Search found 67 matches

by ddd
Tue Mar 19, 2024 11:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Leaking Window?
Replies: 24
Views: 1887

Re: Leaking Window?

One of your photos shows that the left side wall has water damage, I cannot be the weep holes since water does not go up. Did you check the top of the outside trim. There might be a little hole.
by ddd
Sat Nov 11, 2023 4:29 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How do you enter a paycheck into Gnucash
Replies: 6
Views: 850

Re: How do you enter a paycheck into Gnucash

think of a transaction as a zero sum, amount of increase must equal to total decrease. And think of a Quicken category as an account (banking/credit/expense/income etc.) simple credit card purchase: macy's credit:expenses:clothing charge:banking:credit card $100 ==== a split in a paycheck: charge:income:salary: 1000 credit:taxes:federal: 200 credit:taxes:state:100 credit:banking:checking: 700 === slightly more complex paycheck split: charge:income:salary: 1000 charge:income:employer401KMatch 200 credit:taxes:federal: 200 credit:taxes:state:100 credit:banking:checking: 700 credit:investment:401K: 200 In a GnuCash register, when you hit TAB in a split, the last row has the empty <transfer> column with the unbalanced amount. Just fill in a fun...
by ddd
Mon Aug 09, 2021 9:28 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Gnucash and Ally Bank
Replies: 18
Views: 3629

Re: Gnucash and Ally Bank

clemrick wrote: Sun Aug 08, 2021 5:05 pm I download from Ally all the time using the "Quicken" format and have no problems with it.
Tdubs wrote: Sun Aug 08, 2021 9:33 pm Thanks all for the suggestions, I was able to make it work by downloading Ally as a csv file and editing it. It's been very tedious, especially since I haven't used Gnucash before. I hope it is worth it.
OP, manually editing cvs files is not sustainable, definitely not fun. Given that this has worked for at least one other Gnucash user, it is likely a mis-configuration of the account. worth checking. You might try importing QFX from another bank and see if it affects other accounts in your setup.
by ddd
Sun Aug 08, 2021 1:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Gnucash and Ally Bank
Replies: 18
Views: 3629

Re: Gnucash and Ally Bank

Open the Ally Bank account tab, do you see columns named like deposit/withdraw or payment/charge? if the latter, then edit the account type to bank, not credit. if the former, then maybe Ally's QFX is not right? Open the QFX file with an editor, you will see entries like these: <STMTTRN> <TRNTYPE>CREDIT <TRNAMT>41.43 </STMTTRN> <STMTTRN> <TRNTYPE>DEBIT <TRNAMT>-4.19 </STMTTRN> Credit should have a positive amount, and debit should be negative. Does the Ally file have the expected polarity? If not, you will have to switch the account type from bank to credit to work around it. But be aware that if they fix it in the future, you will need to switch it back. If the QFX file looks correct and your Gnucash account type is BANK, then you will nee...
by ddd
Sun Aug 08, 2021 11:35 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Gnucash and Ally Bank
Replies: 18
Views: 3629

Re: Gnucash and Ally Bank

I don't use Ally Bank. But this is page says QFX is supported.

https://www.ally.com/help/bank/quicken.html#term=export

"Can I download my account activity?
Yes. To download Ally Bank account activity, log in, and select the account. Scroll to the Transactions History, and select the download icon. You can download and save your account activity in a Comma Separated Value (CSV) file or a Quicken (QFX) file."

Gnucash has a friendly user mailing list. Volunteer software developers answer specific questions. Most likely your issue can be resolved in case you still have difficulty importing data from Ally Bank.
by ddd
Sun Aug 08, 2021 11:17 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Gnucash and Ally Bank
Replies: 18
Views: 3629

Re: Gnucash and Ally Bank

Try downloading QFX/OFX from your FI. Import it to Gnucash. If your FI does not support QFX/OFX, pick QIF.
by ddd
Sat Jan 30, 2021 2:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best 'redundant' backup internet for home work
Replies: 40
Views: 6284

Re: Best 'redundant' backup internet for home work

I have both AT&T and Comcast for redundancy. Comcast has more up times, but its line quality is much less consistent. People often say my voice keeps breaking up and becomes inaudible. That's why I got the second line. AT&T is much more consistent in line quality. Three concurrent Zoom meetings are not a problem. However, the modem disconnects from time to time and requires a reboot in order to recover. It's so annoying that it required half a dozen technician visits over the last year. With two lines combined, we only had two hours of down time over the past year when both lines were down after a really bad power outage. With two services running at the same time, I imagine it will be difficult to re-negotiate a new promotion :D
by ddd
Wed Jan 27, 2021 10:41 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Ugh Fidelity! May have to leave!
Replies: 92
Views: 10856

Re: Ugh Fidelity! May have to leave!

TomatoTomahto wrote: Wed Jan 27, 2021 10:00 am Thanks to all re ACH information. Who knew? I always thought a transfer was a transfer and smelled as sweet and all that. For all my years in financial services, I never touched retail operations.

I just set up the BoA account with information for pushing to UMB. It will take a little while (depending on when they do the micro deposits). Lesson learned.
OP,

BoA charges $3 per outgoing ACH transfer. You need to pull it from your Fidelity brokerage account, then you will be able to place trades without delay.
by ddd
Wed Jan 27, 2021 10:26 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Ugh Fidelity! May have to leave!
Replies: 92
Views: 10856

Re: Ugh Fidelity! May have to leave!

OP, I do ACH pull from BoA to Fidelity frequently and have not yet experienced any hold. If the transfer request is issued the night before, money leaves my BoA account early in the morning. If issued during the day, money is pulled midday. It's always cleared the next day. I did a 6 digit pull last year. I was able to place trades immediately after issuing the transfer request. There was a warning about trades incurring margin interests because my cash balance at the time would not cover the trade. But ACH/check settles in less than a day. Trades take two days to settle. So no interests charged. Trade is not the same as withdraw. Funds that are pulled by ACH may be traded immediately; however, they may not be withdrawn (which includes tra...
by ddd
Wed Jan 27, 2021 9:23 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Ugh Fidelity! May have to leave!
Replies: 92
Views: 10856

Re: Ugh Fidelity! May have to leave!

OP,

I do ACH pull from BoA to Fidelity frequently and have not yet experienced any hold. If the transfer request is issued the night before, money leaves my BoA account early in the morning. If issued during the day, money is pulled midday. It's always cleared the next day. I did a 6 digit pull last year. I was able to place trades immediately after issuing the transfer request. There was a warning about trades incurring margin interests because my cash balance at the time would not cover the trade. But ACH/check settles in less than a day. Trades take two days to settle. So no interests charged.

The difference between your setup and mine is the CMA. I don't have one, just the brokerage account.
by ddd
Sat Dec 07, 2019 12:48 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The 10 biggest new ETFs of 2019
Replies: 14
Views: 1914

Re: The 10 biggest new ETFs of 2019

Be very careful when seeking investment advice from others without doing your own research. The ETFs mentioned in this thread on cloud computing do NOT hold stocks from the major cloud providers in the industry.
by ddd
Sat Oct 19, 2019 6:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Purchasing a Pre-Owned iPhone
Replies: 23
Views: 2344

Re: Purchasing a Pre-Owned iPhone

The phones I bought are all more than 3-5 years old. And I made sure they were sold by the original owner. They would all have been out of payment plans if any. You could ask the seller to confirm that's it's free and clear. If they lie, then there is your evidence for a credit card transaction dispute. eBay may also help you in such case.
by ddd
Sat Oct 19, 2019 12:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Purchasing a Pre-Owned iPhone
Replies: 23
Views: 2344

Re: Purchasing a Pre-Owned iPhone

I have purchased 3 factory unlocked iPhones from eBay in the past. All went without issues. I specifically chose individual sellers, with well documented photos, and clear shot of the IMEI number. I then went to the carrier of my choice to check the IMEI for eligibility before making the purchase/bid.
by ddd
Thu Oct 17, 2019 10:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cheap Cell Phone Plan
Replies: 52
Views: 8710

Re: Cheap Cell Phone Plan

That's right. If you want 100% guarantee that you don't loose your number, then buy a plan that auto renews. On the other hand, burning $10 in 90 days is also easy to achieve. Just listen to your favorite music service or internet radio during commute. Or make a single video call. Or do a speed test. Be careful not to over do it :D
by ddd
Thu Oct 17, 2019 6:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cheap Cell Phone Plan
Replies: 52
Views: 8710

Re: Cheap Cell Phone Plan

[...] Wow! I didn't know that Tello had dropped lower. I love their customer service; however, they did drop the ball in not informing me about the lower costs. They automatically changed my plan - I have 300 phone minutes that I don't need - to maintain my monthly cost! :oops: I need to wait until the end of the month (billing cycle) to switch plans though - if I switch right now, they'll bill me for a whole month! OP: You can pay as you go as well. I believe that's one cent per minute talk time and one cent per text. You are probably better off paying $5 for 100 minutes of calling and unlimited texting with no data plan. Regarding Tello's Pay As You Go plan, they recently changed their terms of service (without informing anybody) to the ...
by ddd
Wed Jul 17, 2019 10:52 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Low Cost Burner Phone?
Replies: 16
Views: 3105

Re: Low Cost Burner Phone?

for sprint compatible phones: tello.
for gsm (t-mo, att): lycamobile

true pay-as-you-go. no monthly fee. no expiration date. as long as you use it as least once per 90 days to keep the number alive. just make a 1min call or send a text, 1-2c.
by ddd
Sun Jul 07, 2019 10:03 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Best cash-back credit card right now?
Replies: 204
Views: 47694

Re: Best cash-back credit card right now?

The annual fee on the premium rewards card can be negated pretty easily with the $100 travel credits: https://www.frugalprofessor.com/best-credit-card-rewards-strategy-2018-edition/. I also prefer it due to the cash rewards it provides rather than the travel rewards. Premium Rewards = 3.5% cash back on travel, 3.5% cash back on dining, 2.625% cash back on all else. Travel Rewards = 2.625% travel credits on all purchases. Given how easy it is to break even on the annual fee, I think the premium rewards card is a no-brainer over the travel rewards. IMHO, the Travel Rewards is better than the Premium card. Bookings made through the BOA TravelCenter earn 3% rebate, that comes out to 2.625+1.5=4.125% total. and No annual fee. This beats the pre...
by ddd
Thu Jun 20, 2019 12:25 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Which category to liquidate to cover a margin
Replies: 7
Views: 891

Re: Which category to liquidate to cover a margin

@grabiner, rebalancing in 401k is a great idea! I will probably do that if liquidation is imminent. Thanks!

@CurlyDave, I never thought that the margin rates were negotiable. Will call them tomorrow. I might as well keep a portion of the balance if they offer me 3.37%.
by ddd
Wed Jun 19, 2019 8:50 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Which category to liquidate to cover a margin
Replies: 7
Views: 891

Re: Which category to liquidate to cover a margin

For some reason, I need to provide a cash loan to a close relative on short notice. This leaves me with a large 8.325% margin at Fidelity. I think liquidating a portion of my portfolio is likely less expensive than paying the margin rate. My emergency cash reserve is intact, so are our day jobs. My question is which category should I sell. The most matured holdings will give me the most gain but also the most tax liability. Whereas the losing equities or those with moderate gains are less impactful in tax but I will be selling them at their lows. For example, my international/bond holdings are at a 3% gain only. My other positions in large, mid, small caps are all at 30-90%. After the liquidation, I can most likely recover those positions ...
by ddd
Tue Jun 18, 2019 11:03 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Which category to liquidate to cover a margin
Replies: 7
Views: 891

Which category to liquidate to cover a margin

For some reason, I need to provide a cash loan to a close relative on short notice. This leaves me with a large 8.325% margin at Fidelity. I think liquidating a portion of my portfolio is likely less expensive than paying the margin rate. My emergency cash reserve is intact, so are our day jobs. My question is which category should I sell. The most matured holdings will give me the most gain but also the most tax liability. Whereas the losing equities or those with moderate gains are less impactful in tax but I will be selling them at their lows. For example, my international/bond holdings are at a 3% gain only. My other positions in large, mid, small caps are all at 30-90%. After the liquidation, I can most likely recover those positions w...
by ddd
Sat Jun 08, 2019 11:28 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best verizon mvno for little to no data.
Replies: 20
Views: 2089

Re: Best verizon mvno for little to no data.

If Sprint has good coverage in your area, then switch to tello.com. Your Verizon phone should be compatible with Sprint.

$0/month if you don't use. otherwise it's pay-as-you-go, 3c/min 1c/min.
by ddd
Sun Jun 02, 2019 10:23 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Recommend a small inexpensive laser printer?
Replies: 39
Views: 3952

Re: Recommend a small inexpensive laser printer?

Avoid all printers with a starter cartridge. Look for a Brother laser printer with a *standard* toner cartridge. Mine is a $50 HL-5240. The first cartridge lasted more than 5 years.

As an added bonus, if your router has a USB port, plug it in and make it a network printer.
by ddd
Thu May 09, 2019 11:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Prepaid iPhone for Light User
Replies: 12
Views: 1577

Re: Prepaid iPhone for Light User

My family of 3 phones with Tello paid a total of $50 for 2018. all pay-as-you-go, zero minutes pre-purchased.
by ddd
Thu Apr 04, 2019 10:44 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Experiences with Quicken to GNUCash Conversion.
Replies: 26
Views: 9509

Re: Experiences with Quicken to GNUCash Conversion.

Break the import process into two steps.

1. Import all existing accounts first. There is an export accounts option in Quicken.
2. Import all transactions.

This will eliminate all duplicate transactions. I was able to import 20 years worth of Quicken data without a glitch.
by ddd
Mon Apr 01, 2019 6:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to get cash quickly
Replies: 102
Views: 8810

Re: How to get cash quickly

you have 3 ATM cards (Ally, Fidelity, Vanguard) and 2 days.

- get $1000 for each ATM card today
- after midnight or early tomorrow morning, get $500 from one ATM card
by ddd
Mon Apr 01, 2019 12:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Best way to use Apple Pay Cash
Replies: 19
Views: 2452

Re: Best way to use Apple Pay Cash

bob60014 wrote: Mon Apr 01, 2019 10:53 am
ddd wrote: Mon Apr 01, 2019 10:20 am For the sake of security and privacy, I don't use Apple Pay/PayPal to send/receive cash. Don't want to give my bank info to any 3rd party. Use Zelle.
Zelle is a third party site, though major banks own it .
if your bank does not support Zelle directly, you are out of luck! make a switch if p2p transfer is critical to you so much.
by ddd
Mon Apr 01, 2019 10:20 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Best way to use Apple Pay Cash
Replies: 19
Views: 2452

Re: Best way to use Apple Pay Cash

For the sake of security and privacy, I don't use Apple Pay/PayPal to send/receive cash. Don't want to give my bank info to any 3rd party. Use Zelle.
by ddd
Mon Apr 01, 2019 10:04 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: GNUcash Question
Replies: 5
Views: 1350

Re: GNUcash Question

I think (1) and (2) are the same issue. Like jpsfranks said, each investment account/subaccount is tied to a security. You need to make sure there is a conversion to the default currency. If it's a publicly traded stock/fund, then in Tools/security editor, you tell it where to get the latest price (yahoo_json or AlphaVantage). If it is a proprietary fund, then you need to make sure there is at least one entry for it in Tools/Price Editor. (3), after the report is generated, click Options/display, click 'show table'. I also find general/price source/nearest in time gives the quickest and more realistic results. (5). It guesses the category, in case of a failure, it will remember the merchant/category you manually provide for future use. so y...
by ddd
Fri Mar 22, 2019 10:33 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: When is it time for a new smartphone?
Replies: 66
Views: 5706

Re: When is it time for a new smartphone?

If you have a $30+ monthly plan, the cost of the phone could be insignificant. Switch to a PAYG plan first, use offline maps, then get a second hand iPhone for $100. When the battery wears out, get a $20 kit and DIY.
by ddd
Wed Mar 20, 2019 11:36 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: BofA is improving their autopay
Replies: 15
Views: 2138

Re: BofA is improving their autopay

Unless they make an improvement, I do NOT recommend autopay using BoA bill pay. I have been bitten by this and lost 100 points on my credit score. Their autopay currently requires you to set up e-bills to be sent to them. And through that they auto pay. The problem is the e-bill arrangement is tied to the credit card number, NOT your actual credit card account. So if your credit card number changes, e-bills will stop coming and you will first miss your bill, and then miss the payment deadline. Because there is no bills to pay!! They will reimburse you for the late fees and accrued interests. But it is up to the credit card company to wipe your credit report clean. Last time they refused my request, because the payment was indeed late. You c...
by ddd
Tue Feb 05, 2019 1:04 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fidelity Zero tax efficiency
Replies: 19
Views: 3332

Re: Fidelity Zero tax efficiency

Not an accountant here. But AFAIK, the presence of capital gain distributions is not a good measure of a fund's tax efficiency. The tax rate for long term capital gains is always lower or equal to that for dividends. Non-qualified dividends are taxed as regular income. Also, the tax efficiency of Vanguard funds is not always the best. E.g. compare VTIAX vs. FSPSX. Those are different types of funds, not actually comparable. VTIAX is a total international stock index fund, investing in stocks of both larger and smaller companies in both developed and emerging markets. FSPSX is not a total international stock index fund, it invests only in stocks of larger companies only in developed markets. If you think that's the case, then compare FSPSX ...
by ddd
Tue Feb 05, 2019 10:11 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fidelity Zero tax efficiency
Replies: 19
Views: 3332

Re: Fidelity Zero tax efficiency

Not an accountant here. But AFAIK, the presence of capital gain distributions is not a good measure of a fund's tax efficiency. The tax rate for long term capital gains is always lower or equal to that for dividends. Non-qualified dividends are taxed as regular income.

Also, the tax efficiency of Vanguard funds is not always the best. E.g. compare VTIAX vs. FSPSX.
by ddd
Sat Feb 02, 2019 5:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Cell phone and plan needed for elderly mom
Replies: 6
Views: 617

Re: Cell phone and plan needed for elderly mom

For low usage users, tello.com is the best. Pay nothing if you don't use it. True pay-as-you-go. You need a sprint/verizon CDMA phone.

Also checkout Lyca mobile. They have an unadvertised PAYG plan. no monthly fee. on GSM network (att/tmo).
by ddd
Wed Jan 30, 2019 10:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Options for International Cell Phone Use
Replies: 35
Views: 2218

Re: Options for International Cell Phone Use

I'm a Page Plus customer and Page Plus supports international calling, but not texting or data usage while outside of the US. I will be out of the country and am uncomfortable with not being able to call/text. I am considering switching to Xfinity Mobile, although my current phone will not work on their network, so I'm not thrilled with the idea of having to purchase a new phone. But, that seems to be a viable option in order to have international use of my phone. Do wise Bogleheads any recommendations for international calling/text/data usage? Thanks. Where are you going? Just pick up a SIM card from a pay as you go carrier on your travels. I did that in Ireland several years ago and it took over a hour of my life that I'll never get back...
by ddd
Tue Jan 29, 2019 12:03 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: More efficient way to move funds from Vanguard to Fidelity?
Replies: 10
Views: 1279

Re: More efficient way to move funds from Vanguard to Fidelity?

You can do the following to have zero wait time: 1. Find the ACH routing number and account number of your vanguard brokerage account. 2. Add your Vanguard 'checking' account to your Fidelity bank transfer bank info section. They request a voided check or a bank statement. 3. Enable margin trading on your Fidelity brokerage account. 4. After the 'add bank' request is approved and complete (3-4 days?), do a test transfer from Fidelity, say $1 from Vanguard to Fidelity. 5. The pending transfer should clear in one business day if issued in the morning. After the above is complete: 1. Initiate a bank transfer from your Fidelity account: Vanguard to Fidelity 2. After creating the transfer request, immediately order a trade. Make sure the trade a...
by ddd
Sun Dec 16, 2018 11:47 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bank of America Merrill Edge Up to $900 Bonus for Preferred Rewards Clients
Replies: 58
Views: 9087

Re: Bank of America Merrill Edge Up to $900 Bonus for Preferred Rewards Clients

For those who took advantage of the offer through an *existing* account, could you provide instructions on how to proceed? I tried the 'Get Started' button and it eventually led me to opening an new account. I prefer not to have another CMA@MLE. Thanks!
by ddd
Mon Nov 26, 2018 10:53 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Credit Card for International Travel
Replies: 67
Views: 17277

Re: Credit Card for International Travel

IMHO, boa travel rewards card is better. It carries no annual fee. And with the exception of dining, its rebates are equal or higher than the premium card. In particular, all travel purchases (airfare, hotel, car, cruise etc.) through boa travel center carry double rewards. So it's 3% rebate. The premium card yields 2% only. With preferred rewards, that's 4.125% on all travel expenses. I have used the travel center for most of my bookings. Since I don't pay any airline fees, the $100 credit means nothing to me. Most airlines offer free bags on long haul international flights anyway. It's more appropriate to call the premium card a premium dining card with an annual fee. :D Just to be clear: Are you saying the points earned on the BofA Trav...
by ddd
Fri Nov 23, 2018 11:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Credit Card for International Travel
Replies: 67
Views: 17277

Re: Credit Card for International Travel

I think the Bank of America Travel Rewards card is, by far, the best option for several reasons It's not even the best Bank of America card for international travel. Premium Rewards is better on each of the points you listed. Yes, it has a $95 annual fee, but it also has a $100 annual airline fee credit, which we can safely call a wash for someone traveling internationally. IMHO, boa travel rewards card is better. It carries no annual fee. And with the exception of dining, its rebates are equal or higher than the premium card. In particular, all travel purchases (airfare, hotel, car, cruise etc.) through boa travel center carry double rewards. So it's 3% rebate. The premium card yields 2% only. With preferred rewards, that's 4.125% on all ...
by ddd
Mon Oct 01, 2018 10:32 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fidelity takes 10 days for funds available to trade
Replies: 4
Views: 706

Re: Fidelity takes 10 days for funds available to trade

OP was referring to check deposits, not ACH transfers. Here is the official answer: "Deposits are generally available for withdrawal or to purchase securities online within 4 business days. Your confirmation will indicate the availability of funds for your specific account." I have not deposited a check at Fidelity for a long time. Don't remember how long it actually settles. If you enable margin on the account, you could shorten the 4-day period to 2 days. A trade takes two days to settle, so you could purchase 2-days before the check clears. Both the check and the trade will settle on the same day. No margin is used and thus no interest is collected. For inbound ACH, consider it instant. You can pull and trade on the same day. I...
by ddd
Thu Apr 19, 2018 10:15 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can I *not* claim all the state tax in my itemized deduction?
Replies: 39
Views: 7319

Re: Can I *not* claim all the state tax in my itemized deduction?

pshonore wrote: Thu Apr 19, 2018 8:11 am
ddd wrote: Wed Apr 18, 2018 5:31 pm Most states allow you to contribute to a list of endorsed non-profit funds. California has 40 of them.

Just donate 100% of your refund amount on your state form. That donation may also earn you a deduction on next year's 1040.
Interesting thought but won't you still get a 1099G for the entire refund amount?
I would assume not. Total refund = tax overpaid - fund_contributions - (interest+penalty) = 0. The state won't send you a check. Even if it does show up on 1099G, this income is reduced to zero by the donation and thus has no impact on next year's tax.
by ddd
Wed Apr 18, 2018 5:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can I *not* claim all the state tax in my itemized deduction?
Replies: 39
Views: 7319

Re: Can I *not* claim all the state tax in my itemized deduction?

Most states allow you to contribute to a list of endorsed non-profit funds. California has 40 of them.

Just donate 100% of your refund amount on your state form. That donation may also earn you a deduction on next year's 1040.
by ddd
Tue Apr 17, 2018 12:39 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Allegiant Airlines...Anyone watch CBS 60 Minutes?
Replies: 55
Views: 16193

Re: Allegiant Airlines...Anyone watch CBS 60 Minutes?

I'm a pilot, and wouldn't board any MD plane in service, and certainly not Allegiant. That manufacture isn't around anymore to take care of the planes. Rode on MD to St Louis a decade or longer ago, and the noise, metal pops, and gear noise was the loudest I've ever heard. Decided then that I wouldn't want to ride on MD again. I enjoy a comfortable, safe flight. Please clarify - are you a commercial airline pilot? McDonnell-Douglas was acquired by Boeing. There are plenty of aircraft made originally by MD still operating safely today (the Blue Angels fly one type, for example, the F/A 18). Ongoing maintenance is generally not performed by the manufacturer. I would have zero concerns flying on an AA or DL MD-80. They are being phased out, b...
by ddd
Fri Mar 02, 2018 4:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What are the Best Tablet to Read PDFs?
Replies: 29
Views: 14749

Re: What are the Best Tablet to Read PDFs?

You can write notes on pdfs with iOS iBooks. it's available on all Apple phones and tablets. download the pdf and add it to iBooks. open, pick a pen, start writing or typing.
by ddd
Sat Feb 03, 2018 11:05 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards
Replies: 7057
Views: 891495

Re: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards

I strongly recommend against boa auto pay through ebills. I had it before for one credit card and paid less attention on its payments until a collection letter came. It turns out the ebill is tied to the credit card number, not the account itself. So if the card number changes for any reason, their bill pay service will not get an e-bill! I tried to dispute the spot on the credit report, but the credit card company insisted that it's my fault not paying the bill on time. It took one full year to recover the 100 point loss on the credit score. It's not worth the trouble for the slight convenience, IMHO. The BoA billing/payment system and UI is terrible, even if you’re trying to pay your BofA credit cards. I wouldn’t trust it to do anything ...
by ddd
Wed Jan 24, 2018 6:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Pizza delivery asked for security code on my credit card with order
Replies: 50
Views: 33550

Re: Pizza delivery asked for security code on my credit card with order

OP, next time when this happens, use a one-time credit card number. Don't have to reveal or cancel the real number. Bank of America cards offer this through Shop-Safe. Other banks may have different names for it.
by ddd
Wed Jan 24, 2018 10:37 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Still using a 5 year old iphone 5. Who's with me? No new phones!!!
Replies: 151
Views: 15337

Re: Still using a 5 year old iphone 5. Who's with me? No new phones!!!

I just replaced the battery in my dying 5s DIY. Now it runs like a new one without a bulky battery case. cost for the battery: $20. Where did you buy the battery? what equipment did you use to perform the swap. I am in precisely this situation with my 5s. Bought it from amazon. The kit came with necessary tools (screw driver, case sucking cup etc.). But I used an iFixit Pro tool kit. The process was a bit tough for a first timer like me. The screws are tinny to see with my aging eyes. And removing the glue underneath the old battery was scary. I had to use a hair dryer to loosen it. You need to watch some youtube videos before doing it right. Now that I did it once, it will be easier next time when my other iPhone batteries need to be repl...
by ddd
Wed Jan 24, 2018 10:06 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Still using a 5 year old iphone 5. Who's with me? No new phones!!!
Replies: 151
Views: 15337

Re: Still using a 5 year old iphone 5. Who's with me? No new phones!!!

I just replaced the battery in my dying 5s DIY. Now it runs like a new one without a bulky battery case. cost for the battery: $20.
by ddd
Sat Jan 20, 2018 4:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards
Replies: 7057
Views: 891495

Re: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards

I strongly recommend against boa auto pay through ebills.

I had it before for one credit card and paid less attention on its payments until a collection letter came. It turns out the ebill is tied to the credit card number, not the account itself. So if the card number changes for any reason, their bill pay service will not get an e-bill! I tried to dispute the spot on the credit report, but the credit card company insisted that it's my fault not paying the bill on time. It took one full year to recover the 100 point loss on the credit score.

It's not worth the trouble for the slight convenience, IMHO.
by ddd
Fri Dec 22, 2017 9:47 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Will you take this Fidelity bait ?
Replies: 126
Views: 18795

Re: Will you take this Fidelity bait ?

Take it. I think your offer is worth $12500, not 5000. It's $2500 for each $1m transferred. You will have to phase it $1m/year.

IMHO, I will switch without the bonus. Vanguard service is horrible. Fidelity reps are always helpful, knowledgable, and respectful. Fidelity ATM card is my work horse for overseas travel. Their %2 cash back credit card is also reasonable.

If you must invest in Vanguard funds, buy the ETFs. The ERs are the same as the admiral shares. You can also get Vanguard to convert all of the admirals funds to ETFs prior to the transfer. At your asset level, you should not be paying any fees for anything. And always their most knowledgable reps answer your call.
by ddd
Fri Nov 17, 2017 2:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Questions for Boglehead runners
Replies: 28
Views: 2861

Re: Questions for Boglehead runners

1. this year: 2 races, 2 pairs of shoes, 3 pairs of socks, one trip (not sole purpose though). total ~$2000
2. W-F 8-9am, 6miles/day. S: 6-8am, 12miles.
3. no music. I talk to my running buddies or think about work/life.