Search found 3382 matches

by JamesSFO
Sat Feb 17, 2024 5:54 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What's the best non-Vanguard brokerage to hold Vanguard ETFs, a Roth and a Solo-401k?
Replies: 14
Views: 1440

Re: What's the best non-Vanguard brokerage to hold Vanguard ETFs, a Roth and a Solo-401k?

Fidelity IMHO. But I have accounts at all 3 and they are more similar than different and I've only ever had customer service problems with Fidelity and Schwab never Vanguard for what it is worth. YMMV.
by JamesSFO
Mon Jan 15, 2024 6:48 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Where does the loyalty to Vanguard come from?
Replies: 72
Views: 6414

Re: Where does the loyalty to Vanguard come from?

Remember for many of us Vanguard was (nearly) the primary low cost, index game in town for a long time.

I have accounts at Fidelity and Schwab as well as VG. And honestly each site has its quirks and I've only run into customer service hassles at Fidelity and Schwab. Never VG.

So for me, I stay at Vanguard because, well, it just works.
by JamesSFO
Tue Jan 09, 2024 3:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Customs in Atlanta airport and a few questions
Replies: 11
Views: 1760

Re: Customs in Atlanta airport and a few questions

GerryL wrote: Tue Jan 09, 2024 2:55 pm No need to transport it yourself to the Domestic flights terminal.
Agree with everything but this. This depends on the airport/airlines/ticket rules.

I've had to transports bags at O'Hare from Int'l to Domestic transfer once in a while. Just sometimes happens.
by JamesSFO
Mon Jan 01, 2024 2:12 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 2024 BOGLEHEAD CONTEST REGISTRATION
Replies: 579
Views: 37994

Re: 2024 BOGLEHEAD CONTEST REGISTRATION

ok how about 5,151.42
by JamesSFO
Wed Dec 27, 2023 6:46 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: [Vanguard Class Action Lawsuit Over Target Date Funds to Move Forward]
Replies: 183
Views: 20524

Re: [Vanguard Class Action Lawsuit Over Target Date Funds to Move Forward]

Anyone interested in reading the legal filings can look at Court Listener which makes the Federal Judiciary's rulings/papers more freely accessible:

Link 1 to case: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/63 ... itigation/

Link 2 to PDF of recent opinion by judge (docket 100): https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap ... .100.0.pdf
by JamesSFO
Tue Nov 28, 2023 11:17 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Question about prescription coverage
Replies: 23
Views: 1638

Re: Question about prescription coverage

Another option might be Mark Cuban's Cost Plus Drugs - https://costplusdrugs.com/medications/ - they even will fill a 365 day prescription in one go if your doctor writes it as such. Can be quite the cost savings for things that are available as generics.
by JamesSFO
Tue Nov 21, 2023 1:19 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: PPO Health Plans and Balance Billing
Replies: 6
Views: 764

Re: PPO Health Plans and Balance Billing

The California Department of Managed Healthcare website suggests it would not cover general out of network situations

Poster: https://dmhc.ca.gov/portals/0/healthcar ... fsab72.pdf
by JamesSFO
Sat Oct 21, 2023 6:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Hardcopy Prescriptions Needed for Travel to Other Countries?
Replies: 23
Views: 2450

Re: Hardcopy Prescriptions Needed for Travel to Other Countries?

I’ve traveled extensively and of the western-type countries, Japan is odd about a number of common drugs (ADHD meds, narcotics, etc) and you need a special license BUT not the prescription.

I just cannot imagine Costa Rica being a problem but the last place I would look is the US State Department website, try Costa Rica’s embassy/immigration pages for the info. That’s how I navigated Japan (with the appropriate websites)
by JamesSFO
Wed Oct 04, 2023 5:06 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Double Checking Fidelity Advice - "Personal" Backdoor Roth
Replies: 35
Views: 2503

Re: Double Checking Fidelity Advice - "Personal" Backdoor Roth

MrCheapo wrote: Wed Oct 04, 2023 4:35 pm I told him I don't qualify to make IRA contributions since my base salary is above the IRA contribution limits but he said if I move into the Roth it is not an issue.
You don't qualify to make DEDUCTIBLE contributions to a traditional IRA, but you can make NONdeductible ones. Which can promptly be quickly (next day) be CONVERTED to a Roth with only minimal tax consequences if you have no other traditional IRAs.

You were already pointed to the correct wiki page for this.
by JamesSFO
Thu Sep 28, 2023 6:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Which state has jurisdiction?
Replies: 13
Views: 1332

Re: Which state has jurisdiction?

What does the contract that called for the 100% commission say is the "choice of law" and "choice of venue". The venue in particular would likely be determinative.
by JamesSFO
Wed Sep 06, 2023 2:16 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mortgage broker says to not pay a larger downpayment?
Replies: 134
Views: 13172

Re: Mortgage broker says to not pay a larger downpayment?

... Just so I'm understanding correctly--you're saying that quicken loans or the local banks like chase or Bank of America would allow me to completely bypass any commissions that the mortgage broker would otherwise generate? I assume that the mortgage broker would probably build in their commission with a higher rate or do they get paid directly from the lender that I go with? If they get paid directly by the lender as a commission, then does it really impact how much I'm paying? If I end up with a higher rate as a result to build in their commission than I can certainly see how I would be paying more. I think you are over complicating this. Ignore the issue commissions: focus on the rate(s) you will pay for the loan. The posters here are...
by JamesSFO
Wed Sep 06, 2023 2:14 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mortgage broker says to not pay a larger downpayment?
Replies: 134
Views: 13172

Re: Mortgage broker says to not pay a larger downpayment?

CrisisAverted wrote: Wed Sep 06, 2023 1:33 am Are you saying that prepayment penalties are common? Is that for making an additional monthly payment (principal only) or if I literally pay the mortgage off early?
No, I am saying they are quite uncommon, most people can pay off the entire mortgage (and refinance) without a penalty. It is uncommon AND it is worth confirming. But assuming (as is standard) there is no prepayment penalty then a lower down payment with more optionality might be more attractive.

Either way I would not let the broker suddenly talk you into buying a 2nd property, focus on the transaction you were trying to do.
by JamesSFO
Wed Sep 06, 2023 1:19 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mortgage broker says to not pay a larger downpayment?
Replies: 134
Views: 13172

Re: Mortgage broker says to not pay a larger downpayment?

I'm confused, how did it go from limiting your downpayment to starting an LLC to invest in real estate and suddenly managing a second property? Seems like too many decisions are getting wrapped up into one. Focus on the house you want for you, say it will cost $1.5M. Fine. Now the next question is how much down payment, 20% to avoid PMI would put that at $300K. So then the decision to focus on is how much over $300K to put down (assuming no prepayment penalties, very uncommon, but worth ensuring aren't the case). If just $300K down the mortgage would be $1,200K with say $900K down the mortgage would be $600K. What would the interest rates be at each point? They probably won't be the same. How do you feel about the different monthly payment ...
by JamesSFO
Tue Aug 01, 2023 8:01 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Work trip Per Diem question
Replies: 18
Views: 2000

Re: Work trip Per Diem question

Normally per diem reimbursement wouldn't require that; however, what does the policy itself say?
by JamesSFO
Wed Jul 19, 2023 7:00 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Interrogating the size and value factors
Replies: 647
Views: 53547

Re: Interrogating the size and value factors

Thanks as always to McQ for the excellent and detailed posts and research-driven insights.
by JamesSFO
Wed Jul 12, 2023 11:45 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: T-Mobile, Xfinity, AT&T now requiring bank accounts to retain auto-pay discount
Replies: 177
Views: 21408

Re: T-Mobile cancelling credit card payment asking for banking information instead !

Thanks for the heads up on this, I missed this. I decided to bit the bullet and switch to my debit card + I cancelled one of my lines.
by JamesSFO
Mon Jul 10, 2023 1:28 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity mailed me a random check cannot explain it
Replies: 55
Views: 9598

Re: Fidelity mailed me a random check cannot explain it

MrJedi wrote: Mon Jul 10, 2023 1:13 pm I'm not quite following. Is it or is it not from an old 401k?

If it is from an old 401k, you may need to actually put it into an IRA and also any taxes that were withheld from it if you want to defer any additional taxes/income or avoid penalty (if under 59.5).
It's a record keeping mistake Fidelity made ~14 years ago when it was rolled over. So it is a correction of their mistake on the 1099R that they are fixing. The dollars cannot go into an account and probably some set of 8606s is slightly wrong and it's been 14 years and the money has moved from 401K->IRA->401K and at this point it is what it is.

I mean in a weird way I might have been happier not knowing because now I feel responsible to amend 8606's....
by JamesSFO
Mon Jul 10, 2023 12:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity mailed me a random check cannot explain it
Replies: 55
Views: 9598

Re: Fidelity mailed me a random check cannot explain it

tibbitts wrote: Mon Jul 10, 2023 10:17 am
JamesSFO wrote: Mon Jul 10, 2023 9:52 am Appreciate the caution. At this point I have been able to validate that it is a genuine check from Fidelity relating to a ~14 year old 401K/bankrupt company I worked for. There are other answers I cannot get, but I'm cashing the check and moving on with life.
What are the tax implications of the check?
Unknown and Fidelity won't answer but not cashing it isn't going to change what they issue so worst case I pay taxes on it.
by JamesSFO
Mon Jul 10, 2023 9:52 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity mailed me a random check cannot explain it
Replies: 55
Views: 9598

Re: Fidelity mailed me a random check cannot explain it

One thing you should be very cautious of is the potential of a scam and to be on higher alert. Potential scenario: Scammer sends you a check from Fidelity and nobody seems to know why the check was sent. 1. You receive a check from Fidelity that was actually sent by a scammer 2. You, being confused, call Fidelity to inquire about the check 3. You cash the check, giving benefit of doubt 4. Days/weeks later, the scammer spoofs the Fidelity 800 number and impersonates Fidelity. 5. Potential script: "Hi JamesSFO, we recently sent you a check for $1,400 in error and we need you to send it back. We see you cashed it back on July 5th, but we do need that money back as it was sent in error. I am calling because I could lose my job and I reall...
by JamesSFO
Sat Jul 08, 2023 8:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity mailed me a random check cannot explain it
Replies: 55
Views: 9598

Re: Fidelity mailed me a random check cannot explain it

LotsaGray wrote: Sat Jul 08, 2023 5:44 pm
JamesSFO wrote: Fri Jul 07, 2023 9:39 am
theplayer11 wrote: Fri Jul 07, 2023 9:38 am cash it and move on
They cannot say if it is taxable or not... sigh. Really disappointed with Fidelity here.
So. If it is taxable are you not going to cash it? Guess what cashed or not you will have to pay the he taxes. Eventually if you ask and give F time they will figure out the taxablity and let you know.

Worst case you get unexpected $1400 on your 1099. If this potential income is a big deal account for it so you can stay under. But this is all true regardless if you cash or not.
I think mostly I would just like clarity before I cash the check what it means.
by JamesSFO
Sat Jul 08, 2023 4:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity mailed me a random check cannot explain it
Replies: 55
Views: 9598

Re: Fidelity mailed me a random check cannot explain it

student wrote: Fri Jul 07, 2023 9:54 am
JamesSFO wrote: Fri Jul 07, 2023 9:39 am
theplayer11 wrote: Fri Jul 07, 2023 9:38 am cash it and move on
They cannot say if it is taxable or not... sigh. Really disappointed with Fidelity here.
You mentioned they are catching on an old 1099 mistake from 2009. Was Fidelity the administrator of the account at that time? If so, yes, you should be disappointed. If they are cleaning up others' mistakes, then I would not blame them about this.
Fidelity held the 401K, fidelity issued the 1099 on rollover. The company itself has been bankrupt for at least a decade. They get points for honesty and catching the mistake 14 years later (2009 rollover and 1099). The rest is confusing and disappointing.
by JamesSFO
Fri Jul 07, 2023 9:39 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity mailed me a random check cannot explain it
Replies: 55
Views: 9598

Re: Fidelity mailed me a random check cannot explain it

theplayer11 wrote: Fri Jul 07, 2023 9:38 am cash it and move on
They cannot say if it is taxable or not... sigh. Really disappointed with Fidelity here.
by JamesSFO
Fri Jul 07, 2023 9:25 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity mailed me a random check cannot explain it
Replies: 55
Views: 9598

Re: Fidelity mailed me a random check cannot explain it

Stinky wrote: Fri Jul 07, 2023 6:20 am
JamesSFO wrote: Fri Jul 07, 2023 2:02 am No luck so far, I did speak to a supervisor who is trying to investigate it for me now. But so far dead ends.
You’ve now put Fidelity “on notice” that they’ve made a mistake of some kind. That was the right thing to do.

The ball is now in Fidelity’s court. No need for you to further pursue it.

I expect that they’ll eventually figure it out. But you don’t need to “prompt” them any more.

Keep your records on the (highly) remote chance that they report $1,400 of taxable income to you for this year.
Yep, actually it looks like they are catching up on a VERY old workplace 1099 mistake from 2009... So it is legitimate.
by JamesSFO
Fri Jul 07, 2023 2:02 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity mailed me a random check cannot explain it
Replies: 55
Views: 9598

Re: Fidelity mailed me a random check cannot explain it

No luck so far, I did speak to a supervisor who is trying to investigate it for me now. But so far dead ends.
by JamesSFO
Tue Jul 04, 2023 5:37 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity mailed me a random check cannot explain it
Replies: 55
Views: 9598

Re: Fidelity mailed me a random check cannot explain it

gavinsiu wrote: Tue Jul 04, 2023 4:28 pm I once had Fidelity track down a missing Ira contribution. The check was mailed in and cashed but never appeared in the account. When I called, the customer was at a loss at what happened.

They did eventually figured it out. Someone mistyped a number in the Ssn and it ended up in a different account. This might be something similar. You did not see a 1400 deducted anywhere?
Nope re 1,400 deducted anywhere.

Again, mostly in shock how poor their customer service is that they couldn’t open a ticket and research this further themselves.
by JamesSFO
Tue Jul 04, 2023 8:37 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity mailed me a random check cannot explain it
Replies: 55
Views: 9598

Re: Fidelity mailed me a random check cannot explain it

jebmke wrote: Tue Jul 04, 2023 8:23 am Assuming it is a legit check, let us know what you finally find out. From Fidelity's perspective, the answer is knowable. It just may take someone some time to trace the entries. There has to be an offset somewhere to the credit to their cash account.
Yep, will update, mostly just frustrated that unlike say Vanguard, they cannot open a ticket and call me back when they are done doing research.
by JamesSFO
Tue Jul 04, 2023 8:36 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity mailed me a random check cannot explain it
Replies: 55
Views: 9598

Re: Fidelity mailed me a random check cannot explain it

If you don't recognize what it's for, and Fidelity can't tell you until you talk to someone during business hours, I doubt we're going to be able to sort it out here. If it says "Roth conversion" on the check, and you never had a Roth account with Fidelity, my presumption would be another IRA or old 401k as the source and the check would be under some (perhaps mis-)direction to distribute for a Roth conversion you hold elsewhere. I've been told that after-tax 401k contributions will be sent as a separate check when the account is rolled over. I wouldn't dismiss the idea of it being a fraudulent check either. All possibilities. I think it’s frustrating because I *did* call during business hours and they cannot take a message/etc s...
by JamesSFO
Tue Jul 04, 2023 8:03 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity mailed me a random check cannot explain it
Replies: 55
Views: 9598

Re: Fidelity mailed me a random check cannot explain it

toddthebod wrote: Tue Jul 04, 2023 7:35 am
The check is made out to you? Or to FBO you? And is any money missing from any of your accounts? Do you have an old workplace 401(k) you forgot about?
To me personally. Nope re missing $. And nope re 401K and the agent agreed it made no sense just was powerless to do anything or open a ticket to have someone call me later in the week.
by JamesSFO
Tue Jul 04, 2023 6:26 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity mailed me a random check cannot explain it
Replies: 55
Views: 9598

Fidelity mailed me a random check cannot explain it

So, I am sitting here with a check for about $1,400 from Fidelity. It says “ROTH conversion, See letter” on it, but there is no letter and I never had a Roth with them and they cannot explain why I have the check. It’s all rather weird. Customer service was at a loss and said I need to call 9-5 Eastern to speak to a special department later this week.

(FWIW, I continue to be underwhelmed by Fidelity customer service and accuracy, this is the third really random error with my account over the years vs none with Vanguard.)
by JamesSFO
Sat Jun 24, 2023 10:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone get a new 15” MacBook Air?
Replies: 22
Views: 4411

Re: Anyone get a new 15” MacBook Air?

Have the 13” Air M2, just bought my parents the 15” Air M2. They are happy with it because with their eye sight the bigger display helps. It’s just a bigger 13” Air.
by JamesSFO
Mon May 08, 2023 10:11 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Schwab vs. Fidelity vs. Vanguard
Replies: 111
Views: 16488

Re: Schwab vs. Fidelity vs. Vanguard

JamesSFO: We moved from Merrill Lynch to Vanguard in 1968. I seldom contact Vanguard, with my simple Vanguard Three-Fund Portfolio so I don't know about other fund companies. I will, however, pass along a bit of wisdom: The older I get the more I appreciate simplicity. For this reason, I think it is very desirable to have all investments in just one good and strong fund company like Vanguard, Fidelity, Schwab, Black Rock, etc.. Please read my "Simplicity " link at the bottom of this post. Best wishes. Taylor Jack Bogle's Words of wisdom: "Simplicity is the master key to financial success. -- We ignore the real diamonds of simplicity, seeking instead the illusory rhinestones of complexity." Definitely appreciate simplici...
by JamesSFO
Mon May 08, 2023 7:50 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Schwab vs. Fidelity vs. Vanguard
Replies: 111
Views: 16488

Schwab vs. Fidelity vs. Vanguard

I’ve been trying to diversify (away from) Vanguard for a bit over the past few years mostly to have a bit of money in a few places if I have a problem where say VG was down or what not. I’m Flagship Select at VG for context and generally satisfied. I’ve had Fidelity for ~2 years and use their charitable DAF and just recently started using their bond/cd ladder feature. Overall Fidelity has been pretty painless though they just suddenly stopped my automatic investment program without telling me. They also lost all record of my link to my bank account at one point. Which was a pain. But overall they are the easiest to get someone helpful on the line quickly and fix things. Even if it requires more paperwork. Using some programming techniques, ...
by JamesSFO
Tue Mar 21, 2023 9:43 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Brokered CDs "Technically Not FDIC Insured"
Replies: 35
Views: 5701

Re: Brokered CDs "Technically Not FDIC Insured"

From the banner on Vanguard's page about SVB:
Alert for Certificates of Deposit issued by Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank of New York: Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank of New York CDs are covered by FDIC insurance. FDIC protects insured depositors (including owners of brokered CDs) by arranging a sale to a healthy bank or by paying depositors directly for their deposit accounts. The process and timing may vary for each situation. Once the FDIC determines next steps, Vanguard will take the appropriate steps on our clients behalf. To learn more about FDIC insurance click here. Your brokerage account is also covered by SIPC insurance, click here to learn more.


So Vanguard thinks they are FDIC insured.
by JamesSFO
Mon Mar 20, 2023 5:54 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard no longer showing 7 day yield on VMFXX
Replies: 6
Views: 2166

Re: Vanguard no longer showing 7 day yield on VMFXX

Working for me both logged in to my account and from the link above.
by JamesSFO
Wed Feb 08, 2023 8:29 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 1Password vs Apple Keychain
Replies: 13
Views: 2420

Re: 1Password vs Apple Keychain

A friend who uses Apple Keychain lost his 2FA / one time password when he updated his password it wiped out the code for the authenticator. Sigh.
by JamesSFO
Sat Jan 28, 2023 7:59 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Could someone help me understand exactly how GoodRX works?
Replies: 143
Views: 13596

Re: Could someone help me understand exactly how GoodRX works?

JayB wrote: Thu Jan 26, 2023 9:23 am I may be mistaken, but I've always been under the impression that GoodRx and other discount operations somehow make money off of the personal information they garner from your prescriptions, through targeted marketing efforts and possibly selling these data to others.
Pretty sure they are just making a cut on the spread between what they pay the PBM vs. what they charge you.
by JamesSFO
Wed Jan 25, 2023 3:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Could someone help me understand exactly how GoodRX works?
Replies: 143
Views: 13596

Re: Could someone help me understand exactly how GoodRX works?

Briefly how they work is there are 3 pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) that control most of the market. The PBMs negotiate on behalf of insurance companies for prices on drugs. They do not directly charge anyone for this, but take some spread on what they charge vs. what they pay. So example, for Drug X, they may dictate that the retail price has to be at least $100 (cash customers) and they might be paying the pharmacy $50 for the drug. This means for some drugs pharmacies lose money, e.g. they have to pay $60 (made up) to drug maker for it, but only get $50 from the PBM + the copay, if $50 + copay < $60 they lose money on the drug. Anyhow, GoodRX, they act like an insurance company, what they did is the went to all of the major PBMs and we...
by JamesSFO
Wed Jan 18, 2023 12:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Regarding TSA pre-check
Replies: 78
Views: 7616

Re: Regarding TSA pre-check

I find it helpful still at SFO and SJC

The other day near Xmas, the regular line at SJC's newest terminal was long but I walked right to the front and had <5 people ahead of me for precheck.
by JamesSFO
Wed Jan 04, 2023 9:19 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Schwab Legal Settlement Rewards Taxable?
Replies: 14
Views: 2766

Re: Schwab Legal Settlement Rewards Taxable?

Just because they dated the checks 2022 doesn't magically make the income 2022, take a picture of the date you receive it, mine is coming in TODAY's USPS informed delivery and you can show you didn't have it in 2022 irrespective of the 1099s they issue.
by JamesSFO
Mon Oct 24, 2022 8:07 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: All the Personal-Finance Books are Wrong
Replies: 50
Views: 13180

Re: All the Personal-Finance Books are Wrong

Interesting thread, looking forward to reading the underlying paper
by JamesSFO
Fri Sep 30, 2022 9:36 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bay Area: Kaiser vs BCBS vs One/Circle Health
Replies: 19
Views: 2425

Re: Bay Area: Kaiser vs BCBS vs One/Circle Health

Bay Area here...

Kaiser is great/amazing for routine care and common issues (diabetes, asthma, blood pressure, etc.) and challenging for unusual conditions or if you really need a very specific specialist.

Sadly with US healthcare we have to roll the dice on this.
by JamesSFO
Mon Sep 26, 2022 2:57 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Balanced Fund ETF
Replies: 7
Views: 710

Re: Balanced Fund ETF

Have you checked out the iShares Core offerings, e.g. AOR, AOA, etc?
by JamesSFO
Wed Aug 24, 2022 6:40 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Can I create numerous single-member LLC's or revocable trusts to buy unlimited I-Bonds?
Replies: 56
Views: 4832

Re: Can I create numerous single-member LLC's or revocable trusts to buy unlimited I-Bonds?

FWIW, I have an "original" TD account from say 2002 before I did estate planning and a "trust" account from after estate planning both use my SS# 123-45-6789.

I never closed the "original" account so in recent years, I buy $20K of EE and $20K of I if I want once in each account.

Never gotten any complaints from TD
by JamesSFO
Fri Aug 12, 2022 10:11 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Roth Withdrawal Nightmare
Replies: 13
Views: 1573

Re: Roth Withdrawal Nightmare

Just to emphasize what @boater07 said with an example.

Say you transferred 1000 shares of mutual fund ABCDE from your Roth -> Taxable. Those shares were worth $10 on the day you transferred so $10,000 total. You have a distribution of $10,000 from your Roth (presumably not taxable) and a $10,000 investment into the taxable with a basis of $10,000.
by JamesSFO
Wed Jul 20, 2022 9:45 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do you use a password manager?
Replies: 361
Views: 34128

Re: Do you use a password manager?

1Password, worth every penny!
by JamesSFO
Wed Jul 13, 2022 9:52 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Does anyone have a problem with Fidelity?
Replies: 101
Views: 10721

Re: Does anyone have a problem with Fidelity?

Fidelity completely lost their linkage to my bank account at one point and required me to show up in person to reinstate the linkage. (I've also had problems with Schwab vs. not really any Vanguard.)

I think you need to be realistic that they are going to make mistakes and that this forum over samples Vanguard account holders who are active (not trading sense but in using their accounts and having complex needs) and if we had as many people who regularly used Fidelity we would see a comparable level of DIFFERENT complaints.