Search found 260 matches

by hcj
Fri Sep 23, 2016 11:44 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I appeal dental claim denial?
Replies: 27
Views: 3456

Re: Should I appeal dental claim denial?

They are different to me... and I think more people on BH are more precise than the general population. I count myself more among general population. Under 9 or until the child *turns* 9 or until the child's 9th birthday or up to 9 years and 0 days old are clear to me. To me, "up to age 9" means the entire year that you are 9. I think that because this is how people talk. You are 9 until you are 10. "How old are you?" gets an answer of "9" not "9 years, 3 months and 10 days" -- I understand it's not precise but it's how (I at least) think of it in day-to-day life. It's helpful to hear how everyone thinks of it. I think they should word it more precisely for clarity -- "up to the child's 9th birth...
by hcj
Thu Sep 22, 2016 1:07 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bad Supervisor - Involve Union?
Replies: 41
Views: 6845

Re: Bad Supervisor - Involve Union?

I don't have experience with unions but want to say this is a recognized manager type. It's very hard to be in that situation--so sorry you are having to deal with this.

This type of manager takes down their high performers and creates a culture of fear because this is how they think people should be motivated. It's very demoralizing and unfortunately it usually takes the higher ups years to figure out what's happening because the manager is good at managing up and taking all the credit. By then the damage is done and everyone has left the team.

It's encouraging to hear that the union already knows about it. No advice but I hope you can get out from under her soon.
by hcj
Thu Sep 22, 2016 12:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I appeal dental claim denial?
Replies: 27
Views: 3456

Re: Should I appeal dental claim denial?

johnubc wrote:I would very much appeal. Your child is Age 9 until they are not, and will be age 10.
I'm going to use this language in my appeal letter--succinct and exactly what I'm trying to articulate. Thanks :)
by hcj
Thu Sep 22, 2016 12:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I appeal dental claim denial?
Replies: 27
Views: 3456

Re: Should I appeal dental claim denial?

Thank you all for your input! Sounds like I have half a case so I will try.
MondayMorningQB wrote:
It costs you time to appeal. And even when you appeal and they deny again, insurance companies know it's not worth the legal fees to actually hold them responsible. So dm200 it's your call. Four sealants at about $30 each is about $120. How much is your time worth?
Man I am at the wrong dentist or COL is really different here. The sealants are $77 each and I have twins, four sealants per child is $77 x 8 = $616.
by hcj
Thu Sep 22, 2016 10:57 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Audi Service Dealership Cost too high? Where should I take it?
Replies: 39
Views: 61374

Re: Audi Service Dealership Cost too high? Where should I take it?

We found a really great mechanic in our area who specializes in Audis. I would never go back to the dealer after the first 4 included years again. In fact, having this mechanic has really changed how we approach car buying. Now we only buy used Audis so we don't have to find another mechanic.
by hcj
Thu Sep 22, 2016 9:19 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I appeal dental claim denial?
Replies: 27
Views: 3456

Should I appeal dental claim denial?

My kid is 9. Had 4 molars sealed.

Dental insurance denies the claim saying we've aged out. The benefits page says sealants are covered on "children up to age 9." When I called to ask why the claim was denied, customer service rep told me that meant up to their 9th birthday.

1) informal poll: what does "up to age 9" mean to you? I just wonder if most people interpret it the way I did.

2) I think I will write a letter to appeal. Any tips? People I should cc?
by hcj
Wed Sep 21, 2016 12:53 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HDHP vs PPO (baby in 2017) [High Deductible vs. Preferred Provider plans]
Replies: 20
Views: 7538

Re: HDHP vs PPO (baby in 2017) [High Deductible vs. Preferred Provider plans]

are those the in-network deductibles for the PPO plan? Given the higher monthly premiums I am surprised the deductibles are so high! DH and I have had HDHP and PPO options through multiple companies and usually the higher premiums on PPO come with a lower deductible, plus all office visits (not just once a year check up where you're not allowed to ask any questions) are just the cost of the co-pay. If the numbers are right then for sure the HDHP but I would double check the deductible on the PPO because that sounds very unusual. If the PPO turns out to have a lower deductible you may want to consider it. PPO plans typically work out better if you're planning to use a lot of healthcare. Pregnancy = lots of prenatal visits, scans, blood work,...
by hcj
Tue Sep 20, 2016 9:25 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HSA distributions and HIPAA
Replies: 15
Views: 2560

Re: HSA distributions and HIPAA

As far as I know, HIPAA applies to health providers not releasing your medical information without your consent. It does not cover you releasing your own medical information to a bank or whether they can ask you to "voluntarily" provide that information.

That said, I agree with you that they shouldn't ask. Most HSAs don't seem to ask.

Will they allow you to keep the responses in the generic (e.g. "various medical providers for services received in 2015") and in the meantime you can take it up with your employer as well? (Since it is their contract with the HSA and seems something they asked HSA to collect?)
by hcj
Tue Sep 20, 2016 8:52 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Clomid+IUI and IVF Cost Help [In Vitro Fertilization]
Replies: 18
Views: 5114

Re: Clomid+IUI and IVF Cost Help

I hope the clomid works and you don't have to move on to IVF, but if you do:

Do you have to commit to the three cycles for 40k? Can you take it one cycle at a time? Do you get your money back if you are not successful (I'm trying to figure out if that's the reason for choosing the 40k package). If you are successful on the first try, 40k is paying a lot more than you need to.
by hcj
Mon Sep 19, 2016 2:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: High Income/Wealthish annual expenses framework
Replies: 12
Views: 2974

Re: High Income/Wealthish annual expenses framework

I think that is enough money for a "high earner" lifestyle but not for a "different stratosphere" kind of lifestyle. A lot can change depending on who you marry and what your joint expectations for raising children is. I know some folks who need to have one full time live-in domestic worker PER CHILD (need bigger house). They take their helpers with them when they go on vacation (more plane tickets and hotel rooms). Or maybe you'll only need housecleaning help and an occasional babysitter, with no live in's because your wife doesn't like having non-family members in the house. So I guess I just think you're approaching this backwards. You're more than fine. Figure out how much you can safely spend. Then back into that bu...
by hcj
Mon Sep 19, 2016 10:53 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Checkings accounts for automation
Replies: 5
Views: 1081

Re: Checkings accounts for automation

I have bank accounts at three different banks. One online, one big national/good technology and one smaller/more local/more conservative on the tech.

None of them offer a deposit triggered automatic transfer feature.

However, it is pretty easy to do a transfer manually on their app on my phone (for all three, though I like the big national's interface better than the other two).
by hcj
Mon Sep 19, 2016 2:49 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: A personal finance Income Planning Tool (IPT)
Replies: 11
Views: 3635

Re: A personal finance Income Planning Tool (IPT)

I just downloaded it -- thank you for sharing! It's very well laid out.
by hcj
Fri Sep 16, 2016 8:54 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Figuring out a price to offer on a house...
Replies: 39
Views: 4844

Re: Figuring out a price to offer on a house...

I've put in a fair number of lower offers because we were in the market at a time when it was softer. My agent often contacted the listing agent informally to feel things out before we made an offer. We made a significantly lower than list price offer on the house we live in now. It had been on the market for 3 months when we made the offer. Seller countered really close to his asking, we didn't bite, we knew we were too far apart. At the 6 month mark they lost heart and re-contacted us, and we went into contract at the amount we had initially offered. So it does work out sometimes, or at least it did for us. I kind of think my agent may have rung up the other agent every few weeks. On a different house the seller was thorough insulted and ...
by hcj
Fri Sep 16, 2016 2:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HSABank: How to withdraw money and reflect it in taxes?
Replies: 56
Views: 9834

Re: HSABank: How to withdraw money and reflect it in taxes?

I have filed some HSA reimbursement claims. Ours is an online interface and I just go in and request the money to be deposited into my bank account. I do not upload receipts (no place to do that). There is a space to write a memo to myself for record keeping.

At the end of the year they send a tax form that sums up my withdrawals.
by hcj
Sun Sep 11, 2016 12:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Volvo & Audi SUV owners step in here
Replies: 26
Views: 4514

Re: Volvo & Audi SUV owners step in here

Our simplest Audi (a 2001 manual shift A4 without Turbo) runs like a champ. We abuse it and it just keeps going. The engine feels like it runs better now than when we got it.

We bought a 6 year old, 115k miles Allroad wagon (2001 vintage). That one we felt like we spent quite a lot of money on (around 6k). We sold it after 4 years.

Our latest is a 2012 A6 -- just got it 6 months ago. So far so good.

Sorry no specific Audi SUV experience, but we like Audis in general. They're really nice cars to drive and we think the Allroad was an anamoly and had too many bells and whistles that were expensive to replace.
by hcj
Sun Sep 11, 2016 11:21 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Self Employed Expense Tracking
Replies: 7
Views: 946

Re: Self Employed Expense Tracking

I think you need to include the names of the clients.

Also: not sure what kind of real estate and what kind of potential clients, but I've never had drinks/meals with any of my real estate agents... just wondering if audited, if IRS would find it odd. But probably depends on what kind of real estate and what kind of potential clients.
by hcj
Fri Sep 09, 2016 9:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: new iPhone contract structure
Replies: 8
Views: 1840

Re: new iPhone contract structure

Bob B wrote:
Hulk wrote:...It is about time to get a new one but I cant stand having to pay for it.
And the cell phone companies can't stand giving you free phones anymore. What a concept - you want something, you pay for it.
IMHO, either way you are paying for it. They're just building the cost into your monthly plan.
by hcj
Fri Sep 09, 2016 9:37 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: new iPhone contract structure
Replies: 8
Views: 1840

Re: new iPhone contract structure

Verizon still has the subsidized rates... if you sign a 2 year contract you can get the new iPhone for $199.
by hcj
Fri Sep 09, 2016 8:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: help with medical admin tasks, medical tests
Replies: 7
Views: 1221

Re: help with medical admin tasks, medical tests

I know someone who does the medical admin portion. She runs kind of a concierge type service and does bookkeeping also. I don't think she advertises -- it's all word of mouth. Maybe look for someone like that? I'm pretty sure she charges by the hour. I can put you in touch if you can't find anyone local to you -- just PM me.
by hcj
Fri Sep 09, 2016 12:12 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Would it make sense for me to not max out my 401K?
Replies: 71
Views: 10538

Re: Would it make sense for me to not max out my 401K?

In my view the cost of contributing to the taxable account is that you'll shelter less of your income from taxes, i.e. part of the money will go to taxes instead of the whole amount going into your taxable account. Intuit has an app called Taxcaster that will let you plug in some basic numbers and get a rough calculation of how it will affect your taxes. I ran your numbers very roughly (57k income, did not account for anything on your taxable account, single, standard deduction) and think you can bring your marginal tax rate down from 25% to 15% if you contributed 15k to your 401k. (I got the 14k-15k from your number of $1187 max contrib monthly.) The maximum amount for 2016 is $18,000 but you may be limited by your 401k rules of the max % ...
by hcj
Fri Sep 09, 2016 10:45 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Your contribution to employee health care
Replies: 17
Views: 2670

Re: Your contribution to employee health care

I don't know the employee only number, but for employee + family it is $137.50 biweekly or $3575/year.

OP I think you are getting a good deal.
by hcj
Thu Sep 08, 2016 7:29 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Salaried employees: Bill employer for overtime?
Replies: 17
Views: 3060

Re: Salaried employees: Bill employer for overtime?

I don't understand how the other person can be salaried but still "bill overtime". Or how you as a salaried employee would go about billing your weekend overtime as I think you indicated you do regularly. I thought the definition of "salaried" is that you are paid the same amount whether you work 20 hours or 80 hours. Are you sure you're salaried?
by hcj
Thu Sep 08, 2016 9:16 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Social Security [i]: Max SS Earnings, Bend Points, How Many More Years? [USA]
Replies: 42
Views: 13318

Re: Social Security, Max SS Earnings, Bend Points, How Many More Years? [USA]

social security has a worksheet for you to figure out your payments if you want to know how it's calculated. Basically once you qualify for social security (40 quarters of work) you take your yearly earnings, apply an inflation factor by the year in which the income was earned, add it up, and divide by 420 to get a monthly average over 35 years.

Using that number... the first $850 or so, you get 90%.

The next segment up to the second bend point, you get 32%. Anything after that, you get 15%.

So for me... I kind of think everything after the first bend point (90%) is nice to have but not giving up so much that I would keep working for it.
by hcj
Wed Sep 07, 2016 8:28 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What to do after we sell our house? (with the proceeds)
Replies: 16
Views: 3005

Re: What to do after we sell our house? (with the proceeds)

Hello hcj, Your husband will be contributing $18k per year into his 401k. You can both contribute $5500 per year into a Roth IRA. The backdoor Roth IRA that you are talking about only applies when your modified adjusted gross income gets above 193K per year if you file married filing jointly. I believe you won’t have an issue with this as you are going down to one income (about 110kish you said). With your income, it will be borderline possible for you to deduct contributions to Traditional IRA. I personally am in the 15% bracket and we are contributing to Roth IRAs and Roth 457. In your situation, I would have hubby contribute to the Roth 401k if that if available to him. You won’t go wrong with either choice so don’t stress too much abou...
by hcj
Tue Sep 06, 2016 9:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Prospective Employer Wants Salary History & Desired Salary
Replies: 265
Views: 30139

Re: Prospective Employer Wants Salary History & Desired Salary

Am I the only one who lies and just says a number close to what I want them to pay me?

In this case, I'd say my current compensation is $110k but I would like a small bump commensurate with my experience and market value of $120-125k.
by hcj
Tue Sep 06, 2016 7:07 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What to do after we sell our house? (with the proceeds)
Replies: 16
Views: 3005

Re: What to do after we sell our house? (with the proceeds)

Thanks for the advice regarding the tax angle. I have been trying to wrap my head around it for the last few days. I think I just need to do a lot more reading. But wanted to thank you for flagging. For example I had not thought to run my numbers for pre-Social Security withdrawals, living off purely our taxable account, and the result surprised me--even at a high 100K per year of expenses, if that is all from taxable, we would not be taxed at all, not even if I assumed huge capital gains. In that case, is it still important to move money into the Roth IRA? I guess it still makes sense to contribute to the Roth each year that we're eligible (Be taxed 15% on a smaller amount now versus being taxed 15% on a growth-compounded greater amount la...
by hcj
Tue Sep 06, 2016 3:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Convincing spouse to sell losing investment
Replies: 58
Views: 7117

Re: Convincing spouse to sell losing investment

We have no idea why the spouse is not working. Perhaps the spouse is doing child care and also additionally damaging his or her ability to earn money in the future. In which case the OP's earnings really are joint. No one said there was an agreement that the initial property each had before the marriage became joint. If there were, the spouse would have retitled the account in both their names. Agree with this. Another possible scenario: spouse and OP are both from Europe, and made a joint decision for OP to pursue career in the US -- knowing spouse would not have the right to work here. In which case, spouse has given up some financial security and independence because they made a joint decision to invest in OP's career, to both their ben...
by hcj
Tue Sep 06, 2016 12:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What to fill out tax wise for work orientation I-9 forms etc.
Replies: 22
Views: 2408

Re: What to fill out tax wise for work orientation I-9 forms etc.

When I was starting out I put "2" allowances -- one for myself because no one can claim me as a dependent and a second one for being single and only having one job.
by hcj
Tue Sep 06, 2016 11:17 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Convert Rollover IRA to Roth IRA?
Replies: 11
Views: 1893

Re: Convert Rollover IRA to Roth IRA?

Ninnie wrote:Thank you, both. That's very helpful as a starting point.

"Traditional Roth" was a typo- I've corrected it to "Traditional IRA".

I considered rolling into one of the 401ks, but don't know if they'll allow it. Plus they are both with Fidelity and we'd both prefer Vanguard.

What's the logic for not having the taxes automatically deducted if we convert to Roth?
You want to pay taxes with other money not the 20k that you're rolling/converting.
by hcj
Mon Sep 05, 2016 6:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: PDF Split, Merge tool
Replies: 24
Views: 3751

Re: PDF Split, Merge tool

Adobe Acrobat Pro (not Reader)
by hcj
Mon Sep 05, 2016 1:10 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Wellington vs. Total Market and CD's
Replies: 17
Views: 4773

Re: Wellington vs. Total Market and CD's

Rob5TCP wrote:
hcj wrote:Where are there CDs paying 3%? Please share, I would like to have a CD paying 3% but all I can find are ones that pay about half that...
Andrews C.U. 7 year with a 6 month EWP. They've had this for a few months, so I am not sure how much longer it will go on.
Thank you! I see it.
by hcj
Sun Sep 04, 2016 10:23 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Wellington vs. Total Market and CD's
Replies: 17
Views: 4773

Re: Wellington vs. Total Market and CD's

Where are there CDs paying 3%? Please share, I would like to have a CD paying 3% but all I can find are ones that pay about half that...
by hcj
Sun Sep 04, 2016 3:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Apps for spendings tracking
Replies: 7
Views: 1339

Re: Apps for spendings tracking

I use Expensify for work and it has the functionality you're talking about -- ability to take photos of receipts or forward billing emails. Not totally sure about scans.
by hcj
Sun Sep 04, 2016 2:49 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What to do after we sell our house? (with the proceeds)
Replies: 16
Views: 3005

Re: What to do after we sell our house? (with the proceeds)

ralph124cf wrote:Is a ROTH 401(k) available? If so I would take that option instead of the tax deferred 401(k) UNLESS that would put you in the 25% tax bracket.

When you go down to one income, that will free up the other 401(k) for conversion to a ROTH IRA, again up to the top of the 15% tax bracket.

Ralph
Thank you. Will look into Roth 401k at hubby's company.

Re: second point -- Is this the "back door Roth"? If so, unfortunately I (the one quitting work) already have a Rollover IRA from previous jobs I've left -- which I understand would disqualify me from trying the back door Roth.
by hcj
Sun Sep 04, 2016 1:47 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What to do after we sell our house? (with the proceeds)
Replies: 16
Views: 3005

Re: What to do after we sell our house? (with the proceeds)

LadyGeek wrote:When you update your post, bump this thread to let everyone know.

(Don't worry about putting a thread in the wrong forum. It wasn't "wrong" at the time. We'll answer your questions no matter where they're posted. :happy)
Thank you LadyGeek :happy

Original post now updated.
by hcj
Sun Sep 04, 2016 1:47 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What to do after we sell our house? (with the proceeds)
Replies: 16
Views: 3005

Re: What to do after we sell our house? (with the proceeds)

Bogle_Feet wrote:Ticker symbols SPY and BND.
Typical allocation ratio?
120 minus average age of 43.5 = 77.5% stocks / 22.5% bonds
More help on allocation ratio...
https://www.blackrock.com/wte/core-buil ... refType=fi
https://personal.vanguard.com/us/funds/ ... reset=true
http://www.vanguard.com/nesteggcalculator
Thank you. I checked out SPY and BND -- they are ETFs? Are they similar to VG mutual funds VTSAX and VBTLX, but just traded like stocks?

I think you are saying above that you think we should be more in stocks and less in bonds -- FWIW, my husband agrees with you. Thank you for the links.
by hcj
Sun Sep 04, 2016 11:01 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What to do after we sell our house? (with the proceeds)
Replies: 16
Views: 3005

Re: What to do after we sell our house? (with the proceeds)

CppCoder wrote: It's hard to say without knowing more information about the funds available in the 401k. You might want to read this investing priority wiki article:

https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Priorit ... nvestments

Total market funds are tax efficient, and I wouldn't worry too much about tax inefficiency on a bond fund in taxable in the 15% bracket. Here's the wiki article on tax efficient fund placement:

https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Tax-eff ... _placement
Thank you for the wiki article links -- much appreciated. I am working to update my original post with more information. (Sorry -- I started out putting it in Personal Finance because that's how I was thinking of it -- so didn't lay things out portfolio style.)
by hcj
Sun Sep 04, 2016 10:02 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Laid off, bouncing ideas.
Replies: 39
Views: 6489

Re: Laid off, bouncing ideas.

OP here with another question. Nearing the end of Unemployment Insurance. A question when submitting the weekly work search requirement is "Did you turn down any job offer". This week I turned down a job offer but accepted another. Three weeks remain before I begin so I believe it's justified that I continue to collect my UI benefits but does the job refusal put that in jeopardy? Everything I researched shows that if you can prove that it wasn't suitable then you should be okay. Clearly the issue is that it was suitable - I simply accepted another job and am now aiming to collect UI until the start date. Personally I would put "no", as you only said no to that one because you had another offer and you accepted the other...
by hcj
Sat Sep 03, 2016 1:01 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What to do after we sell our house? (with the proceeds)
Replies: 16
Views: 3005

Re: What to do after we sell our house? (with the proceeds)

What will the next living situation be?... Buying another home, downsizing, renting? How were you able to make it in a $110k income with a $500k mortgage and three young kids anyway? In the 15% bracket, the Roth seems like a pretty good way to go. You wouldn't be paying much in taxes on that money, and then tax free growth... Thanks for the input on the Roth. You're right. We shouldn't let the measly tax savings (less than 2k according to taxcaster) sway us! It was just really exciting to see our tax liability go down to under 3k. A bit more background and to answer your questions: We're kind of downsizing in general. Our current income is higher but after we sell the house we are going down to one income. Moving to a paid for house (not t...
by hcj
Sat Sep 03, 2016 11:52 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How do you stop yourself from checking your balances?
Replies: 66
Views: 7858

Re: How do you stop yourself from checking your balances?

I let myself look. I noticed when it's going down I naturally do not want to look. When it's going up I look more.

Either way it doesn't matter because I know I won't change anything. Look but don't touch. :D
by hcj
Sat Sep 03, 2016 11:49 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What to do after we sell our house? (with the proceeds)
Replies: 16
Views: 3005

What to do after we sell our house? (with the proceeds)

EDITED to add info and put in portfolio format Thank you in advance for reading and your input! BH has helped us in so many ways in the last couple of years, I really appreciate your advice. Our situation is that we are selling our house in a few months and moving into another (paid for) house. We have not saved a lot *for retirement*, we had focused on paying off the house. We are now pulling that money out and putting it into taxable for retirement. Edit #2: wife (me) is currently employed but will leave work after house is sold. I already have Rollover IRA accounts from converting previous 401k's, therefore, to my understanding I cannot do back door Roth conversion. We would like to think everything through ahead of time--hence this post...
by hcj
Thu Sep 01, 2016 11:10 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Living will/trust for wife and step children
Replies: 8
Views: 1442

Re: Living will/trust for wife and step children

When we did our wills and living trust, one thing that took me by surprise (though it shouldn't have) is that I have my will and my husband has his. They are two separate documents and we each had final say over our own. One option our lawyer told us about, is, on the first spouse's death, to divide the property into your half and your spouse's half. Let's say you die first and she survives you. Your half could go into a trust and your spouse could be the beneficiary of the income from that trust (so she can continue to be supported by the income from the rental properties, live in the primary residence, etc). When she dies, her half goes to her heirs as she has in her will. Your half -- the principle should remain if your spouse has only h...
by hcj
Wed Aug 31, 2016 10:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Resigning from a job: best practices and advice?
Replies: 111
Views: 18544

Re: Resigning from a job: best practices and advice?

At my last few jobs you got paid through your last day at work (so if they walked you out the same day, that's the last day you got paid). And insurance was good for the rest of the calendar month. Seems like (from above replies) that this varies by company?
by hcj
Wed Aug 31, 2016 6:36 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Resigning from a job: best practices and advice?
Replies: 111
Views: 18544

Re: Resigning from a job: best practices and advice?

I usually book a meeting with my manager (or just walk in if they look free) and say "I got a really great job offer and I'm going to take it." There's some back and forth and conversation so you would work in something positive about the team/manager/company. If appropriate you could ask if they want you to work on a transition plan, but you have to see how they react first (because as PPs mentioned, sometimes its policy to walk you out immediately). Last day can be up for discussion, if you're open to staying longer than two weeks you would discuss that as well. I then follow up with the written resignation via email including the agreed-on last day. At places I've worked, it's customary to send a goodbye email on your last day ...
by hcj
Tue Aug 30, 2016 7:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Estate planning options for tricky family situation
Replies: 28
Views: 4391

Re: Estate planning options for tricky family situation

Sure, your father can structure his will and trust however he wants, but I can imagine a lot of ill feelings will result from this. Is your father willing to discuss this with your brother, so he can at least explain everything while he is around to answer questions?
by hcj
Mon Aug 29, 2016 8:46 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: can one accurately time the purchase of one's home?
Replies: 9
Views: 1666

Re: can one accurately time the purchase of one's home?

I think down cycles are recognizable and you can buy in a down cycle. You can't pick the absolute bottom but best case you can buy when it starts to come back up a little, worst case you can at least buy somewhere within the down part of the cycle. I'm in California. A complete cycle is many years long so you have lots of time to act. I look at the average days on market and relationship between the price sellers are asking and the final purchase price. Also sales volume and general price trends (by neighborhood, per square foot). if you live here you'll know when you're in the down years. There's all those other factors when it's your primary residence though. Like you have to live somewhere so there is the cost of rent. Or if you already ...
by hcj
Mon Aug 29, 2016 8:26 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buying house near church
Replies: 68
Views: 12257

Re: Buying house near church

You've described my house almost exactly. Here, Saturdays don't seem different but Sundays we'll get some traffic. It's not too bad and they're good about not blocking driveways. Funny thing is they won't park in the parking lot, most people park on the street. I don't know if they're saving the parking lot for late comers or what. There is another church group that utilizes the same space Sunday afternoons. Also the Boy Scouts meet here. More cars at Christmas and the period leading up to Easter (Lent). Still all very manageable. We have the church bells every hour. They don't bother me but you definitely hear them. So for us the only thing is, twice a year they do a big garage sale. On the days of the garage sale the parking and traffic o...
by hcj
Sun Aug 28, 2016 11:58 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Advice for unemployed 64-year old broke friend
Replies: 87
Views: 16502

Re: Advice for unemployed 64-year old broke friend

He's eligible for Soc Sec and he's sitting on a rent controlled apartment. Subletting/getting a roommate will probably cover his entire rent if he's had the rent control for a while. I know, he won't want anyone in his space. Just as no job sounds good. But fact is, he has options if/when things get bad enough for him to do something. Hard to lead someone there, they have to get there on their own. Don't give him any more money. He has options, he's not exercising them.
by hcj
Sat Aug 27, 2016 8:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Employer car lease
Replies: 4
Views: 823

Re: Employer car lease

What does that mean, he would "expense it to you"? Does it mean your salary will be reduced by the amount of the car lease payments, thereby lowering your taxable income?
by hcj
Sat Aug 27, 2016 1:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What to do with $50k?
Replies: 19
Views: 2796

Re: What to do with $50k?

I made a spreadsheet calculating how much of my monthly payment goes towards principal and how much towards interest as I threw extra payments at the principle. It was oddly satisfying. :D