Search found 674 matches

by ElJay
Sun Jun 26, 2022 11:59 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Share your thoughts on Vanguard Digital Advisor
Replies: 8
Views: 1214

Re: Share your thoughts on Vanguard Digital Advisor

My mom got one of these emails today and it's frustrating. She reached out to me because she thought she was getting signed up for something that was going to cost money. I wish they would stop pushing this, I bet I have ignored at least a half dozen emails about it and they don't give us an easy way to opt out.
by ElJay
Wed Mar 25, 2020 6:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Housing Market Response in this environment?
Replies: 57
Views: 8569

Re: Housing Market Response in this environment?

My wife and I have been shopping for a larger house. We're on pause for a bit now until we know that a closing can happen as expected and we are OK with hiring movers to visit and touch all of our stuff. I can't stomach converting a lot of cash into a house and increasing our expenses right now.
by ElJay
Sat Mar 30, 2019 8:35 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should basements be insulated from the outside or inside? New construction
Replies: 17
Views: 3227

Re: Should basements be insulated from the outside or inside? New construction

Chadnudj wrote: Mon Mar 25, 2019 2:55 pm Related to this: is there any benefit to having the ceiling of your basement (a.k.a. below your 1st floor floors) insulated?
When I had an energy audit done on my home, I was told this wasn't very effective. (The former owners of my house had done it.) I think the problem is that it doesn't help much to mitigate the "stack effect" because the cold air is now already inside the building through the basement walls. Insulating the top of my house helped incredibly with energy efficiency and comfort, so I never had anybody come back and do the basement walls. It was hard to expect a similar return on investment for that project.
by ElJay
Sat Mar 30, 2019 8:17 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How much is a parking ticket where you live?
Replies: 23
Views: 1486

Re: How much is a parking ticket where you live?

$20-35 for the typical violation. (Meter expired and various 'no parking' violations.) We used to give people one free ticket a year, but the city needs the revenue. Parking in a handicap space is $200, which is the only significant fine.
by ElJay
Sat Mar 30, 2019 8:07 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Paying "early" on mortgage may be unwise
Replies: 298
Views: 33233

Re: Paying "early" on mortgage may be unwise

willthrill81 wrote: Fri Mar 29, 2019 10:36 amPrecisely. Which is what at least 99% of folks seem to do, and every web site out there specifically recommends. So it seems to be much ado about nothing.
This thread is incredibly confusing due to this fact.

I have never had a loan where paying extra per month did not get applied to principal, and subsequently have it end up re-amortizing the loan and reducing total interest paid. Yes, if I go to my mortgage provider and say I want to make 2 payments instead of 1 payment plus principal, they will extend my next payment due date an extra month, but scheduled interest paid will remain unchanged.
by ElJay
Fri Dec 14, 2018 6:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: A "super mega roll" of toilet paper = 6 "regular rolls:" is this possible?
Replies: 80
Views: 11618

Re: A "super mega roll" of toilet paper = 6 "regular rolls:" is this possible?

Charmin is the only toilet paper that I've needed professional help to clear from clogging the pipes.
by ElJay
Sun Feb 11, 2018 9:50 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Does it ever make sense to buy a new car?
Replies: 103
Views: 12131

Re: Does it ever make sense to buy a new car?

jabberwockOG wrote: Sat Feb 10, 2018 10:49 pm Lowest cost way to own cars over a lifetime is to buy a very reliable, low mile, well maintained 3 year old car at approx 60% of new cost and drive it 10 years and then sell it privately
I'd love to know where everybody finds these "low miles 3 year old" cars at 60% of original sticker. I don't know if the used market is really inflated here, but most cars I've noticed don't hit this 60% level until around five years in. I have rarely found the "lightly used" market to provide much of a value over new, especially in the boring Japanese-brand "appliance" cars people love here.
by ElJay
Sun Jan 28, 2018 10:54 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to Minimize Your Emergency Care Expenses
Replies: 413
Views: 233088

Re: How to Minimize Your Emergency Care Expenses

As a person with a HDHP I find it incredibly frustrating that pricing is the way it is. It is a "market" unlike anything else. A few months ago I had a fall at night, toughed out the pain until the next day and went to an in-network urgent care center. After waiting about two hours, they then immediately tried to shove me off to the ER. I explained I was concerned about the cost of the ER, and after a little hemming and hawing they offered to do what they could to make sure I hadn't broken something. I had a couple of x-rays and they did an EKG (they thought I possibly had a heart attack that led to my fall.) Having insurance saved me about 25% with the negotiated prices, though I was still out about $800, mostly for two sets of x...
by ElJay
Thu Oct 12, 2017 9:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 2018 Honda Accord
Replies: 54
Views: 8920

Re: 2018 Honda Accord

visualguy wrote: Tue Oct 10, 2017 8:19 pmThe Camry V6 is 301 HP. Also, I love the linear smooth response of naturally aspirated V6 engines. The driving experience of a 2L 4-cyl turbo isn't even close...
Have you driven a 2.0t lately? I have an NA I6 in my 3-Series and the I4 turbo in the current 330 blows it away in all ways except engine noise.
by ElJay
Tue May 09, 2017 10:22 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buying a luxury car (how dumb would it be to do this?)
Replies: 236
Views: 36559

Re: Buying a luxury car (how dumb would it be to do this?)

Anyone who knows BMWs knows to run away screaming from 7 Series car out of warranty, and 60,000 miles is often the break point in terms of very expensive repairs/maintenance (for lots of cars, not just BMWs). My 2011 E90 3-Series turned 60k miles recently, and it's had about $3k in maintenance/repairs so far since January. I drooled over these cars as a kid, I love how it drives, and I also dreamed about doing Euro delivery one day... But man, the 2016 3-Series loaner ($45k sticker) that I had over my last repair visit is like some bean counter at 1990s GM got in and cheapened everything. I don't mind paying extra for something I feel is special, but BMW has a lot of ground to make up with the next 3-Series before I consider buying a secon...
by ElJay
Wed Jan 04, 2017 6:56 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard And Yearly IRA Contributions
Replies: 7
Views: 939

Re: Vanguard And Yearly IRA Contributions

Vanguard doesn't know anything about contributions made at other custodians. The IRS and you will know via form 5498.
by ElJay
Wed Dec 28, 2016 1:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to get rid of your belly........
Replies: 82
Views: 14640

Re: How to get rid of your belly........

Shackleton wrote:
Runner01 wrote:Lots of bro science going on in this thread.
The high carb, low fat diet as represented in the food pyramid is the biggest "bro science" myth that has been perpetuated by our government and food lobbyists for the last 40 years. Absolutely astounding how hard it is to get people to look objectively at actual science when it contradicts what they've been told by big brother and big pharma.
The type of calories definitely matters. Call it "bro science" or not, but I know my body treats a bowl of pasta differently than a strip of meat. As soon as carbs drift back into my diet, the scale starts climbing up.
by ElJay
Thu Nov 10, 2016 5:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Amazon Echo
Replies: 88
Views: 22720

Re: Amazon Echo

I bought the "mini-Echo," the Tap, a few months ago because I wanted a small WiFi/Bluetooth speaker. I'm really happy with it. I mostly use it to listen to iHeartRadio or TuneIn stations, but the "flash briefing" (news) feature is pretty cool too. The Tap does not listen all the time for the wake word, I have to press a button to make it listen. Sound quality is decent for the size. It's better than a Bluetooth speaker in that it can typically be used in a standalone fashion after it has been set up to a WiFi connection. The main annoying thing I've found is the companion Alexa app (which runs on your phone) is rather slow. It's also frustrating that there is no way to set some presets to call up. There are certain radio...
by ElJay
Thu Oct 13, 2016 9:07 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Someone else's check got cleared from my Checking Account
Replies: 65
Views: 9933

Re: Someone else's check got cleared from my Checking Account

I processed checks once upon a time and it can happen. You can also experience something like depositing a check for $10,000 and perhaps have it clear for $10.00 without any human at the bank ever seeing the error. It's harder now for banks to do quality control after the Check 21 regulations were enacted over a decade ago. Once upon a time, the physical checks would come back to your bank and they would scan them into their system. Now the information and images your bank is posting against your account were probably not even captured by your bank; it was more likely entered at the bank which received the deposit. I reconcile my checkbook at least once a month against the online transaction register. Eighteen years of research at the bank ...
by ElJay
Thu Oct 13, 2016 8:42 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Europe bus tours
Replies: 36
Views: 4370

Re: Europe bus tours

I think it's a great way to introduce yourself to Europe. You can find tours that offer as much or little freedom as you want. I highly recommend a tour that typically spends 2-3 nights per spot and doesn't try to cover too many miles on the bus. TLDR; There is a definite sweet spot with these tours. For an itinerary that is only a city or two, you'd probably be better off figuring it out on your own. For tours that take you across 2000+ miles in a couple of weeks, you do get to see a little bit of a lot and get an idea of where you want to come back to (almost everywhere), but you waste so much time on a bus. The optimal tour for me seems to be no more than about 500mi between the start and end point with hotels that are centrally located....
by ElJay
Fri Jul 22, 2016 1:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Goal mindset when seeing ceiling in career
Replies: 32
Views: 5038

Re: Goal mindset when seeing ceiling in career

I know there's something in the human condition that urges a need to always get something more, to always move the goal post forward. I'm about where the OP is, a few years older and a few more grand a year, but basically the same situation. The fact is though, $100k/year where I live has moved me (my household of one) up out of the middle class. Most people work their entire lives and never get there. I hit it at age 33, only ten years into my career. And I do it sitting on my rear without breaking a sweat, working about 40 hours a week. I might be able to edge up another $15-20k over the next decade doing this. If I want to see $150k in 2016 dollars, I'll probably have to become a manager and deal with all of that garbage. Right now I'm v...
by ElJay
Fri Jul 22, 2016 11:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What type of new driveway should I get?
Replies: 21
Views: 3952

Re: What type of new driveway should I get?

I recently had my driveway and a couple of walkways paved with asphalt around my house in Maine. Most of the driveways around here are asphalt though there are a few concrete or paver driveways. I thought about having it done with pavers because of the improved aesthetics, but the price was way beyond what I was expecting. My driveway is about 10'x50' (basically enough for about three cars end to end) and walkways encompass about 5'x25', so about 625sqft of surface. Here's a look at the relative quotes I received to rip out the old stuff, put in a new base, and finish it: Asphalt: $2500-$3000 Paver walkways w/asphalt driverway: $3000 driveway + $7000 walkway (this quote had about 33% more walkway than the other quotes) All pavers: $16000 (m...
by ElJay
Sat Jan 16, 2016 4:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Turn off water heater on vacation?
Replies: 97
Views: 128424

Re: Turn off water heater on vacation?

I'm interested to learn that people turn their entire water supply off... I usually turn off some things separately (toilet, washer, hydronic heating system water fill), but I have to say turning off the entire house makes more sense. In the winter I am a little nervous about turning off the fill for the heating system, but the boiler does have a low water shutoff. I decide to swap the risk of flooding the house via a broken pipe in the heating system with the (lower?) risk of burning the house down. I have a small (18.2gal) indirect water heater connected to my gas boiler, and if I'm gone for a couple days or more, I turn the vacation mode on. Producing domestic hot water (DHW) takes only about 10 therms a month for me, so it's not a vast ...
by ElJay
Thu May 28, 2015 8:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: BMW needs new tires
Replies: 24
Views: 6444

Re: BMW needs new tires

I put some new ContiProContacts on my E90 last December and found the dealer was competitively priced with the local tire shops (both the tires and all the other crap that has to happen.) I figured the dealer had the bonus of dealing regularly with RFTs and would be less likely to scatch up my rims. They did fine. I didn't really consider going without RFTs. A spare would make the trunk nearly unusable and the risk of being totally dependent on a tow for a flat didn't sit well with me. I have the pump and goo kit... I still realize RFTs could leave me stranded in some instances, but RFTs are something I decided I had to accept if I was going to own a modern sport sedan. I would prefer conventional tires and a donut spare, but the push for e...
by ElJay
Thu May 28, 2015 8:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 5000 btu open window air conditioner
Replies: 13
Views: 7335

Re: 5000 btu open window air conditioner

I bought a GE AEL06LS last year and I like it. I think its Energy Star rating was off the chart (in a good way). It's not too noisy and it is a lot lighter than a 10 year old Frigidaire I have. I use the timer option on it regulary both to turn it on before I get home or to shut it off in the night. The only annoying thing is that every time you turn it on, it goes to some energy saving mode that cycles the fan off after the compressor stops; I think that is an Energy Star requirement now.
by ElJay
Sat Jan 31, 2015 7:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do you respond to recruiters contacting you?
Replies: 27
Views: 3893

Re: Do you respond to recruiters contacting you?

I usually ignore them. I did talk with one last summer who didn't have his facts straight with regards to the salary of the position, so it was a waste of time.

Many of them want me to move thousands of miles away. If Amazon wants to spin up a development site near me, I'd love to go in for an interview. But I'm not flying over to Seattle to do it, even on their dime.

I am actually working with a recruiter presently that somebody recommended to me and I hate the experience.
by ElJay
Mon Dec 22, 2014 6:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Travel Insurance
Replies: 30
Views: 10308

Re: Travel Insurance

I have used Trip Mate a few times.

They paid out some money after I missed the beginning of a tour in Europe after weather cancelled our flights over. The "travel delay benefit" of $150/day/person did not completely cover our expenses that we had incurred from the delay.

It did refund the day of the tour we missed and covered our transportation from the airport to our hotel in Paris (that otherwise would've been included in the trip). The benefit max on this part of the coverage ("missed connection") was $1000 per person. I could've easily seen us going over this if we had needed to take a train to meet up with our tour.

Trip insurance is not perfect but I wouldn't go without it.
by ElJay
Mon Dec 22, 2014 6:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Most/Least Boglehead 2014 Activity?
Replies: 93
Views: 14191

Re: Most/Least Boglehead 2014 Activity?

Least:
Bought a house that will never be as cheap as renting was. The vastly improved sense of community (and felling like I actually am "home") is totally worth it.

Most:
Got a (lame) raise and put it all toward my 401k; I am finally on track to max it out next year.
I sold my parents on investing some of a windfall at Vanguard. They magically received a signed copy of Common Sense on Mutual Funds a few months later, which they gave to me.
by ElJay
Thu Jun 26, 2014 9:07 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Transfering inherited assets in-kind to Vanguard Brokerage
Replies: 13
Views: 2363

Re: Transfering inherited assets in-kind to Vanguard Brokera

Some of the heirs actually want the stock. They can always buy the stock with any cash they get. :) True. I think the estate is past the point of no return on this decision since all heirs have decided to do in-kind transfers. If EJ's fees were not so greedy I would have no problem simplifying the process by having my mom open up an account at EJ. But if we do that it's an account open fee, an annual fee, ridiculous fees to sell, and an account termination fee. Plus she doesn't like dealing with the EJ guy so she is trying to minimize her exposure to him. I'm going to see if i can get my mom on the phone with Brucelee Sterile and get this resolved. We seem to have chosen the most complicated route; it came out of good intentions in trying ...
by ElJay
Thu Jun 26, 2014 8:55 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Transfering inherited assets in-kind to Vanguard Brokerage
Replies: 13
Views: 2363

Re: Transfering inherited assets in-kind to Vanguard Brokera

Thanks a lot for the comments. She has talked to a concierge rep which dumped that transfer form on her and left her feeling confused and overwhelmed. It has kind of frustrated me since I recommended Vanguard. My own customer service experience with Vanguard has been mixed, but they have always ultimately gotten to the proper result in the end. Edward Jones' fees are leading us to want to perform an in-kind transfer. Otherwise it's a flush of 1.5% down the toilet, which is a few thousand bucks that should be in my mom's pocket instead of EJ's. It's a non-retirement account. Some of the heirs actually want the stock (though my mom plans to sell most of it). Crow Hunter, good luck! This stuff is so tiring and frustrating. I'd think Vanguard w...
by ElJay
Thu Jun 26, 2014 8:31 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Any benefit of having both Traditional and Roth accounts?
Replies: 14
Views: 3431

Re: Any benefit of having both Traditional and Roth accounts

The main thought that keeps me maxing out my 401k with traditional funds instead of Roth is that I don't know what tax laws are going to be 30-40 years from now when I'm in my retirement. I do max out my Roth IRA, so I do have some tax diversity, but the immediate subsidy of the traditional 401k tax benefits is something I trust more.
by ElJay
Thu Jun 26, 2014 8:02 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Transfering inherited assets in-kind to Vanguard Brokerage
Replies: 13
Views: 2363

Transfering inherited assets in-kind to Vanguard Brokerage

I am trying to help my mother transfer some stocks which she inherited to Vanguard Brokerage. The assets currently sit at Edward Jones in the estate brokerage account of her father, which will be split equally with her siblings. Thus far Vanguard hasn't been terribly helpful in assisting her with this transfer (six figures). We have a Vanguard Brokerage account set up for her, and Vanguard sent her the brokerage in-kind transfer form (ACTF) . This form doesn't seem to be well-suited for this task given the questions it is asking. It seems more like a form where I send it to Vanguard and then they reach out to Edward Jones to start the transfer. The account we're trying to transfer from is not in my mom's name and the balance is not all hers...
by ElJay
Sun Jun 08, 2014 5:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Vanguard is number one!
Replies: 15
Views: 3816

Re: Vanguard is number one!

In January I got my first exposure to a Vanguard 401k. I'm happy to have access to the index funds I want, but their website (run by a third party, Ascensus) leaves something to be desired. Viewing my transaction history requires Java or ActiveX, which with the explosion of tablets and mobile devices seems quite limiting today.
by ElJay
Sun Jun 08, 2014 5:40 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Time to transfer 401K to Vanguard - help please.
Replies: 14
Views: 2124

Re: Time to transfer 401K to Vanguard - help please.

If we're doing testimonials, here's mine from a few months ago: Roth 401k rollover from T. Rowe Price to Vanguard. The Roth 401k is a mix of Roth money and pretax money, the latter being matching funds and a previous rollover I had done. I already had a Roth IRA and Traditional IRA set up at Vanguard. I called up T. Rowe Price and provided them with the account and fund numbers for the Roth money and the pre-tax money. T. Rowe Price mailed two checks to Vanguard with the appropriate account numbers attached to each. A few business days later, Vanguard deposited all of the money into my Roth IRA, and also decided to characterize some of my Roth money as a Roth conversion. I contacted Vanguard and they fully admitted that depositing my pre-ta...
by ElJay
Tue May 06, 2014 11:31 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should I be concerned: auto vs. umbrella insurance
Replies: 34
Views: 8664

Re: Should I be concerned: auto vs. umbrella insurance

It is interesting to see the differences from within the insurance companies! A few months ago I got a $1mm umbrella from Amica. I have $500k/$500k auto and the umbrella has a $500 (five hundred dollars) deductible (with the exception of $50k deductible for "loss assessments" which don't apply to me since I don't live in a homeowners association.) The umbrella policy does show my underlying liability limits of auto and home insurance, along with the minimums required for the umbrella, on the auto being $250k/$500k.
by ElJay
Sun Apr 20, 2014 8:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: suggestion for awd luxury sedan
Replies: 44
Views: 7428

Re: suggestion for awd luxury sedan

Have you considered the Volvo S60? An S60 T5 AWD sits around $46k after being gussied up with a lot of technology packages.
by ElJay
Sun Apr 20, 2014 8:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Possible fraud? Getting mail about a car I don't own.
Replies: 16
Views: 9249

Re: Possible fraud? Getting mail about a car I don't own.

pjstack wrote:I get occasional letters from a Toyota dealership saying they "need" my model/year Toyota and will pay $xxx for it.

I did not buy my car at that dealership but I did take it in for maintenance once, so I guess I'm on their list forever!
I had a Ford dealership, which I have never dealt with, that said last year they desperately wanted to buy my BMW so I could "upgrade to a new Ford Fusion." I think they get this info on what we drive from the insurance companies.
by ElJay
Sun Apr 20, 2014 8:17 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Treasury Direct Payroll Savings Plan - Deposit Time
Replies: 4
Views: 991

Re: Treasury Direct Payroll Savings Plan - Deposit Time

Disclaimer: I haven't done payroll savings through TD in the past year and a half. When I did do it, my C of I history page (History > C of I History) would show a "Payroll CofI purchase" transaction when the payroll was processed, which was typically a couple of days before pay day. A bond would be automatically purchased by redeeming C of I on pay day, given the balance in payroll C of I had reached the purchase threshold I set up in the payroll savings plan. The bottom line is that savings bonds were purchased on the same day I received the direct deposit for the rest of my paycheck in my checking account. I don't remember how long it took for these transactions to be displayed on TreasuryDirect's website, but if it was more th...
by ElJay
Sat Mar 15, 2014 10:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: LED lights currently worth it personal financewise?
Replies: 55
Views: 5268

Re: LED lights currently worth it personal financewise?

I think it's worth it. I like the 5000K light from LEDs much better than the CFL version of 5000K, LED lights are at 100% brightness instantly, they don't dim over the years, and they stand up better compared with CFLs in areas that have short on/off cycles (e.g. the bathroom.) I don't put 5000K everywhere; in the bathroom and the kitchen I like warmer light. Some bulbs sold under Lowes' house brand, Utilitech Pro, disburse light in a pattern much like incandescent bulbs which makes them work well in table and floor fixtures. My bulb of choice
by ElJay
Sat Mar 15, 2014 5:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Was frugality a mistake? The downsides of saving too much.
Replies: 115
Views: 26492

Re: Was frugality a mistake? The downsides of saving too mu

:thumbsup I find that budgeting helps a lot in the psychological aspects of dealing with risk. It gives me a sense of where I'm at and where I can look to trim the fat if things get really tough. Without a budget, I would probably be frugal to the extent of being penny wise and pound foolish, blindly assuming that I can't afford whatever the purchase of the day is and still meet my goals. And I'm sure I'd regret that extreme frugality when it's too late to go back and change my actions. I am not as severely afflicted by the "frugality" gene as some here, but it's definitely in me to some degree. I agree budgeting is a great way of showing that I can (easily) get along with spending more money on something now that might improve m...
by ElJay
Sat Mar 15, 2014 4:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: I don't want to upgrade XP just yet, is that ok?
Replies: 86
Views: 12691

Re: I don't want to upgrade XP just yet, is that ok?

ubermax wrote:Regards the browser , we've heard good things about Firefox and Chrome but we've had good luck with Internet Explorer - no reason to change for us .
As others have already mentioned on this thread, anybody on XP needs to use a browser other than Internet Explorer. For one thing, many people who make websites are already not testing them to ensure compatibility with Internet Explorer 8. Secondly, the minute Microsoft pulls the plug on security updates in April, there will probably be a half dozen vulnerabilities spring out that people have been storing up to attack XP users through IE 8. Install Firefox or Chrome and start getting accustomed to it. If you must stay on XP then there is no other way forward if you want to browse the web.
by ElJay
Sat Mar 15, 2014 4:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Switch from TW to DirecTV & killed on receiver fees?
Replies: 18
Views: 3515

Re: Switch from TW to DirecTV & killed on receiver fees?

Has anybody signed up to DirecTV without a credit check? I recently bought a house that has a dish on it already, and I'm considering going with them instead of Time Warner. As part of the home buying process, I got a mortgage (credit score 810). I find it rather hilarious that DirecTV doesn't trust me to lease a $300 MSRP "made in China" DVR from them and pay them $70/mo. They want my social security number, otherwise they're going to charge me $300 (paid back to me $5/mo over 5 years) and offer no incentives. The hard inquiry on my report doesn't really matter at this point, but the principle of it really bugs me. They are not extending me a line of credit.
by ElJay
Fri Mar 14, 2014 7:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: I don't want to upgrade XP just yet, is that ok?
Replies: 86
Views: 12691

Re: I don't want to upgrade XP just yet, is that ok?

No, it's not OK.

Sincerely,
A software developer who hates Internet Explorer 8.

I upgraded my parents from XP to Windows 8.1 six months ago and they've had no problems getting acclimated to it. I just have all the icons to the apps they use on the desktop, and they just basically use it just like they did XP. Windows 7 and 8 definitely perform better than XP, but if you have a PC with XP on it then it's probably time to upgrade the hardware too.
by ElJay
Sat Mar 08, 2014 12:23 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Paying $1,000/yr to Vanguard ! Please Help Me
Replies: 40
Views: 8643

Re: Paying $1,000/yr to Vanguard ! PLEASE HELP ME

Have you examined what is in a $3000/mo PITI payment on a house?

So let's say you buy a $600,000 house and put 20% down. You get a $480,000 30 year mortgage at 4.375%, making the principle and interest about $2400/mo. To start out, you will be paying more than $1700 per month in interest. If you are worried about $1k a year in (very low) investment expenses, how are you going to sleep at night after paying $20,000 in the first year to the bank in interest?

Granted, you're (hopefully) building some equity in the house every month versus nothing when renting, but it does have its own (significant) costs involved. The NY Times rent versus own calculator is very interesting.
by ElJay
Tue Mar 04, 2014 6:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Used $35k Porsche on $64k income?
Replies: 95
Views: 11441

Re: Used $35k Porsche on $64k income?

The first thing to start with has to be with putting $500/mo into the 401k plan at work. Then if there's enough comfortably left for $500/mo to cover the payment and some maintenance (DIY maintenance still needs parts/supplies/tools) then what's the problem? A $18k car loan on $65k/year income is nothing out of the ordinary, but I do think a 60 month loan on a car-- especially a used one-- is absurd.
by ElJay
Tue Mar 04, 2014 5:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What's your dream car?
Replies: 197
Views: 22321

Re: What's your dream car?

Jaguar F-Type S Coupe in green. I want to drive it up Bear Notch Road in NH without the omnipresent coppers (thank you slow, timid drivers for saving me in the past).
by ElJay
Tue Feb 25, 2014 5:14 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: The Gecko cost me a lot of $. How often to switch car ins?
Replies: 78
Views: 11608

Re: The Gecko cost me a lot of $. How often to switch car in

Thanks ElJay. Glad to hear that Amica has retained you as a happy customer. Looking forward to ditching Allstate. When you say fed up with Allstate 6 month policies, do you mean Amica offers 12 month policies? I don't much care for 6 month policies either--but both GEICO and Allstate have them. I just pay 100% of the 6 month premium when it comes due--with a points earning credit card. Never been any additional cost to pay with plastic. Then pay off the credit card balance immediately. Does Amica allow premiums to be paid, fee-free, with plastic? Yes, all of my policies at Amica renew on an annual basis and they provide a small bonus for paying in full. Their online payment feature does allow credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and A...
by ElJay
Sat Feb 22, 2014 12:41 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: The Gecko cost me a lot of $. How often to switch car ins?
Replies: 78
Views: 11608

Re: The Gecko cost me a lot of $. How often to switch car in

sunnyday wrote:I just ran a quote on Amica and home insurance is almost 50% cheaper! Car insurance is also cheaper. I don't think they offer umbrella insurance though.
Amica offers umbrella insurance. I just bought a $1mm umbrella from them for about $100/year.

I've been using Amica since 2008 when I got fed up with Allstate's six month auto policies. They haven't given me any reason to shop around so I don't.
by ElJay
Sat Feb 22, 2014 12:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medallion signature guarantee - is this requirement common?
Replies: 101
Views: 33176

Re: Medallion signature guarantee - is this requirement comm

I think your idea of Custodian B doing the heavy lifting might have some merit. Thank you. We won't know until people try it and report back. With Vanguard as Custodian B receiving rollover funds, I have not had any success in getting them to "handle" the transaction. My IRA is already established at Vanguard; when I call up concierge services they tell me to send Custodian A its distribution request form (which requires a medallion guarantee) and indicate on the form the Vanguard account that I want the money to be transferred into. After receiving a letter in the mail from Vanguard telling me they'd help with a rollover, I expected to get a little more assistance from a "concierge services" line than a person telling ...
by ElJay
Tue Jan 28, 2014 10:28 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Multiple Offers on House: Best and Final Bid Needed Tonight!
Replies: 38
Views: 6753

Re: Multiple Offers on House: Best and Final Bid Needed Toni

I always assume the seller, particularly if it's a bank, is telling tales and half-truths. In any case, it's irrelevant. Never ever ever get into an auction situation, no matter how much you like the house. Competition for a thing makes it seem more valuable than it would be otherwise. Set your bid based on a cold analysis of the market value of the house, and don't offer a penny more, no matter what. I went through this in late December, though in my situation a bank wasn't involved. I put in an offer on a house that had been on the market for about six weeks. They countered my offer and told my broker that they were expecting a second offer. Really, this house has been on the market for a month and a half at this price and suddenly on th...
by ElJay
Thu Jan 02, 2014 8:15 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Partially Invest Emergency Fund?
Replies: 19
Views: 2031

Re: Partially Invest Emergency Fund?

Personally I like gradually putting the money into ibonds-- can't touch it for the first year and then there is a small penalty (3 months interest) if you cash out within 5 years. Interest is tax-deferred and the interest rate is adjusted semi-annually so you always at least keep up with inflation. I like this too. I set up part of my earnings to get deposited to TreasuryDirect and purchase Series I savings bonds automatically with the money. To start with, you do need to preserve existing cash during that first year lock period. For a while I tried putting my emergency fund into a short term bond fund, but the value fluctuations made me queasy. I've just accepted that any "cash" holdings I have are unlikely to keep up with infla...
by ElJay
Sat May 18, 2013 4:27 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Former 403-B plans, roll to Roth?
Replies: 4
Views: 619

Re: Former 403-B plans, roll to Roth?

I rolled from a TIAA-CREF 403b to a Vanguard rollover (traditional) IRA a few months ago. I started the process online at both companies, which provided me with paperwork to mail to TIAA-CREF requesting the distribution. Be sure that you complete the "unmarried determination" or "spouse's waiver" section of the distribution form or TIAA-CREF will not release the funds.
by ElJay
Mon Apr 29, 2013 7:04 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Frontline--The Retirement Gamble
Replies: 325
Views: 58986

Re: Frontline--The Retirement Gamble

If teachers are having a difficult time with their own retirement plans and finances, would you really want those who don't have a clue doing the teaching? The education I got in school about finances was terrible. They told me how to balance a checkbook, but the "investment" part of the class was about trying to pick stocks. I think we could only choose one and we were forced to sell it and buy something else every week. I think I nearly came in dead last in that competition. I didn't discover mutual funds until my late 20s when the owner of a business I worked for sicked his Edward Jones agent on me. Luckily I only paid a few hundred dollars in loads and fees before I found this place and Vanguard. (I could not stand the idea o...
by ElJay
Sat Apr 20, 2013 3:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Problems with Citi Forward Visa?
Replies: 2
Views: 1351

Re: Problems with Citi Forward Visa?

I've had a Forward card since they rolled it out in 2009. Back then, they had a separate card called mtvu or something that was aimed at college students, so Forward was not a "for college students" card at the time. My Forward card recently got converted to a Forward Visa Signature card, a product I can't even find on Citi's card website. Nevertheless, whether I earn 5% rewards depends on the merchant code that gets reported with the sale. You can see these online in the transaction history after the statement cuts. (Now that I think about it, the code might always be displayed now, but I can't confirm since Citi's online card site is apparently down at the moment.) I find my Amazon purchases usually get coded as "book store...
by ElJay
Wed Apr 17, 2013 9:36 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Tiny down payments for home mortgages are back
Replies: 25
Views: 5409

Re: Tiny down payments for home mortgages are back

Homes are too expensive. I look at entry-level houses in my "small city" neighborhood here in Maine and I can usually comprehend to about 66% of what they want for them. The other 33% must be for the air that fills the house or something, because I'm not seeing it.