Search found 514 matches
- Wed Sep 02, 2020 1:59 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Continuing Care Retirement Community Entrance Fee
- Replies: 112
- Views: 8843
Re: Continuing Care Retirement Community Entrance Fee
We have a large CCRC about 30 miles from us. We currently live in a 55+ community, and we were impressed 4 or 5 years ago when the CEO of the CCRC came to visit us and made a presentation. A few years later some of his staff members came and did another presentation. The focused mainly on $$$ and ru...
- Thu Feb 06, 2020 9:08 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Customer Service with Vanguard
- Replies: 350
- Views: 29491
Re: Customer Service with Vanguard
I think the Vanguard "advisor pool" is failing. While everyone whom I talked to during my last escapade was very nice, they were very shallow in understanding the issue I was trying to get addressed. They were also in a near panic almost nervous breakdown mode. Sad to see this happen. My f...
- Tue Feb 04, 2020 11:25 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Customer Service with Vanguard
- Replies: 350
- Views: 29491
Re: Customer Service with Vanguard
Advisor is "out of the office".
- Tue Feb 04, 2020 11:16 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Customer Service with Vanguard
- Replies: 350
- Views: 29491
Re: Customer Service with Vanguard
I called Vanguard yesterday to get an answer to a question about a tax form. Instead of my dedicated advisor, I got a member of the "team". She was polite enough but couldn't answer my question because her computer was down. Transferred to another "team" member whose computer was...
- Mon Dec 23, 2019 6:33 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Genworth raising LTCi premiums 150% over next 5-7 years
- Replies: 165
- Views: 9215
Re: Genworth raising LTCi premiums 150% over next 5-7 years
My wife and I have had a Genworth policy for about20 years, and it has only gone up about 30%. We had no comments about expecting future dramatic increases in any correspondence from Genworth. As for the financial stability of Genworth, check with your state insurance department to see how that woul...
- Sat Dec 07, 2019 8:44 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: New passport how long to obtain?
- Replies: 37
- Views: 2518
Re: New passport how long to obtain?
Renewed non-expired passports and received new ones in 2 to 3 weeks. Did everything at our local Post Office.
- Tue Dec 03, 2019 7:25 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Michelin vs Toyota tires for Corolla?
- Replies: 35
- Views: 3909
Re: Michelin vs Toyota tires for Corolla?
What I like about Michelin tires is that they are consistently dependable and safe. If for some reason, your tire does not make it to the warranty limit (say 90,00 miles), you get a no hassle prorated credit to put on a new set. I just bought a set of Michelin Defender T+H's for my wife's Honda CRV....
- Mon Dec 02, 2019 7:10 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Customer Service with Vanguard
- Replies: 350
- Views: 29491
Re: Customer Service with Vanguard
Vanguard is pretty good at receiving your money. Never had a problem with that.
- Thu Nov 21, 2019 4:16 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Ford Expedition - possible lemon claim and what to do?
- Replies: 64
- Views: 5439
Re: Ford Expedition - possible lemon claim and what to do?
The Georgia Department of law handles "lemons" in our state. You should be able to go to your State website and get more information about "lemons". The State of Georgia website states: "The Lemon Law process is designed so that you, the consumer, are not required to hire an...
- Thu Nov 21, 2019 11:11 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: How often do you bargain for things?
- Replies: 57
- Views: 4520
Re: How often do you bargain for things?
I spent 3 years in Indochina and worked all of my career for a "free market" company. So bargaining has become a way of life for me. My wife won't go with me to bargain for "big ticket items": cars, houses, furniture, hotel rooms, etc. She finds it embarrassing when I get up and ...
- Sun Nov 10, 2019 9:29 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Question for Car experts - how urgent/important are these maintenance items
- Replies: 36
- Views: 3842
Re: Question for Car experts - how urgent/important are these maintenance items
Check Amazon and Rock Auto for wiper blade refills.
I used to get OEM refills for my 2001 4Runner from these sites.
Also check E Bay which offers a lot of after market parts.
I used to get OEM refills for my 2001 4Runner from these sites.
Also check E Bay which offers a lot of after market parts.
- Sun Nov 10, 2019 7:09 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Question for Car experts - how urgent/important are these maintenance items
- Replies: 36
- Views: 3842
Re: Question for Car experts - how urgent/important are these maintenance items
I had a 2001 Toyota 4Runner with over 200,000 on it.
I never replaced a belt.
My mechanic, who only worked on Toyotas, said that he never replaced a belt on a Toyota unless it had been in an accident with front end damage.
I never replaced a belt.
My mechanic, who only worked on Toyotas, said that he never replaced a belt on a Toyota unless it had been in an accident with front end damage.
- Fri Nov 08, 2019 9:49 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Customer Service with Vanguard
- Replies: 350
- Views: 29491
Re: Customer Service with Vanguard
Bogleheads has 75,000 registered members.
- Fri Nov 08, 2019 6:49 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Long Term Care Insurance Default
- Replies: 13
- Views: 1434
Re: Long Term Care Insurance Default
One name says it all: GENWORTH
10 years ago it was rated A+++. Now hoping to be bought by the Chinese.
10 years ago it was rated A+++. Now hoping to be bought by the Chinese.
- Fri Nov 08, 2019 3:20 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Question for Car experts - how urgent/important are these maintenance items
- Replies: 36
- Views: 3842
Re: Question for Car experts - how urgent/important are these maintenance items
Always check your manual for the correct maintenance frequency.
Dealers are notorious for using shorter time/mileage intervals than required. If in doubt, call the national help line for your make of car. I have found them to be very honest and knowledgeable.
Dealers are notorious for using shorter time/mileage intervals than required. If in doubt, call the national help line for your make of car. I have found them to be very honest and knowledgeable.
- Fri Nov 08, 2019 11:14 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Customer Service with Vanguard
- Replies: 350
- Views: 29491
Re: Customer Service with Vanguard
Completed some RMD transactions this morning. That went smoothly no problem. THEN, I was transferred to a "Flagship Representative" to complete my transition to the new brokerage platform. This was for the second time since no one answered the phone the first time I called. After 15 minute...
- Thu Nov 07, 2019 2:45 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Customer Service with Vanguard
- Replies: 350
- Views: 29491
Re: Customer Service with Vanguard
Wait until you try working with the new "administrative team" instead of your old Flagship representative.
Waited 15 minutes for someone to respond. Never got an answer.
This is "progress"?
Waited 15 minutes for someone to respond. Never got an answer.
This is "progress"?
- Wed Nov 06, 2019 4:48 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Long Term Care Insurance Default
- Replies: 13
- Views: 1434
Long Term Care Insurance Default
20 years ago, my wife and I purchased a long term care policy. As everyone knows, there is a tremendous upheaval in that industry now with some of the best companies becoming marginally solvent. My question is> What happens if an LTC insurance company defaults? Does the state insurance departments a...
- Wed Aug 07, 2019 8:51 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Vanguard customer service
- Replies: 44
- Views: 2684
Re: Vanguard Customer Service Recently
Vanguard has certainly declined in customer service. I think this is due to a deterioration in the quality and experience of the customer service employees. Vanguard says this is due to growth, internal opportunities for their employees, and more turnover than usual. That's nice for Vanguard. But fo...
- Sat Jun 29, 2019 10:23 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Vanguard Personal Advisor Services
- Replies: 40
- Views: 9633
Re: Vanguard Personal Advisor Services
I have had a PAS at Vanguard for 4 years. The biggest issue I have is the constant turnover of our PAS. We have had 3 in the last 4 years. Each time we have to start over and re-educate the advisor on our total assets, plans, and needs. I did not know that my advisor had changed the last time, until...
- Sat Jun 29, 2019 10:08 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Did Retirement Spending go as You Planned?
- Replies: 47
- Views: 5602
Re: Did Retirement Spending go as You Planned?
We have been retired about 10 years, and our projections have been +/- 10% of actual expenses. Medical estimate was right on the button, but dental estimate was too low. A couple of crowns, and root canal and some implants threw us off. Dental insurance is a joke. Best thing to do is budget a couple...
- Mon Oct 29, 2018 6:26 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Tire rotation - low mileage car
- Replies: 36
- Views: 2368
Re: Tire rotation - low mileage car
My friend has a Suburban and has never rotated tires. The wear on the tires seems even, and he is getting good mileage out of them.
When the tread is low he buys 4 new tires on and runs them 50,000 and repeats.
When the tread is low he buys 4 new tires on and runs them 50,000 and repeats.
- Tue Sep 18, 2018 6:41 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Vanguard Advisor suggesting 7 Bond funds for my 40%
- Replies: 44
- Views: 7431
Re: Vanguard Advisor suggesting 7 Bond funds for my 40%
My Personal Advisor has me in three bond funds: Total Bond Index, Short Term Bond Index and International Bond Index. You may want to talk with your Account Executive and see if you can get another Personal Advisor since his/her recommendations seem a little extreme. One reason they are "trying...
- Fri Aug 03, 2018 12:31 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Dental implant in Tijuana
- Replies: 37
- Views: 4405
Re: Dental implant in Tijuana
My wife had two implants. It was a long tedious process because she had some bone loss that requires a bone graft. If I remember correctly, the whole process to it took almost 6 months. The oral surgeon (a great one by the way) did the bone grafts and inserted the studs. Or GP formed the new teeth a...
- Sat Jul 28, 2018 6:49 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Assisted Living Expenses
- Replies: 45
- Views: 4382
Re: Assisted Living Expenses
My mother was in a facility ranked in the 75th percentile for 5 years. She required more than average care. Cost was around $40,000 per year. $100,000 per year is the rate for most "nursing home" facilities. So, I am thinking that you may have the two confused. In either case, you will hav...
- Tue Jul 17, 2018 11:15 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: New Career Advice? Would you do it?
- Replies: 18
- Views: 2058
Re: New Career Advice? Would you do it?
I was formerly a Fidelity customer. From my standpoint it looked like a revolving door for the position you are discussing. It is a sales position and nothing more - some people don't make the sales they need to stay employed. Look at small career changes in your government job or enhancing your ski...
- Sun Jul 08, 2018 4:31 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Retirees...what’s your lunch menus?
- Replies: 54
- Views: 5042
Re: Retirees...what’s your lunch menus?
Lunch is our largest meal of the day Usually eat for lunch: Salad with low fat dressing Whatever fruits or vegetables are in season and look good Chicken (broiled) and salmon (broiled) Yogurt, low fat/no salt added cottage cheese Breakfast Decaf coffee High fiber cereal, oatmeal Skim milk Dinner Yog...
- Sat Jul 07, 2018 12:51 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Tire experts? Can I trust a patched tire?
- Replies: 47
- Views: 5784
Re: Tire experts? Can I trust a patched tire?
To mitigate this risk: I buy road hazard insurance for all the tires that I purchase (usually form Discount Tire). It is worth it. I bought a complete set of Michelin LTX/MS tires for my Toyota 4 Runner. After I left, I noticed 5 miles down the road that one tire was low and leaking fast. Turned aro...
- Mon Jun 04, 2018 5:51 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Interior painting - Sherwin Williams color recommendations
- Replies: 28
- Views: 3119
Re: Interior painting - Sherwin Williams color recommendations
We have used SW "Crisp Khaki" in our home for 10 years. We have wide trim and lots of crown molding in SW "decorator white". The two colors go well together and with the various woods that we have in our furniture. I would use flat paint for the walls and satin for the trim. Much...
- Tue May 22, 2018 2:52 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: How have you upgraded your wardrobe?
- Replies: 104
- Views: 8315
Re: How have you upgraded your wardrobe?
I think a nice (well fitting) blazer and a couple of dark suits (well fitting) for weddings, funerals, job interviews, etc. should be enough in today's environment for traditional wear. Sy Syms used to be my major provider ($1000 suits for $200) but alas they have gone bankrupt. Now that I am retire...
- Sun Apr 29, 2018 6:31 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Staged Retirement
- Replies: 12
- Views: 2517
Re: Staged Retirement
How about renting or leasing a home to be sure that you like the rural life? Then you are not locked in and can easily move somewhere else if you don't like it. Many seniors are renting now to avoid all the hassle of home ownership. Another possibility is living in one of the more remote suburbs of ...
- Sat Apr 28, 2018 7:47 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Amazon to raise Prime membership in US to $119 from $99
- Replies: 145
- Views: 15317
Re: Amazon to raise Prime membership in US to $119 from $99
I might pay the $119 , but I am thinking about dropping Amazon altogether. "2 day shipping" has evolved to "3 or 4 day shipping maybe", and the value isn't what it used to be. It all started when they began using the USPS for shipping. I had a package hung up in the Atlanta USPS ...
- Mon Apr 23, 2018 7:32 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Do you buy new or used cars?
- Replies: 183
- Views: 22295
Re: Do you buy new or used cars?
I negotiate hard and buy new Toyotas or Hondas. Drive 200,000 miles (about 12 to 15 years), then sell at a premium and do all over again.
- Fri Apr 13, 2018 5:56 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Unaffordable prescription drug
- Replies: 42
- Views: 5709
Re: Unaffordable prescription drug
I know several people who are in "trials" and could not afford the drugs involved. After their doctor discussed with the "trial leader", they received the drugs a no cost.
These were cancer drugs at Emory University.
These were cancer drugs at Emory University.
- Fri Apr 13, 2018 5:46 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Appropriate to ask co-worker when retiring?
- Replies: 35
- Views: 4146
Re: Appropriate to ask co-worker when retiring?
Bad idea.
He'll tell you if he wants you to know.
He'll tell you if he wants you to know.
- Fri Apr 13, 2018 5:43 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Wanting to leave Fidelity
- Replies: 97
- Views: 16151
Re: Wanting to leave Fidelity
To clarify my previous post, I did ask and receive a total of 3 Fidelity "Account Executives". All displayed the same characteristics. The last one seemed shocked when we pulled 90% of our investments and transferred to Vanguard. I got tired of all the "selling" and "posturi...
- Fri Apr 13, 2018 7:14 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Wanting to leave Fidelity
- Replies: 97
- Views: 16151
Re: Wanting to leave Fidelity
I moved almost all of our investments from Fidelity to Vanguard. The main reason was unsolicited calls from my Fidelity "Account Executive" urging me to take advantage of some flaky investment opportunity. Every call sounded like his hair was on fire and that the world was ending today. No...
- Tue Apr 10, 2018 7:26 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Job search advice for a soon-to-be engineering grad...
- Replies: 41
- Views: 2747
Re: Job search advice for a soon-to-be engineering grad...
Hard to believe in this improving economy that a Vanderbilt graduate with a Mechanical Engineering degree can't/won't find a job. New graduates need to realize that the "dream" job is often not there. Best to get employed, start working, and learn from the real world. You can always change...
- Mon Apr 09, 2018 6:42 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Honda reliability slipping?
- Replies: 58
- Views: 8407
Re: Honda reliability slipping?
The reliability bar keeps rising every year.
It's not so much that Toyota and Honda are getting worse - other makes of car are getting better!
It's not so much that Toyota and Honda are getting worse - other makes of car are getting better!
- Mon Apr 02, 2018 11:40 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Advice with Vanguard Investments Personal Advisor Services
- Replies: 20
- Views: 2733
Re: Advice with Vanguard Investments Personal Advisor Services
I use Vanguard PAS and am very pleased with the value I have received. My main reasoning for using the service was to set up my portfolio for retirement and have someone for my wife (who has little interest in investing) to rely on if something happens to me. To many sharks out there trying to rip o...
- Sun Apr 01, 2018 5:28 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Customer Service with Vanguard
- Replies: 350
- Views: 29491
Re: Customer Service with Vanguard
I have been a Vanguard customer for 30+ years and have never had a problem with customer service.
I have worked with other mutual fund companies (Fidelity, Pimco, etc.) and have not found the customer service to equal Vanguard.
I have worked with other mutual fund companies (Fidelity, Pimco, etc.) and have not found the customer service to equal Vanguard.
- Wed Mar 28, 2018 12:25 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Verizon- Why do they treat old customers worse?
- Replies: 54
- Views: 10086
Re: Verizon- Why do they treat old customers worse?
Just dropped the WSJ for the same reason My rate went up to $465 per year, and I called WSJ and told them that one of my friends who was a new customer had a deal for $198 per year. I asked for the same deal. They said that no existing customer could get that deal. I told them to cancel my subscript...
- Wed Mar 28, 2018 12:12 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: New car on lot for 102 days. Concerns?
- Replies: 35
- Views: 8389
Re: New car on lot for 102 days. Concerns?
The Highlander is a "hot" model, and, therefore, it is hard to get much of a discount off sicker price. So, the car may have been sitting on the lot for a while waiting to get someone to pay this premium.
It will be interesting to see the responses to your email.
It will be interesting to see the responses to your email.
- Mon Jan 22, 2018 7:40 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Work-out schedule for those in 60s
- Replies: 78
- Views: 8579
Re: Work-out schedule for those in 60s
I have been doing 30 minutes of cardio and 30 minutes of weights daily for 10 years. With weights, be careful. High repetition is better than high weights. Ligaments and tendons get less elastic as you get older and can tear (not something that you want to happen!). If you get bored, try something n...
- Mon Jan 22, 2018 8:47 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Xfinity broadband: should I try to negotiate a better deal?
- Replies: 41
- Views: 4224
Re: Xfinity broadband: should I try to negotiate a better deal?
I negotiate with Comcast every year. Cable and phone companies have a strangebusiness strategy, give new customers a better deal than long term customers. They are turning themselves into a commodity. No wonder people are moving from one provider to another all the time. I bust that business strateg...
- Sun Dec 31, 2017 4:18 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Car headlights or Daytime Running Lights - what do you do?
- Replies: 62
- Views: 5240
Re: Car headlights or Daytime Running Lights - what do you do?
Although I can turn them off, I leave DRL's on all the time.
Any hint of cloudiness, precipitation or darkness , the headlights go on manually. I do not rely on automatic light system.
Any hint of cloudiness, precipitation or darkness , the headlights go on manually. I do not rely on automatic light system.
- Wed Dec 20, 2017 7:43 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Fuel Additives for 2017 Toyota Camry
- Replies: 50
- Views: 5996
Re: Fuel Additives for 2017 Toyota Camry
FINAL UPDATE:
I just heard back again from Toyota He said: "Fuel additives are neither required nor recommended for your 2017 Toyota Camry. Period."
I just heard back again from Toyota He said: "Fuel additives are neither required nor recommended for your 2017 Toyota Camry. Period."
- Mon Dec 18, 2017 4:07 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: New job offer - background check
- Replies: 140
- Views: 10341
Re: New job offer - background check
Your previous employers did not seem to have a problem with your background when they hired you. Find someone to do a complete background report on you. The cost is probably less than $50. Don't go through life worrying about something that may not be a realistic fear. Do your own background check.
- Sat Dec 09, 2017 12:21 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Danger of being a helicopter pilot?
- Replies: 40
- Views: 6632
Re: Danger of being a helicopter pilot?
My nephew is in the Georgia National Guard and was recently accepted into the helicopter pilot program. Apparently, it is quite competitive and only 10% of applicants are accepted through the initial screening. I believe the actual training program lasts one year if you get that far. Although, the t...
- Fri Dec 08, 2017 9:34 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Fuel Additives for 2017 Toyota Camry
- Replies: 50
- Views: 5996
UPDATE: Fuel Additives for 2017 Toyota Camry
I got a quick reply from Toyota. They called to ask me some more questions about my email. They said that "no gasoline additives were required for my vehicle" and that Toyota USA would be following up with the dealer. Whether this will do any good or not remains to be seen. I was impressed...