Search found 875 matches

by Austintatious
Mon Jan 06, 2020 7:31 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: EE or I series bonds for retirement?
Replies: 29
Views: 4017

Re: EE or I series bonds for retirement?

OP, here's a Forbes article by forum member Mel Lindauer, wherein he describes how one can put together their own "annuity" without having to pluck down that big chunk of cash right up front that so many have such a hard time dealing with. It's about as safe an investment as one might find, providing a guaranteed annual 3.5% as long as the money stays there for the 20 years. You wouldn't have to worry about the insco going broke on you like with a commercial annuity. Of course, you wouldn't have to purchase the max annual amount if not desired or not possible, given your budget. It's something that I wish I'd thought about when I was just about your age. Anyway, something else to ponder. [urlhttps://www.forbes.com/sites/theboglehe...
by Austintatious
Sat Jan 04, 2020 4:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to get home internet in the country, outside the city limits?
Replies: 24
Views: 1720

Re: How to get home internet in the country, outside the city limits?

OP,

is there a local or regional landline phone service available to you? If so. you might check to see if they offer internet service. We are in a rural area with no cable service and we purchase our internet access through the local phone company. It's reasonably fast and the price includes unlimited net access. This is just one of the reasons we've avoided satellite service for internet access.
by Austintatious
Sun Dec 29, 2019 9:59 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Flagship Services Dissapointment !
Replies: 72
Views: 8700

Re: Flagship Services Dissapointment !

livesoft wrote: Tue Dec 24, 2019 4:39 pm Remember the good ol' days when you got TurboTax for free?

Behavioral finance hints that folks take a loss twice as hard as a gain, so losing even trivial benefits are very hard for folks.

I have never been disappointed by Flagship services in my life, but then again I have never been at Flagship level anyways.

Now where did I put my wine and cheese?
I think I see, here, one (the only?) advantage of having an account at Vanguard at the SSMinnow level as opposed to the Admiral level. At least for us SSMinnow folks, one is not setup for all those terribly depressing Flagshsip Service Disappointments! Surely that's worth something. :happy
by Austintatious
Thu Dec 19, 2019 1:36 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Claiming SS for deceased spouse
Replies: 10
Views: 1090

Re: Claiming SS for deceased spouse

Here's a current thread discussing filing options for survivor's benefits.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=297934&newpost=4898613
by Austintatious
Sat Dec 14, 2019 9:10 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Car financing denied after 2 weeks
Replies: 131
Views: 8819

Re: Car financing denied after 2 weeks

If it were me, I'd consider promptly filing a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. I've found that filing a complaint (in one instance, just the threat of doing so) can sometimes bring a swift and conciliatory response from an offender. Also, determine if there is any agency within your state where one might file a complaint regarding this kind of bait and switch practice.
by Austintatious
Mon Dec 02, 2019 12:07 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Ken Burns Country Music DVDs: Historic and Artistic Merit
Replies: 23
Views: 2049

Re: Ken Burns Country Music DVDs: Historic and Artistic Merit

It's a remarkably comprehensive history of country music and a wonderful walk down memory lane as one is reacquainted with all those artists and their works, and is educated on the parts they played in the development of the genre over the years. It would be an excellent gift.
by Austintatious
Mon Nov 04, 2019 5:33 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is this CD a Good Investment?
Replies: 6
Views: 962

Re: Is this CD a Good Investment?

arca,

there are more than a few online banks still offering high-yield savings accounts with better rates. And the money you'd have in one of those accounts would typically be available to you, should you need it, in no more than a couple of days. The money in that CD would be tied up for 6 months unless you choose to pay the early withdrawal penalty. Let's just say that there are better options for your money.
by Austintatious
Tue Oct 15, 2019 12:11 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Where to Put "Extra" Taxable Savings
Replies: 28
Views: 4375

Re: Where to Put "Extra" Taxable Savings

What about maxing out on EE bonds and/or I bonds? Considering your current age, maxing out on EE bonds for a couple of years would provide a very safe investment with a guaranteed 3.5% rate (as long as allowed to reach maturity in 20 years) that could start paying off just about your retirement time. Then, there's I bonds, which would provide a nice little hedge on inflation. Just with that cash on hand, you could max out on both kinds of bonds for 2019 and then, in a couple of months, for 2020.Since you've been on the forum for so long, I assume that you've read Mel Lindauer's piece on creating your own annuity with EE bonds". You might decide to keep investing in EE bonds in order to have your own, annuity-like and very dependable in...
by Austintatious
Wed Oct 09, 2019 7:07 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: very low income - Roth IRA contribution?
Replies: 7
Views: 844

Re: very low income - Roth IRA contribution?

Congratulations on directing your son down one of the roads to Dublin so early in his life. Here's a link to an IRS page that offers some insight.

https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/re ... tributions
by Austintatious
Mon Oct 07, 2019 10:56 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Just started with P2P lending (Mintos). How risky is it?
Replies: 27
Views: 3351

Re: Just started with P2P lending (Mintos). How risky is it?

I was making 12 - 18% for several years but then had lots of defaults and also one of the holding companies went into administration. If your’re going to lend, wait until banks are closing their wallets again. At the moment, only the lowest quality borrowers are paying 12% Hyman Minsky, the Nobel Prize winning economist (who researched financial crashes), defined the "Ponzi phase" of the credit cycle - when borrowers must borrow to pay interest due.* 12% in an environment of negative nominal interest rates (Eurozone) means either the banking system is really broken, leaving an unaddressed market segment, or these are very high risk "Ponzi borrowers". You don't want to be the credit supplier to Ponzi borrowers. *So the M...
by Austintatious
Thu Sep 12, 2019 10:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Overpaying Medicare Part B when first collecting Soc Sec
Replies: 11
Views: 2401

Re: Overpaying Medicare Part B when first collecting Soc Sec

Thanks for the detailed answers. I'll just pay the Sep bill and wait for the refund Curious, applied in july for an Oct begin date (first check Nov) , and got one phone call Aug asking about something from 20 + years ago . That was answered , but they still show the original July processing msg as the last entry on the MY SS site, and nothing since 07/02/2019 Benefit Application Pending We are reviewing your Retirement benefit application. A Social Security Representative may contact you directly if we need any additional documents or information. Seems odd, that there would be no new entries in the log. Is this normal or should I give them a call as check up ? Our experience with DW's filing for spousal benefit was similar in nature. Like...
by Austintatious
Tue Sep 10, 2019 5:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Overpaying Medicare Part B when first collecting Soc Sec
Replies: 11
Views: 2401

Re: Overpaying Medicare Part B when first collecting Soc Sec

It seems that this happens frequently. I would anticipate that the first benefit payment will be dinged for 2 months Medicare premium since they deduct premiums in advance of the corresponding month. And that you'll subsequently receive a check for a full refund of your overpayment. Look for a letter explaining the amounts of your benefit payments to arrive shortly before your first month. It should also explain the double Medicare premium deduction from the first benefit payment. And look for a second letter, sometime after receipt of your first benefit payment, that tells you of your coming refund and further confirms your future benefit amount. At least, that's how it worked for DW's recent SS adventure. It all happened as explained by t...
by Austintatious
Thu Aug 22, 2019 1:37 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: CD Rates_Terms advice
Replies: 20
Views: 2823

Re: CD Rates_Terms advice

Assuming that the funds are thought not to be needed for the next 3 years or so, I believe I'd lasso those rates in excess of 3% and feel just fine about it. The early withdrawal penalties are not excessive, imo, and a 3% for 3 years bird-in-the-hand in today's environment. Consider purchasing multiple CDs so that, if you need some of the money, you might only have to break one CD.
by Austintatious
Tue Aug 20, 2019 9:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What are your thoughts on USAA for checking? Insurance? Banking in general?
Replies: 44
Views: 5511

Re: What are your thoughts on USAA for checking? Insurance? Banking in general?

DW and I have used USAA for about the last 10 years for checking, credit cards and auto insurance. We've found them to be quite satisfactory. One's personal usaa page makes handling all one's banking and insurance transactions easy and fast. Their mobile deposit application works quite well, imo, and it's easy to use. Someone already mentioned that direct deposit funds, SS and pension annuity deposits for example, will be available for use a day earlier than at other banks. They've provided very good auto insurance claims service for us. I can no longer speak to the competitiveness of their price simply because I've not bothered to look, though I'd be surprised if they are much out of line with the norm.
by Austintatious
Mon Aug 19, 2019 5:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Paying credit card "current balance" vs. "statement balance"
Replies: 48
Views: 6155

Re: Paying credit card "current balance" vs. "statement balance"

Would you please explain why you've concluded that always paying off one's current balance in full as opposed to one's statement balance "isn't ideal"? I ask because I've been paying my current balance twice a month for years and had thought that practice to be the better one, at least for me. Paying exactly the statement balance, on or shortly before the day it is due, is the way to maximize the free float on your card: you are paying just enough, just soon enough, to avoid being charged interest. If this is your ideal, then any other strategy is less than ideal, but this doesn't need to be your ideal. Some people have other goals. Yes, thanks, that makes sense and certainly could be one's "ideal" way of managing a cre...
by Austintatious
Mon Aug 19, 2019 1:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Paying credit card "current balance" vs. "statement balance"
Replies: 48
Views: 6155

Re: Paying credit card "current balance" vs. "statement balance"

i used to always pay off the current balance in full. apparently, this isn't ideal. i now pay off my statement balance, which means I generally still have a balance, ie, the transactions that i have made since the previous statement period ended which will be due in the following period. your situation sounds odd because your statement balance is higher than your current balance... still, i think it remains that to avoid any fees etc you need to pay off your statement balance. perhaps the credit came in after the prior period ended and will benefit you in the upcoming period. i really dont want to steer you wrong though so hopefully someone who is 100% confident will chime in Would you please explain why you've concluded that always paying...
by Austintatious
Sun Aug 18, 2019 8:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7638
Views: 1712658

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

The Personal Narrative of James O. Pattie . This is a first person description of life on the American frontier from 1824 through 1830, trapping and mining in New Mexico, his overland travel to California, where he was imprisoned, vaccinated Californians against small pox, participated in a revolution, and his travel by ship back to the U.S. I thought this book was very interesting, it is one of the few first person accounts of frontier life. If you've not already looked at this one, consider Give Your Heart to the Hawks by Win Blevins. Blevins provides a detailed and entertaining description of "the mountain men" who lived life so big, in and out of the Rockies, during the first half of the 19th century. What lives they led!
by Austintatious
Wed Aug 14, 2019 2:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Trail running shoes for light hiking
Replies: 48
Views: 4632

Re: Trail running shoes for light hiking

TxAg wrote: Sat Aug 10, 2019 6:50 pm Comfort is important. I am fond of Altras. Wide toe box and zero drop from heel to toe. Their trail models have an aggressive tread and can be found for reasonable prices online.
Yep, the tread gripping capacity is amazing on my Altra Lone Peaks, and the wide toe box is a real comfort plus for me. Light weight, too. I consider them to be an excellent "light hiking" shoe. I do not recommend them for hiking with a heavy load on very irregular and/or rocky ground, where I prefer a relatively rigid (for support) and ruggedly lugged (for traction) sole.
by Austintatious
Wed Aug 14, 2019 10:53 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is "My Social Security" online worth signing up for
Replies: 31
Views: 3926

Re: Is "My Social Security" online worth signing up for

On Jonathan Clements' Humble Dollar this morning:

ACT
August 14, 2019

CHECK YOUR Social Security statement to get an estimate of benefits and make sure your earnings record is correct. The easiest way to do this: Set up a “my Social Security” account, preferably adding two-factor authentication. This will also preempt scammers, who might otherwise try to set up an account in your name—and claim your benefits.
by Austintatious
Wed Jul 31, 2019 12:28 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Spousal benefits and SSA
Replies: 6
Views: 934

Re: Spousal benefits and SSA

My wife filed for benefits early at 63, she is the lower earner, Ifiled for restricted spousal benefits and am FFA, age 66. I thought I was eligible for 1/2 of her FRA benefit of $900, but matrix is only showing $375. Since she filed early do I receive reduced benefits too? The fact that your spouse applied for her benefit early should not affect your spousal benefit. If you were born on or before January 1, 1954, you were still qualified for the so called restricted application for spousal benefit only. And if you were at full retirement age (FRA) at the time you filed for spousal benefit, your benefit should be one half of your spouse's Primary Insurance Amount (PIA). Her PIA is what she would have been entitled to had she filed at FRA.
by Austintatious
Sun Jul 28, 2019 11:25 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Colorado 529 - 1 year out
Replies: 8
Views: 951

Re: Colorado 529 - 1 year out

I'd move all of it to very conservative positions now. A relevant article:

https://thefinancebuff.com/529-plan-cds ... -fund.html
by Austintatious
Wed Jul 24, 2019 9:11 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Good CD Rates Over the Long Haul
Replies: 13
Views: 2250

Re: Good CD Rates Over the Long Haul

Navy Federal CU is offering 3.5% on their 5 year CDs. I'd call that a relatively good rate, considering current rates generally. They also seem to have relatively flexible parameters for qualifying for membership. Hmm... share please? I am not military or have any family members who are military. Not sure what are the "flexible parameters" that can qualify for membership? Everything I read on the internet forums leads me to believe that their membership requirements are super strict, and I have read numerous reports of people getting locked out of accounts if NFCU determines the membership was achieved fraudulently I am not a member of NFCU, though I seriously considered membership a couple of years ago and looked then at the pos...
by Austintatious
Wed Jul 24, 2019 6:38 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Good CD Rates Over the Long Haul
Replies: 13
Views: 2250

Re: Good CD Rates Over the Long Haul

Navy Federal CU is offering 3.5% on their 5 year CDs. I'd call that a relatively good rate, considering current rates generally. They also seem to have relatively flexible parameters for qualifying for membership.
by Austintatious
Sun Jun 09, 2019 7:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone recommend a cheap cell phone service for text and calls?
Replies: 24
Views: 3166

Re: Anyone recommend a cheap cell phone service for text and calls?

DW and I have used Consumer Cellular for several years and we have been satisfied with the service they provide.

https://www.consumercellular.com/Plans
by Austintatious
Tue May 21, 2019 9:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best time to go to Europe
Replies: 8
Views: 1122

Re: Best time to go to Europe

My personal favorite time in Europe is after (our) Labor Day. Vacation crowds start to go down (both local and international tourists) and the weather can be glorious. This year I will again be going to France for September. Can't quit the habit. What parts of France are you most fond of, pray tell? I'm spending a few weeks each year discovering different parts of the country. I fell in love with Lyon and have enjoyed two 2-week stays there. The last taking French classes and doing a home stay. Last year I did a barge cruise in Alsace and really liked that region -- even though I don't drink beer. This year it will be the Loire Valley and a bit of Normandy. And of course, Paris. Always Paris. I also did a 15-day river cruise from Provence ...
by Austintatious
Tue May 21, 2019 8:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best time to go to Europe
Replies: 8
Views: 1122

Re: Best time to go to Europe

My personal favorite time in Europe is after (our) Labor Day. Vacation crowds start to go down (both local and international tourists) and the weather can be glorious. This year I will again be going to France for September. Can't quit the habit. What parts of France are you most fond of, pray tell? I'm spending a few weeks each year discovering different parts of the country. I fell in love with Lyon and have enjoyed two 2-week stays there. The last taking French classes and doing a home stay. Last year I did a barge cruise in Alsace and really liked that region -- even though I don't drink beer. This year it will be the Loire Valley and a bit of Normandy. And of course, Paris. Always Paris. I also did a 15-day river cruise from Provence ...
by Austintatious
Tue May 21, 2019 7:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best time to go to Europe
Replies: 8
Views: 1122

Re: Best time to go to Europe

GerryL wrote: Tue May 21, 2019 7:13 pm My personal favorite time in Europe is after (our) Labor Day. Vacation crowds start to go down (both local and international tourists) and the weather can be glorious. This year I will again be going to France for September. Can't quit the habit.
What parts of France are you most fond of, pray tell?
by Austintatious
Sat Apr 27, 2019 1:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Why do most people hate/dread learning about money and is there a good book for helping them?
Replies: 78
Views: 6706

Re: Why do most people hate/dread learning about money and is there a good book for helping them?

I think Jonathan Clements has written just such a book. It's easy to understand, covers a wide range of money/financial matters and discusses much of the psychology that we're all affected by as we make (or fail to make) those important decisions about our money.

https://humbledollar.com/book/how-to-think-about-money/
by Austintatious
Tue Feb 26, 2019 11:50 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Call from SSA office
Replies: 22
Views: 3119

Re: Call from SSA office

My wife received a call from SSA last year when she filed for her own age-70 benefit, after she filed on-line. It was legit, asking her the question if she wanted her "bonus" of six months backdated benefits. Of course she knew about the situation of receiving a lump sum but also giving up benefits for the rest of her life, and simply responded no to the agent that called. - Ron They do call to verify and finalize claims. DW received just such a call after claiming a spousal benefit. They had, in their letter acknowledging her initial online filing, advised that they would be making the call to finalize the claim. The call is clearly intended to make sure the claimant understands the available options and the ramifications of eac...
by Austintatious
Sun Feb 24, 2019 7:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Friday Harbor to SeaTac Airport
Replies: 19
Views: 1535

Re: Friday Harbor to SeaTac Airport

DW and I spent a week exploring the San Juans (stayed on Orcas Island) in late September/early October of 2014. We made the return trip to SEATAC on Sunday, October 4. Our departure time was scheduled for later in the day - 3:45p - just because I was worried about experiencing some kind of hiccup enroute. We decided to be on the earliest ferry and got to the landing plenty early. At that time, one could not reserve a place on the boat and it was first come, first on board. As it turned out, there was plenty of room on the ferry but I would definitely take advantage of a reservation. Traffic on the interstate was light (Sunday), ditching the rental car was a breeze, and we made it to the terminal with close to three hours (so I think I remem...
by Austintatious
Sun Feb 24, 2019 12:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Apply for Social Security's restricted application
Replies: 12
Views: 1238

Re: Apply for Social Security's restricted application

lindab wrote: Sun Feb 24, 2019 12:44 pm Soon after reaching FRA, my spouse began collecting his SS benefit and I filed a restricted application to collect on his record. I am still working and plan to file for benefits on my record when I reach 70, at which time he will switch to collecting the spousal benefit. How can I obtain a statement showing my current estimated benefit at the age of 70? It appears that this info became unavailable after I started collecting on his record.
You can always call your local SS office. I've found them to be very helpful. If you have not yet established your own mySocialSecurity account online, consider doing so. I believe you can get the info you seek on that SS site.
by Austintatious
Fri Feb 08, 2019 1:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Apply for Social Security's restricted application
Replies: 12
Views: 1238

Re: Apply for Social Security's restricted application

Please keep in mind that, unlike sscritic or Mike Piper, I am not an expert on Social Security benefits, though I know a little about the restricted filing for spousal benefits only, since DW and I have recently done just that for her. I offer no opinion as to whether the proposed plan is the best overall course for the two of you; however, if wife continues to work after she files early as mentioned, I believe SS will deduct a portion of her benefits based on the amount of her earnings. Have you looked at that? If husband waits until his full retirement age before filing for spousal benefit, his benefit would be one half of wife's Primary Insurance Amount (benefit at full retirement age). Based on the numbers provided, looks like it would...
by Austintatious
Fri Feb 08, 2019 1:04 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Apply for Social Security's restricted application
Replies: 12
Views: 1238

Re: Apply for Social Security's restricted application

Please keep in mind that, unlike sscritic or Mike Piper, I am not an expert on Social Security benefits, though I know a little about the restricted filing for spousal benefits only, since DW and I have recently done just that for her. I offer no opinion as to whether the proposed plan is the best overall course for the two of you; however, if wife continues to work after she files early as mentioned, I believe SS will deduct a portion of her benefits based on the amount of her earnings. Have you looked at that? If husband waits until his full retirement age before filing for spousal benefit, his benefit would be one half of wife's Primary Insurance Amount (benefit at full retirement age). Based on the numbers provided, looks like it would ...
by Austintatious
Sun Feb 03, 2019 12:15 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help Convincing Spouse
Replies: 60
Views: 5709

Re: Help Convincing Spouse

slam, someone up there recommended Bill Bernstein's short, simple and right to the point piece "If You Can". I agree with the recommendation. But there's another option that I think could be even better for your situation. It's Dan Solin's "The Smartest Investment Book You'll Ever Read". Though it's more pages than Bernstein's little work, I think it's actually easier to read and understand, and it's just as compelling. If I were to recommend a single resource in an effort to educate a new investor about the potential negatives in paying an advisor, the simplicity and practicality of doing it yourself, and the basics of investing in broadly diversified, low cost index funds along with some clear recommendations, this boo...
by Austintatious
Sat Feb 02, 2019 11:56 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: SS Benefits estimate seems too high?
Replies: 20
Views: 1987

Re: SS Benefits estimate seems too high?

I think it's still the case that those having contributed to Social Security should receive a statement from SSA every 5 years until age 60 and each year thereafter, explaining their projected benefits for ages 62, full retirement age and 70. You might look for your last-received statement to see what it says but I suspect that your best option for accurate projections is to follow RickBoglehead's advice and set up your personal account at mySocialSecurity. As for the estimate you mention, it does not necessarily sound out of line to me. Many, and probably most, Americans are woefully unaware of the substantial benefits the Social Security program can mean for them even when their work history and corresponding contributions have been consi...
by Austintatious
Sat Jan 26, 2019 8:33 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: local CU_3.25% - 24 mo. CD opinion
Replies: 6
Views: 842

Re: local CU_3.25% - 24 mo. CD opinion

If I was reasonably confident that I could do without the money for two years, I'd take the 3.25 percent deal at your local cu and never look back. I do, however, think you should know what the early withdrawal penalty would be.
by Austintatious
Fri Jan 25, 2019 1:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Too early to start on my taxes?
Replies: 45
Views: 4418

Re: Too early to start on my taxes?

Per this article, very large numbers of furloughed IRS workers ordered back to work are not showing up in advance of the annual tax return barrage. Taxpayers expecting timely processing and prompt refunds may be in for a longer wait than usual.

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/over- ... 2019-01-25
by Austintatious
Thu Jan 24, 2019 12:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Too early to start on my taxes?
Replies: 45
Views: 4418

Re: Too early to start on my taxes?

Katietsu wrote: Thu Jan 24, 2019 12:08 pm
SagaciousTraveler wrote: Thu Jan 24, 2019 11:32 am Already submitted mine and they were accepted.
Not really. IRS electronic filing does not open until January 28. Check back on the status after that. Right now, they are in the “waiting room” of Intuit or whoever you used.
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-confir ... -january-2
Software companies and tax professionals will be accepting and preparing tax returns before Jan. 28 and then will submit the returns when the IRS systems open later this month.
by Austintatious
Wed Jan 23, 2019 2:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Review of sardine brands
Replies: 44
Views: 9436

Re: Wild Planet Sardines quality problem [Review of sardine brands]

While we're on the subject, what are the recommended practices for serving/eating them and, no, I'm not asking whether one uses a fork, spoon, knife or chopsticks? I typically eat them with crackers and freshly ground black pepper, same as I do with smoked salmon or herring. Delicious but not very creative (not that it has to be). I know Bogleheads like to keep things simple but any other ways to prepare/serve them that I've been missing, besides feeding them to the cat?
by Austintatious
Wed Jan 23, 2019 1:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cell Phone Plans - Question Re Best Plan for Combining Husband & Wife
Replies: 65
Views: 4919

Re: Cell Phone Plans - Question Re Best Plan for Combining Husband & Wife

Consumer Cellular: - the current "plan" services smart phones for DW and me - unlimited text and talk -2 GB of data (typically much more than necessary for us since bulk of our online activity is via wifi) - no contract - can easily increase or decrease data, as frequently as month to month - occasional data plan upgrades are provided by CC at no additional cost - easy online bill pay - $43 to $45 per month Again, that would be $30 with Xfinity. If you have a month where shared data goes up to 3G it goes to $42. If you go down to 1G it’ll be $18. No need to change your data plan each month. Well, I certainly would not turn my nose up at saving $180 per year on cellphone service but, as some of the visitors to our rural community ...
by Austintatious
Wed Jan 23, 2019 1:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: TurboTax for 2018
Replies: 9
Views: 1723

Re: TurboTax for 2018

We've not used TurboTax before, though we're contemplating doing so for 2018. It seems that there are actually two ways to file for free via TurboTax. There's their option under the IRS Free Alliance (mentioned above) which I think comes with limitations on the incomes and ages of the taxpayer that will qualify for the service. Then there's the TurboTax Free Edition which I think is without those qualifying restrictions that come with the Free File Alliance version and that, according to TurboTax "... is for simple returns that file a 1040 with no additional schedules, and is free as long as you don't select any add-ons or upgrades." What I've read about the latter option suggests that one has to watch carefully that those add-ons...
by Austintatious
Wed Jan 23, 2019 12:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cell Phone Plans - Question Re Best Plan for Combining Husband & Wife
Replies: 65
Views: 4919

Re: Cell Phone Plans - Question Re Best Plan for Combining Husband & Wife

Consumer Cellular:

- the current "plan" services smart phones for DW and me
- unlimited text and talk
-2 GB of data (typically much more than necessary for us since bulk of our online activity is via wifi)
- no contract
- can easily increase or decrease data, as frequently as month to month
- occasional data plan upgrades are provided by CC at no additional cost
- easy online bill pay
- $43 to $45 per month
by Austintatious
Sun Jan 20, 2019 12:26 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Stay the course is hard
Replies: 73
Views: 9778

Re: Stay the course is hard

Last year has been very interesting. US equities did quite well in the beginning, and because of that, I put money into bond and international to keep my AA correct. In October, international YTD return was negative while I think US equities made money. Sometimes I was wondering if did the right thing. Last month, of course the value of my investment went down. It did not bother me, I have enough bond portion. This year, I started to think whether I should invest like before, or do something else. Usually I max out all retirement accounts as soon as I can every year, but this year, I was wondering if I should spread my contribution over 12 months. I decided to stay the course, keep doing what I have been doing. But it has not been easy. I ...
by Austintatious
Fri Jan 18, 2019 2:32 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Capital One 360 MM for $500 bonus
Replies: 32
Views: 4606

Re: Capital One 360 MM for $500 bonus

3-20Characters wrote: Fri Jan 18, 2019 2:11 pm
stocknoob4111 wrote: Fri Jan 18, 2019 1:53 pm Is there a minimum holding period?

https://www.capitalone.com/celebrate200/
Bonus payout based on balance maintained for 90 days.
Because of that language that it's based on the crucial balance being maintained for the first 90 days following the Initial Funding Period, which appears to be that time span "within the first 10 days of account opening", I think I'd maintain that balance for at least 100 days following opening the account. Might even add on a few more days for some clear distance from that initial 100 day period.
by Austintatious
Fri Jan 18, 2019 11:45 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Capital One 360 MM for $500 bonus
Replies: 32
Views: 4606

Re: Capital One 360 MM for $500 bonus

Austintatious wrote: Fri Jan 18, 2019 9:43 am This seems to be a regularly offered bonus opportunity at Cap One. Deposit the minimum of 10k in your new Cap One deposit account, keep it there for 12 months, and you've essentially had a 1 year CD earning a bit less than 4% but without the early withdrawal penalty. What's not to like?
Actually, it would be a bit more than 4% for your 10k over that first 12 month period, starting with the basic 2% interest on the 10k, plus the $200 bonus (which represents an additional 12 months' interest on 10k at 2%), plus the extra interest accrued on the bonus money after it's added to the account, supposedly, no later than 5 months into the "term".
by Austintatious
Fri Jan 18, 2019 9:43 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Capital One 360 MM for $500 bonus
Replies: 32
Views: 4606

Re: Capital One 360 MM for $500 bonus

This seems to be a regularly offered bonus opportunity at Cap One. Deposit the minimum of 10k in your new Cap One deposit account, keep it there for 12 months, and you've essentially had a 1 year CD earning a bit less than 4% but without the early withdrawal penalty. What's not to like?
by Austintatious
Thu Jan 17, 2019 4:17 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: John Bogle has died at age 89
Replies: 856
Views: 81258

Re: John Bogle has died at age 89

I learned the news yesterday while on the forum. Five minutes later, as I'm trying to absorb the loss that we've all been feeling, my son-in-law texted "RIP Jack Bogle". And shortly thereafter, my older daughter and spouse of SIL texted "Oh no! Mr. Bogle died? Well I appreciate him today. I hope he felt good knowing he helped so many people invest their money and not get screwed doing so." So, I'm sitting there trying to absorb the meaning of those two texts which, to tell the truth, caught me by surpise. I decided that they meant two things, that the next generation in our little family had actually been listening, more attentively than I'd realized, to what I've been preaching so relentlessly, the Gospel according to J...
by Austintatious
Wed Jan 16, 2019 3:04 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Roth contribution with the HEART act
Replies: 8
Views: 1004

Re: Roth contribution with the HEART act

Penfed and Navy Federal credit unions are among the institutions offering competitive rates for IRA CDs, as are a number of online banks. You can find many other options here:

https://www.depositaccounts.com/

https://www.bankrate.com/
by Austintatious
Wed Jan 16, 2019 11:31 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 5 year CDs @Penfed mature 1/22/19
Replies: 30
Views: 3876

Re: 5 year CDs @Penfed mature 1/22/19

carolinaman wrote: Wed Jan 16, 2019 11:13 am I finally pulled the trigger to renew my CDs on1/22 at Penfed to their 5 yr 3.4% IRA certificates. 5 and 10 yr treasuries are in low 2.70% range so this seems like a pretty good deal for fixed income money.

Thanks to everyone who responded to my post.
Thanks for the follow up. Based on all the considerations and fwiw, I believe you've made a sound decision. The fact that it coincides with our decision to renew in the same circumstances has absolutely nothing to do with it. :wink: