Search found 119 matches
- Mon Apr 24, 2017 1:29 pm
- Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
- Topic: TDAmeritrade Rollover Bonus
- Replies: 3
- Views: 519
TDAmeritrade Rollover Bonus
I retired at the beginning of this month and have a decent sum in a 401k from my former employer. I can roll that into an IRA with TDAmeritrade and get a $1200 bonus. The investment options at the 401k are limited with the lowest expense ratio being 0.18%. I know I can do significantly better (in te...
- Wed Apr 19, 2017 6:34 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Are people aware that Verizon email is being terminated?
- Replies: 55
- Views: 9060
Re: Are people aware that Verizon email is being terminated?
I moved mine using the AOL alternative keeping my vz.net email address. I use the vz email for purchases, subscriptions and other things that are not related to communications with real people or my financial accounts. The move was easy and seamless. The added benefit is significantly less spam. Wit...
- Thu Feb 23, 2017 1:53 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: phone battery
- Replies: 10
- Views: 1446
Re: phone battery
$15.53 on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/800mAh-Battery-P ... B00HJJFV3Q
- Fri Feb 03, 2017 1:17 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Verizon to Cricket or StraightTalk
- Replies: 70
- Views: 7358
Re: Verizon to Cricket or StraightTalk
Does Page Plus, Cricket or other Verizon alternatives offer shared plans? So 2+ phones on one plan where the limits for minutes, texts and Gb are for all phones combined?
- Tue Sep 13, 2016 11:53 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Suggestions for locations for post-Christmas vacation in Carribbean?
- Replies: 13
- Views: 1536
Re: Suggestions for locations for post-Christmas vacation in Carribbean?
I don't know that it meets all your criteria, but since you mentioned young children - take a look at FDR Resort in Jamaica. It is all-inclusive and provides your own "vacation nanny". We did this when are twin sons were about 3 or 4 years old. The resort is small, but having someone available to lo...
- Wed Aug 24, 2016 10:31 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Early Withdrawals: 55 Rule and SEPP clarification
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1000
Re: Early Withdrawals: 55 Rule and SEPP clarification
jjface, I do have an existing HELOC with a zero outstanding balance I can use as well as some other resources. But I'm not sure I want to add to my expenses (payments on a HELOC) just to avoid withdrawals from the IRA. Although at the moment, the current return on that IRA is greater than the rate I...
- Wed Aug 24, 2016 8:05 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Early Withdrawals: 55 Rule and SEPP clarification
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1000
Re: Early Withdrawals: 55 Rule and SEPP clarification
Thanks Livesoft. I will research the specifics of my 401k withdrawal rules. I will not be working for them by the end of 2017 - I'm just trying to decide whether I'm going with the "one more partial year" vs. cut the cord completely this January. I know the SEPP withdrawals are limited, but they wou...
- Wed Aug 24, 2016 7:11 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Early Withdrawals: 55 Rule and SEPP clarification
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1000
Early Withdrawals: 55 Rule and SEPP clarification
I will be 59 ½ in October of 2017. I plan to stop working full-time at the beginning of 2017, continuing as a consultant or part-time employee for my current firm. How much work/$$ and how that is structured (1099 vs W-2) is yet to be determined. I want to nail down a contingency plan for covering m...
- Mon Jun 13, 2016 3:24 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How to best afford IVF [In Vitro Fertilization]
- Replies: 55
- Views: 6712
Re: How to best afford IVF
Some good advice so far, so I'll just relate my own experience - not really financial advice though. We started with the individual cycles (16 years ago - our twin sons turn 16 next month). After 2 of those, we started looking at the package deals and took a 4 cycle option which I took a personal lo...
- Fri May 13, 2016 1:00 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Keep Twins in Same Class for Kindergarten?
- Replies: 41
- Views: 5152
Re: Keep Twins in Same Class for Kindergarten?
Our twins are almost 16 now. They were together in kindergarten, then separate after that. At that age, I think keeping them together is fine. Later, I think it is better that they establish their own identity, not tied to the other. That's all personal opinion. P.S. - ours were boys, so we thought ...
- Fri May 13, 2016 12:26 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Do not like PG County Elementary Schools what are my options
- Replies: 32
- Views: 4651
Re: Do not like PG County Elementary Schools what are my options
If you can move, Fairfax City would be my #1. Have 2 teenagers in HS and been in FX city schools from Kindergarten through now. Fairfax county would be my #2. The schools are excellent and all in the top US ranked school systems. I commute to work in DC everyday. Not my favorite part of the day, but...
- Fri Apr 01, 2016 3:14 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Buy/Pay for extra years [Spending in retirement]
- Replies: 7
- Views: 853
Re: Buy/Pay for extra years
Too much info? Summarize spreadsheet? Too many unknowns?
- Fri Apr 01, 2016 9:25 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Buy/Pay for extra years [Spending in retirement]
- Replies: 7
- Views: 853
Buy/Pay for extra years [Spending in retirement]
Primarily what I’m looking for from the bogleheads are risks I haven’t already identified and costs I might not have thought of, though general comments/opinions are also welcome. I turn 58 this weekend and I’m looking to retire at the end of this year. Firecalc and other simulators give me a 95%+ s...
- Thu Dec 17, 2015 9:34 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What am I missing ? ... Smart Phones $100 vs. $600
- Replies: 65
- Views: 9207
Re: What am I missing ? ... Smart Phones $100 vs. $600
While I understand the all the arguments made, many (not all) of those arguments do not focus on individual needs. From a boglehead perspective, if I only use a smartphone for phone calls and say email, then I only need the $100 phone. I think it's the equivalent of asking if you can retire with $1M...
- Fri Nov 20, 2015 12:09 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Parents - your favorite and most challenging years
- Replies: 71
- Views: 8929
Re: Parents - your favorite and most challenging years
Ages 0 to 5 maybe 8, physically challenging/draining. Ages 13 on, psychologically and emotionally challenging/draining. So I guess I'd say from about 8 to 12 is the sweet spot, but still not easy. It can all be rewarding if you choose to view it that way.
- Mon Nov 16, 2015 8:22 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Windows 7- removing Windows 10-related "updates"
- Replies: 9
- Views: 1263
Re: Windows 7- removing Windows 10-related "updates"
I work in IT supporting about 100 users. Sorry to say that resistance is futile. There are a number of pia hacks to remove the current nagware, but they tend to be more trouble than they are worth and it doesn't prevent MS from adding more "updates" that push Windows 10.
- Thu Oct 08, 2015 3:16 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Consumer items that are worth the initial investment?
- Replies: 110
- Views: 16915
Re: Consumer items that are worth the initial investment?
"Recent purchase: Basic bluetooth earbuds. $35. I totally underestimated the value of not having wires to tuck in when running, doing chores, gardening, etc." Has anyone found a solution for people who don't like sticking things in their ears? It is leaf raking season. Wallmart has many over the ea...
- Thu Oct 08, 2015 1:37 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: buying foreclosure advice
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1252
Re: buying foreclosure advice
I did this about 5 years ago for my stepson to live in. I've only done this once, so it is all based on that one experience and I was offering all cash, no mortgage contingency. But here is what I learned: 1) The banks don't seem to be in any hurry to respond. But you can create some pressure. 2) Do...
- Thu Sep 17, 2015 3:16 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Fair share of expenses for spouses?
- Replies: 100
- Views: 11369
Re: Fair share of expenses for spouses?
"All's fair in love and war" is only half right, so there's only 2 opinions that matter in this debate, yours and hers.
- Thu Sep 10, 2015 12:18 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How much do kids pay for their own activities...
- Replies: 21
- Views: 2681
Re: How much do kids pay for their own activities...
We pay for activities for our now 15 year olds. Video games and other purely "entertainment" things can be 1) from their savings, 2) on their xmas/birthday list, 3) cash saved from allowance/odd jobs or sometimes 3) barter (e.g. - wash my car). One other thing I've done is to match 50% of what they ...
- Wed Jul 29, 2015 1:31 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Refinancing mortgage to a 5/1 or 7/1 ARM
- Replies: 9
- Views: 1099
Re: Refinancing mortgage to a 5/1 or 7/1 ARM
I recently asked a similar question here: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=170321.
- Tue Jul 28, 2015 10:02 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: refi with a 5/1 arm
- Replies: 11
- Views: 1422
Re: refi with a 5/1 arm
I think more of the discrepancy is you don't know what the OP's original loan amount was or how many months are remaining. You're calculating his current payment assuming his current balance is month 1 of a 30 year, which it probably isn't. OP, if they lend in your area, look at third federal. $295...
- Tue Jul 28, 2015 7:58 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: refi with a 5/1 arm
- Replies: 11
- Views: 1422
Re: refi with a 5/1 arm
It does look like it would be worthwhile to refinance IF you will also continue making the original payment. Here are some numbers to ponder: A mortgage balance of $277,417 at 2.685% with a payment of $1374 has 318 months (26.5 years) remaining. The total cost would be $404,280 with $126,863 intere...
- Mon Jul 27, 2015 1:15 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: refi with a 5/1 arm
- Replies: 11
- Views: 1422
Re: refi with a 5/1 arm
I have a 30yr fixed mortgage at 3.875% with a $273k balance in a HCOL area. ... I can refi the $273k balance with a 5/1ARM at 2.685% with no cost, which would reduce my payments by almost $250/mo. Something is not quite right with your numbers. How long do you still owe on your current mortgage? Wh...
- Mon Jul 27, 2015 11:41 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: refi with a 5/1 arm
- Replies: 11
- Views: 1422
refi with a 5/1 arm
I have a 30yr fixed mortgage at 3.875% with a $273k balance in a HCOL area. I only plan to be in the home another 3 years till my kids graduate HS and I'm eligible to retire (I'd be 60). We plan to sell the house at that point, use the equity and buy a home for cash in a LCOL area. The home is value...
- Thu Jul 09, 2015 2:53 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Doggy Day Care services
- Replies: 7
- Views: 1271
Re: Doggy Day Care services
In our area the Fetch! franchise has a very bad rep. They use indep. contractors, not bona-fide employees, and that can become problematic. If you are going to be traveling, will you be staying in pet-friendly hotel? In the larger cities, the hotel will usually maintain a list of local dog walkers ...
- Thu Jul 09, 2015 1:40 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What antivirus software?
- Replies: 47
- Views: 5410
Re: What antivirus software?
I've used ESET both personally and at my office (on PCs and servers) for many years. It is a solid product and very reasonably priced. Personally, I would not make a security decision based on price. And as some others have mentioned, I would use Malwarebytes in addition to AV as the best defense th...
- Thu Jul 09, 2015 1:05 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Doggy Day Care services
- Replies: 7
- Views: 1271
Doggy Day Care services
Has anyone used the franchise-based doggy day care services like Fetch! or Rover? I know the actual experience is dependent on the sitter they set you up with, but if you've had any good or bad experiences using their services, I'd appreciate the feedback. We won't be using this local to us, but nee...
- Mon Jul 06, 2015 2:38 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: How to start a blog and claim the name?
- Replies: 44
- Views: 5968
Re: How to start a blog and claim the name?
4. Twitter handle - Should I register it using my primary email address or XXX@gmail.com? Definitely register it to the xxx@gmail address. It makes it much easier to keep it separate from personal email. I did this myself a few years ago and am glad I did. This probably goes without saying, but tra...
- Fri Jun 26, 2015 11:37 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Questions about brick paver driveway
- Replies: 12
- Views: 3296
Re: Questions about brick paver driveway
If you live where it snows, brick is a royal pia when it comes to shoveling.
- Wed Jun 24, 2015 3:33 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Moving from Android to iOS
- Replies: 13
- Views: 2415
Re: Moving from Android to iOS
I'm in IT and support both in my company. I had an Android for years, but in order to support iPhone users I got one on our last upgrade. After I used it for 2 months, I switched back. There were a number of reasons. I couldn't get used to the lack of a back button I had become very good/used to swy...
- Thu Jun 04, 2015 11:36 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Home Improvement Projects
- Replies: 9
- Views: 1954
Re: Home Improvement Projects
I shopped around for loans, including my B&M bank which was offering a HELOC with 1.99% for 1st 12 months on the 1st withdrawal. Also came with no fees. So I took that and paid it off within the year.
- Thu Apr 30, 2015 11:43 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: SEPP 72(t) aggregate or separate IRAs?
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1157
Re: SEPP 72(t) aggregate or separate IRAs?
Thanks livesoft. I did change the thread title. And mn finance did answer the question, but I was looking for more detail.
- Thu Apr 30, 2015 6:10 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: SEPP 72(t) aggregate or separate IRAs?
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1157
Re: Early withdrawls if still self employed
I'm not self employed now. I want to leave my current employer and be self employed. And I'd need to start withdrawals from my then-former employer's 401k to supplement my income for the next few years. After 3 years my sons graduate from high school,we sell our house in a HCOL area, use the proceed...
- Wed Apr 29, 2015 3:27 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: SEPP 72(t) aggregate or separate IRAs?
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1157
Re: Early withdrawls if still self employed
And that applies if I continue to earn income (self employed/1099)?
- Tue Apr 28, 2015 3:18 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: SEPP 72(t) aggregate or separate IRAs?
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1157
SEPP 72(t) aggregate or separate IRAs?
I am currently employed full-time and nearing the 57.5 mark where I could start withdrawals from my retirement funds if not employed. If I switch to strictly 1099 work, would I still be able to use the early withdrawal exception to make up the difference in income to meet my expenses? I'm not asking...
- Fri Mar 13, 2015 3:23 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: When cash flow/liquidity was no longer primary concern
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1381
Re: When cash flow/liquidity was no longer primary concern
I either look at it differently or don't understand the question. I don't stress or worry about cash flow or liquidity, but anything I can't afford to pay for today I either don't buy or determine how quickly I can pay it off and how that affects my budget. I probably stopped worrying about paying n...
- Fri Feb 06, 2015 1:45 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: If you like a job but the company has financial issues....
- Replies: 18
- Views: 2579
Re: If you like a job but the company has financial issues..
I'd say yes. Looking doesn't mean changing jobs. It never hurts to have options. How long will your emergency fund last if you are laid off or the company goes belly up? The layoffs that already happened - how much notice were those people given? I can only relate my own personal story from 30 some-...
- Thu Jan 29, 2015 3:04 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Bringing up 529s to the grandparents
- Replies: 58
- Views: 4715
Re: Bringing up 529s to the grandparents
Won't directly help, but take a look at UPromise. I have a UPromise MasterCard that gives my "cash back" into 529 at Vanguard. I don't actually use the card much any more cause I get better rewards on other cards. However, it does let you invite others to link their credit card purchases to your UPr...
- Thu Jan 29, 2015 1:52 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Financial Considerations for Infertility Treatments
- Replies: 25
- Views: 3083
Re: Financial Considerations for Infertility Treatments
This was 14 years ago, actually longer but here are some other things to think about which only indirectly address your original questions. We started with individual treatments/cycles. After going through and paying for the first two one at a time, we went with a plan that offered 3 cycles and a 90...
- Fri Nov 21, 2014 1:21 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: [What UN-frugal thing do you do? What do you splurge on?]
- Replies: 567
- Views: 37426
Re: What doyou splurge on?
Hockey tickets
Family vacation
Family vacation
- Fri Nov 14, 2014 12:02 pm
- Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
- Topic: 401K moving transfer allocation recommendations
- Replies: 1
- Views: 285
401K moving transfer allocation recommendations
Our company 401k is moving to Principal Financial Group so I will need to set which funds to move into. This represents 34% of my total retirement assets. The other 66% is at Vanguard (from previous IRAs) allocated as follows: VBTLX 21% ER: 0.08% VTIAX 7% ER: 0.14% VTSAX 37% ER: 0.05% The funds avai...
- Tue Oct 28, 2014 11:40 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Local Non Profit Association Officer Compensation
- Replies: 1
- Views: 406
Local Non Profit Association Officer Compensation
I've recently become a board member for a local non-profit association. It is a dart association mainly responsible for running a league and tournaments. I was a bit surprised both that the officers (director, treasurer, secretary, etc.) received monthly compensation and the amount. I guess I'm tryi...
- Fri Jul 25, 2014 10:31 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: List of Worst financial advice (what not to do):
- Replies: 144
- Views: 19774
Re: List of Worst financial advice (what not to do):
"You can't take it with you when you die, so why not spend it?!!!!"
- Thu Jul 03, 2014 1:42 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Do you tell your kids how much you make?
- Replies: 58
- Views: 7736
Do you tell your kids how much you make?
This was prompted by the "do you lie about your finances to friends" thread. My kids are starting high school next year. I've had many discussions with them about saving and match what they save in their savings account at the end of the year. But when (it's not really an if) they ask you how much I...
- Wed Jun 04, 2014 3:25 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Poll: Luxury and Happiness
- Replies: 141
- Views: 13538
Re: Poll: Luxury and Happiness
About 2 years ago, I finally gave in and got an large screen (>35") HD TV and paid the premium for the HD cable package. I don't think I could ever go back and during hockey season, I couldn't be happier unless I get seats within 10 rows of the glass. Speaking of which, I splurg on hockey tickets a ...
- Mon Jun 02, 2014 3:08 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Upromise
- Replies: 12
- Views: 2953
Re: Upromise
I used it almost exclusively for many years and had the rebates tied directly to my kids 529 plans. But after being on this forum and looking at other credit card cash back programs, I determined I was getting more with a straight cash back card - Capitol One. For some planned purchases, I do still ...
- Wed May 21, 2014 11:20 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Picking an estate planning attorney
- Replies: 4
- Views: 756
Picking an estate planning attorney
I've probably been avoiding this far too long, but I want to start getting an "after-life" plan or strategy together. How do I go about finding a good estate planning attorney? What are some good questions to ask before hiring one to get a sense which one might be "better"? Or is there no effective ...
- Fri Apr 11, 2014 2:06 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Question Owner Financing
- Replies: 11
- Views: 1288
Re: Question Owner Financing
I did the exact same thing for my step son & his family about 4 years ago. I refinanced my mortgage with cash out, shopped with them for a foreclosure and paid cash. Sold it to them the next day acting as the mortgagee. I did this all with a real estate lawyer. It was actually a contract for deed tr...
- Wed Mar 12, 2014 3:16 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Favorite gadgets?
- Replies: 28
- Views: 2549
Re: Favorite gadgets?
1. Heated seated in car (laughed when the salesman touted these, but will never buy a car without them until I move south)
2. TV remote
4. Earphones (I have teenagers)
5. Apple corer/slicer
5. Water dispenser in the fridge
2. TV remote
4. Earphones (I have teenagers)
5. Apple corer/slicer
5. Water dispenser in the fridge