Search found 111 matches

by seity
Thu Feb 02, 2023 11:58 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Rollover a rollover?
Replies: 5
Views: 398

Re: Rollover a rollover?

I have the choice to move the funds to a Roth IRA as if I had never created the rollover account Why wouldn't you just do this if they're giving you that option? I'm just trying to understand the tax and penalty implications of both options. If I move the funds to the Roth IRA as if I never created the rollover account will it be seen as not rolling over the funds within the 60 days window? It's rare for a custodian to offer to reconstruct the rollover as it should have been. Typically, that only happens if the custodian knows that their error caused the problem. It would be great if Schwab was willing to do this and reflect it on their 5498. The conversion option is useless as it would result in double taxation of the former Roth 401k mon...
by seity
Thu Feb 02, 2023 9:46 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Rollover a rollover?
Replies: 5
Views: 398

Re: Rollover a rollover?

Gryphon wrote: Thu Feb 02, 2023 9:41 am
seity wrote: Thu Feb 02, 2023 9:32 am I have the choice to move the funds to a Roth IRA as if I had never created the rollover account
Why wouldn't you just do this if they're giving you that option?
I'm just trying to understand the tax and penalty implications of both options. If I move the funds to the Roth IRA as if I never created the rollover account will it be seen as not rolling over the funds within the 60 days window?
by seity
Thu Feb 02, 2023 9:32 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Rollover a rollover?
Replies: 5
Views: 398

Rollover a rollover?

I was forced to moved funds from an old Roth 401k from a previous employer back in August. I created a rollover account at Schwab and the money was put into that account in August. I asked Schwab today about the rollover account and they said it is not designated as a Roth account, but I have the choice to move the funds to a Roth IRA as if I had never created the rollover account or I can do a Roth Conversion. I'm under 59 1/2, so I'm thinking I'm going to get screwed somehow with either some kind of penalty/taxes or both. Is it possible to do a Roth conversion and fund the account with the 20% that will be taken out in taxes this year and then get those taxes back when I file my 2023 taxes next year? Am I looking at a penalty for tax year...
by seity
Tue Jun 29, 2021 8:51 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Debit or Credit card with no fees
Replies: 32
Views: 3081

Re: Debit or Credit card with no fees

I guess I don't see any point in a card that doesn't pay you back for your purchases. Get a new credit card and use it for these 'other' category purchases only and set an alert to tell you when you've hit a certain balance on the card. Don't use it after that, or pay it off and restart the process just like if you were preloading a card. Why not get another card from your same credit card issuer (if you like the purchase points etc) and treat it as a debit card? To treat it as a debit card all you have to do is prepay a balance on the card (say $1K/$5K/$10K/whatever). As long as you keep within your prepaid balance you'll be fine, You'll still get the same purchase points etc). If you treat it as a separate card it can likely have a low c...
by seity
Mon Jun 28, 2021 3:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Debit or Credit card with no fees
Replies: 32
Views: 3081

Re: Debit or Credit card with no fees

I guess I don't see any point in a card that doesn't pay you back for your purchases. Get a new credit card and use it for these 'other' category purchases only and set an alert to tell you when you've hit a certain balance on the card. Don't use it after that, or pay it off and restart the process just like if you were preloading a card.
by seity
Sun Jun 27, 2021 9:39 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Opt out for Advance Child Tax Credit payments available at IRS.gov
Replies: 80
Views: 7409

Re: Opt out for Advance Child Tax Credit payments available at IRS.gov

I decided I wanted to opt in anyway. I can use the money to buy my kids their school clothing for the fall and put it towards fall sports. I can put it to good use now instead of getting it as a lump sum when I file my taxes in February.
by seity
Wed Feb 24, 2021 5:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: wiFi extenders
Replies: 39
Views: 3294

Re: wiFi extenders

We invested in a mesh system and it was well worth it. Strong signal throughout our house.
by seity
Mon Feb 22, 2021 2:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HSA best practices-tracking expenses for future reimbursement
Replies: 31
Views: 2522

Re: HSA best practices-tracking expenses for future reimbursement

I save receipts because an unexpected non medical expense may come up and I might need to tap into the HSA to pay for it using legitimate past medical expenses. Recently my cat had to have emergency surgery and if it wasn't for the recent stimulus money and my pending tax refund, I wouldn't have had enough money to pay for the surgery. I would have used past medical expenses paid out to withdraw the money needed to cover the CC charge from the vet.
by seity
Sun Feb 21, 2021 3:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HSA best practices-tracking expenses for future reimbursement
Replies: 31
Views: 2522

Re: HSA best practices-tracking expenses for future reimbursement

My HSA let's me enter expenses incurred on the site and upload documentation there as well. I don't claim the reimbursement, just pay from cash, but should I ever wish to take a reimbursement all the supporting documentation is saved there and I just have to ask for the money. I also have a digital copy of all the documentation which I make sure always is backed up.
by seity
Fri Feb 19, 2021 1:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Has anyone had a TurboTax return that included a form 1116 accepted?
Replies: 210
Views: 17281

Re: How long is the IRS taking to accept returns

I submitted mine on 2/12 via CK and it was accepted by the Feds on 2/14
by seity
Wed Feb 17, 2021 2:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Credit Karma Free Tax Filing
Replies: 12
Views: 4057

Re: Credit Karma Free Tax Filing

I used CK this year and 2 years ago. I used H&R free file last year and most of the years previous to my first time using CK. I went back to Credit Karma this year because it was able to fill out my form 8889 correctly, which H&R wasn't able to do. It pre-filled my information for my family, which was very nice.
I manually entered the data for my various income/deductions. I did not look for an auto upload for my tax documents and don't recall seeing that as an option, but again, I wasn't looking for that option.
I always manually do my taxes before filing anyway, so really just looking for a free way to efile my fed and state taxes and plan to use CK in the future as long as it remains free.
by seity
Wed Feb 26, 2020 1:14 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How quickly did you receive your 2019 tax refund?
Replies: 111
Views: 10615

Re: How quickly did you receive your 2019 tax refund?

alfaspider wrote: Wed Feb 26, 2020 12:46 pm I've not had a refund in almost decade, but the ECH debt always seems to come out of my account right away.

From a pure economics standpoint, your goal should be to always pay the maximum possible at tax time without owing so much that you incur a penalty. How much that's actually worth to you depends on how much money you owe in tax.
I file exempt from Federal taxes on my W4 and still get a (small) refund.
by seity
Mon Feb 24, 2020 4:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How quickly did you receive your 2019 tax refund?
Replies: 111
Views: 10615

Re: How quickly did you receive your 2019 tax refund?

E-filed Fed and State 2/2 Accepted 2/3. Because I get the additional child tax credit the IRS hold my refund until mid Feb. I expect to see my Fed refund this week - status update claims on 2/26 . The state refund arrives usually a week later than Fed.

Edit Fed refund arrived 2/26 as stated. State now says to expect it in bank account on 3/2.
by seity
Mon Feb 24, 2020 2:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do you ever use cash?
Replies: 228
Views: 18536

Re: Do you ever use cash?

Jcraz13 wrote: Mon Feb 24, 2020 2:20 pm It is interesting how soft we have all become. If the power grid ever went down a few days or we had a major terror attack on the grid you will wish you had cash . We just assume all the ATMs and grocery stores will have power.

I am no prepper or doomsday nut, but I was a Boy Scout . Be prepared.
Not using cash on a daily basis and not having access to cash for an emergency are two separate things.
by seity
Mon Feb 24, 2020 1:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do you ever use cash?
Replies: 228
Views: 18536

Re: Do you ever use cash?

I only use cash if someplace doesn't take credit. Very rarely.
by seity
Fri Feb 21, 2020 1:47 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Is it true that TSP no longer provides Q4 statement?
Replies: 5
Views: 630

Re: Is it true that TSP no longer provides Q4 statement?

Faith20879 wrote: Fri Feb 21, 2020 1:42 pm
seity wrote: Fri Feb 21, 2020 1:34 pm The Q4 is now included in the annual statement. You can get transaction details from within the tsp site.
But my "2019 Annual with Q4 summary" statement does not have the transaction details. What am I missing?

Thanks.
I don't know why that's not on the statement. Perhaps the Q1 will include that information from Q4, but if you log into the TSP you can click Recent transactions and look at the each contribution as either dollars or shares.
by seity
Fri Feb 21, 2020 1:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Is it true that TSP no longer provides Q4 statement?
Replies: 5
Views: 630

Re: Is it true that TSP no longer provides Q4 statement?

The Q4 is now included in the annual statement. You can get transaction details from within the tsp site.
by seity
Fri Feb 21, 2020 1:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Basic HSA question
Replies: 14
Views: 1571

Re: Basic HSA question

I keep the receipts in case I need the money, but right now it's all invested. I can upload the receipts right into the HSA when I'm logged in, but then not reimburse myself. So basically I have a digital record with receipts and all I'll I have to do if I want the money out of the HSA is click the 'pay me' option for any of them and I'll get the money in my bank account.
by seity
Thu Feb 13, 2020 8:21 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Yet another 2 -> 1 income thread
Replies: 50
Views: 4412

Re: Yet another 2 -> 1 income thread

Based on spending you can afford for her to quit her job. She will not regret having time at home. You are way better off financially than we were, but we still found it well worth my husband quitting and staying home full time. Now that both our kids are in school we still find it beneficial to have a full time at home parent. Sick days, snow days, school events/sports. It's nice to have someone who's available without having to juggle time off from a job.
There's always the opportunity for her to reevaluate working as your child gets older.
by seity
Wed Feb 12, 2020 1:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: NY Solar Farms- Scam?
Replies: 33
Views: 10229

Re: NY Solar Farms- Scam? Update

So I went through their website (solarfarmsny.com) and also emailed them. Here is what I understand of the process: -I sign up as a member of Solar Farms NY. No fee, but contact info including email needed -Solar Farms NY sends solar energy to the electricity company I use- in this case NYSEG -NYSEG reduces my electricity bill based on the amount of solar energy they received -I pay Solar Farms NY the discount I was given by NYSEG minus 5% of the amount. They will send me a bill monthly as well as NYSEG Murky area: How much solar energy credit (discount) can I expect a month? Solar Farms send me a canned reply that I will save 5% of whatever discount I get from NYSEG, but nothing more specific. My monthly electricity bill is approximately ...
by seity
Wed Feb 12, 2020 10:52 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Boa reward points online category
Replies: 6
Views: 743

Re: Boa reward points online category

In my experience, almost none of my online purchases counted for the 'online purchase' category for BofA including purchases from online only sites.
I figure I'm better off using my 2% on everything card and leave the BofA set to dining for months when I can't get 5% on dining from another card.
by seity
Wed Feb 12, 2020 10:05 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What are your not free but still frugal hobbies?
Replies: 157
Views: 16283

Re: What are your not free but still frugal hobbies?

You excluded my hobbies. Reading, video games from GOG, and free mobile games.
Although, I prefer to buy my books.
by seity
Tue Feb 11, 2020 12:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: GEHA HDHP and Annual Labs
Replies: 19
Views: 5541

Re: GEHA HDHP and Annual Labs

I just had preventative blood work done for the first time last month. I have GEHA HDHP. They did it in house and I had my results a few hours later. I sure hope that GEHA covers it as preventative. When I looked on the GEHA website it said the Quest wasn't taking appointments for preventative blood tests in January because of some system change or another. The plan brochure says that "Age and gender appropriate annual preventive medical examination, which may include certain biometric screening measures (Body Mass Index (BMI), blood pressure, cholesterol tests, glucose and Hemoglobin A1c tests, colorectal cancer screening) performed or ordered by your doctor as part of that annual preventive medical examination." It doesn't say ...
by seity
Tue Feb 11, 2020 12:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Avalanche, Snowball or Cash Flow Index? [Pay down debt]
Replies: 20
Views: 1775

Re: Avalanche, Snowball or Cash Flow Index? [Pay down debt]

You have 35k in cash and 30k in loans you are paying interest on. Pay them off and pay into the EF with the money you would have been paying monthly towards those until it's back up to where you want it. If you want a bigger EF, pay off all but the zero % CC's right away and then pay those off in full when the 0% is going to expire in June. You will have already beefed up your EF a bit by then by sending the money you'd been putting towards the other loans back into it for a few months.
by seity
Tue Feb 11, 2020 12:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: GEHA HDHP and Annual Labs
Replies: 19
Views: 5541

Re: GEHA HDHP and Annual Labs

I just had preventative blood work done for the first time last month. I have GEHA HDHP. They did it in house and I had my results a few hours later. I sure hope that GEHA covers it as preventative. When I looked on the GEHA website it said the Quest wasn't taking appointments for preventative blood tests in January because of some system change or another. The plan brochure says that "Age and gender appropriate annual preventive medical examination, which may include certain biometric screening measures (Body Mass Index (BMI), blood pressure, cholesterol tests, glucose and Hemoglobin A1c tests, colorectal cancer screening) performed or ordered by your doctor as part of that annual preventive medical examination." It doesn't say i...
by seity
Tue Feb 11, 2020 8:00 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: GEHA HSA contributions in H&R Block
Replies: 15
Views: 1266

Re: GEHA HSA contributions in H&R Block

nps wrote: Mon Feb 10, 2020 8:08 pm
tj wrote: Mon Feb 10, 2020 7:30 pm
seity wrote: Mon Feb 10, 2020 9:36 am I couldn't find anyway to override the 8889 in H&R Block, so I just left it be with the wrong lower amount in the box 9. The IRS will get a 5498-SA from the HSA and see that I did not overcontribute and how much was actually contributed for 2019.
You can open up the form, right click on Line 9 and click override. I had no idea there were all these functions available if you right click....
Check and see if that will prevent you from e-filing
I never get a form though, just the questions if I revisit. Maybe the free file version of H&R Block is more limited? I already e-filed in any case.
by seity
Mon Feb 10, 2020 12:47 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How much money do you want to retire?
Replies: 1367
Views: 207778

Re: How much money do you want to retire?

Between 20-25 times my (family's) estimated yearly expenses in retirement.
So around 750K -1M should be plenty for the two of us to retire.
by seity
Mon Feb 10, 2020 12:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5973
Views: 689949

Re: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]

Just started watching Locke and Key on Netflix. It's been a fun watch so far.
by seity
Mon Feb 10, 2020 11:36 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What is your most luxury/expensive hobby.
Replies: 264
Views: 27556

Re: What is your most luxury/expensive hobby.

Hockey10 wrote: Mon Feb 10, 2020 11:33 am After reading the posts above, I am feeling pretty good about my relative frugality. I don't have any boats, planes, or horses. Our biggest splurge in recent memory has been 4 trips to Europe in the past 9 years. These each cost about $5,000 - $6,000.

Something that I used to spend a lot of $ on (but not so much any longer), is hockey. The most expensive time was when my son was doing travel hockey. I also played and we had a partial season ticket plan to see the Flyers not win the cup every year. :(
Our son is only just starting hockey. I admit I'm a bit nervous for the travel years. I'm hoping we have a little more income to cover the costs; otherwise, I'll probably have to give it up to fund it for him.
by seity
Mon Feb 10, 2020 11:27 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What is your most luxury/expensive hobby.
Replies: 264
Views: 27556

Re: What is your most luxury/expensive hobby.

Hockey. Since both my husband and I play and one of our two kids it's $1500 a year for ice time, plus another ~$200 to keep equipment fitting/functional from year to year.
This is a huge expense for us, but I also feel worth it for the health benefits. I budget $150 a month to be able to come up with the money when it's due at the start of the season.
by seity
Mon Feb 10, 2020 9:36 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: GEHA HSA contributions in H&R Block
Replies: 15
Views: 1266

Re: GEHA HSA contributions in H&R Block

I couldn't find anyway to override the 8889 in H&R Block, so I just left it be with the wrong lower amount in the box 9. The IRS will get a 5498-SA from the HSA and see that I did not overcontribute and how much was actually contributed for 2019.
by seity
Wed Jan 22, 2020 10:00 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Talk me out of spending my tax refund
Replies: 74
Views: 6335

Re: Talk me out of spending my tax refund

Texanbybirth wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2020 9:55 am
AerialWombat wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2020 9:54 am
Mlm wrote: Tue Jan 21, 2020 6:45 pm There should be a penalty for receiving a refund.
Don’t give the IRS any ideas...
It's literally impossible for us to not get a refund. There are some unique tax situations out there...
Same!
by seity
Fri Jan 10, 2020 3:44 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What age did you reach 100K networth?
Replies: 433
Views: 101621

Re: What age did you reach 100K networth?

Mid 30's. Took about another 10ish years to get to 500k.
by seity
Thu Jan 09, 2020 3:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What Are Your 2020 Goals?
Replies: 56
Views: 13110

Re: What Are Your 2020 Goals?

Read more books
Pay off at least 1/3 of CC debt
by seity
Thu Nov 07, 2019 3:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Health Insurance - HSA during birth year?
Replies: 27
Views: 1684

Re: Health Insurance - HSA during birth year?

Get the non HDHP GEHA plan that covers maternity 100% I paid $0 out of pocket for both my care and the birth of my children. Then switched to the HDHP GEHA and started maxing my HSA contributions. FYI - I had two of the easiest, complication free, super fast easy labor & pregnancies ever, but hospital costs are insane. Minimum cost hospital bills for a completely complication free labor and birth (even without any meds) were still high enough to make HDHP not worth it. The HDHP GEHA plan also covers maternity at 100%. Do you recommend the non-HDHP GEHA plan out of an abundance of caution? I suppose we'd still have a good 5-6 months to fund our HSA for the year if the child comes in late March. It's covered 100% after you pay the deduct...
by seity
Thu Nov 07, 2019 2:28 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Health Insurance - HSA during birth year?
Replies: 27
Views: 1684

Re: Health Insurance - HSA during birth year?

Get the non HDHP GEHA plan that covers maternity 100% I paid $0 out of pocket for both my care and the birth of my children. Then switched to the HDHP GEHA and started maxing my HSA contributions. FYI - I had two of the easiest, complication free, super fast easy labor & pregnancies ever, but hospital costs are insane. Minimum cost hospital bills for a completely complication free labor and birth (even without any meds) were still high enough to make HDHP not worth it. Were you able to change from HDHP to a standard plan mid-year? If so, that's fantastic. For me I had to make the decision for the entire year and could only migrate plans during open enrollment. In my case for my plan options I considered doing what you outlined, and loo...
by seity
Thu Nov 07, 2019 1:54 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Health Insurance - HSA during birth year?
Replies: 27
Views: 1684

Re: Health Insurance - HSA during birth year?

Get the non HDHP GEHA plan that covers maternity 100%
I paid $0 out of pocket for both my care and the birth of my children. Then switched to the HDHP GEHA and started maxing my HSA contributions. FYI - I had two of the easiest, complication free, super fast easy labor & pregnancies ever, but hospital costs are insane. Minimum cost hospital bills for a completely complication free labor and birth (even without any meds) were still high enough to make HDHP not worth it.
by seity
Mon Nov 04, 2019 2:52 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fed dental plans in 2020: keeping, dropping or switching?
Replies: 33
Views: 4307

Re: Fed dental plans in 2020: keeping, dropping or switching?

I skip dental unless there is thousands of dollars of dental work needed. (Basically never) What I pay out of pocket is almost always less than the cost of the plan. Having the preventative cleanings covered for my family via HDHP is all the coverage we need.
by seity
Thu Oct 03, 2019 3:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Capital One 360 shaking up savings accounts
Replies: 61
Views: 26748

Re: Capital One 360 shaking up savings accounts

I have a savings account at 360 with basically nothing in it and another for my son. It's a joint account, but he is the owner. I'm wondering how complicated it would be to open similar accounts at the higher rate?
Anyone who opened an account know if the application had information for creating a joint account like that?
by seity
Thu Oct 03, 2019 3:07 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How does one find dentists who would provide cleaning under GEHA HDHP
Replies: 6
Views: 866

Re: How does one find dentists who would provide cleaning under GEHA HDHP

I currently have GEHA HDHP. I have never had an 'in network' dentist on my various insurance plans because the only dentists local who are considered 'in network' near where I live are all hacks. I have used this same dentist for years and years and simply paid out of pocket. When I switched to GEHA HDHP, I was thrilled to see they covered preventative dental 2x a year. I continue to pay my dentist at the time of service and they send in the paperwork to GEHA for me. GEHA processes the claim and send me the EOB including a check to cover the cost of my visit. The dentist doesn't have to file the paperwork, but they do as a courtesy. If you went to a dentist for preventative care, simply submit the claim to GEHA yourself to get reimbursed fo...
by seity
Tue Jul 02, 2019 2:10 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How much should I have saved for retirement by age 40?
Replies: 111
Views: 23512

Re: How much should I have saved for retirement by age 40?

It's completely individual! Successful (future) retirees may have $1M by age 40 while others may have just $100k.. Exactly this!!! I had about 100k at 40. I am on track to successfully retire at 57. I have never earned over 100k, so what I need is not going to be the same as someone who earned and spent more over their lifetime. Why does the fact that you earned less than 100k mean you need less in retirement than someone who earned more? We save heavily. Most of our disposable income spending is on our kids, which we won't be doing in retirement. I've never figured out why we "need" to live on a higher budget that someone who earned less. I specified earned and spent more, not just earned. Lifestyle creep is a thing. People who ...
by seity
Tue Jul 02, 2019 1:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How much should I have saved for retirement by age 40?
Replies: 111
Views: 23512

Re: How much should I have saved for retirement by age 40?

RobLyons wrote: Tue Jul 02, 2019 1:01 pm It's completely individual!

Successful (future) retirees may have $1M by age 40 while others may have just $100k..
Exactly this!!! I had about 100k at 40. I am on track to successfully retire at 57.
I have never earned over 100k, so what I need is not going to be the same as someone who earned and spent more over their lifetime.
by seity
Mon Jun 17, 2019 8:15 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Dental/Vision Insurance for Baby
Replies: 33
Views: 2275

Re: Dental/Vision Insurance for Baby

My kids have good teeth genetics from both sides of the family. They are 6 and 9 and we don't have dental insurance. Although we only have preventative coverage through the health insurance for anyone. If some dental work needs were to arise, we would purchase dental insurance for 1 year if it would cost less than just paying out of pocket (almost never does).
Same thing for vision. No need for it.
by seity
Wed Jun 05, 2019 9:40 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Are you missing a $15,000 payment from CRB FREEDOM?
Replies: 28
Views: 5971

Re: Are you missing a $15,000 payment from CRB FREEDOM?

Reminds me of a time I had an account with $200k show up in one of my banks. It was a new account and happened to show up on my birthday. I didn't have to do anything because it was gone the next day. I'm sure they just tagged it to the wrong user account, but wow that was a surprise to see. I could have paid off all my debts including my mortgage and helped out a friend of mine trying to get by on SSDI with that kind of money!!!
by seity
Wed Jun 05, 2019 9:07 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Would you buy a house without a garage?
Replies: 95
Views: 8681

Re: Would you buy a house without a garage?

I live in a snowy climate. The garage has a support pole in the middle that makes parking cars in it a pain although doable. However, the opening is not tall enough to allow us to park the truck in it. We park both vehicles on the driveway and use the garage as a workshop/brewery/storage for lawnmower and snowblower. It just depends on how you plan to use it, so yes, I would buy a house with a garage setup like you mentioned. We only have 1 full bath for 4 people. Having a second, even on a different floor would be great. Neither of your issues would be a deal breaker for me if the price was right.
by seity
Tue Jun 04, 2019 3:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Is it Wise to Remove Escrow if Bank Allows it?
Replies: 87
Views: 8472

Re: Is it Wise to Remove Escrow if Bank Allows it?

I have no problem with my bank holding the escrow. They are a small local CU and pay 2% interest on the money in escrow, and have since I switched my mortgage over to them. There's no risk of them selling it to anyone else and it meant a lower interest rate on my mortgage. I could just as easily paid the taxes myself and had control over the money, but there's really no benefit in my eyes in my current situation.
by seity
Tue Apr 23, 2019 1:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Not Maxing 401K OK?
Replies: 53
Views: 6738

Re: Not Maxing 401K OK?

I can't max and will never be able to max my retirement savings. I support a family of four on my income in an area that is not a low cost of living area. You make almost double what I bring in, have a lot more money saved already than us, and you're younger.
30% of my salary goes just to the mortgage and taxes.
At the end of the day, I put enough into my retirement account that when I retire, I'll have enough to last me until I die even if I'm spending as much as I am now, but I'll have a paid off mortgage, so I'll actually be well ahead of my current situation.
by seity
Fri Jan 25, 2019 9:10 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Waterpik
Replies: 28
Views: 3545

Re: Waterpik

When I first got it I had it around 6, but then I took it to the dentist with me for a free consult with the hygienist and they showed me better technique while using it and recommending the max setting. I've had it at max ever since. It also definitely improved my overall gum health, so I feel it was a good investment.
by seity
Tue Dec 18, 2018 3:00 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: New to taking control
Replies: 5
Views: 493

Re: New to taking control

ExitStageLeft wrote: Tue Dec 18, 2018 2:12 pm You've probably already considered it, but how will a $1,000 IRA contribution change your taxes compared to $300?
It won't change anything. The $300 contribution means that I'll owe $0 instead of $350. The extra $700 doesn't make any difference as the credits I qualify for are all non refundable.
by seity
Tue Dec 18, 2018 2:02 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: New to taking control
Replies: 5
Views: 493

Re: New to taking control

I know his EJ is a ROTH account, but I will need to check on the kid's accounts. Even if we had to pay taxes, both accounts are very new, I'd be surprised if they even had $1000 in them. I was planning to do an in-kind move and was reading some posts on the best way to do that.

NY protects all retirement accounts, so it looks like no liability issue if we decide to roll over that account. There's no reason to make a decision on that in the near future, so I'll wait on that for now.

I guess I just need to decide if we can swing the $1000 without hurting the budget too much.