Search found 456 matches

by schnoodlemom
Fri Sep 30, 2016 12:22 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Incapacity: who should determine: Doctor or 2 trustees?
Replies: 20
Views: 3324

Re: Incapacity: who should determine: Doctor or 2 trustees?

Hi Mike, This is not my area of expertise, but I think there is value to having a medical opinion, since sometimes incapacitation is reversible delirium due to polypharmacy or illness. Hopefully your trustees would seek medical advice. My dad has a degenerative disorder with onset of dementia and his healthcare POA document states the need for signatures from his primary doctor and a second physician or psychologist who can do a neuropsych eval to declare him incompetent. As his primary patient advocate I have a blanket HIPPA waiver that he signed so I can communicate freely with his medical team right now, even though I am not yet his healthcare POA. A trusted team of eldercare attorney, accountant and billing from a trust company is handl...
by schnoodlemom
Fri Feb 12, 2016 6:52 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Key West and everglades trip
Replies: 41
Views: 6578

Re: Key West and everglades trip

Our extended family has vacationed in the Middle Keys (Islamorado & Marathon) for many winters, a 2.5-3 hour drive south on Highway 1 from FLL or MIA, with day-trips to Key West (an hour further south). A few times, we've stopped just inside the Everglades National Park entrance near Homestead to tour their visitor center and walk the Anhinga Trail. It's an easily accessible boardwalk, with alligators, birds and other wildlife viewing. On your way south in the Keys, if time & budget allow, here are some kid-friendly options: Wild Bird Rehab Center Theater of the Sea Feed tarpon at Robbie's Dolphin Research Center The Turtle Hospital Bahai Honda State Park There is a new Aquarium Encounters in Marathon, too, but we haven't visited. I...
by schnoodlemom
Thu Aug 27, 2015 8:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How much do you donate to your kid's public school?
Replies: 60
Views: 19751

Re: How much do you donate to your kid's public school?

Midwest suburb, large public school... only suggested donation is PTA which supports among other things a holiday dance and teacher appreciation luncheon.

Typically we donate:
$50/kid to PTA
$100/kid's extracurricular like cross-country, forensics etc.
$100 to district foundation
Countless dozens of cookies, cases of water bottles, other food items or classroom supplies like kleenexes, hand sanitizers, chlorox wipes etc, plus volunteer time.
by schnoodlemom
Mon Jul 27, 2015 2:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon Late March
Replies: 34
Views: 4576

Re: Zions, Bryce, Grand Canyon Late March

We did something very similar Mar 30 - Apr 7, 2012 with 2 daughters (12 & 15). It was our first trip southwest, so we tried to cover a lot of ground. We stopped in Sedona, Zion, Page (Lake Powell & Glen Canyon Dam), Grand Canyon South Rim. We had hoped to make Bryce too but wanted an extra day in Zion, our favorite spot of the whole trip. We'd even thought we could loop through Monument Valley but driving distances were just getting too long. The weather was dry, sunny and nice but temps varied greatly with time of day and altitude. We hiked in jeans and long sleeve shirts layering as needed with fleece jackets, nylon shells, hats and gloves. We'd love to go back to see what we missed on our first trip!
by schnoodlemom
Fri Jan 10, 2014 10:19 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Backdoor Roth in Money Market
Replies: 15
Views: 3072

Re: Backdoor Roth in Money Market

We just finalized our 2014 backdoor Roth contributions. This is our second year doing a backdoor, so maybe I have it wrong. We invested in a money market in the traditional IRA then exchanged for a target retirement fund in the Roth IRA. The amount of the initial investment and the exchange were the same, due to the stability of the money market fund. I didn't think it was necessary for an additional step of another exchange within the Roth. We've yet to file our 2013 taxes, which we do ourselves with Turbotax, so I don't know what impact our method has. I'm interested to read other responses.
by schnoodlemom
Sat Jan 04, 2014 7:37 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Quicken users: manual entry vs. auto download
Replies: 12
Views: 3741

Re: Quicken users: manual entry vs. auto download

Toons wrote:Long time Quicken user, I do both,automatic download and manual.Have always enjoyed working with the Program. :happy
+1 for me. I edit my transactions when desiring further subcategories or detail and leave others to stand alone as automatically downloaded. Over the years my accounting has become more simplified.
by schnoodlemom
Fri Oct 04, 2013 8:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: London and Paris Hotels
Replies: 48
Views: 6736

Re: London and Paris Hotels

Re: Hotel theft and pickpockets. We used the hotel safe for all our valuables, tipped the maids daily and left them thank you notes to encourage better service and goodwill. Besides our passports, cash and techno gear which fit in the safe, we didn't have much to tempt I think. We carried Travelon Anti-Theft purses cross body or wore waist packs to discourage pickpockets. They have handy locks for the zippered areas and reinforced steel straps and compartments among other features. http://www.travelonbags.com/anti-theft?limit=50 Only once did we suspect we were targets while standing waiting for the metro in Paris by two young females who looked like gypsy twins wearing identical gray hooded sweatshirts over jeans with the same big purses h...
by schnoodlemom
Thu Oct 03, 2013 11:50 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: London and Paris Hotels
Replies: 48
Views: 6736

Re: London and Paris Hotels

This summer, we stayed 5 nights in London for "free" at London Marriott County Hall using up all our Marriott points. http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/lonch-london-marriott-hotel-county-hall/ We loved loved loved its central location and quiet refined atmosphere. Service was fabulous everywhere from front desk, concierge to housekeeping. Room was spacious, quiet with divinely comfortable beds. We found London to be very walkable and the underground very convenient if something was further than we wanted to walk. Same trip, we spent 6 nights in Paris at another Marriott, Paris Marriott Rive Gauche. http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/parst-paris-marriott-rive-gauche-hotel-and-conference-center/ This was not as central as we ...
by schnoodlemom
Mon Aug 19, 2013 7:57 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Time=Money ... how to save time, even if it costs $
Replies: 17
Views: 3024

Re: Time=Money ... how to save time, even if it costs $

I'm trying very hard to be very selective about how much time I put into shopping for everyday stuff by limiting cost comparisons, couponing, special sales & loyalty programs. It's so easy for me to get overwhelmed anymore trying to be frugal. My head hurts sometimes with all the "save 50 cents when you buy 2" or "5% off with our card" decisions.

Short version: Don't sweat the small stuff when shopping!

To quote a famous Boglehead: Simplify! :happy
by schnoodlemom
Thu Aug 15, 2013 10:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: re: going to Bryce/Zion (and a bit of Vegas)
Replies: 42
Views: 4660

Re: re: going to Bryce/Zion (and a bit of Vegas)

My family of four really enjoyed our visit to Zion, staying at the Best Western just outside the park in Springdale. As it was April (spring break), it was somewhat busy, but not enough to hamper our enjoyment. With school in session in October, I think Zion would be fairly uncrowded, but am not sure. We did a number of hikes from easy to moderate including up to Scout's Lookout of the Angel's Landing trail. Gorgeous scenery, worth the climb! I don't like heights either, but managed fine. Have a great trip!!
by schnoodlemom
Fri Aug 09, 2013 9:20 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Cash Rewards Credit Cards
Replies: 76
Views: 156714

Re: Cash Rewards Credit Cards

I was hoping there was someone on this forum with an Amex rewards card and could confirm whether or not they received the grocery rewards amount when shopping at a Walmart or Target listed with a MCC code of 5411. I checked the link provided and our local Target came up with both codes (discount -5310 & grocery -5411) for the same address. In looking at recent purchases on our Blue Cash rewards account online, I do see that Target and Walmart are classified as wholesale stores and thus not in the grocery category. We do most of our grocery shopping at a local Meijer's that is considered a grocery (only -5411), though it closely resembles a Target/Walmart supercenter. We received our Blue Cash Preferred card before they limited the 6% r...
by schnoodlemom
Tue Jul 23, 2013 2:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Road trip: Chicago to Yellowstone
Replies: 27
Views: 7848

Re: Road trip: Chicago to Yellowstone

Jay22 - Check ahead for Yellowstone in November. I believe a lot of the park will be closed due to snow.
by schnoodlemom
Sun Jul 21, 2013 6:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Road trip: Chicago to Yellowstone
Replies: 27
Views: 7848

Re: Road trip: Chicago to Yellowstone

Lots of great advice! We've done a similar trip in June from SW Michigan with lots&lots of driving, but it was so worth it! If you could lengthen your time in Jackson Hole/Grand Teton without short-changing Yellowstone, I would. I absolutely love both! Grand Teton has so many great trails to hike. Our favorite in June was Cascade Canyon because of all the snowmelt waterfalls. We encountered moose along the trail. I'm not sure what late summer/early fall would be like. We also kayaked Jackson Lake, river-rafted Snake River & did trail-riding in nearby Bridger-Teton wilderness. Yellowstone is so big that if you can manage a few nights at different locations it might be worth it. We liked staying in the central Canyon Village then expl...
by schnoodlemom
Sun Jul 14, 2013 4:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 2014 trip to Europe
Replies: 44
Views: 5883

Re: 2014 trip to Europe

We're not accomplished travelers, but I have a few comments based on recent experience.

We just spent 5 days in London & 6 days in Paris using Eurostar (high-speed train) to travel between them, without need for rental car. For our transatlantic flight, we upgraded to Delta's Economy Comfort and enjoyed extra leg room.*

http://www.frommers.com/articles/7600.html

We covered the majority of the two cities' well-known tourist attractions but were dead on our feet each night before bed. For us it would have been really nice to have had some more vacation time (and money). Happy trails! :happy

*Checked baggage was free, too, because of using our Delta SkyMiles credit card.
by schnoodlemom
Sun Jun 02, 2013 4:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: France - Paris / Nice - Must do List
Replies: 92
Views: 17047

Re: France - Paris / Nice - Must do List

I'm not the OP, but thanks for all this great info! We're heading to London/Paris for 2 weeks in late June-early July. We're spending 5 nights in London, will travel by TGV to Paris, then 6 nights in Paris. The comment about Versailles on Monday being crowded because museums are closed, does that imply we should avoid Versailles on Mondays? We're a family of four with 2 teenage girls, ages 13 & 16. Any reason to avoid Paris at night with the younger ones? Last time I was in London or Paris was over 25 years ago as a young adult. It's been a long-held dream to take the rest of the family there. I'm sorry if this seems like a thread hijack. To the OP: Have an excellent trip!!
by schnoodlemom
Mon May 06, 2013 11:25 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Deleted
Replies: 109
Views: 12154

Re: general (financial) advice about musical instruments/les

What we did with our girls (currently 13 & 16), but not necessarily meant as advice per se: Both our girls went through an early childhood music program (weekly group lessons) from ages 4-7 where they learned to read music, played music games, got beginning piano instruction etc., then went to private piano lessons in our home. We're lucky in that our instructors come to our home for lessons (~$20 per half hour). First we used an inexpensive small digital keyboard that we inherited from family before purchasing our Kawai digital upright with weighted keys and other features. We like it because of it's versatility, value and compactness. We paid under $2k, just don't remember if >< $1,500, about a decade ago. Both girls also sang in chil...
by schnoodlemom
Fri May 03, 2013 10:36 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Family Vacations: Your Favorites, ages + tips requested!
Replies: 31
Views: 5031

Re: Family Vacations: Your Favorites, ages + tips requested!

Our girls are currently ages 13 & 16. We started visiting the national parks when our youngest was 8 and capable of doing longer day hikes. By far my favorite family vacation was to Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks, Wyoming. We've been for two weeks in June two years in a row. I'm totally in awe of the natural beauty there! I'm not sure where the girls would rank their favorite family vacation. One girl loves big cities, art museums & cultural diversity and another is an outdoorsy, animal lover who doesn't feel comfortable in big cities. So we try to get a mix in there with our travel. Other notable destinations: Ages 3-12: any major city with zoo, hands-on museums, aquarium, amusement and/or swim park. Visited Indianapo...
by schnoodlemom
Thu May 02, 2013 8:00 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Vacation ideas in northern MI
Replies: 21
Views: 2025

Re: Vacation ideas in northern MI

We've visited Tahquamenon Falls (very pretty), had fun climbing up Sugarloaf mountain (fall color made for a gorgeous view) near Marquette and exploring along Lake Superior shoreline. If you're serious about Isle Royal start looking into ferries and lodging. We've not done it, but I think they limit number of visitors. Good luck planning your trip!
by schnoodlemom
Mon Mar 25, 2013 9:38 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Planning for children
Replies: 18
Views: 2034

Re: Planning for children

If you're a dual income couple now, consider any change in income, expenses or healthcare benefits with a pregnancy, birth & childcare & project how your new budget will look. It can just be a rough draft, but it's good to plan ahead. Don't get discouraged as kids and families thrive on a wide range of budgets.

We started 529's for our children when they were very young after reducing debt & maxing tax-deferred retirement accounts. We contribute annually up to our state limit for tax-deduction ($10k). The plan is to have enough for 2-3 years of in-state public university saved. The rest will come from cash flow, student wages, scholarships, gifts, small loans etc.
by schnoodlemom
Sat Feb 09, 2013 5:49 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How do you find Mrs. Boglehead?
Replies: 142
Views: 19451

Re: How do you find Mrs. Boglehead?

We met volunteering at a migrant clinic. I was a nursing student, he was a medical resident. We both had jobs and lived on our own, without any debt other than small car loans, so we understood how to live within our means, but we had very little in savings. We learned together about saving for retirement & other long range goals as our income grew and we planned a life together, including bringing kids into the world. We didn't discover Bogleheads until after a decade into our marriage. Starting out we had so much more in common than just our financial philosophy (like faith, values, interests, goals), that I can't say that being a Boglehead-type was absolutely crucial to making a good partnership, but it surely helps! Good luck findin...
by schnoodlemom
Sun Feb 03, 2013 10:12 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Why are the [Florida] Keys so expensive?
Replies: 29
Views: 12692

Re: Why are the [Florida] Keys so expensive?

Being a repeat visitor to Marathon, we've noticed a lot of business turn-over. I think that their tourism is very seasonal so they have to make the money when they can. They not only import goods, but they import labor as well. One business owner who had to down-size & change location to stay in business said it is very difficult for non-wealthy year-round residents to afford to live there, as well as find service workers to man their businesses. Some must commute by bus daily an hour or more from the Upper Keys & South Florida. I hope you had a good trip for the most part!!
by schnoodlemom
Fri Jan 18, 2013 2:54 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How much money do you keep in your regular checking/savings?
Replies: 104
Views: 23151

Re: How much money do you keep in your regular checking/savi

Too much, because I keep thinking we're going to start a major remodeling project & pay as we go, but then we postpone it for months & months, okay, maybe a year or more. I would like to start moving some of it to iBonds & fully fund our Roth's for 2013, just to draw it down & not risk spending it willy-nilly.
by schnoodlemom
Fri Jan 18, 2013 6:52 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Holding off 2013 I-Bond Purchase
Replies: 31
Views: 5320

Re: Holding off 2013 I-Bond Purchase

Thanks sscritic, it's obvious I need to do more reading. I was thinking of them like CD's or paper savings bonds.
by schnoodlemom
Fri Jan 18, 2013 6:26 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Holding off 2013 I-Bond Purchase
Replies: 31
Views: 5320

Re: Holding off 2013 I-Bond Purchase

Another I-bond newbie question, my apologies if this is the wrong place for it:

Does anyone purposefully purchase in less than $10k increments, even though the total purchase is $10k on a single date? I would like to keep things as simple as possible regarding record-keeping, but have the potential to only redeem smaller increments at a time if I use this as an emergency fund/retirement acct. I'm stuck on what would be the optimal denominations, $2K vs. $5k for example. TIA.
by schnoodlemom
Thu Jan 17, 2013 5:43 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Holding off 2013 I-Bond Purchase
Replies: 31
Views: 5320

Re: Holding off 2013 I-Bond Purchase

My total inexperience with I-bonds is showing here, but I need to ask: if you have an ISP that says you're going to invest $10k into I-bonds every year until you retire, but during a period of higher inflation you also sell older I-bonds to repurchase those with higher rates, have you not reduced the total amount of new money you can invest that year? If so, where do you put the new money? Maybe it's not an issue, but I often have trouble seeing the bigger picture, so am trying to understand. Thanks in advance.
by schnoodlemom
Tue Jan 01, 2013 8:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Florida Keys in Jan/Feb?
Replies: 26
Views: 8612

Re: Florida Keys in Jan/Feb?

We're currently vacationing in the Keys, in Marathon, to be exact. It's our sixth year here as a large extended family, usually New Year's week. We're staying in a rental home, with bikes & kayaks at our disposal, close to Sombrero Beach. Favorite activities of this year & past: biking, kayaking, beach volleyball, watching sunrises & sunsets, walking the Seven Mile bridge, touring Turtle Hospital, Dolphin Research Center & historic Pigeon Key, snorkeling & fishing, a day trip to Key West. So far this year we've only had one really cool day. The rest have been beautiful! Hope you have a good trip! ETA: We have a heated swimming pool & hot tub at the house. Not sure if it's warm enough to swim in the ocean except for t...
by schnoodlemom
Fri Aug 31, 2012 11:37 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New TV purchase
Replies: 23
Views: 2262

Re: New TV purchase

We had a nice solid oak wood TV cabinet for our old 27 tube TV cut down by a carpenter for our new 47 inch LED TV. We paid him $250, he did a wonderful job and we're really happy with the results. If I knew how to attach them or if it was okay with forum policy, I have before/after photos to share, just in case this is an option for you. If you're looking forward to new furniture, disregard and enjoy the shopping!!
by schnoodlemom
Thu Jun 14, 2012 8:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Foreign film night recommendations.
Replies: 124
Views: 10799

Re: Foreign film night recommendations.

Grasshopper wrote:I didn't know word foreign also means stuffy. NetFlix is currentiy streaming, Romantics Anonymous(Les Émotifs Anonymes)

Director, Jean-Pierre Améris
Cast, Benoit Poelvoorde, Isabelle Carré, Lorella Cravotta, Lise Lamétrie, Swann Arlaud, Pierre Niney.

Love and chocolates may yet win the day in this delightful romantic comedy, which follows the slow-burn romance of talented chocolatier Angélique and chocolate-factory owner Jean-René, lonely souls who secretly share a debilitating anxiety disorder. :sharebeer
Saw this with Amazon Prime Instant Video --- really loved it!! Heart-warming and super funny... :thumbsup
by schnoodlemom
Wed May 23, 2012 9:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 50 things to do before the Sun goes down
Replies: 32
Views: 5742

Re: 50 things to do before the Sun goes down

Thank you to Mr. Ferri for starting the thread! Many of the bucket list items are either already my goals or are inspiring enough to add. Also, thank you to nisiprius for the Sabbaday Falls story. It's the reason I write #1 on my list.

The only things I can think to add at the moment...

- cultivate an attitude of gratitude for each and every day.

- reduce my clutter, so that moving on either in this life or beyond is easier on everyone.

- simplify household & garden chores to have more quality time with loved ones.

- participate more in cultural & community events.

- visit as many of the major (American) national parks as possible.

- host an international exchange student.
by schnoodlemom
Sat Apr 21, 2012 2:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: yellowstone trip -stay in park or out of park?
Replies: 29
Views: 3565

Re: yellowstone trip -stay in park or out of park?

Both times we've been to Yellowstone as a family of four, we stayed in the park at Canyon village which is centrally located. We love to hike/explore all day as well, ate mostly from the general store offerings, since restaurant meals were pricey. Even if you stay in the park there's lots of driving time to get from one area to the next with much to see and explore along the way... plenty of "bear jams" in June, don't know about August. Have a great trip!
by schnoodlemom
Mon Mar 26, 2012 10:06 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Why does anyone use American Express?
Replies: 146
Views: 296960

Re: Why does anyone use American Express?

We use both Amex Blue Cash Preferred and Delta Skymiles Platinum. For our family, both cards have far exceeded their annual fees in terms of cash back and the value of the companion certificate/free checked baggage. We also have a Capitol One No Hassle Rewards MasterCard (cash back with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees) for places that don't take Amex.
by schnoodlemom
Thu Feb 09, 2012 5:36 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Amex Blue Preferred 6% back on groceries
Replies: 21
Views: 4519

Re: Amex Blue Preferred 6% back on groceries

I am unaware of any max.
by schnoodlemom
Mon Jan 23, 2012 5:14 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Meaning behind your username
Replies: 48
Views: 3281

Re: Meaning behind your username

Cracking up about "lovesift" and "chopmink"... but otherwise, I'm mom to 2 girls and 3 schnoodles. Schnoodles won!
by schnoodlemom
Fri Jan 20, 2012 4:59 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Deleted
Replies: 18
Views: 5995

Re: docs (physicians): questions about your CME

My husband's employer (non-gov, non-profit academic medicine) provides annually $2900 CME and $2300 Dues&Subscriptions for an Associate Professor/Clinical Faculty. He struggles to use all his budget because he often pays his way at conferences by giving talks. It becomes a use it or lose it benefit, I guess. Are there conferences in interesting locales that would double as work/vacation for you?
by schnoodlemom
Mon Jan 16, 2012 7:18 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Braces - Orthodontic work
Replies: 13
Views: 1683

Re: Braces - Orthodontic work

Child 1: $ 4,370 for 18-24 months, traditional bands with invisalign retainer (upper) and permanent retainer (lower) at finish. Child 2: $ 5,470 for 24-30 months, 2-step process with expander, then into bands... process ongoing. Timing was middle school years (age 11-14). We offered to pay in full for a discount, but that is not their practice model. The periodic payments contain no financing. Our dental insurance carrier is sent quarterly statements of what we've paid, as we pay the office directly, then insurance sends us a reimbursement for their portion, then we seek reimbursement for the remainder from our FSA. We have an individual $1,500 lifetime benefit for ortho with our employer's high dental option which we select for first year ...
by schnoodlemom
Thu Jan 12, 2012 6:49 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do you own Apple products?
Replies: 114
Views: 9563

Re: Do you own Apple products?

Family of Four, all Apple users: 2 iMac's, 1 MacBook Pro, 4 iTouch's, 4 iPod Nano's. Luckily 2 iTouch's were bundled with medical references so legit business expense at a discount, 2 iTouch's came "free" with iMac/Macbook purchase. No smart phones in the family yet, still reliant on free Wi-Fi. This may be status quo for a while... but I hear the iPad 3 is due to come out soon???? :)
by schnoodlemom
Wed Jan 11, 2012 6:20 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Should I do something with my losses?
Replies: 16
Views: 1748

Re: Should I do something with my losses?

About 529s, I was reading Mutual Funds for Dummies and the author there was skeptical of 529s for two reasons 1) the child has full control of the money when they are 18 or 21 and we don't know yet if our child will be responsible at that age and 2) financial aid decisionmakers count money in the child's name with more priority than money from the parents, which can make the child less qualified for aid or subsidized loans. ... Welcome, Jessica! We have our daughters' 529's in my husband's name as owner with them as beneficiaries. I have power of attorney in case my husband is incapacitated. We get a state tax deduction on contributions up to $10k per year. Parent-owned 529's are parental assets and thus not counted as highly when determin...
by schnoodlemom
Tue Jan 10, 2012 8:29 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Am I setting up my budget right?
Replies: 20
Views: 2238

Re: Am I setting up my budget right?

CityOfAngels wrote:
schnoodlemom wrote:Are you covered for disability insurance by work as well?
yes I am, short term and long term
Good! Can't think of anything else at the moment... congrats on the new job!
by schnoodlemom
Tue Jan 10, 2012 8:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Am I setting up my budget right?
Replies: 20
Views: 2238

Re: Am I setting up my budget right?

Are you covered for disability insurance by work as well?
by schnoodlemom
Tue Jan 10, 2012 7:52 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Am I setting up my budget right?
Replies: 20
Views: 2238

Re: Am I setting up my budget right?

Health, dental, vision, car insurance, medical expenses, utilities, phone, gifting. Those are just some of the top off my head. Congrats at getting an early start on budgeting! :)
by schnoodlemom
Sun Jan 08, 2012 12:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Quesitons about Hi E Washers--Whirlpool
Replies: 28
Views: 2866

Re: Quesitons about Hi E Washers--Whirlpool

Last March we purchased a set of Whirlpool Cabrio HE topload washer/dryer at Lowe's for a significant discount. We spent ~ $1200 for the pair, not including tax/warranty/parts/installation. IIRC, the markdown was from $999 to $599 each, maybe they were clearing out for next year's model. Our washer model is WTW7800XW2. I think it's a step up from the 8200, but in the same family. My husband was really happy with the discount on these high end units which we wouldn't have bought otherwise. He also liked their increased load capacity and 16 specialized settings for all types of clothes. My thought was that if the washer is huge enough to wash king size bedspreads, then I could do the whole week's worth of clothes in fewer loads. Alas, my husb...
by schnoodlemom
Sun Jan 08, 2012 7:56 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Paying off the house by the end of 2012
Replies: 12
Views: 1332

Re: Paying off the house by the end of 2012

In a very similar situation, we just paid off our small mortgage 2.5 years early ($35k left on house valued around $200k). The way we analyzed it was that the amount of interest left due on the mortgage surpassed the interest income that amount would earn us in a savings account at today's low interest rate. Interest income is taxed. Saved mortgage interest income isn't, except that you lose the mortgage interest deduction, but the amounts were so small we still considered ourselves ahead with paying it off. Plus it just felt good to get it done! I can't really advise about your situation, in relation to your emergency fund/retirement savings. For us the trade-off was that we'll have to keep saving for major home improvements a little longe...
by schnoodlemom
Sat Jan 07, 2012 6:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: how many languages do you speak?
Replies: 36
Views: 3095

Re: how many languages do you speak?

My native English & French (near fluent, 8 years in high school/college, 6 months study abroad, travel, continued interest)

I voted only 2, though know a fair amount of Spanish/less so Italian since they're close to French language and have traveled in countries where spoken. Sometimes I think about learning more Spanish, since I hear it more frequently spoken, but worry that my French will get horribly mixed up. I'd rather be spending time using it, but don't have much opportunity.
by schnoodlemom
Thu Jan 05, 2012 10:28 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What files to keep / scan long-term?
Replies: 9
Views: 1320

Re: What files to keep / scan long-term?

Receipts for warrantied items and accompanying paperwork if any.
by schnoodlemom
Wed Jan 04, 2012 2:25 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Best Credit Cards, 2012 edition
Replies: 30
Views: 4892

Re: Best Credit Cards, 2012 edition

SPG8 wrote:...How does the cash back work? After $25, will they credit the account?

Thanks


Redeem your Reward Dollars for statement credit, gift cards or merchandise for AmEx Blue Cash.
by schnoodlemom
Wed Jan 04, 2012 6:43 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Best Credit Cards, 2012 edition
Replies: 30
Views: 4892

Re: Best Credit Cards, 2012 edition

We also use AMEX Blue Cash Preferred on most purchases for reasons stated above. We have Capitol One No Hassles Rewards MasterCard when AMEX is not accepted. (This may change in the future but we still like its no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, easy cash redemption. It's no longer available to new customers.) These are our major cards but we use Delta AMEX/Marriott Visa when traveling for airfare/lodging only.

edit: spelling
by schnoodlemom
Thu Dec 29, 2011 10:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Unexpected Gifts; fun post holiday question
Replies: 7
Views: 851

Re: Unexpected Gifts; fun post holiday question

We like to gift our outgrown but still in good condition sporting goods to people we know who have younger kids... bikes, skis, burley, jogging stroller, sleeping bags, etc. We've also been on the receiving end with ski equipment, clothes, electronics. Gifting to people you know, freecycle and donating, it's all good. When we were redoing our downstairs halfbath, we careful removed the existing vanity and freecycled it, along with mirror, light fixture and some other goodies to a young couple who were redoing their bath. We delivered for free as well. They were so excited that it was very rewarding. :)
by schnoodlemom
Thu Dec 29, 2011 5:53 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Four Slice Toaster
Replies: 33
Views: 3449

Re: Four Slice Toaster

We have a Krups Sensatoaster Deluxe 4-slicer with never a problem. My husband thinks it's our second toaster but we can't remember when we replaced the first and the circumstances. (It may have been an upgrade or color change.) We married 17 years ago and bought our house 14 years ago. As a family of four, the 4-slicer is a "must have". Good luck with your decision!

ps. You mentioned you like to shop at BB&B. Watch out for their 20% off coupons (or something better) when you get your new toaster. They even take expired coupons by us. I bought our Dyson vacuum at a great discount this way.
by schnoodlemom
Mon Dec 12, 2011 5:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do Bogleheads hire maid services?
Replies: 47
Views: 4932

Re: Do Bogleheads hire maid services?

For us, we had a biweekly cleaning lady when I had a high risk pregnancy, as well as, infant, toddler, & elder care overload for about 2 years. Otherwise, our mess is our own and we have a wonderful love/hate relationship going! :)
by schnoodlemom
Wed Dec 07, 2011 7:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to Die
Replies: 167
Views: 32196

Re: How to Die

biasion -- I really appreciate your sharing of this article. I've given a lot of thought to end-of-life care having witnessed my own mother and 2 grandparents die peacefully in hospice care after prolonged illnesses and currently making healthcare choices for another grandmother also in hospice care with severe dementia.

cinghaile -- You also have my condolences for your recent loss. It's wonderful that your mother is at peace and spent her last days with family at her side. Thank you for sharing what must have been a very difficult time.