Search found 700 matches

by obafgkm
Thu Mar 07, 2024 7:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Wordle [Anyone playing Wordle?]
Replies: 393
Views: 43395

Re: Wordle [Anyone playing Wordle?]

Got my first done-in-one today!

Wordle 992 1/6

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

I try to pick a different word, depending on what happened the previous day (I play when I wake up).
by obafgkm
Sun Feb 25, 2024 6:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Front License Plate Mount
Replies: 29
Views: 2742

Re: Front License Plate Mount

JonFund wrote: Sun Feb 25, 2024 6:01 pm Before you go through the hassle of finding a suitable bracket for the front license, I would ask around and see how strictly your state enforces the front license plate requirement.
My sister recently bought a new BMW that doesn't have any front license brackets. The dealer (as well as several friends) informed her that while the front license is a requirement in her state (Oregon), it is rarely enforced.
"Not enforced" and "rarely enforced" are two different things!
by obafgkm
Wed Feb 21, 2024 3:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Full solar ECLIPSE April 2024!
Replies: 80
Views: 9387

Re: Full solar ECLIPSE April 2024!

I'll be in Mazatlán as well!
by obafgkm
Thu Feb 15, 2024 10:39 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What Category of Investment Did Well During the "Lost Decade" (2000s)
Replies: 51
Views: 5431

Re: What Category of Investment Did Well During the "Lost Decade" (2000s)

MrCheapo wrote: Mon Feb 12, 2024 12:57 pm The 2000s are often referred to as the "lost decade" as the SP500 index actually closed slightly lower on 12/31/2010 then it opened on 01/01/2000...
Forgive me for being pedantic, but the US stock market wasn't open on Saturday, January 1, 2000. :happy
by obafgkm
Thu Feb 01, 2024 10:54 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Possible Move Pennsylvania to Maryland: Retirement Tax Issue?
Replies: 14
Views: 1382

Re: Possible Move Pennsylvania to Maryland: Retirement Tax Issue?

gavinsiu wrote: Thu Feb 01, 2024 10:49 pm When I lived in pa, each municipality has a local tax. Usually it’s 1%, but in Philly it could be 4.7%. That is on top of state tax.
Where I live, it is a 2% local income tax.

Thank you, everybody, for your thoughts. If I move, it will be for personal reasons (family and romantic partner). I may not be able to wait until 65! :happy
by obafgkm
Thu Feb 01, 2024 11:13 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Perplexity AI tool discussed in New York Times
Replies: 15
Views: 1395

Re: Perplexity AI tool

Even middle-school arithmetic:
nisiprius wrote:Starting after the decimal point, what is the average value of the first ten digits of pi?
Perplexity wrote:The average value of the first ten digits of pi, starting after the decimal point, is 4.5. This can be calculated by adding the first ten digits (1415926535), which equals 42, and then dividing by 10, resulting in an average of 4.5
nisiprius wrote: Thu Feb 01, 2024 9:07 am Why no, 1 + 4 + 1 + 5 + 9 + 2 + 6 + 5 + 3 + 5 is not 42. And 42 divided by 10 is not 4.5!
The 11th numeral after the decimal point is 8, so perhaps Perplexity was rounding 3.14159265358 to 3.1415926536, which would allow the sum to be 42. I have no idea where the 4.5 came from, however -- unless it added the leading 3 from before the decimal point.
by obafgkm
Thu Feb 01, 2024 11:04 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Possible Move Pennsylvania to Maryland: Retirement Tax Issue?
Replies: 14
Views: 1382

Possible Move Pennsylvania to Maryland: Retirement Tax Issue?

I have lived (and worked) in Pennsylvania (PA) all my adult life. My traditional 403(b) contributions are taxed by Pennsylvania (i.e., they are not contributed on a pre-tax basis). That also means that I will not have to pay PA tax when I withdraw from my 403(b) after I turn 59.5 . I plan to retire about 60, in about two years.

However, I’m considering moving to Maryland, probably around when I turn 62. Does Maryland tax 403(b) distributions? Is there any consideration that I paid PA tax on my contributions? I see something about a “Pension Exclusion” that includes 403(b)s, but I cannot tell if is only for those 65 and older.
by obafgkm
Thu Jan 25, 2024 10:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Good Modern Science Fiction
Replies: 760
Views: 149448

Re: Good Modern Science Fiction

I'm currently enjoying The Deep Sky, by Yume Kitasei. It is a mystery on a spaceship of 80 traveling from a doomed Earth to another planet. It is (in my opinion) "hard science fiction" with the nuts and bolts of space travel and engineering. It is also a study of relationships between the members of the crew during their training and on the ship itself (there is some bouncing back and forth between the space journey and their training).

The protagonist, like the author, is a Japanese-American, and there is also some exploration of the tension that the protagonist feels between the two societies.
by obafgkm
Fri Jan 19, 2024 5:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: what to put in a time capsule that will be valuable in 50 or 100 years?
Replies: 65
Views: 6209

Re: what to put in a time capsule that will be valuable in 50 or 100 years?

I do not think any musical star will have appeal 100 years past their prime. To many generations removed. Not the Beatles, not Elvis, not Taylor Swift. To many generations removed. Plus all old music will be free on ... some platform. Maybe. Certainly Chuck Berry will still be popular! To keep somewhat on topic, I suggest that the time capsule not be buried, and that its location be widely known locally and perhaps registered . Most time capsules are lost and forgotten within a few years (supposedly 95% within five years). Others are waterlogged from being buried. Perhaps some physical photographs of the area? Not just of major institutions like churches or companies, but prosaic sites like a street corner or a block of houses (and the loc...
by obafgkm
Wed Jan 03, 2024 6:40 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 2024 BOGLEHEAD CONTEST REGISTRATION
Replies: 579
Views: 37917

Re: 2024 BOGLEHEAD CONTEST REGISTRATION

5676.43

My 700th post!
by obafgkm
Tue Dec 19, 2023 6:52 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: My car was stolen Saturday night!
Replies: 62
Views: 9371

Re: My car was stolen Saturday night!

stoptothink wrote: Tue Dec 19, 2023 6:36 am My '00 Honda Civic Si was stolen out of my locked and guarded work parking lot in '02. Found out later that there was a theft ring being run by a few members of security (by the point it was uncovered, dozens of employee cars had been stolen).
How long did it take for the police to make the connection? After the second theft from the guarded lot, I'd be looking at the security guards!
by obafgkm
Wed Oct 25, 2023 3:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: IRS forcing new Login
Replies: 74
Views: 14602

Re: IRS forcing new Login

paws wrote: Thu Jun 29, 2023 12:03 am Apparently, the IRS was supposed to roll out login.gov for the most recent filing season, but there was some interagency squabbling.
(...)
I have no interest in rolling the dice on id.me's security just to get a record the government already has and I could download directly just a few weeks ago. Hopefully by next filing season the various agencies have their act together and login.gov works!
Is there anything new about this? I was hoping to get a new account via login.gov before I need to get my PIN for filing in 2024.
by obafgkm
Wed Oct 18, 2023 8:14 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Michelle Singletary's column on being a Boglehead
Replies: 3
Views: 5269

Re: Michelle Singletary's column on being a Boglehead

Thanks for the link. I'd been reading Singletary even before I discovered the Bogleheads and this forum. She gets it.
by obafgkm
Sat Aug 19, 2023 11:39 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Your favorite finance podcast? favorite health related podcast?
Replies: 60
Views: 6393

Re: Your favorite finance podcast? favorite health related podcast?

Jill Schlesinger's two podcasts:

Jill on Money and
Money Watch with Jill Schlesinger
by obafgkm
Wed Aug 09, 2023 10:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Safe deposit box-have one? What's in there?
Replies: 115
Views: 10519

Re: Safe deposit box-have one? What's in there?

All my paper savings bonds, the title to my two cars, my daughter's Certificate of Citizenship and adoption papers, and several of my wife's death certificates.
by obafgkm
Sat Jul 08, 2023 11:45 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Usa Passport renewal - Urgent international travel within 14 days
Replies: 18
Views: 2279

Re: Usa Passport renewal - Urgent international travel within 14 days

atlanta_dad wrote: Thu Jul 06, 2023 9:35 pm We have a vacation planned to Mexico in the first week of Aug and realized my passport is expired. I would like to wait until our trip falls with in 14 days, then call the toll free number to setup an appointment and go there personally to renew.
Whatever you do, put a reminder in your calendar for 9 years and 3 months from now (October 2032) to renew your passport!
by obafgkm
Sat Jul 08, 2023 11:37 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: someone with my name keeps using my email address
Replies: 137
Views: 9113

Re: someone with my name keeps using my email address

Or maybe his name is identical to yours, but his email doesn't have the dot between the first and the last name. People could be adding the dot on their own because it's a conventional thing. I doubt that person mistypes his own email address so frequently. In Gmail, the dot means nothing. My gmail address is firstname.lastname@gmail.com (i.e., that is what I login with). But firstnamelastname@gmail.com (without the dot) goes to the account as well, as does firstname.lastname+whateverilike@gmail.com (i.e., anything after the "+" is ignored). I once used firstname.lastname+initialsofapresidentialcandidate@gmail.com to make a donation. A few years later, I received at that address a request for money from a group raising funds for ...
by obafgkm
Wed Jun 28, 2023 10:52 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Genworth Long Term Ins Payment options-Concerns Auto Matic Drafts
Replies: 13
Views: 996

Re: Genworth Long Term Ins Payment options-Concerns Auto Matic Drafts

I didn't even realize that it was possible to pay online -- ever since (for some reason) my employer stopped deducting twice a month from my paycheck to pay Genworth (it is a group plan) to making my pay Genworth directly I've been writing checks quarterly and mailing them in. Genworth doesn't even indicate that paying online is possible.

I'll have to call. Thanks for the head's up.
by obafgkm
Wed Jun 28, 2023 7:19 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Europe eSIMs
Replies: 79
Views: 7156

Re: Europe eSIMs

KlangFool wrote: Wed Jun 28, 2023 7:02 am Any good places to confirm whether your phone supports eSim?
KlangFool,

I try the website of my phone's manufacturer.

obafgkm
by obafgkm
Sat May 27, 2023 5:35 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mom's birth certificate says Tracy Ann Smith. Her Social Security card says Ann Tracy Smith. Is this a problem?
Replies: 57
Views: 6411

Re: Mom's birth certificate says Tracy Ann Smith. Her Social Security card says Ann Tracy Smith. Is this a problem?

DW's name is hyphenated on her DL and Passport. However Social Security/Medicare, Airlines, Private Health Insurance, and others do not allow for hyphenated names within their system. Even Vanguard does not allow it when giving DW Full Agent Authorization. We have dealt with this mess for 36 years. I've had a hyphenated last name on my Social Security card for over a decade now. But I agree the number of system that it baffles is immensely annoying. Typical.investor, what did you have to do to get the hyphen? My daughter has a hyphenated surname (such as in Sally Ann Jones-Smith) but her Social Security card says "Sally Ann Jones Smith". She received this 17 years ago as a baby, so presumably Social Security has finally joined th...
by obafgkm
Sun Mar 26, 2023 8:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: IRS Owes Me $7 Refund From 2020
Replies: 51
Views: 4109

Re: IRS Owes Me $7 Refund From 2020

Asyouwish wrote: Sat Mar 25, 2023 3:51 pm You let the IRS keep your $7.
To be pedantic, it is not the Internal Revenue Service that is keeping the money. It is the United States Treasury. There is a difference.
by obafgkm
Mon Feb 20, 2023 4:58 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Problems with HR Block 2022 e-File!
Replies: 26
Views: 4283

Re: Problems with HR Block 2022 e-File!

AAA wrote: Sun Feb 19, 2023 11:31 am Has anyone successfully e-filed their Pennsylvania return with H&R yet, in particular on the Mac platform?
I have not, but I note that Pennsylvania has a free online filing system called myPATH at https://mypath.pa.gov/_/#1 . I've used it the last few years and only use the H&R Block Pennsylvania State program to check my numbers.
by obafgkm
Sat Feb 18, 2023 7:43 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Problems with HR Block 2022 e-File!
Replies: 26
Views: 4283

Re: Problems with HR Block 2022 e-File!

djmbob wrote: Sat Feb 18, 2023 7:35 am Was happy to load the HRB update yesterday, and make my Spouse's Roth contribution with Vanguard (had to wait to see what return said we could contribute for 2022). After E-filing, Federal was rejected and state is on hold. :x

Anyone else experiencing that? Edited to add: not a happy camper!

Ray
Is it the Mac platform or the PC platform? Which level? Basic, Deluxe, or Premium?

I was going to submit this weekend (February 18, 2023), but haven't tried yet.
by obafgkm
Sun Jan 29, 2023 3:22 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Step up basis for multiple generations
Replies: 6
Views: 842

Re: Step up basis for multiple generations

And of course, this is true no matter where the assets are held.

#bogleheadsisnotavanguardforum
by obafgkm
Sat Jan 14, 2023 12:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: USPS Optical Character Readers; USPS Address Protocols
Replies: 12
Views: 1360

Re: USPS Optical Character Readers; USPS Address Protocols

Makefile wrote: Fri Jan 13, 2023 10:55 am As far as font and uppercase and lowercase, as long as it's readable you should be fine. It was already more advanced than that in 1970: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sftmrhAMlCg
Thanks for posting that. Interesting look at the technology a half century ago!

That authoritative, reasonable-sounding narrator’s voice is iconic, as is that mid-century music.
by obafgkm
Thu Jan 12, 2023 10:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Holiday Visa Application asking for Occupation
Replies: 31
Views: 3193

Re: Holiday Visa Application asking for Occupation

Neus wrote: Thu Jan 12, 2023 7:48 pm Yes, i'm going to asian country
Might it help to just, you know, name the country you are going to? That might help those here help you.
by obafgkm
Sun Jan 08, 2023 11:23 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Deathbed beneficiary change- can you write it on a piece of paper?
Replies: 70
Views: 8421

Re: Deathbed beneficiary change- can you write it on a piece of paper?

I think one thing we can all take away from this is check your beneficiaries. For all your policies and accounts. Do it now. Not tomorrow. NOW.
by obafgkm
Thu Jan 05, 2023 4:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: For Fidelity Fans Only: Water Bottle Giveaway on Reddit
Replies: 31
Views: 3868

Re: For Fidelity Fans Only: Water Bottle Giveaway on Reddit

jayjayc wrote: Thu Jan 05, 2023 3:16 pm
"Congratulations — the Investor Quencher bundle is officially yours! To snag your swag, just click https://fbs.mybrandwins.com/haloservice ... tgiveaways and use this code: ******** Do not share this code, it is 1-time use. This code will expire on 1/13/2023, so make sure to redeem your prize before then! We expect the Investor Quencher to ship starting 1/9/2023. As a friendly reminder, we can’t ship to PO boxes or internationally. If you have any questions, feel free to let us know. Enjoy your swag! - Fidelity Investments"
Where did you get this message? Via email? (I only signed up for Reddit to get a bottle).
by obafgkm
Tue Jan 03, 2023 9:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: USPS letter - "RTS" (return to sender)
Replies: 16
Views: 1861

Re: USPS letter - "RTS" (return to sender)

Makefile wrote: Tue Jan 03, 2023 9:14 pm Speaking of those lyrics. Do you know what ZIP (as in ZIP code) stands for?
Zone Improvement Plan.
by obafgkm
Tue Jan 03, 2023 5:15 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Distinguishing between being rich and being wealthy
Replies: 119
Views: 13784

Re: Distinguishing between being rich and being wealthy

ruralavalon wrote: Tue Jan 03, 2023 10:03 am Food for thought for Boglehead-style investors in the New Year, from Jason Zweig's column in the Wall Street Journal today 1/3.
To save my fellow Bogleheads from looking in vain in the January 3, 2023 Wall Street Journal, this column actually appeared in the August 7, 2020 WSJ. Click here for the article.
by obafgkm
Sat Dec 31, 2022 3:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Air Mattress Recommendations
Replies: 7
Views: 674

Re: Air Mattress Recommendations

I purchased this King Koil mattress about 5 years ago in 2017 and everybody who’s slept on it (including me, when I had foot surgery this year and slept on the first floor) loves it. It is quite high. It was $92 when I bought it.

https://a.co/d/bxYLobV
by obafgkm
Sun Dec 11, 2022 1:10 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: submit ?s: Mike Piper on steps for surviving spouses
Replies: 32
Views: 4516

Re: submit ?s: Mike Piper on steps for surviving spouses

What are suggestions and best practices as to what to do to take "advantage" of the Qualifying Widow(er) filing status a surviving spouse with minor children has for two years after the death?

In general, I'd like to see at least some discussion specifically about surviving spouses with minor children.
by obafgkm
Sat Oct 15, 2022 3:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: H&R Block 2022 Software Offer
Replies: 6
Views: 1022

H&R Block 2022 Software Offer

I'm sending this out preemptively. Every year around this time, people on Bogleheads post that they have received an offer from H&R Block to buy the upcoming tax season's software, and it is always asked if they should buy now or wait until Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or later.

The answer: wait.

That is all.
by obafgkm
Sat Oct 15, 2022 11:31 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 2021 Tax Filing Extension Deadline
Replies: 3
Views: 272

Re: 2021 Tax Filing Extension Deadline

I suppose the original poster is mailing because s/he has to, but if it isn’t necessary, electronically filing would be a better idea these days.
by obafgkm
Tue Oct 11, 2022 5:58 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What prompted you to pull the plug and retire?
Replies: 249
Views: 45662

Re: What prompted you to pull the plug and retire?

I'm not retired yet, but plan to in a couple years. I'm an academic (at a liberal-arts college) and while I enjoy the teaching, I'm beginning to feel burned out. In addition, after the death of my wife in her late 40s (in my opinion, killed by her job) several years ago and a parent continuing to work at his white-collar job into his late 80s (no financial need to work; he just didn't know what to do otherwise) I decided I didn't want to work any longer than I had to. After consulting here and with my TIAA person, I feel ready to pull the plug. I'm at 35 times expenses. But I'm waiting for My kid going off to college (and getting help for tuition from my school even after I retire); Turning 59.5 and being able to access my traditional 403(b...
by obafgkm
Fri Sep 30, 2022 2:02 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Best explanation of EMH and its implication by NYU professor
Replies: 10
Views: 1463

Re: Best explanation of EMH and its implication by NYU professor

Robot Monster wrote: Fri Sep 30, 2022 10:45 am Not everyone will recognize efficient-market hypothesis by its acronym. Why not "Best explanation of efficient-market hypothesis" as the subject.
I agree. I had no idea what it meant in a financial sense (I thought it meant "Emergency Medical Hologram" from Star Trek). No reason to use acronyms that are not generally known on first reference (especially in a subject). "EMH" is certainly not as well known as "IRA".

I did know what "NYU" meant -- "National Yearly Ultimatum", I believe. Correct me if I'm wrong.
by obafgkm
Sun Sep 18, 2022 4:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Podcasts/blogs like White Coat Investor for moderate income folks
Replies: 24
Views: 3320

Re: Podcasts/blogs like White Coat Investor for moderate income folks

Glomar wrote: Sun Sep 18, 2022 8:20 am You may like Jill on Money:
https://www.jillonmoney.com/
Nate79 wrote: Sun Sep 18, 2022 8:55 am She also has a podcast called Eye on Money. Both are great.
I concur. “Jill” comes out seven days a week, and “Eye” comes out Tuesdays and Thursdays. They, with the aforementioned “White Coat Investor”, are my main commuting podcasts.
by obafgkm
Sun Aug 28, 2022 6:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dallas, Texas 6th Floor Museum
Replies: 34
Views: 3689

Re: Dallas, Texas 6th Floor Museum

There is a travel show I've seen on PBS that had an episode on Dallas. The show never even mentioned Dealey Plaza or the assassination.
chris319 wrote: Sat Aug 27, 2022 2:42 pm That's really weird.
Probably not so weird. I imagine that there are travel shows about Buffalo that never mention the Temple of Music, the Pan-American Exposition, or McKinley's assassination.
by obafgkm
Sun Aug 21, 2022 6:11 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Do you keep paper I-bonds to yourself or move to online account?
Replies: 21
Views: 2444

Re: Do you keep paper I-bonds to yourself or move to online account?

seeker24 wrote: Sun Aug 21, 2022 5:24 pm Thanks everyone.

So the consensus is to keep the 12 envelopes in a safe deposit box or in a safe place at home. These paper i-bonds didn't complete an year yet.
I don't keep all twelve envelopes. Twelve I bonds fit comfortably in one envelope. I recycle the other eleven (assuming I get the full $5000).
by obafgkm
Sun Aug 21, 2022 6:03 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Do you keep paper I-bonds to yourself or move to online account?
Replies: 21
Views: 2444

Re: Do you keep paper I-bonds to yourself or move to online account?

I keep my paper bonds in a safe deposit box at my credit union. Each "vintage" I buy I take a digital photograph of (place all of them on a table or the floor, and take one picture) and save that on my computer as well as in a backup.

I also type in the serial numbers at Calculate the Value of Your Paper Savings Bond(s) and therefore have a record for myself of current value as well as the serial numbers. Some people have trouble saving the info, but I have never had a problem in Apple Safari.

I have a few thousand dollars of electronic I bonds at Treasury Direct, but I prefer the paper versions for the tangibility and that their existence is obvious in the case of my demise.
by obafgkm
Thu Aug 18, 2022 10:44 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity as a one stop shop
Replies: 5973
Views: 1007809

Re: Fidelity as a one stop shop

anon_investor wrote: Tue Aug 16, 2022 12:23 pm Also remember to lock your debit card when not in use!
Just remember to unlock it before you need it. I locked my Fidelity CMA debit card, and when I tried to use to withdraw cash at an ATM, it was promptly "eaten" by the ATM. I had to call Fidelity and wait a few days to receive the replacement. Fortunately I could transfer some money to my local credit union and use my credit union's debit card.
by obafgkm
Tue Aug 09, 2022 12:07 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Washington Post: "Inside the IRS 'Pipeline' Used to Process Tax Returns"
Replies: 1
Views: 626

Washington Post: "Inside the IRS 'Pipeline' Used to Process Tax Returns"

More of a public service thing: I found it fascinating. I used one of my gift articles, so anybody should be able to read it. From The Washington Post:

https://wapo.st/3QBdAHX

Some of the terms, such as "candling", seems soooo old-fashioned (even if candles are actually used).
by obafgkm
Sat Aug 06, 2022 11:38 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Daughter’s 1st Birthday Party
Replies: 48
Views: 3753

Re: Daughter’s 1st Birthday Party

We were busy professionals, too -- my wife and I are college professors and our daughter's birthday is right at the end of the fall semester in December. Not a great time work-wise. But I made a cake, we got some prepared food from the grocery store, and had about 15 friends and family members there. We took pictures as we desired and visited with our guests. It probably was 3 or 4 hours too. Oh, our theme was "<daughter's name>'s First Birthday". Keep in mind: your daughter is never going to remember this. (I just asked my daughter, who is in her mid-teens, if she remembered her first birthday party. She doesn't.) The party is just for the parents, so how many people you host and if you decide to have a theme is on you. You can m...
by obafgkm
Sun Jul 31, 2022 8:48 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Tax Forms Associated with Inherited 403(b) Withdrawals?
Replies: 6
Views: 616

Re: Tax Forms Associated with Inherited 403(b) Withdrawals?

TIAA will send you a 1099-R, which reports the distribution, how much is taxable (in your situation, all of it is), and how much was withheld. As with other 1099 forms, you don't file the form with your tax return, but you copy the information to the return. If you withdraw $10K and $2K was withheld, you report $10k on the "Pension Income" line on your tax form, and include the $2K withholding with your other withholding in the payment section. (...) If there is withholding and it is a paper return, I think a copy still gets attached to the 1040. Has been a while since I’ve done any paper returns for taxpayers. Thanks, grabiner and jebmke. I haven't filed by paper in at least a dozen years, and have no intention of starting now. ...
by obafgkm
Sun Jul 31, 2022 4:33 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Tax Forms Associated with Inherited 403(b) Withdrawals?
Replies: 6
Views: 616

Tax Forms Associated with Inherited 403(b) Withdrawals?

I inherited my spouse's 403(b) when she died in 2015. It is called a "Savings and Investment Plan" at TIAA and is in my name. I can withdraw money from this account, even though I am under 59.5 years old. However, I have never taken any money out of it. I understand that TIAA will take 20% of any money I withdraw and send it to the Internal Revenue Service for taxes (and that I will have to settle up with the IRS when I file taxes). I am contemplating withdrawing some money out of the account for the first time this year. My questions: What tax form can I expect from TIAA (after the end of the tax year in January) for my withdrawal? I assume some flavor of 1099. What form will I be adding to my 1040 when I file taxes to document t...
by obafgkm
Sun Jul 31, 2022 12:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Solution for non drying shower
Replies: 24
Views: 2532

Re: Solution for non drying shower

Big Dog wrote: Sun Jul 31, 2022 11:57 am I'd repair it as well. Eventually, OP will want to sell, and this won't be a positive feature.
Maybe it won't even be noticed. The original poster (OP) didn't notice when the condo was being purchased.

But seriously, if the OP is anything like me, this will get really annoying really quickly.
by obafgkm
Thu Jul 21, 2022 5:19 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: SSN for Hospital procedures
Replies: 69
Views: 6074

Re: SSN for Hospital procedures

Nutmeg wrote: Tue Jul 19, 2022 12:00 pm Years ago, I explained to a new doctor’s office that I would prefer to give other identifying info to the office for my children for privacy reasons, and was told that the doctor wouldn’t treat my children if I didn’t provide it. I don’t readily give out my SSN, but have discovered that most doctor’s offices require it as a prerequisite for treatment.
Interesting. I've always said "I don't remember (my child's) social security number." I've never been called on it.