Search found 7827 matches

by RickBoglehead
Wed Mar 27, 2024 7:42 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Refinance Auto Loan. What to do?
Replies: 2
Views: 197

Re: Refinance Auto Loan. What to do?

Subaru won't refinance.
by RickBoglehead
Wed Mar 27, 2024 7:03 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I think my Mom, recently widowed, is looking at a tax bomb
Replies: 28
Views: 4707

Re: I think my Mom, recently widowed, is looking at a tax bomb

Chardo wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 6:35 am A somewhat related question, if one needs to move to assisted living, is the entire cost a deductible medical expense (subject to minimum) or just the care component? Some facilities have a base rent plus varying levels of care at additional cost. Other facilities include some level of care in the base. Then there's a community fee upfront, and assorted other charges. What is potentially deductible?
No, the entire cost is usually not deductible. You can find some guidance via Googling, a physican needs to do an assessment of need to determine what the individual cannot do themselves, etc.

Then of course the medical costs must exceed a sizeable percentage of income.
by RickBoglehead
Wed Mar 27, 2024 6:55 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Penna. executor's fees for handling will?
Replies: 26
Views: 1390

Re: Penna. executor's fees for handling will?

Prior to handling a deceased estranged relative's estate, which no one wanted to handle, my siblings and I agreed that my share would be increased at an hourly rate as well as expenses. Although nit a complicated estate, I spent close to 200 hours handling it including disposing if assets that brought in additional thousands of dollars, liquidating accounts, etc.

If you don't agree with what he is charging (ask for a breakout), then offer to do it yourself. He can appoint you to help him.
by RickBoglehead
Tue Mar 26, 2024 6:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Car Totaled - Insurance Options
Replies: 22
Views: 1449

Re: Car Totaled - Insurance Options

Carrying collision on a $3,000 car for how many years? Cost?
by RickBoglehead
Tue Mar 26, 2024 6:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How many credit cards do you have
Replies: 89
Views: 3991

Re: How many credit cards do you have

1211. Two are rarely used.
by RickBoglehead
Tue Mar 26, 2024 6:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Kindle Users--Please help
Replies: 24
Views: 1386

Re: Kindle Users--Please help

My wife is non-techie. I have told my children to make sure to put that as my cause of death...
by RickBoglehead
Tue Mar 26, 2024 7:20 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Those complimentary dinners for retirees by investment advisors
Replies: 137
Views: 10139

Re: Those complimentary dinners for retirees by investment advisors

We got on those lists when my wife retired from a teaching job, lists are public. Spent a lot of effort getting off those lists. No mailings in a year plus.

It is pretty clear that if you are invited to an event, you have the right to attend. If you keep going to these events knowing you won't ever purchase, that's not right IMO.
by RickBoglehead
Mon Mar 25, 2024 6:10 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Looking for advice on unhappy experience in VG short term bond fund
Replies: 66
Views: 5551

Re: Looking for advice on unhappy experience in VG short term bond fund

rkhusky wrote: Mon Mar 25, 2024 3:08 pm Funny how people get so disturbed by small drops in bond funds, while holding significant amounts in stocks, which can drop a whole lot more.
Small? VBTLX hit a high in 2020 of $11.77. $9.53 today. Still off 19%.

Been in the market since early 80s. I will take Primecap any day over this. I am putting all earnings into MM and soon treasuries. Done with bond funds.
by RickBoglehead
Mon Mar 25, 2024 5:18 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Is there any difference between cashing out a Mutual fund in/out of an IRA - if you are retired already?
Replies: 13
Views: 1413

Re: Is there any difference between cashing out a Mutual fund in/out of an IRA - if you are retired already?

Do you understand how tax brackets work? You pay a higher percentage in taxes as your annual income increases, but the increase is step-wise not gradually linear. For example, for a couple filing married/joint, up to a combined income of about $125,000, they are in the 12% tax bracket. From an income of $125,000 to about $210,000, they are in the 22% tax bracket. Above that is a 24% bracket and then higher brackets. If you take the money out from your IRA a bit at a time each year, you might be able to do it without going into the next higher tax bracket. If you take all the money out at once, you may put yourself in a higher tax bracket and pay a higher percentage in taxes than you would if you just take out a bit each year. I hope that m...
by RickBoglehead
Fri Mar 22, 2024 7:40 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Feeling Lost with 529s
Replies: 20
Views: 1900

Re: Feeling Lost with 529s

Utah plan is highly rated.

The "I can see it at Vanguard" is a red herring. Simply type your holdings into Vanguard and it updates the value daily. All reinvestment in Utah are reflected into share price, not shares, so it is always accurate unless you make additions or withdrawals, then simply update the shares.
by RickBoglehead
Fri Mar 22, 2024 7:36 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: When brand names matter and when they don't
Replies: 193
Views: 11700

Re: When brand names matter and when they don't

KlangFool wrote: Fri Mar 22, 2024 7:27 am OP,

It is very simple.

It is subjective. If it matters to you and you can tell the difference, then it matters. If not, it don't. I can tell the difference between coffee and teas. I cannot tell the difference between seafood. Hence, coffee and tea matters to me. Seafood does not. It tastes the same to me.

To each its own.

KlangFool
This. Totally subjective. As in everything @KlangFool lists that he can or can't tell the difference in, I think the opposite. :wink:
by RickBoglehead
Fri Mar 22, 2024 6:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Toys Have You Bought That Have Been Worth it?
Replies: 249
Views: 17794

Re: What Toys Have You Bought That Have Been Worth it?

Electric Vehicles. Love handsfree driving.
by RickBoglehead
Thu Mar 21, 2024 7:28 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Cost Basis for Inherited stock
Replies: 7
Views: 838

Re: Cost Basis for Inherited stock

I'm trying to figure out the cost basis for some inherited stock my mom and dad held jointly. My dad passed away last year and this is one of the final pieces I am trying to figure out with the CPA doing the taxes. What I know: My grandmother (father's side) purchased 300 shares of Ohio Edison in 1978. I know this because I have the original carbon copy receipt from the Merrill Lynch broker. Side note - the cost to facilitate this trade was $118.93 on shares worth $5512.50! My grandmother had this stock titled in her name alone. When she died in April of 1997 my father inherited this stock from her. I've searched and searched and cannot find a historical price for the date she past away where my father would have received the full step up ...
by RickBoglehead
Thu Mar 21, 2024 7:19 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Capital loss carryover question
Replies: 10
Views: 682

Re: Capital loss carryover question

She may not even pay tax on a good portion of those gains depending on her tax bracket, and therefore not use anywhere near all the offset.

Edit - Don't know what I was thinking, it is absolutely correct that gains use losses first, and will use it up. Brain fa#t.
by RickBoglehead
Thu Mar 21, 2024 7:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: funeral preparations
Replies: 48
Views: 4435

Re: funeral preparations

Dufus wrote: Wed Mar 20, 2024 7:42 pm I want my remains scattered at the IRS. I DO NOT wish to be cremated.
LMAO
by RickBoglehead
Wed Mar 20, 2024 4:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Applying for Medicare/Social Security
Replies: 10
Views: 1151

Re: Applying for Medicare/Social Security

You have a Social Security number. The name on that is how SS and Medicare will be processed.
by RickBoglehead
Wed Mar 20, 2024 3:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: funeral preparations
Replies: 48
Views: 4435

Re: funeral preparations

SmileyFace wrote: Wed Mar 20, 2024 3:20 pm
RickBoglehead wrote: Wed Mar 20, 2024 3:07 pm Then my FIL found out that burials at national cemeteries are free, and went that route.
Can you expand on this? Are you talking about veteran benefits or something else?
The only free burial I was aware of was for war time veterans.
I was surpised to find out plots were pretty inexpensive. We paid more for the grave marker (small stone momument) than we did for the plot.
https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/eligibility/
by RickBoglehead
Wed Mar 20, 2024 3:07 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: funeral preparations
Replies: 48
Views: 4435

Re: funeral preparations

My in-laws bought 6 plots with their sister and brother in-law, nothing specified about who got what. They used 3 of the spots. Then a brother died and another spot was used, leaving 2.

Then my FIL found out that burials at national cemeteries are free, and went that route. We now have 2 useless plots that basically have little value.
by RickBoglehead
Wed Mar 20, 2024 3:04 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard Cash Plus Account
Replies: 511
Views: 69399

Re: Vanguard Cash Plus Account

I found that while I could setup my Citi credit cards, I could not setup CashPlus to receive my credit card cash bonuses. No big deal, I can send them to Ally as well as use Ally for Xfinity.

Clearly it is a virtual account, that was obvious from the beginning.
by RickBoglehead
Wed Mar 20, 2024 7:14 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How does a landline phone decrease my bundle cost
Replies: 52
Views: 3314

Re: How does a landline phone decrease my bundle cost

Outside of a business, I don’t know why anyone has a landline phone today. But I guess I’d keep it if it cost more to get rid of it. I’d probably looking for other providers, though. It's been helpful for me when I've had cell phone issues. A few times have had separate calls going on both my cell phone and landline at the same time. Finally, cell phones still have nowhere the clarity on both ends as do landline phones. More readons: During storms in summer amd winter, power out and sometimes so is cell tower. I don’t get cell service in m condo. Emergency during internet service outage is problematic. Another reason (for me): my emergency alert button is a pendant which is actually a tiny landline extension phone that can only call 911. L...
by RickBoglehead
Tue Mar 19, 2024 4:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How does a landline phone decrease my bundle cost
Replies: 52
Views: 3314

Re: How does a landline phone decrease my bundle cost

They know that forcing you to keep the bundle increases the likelihood that you will remain a customer. If you switch to only 1 service, dumping them is easy.

We dumped our landlines over a decade ago, switching to a Google Voice number. We dumped our cable provider a few years later. Today we pay $30 a month for internet only.
by RickBoglehead
Tue Mar 19, 2024 3:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: funeral preparations
Replies: 48
Views: 4435

Re: funeral preparations

States have regulations. Some states require a funeral director be involved, and that has a cost.
by RickBoglehead
Tue Mar 19, 2024 3:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: funeral preparations
Replies: 48
Views: 4435

Re: funeral preparations

brandy wrote: Sat Mar 16, 2024 5:13 pm
cvn74n2 wrote: Sat Mar 16, 2024 4:56 pm I am looking at a no frills cremation but am concerned the funeral home would go out of business/change ownership in the next 20+ years (estimated life expectancy). Has anyone experienced problems with funeral pre-payment hassles along these lines?
'Because of that very possibility, some states do not allow prepay. Arizona doesn't/or didn't. I kept a check in my file cabinet written to the crematory of my choice in my file cabinet, re-written over time as needed. Along with it of course was their contact info, website, etc. But I'm no longer there, and have no idea what ever else needs done, as suggested in my first post.
A check signed by a dead person isn't valid. Bank account will be locked up in death.
by RickBoglehead
Sat Mar 16, 2024 5:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Furniture prices... is this normal?
Replies: 60
Views: 10054

Re: Furniture prices... is this normal?

Before reading this thread, I never heard of LoveSac...
by RickBoglehead
Sat Mar 16, 2024 4:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Mobile finance apps - do you use them?
Replies: 52
Views: 4178

Re: Mobile finance apps - do you use them?

I believe that a locked phone, with apps that require a fingerprint or password, is plenty secure. The advantage of having apps in addition to doing tranasis getting immediate alerts of activity.

In general, this forum skews older and more cautious / wary of technology than the general public.
by RickBoglehead
Sat Mar 16, 2024 4:44 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Good Estate/Trust/Will Tool?
Replies: 6
Views: 572

Re: Good Estate/Trust/Will Tool?

Many libraries carry WillMaker, but book only. Software gets one registration.
by RickBoglehead
Fri Mar 15, 2024 10:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Utilities cost?
Replies: 57
Views: 4387

Re: Utilities cost?

What's actionable?
by RickBoglehead
Thu Mar 14, 2024 5:02 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How Much Cash Do You Keep In Your Home?
Replies: 207
Views: 15471

Re: How Much Cash Do You Keep In Your Home?

Most people who keep a stack of cash likely lived through the Depression. To me, keeping thousands in cash is nuts. My in-laws did, the minute they went into Assisted Living, that went into a money market, and my FIL's cash on hand was eliminated, since they had no place to spend it.

Between us we have less than $100. On a big trip we add maybe $40.
by RickBoglehead
Thu Mar 14, 2024 4:55 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Open Social Security - 1st Year Benefits
Replies: 12
Views: 1293

Re: Open Social Security - 1st Year Benefits

Dottie57 wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 4:51 pm
RickBoglehead wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 4:43 pm
Dottie57 wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 4:27 pm
Silk McCue wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 4:22 pm The benefit for each month is paid out the following month. It’s just the way it’s implemented. You will receive x months worth of benefit but the December benefit will be received in January.

Cheers
Doesn’t the benefit start themonth AFTER your birthday?

If my birthday is in middle of May, the benefit starts in April and I get my first payment in May. Am I correct?

No.

If your birthday is mid-May, benefits start in May. May benefits are paid in June.
Sorry my birthday is mid MARCH, Corrected it in my post.

So benefits start in March, paid in April. You get 9 payments first year.
by RickBoglehead
Thu Mar 14, 2024 4:53 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Check my work: Taking over management of my parent's portfolio
Replies: 23
Views: 3295

Re: Check my work: Taking over management of my parent's portfolio

Now is the time to do the POA paperwork, and file it, when they are lucid.

Are you setup with Agent Authorization at Vanguard? If not, they will shut you down when they figure out that you are accessing from a different location than your parents.

Think about having statements showing their Petworth, in their living situation if care givers have access to their room.
by RickBoglehead
Thu Mar 14, 2024 4:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Quaker Oats Recall Coupons Pretty much Useless
Replies: 9
Views: 1139

Re: Quaker Oats Recall Coupons Pretty much Useless

Costco simply refunded our money.
by RickBoglehead
Thu Mar 14, 2024 4:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Open Social Security - 1st Year Benefits
Replies: 12
Views: 1293

Re: Open Social Security - 1st Year Benefits

Dottie57 wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 4:27 pm
Silk McCue wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 4:22 pm The benefit for each month is paid out the following month. It’s just the way it’s implemented. You will receive x months worth of benefit but the December benefit will be received in January.

Cheers
Doesn’t the benefit start themonth AFTER your birthday?

If my birthday is in middle of May, the benefit starts in April and I get my first payment in May. Am I correct?

No.

If your birthday is mid-May, benefits start in May. May benefits are paid in June.
by RickBoglehead
Wed Mar 13, 2024 11:14 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: College degree worthwhile for marketing?
Replies: 124
Views: 8470

Re: College degree worthwhile for marketing?

Finish degree.

Sales is not Marketing.

Real Estate is a mistake.
by RickBoglehead
Tue Mar 12, 2024 11:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Schedule D -- Turbotax Premier
Replies: 21
Views: 1783

Re: Schedule D -- Turbotax Premier

familythriftmd wrote: Tue Mar 12, 2024 9:14 pm
Also, why would the Deluxe version for online do less than with desktop Deluxe?
It is called screwing the consumer.
by RickBoglehead
Mon Mar 11, 2024 1:04 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Feeling stuck with the mortgage
Replies: 34
Views: 3459

Re: Feeling stuck with the mortgage

I would hope your parents say "no thank you" to your desire to move in.
by RickBoglehead
Sun Mar 10, 2024 12:18 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Sharing why we went with Vanguard PAS
Replies: 69
Views: 6942

Re: Sharing why we went with Vanguard PAS

Vanguard has been pushing international funds for years. The return has consistently been awful as compared to US funds. I went a bit into intentional years ago after listening to a Vanguard advisor, but over time have shifted almost all international investments back to US.

Vanguard wanted to liquidate non-recomended holdings, like my long-term investments in Primecap. Thanks, but no.

10 year, 13.05%
10 year, Total Stock Market, 11.97%
by RickBoglehead
Sun Mar 10, 2024 11:37 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Discrepancy with employer withholding and federal tax I owe
Replies: 16
Views: 1075

Re: Discrepancy with employer withholding and federal tax I owe

As noted, bonuses are taxed at flat rate. It's up to you to withhold the proper amount, or pay estimated tax in addition, during the year. I suggest that you consult with your tax professional to ensure that you withhold properly in 2024.

The good news is that a massive increase in a year usually means you won't have any penalties, but you still need to adjust for 2024.
by RickBoglehead
Mon Feb 26, 2024 7:05 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Dot.Com Era/AI Era?
Replies: 309
Views: 29616

Re: Dot.Com Era/AI Era?

RetiredAL wrote: Mon Feb 26, 2024 7:00 pm In the dot-com boom years, many companies had not yet made a profit, yet had a sky-high valuations. Others had no product yet had big valuations due to the hype. Today AI seems to mostly centered around chip manufacturers who are making a profit. Are their valuations hyper-inflated balloons? Time will tell.

Me? I plan on remaining a steady-Eddie. In 2000, I was a fence straddler. One side did OK, the other got the ankle chewed on.

Nearly all dot com companies were losing a fortune. They did not have "profit" in their vocabulary. Investors, including myself, were stupid. I could have retired earlier. My ankle, and my leg, got eaten.
by RickBoglehead
Mon Feb 26, 2024 7:03 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Dot.Com Era/AI Era?
Replies: 309
Views: 29616

Re: Dot.Com Era/AI Era?

Wow. Just wow.

I saw I, Robot. VIKI is dead meat. :wink:
by RickBoglehead
Mon Feb 26, 2024 7:01 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Questions about Whole Life
Replies: 133
Views: 10303

Re: Questions about Whole Life

My wife's parents bought her a policy as a child. It was "self-funding" when we got married decades ago. I cashed the puppy in within weeks of getting married, and told the representative that was our local contact we were all set and have a nice day.
by RickBoglehead
Wed Feb 21, 2024 7:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Realtor handling both sides
Replies: 28
Views: 2590

Re: Realtor handling both sides

CaptainT wrote: Wed Feb 21, 2024 6:57 pm The realtor has only 1 persons best interest and that is their own. The interest of either buyer or seller doesn't matter all they want is for the deal to go thru as quickly as possible at the highest commission possible.
Now if have 2 realtors buyer and seller realtor still mainly care about commission but also understand that they get paid because of you not the other party so they will look out for you and your side more
Exactly.

Seller wants $1 million. Realtor gets say 3%, $30,000.

Buyer wants to pay less. Realtor pushes Seller to accept $950,000.

Seller gets $50,000 less. Realtor gets $1,500 less. They want the sale to close.
by RickBoglehead
Mon Feb 19, 2024 10:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Snowblowers - Electric Start Option
Replies: 16
Views: 1247

Re: Snowblowers - Electric Start Option

Van wrote: Mon Feb 19, 2024 6:36 pm Electric start!!! Why would you use the pull cord option? Just so you could risk damaging your shoulder or something else?

Our Ariens fires right up every time with the electric start. What am i missing? Why would you pull on the damn cord???
Ditto. Since 1996...
by RickBoglehead
Sun Feb 18, 2024 4:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Medicare benefits … help
Replies: 10
Views: 1133

Re: Medicare benefits … help

Why would your son be financially responsible for someone else's debt? She goes broke, hospital bills her, she goes on Medicaid...

I guess more important for your son is why he's asking the question now, versus before disaster hits his MIL.
by RickBoglehead
Sun Feb 18, 2024 7:13 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Safest way to pay bills electronically
Replies: 72
Views: 6208

Re: Safest way to pay bills electronically

Berean wrote: Sun Feb 18, 2024 7:03 am A lot of you recommend paying regular bills electronically by credit card. That would require me to put my credit-card info out there on the Internet to about ten other companies. That scares me. In the past year, I have had three bogus charges on my credit card, each of which resulted in inconvenience because the company issued me a new card. Somebody please hold my hand, stroke my brow, and tell me "It's gonna be okay."
Likely zero correlation here.