Search found 40 matches

by Lana
Sat May 19, 2012 10:49 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part V
Replies: 3372
Views: 1561084

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part V

After reading The Snowman by Jo Nesbo, I became hooked on this author and started reading his books in chronological order. The novels are engrossing in a grisly, violent, horrific way... I did learn a little about Norway.
by Lana
Thu Jan 19, 2012 3:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What's Your Favorite Username?
Replies: 89
Views: 6367

Re: What's Your Favorite Username?

grok
ice-9
by Lana
Fri Dec 09, 2011 1:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What's the most overrated book you've read?
Replies: 193
Views: 14572

Re: What's the most overrated book you've read?

I tried to read Swan's Way by Marcel Proust, but I just couldn't do it.
by Lana
Thu Sep 22, 2011 9:08 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Favorite song line?
Replies: 153
Views: 15584

“It's a big enough umbrella, but it's always me that ends up getting wet.”
― Sting
by Lana
Wed Sep 21, 2011 4:14 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: House Insurance Co. is demanding shrub trim?
Replies: 19
Views: 2732

My insurance company dictated that I remove the sliding board from my pool. They recommended that I remove the diving board, but the water depth was sufficient that they did not demand it.
by Lana
Fri May 20, 2011 8:10 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What do you eat for breakfast?
Replies: 116
Views: 14626

steel cut oats cereal
by Lana
Tue May 10, 2011 5:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: pet grammarian peeves
Replies: 323
Views: 22150

I am not using the proper symbols, but I think you will know what I mean when I say that it bothers me when someone pronounces beaucoup as boo-coo instead of bow-coo.
by Lana
Tue May 10, 2011 4:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: pet grammarian peeves
Replies: 323
Views: 22150

I looked at the list linked in the message above, but was surprised not to see "bring/take" confusion as a common error. I keep reminding myself that the language evolves, and I should just try to keep up.

Correction. Oh - it is there! It really seems that this mistake is becoming more and more common.
by Lana
Mon Jan 03, 2011 5:39 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: St. Louis Bogleheads
Replies: 27
Views: 6824

I am interested in joining.
by Lana
Mon Dec 06, 2010 8:09 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Re:
Replies: 29
Views: 4478

That's a fair point of view, except I'm pretty sure men are more intensive users of the web and are in their 20s and 30s.
Exactly. If most sites attract primarily young males, it wouldn't take that many older females for Bogleheads to disproportionately skew female compared to the other sites.
by Lana
Mon Dec 06, 2010 7:46 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Re:
Replies: 29
Views: 4478

I am not familiar with these sites or statistics, but noted that the introductory sentence states "compared with the overall internet population" and "disproportionately..." and "relative to the general internet population". As a relative measure, not an absolute measure, it indicates there are more females than other internet sites but not necessarily a majority of females on this site. Perhaps your conclusions are based on more data of this site's statistics compared to the general internet population but it is not readily apparent from what is shown here.
by Lana
Wed Oct 27, 2010 6:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 2010 TurboTax TaxCaster now up
Replies: 9
Views: 2648

Thank you!
by Lana
Fri Jul 16, 2010 7:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Discover Card is offering a $250 cashback bonus
Replies: 24
Views: 9126

I also received the mailing from Discover card offering $250 according to the same terms that Sheepdog outlined
by Lana
Wed Jun 16, 2010 3:47 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to handle/manage CC payments? Autopay? Manual?
Replies: 34
Views: 4545

I set up autopay for the prior statement balance on the due date. It gives me peace of mind. I have had no problems but I agree with Febreze that if I did, the credit card company would access my record and waive any fees after they verify that I am signed up for autopay.
by Lana
Fri Jun 04, 2010 8:37 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: repay social security - or not?
Replies: 13
Views: 2784

Early last year, my husband filed for SS when he reached 62 years old. We reevaluated and repaid the benefits at the end of last year. The process was neither slow nor cumbersome. We received a corrected SSA-1099 in time to file last year's taxes without reporting any SS income, but I was prepared to calculate the tax adjustment and do not think it would have been extremely difficult even with multiple years.
by Lana
Sun May 16, 2010 9:19 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Favorite Movie Scenes
Replies: 59
Views: 8497

Harold and Maude scene on being unique; interesting philosophy, music, and driving (?)

I cannot get the link to work, please see message from I82start below for link
by Lana
Thu Apr 29, 2010 6:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Refrigerators, recommendations?
Replies: 38
Views: 13354

Last year I replaced my 20 year old Westinghouse refrigerator because it wasn't cooling properly. I didn't call a repairman, I just bought a new refrigerator. Being so old, clearly the Westinghouse was different technology so I don't know how relevant it is that it lasted 20 years.
by Lana
Sat Apr 24, 2010 12:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Why Are We the Way We Are?
Replies: 66
Views: 9244

This question reminds me of a couple of anecdotes. When I was 4 years old, I walked over to the neighbor's house, picked the flowers in the front yard and then rang their doorbell and asked if they wanted to buy the flowers from me. They invited me in and called my mother because they knew I wasn't allowed outside of my yard. I don't recall doing this, but my neighbor and my mother laughed about it for years. My mother said I told her I wanted to start a savings account. At Halloween, I would save my candy and sell it to my older brothers and sisters over the following weeks. What caused me to act like this at such a young age? This behavior was not typical in my family, so I suspect that I have an innate desire for financial independence. ...
by Lana
Sat Apr 17, 2010 6:07 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 401k questions - with screenshots!
Replies: 9
Views: 1916

Yes, the vested balance is what you can withdraw when you leave the company. The company match is not actually yours until you vest.
by Lana
Tue Mar 30, 2010 7:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Visiting Saint Louis
Replies: 42
Views: 7882

If you decide to drive out west, Chandler Hill Vineyard is nice: http://chandlerhillvineyards.com/ and is close to the Daniel Boone home which is an interesting historical site: http://www.lindenwood.edu/boone/. Since you seem to be a dog lover: http://www.akc.org/affiliates/museum/aboutmuseum.cfm

I agree with all of the others - do not go into East St. Louis or drive north of the city.
by Lana
Sat Mar 20, 2010 10:13 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Favorite cartoon characters
Replies: 40
Views: 5974

My husband's favorite is Pogo - We have met the enemy and he is us
by Lana
Mon Mar 15, 2010 12:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 401(k) loan avoids high-fee 401(k) funds? What's your rate?
Replies: 46
Views: 6883

I did this years ago when my company did not offer any international investing options in the 401(k). I wanted international diversification, so I borrowed from my 401(k). There were no fees involved, only interest at prime +1%. I could still make contributions (only suspended if I took a distribution). I recommended this strategy to some other people at work, but they thought I was crazy, partially because they didn't have the savings discipline and wouldn't be able to pay back the balance if they left the job - and they didn't understand international stocks. It worked for me. Since I always maxed out contributions, paid interest to myself, and invested my 401(k) in US securities, upon completion of loan repayment I considered this a way ...
by Lana
Sat Mar 13, 2010 10:34 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Jack Bogle Thinks I'm Funny
Replies: 18
Views: 3691

I enjoyed it.
by Lana
Sun Jan 17, 2010 6:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Anyone Understand Hospital Billing?
Replies: 66
Views: 18261

I had the same experience as the OP. In July, my husband went to the emergency room and they kept him overnight. The hospital bill was $14,091. Private insurance paid $1,238.09 and the EOB showed payment in full with no payment expected from us. 9% of the total billed! I was stunned. The next week he had a simple surgical procedure completed. It was scheduled as outpatient but he ended up spending one night in the hospital because laproscopy was not successful and the doc had to cut and stitch (or glue?) him. The hospital billed $7,852.57 and the negotiated amount was $1,321 - 17%. I also noticed that the surgeon was paid a negotiated rate that was less than an oral surgeon was paid a couple of months earlier to extract 2 teeth. I cannot un...
by Lana
Thu Jan 07, 2010 12:08 pm
Forum: Forum Issues and Administration
Topic: Homepage Revamped
Replies: 61
Views: 15264

I just made my first contribution. I plan to make more because the investing information on this site is quite valuable and the Lounge topics are also helpful or at least entertaining.
by Lana
Fri Jan 01, 2010 4:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Could you/do you live on $50,000 a year?
Replies: 356
Views: 82621

Could I? If I had to, I could move and change my lifestyle so that I could live on $50,000 now that I am retired.
Do I? I do not live on $50,000 after-tax because my income has and hopefully will continue to support much more.
by Lana
Thu Dec 24, 2009 12:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: My Christmas present to YOU
Replies: 74
Views: 11993

I am humbled to realize how many people who post regularly on this board have been generous and selfless their entire lives. My deepest thanks. You are my heroes.
by Lana
Wed Dec 23, 2009 8:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Does anyone use ooma VOIP ?
Replies: 19
Views: 5428

I got Ooma a couple of months ago. I have had no issues with call quality. However, when I tried to drop my ATT landline and retain just the internet (ATT advertises that you can buy internet without phone) they told me that there are a limited number of slots for dry looping and none are available in my area. I downgraded to basic landline services at $12/month, but the taxes and fees drive it to $20/month. I save $10/month on internet for having a landline, but I don't use the landline as they had to change my phone number when I downgraded services.
by Lana
Fri Dec 18, 2009 3:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What is your favorite book ever?
Replies: 109
Views: 16704

Cat's Cradle and the short story Harrison Bergeron (from Welcome to the Monkey House) by Kurt Vonnegut.
by Lana
Sun Dec 13, 2009 9:44 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Help me compare lump-sum to defined benefit?
Replies: 8
Views: 1656

I worked for a major corporation. As Valuethinker explained, the defined benefit was impacted by SS's taxable wage base which is indexed. As a result, the benefit could decline if an individual's personal salary increase % was less than the SS increase %.
by Lana
Fri Nov 27, 2009 3:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Black Friday savings - ING
Replies: 47
Views: 11451

Thank you. I just opened 2 accounts; 1 for me and 1 for my husband. I had trouble online since my SS# was on file from an old savings account that has been closed. The service rep was very nice and helpful and thought 2 accounts was a great idea to get 2X the $121 promo.
by Lana
Thu Oct 29, 2009 11:19 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Appliance Help: Yay or Nay for Induction?
Replies: 14
Views: 3158

I just asked my husband, and he agreed that he prefers the induction. Gas is not an option for us, so we would buy induction again if we had to replace our cooktop. We bought last September and got the prior year's model at a large discount, but we had to have it installed in an island and that required enlarging the cutout slightly and we paid extra for that - installation was over $500. Altogether, we paid a little over $2,000. We had stainless pots and pans, but a magnet didn't stick so we bought new ones.
by Lana
Thu Oct 29, 2009 10:28 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Appliance Help: Yay or Nay for Induction?
Replies: 14
Views: 3158

We bought an induction cooktop about a year ago, and we love it. It can heat things more quickly than a microwave, but has excellent temperature control at the low temperature levels as well. I can wipe up any spills or spatters from the cool cooktop while I am cooking. I didn't dwell on the cost too much, however. It is such a personal decision...
by Lana
Mon Oct 19, 2009 3:00 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Question for those who have an HSA at HSA bank/TD ameritrade
Replies: 4
Views: 3149

I came across HSA bank which links with TDameritrade where you can buy no-transaction fee funds, which are usually junk funds, but one caught my eye. http://www.hsabank.com/HSABank....trade.aspx SSgA S&P 500 index, ER 0.18%, minimum $10,000, IRA minimum $250, additional contribution minimums $100 ( http://research.tdameritrade.c....mbol=SVSPX ). In the past, with other funds, I have seen "IRA minimum" to apply to any tax advantaged account such as an ESA, etc. Now, for purposes of this fund minimum, does an HSA count as an IRA to get the $250 minimum or is the HSA minimum $10,000? If only $250 it would be great way to get started without a lot of money and without having to worry about commissions. Does anyone know the answer...
by Lana
Sun Sep 06, 2009 12:35 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: That Extravagant Thing You Do
Replies: 411
Views: 67171

We purchased contemporary art from galleries where we usually met the artists. We have 4 pieces of Stanislav Libensky and Jarslava Brychtova glass, as well as several William Morris glass pieces (numerous others). Paintings by regional artists such as Peter Marcus, Fred Stonehouse and Matthew Strauss (if you look him up, the one from the Great Rivers Biennial). Edgy pieces by Janis Mars Wunderlich, Jenny Mendes and Betsy Youngquist. Bought directly from Muys & Muylaert in Belgium.
by Lana
Wed Sep 02, 2009 11:45 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Tax brackets and income for retirees
Replies: 76
Views: 13128

Livesoft - thanks for pointing out the deductibility of health insurance premiums. I am planning to open an HSA and I will deduct any qualified expenses above 7.5% of AGI. First year for this, so I am not sure yet if there are any AMT implications.
by Lana
Wed Sep 02, 2009 11:28 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Tax brackets and income for retirees
Replies: 76
Views: 13128

Deleted by OP
by Lana
Tue Sep 01, 2009 4:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: When you accidentally drop a piece of fruit...
Replies: 26
Views: 5498

I have always paid in the past, but Ryuns and Tall Grass made compelling arguments that convinced me to stop doing that (not that I drop a lot of fruit).
by Lana
Tue Sep 01, 2009 9:26 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: That Extravagant Thing You Do
Replies: 411
Views: 67171

Tabs wrote:
neverknow wrote:Expensive cuts of steak (brand new extravagance, thought I better get with it, before my teeth got to old).
What kind of steak? Kobe? And what do you think of it?

That's something extravagant I would like to try some day as well. Any thoughts and recommendations from anyone would be appreciated.
Kobe is delicious because of the marbling. Prime beef tenderloin is also excellent but I think it is healthier because it has less fat.