Bogleheads.org

Howie

Is there a difference in how prescriptions are handled? In some HDHPs, there is a higher out-of-pocket maximum for prescription drugs and the PPO-type co-pay doesn't usually commence until the full medical deductible is satisfied. Depending on one's familial needs, this could be a factor in the deci...

Howie

My usage of it overseas a couple of months ago resulted in reimbursed ATM fees as well as no international usage fee (unlike the Fidelity Cash Management card). That's has not been my experience... I was in London last week and pulled 200£ at Heathrow via Fidelity Cash Management. I've already been...

Howie

My usage of it overseas a couple of months ago resulted in reimbursed ATM fees as well as no international usage fee (unlike the Fidelity Cash Management card).

Howie

I like the Fidelity Rewards Visa Card . But it seem like I am only getting 1.5 points for every dollar I spend (1.5% cash back) instead of the 2 points (2% cash back) advertised. Points from statement https://flic.kr/p/29fD5JP points according to advertisement https://flic.kr/p/Nvr9iu I seem to rec...

Howie

For a week away from home, what precautions do you take? I normally shut off the water to my washer, bump up the thermostat, have a neighbor check mail/deliveries, and leave a light or two on. What else is recommended?

Howie

Same problem here. "Too many redirects". Typical Vanguard.

I'll note I tried three different browsers- one of which I've never used with the Vanguard site.

Howie

The majority of responses suggest paying it off. Is there a lower interest rate level where- at or below- it might be prudent to, instead, keep the mortgage?

Howie

They botched a simple Roth recharacterization of mine a couple of years ago and it took them months to finally rectify. I was so turned off after experiencing their struggles on such an elementary transaction I considered parting ways and adding to my Fidelity holdings. I never pulled that trigger b...

Howie

3% raise, 30.4% bonus (formulaic based primarily on profits).

Howie

IMHO, anything less than a 3% WR is overly conservative for anyone aside from those interested in leaving behind a larger portfolio for their heirs, charity, etc. than they started with. That being said, here it is. The nominal ending balance in 2017 would have been $1,798,773, which would have bee...

Howie

Great post. This reinforces 4 things to me in my particular financial situation (others may be different), that I need to keep in mind going forward. 1. Keep SPIA's on the option table. 2. 25X is not enough, maybe not even close going forward (I don't have a pension or very many alternate income st...

Howie

For years and years, I used to automatically say roll it over, but I've recently changed my tune on this. The expenses you cite are not exorbitant for a 401k plan, and by rolling it over to a tIRA, you potentially make a backdoor Roth contribution much more costly in the future. I made this mistake...

Howie

My wife’s Keurig bit the dust recently. She likes the K-Cup concept and I understand there are options beyond Keurig that could utilize this format. Looking for thoughts on whether to stay with the Keurig brand or go with another? I’d value reliability/durability greater than simply looking for the ...

Howie

Furthermore, exposure to UV radiation is cumulative; unfortunately most of our sun damage comes when we're <20 (myself included). So, if one were >50, how much help would embracing a consistent sunscreen application program actually provide if the majority of the damage is already done and has been...

Howie

I've been using Vivaldi for a period of time and find I use it most often on my Win10 machine. There are many features built into the browser and I find their tab stacking feature indispensable. It's built from the Chromium core and its code is updated frequently. As it relates to FF, the new versio...

Howie

I, too, was a longtime FF user and had tried its various offshoots (Waterfox, Pale Moon, etc.) but also grew tired of its deteriorating performance. At the moment on my Win10 machine I use Chrome on one monitor for Google products (Gmail, Maps, Flights, etc.) and other websites which greatly benefit...

Howie

As someone who periodically sells items on Amazon and Ebay, I ship using USPS and UPS. I just shipped my first package from my east cost location to Hawaii. USPS wanted about $15 and UPS about $50 for same service. Anyone surprised one gets for what one pays ? Do you want to pay $300/year for Prime...

Howie

I'll echo the general sentiment that delivery times have become worse since Amazon has transitioned (in my area, anyway) to USPS. Of the last eight orders, four have been delivered outside the two-day "guaranteed" Prime window. I've received a month extension to my Prime membership each time, but it...

Howie

A heads-up to all- check your online account information to make sure FIA actually processed your final payments. While they processed my AmEx payment they did not process my Visa payment (both using their online payment system as had always been the case). It appears I got caught in a situation whe...

Howie

Roughly, very roughly, a possible goal is to have 25x to 30x residual living expenses in the portfolio at retirement. That corresponds to a SWR of about 4% to 3% per year. The question then gets to be given the expected return from the portfolio does the AA of 80 / 20 allow you to get to your goal ...

Howie

Your old card will remain active until July 22. On July 23 your balance will be transferred to your new card. If you set up Auto Pay for the new card then your next payment date will be the date you selected when setting up Auto Pay. Setting up Auto Pay was not too difficult. Setting up the rewards...

Howie

I didn't see that option within the first account's menu items or otherwise? When I attempted to set up the second account using the same login as the first it wouldn't process. After logging in, click "profile" on the top right, then "add an account". Worked fine for me on day 1. The transactions ...

Howie

Question concerning website access with the new provider Elan-- is there a dedicated website for the cards (as was offered by FIA) or must one access the new card(s) via the Fidelity Investments website? Thanks. There is - http://www.fidelityrewards.com . Thanks! I just set up my "first" VISA. Unli...

Howie

Question concerning website access with the new provider Elan-- is there a dedicated website for the cards (as was offered by FIA) or must one access the new card(s) via the Fidelity Investments website? Thanks. There is - http://www.fidelityrewards.com . Thanks! I just set up my "first" VISA. Unli...

Howie

Question concerning website access with the new provider Elan-- is there a dedicated website for the cards (as was offered by FIA) or must one access the new card(s) via the Fidelity Investments website?

Thanks.

Howie

I received the new Fidelity/Elan cards on monday - all 4 of them. 2 VISA for my husband and myself * 2 accounts. I activated called Elan and had them upgrade the account that earns 1.5% to a 2% account on tuesday. They said it would be done within 24 hours. I don't see any indication online of any ...

Howie

My wife got caught up in this HD return prohibition shortly after we bought a new house last year. There were numerous purchases made at HD, accompanied by several returns along the way (items didn't ultimately work in the new home, weren't eventually needed, excess supplies, etc.). Even though she ...

Howie

I have the FIA AMEX and the FIA VISA. I just called them and asked to be converted now to the new 2% VISA. Overall it took about 20 minutes, but I'm told my new card is on its way and that my existing cards will remain valid until I receive the new one. I will be so relieved to leave FIA. Did you c...

Howie

I have the FIA AMEX and the FIA VISA. I just called them and asked to be converted now to the new 2% VISA. Overall it took about 20 minutes, but I'm told my new card is on its way and that my existing cards will remain valid until I receive the new one. I will be so relieved to leave FIA. Did you c...

Howie

Recognizing this is a relatively old thread I thought it necessary to comment on the information above specific to having to accept at least 50% of the amount or the rider would be removed from the policy. I have just arrived at my three year anniversary with Guardian and if I don't accept at least...

Howie

Principal does not have a specialty definition of disability, which is a major benefit for a surgeon/specialist. They require a 24-month mental/nervous limitation with the true own-occupation definition, but no limitation with the transitional own-occupation definition. IMO, the premium savings is ...

Howie

Threads, "post a reply" area, etc., are still large on my iPad Air as of this morning.

Howie

To anyone who asks I would recommend: - Chromebook for an inexpensive laptop replacement (like an 'ultrabook' without the pricetag) - Ipad for tablet browsing (Excellent implementation throughout) - Mac for laptop (Excellent OS integration, reliable, great battery power) - Windows for desktop compu...

Howie

I have high hopes for Windows 10 and this is coming from a long-time Windows user who installed a third-party program to enable the Win7 GUI under Win8. Win8 is fine for tablets but horrible for the desktop/laptop PC. Supposedly Windows 10 will automatically detect the type of device and default to ...

Howie

IPer wrote:Too expensive for i3.

This is not the processor in the Surface 3.

Howie

I have considered (kind of, sort of) and I also own an iPad air, but I decided it would not be so good because of the constant security problems/malware, and other problems that affect Windows. Also, 12'' will not be a suitable replacement for my 15'' MBP. I'm also happy with my iPad and my MBP, bu...

Howie

The impending release of Microsoft's Surface 3 has me strongly considering adding one and potentially displacing my iPad Air. Portability, full Windows OS, and a stylus/One Note combination that Apple hasn't duplicated (I know, I've tried multiple stylii) may be enough to sway me. I don't need the f...

Howie

Thanks to all...appreciate the input. I'm most likely going with the 15.

Howie

15 - if you need to move from a 10 to a 30 to make it work, you're probably spending too much. Interestingly- or perhaps not- I could actually pay cash for the home. I just think inflation will eventually rise and this feels like "cheap money". This "cheap money" mentality coupled with the prospect...

Howie

KlangFool wrote:
Howie,

You should do 15 years. The gap between 15 and 30 is too big to justify doing 30 years.

In my case,

15 years = 3.00%
30 years = 3.49%

If you provide more detail, we can calculate the breakeven point.

KlangFool

What additional detail could I provide?

Howie

I've read a couple of posts recently that got me thinking about an upcoming mortgage I'm going to take on as part of a relocation with associated new home. I have a ten-year mortgage on my current home but am looking at a longer term for the new home as I'll be borrowing about $100K more with the ne...

Howie

Not to hijack the thread, I'll respond briefly. We get it through our Costco AMEX which is a (real) AMEX. Here's the link https://www295.americanexpress.com/premium/car-rental-insurance-coverage/home.do We car rent for several months of the year. It's primary coverage with no deductible. We get the...

Howie

I've recently discovered OneNote as an option as well, as I already had a OneDrive account. I have both OneNote and Evernote desktop applications on my Mac, but use the browser-based versions elsewhere as well. I read a review (can't recall where) that described the difference between using Evernot...

Howie

This is exactly correct. Evernote's search and organizational capabilities are much more powerful than Google Drive/Docs- and it's not even close. The seamless transition across devices and OSes that Evernote offers is a productivity enhancer as well. For those pen and paper users the ability to sn...

Howie

Waiting waiting waiting. Actually, here I sit, waiting to see gas prices at 99 cents a gallon, just like back in 1994 (I believe that's the last time I paid 99 cents at gas stations while stationed in Pascagoula MS). Instead of let is snow, let it snow, let it snow American consumers should be sing...

Howie

I like Evernote but I use Google Drive/Docs more. It is a little more organized, less bloated, faster, and easily accessible on a computer or smartphone. Interesting, I find it much easier to find tidbits of information in Evernote using a Mac and an iPhone. I find the Evernote app on iPhone to be ...

Howie

Crimsontide wrote:For me, paying off our mortgage was one of the biggest emotional/psychological events of my life.

...3. 'Bama beating the living dog crap out of Notre Dame for National Championship #15 ...

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/colleg ... s-claimed/

Howie

I have used Amex's replacement policy a couple of times and it worked pretty smoothly. I have also lost out on using the replacement policy due to inability to find my original receipts. Need to figure out a digital storage approach to insure the latter experience does not happen again - that's the...

Howie

Not having knowledge of the other thread, and based on the reply above, I ask whether it makes sense to carry such insurance?

Howie

All these wannabe Ivies, technically MIT and Stanford included, are all fine schools. Arguably, the out of state tuition is worth it for certain programs, and a bargain for those in-state. Would students choose Yale or Brown over Cal for Engineering, even if full out of state tuition was the cost? ...

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