Search found 280 matches

by SobeCane
Thu Nov 02, 2023 10:50 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What to do- pay down mortgage early or invest in taxable?
Replies: 48
Views: 7114

Re: What to do- pay down mortgage early or invest in taxable?

OP, since you are paying about 4.85% mortgage interest after accounting for the mortgage interest tax deduction, the mathematical question is whether you expect to earn more than that from your investments after taxes and fees. You also have to take into account the non-financial aspects, like having additional flexibility (favors investing over paying down the mortgage) vs being debt-averse (favors paying down the mortgage). Ultimately, neither is a poor choice for extra funds as both options have long-term financial benefits. While I agree that your emergency fund does not appear to include the mortgage itself in your five months estimate--and it should--the appropriate size of an E-fund vs monthly expenses is a personal decision on whic...
by SobeCane
Tue Oct 25, 2022 7:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should I accept this Mortgage Modification
Replies: 39
Views: 5583

Re: Should I accept this Mortgage Modification

Did you end up taking the modification? Has anyone else had this offered?
by SobeCane
Tue Oct 18, 2022 8:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: FSA or Child Care and Dependent Tax Credit?
Replies: 7
Views: 1378

Re: FSA or Child Care and Dependent Tax Credit?

Also need to include SS tax (6.2%) if you don’t exceed the SS wage cap of $160k in 2023 and Medicare tax (1.45%) in your FSA calculation which brings you to 35%

Why not do both since your daycare expenses will most likely exceed $5k for the year?
by SobeCane
Mon Jan 03, 2022 2:41 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Relationship mortgage discounts for moving a million assets
Replies: 1169
Views: 229405

Re: Relationship mortgage discounts for moving a million assets

Wanted to report back as I just purchased my first house (primary residence) and am appreciative of the guidance and shared knowledge in this thread.

By following the recommendations here I was able to shop the base rates and later tack on the relationship pricing discounts and received a 2.125% APY (2.160% APR) on a 30 year fixed jumbo loan with WF.
by SobeCane
Tue Dec 21, 2021 12:21 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: International Funds - Larger than Expected Dividends
Replies: 19
Views: 2204

Re: International Funds - Larger than Expected Dividends

VFWAX Payable Date ----- Per Share Distribution 12/22/14 ----------- 0.2370 12/21/15 ----------- 0.2090 12/20/16 ----------- 0.2320 12/21/17 ----------- 0.2880 12/24/18 ----------- 0.2718 12/23/19 ----------- 0.3586 12/21/20 ----------- 0.2782 12/20/21 ----------- 0.5206 Thanks, I looked at the total annual dividends and not just the December dividend. Year ------- Total Per Share Dist. 2014 ----------- 1.0290 2015 ----------- 0.7980 2016 ----------- 0.8120 2017 ----------- 0.9060 2018 ----------- 0.9203 2019 ----------- 1.0258 2020 ----------- 0.7146 2021 ----------- 1.1555 Interesting - much more in line with 2019 total dividends.
by SobeCane
Tue Dec 21, 2021 8:40 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: International Funds - Larger than Expected Dividends
Replies: 19
Views: 2204

Re: International Funds - Larger than Expected Dividends

VFWAX

Payable Date ----- Per Share Distribution
12/22/14 ----------- 0.2370
12/21/15 ----------- 0.2090
12/20/16 ----------- 0.2320
12/21/17 ----------- 0.2880
12/24/18 ----------- 0.2718
12/23/19 ----------- 0.3586
12/21/20 ----------- 0.2782
12/20/21 ----------- 0.5206
by SobeCane
Tue Dec 21, 2021 5:26 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: International Funds - Larger than Expected Dividends
Replies: 19
Views: 2204

Re: International Funds - Larger than Expected Dividends

Random Poster wrote: Mon Dec 20, 2021 10:47 pm There have been a few previous threads on this subject.

But one possible explanation is COVID, and how some European nations restricted dividend payments by companies that received financial aid.
It wasn’t really noticeable until this most recent 4th qtr dividend paid yesterday. The previous quarters were more or less near their historical averages.
by SobeCane
Mon Dec 20, 2021 9:53 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: International Funds - Larger than Expected Dividends
Replies: 19
Views: 2204

International Funds - Larger than Expected Dividends

Just received 4th quarter dividends for my International Funds and noticed that both FTSE All World Ex-US and Developed Markets paid out a 4th quarter dividend nearly 2x the per share price of the prior year. There goes all the tax planning out the door! Any explanation for the larger than expected 4th quarter dividends?
by SobeCane
Sat Dec 18, 2021 8:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Who do you bank with and why? (2021)
Replies: 180
Views: 20858

Re: Who do you bank with and why? (2021)

livesoft wrote: Sat Dec 18, 2021 7:23 pm
SobeCane wrote: Sat Dec 18, 2021 6:44 pm @livesoft - I recently transferred assets to Wells to take advantage of a mortgage discount. I can’t even figure out how to turn on/off automatic re-investment of dividends. Any help?
I'm no help because I do not want to automatically reinvest dividends, but I'll go take a look sometime and report back..
I don’t want to either - just wanted to make sure that was the default as I know the vanguard funds pay dividends around now.
by SobeCane
Sat Dec 18, 2021 6:44 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Who do you bank with and why? (2021)
Replies: 180
Views: 20858

Re: Who do you bank with and why? (2021)

livesoft wrote: Sat Dec 18, 2021 10:18 am Wells Fargo, of course, for decades. Why? Everything is free, Free, FREE! And the bank is everywhere with an international presence. WF has a superb brokerage in WellsTrade where everything is also free, Free, FREE! And the bank and brokerage are well-connected, so that transfers are almost instantaneous. Web sites are great, too! I suppose I should state that all this is free to me. I don't care if they are charging others an arm and a leg to pay for my free things.
@livesoft - I recently transferred assets to Wells to take advantage of a mortgage discount. I can’t even figure out how to turn on/off automatic re-investment of dividends. Any help?
by SobeCane
Mon Nov 29, 2021 3:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Relationship mortgage discounts for moving a million assets
Replies: 1169
Views: 229405

Re: Relationship mortgage discounts for moving a million assets

krillnu wrote: Sat Nov 20, 2021 8:46 am
SobeCane wrote: Fri Nov 19, 2021 9:38 pm 30 Year Fixed Jumbo Loan for Primary Residence 20% down and 800+ credit score:

Bank of America 2.75% with 1/8 discount for each $250k

Wells Fargo 2.85% with 1/8 discount for each $250k


Before I go with BOA, does anyone think it can be beat?
I think BofA discount tops out at 0.375% while Wells tops out at 0.500% - did you hear differently? If so Wells could be a bit lower.

I am in a similar boat and asking Citi / Chase / Rocket what they can do. Schwab/Rocket has the biggest relationship discounts (up to 1%).
I confirmed today, and you are spot-on. BOA tops out at 0.375% discount for $1mil and Wells is at 0.500% for $1mil.

Anybody have recent rates from Citi?
by SobeCane
Sat Nov 20, 2021 1:29 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Relationship mortgage discounts for moving a million assets
Replies: 1169
Views: 229405

Re: Relationship mortgage discounts for moving a million assets

Schwab’s base rate prior to discounts is much higher at 3.375

Let me know what you hear from Citi and Chase
by SobeCane
Fri Nov 19, 2021 9:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Relationship mortgage discounts for moving a million assets
Replies: 1169
Views: 229405

Re: Relationship mortgage discounts for moving a million assets

30 Year Fixed Jumbo Loan for Primary Residence 20% down and 800+ credit score:

Bank of America 2.75% with 1/8 discount for each $250k

Wells Fargo 2.85% with 1/8 discount for each $250k


Before I go with BOA, does anyone think it can be beat?
by SobeCane
Sun Aug 29, 2021 10:15 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Inherited "Stretch" Variable Annuity v Liquidate & Invest
Replies: 19
Views: 2127

Re: Inherited "Stretch" Variable Annuity v Liquidate & Invest

Boglebites - I’m keeping the stretch going for now in order to minimize taxes even though the increased expenses will catch up. If there’s a bear market or I ever have a low income year, I’d consider withdrawing more and adding to taxable.
by SobeCane
Sun Aug 29, 2021 10:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: FL Property Taxes: Ask to increase market value for portability?
Replies: 29
Views: 3236

Re: FL Property Taxes: Ask to increase market value for portability?

Interesting thread. Posting to follow PowderDay’s journey.

My county in Florida has an informal assessment review form that you could contest your appraisal without the formality and cost of the Value Adjustment Board. Perhaps you could give that a shot first if your county has a similar form.
by SobeCane
Sun Jul 25, 2021 11:32 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Pass IRA to grandchildren to mitigate SECURE Act?
Replies: 9
Views: 1792

Re: Pass IRA to grandchildren to mitigate SECURE Act?

Alan S. wrote: Sun Jul 25, 2021 11:02 am
Note that under the Secure Act, the 10 year rule will still apply to grandchildren unless a GC is disabled or chronically ill. Further, unlike a child of the IRA owner beneficiary, the 10 year clock is not extended when a GC is undertaking higher education.
Can you expand on this higher education exemption?
by SobeCane
Mon Nov 16, 2020 1:55 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Inherited "Stretch" Variable Annuity v Liquidate & Invest
Replies: 19
Views: 2127

Re: Inherited "Stretch" Variable Annuity v Liquidate & Invest

I've decided to keep the Variable Annuity for the time being and utilize the stretch provision. After recently taking my first RMD, I noticed a few key differences between a non-qualified distribution from a Variable Annuity and a qualified distribution from an inherited IRA/401(k). 1. The numerator (account balance) for the calculation of the RMD is based on the distribution date, not 12/31 of the prior year 2. The denominator (life expectancy) is based on the insurance companies proprietary mortality rates, not the IRS' life expectancy table in Publication 590-B Still struggling with the decision to keep the V.A. or liquidate and invest. I was able to get the VA fees down to 0.37% (0.25% M+A fee + 0.12% Investment Fee for VIP Total Market...
by SobeCane
Thu Aug 20, 2020 10:15 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: BoA Premium Rewards status
Replies: 61
Views: 5763

Re: BoA Premium Rewards status

How do you determine the month they check eligibility? In the OP’s case, it was October but I’ve been platinum honors for 5 years or so and don’t remember which month I initially received it.
by SobeCane
Fri Jun 05, 2020 3:52 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Asset allocation across inherited and normal IRAs
Replies: 11
Views: 481

Re: Asset allocation across inherited and normal IRAs

Sorry for your loss. Sound advice above about taking more than the RMD in years of HOH status.

Is the plan to distribute the Inherited Roth IRA (all stocks) all in year 10? That's an aggressive allocation for money that has a 10 year draw down. Perhaps make that more conservative and increase the allocation in taxable to be 100% stock.
by SobeCane
Fri Jun 05, 2020 9:20 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: New Three Fund Portfolio options for Fidelity Personal Retirement Annuities
Replies: 13
Views: 2397

Re: New Three Fund Portfolio options for Fidelity Personal Retirement Annuities

Recently did a 1035 exchange from Lincoln Financial Group into Fidelity PRA for an inherited non-qualified annuity. The Lincoln Mortality & Expense Fees were 1.4% + 0.1% Admin Fee along with the expensive individual fund selections which I couldn't find expense ratios for but imagine my all in costs were over 2.0% https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=296761 The Fidelity PRA has a 0.25% M&E fee (for accounts under $1m) and I selected the funds recommended by @CyclingDuo to keep all-in expenses under 0.40%. Thanks for pushing Fidelity to offer the lower expense funds. I still find it funny that the S&P 500 fund is 6.6 times more expensive than their own retail S&P 500 fund. Still have some questions: 1. Considering...
by SobeCane
Mon Dec 09, 2019 12:03 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Inherited "Stretch" Variable Annuity v Liquidate & Invest
Replies: 19
Views: 2127

Re: Inherited "Stretch" Variable Annuity v Liquidate & Invest

I may not be entirely sure what you are thinking here, but you probably need to make more assumptions. Just to be clear, there are some factors in your case that may be a bit different. As an example, this would be a different analysis if you were nearing retirement & expected lower tax rates in "near" future, or if it would push you into a higher bracket now.... It would not push me into a higher tax bracket right now and I expect my tax bracket to be the same or higher in the "near" future. Spreadsheets can be created to model, but need the variables in your hypothetical. Biggest missing piece is the tax rate that the heir would have when taking the distribution. The "value" is really their after-tax amo...
by SobeCane
Fri Dec 06, 2019 4:01 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Inherited "Stretch" Variable Annuity v Liquidate & Invest
Replies: 19
Views: 2127

Re: Inherited "Stretch" Variable Annuity v Liquidate & Invest

Often interesting to see the different perspectives from various posters; I'll add another. 1st, I've no direct experience with Fidelity on VAs & wouldn't spend anymore time trying to find a cheaper one. I will say that VAs in general do not have transparency on ALL fees -- perhaps this one does. If nothing else, the share class of the limited funds available often underperforms those on open market. Fidelity is the only custodian I've found that seems to be transparent on both the administrative fee and underlying investment expense ratio. I believe it's truely 0.40% and maybe can get it down to 0.35% all in if I use only the S&P 500 Fund. 2nd, I would approach the tax matter differently. Any evaluation like this relies on certain...
by SobeCane
Fri Dec 06, 2019 8:47 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Inherited "Stretch" Variable Annuity v Liquidate & Invest
Replies: 19
Views: 2127

Re: Inherited "Stretch" Variable Annuity v Liquidate & Invest

smectym wrote: Fri Dec 06, 2019 12:32 am
In practice, the stretch option would be more compelling were the corpus $3,000,000 rather than $30,000.
@smectym Why would the account balance change the recommendation?
by SobeCane
Thu Dec 05, 2019 8:58 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Inherited "Stretch" Variable Annuity v Liquidate & Invest
Replies: 19
Views: 2127

Re: Inherited "Stretch" Variable Annuity v Liquidate & Invest

grabiner wrote: Thu Dec 05, 2019 7:31 pm
Note that there is no longer a 25% tax bracket, unless you are including state tax. The old 25% bracket became a 22% bracket, although the loss of deductions could push you into the 24% bracket.
Good catch, I’m in the 24% bracket which shouldn’t change the recommendation to keep it.

Does anyone know of any lower cost custodians than Fidelity for the variable annuity?
by SobeCane
Thu Dec 05, 2019 3:58 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Inherited "Stretch" Variable Annuity v Liquidate & Invest
Replies: 19
Views: 2127

Re: Inherited "Stretch" Variable Annuity v Liquidate & Invest

fposte wrote: Thu Dec 05, 2019 3:31 pm This just sounds like an annuity in an inherited IRA. If so, you can liquidate the annuity and still maintain the IRA with lower costs (though this one isn't bad as annuity costs go). That's probably what I'd do, but is there a surrender fee?
It is not an annuity in an IRA. I wish it was!

I need to do a 1035 exchange to get it to Fidelity to take advantage of the lower fees (0.4%) because the current custodian has much higher fees in excess of 1%.

Also, if anyone can recommend a custodian that is lower cost than Fidelity I would greatly appreciate it. I think Vanguard sold off their variable annuity arm to Transamerica.
by SobeCane
Thu Dec 05, 2019 3:18 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Inherited "Stretch" Variable Annuity v Liquidate & Invest
Replies: 19
Views: 2127

Inherited "Stretch" Variable Annuity v Liquidate & Invest

I am a non-spouse recipient of an inherited non-qualified variable annuity where the majority of the annuity represents gains over the last 30 years so let's consider it 100% taxable. Trying to decide which scenario below is favorable: Facts Age: 33 RMD: 1/50.4 so roughly 2% the first few years Tax Bracket: 24%* Account Balance: 30,000 Expense of Annuity: 0.25% annual admin fee + 0.15% average expense ratio = 0.40% (Fidelity) Expense of comparable Taxable Investment: 0.04% (Vanguard Total US Stock Market Admiral) Already max out 401(k), HSA, IRA, etc so the comparable investment would be taxable Scenario 1: Treat the annuity like a stretch IRA. 1st year distribution would be $600 of which I'd lose $144 to taxes. The account would grow faste...
by SobeCane
Fri Oct 11, 2019 11:20 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Relationship mortgage discounts for moving a million assets
Replies: 1169
Views: 229405

Re: Relationship mortgage discounts for moving a million assets

Just to add details for comparison sake of a refi we are in the midst of: 30 yr fixed, 1.2 mill loan @ 3.625%, no points, closing costs about $1000 all in. Also relationship discounts of: $250,000-$499,999 the interest rate is lower by .125% $500,000-$749,999 the interest rate is lower by .250% $750,000-$1,000,000 the interest rate is lower by .375% $1,000,000 or more the interest rate is lower by .500% This was with Wells Fargo, we locked several days ago. Since one point usually lowers a 30-year rate by .125%, this is effectively a $12,000 rebate on every $250,000 transferred, a 5% rebate. This large a rebate is certainly worth taking, even if the investment options are slightly inferior (commissions on the ETFs you want to trade). What ...
by SobeCane
Tue Jun 11, 2019 4:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Ally Checking vs Capital One 360 Checking
Replies: 16
Views: 2776

Re: Ally Checking vs Capital One 360 Checking

I missed out on the Ally $1,000 bonus from last fall so just signed up for the Capital One account because it pays a $500 bonus for depositing $50k and pays 2% interest.

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/capital- ... -of-50000/
by SobeCane
Fri Jun 07, 2019 7:04 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How is Merrill Edge?
Replies: 64
Views: 10475

Re: How is Merrill Edge?

BashDash wrote: Fri Jun 07, 2019 1:31 pm I like their retention bonuses. Every once in a while I give a call and tell them I'm "leaving" and they pay me a bonus to stay.
How much do you have with them and what type of retention bonuses are you receiving?
by SobeCane
Mon Jun 03, 2019 4:07 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Foreign Tax Credit Limitation Explained
Replies: 12
Views: 2401

Re: Foreign Tax Credit Limitation Explained

Care to share the spreadsheet you created? I
by SobeCane
Sat Mar 23, 2019 5:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Moving from NYC to Miami
Replies: 18
Views: 2608

Re: Moving from NYC to Miami

I currently live in South of Fifth (Sofi) in Miami Beach. Great neighborhood, great restaraunts, close to the beach but not as chaotic as the flamingo park, Ocean Dr, or West Ave portion of South Beach.


PM me if you have specific questions.
by SobeCane
Fri Oct 05, 2018 1:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
Replies: 7203
Views: 1421582

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

I’ll also put my 2 cents worth on the prior answer (some will say < 2 cents). Yes someone can ask to upgrade back to CSR. Whether they will allow it is another matter. Frequent upgrading / downgrading / card churning (any combination) can result in your account being flagged either for special review or reconsideration. When this goes to humans for review they sometimes check more things including overall credit scores, utilization, recent applications (not just with them). This can (and has in some cases) result in accounts being shut down - not just the one account but every accout you have with them. They may conclude that your overall risk exceeds the value of having you as a customer. There are documented cases of this all over the bl...
by SobeCane
Fri Oct 05, 2018 9:09 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
Replies: 7203
Views: 1421582

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

Need help from the Chase UR experts.

Currently have about 200k UR points. My Sapphire Preferred Card $95 annual fee is due in January. Not eligible for new UR bonus because I downgraded from Sapphire Reserve which I received 100k when it first released in Fall of 2016. Not interested in any of the benefits because I already have Priority Pass from a few other cards, Global Entry, etc.

1. Can I upgrade back to Sapphire Reserve? How will $300 travel credit and $450 AF work?
2. Should I apply for Chase Ink Business Preferred? (I am under 5/24) and cancel the Sapphire Preferred once I transfer the points to the Ink?
3. My wife has Chase Ink Business Preferred. Can we pool points so I can cancel the Preferred?
3. Any other ideas?
by SobeCane
Mon Jul 09, 2018 9:36 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: BofA HSA has brought back Vanguard Funds
Replies: 7
Views: 1450

Re: BofA HSA has brought back Vanguard Funds

dodecahedron wrote: Sun Jul 08, 2018 8:33 pm
VFANX wrote: Sun Jul 08, 2018 7:46 pm The HSA is a separate account from the checking/savings account. The HSA has its own website. As far as the fee waiver, maybe dodecahedron could give you more details.

VFANX
The HSA fee waiver isn't automatic, unlike most (all) other Platinum Preferred benefits. I had to email someone at the BoA HSA to specifically request it. (Another Boglehead had posted that this waiver was available.) After some delay (a few days), not only did they waive the fee going forward but they also reimbursed me for all the monthly fees I had already paid before I learned that this waiver was available.
The other BH was me who discovered the fee waiver for Platinum Preferred. Just e-mail them and they should still honor it.
by SobeCane
Wed Dec 27, 2017 10:38 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to pay ZERO taxes in retirement with 6-figure expenses
Replies: 224
Views: 180107

Re: How to pay ZERO taxes in retirement with 6-figure expenses

How do you have that much earned income and only $228 in fed taxes? This was covered in detail in the earlier thread: Taxes on family with $200,000 income , but I will show again here for completeness: Approximate $ amounts in thousands, rounded $+95 Earned income $+ 5 Non-qualified dividends $-29 401(k) contributions $- 2.5 FSA $- 5 Health, vision, dental insurance $- 3 Net capital loss deducted from ordinary income $-12.2 3 exemptions $- 8.3 Property taxes $-15.3 Charitable giving $- 1.4 Sales tax deduction ====== $+23.3 Net taxable income ====== $+ 2.56 Tax on above income $- 2.5 American Opportunity Tax Credit $- 1 Foreign tax credit ================== $- 0.9 Net income tax Note that for us qualified dividend income is not taxed and ne...
by SobeCane
Wed Aug 30, 2017 10:02 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: High-Deductible Health Plan vs. Peace of Mind
Replies: 42
Views: 6874

Re: High-Deductible Health Plan vs. Peace of Mind

Don't want to de-rail the thread but I have a similar comparison and am also young, single, and in good health. (Mods, If this needs a new, separate post, let me know) HDHP Deductible $2,500 Out of Pocket Max $2,500 Bi-Weekly Premium $20 Employer Contribution to HSA $1,000 Regular Plan Deductible $0 Out of Pocket Max $1,500 Bi-Weekly Premium $74 I am leaning towards the HDHP with HSA option. I would contribute the remaining $2,400 (after employer contribution of $1,000) to the HSA. Just want to make sure this was the right choice. Thanks! Regular Plan: Annual Premium-$1,776 OOP Maximum-$1,500 Total Annual Potential Cost-$3,276 HDHP: Annual Premium-$480 Deductible/OOP Maximum-$2,500 Employer HSA Contribution ($1,000) Total Annual Potential ...
by SobeCane
Wed Aug 30, 2017 9:01 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: High-Deductible Health Plan vs. Peace of Mind
Replies: 42
Views: 6874

Re: High-Deductible Health Plan vs. Peace of Mind

Don't want to de-rail the thread but I have a similar comparison and am also young, single, and in good health.
(Mods, If this needs a new, separate post, let me know)

HDHP
Deductible $2,500
Out of Pocket Max $2,500
Bi-Weekly Premium $20
Employer Contribution to HSA $1,000

Regular Plan
Deductible $0
Out of Pocket Max $1,500
Bi-Weekly Premium $74


I am leaning towards the HDHP with HSA option. I would contribute the remaining $2,400 (after employer contribution of $1,000) to the HSA.
Just want to make sure this was the right choice.

Thanks!
by SobeCane
Mon May 22, 2017 10:07 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: BofA HSA dropping Vanguard Funds
Replies: 65
Views: 18282

Re: BofA HSA dropping Vanguard Funds

Just wanted to provide a heads up. Bank of America HSA recently did a systems wide upgrade to their website towards the end of April. All of my investments were automatically liquidated to cash. Just logged into the new website to set up the investments again. Not happy. What?! Did this happen to anything else? Yes, it happened to me too. That's absolutely terrible. What have you done to get it fixed? I discovered it pretty quickly fortunately and just moved the funds back into the fund where I had been before. Was there any warning? Yes, sort of, I think, but apparently I didn't interpret it correctly. Apparently on the new platform, you need to have yourself set up for automatic investment at all times OR ELSE you will be periodically sw...
by SobeCane
Wed May 17, 2017 11:04 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: BofA HSA dropping Vanguard Funds
Replies: 65
Views: 18282

Re: BofA HSA dropping Vanguard Funds

Don't know if there was a typo, but this post says that ER of BDOKX used to be 1.2%! h https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=162233 I've been willing to attribute the underpermance to the higher ER. now that it is lower I expect the performance to improve. Perhaps that was the gross expense ratio, not net. According to Morningstar the expense ratios for the past few years are: 2013: 0.34 2014: 0.15 2015: 0.13 2016: 0.11 Still unsatisfactorily trailed the benchmark. I've come to learn that if someone is removing access to Vanguard funds, it's not for my benefit. I'll be paying someone more someplace. thanks for that. so as I asked above, am I really better off moving? all fees are waived through boa because our employer uses it. ...
by SobeCane
Wed May 17, 2017 7:57 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: BofA HSA dropping Vanguard Funds
Replies: 65
Views: 18282

Re: BofA HSA dropping Vanguard Funds

ftobin wrote:
indexfundfan wrote:Available investments and the current ERs include

WFSPX, S&P 500 index, ER 0.04%
BDOKX, Total international index, ER 0.11%
IUTIX, Treasury index, ER 0.2%
Expense ratios are not enough to look at. BDOKX, Blackrock's "Total International", has underperformed Vanguard's Total International (VTIAX) by about 0.50% annually on a 3 and 5 year basis. It has not trailed its own benchmark well as well, moving between -0.5 % on a 1-year basis and +0.13% on a 5-year basis.

VFANX, thanks for the heads-up about Alliant's offering. If I hadn't already sent paperwork to transfer to HSA Bank I'd go with Alliant as well.

This is very interesting. How does WFSPX with its .04% ER compare to the S&P 500 index?
by SobeCane
Tue May 16, 2017 4:51 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: BofA HSA dropping Vanguard Funds
Replies: 65
Views: 18282

Re: BofA HSA dropping Vanguard Funds

Just wanted to provide a heads up. Bank of America HSA recently did a systems wide upgrade to their website towards the end of April. All of my investments were automatically liquidated to cash. Just logged into the new website to set up the investments again. Not happy.
by SobeCane
Wed Apr 19, 2017 4:29 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How to use Vanguard Portfolio Watch, M* X-ray, Fidelity GPS for rebalancing
Replies: 116
Views: 104491

Re: How to use Vanguard Portfolio Watch for rebalancing

bengal22 wrote:I use the Vanguard Portfolio as well. It is a good tool. However, it refuses to treat the Fidelity Total U.S. stock index properly(counts it as 100% large cap) so I have to go to Portfolio analysis and subsitute the Vanguard Total US Stock Index to get an accurate account for small and mid cap stocks. I have written them but they said that they use the Morningstar 9 box but that is inaccurate. So it takes me a little longer but it is a good tool. The Fidelity web site has a similar tool.

2 years later and it still treats Fidelity Total US Stock as 100% Large Cap. Same with Schwab Total US Stock.

Does anyone know of similar funds that I can use instead that Vanguard correctly classifies in Portfolio Watch?
by SobeCane
Fri Feb 17, 2017 4:31 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: BofA HSA dropping Vanguard Funds
Replies: 65
Views: 18282

Re: Bank of America HSA: new investment menu

dodecahedron wrote:[Thread merged into here, see below. --admin LadyGeek]

B of A HSA has offered investor class shares of Vanguard's 500, inflation protected bond, and Total International funds, choices I was pretty happy with.

However, they just today announced a new lineup. They are getting rid of the Vanguard choices effective next month but they are adding the Blackrock 500 index fund (with an ER of 0.04).

http://healthaccounts.bankofamerica.com/core.pdf
Isn't this a positive change? The new fund will be at a quarter of the price of the Vanguard S&P 500 fund. Will we be transferred to the Blackrock fund automatically? I never received notice about the change and have my full investment account balance in the Vanguard S&P 500.
by SobeCane
Thu Jan 19, 2017 10:12 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard's new "account overview" page... BOO!
Replies: 105
Views: 17320

Re: Vanguard's new "account overview" page... BOO!

livesoft wrote:
SobeCane wrote:that's how I used to do it but there is no edit button available now.
Image

"Edit holdings" is not really a button.
Maybe your browser has a problem or is an outdated version?

Livesoft -

you are using the old page format. Mine had updated to the new "experimental" version with the large font. I found out how to switch back and now I can edit.
by SobeCane
Thu Jan 19, 2017 8:25 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard's new "account overview" page... BOO!
Replies: 105
Views: 17320

Re: Vanguard's new "account overview" page... BOO!

livesoft wrote:
SobeCane wrote:Can anyone edit their "Outside Holdings" on the new accounts overview page?
Sure, I just click on "Outside investments" and I am taken directly to Outside investments on "Balances and holdings" page where all edits are possible.

Or I can click on "Go to Balances and holdings >" or I can click on ….

that's how I used to do it but there is no edit button available now.
by SobeCane
Wed Jan 18, 2017 3:07 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard's new "account overview" page... BOO!
Replies: 105
Views: 17320

Re: Vanguard's new "account overview" page... BOO!

Can anyone edit their "Outside Holdings" on the new accounts overview page?
by SobeCane
Sun Jan 31, 2016 10:54 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Deleted
Replies: 23
Views: 4465

Re: switch to Bank of America HSA

I buy one fund at Saturna for $14.95 total cost per year. Hard to beat that. This option would have no cost and you would only pay the expense ratios of the funds. What funds and expense ratios does Saturna provide? You can buy anything on the open market except admiral shares. For Vanguard funds (not ETFs) the commissions are $24.95, the reason for this is Vanguard does not cover administrative costs of mailing the prospectus etc like other fund companies do. (Just another way Vanguard cuts costs). I personally hold Fidelity Spartan TIPS index fund since my state taxes HSA earnings and TIPS dividends are state tax exempt. That's pretty good. What are the expense ratios on the vanguard and fidelity mutual funds? also, does Saturna require ...
by SobeCane
Sun Jan 31, 2016 9:01 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Deleted
Replies: 23
Views: 4465

Re: switch to Bank of America HSA

mikep wrote:I buy one fund at Saturna for $14.95 total cost per year. Hard to beat that.
This option would have no cost and you would only pay the expense ratios of the funds. What funds and expense ratios does Saturna provide?
by SobeCane
Sat Jan 30, 2016 9:49 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Deleted
Replies: 23
Views: 4465

Re: switch to Bank of America HSA

dodecahedron wrote: Interesting! How long ago did you do this? And did this interchange take place before or after you opened a HSA at BOA.
I asked earlier this week before I proceeded with opening an account. Today I opened the account and will be doing a trustee to trustee rollover in.
by SobeCane
Fri Jan 29, 2016 9:54 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Deleted
Replies: 23
Views: 4465

Re: switch to Bank of America HSA

I sent a message to the email address on the HSA page and a representative replied that they would waive the monthly fee for Platnium Honors.