-responsive contractor to start tearing things out to make a show of progress. Document the previous conversations in your noticed letter, tha...
by Saving$
Thu Jun 15, 2017 12:34 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: To buy or not to buy and move?
Replies: 19
Views: 2806

Re: To buy or not to buy and move?

Move closer to your son, unless you have other family where you live now. In addition to the obvious reasons everyone has given
1. You will develop a much different relationship with your grandson being a few minutes away than being a few hours away
2. If something were to happen to either of you, it will be a great burden on your son to travel 3 hours to a hospital, etc.
3. Even if you think item 2 is not an issue now, it will probably become one, and the longer you wait the more difficult it will be to move
by Saving$
Thu Jun 15, 2017 12:05 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Finishing Basement - financing?
Replies: 10
Views: 2114

Re: Finishing Basement - financing?

I would look at opening a Pro account. At least at Lowe's you can structure this to get about a 5% discount.
by Saving$
Tue Jun 13, 2017 11:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Password Managers
Replies: 61
Views: 8146

Re: Password Managers

Keepass
Free
Works on any platform (windows, Android, Apple) and synchs between them.
Have been using it for over 10 years
by Saving$
Wed May 31, 2017 8:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Senility: How do you plan on protecting your money when you lose your mental capacities?
Replies: 72
Views: 10060

Re: Senility and Seductresses: How do you plan on protecting your money when you lose your mental capacities?

I learned about Daily Money Managers on another BH thread. http://www.aadmm.com/ I remember looking up how much they earn, thinking it might be a nice part time retirement job, and thinking it was probably not worth it. That leads me to believe it is also probably affordable. Of course there is NO assurance that your DMM will be honest. Just because someone does this for a living does not mean you can trust them; maybe you can trust them less because it seems like an industry that would attract people who want to steal from the vulnerable. This is also an issue in which I have a keen interest. I have been shocked to learn, in the last three years, of three separate incidents of embezzlement. One from an HOA by one of the members ($15k), one...
by Saving$
Wed May 24, 2017 4:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: advice on hvac replacement decision
Replies: 21
Views: 4193

Re: advice on hvac replacement decision

Option 2.

For the reasons stated above. Also if the refrigerant is R22 it will become increasingly expensive. They can recover it, clean the lineset, and use your existing lineset for a new compressor and coils. The issue will be if the old lineset is the correct size (for smaller systems I'm told the size is often the same) and if the new coil will be warranted going on an old furnace.

The 92% efficient furnace was an upgrade when it was put in. I think basic units were 78% or so when installed, and 92% is still an upgrade. You will pay a premium to match that efficiency. The basic (lowest allowed) for your AC is SEER 14, which you won't realize unless you replace both the compressor and coils.
by Saving$
Sun May 21, 2017 11:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: DELETE
Replies: 2
Views: 653

Re: Closing on new home construction - end of year or begin of next year?

In my area, property taxes are based on the value of the property on Jan 1. If the property receives a certificate of occupancy in December, it will be assessed at it's full completed value on Jan 1. However, if it does not yet have a certificate of occupancy on Jan 1, it's value is the value for that tax year is the value of the land only.

Since you are buying from the builder, property taxes will be prorated at closing, so you will only pay for the time you own the property. But if your 2018 property taxes have the possibility of being significantly lower, you may wish to delay the closing into January, and the strategy will only work if the builder also delays obtaining a certificate of occupancy until after January 1.
by Saving$
Wed May 17, 2017 9:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Keep paying for AC refrigerant when tech cannot find a leak
Replies: 20
Views: 3746

Re: Keep paying for AC refrigerant when tech cannot find a leak

For 2 consecutive seasons now I've needed refrigerant added to my home AC system at my annual inspection. Each time I've had a different technician check my system for leaks and tell me that he could not find any. Both times I was told that the leak must be so small that their detector cannot pick it up. Yet it's costly to pay for refrigerant each year. My concern is that in a few years my parts warranty on my unit will expire and then if they find the leak they will try to charge me full price for the repair claiming that the warranty expired on the unit. Any suggestions? If your system is still under warranty, and it is leaking, constantly refilling the system is not fixing it - it is just a bandaid. Demand that they find the leak and fi...
by Saving$
Thu May 11, 2017 7:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I switch my home electric bill to "Time of Day" billing?
Replies: 22
Views: 3046

Re: Should I switch my home electric bill to "Time of Day" billing?

My utility offered this rate and I signed up. After 3 months or so I compared my bills because they were so high. What I learned is that because my usage if very low, I had a very low constant rate.
When I switched to "Time of Day" billing, I lost my low constant rate, so the net effect was much more expensive power. In my area, you need to use more than 350-400 kwh/month for the "Time of Day" billing to have any chance of saving you money.
I went back to the regular very low constant rate.
by Saving$
Wed May 10, 2017 11:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tesla Solar Roof
Replies: 93
Views: 15648

Re: Tesla Solar Roof

I just received two very close estimates for a new roof, so thought I would compare. 1. The Tesla calculator is accurate to within 1% of my own measured take off of total roof square footage 2. Tesla's assumptions for how much electricity I use annually were almost double what I actually use, but you can edit the assumptions to correct them. 3. Tesla's calculation included one Tesla wall battery by default. Removing the wall battery cut the projected energy savings over 30 years by more than half, which significantly increased the cost of 30 year cost of the roof. The economic model clearly favors including a Powerwall battery. I don't know if this is due to raw data, or Tesla's desire to sell Powerwalls. 4. After editing the assumption on ...
by Saving$
Wed May 10, 2017 7:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can We Afford to Move-In
Replies: 28
Views: 4002

Re: Can We Afford to Move-In

OK, so between the two of you, you make $126k/year. Partner has job that does not offer health insurance or 401k, so let's assume his job pays less. So partner makes about $40k/year, and you make about $86k/year? 1. $86k/year still seems low for a full time engineering job, but if they allow you to be flexible and get your graduate degree, it is probably worth it. My point is that your earnings potential is much higher as soon as you finish the degree, which is in at most 2 years if it is a 2 year program. If the preceding is true, and your car is a 2015, then forgo saving for a car for the next 2 years, get your own place, finish your degree, and once you have your degree you can probably use the increased earnings to replenish your car sa...
by Saving$
Mon May 08, 2017 9:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Considering buying a new cell phone- ideas?
Replies: 35
Views: 6090

Re: Considering buying a new cell phone- ideas?

bloom2708 wrote:This is the Axon 7 Mini version (5.2" screen)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LY ... f35785cdeb

Pretty good price.
This phone has an appealing size and price, but it seems it only works on GSM so it won't work on Verizon?
How does this phone's speed and responsiveness compare to the Moto 5gPlus?
by Saving$
Mon May 08, 2017 8:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Long Term [Care] Rates just went Through the roof!
Replies: 34
Views: 6482

Re: Long Term Rates just with Through the roof!

Look to see if your LTC policy allows you to stop paying but credit the premiums you have paid to date towards your care. Some allow that.
by Saving$
Sun May 07, 2017 9:47 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Job Decision
Replies: 53
Views: 6112

Re: Job Decision

Take the offer and keep looking for a new job. This +1 It's harder to get hired when you're unemployed Take the offer and get serious about the job-search. Don't just look locally, look nationally. And good luck from a fellow immigrant :thumbsup This x 1000. It sounds like they really want you. You may consider asking, in as non-threatening way as possible, how they arrived at the salary amount. Even just that question may make them raise the offer. Since the new job includes travel, you will get the opportunity to make contacts outside of your geographical area. Use this to your best advantage and put your job search in high gear. Although $800k at 40 is far and above what 99% of your peers have achieved, it is not sufficient to retire on...