Search found 16601 matches

by ResearchMed
Mon Mar 18, 2024 11:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What frugal thing did you do today?
Replies: 4524
Views: 617361

Re: What frugal thing did you do today?

RetiredAL wrote: Mon Mar 18, 2024 11:36 pm
cheese_breath wrote: Mon Mar 18, 2024 10:54 pm Went to a pizza party last night. Host bought more pizza than necessary, offered me some of the leftovers. I accepted.

Had some of the free leftover pizza for lunch today. Put the rest in the freezer so I can have a frugal lunch some other day.
Knew a guy in college who had the left over pizza for breakfast. He warmed it up in the broiler, then put whipped egg on top, and put it back in the broiler for a couple more minutes. Basically an omelet on top of toast.

Oh, leftover pizza for breakfast is much better still cold.
Yum. And memories!
:wink:

RM
by ResearchMed
Mon Mar 18, 2024 10:44 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Nervous about giving out information
Replies: 30
Views: 2291

Re: Nervous about giving out information

If you don’t post your complete and accurate portfolio information you risk not getting the best or complete feedback or perhaps even inaccurate feedback. If you don’t want to post in this forum, find a qualified financial advisor who charges a fee to do a (private) review. It usually won't matter if someone is "off" by a few years age-wise, or ditto on children's ages (or sex), or how long married, etc. It's easy to de-personalize it such that even someone who knows you well might not realize it's you. The writing style may be something important to change a bit, if you have any sort of unusual stylistic "quirks", but that would be for someone who *already* knows you, rather than 'giving away' who you are, etc. But sur...
by ResearchMed
Mon Mar 18, 2024 10:31 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Nervous about giving out information
Replies: 30
Views: 2291

Re: Nervous about giving out information

whodidntante wrote: Mon Mar 18, 2024 10:13 pm If you don't feel comfortable, don't share. Psuedoanonymous is not the same as anonymous. I have a minority opinion on that. But still, there it is.

But also: Don't give out the real details, either.
Jumble up some of the figures, some a bit higher, some lower, maybe a couple just wacko :wink: ... but in a way that's unlikely to affect suggestions.

RM
by ResearchMed
Mon Mar 18, 2024 10:03 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Nervous about giving out information
Replies: 30
Views: 2291

Re: Nervous about giving out information

Hello! I am working hard at planning for retirement, and I'm considering posting my portfolio information using the provided template. But, how do you get past the thought of giving out so much information? I do want advice, but I'm a pretty fearful person. Am I the only one who feels this way? Welcome to BH. I suspect quite a few of us have to deal with these concerns, at least at first. (And sometimes longer!) Make sure your real name is nothing like "Cheryl". If it is, ask the mods to help you choose a new UserID that has no link to you. And if you post "specifics", mske them slightly NOT specific or accurate. For example, if you've been married for 17 years, put 15 or 19 or somethiing, when the difference is unlikel...
by ResearchMed
Mon Mar 18, 2024 9:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Princess Cruises
Replies: 1
Views: 175

Re: Princess Cruises

copenhagen227 wrote: Mon Mar 18, 2024 9:36 pm Hi! Contemplating going on a Princess Cruise w wife and 2 yo daughter: what's the difference between Princess Premiere and Princess Plus? Are either of these worth paying for?

Try asking at www.CruiseCritic.com

And especially on the Princess section there:
https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/1 ... s-cruises/

Also look on other sections, such as family cruising, etc.

Enjoy your cruise!

RM
by ResearchMed
Mon Mar 18, 2024 9:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Employer withheld taxes from my paycheck but wasn't paying the IRS and state
Replies: 14
Views: 1615

Re: Employer withheld taxes from my paycheck but wasn't paying the IRS and state

JeuneCracoucas wrote: Mon Mar 18, 2024 6:32 pm Yes, the employer is still in business. It's a small business though (less than 15 people).

Someone at the company was able to access the company's bank account and indeed the company didn't pay employee AND employer taxes. When I called the state, they did confirm they never received anything from my employer. I assumed the IRS also didn't receive anything.

This is pretty astonishing!

It was for 2022, right?
When did you stop working for them? is 2023 likely to rear an ugly head soon?

RM
by ResearchMed
Mon Mar 18, 2024 8:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Use RMD to pay taxes
Replies: 21
Views: 1243

Re: Use RMD to pay taxes

Can a retiree do this by making a distribution from an IRA or a 401k in the years before an RMD is required? The idea, would be to have no withholding from Social Security checks and pension checks and just make one distribution from the IRA at the end of the year with 100% withholding to cover the years taxes? Also, what is the safe harbor? Yes. What matters is that the taxes are paid through *withholding*, not where the withholding came from. It could be from RMDs, regular withdrawals from tax-deferred accounts, or making W-2 withholding (or even SS withholding) "enough" to incude ALL of the taxes due. One reason why there is a lot of discussion about using RMDs is that many people do not want to remove money from tax-deferred ...
by ResearchMed
Sun Mar 17, 2024 9:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Aggregation of IRA Balances to Calculate RMD
Replies: 4
Views: 506

Re: Aggregation of IRA Balances to Calculate RMD

delamer wrote: Sun Mar 17, 2024 8:37 pm Here’s the IRS guidance: https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/rm ... each%20IRA.

It seems to me that your method should work fine, except for rounding errors. But it isn’t what the IRS requires for the calculation.

To avoid any possibility of rounding error, either round up somewhat, or do as the instructions indicate and calculate each the RMD for each IRA separately, and take at least the amount of their sum from any of the IRAs (one or more).

RM
by ResearchMed
Sun Mar 17, 2024 9:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11037
Views: 2066635

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

We just finished watching Nyad.
(on Netflix)

Amazing story.

It was especially nice, at the very end (after she completed her swim, of course) that the "real" Diana and Bonnie were shown a few different times.

The word "inspiring" is not sufficient.
(Maybe a bit foolhardy, as well...)

RM
by ResearchMed
Sun Mar 17, 2024 5:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Alaska cruise recommendations
Replies: 20
Views: 1475

Re: Alaska cruise recommendations

Some of your questions are not "Alaska specific", and some can be.

Try browsing at
www.CruiseCritic.com

Here is a list from the TOC:
https://boards.cruisecritic.com

Try asking at the Alaska section, and "Ask a Cruise Question", etc. for information about which cruiselines and which ships.

If you cruise one way, I'd suggest South to North, especially if it's early in the season.
The scenery gets more dramatic as one leaves Vancouver (or Seattle), and some of the snow-capped mountains are gorgeous.

Hubbard Glacier was an unexpected high point for us.
Lots of calving (BIG pieces breaking off, crashing into the water).

Enjoy!

RM
by ResearchMed
Sun Mar 17, 2024 3:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Travel Medical Insurance--Primary or Secondary, Which is "Better"?
Replies: 16
Views: 1233

Re: Travel Medical Insurance--Primary or Secondary, Which is "Better"?

Nope. This isn't going to work. You are not eligible for the travel insurance you want because you are a US resident. The ACA means you live in the US. I'm guessing a simple road trip is 100% USA. Only foreign residents can buy travel medical insurance that is good in the US. No, this is for people who live in the US also who are taking road trips. Can you provide a link to the policy selling website or some way to reference the policy details that is acceptable to the forum owners. Are you asking for a link to a travel insurance broker? www.TripInsuranceStore.com We are among many here on BH who have used them. (And we've had several claims with the policy we buy from them - from Travel Insured - and it's always paid promptly without quar...
by ResearchMed
Sun Mar 17, 2024 3:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: credit score dropped 100+ points after Chase started reporting First Republic mortgages
Replies: 10
Views: 1383

Re: credit score dropped 100+ points after Chase started reporting First Republic mortgages

Problem is, I am about to lease a new car. Subject says it all: Chase started reporting my First Republic mortgage in February which, for some reason, had not previously been reported to the credit agencies. My score dropped from 820+ to 710 in a single month. Timing sucks! Any tips on getting it above 740 quickly ? I have about a month, maybe two. Need 740 to get a MF of 0.0009, which is very low. Yes, I know I can use MSDs but would prefer not to go that route. I use mostly a single credit card and pay it off in full each month but of course sometimes that means utilization is above 30%. So I've already taken it down below 20% and will keep it there. Anything else I can do? Thanks in advance... This type of change isn't usually a very &q...
by ResearchMed
Sun Mar 17, 2024 3:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Hybrid Pillows exist?
Replies: 7
Views: 1025

Re: Hybrid Pillows exist?

Does anyone know of a brand or type of pillow that's firm at it's core (so it doesn't go flat) but also soft and squishy all around the outside? like down fill with sink in, but not bouncy like synthetics? Thanks. Have you tried something like a v ery "firm" down pillow, a good quality one? And then fluff it each day? The extra fill shouldn't flatten that quickly, although everyone has different sleep habits that could affect this type of thing. And also sleep *preferences* of course! But my thinking is if there is a somewhat more solid "core" with somewhat regular down/feather fill around it, that will likely shift around to the sides of the core, similar to what you already notice. And then you'll be sleeping on that ...
by ResearchMed
Sun Mar 17, 2024 11:42 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Annual limit to the number of IRA to IRA transfers?
Replies: 10
Views: 835

Re: Annual limit to the number of IRA to IRA transfers?

It is not odd that indirect and direct rollovers are treated differently. The rule about indirect rollovers was changed in 2015 to prohibit the unlimited loan of IRA funds by doing sequential 60 day rollovers. Before the rule change you could have gotten the benefit of the tax deferral of the IRA contribution, while not really saving at all. Before the rule change, it would have been possible, but perhaps a bit annoying, to continuously give one's self lots of these short term loans within 365 days. But if one really needed the money, the sequential transfers would indeed work That's because where the current requirement applies per Social Security #, it was previously written per IRA account . So one would need to already have a gaggle (o...
by ResearchMed
Sun Mar 17, 2024 11:32 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Travel Medical Insurance--Primary or Secondary, Which is "Better"?
Replies: 16
Views: 1233

Re: Travel Medical Insurance--Primary or Secondary, Which is "Better"?

Nope. This isn't going to work. You are not eligible for the travel insurance you want because you are a US resident. The ACA means you live in the US. I'm guessing a simple road trip is 100% USA. Only foreign residents can buy travel medical insurance that is good in the US. No, this is for people who live in the US also who are taking road trips. OnTrack2020 is correct. You can definitely buy travel medical insurance for domestic trips. What you cannot do is use a travel medical insurance policy to fulfill the requirements of having to purchase an ACA plan, because travel medical insurance plans are not "ACA compliant". Be aware of the minimum distance limits though (among other exclusions). Here's an example travel medical ins...
by ResearchMed
Sat Mar 16, 2024 7:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Travel Medical Insurance--Primary or Secondary, Which is "Better"?
Replies: 16
Views: 1233

Re: Travel Medical Insurance--Primary or Secondary, Which is "Better"?

We are looking at getting a travel medical insurance policy, as we have an ACA health plan, for a simple road trip. Some questions specifically as it pertains to the medical part in the event of a medical emergency: 1. If we have primary health care coverage through ACA, for a travel medical policy, which would be better--a policy with primary coverage (in which if some medical emergency took place, a claim would be filed with the travel policy and not the health insurance), or a policy with secondary coverage (a claim would be filed with our ACA plan as primary and the travel policy as secondary)? 2. Which leads to a 2nd question: If the ACA plan has a high deductible, how does a travel medical insurance policy as secondary coverage work?...
by ResearchMed
Sat Mar 16, 2024 6:28 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Rollover 403b into IRA
Replies: 11
Views: 611

Re: Rollover 403b into IRA

Agreed about your point. I meant that *in general*, 403(b) plans are not covered by the ERISA act. The ERISA act itself generally carved out exemptions for government employers, IIRC. I'm still not sure what you mean about "in general". Some 403b plans are covered by ERISA, and some are not. Did you mean that the "exemptions" were that government employers *do* have ERISA coverage? Or that they do not? Our large 403b plan most definitely IS an ERISA plan, and we have nothing at all to do with any governmental employer. RM Government 403(b) plans are *NOT* for sure covered by ERISA. Private organizations (generally hospitals) that offer 403(b) plans ARE covered by ERISA. When I say ERISA carved out an exemption for gover...
by ResearchMed
Sat Mar 16, 2024 6:10 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Rollover 403b into IRA
Replies: 11
Views: 611

Re: Rollover 403b into IRA

lakpr wrote: Sat Mar 16, 2024 6:04 pm Agreed about your point. I meant that *in general*, 403(b) plans are not covered by the ERISA act. The ERISA act itself generally carved out exemptions for government employers, IIRC.

I'm still not sure what you mean about "in general". Some 403b plans are covered by ERISA, and some are not.

Did you mean that the "exemptions" were that government employers *do* have ERISA coverage? Or that they do not?

Our large 403b plan most definitely IS an ERISA plan, and we have nothing at all to do with any governmental employer.

RM
by ResearchMed
Sat Mar 16, 2024 6:02 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Rollover 403b into IRA
Replies: 11
Views: 611

Re: Rollover 403b into IRA

The pros of leaving the money within the 403(b) are: - possible creditor protections. Note that the 403(b) are *NOT* covered by the ERISA code , but since they are deemed employer plans, creditors / judgment holders will have to jump through some hoops to access that money. IRAs are governed by state law, and while about 43 states DO provide creditor protections on par with ERISA, there are still 7 states that do not. What guarantee is there that you will not travel to a state that do not protect IRAs and get into an at-fault auto-accident there (assume the liability exceeds your auto-insurance limits)? [emphasis added] I'm not sure if you are referring to any specific 403b plans, but SOME 403b plans *ARE* covered by ERISA. So before makin...
by ResearchMed
Fri Mar 15, 2024 1:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Applying for loans in retirement...
Replies: 21
Views: 2213

Re: Applying for loans in retirement...

I have done the same as Watty did. I have an excellent credit score, list ‘retired’ and use the last income amount. I have done this three times so far on store credit without issue. If they do not want my business, that is up to them. I "trained" loan underwriters at two banks on the process to calculate the amount of monthly mortgage payment supported by my investment balance. I had no regular income, just savings to fund routine expenses. We've used the approximate amount of previous years as we are starting to have income fluctuate a bit. But there is also a term for some loans that can be backed by assets: "Asset Depletion Loan". That is based upon payments as if one were to distribute one's assets over something l...
by ResearchMed
Fri Mar 15, 2024 12:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Identity theft or something to ignore?
Replies: 18
Views: 1157

Re: Identity theft or something to ignore?

Can you speak with a supervisor in Billing and just give them her name and address and ask if there are any records for such a patient... because she's never been there, etc.
Someone there should be able to find that e-address in their system!

If not, no problem... probably...
What would the collections agency do with an e-address and nothing else?

Perhaps also send a certified letter to the hospital stating the situation and asking to have the emails stop?

RM
by ResearchMed
Fri Mar 15, 2024 11:42 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Travel Health Insurance (China)?
Replies: 22
Views: 1414

Re: Travel Health Insurance (China)?

But...but...OP is feeling "fit to travel" or we wouldn't be discussing this. I'd think the only danger is sudden heart attack; broken bones in auto accident or the like- or dysentery. I believe they have perfectly adequate skills to cover most of that at way less cost- if you pay up front. I'm assuming that OP indeed feels "fit to travel", but this wouldn't necessarily be *only* in the prospective traveler's opinion. Again... the Terms & Conditions will control all of this should there be a claim. I can't go into all of the various details and possibilities... plus there is a lot of variability among the different insurers and policies. But the insurer WILL go by the T&Cs if a claim is filed. One example: In som...
by ResearchMed
Fri Mar 15, 2024 10:08 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Great news! No more [fixed real estate] agent commission
Replies: 163
Views: 15076

Re: Great news! No more agent commission

RJC wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2024 9:59 am Got this from another article:

4 Ways a Settlement Could Change the Housing Industry
1. Home prices will drop.
2. The 6 percent commission will cease to be the norm.
3. Steering — the practice of agents directing buyers to more expensive houses — will be less common.
4. About one million real estate agents could leave the profession.

Any suggestions about how agents *would* be compensated?

RM
by ResearchMed
Fri Mar 15, 2024 10:04 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Travel Health Insurance (China)?
Replies: 22
Views: 1414

Re: Travel Health Insurance (China)?

Yes, here (USA), too, if one doesn't disclose then any claim based upon that condition/history/etc., would be denied. (I'm not getting into issues of fraud and allegations thereof; I haven't heard of those, although no doubt the insurers and brokers, etc., have.) Some things they just raise your premium. Others they will decline to underwrite. But at least here (USA), there don't tend to be different premiums based upon risk factors. The underwriting might be somewhat different for those in the older/oldest age categories, and the premiums for 3rd party travel insurance do go up by age, but that's for everyone. First, if one got a poicy within the short deadline such that there are no exclusions for pre-existing conditions, then... there ar...
by ResearchMed
Thu Mar 14, 2024 8:37 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Travel Medical Insurance for Europe Trip
Replies: 16
Views: 1425

Re: Travel Medical Insurance for Europe Trip

We have Chubb’s Passport 360. It combines trip, medical and accidental death coverage (we don’t need the latter). Our PURE agent recommended it. It isn’t cheap, but we make 2-3 big international trips a year. We pay the same no matter how much we travel. Compared to the Amex Travelex insurance many tour companies push (I assume they get a nice referral fee), it is cheaper. We pay $809 /yr for coverage for me & DW. We are both on a Medicare Advantage plan that provides Emergency and Urgent care coverage worldwide, but does not provide repatriation coverage if needed. How does it handle pre-existing medical condtions? That is, if one has one/some, are there restrictions on the travel cost or medical cost coverages? Or is there a window w...
by ResearchMed
Thu Mar 14, 2024 6:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Travel Medical Insurance for Europe Trip
Replies: 16
Views: 1425

Re: Travel Medical Insurance for Europe Trip

There is a big difference between travel insurance, which covers travel costs, and overseas medical/evacuation insurance. We generally self-insure our travel expenses, but not the risk of a serious medical event while overseas. To be clear, most " travel insurance " policies include both travel costs *and* medical/evacuation coverage. Some people specifically select a low or very low amount for the "trip costs" because they are primarily - or only - interested in the medical/evacuation coverage. There is a variety of coverage amounts available for each of these, in the policies offered by a variety of travel insurers. One insurer that includes only medical coverage but doesn't include any of the trip costs (I *think*; w...
by ResearchMed
Thu Mar 14, 2024 2:25 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Charles Schwab cannot overnight a replacement debit card
Replies: 87
Views: 6103

Re: Charles Schwab cannot overnight a replacement debit card

This is all very unfortunate. The Schwab ATM card for use overseas was one of the big selling point for Schwab. Their interest rate is only 0.4% on cash and now the ATM card is not that useful. I recall that Amex will replace a card if you are overseas very quickly. This might be a better solution. We don't have a Schwab card, and don't have a need for it. We have the functionality we need with other cards we travel with. However, I don't think this issue is a reason to look for a better solution, absent other reasons. How often have you actually needed to have that card replaced on short notice, especially while away from home? And if you have a back-up card should that happen, then that should be fine. We always try to arrive with a smal...
by ResearchMed
Thu Mar 14, 2024 1:39 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Travel Health Insurance (China)?
Replies: 22
Views: 1414

Re: Travel Health Insurance (China)?

Be careful about charge card insurance... any insurance, of course, but some issues are more likely to occur with charge card coverage. That is, are pre-existing conditions covered (or any costs due to pre-existing conditions)? Note that "pre-existing condition" can be defined very differently for travel insurance than how many would define that term in everyday usage (at least in the USA). It's obviously very important to understand all of the Terms & Conditions of any insurance policy, but some problems seem to catch people by surprise than other problems. Here is a link to the Travel Insurance section of CruiseCritic. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/499-cruisetravel-insurance/ Most issues are not limited to "cru...
by ResearchMed
Thu Mar 14, 2024 12:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Refund for whn Delta cancelled my flights
Replies: 29
Views: 2173

Re: Refund for whn Delta cancelled my flights

That’s the risk of non-refundable fares. There’s probably something in the fine print to that effect. I don’t think this is true. “Non-refundable” here means you don’t get a refund if you change your mind and decide not to fly. If they cancel the flight, or make a “significant schedule change or delay”, then they are legally obligated to provide a cash refund. DOT regulations stipulate this. https://www.transportation.gov/individuals/aviation-consumer-protection/refunds#:~:text=Non%2Drefundable%20tickets%20%2D%20Consumers%20who,makes%20a%20significant%20schedule%20change. Non-refundable tickets - Consumers who purchase non-refundable tickets are not entitled to a refund unless the airline makes a promise to provide a refund or the airline ...
by ResearchMed
Thu Mar 14, 2024 10:51 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Refund for whn Delta cancelled my flights
Replies: 29
Views: 2173

Re: Refund for whn Delta cancelled my flights

rkhusky wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 10:31 am Was the reservation booked directly with Delta? Refunds are not issued for tickets purchased through 3rd-party sites.

Also, Delta website has the following asterisk:
*Eligibility for refund and reimbursement requests through the Refund or Reimbursement Request form are limited to residents of the U.S. and Canada only, for flight disruptions caused by factors within Delta’s control.

I'd argue that this wasn't a "fight disruption". Delta cancelled it before it ever started.
Of course, I don't know how *Delta" defines "flight disruption"! :annoyed

RM
by ResearchMed
Thu Mar 14, 2024 10:30 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Happy Pi Day! (And what pie?)
Replies: 54
Views: 4544

Re: Happy Pi Day! (And what pie?)

I think I'll just wear the t-shirt that DH gave me a couple of years ago, the one with pi to the first 100 digits.

And wouldn't you know, at a valet parking area, one of the valets (probably college student part time job?) looked at it, looked at me (gray-ish hair older female), and asked, very politely and friendly, "Do you know the digits of pi?"

I smiled, and started listing them... after about 10 or 12 digits, he laughed and said, "Thanks! You win!" with a big grin.

Fun.

And no, I don't know all of the first 100, but I've started working on it again.
Hey, it can come in handy in the most unexpected places! :D

RM
by ResearchMed
Thu Mar 14, 2024 10:23 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Refund for whn Delta cancelled my flights
Replies: 29
Views: 2173

Re: Refund for whn Delta cancelled my flights

2cents2 wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 10:20 am I would give them a chance to fix this--There is an online form that you can fill out and then email it to them. (That way you have a paper trail).

From the Delta site:
"If we have already canceled your flight, and you would like to request a refund to your original form of payment, please complete the Travel Disruptions form:"
https://www.delta.com/contactus/iropForm

If they refuse, then file a complaint with DOT.

Very bad form for them to have first tried to give a limited time credit rather than direct the customer to this, and promptly.

RM
by ResearchMed
Thu Mar 14, 2024 9:59 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Travel Medical Insurance for Europe Trip
Replies: 16
Views: 1425

Re: Travel Medical Insurance for Europe Trip

DW and I are both on a Medicare Advantage plan. We are traveling to Europe later this year, any feedback on trip medical insurance to cover unanticipated illness/injury? I'm thinking COVID and hospitalization. Will be traveling to Switzerland (Zurich, Lugano) and Italy (Milan, Florence, Rome). We will be there for 3 weeks. tnx We are among others here on BH who use and recommend buying travel insurance through www.TripInsuranceStore.com They are a broker and work with several vetted insurers, each offering a selection of policies. (No extra charge for using them.) But CALL them; don't rely upon online policy summaries, which just can't capture the specific needs of each traveler. We've had several claims, including some large ones, and all...
by ResearchMed
Wed Mar 13, 2024 11:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Charles Schwab cannot overnight a replacement debit card
Replies: 87
Views: 6103

Re: Charles Schwab cannot overnight a replacement debit card

Schwab said the fastest they can do for "expedited" service is 3-5 business days. I would suspect that not quickly sending a new debit card to some random address may be more of a security issue than anything else. I'm stunned. American Express, Capital One, HSBC, and Chase all overnight the card (or at worst 48 hours if you call late in the day). You might find that their rules for sending to your home address are a lot different than other addresses. I had an Amex card compromised in the wee hours, shortly before we were to leave the house for a very early flight. (Both Amex and the Walmart across the country "caught" the problem and stopped it before they even notified me. Well done.) So... I had expected to have tha...
by ResearchMed
Wed Mar 13, 2024 8:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cost of dental visit
Replies: 20
Views: 1363

Re: Cost of dental visit

RM, you are very fortunate to have a plan like that! Unfortunately, I believe these types of plans are going the way of Blockbuster and Barnes and Noble. Yes, we realize how fortunate we are, and even more so, the more we read some other reports here on BH. That's why we try to let HR/Benefits know that it is appreciated... very much. We apparently also are especially fortunate with our health/medical insurance. Also important... we have access to a top medical complex: teaching hospitals and associated medical school at the University we've been affilliated with for decades. But things are changing there, too. We are set (we hope!), but we've recntly learned that most of the PCPs in this large complex are not currently taking new patients...
by ResearchMed
Wed Mar 13, 2024 7:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to sell diamond ring
Replies: 12
Views: 1167

Re: How to sell diamond ring

[Topic is now in Personal Consumer Issues - mod mkc] A relative gave my kids a diamond ring to be sold, with the proceeds going towards college funds. The ring was valued by a gemologist for insurance purposes at $7500 eight years ago. I don't have any experience selling jewelry (or experience with jewelry in general), but I was hoping some folks here might be able to answer some questions: 1) What's the best way to sell this to maximize the proceeds? eBay? A local jewelry store? Something else? 2) Is the insurance valuation likely to be accurate? 3) Assuming the $7500 assessed value was accurate and is still current (I don't know how inflation has impacted jewelry lately), how much should I expect to be able to sell it for (e.g., given a ...
by ResearchMed
Wed Mar 13, 2024 7:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cost of dental visit
Replies: 20
Views: 1363

Re: Cost of dental visit

Dental “insurance” is simply a benefit and nothing more. Annual maxes and benefits have changed minimally over the last 50 years. Unless you’re one of the typical BH’ers with a liquid net worth of over 2M then the costs will sting. As a dentist myself, I laugh when retirees ask for a senior citizen discount. If you’re wealthy enough to be retired fuggetit. How about a working man/woman’s discount for those with kids and childcare expenses. SOME "dental insurance" actually IS "insurance" that works just about the same way as healthcare insurance. We are fortunate to have that through our Employer's Benefits, so it definitely is "a benefit"! Cleanings/etc., by the hygienist (every 6 months) are covered fully, as...
by ResearchMed
Tue Mar 12, 2024 9:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Travel Health Insurance (China)?
Replies: 22
Views: 1414

Re: Travel Health Insurance (China)?

Be careful about charge card insurance... any insurance, of course, but some issues are more likely to occur with charge card coverage. That is, are pre-existing conditions covered (or any costs due to pre-existing conditions)? Note that "pre-existing condition" can be defined very differently for travel insurance than how many would define that term in everyday usage (at least in the USA). It's obviously very important to understand all of the Terms & Conditions of any insurance policy, but some problems seem to catch people by surprise than other problems. Here is a link to the Travel Insurance section of CruiseCritic. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/499-cruisetravel-insurance/ Most issues are not limited to "crui...
by ResearchMed
Tue Mar 12, 2024 8:14 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Divorce settlement money from IRA, cash, or 401k
Replies: 15
Views: 1339

Re: Divorce settlement money from IRA, cash, or 401k

The decree is finalized, the language doesn't specify how I will pay, simply that I have to pay $95,000. I see online that if it is incident to divorce, no gain or loss is recognized and thus no penalties or taxes, https://answerconnect.cch.com/federal/arp1209013e2c83dc60afSPLIT1041a/irc/current/general-rule I see your point about using pre-tax dollars, and I guess save the cash for a standard brokerage account that I have freedom over. I am not aware of any mechanism for the direct transfer of pre-tax funds in an IRA to another individual, other than the IRA owner's death (or charitable remainder trust). I would be flabbergasted if you can transfer pre-tax money in your IRA without someone taking a tax hit. Best of luck with this! Let us ...
by ResearchMed
Tue Mar 12, 2024 6:47 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: One spouse retiring earlier than the other?
Replies: 38
Views: 2994

Re: One spouse retiring earlier than the other?

Hi, Wife and I are currently in early 50s. Plan was to both retire at 55 in about 2 years which coincides with the youngest kid going off to college. But her new job is miserable and I quite like mine. Current situation if we both retire today: a) Taxable Accounts $2.2M b) Tax Retirement Deferred Accounts $2M c) Pensions would be $6K a month versus $9K a year expenses. If we both retire at 55: a) Stays the same b) Has a further $600K of contributions (yep we are saving that much) c) Pensions would grow to $9K a month so perfectly cover expenses If wife retires today but I work until 55. a) Stays the same b) Has a further $450K of contributions (my part) c) Pensions would be $8.5K a month so about $5K a year in deficiency over expenses. To ...
by ResearchMed
Tue Mar 12, 2024 6:22 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How will RMD required percentages be affected by changing start age to 75?
Replies: 4
Views: 1001

Re: How will RMD required percentages be affected by changing start age to 75?

I'm in the age cohort that will not need to start RMDs until I turn age 75. Trying to model my account withdrawals for the years of my expected retirement. What will happen to the required RMD percentages for the first year of RMD required withdrawals when the age changes to 75? Will the current start year percentage just be shifted to age 75? Or will the current age 75 percentage become the starting year percentage? Or something else? thanks The RMD amounts are age-adjusted, from a set of tables that may get updated every several years. (Some people may start TIRA or 403b/etc., withdrawals before required start dates, and some of them use the same tables because they do take into account age and average life expectancy.) Unless the tables...
by ResearchMed
Tue Mar 12, 2024 6:14 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Divorce settlement money from IRA, cash, or 401k
Replies: 15
Views: 1339

Re: Divorce settlement money from IRA, cash, or 401k

sailaway wrote: Tue Mar 12, 2024 6:03 pm Can you not get a QDRO, which would allow the recipient to maintain the tax status?

Welcome to BH, testing321123.

IF you use a QDRO, or transfer tax-deferred money at all, make sure that you take into account the "after tax value" of each type, be it cash, TIRA, Roth IRA, etc., including the value of what *you* keep.

Good luck.

RM
by ResearchMed
Tue Mar 12, 2024 6:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Travel Health Insurance (China)?
Replies: 22
Views: 1414

Re: Travel Health Insurance (China)?

Is "evacuation", "health cover", etc a specific form of travel/health insurance that I should look at? Are the specific companies that offer this and at good rates? Yes, there are "specific forms of travel/health insurance" that you should at least learn a bit about and consider what meets your needs. You might want to contact www.TripInsuranceStore.com CALL them; don't rely upon the online policy summaries. Those just aren't specific enough, plus TIS can ask you questions about possible issues you might not have thought of. There are so many different specific situations and concerns, etc. We are among several here who have used them to get travel insurance coverage, and they can help you find the type of pol...
by ResearchMed
Tue Mar 12, 2024 12:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dental upcharges?
Replies: 13
Views: 1409

Re: Dental upcharges?

Our dentists have also always stopped by to do a quick check of the teeth during the cleaning, and there has never been a separate charge for this.

RM
by ResearchMed
Tue Mar 12, 2024 11:53 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Getting off cruise ship a day early
Replies: 20
Views: 3326

Re: Getting off cruise ship a day early

I got a rep on the phone who was very efficient for once and she checked with the people in charge of this. She said I absolutely can leave the ship on the first day and need to get on the early disembarkation list when aboard the ship to get a time. So now it is a guessing game in arranging our transportation to our hotel in Beijing. Hopefully noon will work and allow time through customs. [emphasis added] I'm glad that the cruise line has arranged for early disembarkations on that first day. However, sometimes a cruiseline simply doesn't bother making any such arrangements or it turns out that the port/country will not allow it (or cannot arrange the staffing, etc.). [Or the cruiseline simply gives incorrect information and won't budge, ...
by ResearchMed
Mon Mar 11, 2024 4:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Wisdom of cross-country, one-way RV rental (with a cat)
Replies: 37
Views: 3011

Re: Wisdom of cross-country, one-way RV rental (with a cat)

About the cat... I've traveled a lot with cats, usually one at a time, but not always, and by car and plane. Has the cat gone for real car rides, including to the vet, but not only to the vet? How did it do, with short and longer trips? Most of my cats were okay, and ranged from curious and seemingly happy. This was "measured" by the behavior... from in the carrier in the passenger seat (carrier was always belted in), open end facing me (driver). They would tend to sleep or just peer at me. I had a tiny litter box in the carrier, but it was rarely used. (We were never traveling around the clock). However, there was ONE cat... who HATED the car. She would start throwing up before we reached the end of the street. Then she started t...
by ResearchMed
Mon Mar 11, 2024 1:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Wisdom of cross-country, one-way RV rental (with a cat)
Replies: 37
Views: 3011

Re: Wisdom of cross-country, one-way RV rental (with a cat)

veggivet wrote: Mon Mar 11, 2024 1:47 pm Keeping the cat confined in a playpen type of enclosure with food, water and litterbox would be far safer for all than a free roaming kitty in a moving several ton vehicle.

This, by far!

For one thing, what if the cat started exploring about it's humans' feet... such as the driver?
You'll have room for a nice large cage, not one of those little handheld carriers (although I've used those for all travel, by car or air; it works).

And the cat will be happier, too, than in a smaller carrier or with a leash, unless it's already used to one.

Just make sure it is tightly secured, so if there are bumps, it won't fall over. That could make a variety of messes.

RM
by ResearchMed
Sun Mar 10, 2024 10:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Getting off cruise ship a day early
Replies: 20
Views: 3326

Re: Getting off cruise ship a day early

Is anyone allowed off that day? If so, how do they know you are leaving? Tell them you are taking a trip into town. Pack light. I't's not just the ship, as I mentioned above. Typically, if there is no visa required for a country where the ship calls, one is allowed to be in the country because one is "on the cruise ship". One can spend the night off (in most cases) for overnight or multi-night stays, but that is not the same as leaving the ship permanently. There will be an international border to cross, and when finally leaving the ship, the protocols are likely to be much more elaborate than just getting on an off a cruise ship. Depending upon the country, I'd suggest thinking long and hard about trying to "just leave"...
by ResearchMed
Sun Mar 10, 2024 9:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Getting off cruise ship a day early
Replies: 20
Views: 3326

Re: Getting off cruise ship a day early

Royal Caribbean is saying they may not allow us off the ship in Tianjin a day early. The cruise ends there on a Monday but arrives on Sunday a.m. and is virtually a hotel for one day on Sunday. We want to disembark on Sunday so we can get to Beijing for 3 nights before we fly home. I had to send an email to their emergency travel dept and it takes maybe 5 business days to get back to me. The cruise starts in 2 weeks. Anyone have any experience with this? I have contacted them about a few issues in the last 3 months and they have been surprisingly difficult and uninformed.Regarding Visa questions they were basically incompetent and a simple question like shuttle transportation to airport was an 20 minute ordeal. One of their agents told me ...
by ResearchMed
Sun Mar 10, 2024 2:07 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What is your favorite book?
Replies: 186
Views: 19936

Re: What is your favorite book?

JPM wrote: Sun Mar 10, 2024 1:18 pm The Medical Detectives by Berton Roueche, public health sleuthing to figure out the causes of epidemics in late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Is this the same as "Eleven Blue Men and Other Narratives of Medical Detection" by the same author, or does the book you mention cover other material?

Goodreads mentions this: "This unusual book presents twelve lively literate stories of authentic medical detection."

I used to teach a seminar on research methods and ethics, and this was on the reading list, even though a lot has changed/been learned about figuring out these problems.

RM