Search found 371 matches

by MrsBDG
Sat Oct 29, 2022 8:37 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: irrevocable trust: who pays final IRS taxes?
Replies: 25
Views: 2423

Re: irrevocable trust: who pays final IRS taxes?

For a trust we were closing mid-year, the accountant pre-quoted the cost of the final return and I paid their bill before the final distribution.
by MrsBDG
Fri Aug 26, 2022 4:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Employer health benefits/Medicare A
Replies: 3
Views: 321

Employer health benefits/Medicare A

If a Medicare eligible person can access creditable coverage via employer benefits, is it advisable to keep or drop the "A" hospital coverage?
by MrsBDG
Sat Aug 20, 2022 12:41 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: W2 v 1099, calculating true neutral for employer
Replies: 6
Views: 607

W2 v 1099, calculating true neutral for employer

If a person has a work opportunity that could legitimately be handled as either W2 or 1099, how would the employer determine their true revenue neutral position in terms of the adjustment to an hourly rate. W2 hourly pay + 1/2 SS/Medicare + any 401k matching + health insurance cost. Anything else that might be added to that?
by MrsBDG
Thu Aug 18, 2022 12:13 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: ACA insurance, managing income, CSRs, Medicare
Replies: 6
Views: 704

Re: ACA insurance, managing income, CSRs, Medicare

@Curmudgeon,is that comparison tools on each state exchange?

This seems like one more government plan where things are not quite set up to act the way they were intended, but then subsidies were also not intended for early retirees, per se.
by MrsBDG
Wed Aug 17, 2022 11:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: ACA insurance, managing income, CSRs, Medicare
Replies: 6
Views: 704

ACA insurance, managing income, CSRs, Medicare

Many early retirees here are managing income to find the sweet spot in the ACA premium subsidies and CSRs.

When one of the spouses goes on Medicare, is the remaining spouse able to stiil expect the same policy offerings? I am reading that dropping one spouse from the exchange application, but keeping them as part of the household is affecting subsidies and CSRs. Some people lose surprising amounts of subsidies and some people are finding small deductibles to increase by tenfold.

What have other Bogleheads seen and is there a way to predict the changes? In my state you can shop plans without logging in, but you cannot explore this scenario.
by MrsBDG
Mon Aug 01, 2022 12:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do you leave your Porch / Exterior lights on at night?
Replies: 168
Views: 15611

Re: Do you leave your Porch / Exterior lights on at night?

I spent many years in a home where you could not see any other house, that spoiled us for neighbors. Now we are in a neighborhood of lovely people & no street lights. Of the 6 homes I can see, 5 are second homes. All five, in the past few years have added a dusk to dawn light. We don't really get many sheriff patrols in our rural area and, if I am supposed to be watching for bad guys, no one has asked me. Being a weirdo myself, I find it incredibly bothersome. I am way too light sensitive and make all sorts of grumpy noises about the 4 that shine in my bedroom windows. Yes, I can pull the blinds to block some, but we also have a huge tall odd shaped window that would be crazy to cover. The neighbor who lights up my ceiling via that wind...
by MrsBDG
Sun Jul 31, 2022 3:42 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Vacation rental - property didn't meet expectations
Replies: 36
Views: 6238

Re: Vacation rental - property didn't meet expectations

I run mine Harry Livermore style, too. We request feedback on improvements from every guest and act on any that make sense. If I were you, I would call VRBO, tell them you stayed in House A via them and booked Houses B&C via his direct site, without making it a pointed tattle tale, then ask, how can I provide info for future guests to make a well-informed decision. That really is the point of the reviews. Does the place have AC which are undersized for the houses? That needs to be pointed out. The wi-fi issue needs to be addressed. Ask the VRBO rep, and ask them to put it in writing to you, how do I write up this info, such that the host cannot successfully have the review removed. Something like: Our group of 30 enjoyed having three se...
by MrsBDG
Sat Jul 30, 2022 2:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Post-marriage finance checklist
Replies: 53
Views: 4833

Re: Post-marriage finance checklist

Another vote for a pre-nup. A family member married a person from abroad who was very excited and interested in living in the US, but in fact, never liked it here. After several years of marriage, the immigrant spouse returned home. I would say the financial demands of that spouse were a greater amount than ethically deserved, but, likely, less than the state would likely have offered the lower earner. The lower earner was not a SAHM needing half the proceeds of the marriage income to survive and raise the kids, but were protected in their state as if they had been. If a spouse turned out to be lazy and unwilling to work, or a gambler who put you in debt, or a princess who quit school and watched TV, or an abuser, or just an unfortunate sit...
by MrsBDG
Sat Jul 30, 2022 10:28 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Vacation rental - property didn't meet expectations
Replies: 36
Views: 6238

Re: Vacation rental - property didn't meet expectations

I have vacation rentals and want to clarify a few specifics just so you fight the right aspects of this. Of course each owner runs their business differently. There are fantastic owners and there are jerks, most are in the middle, same with guests. I am on about 30 STR forums and I see posts both ways. First off, VRBO fees. Some owners are on a subscription, they pay per year, no difference for 1-365 nights rented. Others are on PPB (pay per booking) which charges an owner 5% for advertising. VRBO also charges a guest fee, 12-20%, sliding scale based on some random algorithm, I have seen bookings where I get the same amount and the two different bookings are changed different fees. I don't quite see how the owner was paid way more than a VR...
by MrsBDG
Thu Jul 28, 2022 9:38 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Evaluating term4sale's results
Replies: 6
Views: 1159

Re: Evaluating term4sale's results

Most people look at price & company rating, but you should ask the agents(Term4Sale links you to 3 different agents) if you personally have any issues which would result in a better offer from one company versus another- build, family history, etc.
by MrsBDG
Sun Jul 24, 2022 2:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: life insurance or pension spousal offset?
Replies: 39
Views: 2482

Re: life insurance or pension spousal offset?

As BruDude said, there is a policy that uses a Universal Life platform, but is not designed to accumulate cash value. It's modeled to act like a term to whatever age-80-90-100-110-120, whatever you need.

You can get quotes for a policy that cannot be outlived so your spouse is guaranteed to get that death benefit no matter what age you die.

I understand your concern about something that feels like old school whole life where cash values are being touted to you as the investment, this is not that.
by MrsBDG
Fri Jul 22, 2022 10:42 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Long Term Care. Should I take it? Washingtonions?
Replies: 5
Views: 961

Re: Long Term Care. Should I take it? Washingtonions?

There was one company we saw in WA last year that has an appealing rider, you can choose an unlimited benefit. Many currently popular LTC plans have a life insurance component which essentially works as a "money back if you didn't already use it function." Simple example, a person pays in $100k up front, one time, they have a $100k death benefit, so buy at 60, die, at 90, never used the LTC, but get your principal back, though miss out on decades of potential earnings. I know one family with a non-Boglehead parent who bought one of these in the 1990s, they said it was fine to miss the earnings as the parent would never have invested in the market, they would have spent it ;) Most of the above policies covered about a 4 year payout...
by MrsBDG
Thu Jul 21, 2022 3:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: why home purchase not in databases (e.g. Zillow)?
Replies: 10
Views: 1779

Re: why home purchase not in databases (e.g. Zillow)?

I am not sure why anything on Zillow is of great concern, it's a private website with a great deal of inaccurate info. I would not stress it at all.
by MrsBDG
Thu Jul 21, 2022 2:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Inheriting a Home with Brothers
Replies: 77
Views: 9079

Re: Inheriting a Home with Brothers

One thought on family alienation, in any family where the poor sibling or the helpless sibling forces the others to force the issue, the thing I wonder is, who is really the one causing the alienation? In my mind, it is the one who does not act like a normal responsible adult, crafting their own adult like. To me adulting is providing your own food, clothing, and shelter. If one is unable to put a roof over their head, then they are not successful adults and their bizarre expectation that a sibling should walk away from $300-600k just so they can stay in the family house is totally unfair to you. That being said, there could very well be a way to get out of this with the relationship intact. I have a family member who has provided a home fo...
by MrsBDG
Thu Jul 21, 2022 2:16 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Inheriting a Home with Brothers
Replies: 77
Views: 9079

Re: Inheriting a Home with Brothers

I have a friend where the last parent died 15+ years ago, 3 siblings let the 4th live there for free as no one wanted that kid to show up on their doorstep needing a place to stay. That sibling died. All three other siblings own a home of their own, but one sibling made a big to do about wanting to keep Mom's house in case any of them ends up needing a place to stay. This is in a HCOL area, bizarre the things people will do to keep the peace. What about deeding the house to them in exchange for a lien, you could add appreciation or prime + 1% interest such that when they do sell it, you then get your share? A mortgage for 1/3 to pay you off is not a bad idea. We don't know if this is a $50k house in a rural area, needing $40k in work or a $...
by MrsBDG
Wed Jul 13, 2022 3:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: New California Middle Class Tax Refund
Replies: 274
Views: 35031

Re: New California Middle Class Tax Refund

If you qualify, you will receive either a direct deposit payment or a payment by debit card. You will receive your payment by direct deposit if you filed your return electronically and indicated direct deposit on your tax return. Otherwise, you will receive your payment by debit card.
I wonder what will happen if the direct deposit account was closed in the interim.
by MrsBDG
Mon Jul 04, 2022 2:46 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Making Too Little for ACA Subsidies
Replies: 21
Views: 2770

Re: Making Too Little for ACA Subsidies

Contact a local agent in your area, they should know the answers and the health network info.

When my kid was in grad school, many of her cohort were on Medicaid with no income. I also have seen people estimate their income and come in below the FPL and not pay back subsidies. For example, a recent graduate works 6 months of the year, no insurance yet. Makes too much monthly to get Medicaid, but 6 x monthly salary ends up lower than the 138% of FPL, they did not pay back the subsidies
by MrsBDG
Sat Jul 02, 2022 11:36 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Trust Advice for Divorced Daugther
Replies: 19
Views: 2899

Re: Trust Advice for Divorced Daugther

MrsBDG wrote: ↑Sat Jul 02, 2022 12:08 pm
...
My family member who was recently divorced did create a trust with a child trust to age 35, and will change beneficiaries on everything, even retirement benefits as long as any children are minors, to the trust. The idea is that all the assets will NOT go to the ex, but be held for the children's majority.

Why mandate distribution at 35? See the previous posts in this thread.
Clarification: family member allows beneficiary (currently a minor) to become the trustee at 35. It's not expected to be a huge trust for generational use, just doesn't want the proceeds to be squandered by the young & dumb component that can affect us all in our 20s.
by MrsBDG
Sat Jul 02, 2022 2:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Trust Advice for Divorced Daugther
Replies: 19
Views: 2899

Re: Trust Advice for Divorced Daugther

Generally with a trust you also have a pourover will which transfers anything not in the trust into the trust, but you would, generally, want the real estate already into the trust.

My family member who was recently divorced did create a trust with a child trust to age 35, and will change beneficiaries on everything, even retirement benefits as long as any children are minors, to the trust. The idea is that all the assets will NOT go to the ex, but be held for the children's majority.
by MrsBDG
Sat Jul 02, 2022 12:32 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to research Term Life Insurance
Replies: 14
Views: 1703

Re: How to research Term Life Insurance

Rates don't vary, but pre-underwriting quotes do, depending on the experience and optimism of each agent.

Term4Sale.com will connect you with three agents in your ZIP code, talk to them all, learn from their experience. Sleep apnea can be a big deal, to get the best quotes, get your sleep study and ask the agent to shop it to companies.
by MrsBDG
Wed Jun 29, 2022 4:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Questions/Experience with retainer with a law firm?
Replies: 47
Views: 3558

Re: Questions/Experience with retainer with a law firm?

Retainers should be a perfectly reasonable and safe way to handle finances with your attorney.

Regarding changes in custody, one financial aspect to consider, depending on your state, many child support formulas base the final payment on factors which include days with each parent, if you go from 183 days to 100 days, you might also find your child support payment increased.

You could also offer that ex wife can move to be with her new husband and the kids can stay with you in their stable home environment?
by MrsBDG
Mon Jun 20, 2022 5:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Liquidating Inherited Jewelry
Replies: 26
Views: 3026

Re: Liquidating Inherited Jewelry

MIL had a jewelry item with a perceived high value, paid in the 5 digits for it. In the year we sold it, the inflation adjusted price vs. purchase price was 133% higher. The sales price via a jeweler in a fancy area was about 35% of that inflation adjusted price and we netted about 22% of that value, which was also about 50% of what was paid 30 years previously.

If there are pieces any one likes, wear them. If there are stones anyone could repurpose, do that.
by MrsBDG
Sat Jun 18, 2022 1:59 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Inherited Real Estate in Trust + 1 probate account
Replies: 2
Views: 510

Re: Inherited Real Estate in Trust + 1 probate account

Check the will, usually with a trust there is a pourover will stating that any asset not specifically in the trust will be moved to the trust. Depending on your local rules etc., perhaps that avoids probate?
by MrsBDG
Mon Jun 13, 2022 11:04 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Protecting SIL's assets from medicaid?
Replies: 47
Views: 4631

Re: Protecting SIL's assets from medicaid?

gips wrote: ↑Mon Jun 13, 2022 4:40 pm left to her own devices she will run through her nest egg. Unless she is declared incompetent, or voluntarily relinquishes control of her assets, it's her nest egg, and it's her decision to "run through" it or not. If her son thinks she isn't mentally capable of making her own decisions, he needs to get a lawyer to petition the court for guardianship. Should we sit back and not discuss it with her son? You should discuss it. But don't forget who controls the assets you wish to "protect" from Medicaid. Should her son say "gee, it's your money mom, go ahead". Her son can say anything he likes. But it doesn't appear that his mom needs his permission. And you seem to be indica...
by MrsBDG
Sun Jun 12, 2022 9:48 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should we buy a cheap home for a mentally ill family member?
Replies: 61
Views: 8939

Re: Should we buy a cheap home for a mentally ill family member?

I have several friends where elderly parents are supporting, in some fashion, adult children in their 40s/50s/60s. In one sad case of a distant relative, the parents gave their home to the OK, but weird sibling, the other sibling was left on their own. The odd sibling had no kids and had not married in the last 40 years, so lived alone in the family home and did hold down a job for decades. Somehow, someone noticed no one had heard from them, they were discovered in the home ill and taken to the hospital & then a nursing home. The house was red tagged by the local government, no utilities were on, vermin infestation, and hoarding. This was all in an older area of a fairly expensive suburb in a HCOL area, not out in some remote rural are...
by MrsBDG
Sat Jun 11, 2022 11:15 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: The impact having Medicare Part A-B without Medigap?
Replies: 82
Views: 7100

Re: The impact having Medicare Part A-B without Medigap?

Thank you @ModifiedDuration for putting this theory into succinct language. What you said is what I wondered about.

Does your Medicare login show the deductible and how much you’ve spent toward it the way an employer or ACA company plan might? That would seem to be a clear way to know that those expenses count as you track your own usage.
by MrsBDG
Fri Jun 10, 2022 10:29 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: The impact having Medicare Part A-B without Medigap?
Replies: 82
Views: 7100

Re: The impact having Medicare Part A-B without Medigap?

I literally asked an agent this question last week and also the SHIBA volunteer, both said it was 2490+233. The amount of seemingly conflicting info is frustrating, I think that $233 one way or another won’t affect our choice but it’s annoying Further searching shows: Medicare FAQ says: The only difference between Medicare Supplement High Deductible Plan G and High Deductible Plan F is the same as between Medicare Supplement Plan G and Plan F; the latter covers the Medicare Part B deductible. However, since the amount you pay towards the Medicare Part B deductible applies to the high-deductible for the plans, they are essentially the same plan. Boomer benefits says: For beneficiaries who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2...
by MrsBDG
Fri Jun 10, 2022 9:02 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: The impact having Medicare Part A-B without Medigap?
Replies: 82
Views: 7100

Re: The impact having Medicare Part A-B without Medigap?

By the way, the Part B $233 annual deductible also counts against the Plan G-HD $2,490 “deductible”
I have been told by multiple agents/advisors that the Part B deductible of $233 is NOT covered by the Medigap G plan, it was covered by F.

In our community priced area (so same no matter your age) we are looking at:
G-HD $50/mo = $600 annual premiums + $233 +2490 = 3323 max OOP
G $200/mo = $2400 premium + 233 = $2633 max OOP

difference of $690
difference in premiums is $1800 meaning we have the opportunity to save up to $1800 per year but risk spending ~$700 more per year in any year of large claims, assuming the differences remain fairly consistent.
by MrsBDG
Sun May 29, 2022 12:05 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Software for rental properties
Replies: 22
Views: 2199

Re: Software for rental properties

Stessa and Waveapps are free options
by MrsBDG
Tue May 24, 2022 4:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: USAA former investments
Replies: 5
Views: 832

Re: USAA former investments

What are you pleased with at Schwab versus the others?
by MrsBDG
Tue May 24, 2022 1:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: USAA former investments
Replies: 5
Views: 832

USAA former investments

Has any one been able to determine if there are any advantages to keeping your prior USAA investment accounts at the location to which they were moved (Schwab etc.) For example, based on a certain investment amount, USAA gave free wire transfers. Are there any current links between USAA and the recipients of those investment funds and any reason not to just move them to Fidelity or Vanguard?
by MrsBDG
Mon Apr 25, 2022 6:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Trustee Reporting Requirements for Irrevocable Trust
Replies: 27
Views: 1878

Re: Trustee Reporting Requirements for Irrevocable Trust

I think the question now is, what happens on the 1041 for 2022. Does the capital gains for 100% or 75% get K1ed to the girlfriend, assuming the trust's accountant is passing through the income to the beneficiary's 1040. It's a pretty complex setup, but, to me, common sense seems to indicate the money from the house could be used 100% for the girlfriend's care. GF could live 10 year and use up all the money, therefore I don't see how an accountant would justify a K1 for the cap gains to the OP.

Was there a trust tax return for 2021? Could you ask the trustee if you could have accountant contact info so you can be sure you understand how the cap gains will be handled for 2022? That wouldn't seem to be a provocative question.
by MrsBDG
Tue Apr 12, 2022 8:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do I need to open estate account for deceased, only $2000 in assets, thousands more in debt
Replies: 29
Views: 3596

Re: Do I need to open estate account for deceased, only $2000 in assets, thousands more in debt

We had a distant relative in CA die, a hoarder in a vermin infested, red tagged home, with no active utility services. The county has a department that handles intestate estates & we let them.
by MrsBDG
Wed Mar 23, 2022 2:59 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Trust & will, during a divorce
Replies: 2
Views: 425

Trust & will, during a divorce

A divorce can take months to years to finalize. During that interim time period, can the parents make a new will and would they need to update again after the divorce is final?

What about creating a living trust, as the beneficiary for all finances for minor kids, must it wait until the divorce is final or can it be done in the interim?

For retirement accounts, rules change, like the Roth beneficiary changes recently, but which accounts, 401k, IRA, Roth, pension, etc., are still smart to have go directly to the person rather than a trust, and does that still hold true if the beneficiary is a minor?
by MrsBDG
Sun Mar 20, 2022 4:54 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Advice on Distribution of Significant Personal Effects After Death in Family
Replies: 25
Views: 2664

Re: Advice on Distribution of Significant Personal Effects After Death in Family

The best thing we did was ask our parents to specify the special items recipients ahead of time, we missed one item because when the parent to whom it belonged was dying, it obviously went to the other parent and later it was too late to know to whom it would have been bequeathed, we are currently sharing it on a rotating basis because everyone enjoys seeing it. I have a friend who was one of 6-8 kids with some strife. They did the auction thing and she was quite irritated that her estranged sister bid up the ring that everyone knew my friend wanted! I believe they were given something representing their share of the estate cash and as they bought items, that amount of money was redivided across the other sibs or something like that. When g...
by MrsBDG
Wed Mar 16, 2022 11:36 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity won't link our bank account because it's named my family trust
Replies: 40
Views: 10909

Re: Fidelity won't link our bank account because it's named my family trust

We have a trust account at Fidelity, we have it linked to a bank account in the name of the trust at our regular bank, we just transfer from the bank to Fidelity and then move the money to any IRA/Roth etc. Perhaps that is one more account than you want to have, but it works.
by MrsBDG
Sat Mar 05, 2022 11:04 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Pay off niece's credit card debt or not?
Replies: 96
Views: 10608

Re: Pay off niece's credit card debt or not?

My suggestion would be the previously mentioned mentoring and my graduation gift would be a certificate to pay off the second half of the amount if she shows you she has paid it from the current $1800 down to $900. Gives her motivation to pay it off, doesn't give her your half until she's done the work. I did this for a family member and for them it turned out to be the time that things changed for them and their mindset.
by MrsBDG
Sat Mar 05, 2022 4:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: tax and other consequences of a second home
Replies: 9
Views: 1497

Re: tax and other consequences of a second home

A few generalities:
Rent your home less than 14 days a year- don't claim the income or expenses
Rent your home and use it less than 14 days a year (or 10% of rental days)- deduct all rental associated costs in full
Rent some number of days in between, prorate deductible expenses

Insurance- if you plan to short term rent (STR) like AirBnB/VRBO/local weekly property mgr, check with your company, do they cover STRs or do you have to go elsewhere.
by MrsBDG
Wed Mar 02, 2022 12:55 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to be a good executor to family
Replies: 74
Views: 9586

Re: How to be a good executor to family

I think that when I age, I will likely gift my trustee/executor kid some sum, like $5-10k, while I am alive, toward those estate duties. It seems like such a potentially contentious issue and so many people choose not to take the fee, while still spending hundreds of hours on the estate closing, in the interests of family harmony (with other family beneficiaries who are often doing nothing!) One of the best things that happened in our families is that each parent was specifically asked about certain items-wedding rings, that special watch, that ring of Grandma's, that favorite item. We pinned down many of the sentimental items which would have been difficult to determine otherwise and that was such a relief as executor. Also, it helps the s...
by MrsBDG
Thu Feb 24, 2022 11:41 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Life insurance Question
Replies: 14
Views: 1063

Re: Life insurance Question

Your husband's salesperson made a commission of roughly one year's of premiums Your insurance salesperson also gets some large percentage of the first year premium on term policies, it's just a much smaller number. Avoid a salesperson for your investments, read Bogleheads, read WhiteCoatInvestor, invest in Vanguard or Fidelity mutual funds or ETFs. Go to term4sale.com, you'll get three agent's names & numbers, talk or email with all three, once you see their recommendations, tell them what the "other guy" said and see if they can tell you why they suggested a different company or not. Pick their brains as to which companies they suggest and why. They all know you are getting three agents name, you don't need to protect their ...
by MrsBDG
Mon Feb 21, 2022 10:59 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can term life face value be reduced?
Replies: 37
Views: 2534

Re: Can term life face value be reduced?

Most companies will allow the face amount to be reduced as long as the amount you are requesting meets their minimum requirements, like if they have a minimum face amount of $100k for that policy type, you could go from $250k to $100k, but not to $50k. Some companies only allow so many reductions so often, not more than one a year etc.
by MrsBDG
Sat Feb 19, 2022 6:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Splitting Vacation Expenses?
Replies: 158
Views: 13667

Re: Splitting Vacation Expenses?

I will admit, I kinda like the spreadsheet technique mentioned by Chip, because my mind just works that way. Many people, way too many people, are not math brained at all, but me, I cannot help but keep track of the differences. I like the splitwise app idea, as the DD, you could offer to be the tracker, too. As the person who gets water and a side salad, because costs of eating out have always been a place where we chose to be frugal, I don't want to split evenly, thanks. You do you, order beer & wine & cocktails & appetizers & desserts, but let me be cheap. I recall a group that met at a restaurant weekly, our kids were all in university, for my family it was a time of tight budgets, I easily spent half what the others spe...
by MrsBDG
Tue Feb 15, 2022 1:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should I take SS benefits at 62 while spouse waits until 70?
Replies: 10
Views: 1824

Re: Should I take SS benefits at 62 while spouse waits until 70?

I am curious, does OpenSocialSecurity show you would receive your husband's 50% amount and then 100% if he passes, even if you take your reduced benefit at age 62?
by MrsBDG
Tue Feb 15, 2022 12:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Brokerage accounts, advantage for cerain minimum account sizes
Replies: 7
Views: 585

Brokerage accounts, advantage for cerain minimum account sizes

What are the benefits of a larger brokerage account at one place (Fidelity, Vanguard, Schwab) versus having two or more, at a smaller value?

Should you expect to see any type of benefit, as an individual, if you combine all assets at one place?
by MrsBDG
Mon Feb 14, 2022 11:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mutual Funds v ETF funds (avoiding Capital Gains)
Replies: 6
Views: 601

Re: Mutual Funds v ETF funds (avoiding Capital Gains)

Thanks, 000, for the article link, looks great, and thanks, too, for pointing out my boneheaded jumping to conclusion on trying to find a way to sell just the basis amount :oops: Duh, I know that, I was just grasping at straws and getting excited about maybe finally finding a low cost way out of these funds, other than the market tanking!
by MrsBDG
Mon Feb 14, 2022 9:19 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mutual Funds v ETF funds (avoiding Capital Gains)
Replies: 6
Views: 601

Re: Mutual Funds v ETF funds (avoiding Capital Gains)

Ah, so no tricky way to sell off the basis amount, unless I can get Fidelity to do per lot and some of the lots are high enough share price. We are in a couple of funds we'd like to be out of, via USAA. But like I said, for now, they have too much in gains to want to sell and have those gains on the tax return. I do need to transfer them from Schwab to Fidelity to even see the lot price :shock:
by MrsBDG
Mon Feb 14, 2022 8:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mutual Funds v ETF funds (avoiding Capital Gains)
Replies: 6
Views: 601

Mutual Funds v ETF funds (avoiding Capital Gains)

The recent Vanguard TR fund disaster has motivated & articles about it have given me a better way to put into words what I want to accomplish. We have monies we view as retirement, but taxable, in Mutual Funds. Currently they show a lot of gains, they also put out unpredictable capital gains. We are in that early retirement/managing income for ADA subsidies for several more years. In the past when I tried to research funds that avoid cap gains, I get things like bond funds, but using @The White Coast Investor's article about the Vanguard TR capgains surprise, i was able to discuss my wishes with Fidelity. They say that their ETF funds do avoid cap gains. Does this ring true? Are there other funds I could hold at Fidelity that would be g...
by MrsBDG
Mon Feb 14, 2022 11:59 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: End of life ... on one's own
Replies: 189
Views: 26334

Re: End of life ... on one's own

Over the last decade and assorted seniors failing and dying, we have seen Independent Living (IL) at a senior home, progressed to Assisted Living (AL) which really expects mostly functional people who share meals and may have a shower aide and may need one person, but never two people, to stand or transfer, to Skilled Nursing (SNF) which is full care. That was all at the same facility so it can be nice if you start there and make friends as the AL friends will come visit you in SNF. A cheaper alternative too SNF, in our area, was Board & Care homes (B&C) which are actual houses refurbished to house 6 adults and live in caregivers. This was less expensive and also allowed the carers to know the adults, to get a feel for their idiosyn...
by MrsBDG
Sat Feb 12, 2022 1:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Landlord - Emergency Maintenance Only / Options
Replies: 23
Views: 1836

Re: Landlord - Emergency Maintenance Only / Options

You don't say what is wrong with the toilet, but check out YouTube. If you are at all handy, fixing and even replacing a toilet is not that difficult.
by MrsBDG
Fri Feb 11, 2022 11:55 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: End of life ... on one's own
Replies: 189
Views: 26334

Re: End of life ... on one's own

Another thought is if you have someone a generation younger who is smart and capable and could serve that way for you, hire them to be your person. For example, I have handled deaths & trusts & settling estates for 4 parents in our family. I have answered friend's questions when they are going through it, I could imagine if a neighbor was in your situation that they might ask someone like me to be there person. You know, someone familiar/comfortable with the financial stuff, but also willing/able to handle the personal aspects. It's a big ask for family/friends; I am amazed how many hours in the last 15 years we have spent on failing/dying seniors, hence the suggestion to offer to pay them. The issues are they could get greedy and b...