Search found 15275 matches

by JoeRetire
Fri Jan 20, 2023 2:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What’s Up with Medicare Advantage Ads?
Replies: 84
Views: 7560

Re: What’s Up with Medicare Advantage Ads?

Kookaburra wrote: Fri Jan 20, 2023 2:16 pm
JoeRetire wrote: Fri Jan 20, 2023 11:57 am No need for so much angst.
I didn’t sense any angst. Seems like a valid question asked nicely.
I wasn't referring to this thread.

Just the general repeated angst that we've seen whenever enrollment periods occur.
by JoeRetire
Fri Jan 20, 2023 2:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Kindle ebooks/Audiobooks ? - What if Amazon goes out of business?
Replies: 43
Views: 3966

Re: Kindle ebooks ? - What if Amazon goes out of business?

montanagirl wrote: Fri Jan 20, 2023 1:58 pm Amazon appears to sweep all inactive books to the cloud do that you need to re-download them to read them, look up a reference or something.

And I'd no sooner download them then they'd vanish again next time I opened it.

It really is aggravating and I don't recall it being this way originally. I mean I had a hundred great books between three devices.

So what would we be backing up?
No idea what is getting swept up to the cloud from your device.
When I plug my Kindle into my computer, the books are all there.

Anyway, I suppose you could re-download them and then back them up if you feel the need.
by JoeRetire
Fri Jan 20, 2023 2:02 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: They Say You Can't Beat the Market, But You Can
Replies: 57
Views: 9189

Re: They Say You Can't Beat the Market, But You Can

TomatoTomahto wrote: Fri Jan 20, 2023 1:38 pm My one time in Las Vegas (for a DECUS conference; I wouldn’t go otherwise), I put a bet on my ex-wife’s favorite number. It won. Someone told me to remove my money, because it would never come up again. Being a pedantic guy, I said it was as likely to hit that number again as any other. God has a sense of humor, so it came up again. Anyway, a couple misses, and I left the table with $1500 or thereabouts, back when that was money.

I did not decide that I could beat Las Vegas.
Why not?
Not only could you beat Las Vegas, you did beat Las Vegas.

Of course that doesn't mean it will happen again...
by JoeRetire
Fri Jan 20, 2023 1:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Looking for Medical Insurance
Replies: 11
Views: 1080

Re: Looking for Medical Insurance

retired-early wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 11:23 am I’m coming off Cobra soon and need to find health insurance. Should I just pick a policy on healthcare.gov?
Start there. If you don't find what you want, look outside the marketplace.
by JoeRetire
Fri Jan 20, 2023 1:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Negative MEDICARE pension deduction in January
Replies: 4
Views: 501

Re: Negative MEDICARE pension deduction in January

JohnML wrote: Fri Jan 20, 2023 1:12 pmI can speculate it is some partial reimbursement for Medicare premiums, but shouldn’t that be accounted for somewhere?
Makes sense. Call the company and ask.
by JoeRetire
Fri Jan 20, 2023 1:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Kindle ebooks/Audiobooks ? - What if Amazon goes out of business?
Replies: 43
Views: 3966

Re: Kindle ebooks ? - What if Amazon goes out of business?

beyou wrote: Fri Jan 20, 2023 11:35 am They can decide to get out of the kindle/ebook business and turn off services.
And if they did that, you would far more notice than you would ever need. And there would be a dozen solutions.
Not a worry at all.
by JoeRetire
Fri Jan 20, 2023 1:22 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Rejected for LTC Insurance...Alternatives?
Replies: 16
Views: 2501

Re: Rejected for LTC Insurance...Alternatives?

scalawag73 wrote: Fri Jan 20, 2023 1:20 pm Given that I'm not eligible for LTCI, do folks have suggestions for alternatives? One of the LTCI purveyors, is suggesting I buy their whole life insurance product which can be borrowed from for health care purposes if needed, as an alternative to LTCI, but I'm skeptical.
If you can actually get that hybrid insurance, that might be your only option, other than saving quite a lot of money for your care.
by JoeRetire
Fri Jan 20, 2023 11:57 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What’s Up with Medicare Advantage Ads?
Replies: 84
Views: 7560

Re: What’s Up with Medicare Advantage Ads?

bobcat2 wrote: Fri Jan 20, 2023 11:43 am What’s Up with Medicare Advantage Ads?
They are ads. Designed to get people interested. And maybe to buy.

No different from ads for other forms of insurance.
No different from ads for prescription medications.
No different from ads for financial products and services.

None of these ads are deep on the devilish details. If you want those, you need to dig in for a deeper understanding.

Nothing unique here. No need for so much angst.
by JoeRetire
Fri Jan 20, 2023 10:46 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: [Debt ceiling discussion mega-thread]
Replies: 1286
Views: 128343

Re: [Debt ceiling discussion mega-thread]

DonIce wrote: Fri Jan 20, 2023 7:52 am That said though, these chicken games with the debt ceiling are becoming more frequent, but it's not just because of politics but also because the amount of debt held by all levels of government is becoming ever more unsustainable.
I see no connection between the frequency of the chicken games and the size of the debt.

Can you explain more?
by JoeRetire
Fri Jan 20, 2023 10:20 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Social Security surviving spouse (widow) benefits
Replies: 33
Views: 3704

Re: Social Security surviving spouse (widow) benefits

ModifiedDuration wrote: Fri Jan 20, 2023 10:19 am
JoeRetire wrote: Fri Jan 20, 2023 10:10 am
Kenkat wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 12:21 pm Your mother should file for a spousal benefit now as she should receive 50% of your father’s PIA which should be higher than $12k per year.
Perhaps.

It depends on when mother started her own benefits. For example, if she started at 62, she will never get 50% of father's benefits.
+1

Also, her spousal benefit would be based off of her spouse’s Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). If he is getting a higher amount than his PIA, due to delayed retirement credits, that would not impact her spousal benefit.
Good point!

There's simply not enough information here to conclude that she is entitled to more than she is currently getting.
by JoeRetire
Fri Jan 20, 2023 10:18 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Being young & aggressive
Replies: 39
Views: 3915

Re: Being young & aggressive

rage_phish wrote: Fri Jan 20, 2023 9:15 am Is there any rules or guidance as to when people generally start adjusting their AA with age?
Their are no rules.

You should adjust your asset allocation when it no longer feels comfortable.
by JoeRetire
Fri Jan 20, 2023 10:16 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Kindle ebooks/Audiobooks ? - What if Amazon goes out of business?
Replies: 43
Views: 3966

Re: Kindle ebooks ? - What if Amazon goes out of business?

bh1 wrote: Fri Jan 20, 2023 10:01 amDid you know that if you have no Amazon account, your collections go away?
They don't go away if you don't re-synch your Kindle.
by JoeRetire
Fri Jan 20, 2023 10:10 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Social Security surviving spouse (widow) benefits
Replies: 33
Views: 3704

Re: Social Security surviving spouse (widow) benefits

Kenkat wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 12:21 pm Your mother should file for a spousal benefit now as she should receive 50% of your father’s PIA which should be higher than $12k per year.
Perhaps.

It depends on when mother started her own benefits. For example, if she started at 62, she will never get 50% of father's benefits.
by JoeRetire
Fri Jan 20, 2023 10:08 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Social Security surviving spouse (widow) benefits
Replies: 33
Views: 3704

Re: Social Security surviving spouse (widow) benefits

psteinx wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 12:14 pm Basically, in either case, the surviving spouse would get ~$31K, versus the current combined (31K+12K=) ~43K?
Yes.
by JoeRetire
Fri Jan 20, 2023 10:07 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Social Security surviving spouse (widow) benefits
Replies: 33
Views: 3704

Re: Social Security surviving spouse (widow) benefits

psteinx wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 12:12 pm Per my father, those Medicare plans pretty much take care of their medical expenses - they have minimal/no costs for doctors etc, beyond the Medicare deductions. Does that sound about right?
Not really.

Most people purchase Medigap insurance to handle all the expenses that Medicare doesn't cover.
by JoeRetire
Fri Jan 20, 2023 10:03 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Social Security surviving spouse (widow) benefits
Replies: 33
Views: 3704

Re: Social Security surviving spouse (widow) benefits

psteinx wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 12:05 pm Current benefit about $31K/year for father, $12K/year for mother.

About how much would mother receive, if she outlives father?
About $31k/year.
And vice versa?
About $31k/year.
(Tried to get a clear answer online, but it was surprisingly hard to find info.)
This might help: https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/survivors/ifyou.html
by JoeRetire
Fri Jan 20, 2023 9:59 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Looking for advice on Home Refinance
Replies: 15
Views: 1016

Re: Looking for advice on Home Refinance

snoberdale wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 9:37 pm I'm adding myself to a home mortgage my dad owns and removing him as he is retired so this involves a Refinance.
Did the bank tell you that a refinance would be required?
by JoeRetire
Fri Jan 20, 2023 9:56 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Kindle ebooks/Audiobooks ? - What if Amazon goes out of business?
Replies: 43
Views: 3966

Re: Kindle ebooks ? - What if Amazon goes out of business?

X528 wrote: Fri Jan 20, 2023 9:03 am I have purchased many ebooks for my Amazon Kindle. I'm worried if Amazon goes out of business and there is no longer access to my ebook library, Kindle support and the Kindle device, how can I download and save the ebooks electronically?

Can I download the ebooks and save them on a disk or USB flash drive, or other means? Is there a specific file format that I should save them as? Can I access the ebooks using other devices?
Your Kindle can be backed up to your computer.

Seems rather unlikely that Amazon will go out of business in your lifetime.
by JoeRetire
Fri Jan 20, 2023 9:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Where to buy low sodium green olives?
Replies: 11
Views: 1238

Re: Where to buy low sodium green olives?

KnowNth wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 7:24 pm During a recent Spain trip, I was hooked on Olives, the unpitted green olives that appear in almost all restaurants there.

After I came back, I tried to find several different olives from Trader Joes and Costco, but those olives are way too salty to eat as snacks. Anyone knows what brand of olives will taste similar to those served in Spain?
You likely have to try some brands to find the taste you want.

https://www.google.com/search?q=reduced ... een+olives
by JoeRetire
Fri Jan 20, 2023 9:44 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Age and probability of needing long term care?
Replies: 221
Views: 22386

Re: Age and probability of needing long term care?

carolinaman wrote: Fri Jan 20, 2023 9:42 amI believe I have read in the past that most people do not require a lot of LTC.
What do you mean by "a lot" in this context?
Also, people can sometimes use home health services to avoid LTC.
Many use some home health services, at least for a while. Most often that is provided by a partner or a child. But clearly not everyone can depend on an elderly partner for the care they need. And not everyone has a child willing or able to provide free care.

So sometimes a paid home health provider is needed. Many LTC plans cover in-home care.
by JoeRetire
Fri Jan 20, 2023 9:30 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Age and probability of needing long term care?
Replies: 221
Views: 22386

Re: Age and probability of needing long term care?

In terms of planning for possible future expenses, I'm wondering about the contingency between current age and the likelihood of needing long term care. For example, if I am 80 what is the likelihood I'll need LTC at some point and does this increase the older I get? It seems logical that this would be the case. I've seen articles that present the percentage of seniors that need LTC, but I don't believe I've seen data on age-based contingent LTC. Is anyone aware of such information? Does it make sense that older seniors should be basing their financial planning taking this into consideration? I've never seen specifically what you are looking for. Most often you find statements like "70% of people aged 65 and older will need some form ...
by JoeRetire
Fri Jan 20, 2023 7:45 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Reduce 401k contribution?
Replies: 10
Views: 1299

Re: Reduce 401k contribution?

mini1 wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 10:01 pm Should I reduce my 401k contribution percentage for the foreseeable future while bear market/recessionary market conditions exist?
No.
Am I throwing money down the drain to lose it on depreciating stocks and mutuals or is this the opportunity of a lifetime to buy them at a huge discount?
Certainly more the latter than the former.
I won't be retiring for about 25-30 years and will be inheriting a 7 figure trust sometime in early retirement. I would like to have investable cash reserves instead of locking the money away to 62-65 years of age, so a lower contribution may best the best option regardless of market conditions.
Good luck.
by JoeRetire
Fri Jan 20, 2023 7:40 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: New job - no sick days for first two months...illegal?
Replies: 51
Views: 5698

Re: New job - no sick days for first two months...illegal?

8foot7 wrote: Fri Jan 20, 2023 7:14 am
JoeRetire wrote: Fri Jan 20, 2023 5:15 am
abuss368 wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 7:24 pm
JoeRetire wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 6:31 pm
neko06 wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 6:24 pm Can someone confirm that I am understanding this correctly? I should have already accrued sick time and been able to use it during the first 60 days, right?
My understanding is that you are correct.
Hi George -

Are you a resident of Colorado?
I am not. But I always wanted to be an architect in Colorado.
And fortunately, the relevant information is readily available on the interwebs.
I figured Vandelay Industries had a large latex facility in Colorado.
Just importing/exporting. It's a pretty small facility - along the lines of a NYC apartment.
by JoeRetire
Fri Jan 20, 2023 7:40 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: [Debt ceiling discussion mega-thread]
Replies: 1286
Views: 128343

Re: [Debt ceiling discussion mega-thread]

goaties wrote: Fri Jan 20, 2023 7:21 am Would shifting some cash now to one's local credit union help insure that household funds would be available should Debtageddon occur?
Yes.
Or are credit unions subject to the same weaknesses as the rest of the banking system? I know they have their own "FDIC".
I'm not sure what weaknesses you are imagining.

Are you expecting that you wouldn't be able to withdraw any money if the US defaults on their debt? Seems unlikely.
by JoeRetire
Fri Jan 20, 2023 7:37 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: [Debt ceiling discussion mega-thread]
Replies: 1286
Views: 128343

Re: [Debt ceiling discussion mega-thread]

Calhoon wrote: Fri Jan 20, 2023 6:40 am Won't just the threat of a default push up interest rates in the coming months regardless of whether we cross the line? I would think that to some extent this is reducing appetite for treasuries at an aggregate level.
Depends on how serious the threat seems. Right now, for most people, not so much.
by JoeRetire
Fri Jan 20, 2023 7:36 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: [Debt ceiling discussion mega-thread]
Replies: 1286
Views: 128343

Re: [Debt ceiling discussion mega-thread]

Jack FFR1846 wrote: Fri Jan 20, 2023 6:56 amI can remember a number of past government shut downs.
Government shut downs and default on debt are not at all the same thing.
by JoeRetire
Fri Jan 20, 2023 6:37 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [AmazonSmile charity program to be terminated]
Replies: 91
Views: 5506

Re: no more amazon smile charity donations

tunafish wrote: Fri Jan 20, 2023 6:27 am
JoeRetire wrote: Fri Jan 20, 2023 6:18 am I guess you could choose to donate the money that otherwise would have gone into your Prime membership. That would have a bigger impact to the little shelter than the Smile program.
That's a great idea. I already donate, of course, but I will do more.
Excellent!
by JoeRetire
Fri Jan 20, 2023 6:35 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: [Debt ceiling discussion mega-thread]
Replies: 1286
Views: 128343

Re: [Debt ceiling discussion mega-thread]

Random Musings wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 10:26 pm It would be the political death of the party who orchestrated blocking the debt ceiling change.
Maybe.

And maybe this time we'll actually get to find out in a few months if that's true.

Meanwhile, I'm not doing anything different. We've always held a reasonable cash cushion.
by JoeRetire
Fri Jan 20, 2023 6:18 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [AmazonSmile charity program to be terminated]
Replies: 91
Views: 5506

Re: no more amazon smile charity donations

tunafish wrote: Fri Jan 20, 2023 6:13 am If a little animal shelter got several hundred dollars over the years, I have a hard time believing the spread too thin claim. My cancellation will presumably have no effect, but I feel better doing less business with them. I will also look for alternative sellers.
Yup. Seems unlikely you will find any other sellers who will donate money to your little animal shelter.

I guess you could choose to donate the money that otherwise would have gone into your Prime membership. That would have a bigger impact to the little shelter than the Smile program.
by JoeRetire
Fri Jan 20, 2023 6:06 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [AmazonSmile charity program to be terminated]
Replies: 91
Views: 5506

Re: no more amazon smile charity donations

Amazon's stated reason is the amount given to charities is too small to help the charities. That's not quite what they said. They actually said "With so many eligible organizations—more than 1 million globally—our ability to have an impact was often spread too thin." This topic was discussed before. See: https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7071344 Amazon can then do without my prime membership price as well. If you had reasons for having a Prime membership before, it's hard to understand how the discontinuance of the Smile program would change that. But we each get to protest in our own way. It's hard to see that your dropping out will have any impact. I'm disappointed too. In the US alone Amazon donated over $400M t...
by JoeRetire
Fri Jan 20, 2023 5:58 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Flexible Rental Car Options?
Replies: 8
Views: 968

Re: Flexible Rental Car Options?

ThankYouJack wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 6:40 pm I'm planning a month+ long road trip out West and will be renting a car. I know when and where I'll start but I don't know the exact day and location of when it'll end. What if I reserve a car for 6 weeks and return it after 4 weeks? Will I still need to pay the full six weeks? Also is there any flexibility mid-rental to change the drop-off location?
You should talk with the rental company ahead of time to specifically learn how your charges will change or not change in this scenario and the impact of changing the drop off location.

This might help: https://blog.autoslash.com/what-happens ... l-returns/
by JoeRetire
Fri Jan 20, 2023 5:41 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What to Put in Revocable Trust
Replies: 26
Views: 2519

Re: What to Put in Revocable Trust

MrCheapo wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 6:57 pm We are updating our Revocable trust and wanted advice on typically what is placed in the revocable trust.
You created a trust but didn't have a plan for what you would put in it? Is there anything at all in the trust now?

This might help: https://www.kiplinger.com/retirement/es ... your-trust

If your goal is simply to bypass probate, you could alternatively accomplish that for many of your accounts simply by naming beneficiaries.
by JoeRetire
Fri Jan 20, 2023 5:32 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Lincoln MoneyGuard LTC/Life
Replies: 24
Views: 2150

Re: Lincoln MoneyGuard LTC/Life

SlowMovingInvestor wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 8:42 am I know my 'advisor' is suggesting it because she would make a good commission on it, but I want to reject it as politely as possible. What specifically could I mention as negatives and reasons for rejecting it (I know I don't have to give a reason)?
Something like "Thank you. I have decided I don't want to purchase a hybrid policy." is polite.
1) The policy mentions Inflation Option: 5%. Does that mean the LTC benefit would increase by 5% each year?
Yes.
2) There is an Initial Specified Amount, which is around 85% of the planned premium. What diffence is there between these two?
No idea, but a good question for your 'advisor'.
Explaining terms is something any good advisor will happily do.
by JoeRetire
Fri Jan 20, 2023 5:23 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Umbrella Policy Quote
Replies: 23
Views: 2257

Re: Umbrella Policy Quote

snackdog wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 11:18 am One house and one rental. $500 for $5 million with USAA. The number of rentals is the biggest factor, not the property value.
Yup.

My understanding is that the more things being insured, the more things there are that could trigger a claim. Thus, higher premium.
In your case, it appears the OP is covering 10 things with this umbrella.

Still, shop around.
by JoeRetire
Fri Jan 20, 2023 5:20 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: New job - no sick days for first two months...illegal?
Replies: 51
Views: 5698

Re: New job - no sick days for first two months...illegal?

neko06 wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 8:07 pm Yes I'm guessing that since it is a recent law my boss doesn't know. Its a small office with no HR or accounting staff, just a very part time bookkeeper. Easy thing to miss. I'm thinking a casual conversation to bring awareness of the non-compliance will be fine. And respectfully asking for my time owed to be added.
It's quite possible the fine print in your contract is out of date. That can happen with boilerplate language in contracts.
You might want to ask the part time bookkeeper about it before approaching your boss.

Good luck.
by JoeRetire
Fri Jan 20, 2023 5:15 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: New job - no sick days for first two months...illegal?
Replies: 51
Views: 5698

Re: New job - no sick days for first two months...illegal?

abuss368 wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 7:24 pm
JoeRetire wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 6:31 pm
neko06 wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 6:24 pm Can someone confirm that I am understanding this correctly? I should have already accrued sick time and been able to use it during the first 60 days, right?
My understanding is that you are correct.
Hi George -

Are you a resident of Colorado?
I am not. But I always wanted to be an architect in Colorado.
And fortunately, the relevant information is readily available on the interwebs.
by JoeRetire
Thu Jan 19, 2023 6:48 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: [Debt ceiling discussion mega-thread]
Replies: 1286
Views: 128343

Re: Safe haven cash

Kevin K wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 1:41 pm I’m wondering if iBonds would work just as well
I would think not.

If you actually needed them, cashing in iBonds could be problematic. Who would pay you for your iBonds if the treasury couldn't/wouldn't?
by JoeRetire
Thu Jan 19, 2023 6:42 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: [Debt ceiling discussion mega-thread]
Replies: 1286
Views: 128343

Re: Is it risky to own U.S. treasuries now??

justsomeguy2018 wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 12:35 pm The headlines are are saying the U.S. may default on its debt next week, or something like that.
The headlines say the debt ceiling was reached. They don't say default might occur next week, more like June or so.
I am sitting on about $85k of U.S. treasuries of various short-term maturity dates, not to mention bond fund holdings and i-bonds.
Is all of this money now at risk of being lost??
Theoretically.
Do I need to sell my treasury holdings and treasury funds to be safe??
You could. I wouldn't. I can't explain much further without going into politics, but you can do a search to see what happened all the other times the debt ceiling was reached.
by JoeRetire
Thu Jan 19, 2023 6:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: New job - no sick days for first two months...illegal?
Replies: 51
Views: 5698

Re: New job - no sick days for first two months...illegal?

Mishigami wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 6:28 pm The second paragraph states "Starting January 1, 2021, for employers with 16 or more employees..."
That 2020 document is obsolete.

From January 11, 2022: "As of Jan. 1, all Colorado employers—regardless of size—are subject to traditional paid-sick-leave requirements thanks to the Healthy Families and Workplaces Act. "

https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/ ... tions.aspx
by JoeRetire
Thu Jan 19, 2023 6:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: New job - no sick days for first two months...illegal?
Replies: 51
Views: 5698

Re: New job - no sick days for first two months...illegal?

neko06 wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 6:24 pm Can someone confirm that I am understanding this correctly? I should have already accrued sick time and been able to use it during the first 60 days, right?
My understanding is that you are correct.
by JoeRetire
Thu Jan 19, 2023 6:22 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Pension or lump sum?
Replies: 30
Views: 3309

Re: Pension or lump sum?

FIREnow wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 4:33 pm $39K pension (includes small cost of living adjustments and medical insurance, requiring small monthly payments, totaling $3,300 annually)
$640K lump sum (no medical insurance)
There's a 3rd choice of taking nothing now, with a higher pension at an older age, but no medical insurance if I don't retire within 90 days of my date of separation.

I'm nearly 55, have 2.3M saved, mostly taxed-deferred. Not married and no children. Take the pension?
Since it is COLAed, take the pension, unless you don't think you'll live past 70 or so.
by JoeRetire
Thu Jan 19, 2023 6:17 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The Bond Party Will Commence?
Replies: 112
Views: 11824

Re: The Bond Party Will Commence?

thedaybeforetoday wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 5:14 pm Suffice it to say, 2% goal has been the feds policy for decades now and the fed has been taking action, so they say, in accordance with that policy.
We agree that the goal is 2% and that the Fed works toward that.
That wasn't what I asked about (the "run below 2%" requirement that I bolded was the crux of the question), but thank you anyway counselor.
by JoeRetire
Thu Jan 19, 2023 6:12 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The Bond Party Will Commence?
Replies: 112
Views: 11824

Re: The Bond Party Will Commence?

DeliberateDonkey wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 4:30 pm
JoeRetire wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 3:07 pm
DeliberateDonkey wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 1:27 pmNothing in their policy regarding AIT states that they won't allow inflation to run cool in order to "anchor longer-term ... expectations."
And I have still seen nothing at all in their policy that requires inflation to run below 2% for a period of time.

Maybe inflation will be very low again at some point. Maybe it won't. I don't see the Fed being "required" to shoot for that.
I don't mean to say that the Fed itself is required to do anything in particular, just that their stated policy goal (2% over the long term) currently requires it.
I guess it seems we disagree about there being any policy requirement to drive inflation under 2%. Perhaps you are right. We'll get to see what actually happens.
by JoeRetire
Thu Jan 19, 2023 3:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Ibonds
Replies: 15
Views: 1549

Re: Ibonds

When you cash your bonds online, the cash generally transfers to your checking or savings account within two business days of the request.
by JoeRetire
Thu Jan 19, 2023 3:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: If you are TRULY financially independent, why would you still work?
Replies: 427
Views: 40899

Re: If you are TRULY financially independent, why would you still work?

50x is a little deceiving since it based off my current minimal expenses with little to no outside spending for things I don’t have time for while working. When I checked ACA premiums I was looking at around 15% of my current expenses just in premiums just to start. Through my employer it would be like 35%. I also only expect this to rise over the years.I would feel differently if I was 50x with a ton of extra spending I could cut back on. There is also the issue of expenses that are tougher to predict on how they might rise. Many people here saw their home insurance nearly double year to year. I guess 50x doesn't mean the same thing to different people. Good luck. Silly me, I make X our estimated expenses in retirement, including the thin...
by JoeRetire
Thu Jan 19, 2023 3:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Did I handle taxes properly with my soon-to-be ex?
Replies: 29
Views: 2957

Re: Did I handle taxes properly with my soon-to-be ex?

Aguilar wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 2:03 pm
JoeRetire wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 6:06 am
Aguilar wrote: Tue Jan 17, 2023 6:46 pm Does this seem reasonable to you?
If you both agree, then it's reasonable. Nothing else matters.
I don't know if I agree anymore. That's why I'm asking.
You don't know if the two of you agree or not? Couldn't you just ask?
by JoeRetire
Thu Jan 19, 2023 3:09 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The Bond Party Will Commence?
Replies: 112
Views: 11824

Re: The Bond Party Will Commence?

The Fed's stated goal actually requires inflation to run below 2% for a period of time. It does? I've never heard that. Can you explain or point to a Fed source for that? https://fortune.com/2022/12/12/why-inflation-target-2-percent-federal-reserve-economy/ With all the pop-ups and ads I may have missed it. Can you point out where in that article it says that their goal requires inflation to run below 2% for a while? From the article sited; first 3 sentences: "What’s so special about the number 2? Quite a lot, if you’re a central banker—and that number is followed by a percent sign. That’s been the de facto or official target inflation rate for the Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank and many other similar institutions since at...
by JoeRetire
Thu Jan 19, 2023 3:07 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The Bond Party Will Commence?
Replies: 112
Views: 11824

Re: The Bond Party Will Commence?

DeliberateDonkey wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 1:27 pmNothing in their policy regarding AIT states that they won't allow inflation to run cool in order to "anchor longer-term ... expectations."
And I have still seen nothing at all in their policy that requires inflation to run below 2% for a period of time.

Maybe inflation will be very low again at some point. Maybe it won't. I don't see the Fed being "required" to shoot for that.
by JoeRetire
Thu Jan 19, 2023 3:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: If you are TRULY financially independent, why would you still work?
Replies: 427
Views: 40899

Re: If you are TRULY financially independent, why would you still work?

brennok wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 11:34 am 50x is a little deceiving since it based off my current minimal expenses with little to no outside spending for things I don’t have time for while working. When I checked ACA premiums I was looking at around 15% of my current expenses just in premiums just to start. Through my employer it would be like 35%. I also only expect this to rise over the years.I would feel differently if I was 50x with a ton of extra spending I could cut back on. There is also the issue of expenses that are tougher to predict on how they might rise. Many people here saw their home insurance nearly double year to year.
I guess 50x doesn't mean the same thing to different people.

Good luck.
by JoeRetire
Thu Jan 19, 2023 2:59 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mortgage pay off immediately?
Replies: 15
Views: 1542

Re: Mortgage pay off immediately?

fittan wrote: Thu Jan 19, 2023 12:32 pmMy question is....after I get a mortgage for the new place, can I immediately pay it off using the proceed from the old house?
As long as that is allowed in your loan agrement.
Specifically will I piss off the loan agent or the bank?
No. But why would you care anyway?
Let's assume there's no prepayment penalty. Any other workaround or do people do this all the time?
No workaround is needed.