Search found 996 matches

by Van
Mon Mar 18, 2024 7:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Lancaster PA trip
Replies: 65
Views: 7159

Re: Lancaster PA trip

cmr79 wrote: Tue Apr 04, 2023 3:58 pm I've never been, but I've heard rave reviews of Shady Maple (mentioned up thread). Kids are half price.

OP's 8/6 yo kids are probably too young to enjoy Hershey Park fully.
+1 Shady Maple Restaurant
by Van
Thu Mar 07, 2024 3:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7638
Views: 1712608

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

Prequel. Details the fascist movement in the U.S. prior to World War II. [Political commentary prohibited by forum policy removed. Moderator Pops1860]
by Van
Sat Feb 24, 2024 8:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What is your favorite book?
Replies: 186
Views: 19924

Re: What is your favorite book?

LETTER TO A CHRISTIAN NATION by Sam Harris.
by Van
Wed Feb 21, 2024 2:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: DIRECT PAY to IRS from bank account: Issues? Cautions?
Replies: 35
Views: 3069

Re: DIRECT PAY to IRS from bank account: Issues? Cautions?

The responses have been unanimously, I believe, positive for using Direct Pay. I think I will file my federal return in a day or so, and then use Direct Pay to pay the balance I owe to the IRS during the first week of April. I made the effort to establish an account with ID.me even though the consensus seems to be that this is not necessary. (BTW, I had some difficulty completing the process for the ID.me account. Some of the instructions need to be more explicit and step-by-step).

I thank all of you who have contributed to this thread.

Van
by Van
Tue Feb 20, 2024 4:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: DIRECT PAY to IRS from bank account: Issues? Cautions?
Replies: 35
Views: 3069

Re: DIRECT PAY to IRS from bank account: Issues? Cautions?

Thanks for the responses so far. Bogleheads are the best.
by Van
Tue Feb 20, 2024 1:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: DIRECT PAY to IRS from bank account: Issues? Cautions?
Replies: 35
Views: 3069

Re: DIRECT PAY to IRS from bank account: Issues? Cautions?

ccieemeritus recommended establishing an ID.me account with the IRS if one is going to use Direct Pay. I don't believe anyone else mentioned that. Is it an essential thing to do or just a good thing or it does not matter?
by Van
Tue Feb 20, 2024 1:25 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: DIRECT PAY to IRS from bank account: Issues? Cautions?
Replies: 35
Views: 3069

Re: DIRECT PAY to IRS from bank account: Issues? Cautions?

Admitedly, I have not done a deep dive, but the pay by credit card sites I have seen all charge a fee. Is it possible to pay by credit card without any or a very nominal fee?
by Van
Tue Feb 20, 2024 12:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: DIRECT PAY to IRS from bank account: Issues? Cautions?
Replies: 35
Views: 3069

Re: DIRECT PAY to IRS from bank account: Issues? Cautions?

ccieemeritus wrote: Tue Feb 20, 2024 12:30 pm Direct pay works fine. I've been using it for years. I recommend creating an online account with the IRS so you can look up your payments after you make them. They use ID.me for authentication.

https://www.irs.gov/payments/direct-pay
https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account
Thanks for the advice and the links.
by Van
Tue Feb 20, 2024 12:14 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: DIRECT PAY to IRS from bank account: Issues? Cautions?
Replies: 35
Views: 3069

Re: DIRECT PAY to IRS from bank account: Issues? Cautions?

Thanks lakpr. Your experience seems pretty positive. Hopefully, other folks will provide their experience.
by Van
Tue Feb 20, 2024 11:55 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: DIRECT PAY to IRS from bank account: Issues? Cautions?
Replies: 35
Views: 3069

DIRECT PAY to IRS from bank account: Issues? Cautions?

I've always written checks and mailed them to the IRS for any income tax balance due or for making estimated tax payments. However, I'm considering using Direct Pay this year as it would be more convenient and perhaps less chance of problems, e.g. check lost in the mail.
I would like to hear from those of you who have used it. Any problems? Anything to be careful about?
If I use it, would I then need to establish an account with the IRS in order to confirm that payments have been received and credited to me?
by Van
Mon Feb 19, 2024 6:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Snowblowers - Electric Start Option
Replies: 16
Views: 1207

Re: Snowblowers - Electric Start Option

Electric start!!! Why would you use the pull cord option? Just so you could risk damaging your shoulder or something else?

Our Ariens fires right up every time with the electric start. What am i missing? Why would you pull on the damn cord???
by Van
Tue Feb 06, 2024 5:07 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What Does Flagship and Flagship Select Levels Get You These Days?
Replies: 49
Views: 6457

Re: What Does Flagship and Flagship Select Levels Get You These Days?

WhitePuma wrote: Tue Feb 06, 2024 11:14 am With Flagship, they reply to secure messages within 25 days and make 10 mistakes on your account per year.

With Flagship Select, they reply to secure messages within 20 days and only make 8 mistakes on your account per year.
I don't think this is anywhere close to being accurate. It certainly is not my experience.
by Van
Sat Jan 27, 2024 11:45 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Frustrated Trying to Edit RMD on Vanguard Website
Replies: 53
Views: 7272

Re: Frustrated Trying to Edit RMD on Vanguard Website

KenH wrote: Sat Jan 27, 2024 7:07 am Van, I was able to load the 'previous version' of the page, however, there was no option to edit the RMD details.

About half way down the page in the middle you should see in small red letters: EDIT / DELETE. Click on EDIT.
by Van
Fri Jan 26, 2024 2:15 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Frustrated Trying to Edit RMD on Vanguard Website
Replies: 53
Views: 7272

Re: Frustrated Trying to Edit RMD on Vanguard Website

KenH, I think there is a work around. Get to the RMD Summary page and then scroll down to the Previous Version of This Page (or something very similar to that if I don't have the exact wording). Click on that and you should get to a page that will allow you to make changes. As usual Vanguard should have left things the way they used to be!
by Van
Tue Jan 23, 2024 9:33 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Costco Visa - not worth it?
Replies: 30
Views: 4315

Re: Costco Visa - not worth it?

HipCoyote wrote: Tue Jan 23, 2024 8:47 am
Van wrote: Tue Jan 23, 2024 7:59 am I like the simplicity of having only one credit card. The COSTCO card seems fine for a one card guy like me that spends a lot at COSTCO including almost all gas purchases.
A family member was also a one card guy until he went on a trip and simultaneously there were some fraudulent charges. Card cancelled and he had a heck of a time dealing with no card for a while and salvage his trip. It was a mess. As the SEALS say, “ Two is one and one is none.” I recommend two cards.

Unlikely I would find myself in the same situation, but if I did, I think my bank debit card would see me through.
by Van
Tue Jan 23, 2024 7:59 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Costco Visa - not worth it?
Replies: 30
Views: 4315

Re: Costco Visa - not worth it?

I like the simplicity of having only one credit card. The COSTCO card seems fine for a one card guy like me that spends a lot at COSTCO including almost all gas purchases.
by Van
Mon Jan 22, 2024 12:29 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Frustrated Trying to Edit RMD on Vanguard Website
Replies: 53
Views: 7272

Re: Frustrated Trying to Edit RMD on Vanguard Website

I want to view the parameters of my Required Minimum Distribution that is automatically scheduled to be carried out by Vanguard. Specifically, I want to view the amount to be withdrawn from my IRA, the date of the scheduled withdrawal, the % to be withheld for federal income tax, and what account will be receiving the distribution. After spending several hours going round and round on the website, I contacted my flagship rep. for help. She told me to follow a path that I had been down several times: Transact > Required Minimum Distribution. If you do this, you do get to a page that has some of the information related to your upcoming RMD, but not all of it. For example, the % to be withheld of income tax is not shown. Even more frustrating...
by Van
Sun Jan 21, 2024 5:49 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Frustrated Trying to Edit RMD on Vanguard Website
Replies: 53
Views: 7272

Re: Frustrated Trying to Edit RMD on Vanguard Website

thelimocat wrote: Sat Jan 20, 2024 7:52 pm Did anyone ever solve this issue. I have a similar issue trying access the "Manage Required Distribution" page. Just a spinning indicator. All other pages load find including the old version of the page. On mac and various browsers.
No, it was not resolved. My Flagship rep spent a lot of time working with the tech team trying to get a fix. Although the rep made an earnest effort, I was never convinced that the Vanguard Tech Team took it very seriously. They kept implying that the problem was at my end. What you describe is exactly what happens with me.
by Van
Wed Dec 20, 2023 3:47 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Rate of Yield Change: Money Market Funds vs. CDs and Treasuries
Replies: 3
Views: 676

Re: Rate of Yield Change: Money Market Funds vs. CDs and Treasuries

Thanks David Jay. So it is that simple. The 5.3% or so yield on money market funds will hold steady until there is a change in the Fed Funds Rate, and then the yield will change very quickly. On the other hand, CD and Treasury rates yields have dropped lately in anticipation of an upcoming change in the Fed Funds Rate. Correct?
by Van
Wed Dec 20, 2023 2:34 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Rate of Yield Change: Money Market Funds vs. CDs and Treasuries
Replies: 3
Views: 676

Rate of Yield Change: Money Market Funds vs. CDs and Treasuries

My impression was that the yield on money market funds would go up or down more quickly than the yields on CDs and Treasuries. However, the yields on my Settlement Fund and Treasury Money Market accounts (both Vanguard) have held steady the last couple of weeks whereas the yields on brokered CDs and on Treasuries have been steadily decreasing. Is this what usually happens?
by Van
Sat Dec 02, 2023 9:09 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Lower bond percentage after you won the game?
Replies: 112
Views: 21797

Re: Lower bond percentage after you won the game?

:thumbsup :thumbsup
KlangFool wrote: Fri Apr 02, 2021 8:29 am OP,

The pain of loss is several times bigger than the joy of gain.

KlangFool
by Van
Wed Nov 22, 2023 6:16 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Frustrated Trying to Edit RMD on Vanguard Website
Replies: 53
Views: 7272

Re: Frustrated Trying to Edit RMD on Vanguard Website

I tried on my wife's computer. Same problem, but we have the same OS.
by Van
Wed Nov 22, 2023 5:40 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Frustrated Trying to Edit RMD on Vanguard Website
Replies: 53
Views: 7272

Re: Frustrated Trying to Edit RMD on Vanguard Website

I have been going around on this issue with the Vanguard technology team. The basid issue is this. When I click on "Required minimum distribution service" I get a never ending red circle going around or I get LOG IN. The technology team says the problem is at by end, specifically that my computer OS or Browser has a problem. I disagree, since I have tried a different browser with no success, and I have had not a single problem with any other website.

I believe the Vanguard technollgy team is unable or more likely unwilling to deal with this problem.

If there is any reolution to this problem, I'll post again.
by Van
Wed Nov 08, 2023 5:01 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Just starting out; picking bond investment funds
Replies: 26
Views: 3592

Re: Just starting out; picking bond investment funds

I agree with those that advocate a very heavy allocation to stocks at your age. The biggest investment mistake I made (I'm nearly 82) was being way to conservative when I was young. 80% stocks and 20% in cash and short term CDs or Treasuries.
by Van
Tue Nov 07, 2023 8:49 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Possible Vanguard Account Breach
Replies: 106
Views: 15191

Re: Possible Vanguard Account Breach

What's an aggregator? It has been mentioned several times.
by Van
Mon Nov 06, 2023 2:47 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Frustrated Trying to Edit RMD on Vanguard Website
Replies: 53
Views: 7272

Re: Frustrated Trying to Edit RMD on Vanguard Website

Thank all of you who replied.

I spoke at length with VG this morning, but my issue was not resolved. There is some technical glich that takes me to LOG IN when I click on the "required minimum distribution service". So I don't see all of my RMD parameters and obviously I can not edit anything.

I downloaded and installed Chrome to try in place of Safari. Same thing. I tried my wives" computer. Same thing.

If VG does anything to fix this glich, I'll post again. (I'm not holding my breath)

I will use the work around that mim found until VG decides to remove the "previous version" page.
by Van
Sun Nov 05, 2023 2:28 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Frustrated Trying to Edit RMD on Vanguard Website
Replies: 53
Views: 7272

Re: Frustrated Trying to Edit RMD on Vanguard Website

Thanks SoHobo. I do not know what the problem is either. Apparently it is not Safari. Have you transitioned to the Brokerage Platform? I have. Maybe that is the problem combined with Safari. If you have transitioned, then I have no idea what's going on with me.
by Van
Sun Nov 05, 2023 1:38 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Frustrated Trying to Edit RMD on Vanguard Website
Replies: 53
Views: 7272

Re: Frustrated Trying to Edit RMD on Vanguard Website

Thanks Swee'Pea

Unfortunately, that does not work for me. I think, as suggested by a couple of contributors, the issue is I have a MAC and use Safari. I will be calling VG tomorrow to see what they say. There are millions and millions of us using Safari. You would think VG would fix this.
by Van
Sun Nov 05, 2023 7:53 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Frustrated Trying to Edit RMD on Vanguard Website
Replies: 53
Views: 7272

Re: Frustrated Trying to Edit RMD on Vanguard Website

Thanks artbuc.

When I click on Holdings I get a listing of my brokerage accounts but not RMD Summary. How are you getting there?

The other path does not work for me.
When I click on the last link, required minimum distribution service, it takes me to Log In! VG is apparently having technical problems. But it works for you?
by Van
Sat Nov 04, 2023 10:02 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Frustrated Trying to Edit RMD on Vanguard Website
Replies: 53
Views: 7272

Re: Frustrated Trying to Edit RMD on Vanguard Website

Sorry you don't get it cella. I'll blame myself for not explaining it propertly. Mim gets it.
by Van
Sat Nov 04, 2023 9:51 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Frustrated Trying to Edit RMD on Vanguard Website
Replies: 53
Views: 7272

Re: Frustrated Trying to Edit RMD on Vanguard Website

Mim. Have you transitioned to the Brokerage Platform? If yes, maybe folks that have not will go directly to what for us is the "previous version".
by Van
Sat Nov 04, 2023 9:16 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Frustrated Trying to Edit RMD on Vanguard Website
Replies: 53
Views: 7272

Re: Frustrated Trying to Edit RMD on Vanguard Website

Mim. THAT WORKS! How obscure and difficult to find. Thank you.

Does "previous version" make you suspect that it might disappear? Then what will we do?
by Van
Sat Nov 04, 2023 9:06 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Frustrated Trying to Edit RMD on Vanguard Website
Replies: 53
Views: 7272

Re: Frustrated Trying to Edit RMD on Vanguard Website

I don't think I've done a good job at trying to explain the problem I'm having.

If you have to take an RMD and VG is doing it for you, pretent that you want to change the date of the distribution or some other parameter such as the % to be withheld for federal income tax. Now go to the VG web site and find the path to a screen page that will let you do that. I can not find such a page. If you can, let me know how to do it, please.
by Van
Sat Nov 04, 2023 7:48 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Frustrated Trying to Edit RMD on Vanguard Website
Replies: 53
Views: 7272

Re: Frustrated Trying to Edit RMD on Vanguard Website

cella you are completely missing the point. I might want, for example, to change the % withheld from my 2023 RMD distribution for federal income tax from 15% to 20%. I can't find a way to do that. I'm beginning to suspect it has something to do with the recent transition to the brokerage platform.
by Van
Sat Nov 04, 2023 6:36 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Frustrated Trying to Edit RMD on Vanguard Website
Replies: 53
Views: 7272

Re: Frustrated Trying to Edit RMD on Vanguard Website

Thanks swylie, but your path takes me to the same virtually worthless screen as going Transact > Required Minimum Distribution.

I have made the transition to the Brokerage Platform (or whatever it is called). Have you? Maybe that is why I get the dumbed down information page that has limited info and no useful way to edit.
by Van
Sat Nov 04, 2023 5:36 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Frustrated Trying to Edit RMD on Vanguard Website
Replies: 53
Views: 7272

Re: Frustrated Trying to Edit RMD on Vanguard Website

artbuc. What is the path???
by Van
Sat Nov 04, 2023 4:45 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Frustrated Trying to Edit RMD on Vanguard Website
Replies: 53
Views: 7272

Re: Frustrated Trying to Edit RMD on Vanguard Website

Not sure about the criteria for a flagship rep. I'm not sure Vanguard still calls them flagship reps., but there are still "dedicated" reps.
by Van
Sat Nov 04, 2023 4:27 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Frustrated Trying to Edit RMD on Vanguard Website
Replies: 53
Views: 7272

Frustrated Trying to Edit RMD on Vanguard Website

I want to view the parameters of my Required Minimum Distribution that is automatically scheduled to be carried out by Vanguard. Specifically, I want to view the amount to be withdrawn from my IRA, the date of the scheduled withdrawal, the % to be withheld for federal income tax, and what account will be receiving the distribution. After spending several hours going round and round on the website, I contacted my flagship rep. for help. She told me to follow a path that I had been down several times: Transact > Required Minimum Distribution. If you do this, you do get to a page that has some of the information related to your upcoming RMD, but not all of it. For example, the % to be withheld of income tax is not shown. Even more frustrating,...
by Van
Tue Oct 10, 2023 3:59 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Money Markets Can Replace All Fixed Income - Bengen
Replies: 45
Views: 7117

Re: Money Markets Can Replace All Fixed Income - Bengen

This does seem to go against what we have been led to believe over the years from investment gurus. I have gone to money markets plus CDs and treasury notes for my fixed income allocation, as bond funds have never worked out well for me. I suspect that my ill timed moves are why bond funds have not worked for me.
by Van
Wed Sep 13, 2023 3:29 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What's The Catch With Brokered CDs?
Replies: 54
Views: 9881

Re: What's The Catch With Brokered CDs?

Disclaimer: I KNOW NOTHING.

A couple of years ago, I gave up on bond funds in favor of buying brokered CDs and Treasuries through my brokerage account at Vanguard. I always hold the CDs or Treasury notes until maturity. I have had no regrets with this decision.
by Van
Tue Sep 12, 2023 5:57 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Risk comparison: VMMXX vs VMFXX vs VUSXX?
Replies: 44
Views: 31253

Re: Risk comparison: VMMXX vs VMFXX vs VUSXX?

How about a Forum rule that ticker symbols are ok in the title as long as the funds are spelled out in the text? I'm pretty sure this has probably been suggested before.
by Van
Mon Sep 04, 2023 4:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7638
Views: 1712608

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

The Wager. Do you have any notion what human beings can endure? A careful accounting of the shipwreck of HMS Wager in the 1740s.
by Van
Thu Aug 31, 2023 8:44 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Brokered CD questions.
Replies: 49
Views: 5127

Re: Brokered CD questions.

Convenience is big as Bikechuck noted.

All of my brokered CDs are bought through and held in my Vanguard Brokerage Account. Simple and all in one place.

When a CD matures the proceeds go right into my Settlement Fund, and, if I choose, I can buy a new one.
by Van
Thu Aug 31, 2023 3:41 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Brokered CD questions.
Replies: 49
Views: 5127

Re: Brokered CD questions.

There is nothing wrong with brokered CDs as long as you hold them to maturity. You will get the full return of your principal. The fluctuation in value from when you buy to when you sell is of no consequence, if held to maturity.

The advantage is, with a little shopping, you usually can earn a higher return than with a CD bought at par.
by Van
Fri Aug 25, 2023 2:59 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7638
Views: 1712608

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

Letter to a Christian Nation by Sam Harris.

Everyone should read this little gem. It will challenge your thinking.
by Van
Tue Aug 15, 2023 6:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Is 64 too young to retire?
Replies: 124
Views: 13438

Re: Is 64 too young to retire?

I retired at 51 and never regretted it. I no longer enjoyed what I was doing, and it was great to get away from the stress. Fortunately, my finances were very solid. The situation was right for me. Only you can decide if you are ready.
by Van
Mon Aug 14, 2023 7:02 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What motivated you to save money?
Replies: 232
Views: 27993

Re: What motivated you to save money?

Watching my parents squander money as they tried to outspend each other motivated me to do the opposite.
by Van
Sun Jul 23, 2023 2:27 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Dividend Stocks Instead of Bonds
Replies: 55
Views: 4588

Re: Dividend Stocks Instead of Bonds

climber2020 wrote: Sun Jul 23, 2023 8:25 am Dropping an asset class immediately after it has had a historically bad year is usually not advised.
+1
by Van
Fri Jul 14, 2023 5:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What is your biggest financial regret?
Replies: 51
Views: 4033

Re: What is your biggest financial regret?

tibbitts wrote: Fri Jul 14, 2023 5:01 pm
Van wrote: Fri Jul 14, 2023 4:59 pm I was not aggressive enough when I was young. Asset allocation in stocks was way too conservative.
Probably most of us would say that but only in retrospect, because we know how markets performed. So I don't count that as an actual regret. Of course if I did the amounts would be in the many hundreds of thousands of dollars.
With all due respect, I will decide for myself what constitutes a regret for me.