Search found 118 matches

by SpaghettiMonster
Tue Mar 05, 2024 7:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: When to switch from dealer to independent for service
Replies: 52
Views: 4111

Re: When to switch from dealer to independent for service

We took our 2018 Audi Q7 3.0 to an independent for its 6yr/60k service when it was at about 50k miles. I got quotes from both the dealer and the independent who wound up being only about $150-200 less expensive. I was expecting a larger difference, but we still saved something.
by SpaghettiMonster
Sat Feb 24, 2024 12:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Donor Advised Fund - Tax Deduction Question
Replies: 26
Views: 1897

Re: Donor Advised Fund - Tax Deduction Question

Think of it this way. You fund your DAF with appreciated assets and you take the deduction for the full market value (up to 30% of your AGI). It's gone from your portfolio and you can't get it back. However, within your DAF, you can now manage the funds as well as decide where you want to send them. If you donate funds that you don't anticipate spending for several years, you can invest somewhat aggressively. Then, you can let the DAF balance sheet dictate how much you give in the future. It's usually in your best interest to "bunch" as much as possible to get the deduction. The standard deduction can be relatively high so that hurdle is why it's helpful to transfer over several years of planned charitable contributions in one ye...
by SpaghettiMonster
Sat Jan 27, 2024 4:51 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is paying off a 2.99% mortgage always a bad idea?
Replies: 332
Views: 24666

Re: Is paying off a 2.99% mortgage always a bad idea?

We paid off our 2.6% mortgage about 5 years into it after a windfall from a personal injury settlement. It seemed to be the only spend that didn’t feel “dirty” in doing something with the money that we only had because someone was harmed. Yes, mathematically it might not make sense, but it sure is nice knowing that our home is paid off.
by SpaghettiMonster
Fri Sep 15, 2023 9:10 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Money market funds vs bonds for emergency fund
Replies: 38
Views: 4885

Re: Money market funds vs bonds for emergency fund

Thank you. I do want to stay in the real goal of the "emergency" fund which is primarily helping to face the unexpected in a short time period Recently I had to use 1/2 of my EF for an unexpected emergency. I am currently building it back. I saw the huge importance of liquidity for EF. It appears so far that I-bonds is not the current right route for me for EF since it seems to be more beneficial in the long term. Otherwise, it will be a matter of luck given that the unexpected can' t be predicted. EF High tax bracket + MMF vs EF High tax bracket + I bond: I bond looses inflation effect "swallowed" by the federal tax rate if the EF is cashed out which is my main concern. I am still building my network having start inves...
by SpaghettiMonster
Thu Sep 14, 2023 10:26 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Money market funds vs bonds for emergency fund
Replies: 38
Views: 4885

Re: Money market funds vs bonds for emergency fund

I remember learning that if in a high tax bracket, cashing I bonds at peak earning years will chew up the after tax and after inflation rate and will be of very little to no benefit. Being in such case, I now view I bond as part of my long term investing portfolio to be cashed up in retirement years rather than part of EF. Can I bonds really help keep pace with inflation for high tax workers if cashed emergently while still in high tax bracket? In other words can I bonds keep my EF for "not losing the value of money solely from inflation"? This is a good question, and others should respond with more insight. Some thoughts though. You will likely rarely (if ever) utilize your EF. It's most likely that your EF would never need to b...
by SpaghettiMonster
Sat Aug 12, 2023 3:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: WeatherTech floor mats
Replies: 50
Views: 5417

Re: WeatherTech floor mats

StevieG72 wrote: Sat Aug 12, 2023 2:44 pm
Triple digit golfer wrote: Sat Aug 12, 2023 8:07 am Looking for opinions on the WeatherTech floor mats. I've always purchased the rubber mats from the dealer so that I know they'll be a perfect fit for my car. Are the WeatherTech a perfect fit?
They fit fine, however they are a fairly rigid plastic. I would prefer a softer rubber liner that lays down easier. Currently using them in my 4-Runner.
That was my experience with the trunk mats for my Audi and Acura SUVs. The plastic was rigid enough that any slight deformation was tough to smooth out and a corner would be just a little bit curled up. I went with the factor trunk mat with my Jaguar which fits much better, but would have no qualms about using a WT mat if the factory one was unavailable or too expensive.
by SpaghettiMonster
Mon Aug 07, 2023 10:00 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Life Insurance for child
Replies: 64
Views: 6091

Re: Life Insurance for child

As someone who was sold two of these policies and was unfortunate enough to collect on one of them, NO!, do not do it. We wound up surrendering the other policy.
by SpaghettiMonster
Sun May 14, 2023 12:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Ally Online Savings/Money Market Rate Increases
Replies: 745
Views: 124439

Re: Ally Online Savings/Money Market Rate Increases

Don_Qua wrote: Sun May 14, 2023 10:23 am
erp wrote: Sat May 13, 2023 9:36 pm
Don_Qua wrote: Sat May 13, 2023 12:39 pm Yep, Marcus at 4.15% here I come :moneybag
What's the logic here? The post above yours says NP CD is 4.25 , so why go thru the trouble of moving to marcus?
I've just bought a new house and have not yet sold my old house so I really can't tie up any of my available funds in a CD yet. Once the old house sells and I have a bit more long range security sure, it's CD for me.
But it's a No Penalty CD. You can close the account and withdraw the money any time from 6 days of funding to the end of the 11 month term. Your funds would only be tied up for those first 6 days.
by SpaghettiMonster
Sat Apr 01, 2023 2:26 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I bought a rental, what if I bought an S&P 500 instead?
Replies: 34
Views: 7461

Re: I bought a rental, what if I bought an S&P 500 instead?

Without considering any of those factors listed above, simply entering $240k as the starting balance in VOO in Dec 2016 in Portfoliovisualizer.com, you’d have a value of $501k now.
by SpaghettiMonster
Sat Mar 18, 2023 8:51 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Toyota Extra Care Platinum Warranty
Replies: 31
Views: 3818

Re: Toyota Extra Care Platinum Warranty

TarHeel2002 wrote: Fri Mar 17, 2023 2:02 pm I purchased a new Toyota Sienna XLE recently and they presented me with the option to buy their extended warranty “bumper to bumper” which extends the original warranty from 3 year 36k miles to 8 year 125k miles. Total cost was $2895. The warranty is prorated and cancellable if I decide tomorrow I don’t want it. I bought it after seeing all of the extra electronics and gizmos in this new ride that look expensive to fix. We keep our cars for +10 years. I was curious to hear boglehead opinions. Thanks!
Cancel it if you still can and shop around some more. The exact same 8yr/125k Toyota-backed warranty can be had for $1670. PM me if you’d like.
by SpaghettiMonster
Tue Jan 24, 2023 7:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Toyota Extended Warranty
Replies: 62
Views: 7264

Re: Toyota Extended Warranty

The warranty the OP was quoted by first dealer was probably non-Toyota. Pay close attention to what any warranty excludes. It may very well be a Toyota-backed extended warranty. I purchase mine from a dealer mentioned frequently on a Sienna message board. For those times/mileage mentioned by the OP, he's selling them for: 6yr/75k $685 10yr/100k $1545 Non-manufacturer "premium" warranties are often more expensive than manufacturer ones because they supposedly cover more. However, they are also less price transparent (hard to cross shop) and often over priced. But the argument from the dealer when selling those is usually "we have too much trouble getting payment from <manufacturer> hence we chose to offer this premium one&quo...
by SpaghettiMonster
Tue Jan 24, 2023 6:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Toyota Extended Warranty
Replies: 62
Views: 7264

Re: Toyota Extended Warranty

anoop wrote: Tue Jan 24, 2023 4:43 pm The warranty the OP was quoted by first dealer was probably non-Toyota.
Pay close attention to what any warranty excludes.
It may very well be a Toyota-backed extended warranty. I purchased mine from a dealer mentioned frequently on a Sienna message board. For those times/mileage mentioned by the OP, he's selling them for:

6yr/75k $685
10yr/100k $1545
by SpaghettiMonster
Thu Oct 20, 2022 11:18 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Disability insurance: in-training rates?
Replies: 5
Views: 530

Re: Disability insurance: in-training rates?

Definitely get insured during training and not just for the rates. 5 months before the scheduled end of my training, I was diagnosed with something that required surgery after failed medical management. Even though I am fine now, that is forever on my chart. I had difficulty obtaining DI after I graduated, having to go with the one company who would cover me and at higher rates. After several years without issues, I was able to obtain a more favorable and cost-effective policy. However, I now have a pre-existing condition and any disability I could develop related to that organ system would not be covered.
by SpaghettiMonster
Sat Sep 10, 2022 3:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone use a car dash camera???
Replies: 32
Views: 4387

Re: Anyone use a car dash camera???

I installed a 2 channel one in my car last year and our minivan had a port-installed forward facing camera. The installation was not difficult as the model I use plugs into the OBD-II port under the dash by my knees. I used a little plastic tool and zip ties to hide the cable in the trim. I did not however, set anything up for parking mode as that requires additional batteries and technical know-how beyond my understanding and I’m typically parked in my garage or other enclosed parking.
by SpaghettiMonster
Sat Sep 03, 2022 6:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sam's Club raising the ante
Replies: 69
Views: 8495

Re: Sam's Club raising the ante

In addition to Scan and Go, don't forget Sams also does free curbside pickup. The combination of the two is a major time saver - 90% of the time I don't even go inside. When I do, no need to stand in line. For people with battery issues - don't do it as you go and leave it on the whole time. I just wait until my cart is full, throw on continuous scan, and knock it all out in like 45 seconds But don't you still have to wait in line by the exit door for them to check your receipt against the items in your cart before you exit? At the location near me, this is the longest, slowest line: waiting while 1 employee checks everybody's order to make sure they paid for all items in their cart. They check each individual item off manually one by one ...
by SpaghettiMonster
Tue Aug 30, 2022 8:23 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Wife billed for colonoscopy
Replies: 20
Views: 3818

Re: Wife billed for colonoscopy

Did your wife have a screening colonoscopy (no signs/symptoms, no masses/polyps found, no personal or family history of polyps) or a diagnostic colonoscopy (had complained of symptoms, masses/polyp found, polyps in past 10 years, etc.)? It also could have started as a screening colonoscopy (covered under ACA), but turned into a diagnostic colonoscopy if they found a polyp ($).
by SpaghettiMonster
Thu Aug 25, 2022 8:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Private practice/ multi specialty group
Replies: 57
Views: 5089

Re: Private practice/ multi specialty group

What’s your specialty? I’d definitely look around at other jobs, particularly if this is your first job out of residency. Even in the same city there may be better jobs at either the same pay or less absolute pay but more pay / hour of effort. For a W2 employee not many secrets — max out 401k, look into whether you can do the mega Backdoor roth (nondeductable contributions to a 401k that can be converted to a Roth, not all plans allow if but if they do you can shelter about $60k/year), Backdoor Roth (ira $6000 nondeductable contribution that can be converted to a Roth each year, can do with your spouse too for $12000 total). If doing taxable can look at tax efficient investing like total market. You can also open a 529 before having kids i...
by SpaghettiMonster
Wed Aug 17, 2022 12:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Whole Life Insurance for kids as savings vehicle
Replies: 30
Views: 2702

Re: Whole Life Insurance for kids as savings vehicle

Let me give you the opinion of someone who had Whole Life on their kids, but no longer does.

We were not very financially savvy and had whole life policies on both of our children as a savings vehicle. Our younger one was killed when he was three and we unfortunately made a claim on the policy. Despite it paying out, by then we knew how financially bad the policies were and I canceled the remaining one on our five-year-old.
by SpaghettiMonster
Wed Jun 22, 2022 9:37 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Reasonable cost of life insurance?
Replies: 60
Views: 3649

Re: Reasonable cost of life insurance?

an_asker wrote: Wed Jun 22, 2022 5:50 pm
SpaghettiMonster wrote: Wed Jun 22, 2022 4:38 pm [...]
I'd argue against claiming no health issues if you require prescription for medical marijuana. The underlying health condition can run the gamut and explain your quotes.
That horse has apparently already bolted!
No, I don’t mean claiming it on the application. What’s done is done. I mean to think that oneself has no health problems while requiring medicinal marijuana. It’s like a patient saying, “no, I don’t have hypertension, I just take these three anti-hypertensive medications.” I applaud the OP for being honest and although I’d expect higher quotes than those for a person with no health problems, 3X the quote is surprising to me.
by SpaghettiMonster
Wed Jun 22, 2022 4:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Reasonable cost of life insurance?
Replies: 60
Views: 3649

Re: Reasonable cost of life insurance?

jstage wrote: Wed Jun 22, 2022 12:22 pm Hello,

I don't/can't seem to find a reference point for life insurance costs. What is a range that seems appropriate to insure a 40 yo male, no health issues? Looking at 20 year (so ages 40-60) 2 million dollar term life. We did the term4life or whatever and got quotes and went all the way through the process to post-health exams and got formal official price from underwriters. It seems high to me (its about triple what predicted quote was and the only reason given was the medical marijuana prescription not weight or anything else). Thoughts?
I'd argue against claiming no health issues if you require prescription for medical marijuana. The underlying health condition can run the gamut and explain your quotes.
by SpaghettiMonster
Fri Jun 03, 2022 8:45 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How much should I contribute to a 529 plan?
Replies: 46
Views: 4426

Re: How much should I contribute to a 529 plan?

Can't you contribute $150K (as a couple) to each 529 in a single shot every 5 years?
by SpaghettiMonster
Fri Apr 22, 2022 8:31 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sienna vs. Odyssey vs. Pilot
Replies: 64
Views: 7384

Re: Sienna vs. Odyssey vs. Pilot

It's probably the tires. The Sienna's have run flat tires. They do this since there is no spare tire in the Sienna. They are accomplished by using a thicker tire sidewall. It makes the tire very firm and it ride far rougher than standard tires. If you want to keep run flats Bridgestone DriveGuard are probably the best. I have the DriveGuards currently since they came on it when I purchased it. I plan to switch to Michelin CrossClimate 2 tires when the drive guards wear out. I keep a tire repair kit and a portable air compressor in all of my vehicles anyways. I don't really need run flat tires but it may be important to some people. We have a 2020 Siena AWD. I really like the packages that add a smart proximity key. The optional wifi hotspo...
by SpaghettiMonster
Tue Apr 05, 2022 7:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Stanford vs Brown vs Rice
Replies: 120
Views: 10437

Re: Stanford vs Brown vs Rice

. [quote=sk2101 post_id=6604154 time=1649182114 user_id=45281 He studies at The Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science https://tams.unt.edu/ His test scores: ACT 36 (perfect) SAT 1560 PSAT 1520 (perfect) His dad just texted me that he also got full ride at USC too....I'm jealous but also really happy for them. Can u please let me know what extracurricular activities he did ? Thanks [/quote] Haha, I went there too! Well, over 20 years ago. Given the three choices, I would choose Stanford. While guaranteed acceptance into medical school would be nice, what if he decided a couple of years into college that he wanted to do something else? I think that Stanford would offer the most options, both medical school and otherwise.
by SpaghettiMonster
Wed Mar 30, 2022 4:28 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Post-Surgical Anethesia Billing Appeal Denied
Replies: 23
Views: 3320

Re: Post-Surgical Anethesia Billing Appeal Denied

The anesthesiologist needs to document very specific information saying that the surgeon requested the block, whether it was for post-op pain or to facilitate rehab or early discharge, etc. It sounds like they didn’t document the required elements and are trying to get reimbursed for it by insurance and not by you, correct?
by SpaghettiMonster
Fri Feb 18, 2022 6:30 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Confirm If Minor Child Needs to Pay Tax
Replies: 5
Views: 773

Re: Confirm If Minor Child Needs to Pay Tax

Just to clarify here, when you say the UTMA generated $1250, you mean that he earned $1250 from dividends and sale of assets? If it’s just a $1250 gain in value of the account, that doesn’t count as income.
by SpaghettiMonster
Sun Jan 09, 2022 5:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Disability insurance policy opened without my consent, what else should I do?
Replies: 7
Views: 938

Re: Disability insurance policy opened without my consent, what else should I do?

egrets wrote: Sun Jan 09, 2022 5:20 pm How did you not notice that a chunk of money had been taken out of your pay? I'm not blaming the victim here, just curious.
The premium represents a small portion of my paycheck, which already varies month-to-month, so I didn’t think to check.
by SpaghettiMonster
Sun Jan 09, 2022 3:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Disability insurance policy opened without my consent, what else should I do?
Replies: 7
Views: 938

Re: Disability insurance policy opened without my consent, what else should I do?

The premium was paid from my paycheck. I never thought to check to ensure that it was not drafted because I took my company’s HR at their word. Thank you for your input.

What got my spider-sense tingling about it first was that I was asked to sign something allowing this new broker to work my existing individual DI policy. I sent it back saying that I would not agree to that.
by SpaghettiMonster
Sun Jan 09, 2022 1:04 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Disability insurance policy opened without my consent, what else should I do?
Replies: 7
Views: 938

Disability insurance policy opened without my consent, what else should I do?

So several months ago, my employer notified everyone of an additional optional DI policy. I already had group and individual DI, but was interested in what this additional product was. I expressed my interest, contacted the broker, and had two Zoom meetings with the broker where they showed my the generic illustration. It seemed to be too good to be true, so I asked for a sample policy to review. I decided that it was not for me so I never contacted the broker back and that was that. Fast forward several weeks and I now get my issued 30+ page DI policy in the mail! I called the insurance company directly to notify them that I never applied for nor approved this policy and they promised to cancel it and refund any premiums paid. I asked them...
by SpaghettiMonster
Sat Jan 01, 2022 6:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Disney experience
Replies: 301
Views: 26012

Re: Disney experience

I’m seeking some input from those who chose the VIP experience. We’ve been to WDW as adults without kids, once with a 2 and 4 year old in 2017. We’re looking to go this fall with a 9 and a 2 year old. I’ve read about the new Genie Plus and Lightning Lanes and I’m concerned about the wait times and getting to do what we want and are considering the VIP tour. For those that did it, would it be better to schedule the VIP tour at the beginning or at the end out our trip. The way I see it, if we do it in the beginning, the kids will be bored on subsequent days waiting in line after experiencing VIP, but we’ll have more time to pick up the 2 or 3 things that we couldn’t do on our VIP day. If we do it at the end, the kids won’t be spoiled with spe...
by SpaghettiMonster
Mon Nov 29, 2021 3:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Any reason not to take 0% financing on New Car when have Money to pay Cash Now?
Replies: 41
Views: 4933

Re: Any reason not to take 0% financing on New Car when have Money to pay Cash Now?

I was in the same situation twice this year. Both times, there was no difference between the cash price and the financing OTD price. I decided to take the financing and invest what I otherwise would have paid upfront in cash. Keep in mind too that a dollar you’re paying in cash today will likely be worth more than the dollar you’d be paying on month 36.
by SpaghettiMonster
Wed Oct 27, 2021 3:22 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Donor Advised Fund, Vanguard or Schwab
Replies: 39
Views: 5171

Re: Donor Advised Fund, Vanguard or Schwab

I can have Fidelity do a "pull" of specific funds/shares from Vanguard it usually takes <1 week and is all electronic. Then it takes <1 day to contribute them to the DAF. Really impressively seamless. Very interesting. Do you initiate the request online or via a call? We are trying to decide between Fidelity and Vanguard and so far are in agreement with your assessment. Vanguard's rules and requirements seem to leave room for debating. For example, they have requirements for new account and on-going minimum balances. What happens if there is a big spike in the prices during the transaction, all of a sudden I no longer meet the requirement? Do they close my account or start to nickel-and-dime me? I might find out later today. Yest...
by SpaghettiMonster
Tue Oct 26, 2021 2:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Donor Advised Fund, Vanguard or Schwab
Replies: 39
Views: 5171

Re: Donor Advised Fund, Vanguard or Schwab

I just opened one at Vanguard two days ago. So far, the instructions and transactions have been straightforward. I'm still waiting for the transferred shares to settle. There is a required minimum balance of $25000 to avoid a $250 account maintenance fee assessed every February though. I didn't know this. Are they saying that, at any time during the life of the account, if your balance ever falls below $25000, in addition to the usual 0.60% account administration fee, you have to pay extra $250 low balance fee? I don’t know. I just saw this in the FAQs on Vanguardcharitable. I’ve only had an account with them for a couple of days and will not have been with them long enough (6 months per the FAQs) to be assessed the fee in 2022. Maybe some...
by SpaghettiMonster
Tue Oct 26, 2021 1:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Donor Advised Fund, Vanguard or Schwab
Replies: 39
Views: 5171

Re: Donor Advised Fund, Vanguard or Schwab

I just opened one at Vanguard two days ago. So far, the instructions and transactions have been straightforward. I'm still waiting for the transferred shares to settle. There is a required minimum balance of $25000 to avoid a $250 account maintenance fee assessed every February though.
by SpaghettiMonster
Tue Oct 12, 2021 1:31 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Question about bank paying .75% on 1 Year CD
Replies: 20
Views: 3040

Re: Question about bank paying .75% on 1 Year CD

I used them a couple of years ago when I had to park some money in CDs. I could conduct most of my business on their website, and the one or two times that I had to call them, they took care of me.
by SpaghettiMonster
Mon Oct 11, 2021 8:03 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Anyone negotiate a car lately? Any room as consumers?
Replies: 177
Views: 24640

Re: Anyone negotiate a car lately? Any room as consumers?

I purchased a car last month for $1000 under MSRP. I had to drive 200 miles away to test drive and purchase it as the dealers in my city and the next closest one hadn’t had the model in their inventory for months. Also, due to the chip shortage, they stopped making them for the 2021 MY and and did not have a start date for 2022 productions. I chose a one off the showroom floor which was almost the spec I would have ordered. There was not much back and forth in the negotiations and was surprised that I got anything off of MSRP.
by SpaghettiMonster
Mon Oct 11, 2021 7:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: I'm Ready to Buy a DashCam. Help me find some Options!
Replies: 16
Views: 2675

Re: I'm Ready to Buy a DashCam. Help me find some Options!

I had been interested in a dash cam for the longest time, but was always putting it off because I was unsure of the hardwire installation and the power draw when parked, despite there being battery packs available. Then I saw that there is an OBD-II power cable (made by IROAD) that would make installation a breeze. It took less than 10 seconds to get the camera powered. There is a also a toggle on it to allow a parking mode. Because of where I normally park and the power draw, I just toggle it to be on and draw power only when driving and not when parked. I would up going with the 2 channel Thinkware U1000 and have been very happy with it.
by SpaghettiMonster
Wed Aug 25, 2021 8:44 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Term Life Insurance Decision
Replies: 18
Views: 2386

Re: Term Life Insurance Decision

Shop around for her rates too before committing. They may be on the higher side as well per my example above.
by SpaghettiMonster
Wed Aug 25, 2021 8:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Pistol safe recommendation
Replies: 32
Views: 5207

Re: Pistol safe recommendation

I really like these. Fairly compact, a million combinations, low battery warning, thicker steel than some others (although still thin, being that it’s a small lockbox).

https://www.shotlock.com/shop/ShotLock- ... -p56601415

I also have a few of the Ft. Knox branded pistol lock boxes which are of much thicker steel. However, they have mechanical simplex locks where a teenager with 30 min of time can likely arrive at the correct combination.
by SpaghettiMonster
Wed Aug 25, 2021 8:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Term Life Insurance Decision
Replies: 18
Views: 2386

Re: Term Life Insurance Decision

Running a quote for a non-smoking 29 y/o male at Regular Plus for a 2.5M benefit, 20 term at Term4Sale.com yields quotes as low as $1500/yr for A.M. Best A-rated companies.

The same site quotes a 1.5M benefit, 20 term, for a 30 y/o non-smoking female at Preferred Plus as low as $400/yr.

I agree that you should shop around.
by SpaghettiMonster
Sun Aug 08, 2021 12:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Term life question - "hybrid" 30 year policy
Replies: 9
Views: 670

Re: Term life question - "hybrid" 30 year policy

This is laddering your insurance and is very reasonable as your insurance needs should decrease with time.
by SpaghettiMonster
Fri Jul 23, 2021 9:53 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mass Mutual whole life legacy pay 20
Replies: 44
Views: 3440

Re: Mass Mutual whole life legacy pay 20

It was a $2M plan. I surrendered it several years ago so I don't recall the exact numbers, but I think my surrender value was about $125K after having paid $175K in premiums.
by SpaghettiMonster
Thu Jul 22, 2021 6:54 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mass Mutual whole life legacy pay 20
Replies: 44
Views: 3440

Re: Mass Mutual whole life legacy pay 20

I was sold a Mass Mutual Whole Life Legacy Pay 20 when I was 30. I was financially naive and bought the salesman's pitch. I took me 7 years to realize what a mistake I made and what a poor product this is for almost anyone. I surrendered the policy and received less than what I had paid into it (of course). I have since fired that "financial advisor," bought a lot of term life for a lot less in premiums, and am doing much better by investing the money that I would have otherwise paid in premiums. Do not make the same mistake I did.
by SpaghettiMonster
Tue Jun 01, 2021 5:36 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Life insurance -BMI issue
Replies: 9
Views: 1484

Re: Life insurance -BMI issue

You may get a better rate with a company that does a paramedical exam. In addition to getting the height and weight, they may measure the circumference of his chest and abdomen, which would show that he’s not carrying all that weight around his waist. Just a thought.
by SpaghettiMonster
Wed May 26, 2021 4:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mercedes Benz extended warranty and prepaid maintenance
Replies: 41
Views: 6637

Re: Mercedes Benz extended warranty and prepaid maintenance

We got an extended warranty and it has paid for itself 3X already, with the latest repair costing $5200. I still have 10 months and 9000 miles left and will be selling the car right before it runs out. Yes, in most cases you’d be better off not buying an extended car warranty, but base on my N=1, I always will.
by SpaghettiMonster
Mon Mar 22, 2021 6:13 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dog DNA Test
Replies: 49
Views: 5565

Re: Dog DNA Test

We used the Wisdom test on our two rescues and were very happy with them. They don't require a picture of your dog so don't think that they use that to guess the mix. It traced our dogs back to their great grandparents and showed that one is almost purebred. The other, which my spouse swears has a lot of Malamute in her, had one Malamute great grandparent and one Husky great grandparent. My spouse enjoys being smug in that they were partly right.
by SpaghettiMonster
Fri Feb 19, 2021 6:44 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Wife's OBGYN will only refer her to one location.
Replies: 53
Views: 5730

Re: Wife's OBGYN will only refer her to one location.

Now if the OB/Gyn were referring you to one specific imaging center out of several in the city, then maybe there is a conflict of interest. However it sounds like the doctor is referring you to the one and only children’s hospital in that area of the state so I really doubt it. If your wife goes to get the imaging in the eastern part of the state, who will do the maternal fetal medicine consult? Would her OB/Gyn want to consult someone on the other side of the state? MFM visits are frequent. Would your wife be willing to drive to the eastern part of the state 1-2 times a week during the third trimester and spend several hours at each appointment? If all you’re getting is the imaging, then I think that would be more reasonable. I will echo a...
by SpaghettiMonster
Tue Feb 16, 2021 11:50 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Electric car in evacuation situation
Replies: 151
Views: 16176

Re: Electric car in evacuation situation

You’d also have to consider that tens to hundreds of thousands of other people will have the same idea and will all be on the roads as well. I recall driving down I-10 in TX after a hurricane evacuation and counted 40-50 out of gas cars abandoned on the shoulders on a 180 mile drive. A drive that normally takes 3 hours can easily take 12 when the roads are congested.
by SpaghettiMonster
Thu Feb 11, 2021 11:58 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is "Amazon Day" delivery less reliable?
Replies: 23
Views: 3996

Re: Is "Amazon Day" delivery less reliable?

Ice-9 wrote: Thu Feb 11, 2021 11:52 am It looks like this "Amazon Day" delivery may have replaced a former option to allow Amazon to group your packages at a later date and you'd receive a $1 credit on a digital purchase from Amazon - is this correct? Are they no longer offering the credit on a digital purchase? If so, somewhat disappointing. I got plenty of Kindle and video discounts that way in the past.
They still offer this and I use it frequently. I have rented a number of movies for free on Amazon with my accumulated “Amazon Day” delivery digital credits.

I have found it no less reliable than my Amazon Prime deliveries. It has been so reliable to me that I have not even thought to look as to whether the delivery service is different.
by SpaghettiMonster
Tue Jan 12, 2021 9:06 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Short Term Disability at 60
Replies: 11
Views: 788

Re: Short Term Disability at 60

Small Savanna wrote: Tue Jan 12, 2021 8:58 am You're planning to retire in 5 to 7 years, but if you had to retire unexpectedly this year, could you? If you could, then you can probably risk going without disability insurance. I'm 60 and thinking of dropping mine; I haven't set a retirement date, but can retire any day I get tired of working.
To add to that, if you had to retire unexpectedly this year with the possible added expenses of the disability, could you? Depending on what has disabled you, some expenses may go down while others may increase.
by SpaghettiMonster
Tue Jan 12, 2021 8:50 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Short Term Disability at 60
Replies: 11
Views: 788

Re: Short Term Disability at 60

Do you have long term disability? If yes, then I’d say skip the short term if you have enough money to cover your expenses for the elimination period.

If you don’t have long term disability, then you could be in trouble if you’re disabled and your 5 months of reserve runs out.