Search found 24 matches

by Armada
Wed Sep 27, 2023 8:55 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Pension Oddity
Replies: 7
Views: 1110

Pension Oddity

I have a small pension from a organization that I worked at early in my career. I could have received a monthly benefit of $310/month (single life) starting at age 65. I delayed the start because its value increased by waiting. I am now 70. Four months ago, I decided to start receiving the pension. By that time, the benefit had increased to $607/month. Just as I started the paperwork for this, I received notice that the plan was being terminated. As part of the termination, I would have the option of receiving a lump sum payment in lieu of the pension(an option not previously available). I decided to wait to find out the details. Today, I received a packet from the plan. Now it states my monthly benefit is $1226 (single life). Does anyone h...
by Armada
Wed Mar 16, 2022 7:53 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HSA Reimbursement Question Regarding Medigap Expenses
Replies: 3
Views: 263

HSA Reimbursement Question Regarding Medigap Expenses

I know that I can not reimburse myself from my HSA for Medigap (Medicare Supplemental) premiums. I know that I can reimburse myself for any out of pocket expenses for copays and deductibles left after what my Medigap has paid. My question is this: Can I reimburse myself for expenses paid by my Medigap insurance on my behalf? If yes, what amount the I can reimburse? All expenses paid by the Medigap insurance or an amount up to the value of my Medigap premiums?

This may seem like an unusual question, but there is a certain odd bureaucratic logic that would allow this type of reimbursement.
by Armada
Thu Aug 27, 2020 5:04 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What is the best concert you ever witnessed?
Replies: 434
Views: 39795

Re: What is the best concert you ever witnessed?

In July 1993, the Moody Blues with the Vermont Symphony Orchestra at the Stowe ski area. The stage was in front of the base lodge with the audience on the ski slope above. A magical, warm Vermont summer night under the stars.
by Armada
Fri Dec 21, 2018 4:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: London Neighborhood Recommendation
Replies: 37
Views: 3613

Re: London Neighborhood Recommendation

As someone else mentioned, use the central line as a guide. On a tube map, it looks like a bottle lying on its side. I always suggest that visitors stay anyplace 'in or on the bottle'. If you do that, you should be ok.

For me, I have always liked staying in the Mayfair area.
by Armada
Mon Jan 22, 2018 3:42 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Finding Best USA-To-Europe FLIGHT When Dates Are Not Limiting Factor?
Replies: 28
Views: 2756

Re: Finding Best USA-To-Europe FLIGHT When Dates Are Not Limiting Factor?

ITA Matrix is the bomb! Hands down, it is the best consumer level air fare search engine.

It can do what you are looking for. It can search by specific dates (+/- 1-2 days). It can also search for fares a month at a time using a varying number of days for a trip. (ex. taking a 13-17 day trip flying ORD>LHR>ORD; it will search for 30 days out using a specific start date).

For the advanced user, you can define things like connecting cities, airline, fare class, airline alliance and specify multiple cities for starting and ending.

The only downsides are that you can't book directly from the web site and it does not have some airlines (Southwest, Jet Blue).
by Armada
Mon Oct 02, 2017 8:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Two Nights in Quebec City - Must See Suggestions, anyone?
Replies: 16
Views: 2217

Re: Two Nights in Quebec City - Must See Suggestions, anyone?

When my wife and I visited, we stayed at Chateau Frontenac and loved it. The bar has great views over the St Lawrence Seaway. I hope you like mussels. It seems like they are on the menu everywhere.

Here's a couple of resources

NY Times - 36 hours in Quebec City
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/201 ... -city.html

National Geographic - Three days in Quebec City
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/trave ... rary-plan/
by Armada
Sat Aug 12, 2017 2:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: BMW Z3 or Z4 or nothing at all?
Replies: 82
Views: 17429

Re: BMW Z3 or Z4 or nothing at all?

Have you considered a Volvo C70? You should be able to find 2010-2013 for about 20-25K. My wife bought hers new in 2012 and loves it. It's no longer made, but holding its value. Can also be 'uptuned' with Polestar for better performance.
by Armada
Sat Jun 17, 2017 8:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best Cheap Champagne
Replies: 60
Views: 10022

Re: Best Cheap Champagne

Domaine St Michelle Brut
Paul Chaneau Brut
by Armada
Fri Sep 30, 2016 11:55 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: The Bogleheads' "100 Things Worth Every Penny" List
Replies: 275
Views: 56298

Re: The Bogleheads' "100 Things Worth Every Penny" List

Lost of good thoughts here. Thought I would just a little one:
A valve for the end of your garden hose. No more walking back to the spigot to change sprinklers or sprayers.
by Armada
Tue Jul 05, 2016 9:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Honda extended warranty
Replies: 38
Views: 9922

Re: Honda extended warranty

I have a 2011 Pilot Touring that I purchased new five years ago. At that time, I purchased a 8yr/120,000 mile $0 deductible Honda Care warranty for $1100 from an out of state dealer. I believe it was a smart move. As the previous poster mentioned, these vehicles have a lot of electronics. I have used it once for a repair that would have cost about $500. There is one additional advantage to a Honda Care warranty. It is transferable in a private sale. My vehicle has about 75K miles and I'm thinking of selling it (It's larger than I need these days and it is a 4WD so the gas mileage isn't very good). Having the remaining 3yr/45K miles remaining on a transferable warranty will be a big selling point and I could probably sell it at a premium.
by Armada
Thu Jan 31, 2013 9:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: H & R Block Tax Software on sale
Replies: 30
Views: 5991

Re: H & R Block Tax Software on sale

As a multi-year user of H&R Block's software, they always send me a discounted package. This year the total cost for the deluxe version with one state is $34.95.
by Armada
Thu Jan 31, 2013 9:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: AMEX Premium car rental insurance. Worth getting?
Replies: 40
Views: 16506

Re: AMEX Premium car rental insurance. Worth getting?

I have twice used AMEX premium car rental insurance to cover claims for rental car damage. They were excellent in handling the claims.

If you happen to have a Diners Club card (Mastercard), it also provides primary rental car insurance. Diners is not currently accepting applications for individual cards at this point, focusing on the corporate travel card business. I don't understand why Bank of Montreal bought the brand when they have not done anything with it.
by Armada
Fri Jan 04, 2013 8:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Visit to London
Replies: 40
Views: 3521

Re: Visit to London

If you have the time, I highly suggest doing a walk or two with a company by the name of London Walks. They have excellent guides and it's a very simple system. No reservations to make. You simply show up at the appointed time and place, pay your nine quid and off you go for a couple of hours. If the weather is bad or your plans change. there is no need to cancel.

Check the schedule and walk descriptions on their website: http://www.walks.com/ .
by Armada
Sat Oct 20, 2012 11:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do you think you'd find a job quickly if you left yours now?
Replies: 35
Views: 2857

Re: Do you think you'd find a job quickly if you left yours

As a long-time pharmacist, I think the job market for pharmacists has significantly worsened in the last few years. Prior to that, if needed, I could find a new job within a few days. Now is a different story. The starting salary for pharmacists is fairly lucrative. Partially because of that, the number of pharmacy schools and graduates has significantly increased over the last 10-15 years. Now the schools are graduating more new pharmacists than needed. The growth of pharmacist jobs has decreased as the the major chains are exiting their fast growth phase as the market is becoming saturated with pharmacies. I'm in the Chicago area. Walgreen's was laying off pharmacists here earlier this year. Their refusing a new Express Scripts contract h...
by Armada
Sat Jul 14, 2012 9:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Warranty for 3 Yr Old Honda
Replies: 15
Views: 2411

Re: Warranty for 3 Yr Old Honda

I have an extended warranty on my 2011 Honda Pilot. I got a great price on it but didn't get the extended warranty at the time of purchase. I knew it could be purchased later. Ended up paying $1200 for a 8yr/120k Honda extended warranty with a $0 deductible through another dealer. The dealer I purchased the vehicle from wanted almost that much for a 60k Honda extended warranty. My general thinking was that I would keep the vehicle for 70-80k miles and then resell it. In a private sale, the warranty is transferable. When the time to sell comes, I think that I will be able to charge a premium price because the vehicle would still have at least 40k miles left on the warranty. I hope to recoup at least the cost of the extended warranty by doing...
by Armada
Fri Jun 08, 2012 6:10 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Power Washers - hire or diy?
Replies: 13
Views: 3457

Re: Power Washers - hire or diy?

If you do decide to buy a washer, I'd suggest one of the Sears models that have a Honda engine. A good combination.
by Armada
Sun Nov 06, 2011 6:55 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Desireable or Even Possible
Replies: 2
Views: 483

Desireable or Even Possible

I know someone who is self-employed and has reached the age of 62. Because of their age, they are eligible to receive social security benefits, but their current earnings would eliminate the possibility of receiving any benefits. Would it be desirable for them to incorporate(say sub-chapter S) and then take most of their income as profits? This would significantly reduce their 'earned income' allowing them to actually receive social security benefits. Is this possible? Any thoughts are welcome.
by Armada
Sun Oct 16, 2011 8:00 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What is the best,cheap washer & gas dryer ?
Replies: 25
Views: 2740

+1 on the Sears Outlet Stores. They are generally in every large metro area. Their Kenmore line is good quality and they also have other brands. Inventory is in and out and varies by day and store so you may need to keep checking.
by Armada
Mon Aug 08, 2011 8:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestions for trip to London
Replies: 43
Views: 6479

I strongly suggest using London Walks ( http://www.walks.com/ ). It is an organization that offers about 80 walking tours per week. Their guides are some of the most knowledgeable that you will find anywhere. There are no reservations needed. You show up at the assigned time and place, pay your £8 and off you go for 2-2.5 hours. I've probably done about 20 different tours with them over the years and highly recommend them. For your first day, you might want to consider using the hop-on, hop-off bus. It will give you a good overview of the city. Take a look at the subway map for London. The Central line will look like a bottle lying on its side. You want to stay either 'inside the bottle' or near one of the stations on the Central line. It w...
by Armada
Sat Jul 02, 2011 2:32 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Getting rid of timeshare
Replies: 21
Views: 3453

Timeshares can be of value if you purchase at the right location for the right price and know how to use them. I own a few weeks worth and may add a couple more as I move towards retirement. For the original poster, I would suggest listing the unit for sale on eBay for $1. Repeat a few times if necessary. If need be, offer to pay the closing costs on the transfer (could be as much as $500). Take the hit and move on. You could also try to sell it other ways: Craigs List, TUG's website, other resale websites or a classified ad in a newspaper near the resort. Does the resort have an online bulletin board for members. That could be a resource. You could also try to sell it through a broker. If you want to sell it through a broker/organization, ...
by Armada
Sun May 01, 2011 8:01 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Be very wary - Illinois Prepaid Tuition Plan
Replies: 43
Views: 8054

Aah, the joys of living in Illinois.

This is a state whose financial condition is so dire that the state income tax was increased by 60% this year. Yet, there have been no cuts to the state budget!

This is a state where the state pension programs(including teachers) are thought to be underfunded by over 50 billion dollars according to some estimates. Currently, the pension programs will run out of money in about seven years. The governor's solution: issue bonds that will kick the can down the road. No chance of benefit cuts as this might hurt someone's re-election chances.
by Armada
Wed Apr 27, 2011 10:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: looking for a good rewards card for traveling
Replies: 17
Views: 5490

Many frequent travelers like the Amex Starwood card for its versatility. Howevery, my primary CC is the Amex Hilton Surpass. I run everything that I can through it. If you have an annual spend of $40K on it, it will earn you Diamond status with Hilton which is the top elite tier for them. This goes a long way towards upgrades and other benefits including a guaranteed free breakfast. Also a $40K annual spend will generate enough points for a week at just about any of their hotels worldwide.
by Armada
Sun Apr 24, 2011 3:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New home build...anything youd want/change/splurge on...
Replies: 95
Views: 15648

I would like to reiterate one thing two others have touched on: Cable Runs. These are 2-2.5 inch empty pvc pipes located inside the walls and run from the the basement to the attic and are capped on both ends. I have three strategically located in my home that I built 5 years ago. No matter what type of structured wiring you start with, there will almost undoubtedly be changes to made later. In my case, I had to use one to run cable to a wall mounted television in the master bedroom. If it wasn't there, I would have had to route the cable outside or pay beaucoup bucks to have pros do it. Another suggestion is for outlets wired to a wall switch. Did you ever notice the wall outlet controlled by the wall switch never seems to be the one where...
by Armada
Wed Mar 16, 2011 9:07 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Need Advice -- New type of extended Auto Warranty
Replies: 7
Views: 1565

I purchased a new Honda recently and bought an extended warranty for it. This is the first time I have ever bought an extended warranty for anything, but thought it was a good deal. The warranty is from Honda and not a particular dealer.

It is for 8 years, 120K miles with no deductible. Additionally, it can be transferred on a private sale. Like the other warranty mentioned, if you don't use it, Honda will refund the cost of the warranty after eight years.

With Honda, you don't have to purchase the warranty from the dealer that sold you the car. I purchased mine online from another dealer after getting a few quotes. Ended up paying about 3% of the vehicle's sticker price for it.