Search found 3767 matches

by Rob5TCP
Mon Mar 18, 2024 3:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dental crowns
Replies: 58
Views: 6693

Re: Dental crowns

Stinky wrote: Mon Mar 18, 2024 2:59 pm
Rob5TCP wrote: Mon Mar 18, 2024 2:31 pm My excellent Park Avenue dentist was expensive but not unreasonable (considering the location). An earlier crown was about $1800.00.
His son took over the practice and moved to an even more expensive address and the quote on the crown was $3000-$3500.
What is a more expensive address than Park Avenue? :moneybag
A newly purchased "glittering" condo on Park Avenue.
by Rob5TCP
Mon Mar 18, 2024 2:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dental crowns
Replies: 58
Views: 6693

Re: Dental crowns

My excellent Park Avenue dentist was expensive but not unreasonable (considering the location). An earlier crown was about $1800.00.
His son took over the practice and moved to an even more expensive address and the quote on the crown was $3000-$3500.
Called my cousin in CT. and went to his family dentist of 20+ years and it was $1150. I ended up needing 2 that year when my gold inlay had a fair amount of decay.

Check Check

If I went to a local dentist it would probably have been about $1500-1700 but I didn't have any reconmendations as strong as my cousin's.
by Rob5TCP
Sun Mar 17, 2024 4:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone else seeing sharp rise in homeowner's policy?
Replies: 87
Views: 9415

Re: Anyone else seeing sharp rise in homeowner's policy?

Since I am a renter, my rental insurance went up marginally (so far).
My umbrella is a different story: 2MM; minnimal changges until about 2 years ago, expect next year another large % increase. The reason I was given (no claims), too many lawsuits and expenses of defending. 2022 went down because I sold a rental unit I owned.

622 2024
546 2023
455 2022
493 2021
2020
497 2019
497 2018
421 2017
386 2016
345 2015
345 2014
345 2013
345 2012
345 2011
345 2010
328 2009
by Rob5TCP
Sun Mar 10, 2024 4:02 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Late Bloomers Club: Share Your Net Worth!
Replies: 107
Views: 21187

Re: Late Bloomers Club: Share Your Net Worth!

Your hardly a late bloomer -- according to the calculator below
if your between 40-45 and have 400k in net worth your in the
82nd percentile (if home equity is excluded) or 72nd percentile
if that includes home equity

https://dqydj.com/net-worth-by-age-calculator/
by Rob5TCP
Sun Feb 18, 2024 10:11 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sound bar
Replies: 43
Views: 4021

Re: Sound bar

mhalley wrote: Sun Feb 18, 2024 9:50 am I like rtings for av reviews.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source= ... fBnkEghLOt
+1

Although they charge for full reviews (subscription based), they give the most detailed information about quite a number of soundbars (and other audio video computer equipment). Wirecutter, C/R, Amazon, and others don't even come close. With a room that large, if you want deep bass, check their review of Nakamichi and others with soundbars/sub woofers.

As stated above ANYTHING is better than TV sound. But if this room will be your entertainment center - don't skimp on the soundbar.
by Rob5TCP
Wed Feb 14, 2024 12:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Supermarket pizza - any good ones? Any great ones?
Replies: 145
Views: 12483

Re: Supermarket pizza - any good ones? Any great ones?

One of my favorites is only available in NY & NJ and some parts of CT. It is not frozen but made ready to be finished from one of the original students of Lombardi who was one of the earliest if not the first pizzeria in the US (1905). The gentleman is now about 95 and still makes pizza at his oringal location and now has takeaway from Fresh Direct He was the founder of Grimaldi's pizza until he sold it about15 years ago. Not Boglehead pricing: https://www.freshdirect.com/deli_prepared/meals/meals_pizza/sc/meals_pizza_vegetable/p/hmr_pid_3777968 From Whole Foods and Fresh Direct there are two very good pizzas https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/product/genio-della-pizza-margherita-138-oz-b08gx86c9q (This is from Una Pizza Napoltena which a...
by Rob5TCP
Fri Feb 02, 2024 2:57 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Question about I-bonds
Replies: 11
Views: 1234

Re: Question about I-bonds

The I Bonds MATURE in 30 years. You may not redeem for the 1st year. For years 2-5, if you redeem, there is a 3 month interest penalty. Finally after 5 years, you may redeem at any time (without penalty), or hold it until it matures.
by Rob5TCP
Fri Feb 02, 2024 1:50 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Question about I-bonds
Replies: 11
Views: 1234

Re: Question about I-bonds

I Bonds are more like savings bonds then traditional bonds. The interest -both the base rate and the inflation adjustment accrue until you redeem them. Their is a fixed rate - which is the % above the inflation rate that the bond pays (1.3% now). Then you have the inflation rate which is calculated every six months and that become the second part of the interest.
So if inflation for the first 6 months is 1.5 (3% annually keep it simple compounding for how); you would get a 4.3 annual rate divided by 2 for the 6 months. 2.15% for the six months. I am doing with no compounding to make the point easier to understand.
by Rob5TCP
Sat Jan 27, 2024 11:51 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Verizon Wireless price increase
Replies: 52
Views: 5532

Re: Verizon Wireless price increase

I use Mint Mobile Prepaid $180 per year (with tax, surcharge, whatever about $221 per year).
They provide 5GB per month which is fine for me. Unlimited talk/text plus calls to Canada included.
They just came out with an international roaming plan for $40 for 7 days. It lists the countries that this is
applicable to.

There are occassional slowdowns, but not enough to be of concern. However I do live downtown
Manhattan.
by Rob5TCP
Sat Jan 13, 2024 4:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tracking on Various Popular Sites including Vanguard
Replies: 7
Views: 784

Re: Tracking on Various Popular Sites including Vanguard

I logged in under Firefox and Ublock shows 10 I am wondering if that is cumulative -- I will double check. Since I use that browser for Vanguard (for a time exclusively) that could be possible. Ublock shows the following: vanguard.com logon.vanguard.com mdl-medallia-digital.vanguard.com personal1.vanguard.com constellation-static.web.vanguard.com corp-pmj.web.vanguard.com web-vitals.web.vanguard.com cookielaw.org cdn.cookielaw.org d1mqvp9ngntjny.cloudfront.net corp-pmj.web.vanguard.com d299zj3g6it160.cloudfront.net mdl-medallia-digital.vanguard.com d29netgb4x6mup.cloudfront.net ccc.vgcontent.info d3480ohge1xe4o.cloudfront.net personal1.vanguard.com d35614irbxz68t.cloudfront.net constellation-static.web.vanguard.com demdex.net dpm.demdex.net...
by Rob5TCP
Sat Jan 13, 2024 4:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tracking on Various Popular Sites including Vanguard
Replies: 7
Views: 784

Re: Tracking on Various Popular Sites including Vanguard

I use DuckDuckgo as my browser for many sites --- they block most trackers and show Vanguard as having thse numbers I showed. I have a copy of it, but no way that I know of to load an image to this site.
by Rob5TCP
Sat Jan 13, 2024 2:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tracking on Various Popular Sites including Vanguard
Replies: 7
Views: 784

Tracking on Various Popular Sites including Vanguard

My setup blocks trackers and also provides a list of sites and how many trackers were blocked.

Vanguard 3,180 (which kinda blew me away) logon.Vanguard.com
Vanguard 2,925 Dashboard.web.Vanguard.com
Schwab.com 256
PeacockTv.com 971 (not surprising)
WSJ.com 764
Sfgate.com 12,621 (news of San Francisco)
CNBC.com 22,083


There were many others that were less, but this totally was beyond anything I expected
from sites that I visit (CNBC, SFgate.com, Peacocktv.com I expected high numbers)
by Rob5TCP
Sun Dec 31, 2023 5:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: AARP; worth joining?
Replies: 74
Views: 10048

Re: AARP; worth joining?

afr wrote: Sun Dec 31, 2023 2:44 pm
Rob5TCP wrote: Sun Dec 31, 2023 1:04 pm
CardinalRule wrote: Sun Dec 31, 2023 12:37 pm
zeldak wrote: Sun Dec 31, 2023 8:18 am
We don't want to have our contact information disseminated and then be bombarded with other solicitations targeting retired people.
I don't think anyone has addressed this point. I worry it about it too as I consider joining - has this been a problem for members?
I joined, but gave my friend's PO Box as the address (I send a lot of junk mail there. as does he).
I setup an email address I have strictly for junk mail. Even my phone # was a google number. So, whileI get junk
it usually is not bothersome.

Now that I am 65, the benefits on insurance alone outway the lost cost.
Benefits on insurance? What insurance?
UNHC supplemental insurance
by Rob5TCP
Sun Dec 31, 2023 1:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: AARP; worth joining?
Replies: 74
Views: 10048

Re: AARP; worth joining?

CardinalRule wrote: Sun Dec 31, 2023 12:37 pm
zeldak wrote: Sun Dec 31, 2023 8:18 am
We don't want to have our contact information disseminated and then be bombarded with other solicitations targeting retired people.
I don't think anyone has addressed this point. I worry it about it too as I consider joining - has this been a problem for members?
I joined, but gave my friend's PO Box as the address (I send a lot of junk mail there. as does he).
I setup an email address I have strictly for junk mail. Even my phone # was a google number. So, whileI get junk
it usually is not bothersome.

Now that I am 65, the benefits on insurance alone outway the lost cost.
by Rob5TCP
Fri Dec 29, 2023 1:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Consider donating to this website
Replies: 10
Views: 1742

Re: Consider donating to this website

Need a reminder from time to time (2x a year)
by Rob5TCP
Sat Dec 09, 2023 8:36 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Where do you buy glasses?
Replies: 70
Views: 8182

Re: Where do you buy glasses?

I used to buy at Costco (after paying outrageous prices at eyeglass stores). About 5 years ago I switched to Warby Parker. I bring a friend who has great taste in what works well with me. After trying on 10 pair I bought 2. Price was good (not as cheap as Zenni), but way less than I would have paid at the other eyeglass store. I am sticking with WP. It's relatively close by, great selection and I can try them on before I buy (as opposed to having frames mailed to me).
by Rob5TCP
Mon Nov 20, 2023 1:15 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: BMO Alto CD's?
Replies: 4
Views: 1158

Re: BMO Alto CD's?

They seem to be legit
though the few reviews they received were poor.

https://www.depositaccounts.com/banks/bmo-alto.html
by Rob5TCP
Thu Nov 16, 2023 11:34 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: QCD acknowledgment letter
Replies: 50
Views: 4558

Re: QCD acknowledgment letter

I don't do QCD's yet but I am studying -- a few more years. I am helping someone with the procedure and one charity did not contain the exclamation that no goods or services were exchanged. The IRS has ruled this critical. It is a major food bank in NY and she is holding her donation to $245 to them (it's is for $250 or more). Every other charity she gives to includes that at the bottom of the acknowledgment. If they don't send her an amended receipt - her donations will be limited to them and would apply to any other future charity that doesn't send a proper acknowledgement.
by Rob5TCP
Sun Nov 12, 2023 12:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do you clean/disinfect your phone? How?
Replies: 23
Views: 1635

Re: Do you clean/disinfect your phone? How?

I read (can not remember where) that is gets super dirty. For a long time I take an alcohol wipe and thoroughly clean the phone (weekly and sometimes twice a week). Obessive compulsive -- maybe. Still I know I've grabbed my phone while in the bathroom and that's not the cleanest of environments.
by Rob5TCP
Tue Nov 07, 2023 7:59 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: SEP conversion
Replies: 4
Views: 508

Re: SEP conversion

I see little or no downside if you pay the taxes from a non IRA account. Only possible caveat, if you live in a state that taxes IRA withdrawals, add that to your calculation.
by Rob5TCP
Sat Oct 28, 2023 8:59 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Andrews CU Roth IRA CD matured into a regular account. What to do?
Replies: 69
Views: 6527

Re: Andrews CU Roth IRA CD matured into a regular account. What to do?

Finally my accounts are in savings accounts. I spoke with Vanguard yesterday and all the forms were filled out electronically. They used docusign and the forms should be going to Andrews Monday or Tuesday. I only have one small CD (non IRA) still remaining. I will only use local CU/Banks, and Ally with the balance at Vanguard.
I keep a few %'s at Schwab just as a backup.
But many many many HOURS of grief and wrong moves taught me a lesson. Safety and convenience more than outweighs a fraction of a percent extra.
by Rob5TCP
Sun Oct 22, 2023 7:52 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Andrews CU Roth IRA CD matured into a regular account. What to do?
Replies: 69
Views: 6527

Re: Andrews CU Roth IRA CD matured into a regular account. What to do?

I had the same problem only worse. They closed out my IRA CD and put it into regular savings. I already used up my transfer so that was not an option. I spoke to 6-7 different people and got horrible advice (make the deposit to my IRA - NOPE). Some were worse suggestions. Finally I spoke with a customer service rep that saw the gravity of the situation and reverse it correctly (must be done within 30 days and she knew that). Send me a PM and I will forward you here name. She is sharp and knows her "stuff".
I gave the correct instructions - they just didn't follow them.
by Rob5TCP
Sun Oct 15, 2023 3:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Roku for new LG C2 OLED TV
Replies: 40
Views: 3726

Re: Roku for new LG C2 OLED TV

As usual, thank you for the unbiased tips !!! Going to Best Buy early next week.
by Rob5TCP
Sun Oct 15, 2023 1:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Roku for new LG C2 OLED TV
Replies: 40
Views: 3726

Re: Roku for new LG C2 OLED TV

Looks like Roku Ultra seems to be the best bet - it runs on Ethernet (which I prefer to wireless) and the remote finder (which I like). Is there any other searson to buy a different model ?
by Rob5TCP
Sun Oct 15, 2023 1:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Roku for new LG C2 OLED TV
Replies: 40
Views: 3726

Roku for new LG C2 OLED TV

I just recently purchased the LG C2 TV (on sale of course). Love the picture quality, but really dislike the Web 4.0 operating system (even after updating). I am thinking of adding Roku to this set. Has anyone, with the LG C2 (or similar recent LG OLED) switched to Roku and what did they like / dislike.
by Rob5TCP
Sun Oct 08, 2023 8:21 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Synthroid Pricing Mystery
Replies: 32
Views: 4848

Re: Synthroid Pricing Mystery

After I meet my deductible, (Humana) I pay $36 per 90 day for Synthroid.
I think Costco's price before I had the insurance was in the area of $95 per 3 month.
by Rob5TCP
Sun Oct 01, 2023 7:47 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Stay with Citi or move to new bank
Replies: 13
Views: 1771

Re: Stay with Citi or move to new bank

If you want to go with Chase -- the savings rate is horrible like Citi, but 6 month CD rates are 5%
if you have 100k or more. Ally gives 4.4% on all balances for their savings and other banks or credit unions
have more favorable rates. Additionally, Vanguard has brokered CD's that also pay a much higher rate than Chase or Citi.

https://www.chase.com/personal/savings/bank-cd#rates
by Rob5TCP
Thu Sep 28, 2023 11:49 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: My Elderly Parents Can't Resist Answering the Phone
Replies: 127
Views: 38948

Re: My Elderly Parents Can't Resist Answering the Phone

My main line gets a ton of scam calls -- 5 to as much as 25 (YES) in a day. I've had it forever but most friends call on my cell. I had Nomorobo but it blocked less than half and almost none of the fairly local calls. I signed up with Jolly Rodger Telephone company a couple of years ago and whitelisted all #'s that might call me. I then blacklisted all area codes (took about an hour and half). Since then, less than a couple of dozen calls in total have gone through. All calls go to a bot that I setup and I check at the end of each day in case it was a real call. Takes about 5 minutes to run through them (most are obvious 5 seconds into the call recording). One day I came back late and had 40+ recordings waiting to review them. Since they al...
by Rob5TCP
Wed Sep 20, 2023 5:12 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: CDs callable v. non-callable
Replies: 30
Views: 3450

Re: CDs callable v. non-callable

jeffyscott wrote: Wed Sep 20, 2023 3:57 pm
Rob5TCP wrote: Wed Sep 20, 2023 3:23 pm I pass over those and wish there was a button to exclude them. (If there is I haven't found them).
It's there, go to "advanced search" and you can choose to see only non-callable.
:thumbsup
by Rob5TCP
Wed Sep 20, 2023 3:23 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: CDs callable v. non-callable
Replies: 30
Views: 3450

Re: CDs callable v. non-callable

Callable CD's MAY give you a slightly higher yield in return for giving up the CD's if rates should fall (of course if rates go up they will not be called). When I've looked at Vanguard brokered CD's the top 2 or 3 are frequently callable. I pass over those and wish there was a button to exclude them. (If there is I haven't found them).
by Rob5TCP
Fri Sep 15, 2023 9:05 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Credit Unions Stray Far From Their Mission
Replies: 80
Views: 8457

Re: Credit Unions Stray Far From Their Mission

I had a local credit union (Melrose) which I later learned was VERY concentrated with the taxi industry. They provided funding of Taxi Medallions (as well as other member loans). Well, when Uber came and I saw that Medallion prices were dropping, I closed my account. Within a year they were under supervision and later they closed. I am a little more cautious. I know it is NCUA insured. Still, I prefer not to rely on whom they decide to take over their deposits.
by Rob5TCP
Thu Sep 14, 2023 8:13 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Liquidating Coin Collection
Replies: 18
Views: 2758

Re: Liquidating Coin Collection

If any of the silver coins (or gold if any) are truly rare; you might try Sotheby's.
https://www.sothebys.com/en/departments ... and-medals

I don't know if Stacks is as well known for auctions, but certainly for coins.
https://stacksbowers.com/
by Rob5TCP
Fri Aug 04, 2023 8:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Restaurant suggestions nyc financial district
Replies: 26
Views: 3321

Re: Restaurant suggestions nyc financial district

Three of my favorite pizzerias in that district
1. Kestes (formerly on Bleeker Street)
Rated by an Italian food magazine as one of the best in the world.

2. Lombardis - there is a question whether Lombardi's was the first pizzeria; it is the oldest
(the great grandson is a partial owner today)
https://www.yelp.com/biz/lombardis-pizza-new-york-4

3. Di Fara -- I've been to the Brooklyn original many times and this one is always solid
and long waits. I've not been to the downtown branch. Unfortunately the owner (Mr. DeMarco) passed
away last year - prior to that he has made every pizza in Brooklyn since 1964.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/di-fara-pizza-new-york-2
by Rob5TCP
Sun Jul 30, 2023 1:11 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What to do after reading an article like this [predicting market crash]
Replies: 80
Views: 7642

Re: What to do after reading an article like this [predicting market crash]

Another well known stock market "predictor" 2013-his book predicting the crash https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rich-dads-prophecy-robert-t-kiyosaki/1112224070 2015 https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/robert-kiyosaki-biggest-stock-market-crash-history-coming-sean-zubick-6021360341454196736 https://blog.ceo.ca/2015/06/29/robert-kiyosaki-biggest-stock-market-crash-in-history-coming-in-2016/ 2016 https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/21/09/23113052/rich-dad-poor-dad-author-robert-kiyosaki-predicts-giant-stock-market-crash-in-october-says 2017 https://www.marketwatch.com/story/rich-dads-kiyosaki-hasnt-given-up-on-his-dismal-market-prediction-2017-02-28 2021 https://news.yahoo.com/biggest-crash-world-history-personal-163852108.htm...
by Rob5TCP
Tue Jul 25, 2023 6:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mechanics of QCD [Qualified Charitable Distribution]
Replies: 21
Views: 2419

Re: Mechanics of QCD [Qualified Charitable Distribution]

You can w/d from any IRA (except SEP if you are still contributing). You don't want to withdraw from the Roth either.
I set this up for a good friend. When she makes an IRA withdrawal - one of the options is send me a check payable to a charity.
by Rob5TCP
Sun Jul 23, 2023 7:19 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Use of a VPN
Replies: 105
Views: 16548

Re: Use of a VPN

I use it for privacy not security. FIOS doesn't need to know every single website I got to.
by Rob5TCP
Fri Jul 21, 2023 3:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Online Data Harvesting
Replies: 45
Views: 2027

Re: Online Data Harvesting

For privacy, I use 3 browsers all under VPN. My most personal I use the relatively new DuckDuckgo privacy. For certain instances of security I use the Tor Browser and for general browsing I use Firefox. I don't use google (except occassionaly maps), I never use Chrome, and I do have a Android phone, I disable much of it's capability with restrictions.

My infrequently use WiFi (tons of college students live in my building) and disable bluetooth unless needed (keyboard/mouse are wired). I just ordered an LG C2 and will carefully setup for maximum privacy/security (an oxymoron perhaps).
by Rob5TCP
Thu Jul 20, 2023 8:15 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Easier Way for QCD's
Replies: 17
Views: 1799

Re: Easier Way for QCD's

delamer wrote: Wed Jul 19, 2023 5:43 pm
Rob5TCP wrote: Wed Jul 19, 2023 3:39 pm While she writes LOTS of checks, they are not small -- none are less than $100 and most are over $250. Her largest are in the 1,000's. She maxes close to the QCD limit each year. She is savy about reviewing and selecting charities, but not so savy about the best way(s) to fund them. So, I brought up the QCD when she was doing it with non IRA funds.

One idea I had was to contact the different charities and just get a # of pre addressed envelopes from each. She puts stamps on them when she does use the few that she has. I will look at ways to speed it up.
She still could contribute to each one every other year at double the amount, and half her workload.
Another great idea -- I should have thought of this one.
by Rob5TCP
Wed Jul 19, 2023 3:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Easier Way for QCD's
Replies: 17
Views: 1799

Re: Easier Way for QCD's

prd1982 wrote: Wed Jul 19, 2023 3:48 pm
Rob5TCP wrote: Wed Jul 19, 2023 3:39 pm

One idea I had was to contact the different charities and just get a # of pre addressed envelopes from each. She puts stamps on them when she does use the few that she has. I will look at ways to speed it up.
Consider using a computer to print Avery labels and return addresses. Or just use MS Word to print envelopes with the required information.
+1
by Rob5TCP
Wed Jul 19, 2023 3:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Easier Way for QCD's
Replies: 17
Views: 1799

Re: Easier Way for QCD's

While she writes LOTS of checks, they are not small -- none are less than $100 and most are over $250. Her largest are in the 1,000's. She maxes close to the QCD limit each year. She is savy about reviewing and selecting charities, but not so savy about the best way(s) to fund them. So, I brought up the QCD when she was doing it with non IRA funds.

One idea I had was to contact the different charities and just get a # of pre addressed envelopes from each. She puts stamps on them when she does use the few that she has. I will look at ways to speed it up.
by Rob5TCP
Wed Jul 19, 2023 2:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Easier Way for QCD's
Replies: 17
Views: 1799

Easier Way for QCD's

I've help a friend with her QCD's (she does a ton of them each year - both large and small).
I got her into Vanguard years ago and is quite pleased. I asked a similar question about a
year ago --
Does anyone know if Schwab or Fidelity or someone else has an easier way for QCD's.
She does it in batches of 10-20 and mails our the checks as received.

The ideal would be a firm that has a list of say 2500 of the largest charities and you could
do a click and it would pay to the charity.
The next best would be you select the charity and Schway, Fidelity, et al mails out the check for you.

MY gut tells me the answer is no, but no harm in trying again.
by Rob5TCP
Sun Jul 16, 2023 2:27 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Sharonview FCU 64 month CD - 4%
Replies: 109
Views: 19716

Re: Sharonview FCU 64 month CD - 4%

A couple of years earlier I did the Andrew FCU at 3% for 7 years. When it came due this year
I had to go through hoops to get it transferred to Vanguard. They set it to automatically renew.
Since it was an IRA, their new rate for the 7y IRA CD is .3%
Pretty low IMHO.
I have 4 CD's there.
by Rob5TCP
Mon Jul 10, 2023 6:57 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Possible Vanguard Account Breach
Replies: 106
Views: 15193

Re: Possible Vanguard Account Breach

Call_Me_Op wrote: Sun Jul 09, 2023 2:57 pm I log into my Vanguard account perhaps once a month to make sure all is OK. When I logged in today, I noticed that the "last login" was 2 days ago, just after midnight. I am never up at that time and definitely have not logged-in for at least several weeks. I immediately changed my password and strengthened it further, although it was already 13 characters and I have 2 FA. (The new password is over 20 characters.) There are no pending orders or other signs of tampering. Should I be concerned about this? I plan to contact Vanguard, but they are not open on weekends.
I just went to the Vanguard site and the maximum password is still 20 characters. How did you get to more than 20 characters ?
by Rob5TCP
Tue Jul 04, 2023 2:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Drop Malwarebytes?
Replies: 49
Views: 5405

Re: Drop Malwarebytes?

I frequently work on client files so I am most paranoid about anything coming on to my computer. Before I put them on the main computer i run the files through test in a sandbox to see if anything causes an issue.

For my security I use Norton 360 as my main and Malwarebytes premium as my secondary. It has found things 360 missed (though quite rare). I also do a weekly scan with WD though that has never turned anything up.

For the small dollar amounts, I prefer safe to sorry.
by Rob5TCP
Sun Jul 02, 2023 7:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Is this move to NYC worth it?
Replies: 109
Views: 9240

Re: Is this move to NYC worth it?

Thank you guys for the discussion! After thinking about it, I am deciding to make the move. Feel like I have a bunch of cool parents in this thread :happy I think selling my car will be the way to go and will help a lot financially. For those that were asking, I'm a Software Engineer in a big tech company. All the best to you. Take a look at the Tudor City apartment complex. It's really nice to see the Chrysler Building or the 59th Street Bridge and East River from an apartment window. Residents have their own little park as well, right next to 42nd Street. Remember: if you get sick of Manhattan or Brooklyn but want to keep your job, you can move to Westchester. As you now know, the people on this board sneer at Yonkers. Well, if it's not ...
by Rob5TCP
Thu Jun 15, 2023 7:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What periodicals do you subscribe to? Cost? Print or digital? (2023)
Replies: 94
Views: 6049

Re: What periodicals do you subscribe to? Cost? Print or digital? (2023)

NY Times digital -- $50 per year
WSJ and Barrons digital - $72 per year
National Review Magazine - about $50 this year
Consumer Reports - $29
ProPublica -- donation fordigital
Wirecutter - on the fence about paying for it
by Rob5TCP
Fri Jun 09, 2023 9:16 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What are the odds of this fund closing?
Replies: 3
Views: 655

Re: What are the odds of this fund closing?

It's been around 3 years and has 250M in assets. With a .25 exp ratio that means it is
"earning" about 600k per year. Add to this daily volume of 5k shares. I would guess
(and it's just a guess) if numbers don't increase, they might fold this into another
Ishares ETF. These assets levels are just to small.
by Rob5TCP
Thu Jun 08, 2023 12:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Air quality issues
Replies: 35
Views: 3239

Re: Air quality issues

Like millions of others, the AQI hit an all time high of something like 468 in my zip-code. I have a large Coway for the main room and the smaller for the bedroom. Yesterday morning, for the first time, they were running on medium when I woke up and went to high by mid day. I kept them on high and the room seemed fine. When I took it off manual and put in auto mode it dropped to speed 1 (with light indicating room was good but not great). The HEPA filters work great for smoke. The small carbon pre-filter might help with some smells but is not adequate for any time of heavy chemical pollution. Linking the Coway to my droid has proven to be a nightmare, so I don't have accurate numbers on what my indoor AQI is. But, from the 2 minutes I was o...
by Rob5TCP
Sun Jun 04, 2023 8:20 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Food delivery services
Replies: 6
Views: 657

Re: Food delivery services

How different is the payout if the restaurant has their own delivery people.

I use heavily two local restaurants and up to 90% of their business is delivery.
But I use the GrubHub app to order. When I've done it over the phone, they
have sometimes misunderstood what I ordered.