Search found 1249 matches

by porcupine
Thu Dec 18, 2014 11:47 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Gas Prices ($1.99) in North Texas
Replies: 45
Views: 4899

Re: Gas Prices ($1.99) in North Texas

Before the lock, here is a site for y'all ;-)

- Porcupine
by porcupine
Thu Dec 18, 2014 10:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sell or repair car decision
Replies: 23
Views: 6309

Re: Sell or repair car decision

saladdin wrote:[...]So 1kish gets you a paid for vehicle for another 100kmiles.[...]
*speechless at this logic*

- Porcupine
by porcupine
Fri Nov 07, 2014 9:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Oil change costs--dealer vs other
Replies: 35
Views: 5129

Re: Oil change costs--dealer vs other

In a recent thread , a number of posters made me wonder whether I was paying too much for oil changes (which I get done twice a year on my Honda Accord at the dealer, just because that's what my late husband always did.) Even though I don't drive all that much (about 6,000 miles per year), I know that the driving I do is relatively hard (urban, lots of stop and go, many short trips.) Interestingly, the "oil life 15%" light went on in my car just before I was planning to bring the car in for its twice annual oil change. (I don't think that's ever happened before.) Anyway, I went to my dealer's website and there seem to be standing coupons for an oil change for $20 (plus they will even match competitor coupons.) http://www.keelerho...
by porcupine
Wed Oct 29, 2014 8:37 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Schwab expands no commission ETFs-no early sell fee
Replies: 42
Views: 5801

Re: Schwab expands no commission ETFs-no early sell fee

I am not saying these programs are a bad deal. They're not. I am saying that they're not free. The non-Schwab funds in the ETF supermarket program pay to be in the program. If there were no payola , then all ETFs would be in the program. Rick Ferri "payola" implies that what they are doing is illegal. Obviously there is no free lunch and someone is paying the expenses to trade the shares and maintain them in the account. The question is who is paying and how much? AFAIK the ETFs in the program are paying it out of their expense ratio and perhaps Schwab is giving them a discount on the expenses. Again AFAIK the total expenses paid by me, the customer of Schwab, after the purchase of the shares are the same whether I paid the commi...
by porcupine
Wed Aug 27, 2014 11:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 401(k) poll - lawyer/oil and gas worker/airline employee?
Replies: 29
Views: 3249

Re: 401(k) poll - lawyer/oil and gas worker/airline employee

MaddMaxx wrote:IT in the Oil and Gas industry, best of both worlds!

company matches 100% up to 15% of our pay for 401k, mostly admiral and institutional Vanguard index funds. Bond funds consist of PIMCO real and total funds at .46% ER, so I dont buy bonds through my 401k.
What would be the easiest way to get into IT in the Oil and Gas industry? I just love those choices!!!

- Porcupine
by porcupine
Sat Aug 23, 2014 2:33 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Fidelity settles lawsuits over its own 401(k) plan
Replies: 5
Views: 875

Re: Fidelity settles lawsuits over its own 401(k) plan

This should be a message to anyone investing in Fidelity mutual funds. Why should that have anything to do with it? +1. Here is a quote from the article. Last year a group of current and former employeessued the retirement plan provider, alleging that the company's employee plan was dominated by higher-cost Fidelity mutual funds when lower-fee options were available -- both within Fidelity's own offerings and from other providers. They noted that the more than 150 investment options available in the Fidelity plan were all offered by Fidelity or a company subsidiary, according to the suit. And, at the end of 2010, nearly 85% of the plan's assets were held in actively managed Fidelity mutual funds, which tend to charge higher fees than passi...
by porcupine
Fri Aug 15, 2014 11:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Getting Married, traveling abroad
Replies: 25
Views: 3079

Re: Getting Married, traveling abroad

Watty wrote:[...]If you stay at one of the big American hotel chains you will miss a lot of the reason that you went to Europe.[...]
Could you please elaborate on this? How would staying in an American hotel chain defeat the purpose of touring?

Also, are these American hotels more expensive or less expensive than their local competitors?

- Porcupine
by porcupine
Sat Aug 09, 2014 10:25 pm
Forum: Forum Issues and Administration
Topic: Post interleaving
Replies: 33
Views: 4251

Re: Post interleaving

postingname:

Looks like your questions have been answered. I just wanted to add my two cents worth. I feel your pain.

After nine years of blogging, my blog was shut down by Wordpress without any explanation other than that I had violated their Terms of Service. No amount of pleading was sufficient for me to get a specific reason or consideration of my request to reinstate a blog after removing any content that they believed violated their TOS. :oops:

Though I've wanted to recreate the blog on a paid website, I am yet to recover 100% from the frustration of it all :-(

- Porcupine
by porcupine
Wed Jul 23, 2014 9:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dumb 3rd grade math question about beach house rental
Replies: 61
Views: 16220

Re: Dumb 3rd grade math question about beach house rental

AllenSmith wrote:You have failed to mention if there is a master bedroom, a second best bedroom and a third best bedroom.

Auction off the rooms by night! The mater bedroom may end up paying $5,000 for the entire week!
What if the auction results in a surplus? Would they all be required to go for vacation #2? ;-)

- Porcupine
by porcupine
Wed Jul 23, 2014 9:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dumb 3rd grade math question about beach house rental
Replies: 61
Views: 16220

Re: Dumb 3rd grade math question about beach house rental

Calm Man wrote:[...]What am I missing here that it shouldn't just be an even split?
You're missing the third couple. They are turning the even split into an odd one! ;-)

- Porcupine
by porcupine
Sat Jun 28, 2014 12:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Jacksonville fl, to Villanova pa over 4th
Replies: 4
Views: 680

Re: Jacksonville fl, to Villanova pa over 4th

leehsm wrote:Re-considering trip after reviewing early post. We did not think about the 4th holiday traffic so think a longer route avoiding Richmond- DC- Baltimore may be our best. Any suggestion on picking up I-83 taking it north to around Harrisburg then east to Vilinova pa. Thanks
I-95 --> I-26 --> I-77 --> I-81 would be my suggested route.

- Porcupine
by porcupine
Fri Jun 27, 2014 9:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: To HSA or not to HSA
Replies: 12
Views: 2051

Re: To HSA or not to HSA

Histotech wrote:[...]Other details that may be helpful: all three pay 90/10 after the deductible, income is ~$50k, my wife will stay home and we have about $15k as an emergency fund in addition to a modest start at retirement savings. We live very fairly frugally and during the time I was not working full-time our expenses were ~$1500/mo for everything, NOT counting delivery costs... still waiting on that wonderful bill!

I really, really want to do something with an HSA, but am not sure if that is wise with the new addition.

Thanks so much!
Before comparing HDHP vs. PPO for the purpose of HSA, I am curious as to what your 401(k), Roth IRA, etc contributions are. Any details?

- Porcupine
by porcupine
Fri Jun 27, 2014 8:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best route thru DC on I95
Replies: 23
Views: 15837

Re: Best route thru DC on I95

Looking for the best route thru DC heading north on I 95 from Richmond Va to Philly. During July 4 week. Last trip we followed GPS and it took us thru the busy DC TRAFFIC. Appreciate any hints on best route. Lee I find it somewhat strange that you are not planning for alternatives to I-90 from Richmond to the NoVa area. Last year, on an August weekend, returning from NJ to FL, I got stuck in major traffic right after leaving the 495 beltway to get on I-95 southbound. It took me nearly four hours to cover a distance of less than 100 miles. Never again am I driving that stretch during the daytime. It appeared that half of VA was headed to the beaches, either at VA Beach, or elsewhere! :oops: I would've assumed that the northbound traffic wou...
by porcupine
Fri Jun 27, 2014 7:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Sallie Mae incorrectly calculating interest?
Replies: 85
Views: 9343

Re: Sallie Mae incorrectly calculating interest?

In professional financial markets, the US dollar and US calculations use 360 days-- that's pretty much universal (US bonds and money market securities use 12 30 day months of 30 days each, even for leap years and for February etc.). That does not appear to the be the case here, but it tells you that interest calculation conventions often don't agree with the real world (we haven't even begun to talk about the 'leap second' ;-) (science joke)). [...] Not true. Yes it is true. Note my underlining. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_count_convention#30.2F360_methods US financial markets (money markets) use 360 Day Base. ISDA uses 30/360 as a day count convention. We have a five-year HEL loan from PenFed on our mortgage - it is a simple interest...
by porcupine
Fri Jun 27, 2014 7:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Sallie Mae incorrectly calculating interest?
Replies: 85
Views: 9343

Re: Sallie Mae incorrectly calculating interest?

[...] Interest for more than one year is calculated using compound interest. A Brasilian woman told me in Brasilian markets they use compound interest even for periods of less than 1 year, I think because Brasil had hyperinflation. Here is a quote from an online bank . If I understand correctly, most (if not all) deposit accounts with US banks also compound daily. Interest Rate: The published interest rate for the product you are interested in (enter the actual interest rate, not the APY). Compounding: Select daily. All of our products calculate interest daily. I am sure you are familiar with the difference between an interest rate and the Annual Percent Yield or APY (please refer to quote above). For those who are not ... the former is th...
by porcupine
Thu Jun 26, 2014 6:47 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Sallie Mae incorrectly calculating interest?
Replies: 85
Views: 9343

Re: Sallie Mae incorrectly calculating interest?

Hi All, I am writing to you because I may have discovered that Sallie Mae is off a few cents on a monthly basis on my student loan. I have been monitoring this for some time and now keep a daily record of my student loan declining balance and interest accrual. Most concerning, I do not believe their website is reporting the true amount of interest accrued each month which would explain why the numbers are off. I have a simple spreadsheet that is calculating my daily loan balance and interest values to 9 decimal places, however, this simple interest calculation (emphasis mine) continues to deviate from Sallie Mae's website which offers little to no information on how their numbers are calculated. I have been in contact with Sallie Mae many,...
by porcupine
Sun Jun 08, 2014 10:49 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How To Encourage A Young (Sensitive) Child In Sports
Replies: 115
Views: 14380

Re: How To Encourage A Young (Sensitive) Child In Sports

texasdiver wrote:I have 3 daughters and have been through the same thing with them. Basically what we have told all three of them is that there are two things that we expect from them outside of school. One is to be physically active and the other is to study music. However they get to chose the activity and music. Our thoughts are that learning to be physically active is really important in this society that leans towards sedentary lifestyles and obesity. Music is more to do with being a well educated individual.[...]
+1 (though you could replace music with dance).
by porcupine
Sun Jun 08, 2014 10:40 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How To Encourage A Young (Sensitive) Child In Sports
Replies: 115
Views: 14380

Re: How To Encourage A Young (Sensitive) Child In Sports

Being forced to kiss relatives? Whoa! Sick! :D It's a cultural thing. Some cultures use the one cheek kiss, others the two cheeks kiss, and still others the three cheeks kiss. Oops, not that third cheek; I mean the first cheek a second time. You have to know whom you are greeting. I am old, and I sometimes forget how many cheeks each person is worth. :) P.S. It's not a sex thing. I am male, and my nephews of that culture all kiss me on the cheek when greeting me. My nephews from the used-to-be-dominant culture in the US give me hugs, but without the kiss. P.P.S. I was born a used-to-be. Yes, there are cultural things that one misses when one is not in one's country of origin anymore. Especially when those things appear appalling to folks i...
by porcupine
Tue Apr 08, 2014 6:38 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do I take the separation package offer?
Replies: 52
Views: 8678

Re: Do I take the separation package offer?

jebmke wrote:
Vinny: Hey, Vincent LaGuardia Gambini--
Lisa: His name's J.T.
Vinny: J.T., I believe you and Lisa played a game of pool for two hundred dollars, which she won; I'm here to collect.
J.T.: How 'bout if I just kick your ass?
Vinny: Oh, a counteroffer. That's what we lawyers, I'm a lawyer, call that a counteroffer. Let me see, this is a tough decision you're giving me here. Get my ass kicked or collect two hundred dollars. Hmm, let me think. I could use a good ass kicking, I'll be very honest with you. Nah, I think I'll just go with the two hundred.
I'm with Mr. Gambini. I'm one big fan of him ... and his accent. ;-)
by porcupine
Fri Mar 21, 2014 4:28 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tax question about exceeding 401K contribution
Replies: 5
Views: 1101

Re: Tax question about exceeding 401K contribution

ubermax wrote:A possibility : 1099-R is issued for year of receipt which makes sense and is what Fidelity did ; and so file an amended return for '12 & a '13 return reflecting the K correction - that's how I would handle it - wouldn't assume Fidelity is wrong - this is the stuff they do well and they do it over and over - you can do an amended return in TT and then do it the right way in TT for '13.
+1.
by porcupine
Sun Mar 16, 2014 10:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What premium items are least worth it?
Replies: 105
Views: 10931

Re: What premium items are least worth it?

Gnirk wrote:
Ged wrote:Jewelry.
Hmmm…are you related to my husband? :shock:
Relatively or literally? ;-)

- Porcupine
by porcupine
Fri Mar 14, 2014 9:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Another one of those 'should I sell my condo?' threads
Replies: 8
Views: 1025

Re: Another one of those 'should I sell my condo?' threads

Felllow bogleheads, here's the scoop. I saw a 1 bedroom condo in my complex listed at more than I paid for my 2 bedroom property. The price it is listed at, which says pending sale, seemed like a crazy stupid high number to me - and If that is a valid number, my 2bedroom is worth a lot more than I ever thought, and means that I am nowhere near the 1% rule. Consider that the current value of the property is 2.5x the outstanding loan balance. There has to be an opportunity cost on this untapped equity, were it invested in a split of Total Stock Market and Total Bond Market. How i Decide what this is? I am currently at roughly 80/20, so how would I figure out an opportunity cost on the $$$ I would have leftover to invest after paying off a mo...
by porcupine
Thu Mar 13, 2014 10:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Did you retire in your 30s?
Replies: 93
Views: 16320

Re: Did you retire in your 30s?

Stonebr wrote:
Videogames wrote: Favorite seen in office space when they said if you had a million dollars what would you do? Nothing. Lol
Nothing = whatever I feel like that day.
[OT comment removed by admin LadyGeek]
[Reply to OT comment removed by admin LadyGeek]

- Porcupine
by porcupine
Thu Mar 13, 2014 10:47 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Did you retire in your 30s?
Replies: 93
Views: 16320

Re: Did you retire in your 30s?

32 my in laws can't stand it. They think work is some how good for you and getting up everyday at 6 am sitting in traffic is the way to go. People also ask me what I do. I'll say from now on I'm not working. That'll kill that conversation and lead to something more stimulating. Favorite seen in office space when they said if you had a million dollars what would you do? Nothing. Lol Nothing = whatever I feel like that day. Did you retire in your 30s? If yes, what lessons did you learn? One lesson was to have a spouse that is not retired and is still working. Agreed Videogames, is your wife still working? If so, you retired at 32 but your wife is still working and you're wondering why your in laws can't stand it? Let me see here. We are in t...
by porcupine
Sat Mar 08, 2014 1:42 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Having problem with Vanguard ... reverting 401(k) contribs
Replies: 3
Views: 1010

Re: Having problem with Vanguard ... reverting 401(k) contri

tfb: Thanks for the response! My wife changed jobs in 2013. Later in the year, her new company split. As a result, she ended up with three W2s for the year. The 401(k) custodian from her first job was not Vanguard; however, Vanguard does administer her plan in her new company (both before and after split). Early in December, I noticed that she was getting close to the annual contribution limit and would go over, unless the contribution percent was reduced. So, I asked her to update (lower) the contribution percent for the rest of the year. Though she did so, there was a slight confusion whether or not it would happen in time, so I asked her to call Vanguard. She was assured that the reduction was in effect to go in as of the next paycheck -...
by porcupine
Sat Mar 08, 2014 12:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Questions about a Lingering Divorce
Replies: 28
Views: 2735

Re: Questions about a Lingering Divorce

Are both parents open to the idea of selling the house? I agree with Michael Scott's suggestion to tread carefully. Even though you would be helping, you'd be the messenger of an unfortunate reality in your parents' situation: they may not be able to keep their current home. +1. OP: Is there any way one of you (three?) siblings - or all of you, in turns - can host your mother? If so, you might be able to present a win-win solution to your parents. Sell the home, split the equity. No more house payments (towards this house) for either of them. Plus mother can put some money down to buy another, maybe smaller, place (anywhere she prefers - northeast or FL!) if she wishes. But do tread carefully! You don't to get trampled by everyone! :oops: ...
by porcupine
Tue Mar 04, 2014 6:45 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Went back to TaxACT, OK but a few problems (2014 update)
Replies: 11
Views: 2629

Re: Went back to TaxACT, OK but a few problems

David:

The last few years - and I plan to this year as well - I ran all the numbers through TaxAct, but then hand-filled the appropriate forms then mailed them. A bit more work, but that might work for you ...

- Porcupine
by porcupine
Tue Mar 04, 2014 6:39 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [POLL] What do Bogleheads DRINK?
Replies: 71
Views: 7019

Re: [POLL] What do Bogleheads DRINK?

What is "regularly"? I checked off the box for wine because I think I drink it regularly - maybe every couple of weeks. But it's actually a bit irregular, and not frequent. Maybe you meant daily, so maybe I shouldn't have checked that box. My daily drinks are coffee, water, and tea. Anyway, don't start drinking coffee just because we are a bunch of addicts. Have you seen the price of coffee these days? Excellent point. I did vote water, but to be very honest, my water intake is as irregular and erratic as can be. On the other hand, I drink tea once in the morning and once in the evening. More often than not, on the way to work, I have my tea cup in my hand - I am that regular! So, maybe OP wanted me to vote tea after all, eh? I c...
by porcupine
Sun Mar 02, 2014 9:44 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Experiences with Eli Lilly Credit Union for HSA?
Replies: 69
Views: 21761

Re: Experiences with Eli Lilly Credit Union for HSA?

I was turned down! :annoyed They were nice during the sign up process but once I was rejected they treated me like I had leprosy. I jumped through every hoop they requested which seemed to revolve around identification. My drivers licence doesn't match my current address but it's been like that for over 10 years and haven't had any difficulty opening my other online accounts. The police here don't even care! The worst part: They wouldn't explain the reasoning I was rejected other than I had to physically visit their closest branch (2000 miles away from me) and go from there. Ridiculous! I currently have an HSA with Alliant and simply wanted to roll it over based upon positive feedback. I'm happy with Alliant but desired some addtional opti...
by porcupine
Sat Mar 01, 2014 8:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best practice for laptop battery life
Replies: 12
Views: 1583

Re: Best practice for laptop battery life

[...] To never allow it to fully discharge, and try not to let it go below 10%. To only recharge when it <35%. No complaints here. And to not keep it plugged in, unless I was engaged in an energy-draining task. Again, using the battery is what kills the battery. When you are not plugged in, you are using the battery. Not having to be plugged is the benefit of a laptop, but not plugging in when you can will just kill the battery faster. I wish I had such a low bar to be called a genius at my job. Then again, one of Apple's MOs is selling overpriced accessories, so maybe I shouldn't be surprised. Are you sure about this? My Acer battery lastetr (only?) four years. I now need to keep my laptop plugged in. I used to always keep it plugged in. ...
by porcupine
Tue Feb 25, 2014 11:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Re: Billing for annual physicals
Replies: 73
Views: 11600

Re: Billing for annual physicals

It seems, from posts here, as well as my experience, that there are widely different situations experienced and practiced. That goes without saying, though it does appear that enough folks are dinged - more than I had originally assumed when I made my OP. Last year (Kaiser Medicare) at my annual "health assessment", much of the appointment time dealt with a very recent issue, and the doctor ordered some new tests to address/diagnose that condition. There was no office visit charge and it was, apparently, billed as the annual health assessment (no charge to me). I wish we could have your doctor or someone like him/her. What also occurred to me, as I read the posted experiences - is that not many years ago, many (of not most) healt...
by porcupine
Tue Feb 25, 2014 11:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Help with Mortgage-speak!
Replies: 27
Views: 2629

Re: Help with Mortgage-speak!

Hi, I am trying to explain something to my loan servicer, but I am having a hard time getting my question across or really understanding whether he is answering me. Hopefully someone here can give me the correct terms to use to communicate with him properly. Background: We have already closed on our mortgage and we are about 3 months into paying. This is my first mortgage, but I have a LOT of experience with student loans. With my student loan, for example, $500 is due the 1st of every month, which includes principal and interest on my 30-year payment schedule. If I pay $500 on January 25th in advance of my February due date, then I have paid all of the interest for that month, as well as a little bit to the principal. Assuming my payment ...
by porcupine
Tue Feb 25, 2014 9:29 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Re: Billing for annual physicals
Replies: 73
Views: 11600

Re: Billing for annual physicals

Doctors shouldn't accept insurance or do physicals if they don't think they make enough money. If I schedule an annual physical and the doctor believes we are covering something beyond the scope of the initial visit then the Doctor has the responsibility to inform the patient (and tell me how much more it will cost, just like going to the auto mechanic). I just saw something in the news that irritated me this morning. It related a study that most patients should get basic tests at family doctors instead of at a Pharmacy quick clinic. Supposedly this is because the doctor better understands my needs due to our "special" relationship. :annoyed I have a stronger relationship with the Pharmacy cashier than I do with my family doctor ...
by porcupine
Tue Feb 25, 2014 7:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Does anyone not take depreication on rental?
Replies: 11
Views: 1161

Re: Does anyone not take depreication on rental?

Taking depreciation is a form of tax deferral. If a 401k makes sense, so does depreciation. That's not really true. You are forced to take yearly depreciation. If your cash flow is near even, you wouldn't really benefit as there is no deferral. The depreciation recapture rate is 25 percent. However, any gain you have that exceeds the depreciation recapture is taxed at only 15 percent. In a world where you could opt-out of depreciation, a lot of people would benefit. That is not really correct. When taken, depreciation does reduce your taxable income by the amount of depreciation. Picture the following: Income (W-2 and 1099s etc): 100,000 Rent: 10,000 Depreciation: 5,000 All other rental-related expenses: 5,000 Now, the rental is in a break...
by porcupine
Tue Feb 25, 2014 7:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Re: Data security (removing old TaxAct files)
Replies: 12
Views: 1575

Re: Data security (removing old TaxAct files)

Thanks to everyone for your responses - they were very helpful, though in the end, I just went ahead and performed a wipe using ccleaner. I'm in IT, so let me suggest an alternative view of the issue: You're focusing on the wrong problem. If you're taking your computer to someone you do not trust, you've already lost. Let's say you securely delete your confidential files before you bring the computer in for service. When you bring it back, are you going to use it for financial stuff again? If so, the repair shop could've just trojan'ed the computer so they capture all that new data anyway. If you still want to do this, delete the files, then use some program like CCleaner to wipe the free space. Uninstalling the program should not be necess...
by porcupine
Tue Feb 25, 2014 7:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Re: Billing for annual physicals
Replies: 73
Views: 11600

Re: Billing for annual physicals

There are two reasons why I have not responded to the responses on this thread:

- I have a lot to write
- I don't have the time to sit and write it all at one sitting :-(

In the meantime, let me share an article that my wife forwarded me. One thing is for sure - doctors have probably always been (for lack of a better term) 'superbilling, but we (non doctors) just haven't realized because it is all lost in the HMO jungle and we don't really pay. Even if we pay, no one goes after the doctors to get a reimbursement of a $20 or $25 co-pay.

- Porcupine
by porcupine
Mon Feb 24, 2014 7:47 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: HSA vs. Regular Plan--two very good choices
Replies: 18
Views: 2016

Re: HSA vs. Regular Plan--two very good choices

The minute you leave, the HSA starts hitting you with monthly fees, if they don't already. My new employer has an HSA plan, and I talked to the former employer HSA people about moving my money to the new HSA. They got a good laugh out of that. Laugh as they wish. You can move your money to your new employer's HSA or one you establish yourself. The most your former employer HSA will make out of would be a one-time transfer fee or an account closing fee. Moving it to a private administrator seems to result in even higher fees, so there don't seem to be any good options to keep that money hanging around until I really need it. I am going to drain it down as fast as possible now. You can find credit unions that don't charge fees. Elfcu is the ...
by porcupine
Sun Feb 23, 2014 10:08 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: HSA vs. Regular Plan--two very good choices
Replies: 18
Views: 2016

Re: HSA vs. Regular Plan--two very good choices

The generous employer subsidy justifies the HSA. Usually, the worst case for a high-deductible plan is if you use the entire deductible, as the high-deductible plan is likely to cost less than the conventional plan once the deductibles have been met. In your situation, if you use the whole $3000 deductible, you will pay $750 beyond the employer contribution to your HSA, and the tax subsidy on your own $4350 contribution is more than that, so you wind up ahead no matter what. I would say the employer subsidy, along with the fact that the max OOP in network is $6k, tips the scale towards the HDHP/HSA combo. That said, I suggest that OP read my post about how you could get dinged by your PCP. Also, read the other thread that someone linked to...
by porcupine
Thu Feb 20, 2014 7:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Re: Data security (removing old TaxAct files)
Replies: 12
Views: 1575

Re: Data security (removing old TaxAct files)

I have been using TaxAct for the last few years (a satisfied customer). My laptop has now become a bit ancient and I need to get it cleaned and overhauled (I am not too good with that sort of a thing, especially with a laptop). WIth that in mind, I need to clean out my TaxAct data that is lying in its hard drive before I give the laptop to someone for a couple of days. With the caveat that it is not easy to scrub the data (given that there is probably other financial stuff also somewhere - in some scrambled format or the other - on the laptop), what is the quickest way for me to do the minimum I could do so that if someone wants to get at that stuff, it won't be that easy (at least)? At the very least, I can delete all those files and unins...
by porcupine
Fri Feb 14, 2014 9:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: People Search - paying for data?
Replies: 21
Views: 2604

Re: People Search - paying for data?

Based on the responses you've received, I suggest a small change to your signature. Current version:
An elephant for a dime is only a good deal if you need an elephant and have a dime.
Revised version: An elephant for a dime is only a good deal if you need an elephant and have a dime, and no one else is giving away elephants for free. ;-)

- Porcupine
by porcupine
Fri Feb 14, 2014 4:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: People Search - paying for data?
Replies: 21
Views: 2604

Re: People Search - paying for data?

ExcelJunkie wrote:I have a close friend who used an online service (not sure which one) to find a long lost sibling. He paid ~$20 for the contact info and was given an address and phone number. Both were correct and he was able to get in contact. If you Google the name of the site you are considering using you may find reviews which explain the level of satisfaction others have experienced.

Good luck to your FIL in getting into contact with his old buddies.
+1. I found some long lost friends through (IIRC) intelius, which is also one of the top google responses. It appears that the basic search is pretty inexpensive (though I had got my results for free) - four bucks for name, address, phone number and address history!

- Porcupine
by porcupine
Thu Feb 13, 2014 7:17 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard snowed in.
Replies: 31
Views: 4514

Re: Vanguard snowed in.

sscritic wrote:
nisiprius wrote:
gkaplan wrote:[weather report]
How the weather in Scottsdale, AZ?
gkaplan now lives in Portland. He used to live in CA. Maybe he also once lived in Scottsdale, but I don't know. Then again, he has an internet connection and can look it up for you.
I think nisi's got a significant portion of his assets with Schwab, who have major presence in the Phoenix area, IIRC, and that would explain the question. Of course, I could be wrong - won't be the first time that happened! :oops:
by porcupine
Wed Feb 12, 2014 9:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Re: Billing for annual physicals
Replies: 73
Views: 11600

Re: Billing for annual physicals

I am never asked to fill out paperwork. That sounds like a new patient. At my annual physical the doctor always asks if I have any issues. I don't remember if I have ever said I did. Sounds like you either need a new doctor or tell them of your dissatisfaction and that if they do this again you WILL look for a new doctor. Not a new patient. Here is the second sentence of my original post: However, my wife and I have both had issues with how we are being (over?) billed by our primary doctor who we've been visiting for nearly a decade now. Maybe the word paperwork has different meanings/connotations. Be that as it may, I',m pretty sure I've had to fill this out every year, basically listing personal information, medical history, family medic...
by porcupine
Tue Feb 11, 2014 11:58 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Re: Billing for annual physicals
Replies: 73
Views: 11600

Re: Billing for annual physicals

pinecrest wrote:
livesoft wrote:There was a physician on the forum, biasion who wrote about how to increase billing simply by some of the things mentioned by the OP.
http://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=512077

(Am I weird for remembering that thread?)
Wow. That is an eye-opening thread.
Thanks livesoft! This is me right now! :oops:

- Porcupine
by porcupine
Tue Feb 11, 2014 11:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Re: Billing for annual physicals
Replies: 73
Views: 11600

Re: Billing for annual physicals

We get blood drawn and lab results back BEFORE we go to physical, so that we can talk about blood chemistry at the physical exam. Don't know about my wife, but I asked - and was told that I would get the blood work paperwork at the physical. Next time, I will insist on getting the paperwork for the bloodwork first. Whether at this doctor's or at a new doctor's! That's not quite what I wrote. The bloodwork is done first, but the results go to the doc who gives it to the patient at the physical. That could be the same as "get the blood work paperwork at the physical" if the "paperwork" means "the results" on paper. I was not clear. My bad. I meant paperwork to mean the list of tests that were ordered (as opposed...
by porcupine
Tue Feb 11, 2014 8:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Re: Billing for annual physicals
Replies: 73
Views: 11600

Re: Billing for annual physicals

livesoft wrote:We get blood drawn and lab results back BEFORE we go to physical, so that we can talk about blood chemistry at the physical exam.
Don't know about my wife, but I asked - and was told that I would get the blood work paperwork at the physical. Next time, I will insist on getting the paperwork for the bloodwork first. Whether at this doctor's or at a new doctor's!
by porcupine
Tue Feb 11, 2014 8:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Re: Billing for annual physicals
Replies: 73
Views: 11600

Re: Billing for annual physicals

My understanding is that an annual physical is a free visit to the doctor. However, my wife and I have both had issues with how we are being (over?) billed by our primary doctor who we've been visiting for nearly a decade now. Here is a brief summary: For the last (nearly) two years, we have been on an HDHP. Both of us have a condition or two apiece (without going into details) that needs medication. They might be classified as 'pre-existing conditions' I guess. in November, i set up my annual physical. When I got to the doctor's office, I was offered a sheet to fill out information about myself and my medical background. I specified on the form that I was there for a physical. The receptionist had noted (either verbally or on the form, I f...
by porcupine
Fri Dec 20, 2013 5:01 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help with Wife's New 401K
Replies: 5
Views: 818

Re: Help with Wife's New 401K

karpems wrote:Hey Everyone,

My wife's company is switching 401K investment options to Blackrock and Columbia. The expense ratios are much higher than I am used to with Vanguard and Fidelity.

I would love if you guys would look at the options in the attached picture and make so recommendations for asset allocations. We are both 30 years old.

Image
screenshot windows
The one recommendation I make is that if she contributes to that 401k, she gets out of that company before she is 40! :oops:

Or they change the 401k provider (can be done, though I wouldn't bet on that).
by porcupine
Tue Dec 17, 2013 5:46 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Really dumb question about Expense Ratio calcs
Replies: 4
Views: 1035

Re: Really dumb question about Expense Ratio calcs

morbster wrote:I'm embarrassed to ask this, but I'd just like to check and see if I'm understanding my expense ratio correctly.

If I have 3 funds with the following allocations and expense ratios:

Vanguard Total Bond Market - 15% - (.05% ER)
Vanguard Total Stock Market - 60% - (.02% ER)
Vanguard Total World Stock Market - 25% - (.17%)

Then my overall ER is simply the weight average, correct? This yield .06%, which seems very low compared to the numbers I've seen on this site.

Thanks in advance for teaching me how to math.
You've got it right.

BTW, I've seen entire portfolios of Bogleheads in the sub-0.10% range.

- Porcupine