Search found 338 matches

by khh
Tue Feb 20, 2024 6:27 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Odd phone call to an old number, should we be concerned?
Replies: 10
Views: 2234

Re: Odd phone call to an old number, should we be concerned?

My guess is it was a spam call using information purchased from a data broker.
by khh
Fri Oct 20, 2023 3:07 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: is AARP Medicare Supplemental (medi-gap) Plan G good to go?
Replies: 71
Views: 9203

Re: is AARP Medicare Supplemental (medi-gap) Plan G good to go?

cashmoney wrote: Thu Oct 19, 2023 10:54 pm Not quite the same thing but AARP UHC is opening up new books of business in an increasing number of states under the name AARP UHICA which carves out the My Renew Active fitness benefits for lower rates.
Will that create a "dead pool" of older and sicker UHC policy holders stuck with higher premiums?
by khh
Mon Oct 02, 2023 3:29 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Eggs
Replies: 150
Views: 17669

Re: Eggs

Eggiwegs - I would like to smash them!
by khh
Sat Sep 02, 2023 9:05 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Credit Score Hit
Replies: 64
Views: 5133

Re: Credit Score Hit

Wouldn't that still count as utilizing over 20%? even if only for a day? is there a minimum time period that the utilization has to be over 20% before it hits your credit? Maybe, probably, I have no idea, just pay off high Util as soon as possible. I had a card that had like a $2k limit years ago and I put like $1,500 on it and my score sank from like 815 to 715 and it took 4 months to come back up to where it was. Again, doesn't matter much if you aren't taking seeking credit soon, but your auto insurance will most definitely run a soft pull on you at some point which will affect your premiums accordingly. Probably a couple other vendors that do the same. There is no confirmed criteria from FICO on how they calculate score, but from trial...
by khh
Fri Aug 25, 2023 2:45 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Closed, dead pool Medicare Supplement insurance plans
Replies: 58
Views: 6594

Re: Closed, dead pool Medicare Supplement insurance plans

cheese_breath wrote: Tue Nov 15, 2022 2:53 pm OK, I've read https://www.medicare.gov/supplements-ot ... tage-plans and I think I finally understand what you guys are saying, but I'm not sure I'd want to be the first one to try it.
From your link (emphasis mine) =>
If you’re not happy with your Medicare Advantage Plan, you’ll have a single 12-month period (your trial right period) to get your Medigap policy back if the same insurance company still sells it once you return to Original Medicare.
This seems to say the guaranteed acceptance only applies to your original Medigap insurance company, the one that you were trying to leave in the first place. Am I reading it right?
by khh
Thu Aug 03, 2023 8:08 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Premium for 2 million umbrella policy
Replies: 128
Views: 19874

Re: Premium for 2 million umbrella policy

$490 for $2 million coverage.
by khh
Thu Jul 13, 2023 10:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medicare supplemental annual increases
Replies: 18
Views: 1965

Re: Medicare supplemental annual increases

Cigna Plan G: From $112 in 2017 to $181 in 2023. That's about an 8.4% annual increase.
by khh
Fri Sep 23, 2022 12:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Those pesky rodents
Replies: 59
Views: 3754

Re: Those pesky rodents

I've had success with a Rat Zapper. It kills them instantaneously.
by khh
Sun Sep 18, 2022 7:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Book recommendations: 10 year old doesn’t listens
Replies: 16
Views: 1269

Re: Book recommendations: 10 year old doesn’t listens

Make her earn her iPad time. For example, if she studies for x amount of time, she gets y amount of time with the iPad. An A on a test gets z amount of extra time.
by khh
Fri Aug 26, 2022 2:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: PSA - LastPass breach!
Replies: 718
Views: 64247

Re: PSA - LastPass breach!

Pete12 wrote: Fri Aug 26, 2022 12:20 pm This I why I don't use password managers... just another thing that could be hacked. I use a good old fashioned notebook where my passwords are written down in my terrible handwriting that no-one else can read. This may be heresy to some here but it works for me!
Same. I write them down on an old Palm Tungsten with no internet connection.
by khh
Fri Aug 19, 2022 3:10 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Worried about older family member getting scammed
Replies: 51
Views: 6786

Re: Worried about older family member getting scammed

There are slews of YouTubers with channels dedicated to turning the tables on scammers. Just put "scammers" in the You Tube search engine. In addition to being educational, it is very entertaining to watch these guys mess with scammers.
by khh
Fri Aug 19, 2022 2:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Selling higher-end wine [updated with full inventory, 98 bottles]
Replies: 33
Views: 5570

Re: Selling higher-end wine

Northern Flicker wrote: Mon Jun 20, 2022 11:55 am Someone I once knew liked to joke— “It takes willpower to cellar wine. I always assume when they say to drink by 2030 they mean military time.”
Just be sure refrigerate what you don't drink. And the cap should be twisted on tight.
by khh
Sun Aug 07, 2022 6:01 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medicare Advantage because of Kaiser questions
Replies: 38
Views: 4200

Re: Medicare Advantage because of Kaiser questions

tunafish wrote: Mon Aug 01, 2022 7:48 pm
DoubleComma wrote: Sun Jul 31, 2022 11:09 pm I would venture to guess it was not Northern CA, Southern CA, or Hawaii. These are Kaiser’s on true vertically integrated regions where they own and built hospitals and other facilities directly. In Kaiser’s primary service regions they are phenomenal.
I used to live in Northern CA. Kaiser lives in my memory because of a news article about their turning someone away who then died on the lawn of the building.
Did they turn him around so it looked like he was walking into the building?
by khh
Fri Jul 15, 2022 11:00 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Any Downsides to Brokered CDs?
Replies: 29
Views: 5339

Re: Any Downsides to Brokered CDs?

Corvidae wrote: Fri Jul 15, 2022 10:25 pm
khh wrote: Fri Jul 15, 2022 8:54 pm I have a brokered CD valued at $94,000 in a traditional IRA that I'm trying to cash in. I've had a sell order in via my broker for 2 days, but no takers. Is it unusual to take this long to sell?

Edit: It matures in April 2027.
Have you tried calling your broker's fixed income desk? If not, see what they say. It's a small amount (to them), but it's not like these $1,000-$5,000 amounts you sometimes see. I hope they can move it for you at some price. I myself would never buy a brokered CD I was not 99.9999% confident I could hold to maturity.
Yes, I got referred to the fixed income desk today when the CD didn't sell yesterday.
by khh
Fri Jul 15, 2022 9:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Classical music streaming service
Replies: 47
Views: 4109

Re: Classical music streaming service

Check out You Tube for classical music (or any music, for that matter). Their selection is huge. I'd bet you could find any piece you're looking for. Plus, you can make a playlist so that your selections will play in the order you choose. I pay YT about $12/mo. for their ad-free service, so there are no interruptions. Just put your choice in the YT search engine.
by khh
Fri Jul 15, 2022 8:54 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Any Downsides to Brokered CDs?
Replies: 29
Views: 5339

Re: Any Downsides to Brokered CDs?

I have a brokered CD valued at $94,000 in a traditional IRA that I'm trying to cash in. I've had a sell order in via my broker for 2 days, but no takers. Is it unusual to take this long to sell?

Edit: It matures in April 2027.
by khh
Thu Jun 16, 2022 3:08 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Where would you put $1,000 right now?
Replies: 88
Views: 7184

Re: Where would you put $1,000 right now?

Plastics.
by khh
Thu Oct 14, 2021 10:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Gift Tax form 709
Replies: 15
Views: 1840

Re: Gift Tax form 709

celia wrote: Sat Apr 10, 2021 2:42 pm First, you need to understand the IRS rules. You currently can give up to $15,000 a year to as many people as you want without having to notify the IRS. So can your spouse.

The reason for this is that if you are subject to estate tax when you die (we all wish we had $11M a person, which is the current exemption amount), your exemption is reduced by all those lifetime large gift reportings on Form 709 filed with the IRS. So hold onto them until you die, in case you inherit a fortune!

For donations to charity, they can be reported on your yearly tax return, subject to laws in effect at the time.
Do you have to keep a record of donations under $15,000?
by khh
Fri Jan 22, 2021 8:38 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Tesla becomes most valuable car company in the world
Replies: 396
Views: 44103

Re: Tesla becomes most valuable car company in the world

Is there a car that you can remotely control to open a garage door, drive itself to a particular place on the driveway, and wait for you to hop in? (And the reverse as well - to let you out at the front door then drive itself into the garage and close the door.)
by khh
Wed Oct 21, 2020 8:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Zoom Call-in Seemless?
Replies: 10
Views: 1107

Re: Zoom Call-in Seemless?

I read if you hit the mute button, it doesn't stop the video. :D
by khh
Tue Sep 22, 2020 1:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Your recent experience of visiting a dentist
Replies: 63
Views: 5409

Re: Your recent experience of visiting a dentist

I had 2 titanium screws implanted a few weeks ago and am scheduled for the crowns in late October. I was in and out in just a few minutes.
by khh
Thu Jun 18, 2020 10:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 36 YO wife getting Medicare related Junk Mail
Replies: 20
Views: 2280

Re: 36 YO wife getting Medicare related Junk Mail

Maybe the person who sent it is dyslexic.
by khh
Mon Jun 08, 2020 8:52 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: High deductible Plan G medigap
Replies: 74
Views: 6195

Re: High deductible Plan G medigap

I recently signed up for High Deductible plan g in Pennsylvania, United American; $43/month by far the least expensive plan available in my area. It (and several other plans) were NOT listed on the medicare.gov website; I went through a broker who told me that the site was slow to include all available plans. I think that Plan G is the best option for most people; regular vs high deductible depends on whether you’d prefer higher premiums vs being on the hook for $2300 annual deductible; I suggest you contact a broker who handles medicare supplemental insurance in your state; as far as I know the commission is paid by the insurance company so it won’t increase your premium. Thanks ...our broker told us there is “ no high deductible plan G” ...
by khh
Tue Apr 21, 2020 11:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How much to tip on DoorDash?
Replies: 60
Views: 6508

Re: How much to tip on DoorDash?

RonSwanson wrote: Tue Apr 21, 2020 11:21 pm $20 minimum during COVID-19 I'd say.
2 thumbs up.
by khh
Wed Apr 15, 2020 10:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to get Toilet Paper ? seriously.
Replies: 684
Views: 66828

Re: How to get Toilet Paper ? seriously.

Several plumbers have told us to never use any brand of TP except Scott. I've always lived in neighborhoods with older homes. Ours is over 100 yrs old, and we've never had toilet problems. Roots in the sewer lines are another issue entirely.... I can never find any Scott other than the cheap single ply stuff which I won’t use. Are there other kinds that have a little more heft to them? If I wanted single ply, I can order commercial stuff through work for cheaper than Scott. I have found with most toilet paper that I usually end up with “paper thin sandpaper” or with “super thick washcloth” style and I am always looking for something in between. This has been the first time I have experimented in a long time (by necessity) with different ki...
by khh
Tue Apr 14, 2020 12:58 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to get Toilet Paper ? seriously.
Replies: 684
Views: 66828

Re: How to get Toilet Paper ? seriously.

Looks like it's too late to load my rolls of TP on a broomstick and sell them at intersections for $100/roll.
by khh
Thu Apr 02, 2020 9:02 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: [Archived] Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus
Replies: 4963
Views: 298423

Re: Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus

Find the number of confirmed CV cases by Zip Code in NYC and how it compares to the rest of the city. 11370 getting hit hard - 146% the rate of the rest of the city. Riker's Island is in this zip code => https://projects.propublica.org/graphics/covid-nyc
by khh
Mon Mar 30, 2020 3:07 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: [Archived] Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus
Replies: 4963
Views: 298423

Re: Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus

The 40-140K estimate is only if we maintain the strict social distancing measures we're practicing today. If we relax them the numbers are likely to go up. Newsflash: the USA, by and large, is NOT practicing strict social distancing. Compare what is happening in just about any state with most countries in Europe. Europe is basically on lock down. I got stopped twice by police going to the grocery store here in Europe today. We have a 9pm strict curfew. Almost all business is shut down. In the USA, it still seems to be recommendations to stay indoors, and those measures vary from state to state. The USA seems to think they can take half measures and still see the full benefits of a proper quarantine. It doesn't work that way. Case in point,...
by khh
Fri Mar 27, 2020 5:12 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Does anyone else think this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to buy treasuries?
Replies: 68
Views: 9831

Re: Does anyone else think this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to buy treasuries?

Anyone who followed Rex Kramer advice in Airplane (1980) did very well: "Municipal bonds Ted, I'm talking double A rating. . .
the best investment in America."
by khh
Thu Mar 26, 2020 3:01 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why does anyone invest in international funds?
Replies: 306
Views: 24565

Re: Why does anyone invest in international funds?

My advisor at Edward Jones says I should...
by khh
Tue Mar 24, 2020 9:07 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: [Archived] Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus
Replies: 4963
Views: 298423

Re: Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus

This certainly didn't help =>
Commissioner Oxiris Barbot
@NYCHealthCommr

Today our city is celebrating the #LunarNewYear parade in Chinatown, a beautiful cultural tradition with a rich history in our city. I want to remind everyone to enjoy the parade and not change any plans due to misinformation spreading about #coronavirus.

A Guide to Lunar New Year in NYC
Where to celebrate the holiday.
nycgo.com

9:10 AM · Feb 9, 2020·Hootsuite Inc.

https://twitter.com/NYCHealthCommr/stat ... 0646269954
by khh
Tue Mar 24, 2020 8:02 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: [Archived] Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus
Replies: 4963
Views: 298423

Re: Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus

palanzo wrote: Tue Mar 24, 2020 7:20 pm
I'm surprise you laugh at the situation. 14,000+ cases and 131 deaths in NYC today.
I think those are cumulative totals =>
"New York City's Health Department said as of Tuesday morning, there were 14,776 confirmed cases and 131 deaths."

https://abcnews.go.com/Health/coronavir ... d=69763098
by khh
Tue Mar 24, 2020 7:45 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: [Archived] Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus
Replies: 4963
Views: 298423

Re: Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus

King County, WA (pop 2.2 million), where it first hit the US =>

March 09 => cases: 116; deaths: 20
March 10 => cases: 190; deaths: 22
March 11 => cases: n.a.; deaths: n.a.
March 12 => cases: 270; deaths: 27
March 13 => cases: 328; deaths: 32
March 14 => cases: 388; deaths: 35
March 15 => cases: 420; deaths: 37
March 16 => cases: 488; deaths: 43
March 17 => cases: 518; deaths: 46
March 18 => cases: 562; deaths: 56
March 19 => cases: 693; deaths: 60
March 20 => cases: 793; deaths: 67
March 21 => cases: 934; deaths: 74
March 22 => cases: 1,040; deaths: 75
March 23 => cases: 1,170; deaths: 87
March 24 => cases: 1,277; deaths: 94

https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/news/2020.aspx
by khh
Wed Mar 18, 2020 8:16 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to get Toilet Paper ? seriously.
Replies: 684
Views: 66828

Re: How to get Toilet Paper ? seriously.

If you can't find TP, try Staples.
by khh
Wed Mar 18, 2020 1:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to get Toilet Paper ? seriously.
Replies: 684
Views: 66828

Re: How to get Toilet Paper ? seriously.

They should treat this like they do Shingrix vaccine. Put your name on waiting lists and have them call you when a roll gets in!
by khh
Tue Mar 17, 2020 3:13 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: The Black Swan is Here
Replies: 164
Views: 21662

Re: The Black Swan is Here

Here’s the definition The black swan theory or theory of black swan events is a metaphor that describes an event that comes as a surprise, has a major effect, and is often inappropriately rationalized after the fact with the benefit of hindsight . If this isn’t it, what is ??? And Taleb goes on to describe black swan events that have happened an average of once a decade between the beginning of the 20th century and his publication date in 2007. Then 2008 occurred. And now this. It's important to note that black swans can be positive as well. And that a black swan might be negative for one person and positive for another. Taleb's backstory is that, completely by accident, he made millions on the black Monday crash in 1987. For epidemiologis...
by khh
Sat Mar 07, 2020 6:53 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Those of You Having Medigap Plan F More than 5 Years
Replies: 49
Views: 5020

Re: Those of You Having Medigap Plan F More than 5 Years

Since the rationale for ending Plan F was to require everyone to pay a deductible (and presumably less frivolous use of resources), why doesn't Medicare simply require Medigap companies to allow people to move from Plan F to Plan G without underwriting? They want to get rid of Plan F, so it seems like they should want to facilitate that by making it easy for people to switch out of it.
by khh
Mon Mar 02, 2020 12:27 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do you ever use cash?
Replies: 228
Views: 18543

Re: Do you ever use cash?

burt wrote: Sun Mar 01, 2020 6:51 am ATM machines are everywhere. Somebody must be using cash.
I found this stat =>
60% of Americans ages 25-34, and 51% ages 35-49, withdraw $40.00 8-10 times per month.
Billions of Transactions: Over 10 billion transactions are performed at ATMs in the U.S. every year.

http://www.nationalcash.com/statistics/
by khh
Sun Feb 23, 2020 9:32 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Dow Futures down 426 for Monday 2/24/20. Buying anything today?
Replies: 155
Views: 17346

Re: Dow Futures down 426 for Monday 2/24/20. Buying anything today?

Not buying til the end of the month. Just like the other 11 months. :mrgreen:
by khh
Wed Feb 19, 2020 10:51 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Can someone help me understand Medicare A and B
Replies: 11
Views: 1021

Re: Can someone help me understand Medicare A and B

A few You Tube channels that I found helpful.

Boomer Benefits => https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA1tE2 ... VneHpaQiGQ

Medicare on Video => https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKNFO7xioDg

Abt Insurance Agency => https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwAWUrxnDtk
by khh
Tue Feb 18, 2020 2:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do You Avoid Advertisements & Commercials?
Replies: 84
Views: 6116

Re: Do You Avoid Advertisements & Commercials?

I pay $10 a month for ad-free You Tube. Well worth it considering the amount of time I spend there.
by khh
Mon Jan 27, 2020 1:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Not allowed to board American Airlines flight - Forced to buy second ticket for same flight - Help requested [UPDATED]
Replies: 125
Views: 18865

Re: Not allowed to board American Airlines flight - Forced to buy second ticket for same flight - Help requested

I wonder if this is a problem for people with common names, like Robert Smith. I was able to think of 4 people with that name I was acquainted with over the years.
by khh
Sat Jan 18, 2020 11:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Those of You Having Medigap Plan F More than 5 Years
Replies: 49
Views: 5020

Re: Those of You Having Medigap Plan F More than 5 Years

Cigna Plan G

2017 - $112.16
2018 - $112.16
2019 - $115.53
2020 - $124.77

That's 3.6% per year over 3 years. This year's increase was 8%.
by khh
Tue Dec 31, 2019 1:10 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Massachusetts BHs on Medicare: Options in Massachusetts?
Replies: 8
Views: 866

Re: Massachusetts BHs on Medicare: Options in Massachusetts?

Small Law Survivor wrote: Tue Dec 31, 2019 8:36 am I'm curious about how people that move to another state, or split their time between two states (snowbirds) handle supplemental plans. Assume someone has a Medigap plan in Massachusetts for a few years, and then they move to Florida. Are they required to then buy a Florida plan? How would the Massachusetts insurer know this? At what point (humber of days per year?) is one required to move to another state's plan?
I don't think you would need a new medigap plan since they are: 1) good anywhere in the US that takes medicare and 2) guaranteed renewable for life.
by khh
Mon Dec 09, 2019 6:44 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medicare Advantage=Leaving Medicare?
Replies: 70
Views: 5338

Re: Medicare Advantage=Leaving Medicare?

FIREchief wrote: Mon Dec 09, 2019 5:10 pm
dm200 wrote: Mon Dec 09, 2019 9:59 am 9. You can always switch back to Original Medicare from an MA plan. However, if you do switch, you will need to have medical underwriting to get a supplement.
Do you need underwriting if you move to a different state and immediately apply for a Medigap policy?
I don't have the answer to your question, but from what I've read there is no need to get a new Medigap policy, since your coverage is already good nationwide.
by khh
Tue Dec 03, 2019 12:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Unpaid speeding ticket from 40 years ago.
Replies: 93
Views: 9536

Re: Unpaid speeding ticket from 40 years ago.

Consider wearing a disguise. There could be "wanted" posters.
by khh
Fri Nov 29, 2019 5:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Found hidden safe, should we crack?
Replies: 353
Views: 108236

Re: Found hidden safe, should we crack?

Release the crackin'!
by khh
Sun Nov 24, 2019 10:53 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Best Company For Medicare Supplement Plan G [in Missouri]
Replies: 21
Views: 1967

Re: Best Company For Medicare Supplement Plan G [in Missouri]

I've had Cigna Plan G for 3 years, currently pay $116/mo. One premium increase of 3% during this time.
by khh
Sat Nov 16, 2019 4:35 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best thing you have ever bought?
Replies: 151
Views: 16973

Re: Best thing you have ever bought?

Best value ever - a GE microwave oven I bought ca. 1982. As I recall, it cost less than $100. Still use it all the time.
by khh
Fri Nov 15, 2019 8:23 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Disturbing experience with Ally Bank
Replies: 221
Views: 35437

Re: Disturbing experience with Ally Bank

Show them this thread.