Search found 1531 matches

by earlyout
Wed Mar 13, 2024 7:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Laptop problem
Replies: 12
Views: 1014

Re: Laptop problem

mrmass wrote: Wed Mar 13, 2024 6:26 pm Just hold the power button for about 20 seconds to force a shutdown. The to turn it back on
A Dell laptop I owned suffered the same problem and the only solution I found was to follow the advice above. I eventually got tired of the problem and now have it set to just shut down when I close the cover or press the power button.
by earlyout
Tue Mar 05, 2024 4:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: QCDs
Replies: 6
Views: 715

Re: QCDs

Using QCDs also lowers the modified agi used to calculate how much of the Social Security benefit is taxable income.
by earlyout
Sun Feb 18, 2024 10:17 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: RMD used for Assisted Living Expenses
Replies: 6
Views: 952

Re: RMD used for Assisted Living Expenses

Going one step further, if a person is in an assisted living facility as a result of a disease such as dementia and has a statement from their MD, 100% of the cost of the assisted living cost is deductible as a medical expense.
by earlyout
Wed Feb 14, 2024 9:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Stuck double hung, wood windows (not painted shut)
Replies: 27
Views: 1239

Re: Stuck double hung, wood windows (not painted shut)

Rather than tap on the window, you may want place a board against the aluminum track and pound on that to move the track away from the sash.

If you get the sash out, clean the aluminum and the groves in the sash using very fine sandpaper or emery cloth. After that you could apply a very thin coat of beeswax to the track. Anything else you might apply would include a solvent which would just expand the wood.
by earlyout
Wed Feb 14, 2024 5:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Stuck double hung, wood windows (not painted shut)
Replies: 27
Views: 1239

Re: Stuck double hung, wood windows (not painted shut)

Many double hung windows of that era have removable sash. Sash removal was usually accomplished by first raising the sash about half way and then compressing the vinyl or aluminum track on one side. You could then pull the other side of the sash out and away from the frame. If your windows appear to have removable sash, light tapping on the side of the sash (under a block of wood of course) may loosen the bond between the aluminum and the wood sash. You might also try to force the sash away from the side of the frame by prying gently with a prybar between the sash and the frame being careful not to damage the aluminum/vinyl track which holds the sash. .
by earlyout
Wed Feb 14, 2024 4:52 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Hiring Part Time Nanny / Part Time Business Employee
Replies: 6
Views: 625

Re: Hiring Part Time Nanny / Part Time Business Employee

I don't think you have any choice but to consider this as 2 part time positions and handle payroll, etc. just as you would if the 2 jobs were filled by different individuals. You probably want to establish an hourly pay rate for each position since the time on each job may vary from week to week.
by earlyout
Tue Feb 13, 2024 10:52 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Moen Flo Smart Water Monitor-Automatic Shutoff - Water Heater Question
Replies: 3
Views: 562

Re: Moen Flo Smart Water Monitor-Automatic Shutoff - Water Heater Question

You will need to install a system with remote leak detectors. These are small battery powered devices that you place in the drain pan under your water heater (and under your dishwasher, wash machine, ice maker and any other place you think might leak). If the water heater leaks, the water completes an electrical circuit in the detector which sends an alert signal to a central hub which in turn controls the valve which shuts off the water supply to the whole house. The hub will also send an alert to you phone, etc. IIRC the Moen system also monitors water flow at the shut off valve and will close the supply valve should there be an unusual flow pattern. Recognizing an unusual flow pattern may take several minutes by which time a ruptured wat...
by earlyout
Mon Feb 12, 2024 3:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Question about misc income not reported on a 1099-MISC.
Replies: 2
Views: 390

Re: Question about misc income not reported on a 1099-MISC.

I would enter the total amount of this income on the "Other Income" line on Schedule 1 and enter "Income from securities lending" for an explanation. This will be summed with any other income you report on Schedule 1 and the total copied to line 8 of your 1040.
by earlyout
Fri Feb 09, 2024 3:41 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Estimated tax payment question
Replies: 3
Views: 368

Re: Estimated tax payment question

As mentioned above, as long as you file a joint return, all withholding counts towards both incomes. You are treated as one entity.

Still, you probably do not want to withhold more than absolutely necessary. See the Bogleheads Wiki for information about "safe harbor" regarding how much withholding / estimated tax you need to pay to avoid penalties.
by earlyout
Mon Jan 01, 2024 12:48 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 2024 BOGLEHEAD CONTEST REGISTRATION
Replies: 579
Views: 37996

Re: 2024 BOGLEHEAD CONTEST REGISTRATION

I'll go with 5500
by earlyout
Wed Nov 01, 2023 3:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: financing car and investing the money vs. paying it off
Replies: 26
Views: 3590

Re: financing car and investing the money vs. paying it off

Would you borrow money to invest in an SP500 etf? Will the net return from the SP500 etf be greater than the interest rate on the loan? How much are you willing to lose if the net return is less than the interest rate on the loan?
by earlyout
Fri Oct 13, 2023 4:17 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Who has a financial advisor/planner and why?
Replies: 181
Views: 18452

Re: Who has a financial advisor/planner and why?

Mine is not an advisor/planner but an investment manager that believes in and follows BH's investment principles very closely. We work together to make infrequent investment decisions but the primary reason for the relationship is for continuity should I become incompetent or die. My heirs are not interested in having this responsibility and those responsible for managing my affairs will need assistance with closing my estate.
by earlyout
Wed Aug 16, 2023 1:52 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Continuing Care facilities
Replies: 48
Views: 5371

Re: Continuing Care facilities

www.mylifesite.net has some good information and references about CCRCs / Life Plan Communities
by earlyout
Mon Jul 10, 2023 7:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Bid a house with Escalation clause
Replies: 27
Views: 2762

Re: Bid a house with Escalation clause

Your escalation clause could include a requirement that you be shown the second highest offer.
by earlyout
Tue Jun 13, 2023 9:07 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is Your Hot Water Recirculating Pump Worth It?
Replies: 49
Views: 3414

Re: Is Your Hot Water Recirculating Pump Worth It?

A question for those with a recirculation system.

The system I'm familiar with has a pump at the water heater and a simple bypass valve between the hot and cold supply lines at the sink. When the hot water faucet is closed the bypass valve is open and the hot water returns to the water heater via the cold water pipe. There is no third water line between the sink and the water heater.

Question: If the pump is running and you open the cold water faucet how long does it take to get cold water to the sink? When the cold water faucet is opened the cold water pipe is full of recirculated hot water.

Thanks.
by earlyout
Wed May 17, 2023 2:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Higher patient balance due to 2 health insurances?
Replies: 25
Views: 905

Re: Higher patient balance due to 2 health insurances?

The sequence of events given for this case actually show that A is the primary insurer for the OP. Company A processed the original claim based on their negotiated rate and the claim was passed on to insurer B for processing. Insurer B did not act on the amount billed by the provider but acted on A's negotiated rate which they did not have until A had finished processing the claim. Since B's negotiated rate is higher than A's for these services, insurer B increased the amount owed by the patient.

The primary insurer for the OP's spouse is most likely Insurer B which is the insurance provided by the spouse's employer.

I would call insurer A and ask if the provider can bill the patient for the higher amount.
by earlyout
Tue May 09, 2023 4:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Pay off student loans for DD?
Replies: 36
Views: 2748

Re: Pay off student loans for DD?

Best to wait on your decision. Student loan debt may be forgiven. If that doesn't happen, I think you should pay off the debt as you promised.
by earlyout
Tue Apr 18, 2023 2:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Considerations when parents buy condo for child
Replies: 40
Views: 3451

Re: Considerations when parents buy condo for child

London wrote: Tue Apr 18, 2023 1:47 pm They should purchase in their name and add your name to the HOA. This isn’t complicated.
Be careful here and read the condo documents very carefully. Condo associations I have belonged to do not allow non-owners to vote on condo issues and owners can only give proxy voting to another owner.
by earlyout
Sun Apr 16, 2023 11:07 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: which tax form to use
Replies: 5
Views: 457

Re: which tax forum to use

If the bonus payments are not from the employer reporting his W-2 earnings he'll need to complete a Schedule C and report the bonus money as income there. This is a strange situation if he has a full-time job with one employer and the bonus money comes from another source and not reported on either a 1099 NEC or 1099 MISC.
by earlyout
Sun Apr 09, 2023 11:40 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Is there any way to force a bank/brokerage to fix a 1099??
Replies: 6
Views: 878

Re: Is there any way to force a bank/brokerage to fix a 1099??

How was the accounts titled before your MIL's death? Were they held jointly, was your wife the beneficiary of these accounts or did they pass to your wife via a will or trust?
by earlyout
Wed Mar 29, 2023 4:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Can I afford this Life Plan Community?
Replies: 72
Views: 6585

Re: Can I afford this Life Plan Community?

How old are you? Age of spouse? Is any of the entry fee refunded if you move out after 2 years? Can you be evicted if you run out of money? Do the entry and monthly fees cover assisted living and memory care should they be needed? What's the history of increases in the monthly fee? You mention investible assets but no mention of current home equity which may help with the entry fee?

Many questions have to be answered before you can make a reasonable decision about whether or not you can afford this life plan community.
by earlyout
Tue Mar 28, 2023 2:11 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: RMDs for ex-wife in inherited account.
Replies: 24
Views: 2936

Re: RMDs for ex-wife in inherited account.

Only an inherited spousal IRA can be combined with the other spouse's individual IRA. Since they were not married at the time of his death this is probably not a spousal IRA so combination is not an option.
by earlyout
Tue Mar 28, 2023 2:11 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: RMDs for ex-wife in inherited account.
Replies: 24
Views: 2936

Re: RMDs for ex-wife in inherited account.

Only an inherited spousal IRA can be combined with the other spouse's individual IRA. Since they were not married at the time of his death this is probably not a spousal IRA so combination is not an option.
by earlyout
Mon Mar 13, 2023 2:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: I filed a 1040-X without an original 1040 (2021)
Replies: 11
Views: 1049

Re: I filed a 1040-X without an original 1040 (2021)

When the 1040 is efiled it will either be accepted or rejected. The efiling would probably be rejected if the account is locked. If the efiled 1040 is rejected then you need to call the IRS unless the rejection code gives you additional actionable information.
by earlyout
Mon Mar 13, 2023 10:09 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: I filed a 1040-X without an original 1040 (2021)
Replies: 11
Views: 1049

Re: I filed a 1040-X without an original 1040 (2021)

The best thing to do, IMO, is to use TT to efile a correct 1040 for 2021 now and let the IRS send you a bill for the late filing penalty. If they have already tried to process the 1040-X they probably would have sent you a letter and you have not received same. When they do process the 1040-X and find there are no changes from your correct 1040 they may send you a letter or just ignore the 1040-X since it makes no changes to the 1040.
by earlyout
Mon Mar 06, 2023 1:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Oops! - Forgot to file Form 8606 for Roth conversion
Replies: 84
Views: 8657

Re: Oops! - Forgot to file Form 8606 for Roth conversion

ResearchMed wrote: Sun Mar 05, 2023 3:48 pm
...

And what really happens if one doesn't file any 8606 because there's zippo to report, never has been, and never will be (under the current tax code)?

...
I don't know what is "supposed" to happen but I have made several conversions over the past 20 years and know that only a few of my TurboTax returns for those years included an 8606. The IRS has never contacted me and has never questioned taking non taxable distributions from the Roth.
by earlyout
Tue Feb 28, 2023 5:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Hearing aid loss insurance?
Replies: 13
Views: 1064

Re: Hearing aid loss insurance?

shunkman wrote: Tue Feb 28, 2023 7:24 am I believe that if you purchase your HAs at Costco they would be insured against loss or damage for two years at no additional cost
Purchased Costco hearing aids almost five years ago and lost one of the pair after 3 years. Costco replaced it for $0. They also replaced the working parts of the other hearing aid last year for $0. Occasional cleanings and adjustments over the years have also been at no cost. Any future hearing aids will be from Costco.
by earlyout
Tue Feb 28, 2023 9:08 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Schwab debit card fraud (that I've never used!)
Replies: 40
Views: 4146

Re: Schwab debit card fraud (that I've never used!)

The last time I asked, Schwab told me they do not have just ATM cards for Schwab Bank. Is that still true or have they started to issue ATM only cards?

Thanks.
by earlyout
Thu Feb 09, 2023 8:13 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: CD withdrawal penalty tax deductible
Replies: 7
Views: 945

Re: CD withdrawal penalty tax deductible

No, you do not have to itemize to get credit for the early withdrawal penalty.
by earlyout
Sun Nov 20, 2022 1:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Squared Away: "Spouse in Nursing Home Raises Poverty Risk"
Replies: 43
Views: 5250

Re: Squared Away: "Spouse in Nursing Home Raises Poverty Risk"

... Glad you are are able to make LTCi co. pay-up for rightful claim(s). But, most of the normal folks though., we don’t expect to have lawyers to help and assisting/navigating throughout the entire LTCi claims minefield/roadblocks - the way you were able to assist your mother with. Worse yet - with policy policy payments at times unexpectedly double or tripling over course or 2-3 decades — it’s not harder to financially plan/pay — such is state of affairs with LTCi (no, not saying ever LTCi policy is such., but increasing number of them appear thus so …) Understand that self-paying is not equal to insurance— but, we “intend” to build/grow our Trad IRA to sufficiently large size to not only withstand market vicissitudes ., but importantly-...
by earlyout
Sun Nov 20, 2022 1:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Squared Away: "Spouse in Nursing Home Raises Poverty Risk"
Replies: 43
Views: 5250

Re: Squared Away: "Spouse in Nursing Home Raises Poverty Risk"

"Long term care" insurance, and/or planning around a "Medicaid Annuity" is a reoccurring topic here. What doesn't seem to get discussed much, is some of us, have no desire to have our remaining time prolonged under "Long term care" if we find ourselves in a situation that might require something beyond minor "assisted" living. One way or another it's something that probably does require some discussion with ones partner, but insurance isn't the only answer. Yet another factor is, preference aside, availability. Some will face no/little availability of services whether at home or outside the home, financial condition notwithstanding. I'm not particularly optimistic and the discussions you refer to are...
by earlyout
Tue Nov 08, 2022 12:19 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What do 55+ retirees do with their windfalls?
Replies: 102
Views: 9597

Re: What do 55+ retirees do with their windfalls?

I balance out my income tax bill with larger QCDs.
by earlyout
Thu Nov 03, 2022 2:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Possible home insurance Gotthas
Replies: 1
Views: 318

Re: Possible home insurance Gotthas

Sounds like a reasonable plan. You still own the house and you need to have it (and any of your personal property in the house) insured. The people living in the house need renters' insurance and you need insurance on the property where you now live. Talk to your insurance agent to make certain you have coverage for all your risks.
by earlyout
Tue Aug 16, 2022 9:56 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: HELP: Mom's CCRC is changing the contract!!
Replies: 20
Views: 3508

Re: HELP: Mom's CCRC is changing the contract!!

Are you assuming the CCRC will not pay the fees for the residents that are transferred to the off-site SNF? If instead, the CCRC pays for the SNF, there is no reason the CCRC should reduce their monthly fees with this change.
by earlyout
Tue Aug 09, 2022 8:29 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Successor Trustee Rights to conduct Online transactions at TreasuryDirect?
Replies: 9
Views: 809

Re: Successor Trustee Rights to conduct Online transactions at TreasuryDirect?

Can there only be a single entity manager on a trust account? That places the burden on the successor trustee to make the change when the current trustee becomes incapacitated. Is there any way that both the trustee and the successor trustee can be entity managers at the same time? Dual entity managers would simplify estate settlement (and save settlement cost).
by earlyout
Sat Jul 16, 2022 3:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sambuca and what?
Replies: 13
Views: 1612

Re: Sambuca and what?

A coffee bean or two is always a good add!
by earlyout
Sat Jul 09, 2022 3:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: U.S. Expats and Medicare?
Replies: 10
Views: 1382

Re: U.S. Expats and Medicare?

I think most continue to pay for Medicare to have coverage back in the States should it be needed. Maybe they tire of being expats or maybe medical issues require they move back.
by earlyout
Sun Mar 06, 2022 2:54 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Employer did withhold for wrong state
Replies: 21
Views: 1979

Re: Employer did withhold for wrong state

Similar situation as above. When I retired and moved to a different state. I contacted my former employer and they issued a corrected W-2.
by earlyout
Fri Mar 04, 2022 7:07 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Household employee caring for elderly parent: Who is the employer?
Replies: 14
Views: 1806

Re: Household employee caring for elderly parent: Who is the employer?

If you are paying the bills with your own funds you may want to check if you can claim your mother as your dependent for income tax purposes. Almost all of her care cost would then be a medical deduction. She does not have to live with you.
by earlyout
Sun Feb 27, 2022 2:59 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Zinus bedframes
Replies: 5
Views: 663

Re: Zinus bedframes

I have not assembled it yet but I recently purchased a metal bedframe from Ikea to support a new Casper mattress from Costco. I needed a cheap frame while I wait for a good wood platform. Based on my research, the Ikea slat system is less likely to fail and the cost was much less than a Zinus.
by earlyout
Sun Feb 20, 2022 7:56 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: SSA website tells me to login during business hours only
Replies: 12
Views: 1995

Re: SSA website tells me to login during business hours only

I just checked an address change in MySSA and saw no indication the site was down or unavailable. Is there a chat function or something that requires human interaction that you were trying to access?
by earlyout
Fri Feb 11, 2022 5:29 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: End of life ... on one's own
Replies: 189
Views: 26334

Re: End of life ... on one's own

One of the three facilities I've chosen for myself has a set-up they call "Life Care." With this plan, you pay an entry fee, much of which is tax deductible. Thereafter you pay a monthly fee to cover ongoing expenses. If you run out of money, you will still be guaranteed residency at the facility and full access to all services as long as you live. The entrance fee may be at least partly refundable, but I haven't explored how that would change the fee or the contract to get that option. People who do not have family to manage their finances might look for something like this. That would remove the worry about outliving your $ and ending up on the street in your last days. That doesn't answer questions about estate management when...
by earlyout
Mon Feb 07, 2022 6:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Fine Dining in Atlanta, Georgia
Replies: 25
Views: 3050

Re: Fine Dining in Atlanta, Georgia

No,it hasn't faded. Just moved to a new location on Ellsworth Industrial.
by earlyout
Sun Feb 06, 2022 9:54 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Schwab Customers - Vanguard 12/31 Div double posted?
Replies: 84
Views: 6970

Re: Is your IRA letter from Schwab correct?

My IRA at Scwhab holds Vanguard total bond, VBTLX, and Vanguard high yield corporate bond, VWEHX. The December dividends for both funds were erroneously posted twice. On January 3, as shown by the on-line transaction history for the IRA, the errors were reversed effective 12/31/21. Everything seemed to be in order. It was easy to correct the 12/31/21 account value on the monthly statement by subtracting the 2 extra dividends. I could then calculate the correct RMD for 2022. Last Friday, 2/4/22, I received a letter from Schwab acknowledging the 12/31 errors, informing me the 12/31/21 account balance had been adjusted to correct the double posting errors and giving a new end of the year account value that should be used for calculating RMD. H...
by earlyout
Fri Feb 04, 2022 3:46 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 1099 box 7 code?
Replies: 4
Views: 835

Re: 1099 box 7 code?

You should enter J or risk crossing paths with the IRS. Turbo Tax knows that Code J means an early distribution from a Roth IRA and will follow up with questions that will determine if it is taxable or not. Let Turbo Tax do the work for you.
by earlyout
Wed Feb 02, 2022 2:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Reporting my own cost basis and/or lots
Replies: 67
Views: 4728

Re: Does cost basis method transfer when transferring mutual funds?

Your use of average ID for the sale effectively changed the basis for all your shares of that security. If you made the sale this year (2022) I would ask the brokerage if you can change from average to specific ID for the one sale. If it can be changed, then going forward, you could use specific ID for future sales. If the sale was made in an earlier year I doubt very much that the ID of the sold lot can be changed from average to specific ID since it has already been reported to the IRS.
by earlyout
Sat Jan 08, 2022 12:41 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Using Roth IRA funds that were saved in lieu of taxable savings. I'm struggling mentally
Replies: 7
Views: 1007

Re: Using Roth IRA funds that were saved in lieu of taxable savings. I'm struggling mentally

In a similar situation, when I bought a new residence before listing/selling the old residence, I decided mortgaging my existing residence was the best way to generate the needed cash. Why? Taking funds from a taxable account would have generated sizeable taxable capital gain, I did not want to take a loan against principle (margin loan) on any of my investment accounts, a 60-day rollover of IRA funds was too risky if my old house did sell quickly, the mortgage allowed me to keep my Roth intact, and finally, the proceeds from the sale of the old residence were mostly used to pay off the new mortgage rather than being invested in a taxable account and increase my taxes each year.
by earlyout
Sat Jan 08, 2022 12:41 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Using Roth IRA funds that were saved in lieu of taxable savings. I'm struggling mentally
Replies: 7
Views: 1007

Re: Using Roth IRA funds that were saved in lieu of taxable savings. I'm struggling mentally

In a similar situation, when I bought a new residence before listing/selling the old residence, I decided mortgaging my existing residence was the best way to generate the needed cash. Why? Taking funds from a taxable account would have generated sizeable taxable capital gain, I did not want to take a loan against principle (margin loan) on any of my investment accounts, a 60-day rollover of IRA funds was too risky if my old house did sell quickly, the mortgage allowed me to keep my Roth intact, and finally, the proceeds from the sale of the old residence were mostly used to pay off the new mortgage rather than being invested in a taxable account and increase my taxes each year.
by earlyout
Sun Jan 02, 2022 6:09 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: IRMAA Question
Replies: 16
Views: 2184

Re: IRMAA Question

Since I have not seen what I believe to be a definitive answer I just play it safe and keep my IRMAA MAGI under the number from 2 years ago.
by earlyout
Thu Dec 30, 2021 7:48 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Roth conversion question
Replies: 20
Views: 2176

Re: Roth conversion question

The value of the IRA at closing on Dec. 31 is used to calculate the RMD for the next year. For a Roth conversion, I think the valuation is based on the closing prices on the day of the conversion, or, if the market is closed, the closing prices on the next day the market is open.