Now that I think I understand what a HRA (Health reimbursement arrangement), HSA (Health savings account) and a FSA (Flexible spending account) are! We will have both a HRA and a FSA account for sure thru the employer but what about an HSA, from what I have been reading it would appear that we could open a HSA? I would think it would be better to have this done from the employer side if possible. Time for a well crafted email I think!Novine wrote:I don't believe you can contribute to an HRA. Also, for our HRA, the balances didn't earn any interest and if I left my employer, I could continue to access it but I couldn't roll it out. It was much more limited than the typical HSA arrangement.
Search found 1797 matches
- Thu Jun 05, 2014 7:31 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: High Deductible Heath Plan vs Co-Pay healh plan
- Replies: 23
- Views: 2336
Re: High Deductible Heath Plan vs Co-Pay healh plan
- Thu Jun 05, 2014 7:18 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: High Deductible Heath Plan vs Co-Pay healh plan
- Replies: 23
- Views: 2336
Re: High Deductible Heath Plan vs Co-Pay healh plan
Seems like a no-brainer. The HDHP is a no-brainer. If you run up some relatively high medical expenses, say $14,000, you would pay the first $3k and then 20% of the remaining $11k. Total of $5,200, plus the $4,000 premium minus the $2,000 employer funding and your net is $7,200 which matches the premium on the other plan. Under the worst case of hitting the OOP max you are putting $800 (less any copays) at risk. With moderate medical expenses of $2,000 for the year your savings would be $3,200 plus copay savings. I'm starting to see the light! I do agree it starting to make some more sense. Its though to get an old dog to change, we have been spoiled with a great health plan for so many years it just seems like we are giving up some more t...
- Wed Jun 04, 2014 2:02 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: High Deductible Heath Plan vs Co-Pay healh plan
- Replies: 23
- Views: 2336
Re: High Deductible Heath Plan vs Co-Pay healh plan
bnes Thanks for the real world example, I think I have seen a few of your bills! I'm still steamed about my last check up, doc suggest that I get my hearing checked then to see the ENT. I knew I would get nailed for 2 copays, one for the hearing test then a second for the ENT visit even though it all happened at the same time, but the part that got my goat, they billed out $160 for a referral. I was thinking the Doc took 30 seconds to type the referral in the computer and that cost $160, I was floored. Then the heath care professionals wonder why they get a bad rap. My doc is great, has always told me about some stupid fee and how to get around it but this time it was a hit in a miss, I blame the system for that one but I digress. Lots of g...
- Wed Jun 04, 2014 10:57 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: High Deductible Heath Plan vs Co-Pay healh plan
- Replies: 23
- Views: 2336
Re: High Deductible Heath Plan vs Co-Pay healh plan
If life tosses you a bad hand at some point is their any reason why a person cannot switch from a HDP back to the old plan during the open enrolment timeframe?
This happens to be one of larger government employers in the state so I would assume they will keep the old plan in tack for a few more years. I do think the writing is on the wall and an at some point the HDP will be the only option we will get.
This happens to be one of larger government employers in the state so I would assume they will keep the old plan in tack for a few more years. I do think the writing is on the wall and an at some point the HDP will be the only option we will get.
- Wed Jun 04, 2014 10:49 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: High Deductible Heath Plan vs Co-Pay healh plan
- Replies: 23
- Views: 2336
Re: High Deductible Heath Plan vs Co-Pay healh plan
Rack up the out-of-pocket max, after tax, including premiums. You need to understand the worst case for both plans. My guess is they aren't wildly different. Then it becomes a decision to take a little risk for some potential benefits if you under utilize. If the company has priced them right, they will, on average, favor the high deductible option because that is what they want people to move to. However, the OOP max may be slightly worse. Then it just becomes a Dirty Harry question - do you feel lucky?? Worst cases. Current family plan premium $7,200/year + $4,000/combined per covered person out of pocket max = $11,200 New High Deductible plan premium worst case $4000 premium + $6,000 max out of pocket = $10,000 less $2,000 HRA = $8,000....
- Wed Jun 04, 2014 10:22 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: High Deductible Heath Plan vs Co-Pay healh plan
- Replies: 23
- Views: 2336
Re: High Deductible Heath Plan vs Co-Pay healh plan
This seems odd to me with the new HDP option, the drug coverage is the same.dylanh wrote:By the time my employer got around to giving us this option, my wife and I were about to have our first child and I had some health issues (chronic migraines for one) that made it very much not worthwhile. My migraine medication has gone generic since then, but at the time a prescription for 9 pills with a co-pay of $30 under my PPO would have cost about $450 cash, and I often needed two prescriptions a month.
Dylanh
- Wed Jun 04, 2014 10:18 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: High Deductible Heath Plan vs Co-Pay healh plan
- Replies: 23
- Views: 2336
Re: High Deductible Heath Plan vs Co-Pay healh plan
This is the hard part, we have active kids, were all over the map year to year. Think active sports, one year you break a leg then nothing major for a few years, at least that's been the past history.dylanh wrote: My recommendation is to look back at your medical bills and really figure it out. If you are young and healthy, and its an HSA, it most likely will be a great thing for your family.Dylanh
- Wed Jun 04, 2014 10:15 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: High Deductible Heath Plan vs Co-Pay healh plan
- Replies: 23
- Views: 2336
Re: High Deductible Heath Plan vs Co-Pay healh plan
Same networks/doctors, makes it even tougher.Sidney wrote:Are the networks the same? When I was still working and having to make this kind of choice, I found that the numbers were not significantly different enough to make it obvious either way. I ended up selecting on other criteria (mainly physician and hospital networks, which in my case were different enough).
- Wed Jun 04, 2014 10:14 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: High Deductible Heath Plan vs Co-Pay healh plan
- Replies: 23
- Views: 2336
Re: High Deductible Heath Plan vs Co-Pay healh plan
As Asif asked initially, please consider the difference in HRA and HSA words. OP listed it as HRA and some of us are talking about HSA. They are calling it a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA). The following is what they tell us about the HRA account: HRA is a tax-exempt account used to pay for your eligible medical expenses. HRA in an account controlled by the policyholder. Unused funds roll over from year to year and are not forfeited at the end of the year. Funds grow tax-free and reimbursements are tax-free. Account balances go with the policyholder wherever. Account balances earn interest tax free. I don't see or at least they don't say if we can contribute more to the HRA account. I see no mention of a HSA account so I would assume t...
- Wed Jun 04, 2014 8:24 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: High Deductible Heath Plan vs Co-Pay healh plan
- Replies: 23
- Views: 2336
High Deductible Heath Plan vs Co-Pay healh plan
We have an employer offered High Deductible Heath Plan insurance option this coming year. This is something new to us and to be honest I'm not sure what makes the most sense. Here are the numbers: Employer will fund a Health Reimbursement Account with $2,000 for 2014-2015, $1,500 for the following years. Current family plan premium $7,200/year + co-pays. $20/office visit, $50 for hospital visit, etc., we spend about $100/year in co-pays. So let’s just say our total out of pocket is $7,300. New High Deductible plan premium $4000/year, 80/20 plan. We pay the first $3,000 in claims then 80%(insurance)/20%(out-of-pocket) up to an out of pocket max of $6,000/family. Worst case $4000 premium + $6,000 max out of pocket = $10,000 less $2,000 HRA = ...
- Tue Jun 03, 2014 4:00 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Teaching Personal Finance next year... what to include?
- Replies: 51
- Views: 4789
Re: Teaching Personal Finance next year... what to include?
I would go so far to a simple class in middle school (not much investing), just how much a cell phone really cost with a data plan would be helpful And a required more in depth high school class!gvsucavie03 wrote:Yes, high school kids. I also love your thoughts on career path.dabretty wrote: Not sure what level this is (late high school, community college, etc?) - gvsucavie03 referred to the students in a follow-up as "kids".
- Tue Jun 03, 2014 3:56 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Half Milestone Hit!
- Replies: 62
- Views: 10578
Re: Half Milestone Hit!
+1,rob wrote:I think it's important to look at the steps along the way.....
- Wow - look no credit card debit.
- Ya know, I could pay my bills without a pay check for a while.
- Hey, My net worth seems to be into positive numbers.
....
- Ya know I could pay off my mortgage.
.....
- If I have a bad day at work, I can be done here and now.
.....
- A beach somewhere
I'm not near the end yet but making progress is good and the steps along the way help to keep on track.
Its after that pesky mortgage where I felt the biggest freedom thus far.
- Mon Jun 02, 2014 10:55 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Pay off car loan or stay in market?
- Replies: 22
- Views: 2541
Re: Pay off car loan or stay in market?
I would pay it off just for the fact its one less thing I need to deal with!
- Mon Jun 02, 2014 10:13 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: LifeStrategy "Ladder"
- Replies: 15
- Views: 4996
Re: LifeStrategy "Ladder"
This is one of those things that I think Vanguard could improve on, provide a static AA at 10% steps.
- Mon Jun 02, 2014 10:02 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: what to do with Bond dividends
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1152
Re: what to do with Bond dividends
2nd, some will say now with the new required brokerage reporting/tracking they will just reinvest in taxable as well, I'm not in that camp....yet....thedayisbrave wrote:I have all dividends in my IRA account set on reinvest. If this were taxable, I'd have dividends go to my money market and then periodically re-balance with those funds as needed.
- Fri May 30, 2014 11:30 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Commute to elementary school [French language spoken]
- Replies: 37
- Views: 4595
Re: Commute to elementary school
Your kids are young and they are just getting started with school. I think what you will find as they age they will find more and more activities each year such as a sport, church activities, music lesson etc. As they age each activity will grow in time as well, the game that was 30 minutes when they were 8 will be an hour and a half when they are 14.
Savor the time you have with them now playing outside in the dirt making mud pies and not spending it in a car.
Savor the time you have with them now playing outside in the dirt making mud pies and not spending it in a car.
- Tue May 27, 2014 9:46 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How to decide your number?
- Replies: 61
- Views: 11759
Re: How to decide your number?
mptfan
I agree with what your are saying and see it first hand everyday. I know a few people who are now early to late 80's and all they have is a paid for home and SS and seem to be quite happy. It is a huge disparity from what I read here to what I see being applied in the field!
This maybe the reason why we see threads about am I spending enough while I'm young! I admit to thinking about this at times.
I agree with what your are saying and see it first hand everyday. I know a few people who are now early to late 80's and all they have is a paid for home and SS and seem to be quite happy. It is a huge disparity from what I read here to what I see being applied in the field!
This maybe the reason why we see threads about am I spending enough while I'm young! I admit to thinking about this at times.
- Tue May 27, 2014 8:53 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How to decide your number?
- Replies: 61
- Views: 11759
Re: How to decide your number?
One thing funny about Bogleheads, when reading this thread and others like it many seem to think this won't be enough for 30-35 years of retirement. I would say if you did the above you would be better off than 75% of all other Americans. I have no documentation to back it but from what I have read else ware the current saving rates are no ware close enough to meet 20X-25X!Rick Ferri wrote:Here is a simple way to find your number:
1. Calculate your total expected annual spending in retirement.
2. Subtract annual annuity income, pensions, Social Security, rental income and other non-portfolio income
3. Multiply the amount left by 20 if you don't care to leave anything behind or 25 if you do want to leave an inheritance.
Rick Ferri
- Thu May 22, 2014 3:14 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Staking Tomatoes
- Replies: 20
- Views: 2306
Re: Staking Tomatoes
I have seen this comment a few times in this thread, I bought 12 of the taller conical ones that are made with about 1/4" steel and they have worked great for the last 4 years, I just installed them again for the 5th season this week.lululu wrote:Those conical or otherwise flimsy cages are worth nothing, imho.
I had a pile of 1/2" rebar laying around and welded up a cage with it, worked great, I think that cage could make it to the second generation.
- Wed May 21, 2014 8:28 am
- Forum: US Chapters
- Topic: Roll Call for the Retirement Class of 2014!
- Replies: 385
- Views: 105055
Re: Roll Call for the Retirement Class of 2014!
The more I read this thread the more I think I would like to retire on July 4th, it will give me something to shoot for 10-15 years from now
- Mon May 19, 2014 3:09 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Poor Planning Parents
- Replies: 28
- Views: 4382
Re: Poor Planning Parents (baby boomers)
Your parents are young, unless they are in poor health could they not shut down the biz and pick up some work else ware for a year or two while they sell the properties and clean things up?
It would seem to me they would could end up with a paid for home to live in with cheap taxes and $500,000 in the bank, that's more than many.
Do you know what kind of dollars they need or would want to live on?
It would seem to me they would could end up with a paid for home to live in with cheap taxes and $500,000 in the bank, that's more than many.
Do you know what kind of dollars they need or would want to live on?
- Mon May 19, 2014 2:35 pm
- Forum: US Chapters
- Topic: Roll Call for the Retirement Class of 2014!
- Replies: 385
- Views: 105055
Re: Roll Call for the Retirement Class of 2014!
After reading this thread, I have a some way to go btw, I have to wonder how many people have been putting off retirement while waiting for this recent run up in the market?
In other words are we going to start seeing a glut of new retires compared to 2009, 2010, 2011 etc.? If so I hope this helps get some of the kids out of the retirees basements.
In other words are we going to start seeing a glut of new retires compared to 2009, 2010, 2011 etc.? If so I hope this helps get some of the kids out of the retirees basements.
- Mon May 19, 2014 11:40 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Convince me to choose a Suburban over a Sequoia
- Replies: 87
- Views: 42208
Re: Convince me to choose a Suburban over a Sequoia
We have had a few Suburban's, all great trucks, they are great in the snow btw. If you go to a campground sometime you will see why many complain about the tranny's. I see this all the time, people take a 1/2 ton suburban with out a tow package, no tranny cooler etc. and then proceed to pull a 35' camper, 6 bikes on the back of the camper and 14 foot boat flipped over on top of the Suburban and then wonder what happed to the tranny and complain about it. I happen to think the tranny's could be better but if you use it for what it was designed you should be good to go. We went with a quad cab Chevy this time around but I can say we do miss our Suburban at times, its a give in take deal. I think the bigger issue is the cylinder deactivation a...
- Fri May 16, 2014 11:42 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Garden 2014
- Replies: 46
- Views: 6556
Re: Garden 2014
Sill dealing with frost here in the Midwest. Will be plating seeds this weekend and plants the following week.MP173 wrote: How is everyone else doing so far this spring?
- Tue May 13, 2014 3:33 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Visiting Minnesota Suggestions?
- Replies: 36
- Views: 4131
Re: Visiting Minnesota Suggestions?
Almost forgot, lots of good craft beers to be found
- Tue May 13, 2014 3:06 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Visiting Minnesota Suggestions?
- Replies: 36
- Views: 4131
Re: Visiting Minnesota Suggestions?
Can't go wrong with any of the suggestions above, we have so many state park in every corner of the state you could not see them all in one summer really. The north shore provides a lot of nature, beauty and history as many have noted already. I'm not going to list the outdoor locations as many have done that already. The maritime museum is fun, free and interesting. http://www.lsmma.com/ The railroad museum http://www.lsrm.org/Home/index.html The Soudan Mine may be little to far of a drive. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/soudan_underground_mine/index.html I see you also were asking about Minneapolis, lots to choose from, some of the more unique places: Mill City http://www.millcitymuseum.org/ James J Hill House, not in Mpls but St....
- Mon May 12, 2014 1:37 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Lawyer recommends trust
- Replies: 81
- Views: 8714
Re: Lawyer recommends trust
Say you raise your kids right but 2008 happens, they lose their job and they lose their house. Say they have an emergency fund and they went to college so they find a job without too much hassle, but now the bank wants their money. Say your kid has done the right thing and invested the money he inherited and the bank comes after them and their assets (they are doing this to regular people today for homes lost in 2008). Bankruptcy isn't an option because s/he has too many assets due to the inheritance you left them. Some might say they should have used their inheritance to save their house but that's not always true, in some cases letting it go might be the right call. I would be the one of the people who would say yes use your inheritance ...
- Mon May 12, 2014 11:39 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Help/advice with applying for 501(c)(3) status
- Replies: 4
- Views: 600
Re: Help/advice with applying for 501(c)(3) status
Be prepared its takes or can take some time.
It took 2 years to get it through and done for our Booster Club, we just got our approval last month.
I'm not sure what type of group you are looking at for 501(c)(3) status but many groups to don't like the fact they can't have individual accounts.
It took 2 years to get it through and done for our Booster Club, we just got our approval last month.
I'm not sure what type of group you are looking at for 501(c)(3) status but many groups to don't like the fact they can't have individual accounts.
- Mon May 12, 2014 10:24 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: New Car vs Used Car -- how to decide?
- Replies: 29
- Views: 3559
Re: New Car vs Used Car -- how to decide?
When we bought our last econo box in 2011 granted not a $30,000 car but a $15,000 I was stunned at the cost of a used cars. Buy new for $15,000 or 2-3 years old with 50,000miles for $13,000. At that time the value of buying used was just not good.
I think the Cash for Clunkers program that ran the summer of 2009 changed the used car landscape a fair bit, they took about 700,000 used cars out of play.
I think the Cash for Clunkers program that ran the summer of 2009 changed the used car landscape a fair bit, they took about 700,000 used cars out of play.
- Mon May 12, 2014 9:02 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Tillers & Cultivators
- Replies: 21
- Views: 3040
Re: Tillers & Cultivators
I'm not a fan of the used tiller you listed myself.
I see many used tillers on Craigslist, it would appear that many people start a garden and buy new tiller, after about 3-5years they are done. I would be looking for something that has an old school 4 stroke Briggs, with any luck it will be old enough to be made in the USA. A rear tine is great but a front tine for the size of plot you are looking at would be just fine.
If you have a spot to store it buy one used if not renting is not a bad option or hiring a person is an option as well. If you are a handy person and like to tinker a little it will work out just fine. Last week I bought a new carb diaphragm for $4, changed the oil and ran the snot of the one I have again.
I see many used tillers on Craigslist, it would appear that many people start a garden and buy new tiller, after about 3-5years they are done. I would be looking for something that has an old school 4 stroke Briggs, with any luck it will be old enough to be made in the USA. A rear tine is great but a front tine for the size of plot you are looking at would be just fine.
If you have a spot to store it buy one used if not renting is not a bad option or hiring a person is an option as well. If you are a handy person and like to tinker a little it will work out just fine. Last week I bought a new carb diaphragm for $4, changed the oil and ran the snot of the one I have again.
- Mon May 12, 2014 8:15 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Spray cans losing pressure
- Replies: 29
- Views: 46876
Re: Spray cans losing pressure
When I can get a good deal on Brake Clean and WD40 for the shop I will pick up a year or two's worth. So far so good.
I did however last week have a can of Lysol spray go bad with about half left in the can, it was a two pack of spray from Costco. I guess my #2's must not stink that bad as I was unable to use up the 2nd can before it went bad, as it turns out it does smell like roses
I did however last week have a can of Lysol spray go bad with about half left in the can, it was a two pack of spray from Costco. I guess my #2's must not stink that bad as I was unable to use up the 2nd can before it went bad, as it turns out it does smell like roses
- Thu May 08, 2014 3:54 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Should I buy a fun car?
- Replies: 59
- Views: 8386
Re: Should I buy a fun car?
We picked up a 10 year old Mustang convertible last summer. Its fun we enjoy it and all that jazz but after storing this winter and summer on its way now I'm giving some thought to selling now. Just does not look and feel the same as it did last year.
It was a done and check it off the bucket list type of thing I think
Moral of the story, buy old and used and if you don' t like it the following year you are out $1,000, big deal. I'm still on the fence about it, waiting for an 80 degree day to dive it then make up my mind!
Good Luck
It was a done and check it off the bucket list type of thing I think
Moral of the story, buy old and used and if you don' t like it the following year you are out $1,000, big deal. I'm still on the fence about it, waiting for an 80 degree day to dive it then make up my mind!
Good Luck
- Thu May 08, 2014 2:46 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Electric Bills going up Again - window A/C?
- Replies: 33
- Views: 3832
Re: Electric Bills going up Again - window A/C?
Maybe, not enough air across the coil and you will get a block of ice + the t-stat will always be calling for cooling unless its in your bedroom.stlutz wrote:You could just shut all the registers in the other rooms of the house. Window units can be kind of loud if there is any vibration.
- Thu May 08, 2014 2:45 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Electric Bills going up Again - window A/C?
- Replies: 33
- Views: 3832
Re: Electric Bills going up Again - window A/C?
Nothing wrong or tacky with it unless you care what other people in the area might think.
A window shaker was the only A/C we had for the whole house when I grew up.
You can see many apartment buildings that use hot water fin tube heat with a window shaker for A/C, very common.
We also have central air but we don't use it all that much, 3-4 weeks a year, prefer the windows open when we can get away with it.
A window shaker was the only A/C we had for the whole house when I grew up.
You can see many apartment buildings that use hot water fin tube heat with a window shaker for A/C, very common.
We also have central air but we don't use it all that much, 3-4 weeks a year, prefer the windows open when we can get away with it.
- Thu May 08, 2014 2:15 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: eBook Readers and EPUB files?
- Replies: 22
- Views: 3326
Re: eBook Readers and EPUB files?
Thanks for all the comments thus far. What got me to this point, I was looking to reading the Jack Reacher series by Lee Child. It looks like my library has them all as eBooks in EPUB format with about 1/3 of them in Kindle format. I checked a few other authors and it appears that EPUB wins about 2:1 over the Kindle. I did not know the checkout times maybe less, I going to look at the now, a 2 week limit would stink. If a new Kindle is going to come out this summer maybe it makes some sense to wait to see if they will support EPUB in the newer version. Thanks everyone, I need to do some more research. Edit: My library uses Overdrive for eBooks. Edit: From my library, You can borrow up to 10 titles. The lending period may vary from title to ...
- Thu May 08, 2014 12:09 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: eBook Readers and EPUB files?
- Replies: 22
- Views: 3326
eBook Readers and EPUB files?
I'm looking into getting my first eBook reader. I see it mostly being used for library checkouts, from my understanding that means mostly EPUB files. Being I have not used one before I think these are the options/uses I would be interested in. 1. Able to handle EBUB files without fuss. 2. Able to use at night time or daytime. 3. If possible I would like to use it as a stand alone device, download via Wifi, not sure if this is possible or not. 4. A dictionary would be nice, but not required. Click on a word and it looks it up for you. I could get a tablet but from what I understand an eBook Reader is easier on the eyes, am I wrong? From what I gathered thus far a Kobo Aura HD or a Kindle Paperwhite may work or are good options. I did a searc...
- Mon May 05, 2014 8:51 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Ordering new blank checks
- Replies: 36
- Views: 3645
Re: Ordering new blank checks
Ours are free from the bank, you can even choose your favorite layout.
I hate checks and do everything not to use them. About the only place where you have to use them is at our DMV and kids school.
I hate checks and do everything not to use them. About the only place where you have to use them is at our DMV and kids school.
- Mon May 05, 2014 8:47 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Best Hospice Care Support Forum
- Replies: 13
- Views: 2628
Re: Best Hospice Care Support Forum
After a long illness we took my fathers doctors's direction on where to go for Hospice Care, he had great care. This was 15 years ago, its a hard time for a family, take one day at a time.
- Thu May 01, 2014 3:12 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Can you raise kids in a townhouse?
- Replies: 35
- Views: 15061
Re: Can you raise kids in a townhouse?
Not so sure its a townhome question, I think its more of a location question myself.
I would want a home (townhome or other) located in an area that has some decent outside space that they can play and get in trouble with other kids. I was very glad to have a small crappy home on a few acres for our kids to get in trouble on. We have many townhomes in our city that backs up to a game reserve, woods, swamp etc. all good places for a kid to get away and play.
my .02
I would want a home (townhome or other) located in an area that has some decent outside space that they can play and get in trouble with other kids. I was very glad to have a small crappy home on a few acres for our kids to get in trouble on. We have many townhomes in our city that backs up to a game reserve, woods, swamp etc. all good places for a kid to get away and play.
my .02
- Thu May 01, 2014 9:30 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: [avoiding utility payments]
- Replies: 29
- Views: 3723
Re: [avoiding utility payments]
Beckmaster I know what you are getting at, I dislike paying the monthly bills as well. I have thought about making one payment/year, I can do that with my electric and gas companies, they are more than happy to my check for a years service, yeah its a guess at the amount but I could get close. I have not done this yet but have been giving it some thought. You just get tied of making the dam payment and keeping track of it. I went to autopay on all my utilities a few years ago, that helps. Now to get off the grid completely is tough as some have noted already with respect to storage of electrons. We live in snow country so heating is our big issue. We have been giving some thoughts to our next home. Would be looking at a smaller passive sola...
- Mon Apr 28, 2014 3:33 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: POLL - how often do you service your HVAC system?
- Replies: 22
- Views: 7050
Re: POLL - how often do you service your HVAC system?
Our furnace is circa 1984, the draft motor has 2 spots for oil, its noted to oil one time a year so that's what I do.
I have come to know our furnace very well over the years fixing this and replacing that. It used to love to eat a hot surface igniter every year or two, think I found a good one this last time, I hope anyway!
I have come to know our furnace very well over the years fixing this and replacing that. It used to love to eat a hot surface igniter every year or two, think I found a good one this last time, I hope anyway!
- Fri Apr 25, 2014 9:06 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: May Ibond fixed rate crystal ball
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1400
Re: May Ibond fixed rate crystal ball
I did try the search box first, tried it for a second time and I found this thread
I was using he wrong search box
Go it
http://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtop ... 0#p2034000
I was using he wrong search box
Go it
http://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtop ... 0#p2034000
- Fri Apr 25, 2014 8:47 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: May Ibond fixed rate crystal ball
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1400
May Ibond fixed rate crystal ball
Anybody care to take a guess at the May Ibond fixed rate?
- Wed Apr 23, 2014 11:22 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Why a million may not be enough
- Replies: 33
- Views: 7889
Re: Why a million may not be enough
I know 2 of these people, seem to be very active and happy. I look at them and it makes me question my working motives. My mother is in basically the same boat but owns nice little home. All in all what do really have that makes you happy, I vote family and friends. I will add a $20 fishing pole and a tin of worms can go long ways.tc101 wrote:I recently met a woman with a paid off condo who has no savings and is happily retired on what she gets from Social Security.
- Wed Apr 23, 2014 10:59 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Son or Daughter working with Mom or Dad?
- Replies: 16
- Views: 1999
Re: Son or Daughter working with Mom or Dad?
No I don't think so, I do most everything myself from roofing the house, fixing cars, etc. Its just something I enjoy and have passed down to my kids to be self sufficient, they all help out in some fashion. Not a blue collar job by any means but they understand that it's not easy work. One of my kids can weld much better then I, kind of makes me mad how easy it comes to sometyrion wrote: Does your son need to struggle for a bit first to learn the difference between a blue collar job and a white collar job?
- Wed Apr 23, 2014 10:52 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Son or Daughter working with Mom or Dad?
- Replies: 16
- Views: 1999
Re: Son or Daughter working with Mom or Dad?
One of my high schoolers worked for the company I work for, but she was well-qualified and did not report to me. I have also supervised interns who were children of my colleagues. There has never ever been any issue with Mom or Dad in these situations. The kid does not want to report to the parent and also usually hates seeing the parent in the same building as they are. Furthermore, managing interns is a good skill for newbies on the management track who have never managed people before. And finally, this is an expected rite of passage for all kids. Your colleagues will expect this to happen. And you should also be happy to hire their kids as interns. This maybe one of my struggling points, we are in one big open room, with low cubes and ...
- Wed Apr 23, 2014 10:43 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Son or Daughter working with Mom or Dad?
- Replies: 16
- Views: 1999
Re: Son or Daughter working with Mom or Dad?
I'm not completely sure but I do think so. I would not want him to feel like he has to work with me just because I'm his dad, I would want him to work here because he thinks it maybe interesting.InvestorNewb wrote:Are you sure your son would want to work with you? Many kids at that age might prefer to be away from their parents.
But I do agree with not wanting to be around your parents, one of my other kids falls into that camp without a question, that's just fine by me.
- Wed Apr 23, 2014 9:14 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Son or Daughter working with Mom or Dad?
- Replies: 16
- Views: 1999
Son or Daughter working with Mom or Dad?
One of my kids is coming to the legal age to enter the workforce. I work for a very small less than 15 person engineering firm. I could hire our son to work at my office learning CAD, drawing, engineering, etc., it could be a great opportunity. If I was to guess he will do some kind of engineering but you never really know, he is still a kid after all. Half of me wants to give him the option to work with me the other half of me says he can get a job at the local lumber yard, pizza joint or whatever he decides to try. I have many fond memories working at the local store, that little store paid my way through school. I also had a couple of jobs that gave me the ambition to be sure I went to school. We have raised our kids to advocate for them...
- Tue Apr 22, 2014 3:48 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Electronic sheet music
- Replies: 9
- Views: 1487
Re: Electronic sheet music
Ah the good old days. I still have a ton of handwritten music from the band days, lots of good 70's and 80's tunes .
If someone wanted to learn a new tune they had to write out the cheat sheet. Just like an old hand written recipe passed down from grandma, I would just have to scan them in PDF and read them that way.
If someone wanted to learn a new tune they had to write out the cheat sheet. Just like an old hand written recipe passed down from grandma, I would just have to scan them in PDF and read them that way.
- Tue Apr 22, 2014 3:39 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Stopping unwanted "junk" newspaper
- Replies: 60
- Views: 27790
Re: Stopping unwanted "junk" newspaper
Save up 2-3 months worth of papers.
Drive past the newspapers head quarters and look for the nicest car.
Toss news papers in the parking spot of said nicest car with a letter to quit delivery on a post made out of old newspapers.
Rinse and repeat as necessary.
Drive past the newspapers head quarters and look for the nicest car.
Toss news papers in the parking spot of said nicest car with a letter to quit delivery on a post made out of old newspapers.
Rinse and repeat as necessary.