Search found 2477 matches

by spammagnet
Thu Mar 21, 2024 10:28 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards
Replies: 7054
Views: 890880

Re: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards

... March 14 – Received PR card  March 15 -17- Some transactions on PR, 75% Platinum Honors has NOT kicked in  It's your relationship that's Platinum Honors, not the individual accounts. The PR transactions on 15-17 should be PH. If you call, they probably can be revised, but it's not worth the time. may be by PR, PR card he means Premium Rewards credit card. Basically he applied for two credit cards, Customized cash rewards and Premium Rewards. I never understood the points game and always opted for cash rewards. I only carry Customized Cash Rewards. I assume so. My point was that, once one has Platinum Honors status, it applies to all accounts. The PR cards transactions were eligible at the time and should have resulted in higher percent...
by spammagnet
Thu Mar 21, 2024 4:14 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The Final, Definitive Thread on Brokerage Transfer Bonuses
Replies: 7763
Views: 1351397

Re: The Final, Definitive Thread on Brokerage Transfer Bonuses

VictorStarr wrote: Fri Mar 08, 2024 11:25 pm... 1) You probably can earn a Merrill bonus every 37 weeks (24 weeks + 90 days). I do it once per year to hit the required balance for my anniversary date. ...
IIRC, the recent offer had some language restricting it to new customers.
by spammagnet
Thu Mar 21, 2024 4:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Quicken 2019 and forward
Replies: 1062
Views: 115430

Re: Quicken 2019 and forward

I just filed my federal and state taxes and wanted to add reminders for my estimated taxes. This is the first time I'm doing this, so I had nothing in Quicken before. I never realized that Quicken understands the quarterly tax payment dates. In "Bill and Income Reminders, add a manual bill. To the right of the "Due next on:" field is "change". Select "change" --> "How often:". The very last entry at the bottom of the drop-down list is "to pay estimated taxes". The quarterly payment dates will be entered for you. When using that schedule option, it even properly applies future 1040-ES payments in the Tax Planner, if categorized to the right tax line. April, June and September of this ca...
by spammagnet
Thu Mar 21, 2024 3:55 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards
Replies: 7054
Views: 890880

Re: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards

Here is my final timeline.  CCR Platinum Honors rewards after 8 days.  PR Platinum Honors rewards after 14 days.  March 4 – Open BOFA Checking and ME CMA. Issued asset transfer to CMA  March 5 – PR and CCR cards applied and immediately approved  March 6 – Email saying CCR was shipped  March 7 – Email saying PR was shipped  March 8 – Asset transfer complete  March 10 – Email "Welcome to Preferred Rewards". Login shows Platinum Honors  March 11 – Debit Card and CCR arrive  March 12 - 1st transaction on CCR, 75% Platinum Honors HAS kicked in  March 14 – Received PR card  March 15 -17- Some transactions on PR, 75% Platinum Honors has NOT kicked in  March 18 - PR transaction Platinum Honors HAS kicked in  It's your relationship that's...
by spammagnet
Sat Mar 16, 2024 10:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Primer on Paying Taxes With a Credit Card
Replies: 874
Views: 164610

Re: Primer on Paying Taxes With a Credit Card

czaj wrote: Fri Mar 01, 2024 1:52 pmI have a different experience. I’ve made plenty of payments to both SSNs and the IRS “automatically” combines them each year without me doing anything.

I put automatically in quotes because it’s not clear if it’s actually automatic or if someone needs to manually combine; it’s possible it causes my return to take longer to process.
+1. Paid MFJ taxes with my SSN and DW's SSN. They were combined automatically. It's not immediate and I don't recall if they record it as of the payment date. I think so.
by spammagnet
Sat Mar 16, 2024 10:44 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: The Final, Definitive Thread on Bank Bonuses
Replies: 122
Views: 17186

Re: The Final, Definitive Thread on Bank Bonuses

SpideyIndexer wrote: Fri Mar 08, 2024 8:25 pm Curious if there are sometimes hefty fees to close an account which paid a bonus.
Fees aren't unusual. They're usually not hefty and sometimes can be avoided completely. Just consider them in your analysis when comparing alternatives.

I have no problem paying a $45 fee when closing a Wells-Fargo IRA, considering that they just gave me $2,500 to open a checking account.
by spammagnet
Sat Mar 16, 2024 10:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards
Replies: 7054
Views: 890880

Re: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards

westminster wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2024 12:26 pm... Been thinking about changing banks for some time, and tempted to take advantage of the promos going on at the moment to get a nice cash bonus. Trying to decide between…
You describe your options as though they are mutually exclusive. They are not. While some have expirations to consider, you can prioritize based on hold requirements, moving your money from one to the next, and getting multiple bonuses.

Start with the one with the shortest hold time. Weigh that hold time against the ones which are expiring earlier, causing you to miss out completely. Many of these are recurring so, even if you miss the current expiration, you won't necessarily miss out completely.
by spammagnet
Thu Mar 14, 2024 12:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards
Replies: 7054
Views: 890880

Re: Maintaining PH status

Can someone please remind me about BA's rules for maintaining PH status? ... See prior posts: https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6987136#p6987136 https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7744544#p7744544 There's two checks, anniversary month and three months later. If you fail both, you lose tiers of status or lose status entirely. A link within one of those links referred to a grace period. This is the specific language: If after a year you no longer meet the balance requirement, you'll get a three-month grace period. I conclude that I should have a $100K balance at the end of July. If they congratulate me in early August for achieving another year, I'm free to use the funds elsewhere; if what they're looking for is ...
by spammagnet
Thu Mar 14, 2024 12:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards
Replies: 7054
Views: 890880

Maintaining PH status

Can someone please remind me about BA's rules for maintaining PH status?

I recently had to reestablish it after my balance dropped. I moved ~$100K+ back and it took 3 months, the requirement being a 3 month moving average. That resumed a month or so ago.

My Preferred Rewards anniversary is in August. I vaguely recall that, if your balance is sufficient on your anniversary, all is well, even if you only recently moved money to achieve the balance. I.e., it needn't be a 3-month average if you're good on the day they check.

Or, does my 3-month average EOM balance have to meet criteria, i.e., I have to have 100K balance by late April so balance checks at the beginnings of June, July and August all are good?
by spammagnet
Fri Feb 02, 2024 9:42 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
Replies: 7203
Views: 1421737

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

robbierob03 wrote: Fri Feb 02, 2024 9:20 am
spammagnet wrote: Fri Feb 02, 2024 7:14 amBofA CCR pays 3%, plus your Preferred Rewards booster, for Walmart online purchases or store purchases paid through the Walmart app, when the card is set too "online" category. For those with Platinum Honors status (I realize that's a stretch for most people) that results in 5.25% cash back.

Payment with the Walmart app does not require Walmart+. The BofA cards have a $2,500,/qtr limit on the higher rate.
That's a good point that I always forget about. I really need to make sure my CCR is added to any store app I have and use.
I can't say that every store app works that way. I know for a fact that Publix, Walmart and Sam's Club apps do.
by spammagnet
Fri Feb 02, 2024 7:14 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
Replies: 7203
Views: 1421737

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

5% Walmart card 5% Target card 5% Kroger card (also up to $3,000/yr back on Apple Pay) 5% rotating category cards (Discover, Freedom, Freedom Flex) 3% online shopping with BofA 2% Fidelity All cash back with no fees or memberships required Wait which card gives 5% back at Walmart? I can't imagine that's sustainable for any issuer, so is this some teaser rate? BofA CCR pays 3%, plus your Preferred Rewards booster, for Walmart online purchases or store purchases paid through the Walmart app, when the card is set too "online" category. For those with Platinum Honors status (I realize that's a stretch for most people) that results in 5.25% cash back. Payment with the Walmart app does not require Walmart+. The BofA cards have a $2,500...
by spammagnet
Thu Feb 01, 2024 9:33 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Optimize AGI for ACA [Adjusted Gross Income for ACA health insurance]
Replies: 28
Views: 4164

Re: Optimize AGI for ACA

I am not sure anyone has answered your question about the optimal AGI. But, here is how one can go about doing it. I warn you, it is a bit complex. ... There is probably a way to use a solver to do the iterative calculations for you. I'll use Excel's Data>What If> Goal Seek to seek a premium of $0. As a follow-up, I've shifted credit limits around to where we have a total available 0% purchase APR limit of ~$90K. As many of my expected expenditures cannot be paid with a credit card, I doubt I'll get that far. I also won't know whether it actually benefits me to defer my IRA withdrawals to next year, until closer to the end of this year. But it's harmless to spend everything on 0% credit cards until I have more information with which I can ...
by spammagnet
Sat Jan 27, 2024 3:55 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards
Replies: 7054
Views: 890880

Re: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards

bbrock wrote: Sat Jan 27, 2024 3:50 pm
spammagnet wrote: Sat Jan 27, 2024 8:57 amIf you're playing the credit card game it saves time to keep a spreadsheet with accounts and dates. One you create it, updates are easy.
Good tip
I include data like whether or not there's an annual fee, when it's due, if there are annual credits of some kind, whether it's personal or business, the issuing bank (which determines which rules apply) etc. It helps with planning when you're looking for your next fix.
by spammagnet
Sat Jan 27, 2024 8:57 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards
Replies: 7054
Views: 890880

Re: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards

Well, was just denied from Chase for a CSP card. I don't think it is the 5/24 rule, but who knows. They will send me something in the mail explaining. I have applied and received 3 BofA cards in the last 1+ yr. It easy to figure out if you have 5 new accounts within last two years. Just go get your free credit report or use credit karma if you don't remember how many cards you opened. At CK, but I don't see anywhere on their website where it reveals how many cards I have opened, or the dates opened for the accounts I do have. Just scroll down and open each one. It says how long ago it was opened. I have 30+ cards and didn't take that long to count up how many were opened within two years. If you're playing the credit card game it saves tim...
by spammagnet
Fri Jan 26, 2024 5:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards
Replies: 7054
Views: 890880

Re: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards

bbrock wrote: Fri Jan 26, 2024 5:04 pm Well, was just denied from Chase for a CSP card. I don't think it is the 5/24 rule, but who knows. They will send me something in the mail explaining. I have applied and received 3 BofA cards in the last 1+ yr.
Did you call the reconsideration line?
by spammagnet
Mon Jan 22, 2024 9:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Does Medicare pay for Hospice care?
Replies: 23
Views: 2801

Re: Does Medicare pay for Hospice care?

If your grandmother is covered by Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) and qualifies for Hospice, some of her bills may be refused by the Part C underwriter because bills resulting from hospice care should be paid by CMS. It can get a little messy but not so much that you should decline the service.

Referral for hospice doesn't have to originate with a medical provider but they do have to validate the conditions that qualify. My mother referred herself when diagnosed with stage 4 chronic kidney disease. The hospice staff sought (and got) documentation of the qualifying condition from her provider.
by spammagnet
Mon Jan 22, 2024 9:39 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The Final, Definitive Thread on Brokerage Transfer Bonuses
Replies: 7763
Views: 1351397

Re: The Final, Definitive Thread on Brokerage Transfer Bonuses

bbrock wrote: Mon Jan 22, 2024 9:09 pm
spammagnet wrote: Mon Jan 22, 2024 8:11 pm
nalor511 wrote: Sun Jan 21, 2024 12:45 pm... the "hourly wage" that these bonuses pay, is super high, in the thousands.
That is my experience, as well. As much as it irritates me that I'm not sticking with my goal of simplification, I appease myself with a nice bottle of wine and remind myself that the bank paid for it.

When cognitive decline demands that I do simplify, I will.
+1 spam, but at the point of my cog decline… I question will I even know 🤨
I was thinking the same as I wrote it. The reality is, when I hit the level of cognitive decline that requires it, I trust that someone will make that decision for me. When a family member becomes that involved in my finances they will most certainly want to simplify it, as I did for my parents.
by spammagnet
Mon Jan 22, 2024 8:11 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The Final, Definitive Thread on Brokerage Transfer Bonuses
Replies: 7763
Views: 1351397

Re: The Final, Definitive Thread on Brokerage Transfer Bonuses

nalor511 wrote: Sun Jan 21, 2024 12:45 pm... the "hourly wage" that these bonuses pay, is super high, in the thousands.
That is my experience, as well. As much as it irritates me that I'm not sticking with my goal of simplification, I appease myself with a nice bottle of wine and remind myself that the bank paid for it.

When cognitive decline demands that I do simplify, I will.
by spammagnet
Sat Jan 20, 2024 7:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards
Replies: 7054
Views: 890880

Re: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards

bbrock wrote: Sat Jan 20, 2024 3:08 pm... However, I’ll probably apply for the Chase Sapphire preferred first, wait a few months, and then apply for the PR. Different companies but would the 5/24 or 2/4/12 (or whatever the other set of numbers for BofA) matter or come in to play?
Chase 5/24 definitely would be affected by your applying for BofA first. I believe BofA's rules consider only BofA cards, but I'm not sure. I don't think you need to wait to apply for the BofA cards after getting the Sapphire Preferred. Your ability to meet the minimum spending requirements for multiple cards with normal spending may influence your timing.
by spammagnet
Sat Jan 20, 2024 2:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards
Replies: 7054
Views: 890880

Re: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards

evelynmanley wrote: Sat Jan 20, 2024 9:26 am I'm sure this has been discussed before, but I'm late to the game with PR. For those you on the Platinum Honors tier who shop on Amazon, do you set your BofA CC as the payment card in your Amazon wallet, and is that considered an online payment by BofA for the 5.25% cashback?
Yes, but if you have an Amazon Prime card from Chase you can get 5% on all Amazon purchases, without limit. That preserves your $2,500/quarter limit on the BofA CCR cards. That may or may not fit your needs but is worth considering if you can spend the $2,500/quarter online elsewhere.
by spammagnet
Fri Jan 19, 2024 8:52 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards
Replies: 7054
Views: 890880

Re: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards

markRoss wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 8:50 pmYes and I called them and told them I was about to transfer $500k to merrill edge to get PH after getting this card and they still said no after reconsidering.
Wow. That sucks. They have to inform you formally in writing as to why they denied your application. Did you get that?
by spammagnet
Fri Jan 19, 2024 8:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards
Replies: 7054
Views: 890880

Re: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards

Unfortunately, I got denied. My credit is immaculate.... now. In 2004 i opened a Bof A credit card and line of credit. Post GFC when my small business did poorly i defaulted on $10k of credit card debt with BofA. I eventually paid off the loan. In 2017 BofA sent me an offer to pay $3000 to get rid of my $10k debt. It said we already wrote this off but we can still come after you and I was in a much different place financially and about to buy a house so I sent them the $3k. Currently I have perfect credit (835 at experian) about $100k in available and pay it off every month so like maybe $5-10k of balances of the monthly float. I own my house. Turns out B of A doesn't forget. They denied me and I called and they said it was because I had a...
by spammagnet
Fri Jan 19, 2024 4:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards
Replies: 7054
Views: 890880

Re: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards

... I will start with the UCR and then add the CCR once i get merrill edge and the PH in place. If you can, fund the Merrill account in full with one move. Better yet, if you have $250K (I make no assumptions) do that with the plan of getting ME's $1K new account bonus . You don't have to leave it all there to maintain PH status. New customers sometimes can get PH status immediately. After funding the account with whatever you plan to move (at least $100K), open a checking account, link it to the ME account and request PH status. After that, if you drop off PH status you have to go through the 3 month average balance process to get it back. That happened to me while my money was elsewhere earning a more valuable bonus. I'll get it back aft...
by spammagnet
Fri Jan 19, 2024 3:58 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards
Replies: 7054
Views: 890880

Re: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards

... I will start with the UCR and then add the CCR once i get merrill edge and the PH in place. If you can, fund the Merrill account in full with one move. Better yet, if you have $250K (I make no assumptions) do that with the plan of getting ME's $1K new account bonus . You don't have to leave it all there to maintain PH status. New customers sometimes can get PH status immediately. After funding the account with whatever you plan to move (at least $100K), open a checking account, link it to the ME account and request PH status. After that, if you drop off PH status you have to go through the 3 month average balance process to get it back. That happened to me while my money was elsewhere earning a more valuable bonus. I'll get it back aft...
by spammagnet
Fri Jan 19, 2024 8:26 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards
Replies: 7054
Views: 890880

Re: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards

... I am on the fence between the URC and the PR card. I checked my spending and my restaurant spending ($10k assuming PR covers doordash/UE) will get me about half way to covering the annual fee (3.5% vs 3% on CFU). I dont fly so the credits dont help. But $400 extra sign up offsets the annual fee for a lot of years. If you don't mind two cards, you could get a Customized Cash Rewards card and set the category to either dining or online purchases to get the 5.25% back on up to $2500/quarter. Then do a UCR for everything else at 2.625%. Especially if its mostly apps on the CCR card with a saved payment method then you aren't even having to think about which card to use for purchases. To be clear to @markRoss, using a CCR (or SGK) card in a...
by spammagnet
Thu Jan 18, 2024 9:26 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Optimize AGI for ACA [Adjusted Gross Income for ACA health insurance]
Replies: 28
Views: 4164

Re: Optimize AGI for ACA [Adjusted Gross Income for ACA health insurance]

Dmevsjd wrote: Wed Jan 17, 2024 7:26 pm I suppose each state is different but if you don’t have enough income and ACA kicks you to Medicaid your application there will be denied in my state because you have too many assets. No insurance for a year? :?
I live in Florida which I'm sure would make it as bad as possible. My spending plans this year require withdrawals that assure me that lack of income won't be a problem. My goal is to optimize it while also considering the impact on future years of withdrawing this year from Roth, or not.
by spammagnet
Wed Jan 17, 2024 6:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Optimize AGI for ACA [Adjusted Gross Income for ACA health insurance]
Replies: 28
Views: 4164

Re: Optimize AGI for ACA

tj wrote: Wed Jan 17, 2024 6:44 pm
spammagnet wrote: Tue Jan 02, 2024 9:07 pm
miket29 wrote: Tue Jan 02, 2024 3:51 pmYou want to have enough AGI so that you are above Medicaid eligibility or else that will be your health insurance instead of an ACA plan of your choice.
That's unlikely. I'm in Florida. :wink:
If you're in Florida and you're not above Medicaid AGI, you just get screwed.
Medicaid is irrelevant. I never mentioned it. Somebody else did.
by spammagnet
Wed Jan 17, 2024 4:53 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Helping retired parents, Why quarterly tax payments?
Replies: 35
Views: 3241

Re: Helping retired parents, Why quarterly tax payments?

tibbitts wrote: Tue Jan 16, 2024 11:54 pmI would not pay taxes with billpay, partly because billpay will say not to use billpay for taxes (or at least mine does.) Besides it's so easy to schedule with the Treasury directly. I do use billpay with USmail for local taxes, but the stakes and amounts are much lower.
I've not done either one, wanting to pay quarterly using a credit card. (I do pay a regular amount, i.e., 1/4 of last year's, but I use different accounts.) Does the IRS permit you to schedule the entire year, in advance?
by spammagnet
Tue Jan 16, 2024 11:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Helping retired parents, Why quarterly tax payments?
Replies: 35
Views: 3241

Re: Helping retired parents, Why quarterly tax payments?

okie745 wrote: Tue Jan 16, 2024 12:44 pm
Hyperchicken wrote: Tue Jan 16, 2024 12:10 pm What problem are you trying to solve?
Since I am taking things over for him. I want to keep things as simple as possible. I would rather not have to keep track of if/when quarterly payments are made.
Arranging for withholding from multiple sources may not simplify things. Consider instead to schedule quarterly payments with their bank's billpay service at the beginning of the year, using the safe harbor amount (1/4 of last year's taxes) provided by the CPA. That way you know it will be paid on schedule, assuming sufficient funds in the checking account.
by spammagnet
Tue Jan 16, 2024 10:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Optimize AGI for ACA [Adjusted Gross Income for ACA health insurance]
Replies: 28
Views: 4164

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

Which four new credit cards did you open? Do you have to make monthly minimum payments? Thanks! Between DW and myself we opened 1 Chase Ink Business Unlimited, 1 Chase Freedom Unlimited and 2 Bank of America UCF affinity cards (they're basically CCR cards). I started with acquisition of the Ink card to get the $900 SUB, then realized it has a 0% APR on purchases for 12 months. That prompted me to explore if I could use it to reduce our 2023 AGI, and to see if others were available to us. As for minimum payments, yes. They're 1% of the balance, minimum $35 or $40, depending on the bank. I estimate that, if I max out all of the current credit limits gradually over the year ($67K) I'll have to pay out around $4,000 total over the same period....
by spammagnet
Mon Jan 15, 2024 2:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Optimize AGI for ACA [Adjusted Gross Income for ACA health insurance]
Replies: 28
Views: 4164

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

My strategy changed radically this month. We opened four new card accounts to get the 12+ month 0% purchase APR with $60+K (total) credit limit. ... Good on you. Post back with updates; maybe even worth a separate thread to track this strategy. Few questions: 1. More of a tip, but be sure to track your 5/24 so you're aware of your Chase status. Or any of these biz cards to keep some room? 2. To pay off come month 13 (or whenever) are you planning the big withdrawals? Thinking about trying to do a big/little tax year strategy? I touched on the topic a bit in a separate thread I opened about optimizing AGI for ACA. That wasn't specifically about using credit cards to accomplish a little/big tax year, but that's really the only means availabl...
by spammagnet
Mon Jan 15, 2024 11:57 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Optimize AGI for ACA [Adjusted Gross Income for ACA health insurance]
Replies: 28
Views: 4164

Re: Optimize AGI for ACA

[Posts merged into here from What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy? --admin LadyGeek] My strategy changed radically this month. We opened four new card accounts to get the 12+ month 0% purchase APR with $60+K (total) credit limit. Using those for all the purchases we can, plus tax payments and other large expenses, we can defer required IRA withdrawals for living expenses to next year. That reduces our AGI, maximizing ACA premium tax credits until DW's Medicare starts in December. We'll get SUBs and BofA Preferred Rewards to the extent practical but those are secondary considerations. It's uncertain at this time whether it's best for us to make the IRA withdrawals this year or next year. Delaying to next year may double our 2025 income,...
by spammagnet
Mon Jan 15, 2024 11:33 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards
Replies: 7054
Views: 890880

Re: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards

petulant wrote: Sat Jan 13, 2024 9:20 am Recently signed up for an unlimited cash card and just started using it this week. I already had a CC card. Last night BOFA's fraud department marked a transaction and instead of texting me froze the account and now I have to go to a branch with two forms of ID. Annoying but I get it. I never had to show any ID in person for the CC card.
BofA has always been aggressive about blocking new card accounts, in my experience. And, they don't send timely messages like they say they do. One new account required 4 separate phone calls to the fraud department because of repeated denials.
by spammagnet
Mon Jan 15, 2024 11:09 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The Final, Definitive Thread on Brokerage Transfer Bonuses
Replies: 7763
Views: 1351397

Re: The Final, Definitive Thread on Brokerage Transfer Bonuses

slbnoob wrote: Sun Jan 14, 2024 3:26 pmAny suggestions for me who is looking to transfer an old employer 401(k)?
Roll it over to an IRA. If CPWM won't for that, do it somewhere else first, then transfer to CPWM. In fact, it's probably less painful to roll it elsewhere first using a more sophisticated online system, then have CPWM transfer from that system using their 1980's paper process.

If you're still employed, make sure you keep them 401k find separate and tagged as a rollover, allowing you to roll it into another employer fund in the future if that's advantageous.
by spammagnet
Mon Jan 15, 2024 11:02 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards
Replies: 7054
Views: 890880

Re: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards

KingofRMDtorpedo wrote: Fri Jan 12, 2024 3:33 pm... My life is now complete :D
Until you need a new credit card fix
by spammagnet
Mon Jan 15, 2024 10:58 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards
Replies: 7054
Views: 890880

Re: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards

rustlers wrote: Fri Jan 12, 2024 12:11 pmYes this is diesel/petrol /gasoline at major brand gas stations....
What app? What brands do you have experience with?
by spammagnet
Mon Jan 15, 2024 10:52 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The Final, Definitive Thread on Brokerage Transfer Bonuses
Replies: 7763
Views: 1351397

Re: The Final, Definitive Thread on Brokerage Transfer Bonuses

UncleLeo wrote: Mon Jan 15, 2024 5:48 amJust to make sure: Do IRAs count towards the Citi PWM bonus?
If they do and I have 3 originating IRA accounts (Vangaurd+Fid), would you recommend to first consolidate them into one before moving to Citi to minimize headache?
1. Yes. That's pretty much the only type of investment account we have, so I know they work.
2. Consolidate first. Everything you do with CPWM is paper or DocuSign. Minimizing those transactions mitigates the pain. My experience with ACAT to Fidelity using their online tools was very easy. I have no experience with Vanguard.
by spammagnet
Sat Jan 13, 2024 8:15 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The Final, Definitive Thread on Brokerage Transfer Bonuses
Replies: 7763
Views: 1351397

Re: The Final, Definitive Thread on Brokerage Transfer Bonuses

potatogun wrote: Sat Jan 13, 2024 5:44 pm If small IRA eligible bonuses are being brought up, Merrill Edge is superior at $750 for $200K: https://www.merrilledge.com/offers/me750
The same $200K gets you $1,000 at Citi, but you have to deal with Citi. ME is much easier, at least in my experience. (We've done it twice at both.)

The most productive use of $500K is the combination of $2,500 for WF Premier checking and $200K for CPWM, as you cite above. Move $201K of ETFs to CPWM. They tolerate market fluctuations. Move the remainder to WF. They don't tolerate market fluctuations. If the balance drops to $249,999.99 for one day, you lose the bonus.
by spammagnet
Sat Jan 13, 2024 8:07 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The Final, Definitive Thread on Brokerage Transfer Bonuses
Replies: 7763
Views: 1351397

Re: The Final, Definitive Thread on Brokerage Transfer Bonuses

spammagnet wrote: Fri Jan 12, 2024 9:00 am
JD09 wrote: Fri Jan 12, 2024 8:48 am Opened WF Premier checking and WellsTrade on 10/02. Funded within a week. Bonus 2500 posted today 01/12.

Now looking at ways to avoid transfer fee and downgrade/close the checking account.
The fee is not avoidable, AFAIK. It's $50 which is only 2% of the $2,500 free money they gave you. Don't sweat the small stuff.
To be clear, I was referring to account closure.
by spammagnet
Fri Jan 12, 2024 9:09 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The Final, Definitive Thread on Brokerage Transfer Bonuses
Replies: 7763
Views: 1351397

Re: The Final, Definitive Thread on Brokerage Transfer Bonuses

JD09 wrote: Fri Jan 12, 2024 9:05 am
spammagnet wrote: Fri Jan 12, 2024 9:00 am
JD09 wrote: Fri Jan 12, 2024 8:48 am Opened WF Premier checking and WellsTrade on 10/02. Funded within a week. Bonus 2500 posted today 01/12.

Now looking at ways to avoid transfer fee and downgrade/close the checking account.
The fee is not avoidable, AFAIK. It's $50 which is only 2% of the $2,500 free money they gave you. Don't sweat the small stuff.
I'm certain I had read here or elsewhere that some people were not hit with the fee. I just have to find the right order. $50 saved is $50 earned
I followed a prescribed sequence but still was charged $49.95.
by spammagnet
Fri Jan 12, 2024 9:00 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The Final, Definitive Thread on Brokerage Transfer Bonuses
Replies: 7763
Views: 1351397

Re: The Final, Definitive Thread on Brokerage Transfer Bonuses

JD09 wrote: Fri Jan 12, 2024 8:48 am Opened WF Premier checking and WellsTrade on 10/02. Funded within a week. Bonus 2500 posted today 01/12.

Now looking at ways to avoid transfer fee and downgrade/close the checking account.
The fee is not avoidable, AFAIK. It's $50 which is only 2% of the $2,500 free money they gave you. Don't sweat the small stuff.
by spammagnet
Thu Jan 11, 2024 9:22 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What is the Worst Financial Decision/Mistake You Have Made?
Replies: 657
Views: 134498

Re: What is the Worst Financial Decision/Mistake You Have Made?

TechieTechie wrote: Wed Jan 10, 2024 10:24 am... it was a boomerang offer ...
What is a boomerang offer?
by spammagnet
Wed Jan 10, 2024 1:54 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards
Replies: 7054
Views: 890880

Re: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards

calwatch wrote: Wed Jan 10, 2024 1:10 pm I think the normal rate may be 4% but if you participate in the offer it is 3%. That's how I read it and how my offers usually turn out, although sometimes I just get 4% offers.
Actually, I think they're increasing transfer/advance fees to 4% across the board. Refusal before the February date probably requires closing the account.
by spammagnet
Tue Jan 09, 2024 7:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: SPIA from Roth: taxable?
Replies: 16
Views: 2140

Re: SPIA from Roth: taxable?

petulant wrote: Tue Jan 09, 2024 7:18 pm
spammagnet wrote: Tue Jan 09, 2024 4:48 pm
Johm221122 wrote: Sun Jan 07, 2024 9:30 pmI don't believe they are referring to a SPIA
I was.

The question arose because I set up Maxifiplanner to convert X% of remaining retirement assets to SPIA at age Y. I hadn't noticed that it converted tIRA and Roth accounts proportionately. When I noticed that in the reports it made me think about the tax question.

I later clarified from the developer that the software distinguishes between tIRA and Roth as sources for SPIA funding when forecasting taxes.
I don't believe the quote about "they" meant you, I believe it meant the website the question was about
My mistake
by spammagnet
Tue Jan 09, 2024 7:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards
Replies: 7054
Views: 890880

Re: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards

FedGuy wrote: Tue Jan 09, 2024 6:03 pmI believe BoA checks annually, around the anniversary of your achieving status. If you're below $100,000 in ME accounts when they check, they send you a warning telling you to get your balance back up or lose status.
And, if you lose your status, unlike when PH status is established quickly the first time you open a new account with the required balance, they do apply the 3-month average rule to get it back.
by spammagnet
Tue Jan 09, 2024 4:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: SPIA from Roth: taxable?
Replies: 16
Views: 2140

Re: SPIA from Roth: taxable?

Johm221122 wrote: Sun Jan 07, 2024 9:30 pmI don't believe they are referring to a SPIA
I was.

The question arose because I set up Maxifiplanner to convert X% of remaining retirement assets to SPIA at age Y. I hadn't noticed that it converted tIRA and Roth accounts proportionately. When I noticed that in the reports it made me think about the tax question.

I later clarified from the developer that the software distinguishes between tIRA and Roth as sources for SPIA funding when forecasting taxes.
by spammagnet
Tue Jan 09, 2024 4:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What is the Worst Financial Decision/Mistake You Have Made?
Replies: 657
Views: 134498

Re: What is the Worst Financial Decision/Mistake You Have Made?

tashnewbie wrote: Sun Jan 07, 2024 8:14 am... I was on the fence about using the money as a house down payment.
Doesn't that make it sound judgment?
by spammagnet
Tue Jan 09, 2024 4:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Budgeting software?
Replies: 70
Views: 9757

Re: Budgeting software?

mrb09 wrote: Tue Jan 09, 2024 10:13 am... I have a sheet where I total all the credit card balances and use that to calculate how much I need in checking for the CC auto-pays (plus other ACH pulls and a buffer). I do that the beginning of the month. It isn’t quite right, as I can only calculate the entire liability and not the statement balance, but it is close enough, and all the calculations are kept up to date by the automatic feeds. So maybe gray area between turn-key and band-aid.
If Tiller has a transaction flag for reconciled status, consider use of SUMIF() to sum only reconciled transactions after you reconcile the accounts against the statement.
by spammagnet
Tue Jan 09, 2024 4:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Budgeting software?
Replies: 70
Views: 9757

Re: Budgeting software?

Hi as a follow up, I tried a bunch of them and settled on Simplifi by Quicken. Been using it for months, very happy for budgeting, cash flow monitoring, net worth tracking, investment tracking, savings goals. It has a few quirks that require a bit of learning but the forum is great and Quicken seems to be putting a lot of effort into updating and enhancing it, probably to capture all those stranded Mint users. Pretty inexpensive too. YNAB is good for folks that want to put the work in, dig out of debt, change habits, but a bit complex and higher learning curve. Simplifi is more hands-off and does great categorization. It's probably unreasonable to expect it but does Simplifi include any tax functionality? Answering my own question, I just ...
by spammagnet
Tue Jan 09, 2024 4:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Budgeting software?
Replies: 70
Views: 9757

Re: Budgeting software?

Diver4242 wrote: Mon Jan 08, 2024 3:49 pm Hi as a follow up, I tried a bunch of them and settled on Simplifi by Quicken. Been using it for months, very happy for budgeting, cash flow monitoring, net worth tracking, investment tracking, savings goals. It has a few quirks that require a bit of learning but the forum is great and Quicken seems to be putting a lot of effort into updating and enhancing it, probably to capture all those stranded Mint users. Pretty inexpensive too.

YNAB is good for folks that want to put the work in, dig out of debt, change habits, but a bit complex and higher learning curve. Simplifi is more hands-off and does great categorization.
It's probably unreasonable to expect it but does Simplifi include any tax functionality?