Search found 89 matches

by Suman
Fri Jan 19, 2018 2:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What can I do to fight this ridiculous medical bill?
Replies: 86
Views: 7936

Re: What can I do to fight this ridiculous medical bill?

Wait for a few weeks for all bills to settle and then call the hospital. You could request them to review the visit and adjust the bills. Most likely they will adjust it. Hospital at least has to maintain a facade of helping patienta so will relent sometimes. Insurance companies including Medicare have no other motive beyond their balance sheet so don't expect any help from them.
by Suman
Fri Jan 19, 2018 2:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What can I do to fight this ridiculous medical bill?
Replies: 86
Views: 7936

Re: What can I do to fight this ridiculous medical bill?

You bought an insurance from an insurance company. You went to an ER with your insurance policy. ER billed you for the part insurance didn't pay. This issue is between you and your insurance company to sort out.
With all the rants about greedy doctors, one can clearly see here who is the culprit here. The most educated and dedicated people in healthcare are being marginalized and results are here for everyone to see.
Another issue here- everyone who wants PA and
NP to be independent practitioners, you will see more and more of this.
Patients must realize that physicians and nurses are the only one advocating for them. No one else in this healthcare industry chose this profession to help a sick person.
by Suman
Thu Jan 18, 2018 3:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: To the doctors on the forum
Replies: 88
Views: 8468

Re: To the doctors on the forum

I am a doctor. I learned medicine and I practice medicine. Healthcare finance in not my monkey and not my business. I earn my salary, take care of my family and keep my patients healthy. The day it is too burdensome to deal with all the middlemen, I will quit, and hopefully boglehead philosophy will help me reach there on time.
by Suman
Thu Jan 18, 2018 6:26 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: To the doctors on the forum
Replies: 88
Views: 8468

Re: To the doctors on the forum

Because everyone controls the profession of medicine except the doctors. I wish for the day when there are no insurance including Medicare and we can do transactions in cash with our patients without all these regulatory burdens.
by Suman
Sat Jan 06, 2018 12:40 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Small cap index fund in Roth IRA
Replies: 4
Views: 1038

Re: Small cap index fund in Roth IRA

Which large-cap index do you have in the 401(k)?
Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Separate Account-I5, ER .06%
Seems like Vanguard extended market index in Roth IRA is the way to go.
by Suman
Fri Jan 05, 2018 4:57 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Small cap index fund in Roth IRA
Replies: 4
Views: 1038

Re: Small cap index fund in Roth IRA

Yes. That should work. Goal is to keep my portfolio aligned to TSM.
by Suman
Fri Jan 05, 2018 4:11 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Small cap index fund in Roth IRA
Replies: 4
Views: 1038

Small cap index fund in Roth IRA

Hi,

I invest my 401K in low ER principal large cap index fund. However, this is resulting in underexposure to medium and small cap funds. Should I try to balance it by investing in small cap fund in my Roth IRA?

Thanks.
by Suman
Wed Dec 27, 2017 3:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Another should i buy my dream porsche thread...
Replies: 240
Views: 21085

Re: Another should i buy my dream porsche thread...

If it is for fun and non-essential, I pay cash. That is my rule.
by Suman
Mon Nov 27, 2017 6:05 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tesla Model 3 refund
Replies: 8
Views: 2196

Re: Tesla Model 3 refund

60 business days not 60 days.
by Suman
Sat Nov 25, 2017 7:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tesla Model 3 refund
Replies: 8
Views: 2196

Tesla Model 3 refund

Today I cancelled my Tesla model 3 reservation. As per Tesla, refund will process in 30-60 business days which means close to 3 months. With a company burning $1 billion every quarter in cash, this refund time frame does not instill any further confidence.
by Suman
Sun Nov 12, 2017 5:25 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Why pay cash for a car?
Replies: 250
Views: 41489

Re: Why pay cash for a car?

Many car owners do not carry collision type coverage. Car finance companies usually require you to carry these additional coverages. One can avoid it by paying cash.
by Suman
Sat Oct 21, 2017 7:07 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tax management for H1b person
Replies: 1
Views: 487

Tax management for H1b person

Hi,

I am in US since 2007 on a H1b visa and will be on that for a foreseeable future. I am from India originally. Is there anything that I could do to get some tax benefits based on my non-immigrant visa status?
Details- MFJ 35/31 No kids, expected income in 2017 400K, Physician on W2 employment, maxing out 401K, no access to 457b now, doing backdoor Roth for past 2 years for both of us, rest goes into Vanguard taxable, AA 80:20, state tax 6.6%

Thank you.
by Suman
Tue Oct 17, 2017 7:48 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What to do with old 401K
Replies: 15
Views: 1712

Re: What to do with old 401K

My previous employer's 403b had better fund options than current employer. I left my old 403b with my previous employer. I didn't convert it to traditional IRA as I do backdoor Roth every year.
by Suman
Sat Oct 07, 2017 2:17 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What are you up YTD? [Year To Date]
Replies: 5250
Views: 906841

Re: What are you up YTD? [Year To Date]

20% excluding transactions in 2017.
by Suman
Thu Oct 05, 2017 4:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How much worth house should one buy?
Replies: 73
Views: 7726

Re: How much worth house should one buy?

I make 400K and I am buying a 600K house max in a good school district. In my area, that will buy a good size house to serve our needs. Mortgage or any other kind of loans are a burden on one's shoulder and one will have to carry it everywhere.
by Suman
Wed Oct 04, 2017 7:18 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: So... What bond fund or bond-like instrument do you use?
Replies: 68
Views: 10180

Re: So... What bond fund or bond-like instrument do you use?

FXSTX Fidelity total US bond market institutional from my old employer's 403b and 457b. I rebalance from target fund VITLX to FXSTX to keep my bond allocation at 20%. When no more tax advantaged space left in 403b, will buy BND in my backdoor Roth. When that's full, will switch to Vanguard intermediate term tax-exempt bond fund in taxable account.
by Suman
Sun Oct 01, 2017 12:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What will happen if I refuse to pay a medical bill?
Replies: 125
Views: 14931

Re: What will happen if I refuse to pay a medical bill?

As a physician, I have only one financial goal- stop taking all insurance plans. Medicare, medicaid, private insurance whatever. I became a doctor to treat patients, not to deal with this crap.
by Suman
Tue Sep 26, 2017 5:32 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Alternative to Google Finance? [Portfolios feature deprecated]
Replies: 97
Views: 29436

Re: Alternative to Google Finance?

I can track all my holdings in Vanguard, even if they are not housed there.
How do you handle different lots of same fund? When I add more shares to a fund, it just adds it up and gives the total number of shares. This way I can not see rate of return.
by Suman
Mon Sep 25, 2017 6:22 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: buy or rent and invest in a HCOL area
Replies: 10
Views: 1796

Re: buy or rent and invest in a HCOL area

Not to mention that 82 is also significant for me.
by Suman
Mon Sep 25, 2017 6:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: buy or rent and invest in a HCOL area
Replies: 10
Views: 1796

Re: buy or rent and invest in a HCOL area

Did I write this while asleep? Check your username and compare it to me. I am also 3 years out of residency, 35 years, making 350-400K, stay-at-home spouse and living in HCOL area. I am also grappling with the same issue especially that future of medical field is not so bright. I am leaning towards buying a smaller house in 600K range. It will easier to sell too in case we have to move.
by Suman
Mon Sep 18, 2017 8:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Short term disability insurance
Replies: 19
Views: 2087

Re: Short term disability insurance

I self insure for STD. I have my own LTD "own occupation" after 90 days. Emergency fund should cover those 90 days if needed.
by Suman
Wed Sep 13, 2017 7:57 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How often do you put money in Vanguard
Replies: 55
Views: 7207

Re: How often do you put money in Vanguard

15th and 30th. Also, once in Jan first week for backdoor IRA.
by Suman
Tue Sep 12, 2017 7:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is it really Worth it to brown bag your lunch at work?
Replies: 328
Views: 33581

Re: Is it really Worth it to brown bag your lunch at work?

Beyond the cost savings, where from will I get a fresh cheese sandwich, 6 chapatis, onion paratha, 2 different vegetables dishes and chicken curry daily? Nothing like home cooked food.
by Suman
Tue Sep 12, 2017 6:54 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buying a car with a credit card
Replies: 8
Views: 2063

Re: Buying a car with a credit card

We paid $5k by my 2% cash back credit card for the last car we bought. Of course we paid the balance right away.
by Suman
Tue Sep 12, 2017 6:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Iphone X is $1000
Replies: 385
Views: 42759

Re: Iphone X is $1000

Never bought anything apple except a lot of stocks via my vanguard index funds. So I am happy.
by Suman
Sun Sep 03, 2017 3:37 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Dad as Investment Advisor for Kids
Replies: 51
Views: 5680

Re: Dad as Investment Advisor for Kids

After recently seeing posts like people trying to make money off their parents or in-laws, this post reaffirms my belief in goodness. Your best asset is your current family dynamics and hopefully it will remain so in the future.
by Suman
Sat Aug 26, 2017 11:36 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Vehicle Toubleshooting (multiple issues)
Replies: 61
Views: 5127

Re: Vehicle Toubleshooting (multiple issues)

The garage overhead light recently went out so the garage is dark as well. The ladder, which could be used to fix the light, was borrowed by someone who hasn't returned it.
Seems like your starts and planets are not aligned properly at this time.
by Suman
Sat Aug 19, 2017 6:26 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What is Bitcoin?
Replies: 263
Views: 53521

Re: What is Bitcoin?

I don't own bitcoin.

Is TLH feasible with bitcoin?

Thanks.
by Suman
Sat Jul 29, 2017 4:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Phone number stolen
Replies: 41
Views: 4434

Re: Phone number stolen

This is real. Today I switched my DW phone number to a new phone. I needed a new sim card as new phone won't fit a nano sim. So I bought a sim for $1 from best buy and then called the prepaid cellular company to change her account to the new phone. Only question they asked- what is your new sim number? They activated the new sim with the original phone number. IMO, if someone knows your phone number and name of prepaid cellular provider, it is super easy to steal the number.
by Suman
Sat Jul 29, 2017 11:03 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Should emergency funds be included in AA?
Replies: 45
Views: 5066

Re: Should emergency funds be included in AA?

My total asset is not large enough. I am in early accumulation phase. In case of a sharp market crash, I might not have enough EF. Therefore, I keep it separate.

Thank you.
by Suman
Thu Jul 13, 2017 10:02 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Working in New York City and living in NJ: Taxes
Replies: 26
Views: 8153

Re: Working in New York City and living in NJ

You will not pay New York city tax. You will pay New York state tax for the income generated in NYS.
by Suman
Fri Jun 30, 2017 6:51 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How smart is the market?
Replies: 12
Views: 1342

Re: How smart is the market?

Smarter than me for sure. Therefore, I like to keep market as my friend and not try to outsmart it by investing only in passive index funds.
by Suman
Sun Jun 04, 2017 9:03 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Everything keeps going up, this feels too easy?
Replies: 113
Views: 13496

Re: Everything keeps going up, this feels too easy?

All, and I mean all, of my friends and co-workers are either scared of any stock market investing or always trying to pick the next best stock. I am not so sure that passive index investors make any significant portion of the markets. Also, my advice to them about bogglehead approach has resulted in zero converts. Yes, markets are at the all time high but not because of boggleheads. In fact, this could again be the most prudent way during these times.
by Suman
Sat May 20, 2017 2:58 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Nothing else to do investment wise!
Replies: 23
Views: 4697

Re: Nothing else to do investment wise!

Yes. Need more information on this.
by Suman
Thu May 18, 2017 11:47 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Nothing else to do investment wise!
Replies: 23
Views: 4697

Re: Nothing else to do investment wise!

Thanks everyone for their response. My job keeps me busy. Its just that I found personal finance and investment so exciting that now I feel bored. I guess have to stop thinking about portfolio and focus on day to day life.
by Suman
Wed May 17, 2017 9:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Nothing else to do investment wise!
Replies: 23
Views: 4697

Nothing else to do investment wise!

Now that we are finally invested in bogglehead style with a three fund portfolio and everything on auto investing, I feel like I need to do something about my portfolio. I understand that tinkering with a set allocation and IPS is dangerous so I always retreat. What else you do in a situation like this especially that I have many decades ahead before retiring?
by Suman
Sat May 13, 2017 9:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Good 4 inch android phone
Replies: 7
Views: 1391

Re: Good 4 inch android phone

I am currently using 5.5 inch screen. I would prefer a smaller size to fit in and use by one hand. Employer will reimburse the cost so that's not an issue. Always used android and won't be easy to switch to iphone. LTE, expandable storage, unlocked will be plus. Camera is not a prime concern.
by Suman
Sat May 13, 2017 3:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Good 4 inch android phone
Replies: 7
Views: 1391

Good 4 inch android phone

Hello everyone,
Is there a good android 4 inch smartphone that you would recommend?
Thanks.
by Suman
Tue May 02, 2017 3:10 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: GEICO umbrella policy
Replies: 6
Views: 2120

Re: GEICO umbrella policy

Thank you everyone. It appears that I really don't need UM/UIM additional coverage with umbrella.
by Suman
Tue May 02, 2017 11:47 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: GEICO umbrella policy
Replies: 6
Views: 2120

Re: GEICO umbrella policy

Who pays for passengers in my car if it gets hit by UM/UIM?
by Suman
Mon May 01, 2017 7:54 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: GEICO umbrella policy
Replies: 6
Views: 2120

GEICO umbrella policy

I have my auto policy with GEICO with maximum liability/ UM/UIM coverage. Now I am intrested in getting a $3 mil. umbrella policy with GEICO. Quote is $577 a year. However, they don't offer uninsured or underinsured driver coverage within umbrella. Is it a common practice? Where else I can go for an umbrella policy with these coverage?
by Suman
Sun Apr 23, 2017 7:14 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: New employment- Help with 401K fund selection
Replies: 5
Views: 932

Re: New employment- Help with 401K fund selection

Great. I selected S&P 500 index fund for now. Thanks for your replies.
by Suman
Sat Apr 22, 2017 12:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: New employment- Help with 401K fund selection
Replies: 5
Views: 932

Re: New employment- Help with 401K fund selection

Just edited the post.

Thanks.
by Suman
Fri Apr 21, 2017 6:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: New employment- Help with 401K fund selection
Replies: 5
Views: 932

New employment- Help with 401K fund selection

Hi, I will appreciate all suggestions. I recently switched to a new employment and now have to select 401K options. Principal is the 401K managing company. These are the best available funds in the plan: Age 35 Marginal tax rate 33% NJ State tax rate 6.5% I have 80:20 allocation. All bond allocation is in 403b and 457b FXSTX with old employer. It will stay there. I have maxed Roth IRA with VTSAX. Taxable with vanguard has VTI and VXUS. Employer contributes 3% to 401K. I will be contributing 6%. New 401K plans: Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Inst Fund (PLFIX) ER .16% Principal MidCap S&P 400 Index Inst Fund (MPSIX) ER .20% Principal smallCap S&P 600 Index Inst Fund (PSSIX) ER 0.21% Bonds: PIMCO High Yield Institutional Fund (PH...
by Suman
Sun Apr 09, 2017 12:19 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Helping parents/grandparents while raising kids
Replies: 47
Views: 6166

Re: Helping parents/grandparents while raising kids

Same here. From my very first paycheck until now, I send some amount to my parents and in-laws. As they get older, our support increases and at a certain point, we will be fully responsible for them.
by Suman
Fri Mar 31, 2017 11:16 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Unemployed for 2-3 days- potential benefits
Replies: 24
Views: 3186

Re: Unemployed for 2-3 days- potential benefits

We had a discussion about options for 403 and 457 in a previous thread. For now, I am keeping them with my soon to be past employer as their plans were really good.

And thanks everyone about reminding me about cobra policy. Just enquired from the employer. It is available for 18 months and can be done retroactively.
by Suman
Thu Mar 30, 2017 5:14 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Unemployed for 2-3 days- potential benefits
Replies: 24
Views: 3186

Re: Unemployed for 2-3 days- potential benefits

Thanks for your replies. It is a planned move. There will be a gap of 2-3 days between the last day at current job and joining the next one.
Was just wondering if there any benefits to time any financial transactions during this gap?