Search found 202 matches

by klneutral
Fri Mar 22, 2024 3:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Walmart Plus Feels Like A Scam
Replies: 53
Views: 5986

Re: Walmart Plus Feels Like A Scam

After playing around a bit more, I realize that there are three options--Pickup, Shipping and Delivery. I see that for the TheraTears order, there is no extra charge if I choose either of the first two options but the small order charge applies if I choose the latter.

Odd thing is that with either Shipping or Delivery, I get the item quickly. Maybe tomorrow versus late tonight. Go figure.

Some items that I put into my cart do not have the Shipping option though. Toothpaste, for example. Maybe it is considered a grocery item.
by klneutral
Fri Mar 22, 2024 3:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Walmart Plus Feels Like A Scam
Replies: 53
Views: 5986

Re: Walmart Plus Feels Like A Scam

Johm221122 wrote: Fri Mar 22, 2024 2:04 pm Was it shipped by Walmart or 3rd party. On 3rd party orders a fee will still apply if applicable
Shipped by Walmart. An order of TheraTears (eye drops) that had no extra charge a few days ago now comes with the extra $6.99 charge.
by klneutral
Fri Mar 22, 2024 1:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Walmart Plus Feels Like A Scam
Replies: 53
Views: 5986

Walmart Plus Feels Like A Scam

My past Walmart.com orders of $35 or more have shipped free.

Having dropped Amazon Prime recently, I decided to try Walmart Plus which is advertised to give free shipping on all orders. The first three small orders went well. The total cost was the cost of the item(s) plus tax. Delivery was made quickly, sometimes from the local store only a couple of miles away. I was sold. Impressed even.

Then, within days, I went to make the fourth order and a new $6.99 charge was added because the order was below $35. Shipping was still listed as free.

It feels like the Walmart Plus account is about worthless since I am reduced to trying to stick with larger orders, just like before.
by klneutral
Wed Dec 13, 2023 11:06 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity check fraud hassle?
Replies: 44
Views: 5916

Re: Fidelity check fraud hassle?

A couple of posts here indicate that one precaution would be to use BillPay. But many BillPay checks still go through U. S. mail so I have to ask--is there something about BillPay checks that makes them impossible to wash and therefore perfectly safe to use?
by klneutral
Tue Jul 04, 2023 10:21 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: [E*TRADE Accounts Transfer to Morgan Stanley]
Replies: 208
Views: 26607

Re: E*Trade --> Morgan Stanley

I would like to opt out of the eTrade to Morgan Stanley transfer and wonder whether transfer bonuses paid by ETrade in Nov 2022 for a 12 month retention period would be clawed back. Anybody know?
by klneutral
Sat Feb 25, 2023 8:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: E*Trade as a one stop shop
Replies: 98
Views: 12151

Re: E*Trade as a one stop shop

Curious about the free wires.

When I go to the fees page, it shows no wire charge for incoming but $25 for outgoing? Maybe it is free only if you have a lot of money invested?
by klneutral
Fri Mar 13, 2020 7:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Scammed By Fake TurboTax Tech Support
Replies: 22
Views: 2521

Re: Smelling a Rat with TurboTax Tech Support

I checked my call log to make sure and it appears that the number I called is this one:

800-825-1857

I did get in touch with TurboTax and they confirmed that they never type anything into my computer as was done and never use the software that the scammers used (LogMeIn). They gave me info to report the scam and someone will call me to discuss it further.
by klneutral
Fri Mar 13, 2020 6:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Scammed By Fake TurboTax Tech Support
Replies: 22
Views: 2521

Re: Smelling a Rat with TurboTax Tech Support

dukeblue219 wrote: Fri Mar 13, 2020 6:10 pm Care to share the number you called? Perhaps someone could confirm its a scam or correlate it with other reports.
Here is the url:

https://1800liveperson.com/turbotax/
by klneutral
Fri Mar 13, 2020 5:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Scammed By Fake TurboTax Tech Support
Replies: 22
Views: 2521

Re: Smelling a Rat with TurboTax Tech Support

If you did in fact give a scammer direct access to your PC I would be very concerned about that. Don't assume that the scam was limited to getting you to pay their fee.
So what proactive steps should I take?
by klneutral
Fri Mar 13, 2020 5:14 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Scammed By Fake TurboTax Tech Support
Replies: 22
Views: 2521

Re: Smelling a Rat with TurboTax Tech Support

I did give them remote access to my computer while they pretended to troubleshoot for about ten minutes. I wonder if I have anything to worry about regarding that.
by klneutral
Fri Mar 13, 2020 4:47 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Scammed By Fake TurboTax Tech Support
Replies: 22
Views: 2521

Re: Smelling a Rat with TurboTax Tech Support

Thanks Hyperchicken.

I think you are correct that I got a scam phone number online. I just tried again to reach TurboTax and the protocol seems consistent with what I did in the past. Glad I did not fall for the money transfer. Waiting for TurboTax to call me back now.
by klneutral
Fri Mar 13, 2020 4:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Scammed By Fake TurboTax Tech Support
Replies: 22
Views: 2521

Scammed By Fake TurboTax Tech Support

I called TurboTax today about a problem and was told that the problem is not with TurboTax but rather that drivers on my Windows computer are messed up. That I would have to be turned over to an Intuit technician who would charge me $149 to fix my drivers. I declined, at least for now. This seems odd to me since I and and a family member have TurboTax installed on four different Windows computers and when this tax return file is loaded into TurboTax on each computer, the same error occurs. How could the drivers be messed up on four computers? The computers seem to operate fine in every other capacity. I don't trust Intuit and am smelling a rat. I welcome other thoughts. The specific problem is that in form mode there is a red exclamation ma...
by klneutral
Sun Oct 20, 2019 5:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Capturing Solar Investment Tax Credit for Church
Replies: 1
Views: 382

Capturing Solar Investment Tax Credit for Church

I have volunteered and been assigned the task of gathering bids and making a recommendation for a new solar energy system for our church. My work would go through a finance committee and ultimately to the board of trustees for a decision. As I speak with potential contractors and community engagement groups, I am being advised to look into finding a third party to buy the equipment and take the investment tax credit. The church would get a good deal to buy power or lease the equipment from the investor and have full ownership of the assets after several years. I have found one third party online that uses a pre-paid six-year lease and would pass on about half of the ITC to the church. I am told that another option is to find one or more fri...
by klneutral
Sun Jun 30, 2019 5:49 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard Variable Annuity - Transitioning to Access Only Through Transamerica
Replies: 85
Views: 13591

Re: Vanguard Variable Annuity - Transitioning to Access Only Through Transamerica

pascalwager wrote: Wed Jun 26, 2019 8:41 pm I checked my current VG VA contract. Insurance fees are 0.30%. (When I was with Transamerica, under a different contract, the insurance fees were 0.65%.)

Anyway, if the current contract is honored, my understanding is that my insurance fees should remain at 0.30% after Transamerica takes over the current contract.
I called Vanguard Annuities and spoke with what seemed like a knowledgeable rep. She told me that the current prospectus that applies to my annuity dictates only until it is changed. Vanguard can now and TransAmerica could in the future, with adequate notice, mail me a new prospectus specifying new terms.

This really surprised me.
by klneutral
Fri Jun 21, 2019 7:06 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard Variable Annuity - Transitioning to Access Only Through Transamerica
Replies: 85
Views: 13591

Re: Vanguard Variable Annuity - Transitioning to Access Only Through Transamerica

As someone who owns some Vanguard variable annuities, I am very alarmed. Once Vanguard washes its hands of these contracts, I am afraid TransAmerica will raise administrative fees to support its need for profit and essentially match what its competitors do. For those saying there is no need to worry, on what basis do you make that argument? Have you found language in the contracts to support your argument? I called Vanguard annuity folks today and expressed my concern and was told that Vanguard is negotiating with TransAmerica to hold down administrative fees, at least initially. Not reassuring at all. I am not worried about the underlying fund fees. Just the administrative fees that TransAmerica may be free to control independent of Vangua...
by klneutral
Wed Jun 19, 2019 7:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dealer 30K Service for 2017 RAV4--Unusual Items?
Replies: 52
Views: 6247

Dealer 30K Service for 2017 RAV4--Unusual Items?

My local Toyota dealer insists on doing the following as part of a 30,000 mile service. Car is out of warranty and I pay out of pocket.

[Perform Top Engine Valve Cleaning, Install Fuel, Additive.
Top Eng/Induct SVS
Parts $35, Labor $94


Install BG MOA and CF5 Fuel Additive
Total Deposit Control Kit
Parts $30, Labor $0


Misc Shop Supplies and Hazardous Waste Removal
$14


Toyota's own site shows the usual things like oil & filter change, air filter etc. But no mention of the stuff listed above.

What am I to make of these services and charges?
by klneutral
Sun Apr 28, 2019 3:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Wresting Control of Facebook Page
Replies: 5
Views: 1004

Re: Wresting Control of Facebook Page

Thanks to everyone for the info.

It is very helpful to learn that a new page will quickly make the old one irrelevant. I had expected the old one to always get in the way.
by klneutral
Sun Apr 28, 2019 8:59 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Wresting Control of Facebook Page
Replies: 5
Views: 1004

Wresting Control of Facebook Page

I belong to a square dance club with a Facebook page that has not been updated in years. A former member and officer kept it up at one time and now refuses to give anyone the info which would allow anyone still in the club to do anything with it.

I can find no phone number to reach someone at Facebook and used the Facebook website to make an inquiry months ago with no reply whatsoever.

Am at a loss as to how to fix this. Would even settle for getting rid of the existing Facebook page so that we could begin anew.

Would love some ideas and help.
by klneutral
Tue Oct 16, 2018 9:24 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The Final, Definitive Thread on Brokerage Transfer Bonuses
Replies: 7760
Views: 1351243

Re: The Final, Definitive Thread on Brokerage Transfer Bonuses

Regarding PNC Brokerage, now that I am deeper in, I see that they charge a $75 annual fee. Since one has to leave the assets in place 1 year to collect the bonus, I'm guessing that they hit you for $150 before you are done.
by klneutral
Sat Oct 13, 2018 10:20 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The Final, Definitive Thread on Brokerage Transfer Bonuses
Replies: 7760
Views: 1351243

Re: The Final, Definitive Thread on Brokerage Transfer Bonuses

It looks like PNC Brokerage is offering a $1,500 bonus for opening a new account and maintaining a $500,000 balance.

Sounds good on the surface. Anyone have any experience with it or knowledge about the details?
by klneutral
Sun Jul 29, 2018 5:08 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Should I Dump a Pile of Money on Young Son?
Replies: 157
Views: 16924

Re: Should I Dump a Pile of Money on Young Son?

Is something in the trust conditioned on him finishing his ten year obligation?
Age 35 seems to be a common age to use, but since he will finish his military obligation at age 34 and might need money to make a big transition to civilian life, why not then? No conditions other than turning 34.
by klneutral
Sun Jul 29, 2018 7:11 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Should I Dump a Pile of Money on Young Son?
Replies: 157
Views: 16924

Re: Should I Dump a Pile of Money on Young Son?

Many thanks to everyone who posted. The postings certainly show that this is not a clear-cut matter. It really helps though to get a lot of ideas and opinions and I have already begun to absorb them into my thinking and actions. Had a meaningful conversation about all of this with son yesterday which went extremely well. After incorporating your input, speaking with him and doing more soul searching, I am concluding that he is cut from the same cloth as I am and that I would have handled this money OK at his age, but even better several years later. So I am leaning toward a hybrid approach. Pass him most, but not all, of the money and ask him to put most of it in a trust whereby he would get the annual income and then big chunks later, espe...
by klneutral
Wed Jul 25, 2018 7:41 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Should I Dump a Pile of Money on Young Son?
Replies: 157
Views: 16924

Re: Should I Dump a Pile of Money on Young Son?

A couple of people have mentioned that the first thing you need to do is some research to make sure that if you disclaim it would actually go to your son. Maybe it would, but you haven't given enough information to indicate that you have even looked into it. Have you?
I am the primary beneficiary and our son is the secondary beneficiary. Vanguard holds the money and assures me that I can disclaim all or part.
by klneutral
Fri Jul 20, 2018 7:55 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Should I Dump a Pile of Money on Young Son?
Replies: 157
Views: 16924

Should I Dump a Pile of Money on Young Son?

Wife and I are set and might live 30 more years whereupon estate taxes might be a concern. Mother died and left me $1M. Considering whether to disclaim in favor of son. Would ask him to hang onto it until wife and I are both dead. Son is nearly 24, left home after high school and has not asked for a dime since. Went to Air Force Academy, supported himself and maxed out his IRA all 4 years with little help from us. Graduated with no debt. Single. Graduated in 4 years with math major, will finish pilot training in Nov. Is maxing out his IRA and TSP on 2d Lt pay. Upon son's graduation, wife and I offered to pay half of new car. He declined and said he is fine with the 22 year old car we had given him and that he continues to drive, with no A/C...
by klneutral
Wed Feb 21, 2018 3:04 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What's the impact of no more Roth recharacterization?
Replies: 37
Views: 5769

Re: What's the impact of no more Roth recharacterization?

In theory you could also take a tIRA distribution in the last week of December and have 60 days to do a indirect rollover into either a Roth or tIRA. Does anyone have any thoughts about this? Typically, to hit a target tax bracket, one would take a tIRA distribution in late December. Then after taxes are calculated, one would rollover a portion back to the original tIRA and the remainder to a Roth IRA. Might this be considered two rollovers in one year due to the two trips back to IRA's? I have read that if one takes a distribution from company A and rolls part of it back to company A and the rest to company B, it is considered a violation of the once-per-year rule due to rolling over to two companies rather than just one. Is the scenario ...
by klneutral
Wed Feb 07, 2018 8:17 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: TurboTax Prices
Replies: 302
Views: 49145

Re: TurboTax Prices

I see low prices on eBay. Here is an example:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/TurboTax-Delux ... Sw301aT78q

What is one to make of such offers?
by klneutral
Fri May 19, 2017 8:14 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should Our Square Dance Club Incorporate?
Replies: 7
Views: 1148

Re: Should Our Square Dance Club Incorporate?

Who would sue square dancers. And for what? I don't know, but here is what United Square Dancers of America say: What would you do, as a dancer and member of a club, if someone sued your Dance Club? Have you ever thought about it? Well, you should! You say it will never happen to your club? Ha, it has already happened several times in recent years. If someone should sue your non-incorporated club for liability in excess of your insurance coverage, for breach of contract or for civil damages, you and each member of your club could be held separately and jointly responsible. What that means is, if the court finds against your club and there isn't enough money in the club treasury, then the balance comes out of your pocket.
by klneutral
Fri May 19, 2017 7:19 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should Our Square Dance Club Incorporate?
Replies: 7
Views: 1148

Should Our Square Dance Club Incorporate?

I recently became treasurer of our square dance club, consisting of 34 members. We are an unincorporated, tax-exempt organization. We buy insurance through United Square Dancers of American and they provide $1M for bodily injury and property damage, as well as $10K for medical expense. They recommend that the club incorporate to limit liability to its members, saying that should a big suit come along, every member could be held accountable. We are weighting whether the the extra liability protection offered by incorporating is worth the extra expense to the club and the burden of paperwork on the treasurer. I checked with the company that provides my personal umbrella liability insurance and they could not say whether they would cover me or...
by klneutral
Tue Oct 25, 2016 9:10 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Problems Setting Up EFTPS for IRS Tax Payments
Replies: 2
Views: 485

Re: Problems Setting Up EFTPS for IRS Tax Payments

I had seen that phone number and it appeared to be for ordering forms etc. But I did call it and it appears that they will be able to help.

Thanks for the tip.
by klneutral
Tue Oct 25, 2016 2:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Problems Setting Up EFTPS for IRS Tax Payments
Replies: 2
Views: 485

Problems Setting Up EFTPS for IRS Tax Payments

I set up EFTPS accounts online for me and my son with no problem. I have tried multiple times for my mother and all appears well, but the PIN never comes in the mail. Nothing else comes either. We even tried filling out a paper form and mailing it in. No response after months.

Does anyone have any idea of what may be going on and how to fix it?
by klneutral
Thu Apr 07, 2016 7:14 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: TurboTax problems with state taxes--income tax to other states
Replies: 4
Views: 1179

Re: TurboTax problems with state taxes--income tax to other states

I had the same problem this year with two states other than the ones you cited. After trying numerous times go get Turboax to work things out, I finally gave up and prepared both state returns by hand.
by klneutral
Tue Nov 03, 2015 9:29 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Question about Form 1095-A and ACA Premium Payments
Replies: 1
Views: 345

Question about Form 1095-A and ACA Premium Payments

I am signing up for an ACA plan for the first time and was told that I will have to pay the January premium right away in 2015.

Will this premium for January show up on the 2016 Form 1095-A for January? As a self-employed person, I would think that if it does show up on the 2016 form that the IRS would expect me to deduct it in 2016 rather than 2015. Normally I deduct premiums in the year in which they are paid, so this seems a bit odd.

Thanks for the help.
by klneutral
Wed May 06, 2015 9:39 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: When an enterprising Bogler's not ... [IRA Rollover to Cash to IRA]
Replies: 6
Views: 1403

Re: When an enterprising Bogler's not ... [IRA Rollover to Cash to IRA]

Suggestion 4: Spread the transfer over time, one smaller chunk at a time
by klneutral
Sat May 02, 2015 6:26 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Supreme Court Decision on Obamacare & Relocating
Replies: 8
Views: 1478

Re: Supreme Court Decision on Obamacare & Relocating

TwoByFour wrote:
I do not think the entire ACA is in front of SCOTUS, just certain parts of it, so even if parts are repelled it does not mean that pre-existing conditions will again be allowed as a justification to deny insurance. Besides, I cannot see any politician championing a return to allowing pre-existing conditions, that part of ACA is very popular.
If not outright denial, what about extremely high premiums? Are those also not allowed?
by klneutral
Sat May 02, 2015 6:12 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Supreme Court Decision on Obamacare & Relocating
Replies: 8
Views: 1478

Re: Supreme Court Decision on Obamacare & Relocating

What's the reasoning for moving to a a red state? There are too many political issues in this post that will get it locked. Please focus on costs when posting. How much is insurance going to cost with ACA run by government, run by state and getting on the open market? What about cost of living in each state you are choosing? Make your decision based on the facts now with a probability factor. I run my retirement models without any government assistance, remember who pays for all these programs? There is no reasoning for moving to a red state. It just happens that the state we want to move to is red. This is not meant to be a political post and as you can see, I have very real decisions to make in the next 3 months. And yes, cost is what I ...
by klneutral
Sat May 02, 2015 6:00 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Supreme Court Decision on Obamacare & Relocating
Replies: 8
Views: 1478

Re: Supreme Court Decision on Obamacare & Relocating

Would you qualify for subsidies under ACA? If not, then the upcoming decision will not directly impact you. I say "directly" because the concern has been expressed that without the subsidies there could be an insurance death spiral. If that were to actually happen, then potentially everyone could be impacted even if they aren't covered under ACA.
Subsidies don't really come into play. I am assuming that the death spiral would occur in those states with federal exchanges and would not occur in those states with their own exchanges.
by klneutral
Fri May 01, 2015 9:25 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Supreme Court Decision on Obamacare & Relocating
Replies: 8
Views: 1478

Supreme Court Decision on Obamacare & Relocating

I know this forum does not allow speculation on legislative matters. However we are faced with a VERY practical and actionable matter around the upcoming June decision on ACA by the Supreme Court. We need to make some plans now that will take effect very shortly after the Supreme Court rules. I am 62, retired and we are on COBRA until the end of this year. Once COBRA expires, the plan has been to get on ACA, especially since we have very unfavorable health history. We live in a blue state with a federally run exchange and just sold our house. We want to move to and retire in a red state with a federally run exchange. We would buy a house there and move most of our stuff. That is, if the Supreme Court decides in favor of the government and A...
by klneutral
Thu Apr 23, 2015 8:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Drive a local car, rent for trips ?
Replies: 40
Views: 5626

Re: Drive a local car, rent for trips ?

We do and have for years.

We own old cars for local use and rent new ones for trips involving a lot of miles in a short amount of time. Usually I calculate the expected cost per mile to rent and that determines whether I rent or not. I think it would cost at least 50 cents per mile to drive my own fairly new full-size car so I am happy to pay up to half that for an equivalent rental car.
by klneutral
Fri Feb 27, 2015 12:29 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Question Regarding Tax Return and Recharacterizing IRA
Replies: 3
Views: 492

Re: Question Regarding Tax Return and Recharacterizing IRA

I converted three separate accounts, each invested differently. I will recharacterize two conversions and let stand the one with the best gain come Oct 2015. The reason I wait is because I will not know before Oct 2015 which one has the largest gain.

How often does the IRS question a taxpayer due to an inadequate explanatory statement? I don't recall giving much detail in the past and have never heard from the IRS.
by klneutral
Fri Feb 27, 2015 7:08 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Question Regarding Tax Return and Recharacterizing IRA
Replies: 3
Views: 492

Question Regarding Tax Return and Recharacterizing IRA

I want to file my 2014 federal tax return now to get a refund.

During 2014, I converted a wad of money from my regular IRA to my Roth IRA. I know that I will be recharacterizing an amount "X" of my Roth IRA back to my regular IRA just before 15 Oct 2015.

Can I go ahead and file my return now showing the recharacterization of amount "X", even though it will not be done until months after the filing. If not, what are the options?
by klneutral
Fri Sep 12, 2014 6:49 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Mystery around Google Voice/Obihai Combination News
Replies: 5
Views: 1282

Mystery around Google Voice/Obihai Combination News

I am very confused. I used Obihai and Google Voice very successfully for a good while until I learned that Google was discontinuing support. At that point, I bought into Ooma. In the last day or so, I received an e-mail saying that Google is supporting Google Voice operating with Obihai. Nothing said about past service lapses or new agreements or anything. I am struggling to figure out what is going on. Of greatest concern, even if all of this works as advertised, will it continue? I hope some Bogleheads can shed some light on this for me. The text of the e-mail I received is pasted below. Obihai has great news for everyone using Google Voice! Google Voice is now Officially Supported on OBi VoIP devices. Obihai is excited to announce offici...
by klneutral
Thu Jul 17, 2014 10:01 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 1035 Conversion -Open New Annuity or Not?
Replies: 7
Views: 1295

Re: 1035 Conversion -Open New Annuity or Not?

I would seriously consider having two contracts.

Before being able to withdraw one's original investment (not taxed) in a contract, one must first withdraw all earnings (taxable) in that contract. Having two contracts allows one to pay less tax before getting to some nontaxable cash. This assumes the two contracts are not required to be aggregated for tax purposes. Having the two contracts opened in different calendar years gets around the aggregation problem.
by klneutral
Tue May 13, 2014 2:18 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 10% penalty on 529 plan really a penalty?
Replies: 30
Views: 4225

Re: 10% penalty on 529 plan really a penalty?

I have done the spreadsheet which necessitated a lot of assumptions. For a total tax rate of around 30% (25% federal and 5% state) and higher interest rates in the future, I found the following:

For stock investments, a 529 plan was never able to win, for holding periods of 1 to 80 years.
For bond investments, a 529 was only slightly worse (zero to -3%) for holding periods of 1 to 25 years. For holding periods beyond 26 years, the 529 won, by a huge margin for the longest holding periods.

My conclusion is to consider bonds for excess 529 plan funds and to think that there might be grandchildren someday.
by klneutral
Tue Apr 22, 2014 12:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Google Voice Not Supported on OBi Devices After May 15 2014
Replies: 110
Views: 18009

Re: Google Voice Not Supported on OBi Devices After May 15 2

NORDO wrote:You can then either use a pay-per-minute approach for outgoing calls, or initiate via the web (the standard "GV calls your [Callcentric] number and the call is free" method) for free outgoing - albeit with a bit more hassle than how things are today.
NORDO, could you elaborate a bit on this method for outgoing calls? I am not understanding the method yet.
by klneutral
Sat Apr 19, 2014 7:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Amazon.com prices change quickly
Replies: 59
Views: 11424

Re: Amazon.com prices change quickly

I too find camelcamelcamel interesting.

But I am finding it unreliable based on a sample of one.

I bought a Garmin last fall for $89. Camelcamelcamel tells me that the current price is $127 (its not, it is $89). It shows the all-time low being $99.
by klneutral
Tue Apr 15, 2014 3:26 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 22 Y/O Cadet Advise
Replies: 8
Views: 1127

Re: 22 Y/O Cadet Advise

Cadets receive a monthly stipend of roughly $1,000 a month, from which they must buy lots of expensive uniforms, books, computers, etc. Our fine young cadet here is probably managing the stipend carefully such that there is some left for investing. If that is the case, my hat is off to him/her.
by klneutral
Tue Apr 15, 2014 1:55 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 22 Y/O Cadet Advise
Replies: 8
Views: 1127

Re: 22 Y/O Cadet Advise

You are doing the most important thing right--saving at a very early age. Congratulations!

First, don't forget to maintain an emergency fund.

After that, given how busy you must be and the small amount of money you will have just starting out, I would just put everything in Vanguard Target Retirement 2060 Fund (VTTSX) and forget about it until you can get up to speed by reading some Boglehead recommended books.
by klneutral
Sun Apr 06, 2014 4:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tax Question--IRA Recharacterization and Filing
Replies: 15
Views: 1186

Re: Tax Question--IRA Recharacterization and Filing

pshonore wrote: That seems to be exactly what Fidelity recommends

http://www.fidelity.com/viewpoints/reti ... conversion
I read the fidelity link and it seems to confirm what everyone except Alan S is saying, namely to convert to separate Roth accounts from the start. I did not see anything regarding converting multiple funds to one account and then transferring to create separate accounts later. So I am still hoping that Alan S. will clarify.
by klneutral
Sun Apr 06, 2014 2:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tax Question--IRA Recharacterization and Filing
Replies: 15
Views: 1186

Re: Tax Question--IRA Recharacterization and Filing

It does not matter if you convert into a new account or existing account. The earnings calc is done on the account that received the conversion only. In cases where the account no longer exists because you transferred it somewhere else, the custodians are allowed to just use the calc on the account since they acquired it. Occasionally they might ask for the opening and closing balance on the closed account should they feel that it would make the calc more equitable. Sorry, I do not understand. It seems everyone else is posting that each time a conversion is done one should use a new account. But you say it does not matter if you convert into a new account or an existing account. Could you please clarify? It seems you may be suggesting that...
by klneutral
Sat Apr 05, 2014 2:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tax Question--IRA Recharacterization and Filing
Replies: 15
Views: 1186

Re: Tax Question--IRA Recharacterization and Filing

Thanks, House Blend. I have learned something. I had no idea of the advantage of having a separate account for each fund.

Because of your post, I checked with Vanguard to confirm and asked about setting up separate accounts for each fund. The representative told me there appears to be a recent change to the law that will force all IRA's to be lumped together for such matters. Not only funds in different accounts would be lumped, but accounts at all financial institutions. He indicated that Vanguard is waiting on final interpretations etc, but he thinks that is the direction things are going.