Search found 9345 matches

by tj
Fri Dec 15, 2023 2:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: [DAF: Anyone with experience with CharityVest or Daffy vs VG/Fido/Schwabor]
Replies: 47
Views: 5485

Re: [DAF: Anyone with experience with CharityVest or Daffy vs VG/Fido/Schwabor]

toddthebod wrote: Fri Dec 15, 2023 10:08 am
BuddyJet wrote: Fri Dec 15, 2023 9:15 am I’m currently at Fido but interested in Daffy. Not being familiar with them, I looked over their website but could not find anything about insurance coverage of the fund.

With charities being lightly regulated and no SIPC coverage, what ensures that the holdings in “my” DAF are really there and “mine”?
Daffy, like other DAFs, is a 501(c)3 non-profit that files a publicly accessible Form 990 every year. When you put your money there, you are making a donation to them.
So if they run out of VC funding, you could lose your daf. Hypothetically.
by tj
Thu Dec 14, 2023 10:44 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The Final, Definitive Thread on Brokerage Transfer Bonuses
Replies: 7770
Views: 1352053

Re: The Final, Definitive Thread on Brokerage Transfer Bonuses

For anyone who has done the Wells Fargo $2500 for $250k offer -- the eligibility criteria indicate a Wells Fargo Advisors linked account for investments to count towards this amount. Does this include self directed accounts? I.e., Wells Fargo Advisors is just the name of all their brokerage things, and includes Wells Trade self directed accounts? Or does it require an advised account with an AUM? Overall assuming an ACAT xfer takes longer than the initial month of opening the premier checking account, I think total fees would be $35 for a month of the premier checking (then waived due to > $250k balance in linked accounts), + $50 for the brokerage account closure when I xfer out after the 90 day holding period. Is that right? Can you close...
by tj
Thu Dec 14, 2023 9:49 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Purchasing MYGAs (multi year guaranteed annuities) - mega thread
Replies: 2254
Views: 293013

Re: Purchasing MYGAs (multi year guaranteed annuities) - mega thread

soretired wrote: Thu Dec 14, 2023 9:39 pm ....

How does the "FastBreak" at Gainbridge work? It says a feature of this is that you can "Withdraw your money without tax penalty before 59½."

"Unlike a typical annuity, FastBreak™ does not provide tax-deferral. Each year you will pay ordinary income tax on the interest credited to your Contract. Because FastBreak™ earnings are not tax-deferred, you will not pay a tax penalty to withdraw interest before age 59½."

How do they get away with this? I've never heard of other insurers offering this.
I was wondering the same thing. Kind of sounds like a high interest savings account.
More like a CD with permitted withdrawals up to a certain amount.
by tj
Thu Dec 14, 2023 9:35 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Direct Indexing Adventure
Replies: 180
Views: 36486

Re: Direct Indexing Adventure

Well, I abandoned my International direct indexing adventure not too long after I started it, yet I continue to receive residual dividends. Hopefully that'll stop by the end of 2023, or I'll have some micro dividends form Fidelity on my 2024 tax return also. :D

Fidelity did a mass sell on 11/15. Basically my $5000 investment turned into $5132.00 after fees plus some amount of micro dividends. Every few days the closed managed account transfers some pennies out to my other brokerage account. I had $127 of STCG and $12 of ordinary dividends in the account (so far).
by tj
Thu Dec 14, 2023 9:17 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Purchasing MYGAs (multi year guaranteed annuities) - mega thread
Replies: 2254
Views: 293013

Re: Purchasing MYGAs (multi year guaranteed annuities) - mega thread

I think that either agency can give you fine service. I’m not a fan of Sentinel Security or its sister company, Atlantic Coast, right now. I believe they they have a decent amount of reinsurance to low rates Bermuda companies - but I don’t have access to their regulatory filings to be absolutely sure of that. You can go to a higher rated company, like Protective at A+, for not much give up in interest rate. 6.0% vs 5.4% is pretty significant over 3 to 5 years. Do you have similar fears about Nassua (B++)? With the State Guarantees I'm not really too concerned about a default. You agree? I don’t have any particular knowledge about Nassau. Have you checked out Gainbridge.io? Policies issued through Clear Spring Life, rated A- by AM Best. Cur...
by tj
Thu Dec 14, 2023 9:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Auto Insurance Increases in CA with Amica
Replies: 127
Views: 15180

Re: Auto Insurance Increases in CA with Amica

Big Dog wrote: Wed Dec 13, 2023 5:25 pm A lot depends on your zip code. Suggest you call around to the usual suspects who advertise heavily on TV, and also look for an insurance broker who would have access to those carriers who only market through brokers. Listed below is the 10 largest in the state.


https://wallethub.com/answers/ci/top-10 ... 140801206/
Not sure what WalletHub's source is, but the NAIC shows a completely different top ten:

#1 - State Farm
#2- GEICO
#3 - Allstate
#4 - Farmers
#5 - Auto Club (AAA SoCal)
#6 - CSAA (AAA NorCal)
#7 - Mercury
#8 - Progressive
#9 - Kemper
#10 - USAA


https://content.naic.org/sites/default/ ... sualty.pdf
by tj
Thu Dec 14, 2023 8:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity as a one stop shop
Replies: 6053
Views: 1037359

Re: Fidelity as a one stop shop

mander75 wrote: Thu Dec 14, 2023 8:01 pm Anyone knows: if I "bill pay" through Fidelity to my utilities company - does it mean Fido prints a paper check and mails it ie through old school snail mail? I see that it takes a week or two to get that check cashed out.
If it takes that long, one would assume that.
by tj
Thu Dec 14, 2023 3:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity free Turbotax 2023
Replies: 435
Views: 156999

Re: Fidelity free Turbotax 2023

stocknoob4111 wrote: Thu Dec 14, 2023 3:25 pm
MisterBill wrote: Thu Dec 14, 2023 3:07 pm Are you looking for the 20% off deal? Just login to your Fidelity account and search on turbotax and you'll have the link.
I tried the TT download for $5 link. The 20% off is from the severely inflated price of $129.99 so that puts TT Premier at $104. I paid $48 last year.

At these crazy prices I may just decide to try something else instead since I am now familiar with all the forms I need to use.
There is no $5 link if you aren't targeted.
by tj
Thu Dec 14, 2023 3:05 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Purchasing MYGAs (multi year guaranteed annuities) - mega thread
Replies: 2254
Views: 293013

Re: Purchasing MYGAs (multi year guaranteed annuities) - mega thread

soretired wrote: Thu Dec 14, 2023 3:01 pm stantheannuityman or blueprintincome for quicker/better service? I don't mind filling an app out online. Looking at Sentinel Security annuity.
Why a B++ company when there are A rated companies? MyMoneyBlog got a policy from SSL: https://www.mymoneyblog.com/example-myg ... ience.html
by tj
Wed Dec 13, 2023 11:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Intuit's Mint App Shutting Down...Replacement Recommendations?
Replies: 774
Views: 146736

Re: Intuit's Mint App Shutting Down...Replacement Recommendations?

Morik wrote: Wed Dec 13, 2023 11:08 pm
calivest wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2023 3:12 pm I just canceled my Credit Karma account after porting over (had been using Mint for 10 years). I've managed to set up Fidelity's FullView - it's not great but at least as useful as CK and seems to be improving.
This is a no-go for me--the classic fullview does what I want. It allows custom spending categories and it allows rules-based categorization of transactions.
As far as I can tell the new fullview does neither of those things. And the classic fullview will be going away soon. You can find a lot of chatter about it on r/Fidelity (reddit).
It's /r/fidelityinvestments, and support has said due to complains the classic Full View will remain.
by tj
Wed Dec 13, 2023 8:07 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards
Replies: 7057
Views: 891395

Re: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards

Why would someone want to open a BofA CD though, aren't the rates comparatively terrible?
by tj
Wed Dec 13, 2023 7:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Schwab One Brokerage Debit Card
Replies: 45
Views: 5683

Re: Schwab One Brokerage Debit Card

gavinsiu wrote: Wed Dec 13, 2023 5:27 pm How does it compare to Fidelity cma? Does Schwab auto liquidate money market or do I have to manually do it?
There is no auto-liquidation.
by tj
Tue Dec 12, 2023 11:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Primer on Paying Taxes With a Credit Card
Replies: 874
Views: 164654

Re: Primer on Paying Taxes With a Credit Card

cheesepep wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2023 7:19 pm I cannot find any way to pay 1041 or 1041-ES taxes online via a credit card.
https://www.irs.gov/payments/pay-your-t ... redit-card > PayUSATax > Make A Business Payment > 1041 series
by tj
Tue Dec 12, 2023 11:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity free Turbotax 2023
Replies: 435
Views: 156999

Re: Fidelity free Turbotax 2023

For those who have it and not active trader, do you have an advisor? Had this offer >5 years. No offer last year and this year. Also lost my advisor 2 summers ago. Had more accounts/assets with Fidelity the same period. From past years, there is anecdotal evidence that having a rep makes it more likely to get the offer, especially if you are a Private Client Group customer. There are people who post that they don't have a rep and still get the offer, so just like everything with this offer, there's no absolute answer. Thanks. I have schedule an appointment at local branch and let's see if I get an advisor assigned. Otherwise I already signed up for Black Friday TaxAct as well as $17 H&R Block software. What was the TaxAct Black Friday ...
by tj
Tue Dec 12, 2023 5:12 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Which fund would you choose?
Replies: 20
Views: 1934

Re: Which fund would you choose?

Why would you want to til towards growth stocks?
by tj
Tue Dec 12, 2023 4:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards
Replies: 7057
Views: 891395

Re: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards

Folks, Currently have PH status and own the CCR + PR cards. ($95 AF), and no other AF cards. Q, do any of you who had the above and switched to: a. CCR + PRE ($550 AF), or b. CCR + PR + US Bank Altitude reserve ($495 AF) If so, which one and do you recommend it as better value or optimization vs. my current setup. Love my current setup, but maybe I am leaving some cash back on the table, if I can get the huge AF to wash. I charge 'online spending ' on the CCR, and pretty much all else - taxes, insurance, tuition, health, services, travel, dining - on the PR. Insights appreciated. We have 3 CCR cards all set to online, 1 PR, and (among many others) 1 Cap One Venture X. You may want to compare the Venture X to the USB Altitude Reserve. If yo...
by tj
Tue Dec 12, 2023 2:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Primer on Paying Taxes With a Credit Card
Replies: 874
Views: 164654

Re: Primer on Paying Taxes With a Credit Card

According to https://www.irs.gov/payments/frequency-limit-table-by-type-of-tax-payment there is a limit of 2 payments that can be made with debit, credit, or cash through a retail partner. At first, I was interpreting as no more than two payments total of any kind per quarter, but I doubt that is the case. They are only talking about limits on these specific methods, and you can make drafts from checking in addition to those two. Right? https://www.irs.gov/payments/pay-your-taxes-by-debit-or-credit-card is a little bit clearer to say they are talking about card payments, not payments of every description. Some have reported in this thread that they were able to make more than two credit card payments in a single quarter (perhaps by using m...
by tj
Tue Dec 12, 2023 1:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity free Turbotax 2023
Replies: 435
Views: 156999

Re: Fidelity free Turbotax 2023

MisterBill wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2023 1:04 pm
slippingsloth wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2023 12:37 pm can anyone post their browser link to the free TT?

https://www.fidelity.com/accounts-trade/turbotax
https://www.fidelity.com/accounts-trade ... x-discount

Those two links took me to a 20 and 30% discount but no $5 alas
If you do not qualify for free TT, the link that someone posts will not work. They're doing something (likely in cookies) to ensure that sharing the link to the free version does not work. It's been that way for e many years.
Well the top link gave 30% off instead of 20% off, lol
by tj
Tue Dec 12, 2023 12:55 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Schwab One Brokerage Debit Card
Replies: 45
Views: 5683

Re: Schwab One Brokerage Debit Card

Incorrect, see the OP up top. There is a specific Schwab One account that is a brokerage account that also functions as a checking account with debit card and checks. This is distinctly different than the regular checking account linked to a brokerage account. This account has completely different routing numbers and uses BNY Mellon and JP Morgan instead of Schwab Bank directly. The OP does not suggest that Schwab prefers you to use this account over their Schwab checking account and that there won't be issues setting up ACH links. If Schwab didn't want anyone using this account they wouldn't offer it, and what does OP's suggestion have to do with the issue at hand? The combined checking/brokerage account is still being offered via the Sch...
by tj
Tue Dec 12, 2023 12:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Schwab One Brokerage Debit Card
Replies: 45
Views: 5683

Re: Schwab One Brokerage Debit Card

Question for those with the Schwab One combined brokerage/checking account: how are you able to verify trial deposits from external accounts. My Schwab One account has a routing and accounting number (JP Morgan) for inbound transactions (direct deposit, ACH, etc), and an entirely different routing and account number (BNY Mellon) for outbound transactions (paying off credit cards, utilities, etc). The issue is if I attempt to use the outbound numbers to set up on a credit card website, the credit card company will need to deposit two trial deposits to verify the account, but given these numbers are for outbound transaction only I have a feeling the deposits will fail. Anyone else experience this? The Schwab checking account has a routing nu...
by tj
Tue Dec 12, 2023 11:58 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Schwab One Brokerage Debit Card
Replies: 45
Views: 5683

Re: Schwab One Brokerage Debit Card

Question for those with the Schwab One combined brokerage/checking account: how are you able to verify trial deposits from external accounts. My Schwab One account has a routing and accounting number (JP Morgan) for inbound transactions (direct deposit, ACH, etc), and an entirely different routing and account number (BNY Mellon) for outbound transactions (paying off credit cards, utilities, etc). The issue is if I attempt to use the outbound numbers to set up on a credit card website, the credit card company will need to deposit two trial deposits to verify the account, but given these numbers are for outbound transaction only I have a feeling the deposits will fail. Anyone else experience this? The Schwab checking account has a routing nu...
by tj
Tue Dec 12, 2023 11:36 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Feds - Is GEHA Still The Best HDHP Option?
Replies: 41
Views: 4766

Re: Feds - Is GEHA Still The Best HDHP Option?

Everyone rags on the GEHA HDHP prescription coverage, but yesterday mydentist prescribed some Peridex. The GEHA HDHP prescription cost was less than $2 for a bottle. Well cheaper than GoodRX.
by tj
Tue Dec 12, 2023 11:34 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Schwab One Brokerage Debit Card
Replies: 45
Views: 5683

Re: Schwab One Brokerage Debit Card

Question for those with the Schwab One combined brokerage/checking account: how are you able to verify trial deposits from external accounts. My Schwab One account has a routing and accounting number (JP Morgan) for inbound transactions (direct deposit, ACH, etc), and an entirely different routing and account number (BNY Mellon) for outbound transactions (paying off credit cards, utilities, etc). The issue is if I attempt to use the outbound numbers to set up on a credit card website, the credit card company will need to deposit two trial deposits to verify the account, but given these numbers are for outbound transaction only I have a feeling the deposits will fail. Anyone else experience this? The Schwab checking account has a routing nu...
by tj
Tue Dec 12, 2023 6:24 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should I consolidate retirement accounts into one entity?
Replies: 6
Views: 1172

Re: Should I consolidate retirement accounts into one entity?

123 wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2023 12:11 am
tj wrote: Mon Dec 11, 2023 11:36 pm ...The TSP absolutely can be rolled over into an IRA.
A chart showing what rollovers/transfers are possible: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-tege/rollover_chart.pdf

Consolidating as much as possible into TSP just strikes me as a good alternative. I would trust the TSP more than any commercial custodian/broker.
Higher fees, more frustrations (spouse needing to approve withdrawals), lack of bonus incentives...
by tj
Mon Dec 11, 2023 11:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tips for first TSP withdrawal?
Replies: 7
Views: 855

Re: Tips for first TSP withdrawal?

MrWasabi65 wrote: Mon Dec 11, 2023 11:01 am Thank you all.

I am unmarried, so no spousal permission required.

Sounds like I will link my TSP account with my T - IRA at Fidelity.

I am now wondering if it's possible to also link to a regular checking account? - in other words, have a choice of places to send the money.

Appreciate the heads up on the taxation issue and timeline. Also, it hadn't occurred to me that there would be safer or as safe accounts, that earned more - but not surprised.

Again, thanks
Likely Fidelityo r Schwab will give youa cash bonus to rollover out of the TSP into the IRA.

I would assume you can transfer directly from the TSP to a bank account, though obviously you would owe income tax on the distribution.
by tj
Mon Dec 11, 2023 11:36 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should I consolidate retirement accounts into one entity?
Replies: 6
Views: 1172

Re: Should I consolidate retirement accounts into one entity?

For many years I worked for a university and my retirement money went into 1. TIAA-CREF - a company that provides retirement accounts for many university employees. 2. Empower (formerly Prudential - For awhile I could not get a Roth 403b through TIAA-CREF and instead had to use Prudential, which was later bought by Empower. During that time, I was also buying Roth IRAs each year and they are in 3. Vanguard -- because I read they had low expense fees. Then a couple years ago I changed jobs and now work for the Fed Gov't, and thus my current retirement money goes to 4. Thrift Savings Plan - which is the retirement plan used by the Fed Gov't. So when I retire in five years or so I'm going to have retirement funds in four different places, unl...
by tj
Mon Dec 11, 2023 9:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity free Turbotax 2023
Replies: 435
Views: 156999

Re: Fidelity free Turbotax 2023

ee_guy wrote: Mon Dec 11, 2023 6:38 pm
tj wrote: Mon Dec 11, 2023 3:03 pm
ee_guy wrote: Mon Dec 11, 2023 3:00 pm Using a PCG account with NO advisor assigned (Note says "Contact your PCG team") got the $5 download. Have not met with an advisor in years. Interestingly with another account with significantly more assets, got the 20% discount offer. The accounts are in different states so there may a roll out of the offer. In years past, (the account with the 20% offer) the $5 TT offer shows up in mid January.
Why do you have two accounts in two different states?
Nothing nefarious. Parent lives in a different state.
Does that mean your parent gets the free turbotax? :D
by tj
Mon Dec 11, 2023 3:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: can 1099 income be used for SEP-IRA or individual 401k?
Replies: 14
Views: 1801

Re: can 1099 income be used for SEP-IRA or individual 401k?

Katietsu wrote: Sun Dec 10, 2023 9:12 pm I am not sure you did this right. I did not spend a lot of time looking at this but I don’t see how that calculator could work if you added income for two people together. Things like self employment tax and contribution limits are going to be affected by whether the amounts are for one or two people.

Are you both already contributing $22,500 to your 401k associated with your workplace?

If so, then you are only left with the employee contribution. What number did you come up with?
Of course you mean employer contributions...you can't max out employee contributions to multiple plans for yourself.
by tj
Mon Dec 11, 2023 3:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity free Turbotax 2023
Replies: 435
Views: 156999

Re: Fidelity free Turbotax 2023

ee_guy wrote: Mon Dec 11, 2023 3:00 pm Using a PCG account with NO advisor assigned (Note says "Contact your PCG team") got the $5 download. Have not met with an advisor in years. Interestingly with another account with significantly more assets, got the 20% discount offer. The accounts are in different states so there may a roll out of the offer. In years past, (the account with the 20% offer) the $5 TT offer shows up in mid January.
Why do you have two accounts in two different states?
by tj
Mon Dec 11, 2023 2:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Schwab One Brokerage Debit Card
Replies: 45
Views: 5683

Re: Schwab One Brokerage Debit Card

I would rather not have overdraft pulling from an account that may have large balance with margin enabled. Contacted Schwab and as per them, both debit cards have the same features. With that, I'd prefer to have two brokerage accounts, one with debit cards and checks, and no margin, options trading, or Thinkorswim disabled and the other without checks, and debit card, but margin, options trading, or Thinkorswim enabled, which can be purely used for the investments/trading, Me: I opened a brokerage account yesterday and have ordered a debit card and checks. I noticed that Schwab also offers an investor checking account which also comes with a debit card. Can you tell me what are the differences between these two debit cards? Schwab: The deb...
by tj
Mon Dec 11, 2023 1:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Your Classic "This Used Car or That New Car?" Thread
Replies: 20
Views: 2233

Re: Your Classic "This Used Car or That New Car?" Thread

After the majority on here approved my wife offloading her 2022 Kia Sorento, we are in the market for a Honda Odyssey. Estimated trade-in value for the Kia is $21,000-23,000. Moreover, my wife has always driven the lower trim model cars. I'd like for her to have something nice for once. So the options: 2021 Odyssey EX-L - $34,000 - 24,000 miles - Leather seats 2021 Honda Touring - $37,000 - 26,000 miles - Leather seats - Built-In Navigation System - Rear Entertainment System 2024 Odyssey Touring - $45,500 - Brand New - Three-Year/36,000 mile warranty - Built-In navigation system - Rear entertainment system - Power trunk thingy where you just have to wave your foot under the trunk - Powder blue color that my wife really likes Financing is 3...
by tj
Mon Dec 11, 2023 12:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Help me check this annuity
Replies: 55
Views: 5759

Re: Help me check this annuity

Watty wrote: Mon Dec 11, 2023 12:56 pm
mymoney2022 wrote: Mon Dec 11, 2023 11:53 am As for the surrender fee, since this is my 401K fund.....
There are multiple problems with having an annuity in a retirement account including that when the money is taken out of the retirement account it will be taxes at ordinary income tax rates.
That's literally the case for any money you keep in a tax deferred retirement account, so I'm not sure what makes that a problem specifically.
by tj
Mon Dec 11, 2023 11:34 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity free Turbotax 2023
Replies: 435
Views: 156999

Re: Fidelity free Turbotax 2023

Hector wrote: Mon Dec 11, 2023 11:23 am Should I get the 20% discount? Or is there a potential to get a better discount for the online version?
I would assume there has been a better deal in the turbotax discount thread.
by tj
Mon Dec 11, 2023 11:18 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Schwab One Brokerage Debit Card
Replies: 45
Views: 5683

Re: Schwab One Brokerage Debit Card

Contacted Schwab and as per them, both debit cards have the same features. With that, I'd prefer to have two brokerage accounts, one with debit cards and checks, and no margin, options trading, or Thinkorswim disabled and the other without checks, and debit card, but margin, options trading, or Thinkorswim enabled, which can be purely used for the investments/trading, Me: I opened a brokerage account yesterday and have ordered a debit card and checks. I noticed that Schwab also offers an investor checking account which also comes with a debit card. Can you tell me what are the differences between these two debit cards? Schwab: The debit cards have the same features. The difference is that with a Schwab bank checking you'll have a separate ...
by tj
Mon Dec 11, 2023 10:38 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity free Turbotax 2023
Replies: 435
Views: 156999

Re: Fidelity free Turbotax 2023

NavyIC3 wrote: Mon Dec 11, 2023 10:36 am Just downloaded TT for TY 2023. $5.00 plus tax. Go to Fido site and search for TT.
I assume you have $500k+ ?

When i searched, I was offered a whopping $20 discount. Of course the $1500 I received from Schwab over the last 2 years pays for a couple decades worth of TurboTax. :D
by tj
Mon Dec 11, 2023 9:37 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Feds - Is GEHA Still The Best HDHP Option?
Replies: 41
Views: 4766

Re: Feds - Is GEHA Still The Best HDHP Option?

Bumping this for 2024. My family has been with GEHA HDHP for several years and have been very happy. However, starting in 2023, my wife has been seeing an out-of-network therapist to the tune of $230 every other week and that has put a wrinkle in things. I am hoping this will start to go down, but I cannot accurately forecast this. I discovered that these out of network costs do not apply to our in network deductible (and vice versa). All of our other family medical costs are in network, so we're paying 100% out of pocket for these out of network charges and it's not quite high enough to reach the out-of-network deductible. Now that it's open season I went through all of the federal HDHP plans and discovered the following passage in the Ca...
by tj
Sun Dec 10, 2023 11:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medicare part d shopping was surprising
Replies: 19
Views: 3180

Re: Medicare part d shopping was surprising

placeholder wrote: Sun Dec 10, 2023 9:45 pm
ModifiedDuration wrote: Wed Dec 06, 2023 7:08 pm I’m going with WellCare Value Script for $0.50 a month, plus an annual total of $60 for my three medications.
The only wellcare plan in my area is Wellcare Medicare Rx Value Plus (PDP) which has a whopping monthly premium of $78.90.
Really? You searched at medicare.gov and they didn't have the cheap one?
by tj
Sun Dec 10, 2023 2:07 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Why is the insurance rising within a few minutes?
Replies: 22
Views: 3378

Re: Why is the insurance rising within a few minutes?

talzara wrote: Sun Dec 10, 2023 1:56 pm
sk.dolcevita wrote: Sat Dec 09, 2023 10:40 pm As an aside, ~$1500 for liability insurance for 6 months for a base 2019 Corolla is insane.
lakpr wrote: Sun Dec 10, 2023 12:21 am If the coverage being sought is $500k, and if you are in NJ, sounds reasonable to me 😆
The OP lives in Florida.

Homeowners insurance in Florida is worse, but auto insurance in Florida is also bad. Over 20% of drivers in Florida are uninsured, and the lawyers are very aggressive.
Are GEICO rates in Florida really adjusting by the minute for the same set of inputs?
by tj
Sun Dec 10, 2023 2:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Self employment tax benefit
Replies: 30
Views: 2647

Re: Self employment tax benefit

I'm not sure where the notion that this is double-dipping comes from. People have always be able to contribute to both an employment retirement plan and an IRA at the same time. If you have a total of $6000 in earned income, you cannot deduct $6000 into your 401k and then deduct the same $6000 again for your traditional IRA. You are limited by the earned income limit. Roth does not have that limitation. Yeah, so. In all cases you can't deduct the same money twice. In your scenario you likewise aren't deducting twice. You only deduct once if you use a traditional IRA. And if you use a Roth for both, you don't deduct at all. So where's the double dipping? The Roth allows you to place $12,000 into tax advantaged accounts on a mere $6000 of ea...
by tj
Sun Dec 10, 2023 1:37 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Self employment tax benefit
Replies: 30
Views: 2647

Re: Self employment tax benefit

I'm not sure where the notion that this is double-dipping comes from. People have always be able to contribute to both an employment retirement plan and an IRA at the same time. If you have a total of $6000 in earned income, you cannot deduct $6000 into your 401k and then deduct the same $6000 again for your traditional IRA. You are limited by the earned income limit. Roth does not have that limitation. Yeah, so. In all cases you can't deduct the same money twice. In your scenario you likewise aren't deducting twice. You only deduct once if you use a traditional IRA. And if you use a Roth for both, you don't deduct at all. So where's the double dipping? The Roth allows you to place $12,000 into tax advantaged accounts on a mere $6000 of ea...
by tj
Sun Dec 10, 2023 11:48 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Self employment tax benefit
Replies: 30
Views: 2647

Re: Self employment tax benefit

billaster wrote: Sun Dec 10, 2023 11:33 am I'm not sure where the notion that this is double-dipping comes from. People have always be able to contribute to both an employment retirement plan and an IRA at the same time.
If you have a total of $6000 in earned income, you cannot deduct $6000 into your 401k and then deduct the same $6000 again for your traditional IRA. You are limited by the earned income limit. Roth does not have that limitation.
by tj
Sun Dec 10, 2023 10:56 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Roth or Traditional?
Replies: 9
Views: 933

Re: Roth or Traditional?

I can't imagine why someone with such a massively high income opting to pre-pay taxes in the form of a Roth when you can get a huge tax break up front.

When you retire, presumably you're gross income will at least be slightly lower and associated tax rates lower
by tj
Sun Dec 10, 2023 10:52 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Self employment tax benefit
Replies: 30
Views: 2647

Re: Self employment tax benefit

Tom_T wrote: Sat Dec 09, 2023 8:18 pm
livesoft wrote: Sat Dec 09, 2023 6:09 pm I get a small amount of income just from teaching. This is self-employment income. It allows me to have a 401(k). If I contribute my earned income to my Roth 401(k), then I can also fund my Roth IRA with an equivalent amount in a double-dipping move using other money. That is, my earned income can count twice for Roth contribution.

As noted, one doesn't need a separate EIN to file Schedule C or have a business because one's SSN can be used. It is true that one can give an EIN on the Form W-9 that you will give to your client(s).
Please elaborate.
https://www.gocurrycracker.com/double-y ... ributions/
by tj
Sun Dec 10, 2023 9:45 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Dashlane Password Manager
Replies: 30
Views: 3451

Re: Dashlane Password Manager

runr wrote: Sun Dec 10, 2023 9:36 am They charge for enterprise and if you want to store your TOTPS. Seems stable business model.
What is TOTPS?
by tj
Sun Dec 10, 2023 9:03 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Dashlane Password Manager
Replies: 30
Views: 3451

Re: Dashlane Now Limiting Free Access

FrugalProfessor wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2023 9:53 pm
Leesbro63 wrote: Tue Dec 05, 2023 4:41 am
LongRoad wrote: Mon Nov 06, 2023 8:18 am I'm happy with Bitwarden. Others here have good things to say about KeePass.
Update: I've been using Bitwarden and it's GREAT! Thank you so much for this great recommendation. Better than my old Dashlane.
+2. Bitwarden is fantastic. Free. So much better than LastPass.
How does bitwarden make money if it is free? Any concerns about longevity?
by tj
Sun Dec 10, 2023 8:59 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Help me check this annuity
Replies: 55
Views: 5759

Re: help me check this Annunity

Would you have a reason to consider this if your friend wasn't trying to sell it? Seems like it benefits your friend more than you
by tj
Sun Dec 10, 2023 8:39 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Intuit's Mint App Shutting Down...Replacement Recommendations?
Replies: 774
Views: 146736

Re: Intuit's Mint App Shutting Down...Replacement Recommendations?

feh wrote: Sun Dec 10, 2023 7:58 am Given the recent comments on CK, I think I might give Fidelity Full View a try, since I already have accounts there.

I tried linking Full View with my Ally accounts and wasn't able to. Anybody else have similar problems? Is there a workaround?
I had zero issues linking Ally to full view.
by tj
Sun Dec 10, 2023 8:38 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Why is the insurance rising within a few minutes?
Replies: 22
Views: 3378

Re: Why is the insurance rising within a few minutes?

bob60014 wrote: Sun Dec 10, 2023 7:00 am Dynamic pricing, similar to the airlines. Search, "geico dynamic pricing" for more.
I find it hard to believe that GEICO could do this as rates get regulated by the state
by tj
Sun Dec 10, 2023 8:36 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Relatively new medigap provider (Elips/Lumico)
Replies: 3
Views: 657

Re: Relatively new medigap provider (Elips/Lumico)

mhalley wrote: Sat Dec 09, 2023 11:00 pm I decided to go with a well known name as my state does not have guaranteed underwriting.
Nice! Who did you end up with? Did you use boomer benefits or go elsewhere?