Search found 953 matches

by occambogle
Sat Mar 16, 2024 9:07 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity as a one stop shop
Replies: 6053
Views: 1037137

Re: Fidelity as a one stop shop

4nursebee wrote: Sat Mar 16, 2024 5:14 am For those asking questions, there is a fidelity official reddit, I've seen reps come answer questions and be helpful

https://www.reddit.com/r/fidelityinvestments/
Yeah the reps there are very good and responsive, they use it almost like an official support forum.
by occambogle
Thu Mar 07, 2024 7:29 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity as a one stop shop
Replies: 6053
Views: 1037137

Re: Fidelity as a one stop shop

Is the voice authentication an additional layer of security or is it used in lieu of other forms? I haven’t tried it.
by occambogle
Fri Feb 23, 2024 2:52 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Mark Zoril from PlanVision
Replies: 221
Views: 34405

Re: Mark Zoril from PlanVision

Essentially a dual citizen here. Curious as to the level of support PV have provided specifically in regards to expat matters? I came across PV researching expat services, as they say (website/BH Chapter Video) they have experience in this regard. Am a simple DIY investor (plus handle our taxes) so don’t feel we “need” any help on that front per se, but would certainly appreciate validating/opining on my expat plan if/when we need to execute (I’ve been busy researching tax treaty, various IRS publications). I took particular note they supported you with IBKR, which is very much on my radar. I’ve researched specific expat tax consultation but it runs $500 p/h. Our assets are very modest and still saving, are nothing particularly complicated...
by occambogle
Fri Feb 23, 2024 9:21 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Mark Zoril from PlanVision
Replies: 221
Views: 34405

Re: Mark Zoril from PlanVision

student wrote: Fri Feb 23, 2024 9:15 am I think his business setup is more for clients who DIY but wants someone to have a second look.
I think that is not a bad summary. In my first year I had a couple full meetings with him to discuss my financial plan generally as an expat and to help with onboarding and setting up Interactive Brokers accounts, and then contact with him by email over a bunch of Interactive Brokers account assistance matters. Later when my partner also created an IB account. Since then I pretty much DIY everything but I like having him there for (a) any issues or account problems that arise with IB, or (b) to just give a second "does this make sense?" opinion on anything financially related.
by occambogle
Fri Feb 23, 2024 8:50 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Mark Zoril from PlanVision
Replies: 221
Views: 34405

Re: Mark Zoril from PlanVision

grtwallchina75 wrote: Fri Feb 23, 2024 12:19 am I'm considering to contact Mark to review my plan, the fee increased to $299.

Anyone in the forum has any recent experience with Mark's practice ?

Any feedback would be highly appreciated.

https://planvisionmn.com/faq/
They did increase the first year fee, that's correct, but just pointing out that after the first year the ongoing fee remains at $96/year.
by occambogle
Thu Feb 15, 2024 7:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: FDLXX 90.39% state tax exempt in 2023
Replies: 29
Views: 2981

Re: FDLXX 90.39% state tax exempt in 2023

And therein lies the rub. If the fund you're referencing is SNSXX, Morningstar reports that the return in 2023 was 4.73%. At Vanguard, the 2023 return (of VUSXX) is listed as 5.05%. So even if Schwab is listing USGO at near 100% and Vanguard is at 80%, you clearly would have come out ahead at Vanguard. Morningstar is also listing Fidelity's FDLXX as returning 4.67% in 2023 (with 90% USGO). So technically, the after-tax return is really the only return that matters. Furthermore, what happened in 2023 may not happen in 2024. True that after-tax yield is what matters. But I think one of the factors for some of these Fidelity funds is that they are auto-liquidating or core funds within a Fidelity account and so can be held instead of cash to p...
by occambogle
Thu Feb 15, 2024 12:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: FDLXX 90.39% state tax exempt in 2023
Replies: 29
Views: 2981

Re: FDLXX 90.39% state tax exempt in 2023

vtftw100 wrote: Thu Feb 15, 2024 12:28 pm MA has no such restrictions (it's only CA, NY, CT afaik), so 40%ish on SPAXX dividends are indeed exempt in MA.
Very helpful... thank you.
by occambogle
Thu Feb 15, 2024 9:57 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: USFR/WisdomTree ETFs Tax Information
Replies: 4
Views: 1219

Re: USFR/WisdomTree ETFs Tax Information

joneeboy3000 wrote: Mon Feb 12, 2024 3:53 pm I think they just released it: https://www.wisdomtree.com/investments/ ... 4252E4BC97

1. Download the excel file
2. Look at the third tab, "Secondary Layout"
3. Find USFR (row 61)
4. See column 11: "% of Income From Exempt Federal Securities: % of Box 1a, Col. 17 on Primary Layout"

So 99.986800% exempt from state/local tax.
Thank you for this post. Could they have buried the information any deeper? :(
by occambogle
Thu Feb 15, 2024 9:37 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: FDLXX 90.39% state tax exempt in 2023
Replies: 29
Views: 2981

Re: FDLXX 90.39% state tax exempt in 2023

Thank you both for taking the time to explain, I appreciate that. It makes more sense (sort of) to me now although it still feels like these are things that ought to be automated as it takes a lot of human time but would be simple for a computer system. So SPAXX with 40-ish % may not be exempt at all (I'm in MA), while FDLXX with 90-ish % would be, but you would have to manually make the adjustment before you enter the income into the box on the State tax form... is that right? I know this is a FDLXX thread so I don't want to derail, but if anyone happens to have the figures for USFR please post them. I've also written to Wisdomtree, as I don't see that figure in their annual report. It would be the ETF-issuer, not the brokerage in this cas...
by occambogle
Thu Feb 15, 2024 8:54 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: FDLXX 90.39% state tax exempt in 2023
Replies: 29
Views: 2981

Re: FDLXX 90.39% state tax exempt in 2023

Sorry I'm sure that this is a basic question but I just don't understand how you are supposed to actually take advantage of the reduced taxation in the case of treasury funds/ETFs.
On my Fidelity 1099 both SPAXX and FDLXX are just listed in ordinary dividends without anything to note.
On my Schwab account my USFR dividends are also just listed under ordinary dividends.
Why doesn't the brokerage calculate the differences in tax obligations?
by occambogle
Sat Feb 10, 2024 12:31 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: US Citizen, Expat to EU in 12-18mo, what financial roadblocks do I need to anticipate and address?
Replies: 56
Views: 10654

Re: US Citizen, Expat to EU in 12-18mo, what financial roadblocks do I need to anticipate and address?

I've used Tello with Wi-Fi calling for banking 2FA SMS and it's been working well abroad.
Have also used voip.ms with SMS forwarded by email and that's worked fine too.
by occambogle
Sat Jan 27, 2024 1:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity as a one stop shop
Replies: 6053
Views: 1037137

Re: Fidelity as a one stop shop

chassis wrote: Sat Jan 27, 2024 11:19 am No disadvantages.
Rent can be paid via ACH or bank wire out of the CMA account.
Thanks.
by occambogle
Sat Jan 27, 2024 10:34 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity as a one stop shop
Replies: 6053
Views: 1037137

Re: Fidelity as a one stop shop

Hi, I'm thinking to enabling checking on my CMA account as I'm trying to centralize all my outgoing payments (credit cards bills, etc) to come from my Fidelity account. I only have to write checks rarely, for rent... and I could just use another bank account if needed.
I believe that after doing so one can use either the 17-digit account number or the shorter account number.
I just wanted to check before I do this... are there any dis-advantages to enabling checking on the account?
by occambogle
Fri Jan 26, 2024 10:30 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Direct Indexing Adventure
Replies: 180
Views: 36483

Re: Direct Indexing Adventure

Just thought I'd note, because I hadn't seen it mentioned yet... that there is one rather useful use-case scenario for direct-indexing: US citizens who are resident in the EU/UK are (at least legally) in a very difficult situation regarding investments. They're unable to buy US mutual funds because they are non-residents, are unable to buy US ETFs because of EU MIFID/PRIIPS regulations, are unwise to buy any foreign funds/ETFs because of the burdensome and disadvantageous regulations regarding PFICs by the IRS.... and so direct-indexing is one of the few viable investment options left to them. That said Fidelity is very unlikely to open an account for them as non-residents (though they may be able to keep one if they initially opened it whi...
by occambogle
Wed Jan 10, 2024 6:38 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Where to put USD cash in non-US ETFs/MMFs?
Replies: 12
Views: 3584

Re: Where to put USD cash in non-US ETFs/MMFs?

Thank you all. Posting this just in case anyone else is looking for similar.... In the end I settled on 3 main ETFs. A large criteria were ETFs that had high volume an low spreads... IB01 - iShares USD Treasury Bond 0-1yr UCITS ETF (Acc) https://www.justetf.com/en/etf-profile.html?isin=IE00BGSF1X88 (Highest volume, lowest spread) IBTU - iShares USD Treasury Bond 0-1yr UCITS ETF USD (Dist) https://www.justetf.com/en/etf-profile.html?isin=IE00BGR7L912 (Same fund, distributing version, slightly lower volume/worse spread but still very good) VDST - Vanguard U.S. Treasury 0-1 Year Bond UCITS ETF (USD) Accumulating https://www.justetf.com/en/etf-profile.html?isin=IE00BLRPPV00 (Lower volume but spread still very good) In the end for various reason...
by occambogle
Wed Jan 10, 2024 4:54 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: New Vanguard U.S. Treasury 0-1 Year Bond UCITS ETF (Acc)
Replies: 14
Views: 4179

Re: New Vanguard U.S. Treasury 0-1 Year Bond UCITS ETF (Acc)

Does anyone have any thoughts/feelings on which is better of IB01 vs VDST?
IB01 seems to have the highest liquidity, but according to this VDST is full replication with no securities lending.

https://www.justetf.com/uk/etf-profile. ... 00BGSF1X88
https://www.justetf.com/uk/etf-profile. ... 00BLRPPV00

Any major differences that you see?
by occambogle
Wed Jan 10, 2024 4:44 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Which cash-like investment to choose in IB (EU) for 6-12 months?
Replies: 92
Views: 18968

Re: Which cash-like investment to choose in IB (EU) for 6-12 months?

DJN wrote: Fri Mar 17, 2023 6:45 am Hi,
putting MMFs to one side I use VDST, IB01 and ERNE for shorter term cash like equivalents.
DJN
Do you have any thoughts/feelings on which is better of IB01 vs VDST? IB01 seems to have the highest liquidity, but VDST is full replication. Any major difference that you see?
by occambogle
Mon Jan 08, 2024 3:59 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity as a one stop shop
Replies: 6053
Views: 1037137

Re: Fidelity as a one stop shop

volstagg wrote: Mon Jan 08, 2024 3:32 pm Primarily, lockdown prevents an ACATS transfer from another brokerage.
This does seem like it has some value.
volstagg wrote: Mon Jan 08, 2024 3:32 pm Additionally, it will prevent funds or shares being transferred from the locked down account to another Fidelity account, bank, etc, from the web site or app, unless there are already standing transfer instructions. Not sure what value this truly is.
Including your own accounts if I remember correctly. So you have to disable to transfer money between brokerage account and CMA etc... maybe my memory is wrong, but it was a little annoying.
volstagg wrote: Mon Jan 08, 2024 3:32 pm Lockdown will have zero, none, nada impact on Banking like functions (ACH Debit, ATM withdrawal, Checks, or Bill Pay).
Thanks for confirming this.... helpful.
by occambogle
Mon Jan 08, 2024 3:54 pm
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Where to put USD cash in non-US ETFs/MMFs?
Replies: 12
Views: 3584

Re: Where to put USD cash in non-US ETFs/MMFs?

Thank you for that info. I read up some more on the 'Uniform Simultaneous Death Act' and it all seems rather complicated. I'm probably way-overthinking it all, but this US estate tax is such a pain I'd rather avoid, even in the remotest chance, simply for peace of mind. The other thing I was thinking was that with the U.S. ETFs she'd have 30% withholding tax taken from the dividends (and no treaty where she lives) while with Ireland it would be internalized but only 15%, right? I found a couple of seemingly-decent UCITS ETFs that would solve most of my concerns: SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill UCITS ETF - TBIL/ZPR1 - IE00BJXRT698 https://www.justetf.com/en/etf-profile.html?isin=IE00BJXRT698 iShares USD Treasury Bond 0-1yr UCITS ETF (Acc) - ...
by occambogle
Fri Jan 05, 2024 3:01 pm
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Where to put USD cash in non-US ETFs/MMFs?
Replies: 12
Views: 3584

Re: Where to put USD cash in non-US ETFs/MMFs?

Maybe this: https://web.archive.org/web/20221215091006/http://www.jpmfinancialservices.com/images/PDFs/EstateTaxation.pdf Also: https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i706na#en_US_202208_publink100075572 Enshrined here: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/26/2106#a_3 Thanks so much. Your advice is always so helpful. 1. NRA with US situs assets dies > US citizen spouse = no estate tax Yes, unlimited marital deduction (apparently). Sweet. 2. US citizen with US situs assets dies > NRA spouse or NRA kids = ????? You get the usual US exemption, so $13M or so, then 40% above. (Are you worth more than this? If yes, you really shouldn't be listening to me :-) ) Haha, I wish I had that problem! 3. NRA with US situs assets dies > NRA kids = ????? Disa...
by occambogle
Fri Jan 05, 2024 1:17 pm
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Where to put USD cash in non-US ETFs/MMFs?
Replies: 12
Views: 3584

Re: Where to put USD cash in non-US ETFs/MMFs?

Just FYI, US situs assets passing from an NRA to their US citizen spouse beneficary are exempt from US estate tax. So depending on how your wills are written, in your particular case US estate tax might be a bit less of a threat than at first imagined. Oh wow, thanks... Yes I'm a US citizen spouse. I had not been aware of this point at all despite reading lots about such matters. I guess most info about estate tax on NRAs assumes that the spouse is also NRA. Do you have any particular information on this matter that you can point me to for further reading? It also now makes me wonder about my own situation (US citizen) and my children (who are NRAs) if I were to die. So what would be the US estate tax situation, assuming US situs assets in...
by occambogle
Fri Jan 05, 2024 9:51 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Where to put USD cash in non-US ETFs/MMFs?
Replies: 12
Views: 3584

Where to put USD cash in non-US ETFs/MMFs?

Hi, Writing this question for my wife who is a non-US taxpayer, non-EU resident. Currently she has a bunch of Ireland-domiciled UCITS ETFs for stocks/equity investments at Interactive Brokers, but she has also built up a fair amount of USD cash (100k+) that is currently sitting in a US-based bank account earning only 2% interest. I've personally used USFR floating-rate treasury ETF, and Fidelity MMFs, to get 5% on my own USD cash - but I am a US taxpayer. For her, I am concerned about the US estate and withholding tax that would be applied if she were to use US-domiciled ETFs. For example she could get 4.8% on cash held at Interactive Brokers without doing anything, or invest in a treasury ETF like USFR, but then she would be subject to US ...
by occambogle
Thu Dec 21, 2023 10:53 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity as a one stop shop
Replies: 6053
Views: 1037137

Re: Fidelity as a one stop shop

Just to chime in after using Fidelity for a couple months. My original plan was: Brokerage account : All money in SPAXX CMA Account : Use Cash Manager with overdraft protection facility enabled and a minimum CMA balance of $100. Falling below that triggers a transfer of the minimum transfer amount ($250) from Brokerage>CMA. Any debits to CMA also pull money from Brokerage via overdraft protection. Basically all this was working fine , but it just felt overly complicated to me. My current setup is: I decided that FDLXX was marginally better in terms of after-tax rate than SPAXX. ** Fidelity - 12/20/2023 ** After Tax Yields (based on 5% state tax rate, 24% Fed marginal tax rate) SPAXX = 3.66% FDLXX = 3.81% FDLXX can't be a core position thoug...
by occambogle
Tue Dec 19, 2023 3:44 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Best US Treasuries Floating Rate Product in Europe?
Replies: 19
Views: 3338

Re: Best US Treasuries Floating Rate Product in Europe?

helloyou wrote: Tue Dec 19, 2023 3:41 am
occambogle wrote: Tue Dec 19, 2023 3:14 am Hi... just curious, what did you decide to do in the end?
I settled for a US T-bills ladder and very happy about it :happy
Sounds good, thank you.
by occambogle
Tue Dec 19, 2023 3:14 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Best US Treasuries Floating Rate Product in Europe?
Replies: 19
Views: 3338

Re: Best US Treasuries Floating Rate Product in Europe?

Hi... just curious, what did you decide to do in the end?
by occambogle
Tue Dec 19, 2023 1:55 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Schwab checking
Replies: 62
Views: 5692

Re: Schwab checking

I'm pretty happy with it, the web interface and app are good for me, though I don't do anything particularly complex, and as others have said the debit card is good.
I also have a Fidelity Cash Management Account which is probably slighty less ideal as a checking account.... but..... I really like the way I can keep ALL my liquid money there in 5%-earning MMFs, and they auto-liquidate to pay ATM/debit/billpay transactions, thus not "wasting" any interest-earning opportunities for cash by having to keep some for day-to-day transactions in a low-earning normal bank account. And the Fidelity CMA debit card refunds ATM fees too.
That's just an aside though, I also like the Schwab account.
by occambogle
Tue Dec 19, 2023 1:46 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: SDFCU experiences?
Replies: 36
Views: 4037

Re: SDFCU experiences?

samarathoner wrote: Mon Dec 18, 2023 7:18 pm to set up an automatic payment, if you are on the unsigned in web page, select FORMS at the bottom of the page, then select DEBIT AND CREDIT CARDS, then select CREDIT CARD AUTOPAY OPTIONS. Fax the form to the number listed or email to sdfcu@sdfcu.org
Thank you. I contacted them and they said much the same thing so I will do that. It's a shame this is the only way. Seems a bit silly to me when they allow you to have external accounts already linked that you can pull money from, seems like it wouldn't be that hard to have these auto-pay functions accessible via the web interface, but as long as it works..... Have you used this function yourself?
by occambogle
Sat Dec 16, 2023 3:10 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: SDFCU experiences?
Replies: 36
Views: 4037

Re: SDFCU experiences?

anagram wrote: Sat Dec 16, 2023 2:56 pm Or send it to SDFCU via secure message? That is exactly what you need, auto pay from a non SDFCU account.
Yes, I’m going to try call them next week. Here’s another report indicating it’s possible:

https://www.reddit.com/r/CreditCards/co ... t/hbgbbr2/
by occambogle
Sat Dec 16, 2023 1:58 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: SDFCU experiences?
Replies: 36
Views: 4037

Re: SDFCU experiences?

anagram wrote: Sat Dec 16, 2023 9:46 am I think the question is not about large bank ACH auto-billpay capabilities but whether SDFCU allows the CC bill to be auto payed via ACH pull from a checking or savings account at another bank. At least that is the question I am asking. :sharebeer
Yes, that's my question too.

I found this form, so it would seem that it is theoretically possible, but seemingly only by mailed form perhaps:

https://www.sdfcu.org/sites/default/fil ... ptions.pdf

...but would be nice to know from someone who has actually used it.
by occambogle
Fri Dec 15, 2023 4:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: SDFCU experiences?
Replies: 36
Views: 4037

Re: SDFCU experiences?

Hi, Not a member of SDFCU, so cannot specifically advise you on this. However, isn't it better to keep some liquid cash in the SDFCU checking account itself and set up a recurring bill payment for the full balance? Most credit unions (at least those I belong to: DCU, Alliant CU, PenFed) have the ability to auto-pay from own checking accounts on the due date, for either the minimum payment or the full outstanding balance. If you are saying there does not seem to be any ability to set up autopay, then that sort of answers my question, but then I'd think SDFCU is stuck in the 90's still ... My UNFCU credit card allows auto-pay from either their own checking account or any external bank account by pulling the money via ACH. I want all my credi...
by occambogle
Fri Dec 15, 2023 12:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: SDFCU experiences?
Replies: 36
Views: 4037

Re: SDFCU experiences?

Hi, An update... After 3 weeks of back-and-forth I'm now a member of SDFCU and received the credit + debit cards. It was a crazy-long and involved process with a LOT of documentation requested, though I was sort of expecting that. What I found odd was after the credit card was approved after around 2 weeks, there was then another an seemingly separate process of getting the membership approved. The web interface and app are pretty clunky as I guess many credit unions are, actually not as good as my other one UNFCU, but I'm in it for the future geographic residence flexibility so that's a price I'm willing to pay. I do wish they had online chat as a communication method though. My question is.... I don't see where/how I can set up the credit...
by occambogle
Tue Dec 05, 2023 9:27 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: fidelty money market fund choice
Replies: 14
Views: 4100

Re: fidelty money market fund choice

nps wrote: Tue Dec 05, 2023 9:11 pm That math seems off
You're right, thank you.. I was mistakenly looking at the 365-day figures. It should be 3.66% and 3.80% I think. This is what that spreadsheet is showing me:

https://imgur.com/ESsbkyn

welderwannabe wrote: Tue Dec 05, 2023 8:56 pm There is no reason to choose SPAXX over FDLXX, except that on occasion SPAXX yields more and FDLXX can't be a core position so you have to manually move money into it.
Thanks. This was what I was thinking but just wanted to double-check I wasn't missing something.
by occambogle
Tue Dec 05, 2023 8:31 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: fidelty money market fund choice
Replies: 14
Views: 4100

Re: fidelty money market fund choice

Looking at SPAXX vs FDLXX for around $20k in a Fidelity brokerage account.
It is currently in the core fund SPAXX, but considering (manually) changing it into FDLXX. Must be an auto-liquidating fund.

Would I be correct in saying that:

With a marginal fed tax rate of 24%, and state tax of 5%, with current yields identical at 5.00% for both funds... that FDLXX would be the better choice? The MMF Optimizer spreadsheet says the after-tax rates would be 3.42% and 3.45% respectively. We're talking small amounts, but theoretically would there be any reason to choose SPAXX?
by occambogle
Wed Nov 29, 2023 8:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity as a one stop shop
Replies: 6053
Views: 1037137

Re: Fidelity as a one stop shop

nps wrote: Wed Nov 29, 2023 7:51 pm If something goes wrong your recourse to the credit card company is more limited if you're pushing to them rather than having them pull.
Great point, hadn't thought of that.... thank you.
by occambogle
Wed Nov 29, 2023 7:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity as a one stop shop
Replies: 6053
Views: 1037137

Re: Fidelity as a one stop shop

Lyrrad wrote: Wed Nov 29, 2023 3:03 pm I feel like the various options have been discussed many times in this thread. The Bogleheads Wiki article for this thread should answer your questions.
Fair point... :-) And I had read those very useful articles. I guess I was just wanting to get real-world confirmation that it worked for auto-paying credit card bills, which it seems it does.
One other question - is there some advantage/disadvantage to (a) having the credit card pull the money from CMA account via ACH, vs (b) adding the credit card account to Billpay at the Fidelity end and using that method? I've never used billpay before at all so you'll have to excuse the newbie question.
by occambogle
Wed Nov 29, 2023 2:02 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity as a one stop shop
Replies: 6053
Views: 1037137

Re: Fidelity as a one stop shop

Lyrrad wrote: Wed Nov 29, 2023 1:46 pm I usually make a small test payment from the issuer to make sure it works.
As in manually initiate a test payment from the credit card issuer... to test?
Which type of Fidelity account do you link it to? And does it auto-liquidate SPAXX to do it?
Thanks
by occambogle
Wed Nov 29, 2023 12:59 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity as a one stop shop
Replies: 6053
Views: 1037137

Re: Fidelity as a one stop shop

I currently have a couple of credit cards that are all set to automatic payment-in-full each month by "pulling" the amount due from my credit union savings account, which has been working fine. The problem is it requires me to keep a bunch of money earning 1% interest in that savings account. I'm aiming to change this to have that money sitting in either my Fidelity brokerage or CMA account (I already have both) as SPAXX and have that auto-liquidated each time the credit card payment pulls the amount from Fidelity. What would be the best way to do this?
My absolute primary concern is that the mechanism is reliable - I don't want to deal with the credit rating hit of a missed payment, and I want it all automatic. Thanks.
by occambogle
Sat Nov 25, 2023 8:20 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What does Schwab do better than Fidelity?
Replies: 305
Views: 50294

Re: What does Schwab do better than Fidelity?

NYCaviator wrote: Sat Nov 25, 2023 8:10 am I think Schwab's CS reps are friendlier and more helpful. Fidelity is still excellent, but I've had to call a couple times with questions and I was put on hold while they looked up the answer.

Here's what Schwab does better for me:
I opened both (as well as Interactive Brokers) and agree with all that you say. Schwab feels better in most regards... except the cash management where Fidelity is better with regard to core funds etc. While the Fidelity website/app is fully-functional, the design and organization are not very intuitive.
by occambogle
Sat Nov 04, 2023 9:56 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: SDFCU experiences?
Replies: 36
Views: 4037

Re: SDFCU experiences?

Could anyone answer a question I have about the SDFCU VISA credit card - is it issued by SDFCU itself or some third-party? As in... when there is some issue you need resolved are you dealing with SDFCU or another company?
I'm comparing this to the way the Fidelity VISA Card is actually just a branded card issued by Elan Financial Services.
Thanks.
by occambogle
Sat Nov 04, 2023 9:35 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity as a one stop shop
Replies: 6053
Views: 1037137

Re: Fidelity as a one stop shop

JohnSlackII wrote: Sat Nov 04, 2023 9:33 am Here you go:
https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Fidelity:_one_stop_shop
Thanks a lot! It's a shame it's not stickied at the start of this thread.
by occambogle
Sat Nov 04, 2023 9:13 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity as a one stop shop
Replies: 6053
Views: 1037137

Re: Fidelity as a one stop shop

Hi, have just opened a Brokerage and CMA account at Fidelity. During my research I came across a really nice guide that went in to the different possible workflows of cash management and spending and core positions and overdraft protection. I seem to remember it was along these lines: Option 1 - Brokerage only Option 2 - Brokerage + CMA Option 3 - 2 x Brokerage + 1 CMA It explained each workflow in detail and had a kind of visual flowchart diagram for each. The problem is now I, ummm, can't for the life of me remember where I saw this. Perhaps Bogleheads, or perhaps on Reddit? Does anyone have an idea where I might have seen this or have a link? EDIT: I feel stupid, I've found it now, but posting anyway for anyone else.... https://www.bogle...
by occambogle
Sun Oct 08, 2023 6:33 pm
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: voip.ms to call and receive US phone calls while abroad
Replies: 11
Views: 4613

Re: voip.ms to call and receive US phone calls while abroad

That said... your other option is a Tello eSim which works abroad over wifi-calling and can be had for $5/month. Does Tello eSim have a wifi calling app to receive and make calls from abroad to USA. Wi-Fi calling is integrated in many phones, e.g. IOS, you just need the eSIM active. They also have the My Tello app though which can make calls. I'll add that I haven't had the opportunity to use it outside the states yet myself yet, but I have read a number of reports that it works as described, and it's something I plan to continue with when I leave the US. As it is pre-pay monthly there's not much to lose by trying... and you can activate it while outside the US: https://blog.tello.com/news/how-to-activate-tello-from-abroad/ PS - As VOIP co...
by occambogle
Sun Oct 08, 2023 6:12 pm
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: voip.ms to call and receive US phone calls while abroad
Replies: 11
Views: 4613

Re: voip.ms to call and receive US phone calls while abroad

+1 on Groundwire, I also use it with voip.ms. And also can vouch that 2FA codes are received for my number, either in the Groundwire app if you set it up right (not totally easy) or forwarded via email.
That said... your other option is a Tello eSim which works abroad over wifi-calling and can be had for $5/month.
by occambogle
Thu Oct 05, 2023 10:58 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: SDFCU experiences?
Replies: 36
Views: 4037

Re: SDFCU experiences?

Thanks all for sharing your experiences with SDFCU... pretty much what I expected (which is good, i.e. no glaring suprises). I'm familiar with the generally antiquated interfaces of CUs, but as long as the functionality is there I can live with it. I've gotten used to UNFCU interface and app, which are both a bit clunky but they get the job done.
by occambogle
Thu Oct 05, 2023 10:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: SDFCU experiences?
Replies: 36
Views: 4037

Re: SDFCU experiences?

Even today, most chip-and-PIN cards in the USA are actually Signature Priority. The vendors in England, for example, are used to a slip printing out for their non-Limey customers. At SDFCU, I thought my first card was PIN priority, but it wasn't. When the actual product became available after several years, I had to turn in the old card, and request a special (no cost) upgrade. That card is in fact, PIN-Priority, in the US and in Europe and Asia. https://www.bankrate.com/finance/credit-cards/chip-and-pin-credit-cards/ I think SDFCU don't do PIN-priority anymore (although as you point out they used to), at least from what I have read. US Credit cards wih PIN-priority: https://spotterswiki.com/emv/cardsearch.php?priority=pin&type%5B%5D=c...
by occambogle
Wed Oct 04, 2023 1:19 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: SDFCU experiences?
Replies: 36
Views: 4037

Re: SDFCU experiences?

Carefreeap wrote: Wed Oct 04, 2023 12:56 pm Yes. But you need to be careful. We were in some propietary BofA mutual funds at the time and even re-investing the dividends in the account were a problem. 2009 was a not a good year for banks and the CS wasn't good. As a Boglehead you wouldn't do what we did. If you're going to use low cost index funds check with the brokerage company to see what their policy is.
Mutual funds are pretty much a no-go for any non-residents, either by law or by fund terms... ETFs have no such restrictions, it's only the business policy of the individual broker as to who they are willing to have as customers that becomes relevant.
by occambogle
Wed Oct 04, 2023 12:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity as a one stop shop
Replies: 6053
Views: 1037137

Re: Fidelity as a one stop shop

chance wrote: Wed Oct 04, 2023 12:26 pm Sharing in case this is helpful to anyone or for other feedback if there's anything I've missed here.
Thanks, this is interesting. Could you explain what the Money Transfer Lockdown is/does and how you operate it?
by occambogle
Wed Oct 04, 2023 12:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: SDFCU experiences?
Replies: 36
Views: 4037

Re: SDFCU experiences?

Carefreeap wrote: Wed Oct 04, 2023 9:57 am
You can keep your bank accounts at BofA if you move abroad but you can't keep a managed brokerage account. That's because they aren't licensed to sell securities abroad. We learned that the hard way in 2009 when we moved to Germany. USAA was happy to take our money. :D

We keep a total of $100k cash in our various accounts with BofA to keep our platinum rewards. It's far from the best return on our cash but the convenience is worth it.
When you say you cant keep a managed brokerage account, yes that seems fairly common amongst brokers, but can you keep an unmanaged i.e. self-directed one?
by occambogle
Wed Oct 04, 2023 9:21 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity as a one stop shop
Replies: 6053
Views: 1037137

Re: Fidelity as a one stop shop

One of the Fidelity reps clarified on Reddit:

“Thanks for asking about this on our sub. We're happy to clarify.
As another user noted, this does not apply to retail clients accounts. Only wealth management firms that custody with Fidelity are impacted by this change.”

https://reddit.com/r/fidelityinvestments/s/uOtebFQWLA