Search found 496 matches

by Mako
Mon Feb 13, 2023 2:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Septic System Train Wreck
Replies: 229
Views: 19590

Re: Septic System Train Wreck

Just had the septic company out again today. Regarding the main drain line, it was as I stated completely collapsed. It's one thing to see it on a camera, but it's another for them to dig up the soil and look at it. There were cracks in so many places that it's an absolute miracle this was working at all. Now the fun part -- contrary to their initial opinion, there is actually no leach field at all. Weeks ago they snaked a camera and got up against a blockage, and they assumed this was a distribution box or some other natural blockage. They dug this area up and learned that the tanks drain via a single pipe to a homemade gravel pit. Per the septic company this is an okay solution if only one person lives in the house. But for a family of f...
by Mako
Mon Dec 05, 2022 5:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Target , Walmart - When purchased online price
Replies: 89
Views: 8954

Re: Target , Walmart - When purchased online price

I just noticed this the other day. I saw a toy my kid wanted for Christmas was on sale for $20 online, I was going near Target anyway, so I stopped in. It was $30. I didn't think to ask for price match. Instead when I got home I bought it online. To get free shipping I added a box of kitty litter, which I needed and was the normal price I pay. So Target got to ship 40some pounds instead. Worked for me.
by Mako
Thu Nov 10, 2022 4:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buying a home - Asking the seller to buy down my interest rate
Replies: 40
Views: 5474

Re: Buying a home - Asking the seller to buy down my interest rate

Just ask for seller credits at closing. This is completely normal and money is fungible so it doesn’t matter what it’s for. Whether they will agree obviously depends on the market and the overall offer price.
by Mako
Mon Nov 07, 2022 11:47 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buying an HOA management company
Replies: 31
Views: 3154

Re: Buying an HOA management company

My ex is an HOA manager. Everywhere she's been, which have been fairly smallish companies, the owners work more than anybody else. As someone already said, if someone has a company where they don't have to do any work and have great people in charge, why would they sell it to you? And if they don't already have great people, why would you be able to identify such a great manager? I also don't know that being on the Board of an HOA equates to knowing the HOA property management industry well. You should probably know how much the owners work if you did. You do know how to be the client. Maybe not the closest analogy, but does someone who has been in many lawsuits know how to run a law firm? Maybe, maybe not. I would imagine there are million...
by Mako
Thu Oct 20, 2022 3:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dentist Cleaning Prices
Replies: 77
Views: 9699

Re: Dentist Cleaning Prices

I have insurance. The following are billed/paid from when I went in May, they are in network and accept the insurance as payment in full. But I assume the first amount would be comparable to the cash price.

Cleaning: $95/$66
X rays bitewing: $66/$37
Exam: $57/$29
Total: $218/$132

I only see the dentist for a few minutes for the exam, the hygienist does the rest.

Maryland, Baltimore suburbs.
by Mako
Thu Oct 20, 2022 12:42 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mortgage refinance (with possibly negative equity)
Replies: 2
Views: 497

Re: Mortgage refinance (with possibly negative equity)

Depends on the lender. If they require 80% loan to value, then yes, you would have to bring money to closing to pay off the old loan. Some lenders will permit higher ratios, but the loan may cost more, I.e. have a higher rate, and may require PMI. So you may want to pay more to get to 80% anyway.

A few years ago I bought with 5% down. Refi'd about a year later, but brought enough to closing so the loan to value was 80%, as this greatly improved the rate and avoided PMI.

I've never heard of a refi where you keep a small balance on the original loan. The new lender wants to be in 1st position, they likely won't allow that.
by Mako
Wed Oct 05, 2022 1:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Dealership offer while waiting for new car to be repaired
Replies: 20
Views: 2290

Re: Dealership offer while waiting for new car to be repaired

Good idea about the Carfax...thanks. We did file a diminished value claim with the at fault driver's insurance company (they did catch him), but it was denied. Apparently it does not work/apply in Michigan. Did not think it was worth the cost to get a lawyer involved. The insurance company saying no doesn't necessarily mean anything. From two seconds of googling diminished value is available in Michigan. But of course they don't want to pay. As far as I can tell diminished value requires some pushback if you want to get it, and sometimes you actually have to sue. I know the market has softened a bit, but when I was researching about a month ago my ~$32K MSRP 2021 car was still worth pretty close to that. If the $24K number is anywhere clos...
by Mako
Tue Oct 04, 2022 4:22 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Refinance Mega Thread
Replies: 12862
Views: 1265504

Re: Refinance Mega Thread

newbie20 wrote: Tue Oct 04, 2022 3:58 pm My understanding is that most primary home mortgages (which were the ones with 2.5% rates last year) require you to occupy the property as your [primary residence. If you decide to rent it out then it won't qualify as your primary home and thus the mortgage company may have a right to call the loan.
StewedCarrot wrote: Mon Oct 03, 2022 2:36 pm If I have to move I'm holding my 2.5% mortgage. Would rent out my existing house to someone, and rent a home from someone at the new location.

It's unfortunate that these rates are hitting the housing supply side. Fewer homes, more money for them.
It depends on what the documents say. My last mortgage said it had to be my primary residence for 1 year.
by Mako
Mon Oct 03, 2022 4:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Windshield Replacement
Replies: 29
Views: 2505

Re: Windshield Replacement

When I used Safelite recently I got quotes both ways and it was actually more expensive to pay cash for whatever reason. Both were over $1000 for a Toyota (insurance ended up paying most), seemed like they just go up a price level when they have to recalibrate the various front cameras for lane assist and adaptive cruise and such.
by Mako
Thu Sep 01, 2022 10:41 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Structured Settlement - Payout Frequency Help
Replies: 15
Views: 1084

Re: Structured Settlement - Payout Frequency Help

I can understand doing this if you are giving your child money, but this sounds like it is your kid's settlement money, not yours. Can you really control it and withhold it from them until they turn 30?

I admit I know nothing, but it feels wrong.
by Mako
Tue Aug 16, 2022 9:10 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: YNAB doubles it’s prices for legacy subscribers
Replies: 141
Views: 19632

Re: YNAB doubles it’s prices for legacy subscribers

Soon after this thread started I went back to using YNAB4. I figured I'd try it for a while and see how it goes and if it would be acceptable instead of subscribing again. My subscription ran out this month and I canceled it as YNAB4 has been perfectly fine. I thought I would hate entering transactions again after having automatic import for so long, but I haven't minded and to some extent I think it makes me pay attention to the transactions more. I'm averaging about 48 transactions per month, though many are automatic and easy (some things like cell phone, internet, mortgage, car payment are the same every month, pay check is the same every two weeks though it changes occasionally...). I don't think comparing time spent to my hourly wage ...
by Mako
Thu Aug 11, 2022 6:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Proceeds from home sale: wire or cashier's check?
Replies: 32
Views: 3690

Re: Proceeds from home sale: wire or cashier's check?

I'd do a wire. Never had a problem with one. With a check you'll need to go into a branch because the amount is so high. Just make sure you quadruple check all the wire info and you'll be fine.
by Mako
Thu Aug 11, 2022 8:34 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buying first house - Checklist
Replies: 19
Views: 1697

Re: Buying first house - Checklist

Do anything that is easy to do while the house is empty while the house is empty: Paint Sand/stain hardwood floors and or kitchen cabinets Stain deck Change light fixtures/electric outlets Install sump pump or interior drain if necessary Have windows cleaned inside and out And of course, the most important thing, Change toilet seats If you’re currently renting you pay up front vs a mortgage which is paid in arrears. We stayed in our apartment for an additional month taking care of all these things without having a double payment month. This is good advice. My last home purchase I moved in a week before the wife and kids so I could paint, have all the carpets cleaned, get TV/internet installed, and do some minor electrical work. All much ea...
by Mako
Thu Aug 11, 2022 8:10 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: New construction home buying process rushed?
Replies: 14
Views: 1559

Re: New construction home buying process rushed?

As others said, they just want to lock up the sale. The only real deadline is whether the house is still available, they aren't going to refuse your money next week if no one else has signed a contract yet. So the deadline is how hot this market is, how many acceptable homes are available in this community, and how badly you want it. You should take all the time you need to feel comfortable, but also know that waiting could lose the place. If that's ok then that's ok, but markets are slowing so an extra few days should probably not be a big deal. And in your situation, where you don't need to move and have a perfectly fine place, I think being comfortable and risking losing this place is fine. My ex was looking at new homes recently and the...
by Mako
Wed Aug 10, 2022 10:50 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buyer of Our House Wants $5k "Credit" for Something That was Open and Obvious
Replies: 160
Views: 14246

Re: Buyer of Our House Wants $5k "Credit" for Something That was Open and Obvious

CoastLawyer2030 wrote: Wed Aug 10, 2022 10:37 am Again, the entire floor needing to be fixed was already baked into my list price. They are double dipping here.
This is the problem. You're taking this personally because you decided that the price already included the floor. The buyer never agreed to that. Asking for the floor $ after inspection is perfectly reasonable.
by Mako
Wed Aug 10, 2022 8:10 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What is your home insurance deductible?
Replies: 41
Views: 4330

Re: What is your home insurance deductible?

feh wrote: Wed Aug 10, 2022 7:08 am State laws come into play here. In my last state of residence, the max deductible was 1% of the home's value, which is what I set the policy to.
Also Fannie Mae allows a max of 5% of the face amount, so if you have a mortgage you likely have that limit. One should check their mortgage docs.

OP I did the same thing a year ago, moved from $1000 to $2500 following a short thread here. Didn't use insurance in the past year and sold the house, so I guess I won.

viewtopic.php?p=6152448
by Mako
Wed Aug 03, 2022 8:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Rock strike on rental car windshield. Go through insurance?
Replies: 59
Views: 9245

Re: Rock strike on rental car windshield. Go through insurance?

FWIW, nothing about the rental angle, but I just had a 2021 RAV4 windshield replaced last week. The Safelite price was something like $948, which included calibrations for the various front cameras. This surprised me but I see it was pretty normal. Insurance paid most of it.
by Mako
Sat Jul 23, 2022 9:34 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tales from this insane real estate market [Home sales]
Replies: 2905
Views: 515319

Re: Tales from this insane real estate market [Home sales]

Just closed on my home sale this week. Went under contract just around a month ago. We had double digit showings in one week on the market, several of them claimed interest, but just one offer, which we accepted. The offer was over asking with no contingencies, and was about 20% higher than what we were going to list for exactly a year ago. Very happy with that. I feel like I just got out in the nick of time at the very end, this area is probably MCOL at best and not at all hot, though inventory remains very low so if you do want to be here there aren’t lots of options. I've been kinda holding my breath and keeping my fingers crossed the past month as I was afraid of it falling apart somehow and having to relist in a softening market. My ag...
by Mako
Fri Jul 08, 2022 7:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: is this a scam text?
Replies: 25
Views: 2610

Re: is this a scam text?

I start with the assumption that all calls/texts/emails are scams until I can prove otherwise and ignore them. Did you have a package that you expected to be delivered that was not in fact delivered? If not, it is clearly a scam. Even if yes, If something was really wrong with some delivery then you would probably know about it, and they would probably try and contact you in other ways as well.
by Mako
Fri Jul 08, 2022 9:46 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Inspect water well before purchasing home?
Replies: 15
Views: 1481

Re: Inspect water well before purchasing home?

Does your contract permit such an inspection? The ones we've used generally have a separate call out for the "regular" inspections and the well and septic inspections. If it is on city water you might not have even requested a well inspection.

Like Tomato said I would probably do it just to see if the water was ok or not, but if it's just sprinklers and isn't (or can't be) a deal breaker I might just do it later after closing.
by Mako
Wed Jun 29, 2022 2:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mortgage application : Disclose what assets ?
Replies: 10
Views: 1123

Re: Mortgage application : Disclose what assets ?

thanks a lot for your responses, especially Toddthebod's response, very helpful. I checked and happen to be in a non-recourse state, so would assume then that the bank may not come after any assets (whether disclosed or not) other than the home itself. In general, (for recourse states), I guess one impact of disclosing everything versus not could be that it could effect the bank's determination of whether it even wants to spend the time and effort in going after the assets or not. If they already know you have sizeable assets, could incentivize them to pursue those assets. A lot of the time (most of the time?) the loan is sold almost immediately. I guess I could be wrong but I can't imagine the buyer is getting all of that information, loa...
by Mako
Wed Jun 29, 2022 11:51 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Questions/Experience with retainer with a law firm?
Replies: 47
Views: 3558

Re: Questions/Experience with retainer with a law firm?

Just brainstorming. Would it be sensible if I asked for all 10 Federal holidays with my daughter, then winter break (another 10 days), and one week on, one week off during summers to make up time with her? Thank you I think if you are going to change the agreement it would be sensible to try and get yourself in at least as good a place as you are today time wise. I.e. if it's 50-50 today, try to work out 183 days during the year somehow, however you can get there. If it's 30-70 now try to get 110 days through the year. Etc. Or if you want more try and get more. If ex is in fact violating the agreement and it's clear cut you would presumably have leverage, so any change to accommodate ex shouldn't put you in a worse place. And hopefully if ...
by Mako
Wed Jun 29, 2022 8:36 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Questions/Experience with retainer with a law firm?
Replies: 47
Views: 3558

Re: Questions/Experience with retainer with a law firm?

Gardener wrote: Wed Jun 29, 2022 8:26 am Yes, moving is an option for me, but an unpleasant one. My friends, family and work are here and I love the area. It seems grossly unjust for me to have to move. But, it is an option. I would very much feel like a door mat if I chose that option. But, my daughter does come first. And that is not lip service.
Yeah, none of these things were true for me so it was much easier, and it was still a hard decision, so I get that.

I also agree with the above poster who said weekends only is not ideal. My oldest is 10 and even now I feel like we have our best times during weeknights, weekends just fill up with stuff.

I don't have anything more to offer, nothing is easy with this, but good luck.
by Mako
Wed Jun 29, 2022 7:57 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Questions/Experience with retainer with a law firm?
Replies: 47
Views: 3558

Re: Questions/Experience with retainer with a law firm?

I had a similar issue. Ex and I are 50-50 sharing weekly. She was pushing to move to a different district that would be an hour from my house and to put the kids in that district. That school district is supposedly much better than mine so that makes some sense. A judge would probably have sided with me about the school though if I fought it as they would favor the least disruptive thing to the kids. For a whole lot of reasons, I decided that I wouldn't fight it and instead that I would also move to the same area. I got a lot of input from friends, family, my therapist, the kids' therapists...and ultimately decided this was the best choice for me and the kids. It wasn't the only factor, but one factor was that fighting over it would be the ...
by Mako
Wed Jun 29, 2022 6:00 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Questions/Experience with retainer with a law firm?
Replies: 47
Views: 3558

Re: Questions/Experience with retainer with a law firm?

One more question if I can without starting a new thread. My attorney advised that they could also seek reimbursement of my attorneys fees from my ex. Is this unlikely? Or does this happen a lot? This is not at all my area, but it is probably difficult for anyone here to say as this is going to be very state dependent, fact dependent, and probably even judge dependent. Generally getting attorney fees is not the norm, but judges often have a lot of discretion in custody matters to further the interests of the children. In my state they might take into account things like the relative position of the parties, especially if one party truly cannot afford the action and the other has a lot of resources, and bad faith actions by the other party ...
by Mako
Tue Jun 28, 2022 6:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: About to close on house - did not notice several dead trees need that will need removal. Any thing i can do?
Replies: 120
Views: 11652

Re: About to close on house - did not notice several dead trees need that will need removal. Any thing i can do?

This all has me wondering, especially when a final "walk-through" isn't immediately prior to the closing (but I have another question about that, too). Surely a seller can't have the inspection declare that X and Y are in working order (consider an oven and an AC system), but at the walk-through later, that oven has been removed, or the compressor for the AC has been removed...? What happens then, and and especially if it is indeed almost immediately before the closing? There must be some sort of recourse, especially if there is bad faith. But even if the AC simply conked out, but before the closing, and it is noticed...? What protections are there for this type of situation, for the buyer? Thanks. RM Every contract will be diffe...
by Mako
Tue Jun 28, 2022 4:41 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: About to close on house - did not notice several dead trees need that will need removal. Any thing i can do?
Replies: 120
Views: 11652

Re: About to close on house - did not notice several dead trees need that will need removal. Any thing i can do?

To me, a deal isn't done until it's a done deal. This may violate the norms of a real-estate deal, but if I'm spending that kind of money, I'm more concerned about what I'm buying and laws than I am norms. I would go back to the seller and state that the VAC doesn't work as advertised and request an estimate for repairs prior to closing. If the estimate is more than a couple hundred bucks, I would probably ask to split it with the seller. If you are questioning the competency of the inspection, you could also ask to pay for a second, different inspector and go from there. Just my opinion. It's not just "norms" it's contract law. If you've released the inspection contingency you can't really complain anymore about things that were...
by Mako
Tue Jun 28, 2022 4:28 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Questions/Experience with retainer with a law firm?
Replies: 47
Views: 3558

Re: Questions/Experience with retainer with a law firm?

Sic Vis Pacem wrote: Tue Jun 28, 2022 3:22 pm
Zeno wrote: Tue Jun 28, 2022 3:09 pm Tl;dr: Assuming that you are working with a reputable lawyer (and that can also be checked online) you should feel completely comfortable with a retainer. In all circumstances, however, I would encourage you to ensure that your lawyer issues you a written engagement letter that explains the representation, including the fee.

Practicing lawyer here. This.

There is a lot of grey area in certain attorney ethical rules. But not about misusing client funds.
+1. The easiest way to get disbarred is to misuse client funds.

You will get back any unused funds when the representation is complete. Depending on the lawyer it may be easy to use funds. As noted the engagement letter should explain the arrangements.
by Mako
Tue Jun 28, 2022 7:22 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: About to close on house - did not notice several dead trees need that will need removal. Any thing i can do?
Replies: 120
Views: 11652

Re: About to close on house - did not notice several dead trees need that will need removal. Any thing i can do?

One of the legal remedies in NV for disclosure items found late in the process, after official Seller Disclosure has been exchanged, is the return of earnest money and negatation of the contract. So, in fact, Seller could think, "I mighta lost the sale, including the earnest money." Obviously different states have different rules, so it also depends on what "disclosure items" means. My understanding in my state is the seller must disclose latent defects, which are things that could not be reasonably ascertained from an inspection. If a buyer or inspector could easily find the problem, disclosure is not required. Trees that appear diseased would not require disclosure, as anyone can see their status. We also do not know ...
by Mako
Thu Jun 09, 2022 8:44 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Home is in escrow...should I renew Homeowners insurance or let it lapse
Replies: 31
Views: 2805

Re: Home is in escrow...should I renew Homeowners insurance or let it lapse

Tom_T wrote: Thu Jun 09, 2022 8:36 am I am not an authority, but if one is buying a house, is there some presumption that the house will be insured through closing? Or maybe in the contract? I don't know that I'd want to commit to closing on a house with lapsed coverage.
FWIW my most recent home purchase contract, which used a standard contract in my state, does not require insurance by the seller. It only talks about insurance potentially being a requirement of any mortgage the buyer may need.

It does say that the property must be delivered in substantially the same condition as existed on contract acceptance. So if something happens and the seller doesn't fix it (insured or not) the buyer could presumably walk. Or at least further negotiation would occur.
by Mako
Thu Jun 09, 2022 8:16 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Home is in escrow...should I renew Homeowners insurance or let it lapse
Replies: 31
Views: 2805

Re: Home is in escrow...should I renew Homeowners insurance or let it lapse

Like others said, keep the insurance and just get the pro rated part back.Too much risk for too little reward IMO.

But if you really want to self insure raise the deductible as high as you can. That way the cost will be lower but you will still be covered for something catastrophic.
by Mako
Tue May 31, 2022 5:28 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Downsizing life: Family of 4 moving into tiny house
Replies: 144
Views: 19270

Re: Downsizing life: Family of 4 moving into tiny house

+1 to maybe your kids won't be able to stand being around you in a couple years. A tiny house doesn't leave a lot of room. I am downgrading from 3200 to 2300 sq ft and I am concerned but hoping for the best, just be aware of the possible issues. A lot of times teenagers are tough.

Also +1 to you have no idea what a 6 year old and an 8 year old might think about college. My 10 year old was completely different than he was at 6, and I assume he will also be completely different at 14 and 18. You gotta keep an open mind with kids.
by Mako
Mon May 30, 2022 12:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: M&T Bank
Replies: 9
Views: 1978

Re: M&T Bank

My parents have used M&T for about 20 years after M&T acquired their local bank. They are fine as far as banks go, have plenty of branches and ATMs that are convenient for my dad, and they were easy to work with when my mom died. I know they got a medallion from them but that was at least 10 years ago so YMMV. Anyway if they are close to you it's probably fine. The big negative is that my parents went to the branch when they wanted to invest and the guy had them in some really awful funds. That's probably par for the course for a bank, but just don't get talked into that (I know you won't, you're on bogleheads after all).
by Mako
Tue Mar 01, 2022 1:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Appliance delays vs. Home Depot
Replies: 20
Views: 2918

Re: Appliance delays vs. Home Depot

I could be wrong but I thought Home Depot only did basic hookup installation. If so they aren’t going to provide a new vent or new plumbing that it sounds like you want, so you’d need another contractor anyway (which could be a good thing if you are wary of HD installation, but could add to the time line).

If it were me I’d probably just get what I can now and worry about installation when I confirm I’m getting it.
by Mako
Thu Feb 24, 2022 9:39 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Ally offering $250 for opening brokerage acct with $500
Replies: 20
Views: 2946

Re: Ally offering $250 for opening brokerage acct with $500

Independent George wrote: Thu Feb 24, 2022 9:37 am Huh. I just fished this out of my spam folder to review. Sounds like an easy 50% return - will have to examine the terms in detail later.
+1, thanks OP for informing. Seems like a pretty easy offer, especially since I already use Ally.
by Mako
Thu Feb 17, 2022 9:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Are we freaks? Anyone else take photos of prices on grocery shelves?
Replies: 95
Views: 9994

Re: Are we freaks? Anyone else take photos of prices on grocery shelves?

My Walmart doesn’t show the prices while scanning, you just get the total at the end, it’s quite annoying. We’ll that’s if you’re lucky enough to have a cashier, if you go during any sort of busy time it’s self checkout or wait a while. On the plus side I do check receipts, not religiously but kind of randomly, and haven’t noticed very many errors. I don’t take pics or anything, just scan through and vaguely remember.

I much prefer Aldi though it’s a little out of the way.
by Mako
Mon Jan 24, 2022 9:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Have you walked away from Amazon?
Replies: 134
Views: 13084

Re: Have you walked away from Amazon?

I find myself using Amazon less and less, it seems like whenever I want something on a whim it’s cheaper at Walmart and that’s close to my daughter’s school so it’s easy. But I cut the cord last year and my kids make extensive use of prime video so I’m keeping it for now.
by Mako
Tue Jan 18, 2022 5:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Insurance Covid payback: Per "member" or "person"....
Replies: 13
Views: 1587

Re: Insurance Covid payback: Per "member" or "person"....

The most recent thing I read about this (and it seems to be a bit of a moving target) was that IF one gets test from an insurer approved place, then it's fully paid for. But if one buys it elsewhere, then the reimbursement is (is likely to be?) limited to $12 per test ($24 for a 2-pack). So if one pays OTC at a non-approved pharmacy (?) $34 for two, then the reimbursement would be $24. I am having trouble determining what an insurance approved place IS, or how one would find out. It's all so new; I'll wait a few days and then call our Insurer customer service line and see if anyone there has a clue yet. RM My insurer (GEHA, which many here use) said they would reimburse whatever is the cost of the tests, not just a particular dollar amount...
by Mako
Sun Jan 16, 2022 7:04 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: TSP form upload rejected
Replies: 31
Views: 3005

Re: TSP form upload rejected

Yeah I’ve got around 15 years but I’m moving from the TSP the second I retire if nothing changes by then. Don’t care much about the G fund at this point and that’s the main draw.
by Mako
Thu Jan 06, 2022 1:30 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Question on G Fund and Rising Interest Rates
Replies: 11
Views: 1987

Re: Question on G Fund and Rising Interest Rates

Weathering wrote: Thu Jan 06, 2022 1:15 pm I’m assuming the way the G fund pays out interest is through fund share appreciation, because I’ve never seen any payments (interest, dividend, etc) in my G fund account.
Yeah all TSP dividends and interest are automatically reinvested into the funds, so you'll see it in the share price.
by Mako
Tue Jan 04, 2022 2:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to run an estimated 2021 tax return
Replies: 5
Views: 747

Re: How to run an estimated 2021 tax return

Keep in mind that tax software might not quite be up to date yet. I was messing around last month with the new HR Block and it seemed like it wasn't accounting for some things that were new in 2021. I didn't really look into it much because I wasn't really doing anything serious and don't have time constraints like you seem to, but if you do a return this early just double check to see if things make sense/it's asking for all the right stuff, and make sure it's updated. It told me there would be an update January 6, and I just looked and it still says that.
by Mako
Wed Dec 29, 2021 4:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Car repair issue (coolant leak)
Replies: 38
Views: 2252

Re: Car repair issue (coolant leak)

My experience with GM was that it's very specific that only the internal parts of the cooling system are covered, so if this hose/pipe connects one part of the engine cooling passages to another, it might be covered, but if it connects the engine or water pump to anything else (radiator, heater core, etc.) it definitely wouldn't be. But I only have experience with my own vehicles and attempts to research warranty coverage for those. Yeah I would imagine there is documentation somewhere that says what is and isn't covered. Googling quickly it seems like sometimes it's covered, sometimes it isn't. It seems more likely to be covered if it is an actual leaking part (like the water pump) rather than merely hoses or something. But your specific ...
by Mako
Tue Dec 28, 2021 7:58 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should I Refinance?
Replies: 14
Views: 1183

Re: Should I Refinance?

Admiral wrote: Tue Dec 28, 2021 7:46 am
I have never heard of a 13 year loan. 15 years would be $26,615.30 in interest plus $6500 in fees.
Pretty sure I've seen Rocket advertise that they will do loan term of however many years you want up to 30.

OP, if you have the actual loan estimates, with the costs in various sections A, B, C, etc., it will be easier for people here to tell what's going on.

If they have good credit they should definitely refi IMO as 4.375 will be easy to beat. You should be able to get something without all those fees as well, perhaps at a bit higher rate than 1.99, depends on a lot of things.
by Mako
Mon Dec 27, 2021 3:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Furnace Repair Part Gross Overcharge
Replies: 112
Views: 7737

Re: Furnace Repair Part Gross Overcharge

You can’t dispute the charge, you agreed to it and got the part/service you were supposed to get in return.

You also have no right to tell them what they are supposed to charge for labor. You have no idea what is reasonable, taking everything into account. You are free to call and complain and to never use them again so if that makes you feel better by all means. But I imagine almost any place you call would have been a similar price. In my kinda low COL area it’s $125 just to get a tech to come out. With that, spending <$500 when you already spent 5 hours and had to give up is just the way it is IMO. I don’t like it either but you have to pay for expertise.
by Mako
Sun Dec 26, 2021 6:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: drive only 1000 miles/year but need a new car
Replies: 108
Views: 9828

Re: drive only 1000 miles/year but need a new car

The battery was replaced, per post one.
by Mako
Sun Dec 26, 2021 1:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Bourbon with broken seal
Replies: 69
Views: 6408

Re: Bourbon with broken seal

Nyc10036 wrote: Sun Dec 26, 2021 1:29 pm But that is not what was written ---> then quickly threw it in a gift bag on Christmas Eve.

Your scenario is more likely which points to someone in the house opening the bottle.
I know, was just giving another reasonable scenario. Neither came from the OP so who knows how it went down.
by Mako
Sun Dec 26, 2021 1:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Bourbon with broken seal
Replies: 69
Views: 6408

Re: Bourbon with broken seal

Nyc10036 wrote: Sun Dec 26, 2021 1:18 pm
I don't know.
A bottle of expensive bourbon whiskey with a broken seal is pretty obvious.
I doubt I would not notice that the paper seal is broken.
The OP wrote "broken".
https://www.woodfordreserve.com/
If I put it in a gift bag two weeks ago, I’m likely just grabbing the bag and not rechecking the bottle.
by Mako
Sun Dec 26, 2021 1:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Bourbon with broken seal
Replies: 69
Views: 6408

Re: Bourbon with broken seal

dukeblue219 wrote: Sun Dec 26, 2021 12:53 pm Yet no posts like
"I always consult my umbrella insurance before gifting alcohol" or "I make $550k - can I afford to give a $80 bottle of Bourbon?"
:sharebeer
If we're making stereotypical boglehead posts, I will add that the OP never gave the gender of the teenager, yet some have assumed it was a son.

Back to the point, I would agree with posts above that there is probably basically 0% chance of there being a problem, but I would also throw it out. I'd probably only mention it if it was one of my best friends.
by Mako
Wed Dec 22, 2021 4:52 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: No escrow increases closing costs??
Replies: 16
Views: 1350

Re: No escrow increases closing costs??

Better charged me $4 more to do my refi without it earlier this year. No idea why it was so little.
by Mako
Wed Dec 22, 2021 11:28 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Spouse....Poor review [at work]
Replies: 157
Views: 20467

Re: Spouse....Poor review

I’m probably more concerned with “doesn’t give 5/5” when the company policy apparently ties raises to ratings.

I’ve had similar bosses in situations where bonus was tied to rating, and guess what: anybody who’s any good tries like heck to get away from them, and eventually your team has no stars anymore.