Search found 190 matches

by DrGrnTum
Tue Feb 20, 2024 10:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Photo enhancment software (using AI)
Replies: 20
Views: 1724

Re: Photo enhancment software

After doing some research, I believe I have found a utility that does a reasonable job of enhancing a photo. It is called VanceAI. It's not software that you purchase then download and install on your computer. You use the utility by uploading your picture to the site. You then use the tools that the site provides. There is an "AI Photo Enhancer". You use this to: "Sharpen", "Enlarge", and "DeNoise" It has an option to fix old cracked photos. It's called "AI Old Photo Restorer". To use the utility you purchase a package of credits. You use up a credit every time you download a photo. The site does not allow you switch back in forth between the utilities without losing access to that utilitie...
by DrGrnTum
Fri Feb 09, 2024 9:11 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 62 yrs old local gov employee retiring at 65
Replies: 13
Views: 2768

Re: 62 yrs old local gov employee retiring at 65

Moving money from a pre-tax account to a Roth account is a Roth conversation. Usually this is done when you feel that you are or will be in a lower tax bracket. Do you feel you will be in a lower tax bracket after you retire? If so, it may be a good idea to do the conversion at that time. It also depends on what you are going to do with the investment money. If you think you will be in a lower tax bracket in retirement and you need the money for income you may not need to do the conversion. You need to run some projections on your future income. Have you been to the CALPERS site and use their retirement calculator? You can use the calculator to get an estimate on your future pension. You can also request a formal to date pension estimate fr...
by DrGrnTum
Tue Jan 16, 2024 12:35 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 62 yrs old local gov employee retiring at 65
Replies: 13
Views: 2768

Re: 62 yrs old local gov employee retiring at 65

Opening a Roth Ira is a good option, but I would check to see if where you are presently investing has a Roth option.
A Roth 401k or a Roth 457.
These accounts allow you to contribute more money and have better protection against lawsuits.
An external IRA will give you better investment options.
by DrGrnTum
Mon Jan 15, 2024 5:53 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 62 yrs old local gov employee retiring at 65
Replies: 13
Views: 2768

Re: 62 yrs old local gov employee retiring at 65

Hello! I have been contributing to my 457 (my vested balance is 260K and change). I also have CALPERS pension. I will have 15 years of service. I understand that 457 plan does not give me wide variety options (ETFs, stocks, bonds, etc). I know this is a deferred tax plan compared to ROTH IRA or IRA for instance. I got a bump on my hourly rate in Jan/2024 and decided to increase my contribution to $900 biweekly. So, I wonder if it's worthwhile to roll my 457 over to a ROTH IRA now. Yes, my contributions would change from before tax to after tax. Your 2 cents is highly appreciated and thank you in advance. newbie Since you are a government employee with a CALPERs pension I will assume that your 457 is with Savings Plus? From what you stated ...
by DrGrnTum
Tue Oct 31, 2023 12:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Credit Cards You Can Use Instantly After Approval?
Replies: 14
Views: 2052

Re: Credit Cards You Can Use Instantly After Approval?

You might want to post your question at this Reddit site.

https://old.reddit.com/r/churning/

Make sure you post on the Daily Question thread.
Reddit people can be rude if you don't follow the rules.
by DrGrnTum
Mon Sep 18, 2023 7:54 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
Replies: 7203
Views: 1413560

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

Chisum trail wrote: Mon Sep 18, 2023 8:37 am Morning. Brand new to this forum. Can someone explain the downside to opening many credit cards for the bonuses? Or link me to a chat that already explains this questions. My credit score is above 810 and has been for many years. Zero chance of needing a loan in the future. I know opening many new cc accounts tend to lower your score, but why should I care. Thanks.
If you are looking for a downside argument, you can check out Dave Ramsey.
You can find him on Youtube.
I would venture to guess that most of the people that contribute to this tread believe his arguments are bogus.
If you spend some time educating yourself, credit cards are a tool to help you get "Cash Back" or help finance your vacations.
by DrGrnTum
Wed Aug 23, 2023 4:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Photo enhancment software (using AI)
Replies: 20
Views: 1724

Re: Photo enhancment software

In my research of my family's history I recovered a number of photos. A number of them were from high school yearbooks. I also found pictures from archived online newspapers. These photos are not of the best quality. Does anyone have a recommendation for photo enhancement software? At my old employment I had access to Adobe Photoshop. I found it fairly cumbersome to use. It seemed to me that one had to put in a good number of hours to become proficient with it. I am aware that there are services that will fix one's photos, but this comes with a price. Since I have a number of photos, using these services does not look to be cost effective. With the advent of AI, is there is now easy to use moderately priced software that can give good resu...
by DrGrnTum
Wed Aug 23, 2023 11:29 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Photo enhancment software (using AI)
Replies: 20
Views: 1724

Photo enhancment software (using AI)

In my research of my family's history I recovered a number of photos. A number of them were from high school yearbooks. I also found pictures from archived online newspapers. These photos are not of the best quality. Does anyone have a recommendation for photo enhancement software? At my old employment I had access to Adobe Photoshop. I found it fairly cumbersome to use. It seemed to me that one had to put in a good number of hours to become proficient with it. I am aware that there are services that will fix one's photos, but this comes with a price. Since I have a number of photos, using these services does not look to be cost effective. With the advent of AI, is there is now easy to use moderately priced software that can give good resul...
by DrGrnTum
Fri Aug 18, 2023 6:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: MEXICO City Trip for 4 days
Replies: 26
Views: 3984

Re: MEXICO City Trip for 4 days

Thank you, yes, we plan on using CBX, my wife is bit nervous to walk over the border and parking the car at CBX, we live north county of san diego so uber would be expensive. Any tips for CBX ? If you are using CBX, I would buy your tickets in advance. You can do this online. Give yourself plenty of time before you catch your flight. You have to park your car and then get to the CBX entrance. There could be a line at the CBX check in desk. Next, you will have to go through Mexican Immigration. Then you will have to get in line at the gate to check in for your flight. When you buy your tickets, pay attention to the charges for baggage. The flights from TJ can be low costs, but like the bargain airlines in the US, the Mexico airlines may cha...
by DrGrnTum
Thu Jul 20, 2023 4:13 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Roth Conversion Taxes
Replies: 52
Views: 6490

Re: Roth Conversion Taxes

A while back I posted a similar question on doing a Roth conversion. Here is the link to that thread. https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=364931 I was looking for someone to tell me that I was doing something drastically wrong. I did not get that from anybody. I did receive guidance on why I shouldn't do it. No real red flags came up that would stop me from doing the conversion. In my case I did not need the money and the money would be passed down to our children. This was my wife's account and the women in her family have lived into their nineties. If my wife has this longevity gene, I figure the money in the Roth account will sit and compound to a healthy amount. I think everyone's situation is different and one would have t...
by DrGrnTum
Thu Dec 01, 2022 2:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
Replies: 7203
Views: 1413560

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

Leesbro63 wrote: Thu Dec 01, 2022 1:43 pm
DrGrnTum wrote: Thu Dec 01, 2022 12:44 pm Here is a pretty good video on cycling your credit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4_vP3ts2y

On a CC churning site there are reports of Chase coming down hard on some people that do this.
These people report that Chase shuts down all their accounts.
They take back all their points from all their cards, close those cards and close their checking and savings accounts.
Says “video unavailable”
I am sorry. I forgot to test the link before I sent it out.
It should work now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4_vP3ts2yI&authuser=0
by DrGrnTum
Thu Dec 01, 2022 12:44 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
Replies: 7203
Views: 1413560

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

Here is a pretty good video on cycling your credit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4_vP3ts2y

On a CC churning site there are reports of Chase coming down hard on some people that do this.
These people report that Chase shuts down all their accounts.
They take back all their points from all their cards, close those cards and close their checking and savings accounts.
by DrGrnTum
Sun Jul 03, 2022 1:59 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Why do I keep getting rejected for credit cards?
Replies: 58
Views: 5807

Re: Why do I keep getting rejected for credit cards?

OP, If you want to play the CC bonus game you should learn the rules that the banks have implemented to control credit card churning. Here is a link that pretty well explains these rules for various banks. https://onemileatatime.com/guides/credit-card-application-rules/ Once you know the rules then you can plan your attack. The banks have a tendency to change these rules so you need to keep abreast of the changes. The Doctor of credit site that was called out in an earlier post is a good place to keep abreast of the best rewards that are being offered. Here is a B-Head thread where people discuss Credit Card Rewards Strategy. https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=192008&newpost=6757113 Things have changed so much sinc...
by DrGrnTum
Sat Jun 18, 2022 11:20 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Southwest Companion Pass
Replies: 8
Views: 1349

Re: Southwest Companion Pass

Here is a pretty good write-up on the companion pass.

https://old.reddit.com/r/churning/comme ... egathread/

Good Luck.
by DrGrnTum
Mon Feb 21, 2022 8:37 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity Cards Fraud
Replies: 25
Views: 3887

Re: Fidelity Cards Fraud

I wish the Fidelity HSA debit card could be locked... Mine is locked, I just checked. It’s easy to do on the website. Where? I don't see an option to lock, only: "Replace Card", "Manage PIN", "Manage Travel Notice", and "Order New Debit" card. I went to “cash management” and then “manage debit cards” and it says my card is locked with a button to unlock. Maybe I never activated it, not 100% sure. I know I locked my ATM cards so I assumed I locked this one. Could be mistaken. Yeah, I went there, no option to lock. I sent Fido a secure message to see if there was a way to lock. I currently have 100% invested, so $0 cash available to withdraw, so no immediate concern. Here is the link I have on my phone...
by DrGrnTum
Sun Feb 20, 2022 11:19 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity Cards Fraud
Replies: 25
Views: 3887

Re: Fidelity Cards Fraud

We have a Fidelity checking account that comes with a debit card.
We use the card to retrieve money from ATMs when we travel.
We get a better exchange rate this way.
Also, Fidelity reimburse ATM fees.
I believe the time our card got hacked was after I used it at a "Questionable" ATM.
They took out the max of $500.
Fidelity replaced the money, which was pretty cool.
Now, I have a link on my phone that takes me to Fidelity's debit card management site.
There I can lock and unlock the card.
I unlock it when i need to take money out.
After I take the money out, i immediately lock it back up again.
I don't have a Fidelity CC.
by DrGrnTum
Thu Jan 20, 2022 5:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Revocable Trust IRA Beneficiaries:
Replies: 36
Views: 3278

Re: Revocable Trust IRA Beneficiaries:

Ranunculus wrote: Wed Jan 19, 2022 11:03 am Wouldn't distributions from an IRA to a trust be considered income to the trust? If so, any amount over $13,000 that is not distributed to beneficiaries in the year it is deposited in the trust would be taxed at a rate of 37%. If the trust does distribute the full amount to beneficiaries each year then there is no reason to have it in trust in the first place. Unless your IRA is small, or beneficiaries are wildly irresponsible spendthrifts, it would seem the better strategy is to name them as beneficiaries of the IRA and skip the trust.
Would this same 37% tax also apply if a Roth IRA was distributed to a trust?
by DrGrnTum
Thu Dec 23, 2021 12:54 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: has anyone done a tIRA to roth conversion on line at Vanguard?
Replies: 41
Views: 3680

Re: has anyone done a tIRA to roth conversion on line at Vanguard?

capsan, my IRA account shows two settlement accounts. One that is inside the IRA and one that is outside the IRA. The one that is outside the IRA has a different account number. This year I moved the full amount I wanted to convert to the settlement account that was within the IRA. I called out that this is where the conversion is to pull from and submitted the request. A few days later I received a notice that it had failed. I checked my paperwork from last year and noticed that I had successfully done the conversion when I had used the settlement account that was outside the IRA. This is the settlement account that has a different account number. I am going to submit the request again using the procedures that I used last year. I think it...
by DrGrnTum
Sun Dec 19, 2021 5:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Doing a Roth conversion and withholding for taxes
Replies: 46
Views: 4362

Re: Doing a Roth conversion and withholding for taxes

I have tried to read all the posts on this site about Roth Conversions. I think only one other time has someone mentioned doing Roth conversion and withholding money from the account. I have searched the internet and watched many Youtube videos. Everyone says it’s better to pay the taxes from another after tax asset. I get this. But what if you don’t have another account to pay the taxes with? I'm assuming you do have a checking account, right? I calculate how much to convert in January, and do it immediately. I also calculate the appropriate amount of taxes from the conversion, and schedule four estimated payments that are automatically deducted from my checking account. At the start of the appropriate month, I withdraw enough from the Ro...
by DrGrnTum
Sat Dec 18, 2021 6:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Doing a Roth conversion and withholding for taxes
Replies: 46
Views: 4362

Re: Doing a Roth conversion and withholding for taxes

I have done tax projections and just income from our SS and my pensions will put us in the 25% tax bracket. The 24% tax bracket for single $86,376 to $164,925 and married $172,751 to $329,850 gives you 79k or 160k bracket to fill. As long as your projected income (SS + pension + other) plus RMD doesn't exceed the 24% tax bracket at peak around age 95, you're fine keeping some tIRA balance. If you start with $1M, RMD start around $44k and peak at $113k. You may be able to use the extra 24% bracket in the earlier RMD years to further reduce the balance at 24% and avoid going into the next higher bracket. IRMAA and other considerations further complicate plans. Where are left over tIRA funds going to wind up? If there is a tax-free (donation)...
by DrGrnTum
Fri Dec 17, 2021 10:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Doing a Roth conversion and withholding for taxes
Replies: 46
Views: 4362

Re: Doing a Roth conversion and withholding for taxes

I have tried to read all the posts on this site about Roth Conversions. I think only one other time has someone mentioned doing Roth conversion and withholding money from the account. I have searched the internet and watched many Youtube videos. Everyone says it’s better to pay the taxes from another after tax asset. I get this. But what if you don’t have another account to pay the taxes with? ... I did a small conversion last year and withholding the money did not create an issue with my taxes. It’s the same as when we used to take distributions from the account. You take out X. From X you withhold Y for taxes. You are left with Z. I ran a number of tax projections to make sure I was withholding the correct amount for our total income. We...
by DrGrnTum
Fri Dec 17, 2021 7:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Doing a Roth conversion and withholding for taxes
Replies: 46
Views: 4362

Re: Doing a Roth conversion and withholding for taxes

I have tried to read all the posts on this site about Roth Conversions. I think only one other time has someone mentioned doing Roth conversion and withholding money from the account. I have searched the internet and watched many Youtube videos. Everyone says it’s better to pay the taxes from another after tax asset. I get this. But what if you don’t have another account to pay the taxes with? In our case, my wife and I are both taking SS and I have a State pension that reimburses my IRMAA surcharge. Money from my pension and our SS are enough to cover our monthly cost of living expenses in retirement. I am well over 59 ½. We don’t need the money from the IRA. The amount is in the 6 figures. The tax brackets will be changing in 2026. To me...
by DrGrnTum
Fri Dec 17, 2021 7:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Doing a Roth conversion and withholding for taxes
Replies: 46
Views: 4362

Re: Doing a Roth conversion and withholding for taxes

If you again do Roth Conversions while withholding for taxes, it may be easier to first sell the total amount you want to convert and place those funds in the IRA MM settlement account. Then do the conversion again as you initially did. This what I did last year. I think the difference between what you did, and what Vanguard did for me, is that you sold 100% of your Roth conversion amount to cash, then repurchased shares when the net amount of cash, after withholding, landed in your Roth account. The way I did it, I only sold the withholding amount to cash. The net amount of my conversion was transferred in kind to my Roth account. Were you "out of the market" for a few days on the net amount of your Roth conversion? If so, and i...
by DrGrnTum
Fri Dec 17, 2021 4:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Doing a Roth conversion and withholding for taxes
Replies: 46
Views: 4362

Re: Doing a Roth conversion and withholding for taxes

infotrader wrote: Fri Dec 17, 2021 8:13 am If I had 6 figure tax-deferred balance, I probably would not do a conversion, let alone to convert it completely.
It is better to have diversification of accounts.
“Diversification of account” This is something I have considered. There could be times in the future when it would be advantages to pull money out from the IRA. Major hospital expenses not covered by my Kaiser Senior Advantage plan come to mind. It is a struggle for me to make a decision based on something that is a maybe, opposed to something that is assured.
by DrGrnTum
Fri Dec 17, 2021 4:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Doing a Roth conversion and withholding for taxes
Replies: 46
Views: 4362

Re: Doing a Roth conversion and withholding for taxes

... at Vanguard and Fidelity, I could not find a way to withhold from Roth Conversions via the website--they wanted/needed me to call (which was confirmed with Fidelity customer support). So as to avoid the risk of miscommunications, at each broker, I converted to Roth in one step, then as step 2, withdrew a bit more than the tax due--and had the transaction withheld at 99%. (Neither company would allow 100% withholding via the web interface.) Vanguard has a “Hokey” way of doing it. They have me move the amount I want converted to a Money Market account that is part of my IRA. They sent me an internal message to my account that contains a link. That link takes me to an interface that prompts me to input all the information. At the end, tha...
by DrGrnTum
Thu Dec 16, 2021 8:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Doing a Roth conversion and withholding for taxes
Replies: 46
Views: 4362

Re: Doing a Roth conversion and withholding for taxes

I have tried to read all the posts on this site about Roth Conversions. I think only one other time has someone mentioned doing Roth conversion and withholding money from the account. I have searched the internet and watched many Youtube videos. Everyone says it’s better to pay the taxes from another after tax asset. I get this. But what if you don’t have another account to pay the taxes with? ... I did a small conversion last year and withholding the money did not create an issue with my taxes. It’s the same as when we used to take distributions from the account. You take out X. From X you withhold Y for taxes. You are left with Z. I ran a number of tax projections to make sure I was withholding the correct amount for our total income. We...
by DrGrnTum
Thu Dec 16, 2021 7:47 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Doing a Roth conversion and withholding for taxes
Replies: 46
Views: 4362

Re: Doing a Roth conversion and withholding for taxes

samsoes wrote: Thu Dec 16, 2021 7:30 pm You don't have to have the taxes withheld from "another account" at the time of the conversion. Not at all. When you file your taxes (or make estimated payments), you of course have to pay the tax due from some other source -- your checking account, savings, etc. -- at that time. That's what's meant by paying the taxes from "another account."
You are correct. I understand the concept.
I stated the process wrong.
Thanks for clarifying that.
by DrGrnTum
Thu Dec 16, 2021 7:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Doing a Roth conversion and withholding for taxes
Replies: 46
Views: 4362

Re: Doing a Roth conversion and withholding for taxes

retiredjg wrote: Thu Dec 16, 2021 7:37 pm
retiredjg wrote: Thu Dec 16, 2021 6:37 pm If you don't have another account from which to pay the taxes, I would think it is obvious you need to pay the taxes by withholding from the conversion.
I suppose there is an exception - you could pay it from salary.
I am retired. The money that is coming in is what we live on.
by DrGrnTum
Thu Dec 16, 2021 7:22 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Doing a Roth conversion and withholding for taxes
Replies: 46
Views: 4362

Re: Doing a Roth conversion and withholding for taxes

If you don't have another account from which to pay the taxes, I would think it is obvious you need to pay the taxes by withholding from the conversion. There is no problem in doing this - I do it each year. I just think of it as giving Uncle Sam what is his already. I don't think there is a need to convert everything to Roth. Leaving some in tIRA can have some benefits. But....Are you saying you will be in the 25% bracket when tax rates revert in 2026? And you can get it all converted at 24% before then? That could make some sense...except that I think you are moving from something less than 24% up to 24% to get it all done. It is not clear to me that is going to work out better. If you don't do any Roth conversions, what is your tax brac...
by DrGrnTum
Thu Dec 16, 2021 5:55 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Doing a Roth conversion and withholding for taxes
Replies: 46
Views: 4362

Doing a Roth conversion and withholding for taxes

I have tried to read all the posts on this site about Roth Conversions. I think only one other time has someone mentioned doing Roth conversion and withholding money from the account. I have searched the internet and watched many Youtube videos. Everyone says it’s better to pay the taxes from another after tax asset. I get this. But what if you don’t have another account to pay the taxes with? In our case, my wife and I are both taking SS and I have a State pension that reimburses my IRMAA surcharge. Money from my pension and our SS are enough to cover our monthly cost of living expenses in retirement. I am well over 59 ½. We don’t need the money from the IRA. The amount is in the 6 figures. The tax brackets will be changing in 2026. To me ...
by DrGrnTum
Sun Dec 05, 2021 11:08 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Creating a negative balance on a credit card to make a charge that's greater than the credit line
Replies: 33
Views: 3898

Re: Creating a negative balance on a credit card to make a charge that's greater than the credit line

Some people have got their cards shutdown by cycling their credit within a month (making payments within the month to have total spend within the month greater than the credit limit). Credit card companies do not look kindly on these games. Call them to get a credit limit increase or find another card. I've never heard of anyone getting shut down for one overpayment. It's not cycling. Cycling tends to be associated with manufactured spending. E.g.: Week 1: Charge 25k on a 30k limit. Pay 25k. Week 2: Charge 25k. Pay 25k. Rinse and repeat until shut down. Why would credit card companies be opposed to this? Banks assign you a credit limit based on the information you provide on your CC application and the information they pull from your credi...
by DrGrnTum
Sat Nov 06, 2021 12:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Solar Cost Estimate
Replies: 31
Views: 3306

Re: Solar Cost Estimate

I live in SoCal and will be going with Tesla for my Solar install. 
They will install a system that includes panels and a Powerwall battery.
The battery is supposed to be good for a day and a half of power.
Their quote was only around 1k more than what others were offering for just the panel install.
I checked and their panel sizing and output was the same as the other offerings.
Their panel install quote was less than 1/2 the cost of the total package.
The install for everything will be 19k.

One thing about Tesla Solar is their customer service has been totally non-existent. 
Everything has been done online. 
No one has called to discuss anything.
Will see how everything turns out.
by DrGrnTum
Wed Oct 27, 2021 1:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: American Airlines revamps status program. Credit card strategy?
Replies: 6
Views: 1323

Re: American Airlines revamps status program. Credit card strategy?

Dr. of Credit also has a review on this.

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/american ... -extended/

Scroll down to the end of his write-up and you can follow the discussions on what people think.

I frankly would not put all my spend on one card.
I put my everyday spend on cards that earn me Chase Ultimate reward points.
Chase Sapphire, Freedom and Freedom unlimited.
I can pool these points and they are a lot more flexible to use.
I also supplement my reward point total by signing up for new cards that offer a big sign up bonus.

The simplicity of one card does work for many.
You just need to decide if using one card meets your needs.
by DrGrnTum
Mon Oct 25, 2021 11:09 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Best Credit Card Signup Bonus at the Moment?
Replies: 70
Views: 7910

Re: Best Credit Card Signup Bonus at the Moment?

Chase Sapphire Preferred in branch application still has the 100k points offer (worth minimally $1000 as cash back, can be more if used for travel). I canceled my last sapphire card 1/19/2018. Would I qualify for a new one or does sapphire still require the 4 year period? Thanks! Were you the only one to have the Sapphire card? Your wife could apply for it. That Sapphire Preferred card with 100k bonus and the 125k Amex Platinum in my opinion are the best offers around now. My wife is an authorized user on my Sapphire card, if she applies for her own can she get the bonus? Yes. It has been a while since I signed up for a Chase card where I was an authorized user on my wife's account. I was initially denied. I called up the Chase CC dispute ...
by DrGrnTum
Mon Oct 25, 2021 10:08 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Best Credit Card Signup Bonus at the Moment?
Replies: 70
Views: 7910

Re: Best Credit Card Signup Bonus at the Moment?

fortfun wrote: Sun Oct 24, 2021 6:56 pm
MrJedi wrote: Sun Oct 24, 2021 12:40 pm Chase Sapphire Preferred in branch application still has the 100k points offer (worth minimally $1000 as cash back, can be more if used for travel).
I canceled my last sapphire card 1/19/2018. Would I qualify for a new one or does sapphire still require the 4 year period? Thanks!
Were you the only one to have the Sapphire card?
Your wife could apply for it.
That Sapphire Preferred card with 100k bonus and the 125k Amex Platinum in my opinion are the best offers around now.
by DrGrnTum
Tue Oct 05, 2021 9:51 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: CSP new offer: 100,000 bonus points
Replies: 154
Views: 21378

Re: CSP new offer: 100,000 bonus points

This may be an interest to those that have been sitting on the fence on whether to apply for this card.
A number of CC blog sites are reporting that the 100k signup bonus will be ending tomorrow, 10/6/2021.
by DrGrnTum
Mon Oct 04, 2021 10:34 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: [GameStop GME trading mega-thread]
Replies: 5086
Views: 396804

Re: [GameStop GME trading mega-thread]

health teacher wrote: Sun Oct 03, 2021 7:01 pm
lazynovice wrote: Sun Oct 03, 2021 3:29 pm GME down to $177. Any Bogleheads still hodling?
Diamond hands :D
To the Moon!!! 🚀🚀🚀🚀
by DrGrnTum
Mon Oct 04, 2021 10:17 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Open local checking to deposit cash?
Replies: 21
Views: 1825

Re: Open local checking to deposit cash?

I have opened a number of bank accounts, primarily for bonus.
After I meet all the qualifications, I close them.
I keep a few open to move money through them such as you are proposing.
Searching the bank name on the website entitled Doctor of Credit it shows that they do a soft pull.
You will not get a hit on your credit.

If there are no fees and no minimum balance requirements, you should be fine.
by DrGrnTum
Wed Sep 15, 2021 6:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
Replies: 7203
Views: 1413560

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

For those that care, Q4 Chase Freedom categories are Paypal and Walmart. I found Paypal pretty easy to spend last holiday season, as many online vendors will take it. For the Paypal 5% category, I've found that the best way for me is to just pay federal taxes using Paypal on payusatax.com. Simple to maximize the category and I don't need to bother with Paypal for anything else. (My wife and I have 4 Chase Freedoms between the two of us). So when you pay your taxes with the 4 CFs with Paypal you are basically floating 6K until you get your money back from the IRS? Did you do this last year? Did it take a longer time than usual to get the money back? I believe I read that some people that did this trick had to wait longer than usual to get t...
by DrGrnTum
Fri Sep 03, 2021 10:27 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Brokerage transfers; credit card churning -- anything else?
Replies: 12
Views: 1723

Re: Brokerage transfers; credit card churning -- anything else?

You can do a Refi on your house for a 2k Amex bonus. Rocket Mortgage and Better Mortgage are offering the bonus when you do a refi and you have a Amex CC. You don't have to use the CC for any money transaction when doing the refi. You just have to have one. From what I have read, just about any Amex CC will qualify. You have to be able to do a "No Cost Refi" for this to work. The process to do this is called out in this lengthy B-Head tread. https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=289559&newpost=6206648 There is a user that posts there quite a bit and in my mind has become an expert on doing refi's. This user is very helpful to others. By my count, last year the person did four of these refi's. Better Mortgage...
by DrGrnTum
Tue Jul 20, 2021 11:39 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Chase bonuses
Replies: 21
Views: 2570

Re: Chase bonuses

What is your goal for the Chase UR bonuses? Are you looking for Cash Back? Do you plan to use the points for travel? Either way, you are limiting your options by sticking with the UR program. Did you just get the Chase Preferred? If you received the bonus longer than 48 mo. ago then you can downgrade the card to a Flex or Unlimited. When you change a card like this it will also not count against your 5/24. If you just got the Preferred and you don’t have a business you are pretty my much SOL if you want big bonuses with UR. If you have a significant other you can have them sign up for the Preferred. You can try signing up for a card for your “Business” but just know that the banks have been cracking down on the loop-holes that people have b...
by DrGrnTum
Sat Jul 17, 2021 11:13 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Recommended credit card with initial spend of $3000 for bonus
Replies: 12
Views: 1503

Re: Recommended credit card with initial spend of $3000 for bonus

The Chase Sapphire Preferred is the best 100K bonus presently
You already have the Freedom Unlimited.
You can product change your Sapphire Reserve to a Freedom Flex
You can then apply for the CP.
Then your wife can also apply for her own CP.
If she does this, make sure she applies through your reversal link. You will get an additional 20k
As others have stated, this is all explained in this thread:

viewtopic.php?t=350902
by DrGrnTum
Wed Jul 14, 2021 9:34 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Why take any risk when expecting a pension?
Replies: 68
Views: 9737

Re: Why take any risk when expecting a pension?

Here is an announcement that CalPERS just released.
21.3% investment returns for 2020-21 fiscal year.
This may or may not ease one's worries on the risk factor with a CalPERS pension.
By itself the announcement would somewhat indicate that they know what they are doing.

https://www.calpers.ca.gov/page/newsroo ... pplemental
by DrGrnTum
Mon Jul 12, 2021 5:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: CSP new offer: 100,000 bonus points
Replies: 154
Views: 21378

Re: CSP new offer: 100,000 bonus points

Do you know if spouses can both apply separately and both get the 100K bonus? Yes, just do not add each other as authorized users. You can claim all the household income to apply even though you are applying seperately. Why is that? I just got the CSP and added my husband as an authorized user. Will that prevent him from getting his own? People can separately hold a certain card and also cross authorize. It could happen that he will not qualify for bonus in that case, but you would have to dig that out of the T@Cs if it is true. Sometimes being an authorized user helps a person get certain privileges. I think the Citi Exec card might work that way for Admiral Club access. I know spouses can exchange each others AMEX points into the cross-c...
by DrGrnTum
Mon Jul 12, 2021 12:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: CSP new offer: 100,000 bonus points
Replies: 154
Views: 21378

Re: CSP new offer: 100,000 bonus points

According to Dr. Of Credit, the in branch sign up promotion is ending July 17.

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/chase-sa ... nnual-fee/
by DrGrnTum
Mon Jul 12, 2021 12:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Streaming service for Movies & TV?
Replies: 15
Views: 1450

Re: Streaming service for Movies & TV?

YouTube Tv

Last I checked it was one of the cheapest streaming service around.
Although they are know for raising their prices.

For basic TV you get local network stations.

They also have additional extra Movie packages. HBO Max being one.
You could also pay to rent a single currently released movie.

They also let you share your account with five members of your family.
I hooked up all my kids and my brother.

Getting this service finally let me get rid of my hardline phone.
Cable company in my area would only sell me a package for for my TV service.
by DrGrnTum
Fri Jul 02, 2021 2:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: CALPERS Pension - How to Calculate Final Compensation for Part Time Employee
Replies: 10
Views: 1659

Re: CALPERS Pension - How to Calculate Final Compensation for Part Time Employee

Your mother needs to get access to her employment history. When I worked for the State, this was done on line. This should show employment status and hours worked for the last pay period. There she should also see any vacation and sick leave time she has on the books. Also, on there will be any paid time off such as personal holidays, holiday leave and any other leave credits. Down load a copy of this employment record. She should then make an appointment with her HR representative. Show the employment record to the HR person and ask which hours can be added to her retirement hours. Some hours can be added and others will need to be cashed out when she retires. With this information she can then login to the PERS site. There she should see ...
by DrGrnTum
Wed Jun 30, 2021 5:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Refinance Mega Thread
Replies: 12862
Views: 1265533

Re: Refinance Mega Thread

chazas wrote: Wed Jun 30, 2021 5:12 pm Well it looks like I’m doing this again. Early this year I happily closed on a 2.125% 15 year from LoanDepot. I saw some teaser rates a couple of weeks ago that were really low and followed up with Better and LoanDepot, but it didn’t pan out (too soon to refi at LoanDepot and Better jacked up the rates when I said no escrows).

I just logged onto Better and it now looks like they’re offering 1.875% for a no escrows loan with enough lender credits to cover closing costs. With the Amex offer seems like a no brainer.

How low can it go?
Here in CA. Owning is offering 1.857% 15 yr. no closing cost.
I refied last time to 2.375% 15yr with Better.
I am waiting on 1.5%
by DrGrnTum
Wed Jun 30, 2021 5:14 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Refinance Mega Thread
Replies: 12862
Views: 1265533

Re: Refinance Mega Thread

This may be an interest to some people. Here is another promotion Amex is offering through Rocket Mortgage. 2k for a conforming mortgage refi. 6k for a jumbo mortgage. https://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/loans/rocket-mortgage/ Yesterday I opened an AMEX Blue Cash Everyday card and contacted better.com about the AMEX offer. They said that they can add the offer to my application, but ultimately it needs to be verified by AMEX as it is a targeted offer (e.g. I need to receive an email from the AMEX about the offer to know that I'm eligible). Can anyone confirm this? My guess is the rocket mortgage offer may be a similar situation? Thanks. This was discussed here in this tread the last time Better offered the Amex bonus. I was not targeted ...
by DrGrnTum
Wed Jun 30, 2021 9:19 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Refinance Mega Thread
Replies: 12862
Views: 1265533

Re: Refinance Mega Thread

This may be an interest to some people.
Here is another promotion Amex is offering through Rocket Mortgage.
2k for a conforming mortgage refi.
6k for a jumbo mortgage.

https://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/l ... -mortgage/