Search found 1871 matches

by HIinvestor
Sun Mar 17, 2024 6:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How much long term care might you need?
Replies: 31
Views: 2266

Re: How much long term care might you need?

My aunt paid for LTCi for many many decades. Sj3 was a never smoker but diagnosed with aggressive lung cancer. She tried but was unsuccessful in getting insurer to pay anything for benefits until the last month of her very painful end of life. She had to have loved ones help provide care. She supposedly had a “good” policy
by HIinvestor
Sun Mar 17, 2024 2:07 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How much long term care might you need?
Replies: 31
Views: 2266

Re: How much long term care might you need?

Costs vary GREATLY, depending on where you live and what’s available. For my mom, we paid >$24k/month for 24/7 companions plus $7000/month for her independent unit in CCRC. This was >$30k/month total. $100k would have covered a bit over 3 months. Just saying, you have to see what costs may be in your area and what you may need instead of believing national averages.
by HIinvestor
Sat Mar 16, 2024 1:48 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dumped from PT due to low Medicare reimbursements?
Replies: 59
Views: 3776

Re: Dumped from PT due to low Medicare reimbursements?

Have you reached out to your surgeon and asked him to refer you to a new PT office? It sounds like you and the surgeon agree you need and benefit from more treatment but this provider doesn’t want to provide it for whatever reasons. I’d definitely contact your surgeon asap with the problems you are encountering in continuing your PT. The surgeon should have suggestions on other good PT provider that can help. That said, sadly, there is a shortage of great PTs and that MAY be part of the problem. H and I and D have been having PT for some years now. We really appreciate the benefits and our PT has never discharged us from care. Like any provider, PTs are NOT required to continue providing service for a patient they no longer wish to treat. I...
by HIinvestor
Thu Mar 14, 2024 12:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Happy Pi Day! (And what pie?)
Replies: 54
Views: 4544

Re: Happy Pi Day! (And what pie?)

Our local market is giving away free slices of chocolate haupia pie. I plan to get myself a slice today. Yum. Will also go to my fav pie-maker and buy some pies from her and a few quiches from Costco for a meeting tonight.

My friend wanted hot pizza and I have decided it will not work out with all the driving to pick up and drop off folks to also get hot pizza for meeting. Quiche at whatever temperature it is!
by HIinvestor
Wed Mar 13, 2024 7:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: BCBS and Costco Hearing Aids
Replies: 2
Views: 403

Re: BCBS and Costco Hearing Aids

When my H and parents got their hearing aids, we just sent the paperwork that Costco helped complete to BCBS with Costco receipt and BCBS reimbursed a portion of the costs. Of course, contact your insurer about how to get appropriate paperwork and steps completed for optimal reimbursement.

For us, there was no need for pre-auth.
by HIinvestor
Mon Mar 11, 2024 11:44 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How Much Cash Do You Keep In Your Home?
Replies: 207
Views: 14913

Re: How Much Cash Do You Keep In Your Home?

Oh yeah, I do have a container of quarters (large old pill bottle) for parking meters in our two cars. I try to keep about $20 in quarters in it and it’s very handy because I prefer using quarters over plastic at meters.

I rarely have quarters so it’s great to remember they are available as needed when parking.
by HIinvestor
Mon Mar 11, 2024 1:05 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How Much Cash Do You Keep In Your Home?
Replies: 207
Views: 14913

Re: How Much Cash Do You Keep In Your Home?

After the last major power outage that covered much of the major island we live on, followed by covid, I decided having some cash in $20s in secure locations can be useful. We were at a restaurant when the power went out. Because we had cash, I was able to leave cash at our table and leave the restaurant. I am not sure how people without cash handled the situation as it lasted many many hours.

I do NOT have cash in multiple currencies as USD is good enough around where I live. I like having a bit of cash in my purse/wallet and can choose whether to pay with cash or plastic.

Generally $100 in $20s lasts me a month or longer, depending on if I go to farmer’s markets or do a lot of smaller purchases.
by HIinvestor
Sat Mar 09, 2024 8:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Concierge Medicine
Replies: 79
Views: 12092

Re: Concierge Medicine

I have a chronic health issue. I have MyChart and my specialist’s personal cell phone numbers and emails. So far they’ve always helped me when I need them and I haven’t found any desire to switch to any higher level of care. They are among the best specialists for me, locally and in SF. They fit me in promptly (telehealth or live) and confer as long as needed. They are highly regarded.

I have an excellent internist who also responds to mychart when I send her messages. So far, I’m satisfied.

If/when that changes, I may have to consider a concierge MD.
by HIinvestor
Thu Mar 07, 2024 9:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: feeling stuck with kid expenses and this phase of life
Replies: 61
Views: 7376

Re: feeling stuck with kid expenses and this phase of life

Many/most of us had to adjust savings and spending, depending on our phase of life. It’s fine to adjust accordingly. The early savings into your retirement will indeed grow nicely! Congrats—you guys are off to a nice start!

May want to decide if you want to start an ed savings account for the kid(s) too—they’re needing it before you know it.

At many points in our life, we just had to try our best to pay all the bills and try to not to dip into savings. Sometimes one just has to do what one has to do. For us, we emerged better than ever—got a nice “raise” after kids finished college and we finished paying mortgage.
by HIinvestor
Wed Mar 06, 2024 10:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What are some of the things that improved YOUR quality of life?
Replies: 254
Views: 41954

Re: What are some of the things that improved YOUR quality of life?

Marriage to the right person
Kids
A close family
Good friends
Reliable transportation
Great neighbors
Jobs & volunteering for things important to you
by HIinvestor
Wed Mar 06, 2024 5:42 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Supporting Disabled Dependent
Replies: 16
Views: 1087

Re: Supporting Disabled Dependent

Securing her medical access is easier said than done. We will continue working with the SS and estate attorney on these issues. Sadly it doesn’t appear the US has much in the way of medical insurance unless impoverished or connected with work.
by HIinvestor
Wed Mar 06, 2024 4:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Supporting Disabled Dependent
Replies: 16
Views: 1087

Re: Supporting Disabled Dependent

D has never had a full time job (has rarely held any job) and has not paid into FICA.
by HIinvestor
Wed Mar 06, 2024 4:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Supporting Disabled Dependent
Replies: 16
Views: 1087

Re: Supporting Disabled Dependent

D’s only covered for my and H’s lifetime. After we both die, she may have to get Medicaid, if she’s eligible or something else. We have only always had her in our family plan. We have no deductibles, annual low cap and fairly low copays. Nearly everywhere accepts it, including CA and HI providers.

We never seriously explored any other medical plan for D so far.
by HIinvestor
Wed Mar 06, 2024 3:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Supporting Disabled Dependent
Replies: 16
Views: 1087

Re: Supporting Disabled Dependent

We do have a message to D’s SS attorney about how long he’s estimating before we hear back on 2nd appeal and what Rhee idea she may have that may affect our estate planning.
by HIinvestor
Wed Mar 06, 2024 3:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Supporting Disabled Dependent
Replies: 16
Views: 1087

Re: Supporting Disabled Dependent

H and I have lifetime family medical insurance partly subsidized because of H’s 45 years of federal govt service. D is covered as disabled dependent.
by HIinvestor
Wed Mar 06, 2024 1:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Supporting Disabled Dependent
Replies: 16
Views: 1087

Re: Supporting Disabled Dependent

D does have an attorney who is trying to appeal denial of SS benefits because these was insufficient documentation she was disabled prior to age 22. She doesn’t have an ABLE account and doesn’t receive any benefits anyway. We have paid for all her expenses and are prepared to continue to do so.

Even if we give her a place to live, she will continue to need living expenses, which is why I thought if we give her a place she could live in and rent out, it could help get have both. Anyway, just pondering the options.

Since S is in high tax bracket, he’d probably benefit more from inheriting the Roth IRA.
by HIinvestor
Wed Mar 06, 2024 1:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Supporting Disabled Dependent
Replies: 16
Views: 1087

Re: Supporting Disabled Dependent

The properties are all mortgage-free. We are just trying to figure out what makes sense.
by HIinvestor
Wed Mar 06, 2024 12:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Supporting Disabled Dependent
Replies: 16
Views: 1087

Supporting Disabled Dependent

We have a medically disabled dependent and are trying to figure out the best way to provide for her long term, as we get older. So far, we have just given her checks several times/year and pay any extra expenses that may arise (eg medical bills). We are trying to do estate planning and also thinking about how best to transfer investment properties strategically—maybe a 1031 where she could live in part of the rental and collect rental income for her income. She’s very fiscally responsible and we trust her to handle her own finances. We also have an adult son who just got married who is very financially independent and has been for over a decade. Both of our kids are mid-30s and get along well. We have other assets as well, including a ROTH ...
by HIinvestor
Wed Jul 06, 2022 4:32 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How does Life Insurance Practically Work In Event of Death?
Replies: 39
Views: 4073

Re: How does Life Insurance Practically Work In Event of Death?

We got a lot of certified death certificates when loved one died about a decade ago in CA (about 20-30). Almost all of them were needed and kept for her accounts and her estate took about 2 years of hard work for her executor to settle. I believe we still have maybe 2 certified death certificates remaining. I am saying the # of certified death certificates needed can vary a lot.

As I recall all her assets had beneficiaries named and neither executor nor beneficiaries had to produce any forms or napkins showing their interest.
by HIinvestor
Wed Jul 06, 2022 4:07 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Any reason not to buy iBonds?
Replies: 99
Views: 10273

Re: Any reason not to buy iBonds?

I just bought iBonds for me, H and our D. I had heard of them but never purchased them before. They seem fairly straight forward and I can understand them ok. I was OK with the TD website. It’s not fabulous but I’ve been on worse, sadly. I plan to buy more iBonds in 2022. I’m tired of the terribly low interest rates and don’t currently have an appetite to pump more into index funds at the moment.

I’m not planning to purchase more iBonds for our trusts—trying to keep life simpler rather than more complicated. Somehow I’m not all that excited by TIPs and treasuries—don’t understand them at the moment and will have to learn more.
by HIinvestor
Tue Jul 05, 2022 9:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Summer Rain Jacket Recommendations
Replies: 45
Views: 4391

Re: Summer Rain Jacket Recommendations

Costco had some inexpensive rain jackets for $20 or so apiece, men’s and women’s versions in several colors. Sam’s Club had Women’s short London Fog trench coats for $50 awhile ago. I admit, H has an awesome $200 rain jacket, name brand beginning with A that was previously mentioned. I have 2 of the $20 and 1 of the $50 short trench coats. We are both happy and dry. The purpose, intended use, and budget are key considerations.
by HIinvestor
Tue Jul 05, 2022 9:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Federal Retirees and Medicare vis a vis FEHB?
Replies: 63
Views: 5610

Re: Federal Retirees and Medicare vis a vis FEHB?

Yes, there is national bcbs as well as local bcbs fehb plans. We’ve had our local bcbs plan at least since we were married in mid-1980s. I made H switch from HMO fehb to local bcbs. We’ve been quite satisfied and the $800/person Medicare b refund isn’t enough for us to switch to a new insurer with new terms. We have been quite satisfied with current coverage and can talk to their reps in person as needed.
by HIinvestor
Tue Jul 05, 2022 2:42 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Federal Retirees and Medicare vis a vis FEHB?
Replies: 63
Views: 5610

Re: Federal Retirees and Medicare vis a vis FEHB?

We have a FEHB BCBS plan plus Medicare A&B. We have the BCBS plan that is local and most familiar to our providers, all of who are participating & preferred. We had briefly considered switching to national BCBS and may investigate it again during open season but we have been pretty satisfied with the local insurer so willlikely stick with them, even tho they don’t refund us any portion of our Medicare B premiums. (This is the 1st month I’ve been enrolled in Medicare B.)
by HIinvestor
Tue Jul 05, 2022 2:35 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How does Life Insurance Practically Work In Event of Death?
Replies: 39
Views: 4073

Re: How does Life Insurance Practically Work In Event of Death?

When our loved one died, the executor gave death certificates to her surviving brothers. They sent in a certified copy of the death certificate to insurers and I believe completed a simple form. Checks were written and mailed out to both beneficiaries soon thereafter. It was pretty straightforward. The executor was available to assist as needed.
by HIinvestor
Mon Jul 04, 2022 10:25 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Large Auto Insurance Increases Coming
Replies: 152
Views: 25844

Re: Large Auto Insurance Increases Coming

Our local auto insurer policy premium was about the same as it’s been for years, insuring 2 cars, leisure low mileage driving. Our D’s policy was about same as it’s always been as well via USAA.
by HIinvestor
Mon Jul 04, 2022 9:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Self Insuring LTC or Buying LTCI?
Replies: 248
Views: 18406

Re: Self Insuring LTC or Buying LTCI?esnt

In evaluating LTCi, please understand the terms of whatever policy you are considering. The patient must be evaluated and found unable to perform x number of specified activities of daily living. It doesn’t matter how slowly or painfully the person performs it, they CANNOT do it.

I did ask the MetLife agent if my understanding was correct and he agreed it was. LTCi can be a Godsend for the right client and a black hole for others. It’s all cost-benefit, assets and needs. It should certainly be considered and discussed. Lots to weigh and unpack
by HIinvestor
Mon Jul 04, 2022 9:45 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Survey Question: For Retired or Those Close to Retirement, What Withdrawal Method are You Using?
Replies: 240
Views: 19195

Re: Survey Question: For Retired or Those Close to Retirement, What Withdrawal Method are You Using?

So far, we are living below our means on H’s pension. We also have to take RMDs, since he’s now >70. We mainly are trying to figure out where to invest. With covid forced hibernation, our spending has really dropped, as we haven’t traveled since 2019 and rarely dine out.

H retired over a decade ago and life is good.
by HIinvestor
Mon Jul 04, 2022 9:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Using personal auto insurance + Costco Citi Visa for rental car
Replies: 26
Views: 7418

Re: Using personal auto insurance + Costco Citi Visa for rental car

We made 2 claims for auto damage on rental cars. One was against a no name rental company which wouldn’t furnish any photos of particulars for the flat tire they claimed we returned the vehicle with. CC company disallowed the charge by the rental car company after we and they could never get cooperation by rental car company. 2nd claim (years later) was Chase Sapphire for smashed rear window of rental car (so they could steal S’s laptop and backpack). Major rental company was very cooperative in sending bill and documentation. Police prepared police report. We were fully reimbursed for replacement of the window. There was no charge for loss of use. Can’t recall whether we received a check or credit to CCard. We had to write an affidavit tha...
by HIinvestor
Wed Jun 29, 2022 2:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do my adult children need umbrella liability insurance?
Replies: 20
Views: 3309

Re: Do my adult children need umbrella liability insurance?

Umbrella policies are really quite reasonable for the coverage they provide, including an excellent attorney to represent them in the event they are ever sued for anything that MAY be covered under the umbrella policy. I highly recommend them and have had one myself since I started having any assets back when I was in my early 20s. If you have assets to protect, a GOOD umbrella policy is a good investment. Read the terms of the policy to understand what IS and IS NOT covered.
by HIinvestor
Wed Jun 29, 2022 2:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: End of Life Arrangements
Replies: 10
Views: 1431

Re: End of Life Arrangements

It is very thoughtful of you to be making arrangements that you prefer and sparing your executor/loved ones that task. It can be as simple or complicated as you prefer. When my relative died in SF, she wanted to be buried in HI, so they had a simple celebration of life for her at a community center near where she lived in SF and then her burial and another celebration of life in Honolulu when she was buried. I have been to graveside services that were simple but meant a lot to those gathered. Burial or cremation are certainly among the available options. Some folks are choosing "greener" options that are less taxing on the environment, but their availability varies by location. I would suggest you discuss all your preferences with...
by HIinvestor
Tue Jun 28, 2022 4:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should I keep my 400K term Life Ins now that I an retired
Replies: 32
Views: 3325

Re: Should I keep my 400K term Life Ins now that I an retired

It looks like for a nominal amount of $2520 over 2 years, your wife could have the potential payout of $400,000. You could not buy a policy paying that amount at that premium and as you say, that amount of money would be useful if the worse happened and you were to pass away over the next two years. As you say, it doesn't make sense to buy with a much higher premium in two years but I'd probably be willing to pay that amount for "just in case." Sure, you don't NEED it as there is enough buffer for your survivors, but it isn't a lot to pay for extra cushion.
by HIinvestor
Tue Jun 28, 2022 4:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: shocked at the price of buying checks!
Replies: 93
Views: 11080

Re: shocked at the price of buying checks!

I'd be irked at paying $40 for 100 checks and definitely would look around as there are many places that offer free checks or low cost checks, including the ads in Sunday newspapers. Personally, I like checks that have free duplicates, which are often free as well. Still if you rarely buy and have already purchased, I'd not get all worked up over it.
by HIinvestor
Fri Jun 03, 2022 9:14 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Prenup or Domestic Asset Protection trust or both?
Replies: 53
Views: 5980

Re: Prenup or Domestic Asset Protection trust or both?

Sorry, I also see red flags—being hurt about prenup, pushing for marriage and currently rocky relationship. I’d be VERY cautious. As you are disabled and presumably will remain so, be sure you do all necessary to protect your assets and income. A GOOD attorney versed in disability rights and trusts may be a good place to start.
by HIinvestor
Fri Jun 03, 2022 9:07 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How do you choose a family doctor?
Replies: 75
Views: 6300

Re: How do you choose a family doctor?

My internist had been treating me, my parents and most of my sibs for decades. Due to his personal health issues, it became apparent I needed to find myself another internist. I asked my lung doc for a recommendation and referral, as I thought it would be best for a md that worked well with him and could share electronic records with him. He kindly referred me to his internist and we get along great and she agreed to see me even though she has a very full and busy practice.

My H’s internist retired and he referred H to a younger replacement. So far, H is ok with the replacement.

We are fortunate that we have a broad BCBS network and had same insurer for decades.
by HIinvestor
Sun Dec 12, 2021 2:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Any Good Reason to Take on Debt at 54, FT employed?
Replies: 87
Views: 7097

Re: Any Good Reason to Take on Debt at 54, FT employed?

To hedge our bets, just before H retired in 2012, we got a totally free HELOC on our home (no fees at all, no appraisal, no recording fees, no annual fee). We never needed it used it but it was nice to have “just in case.” The bank recently charged us a minimal fee ($20-50) to close the account and remove it from our title because we never used it and we were very unlikely to ever need it.

It was comforting to us to have it as we moved into H’s retirement, just in case we had somehow miscalculated and didn’t have the assets and cushion we thought we did. We have no regrets but I definitely felt no compulsion to use the HELOC just because it was sitting there and available.
by HIinvestor
Sun Dec 12, 2021 2:30 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Has anyone see an inheritance not go as planned? I would like to hear stories from others of what can go wrong.
Replies: 510
Views: 78616

Re: Has anyone see an inheritance not go as planned? I would like to hear stories from others of what can go wrong.

I will add another story of an inheritance that went right. A single woman was having a recurrence of cancer and gathered her loved ones. She regretted not getting her affairs in order. Her two brothers asked her if she’d like any help and she did yes. They came and helped sort through all her financial docs, made a spreadsheet, called a respected estate attorney who agreed to come to the woman’s house. The attorney conferred privately with the woman, drafted a will and trust and got everything executed with a witness within a few days. The woman died shortly thereafter. The estate divided equally among the two brothers, it had some POD designations and a cousin was appointed trustee. It went fairly smoothly but the estate attorney (who was...
by HIinvestor
Sat Dec 11, 2021 11:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Older Bogleheads: What was the most expensive decade of your life?
Replies: 99
Views: 14056

Re: Older Bogleheads: What was the most expensive decade of your life?

Like many others on this thread, I find the Q difficult — when we were starting out, we had low income relative to our expenses (huge mortgage even though we paid 60% down payment), private pay preschool, my stopping out of work to raise the kids.

When the kids were teens, we spent a lot putting them through private HS. After that, we paid for them to attend private U—even though it was expensive with 2 in college overlapping, I was working 1/2 to fulltime, so our family income rose with the increased expenses.

Since then, expenses have gone down and income/assets have risen.
by HIinvestor
Sat Dec 11, 2021 9:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Products that last forever
Replies: 288
Views: 29744

Re: Products that last forever

I have henckel knives from early 1980 that still are as good as new. Also have a set of Corningware glass mixing bowls from 1970s that remain as good as new. Have revereware pots and farberware pots from early 1980s, still on excellent condition.
by HIinvestor
Fri Oct 01, 2021 8:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What are your travel plans in 2021 and beyond?
Replies: 350
Views: 36374

Re: What are your travel plans in 2021 and beyond?

We are hoping to go to a medical conference, MD appt and see family in May 2022, all around SF. It will be our 1st trip since 2019!
by HIinvestor
Fri Oct 01, 2021 4:57 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: I’m Planning to Claim SS @62… Well, Why Not? ►Updated w/Funded Ratio
Replies: 355
Views: 40761

Re: I’m Planning to Claim SS @62… Well, Why Not?

We had planned for me to wait until age 70 to claim SS but recently decided to start me collecting now because we want our disabled dependent daughter to be able to get benefits. She’s been disabled since before she turned 22 and has continued to be disabled.

Today, I got a letter from SS telling me I got the1st 2 months deposited (Aug & Sept) and in a few weeks I will get Oct’s payment deposited as well. Will probably be gifting it all to D for her living expenses.
by HIinvestor
Mon May 24, 2021 11:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Anyone hate their vacation home?
Replies: 128
Views: 23640

Re: Anyone hate their vacation home?

Nope—no vacation home here. We like to pick and choose where we will stay and we have enough on our plate to maintain our aging home without having additional places to maintain. We are considering selling the two rentals we have maintained by a property manager.
by HIinvestor
Mon May 24, 2021 10:55 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What prompted you to pull the plug and retire?
Replies: 249
Views: 45712

Re: What prompted you to pull the plug and retire?

For H, it was a perfect combo:
1. Job was becoming less enjoyable,
2. Traffic & commute worsening,
3. Mortgage paid off,
4. Kids college paid off,
5. Pension & salary was at the max it would both would decrease if stayed longer and be smaller if stayed shorter, and
6. We had more than enough saved.

For me, I’m still working (part time) because I enjoy it and it allows me to do back door Roth conversions. I have no commute to speak of and no boss. Life is good.
by HIinvestor
Sat Apr 24, 2021 3:51 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit
Replies: 66
Views: 28234

Re: Thoughts About Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement - Class Action Antitrust Lawsuit

Thanks for this post. I just filed a claim as we have been BCBS members since 1986. The most challenging thing was digging out the address to list as employer and pulling out my insurance card to enter my member number. I am fine with making a claim.
by HIinvestor
Sat Jun 08, 2019 2:41 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Improving the TSP [for current participants]
Replies: 587
Views: 92372

Re: Improving the TSP [for current participants]

Here’s the pdf TSP put out explaining the upcoming changes in 9/15/2019. I found it easier to read and understand.

https://www.tsp.gov/PDF/formspubs/tspfs10.pdf
by HIinvestor
Sat Jun 08, 2019 2:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Costco or Sam's Club?
Replies: 134
Views: 13359

Re: Costco or Sam's Club?

We live 5 minutes from Costco and about 30 minutes from Sam’s. My sister and I share a Sam’s membership that we buy for a year whenever they have an amazing deal (like free membership). It’s good for me when I have meetings in the building right next door to it and can get refreshments there.

I do notice different items and packaging between the stores. I find the quality of clothing at Costco generally better than sam’s. At the Costco by our house, the customer service us vastly better than Sam’s and at this point in my life, that means a lot. I can go at times to avoid crowds st both stores.
by HIinvestor
Sat Jun 08, 2019 12:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do you carry Umbrella Insurance?
Replies: 142
Views: 13653

Re: Do you carry Umbrella Insurance?

We have an umbrella policy of about $2mm. The insurer will hire and pay the fees for the attorneys plus any settlement under policy limits. The premiums we’ve paid over they years allow us to sleep well at night and are less than we’d have to pay if they are ever needed, even just to get a frivolous case dismissed.
by HIinvestor
Fri May 10, 2019 4:03 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Island life?
Replies: 54
Views: 8764

Re: Island life?

I’ve lived on Oahu all but 6 years of my life. My siblings also live on Oahu, as do my parents. It’s home. I like it because my family all live here and most people are pretty friendly. I don’t like the traffic so I try to minimize my driving during rush hour. Allergens are pretty fierce here for many people, including our young adult offspring who live on both coasts—CA & VA. I would definitely advise trying things out for an extended period and having an exit plan if you decide it isn’t for you. The high cost of living & real estate are huge for many folks. It is also tough to find great healthcare. Many folks send their kids to private school which can cost $20K/year, last time I checked. Many of the jobs here pay considerably le...
by HIinvestor
Sun May 05, 2019 1:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: College Expenses
Replies: 234
Views: 18039

Re: College Expenses

Beware — if your older child gets into private U with s nice merit package, younger child may also wish to apply and join older child and may get NO money so you are full pay. This happened to both our family and s good friend. It was a very expensive surprise to both of us! Fortunately both families were able to work things out. Private Us are running pretty expensive, in general but may offer good merit aid. We were only able to save enough for both to live in dorm and attend state U in our Coverdell IRA. Older child got >50% tuition merit award to private U. He attended. Younger child wanted to apply to transfer there, do we consented and she was admitted with no merit so we were full pay for her. Ouch! We paid via the the monthly paymen...
by HIinvestor
Fri May 03, 2019 9:29 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: My PenFed 5 yr CDs are maturing
Replies: 39
Views: 4505

Re: My PenFed 5 yr CDs are maturing

The 2% PenFed premium savings on money new to PenFed has just raised the maximum they will give the 2% per acct on from $100k to $250k. They do have some quirks like a max of $10k/day up to $50k/30 day rolling period for ach online transfers but you can use paper checks for greater amounts.

We have one PenFed branch in our state open to the public, so drove down there to deposit a check to add to my online transfers.

PenFed has a tollfree call center—no phones at local branches. I’m going to keep my money there until Fidelity is ready to offer us another retention bonus and then transfer funds to our Fidelity acct.

None of our other local financial institutions have 2% interest on savings accts.