Search found 58 matches
- Tue Mar 27, 2018 8:47 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Google sheets not pulling stock prices
- Replies: 21
- Views: 1851
Re: Google sheets not pulling stock prices
I'm seeing the same thing this morning with BND
- Wed Feb 21, 2018 1:02 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: When is Costco cash back coupon arriving?
- Replies: 23
- Views: 2100
Re: When is Costco cash back coupon arriving?
Logged onto citi website, it says "coming soon." How on earth have some people already received it? I'm rather afraid of throwing it out! :shock: They send it with your monthly statement. Or in my case since I'm paperless they emailed it the same or next day after generating my statement. Ie look a...
- Wed Feb 07, 2018 11:50 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: No Emergency Funds yet Major Car Emergency
- Replies: 47
- Views: 3162
Re: No Emergency Funds yet Major Car Emergency
I'm not sure how many miles you have on this engine, but if you've had all service done at the dealership it's possible you might get some help from the manufacturer. Might be worth talking to the manager at the dealership to see if you can get in touch with the manufacturer district representative ...
- Thu Jan 18, 2018 11:59 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Anyone have a whole house water filter?
- Replies: 13
- Views: 802
Re: Anyone have a whole house water filter?
Also depending on what state you live in they may have water testing services for people who have water wells. We do in Colorado for example.
- Thu Jan 18, 2018 11:56 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Anyone have a whole house water filter?
- Replies: 13
- Views: 802
Re: Anyone have a whole house water filter?
I have a whole house filter, we use the Pentek DGD-2501-20. When we moved in the house had a smaller filter and it reduced the water flow to unacceptable levels so switched to the larger one. We have that first then an activated charcoal filter in the same size, then water softener. Cost of one hous...
- Tue Nov 07, 2017 3:14 pm
- Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
- Topic: Stuck between rock and hard place
- Replies: 16
- Views: 2585
Re: Stuck between rock and hard place
I'm not sure of the timing for the distributions but one option that comes to mind is take them now but sell ASAP in January to avoid next year's distribution. Also that lets you split the overall bite between the two years somewhat, and would be early enough you could estimate your tax liability an...
- Fri Jun 30, 2017 5:25 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Buying house - Very important decision
- Replies: 228
- Views: 23493
Re: Buying house - Very important decision
This throws up a huge red flag for me, I would seriously wonder if your realtor has your best interests in mind. You're the one who has to come up with the extra ~20% more in mortgage payments every month.prettybogle wrote:Our realtor says for a 30 year loan, that 100k is not huge deal.
- Tue Jun 27, 2017 4:08 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Payment to Dr's office
- Replies: 11
- Views: 1353
Re: Payment to Dr's office
In my experience it takes 3-6 weeks for the Dr's office to get and process back the stuff from the insurance company. You're well within that period, don't worry about it and just give them another couple of weeks.
- Wed Jun 21, 2017 10:45 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Planning Around Partner's Student Loans
- Replies: 30
- Views: 3097
Re: Planning Around Partner's Student Loans
Coming from a similar situation I also think you two need to figure out the relationship in more detailed terms, ie marriage or not. The first few years of supporting an artist and trying to help her get a business off the ground is one thing - after 9 years it easily becomes less appealing and more...
- Mon Jun 19, 2017 3:28 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Can this air compressor be saved?
- Replies: 7
- Views: 1195
Re: Can this air compressor be saved?
Also keep in mind the cord or plug from the compressor might be damaged too. You can buy replacement cords too if so, probably have to pull it off the compressor to test it though. Just remember to write down how it was wired so you can put it back on properly!
- Wed Jun 07, 2017 12:06 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Selling Only home I dont live in
- Replies: 11
- Views: 1183
Re: Selling Only home I dont live in
I think you're going to be paying capital gains if you sell at a profit. See https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tools/tax-tips/Home-Ownership/Tax-Aspects-of-Home-Ownership--Selling-a-Home/INF12035.html If the rule is "You must have used the home you are selling as your principal residence for at least ...
- Wed Jun 07, 2017 10:04 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Gas station prices and quality
- Replies: 43
- Views: 4001
Re: Gas station prices and quality
Looks to be for show. You could probably endlessly debate the effectiveness of different additive blends and concentrations, and from your comment I surmise you are a skeptic. Keep in mind that there is a minimum amount of additive mandated by law. However at the end of the day from the trucking co...
- Wed Jun 07, 2017 9:16 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Gas station prices and quality
- Replies: 43
- Views: 4001
Re: Gas station prices and quality
The above quoted text doesn't explain why I see the same fuel truck at shell, mini mart, and discounts r us on the same day. Most gas stations contract a third party trucking company to deliver fuel to them. So for example "Bob's Fuel Trucking" might deliver to some Shell stores, some Mini Mart, et...
- Thu Jun 01, 2017 12:22 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Employer going union, what happens with 401k
- Replies: 19
- Views: 2447
Re: Employer going union, what happens with 401k
They may offer a deal for the new union members to purchase seniority in the pension with their 401k funds. I'm not really sure how this works exactly but have seen other posts here about people purchasing years of service in their pension plan so it does happen. Probably would be a good idea for he...
- Wed May 24, 2017 11:09 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Advice on kid's precalc learning
- Replies: 47
- Views: 4313
Re: Advice on kid's precalc learning
It's possible you just need to give your son some time. When I was in high school one of my friends really struggled with math but just waiting a couple of years things finally clicked for him in college.
- Wed May 24, 2017 10:06 am
- Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
- Topic: Newbie here! What should my betterment allocation be?
- Replies: 9
- Views: 985
Re: Newbie here! What should my betterment allocation be?
until I have saved up 30K to buy into the low ER Vanguards Even the "investor class" & ETF Vanguard funds have a lower ER than the Betterment management fee. Also with Betterment you're paying that management fee on top of the fund ER, and mostly they use Vanguard so all you're doing is paying an e...
- Thu May 18, 2017 10:54 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Paying balance of costly ambulance ride
- Replies: 18
- Views: 1539
Re: Paying balance of costly ambulance ride
What happens if I don't pay the remainder myself? I think you need to wait and see what their response is after signing over the insurance check to them. They might just write off the rest, or ask you to pay another $100 or something. From your post it doesn't sound like you've had any communicatio...
- Tue May 16, 2017 10:20 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Is it legal to use a first mortgage for an investment property?
- Replies: 40
- Views: 3017
Re: Is it legal to use a first mortgage for an investment property?
Not sure if he's breaking any laws but may be breaking the loan contract. IIRC mine have always said must be owner occupied for the first year at minimum, but after that I think renting was allowable.
- Sun May 14, 2017 6:27 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Check engine light. Toyota Avalon 2006, 155K miles [safety issue?]
- Replies: 66
- Views: 7308
Re: Check engine light. Toyota Avalon 2006, 155K miles [safety issue?]
The main problem with the engine misfiring is that if that happens enough and if (depending on car) it keeps sending fuel down that cylinder it can basically kill the catalytic converter(s). When that happens they may get clogged and the engine stops running. In my experience replacing cats can be 5...
- Sun May 14, 2017 6:18 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Trying to pay off student loans
- Replies: 26
- Views: 3568
Re: Trying to pay off student loans
I've heard enough bad things about Navient that I would be very wary. Make them apply the payment exactly as you instructed and intended, and scrutinize all paperwork before and after to double check.
- Thu May 11, 2017 4:43 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Are bank test deposits taxable?
- Replies: 22
- Views: 3088
Re: Are bank test deposits taxable?
Generally speaking companies aren't required to issue 1099's for payments to people under $600, and I doubt they report anything to the IRS that doesn't have a 1099 issued for. So basically you're on the honor system here. From a practical POV I believe everything on your taxes is rounded to the nea...
- Wed May 10, 2017 9:12 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Please explain Gap insurance on a car
- Replies: 11
- Views: 1195
Re: Please explain Gap insurance on a car
Also if you determine you need/want it, check with your normal auto insurance and see what their rate is for it. I bought a car recently and their price was a lot less than even my credit union. Plus they charge per the same term as the regular insurance instead of a flat upfront fee and you can dro...
- Wed May 03, 2017 11:35 am
- Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
- Topic: HELP Getting Out of Managed Account & 403B
- Replies: 2
- Views: 431
Re: HELP Getting Out of Managed Account & 403B
If this is actually being actively managed the first step I would take is sending the "advisor" an email saying to halt all trading on the accounts. Also ask if there are any redemption or other fees to liquidate any of the securities. In general transferring the IRA accounts will be relatively easy...
- Wed May 03, 2017 10:53 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Creditor laws
- Replies: 8
- Views: 534
Re: Creditor laws
I live in Oregon, which is a "no contact" state for them. To me this sounds like either a company policy or they got in some legal trouble with Oregon and have been legally barred from contacting people in the state. Possibly company policy because they got in trouble with Oregon and haven't actual...
- Tue May 02, 2017 8:06 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How quick is too quick for a job offer?
- Replies: 29
- Views: 4176
Re: How quick is too quick for a job offer?
Part of what's happening here is the recruiter is trying to keep you on the hook. As you said, he only gets paid if you are hired - that's dependent on both them making you an offer and you accepting. I would keep taking any interviews that come up, don't put everything else on hold for this one opp...
- Mon May 01, 2017 12:28 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: What to do about non deductible IRA contribution?
- Replies: 16
- Views: 1311
Re: What to do about non deductible IRA contribution?
what happens to the other $100 I believe you just convert it along with the other money and pay tax on the extra this year (during 2017). Double check with your CPA. The main reason you want to convert it ASAP is because the more it grows then you have to pay tax on any gains. So you want it to be ...
- Fri Apr 21, 2017 4:43 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: White Gold ??? [question about newletter claim]
- Replies: 21
- Views: 2942
Re: White Gold ???
What is there to comment on? No real info, just clickbait without the click.
- Fri Mar 31, 2017 3:45 pm
- Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
- Topic: contributed after tax money to a roll over tira
- Replies: 11
- Views: 746
Re: contributed after tax money to a roll over tira
You're probably stuck with your past mistakes, I think the maximum time to file an amended tax return is 3 years or so. Your CPA will be able to tell you specifically for your situation though.des999 wrote:about 7 years ago
- Wed Mar 29, 2017 3:36 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Cars - possible recession indicator?
- Replies: 21
- Views: 3845
Re: Cars - possible recession indicator?
I heard something about 2-3 months ago about gas prices driving up large vehicle purchases and smaller car sales stagnating more. Are you seeing mostly smaller cars in these lots and not so much trucks/SUVs?
- Fri Feb 10, 2017 10:39 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Why don't stock prices go up on payday?
- Replies: 43
- Views: 4584
Re: Why don't stock prices go up on payday?
My employer pays every Thursday, but 401k contributions usually invest on the Tuesday before payday. However all the options are mutual funds, so they don't likely cause actual stock trades to occur immediately - I believe MF's use new money to pay out exiting money first, and then the net change ev...
- Fri Feb 10, 2017 12:54 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Building a Computer
- Replies: 28
- Views: 3393
Re: Building a Computer
I like to use Tech Report as a starting guide - see their system guide at https://techreport.com/review/31389/sys ... de-current.
Note you will probably not save money, but certainly it can be satisfying and lets you be really specific about what you want.
Note you will probably not save money, but certainly it can be satisfying and lets you be really specific about what you want.
- Wed Feb 01, 2017 10:07 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Earning $36/hr for by driving for errands. Worth it?
- Replies: 20
- Views: 4146
Re: Earning $36/hr for by driving for errands. Worth it?
If a driver has roughly 58 cents expenses per mile are Uber/Lyft drivers stupid then? I mean if they earn $30 per hour they would be making like $5 after all these "expenses" and taxes. Remember the IRS rate is what they allow for tax purposes and is probably based on a wide range of cars. So depen...
- Mon Jan 30, 2017 12:03 pm
- Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
- Topic: Please Help with 25 Year Old Daughter-In-Law.
- Replies: 36
- Views: 6539
Re: Please Help with 25 Year Old Daughter-In-Law.
25 Year Old Daughter-In-Law with 2 Great Kids, 3 & 4 I was thinking of telling her that if she contributes $5500 to a Roth, I would give her $200 every 2 weeks to contribute to her work's 401K Do you know what her budget is? I like many others doubt very much that she could afford this. At her wage...
- Mon Jan 16, 2017 1:53 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: If I decide to overpay on mortgage payment
- Replies: 45
- Views: 5749
Re: If I decide to overpay on mortgage payment
should I apply this extra money towards the interest, principal, or both? Unless you have something outside of a normal mortgage, extra payments are applied to the principal which reduces future interest. Depending on your interest rate you might consider investing in a taxable account instead... t...
- Thu Jan 12, 2017 4:42 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Inquiring about family finances?
- Replies: 46
- Views: 4511
Re: Inquiring about familiy finances?
Any thoughts would be appreciated. I agree with leaving it alone unless he asks for advice. However if you really feel like you should say something to him I would go something along the lines of "I've been thinking about what you told me about your financial planning and was wondering why you ment...
- Thu Jan 12, 2017 11:16 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Home heating options
- Replies: 63
- Views: 4185
Re: Home heating options
Any thoughts or recommendations? My family has a ~1100 SF house with a 1000 gallon propane tank (no furnace, Jotul propane stoves for heat). We use about 650 gallons per year for heat, cooking, and hot water. This lets us fill up only during the summer when prices are low and has worked really well...
- Wed Dec 28, 2016 12:16 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Monthly Expenses in line or too much
- Replies: 81
- Views: 8548
Re: Monthly Expenses in line or too much
Re groceries - I have found the USDA cost of food reports to be somewhat helpful in gauging how my expenses look. See https://www.cnpp.usda.gov/USDAFoodPlansCostofFood. My family generally spends in the area of the low cost plan but includes several things like paper products (towels, TP, etc), clea...
- Thu Dec 15, 2016 11:42 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Uncertainty at work - how to proceed
- Replies: 13
- Views: 2051
Re: Uncertainty at work - how to proceed
I think it depends a lot on what type of account you have your investments in. For example if it's a taxable account that you can withdraw any time then your 6 month e-fund should give you plenty of time to make that happen if needed. For other types of accounts... depends on exact type and jurisdic...
- Mon Sep 26, 2016 11:43 am
- Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
- Topic: How is the financial advisor taking my mother? Annuities?
- Replies: 32
- Views: 4883
Re: How is the financial advisor taking my mother? Annuities?
So you think she could be at around 70k safe and sound I don't think so, it sounds more like she "might be able to just barely make it to 70k" per year. If you go with a 4% withdrawal rate on the $260k that gives ~10,400 per year. I'm coming up with $70,200 at that before taxes. But that 4% withdra...
- Sun Sep 25, 2016 12:08 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Do you have a "his car" and "her car" in your household?
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1406
Re: Do you have a "his car" and "her car" in your household?
His and her cars, and the family car. I couldn't stand the trash in the cars and finally declared a recent purchase to be mine, period (prior to puchase not ex post facto). The new family car we got a couple months ago will have keys locked up if the trash levels get out of control in it.
- Sat Sep 24, 2016 7:08 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Out of Pocket Costs for Employer Self Insured Medical Plans
- Replies: 17
- Views: 1217
Re: Out of Pocket Costs for Employer Self Insured Medical Plans
The real problem is that your plan and the provider (hospital) don't agree on what's reasonable charges. You are getting caught in the middle obviously. It's going to be a tough fight I suspect, when my wife was diagnosed with cancer two years ago even with a network it was challenging. You might se...
- Fri Sep 23, 2016 9:42 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Uncovered MF Shares at Vanguard
- Replies: 18
- Views: 2276
Re: Uncovered MF Shares at Vanguard
If you have a CPA that does your taxes, I recommend asking them for some guidance here. This is an issue they regularly deal with.
- Thu Sep 22, 2016 12:31 pm
- Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
- Topic: How is the financial advisor taking my mother? Annuities?
- Replies: 32
- Views: 4883
Re: How is the financial advisor taking my mother? Annuities?
$40k pension (3% guaranteed increasing) Assuming this is $40k per year, using a rule of thumb 4% withdrawal rate on the $240k that gives her just under $50k per year. So if she can get to $70k per year is highly dependent on what the SS benefits are. $200 pre-tax lump sum What is this $200k pre-tax...
- Thu Sep 22, 2016 12:10 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Should I appeal dental claim denial?
- Replies: 27
- Views: 2538
Re: Should I appeal dental claim denial?
I vote appeal too. If they intended it to not include age 9 it should be more specific - ie "age 8 and under" or something. Any ambiguous language should be held against the person writing the policy.
- Wed Sep 21, 2016 11:16 am
- Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
- Topic: Roth IRA - Vanguard Target Retirement vs Betterment
- Replies: 30
- Views: 4100
Re: Roth IRA - Vanguard Target Retirement vs Betterment
Also for a Roth IRA, TLH makes no sense, so why would anyone choose to go for Betterment over Vanguard? If you have both a Roth IRA and taxable account, you might want both at Betterment/Wealthfront so they can coordinate your accounts and prevent wash sales on TLH. But you only need to do this if ...
- Wed Sep 21, 2016 11:07 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Is there a point when a used car is too used to be worth buying?
- Replies: 43
- Views: 4255
Re: Is there a point when a used car is too used to be worth buying?
Here's my current take on used vs new... with the caveat that my family drives 30-40k miles per year so I'm pretty focused on cost per mile. However I must have a 4WD too so it's a little more complicated. So this may or not help you in your particular situation. Cars with a purchase price < ~25k - ...
- Thu Sep 15, 2016 7:05 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Favorite Coffee
- Replies: 147
- Views: 14277
Re: Favorite Coffee
Starbucks Komodo Dragon. I grind it myself and use in my Keurig with refillable cups. Or sometimes a french press.
- Thu Sep 15, 2016 10:18 am
- Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
- Topic: Company's 401k junk and Trad IRA languishes - I want to fix now!
- Replies: 47
- Views: 4780
Re: Company's 401k junk and Trad IRA languishes - I want to fix now!
Another thing I just thought of - he could consider switching to a SIMPLE IRA instead of full 401k. There are a number of drawbacks in terms of max contributions, etc. but it is "simpler" and basically has almost no fees to the employer. Also it puts the funds under full control of the employees and...
- Thu Sep 15, 2016 10:11 am
- Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
- Topic: Company's 401k junk and Trad IRA languishes - I want to fix now!
- Replies: 47
- Views: 4780
Re: Company's 401k junk and Trad IRA languishes - I want to fix now!
Betterment now offers a 401k as well, might be worth checking that out: https://www.betterment.com/resources/inside-betterment/product-news/betterment-for-business-the-best-401k-for-employers-and-employees/ Also it looks like they compare their pricing to Vanguard so there's some information about V...
- Wed Sep 14, 2016 12:29 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Any Car expert out there : Check Engine Light on
- Replies: 27
- Views: 2472
Re: Any Car expert out there : Check Engine Light on
I disagree with some of the people saying it won't cause problems. It might not cause the engine itself to get damaged, but the computer does adjust the fuel/air mix based on oxygen sensor data. If that mix is bad, it could damage the catalytic converters which would be a much more expensive repair ...