Search found 129 matches

by maria00200
Sun Feb 18, 2024 6:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Irrevocable trust
Replies: 2
Views: 431

Irrevocable trust

I own a home and recently transferred title to an irrevocable trust I created so technically I (the grantor) have the exclusive right to live here forever, and then the remainderman (beneficiary) is the trust. When I got the paperwork from the attorney it said the trustee needs to file tax form 1041, but I thought you only file that form if the trust is generating income, which it’s currently not. It won’t generate income until the house gets sold in the future. Do we still need to file this form 1041? Calling the IRS is impossible now, and I already ask a couple accountants and they sounded unsure.
by maria00200
Mon Feb 05, 2024 5:31 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: So what are you cooking
Replies: 945
Views: 107604

Re: So what are you cooking

Just curious, for the people who work full time, how do you find time to cook? I used to be a stay at home mom but since couple years ago, I work full time. I struggle with finding time to make home cooked meals. My husband does not cook so I’m the only one responsible for grocery shopping/preparing/cooking. Any tips on how I can make home cooked meals when I have no time?
by maria00200
Sun Nov 12, 2023 1:41 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What are you listening to now
Replies: 5802
Views: 574675

Re: What are you listening to now

Engelbert Humperdinck. Love his music.
by maria00200
Fri Sep 29, 2023 3:27 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Getting the family organized family calendar?
Replies: 25
Views: 2287

Re: Getting the family organized family calendar?

I use Google calendars but I have 2 separate ones (2 different email addresses). I use one calendar strictly for appointments for me and my family. The other calendar is only for bills, when things are due etc. As far as sharing, this is my idea of sharing, “honey your dentist appointment is next Tuesday at 2:00.”
by maria00200
Wed Mar 01, 2023 4:32 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity bank charge dispute
Replies: 1
Views: 486

Fidelity bank charge dispute

So I have a Fidelity checking account and disputed a charge that was over 90 days ago. Long story short, they told me to mail a letter to their back office asking to dispute it with all the details. 2 months later, I have not heard back from anyone at Fidelity. When I call, they just say they will email the dispute team and someone will get back to me. Nobody has gotten back to me. I’m tempted to switch banks after this experience since Fidelity customer service is MIA. Anyone else dispute a charge with them with your debit card?
by maria00200
Tue May 03, 2022 10:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Extreme Buyer's Remorse - First Home Purchase
Replies: 97
Views: 15710

Re: Extreme Buyer's Remorse - First Home Purchase

I have backed out once after having an offer accepted. The homeowners let me keep my earnest deposit and there was no harm done. It’s not as bad as you think. If it were me, I’d back out if it didn’t feel completely right.
by maria00200
Sun Aug 29, 2021 3:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Landlord won't fix contaminated water in the apartment
Replies: 188
Views: 19481

Re: Landlord won't fix contaminated water in the apartment

Call your local health department. Just Google for the number. Landlord will have no choice but to fix the problem, or waive any fees for you to leave. There is no way in hell that can legally be allowed to happen. Show the health department your water test results too.
by maria00200
Thu Jul 15, 2021 12:31 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 37s Mid life Portfolio review
Replies: 14
Views: 3363

Re: 37s Mid life Portfolio review

When did 37 become “mid-life”? :shock:
by maria00200
Thu May 13, 2021 10:27 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: IRS not answering the phone
Replies: 55
Views: 5060

Re: IRS not answering the phone

I have been trying (on and off) to contact IRS via phone for 2 months now. I get the same result. They hang up on me. Doesn’t matter what day I try, or what time of day. I gave up for now and I’ll try again maybe in a month.
by maria00200
Wed Feb 03, 2021 10:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Car Insurance, Doordash & a Delivery Driver
Replies: 10
Views: 2218

Re: Car Insurance, Doordash & a Delivery Driver

I deliver part time for DoorDash and Allstate told me I’m covered still until the Covid pandemic is done.
by maria00200
Mon Feb 17, 2020 11:39 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to just find a house online and buy it directly from the listing realtor?
Replies: 33
Views: 3461

Re: How to just find a house online and buy it directly from the listing realtor?

ARoseByAnyOtherName wrote: Mon Feb 17, 2020 6:44 am
maria00200 wrote: Sun Feb 16, 2020 11:40 pm I was wondering the same thing. The biggest reason I don’t care for a buyer’s agent is because my husband and I are very picky looking for a house, and we’ve seen at least 100 so far. If we had a buyer’s agent, I think we would have driven him or her crazy by now.
Your buyers agent doesn’t have to come with you to see houses.
So who do you make an appointment with to see the house then? The sellers agent? And when the sellers agent finds out you have a buyers agent, he gets pissed off.
by maria00200
Sun Feb 16, 2020 11:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to just find a house online and buy it directly from the listing realtor?
Replies: 33
Views: 3461

Re: How to just find a house online and buy it directly from the listing realtor?

I was wondering the same thing. The biggest reason I don’t care for a buyer’s agent is because my husband and I are very picky looking for a house, and we’ve seen at least 100 so far. If we had a buyer’s agent, I think we would have driven him or her crazy by now.
by maria00200
Fri Aug 02, 2019 7:46 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Why won’t anyone hire me?
Replies: 156
Views: 18368

Re: Why won’t anyone hire me?

Wow, I woke up this morning to see all the replies and I'm humbled. I read every single one and everyone offered such great advice. This is why I love this board. :wink: To answer a couple questions, my skills are I type 80 wpm (I learned from a typewriter back in high school). I have intermediate skills in Microsoft Word although not the current version, and basic knowledge of Excel. I'm very organized, and have great attention to detail. That's about it, which is probably why I'm having a hard time finding any office jobs. Thanks for all the ideas. It helped immensely!
by maria00200
Thu Aug 01, 2019 7:32 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Why won’t anyone hire me?
Replies: 156
Views: 18368

Re: Why won’t anyone hire me?

Grt2bOutdoors wrote: Thu Aug 01, 2019 7:29 am Try this, if you have a network of friends on Facebook let them know you are looking for a job in the administrative field. Perhaps if they hear or know of an opportunity they will let you know or refer you. Keep the faith, you will find something. Persistence, keep applying - you might try applying for an office manager role too, if you can run a household, you can run an office.
hehe, I like that :happy
by maria00200
Thu Aug 01, 2019 7:29 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Why won’t anyone hire me?
Replies: 156
Views: 18368

Re: Why won’t anyone hire me?

These are all good suggestions. I did consider a certificate but I'd be 50 when I was finished, even older. :shock: . I did sign up with 2 temp agencies but got rejected so far after going on a couple interviews (through the temp).
by maria00200
Thu Aug 01, 2019 7:25 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Why won’t anyone hire me?
Replies: 156
Views: 18368

Re: Why won’t anyone hire me?

FrankLUSMC wrote: Thu Aug 01, 2019 6:39 am You haven't given your location and indeed that will make a difference in job opportunities. However one thing you may have overlooked is using a Temp agency to get your foot in the door for job opportunities. Quite often that is how businesses screen for their office workers.
I'm in the Western New York area
by maria00200
Thu Aug 01, 2019 6:10 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Why won’t anyone hire me?
Replies: 156
Views: 18368

Why won’t anyone hire me?

I’m 48, female, was a stay at home parent for the past 7 years, but I’m ready to go back in the workforce so I can help contribute to bills and retirement account. I don’t have a college degree but I do have some secretarial experience prior to when my son was born. I have literally applied on Indeed to close to 100 jobs in the past couple months, and been on about 20 different interviews. All the interviews seemed to go very well, but then I get rejected over and over. I’m fairly attractive, clean, dress nice. What am I doing wrong? Is it really this hard to find a job nowadays? I am applying mostly office positions but now I’m starting to wonder if I should just apply at McDonald’s. Is it my age? I can’t even believe how difficult it is t...
by maria00200
Sat Sep 15, 2018 9:05 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Pet insurance
Replies: 34
Views: 4528

Re: Pet insurance

I am still on the fence about pet insurance (my dog is 3 years old, healthy). It seems like nationwide has the best options,but my hesitation is the insane yearly increases in premium. Does anyone have any experience with Nationwide and if so, just how much does the premium increase every year?
by maria00200
Thu Aug 09, 2018 6:50 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Relaxing - quieting the mind
Replies: 47
Views: 3999

Re: Relaxing - quieting the mind

These are some things that relax me, not in any particular order.
1.) take a hot bath
2.) getting frisky with my spouse if you know what I mean
3.) spending time at the waterfront either just watching my husband go fishing or just taking a walk along the water
4.) exercise (walking outdoors, the gym, swimming)
5.) watching old classic shows or movies, just makes me feel cozy
6.) reading
Who needs marijuana lol
by maria00200
Sun Jun 24, 2018 12:02 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Trust Help From Cruel Stepmother
Replies: 49
Views: 9427

Re: Trust Help From Cruel Stepmother

Unfortunately I know this is a common situation and I am sooo sorry to read how devastated stepchildren are when the stepmother takes everything, especially when it was intended to go to the children. Just a small glimpse into our horrific ordeal: We had to find out the date and location of our dad’s funeral on a website! When we have seen him every week for the last 6 months called him every day until his passing. My father was married to my mother for 40+ years until her passing and then remarried his second wife for 17 years before his passing last week. He wanted to show us his trust several times but the wife would not allow it. He was afraid to go against her and we the children left it alone thinking that we didn't want to cause any...
by maria00200
Sat Jun 23, 2018 11:42 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Trust Help From Cruel Stepmother
Replies: 49
Views: 9427

Re: Trust Help From Cruel Stepmother

Sorry for your loss. With all due respect, that is his wife and partner of almost 20 years. If he wanted to leave his estate to her, then so be it.
by maria00200
Sat Jun 23, 2018 7:15 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: ETFs
Replies: 11
Views: 1458

Re: ETFs

[/quote]

I agree with what others have said: this portfolio seems "fine" but has probably more funds than is needed to achieve the same result. The following four-fund portfolio will give you just as much diversification, with less complexity.

SCHB (Schwab US Broad Market ETF) 65%
SCHF (Schwab International Equity ETF) 15%
SCHA (Schwab US Small-Cap ETF) 10%
SCHZ (Schwab US Aggregate Bond ETF) 10%
[/quote]

Would I still need additional small cap exposure (SCHA) if I already have SCHB? I thought the broad market etf already had small cap.
by maria00200
Fri Jun 22, 2018 12:05 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: ETFs
Replies: 11
Views: 1458

Re: ETFs

Thanks for the replies so far. Very helpful.
by maria00200
Fri Jun 22, 2018 7:10 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: ETFs
Replies: 11
Views: 1458

Re: ETFs

Oops, I fixed it, now it’s 100% haha. No other holdings.
by maria00200
Fri Jun 22, 2018 6:59 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: ETFs
Replies: 11
Views: 1458

ETFs

Can you tell me if my portfolio of ETFs is diversified enough or are any overlapping and not necessary? Also, am I missing anything? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.
SCHX (US Large cap) 55%
SCHF (International equity) 10%
SCHA (US Small cap) 10%
SPMD (US Mid cap) 10%
SCHE (Emerging markets equity) 5%
SCHH (US REIT) 5%
SCHZ (US Bond) 5%
by maria00200
Sun May 27, 2018 9:46 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: When and how often do you rebalance
Replies: 52
Views: 10057

Re: When and how often do you rebalance

What if you add money to your portfolio weekly or bi-weekly? That means you would be rebalancing every time you add funds.
by maria00200
Tue May 22, 2018 2:10 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Schwab Intelligent Portfolio
Replies: 18
Views: 4387

Re: Schwab Intelligent Portfolio

OP here. Thanks for the replies. I decided I’ll keep the SIP open as an experiment and see how it goes. I did want to add that another reason I don’t want a DIY 3 or 4 fund portfolio that I rebalance myself is to make my accounts easier for my beneficiary after I pass, so it’s either a robo account or target date fund.
by maria00200
Tue May 22, 2018 9:49 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Schwab Intelligent Portfolio
Replies: 18
Views: 4387

Schwab Intelligent Portfolio

So I opened up an account with Schwab Intelligent Portfolio. I'm not sure if I'm liking it so far. I like that there are no fees other than the ETF fees themselves, but even with the most aggressive portfolio, the mandatory cash reserve is 6%. Also, it's diversified in about 20 ETF's. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? Is it possible to be over diversified? The do it yourself rebalancing portfolio won't really work for me because it makes my head hurt. I know people suggest rebalancing once a year, but I put money into the account every Friday, and I wouldn't even begin to know how to rebalance everything when I add to it weekly, even with just a 3 fund portfolio. So my other option is a target date index fund. I'm going to stick with Sch...
by maria00200
Sun May 13, 2018 6:25 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Happy Mother's Day
Replies: 4
Views: 1467

Re: Happy Mother's Day

Thank you :sharebeer
by maria00200
Sat May 05, 2018 4:11 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Beneficiaries at Vanguard
Replies: 3
Views: 775

Re: Beneficiaries at Vanguard

mouses wrote: Sat May 05, 2018 4:06 pm Can you put (my son) after his name?
Good idea thanks :-)
by maria00200
Sat May 05, 2018 11:36 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Beneficiaries at Vanguard
Replies: 3
Views: 775

Beneficiaries at Vanguard

For my Vanguard accounts (retirement and non retirement brokerage accounts) I have my son as my sole beneficiary. I have a complicated situation because I have step kids too so just to be safe I put his name and birthdate on the beneficiary form (instead of checking my descendants). Nowhere on there is there a spot to put his social security number. I know this is a long shot, but what if someone else was born on that same day with the same name? They could technically fight for the money too. I don’t know why the form has no spot for his S.S #. Makes me uncomfortable. At Schwab there is a spot for it on their form. Anyone know anything about this?
by maria00200
Tue Feb 06, 2018 5:21 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Stay the course?
Replies: 65
Views: 9456

Re: Stay the course?

Thanks for all the input! I’m just going to keep contributing and ignore the noise as suggested. ;-)
by maria00200
Tue Feb 06, 2018 5:39 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Stay the course?
Replies: 65
Views: 9456

Re: Stay the course?

Thanks. I’m not even going to check my balance then. Don’t wanna know. :shock:
by maria00200
Tue Feb 06, 2018 5:23 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Stay the course?
Replies: 65
Views: 9456

Stay the course?

Newbie investor here and never had to deal with the market tanking like yesterday. I have a target date 2045 fund so it’s pretty much 90/10, but we are about 25 years away from retirement. Am I supposed to just leave it alone and don’t tinker with it or is a target date fund this heavy in stocks a bad idea?
by maria00200
Thu Dec 28, 2017 2:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to financially assist DD to help continue her Obamacare
Replies: 54
Views: 5650

Re: How to financially assist DD to help continue her Obamacare

1.) I’m pretty confident there is no minimum amount of income to qualify for Obamacare. In other words, you can make $1 and still get Medicaid.
2.) Pre-existing conditions are covered by every insurance company in the U.S. now, Obamacare or not.
Someone correct me if I’m wrong.
by maria00200
Sun Dec 17, 2017 7:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Overnight guests
Replies: 15
Views: 2299

Re: Overnight guests

sbaywriter wrote: Sun Dec 17, 2017 7:11 pm Agree with other suggestions on discussing with husband. In some areas it is common for people who commute long distance to rent room locally and stay there 2-4 nights a week. Maybe he needs to find an arrangement like that. I would feel same as you but would want to make it clear that in an emergency (bad weather, car trouble) he would be welcome guest.
Only problem with that is we live in western New York, notorious for lots of snow, and we live in the southtowns, which means a lot of snow ALL winter. Saying he can stay when there is bad weather is pretty much more than half the winter. :annoyed
by maria00200
Sun Dec 17, 2017 7:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Overnight guests
Replies: 15
Views: 2299

Re: Overnight guests

Thanks for all the replies so far. Having them go out for dinner first before coming home is a good idea, but the lack of privacy is what bothers me the most, not so much the food, or him using stuff. I’ll take the suggestion to talk it over with my spouse and make a decision, then he has to talk to his cousin on what we decided. Oh and we have only one bathroom :shock:
by maria00200
Sun Dec 17, 2017 5:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Overnight guests
Replies: 15
Views: 2299

Overnight guests

I realize this doesn't have to do with investing, but in a way it has to do with finances so I thought I'd ask all the smart people on this forum. My husband and his (male) cousin work together, and his cousin lives a far drive from work (about an hour and a half). Sometimes (which seems quite often to me), they work late for one reason or another (due to the snow, overtime etc.), so his cousin just stays at our house and sleeps over out of convenience. In my family, it's me, my husband, and my teen child. If it was very rarely I wouldn't say a word. But it's often enough where I am annoyed by this arrangement. I'm an introvert and my home is my place of refuge and peace. I don't like having overnight guests that often, maybe just as a rare...
by maria00200
Thu Dec 14, 2017 1:38 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Edward Jones Guided Solutions - Spouse is Employee
Replies: 37
Views: 5282

Re: Edward Jones Guided Solutions - Spouse is Employee

The only logical solution is for your wife to get another job. Admin Assistants are in demand and this shouldn’t be a problem.
by maria00200
Sat Dec 02, 2017 6:40 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Pet insurance?
Replies: 50
Views: 6964

Re: Pet insurance?

I was going back and forth for awhile now trying to decide on whether to get pet insurance for my Australian cattle dog/Bordie collie mix. I finally decided (after comparing the different companies) to go with Healthy Paws. My only concern is that I heard premiums go up significantly higher as the dog ages. Does anyone know just how high they can go? Right now my dog is 2, and I’m paying $25/month for a $500 deductible, 90% reimbursement plan, no annual limits.
by maria00200
Tue Oct 17, 2017 9:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Best way to make some dollars on a 10 day vacation?
Replies: 57
Views: 7379

Re: Best way to make some dollars on a 10 day vacation?

Buy a match.com membership. Find a girlfriend. You won’t be wondering what to do with your time anymore. :sharebeer
by maria00200
Tue Oct 17, 2017 2:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Help with PR emergency prep: Water filter, Propane stove, etc.
Replies: 46
Views: 4874

Re: Help with PR emergency prep: Water filter, Propane stove, etc.

Are you sure your nephew doesn’t want to rethink going there at this time? My husband’s family lives there, and the little communication we had with them so far wasn’t good. No water, no power, very spotty phone service only in San Juan if you’re lucky, very long lines just to get gas or groceries. I feel awful for everyone there and I wouldn’t go out of my way to purposely live there right now until things are semi back to normal.
by maria00200
Sun Oct 08, 2017 10:16 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Spouse gets blowouts? [Hair care]
Replies: 47
Views: 4191

Re: Spouse gets blowouts?

:sharebeer
by maria00200
Fri Oct 06, 2017 8:33 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Trying to convince my sister not to use a financial advisor
Replies: 59
Views: 7106

Re: Trying to convince my sister not to use a financial advisor

mptfan wrote: Thu Oct 05, 2017 8:24 pm Did your sister ask for your advice?
Yes she did ask me for input, which is why I don't understand why she won't take my advice. Anyhow, I tried explaining to her, I tried doing a graph showing all the fees with the advisor vs without, she still won't budge. I give up. I guess her advisor will be enjoying her money every year sipping on margaritas in the Bahamas :annoyed
by maria00200
Thu Oct 05, 2017 3:18 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Trying to convince my sister not to use a financial advisor
Replies: 59
Views: 7106

Re: Trying to convince my sister not to use a financial advisor

Nate79 wrote: Thu Oct 05, 2017 3:15 pm Vanguard will do this for 0.3%.

Schwab will do this in Schwab ETF's for free.

There are others like Betterment and so forth.

There is no reason to pay 1.4%. Why not get her to have a managed account, but just much much cheaper?
These are all examples I used but she just doesn't get it. It's frustrating.
by maria00200
Thu Oct 05, 2017 2:33 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Trying to convince my sister not to use a financial advisor
Replies: 59
Views: 7106

Trying to convince my sister not to use a financial advisor

:oops:
My sister has $100k to invest and has an appointment tomorrow to wrap up the paperwork with a financial advisor who promised her a portfolio of Vanguard ETFs that he will balance for her, for a small fee of 1.4%! I told her to run and just open up an account herself on Vanguard and do it herself. I even recommended if she didn't want the inconvenience of rebalancing to just get an all in one fund. I tried explaining to her the amount in fees over the long term but she just keeps saying it's worth it because the advisor can build a good portfolio and do it all for her. How can I convince her it's a dumb idea to go with him? She's 50, and is a beginner in investing.
by maria00200
Wed Oct 04, 2017 2:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dish network
Replies: 21
Views: 2304

Re: Dish network

Yes I tried Sling tv but it doesn't have animal planet or Discovery :-(.. Otherwise I would have stayed with them.
by maria00200
Wed Oct 04, 2017 1:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dish network
Replies: 21
Views: 2304

Re: Dish network

Thanks for the input! It never occurred to me that I could always watch DVR recorded shows or on demand (I think) during a service interruption! Haha.
by maria00200
Wed Oct 04, 2017 11:58 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dish network
Replies: 21
Views: 2304

Dish network

I've never had any kind of satellite service for tv and have been contemplating it. Dish network seems to be cheaper, but my question is how reliable is Dish as far as weather? Does it go out during rain, wind, snow? I really don't want something that won't work any time the weather is not so good.