Search found 333 matches

by NavyIC3
Sat Mar 16, 2024 10:51 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Dollar Cost Averaging
Replies: 18
Views: 1635

Dollar Cost Averaging

Other than 401s, etc., do you do it when making a purchase? I read a few articles over the years that it doesn't out-perform an immediate purchase. If there is a fund or stock that I like, I just lump sum it.
by NavyIC3
Wed Mar 13, 2024 3:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tour Company - Vietnam
Replies: 11
Views: 1481

Re: Tour Company - Vietnam

We did Viet Nam and Cambodia on a combination land/river cruise with Uniworld. They put us up in nice hotels (Sofitel, Hyatt). Small size boat includes tours. It was a 14 day tour.
by NavyIC3
Wed Mar 13, 2024 3:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Ooma Phone Service
Replies: 40
Views: 3570

Re: Ooma Phone Service

Does Ooma work with a TP Link Mesh system? How does it hook up?
by NavyIC3
Tue Mar 12, 2024 3:07 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Ooma Phone Service
Replies: 40
Views: 3570

Re: Ooma Phone Service

Do you still have service if you port your existing number to Ooma? What happens in the interim?
by NavyIC3
Tue Mar 12, 2024 8:37 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Umbrella Policy & IRA
Replies: 9
Views: 1185

Re: Umbrella Policy & IRA

Thanks
by NavyIC3
Mon Mar 11, 2024 5:41 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Ooma Phone Service
Replies: 40
Views: 3570

Ooma Phone Service

Anyone have any experience with it?
by NavyIC3
Sun Mar 10, 2024 9:57 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Umbrella Policy & IRA
Replies: 9
Views: 1185

Re: Umbrella Policy & IRA

realclemsongrad wrote: Sun Mar 10, 2024 9:52 am For sure the net worth you are trying to protect is important. But the only way is to gauge the risk. How many drivers do you have esp under 25 etc. In my case I spoke to our attorney and the risk with under 25 driver is always high. So as soon as he got a job we promptly moved him off the insurance and retitled the car in his name. So my point is umbrella is not the only answer and it greatly depends on the risk you are trying to mitigate.

Best regards
No drivers under 25. No boats, watercraft, pools or anything other than a house with one car and two drivers both in their 70's. Drive about 5000 miles/year.
by NavyIC3
Sun Mar 10, 2024 9:20 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Umbrella Policy & IRA
Replies: 9
Views: 1185

Umbrella Policy & IRA

Net worth is about 6.9M.
Taxable account is 4.3M
IRA (Roth & Trad) is 2.2M
Variable Ann. is 360K.
I am thinking of a 3M umbrella policy since IRAs are protected in the state of CT.
Any opinions on getting a 3M umbrella.
by NavyIC3
Fri Mar 01, 2024 8:29 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medicare Claim Denials
Replies: 17
Views: 1897

Re: Medicare Claim Denials

Anyone ever have Medicare A/B deny a claim for ANYTHING? Yes as my lab tests are normally no cost but they denied the a1c test because it hadn't been established as medically necessary so I will try to appeal and for sure make the doctor provide verification. My doctor has also had an A1C test done on me & I've had to pay for it. A1C is used to test for diabetes & Medicare won't pay for it unless you have been diagnosed with diabetes. Do you want diabetes diagnosed as a current condition on your medical records, for it to be paid for? You don't have to be diagnosed with diabetes for Medicare to cover A1C test. From Medicare Handbook Diabetes screenings Medicare covers up to 2 blood glucose (blood sugar) laboratory test screenings (...
by NavyIC3
Thu Feb 29, 2024 2:39 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Neighbor Got Burglarized, How To Prevent
Replies: 74
Views: 8524

Re: Neighbor Got Burglarized, How To Prevent

The bar or dowel in the track only prevents the sliding part of the door to be secure.The stationary panel of the door must be protected also. This panel can be pried open with a small tool. Check out Google to find brackets that are used to secure the stationary panel.
by NavyIC3
Thu Feb 29, 2024 6:50 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What are you listening to now
Replies: 5832
Views: 590928

Re: What are you listening to now

Ten Years After
Cricklewood Green
by NavyIC3
Wed Feb 28, 2024 7:22 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity as a one stop shop
Replies: 6053
Views: 1037150

Re: Fidelity one-stop - backup option for writing checks

[Thread merged into here --admin LadyGeek] I consolidated everything with Fidelity, which has been mostly great. However there are occasional situations where a check is needed - for example I just had a frustrating experience trying to pay for a car electronically (the "car warehouse" Plaid integration did not support Fidelity). I do not really want to wait a week for Fidelity to mail me a check. Nor do I want to wait 5 days for a wire transfer to "go through" with the vendor. Does anyone keep a backup account for writing checks? Any recommendations for a bank whose website/app does not suck? Are there any services where I could somehow wire money and pay a fee to get a check the same day on the rare occasions I need i...
by NavyIC3
Mon Feb 19, 2024 11:41 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: New York State tax issue, 2024 Turbo Tax
Replies: 12
Views: 917

Re: New York State tax issue, 2024 Turbo Tax

50ismygoal wrote: Mon Feb 19, 2024 10:59 am The security in question was short term treasuries, VGSH. The total tax amount is probably $700 or so.
Treasuries are taxable on the federal level but tax free on the state level.
by NavyIC3
Sun Feb 18, 2024 10:40 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dubai Airport Luggage Storage
Replies: 1
Views: 256

Dubai Airport Luggage Storage

We are on a cruise that will end in Dubai. We have an entire day in the city. We would like to drop off or store our luggage at the airport while we take a tour of the city. Anyone have any experience with this?
by NavyIC3
Sat Feb 17, 2024 1:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dubai Airport Hotel
Replies: 5
Views: 875

Dubai Airport Hotel

I have a flight from Dubai to JFK that leaves Dubai at 1:15am. I have an entire day in Dubai and I would like to get a short stay hotel for the day. Anyone have experience with this?
by NavyIC3
Fri Feb 16, 2024 8:22 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Motorized blind/shade recommendation needed
Replies: 20
Views: 1536

Re: Motorized blind/shade recommendation needed

EagertoLearnMore wrote: Fri Feb 16, 2024 7:34 am Budget Blinds did a good job installing motorized blinds at a previous house. They worked well, but the problem arises when the batteries need to be replaced. The reason for motorized blinds usually is location problems and access. When the batteries need to be changed, that's the problem. If you are prepared to be able to access the top of the valance for battery swaps, then motorized blinds are fine.
I have motorized shades from Budget Blinds. The battery pack is remote from the the shades and is accessible with a step ladder. It is a wired battery pack but the wires are not noticeable. I only need the shades during the summer. The eight 1.5v batteries last two seasons.
by NavyIC3
Mon Feb 12, 2024 8:41 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Taxation of Treasury bills, notes and bonds
Replies: 1078
Views: 157180

Accrued Market Discount

[Thread merged into here --admin LadyGeek]

This from Fido 1099-B. I am using TT Download. I believe this entry requires an adjustment. Can anyone help out with how to fill in the form?


1a UNITED STATES TREAS SER BF-2023 0.12500%, 91282CCU3
Action Redemption
Quantity 200,000.
1b Date Acquired 09/07/22
1c Date Sold or Disposed 08/31/23
1d Proceeds 200,000.
1e Cost or Other Basis (b) 193,514.
1f Accrued Market Discount 6,486.
1g Wash Sale Loss Disallowed
Gain/Loss (-) 6,486.
4 Federal Income Tax Withheld
14 State
16 State Tax Withheld
by NavyIC3
Mon Feb 05, 2024 10:58 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Hotel recommendation at Siem Reap, Cambodia
Replies: 15
Views: 923

Re: Hotel recommendation at Siem Reap, Cambodia

Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra.
by NavyIC3
Wed Dec 13, 2023 8:40 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Email Address
Replies: 12
Views: 1162

Email Address

I currently have Xfinity (Comcast) as my internet and email provider. My address is XXXXX@comcast.net. If I switch internet providers would I be able to keep my Comcast email address ?
by NavyIC3
Tue Dec 12, 2023 11:18 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Durable Spray Bottle For Clorox Solution
Replies: 19
Views: 1746

Re: Durable Spray Bottle For Clorox Solution

I re-use an original Clorox spray bottle that I bought at the supermarket.
by NavyIC3
Mon Dec 11, 2023 10:36 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity free Turbotax 2023
Replies: 435
Views: 156970

Re: Fidelity free Turbotax 2023

Just downloaded TT for TY 2023. $5.00 plus tax. Go to Fido site and search for TT.
by NavyIC3
Fri Dec 08, 2023 8:36 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity free Turbotax 2023
Replies: 435
Views: 156970

Re: Fidelity free Turbotax 2023

Last year I was required to pay sales tax on the free Turbotax.
by NavyIC3
Sun Nov 12, 2023 1:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Smoke Detectors
Replies: 56
Views: 6341

Re: Smoke Detectors

[/quote]
One of my "God questions" someday will be, "Why do smoke alarm batteries always beep in the middle of the night?"
[/quote]
It is not uncommon for an insect or spider to get into the detector and cause it to alarm.
Chirping at night usually happens when the battery is on the cusp of dying. The temp in the house drops at night and because of the cooler temp the battery will hold less of a charge causing the detector to do what it is designed to do, which is to alert that the battery needs to be replaced. It's good to replace the batteries on a regular schedule instead of waiting for the chirping.
by NavyIC3
Wed Nov 08, 2023 5:47 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Depreciation Recapture
Replies: 33
Views: 2322

Re: Depreciation Recapture

Your adjusted basis is based on the tax basis which is lowered by the amount of depreciation allowed. This becomes your adjusted cost basis and your recapture will be based on this amount.
by NavyIC3
Tue Nov 07, 2023 10:51 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tankless - low hot water flow
Replies: 32
Views: 3593

Re: Tankless - low hot water flow

Has the system ever been decalcified?
by NavyIC3
Sun Nov 05, 2023 5:37 am
Forum: Forum Issues and Administration
Topic: Boglehead Keeps Logging Out
Replies: 81
Views: 16046

Re: Boglehead Keeps Logging Out

I'm on a PC. Windows 11.
by NavyIC3
Sat Nov 04, 2023 3:27 pm
Forum: Forum Issues and Administration
Topic: Boglehead Keeps Logging Out
Replies: 81
Views: 16046

Boglehead Keeps Logging Out

About a week ago, I noticed that I have to log in to Bogelhead almost every time I visit the site. I have "Remember Me" checked.
Any ideas why this is happening?
by NavyIC3
Tue Oct 24, 2023 3:07 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Thunderbird saying "no new email"
Replies: 56
Views: 5251

Re: Thunderbird saying "no new email"

Re: new version of Thunderbird, I can't sort Trash by date.
by NavyIC3
Sun Oct 08, 2023 9:35 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Quicken 2019 and forward
Replies: 1062
Views: 115443

Re: Quicken 2019 and forward

New problem I'm having. In Online Center: shows downloaded deposit into Fido, however when I click on compare doesn't show up and cant remove it from downloaded transactions. I manually entered it but it still appears. Seems like every few days there is another issue with Quicken.
by NavyIC3
Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:55 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Quicken 2019 and forward
Replies: 1062
Views: 115443

Re: Quicken 2019 and forward

After I download transactions I get a notice from Quicken to "enter a valid date" Anyone else getting this? If so how do I correct? I click OK and everything is good.
by NavyIC3
Tue Sep 19, 2023 6:05 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Attic Insulation ? Is the cost worth it?
Replies: 30
Views: 3713

Re: Attic Insulation ? Is the cost worth it?

Diminishing returns on the insulation. The more insulation you add, the less savings per inch of insulation. That has to be factored in to the amount of savings vs the cost.
by NavyIC3
Sun Sep 17, 2023 4:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Your experience selling a car to a dealer / CarMax / Carvana
Replies: 50
Views: 7340

Re: Your experience selling a car to a dealer / CarMax / Carvana

Has anyone sold a car coming off a Toyota lease?
by NavyIC3
Sun Sep 17, 2023 11:57 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: question about individual stocks versus mutual funds
Replies: 17
Views: 1456

Re: question about individual stocks versus mutual funds

If in a taxable account, they would be subject to a stepped up basis which will save taxes.
by NavyIC3
Mon Sep 11, 2023 7:49 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Running out of tax-advantaged space -- reduce REIT allocation? Or put REIT in taxable?
Replies: 22
Views: 2155

Re: Running out of tax-advantaged space -- reduce REIT allocation? Or put REIT in taxable?

Am I correct in saying that REIT dividends are not qualified dividends therefore taxed as ordinary income?
by NavyIC3
Tue Sep 05, 2023 12:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 10YR smoke detectors in seasonal/unheated home(?)
Replies: 14
Views: 1334

Re: 10YR smoke detectors in seasonal/unheated home(?)

bombcar wrote: Tue Sep 05, 2023 9:50 am
A smoke alarm in an empty house is useless, as an aside, the purpose is to wake sleepers so they can evacuate. They don't call the fire department, so completely removing them for the winter doesn't change the safety profile.
They can be monitored by a central station that would notify the fire department.
by NavyIC3
Tue Sep 05, 2023 9:18 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Teacher retire/rehire and health insurance question
Replies: 5
Views: 768

Re: Teacher retire/rehire and health insurance question

BarbBrooklyn wrote: Tue Sep 05, 2023 6:57 am One can deduct health insurance premiums IF you itemize AND if you pay them with post-tax funds

I hope others have more complete answers.
You can only deduct the amount that exceeds 7.5% of AGI threshold for medical expenses.
by NavyIC3
Sun Aug 13, 2023 11:13 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Quicken - Checkbook
Replies: 22
Views: 1353

Re: Quicken - Checkbook

I wish Fido would have a checkbook app on their site.
by NavyIC3
Sun Aug 13, 2023 10:24 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Agency Bond Calls
Replies: 6
Views: 528

Re: Agency Bond Calls

alex_686 wrote: Sun Aug 13, 2023 10:13 am
NavyIC3 wrote: Sun Aug 13, 2023 10:11 am
nedsaid wrote: Sun Aug 13, 2023 9:45 am I would look at the Yield to Worst number, which assumes that the bond will be called at the earliest possible date.

What Agency issued the bond? This would also be helpful.
No Yield to Worst on Fido site. This is the bond I'm looking at.
FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANKS BOND
5.50000% 08/14/2025
We would need the CUSIP.

2 year bonds rarely have calls, agency bonds rarely have calls.
Cusip 3130AWSE1
by NavyIC3
Sun Aug 13, 2023 10:11 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Agency Bond Calls
Replies: 6
Views: 528

Re: Agency Bond Calls

nedsaid wrote: Sun Aug 13, 2023 9:45 am I would look at the Yield to Worst number, which assumes that the bond will be called at the earliest possible date.

What Agency issued the bond? This would also be helpful.
No Yield to Worst on Fido site. This is the bond I'm looking at.
FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANKS BOND
5.50000% 08/14/2025
by NavyIC3
Sun Aug 13, 2023 8:11 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Agency Bond Calls
Replies: 6
Views: 528

Agency Bond Calls

How much would interest have to drop for a 2 year agency bond to be called? If a new issue is 5.50%, what would be the call rate?
by NavyIC3
Sat Aug 12, 2023 8:16 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: NJM Insurance
Replies: 6
Views: 1242

NJM Insurance

Thinking of switching my homeowners, auto and umbrella from AARP Hartford to NJM. Survey of Consumer Reports subscribers gave them an excellent rating, second only to USAA. Anyone have any experience with NJM?
by NavyIC3
Sat Aug 12, 2023 8:11 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Need to lubricate Moen faucet every 3 months!
Replies: 27
Views: 5330

Re: Need to lubricate Moen faucet every 3 months!

Replace the cartridge.
by NavyIC3
Mon Aug 07, 2023 12:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Fire Blanket
Replies: 13
Views: 2344

Re: Fire Blanket

sls239 wrote: Mon Aug 07, 2023 11:23 am I used a fire extinguisher when something caught in my oven - it was not hard to clean up at all.
With an oven fire just keeping the door closed will extinguish the fire due to the lack of oxygen. The oven is made to handle the heat of a fire.
by NavyIC3
Mon Aug 07, 2023 8:43 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Quicken 2019 and forward
Replies: 1062
Views: 115443

Re: Quicken 2019 and forward

LadyGeek wrote: Mon Aug 07, 2023 8:20 am
michaeljc70 wrote: Mon Aug 07, 2023 7:25 am I recently got a Fidelity account and added it to Quicken and now I see a Fidelity advertisement (basically) every time I start Quicken.
Here's how to fix it:
LadyGeek wrote: Fri Jul 21, 2023 11:48 am The latest Quicken update has again overwritten my splash screen image (what you see when Quicken first starts). Like last time, it's a promotion for Fidelity. It's yet another way to insert ads.

In C:\ProgramData\Quicken\Config\QUICKEN.INI, look for the line which starts with "Splash=".

Code: Select all

Splash=C:\ProgramData\Quicken\07776\SPLASH.BMP
Overwrite that file with the image of your choice. Or, change the path to something else.
How do I overwrite it with an image of my choice or change the path?
Thanks
by NavyIC3
Thu Jun 29, 2023 8:13 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is uninsured motor vehicle insurance a good idea?
Replies: 58
Views: 5645

Re: Is uninsured motor vehicle insurance a good idea?

Also covers you if you are a pedestrian and hit by an UI motorist.
by NavyIC3
Fri Jun 09, 2023 1:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [Solved] Propane Gas Tank in the Garage - Is It Safe??
Replies: 14
Views: 3539

Re: Propane Gas Tank in the Garage - Is It Safe??

LP Gas is heavier than air. Therefore it puddles low-lying areas even outdoors. Keep it out of your garage and out of the sun. The heat from the sun can increase the pressure in the tank and cause the relief valve to vent the excess pressure.
by NavyIC3
Tue May 16, 2023 1:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Chrome Auto Scroll
Replies: 5
Views: 415

Re: Chrome Auto Scroll

gavinsiu wrote: Tue May 16, 2023 1:26 pm
NavyIC3 wrote: Tue May 16, 2023 1:03 pm Anyone know an easy way to stop Chrome from automatically scrolling to the bottom when opening a page. Using Windows 11.
That does not sound like stock chrome behavior. What site are you visit?
This happens on quite a few sites and it happens often.
by NavyIC3
Tue May 16, 2023 1:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Chrome Auto Scroll
Replies: 5
Views: 415

Chrome Auto Scroll

Anyone know an easy way to stop Chrome from automatically scrolling to the bottom when opening a page. Using Windows 11.
by NavyIC3
Sat May 13, 2023 12:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Clicking noise from the ceiling - similar to turning on a old radio
Replies: 15
Views: 1684

Re: Clicking noise from the ceiling - similar to turning on a old radio

Does it happen when it's windy? If so, it could be the damper on the bathroom vents opening and closing causing the noise. This happens because the wind creates a pressure differential.