Search found 37 matches

by mags
Fri Oct 28, 2022 3:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Chai tea bags
Replies: 63
Views: 5928

Re: Chai tea bags

I like Trader Joe's the best.
by mags
Sun Apr 11, 2021 9:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Washington State Long Term Care Trust Act - 0.58% payroll tax - $36,500 lifetime maximum benefit
Replies: 1772
Views: 196914

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

I just got a quote for Mutual of Omaha 75k policy ( lowest they offer). Annual premium for 45 male $300. Female $480. We are planning to self insure but trying to avoid the new tax.
by mags
Wed Sep 16, 2020 10:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Coping with Wildfire smoke
Replies: 111
Views: 8620

Re: Coping with Wildfire smoke

We have touched AQI 250-300. Now back down to 170's in Seattle suburbs. It doesn't smell as bad outside now. Indoors we turned off our fresh air inflow from outside on our air conditioner and changed the furnace filter. We also just got an air purifier. I wouldn't go outside without a N-95 in anything above 200.
by mags
Tue Aug 18, 2020 10:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Refinance Mega Thread
Replies: 12862
Views: 1277078

Re: Refinance Mega Thread

"What does conforming means?"



Non-jumbo loan.
by mags
Sun Aug 16, 2020 8:30 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Refinance Mega Thread
Replies: 12862
Views: 1277078

Re: Refinance Mega Thread

joelly wrote: Sat Aug 15, 2020 8:06 pm
mags wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 10:24 pm I just closed on a Lender Fi 30 year fixed 2.75% with $400 closing costs.
Wow congratulations!

We are looking for refinance too. How did you get such low interest rate? Does it depend on loan-to-value ratio? I hope you don’t mind me asking.
Loan is (conforming) 540k on 1.2M house. 815 credit score.
by mags
Fri Aug 14, 2020 10:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Refinance Mega Thread
Replies: 12862
Views: 1277078

Re: Refinance Mega Thread

I just closed on a Lender Fi 30 year fixed 2.75% with $400 closing costs.
by mags
Mon Aug 03, 2020 8:29 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What bonds in taxable
Replies: 12
Views: 1299

Re: What bonds in taxable

Thanks for the feedback!
by mags
Sun Aug 02, 2020 7:40 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What bonds in taxable
Replies: 12
Views: 1299

What bonds in taxable

I need help managing my Mom's finances. She is 75/25 stock/bonds. She is over 70 and retired. SS and pension cover expenses. 2.3 million portfolio. I have run out of space in 401k for bonds. She lives in WA state, so no state tax. What exact bond fund should I use in her taxable account. Total bond fund or VWITX VG intermediate tax exempt). Or something else. Taxable income about 85k/ year. She spends 40k a year. She will never need this money and is becoming very risk averse. She wants to pull all money out of the market but I am trying to tell her to "stay the course" but maybe adjust AA based on risk tolerance. Thoughts?
by mags
Wed Jul 17, 2019 10:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Outdoor Fire Pit - Wood vs. Gas?
Replies: 53
Views: 7332

Re: Outdoor Fire Pit - Wood vs. Gas?

Gas. I can't stand the smoke smell that lingers in hair, clothes, etc. Also, gas is much easier and quicker to start/stop fire.
by mags
Wed Jul 17, 2019 10:02 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 1 million in liquid assets or paid off mortgage by 40?
Replies: 72
Views: 10120

Re: 1 million in liquid assets or paid off mortgage by 40?

I prefer liquidity. Also, we have a 4% mortgage rate. We also live near Seattle in HCOL area and earthquake zone. We dont have earthquake insurance as it has a very high deductible and cost prohibitive. I am in no hurry to pay off mortgage for these reasons. As I gain more equity, I may have to revisit earthquake insurance.
by mags
Wed Feb 27, 2019 4:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Financial solicitation by my doctor
Replies: 71
Views: 9959

Re: Financial solicitation by my doctor

Most hospitals send these out and the docs know nothing about it.
by mags
Sat Dec 22, 2018 8:49 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Schwab TLH
Replies: 1
Views: 316

Schwab TLH

I am helping my Mom with her brokerage account through Schwab. Does anyone know TLH parter for Schwab international fund (SWISX). Fees to buy Vanguard mutual funds at Schwab are $50.
Thanks!
by mags
Fri Nov 16, 2018 10:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Employment for a disabled son
Replies: 29
Views: 2937

Re: Employment for a disabled son

At the hospital I work at, they employ "runners" with different abilities. They pick up lab specimens through the hospital and deliver them to the lab.
by mags
Sat Jul 14, 2018 11:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: thoughts on converting small pantry to 3/4 bath
Replies: 22
Views: 1702

Re: thoughts on converting small pantry to 3/4 bath

What about installing a small elevator in that spot?
by mags
Wed Jun 06, 2018 6:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Fitting three young kids in the car...
Replies: 76
Views: 8008

Re: Fitting three young kids in the car...

We have 3 across in a Rav4, Highlander and CRV. We use Diono Radian car seats. Works well for us with 2 (rear facing),4 and 6 year old.
by mags
Wed Feb 14, 2018 2:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Daughter’s College & Grad School Expenses -Nurse Practitioner
Replies: 51
Views: 4862

Re: Daughter’s College & Grad School Expenses -Nurse Practitioner

Seems less expensive to get 2 year PA degree and then be out in the workforce making good money. I am a PA. ARNP and PA jobs in my area are interchangeable. If she wants to own her own practice, then ARNP is the way to go. If not, PA has much more flexibility with ability to change specialties.
by mags
Fri Jul 21, 2017 2:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Changing Health Insurance Around Child birth to reduce costs
Replies: 27
Views: 7297

Re: Changing Health Insurance Around Child birth to reduce costs

I believe if your insurance changes, they bill by each visit date (retroactively) instead of a global charge at delivery. You may want to double check on this. This is what my OB office told me.
by mags
Wed Apr 26, 2017 9:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Removing a tree - expensive!!!
Replies: 85
Views: 20267

Re: Removing a tree - expensive!!!

About 8 years ago I paid 3,800 to have 2 120 foot trees removed and stumps grinded. Seattle area. It is expensive!
by mags
Sun Apr 02, 2017 5:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is Craigslist still the main site to sell stuff locally?
Replies: 51
Views: 16101

Re: Is Craigslist still the main site to sell stuff locally?

I've used "offer up" app and website.
by mags
Fri Mar 31, 2017 12:48 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Why do BogleHeads make things bit Complex? ReBalance
Replies: 37
Views: 5015

Re: Why do BogleHeads make things bit Complex? ReBalance

Target date all in one accounts are grest for some people. I don't like to have bonds in my taxable account (not tax efficient), therefore I break it up into a 3 fund portfolio and only put totals stock and international in taxable. Bonds are in my 401k.
by mags
Tue Mar 14, 2017 11:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Question for Docs/Surgeons/ARNPs
Replies: 23
Views: 4101

Re: Question for Docs/Surgeons/ARNPs

Seattle area Ortho PA. New grads can expect 105k plus call pay. Experienced PA's up to 150k/year plus call pay. Call pay 1300/weekend. I work for a hospital system (not private practice).
by mags
Sun Jan 29, 2017 9:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best car rental website?
Replies: 50
Views: 7379

Re: Best car rental website?

I've had good luck with autoslash. They keep rebooking your car for you every time the price decreases. No credit card entered until you pick up the car.
by mags
Sat Dec 03, 2016 1:30 pm
Forum: Forum Issues and Administration
Topic: Please Try Out Test Posts Here
Replies: 446
Views: 377128

Re: Please Try Out Test Posts Here

SailingAway wrote:Testing
Testing
by mags
Sun Nov 06, 2016 2:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cheap, Non-Traditional Cell Phone Plans
Replies: 52
Views: 9227

Re: Cheap, Non-Traditional Cell Phone Plans

We are happy with Ting. 3 phones (adults). $60/month (total).
by mags
Tue Sep 13, 2016 8:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How much is your cell phone bill?
Replies: 341
Views: 45903

Re: How much is your cell phone bill?

$60/month
3 phones
Ting
by mags
Fri Aug 12, 2016 8:17 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: College major...medical
Replies: 26
Views: 3635

Re: College major...medical

I'm a PA (physician Assistant) currently working in orthopaedics. Love the job. Pretty good earning potential for the amount of school. Flexibility to change specialties if I desire. I didn't decide on my career until 2nd or 3rd year in college. Took a lot of science courses along the way because I knew I wanted to do so something in medicine.
by mags
Wed Jun 08, 2016 7:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: High Earners - What's Your Profession?
Replies: 1217
Views: 223994

Re: High Earners - What's Your Profession?

Physician Assistant orthopaedics 160k.
by mags
Fri May 13, 2016 5:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Happy with Barclays savings account?
Replies: 49
Views: 20439

Re: Happy with Barclays savings account?

Been happy with Barclays savings account. I think I've had it for 2 years.
by mags
Wed May 11, 2016 6:41 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Keep Twins in Same Class for Kindergarten?
Replies: 41
Views: 9773

Re: Keep Twins in Same Class for Kindergarten?

I am an identical twin. We did everything together growing up. Same friends, sports, interests. It is tricky to develop your own individuality when you are always part of a "set". We were always referred to as " the twins" and I hated that starting in middle school. Competition between twins is constant (best student, athlete, etc). I would recommend separate classes.
by mags
Thu Apr 07, 2016 5:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone bought a new bed recently? [Mattress]
Replies: 59
Views: 14603

Re: Anyone bought a new bed recently? [Mattress]

Bought memory foam but returned it after 30 day trial. It was too hot for me. Went back to traditional spring mattress beautyrest black and have been happier.
by mags
Thu Apr 07, 2016 3:44 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: guaranteed 5% vs stocks?
Replies: 213
Views: 41826

Re: guaranteed 5% vs stocks?

My husband and I have 4 netspend accounts each. 3 through Metabank each (those are the ones you order by mail). We also have 1 each (netspend) bought at the grocery store for $5 each through bancorp. Since they are backed by different banks, I guess that is how we got the 4th card each.
by mags
Sun Mar 06, 2016 1:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Any problems with netspend
Replies: 63
Views: 13663

Re: Any problems with netspend

No problems here. My husband and I each have 4 netspend accounts. 3 each we signed up online (backed by metabank). And 1 each we purchased at the Grocery store (backed by Bancorp).