Search found 6776 matches

by madbrain
Thu Mar 28, 2024 8:10 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How long do medical liens take to research ?
Replies: 2
Views: 246

Re: How long do medical liens take to research ?

toddthebod wrote: Thu Mar 28, 2024 7:40 am Four years.
Thank you.
by madbrain
Thu Mar 28, 2024 8:10 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Robinhood 3% IRA Match
Replies: 1552
Views: 119894

Re: Robinhood 3% match old 401k rollover to Trad IRA

[Thread merged into here --admin LadyGeek] I’m looking to take advantage of the Robinhood Gold 3% match to roll an old 401k with $30k into a Robinhood trad IRA. Each year I make max non-deductible after-tax contributions to the trad IRA and immediately convert to Roth using backdoor method, so balance of TIRA is zero. My magi is too high for any other tax benefit. Does it make sense for me to roll in the 401k considering there is $900 free money for doing so. What should I be taking into consideration? What will happen when I pay in $7k for 2024 tax into the TIRA and then immediately convert to Roth via backdoor? Will there be any issues here. Thanks. Thanks Consideration: your $30k will be out of the market while in transit. If it goes by...
by madbrain
Thu Mar 28, 2024 8:03 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Smartphone insurance with prepaid phone plan
Replies: 13
Views: 638

Re: Smartphone insurance with prepaid phone plan

I know, which is why I said you may want to shop for a cheaper postpaid plan. $120 for postpaid is expensive. I don't know your age, but T-Mobile has a $55/month unlimited postpaid plan (I think) for 2 lines for people >55 years old. Seems like you'll be paying $33/month + ~$6/month for Worthwave so $39 total/month. There may be cheaper plans than T-Mobile's. We are both under 55 and thus not eligible for the $55/month plan. I just checked and the Essentials plan 55 would cost $60 for 2 lines, plus $10 credit card payment fee, plus some unknown amount of taxes and fees. Probably at least $10. My city has a 5% utility tax on top of the state and federal taxes. So, it would probably come to about $80. Still a lot more than US Mobile at $33 +...
by madbrain
Thu Mar 28, 2024 7:26 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How long do medical liens take to research ?
Replies: 2
Views: 246

How long do medical liens take to research ?

I'm involved as a plaintiff in several personal injury lawsuits. They are MDL and not accident related. The defendants are settling.

I was insured by Kaiser and received care from Kaiser for these injuries, for which there is unfortunately no cure.

Lawyers tell me that Kaiser may place medical liens and take part of my settlements. One law firm has been researching liens for nearly a year. There is still no answer about the lien. They cannot give me any timetable for this. Law firms are both out of state, while I'm in CA.

Is there any kind of deadline for the insurer/provider to assert their right to a lien statutory or otherwise ? Or can they come after me years later, long after settlement is paid and possibly spent ?
by madbrain
Thu Mar 28, 2024 6:00 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: My Auto Insurance 6 month premium is going dramatically UP?
Replies: 141
Views: 6090

Re: My Auto Insurance 6 month premium is going dramatically UP?

meowcat wrote: Thu Mar 28, 2024 4:29 am "Judgement for the plaintiff. $1,000,000 to be paid by the defendant over his lifetime".
And let's not forget the interest on it.

https://occc.texas.gov/publications/interest-rates
by madbrain
Thu Mar 28, 2024 12:40 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Insuring multiple residences
Replies: 8
Views: 573

Re: Insuring multiple residences

snackdog wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 10:45 pm Why not just insure two per insurer? Rinse and repeat with as many insurers as you need to cover your empire of vacant homes.
Hope the OP is not in CA or FL. In many cases, there will be 0 insurers to choose from. Only a fallback state plan.

I used to alternate between Safeco and Mercury every other year to get the best rate. Now I'm with Farmer's. Neither Safeco nor Mercury would insure it anymore.
by madbrain
Thu Mar 28, 2024 12:37 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: I need a new furnace and AC system.
Replies: 21
Views: 1159

Re: I need a new furnace and AC system.

How many people live in the house ? Do you need to keep all the rooms heated or cooled all the time ? If not, a zoned system makes a lot of sense. I put in Carrier infinity system 14 years ago. Our home is 4600 sq ft. 2 furnaces, two AC units. 10 zones. PG&E energy audit says we are in the very bottom of gas usage for comparable size homes. And their AI can't even detect the cost of AC in our Smartmeter data. That is because we turn the heat or AC on only when entering that particular room. System was $35k 14 years ago, but there was about $5k worth of rebates. If you have only 2 occupants in a 3000 sq ft home, it can make sense. For a large family, it may not. The one downside with Carrier Infinity is that it won't work with smart ther...
by madbrain
Thu Mar 28, 2024 12:23 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Boeing (BA) stock: at some point it has to be a bargain
Replies: 203
Views: 20071

Re: Boeing (BA) stock: at some point it has to be a bargain

BernardShakey wrote: Thu Mar 28, 2024 12:05 am
z3r0c00l wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 4:00 pm Tell me where it will be in 2032, that would be more interesting : )
$406.40 :D
I'm betting the answer is 42 . Cents ?
by madbrain
Thu Mar 28, 2024 12:19 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help | 85 Year Old about to Lose Home
Replies: 25
Views: 2011

Re: Help | 85 Year Old about to Lose Home

Watty wrote: Thu Mar 28, 2024 12:16 am A reverse mortgage can be used to pay off the mortgage and she would still have $475K in home equity. ($850k-$375K)

If the balance on the reverse mortgage is $400K at 7% that would cost $28K a year.
I see. That would get rid of the $2750 monthly payment. Her SS of $3000 might still be cutting close with remaining expenses, which I believe may be underestimated. It would not surprise me at all if the $40k credit card balance is partly due to lumpy home maintenance costs.
Of course, the equity will disappear over time.
by madbrain
Thu Mar 28, 2024 12:16 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help | 85 Year Old about to Lose Home
Replies: 25
Views: 2011

Re: Help | 85 Year Old about to Lose Home

I personally would be cautious about the suggestion of renting out a room while she's living there, unless it's someone you know very well or can vet very carefully. Eviction can be a long, drawn out, expensive process (esp. in CA), plus given her age, she's somewhat vulnerable, even if eviction doesn't become a factor. I agree with you there. California law heavily favors tenants. Unless the tenant can close the $3k/month gap between income band expenses, this doesn't make much sense. I'm sure her property taxes are essentially nothing, if she's owned the property for 40 years. That's one plus of her keeping the property. If she had to move to assisted living, one option would be to rent the property at market rates, and that would likely...
by madbrain
Thu Mar 28, 2024 12:08 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help | 85 Year Old about to Lose Home
Replies: 25
Views: 2011

Re: Help | 85 Year Old about to Lose Home

There is no way that you should be stepping in and supporting her while she has a significant amount of money in the 401k. Agree ! Would that money, after taxes, be enough to pay off the credit cards and get her current on the mortgage? Am I missing something? Even if it was, assuming the 401k is depleted after paying off the CC debt, she is left with no savings, and nearly $6k of monthly expenses - twice as much as her SS. That is clearly unsustainable even for one month, let alone long term. She should have taken a reverse mortgage or reverse HELOC at 62 , and would not be in this position if she had. But it's probably too late for that now. I don't think you can do a reverse mortgage if you still have a forward mortgage. I see no soluti...
by madbrain
Thu Mar 28, 2024 12:01 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: My Auto Insurance 6 month premium is going dramatically UP?
Replies: 141
Views: 6090

Re: My Auto Insurance 6 month premium is going dramatically UP?

tj wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 11:27 pm It's crazy to me that we're having this conversation with a near millionaire.
+1
by madbrain
Thu Mar 28, 2024 12:00 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: My Auto Insurance 6 month premium is going dramatically UP?
Replies: 141
Views: 6090

Re: My Auto Insurance 6 month premium is going dramatically UP?

exodusNH wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 11:23 pm You can choose not to pay.

And the same court can throw you in jail.
I don't think there are debtor's prisons anymore. That seems to be true in Texas.

https://texaslawhelp.org/article/what-j ... roof-means

Looks like you can still go to jail for not paying child support. But not for failing to pay judgments to someone who is disabled because of you. Makes no sense. Better not drive there without UM/UI and a big umbrella, in case you are the victim and cannot collect .
by madbrain
Wed Mar 27, 2024 11:54 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How many credit cards do you have
Replies: 110
Views: 4851

Re: How many credit cards do you have

I don’t otherwise use rotating category cards, but the SYW promotions, which seem to come at random and can vary, are often too lucrative to pass up. Plus you can take them or leave them. They had 10% back on utilities recently for a few months. Nice. Was there a limit for utilities? I probably would not have prepaid a whole year's worth due to current interest rates. My utilities keep changing their mind about whether to accept credit cards or not. Currently they do, with a small fixed convenience fee. I still prefer to pay them manually with PayPal and my Bofa UCR at 2.625%. I'm saving pennies, but really hate fees that much. I just switched from T-mobile to an MVNO yesterday. Much less painful than I thought woth eSIMs. Did not have to ...
by madbrain
Wed Mar 27, 2024 10:49 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help | 85 Year Old about to Lose Home
Replies: 25
Views: 2011

Re: Help | 85 Year Old about to Lose Home

bonesly wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 10:36 pm I still see an issue if she only has $3K income (inflation-adjusted), but has $1K HoA + $2K Misc expenses, even if the mortgage is eliminated
Agree. She also has property taxes and insurance to pay. Property tax would be very low for a >40 year old home. Insurance might not be.
Maintenance costs in the bay area also can be enormous, especially on older home. I don't think this is adequately covered by the $2k in misc expenses.
Is filing for personal bankruptcy another option?
That would wipe out the unsecured credit card debt, but the mortgage and housing expenses would remain. But having bad credit could get in the way of renting later on. OTOH there may already be bad credit.
by madbrain
Wed Mar 27, 2024 10:28 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help | 85 Year Old about to Lose Home
Replies: 25
Views: 2011

Re: Help | 85 Year Old about to Lose Home

The_Dude wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 10:17 pm Rents are super high in the Bay Area. Maybe $2500 per month for dirt cheap.
This is extremely location and size dependent. Very different if you rent in Atherton or East San Jose.
You didn't say what city or county she lives in.
Even at $2500 rent, it would be enormously helpful.
$325k would cover 10 years of rent. And her SS would cover the rest of her expenses.
There are less expensive places than $2500, also. Tons of homes for rent in my neighborhood for under $2000. Some as low as $1300 even for single family home.
by madbrain
Wed Mar 27, 2024 10:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can Medical provider “mess up” bill like that?
Replies: 33
Views: 1819

Re: Can Medical provider “mess up” bill like that?

miket29 wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 10:05 pm If you read that story you'll see that (likely to save some money) the woman did not enroll in part B of Medicare. Coverage was not denied, she did not have insurance. And so she got hit with the rack rate.
Yes. She chose to use a service without having the coverage. She probably didn't realize it at the time. Unfortunately, in this country, one is allowed to opt out of coverage for vital services. That should not be the case.
by madbrain
Wed Mar 27, 2024 10:03 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help | 85 Year Old about to Lose Home
Replies: 25
Views: 2011

Re: Help | 85 Year Old about to Lose Home

2. Sell and find a place with cheap rent but will struggle with expenses. What are your thoughts? She is family to us. It's obviously not what she wants and very disruptive, but tough love is appropriate here. Sell the home and pay off the credit cards. Then close all the cards. There will be about $400k left after transaction costs. That pays for a lot of rent even in the bay area. There are ADUs for under $1000. $400k would cover 33 years of rent. Or she could rent a studio apartment for a bit more. Does she have any social security or pension to pay for other expenses? Are there cognitive issues in play ? You don't want her to get in trouble with credit again. If she can't manage her finances, then conservatorship may be in order. That ...
by madbrain
Wed Mar 27, 2024 9:49 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help | 85 Year Old about to Lose Home
Replies: 25
Views: 2011

Re: Help | 85 Year Old about to Lose Home

The_Dude wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 9:20 pm We have enough money to pay off her debt but not buy the place outright. It stretches us and puts off our retirement a year or so but that is fine. The thought is that we can protect ourselves and her by using an irrevocable trust.
Buying the place from her would trigger a property tax reassessment. That could significantly increase monthly expenses, which is not what you want.
by madbrain
Wed Mar 27, 2024 9:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: $90K 48 mos loan at 3% OR outright purchase
Replies: 44
Views: 2180

Re: $90K 48 mos loan at 3% OR outright purchase

If you take the loan, make sure you have gap insurance, so it gets paid off in case the car gets totaled. With deposit rates the way they are now, I would take the loan and invest. And pay it off if deposit rates go down. Your dealer will get a commission from the bank if you take the loan, which they will miss on if you pay cash. You can use that information of there is room for price negotiation. Usually the cash price will not be the same. In the past, it could be lower. Nowadays it is often higher. Hmmm is there an equivalent to Gap ? Replacement value? Something I need to check on Apparently there is. New car replacement insurance. I had never heard of it. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/car-insurance/new-car-replacement/ Gap insurance...
by madbrain
Wed Mar 27, 2024 9:42 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How many credit cards do you have
Replies: 110
Views: 4851

Re: How many credit cards do you have

almostretired1965 wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 9:32 pm The last card sits in a drawer. It's the current version of the GM card. 20 years ago we actually got enough credits on it to contribute 4k to the purchase of a Pontiac Vibe, but has seen almost no use since.
Keep that GM card in the drawer. I considered using this card to purchase of our Chevy EVs. It was reported by others that they were not able to use the cash back because GM disallowed their use for the Volt and Bolt. Glad I never applied as I would have been upset if it happened to me.
by madbrain
Wed Mar 27, 2024 9:29 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Robinhood 3% IRA Match
Replies: 1552
Views: 119894

Re: Robinhood 3% IRA Match

Tell me more about paying federal income tax with a Paypal card to get more than 2.625% back. You may have misunderstood, the card is chase, pay the processor via PayPal, https://www.mymoneyblog.com/chase-freedom-5-back-federal-income-tax-payments.html This is from 2018. Does it still work? How does paying by credit card then paying by PayPal then paying through PaytaxUSA all connect and work? Seems like a 3rd level beyond the usual two levels (paying by credit card then the processor pays the IRS on your behalf). Yes. It takes no longer than putting in your card info. Chase Freedom has rotating 5% bonus categories every quarter. PayPal is not currently available this quarter. In addition, only $1500 of spending is eligible for the 5% rate...
by madbrain
Wed Mar 27, 2024 9:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can Medical provider “mess up” bill like that?
Replies: 33
Views: 1819

Re: Can Medical provider “mess up” bill like that?

crazyapple11 wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 4:48 pm Can they refuse to engage and just submit the invoice to the collection agency ?
They can try. Some collection agencies are very unscrupulous and break the law, in my experience. It's best to be proactive and try to resolve the issues early on, before it goes to collections.

I don't have any good advice otherwise in your particular situation that hasn't already been given by others.
by madbrain
Wed Mar 27, 2024 7:44 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How many credit cards do you have
Replies: 110
Views: 4851

Re: How many credit cards do you have

Yours is not a bad combo. But if you have enough assets at BofA/Merrill, you can get 5.25% back at Costco with a Bofa CCR, and 2.625% on everything else with Bofa UCR. How does the 5.25% at Costco work? I see they say you can pick a 3% category, which you can bump up to 5.25% with Preferred Rewards, but wholesale clubs aren’t listed in the six 3% categories. Or is the play that you buy Costco shop cards online, with online as your 3% category? Sorry, I was mistaken. It is 2 x 1.75 for warehouse clubs which is 3.5%. For category spending, you would get 3 x 1.75 which is 5.25 . I have not looked for ways to buy Costco cash cards online . At costco.com you would only get 3 5% . That is still better than the 2% back of the Costco VISA, except ...
by madbrain
Wed Mar 27, 2024 7:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: My Auto Insurance 6 month premium is going dramatically UP?
Replies: 141
Views: 6090

Re: My Auto Insurance 6 month premium is going dramatically UP?

jabo96 wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 7:08 pm Uninsured motorists are the culprit which no one wants to mention. A law that everyone must have car insurance should reduce good driver's costs.
In most states, it's against the law to drive without insurance already. The problem is enforcement. It is often done with fines. And the people who drive without insurance often do so because they can't afford it. So the fines just pile up and nothing changes. In some cases, there is jail time. That's more effective for safety, but not the taxpayers.
by madbrain
Wed Mar 27, 2024 7:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: My Auto Insurance 6 month premium is going dramatically UP?
Replies: 141
Views: 6090

Re: My Auto Insurance 6 month premium is going dramatically UP?

Reshop all insurance every 1-2 years. "Minimum Liability" scares me. Would love to hear your logic as to why you only buy the amount of coverage you are forced to buy.... A while back I created a topic on how much liability I needed but that’s another topic. Long story short I have no RE and everything that is in 401k, Roth IRA, taxable account and just $3k in bank. So incase of a lawsuit aren’t I protected from my all my assets in Texas? So what good is higher coverage? Google brings up the following. https://kretzerfirm.com/what-personal-property-can-be-seized-in-a-judgment-in-texas/ It looks like creditors can still file liens against your home. If you ever want to sell it, that will be a problem. Also, a judgment will strongl...
by madbrain
Wed Mar 27, 2024 6:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How many credit cards do you have
Replies: 110
Views: 4851

Re: How many credit cards do you have

chance wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 6:07 pm Three:
  • Amazon Prime - 5% on Amazon purchases
  • Citi Costco - 4% on gas, 3% travel/restaurants, 2% Costco, 1% everything else
  • Fidelity Rewards - 2% everything
With these three cards I feel I can maximize our rewards benefits without things getting too complicated and best of all ALL of them are NO annual fee.

I don't know how some people can manage with so many credit cards - seems crazy to me.

Yours is not a bad combo. But if you have enough assets at BofA/Merrill, you can get 5.25% 3.5% back at Costco with a Bofa CCR, and 2.625% on everything else with Bofa UCR.
by madbrain
Wed Mar 27, 2024 6:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Smartphone insurance with prepaid phone plan
Replies: 13
Views: 638

Re: Smartphone insurance with prepaid phone plan

FYI, I called Assurant about this. They are the insurance provider for Wells Fargo. They said the phones need to be listed on the device summary page. Since there isn't one with US Mobile, I would definitely have no coverage. I also asked about annual plans. They said the coverage would apply if the phones were listed on the device summary page as of a date prior to making the claim. So, coverage might depend on whether the device summary page is dated or not. If you buy a new phone mid-year and then make a claim after prepaying annually, not clear if the coverage would apply to the new phone. I'm probably going to buy the Worthave coverage for my S22 Ultra with the minimum 1-year term and $499 value. The longer terms do not make sense beca...
by madbrain
Wed Mar 27, 2024 5:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Smartphone insurance with prepaid phone plan
Replies: 13
Views: 638

Re: Smartphone insurance with prepaid phone plan

The Nerd Wallet article states coverage won't apply if the phone was included with a prepaid plan. I'm not sure what that means. It sounds like that might mean the phone was bundled with the service and provided at no additional cost to the customer, but no clue. Not certain. WF terms do not state any exclusions for prepaid plans. The payment has to be monthly to get monthly coverage. So if someone paid for a year's service with a carrier like Mint Mobile, they would only have coverage for the month after the bill is paid. Your interpretation may be correct, but there could also be no coverage at all for an annual bill. WF terms state a device summary or other sufficient evidence that the phone is linked to the account is required. My Visi...
by madbrain
Wed Mar 27, 2024 4:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Why does a discussion of Financial Planning almost always turns into buying Whole life insurance?
Replies: 73
Views: 3925

Re: Why does a discussion of Financial Planning almost always turns into buying Whole life insurance?

canbonbon wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 3:12 pm I am so sick and tired of this but not sure what to do. Its as if Whole Life Insurance a panacea for everything.
I would tell them you are actually sick, not just tired, and will not qualify for any life insurance based on medical conditions. This would be true for us.
They'll find something to sell you.
Seriously, run away and find somebody else to advise you.
by madbrain
Wed Mar 27, 2024 4:28 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Home Purchase Investment Sources
Replies: 6
Views: 448

Re: Home Purchase Investment Sources

cheese_breath wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 3:44 pm #4 ... Put the entire equity from the current home ($315K) as down payment on the new home. Thats over 60% of a $515K home. I find it hard to believe you can't find someone to give you a mortage with a 60% down payment. Then after the mortage is approved, withdraw from Roth, tIRA and other investments as needed.
This is a great idea if there is an existing HELOC . OP may not be able to open a new one due to lack of documented income.

The other possibility would be to sell the existing home first and do a rent back agreement from buyers, until the new home is built.
by madbrain
Wed Mar 27, 2024 4:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: $90K 48 mos loan at 3% OR outright purchase
Replies: 44
Views: 2180

Re: $90K 48 mos loan at 3% OR outright purchase

If you take the loan, make sure you have gap insurance, so it gets paid off in case the car gets totaled.

With deposit rates the way they are now, I would take the loan and invest. And pay it off if deposit rates go down.

Your dealer will get a commission from the bank if you take the loan, which they will miss on if you pay cash. You can use that information of there is room for price negotiation. Usually the cash price will not be the same. In the past, it could be lower. Nowadays it is often higher.
by madbrain
Wed Mar 27, 2024 3:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Smartphone insurance with prepaid phone plan
Replies: 13
Views: 638

Re: Smartphone insurance with prepaid phone plan

bloom2708 wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 3:33 pm Self insure on a phone. No need for other coverage unless a $1,000 Emergency Fund is not within reach.
Per my OP, that is one of the options being considered. Despite having access to well over $1000 EF, I still prefer to offload the risk to an insurer if the coverage is inexpensive enough.
by madbrain
Wed Mar 27, 2024 3:43 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: buying mutual funds seems easier than buying ETFs
Replies: 64
Views: 4901

Re: buying mutual funds seems easier than buying ETFs

TimeIsYourFriend wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 2:44 pm Think about after-hours trading. Obviously, liquidity is greatly reduced in after-hours trading. Would you expect more volatility during that period compared to during the trading day? If parts of the trading day are more liquid, would you then expect those times to more or less volatile than other times during the trading day?
There are fewer traders after hours. The bid-ask spreads are higher than during market hours, even on very liquid ETFs like SPY. It can go from 1 cent during the day to 5-10 after hours. Not sure about the volatility.
by madbrain
Wed Mar 27, 2024 3:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Smartphone insurance with prepaid phone plan
Replies: 13
Views: 638

Re: Smartphone insurance with prepaid phone plan

tashnewbie wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 3:13 pm That article states you would need a device summary page from the carrier to show that the device is linked to the account. That is not necessarily the same thing as the device appearing on the statement. The article is consistent with WF's terms: https://www.wellsfargo.com/credit-cards ... fits/#cell
If you look for the word "prepaid" in the article I link, you'll see that it states phones on prepaid plans are not covered. That doesn't mean it's correct, Wells Fargo and Card Benefit Services are the final arbiters.

Does Visible have a device summary page ? US Mobile does not, unfortunately. Thus I'm certain that coverage doesn't apply with US Mobile.
by madbrain
Wed Mar 27, 2024 3:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Amazon "eligible for return" cost
Replies: 30
Views: 1995

Re: Amazon "eligible for return" cost

Wanderingwheelz wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 10:23 am Recently I bought a nearly $200 item I wasn’t satisfied with so I sent it back following Amazons procedure exactly. I had UPS confirmation that the item was delivered to their sorting facility, but I was never refunded. Not only that when I sought to find out I wasn’t offered any meaningful explanation, other than when/if we ever find it you’ll be refunded. We know how that’s going to go.
If you paid with a credit card, file a dispute.
by madbrain
Wed Mar 27, 2024 2:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Smartphone insurance with prepaid phone plan
Replies: 13
Views: 638

Re: Smartphone insurance with prepaid phone plan

tashnewbie wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 12:16 pm I've been paying my Visible mobile bill with the WF Active Cash card, thinking I qualified for the cell phone protection benefit. I will have to re-read the terms and conditions of that benefit to see if it requires the cell phone be listed on the bill. It doesn't look like the phone is on Visible's bill.
As far as I know, none of the prepaid carriers list the devices on the bill. Your phones are not covered.

Here is what to expect with Wells Fargo :
https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/cred ... rance-perk
by madbrain
Wed Mar 27, 2024 7:49 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Boeing (BA) stock: at some point it has to be a bargain
Replies: 203
Views: 20071

Re: Boeing (BA) stock: at some point it has to be a bargain

flyingcows wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 7:43 am BA doesn't seem to have crashed in price yet, still up over 100% from March 2020 lows
Give it time ;)
That date was especially bad for anything involving travel.
Also, Airbus looks like it's up about 200% over that period.
by madbrain
Wed Mar 27, 2024 7:00 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Career ending, getting fired. Can we FIRE ?
Replies: 161
Views: 26643

Re: Career ending, getting fired. Can we FIRE ?

Perhaps talk to a couple of realtors, or simply pay a couple hundred dollars for a market estimate to understand true market value. Thanks. I got in touch with my former realtor, who helped me buy this home, and sell the previous one. Her husband, who is also a realtor, will come take a look at the condition later this week. But he said it might be worth mid-$2M. $2.5M is just above the high end of what Zillow currently estimates, which is $2.44M. That said, there would probably be some cosmetic work to prep it for sale. Not sure how much but likely at least $20k, maybe up to $50k in terms of floors, exterior paint and some cabinet replacements. Insurance on the home will likely become a serious problem going forward. My premium is $4052 r...
by madbrain
Wed Mar 27, 2024 6:33 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Robinhood 3% Rewards Visa Card
Replies: 20
Views: 1750

Re: Robinhood 3% Rewards Visa Card

Leesbro63 wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 6:05 am
MrWasabi65 wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 5:58 am Just saw further details posted on X:

$5 monthly fee

- 3% cash back on everything
- 5% cash back on travel
- No international fees

As well as:
- 5% APY on uninvested cash
- 3% IRA match
This sounds like you are confusing the 3% matching brokerage bonus with this 3% credit card. They are two different "three percent things", I believe.
The $5 monthly fee you pay is for Robinhood Gold membership.

Robinhood Gold gives you several benefits.
One of them is a 3% IRA match. There is no match for taxable brokerage account.
Another one is apparently the opportunity to apply for this new credit card
by madbrain
Wed Mar 27, 2024 6:27 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Smartphone insurance with prepaid phone plan
Replies: 13
Views: 638

Smartphone insurance with prepaid phone plan

I have been using a no annual fee Wells Fargo credit card cell phone insurance for years. It was great coverage, in that there was no monthly premium. Obviously, that was an unbeatable price. The only requirement was to pay the monthly phone bill with the card in full, and the devices listed on the bill would be covered. It covered up to $600 per phone for damage or theft. I put my T-Mobile bill on autopay on the WF card. We had 5 claims of $600 each in about a decade, including multiple thefts in the US and abroad, cracked screens and water damage (turns out even IP68 rated phones don't like falling in the hot tub that much, even for very short periods). The insurance experience was excellent. Last year, T-Mobile did away with discounts fo...
by madbrain
Wed Mar 27, 2024 5:27 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Robinhood 3% Rewards Visa Card
Replies: 20
Views: 1750

Re: Robinhood 3% Rewards Visa Card

Fortunately or unfortunately (depends on your perspective! :D ), I continue to pay taxes every quarter. Is the waiting list a function of small bank can't process fast? Or is it a function of they only want to issue a limited amount of cards? I never heard of a waiting list for a credit card. They either accept your application and issue the card or they reject it for bad credit or some other reason. They only announced the card yesterday. They are not accepting any applications yet. The only thing you can do is reserve your spot. You can't apply. But my big questions still have not been answered: Are there catches? Limited amount of credit? Will federal income tax payments made via one of the three IRS linked credit card processors be eli...
by madbrain
Wed Mar 27, 2024 4:52 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Robinhood 3% Rewards Visa Card
Replies: 20
Views: 1750

Re: Robinhood 3% Rewards Visa Card

Leesbro63 wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 4:20 am Today I received an email offering a Robinhood 3% rewards Visa card issued by Coastal Community Bank. Has anyone checked this out? Can I get 3% back on federal income tax paid? This sounds too good to be true.
I received the same offer. There is a waiting list. It's unlikely you would get the card before April 15 for 2024 federal income tax.
Also too late for my property taxes.
by madbrain
Wed Mar 27, 2024 3:53 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: My Auto Insurance 6 month premium is going dramatically UP?
Replies: 141
Views: 6090

Re: My Auto Insurance 6 month premium is going dramatically UP?

If you have health insurance, drop your uninsured/underinsured. I opt out of medical coverage on my policy. This is not the same as UI/UM. This may vary by state, but here in CA, the Uninsured motorist bodily injury doesn't just cover your own medical costs. It covers things like pain and suffering if you suffer a permanently disabling injury as a result of an uninsured/underinsured driver or in a hit and run. This is not just for you but any passenger not listed on your policy as well. It is not coverage that is duplicated by your health insurance. Whether it is worth it is another question. For reference, on my current Farmer's policy at $1804 per 6 months for 2 cars, $272 is for UI/UM coverage of 250/500. About 15% of drivers are uninsu...
by madbrain
Wed Mar 27, 2024 2:58 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cybertruck-anyone else get to try it on?
Replies: 61
Views: 4367

Re: Cybertruck-anyone else get to try it on?

I did not try it on, but saw one in my neighborhood going up the hill in January.

"Ugly as sin" is too charitable, in my opinion.
It looks like it's straight out of a dystopian movie set.
I think that's what the designers were going for.

The lines remind me of the robotic dogs in the "Metalhead" episode of Black Mirror on Netflix .

Image
by madbrain
Wed Mar 27, 2024 1:06 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: My Auto Insurance 6 month premium is going dramatically UP?
Replies: 141
Views: 6090

Re: My Auto Insurance 6 month premium is going dramatically UP?

tj wrote: Tue Mar 26, 2024 11:46 pm Also your liability coverage is absurdly low. How would you like it if you were hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver that caused you lifelong medical costs?
Agree. Even hitting a utility pole by accident can cost up to $100k. And put 4048 utility customers out of power, too, for the last few hours. Cold dinner for us. The knocked down poles are an annual occurrence.
by madbrain
Wed Mar 27, 2024 1:03 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: how much do you think you need to retire?
Replies: 304
Views: 63719

Re: how much do you think you need to retire?

More than we have, unfortunately.
by madbrain
Tue Mar 26, 2024 11:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: So what are you cooking
Replies: 972
Views: 111155

Re: So what are you cooking

Nothing. Power went out.

Edit: some idiot driver hit a pole again !
by madbrain
Tue Mar 26, 2024 10:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Amazon "eligible for return" cost
Replies: 30
Views: 1995

Re: Amazon "eligible for return" cost

tetractys wrote: Tue Mar 26, 2024 10:47 pm Be careful to select the free return options.
Yes. I always return at the UPS store. Amazon has a "free" return store in downtown, but you have to pay for parking, so it's hardly free.
by madbrain
Tue Mar 26, 2024 10:36 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: My Auto Insurance 6 month premium is going dramatically UP?
Replies: 141
Views: 6090

Re: My Auto Insurance 6 month premium is going dramatically UP?

What kind of liability coverage? 250/500/100 Each car is worth about $11.5k? Yes, about $9k and $13k. So why wouldn’t you get collision/comprehensive coverage? It makes zero sense to pay $4600/year for collision coverage with cars worth $22k and $1500 deductible. The most the coverage could ever pay is $19k if both cars were totaled. In 4 years you would pay enough in collision coverage to replace both cars ! And the odds of both cars being totaled are pretty much zero as we are good drivers. It would have to involve another not so good driver doing something reckless. These are a great odds for the insurance company, but not so great for the insured. Obviously the broker wants to make commission, but should know better than submit a $9k/y...