Search found 1528 matches

by Swansea
Wed Mar 27, 2024 7:17 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dogs in a SUV: best way?
Replies: 19
Views: 969

Re: Dogs in a SUV: best way?

I have not used these, it's worth checking them out. https://www.gopetfriendly.com/blog/cras ... harnesses/
by Swansea
Mon Mar 25, 2024 7:17 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Does It Ever Make Sense For FEHB Enrollees To Drop Part B?
Replies: 24
Views: 1489

Re: Does It Ever Make Sense For FEHB Enrollees To Drop Part B?

I took Medicare B at age 65. Dropped it 10 years ago as IRMAA costs far out stripped the benefits. I have sufficient funds to pay bills until catastrophic protection kicks in. It was a good decision for me.
by Swansea
Fri Mar 22, 2024 7:21 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Toys Have You Bought That Have Been Worth it?
Replies: 249
Views: 17825

Re: What Toys Have You Bought That Have Been Worth it?

1998 BMW bought new and still fun to drive.
by Swansea
Tue Mar 19, 2024 3:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Selecting Charities for Donation
Replies: 67
Views: 9762

Re: Selecting Charities for Donation

Timon0201 wrote: Wed Nov 19, 2014 5:07 pm organizations should be able to provide copies of their Form 990 tax returns. The tax return breaks out how much of their expenses goes into actual programs, administrative expenses, and fundraising. It also shows how much they compensate the officers, board members, etc and how many people get paid over $100K. I look at these things before I put money into an organization.
Yes, always check the 990s. Also, for local charities volunteering will give great insight.
by Swansea
Fri Mar 15, 2024 2:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: I will need a new car or repair one
Replies: 46
Views: 2205

Re: I will need a new car or repair one

From CarTalk:
How Much Does It Cost To Replace Ball Joints?

For most mainstream vehicles, the approximate cost to replace a ball joint is between $250 and $500 per ball joint replaced. If you own a fancy European vehicle, plan to pay more. If you own a sports car, the cost is also likely to be a bit higher. EVs have ball joints too, but there isn’t anything unusual about electrified vehicles when it comes to suspensions. An alignment is usually about $100.
Give an independent shop a try.
by Swansea
Fri Mar 08, 2024 11:52 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: some turbo tax questions and paper filing
Replies: 30
Views: 2620

Re: some turbo tax questions and paper filing

Concerning paper filing, there are some stats from a couple of years back that paper filed returns are far less frequently audited. Just fyi Well, that is a piece of good news as TT was unable to file my forms electronically because both options to pay for state tax failed. I owed, so could not deduct from a refund. Using a credit card failed? The screen to enter cc information did not work. There was a link to a phone # where a code would be provided to make payment. It did not work. During the over 2 hours with two representatives, those were the only payment options offered. I used a credit card without any problem, so I was surprised that yout attempt was not successful. Do you have an Intuit ID & password? That’s how I got to the ...
by Swansea
Fri Mar 08, 2024 4:51 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: some turbo tax questions and paper filing
Replies: 30
Views: 2620

Re: some turbo tax questions and paper filing

delamer wrote: Thu Mar 07, 2024 5:00 pm
Swansea wrote: Thu Mar 07, 2024 3:49 pm
ttboy wrote: Thu Mar 07, 2024 10:57 am Concerning paper filing, there are some stats from a couple of years back that paper filed returns are far less frequently audited. Just fyi
Well, that is a piece of good news as TT was unable to file my forms electronically because both options to pay for state tax failed. I owed, so could not deduct from a refund.
Using a credit card failed?
The screen to enter cc information did not work. There was a link to a phone # where a code would be provided to make payment. It did not work. During the over 2 hours with two representatives, those were the only payment options offered.
by Swansea
Thu Mar 07, 2024 3:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: some turbo tax questions and paper filing
Replies: 30
Views: 2620

Re: some turbo tax questions and paper filing

ttboy wrote: Thu Mar 07, 2024 10:57 am Concerning paper filing, there are some stats from a couple of years back that paper filed returns are far less frequently audited. Just fyi
Well, that is a piece of good news as TT was unable to file my forms electronically because both options to pay for state tax failed. I owed, so could not deduct from a refund.
by Swansea
Thu Mar 07, 2024 8:00 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: When to switch from dealer to independent for service
Replies: 52
Views: 4331

Re: When to switch from dealer to independent for service

The answer to your question, OP, is "SWITCH NOW" and there is absolutely no reason not to do it. Personally, I avoid dealers like the plague. Literally the only part of the dealership that doesn't try to sell me crap I don't need at a price I can't afford is the parts department (and even then, "price I can't afford" often applies - aftermarket parts can be just as good as factory and significantly cheaper - and sometimes even factory parts are cheaper than the local dealer's price when ordered online). The "service advisors" tend to be ignorant people who know less about my car than I do after I do my internet research on whatever problem I'm noticing. Why would I subject myself to this hellish experience whe...
by Swansea
Sun Mar 03, 2024 7:55 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cost for tickets to Duke basketball game?
Replies: 7
Views: 1571

Re: Cost for tickets to Duke basketball game?

Ticket prices for the next game with UNC start at $1300. I heard someone once paid 10K for a Duke vs UNC game at Cameron.
Go Duke!
by Swansea
Tue Feb 27, 2024 4:59 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Life Annuity through TSP (fed employees/retirees)
Replies: 6
Views: 1173

Re: Life Annuity through TSP (fed employees/retirees)

I advised hundreds of Feds (mostly CSRS) on retirement issues. No one expressed interest in a TSP annuity. I do remember crunching some numbers which showed that if taken, it was best to do so in a period of high interest rates. Pls see below:

https://www.fedsmith.com/2023/03/06/sho ... ty-option/
by Swansea
Thu Feb 15, 2024 4:40 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Younger spouse's FERS: 25% survivor benefit?
Replies: 9
Views: 937

Re: Younger spouse's FERS: 25% survivor benefit?

RetiredInTheWest wrote: Wed Feb 14, 2024 8:48 pm Thanks much for the replies! Good points about income lost from social security as well. We have modeled everything extensively and are fine with that too. We are all about the healthcare though.

I just thought it was curious that not taking the 50% survivor benefit now requires a notorized signature from the non-federal spouse. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something.

25% it is.
The signature has been required for quite some time. Some annuitants were not leaving a benefit, and not telling their spouse. Hence the requirement.
by Swansea
Mon Feb 12, 2024 9:11 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Taxation of Treasury bills, notes and bonds
Replies: 1073
Views: 156748

Re: Turbo Tax not deducting federal bond income from state income

joe-kr wrote: Mon Feb 12, 2024 8:55 am
Swansea wrote: Mon Feb 12, 2024 8:43 am I uploaded the 1099Ds forms into TT, but my gross income for state did not subtract federal obligations income.
The state of Maryland has a line for subtracting the income but I can figure out how to edit it. I know the % needed adjust the totals on the forms.
On my download software version, it works like this: You do this in the Federal tax section. Edit your dividends, then click continue.

It should ask about the federal ID number, click continue, then you should see a list of situations, click the box for “A portion of these dividends is US Gov Interest”
Click continue and enter the percentage that is US Gov obligations. This will then carry over to the state section.
Great, worked like a charm. Thank you very much!
by Swansea
Mon Feb 12, 2024 8:43 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Taxation of Treasury bills, notes and bonds
Replies: 1073
Views: 156748

Turbo Tax not deducting federal bond income from state income

[Thread merged into here --admin LadyGeek]

I uploaded the 1099Ds forms into TT, but my gross income for state did not subtract federal obligations income.
The state of Maryland has a line for subtracting the income but I can figure out how to edit it. I know the % needed adjust the totals on the forms.
by Swansea
Mon Feb 05, 2024 12:36 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Vanguard’s confusing 1099-DIVs
Replies: 40
Views: 6176

Re: Vanguard’s confusing 1099-DIVs

A Google search said uploads would happen in 3 stages this month, but I have nothing from Vanguard.
by Swansea
Mon Feb 05, 2024 10:30 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Vanguard’s confusing 1099-DIVs
Replies: 40
Views: 6176

Re: Vanguard’s confusing 1099-DIVs

I copied my Vanguard 1099 and saved them. Tried to upload them into turbo tax, but no luck so far.
by Swansea
Thu Feb 01, 2024 8:42 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: New Marriage as a FERS annuitant, TSP is no longer >mine< alone
Replies: 10
Views: 1220

Re: New Marriage as a FERS annuitant, TSP is no longer >mine< alone

rkhusky wrote: Wed Jan 31, 2024 9:38 pm I was under the impression that all 401k’s had this provision.
The TSP is similar to a 401K, but operates under different rules. For example, the limit on annual contributions sometimes differs from that of a 401K...at least it did when I was a Fed.
by Swansea
Sat Jan 27, 2024 9:51 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard Customer Service Mega-thread
Replies: 1514
Views: 169402

Re: Switched to Fidelity due to terrible service from Vanguard

I am thinking of making the same move. Earlier this year I decided to select e delivery for my tax forms. They were sent electronically along with a statement that no hard copy would be sent.
by Swansea
Fri Jan 26, 2024 6:37 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Advice for Miami and Keys Trip?
Replies: 22
Views: 2525

Re: Advice for Miami and Keys Trip?

I spent many delightful days at the beach at Key Biscayne, just look out for "men of war," those jellyfish can really sting...they are seasonal.
by Swansea
Tue Jan 23, 2024 3:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Contesting a will
Replies: 41
Views: 5280

Re: Contesting a will

HanSolo wrote: Tue Jan 23, 2024 2:13 pm
Swansea wrote: Mon Jan 22, 2024 4:38 am My will identifies my DFA and some long time friends as beneficiaries.
DFA = Dear Financial Advisor?
Typo, Donor Advised Fund
by Swansea
Mon Jan 22, 2024 4:38 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Contesting a will
Replies: 41
Views: 5280

Re: Contesting a will

I have a nephew that I had no contact with until he learned that I had a luxury car and stock holding. He called to remind me that he was the last living family member. I saw that for what it was.
My will identifies my DFA and some long time friends as beneficiaries. It also has a clause excluding the nephew.
by Swansea
Mon Jan 15, 2024 12:55 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Young Investor Seeking Advice on Thrift Savings Plan / Vanguard Integration
Replies: 16
Views: 1516

Re: Young Investor Seeking Advice on Thrift Savings Plan / Vanguard Integration

Assuming you are covered under FERS, take care not to lose matching $$ by meeting your $ limit too early. This may help. A benefits specialist can help also. https://www.tsp.gov/making-contribution ... ibute/#top
by Swansea
Fri Dec 29, 2023 2:07 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: DAF - Vanguard, Fidelity, or ?
Replies: 28
Views: 2449

Re: DAF - Vanguard, Fidelity, or ?

I am very pleased with Schwab. Site is easy and they communicate quite well.
by Swansea
Wed Dec 06, 2023 7:53 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Car Warranties & Maintenance at Dealer (Kia)
Replies: 6
Views: 829

Re: Car Warranties & Maintenance at Dealer (Kia)

Dealerships generally aren’t much more expensive for routine maintenance. In fact, I’ve found that they are a lot cheaper than the independent shops because the dealership constantly sends me coupons. The routine maintenance is sort of a loss leader. They want to get you in there and charge you $75 to change an air filter, or recommend much more expensive repairs. If you are under warranty, repairs should be covered. For things like filters and wiper blades, those are (generally) easy to do yourself. If you were out of warranty and the dealer recommends a repair, take the estimate the dealership gave you during the routine maintenance visit, and visit a good independent shop and compare. I found that the dealership is sometimes the same pr...
by Swansea
Thu Nov 30, 2023 7:39 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Rollover IRA to Fido or Schwab. Where’s the gotcha?
Replies: 8
Views: 867

Re: Rollover IRA to Fido or Schwab. Where’s the gotcha?

A friend did 2 rollovers from an ESOP to Fidelity, very smooth. Fidelity has clear guidance on their website.
by Swansea
Thu Nov 30, 2023 7:18 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Learning to fill own taxes
Replies: 33
Views: 4391

Re: Learning to fill own taxes

TwstdSista wrote: Thu Nov 30, 2023 5:21 am I learned to do our taxes manually (on paper) and then use tax software to confirm. If the numbers are too far off from each other, I track down the discrepancy and learn from it. I eventually set up a simple spreadsheet that covers our exact tax situation and I still use it to this day.
Good approach.
by Swansea
Wed Nov 29, 2023 7:25 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Slightly confused on what I owe from furnace maintenance visit and if I was scammed?
Replies: 77
Views: 8533

Re: Slightly confused on what I owe from furnace maintenance visit and if I was scammed?

On the pricing for a service visit, I live in a high COLA and annual fee for checking a gas furnace is $85. This seems unlikely. Perhaps that is the price for a 'regular' customer? No professional tradesperson can make money making a house call for $85. That's a minimum of 60-90 minutes of time. Time for the tech, time for the truck, time they could be doing another job. Some of our techs effectively have a list of their regular customers they might do this kind of deal for because they'll make up for it on larger jobs for you over time. But anyone who will come check any random customer's furnace for $85 is losing money. They quote a money losing price to get in the door. There will always be something wrong, and if there isn't .... That ...
by Swansea
Wed Nov 29, 2023 5:41 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Slightly confused on what I owe from furnace maintenance visit and if I was scammed?
Replies: 77
Views: 8533

Re: Slightly confused on what I owe from furnace maintenance visit and if I was scammed?

onourway wrote: Wed Nov 29, 2023 5:37 am
Swansea wrote: Wed Nov 29, 2023 4:50 am On the pricing for a service visit, I live in a high COLA and annual fee for checking a gas furnace is $85.
This seems unlikely. Perhaps that is the price for a 'regular' customer? No professional tradesperson can make money making a house call for $85. That's a minimum of 60-90 minutes of time. Time for the tech, time for the truck, time they could be doing another job. Some of our techs effectively have a list of their regular customers they might do this kind of deal for because they'll make up for it on larger jobs for you over time. But anyone who will come check any random customer's furnace for $85 is losing money.
You are correct, I am a regular customer.
by Swansea
Wed Nov 29, 2023 4:50 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Slightly confused on what I owe from furnace maintenance visit and if I was scammed?
Replies: 77
Views: 8533

Re: Slightly confused on what I owe from furnace maintenance visit and if I was scammed?

On the pricing for a service visit, I live in a high COLA and annual fee for checking a gas furnace is $85.
by Swansea
Mon Nov 27, 2023 4:52 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Transfer/Rollover Thrift Savings plan to Vanguard..?
Replies: 23
Views: 3126

Re: Transfer/Rollover Thrift Savings plan to Vanguard..?

chemocean wrote: Mon Nov 27, 2023 12:10 am If your uncle is married and has children and wishes his TSP to be inherited by the children after the aunt dies, there are some major restrictions that have huge tax ramifications.
I agree.
by Swansea
Sun Nov 26, 2023 1:04 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: EA vs CPA
Replies: 20
Views: 1812

Re: EA vs CPA

I know a CPA who hires someone to do her own, simple return.
by Swansea
Wed Nov 22, 2023 11:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Pet Insurance
Replies: 26
Views: 3185

Re: Pet Insurance

KESP wrote: Wed Nov 22, 2023 11:31 am I had insurance for my Newfoundland dog. My experience was the older she got the higher the premium was so that it was getting ridiculous. I decided to self insure. She ended up by getting bone cancer when she was nine. I did not treat it because with or without treatment most dogs do not live a year. My vet did not try to guilt me into anything. He did make sure I had plenty of pain meds on hand, and eventually made the decision to euthanize her. I personally would self-insure.
I did. Monies were set aside after I adopted. I have kept 10K for each year of his expected life span.
PS I had a Newfie in the 80s, great pet.
by Swansea
Sun Nov 19, 2023 8:34 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is it possible to over contribute to TSP?
Replies: 22
Views: 2577

Re: Is it possible to over contribute to TSP?

Also, to maximize, you need to adjust amount when there is a 27th pay day.
by Swansea
Sun Nov 19, 2023 6:57 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is it possible to over contribute to TSP?
Replies: 22
Views: 2577

Re: Is it possible to over contribute to TSP?

If you stop contributing too early, you risk losing the TSP match...unless things have changed since I left in 2005.
by Swansea
Thu Nov 16, 2023 8:34 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Internal Medicine or Family doc as primary?
Replies: 25
Views: 2501

Re: Internal Medicine or Family doc as primary?

Two things are important to me, and not in any order, training and engagement.
by Swansea
Mon Nov 13, 2023 9:10 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Waterproofing good shoes?
Replies: 23
Views: 2391

Re: Waterproofing good shoes?

snackdog wrote: Sun Nov 12, 2023 9:20 pm Just keep some rubbers handy and you should be ok in water, ice or snow.

Image
+1
by Swansea
Sun Nov 12, 2023 1:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do you clean/disinfect your phone? How?
Replies: 23
Views: 1646

Re: Do you clean/disinfect your phone? How?

Bacteria is everywhere in the environment, don't sweat the phone.
by Swansea
Sat Nov 11, 2023 12:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Where to donate car?
Replies: 22
Views: 2481

Re: Where to donate car?

How about a high school which has classes in auto mechanics?
by Swansea
Sat Nov 11, 2023 7:53 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Big News For Those On FEHB BCBS And Other Plans
Replies: 156
Views: 33230

Re: Big News For Those On FEHB BCBS And Other Plans

I saw a letter from BCBS envelope market Medicare on USPS informed delivery for 10/30. I never received it. For those who also received a letter around that time, did it indicate your opt out status or anything else of importance? Thanks If you go to your BCBS FEP site (you can set up your account if it's like it used to be), is there a place you can view/reprint documents/letters sent to you? Or, BCBS may be able to send you an email with attachment? I emailed them a request for a copy and was informed they could not provide one. Suggested I call a particular number for the information. That was the contact which entered my membership number and said I was not in the system. I speculate that maybe since I do not have Medicare B, I am not ...
by Swansea
Fri Nov 10, 2023 6:46 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Big News For Those On FEHB BCBS And Other Plans
Replies: 156
Views: 33230

Re: Big News For Those On FEHB BCBS And Other Plans

I saw a letter from BCBS envelope market Medicare on USPS informed delivery for 10/30. I never received it. For those who also received a letter around that time, did it indicate your opt out status or anything else of importance? Thanks If you go to your BCBS FEP site (you can set up your account if it's like it used to be), is there a place you can view/reprint documents/letters sent to you? Or, BCBS may be able to send you an email with attachment? I emailed them a request for a copy and was informed they could not provide one. Suggested I call a particular number for the information. That was the contact which entered my membership number and said I was not in the system. I speculate that maybe since I do not have Medicare B, I am not ...
by Swansea
Fri Nov 10, 2023 5:04 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Big News For Those On FEHB BCBS And Other Plans
Replies: 156
Views: 33230

Re: Big News For Those On FEHB BCBS And Other Plans

I saw a letter from BCBS envelope market Medicare on USPS informed delivery for 10/30. I never received it. For those who also received a letter around that time, did it indicate your opt out status or anything else of importance? Thanks If you go to your BCBS FEP site (you can set up your account if it's like it used to be), is there a place you can view/reprint documents/letters sent to you? Or, BCBS may be able to send you an email with attachment? I emailed them a request for a copy and was informed they could not provide one. Suggested I call a particular number for the information. That was the contact which entered my membership number and said I was not in the system. I speculate that maybe since I do not have Medicare B, I am not ...
by Swansea
Thu Nov 09, 2023 3:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Big News For Those On FEHB BCBS And Other Plans
Replies: 156
Views: 33230

Re: Big News For Those On FEHB BCBS And Other Plans

I saw a letter from BCBS envelope market Medicare on USPS informed delivery for 10/30. I never received it.
For those who also received a letter around that time, did it indicate your opt out status or anything else of importance?
Thanks
by Swansea
Thu Nov 09, 2023 5:01 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Big News For Those On FEHB BCBS And Other Plans
Replies: 156
Views: 33230

Re: Big News For Those On FEHB BCBS And Other Plans

Thanks to everyone for the ongoing conversation concerning this topic! DW and I are both retired Federal employees with Medicare Parts A & B and BCBS Basic. After looking at the new option and comparing the formularies for both plans, we decided to opt out. Our analysis was that if someone had expensive prescription needs, the new cap under MPDP could be a really great benefit. As we are using generics that are all Tier 1 drugs under the existing BCBS Basic plan, we see no need to switch. One really odd data point was that under the MPDP formulary one of my prescriptions, a generic with 20 mg dosage, was listed as a Tier 4, while the same generic drug in a 40 mg dosage was listed as Tier 1. Huh? It doesn’t make sense. Another reason we...
by Swansea
Wed Nov 08, 2023 7:16 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Big News For Those On FEHB BCBS And Other Plans
Replies: 156
Views: 33230

Re: Big News For Those On FEHB BCBS And Other Plans

I just called and opted out. I spoke to no live human being. It was a mix of inputting my BSCS ID number and speaking to a computer. I am supposed to receive a letter of confirmation. If you don't mind sharing, why did you make the decision to opt out given the slightly lower Rx cost and the lower catastrophic out of pocket max of the new Part D option? Just wondering if I am missing something. Four reasons: 1. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. My current drug coverage under FEHB BCBS has served me well for years, so I see no reason to tamper with success. 2. I never like to be in the first wave of participants in anything new. If the new drug program turns out to be better, I can join next year. If it has problems, I will be happy to have ...
by Swansea
Wed Nov 08, 2023 4:54 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Big News For Those On FEHB BCBS And Other Plans
Replies: 156
Views: 33230

Re: Big News For Those On FEHB BCBS And Other Plans

We decided to opt out as we have both FEHBP BCBS Standard and Tricare. Called three times and on hold for probably close to two hours total. But the representative we finally spoke to seemed competent and there was no push back on opting out. She could not provide a confirmation number for the call, but did provide her full name. We are supposed to receive a letter confirming our opt out. Hope this is helpful to you. I just called and opted out. I spoke to no live human being. It was a mix of inputting my BSCS ID number and speaking to a computer. I am supposed to receive a letter of confirmation. If you don't mind sharing, why did you make the decision to opt out given the slightly lower Rx cost and the lower catastrophic out of pocket ma...
by Swansea
Tue Nov 07, 2023 2:19 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Big News For Those On FEHB BCBS And Other Plans
Replies: 156
Views: 33230

Re: Big News For Those On FEHB BCBS And Other Plans

The automated opt out number failed to recognize my id#,...not encouraging.
by Swansea
Tue Nov 07, 2023 11:47 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Big News For Those On FEHB BCBS And Other Plans
Replies: 156
Views: 33230

Re: Big News For Those On FEHB BCBS And Other Plans

UpperNwGuy wrote: Tue Nov 07, 2023 11:09 am The letter I received from BCBS gave me a deadline of Nov 11 to opt out either by phone or by mail. I'm surprised that they're forcing me to make this decision so far in advance of the end of Open Season. I'm also surprised that they don't have a means to opt out in their website.

Have any forum members opted out? If so, did you do it by phone? Was there any push back by the customer service representative?
At least you got a letter, mine is MIA.
by Swansea
Tue Nov 07, 2023 4:52 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Beach Umbrella for Windy Days
Replies: 24
Views: 2696

Re: Beach Umbrella for Windy Days

Boglenaut wrote: Sun Nov 05, 2023 3:39 pm Safety first. Make sure it is well secured. I remember reading a news story about a woman being impaled by one blowing in the wind and dying. I will try to find it for you.

{Edit - I wont link because it could be disturbing, but if you search for it there appears to be more than one instance of death or serious injury from this.}
Yes, this does happen. When I was life guarding, always looked out for umbrellas that got loose.
by Swansea
Mon Nov 06, 2023 11:16 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: cross country drive in a 10 year old vehicle, thoughts?
Replies: 87
Views: 8664

Re: cross country drive in a 10 year old vehicle, thoughts?

Coolant change and hose and belt inspections come to mind. Pull up the factory recommended service guide for info.
by Swansea
Sun Nov 05, 2023 1:16 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Possible Vanguard Account Breach
Replies: 106
Views: 15315

Re: Possible Vanguard Account Breach

It happened to me a few days ago and tonight, I couldn't log in at all. My password wouldn't work and in fact, it seems somebody keeps changing it or it's some kind of glitch. I had to reset my login account and re-register again. But I think tonight, it was because their webpage was down due to maintenance. I'll try again in a few days. This is all very disconcerting 😟 It happened to me two days ago. Tried to log in, got the msg that account had been locked. Called Vanguard, verified my info and account was unlocked. Do you have an easy username? Someone could intentionally or not be using your username and putting in an incorrect password multiple times. Does Vanguard provide number of login attempts for your username? no, user name is n...