Search found 1278 matches

by batpot
Wed Sep 21, 2022 12:10 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Dependent care FSA
Replies: 11
Views: 1232

Re: Dependent care FSA

Ok some misinformation in this thread...It is true that sometimes companies can fail the discrimination testing (i.e. the highest salaried employees are the ones that disproportionately utilize the benefit) and they CAN clawback/stop contributions to a Dependent Care FSA up to some limit (not necessarily $2k.....can vary) but this is at the INDIVIDUAL and not family level. As a family, you still can contribute the full $5,000 if individual employers allow it. For this reason, if you're uncertain of the situation, it's best to SPLIT the dependent care FSA between spouses ($2.5k/each). I have been doing this for the last few years and it's worked well with no issues. Then, if an employer says "you can't contribute more than $3k this yea...
by batpot
Wed Sep 21, 2022 10:26 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Dependent care FSA
Replies: 11
Views: 1232

Re: Dependent care FSA

batpot wrote: Wed Sep 21, 2022 10:02 am
Fictionme wrote: Wed Apr 20, 2022 7:12 am I think you qualify as a Highly compensated employee and your are limited in your contribution to only 2k. And that is a family limit, not individual. So I’m not sure it is possible to get around it by having your spouse contribute as well. Unless it’s a benefit offered at your spouse’s company, in which case HR may allow them to contribute 5k providing the Highly compensated employee rule doesn’t apply. Although I’m not sure the IRS would agree…. Need some expert tax advice here.
Where is $2k documented?
It varies by company, and is up to the company to determine the limit.

https://help.zenefits.com/Flexible_Spen ... _for_FSAs/
by batpot
Wed Sep 21, 2022 10:02 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Dependent care FSA
Replies: 11
Views: 1232

Re: Dependent care FSA

Fictionme wrote: Wed Apr 20, 2022 7:12 am I think you qualify as a Highly compensated employee and your are limited in your contribution to only 2k. And that is a family limit, not individual. So I’m not sure it is possible to get around it by having your spouse contribute as well. Unless it’s a benefit offered at your spouse’s company, in which case HR may allow them to contribute 5k providing the Highly compensated employee rule doesn’t apply. Although I’m not sure the IRS would agree…. Need some expert tax advice here.
Where is $2k documented?
by batpot
Tue Jul 12, 2022 12:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: amazon prime day $12.50 bonus on $50 gift card
Replies: 36
Views: 5646

Re: amazon prime day $12.50 bonus on $50 gift card

boo, code doesn't work for me.
by batpot
Wed Jun 15, 2022 10:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New gas furnace + central A/C vs. heat pump in Mass.
Replies: 16
Views: 2079

Re: New gas furnace + central A/C vs. heat pump in Mass.

what's your utility costs?
Unless you have extremely low gas prices, and extremely high electric, the heat pump is going to win.
However, below freezing temps it may struggle to keep up, so generally works best a 1st stage in combination with a gas furnace.
There is generally also a labor premium to installing heat pumps, that ACs don't fetch.
by batpot
Wed Jun 15, 2022 3:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Would you escrow taxes & insurance for a 0.25% discount?
Replies: 20
Views: 1255

Re: Would you escrow taxes & insurance for a 0.25% discount?

Stinky wrote: Wed Jun 15, 2022 2:46 pm So you can get an interest rate discount of 0.25% just for paying your taxes and insurance monthly instead of once a year?

On your initial loan balance of just over $600k, that’s an interest savings of $1,500 per year. That amount will slowly decline as the loan pays down.

I’d definitely take that deal. Your $1500 earnings is more than a 50% annual rate of interest on the $2400 average balance if you held your own escrow.
agree.
It might be a regional thing, but I've never seen a competitive rate that didn't include escrow.
And I was consistently finding savings of 0.5 points vs local banks.
by batpot
Wed Jun 15, 2022 3:07 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Best 2% Cashback No Fee Credit Card (not travel)
Replies: 243
Views: 30123

Re: Best 2% Cashback No Fee Credit Card (not travel)

FYI...you can get Lowes gift cards for 20% off using citi thank you points (Happy to Say Thanks Swap card)

that adds a lot of value to thankyou points.
by batpot
Wed Jun 15, 2022 1:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone successful in buying a new car in this environment?
Replies: 33
Views: 4536

Re: Anyone successful in buying a new car in this environment?

Ended up getting a dual motor model 3 instead of a Rav4 Prime because of the stupid dealer mark ups. Ordered mid March, and took delivery late May.
Kept the 13 year old V6 Rav4...for a few more years.
Sold the 15 year old civic in 1 day...and got double what carvana/vroom/tesla offered. high gas prices helped a lot there.
by batpot
Wed Jun 08, 2022 10:20 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tesla raises prices (thank you Elon!)
Replies: 118
Views: 12456

Re: Tesla raises prices (thank you Elon!)

Have the mobile connectors ever been in stock since they announced they weren't shipping with the cars anymore?
by batpot
Wed Jun 08, 2022 9:50 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What are you listening to now
Replies: 5802
Views: 575210

Re: What are you listening to now

Punishment of Luxury
especially Babalon
by batpot
Thu Jan 06, 2022 11:28 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Locked and merged threads on proposed budget, Roth, etc.
Replies: 279
Views: 33750

Re: Are you making Mega Backdoor Roth changes this year?

Dnar wrote: Thu Jan 06, 2022 11:26 am Why is it likely to happen this year?
Mid term elections.
by batpot
Thu Jan 06, 2022 11:18 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Locked and merged threads on proposed budget, Roth, etc.
Replies: 279
Views: 33750

Are you making Mega Backdoor Roth changes this year?

[Merged into the existing discussion, topic remains locked. -- Moderator oldcomputerguy] Build Back Better did not happen in 2021, but is very likely to happen some time in 2022. If it passes, they could make it retroactive to 1-1-2022, meaning any Roth rollovers you've done for this year are invalid. With that in mind...what are you doing differently than you did in 2021? Personally, I'm sitting on some post tax dollars that I could not convert in 2021 due planning my roll overs in January (plan limited to 1 rollover per year). If I rollover that money now, I may have a headache if the conversion elimination gets back dated to 1-1-2022. The other possibility is they don't back date it to 1-1-2022, and it would be optimum to put 100% post-...
by batpot
Mon Oct 04, 2021 4:14 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Process of purchasing property
Replies: 3
Views: 427

Re: Process of purchasing property

Get a local bank that will close fast, so you don't risk earnest money.
Once you've moved in, shop for a better rate w/ an online broker.
by batpot
Mon Oct 04, 2021 3:47 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Hawaii - Big Island: Tips & recommendations
Replies: 66
Views: 6156

Re: Hawaii - Big Island: Tips & recommendations

+1 to captain cook's
black & green sand beaches along southern coast.
Mauna Kea summit was closed due to wind, but we watched the sunset from ~9k feet up, which was really cool...and windy. That was in December.
wfrobinette wrote: Mon Oct 04, 2021 3:15 pm Wife and I did the whole island in a day trip by ourselves.
:confused
you...just drove?
by batpot
Tue Sep 21, 2021 2:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Thinking leaving GEICO.Looking for recommendations
Replies: 8
Views: 1219

Re: Thinking leaving GEICO.Looking for recommendations

I found Amica to be competitive, and they are one of the top rated companies with regards to paying claims.

I would find a local insurance broker, then individually price companies the broker doesn't represent.
Was with safeco for many years before switching to Amica. Had a few claims with them, and never had an issue.
by batpot
Wed Sep 15, 2021 5:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Electric Bike
Replies: 121
Views: 13677

Re: Electric Bike

For a mile and a half commute, I’d just get a good quality regular bike. Agree. A hybrid, or a geared comfort would do fine at this distance, unless there are some insane hills in that 1.5 miles. I got a pair of ebikeling front hub motors to haul kids. Luckily haven't gotten a flat tire, but do use slime in the tubes. ~$350 for the kit, and another ~$500 for the battery. A few bucks for X90 connectors, and about an hour to solder them. Another couple of hours to route on the bikes. Got a DC power supply to charge. Probably about 1500 miles on one, and 2000 on the other so far. My bike has way better components than the Rads, looks better, and weighs less. One of those Tourney rear derailleurs fell apart during a ride (installed on the half...
by batpot
Wed Sep 15, 2021 5:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [Will Police use private neighborhood] Surveillence Video?
Replies: 25
Views: 2541

Re: Police Using Surveillence Video

smitcat wrote: Wed Sep 15, 2021 4:51 pm
batpot wrote: Wed Sep 15, 2021 4:49 pm make their presence very obvious.

I've found they act an effective deterrent also.
Obvious camera's are much easier to defeat.
not typically true for "petty property crime".
we're not talking a bank vault here.
by batpot
Wed Sep 15, 2021 4:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [Will Police use private neighborhood] Surveillence Video?
Replies: 25
Views: 2541

Re: Police Using Surveillence Video

make their presence very obvious.

I've found they act an effective deterrent also.
by batpot
Thu Sep 02, 2021 11:48 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: End of Locast
Replies: 46
Views: 4485

Re: End of Locast

tj wrote: Thu Sep 02, 2021 10:43 am
batpot wrote: Thu Sep 02, 2021 10:33 am
edgeagg wrote: Thu Sep 02, 2021 10:25 am Perhaps Locast should consider something like a non-profit franchise where each franchise serves a local market, somewhat like NPR stations. We could have locast pledge week.
Yes, their funding method was paramount to the lawsuit.
They interrupted service to ask for donations, and they took in more than they needed for operating costs.
They claim the excess was used for expansion.

I still don't understand what the networks stand to lose with more viewership.
The networks lose when people cut the cord because they stop getting retransmission fees from cable companies.
They must really hate broadcasting over the air.
by batpot
Thu Sep 02, 2021 10:33 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: End of Locast
Replies: 46
Views: 4485

Re: End of Locast

edgeagg wrote: Thu Sep 02, 2021 10:25 am Perhaps Locast should consider something like a non-profit franchise where each franchise serves a local market, somewhat like NPR stations. We could have locast pledge week.
Yes, their funding method was paramount to the lawsuit.
They interrupted service to ask for donations, and they took in more than they needed for operating costs.
They claim the excess was used for expansion.

I still don't understand what the networks stand to lose with more viewership.
by batpot
Thu Aug 26, 2021 1:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 35+ mile EV range in a PHEV SUV?
Replies: 67
Views: 9407

Re: 35+ mile EV range in a PHEV SUV?

surfstar wrote: Thu Aug 26, 2021 12:49 pm Of note, a recent post in the Rav4 Prime forum is forecasting Toyota will have used their 200,000 EV federal tax credits by the end of 2021 at the earliest, likely carrying over into 2022 depending on how sales work out this year.

Reminder, the credit phases out starting the quarter AFTER the 200k sales number hits.
thanks, got a link to those numbers?
they only have the Prius and Rav4 right?
by batpot
Thu Aug 26, 2021 12:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 35+ mile EV range in a PHEV SUV?
Replies: 67
Views: 9407

Re: 35+ mile EV range in a PHEV SUV?

funny, I actually did spot check a few zips...obviously not the right ones!

Gonna wait for the 2022 anyway, but probably not a bad idea to get on a list now.
by batpot
Tue Aug 24, 2021 5:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 35+ mile EV range in a PHEV SUV?
Replies: 67
Views: 9407

Re: 35+ mile EV range in a PHEV SUV?

Noticed that Toyota isn't even listing Rav 4 Prime on its inventory website anymore.

https://www.toyota.com/search-inventory/

Assuming there won't be anymore 2021s...
by batpot
Tue Aug 24, 2021 12:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tow hitch cargo
Replies: 18
Views: 3845

Re: Tow hitch cargo

I would first find a 2" square receiver and mount it on the car. Next, if you can find a box with the 2" mount already in place, you're nearly there. The connection needs to lock the two together. Most trailer setups have a simple pin and a lock pin. There are locking setups that will eliminate the wiggle. Or if you're more DIY, you can drill a new hole and use a bolt/nut (I currently do this for a bike rack). You want to eliminate the movement completely. A generic setup would be to buy a harbor freight type rack, then a plastic storage box something like these (I just picked these for the pictures) https://www.zoro.com/plano-molding-black-storage-trunk-24-in-x-15-in-x-13-in-h-1-pk-1619-00/i/G4812683/feature-product?utm_source=g...
by batpot
Tue Aug 24, 2021 11:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5973
Views: 690178

Re: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]

I am watching Mr. Robot on Amazon Prime. I just finished Season 1 and enjoyed it, especially the last couple of episodes! I''m on the first episode of Season 2 and am already a little confused. I'm in IT and the 'technical terms they are are pretty accurate if not a bit simplified. I like the show and some of the themes they explore but I honestly find it odd they have a company in it called Ëvil Corp, it's one of those things that makes me scratch my head about an otherwise good production. I'm deliberately not reading anything about the show to avoid spoilers but I am hoping there is an explanation for that one. I assumed Evil Corp was just a psuedonym used by everybody but the corporation itself. I don't think anyone that works for the ...
by batpot
Tue Aug 24, 2021 11:45 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do I need a [general contractor]
Replies: 21
Views: 2404

Re: Do I need a [general contractor]

What is your current living situation like?

This amount of work is going to take months (not weeks), and you are not going to wan to be living there while they do this work, particularly with a new born.
by batpot
Fri Aug 13, 2021 2:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What are you listening to now
Replies: 5802
Views: 575210

Re: What are you listening to now

Nicolas wrote: Fri Aug 06, 2021 8:27 am All Things Must Pass (50th Anniversary) (Super Deluxe)— George Harrison

This was released this morning, delayed one year due to pandemic. 70 songs, 5 CDs, 4 hours, 26 minutes. https://apnews.com/article/entertainmen ... fea76f6824

https://variety.com/2021/music/reviews/ ... 235035885/

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxA6 ... 1zPaomvFO_
By far the best post-Beatles album made, imo, but this is just cash grab...
by batpot
Fri Aug 13, 2021 2:07 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: OUTDOOR Sump Pump Advice Please
Replies: 15
Views: 2103

Re: OUTDOOR Sump Pump Advice Please

Is the idea here that a sump is cheaper than the landscaping to do proper irrigation?

It's got to get pumped to...somewhere...where it will flow downhill.
by batpot
Tue Jul 27, 2021 5:44 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Washington State Long Term Care Trust Act - 0.58% payroll tax - $36,500 lifetime maximum benefit
Replies: 1772
Views: 194817

Re: Washington State Long Term Care Trust Act - 0.58% payroll tax - $36,500 lifetime maximum benefit

My mega corp came through with a plan from Trustmark that goes into effect Oct 1st.

It's a $25k UL with a LTC rider. Price is adjusted for age, but is far cheaper than anything I could find privately.
by batpot
Fri Jul 23, 2021 3:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Establish a PAL now, for future use -- or wait until needed?
Replies: 10
Views: 1939

Re: Establish a PAL now, for future use -- or wait until needed?

From the Schwab website: Minimum line amount:$100,000 Initial minimum loan amount: The first loan made under the PAL must be equal to or greater than the initial minimum loan amount, which is currently $70,000. Interest rates are based on an Index, as determined by Schwab Bank from time to time, plus an Interest Rate Spread. The interest rate will increase or decrease as the Index changes, or if Demand is made on the PAL and Schwab Bank applies a post-Demand spread. The Interest Rate Spread is determined based on the Loan Value of Collateral (as defined in the PAL Agreement) at the time the PAL is opened. Note that changes in the interest rate may cause your monthly payments to change. If interest rates rise, your borrowing costs can increa...
by batpot
Fri Jul 16, 2021 4:47 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 35+ mile EV range in a PHEV SUV?
Replies: 67
Views: 9407

Re: 35+ mile EV range in a PHEV SUV?

May I throw out a suggestion that's sure to rile up the discussion? Chrysler Pacifica Plugin-Hybrid Limited Pros: Gets around 35 electric miles on a charge. Can be thought of as a "super SUV" with incredibly configurable, spacious cargo room. Comparable vehicles with automatic opening doors start at $100K :happy Google is using them for it's self-driving fleet (kinda cool?) Tons of practicalities Relatively low cost (eligible for Federal rebate!!) Cons: Limited off-roading capabilities, but with the right tires, I'm sure you'll be tearing up the artic tundra in no time... Let the hate begin as to why vans are not cool... :D you forgot that it's a Chrysler, so the transmission will fall out of it the day after the warranty expires.
by batpot
Wed Jul 14, 2021 4:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 35+ mile EV range in a PHEV SUV?
Replies: 67
Views: 9407

Re: 35+ mile EV range in a PHEV SUV?

TheOscarGuy wrote: Wed Jul 14, 2021 3:43 pm
drhkulkarni wrote: Wed May 19, 2021 10:32 pm I called a dealer in Chicago today and they had marked up the price by 15K for a RAV4 Prime. Its complete nonsense. Apparently each dealer gets 1 assignment, and people are willing to pay above MSRP for them.
Has the situation improved at all? I am curious if the price is right but no way I will pay over MSRP. I will let the demand subside a bit :D
we're not in any rush. there are none anywhere near here, anyway.
And it's not just demand, it's supply.

The road trip we just did would have been awful in a full EV - 600 miles each way in triple digit temps, fully loaded, with stuff on the roof.
Would have been awful having to find charging every 150 miles with the kids...it was pretty awful as it was.
by batpot
Wed Jul 14, 2021 4:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: More good news for Washington state residents - increased insurance premiums
Replies: 106
Views: 13634

Re: More good news for Washington state residents - increased insurance premiums

badger42 wrote: Wed Jul 14, 2021 1:42 pm If you're in WA State, and your premiums are going up, I'd reach to to an agent who works with the higher end companies such as Pure, Chubb, etc. The fewer low-credit-score customers an insurance company has, the smaller the increase in rates is likely to be for somebody with good credit (since the ruling essentially says total premiums stay the same). This may flip the high end carriers into being the best deal for many.
that's a great point...I looked into Chubb years ago, and they were far too expensive.
by batpot
Wed Jul 14, 2021 1:25 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Washington State Long Term Care Trust Act - 0.58% payroll tax - $36,500 lifetime maximum benefit
Replies: 1772
Views: 194817

Re: Washington State Long Term Care Trust Act - 0.58% payroll tax - $36,500 lifetime maximum benefit

Edit 7/13: Went with the NY Life plan. Application submitted today. Any thoughts on this plan from Nationwide? Talking to NY Life this week as well. Nationwide No-Lapse Guaranteed UL w/Long-Term Care Rider LTC Benefit Pool / Death Benefit: $100,000 (minimum) Maximum LTC Benefi:t $4,000 per month Minimum LTC Benefit Duration: 25 months / 2 years, 1 month Benefit Type: Indemnity; No inflation protection; 90 day elimination period Return of Premium Benefit: Available for additional cost Guarantees: Benefits and Premium Guaranteed Premium Amount: $154/mo Premium Paying Duration: Paid to age 120 with flexibility available Alternate Premium Option: $223/mo to age 65 only Disability waiver rider: Available for additional cost Not worth it unless ...
by batpot
Wed Jul 14, 2021 1:07 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: More good news for Washington state residents - increased insurance premiums
Replies: 106
Views: 13634

More good news for Washington state residents - increased insurance premiums

I got a letter from Amica stating that because we have a discount due to good credit, our rates will be going up due to incorporation of emergency rule WAC 284-24A-088 and -089.

Naturally this will affect the whole industry, but still might be a good time to shop around...it's never a bad time.
Hard to beat Amica's service and reputation, though.

Some more reading:
https://www.insurance.wa.gov/sites/defa ... le-FAQ.pdf
by batpot
Fri Jun 11, 2021 6:19 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Washington State Long Term Care Trust Act - 0.58% payroll tax - $36,500 lifetime maximum benefit
Replies: 1772
Views: 194817

Re: Washington State Long Term Care Trust Act - 0.58% payroll tax - $36,500 lifetime maximum benefit

Has anybody found a plan that can still be established for people under 40?

Mutual of Omaha now requires you to be at least 40.
by batpot
Fri Jun 11, 2021 1:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What are you listening to now
Replies: 5802
Views: 575210

Re: What are you listening to now

Piglet - Lavaland
1 off math rock EP from some teenagers in Chicago in the early 2000s.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhzlhRmHmQA
by batpot
Fri Jun 11, 2021 12:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Washington State Long Term Care Trust Act - 0.58% payroll tax - $36,500 lifetime maximum benefit
Replies: 1772
Views: 194817

Re: Washington State Long Term Care Trust Act - 0.58% payroll tax - $36,500 lifetime maximum benefit

Rates are going up...or at least the minimum benefit is. LTCI companies know they have a captive audience.

I had 2 quotes on 24-May, one for $350/year, and one for about $300/year (a link to a website, not an in-hand quote).
The website has been updated...what was $300/year one is now $900/year...the benefit is also greater. On 24-May they had a ~$36k policy, now the minimum is $72k.

My company has still said nothing on the matter.
by batpot
Thu May 27, 2021 1:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What are you listening to now
Replies: 5802
Views: 575210

Re: What are you listening to now

And, having a mother, a wife, and daughters, I find the disrespect most rappers show to women via their lyrics is off-putting, to say the least. Agree 100%. But... Most of the best rappers these days are not anti-women. That may have been true 10 or 20 years ago, but not today. I'm going to post a couple rap songs with lyrics. Three different styles of rap. Check them out. i by Kendrick Lamar (with a riff from the Isley Brothers' That Lady : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qhtu-QiVUfs Rainforest by Noname: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B_oESyfV7w Royal We by Run the Jewels: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHxQh4Aqic8 apparently you just really like rap. and apparently, not many people here do. that's not surprising to me.
by batpot
Thu May 27, 2021 1:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Washington State Long Term Care Trust Act - 0.58% payroll tax - $36,500 lifetime maximum benefit
Replies: 1772
Views: 194817

Re: Washington State Long Term Care Trust Act - 0.58% payroll tax - $36,500 lifetime maximum benefit

Kookaburra wrote: Tue May 25, 2021 10:11 am WoW2012- hoping you can chime in on a couple questions re: LTCi policies.

1. If one has a policy, can they cancel anytime by simply not paying their premium? Or is there a process to go through?

2. As follow-up to question #1, is there a penalty fee to cancel?

3. When one applies for LTCi, can they request it start on a specific future date that might be past when it takes to underwrite and approve. For example, apply in June, get approval in September, but request it take effect on Oct 31?

Thank you in advance for your help!
These are excellent questions to ask your agent before you sign up.
by batpot
Tue May 25, 2021 1:27 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Are we in a housing bubble?
Replies: 687
Views: 180668

Re: Are we in a housing bubble?

moneywise3 wrote: Tue May 25, 2021 5:42 am
drk wrote: Mon May 24, 2021 10:13 pm Apparently Miami is averaging 75 days on market. The other end of the spectrum: Denver (5), Seattle (6), and Portland (8).
The homes of interest to us in Central FL stay 16-24 hours on the market. A friend selling his house recently commented "I have almost completed the house selling process, just need to list it"
That's surprising...are there no escalation clauses in FL?
In Western WA, no (smart) realtor sells a home in less than about a week. Typically list on a Wednesday, and select the best offer on the following Tuesday....give or take.
by batpot
Mon May 24, 2021 3:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Washington State Long Term Care Trust Act - 0.58% payroll tax - $36,500 lifetime maximum benefit
Replies: 1772
Views: 194817

Re: Washington State Long Term Care Trust Act - 0.58% payroll tax - $36,500 lifetime maximum benefit

Whakamole wrote: Mon May 24, 2021 3:39 pm For simplified issue, they checks seem to be mostly automated. If it's less expensive to create the policy (especially for the bulk plans that large employers are setting up), with a strong incentive for people to sign for these due to the impending deadline and hassle of a traditional policy, and these policies will be cancelled next year - the insurance company may be turning a profit. I hope they do, at least; they're providing a public service.
Agree, I think this is a massive windfall for the LTCI companies.
by batpot
Mon May 24, 2021 3:33 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Washington State Long Term Care Trust Act - 0.58% payroll tax - $36,500 lifetime maximum benefit
Replies: 1772
Views: 194817

Re: Washington State Long Term Care Trust Act - 0.58% payroll tax - $36,500 lifetime maximum benefit

Is there any reason to not get the cheapest plan possible to opt out of the tax? LTCi was not on my radar yet. I am in my late 30s. The flip side is.. maybe its a reasonable decision to buy a small but reasonable policy that is decent but less than the tax. (Such as one with $100 day benefit for 2 years but with a 2% compound inflation adjustor) If nothing else it has forced people to consider it...but I'm too young. As rates vary by age, rule of thumb I've seen is around 50 years old is the optimal balance between premium, and years of payments. However, the one advantage of the WA plan is you stop paying when you stop getting a W2, while private plans you pay until death. If you're low income, and a little more than 10 years from retirem...
by batpot
Mon May 24, 2021 2:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Interesting article on Self-driving cars
Replies: 21
Views: 1827

Re: Interesting article on Self-driving cars

MarkBarb wrote: Mon May 24, 2021 2:26 pm
HomerJ wrote: Mon May 24, 2021 12:42 pm ...matching the competence of human drivers was elusive...
And that's setting the bar really, really low.
missing the word attentive before "human drivers".
by batpot
Mon May 24, 2021 1:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Interesting article on Self-driving cars
Replies: 21
Views: 1827

Re: Skynet rules

H-Town wrote: Mon May 24, 2021 1:18 pm
Bogle7 wrote: Mon May 24, 2021 12:57 pm In 2012, I predicted that by 2060 it will illegal for humans to drive cars in the USA.
I stand by my prediction.
Umm... by that time, I'm in mid-70s, and get ready to get my brain transplanted into a robot and extend my life forever. I stand by my prediction of "singularity" will happen before I turn 70. I should be in top 1% as far as net worth and can afford however much it cost to extend my life expectancy.

:mrgreen:

And who would care about it's illegal for humans to drive cars in the USA by that time? We should care about whether it's legal for you to fly cars in the USA.
There's a slightly less than 50% chance we're already living in a simulation, so...
by batpot
Thu May 20, 2021 6:56 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: I Bonds Mega Thread (I Bond Heads Rejoice!)
Replies: 6651
Views: 1203885

Re: I Bonds variable rate @ 3.54% in May

drk wrote: Thu May 20, 2021 5:39 pm
batpot wrote: Thu May 20, 2021 5:31 pm I bought some I-bonds in August and October of last year - why are they not reflecting the current rate (show 1.68%)?
Your rates adjusted February 1 and April 1, respectively (table). They'll update to the new rate in August and October.
Thanks, that was my guess.
by batpot
Thu May 20, 2021 5:31 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: I Bonds Mega Thread (I Bond Heads Rejoice!)
Replies: 6651
Views: 1203885

Re: I Bonds variable rate @ 3.54% in May

I bought some I-bonds in August and October of last year - why are they not reflecting the current rate (show 1.68%)?
by batpot
Thu May 20, 2021 4:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Is there any value in a brick and mortar banking relationship in the year 2021 and beyond?
Replies: 54
Views: 4956

Re: Is there any value in a brick and mortar banking relationship in the year 2021 and beyond?

cashing savings bonds
cashing checks in the deceased's name

I have a credit union for most things, but also use online savings accounts, and will probably open a Schwab account for our next over-seas trip.
by batpot
Thu May 20, 2021 1:19 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Washington State Long Term Care Trust Act - 0.58% payroll tax - $36,500 lifetime maximum benefit
Replies: 1772
Views: 194817

Re: Washington State Long Term Care Trust Act - 0.58% payroll tax - $36,500 lifetime maximum benefit

However, from what I've read, there's a single opportunity to opt-out, and a single "check" that you have coverage in order to get approved for an opt-out, so it may not be necessary to maintain the coverage after you've been approved for an opt out. In other words, assuming you pay monthly, you may only need to pay for a few months. The "check" will be done AFTER you've already been approved for the opt-out. The "check" will NOT be done in order to be approved for the opt-out. To be approved for the opt-out all you have to do is give proof of age and "attest" that you purchased long-term care insurance before 11/1/2021. They will not have time in Q4 to determine if you really owned long-term care in...