Search found 3839 matches

by mikep
Tue Feb 27, 2024 8:00 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Max out 401k pre-tax or post-tax
Replies: 18
Views: 2731

Re: Max out 401k pre-tax or post-tax

Definitely pre tax and then mega backdoor roth if available. Then you can do both.
by mikep
Sat Dec 23, 2023 9:14 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Can I afford to splurge on a Tesla?
Replies: 92
Views: 9560

Re: Can I afford to splurge on a Tesla?

Whatever car you get, check the rate with your car insurance. I found the hike in insurance canceled most of the gas savings with a Tesla, with a teen driver in the house (whose rate affects all cars on the policy).
by mikep
Thu Dec 14, 2023 1:55 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: BND exceeding my patience - need something different
Replies: 169
Views: 19681

Re: BND exceeding my patience - need something different

Did you sell BND back in October?
by mikep
Thu Dec 14, 2023 12:19 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: “Fed” up with Bonds? the markets laugh at our inability to stay the course …
Replies: 58
Views: 10797

Re: “Fed” up with Bonds? the markets laugh at our inability to stay the course …

It was the first time I could TLH my bond fund in my HSA for my state return. Now the problem is I'm stuck in the other one.
by mikep
Thu Dec 14, 2023 11:33 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Target gift cards: 10% off on December 2-3, 2023
Replies: 19
Views: 4280

Re: Target gift cards: 10% off on December 2-3, 2023

Nicolas wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2023 7:42 am
mikep wrote: Sun Dec 03, 2023 8:47 am In for $1000 for $900 as usual, it will get used over the next few months.

You can get $500 for $450 per circle account in your family.

Not extending to the kids and cats yet..$1000 is good enough. But you could use a different CC on each account and get as many gift cards as you wanted to cover your spend until this offer comes next December.
Excuse me for asking but what do you buy there for so much? I’ve been to their stores over the years and I can buy their wares more cheaply elsewhere. This would seem to negate the savings on the gift cards.
Wife is in there a lot more than me and buys housewares, medicine, toiletries, makeup, back to school stuff, clothes, even groceries on vacation..
by mikep
Sun Dec 03, 2023 9:36 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Best current HSA for investing in Vanguard ETF/funds
Replies: 3
Views: 421

Re: Best current HSA for investing in Vanguard ETF/funds

My employer uses Fidelity where you can buy Vanguard ETFs or Fidelity funds for free.
by mikep
Sun Dec 03, 2023 8:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Target gift cards: 10% off on December 2-3, 2023
Replies: 19
Views: 4280

Re: Target gift cards: 10% off on December 2-3, 2023

In for $1000 for $900 as usual, it will get used over the next few months.

You can get $500 for $450 per circle account in your family.

Not extending to the kids and cats yet..$1000 is good enough. But you could use a different CC on each account and get as many gift cards as you wanted to cover your spend until this offer comes next December.
by mikep
Sat Dec 02, 2023 11:01 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: There is No Good Account to Hold TIPS
Replies: 62
Views: 7183

Re: There is No Good Account to Hold TIPS

My HSA is the perfect account for these. TIPS interest/dividends (not CG) are state tax free and my state taxes HSA earnings.

Took a nice TLH for the state when bonds tanked this year as well. Now I'm stuck in Intermediate term treasuries though, which is just as good.
by mikep
Fri Dec 01, 2023 1:14 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: California 2023 state income tax rates
Replies: 7
Views: 1487

Re: California 2023 state income tax rates

Great thank you. I wonder the need to bury this info. I guess they want people to plan based on 2022 brackets and overpay? They already take 10% more withholding than they are supposed to. :annoyed I am on track to break even so I will stop my withholding in Dec. They don't just "want". They actually do. CA income tax withholding during 2023 is calculated based on 2022 tax brackets. It is always lagging 1 year behind. That's one more reason CA over-withholds income tax. And, the higher the inflation, the more it over-withholds. And then there is 10% intentional over-withholding baked into the withholding rates on top of that. See details here: https://edd.ca.gov/siteassets/files/pdf_pub_ctr/de44.pdf It's sad that you have to over...
by mikep
Fri Dec 01, 2023 12:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: California 2023 state income tax rates
Replies: 7
Views: 1487

Re: California 2023 state income tax rates

Great thank you.

I wonder the need to bury this info. I guess they want people to plan based on 2022 brackets and overpay? They already take 10% more withholding than they are supposed to and I have to bump up my DE-4 to get it back on target. :annoyed

I am on track to break even so I will stop my withholding in Dec.
by mikep
Fri Dec 01, 2023 12:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: California 2023 state income tax rates
Replies: 7
Views: 1487

California 2023 state income tax rates

It's December 2023 and CA FTB still has the 2022 rates on their website.

How can we plan for 2023 if the brackets, exemptions and std deduction are not posted?

Does anyone have a link?
by mikep
Wed Nov 29, 2023 2:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What is my "true" wage income?
Replies: 33
Views: 3855

Re: What is my "true" wage income?

Gains from an employer stock purchase plan aren't in Medicare wages, but disqualifying dispositions are added to wage income.
by mikep
Tue Nov 28, 2023 3:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Water Heater Replacement
Replies: 87
Views: 9651

Re: Water Heater Replacement

onyxlinkia wrote: Tue Nov 28, 2023 11:59 am Hi Mike,

If I read the terms on the website correctly, this is income based eligibility, right?
mikep wrote: Mon Nov 27, 2023 4:17 pm In some places in California right now, you can get a heat pump water heater installed for free.

https://incentives.switchison.org/rebat ... =directory

My local utility offers a $2500 rebate and "Tech clean CA" picks up the rest for $0 out of pocket.
Not income based.
by mikep
Mon Nov 27, 2023 4:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Water Heater Replacement
Replies: 87
Views: 9651

Re: Water Heater Replacement

In some places in California right now, you can get a heat pump water heater installed for free.

https://incentives.switchison.org/rebat ... =directory

My local utility offers a $2500 rebate and "Tech clean CA" picks up the rest for $0 out of pocket.
by mikep
Fri Nov 24, 2023 10:07 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: H&R Block 2023 software offer
Replies: 246
Views: 38106

Re: H&R Block 2023 software offer

In for deluxe + state at $24.99 from amazon, with additional 15% back on prime visa (5% already included on any amazon purchase, but they feel the need to say 20% instead of 15% to make it sound better.
by mikep
Sun Nov 19, 2023 10:18 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What frugal thing did you do today?
Replies: 4521
Views: 616987

Re: What frugal thing did you do today?

Chase had 5% cashback on $1500 spending (groceries, gas) in Q3. Recorded my Q3 grocery/gas spending; then bought grocery gift cards for remaining balance in last week of Q3 . So I'll be using them into next year. Since redeeming cashback is a minor hassle , I redeem all from all cards (Citi, Chase,...) in Dec of each year. I like one-and-done for the year. 1) Gift cards - great move! 2) Recently Citibank's Double Cash has made it incredibly easy to redeem cashback. I chose the statement credit option so I see the benefit in less than a month and only takes a few minutes to initiate. With DoubleCash you should send the payment to your bank account. Since they credit 1% cash back when charged and 1% when paid. The statement credit doesn't co...
by mikep
Thu Nov 16, 2023 3:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: For the purposes of a MegaBack Door Roth, do health insurance premiums and HSA contributions "count" as salary?
Replies: 11
Views: 1112

Re: For the purposes of a MegaBack Door Roth, do health insurance premiums and HSA contributions "count" as salary?

There is a limit to the MBR of $69,000 in 2024. Unless you make under that amount AND have outside financial support that allows you to contribute your entire salary it's a moot point. Most MBR programs also will limit you to contributing a percentage of your salary and not let you use 100%. Your employer will/should stop your contributions once you hit the max. You'll want to make sure that this doesn't prevent matching contributions. For 2023, the year I'm doing this, the limit is $66,000. https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2023/may/how-mega-backdoor-roth-works.html I am the employer, and I know of no such laws that don't allow you to contribute your entire salary to an MBR. If you contribute 100% salary to MBR, how will SS/Medica...
by mikep
Wed Oct 25, 2023 10:42 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: TSA pre check for teenagers
Replies: 9
Views: 1330

Re: TSA pre check for teenagers

Get it or Global entry for them. Our kids fly on southwest companion passes and always have a separate confirmation number so the TSA precheck was never on their boarding pass. Also You should never pay for it since there are many credit cards that have a credit for it. If you are traveling you will likely have at least one of these cards anyway.

https://www.tsa.gov/precheck/credit-cards-offer
by mikep
Tue Oct 24, 2023 2:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Why Isn't A High Deductible H.O. Policy Available?
Replies: 22
Views: 2291

Re: Why Isn't A High Deductible H.O. Policy Available?

I looked into this with my home insurance with Farmers. I would like to, but increasing my deductible from $1000 to $2500 would save me $6 per year. I wouldn't live long enough to break even if I had a claim.
by mikep
Mon Oct 16, 2023 11:15 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Where put HSA $?
Replies: 15
Views: 2405

Re: Where put HSA $?

I am in California, so I keep it in US govt securities .. TIPS index fund, treasuries, T-bills etc. since the interest is state tax free. However that wasn't the best strategy in the last 10 years. Maybe it will be for the next 10. I look at all accounts as one pot, but part of me wants to grow the HSA as big as possible and maybe this isn't the best way. You shouldn't make your goal growing specifically the HSA. If you will withdraw from your traditional accounts at a 25% tax rate, then gaining $30K in the HSA, or $30K in the Roth IRA, or $40K in the traditional 401(k), gives you the same amount to spend in retirement. So if you invest $30K in the HSA, or $30K in the Roth IRA, or $40K in the traditional 401(k), in the same funds, you get ...
by mikep
Mon Oct 16, 2023 11:13 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard ESA to 529 conversion - they sent me a check
Replies: 6
Views: 873

Re: Vanguard ESA to 529 conversion - they sent me a check

Holding my ESA here as well. Why cut my money market return in half?
by mikep
Sun Oct 15, 2023 9:17 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Where put HSA $?
Replies: 15
Views: 2405

Re: Where put HSA $?

I am in California, so I keep it in US govt securities .. TIPS index fund, treasuries, T-bills etc. since the interest is state tax free.

However that wasn't the best strategy in the last 10 years. Maybe it will be for the next 10.

I look at all accounts as one pot, but part of me wants to grow the HSA as big as possible and maybe this isn't the best way.
by mikep
Thu Oct 12, 2023 8:58 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Trying to help extremely risk averse parents
Replies: 31
Views: 2910

Re: Trying to help extremely risk averse parents

Did they ask for your help? If not, they are perfectly fine. I would not get involved, it will be your fault in the next market crash.
by mikep
Wed Oct 11, 2023 2:45 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Have you increased bond allocation lately?
Replies: 64
Views: 7045

Re: Have you increased bond allocation lately?

Yes, my AA spreadsheet calls for age-10 in bonds and calculates from the date. So, today I have (1/365)% more bonds than yesterday.
by mikep
Wed Oct 11, 2023 12:25 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Today the bond market was closed, so why ...?
Replies: 32
Views: 5098

Re: Today the bond market was closed, so why ...?

My collective trust bond fund in my 401k didn't change yesterday (BTC US DEBT). I use this for the low .023% ER. Now I see this might be an arbitrage opportunity on holidays where bond markets are closed.. if the rest of the bond funds go up 1%, I hope this fund adjusts the next day.. ? if so I should have moved my entire 401k in it to get a guaranteed 1% bump today? If not, a 1% tracking error is a big problem and I should move this to a real mutual fund. Report back today on where it lands. I strongly suspect that you are just fine. I am told that the bump in price was due to a flight-to-safety thing from the Mamas attack over the weekend. As such it is a market timing thing. Yes it was fine, adjusted up the next day. I learned something...
by mikep
Tue Oct 10, 2023 8:38 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Today the bond market was closed, so why ...?
Replies: 32
Views: 5098

Re: Today the bond market was closed, so why ...?

My collective trust bond fund in my 401k didn't change yesterday (BTC US DEBT). I use this for the low .023% ER. Now I see this might be an arbitrage opportunity on holidays where bond markets are closed.. if the rest of the bond funds go up 1%, I hope this fund adjusts the next day.. ? if so I should have moved my entire 401k in it to get a guaranteed 1% bump today? If not, a 1% tracking error is a big problem and I should move this to a real mutual fund.
by mikep
Sat Oct 07, 2023 8:56 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Any benefits for downloading McDonald's Phone App?
Replies: 75
Views: 9426

Re: Any benefits for downloading McDonald's Phone App?

The points are almost useless since you can't use your points and a deal at the same time and the deals are often better.
by mikep
Fri Oct 06, 2023 2:54 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is Avantis All Equity Markets Value ETF (AVGV) Okay for Taxable?
Replies: 15
Views: 2029

Re: Is Avantis All Equity Markets Value ETF (AVGV) Okay for Taxable?

Morse Code wrote: Wed Oct 04, 2023 2:20 pm Details behind the question:

To keep things simple, I've selected AVGV as a single equity fund for all my retirement accounts; Roth, HSA, tIRA. I will have about $100K coming soon from a house sale. Up until now, I have only used taxable brokerage accounts for cash reserves in money market funds. This is the first time I will have taxable money I can devote to equities for retirement, therefore, wondering about the tax efficiency of AVGV.
I would suggest different funds in retirement accounts if you plan to tax loss harvest. Do you really want to worry about wash sales with every IRA or HSA contribution?
by mikep
Thu Oct 05, 2023 6:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sim Card for Use in Another Country
Replies: 52
Views: 5386

Re: Sim Card for Use in Another Country

I have used www.mrsimcard.com with no complaints when we went to the Bahamas. All I had to do was put it into the phone.
by mikep
Tue Oct 03, 2023 12:31 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: HSA tax loss harvesting TIPS in California
Replies: 1
Views: 571

HSA tax loss harvesting TIPS in California

Just exchanged my Fidelity TIPS index fund to intermediate treasury index.
Will swap back in 30 days and keep swapping during this bond market dip.

California treats the HSA like a taxable account, so I'm perfectly fine sharing my $3000 capital loss on my state return.
Looking forward to higher yields, which are tax free income to California as US govt interest.

Stock index funds may also give an opportunity to TLH.
by mikep
Mon Oct 02, 2023 5:52 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: BND exceeding my patience - need something different
Replies: 169
Views: 19681

Re: BND exceeding my patience - need something different

Stay the course. BND is perfectly fine.

https://investor.vanguard.com/investor- ... sing-rates

https://corporate.vanguard.com/content/ ... ncome.html

I am having a hard time with my kid's 529s though, who have the age based asset allocation landing at an approx 50% BND allocation during college.
by mikep
Fri Sep 29, 2023 10:15 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help Me Rid Myself of a Dog (VNQI)
Replies: 21
Views: 3176

Re: Help Me Rid Myself of a Dog (VNQI)

I have VNQI in my Roth and I feel the pain as well, but I just rebalanced into it. Its 3% of my total AA but 20% of my Roth space. Then I have that along with VSS and VBR. The reason I have these in the Roth is these are the funds not available in my 401k... Ouch. When its a low performer, most people say well its a small part of the portfolio so I'll simplify and remove it. There are a LOT of dumping real estate fund threads and simplify into VTI sentiment right now. I argue its a small part, why not keep it as play money and see what happens? Its not going to make much difference either way, so let it ride. Past performance has nothing to do with future performance, but I'd rather buy at a lower price than a higher price. Buy high, sell l...
by mikep
Tue Sep 26, 2023 6:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What frugal thing did you do today?
Replies: 4521
Views: 616987

Re: What frugal thing did you do today?

Ran to the gym instead of driving at $5.50/gal. The 1.5 mi back and forth also added to my workout, and I don't have to worry about my car getting broken into which is more common at gyms.
by mikep
Mon Sep 25, 2023 2:36 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: HSA and Living in California :(
Replies: 38
Views: 6760

Re: HSA and Living in California :(

Anyone holding TIPS or US treasury funds in a Fidelity HSA, which is ideal with the state tax treatment of federal interest income, should take a look to see if they can take a CA tax loss harvest with many bond funds near a 52 week low. What alternative investment would you suggest to hold for 30 days?
by mikep
Wed Sep 20, 2023 6:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Problems with a Vanguard 529 account. They closed it.
Replies: 28
Views: 2877

Re: Problems with a Vanguard 529 account. They closed it.

privateer79 wrote: Wed Sep 20, 2023 4:44 pm as an out of state owner of a vanguard nevada 529 plan, I find Vanguard's lack of interest in diagnosing/correcting this issue disturbing.
Me too. And they are killing ESAs as well in my other post.

I guess this means I should use a Utah or similar plan other than Vanguard itself.
by mikep
Wed Sep 20, 2023 11:14 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Vanguard retiring Coverdell ESAs
Replies: 29
Views: 4686

Re: Vanguard retiring Coverdell ESAs

I think the 15 year clock is from the 529 opening date. There is a 5 year lookback on 529 contributions/earnings.. so I think if you transfer an ESA to an existing 529 opened at least 10 years ago, in 5 years you could then move that money to the Roth.

Of course its all speculation, without the text of the new law. Its possible that transferring 529s between custodians resets the 15 year clock as well.

New parents should open 529s at birth even if you fund with $1, to start the 15 year Roth clock. Maybe even multiple 529s if you think you will transfer money around between them.
by mikep
Tue Sep 19, 2023 7:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Vanguard retiring Coverdell ESAs
Replies: 29
Views: 4686

Re: Vanguard retiring Coverdell ESAs

I have ESAs and 529s with my kids at Vanguard. I called Vanguard to see how to move the ESAs to the 529s. They said I would have to fill out paper forms and mail them in. I told them I would do no such thing in the 21st century. If they want me to get rid of the ESAs, then they need to make it easy for me; otherwise, I'm keeping them until I use up the money for educational expenses. What can they do besides stop allowing new contributions? Can they force close it and send you a check? I guess I'll deal with it then. It's the cheapest place to hold investments for college without enriching state treasurers, and I get no 529 state tax deductions. I like to glide with the TR/LS funds and add cash reserves MM at 5.3% as college gets closer. E...
by mikep
Tue Sep 19, 2023 9:15 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Moving 529 to FDIC-insured option
Replies: 13
Views: 1638

Re: Moving 529 to FDIC-insured option

For the utah 529 why would anyone use the PIMCO stable value fund with a lower return than the FDIC insured option?

I hesitate to roll over to another 529, to restart the 15 year clock on Roth transfers if not used.
by mikep
Mon Sep 18, 2023 10:29 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Vanguard retiring Coverdell ESAs
Replies: 29
Views: 4686

Re: Vanguard retiring Coverdell ESAs

Thanks.. is there any advantage (besides cost and investment flexibility) to keeping money in the ESA vs transferring to 529?

Finally, if a 529 is transferred to another 529, does that restart the 15 year clock for the Roth exit strategy? If that’s the case I think it would be best to just transfer the ESA to the Utah 529 plan I’ve had open since they were born.
by mikep
Mon Sep 18, 2023 9:41 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: HSA and Living in California :(
Replies: 38
Views: 6760

Re: HSA and Living in California :(

I use Fidelity HSA to hold a portion of my TIPS fund since CA doesn’t tax federal government interest, and use the treasury MM for what I want to keep in cash for my health spending. I TLH’d this year with the bond market drop too. If CA wants to keep taxing it I’ll share my capital loss with them as well. :sharebeer

Stick with tax efficient stock index funds and/or federal government interest and you’ll be fine.
by mikep
Mon Sep 18, 2023 9:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Vanguard retiring Coverdell ESAs
Replies: 29
Views: 4686

Vanguard retiring Coverdell ESAs

I received a letter from Vanguard today that they are soon ceasing to accept new contributions to Coverdell ESAs and encouraging rollovers to their 529 plan. They stopped new accounts a long time ago but kept existing accounts open. When I started investing for college 15 years ago, ESAs were more flexible and the best place for the first $2000 of college savings contributions. 529s seemed scammy to me since there’s always an extra layer of state fees. My kids are 16 and 13. Fast forward to today, it seems that fees have come down (but still a state fee nonetheless) and the rollover to 529 is the next best thing? Any reason to keep my Vanguard ESAs open for my kids? I have an Utah 529 for them as well, opened about 15 years ago. If I roll t...
by mikep
Mon Sep 18, 2023 11:55 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Water heater replacement . One or both?
Replies: 19
Views: 1629

Re: Water heater replacement . One or both?

Look into a heat pump water heater with the 30% tax credit and if any local utility rebates. You could keep the 2nd one on gas so you never have to run the heat pump one in full electric mode. Also, rebates/tax credits are usually limited to one water heater per address.
by mikep
Thu Sep 14, 2023 2:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Virginia requesting my CA state income tax return
Replies: 41
Views: 4631

Re: Virginia requesting my CA state income tax return

CA has a ridiculous written test you have to pass even if you have a driver license from another state. Is there a penalty if you don't PASS that test within 10 days to get your license? :annoyed
by mikep
Wed Sep 13, 2023 10:48 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Running out of tax-advantaged space -- reduce REIT allocation? Or put REIT in taxable?
Replies: 22
Views: 2127

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

I would not let taxes drive your asset allocation decisions. RE is down so the best feeling is to get rid of it, but history has shown that hasn't worked out well. Incase you want to keep REIT, here are a couple things to consider: Int'l RE would probably be the first to put in taxable over US RE, to pick up FTC. Assuming it is VNQI, last year the dividend was only 0.23% so that is very tax efficient... :annoyed OTOH, US (or Intl?) REIT dividends may be eligible for the 20% QBI deduction until that expires. Yes, VNQI is what I use for international REITs. It would have been very efficient in 2022, but in 2021 it paid out over 6%, so even with foreign tax credit, it would have been bad to have it in taxable in 2021. One thought I had was, V...
by mikep
Mon Sep 11, 2023 9:12 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Running out of tax-advantaged space -- reduce REIT allocation? Or put REIT in taxable?
Replies: 22
Views: 2127

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

I would not let taxes drive your asset allocation decisions. RE is down so the best feeling is to get rid of it, but history has shown that hasn't worked out well. Incase you want to keep REIT, here are a couple things to consider:

Int'l RE would probably be the first to put in taxable over US RE, to pick up FTC.

Assuming it is VNQI, last year the dividend was only 0.23% so that is very tax efficient... :annoyed

OTOH, US (or Intl?) REIT dividends may be eligible for the 20% QBI deduction until that expires.
by mikep
Sat Sep 09, 2023 2:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Water Heater Replacement Costs
Replies: 113
Views: 11508

Re: Water Heater Replacement Costs

HCOL area, $3000 for AO smith 65 gal heat pump water heater.
After $2500 utility rebate.
Routed new 30A circuit from panel, moved to garage so included some new piping through attic, included permit.

Maybe I overpaid but $2100 after 30% tax credit was lower than installing a 50 gal gas water heater with 3-4 quotes.
by mikep
Tue Aug 29, 2023 6:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is Hyundai the value sweet spot?
Replies: 164
Views: 23241

Re: Is Hyundai the value sweet spot?

nhs76 wrote: Tue Aug 29, 2023 3:33 pm In our midwestern city, Hyundais and Kias have a reputation of being easier to steal than their peers. I would be interested to know if there is a difference in auto insurance rates among cars of equivalent models.
Some insurers were dropping Hyundai and Kia owners because of this.
https://www.thezebra.com/resources/car- ... d-hyundai/
by mikep
Thu Aug 24, 2023 2:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best EV or PHEV
Replies: 96
Views: 8877

Re: Best EV or PHEV

How much increased car insurance cost can I expect with an EV? I've read that EV's have higher insurance costs due to the higher price and non repairable parts such as the battery. Our teen is getting his license soon so we are looking at passing down our clunker and buying an EV, but worried about the double whammy effect on car insurance.
by mikep
Wed Aug 16, 2023 10:44 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Any reason NOT to convert paper savings bonds?
Replies: 30
Views: 2838

Re: Any reason NOT to convert paper savings bonds?

Jack FFR1846 wrote: Tue Aug 15, 2023 3:52 pm
mikep wrote: Tue Aug 15, 2023 9:11 am Most banks won't cash/deposit over $200. That's a reason for me to convert them.
Please state what bank won't cash over $200. I would understand if they would not hand you cash for over $200k cashed but certainly, they will do as DCU did for me with a stack of $50k worth and deposit it all, with no hold into my checking account.

A generation before me, my mom has 2 bonds. One with herself and me listed and another with herself and my sister listed. She handed me the one with me and mailed the other to my sister. Since stuff seems to get lost when searching through a house, she didn't want that to happen.
Chase and local credit union. After trying both, maybe I jumped to conclusions saying "most".