Search found 251 matches

by Webfoot
Sat Nov 12, 2022 1:43 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What are my TIP notes worth... should I keep them?
Replies: 5
Views: 742

Re: What are my TIP notes worth... should I keep them?

vineviz wrote: Thu Nov 10, 2022 3:06 pm I'm also not sure why anyone at Vanguard suggested selling these. Unless they represent a big portion of your wealth, I wouldn't give them any more thought and just hold them until they mature.
Oddly enough this was a one time meeting with a Vanguard planning advisor this week. They are not big piece of my portfolio.
by Webfoot
Sat Nov 12, 2022 1:36 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What are my TIP notes worth... should I keep them?
Replies: 5
Views: 742

Re: What are my TIP notes worth... should I keep them?

billyt wrote: Thu Nov 10, 2022 1:27 pm To get a general idea what they are worth you can look them up, for example, on the Wall Street Journal TIPS website.

Thank for that info.
by Webfoot
Thu Nov 10, 2022 1:09 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What are my TIP notes worth... should I keep them?
Replies: 5
Views: 742

What are my TIP notes worth... should I keep them?

Years ago (2004 and 2008) it was recommend I purchase TIP notes. I bought two in my IRA and they come up for maturity in 2025 and 2028. I have never understood them or what they are worth.

- US TREASURY NOTE INFLATION INDEX NOTE CPN 2.375 % MTD 2025-01-15 DTD 2004-07-15
- US TREASURY NOTE INFLATION INDEX NOTE CPN 1.750 % MTD 2028-01-15 DTD 2008-01-15

In talking to someone at Vanguard they suggested I may want to sell (not sure why). My questions are:

1. What are they worth (or yield)?

2. Should I sell now before they mature and why... or is that a bad idea?

3. How do you sell TIP notes before maturity and do you lose dollars by selling early?

Thanks
by Webfoot
Mon Jun 20, 2022 9:34 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard website would not let me transfer money from cash reserves to my bank
Replies: 7
Views: 1978

Vanguard website would not let me transfer money from cash reserves to my bank

I have plenty of cash in my VMRXX fund. I mean a lot. Went to transfer (Transact) a small amount to my bank. Got this message:

This transaction can't be entered online because funds are currently due on this account. Please call us at 800-992-8327 if you have questions.

Called number and no one is there. Message was to leave my phone number.

Confused as I am a flagship customer, large amount of $, long term customer and have done this before many times. Now shut out on both the website and by phone with no person or a credible explanation.

Hmmmmm......
by Webfoot
Mon Feb 21, 2022 1:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Social Security crossover point and what the math showed me
Replies: 73
Views: 8661

Social Security crossover point and what the math showed me

I am age 67 and am contemplating starting Social Security now. My question... why wait? I plotted a simple year by year cumulative net worth for just Social Security payout for four cases... start at age 67, 68, 69 or 70. I used my actual SS estimated payout data. The vertical axis is cumulative net worth and the horizontal axis is age. The graph showed all four straight lines for the four cases, converging (or crossing over) at age 84. This says I would have to live longer than age 84 to financially come out ahead (i.e. have a higher cumulative net worth). That is, if you start payout now at age 67, up to age 84 you are financially ahead. Do I really think I will live past 84? The statistics and my family history say no and a risky gamble....
by Webfoot
Mon Jul 12, 2021 12:35 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How does the math work for Total Bond fund if interest rates increase 1%, 2% or 3%?
Replies: 84
Views: 11685

Re: How does the math work for Total Bond fund if interest rates increase 1%, 2% or 3%?

...if interest rates are basically at the bottom and can only go up does that mean my bonds holdings will either stay flat or go down?... When stocks go down, don't you expect them to come up again? This is true of bonds, too, but with a big difference: an individual bond is guaranteed to do so, on schedule . There is a guaranteed rebound. And while it is down, it continues to pay the same number of dollars in interest as it did before. In a bond fund there are no guarantees but there is a strong tendency, much stronger and reliable than there is with a stock fund. It is true that if interest rates go up, bonds go down, but it is a short-term effect. Maybe 10% to 20%? The rule for the short-term effect is that bonds will go down by the dur...
by Webfoot
Mon Jul 05, 2021 7:44 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How does the math work for Total Bond fund if interest rates increase 1%, 2% or 3%?
Replies: 84
Views: 11685

Re: How does the math work for Total Bond fund if interest rates increase 1%, 2% or 3%?

I am a little slow on the reply and really appreciate the input. Here is what got me started. I watched Wealthtrack (a very good show with Consuelo Mack showing you the range of 'experts'). Two weeks ago was Jason Zweig which I thought was excellent. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vKYy4DvfDY&ab_channel=WealthTrack This last week it was Jeremey Grantham, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c13O6Amn1lQ&ab_channel=WealthTrack ,which was weird (3 asset classes peaking) and recommends a portfolio of 70% emerging and 30% cash (I saw the other thread on this). But it did get me thinking about bonds. As I age and move more $ from stocks into bonds, I was thinking... if interest rates are basically at the bottom and can only go up does that me...
by Webfoot
Sun Jul 04, 2021 1:27 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How does the math work for Total Bond fund if interest rates increase 1%, 2% or 3%?
Replies: 84
Views: 11685

How does the math work for Total Bond fund if interest rates increase 1%, 2% or 3%?

So if you are holding $10K of Vanguard Total Bond fund... and interest rates go up 1%, 2% or 3%... what is the new value of the Bond fund (and what is the simple math behind this)?
by Webfoot
Sat Jun 19, 2021 4:40 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How much Small Cap is the Total Stock Market fund?
Replies: 18
Views: 3192

Re: How much Small Cap is the Total Stock Market fund?

What got me going on this is I wanted to sell some stock with an eye on simplifying. I have the main Vanguard pillars of Total Stock and Total Bond funds but also have a IJS Small Cap fund for at least 10 years which has gone up to 8% of my portfolio.

So...

1) Is tilting with Small Cap still in favor'?.. maybe it never was...
2) How much tilt? 5% or just get out of it?

I think I remember a Vanguard Advisor who did the freebie portfolio review many years ago saying there is enough Small Cap in the Total Stock market and don't really need a separate fund (I would need to check my notes on that).
by Webfoot
Sat Jun 19, 2021 2:10 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How much Small Cap is the Total Stock Market fund?
Replies: 18
Views: 3192

Re: How much Small Cap is the Total Stock Market fund?

livesoft wrote: Sat Jun 19, 2021 1:42 pm Definition of "small-cap" depends on who is doing the defining, but a Morningstar 9-box style grid showing percentages can be found at morningstar.com under the portfolio tab and also click on "weight" and not "map"
https://www.morningstar.com/funds/xnas/vtsax/portfolio
Thank you!!
by Webfoot
Sat Jun 19, 2021 1:39 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How much Small Cap is the Total Stock Market fund?
Replies: 18
Views: 3192

How much Small Cap is the Total Stock Market fund?

How do I find out a percentage or the weighting of how much Small Cap is in the Vanguard Total Stock Market fund?
by Webfoot
Sat Mar 13, 2021 2:53 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Confused. Which of these two cash funds to use? VMMXX or Federal Settlement fund?
Replies: 7
Views: 2975

Re: Confused. Which of these two cash funds to use? VMMXX or Federal Settlement fund?

So...

- my VMMXX shares will be automatically converted to VMRXX?
- and my Federal Settlement Fund is actually VFMXX

And the consensus is to move out of Vanguard money market s to a bank CD or high yield savings for FDIC and .3% yield improvement?

What if you have Capital One and are maxed out at the FDIC limit?
by Webfoot
Sat Mar 13, 2021 12:37 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Confused. Which of these two cash funds to use? VMMXX or Federal Settlement fund?
Replies: 7
Views: 2975

Confused. Which of these two cash funds to use? VMMXX or Federal Settlement fund?

Need help on deciding which Vanguard fund to use for holding long term cash. Are they both about equal? Earlier this year my accounts were converted to the brokerage model. Over time my Vanguard Prime Money Market fund was turned into a Vanguard Cash Reserves Federal Money Market (VMMXX). I also have a Vanguard Federal Money Market Settlement fund (maybe 2 or 3 trades per year). In talking to Vanguard, I asked why the two funds exist as they seem to do the same thing and they were not sure. I only withdraw cash about 2 or 3x year. The Vanguard agent seemed interested in having me transfer funds from VMMXX to the Settlement fund… not sure why. Simplicity is the goal. Which fund to use for long term cash? Comments on the stuff below and if tr...
by Webfoot
Tue Sep 18, 2018 1:03 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard Advisor suggesting 7 Bond funds for my 40%
Replies: 44
Views: 8217

Re: Vanguard Advisor suggesting 7 Bond funds for my 40%

OP here with some followup... Last week I received 'Vanguards Plan' 4 days before the review. Yesterday I had the review with the Vanguard advisor who was polite and very nice. The 'plan' provided was 34 pages in length and detailed. But ultimately a precursor for Vanguard suggesting they could manage my accounts for a quarterly fee. I was upfront saying I intended to self manage but wanted simplicity. I was hoping to get a '2nd' updated plan based on our discussion but they said they could not do this because it did not fit the Vanguard model. Vanguard was very nice and I appreciate their insight... but I also knew I could manage my portfolio easily and cheaply. Thanks to all who responded and especially... - Taylor Larimore - yes for simp...
by Webfoot
Sun Sep 16, 2018 1:34 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard Advisor suggesting 7 Bond funds for my 40%
Replies: 44
Views: 8217

Re: Vanguard Advisor suggesting 7 Bond funds for my 40%

OP here... Age 64 and retired. They did the portfolio projection to age 100 (not sure why... very optimistic!). I was out of my element when 7 bond funds were listed as I was unfamiliar with most of the funds or the mechanics (...do tax-exempt bonds gain that much in a high network taxable account... I live in a state with a 9% state tax). Regard reply... Whose classification comments are these: - 'Short term Muni', - 'Fed Tax Ex', - 'Municipals 6-10 yrs'. If advisor's: I would say by just showing such inconsistent terms to describe the funds he shows lack of consistency and professionalism. For example: - why use 3 different terms to describe the products: (a) 'munis', (b) 'fed tax ex', (c) 'municipals'. - why use inconsistent adjectives t...
by Webfoot
Sun Sep 16, 2018 12:19 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard Advisor suggesting 7 Bond funds for my 40%
Replies: 44
Views: 8217

Vanguard Advisor suggesting 7 Bond funds for my 40%

Decided to have Vanguard look at my all Vanguard portfolio (60% stock/40% bonds) with a push for simplification. The proposed stock changes I understand. For bonds, I previously only had 3 Vanguard bond 'funds'. Mostly the Total Bond Market Index fund, GNMA fund and one Treasury Note (TIPs). The suggestion from the Vanguard advisor is to remove the Total Bond Fund & GNMA fund and and replace with 7 Vanguard bond funds. After researching this, I can understand how slicing and dicing bonds can be clever, but cannot tell if the added complexity would provided better yield and safety than using a 2 or 3 Bond funds or just Total Bond Market Index fund. 3 of the bond funds are tax-exempt for my higher network taxable account (others are all i...
by Webfoot
Thu Jan 18, 2018 2:12 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Dividends vs Capital Gains on Total Stock Market not reinvested
Replies: 4
Views: 937

Dividends vs Capital Gains on Total Stock Market not reinvested

Need some schooling... I set up my Total Stock Market fund VTSAX (a long time ago) to put the Dividends into my Bank of America (B of A) savings account (which it does). In looking at the Fund profile is says both Dividends and Capital Gains are going to my B of A savings account (I have not sold and shares in the VTSAX fund). 1) Are there really Capital Gains going to my B of A account.... or just Dividends? Confused as I thought Capital Gains were only realized when sold? 2) Is there a way to look at the 2017 YTD VTSAX data and tell separately what is the Dividend and Capital Gain return? 3) That is, if at the beginning of the year 1 share of VTSAX is $100 and the end of the year it is $106 that has paid 2% dividend does this mean. $2 wen...
by Webfoot
Sun Jan 07, 2018 1:25 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Questions on exchanging between Vanguard IRA funds and tax implication
Replies: 5
Views: 722

Questions on exchanging between Vanguard IRA funds and tax implication

Trying to simplify my Vanguard IRA funds and understand the tax implications. I have two Vanguard IRA holdings:

- Traditional IRA that has 3 existing funds...VIGRX, VFINX and Prime Money Market.

- Rollover IRA with a Total Bond fund.

Questions...

1) Can I open a Total Bond Fund in the Traditional IRA and exchange/transfer in the 3 existing funds with no tax penalties?

2) Can I just transfer the 3 existing funds from the Traditional IRA to the Rollover IRA with no tax penalties?

Thanks
by Webfoot
Wed Jan 03, 2018 6:58 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How does the IRA Required Minimum Distribution work for those over 70.5?
Replies: 4
Views: 1073

How does the IRA Required Minimum Distribution work for those over 70.5?

Lets say you have 4 Vanguard funds in your IRA (Total Stock, Total Bond, International and Prime Money) and you now turn 70.5...

1) Is there a Required Minimum Distribution for each separate fund? Or is it a lump sum and you can pick which fund you want to draw from?

2) For planning purposes, how do you calculate or 'ballpark' the RMD amount?

3) How far in advance are you notified of the RMD amount you need to withdraw for 2018? March? June? Sept? Dec?

Thanks
by Webfoot
Mon May 23, 2016 6:49 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Does Vanguard handle CDs or CD ladders?
Replies: 3
Views: 1189

Re: Does Vanguard handle CDs or CD ladders?

So if not Vanguard, who is the easiest to deal with online? I want convenience more so than squeaking out .1%

If just one institution, does that mean I can only max out at $250K for FDIC coverage?

But if more than $250K, do I need more than one institution to get my CDs with FDIC?

And while I am on this topic of CDs, whats the optimum CD period (I don't need the money now)... 2-3 years?
by Webfoot
Mon May 23, 2016 6:41 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: A toughie... Trust and Will but no one to ask... what to do?
Replies: 12
Views: 1847

Re: A toughie... Trust and Will but no one to ask... what to do?

Are there specific firms or businesses that do this and with a good history? Just wanted to make sure I am not missing out considering some well respected business or agency that does this. My thoughts up to this point were to find a lawyer (for fiduciary responsibilities) in the last 10 years of my life (whenever that is) AND who is 40 years younger (so they have not retired). But that could be unreasonably expensive. Regarding a previous question on compensation, I recently was an executor for a very complex situation. I was told by the lawyer that I could compensate my self by tracking hours and using some 'fair' hourly rate. Since other people needed the money more, I did not do this. But it was a huge amount of time on my behalf. The s...
by Webfoot
Mon May 23, 2016 2:28 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: A toughie... Trust and Will but no one to ask... what to do?
Replies: 12
Views: 1847

A toughie... Trust and Will but no one to ask... what to do?

What do you do in the situation of no kids or family relatives to act as Power of Attorney or Trustee/Executor. Plenty of friends our age but that seems risky as when we get into our later years they may not be around or capable.

So much of the POA and Trustee is based around trust, decency, due diligence etc

What would you do?
by Webfoot
Mon May 23, 2016 2:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 62 later this year... social security?
Replies: 28
Views: 3406

62 later this year... social security?

My wife and I are turning 62 and wondering what we need to due regarding social security.

We don't really need the money now and can probably wait until 70 I've read that can be more optimum if you think you will live longer.

If we wanted to wait until 70, what are the mechanics engaging with Social Security?

Do I need to do this now?

Do I call them? Get forms on-line?

Thanks
by Webfoot
Mon May 23, 2016 2:17 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Does Vanguard handle CDs or CD ladders?
Replies: 3
Views: 1189

Does Vanguard handle CDs or CD ladders?

I have my 40% in cash and need to put it into the Total Bond Fund and CDs.

Does Vanguard sell CDs that you can buy and renew online or through their brokerage service?
by Webfoot
Wed Mar 19, 2014 5:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Prepayment Penalties and House Loans
Replies: 5
Views: 660

Prepayment Penalties and House Loans

1) If you borrow 100K, 200K or 300K as part of a house purchase... are there any loans or banks that have zero prepayment penalties?

2) If prepayment penalties, what is going the rate if you pay off any of the above amounts in 1 to 2 years?

While I have available money in an IRA, I would pay outrageously high taxes to get it out all once.
by Webfoot
Thu Sep 06, 2012 12:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Cashing in 30 yr EE Bonds early
Replies: 6
Views: 1004

Cashing in 30 yr EE Bonds early

I happend to be a trustee for EE bonds (30 year) that do not mature until the year 2023 (12 years from now). They deposit to a savings account. There are 4 bonds each at $10K.

Can you cash in early?

How do you do that?

What is the financial downside for cashing in now?

Thanks
by Webfoot
Wed Jul 25, 2012 11:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Executor and how to disperse funds for a Living Trust
Replies: 5
Views: 3413

Executor and how to disperse funds for a Living Trust

I am the executor of my family’s trust. Both parents have passed away and now I need to transition from caring for my parents to being the executor. The Living Trust includes property, CDs, Bonds, Mutual Funds and Pensions etc. However when I talked to the lawyer about the process and details, the answers seemed vague. There are two beneficiaries. Myself and one sibling. The lawyer basically said something like: Wait 120 days for no contest of the will. Then basically disburse cash on the honor system and keep good records and the lawyer does not need to be involved. My mom passed away first and we worked up a detailed valuation of the Trust at that point. Then my father passed away a year and a half later and it seems there is no need to w...
by Webfoot
Tue Mar 15, 2011 5:36 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Get Motivated - Stock Picking Software... scam?
Replies: 8
Views: 4548

Yup... thanks for the confirmation. I completely agree that the software is a rip. I am amazed at how many big names are associated with these seminars. Are these speaker egos in that much of need of adulation and have not done their homework on what this organization is pitching?
by Webfoot
Tue Mar 15, 2011 4:41 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Get Motivated - Stock Picking Software... scam?
Replies: 8
Views: 4548

Get Motivated - Stock Picking Software... scam?

My wife saw all these ads for a big Get Motivated seminar with Colin Powell, Rudy Giulianai, Laura Bush, Steve Forbes, Bill Cosby and 5 others etc. Impressive line up. Tickets were $1.99 each. She was pretty excited to get motivated and seeing Laura Bush. So we attended. Did not seem to be very structured around Motivational stuff. Pretty much free form presentations (I found the exact presentations on youtube done by these speakers 2 years earlier). But entertaining nonetheless. At 11:00 am they had their first sales presenter pitch (I think Alan Anders... but was not on the advertised list of speakers) for finance software (Wealth Magazine) for picking stocks (maybe something like investools?). Then around 3 pm they had a 2nd guy (James S...
by Webfoot
Thu Dec 02, 2010 7:08 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: I forgot... why not to sell stocks around Dec?
Replies: 5
Views: 1851

I forgot... why not to sell stocks around Dec?

What was the reason for not wanting to sell stocks or index funds around Dec?

Is it something about when they pay dividends... the risk of missing out on dividend payouts?
by Webfoot
Mon Nov 29, 2010 5:19 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Where to get old coins appraised/sold?
Replies: 8
Views: 2136

Any walk in shops for getting an assessment on the west coast (Seattle, Portland, Sacramento, Santa Clara, Los Angeles)?
by Webfoot
Fri Nov 26, 2010 7:28 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Where to get old coins appraised/sold?
Replies: 8
Views: 2136

Where to get old coins appraised/sold?

Part of an estate I am handling has a collection of old coins (mostly US).

How do get I these appraised and sold?

Any place on the west coast?

Also if you have foreign currency... any place to cash in?
by Webfoot
Sat Oct 30, 2010 2:54 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Very tricky out of state Car Title & Insurance question
Replies: 3
Views: 1049

Very tricky out of state Car Title & Insurance question

Okay here goes...

My parents live in another state but my Mom just passed away
- Car registration is in parents trust
- My dad does not drive and is in a wheel chair
- My mom had car insurance and they will honor for six months
- I have power of attornery, executor, trust owner ability etc
- The car is driven by people in another state to take Dad to doctors etc

So... want to keep the car and have the care giver be able to drive my dad around (both in another state from me).

What to do about?

1. CAR TITLE... leave as is in parent trust (transfer trust asset to me but still in trust)?

2.) CAR INSURANCE... how do I get insurance coverage for the car and driver? Not needed if other person who drives has insurance (but car is not covered?)?
by Webfoot
Sat Oct 30, 2010 10:12 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Estate Taxes for 2011
Replies: 12
Views: 2707

Estate Taxes for 2011

Whats the status?

If nothing is done... does it go back to $1m per person before tax and then a staggering 55% tax?

Any hope for something better?
by Webfoot
Wed Oct 27, 2010 6:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How are things handled outside of a Trust or no benificiary?
Replies: 4
Views: 956

How are things handled outside of a Trust or no benificiary?

I am a the trustee for my parents (and one has recently passed). What happens if my remaining parent passes and things are outside of the trust? - IRAS - They may have IRAs and did not designate beneficiaries (I have learned that IRAs cannot be put in a trust) - LIFE INSURANCE - They have Life insurance but maybe no beneficiaries (can life insurance be put in a trust?) - BANK ACCOUNTS - They have a bank account that is not in the trust and no beneficiary They believed in diversification and have about 25 separate investments between bank accounts, IRAs, CDs, stocks, LTC, Life Insurance etc. Plus the records span about 30 years and not sure what is current etc. I am somewhat overwhelmed with all the little pieces and I suspect many items are...
by Webfoot
Fri Aug 13, 2010 10:27 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Long Term Care policy... is it a good thing?
Replies: 16
Views: 3349

Thanks everyone for the posts. And thanks to nisiprius... you have provided a lot of thoughtful and detailed posts for many.
by Webfoot
Wed Aug 11, 2010 5:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Long Term Care policy... is it a good thing?
Replies: 16
Views: 3349

How do you buy?

Who are the big providers that will be around 30 years from now?
by Webfoot
Mon Aug 09, 2010 10:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Long Term Care policy... is it a good thing?
Replies: 16
Views: 3349

I will search the threads... but what does self insured me?
by Webfoot
Mon Aug 09, 2010 6:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Long Term Care policy... is it a good thing?
Replies: 16
Views: 3349

I am going under the assumption it is something we should get... but the question is from who and whats a 'good policy' cost wise (and why).
by Webfoot
Mon Aug 09, 2010 1:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Long Term Care policy... is it a good thing?
Replies: 16
Views: 3349

Long Term Care policy... is it a good thing?

What are the thoughts on long term care policy... is it a good thing (cost/benefit)?

Who would you buy from that will be around 30 years from now when you need it?

Are premiums for the next 30 years fixed in advance or is it a surprise each year on what you would pay?

If you have a pre-existing condition, can you still get LTC?
by Webfoot
Sat Aug 07, 2010 3:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Care strategy for ailing parent
Replies: 12
Views: 2328

Some of my 'researching' has come up with $22/hr for in home care; $220 for 12 hrs a day care and $240 for 24 hrs a day care (and you provide bed and food for the nightly care provider). For one year, this comes out to:

- 4 hrs/day would be $32K/yr
- 8 hrs/day would be $64K/yr
- 12rs/day would be $80K/yr
- 24 hrs/day would be $96K/yr

Covalescent facilities I don't have a very good handle on... sounds like around $6 to $7k/year or $72 to $84K/year and these are in shared room facilities. Besides meals and bathroom support, not sure what is else covered.

Do these costs sound right?

Any other cost models?
by Webfoot
Sat Aug 07, 2010 8:54 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Busting bonds' bubble
Replies: 46
Views: 6037

I have been wondering what 'good' financial advisers would do if you gave them a hunk of cash. Would they put 40% in bonds today regardless of age or horizon?
by Webfoot
Thu Aug 05, 2010 12:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Care strategy for ailing parent
Replies: 12
Views: 2328

Care strategy for ailing parent

If you had a parent in another state that is in a hospital and will be pretty much bed ridden (meals need to be brought to them and bedpan usage the norm)... what are the best options?

- keep at home with daytime care
- keep at home with 24 home care
- live in home for 24 hr care (near impossible to find)
- move into a convalescent home
- move them to your state for local care
- move them to your state to live with you

More details...

- Desire of parent is to stay at home (if reasonable)
- Care agencies using multiple people to provide (so trust, security and familiarity issues).

What is the going cost for home care versus convalescent facilities?
by Webfoot
Tue Aug 03, 2010 11:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestions for a 'good' MP3 player...
Replies: 12
Views: 2238

Suggestions for a 'good' MP3 player...

No extras... just...

- 2 G and preferrably 4 G of memory
- Easy load (drag and drop) and no itunes os
- Easy to access and play tunes or folders
- Good sound, reliable
- Long battery life

All the obvious I guess (I have searched amazon reviews)

Thanks
by Webfoot
Fri Jul 30, 2010 12:05 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: FDIC overview needed
Replies: 3
Views: 862

Great link.. so to answer most of my questions except for the last one...

1 yes permanent... until someone changes their mind
2 all (assuming banks dont offer mutual funds or bonds)
3 only on what the bank offers
4 technically yes more but its specialty items like IRA and trusts
5 yes.. its $250k at each insured bank as many banks as you want
6 my only open question... does Vanguard provide multi bank laddered CDs... don't know
by Webfoot
Thu Jul 29, 2010 11:29 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: FDIC overview needed
Replies: 3
Views: 862

FDIC overview needed

Can anyone provide a FDIC update...

1. I know its $250K but is this temporary or now permanent?

2. What all does it cover?
- CDs?
- Checking?
- Savings/Money Market
- IRA anything (funds)?

3. What does it not cover?


4. $Is this $250K per all accounts summed at one bank or per individual account at one bank?

5. Exceeding $250K
- Can you ladder so if 3 CDs at $200K each you can have $600K FDIC insurance but requires being at 3 different banks

6. Can Vanguard provide laddered CDs like in comment #5 above for much higher FDIC levels?
by Webfoot
Thu Jul 29, 2010 8:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Faxing appears to be incredibly inexpensive
Replies: 9
Views: 1619

To add insult to injury, all of files are PDF'ed and could be easily emailed... except they accept emails.

Plan A

So whats a good copier/scanner/faxer/printer machine?

Plan B

Whats a good automated feed scanner only machine?
by Webfoot
Thu Jul 29, 2010 8:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Faxing appears to be incredibly inexpensive
Replies: 9
Views: 1619

Faxing appears to be incredibly inexpensive

I have big documents that are going to multiple agencies that say the only accept faxes. Not having a fax machine I called the local Fedex office. $2.50 for the first page and $2.00 for each successive page for long distance (state to state).

For example, a 50 page document would cost $102.50.

Crikey!

Its cheaper if I bought a fax machine.

Am I missing something?
by Webfoot
Thu Jul 29, 2010 2:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Verizon going away and Frontier arriving...
Replies: 20
Views: 3712

So if gmail...

- do you get spam or ads?

- does it have a spam blocker or filter for non-address emails to put in folder?

- and free? whats the catch?