Search found 108 matches
- Fri Nov 29, 2019 8:51 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Turbotax 2019 on Amazon
- Replies: 213
- Views: 19253
Re: Turbotax 2019 on Amazon
For past several years I have been purchasing Deluxe + State on CD from Costco. IIRC was paying ~ $49. Currently, I can purchase same today from Amazon for same price + $10 Amazon GC (or $39 + $10 GC w/o State). Based upon several posters here, I think I will wait out Amazon to drop price down to $3...
- Thu Nov 21, 2019 7:01 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Fees for in-service withdrawals? (Fido Mega backdoor)
- Replies: 10
- Views: 547
Re: Fees for in-service withdrawals? (Fido Mega backdoor)
Yes, both DW and myself have Fidelity 401K. Both charge the fee for "in-service" withdrawal. We just set a $$ amount target of >$5K when we do the move to ROTH IRA. Just a cost of doing business, but still worth it considering the benefit of over-funding the ROTH. 

- Thu Nov 21, 2019 6:00 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Do you keep deposting money into IRA while "market crashes"?
- Replies: 44
- Views: 4167
Re: Do you keep deposting money into IRA while "market crashes"?
Yes, best time to buy is when the market is on-sale! Another forum member mentions Warren Buffett, so I couldn't resist my two favorite quotes from him about buying in down markets. "Opportunities come infrequently. When it rains gold, put out the bucket, not the thimble." "The best chance to deploy...
- Tue Nov 19, 2019 5:41 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Any experience with Hyatt Legal Plans?
- Replies: 25
- Views: 12362
Re: Any experience with Hyatt Legal Plans?
My employer just started offering this service. Five years later after this original post, I'm curious if forum members have any additional good or bad experience with this service. Worth it for those that need Deed prep, Will's, POA, and other Estate documents prepared?
- Sat Nov 09, 2019 7:37 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Hard Wired smoke alarms. Recommendations.
- Replies: 34
- Views: 1936
Re: Hard Wired smoke alarms. Recommendations.
I purchased the Kidde product from Amazon. In bedrooms I used "Kidde i4618 Firex Hardwire Ionization Smoke Detector with Battery Backup" and in the main hallway I used "Kidde KN-COSM-IBA Hardwire Combination Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarm with Battery Backup and Voice Warning". These were different...
- Tue Nov 05, 2019 7:26 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: New Bosch dishwasher already faulted
- Replies: 22
- Views: 2363
Re: New Bosch dishwasher already faulted
I totally feel your pain. This type of failure is not acceptable and should not be tolerated. I would investigate return to place of purchase, if possible. You will be kicking yourself in the future when more issues pop up. Bosch is not a quality product as most would think. Several years ago we add...
- Sat Sep 28, 2019 1:38 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Mega Backdoor Roth...
- Replies: 1
- Views: 304
Re: Mega Backdoor Roth...
Looks like someone just had a light bulb moment with the mega backdoor process using the BH guidance. I too, have found the Backdoor and Mega Backdoor Roth processes to be the MOST useful of all the wisdom I have found on this forum. Greatly appreciated combined with the best pricing model - FREE! :...
- Sun Sep 15, 2019 7:54 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Mother's Pension Plan is Being Terminated - Help with Options Needed
- Replies: 33
- Views: 3487
Re: Mother's Pension Plan is Being Terminated - Help with Options Needed
Hello fellow Bogleheads. OP here with quick update. After reading all the options presented and reviewing with my Mother, she has elected to take the lump sum. Paperwork was submitted, so check will be expected mid-October. Upon receipt, we will hand-deliver the check (titled to Fidelity FBO Mom) al...
- Fri Sep 13, 2019 5:22 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: 2019 Costco HVAC services: Good deal/issues?
- Replies: 20
- Views: 2470
Re: 2019 Costco HVAC services: Good deal/issues?
I got a quote from a local Lennox HVAC Costco Supplier ~ 3 years ago. They were the most expensive of all quotes (including Costco rebates) and unwilling to negotiate any on the price. They seemed to have the opinion that they had a "lock" on the business due to their Costco affiliation. Wrong! I we...
- Thu Sep 12, 2019 4:12 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Electric Bicycles
- Replies: 116
- Views: 9410
Re: Electric Bicycles
They only sell online, like Rad, and take Amazon pay, so if you have 5-10% cashback through an Amazon or Discover card it can save even more Do you have prior experience with receiving the 5% back using Pay with Amazon? You got me all excited to save additional 5% with Amazon Pay linked to my Amazo...
- Mon Sep 09, 2019 7:44 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Electric Bicycles
- Replies: 116
- Views: 9410
Re: Electric Bicycles
Rather than start a new thread, I thought I would just bump this prior e-Bike thread. It's been nearly two years since last post, so was curious if forum members have any additional recommendations and/or thoughts on e-Bikes? DW and I have been thinking about getting new bikes and we are seriously c...
- Thu Aug 29, 2019 12:27 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Mother's Pension Plan is Being Terminated - Help with Options Needed
- Replies: 33
- Views: 3487
Re: Mother's Pension Plan is Being Terminated - Help with Options Needed
This seems to be the way of the world now. I had a former employer notify me over the summer of a similar thing. I can take a lump sum payout, roll over to an employer plan. etc. Being only 46, Im looking at rolling it to my 401(k) if possible. If I were older and retired, Id probably go the IRA ro...
- Thu Aug 29, 2019 12:22 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Mother's Pension Plan is Being Terminated - Help with Options Needed
- Replies: 33
- Views: 3487
Re: Mother's Pension Plan is Being Terminated - Help with Options Needed
This will come across as a bit callous, but in thinking about these situations, I tend to take the lump sum offered ($47,575) and divide it by the monthly amount of the annuity offered ($554). Assuming no gain in the lump sum relative to inflation, that lump sum of $47,575, would yield 85.87 months...
- Wed Aug 28, 2019 7:43 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Mother's Pension Plan is Being Terminated - Help with Options Needed
- Replies: 33
- Views: 3487
Re: Mother's Pension Plan is Being Terminated - Help with Options Needed
At her age, with fragile health, and RMDs not being spent, I agree that a rollover to a TIRA is a good idea as opposed to the annuity). She could use the same account. Although, it might make sense to pay the taxes to due a Roth conversion — with an eye toward inheritance — depending on her tax rat...
- Wed Aug 28, 2019 7:37 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Mother's Pension Plan is Being Terminated - Help with Options Needed
- Replies: 33
- Views: 3487
Re: Mother's Pension Plan is Being Terminated - Help with Options Needed
Cheese Breath. My Mother had stated her payment has been < $600/mo, but after review of the documentation, it appears that there will NOT be any change in her monthly benefit. I made the change to my original post. Thanks.
- Wed Aug 28, 2019 6:13 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Mother's Pension Plan is Being Terminated - Help with Options Needed
- Replies: 33
- Views: 3487
Mother's Pension Plan is Being Terminated - Help with Options Needed
Hi Bogleheads community. My 81 year old mother (82 in Nov) just received notification that her former employers pension plan is being terminated effective Oct 2, 2019. She has been drawing on this same pension ~ $554/mo for the past twenty years and still lives on her own with me or my sister within...
- Sat Jul 27, 2019 6:28 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Experience with Costco Citi Visa?
- Replies: 34
- Views: 4572
Re: Experience with Costco Citi Visa?
It's been good, except we had a problem redeeming the rewards certificate this year. My wife took it into the store, and Costco tried to put it through on the computer. But it was in some kind of error state, so they called Citi to ask them to release it. But Citi thought the problem was on Costco'...
- Sun Jul 21, 2019 6:53 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Etrade denies promotion on $1 mil new account
- Replies: 65
- Views: 7785
Re: Etrade denies promotion on $1 mil new account
I am of same thoughts as OP. "Never, Never, not Ever" click on link embedded in an email. Being this was an investment account, makes it even more important. Perhaps, give E*Trade one last chance to make things right, via promotion fulfillment. Try talking to someone in Sr. Leadership role. If no su...
- Sun Jul 21, 2019 6:02 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
- Replies: 4154
- Views: 802816
Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
Heads up... Citi is ending Price Rewind on Sept 22nd. That used to be one key benefit of the Citi Doublecash over the Fidelity Visa https://www.doctorofcredit.com/citi-to-end-price-rewind-program-on-september-22nd-2019/ It's not just the Price Rewind feature. Citi is also ending their Trip Cancella...
- Tue Jun 04, 2019 5:36 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: New refrigerator noise is driving us nuts
- Replies: 32
- Views: 2703
Re: New refrigerator noise is driving us nuts
We refurbished with an LG fridge and range. Both are junk. Wife and I are now avoiding LG products. I would voice the same for Bosch Frig and Mirco. Both have had numerous failures in first 3 years of ownership. Luckily, I purchased and extend warranty for Frig, so $2.5K in repairs were covered (No...
- Tue May 07, 2019 8:04 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: What do you do with variable bonus?
- Replies: 24
- Views: 1953
Re: What do you do with variable bonus?
My annual bonus varies, but has averaged ~ 20% for past ten years. I have done exactly the same thing with this bonus in these steps: 1) temp increase in my 401K contributions for ~ 1/3rd of total. 2) 1/3rd towards mortgage. 3) 1/3rd split equally between DD & DS 529 accounts. This strategy has work...
- Thu Mar 21, 2019 4:51 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: OBD GPS tracker for new teen driver
- Replies: 20
- Views: 1458
Re: OBD GPS tracker for new teen driver
For my DD's car, we use the Automatic PRO AUT-350 purchased from Amazon in Feb 2018 for ~ $110. Looks like Amazon is not selling direct anymore, so may need to perform some Google activity or purchase directly from Manufacturer. I also purchased an ODBII extension cable to mount the unit directly up...
- Wed Mar 20, 2019 5:21 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: My fee's are too [darn] high!
- Replies: 31
- Views: 4203
Re: My fee's are too [darn] high!
Wow! +30 holdings in a taxable account. Perfect example of a "FA" providing "value" via over-complication of an asset allocation. Nothing like a false sense of complexity to justify the 1.35% AUM. Again, Wow! Run, run fast and far.
- Sat Mar 09, 2019 8:12 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Garbage Disposal: So many choices out there. How do you decide which one?
- Replies: 54
- Views: 4237
Re: Garbage Disposal: So many choices out there. How do you decide which one?
A few years ago the disposal (brand new) by the builder died in a couple of years. At the time I did some research and concluded this one was the way to go. It's 1 HP and it was day and night performance from the original 1/2 HP disposal. Waste King Legend 8000 (garbage disposer) Model# 1E3-14889-5...
- Thu Mar 07, 2019 6:31 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Best deals on monthly/recurring cost items - what your best deal?
- Replies: 13
- Views: 1878
Re: Best deals on monthly/recurring cost items - what your best deal?
Hulu w/Ads Streaming - $0.99 / mo Black Friday deal. Went thru popular cash back link and got $10 back. Total 12 month cost is $2! :sharebeer We too got the Black Friday deal - which I felt good about - but here again - we paid the full rate Black Friday rate of $12/year - can you explain how you g...
- Wed Mar 06, 2019 7:53 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Best deals on monthly/recurring cost items - what your best deal?
- Replies: 13
- Views: 1878
Re: Best deals on monthly/recurring cost items - what your best deal?
Hulu w/Ads Streaming - $0.99 / mo Black Friday deal. Went thru popular cash back link and got $10 back. Total 12 month cost is $2!
I have actually been pretty pleased with the service by watching it much more than I thought. Noooooo!

I have actually been pretty pleased with the service by watching it much more than I thought. Noooooo!

- Wed Feb 27, 2019 7:28 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Mega Backdoor Roth Mechanics Question
- Replies: 17
- Views: 1271
Re: Mega Backdoor Roth Mechanics Question
Pro-rata shouldn't apply unless you are also doing Backdoor Roth contribution. If this is the case, then just roll the tIRA full balance back into your 401K. 

- Mon Feb 11, 2019 8:17 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Portfolio Checkup + MegaBackdoor Roth?
- Replies: 5
- Views: 649
Re: Portfolio Checkup + MegaBackdoor Roth?
MegaBackDoor is a great savings tool. Just make sure you investigate if your 401K provider charges a fee to process the request. Fees will limit your frequency of "in-service" distributions. DW & me each get tagged for $20 fee, so we only make the request when we hit a $$ dollar threshold. Again, gr...
- Sun Feb 10, 2019 8:55 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: 1099-R and Mega Backdoor Issue using TurboTax
- Replies: 3
- Views: 510
Re: 1099-R and Mega Backdoor Issue using TurboTax
Try splitting the 1099-R into two. One for the earnings rolled over to traditional, with the earnings in box 1 and no basis in box 5. The second for the after-tax amount in box 1 and box 5. Answer the questions separately for each 1099-R. Thanks tfb. Your post makes sense and got me pointed in righ...
- Sun Feb 10, 2019 6:41 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: 1099-R and Mega Backdoor Issue using TurboTax
- Replies: 3
- Views: 510
1099-R and Mega Backdoor Issue using TurboTax
As done in prior years, I initiated an "in-service" distribution of my aftertax contributions from my 401K. The aftertax contributions went to my Roth IRA, and the growth of $398 went to my tIRA. Also, similar to prior years, the 1099-R shows in Box 1 - Gross Amt (AT + Growth), Box 2a - $0, Box 5 - ...
- Sun Feb 10, 2019 9:00 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Stolen Credit Card Number
- Replies: 19
- Views: 1755
Re: Stolen Credit Card Number
I'm more than a bit confused here. People are talking about using virtual numbers. The OP has a Costco Citi Visa card, as do I. As far as I can tell, virtual numbers are not available for Costco Visa. I use virtual numbers with my CapitalOne card. I really wish all credit card companies had that fe...
- Mon Jan 28, 2019 6:14 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
- Replies: 4855
- Views: 1260789
Re: Movie Polar on Netflix
Was Polar Oscar worthy? No, but it was entertaining. It is down of the road of John Wick type genre with lots action and violence. While I wouldn't pay for this type of movie at a theater I will watch and enjoy in the privacy of my own home on Netflix. I will give it a thumbs up! Remember it is what...
- Tue Jan 22, 2019 3:30 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Fidelity free Turbotax
- Replies: 398
- Views: 64559
Re: Fidelity free Turbotax
Having not seen the link for Free TurboTax (only discount links) on my login landing screen, I finally messaged my assigned Fidelity Financial Consultant. Below is his response: "Thanks for your inquiry into Turbo Tax. Fidelity has updated the qualifications to receive the free version of Turbo Tax ...
- Mon Jan 21, 2019 7:22 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Questions about Fidelity
- Replies: 21
- Views: 1908
Re: Questions about Fidelity
Op, as others have stated - You should not be using the debit card for transactions. The consumer protections are a fraction of those provided with a regular CC. While probable that Fidelity would eventually make you whole, if this debit card was ever compromised with fraud activity, it could take w...
- Wed Jan 16, 2019 11:59 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Are You Dumping Netflix?
- Replies: 218
- Views: 19197
Re: Are You Dumping Netflix?
They spent something like $13B in content last year and plan to spend more this year. The money has to come from somewhere. Last I looked they still had a negative cash flow (so its not like they are ripping off the folks who think this increase is outrageous). As investors in NetFlix (which all Bo...
- Sun Jan 06, 2019 8:03 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: $40,000 in debt, bankruptcy seems to be the best option right now
- Replies: 271
- Views: 24949
Re: $40,000 in debt, bankruptcy seems to be the best option right now
You have an income and/or spending and potentially communication problem. Communication: "Wife's bills = $365" of which you clarified $70 is cell phone is a problem. If both of you are living on your income, and both of you are counting on your wife to care for the kids during the day, all the inco...
- Wed Jan 02, 2019 1:54 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: REGISTRATION FOR 2019 BOGLEHEAD CONTEST [Entry deadline has passed]
- Replies: 696
- Views: 19438
- Mon Dec 31, 2018 2:59 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Fidelity free Turbotax
- Replies: 398
- Views: 64559
Re: Fidelity free Turbotax
I am still waiting for the link. For last two years, I had the free Turbo Tax in my account. So far no sign of it. I guess I will wait another week. I do not do any trading and do have both personal and employee accounts at Fidelity. Is Fidelity still doing this in batches? Anybody else still waiti...
- Wed Dec 26, 2018 5:57 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: 401K Contribution Amount
- Replies: 24
- Views: 1470
Re: 401K Contribution Amount
Keep trying. I convinced my company to adopt a low cost plan with mega backdoor Roth provisions, or at least I like to think it was me. Maybe it's a coincidence that they did everything I asked for. Of course, some employees still think it's terrible because the market dropped. While trapped in a h...
- Wed Dec 26, 2018 2:03 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Do I need to report my child's income ($1600)?
- Replies: 31
- Views: 3084
Re: Do I need to report my child's income ($1600)?
Have you funded a ROTH IRA for him yet? Now that he has income, you can contribute FOR him. No better way to pass a legacy than kick-start for the future.



- Sat Dec 01, 2018 8:29 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Finance only laptop? Can I use an old one?
- Replies: 39
- Views: 3859
Re: Finance only laptop? Can I use an old one?
Interesting perspectives on the WIFI snooping. That's the first I have heard of this potential vulnerability. Any links that give additional insight? Luckily, my little Mini 9 has Ethernet port, so i can use both. 

- Sat Dec 01, 2018 5:52 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Finance only laptop? Can I use an old one?
- Replies: 39
- Views: 3859
Re: Finance only laptop? Can I use an old one?
Rather than start new thread, I resurrected this 6 month old post. Recently I have been listening to Clark Howard Podcasts, and ole' Clark is a huge proponent of a "Financial Chromebook" (FC). With used Chromebooks ~ $80 and new ones can be had for $99 during Christmas season I've been seriously thi...
- Mon Nov 19, 2018 6:54 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Backdoor Roth rolling Trad IRA to 401K To Unblock
- Replies: 4
- Views: 404
Re: Backdoor Roth rolling Trad IRA to 401K To Unblock
Yes, most definitely. Assuming it's allowed, roll all your tIRA's back into you 401k. With $0 tIRA balance you will be strategically set up for BOTH Backdoor Roth IRA and Mega Backdoor Roth IRA (again, assuming your 401k allows in-service withdrawals). If pursuing this route, be sure to inform you t...
- Tue Nov 13, 2018 6:32 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Would you invest CC cashback into market??
- Replies: 32
- Views: 1720
Re: Would you invest CC cashback into market??
DW & I do it every month with our Fidelity 2% cashback cards. Both go directly into my DD's Fidelity 529. +$30k growth over past 15 years.



- Fri Nov 02, 2018 4:23 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: HSA & LP-FSA & DC-FSA?
- Replies: 2
- Views: 266
Re: HSA & LP-FSA & DC-FSA?
Yes, you can. Been using those three for several years now. The Limited Purpose FSA has been great for both my DD & DS who have Orthodontia. I just have the Orthodontist project the future year costs and we then make the benefit election in November. Pay full amount in January and get reimbursed sam...
- Wed Oct 31, 2018 5:57 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Which Account for RMD?
- Replies: 5
- Views: 619
Re: Which Account for RMD?
Agree, use your RMD to rebalance.
- Wed Oct 31, 2018 5:53 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Backdoor Roth - did I mess this up?
- Replies: 17
- Views: 978
Re: Backdoor Roth - did I mess this up?
Key is to have zero tIRA balance by end of CY2018. If left in current state with no additional actions, they YES , this is screwed up and you will owe taxes on prorata amounts. There is still time to correct. Assuming you have a 401k with current employer, see if you can roll the tIRA into your curr...
- Sun Oct 21, 2018 7:45 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Do I need to buy laptop software?
- Replies: 32
- Views: 2944
Re: Do I need laptop software?
Look at LibreOffice. It's a totally free suite of office products that IMO mirror MS Office with same functionality. I've been using it of years without issue. Go to https://www.libreoffice.org/
- Wed Oct 17, 2018 6:54 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Mega Backdoor Roth Mechanics
- Replies: 43
- Views: 6084
Re: Mega Backdoor Roth Mechanics
Although it isn't intuitively obvious, Fidelity maintains a separate "account" in your 401k for just the after-tax contributions. For example, suppose you have $100K in your 401k which is made up of pretax contributions and their earnings. You recently started after-tax contributions and let them b...
- Fri Oct 12, 2018 1:32 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Help with 401K Allocation
- Replies: 6
- Views: 361
Re: Help with 401K Allocation
I echo chevca's advice. These 4 funds all have excellent ER's and fit the bill for three fund portfolio. 60/40 split is very reasonable.