Bogleheads.org

grandmacassie

The will says heirs are the sons per stripes. If testator had died without any direct descendants, several charities are listed.

grandmacassie

Thanks for the replies. Of course there is an estate atty on the matter, so his advice will be followed. Its just that lawyers are always so slow and deliberate....as you want them to be, of course, but dang, it can be frustrating!

grandmacassie

Hello, ye wise ones! Here's the situation. Dear MIL passed away with financial assets/securities valued at about 500K. Both her sons, named as heirs in her will, are financially secure and do not need any inheritance. One son has no children, the other has two children. Brothers have agreed to both ...

grandmacassie

If you look in the thread, I had remarked that DH is an authorized signer on MIL's checking account, but not co-owner. He did hold POA for her, but POAs die when the grantor dies. For those of you who asked what happens when she passes away, we now know. She passed away in mid October. The atty we h...

grandmacassie

To Cheese_Breath

I have read your posts after your wife's stroke, and have been touched and inspired by your care and devotion. Please accept my condolences. You should honor your beloved wife in any way that gives you comfort. I'm so very sorry for your loss.

grandmacassie

DH is a lawyer. Has represented banks and drafted loan docs for 40 years. Every time he hears one of these ads for mortgage title lock insurance, he growls. Says it’s absurd. Says any lending institution that lends on a fraudulent title is on the hook for that error, NOT the homeowner. Says this ins...

grandmacassie

This topic often seems to come up on the forum. DH handles all of his mother's finances. He is not, however, a co-owner of any pf her accounts, not even her checking account. He is merely an authorized signer on her account. Meaning he writes and signs checks to pay her expenses. This is easy to acc...

grandmacassie

I usually prefer reading to audiobooks, but here is an exception. Born a Crime by Trevor Noah. You would never be able to duplicate the sounds of the different accents that he demonstrates if you just read the book. His gift for mimicry is unsurpassed. And even though this memoir of his early life t...

grandmacassie

I have been using Quicken forever. Understand, however, that I have not updated to a new version since 2013, and I never, ever have enabled automatic online updates. So I manually update all data and it produces reports for me when I direct it to do so. We keep our data private, Quicken and me.

grandmacassie

Thanks for your suggestions, all. I did download from App Store. I’ve done everything you’ve suggested. When signing in to meeting, I cannot unmute mic, when I try it just tells me to go to privacy, etc which never works. Really, if I have no trouble on pc Or iPad, I must conclude it is my phone. I ...

grandmacassie

I have a problem doing zoom meetings on my iPhone. I can see and hear other participants, and they can see me but they cannot hear me. Now, I know I have to go to settings/privacy/microphone and enable the mic. The problem is that zoom is not listed as an app that has asked for permission. There are...

grandmacassie

I’m sitting on the sofa in my second home. Here’s why/how we got here. In 2000 DH had a heart attack at age 48 -stress related. Then 9/11 happened. We looked at each other and said “what are we waiting for?” We bought a modest (275k) home on an acre in a resort development in the mts near where I gr...

grandmacassie

Our house was built in 1940. No central air, but 3 12,000 btu window units when we moved in in 1990. Also has boiler/radiator heating so no ducts. We have a full walk-up attic with 2rooms and a bath. They contractor put the unit under the sloped eave of the attic and ran duct work In attic ceiling t...

grandmacassie

Hello, all. I'm writing to ask guidance with regard to dear MIL's stimulus check which has never arrived. Here's her situation, and I'm wondering if she will not qualify because of her unusual circumstances. MIL is 94 years old and has dementia and has lived in a specialized Alzheimer's unit for the...

grandmacassie

I am a little rusty on this, but in my career in no-profits I recall that there are certain operational requirements that must be met in order to qualify for the favorable tax treatment of the 501(c)(3) designation. The 501 designation defines a public charity. A public charity must file an informat...

grandmacassie

I still use Quicken 2013 which happily lives on my laptop. I was always wary of providing the info that would allow downloading of account activity, prices, etc automatically, so I never signed up for that. As a Boglehead, I have a 4 fund portfolio and one small stock holding which was acquired when...

grandmacassie

I'm not sure if anybody can "own" a charity. Charities are governed by Boards of Directors and may employ staff. Before making a donation, I'd be very careful to look at the names of the board members of this charity. There should be a minimum of 8 members and they should bring a variety o...

grandmacassie

Thanks for all your ideas. Before I posted I tried plugging into to USB, I tried updating, I rebooted at least 10 times. I must have a bug, because it will open the cellular connection, but as soon as I try to download, it kicks me off and tells me connection is not available. And to try restarting....

grandmacassie

Ummm, is there anything germier than cash money? If I withdrew any, I'd likely run it through the wash before using it!

grandmacassie

I have a second generation Kindle, v2.5.6. I can no longer connect to a cellular network and there is no wifi on this machine. Has Amazon discontinued supporting this model? I can't find any info other than there was a required software update a couple of years age, which I did. Second question: if ...

grandmacassie

Each year with our “tax organizer” questionnaire, our CPA send an engagement letter that we must sign. In it, the scope of work is described as tax preparation. It specifically excludes tax planning unless a separate engagement is made. Perhaps this is the disconnect you are experiencing.

grandmacassie

I moved to PA in the 1970's from the southeast. One thing I still have a hard time understanding is the myriad layers of government in PA. For instance, where I came from, you lived either in a City or, if not in the city limits, in a County. Ordinances, policing, local government, planning, schools...

grandmacassie

Hello, all. Yesterday was a snow day and I decided to work on a project I have been putting off -- making sure I had records of the basis of all investments in our VG taxable account. The first fund was opened in 2000, and I have added several since (4 fund portfolio) and reinvested interest and div...

grandmacassie

I MUST relate this true story. Last spring we flew SW from Balto to Phoenix. We rarely fly SW, so we were in group 3. As we boarded, I noticed 2 nice bulkhead seats in a three-seat row, with a guy seated on the aisle. I asked the flight attendant if we could sit anywhere, and she said "anywhere...

grandmacassie

I have known the Blue Ridge in Va my whole life—writing this from our weekend home there. Over Labor Day weekend I went with sisters to the Smokeys for the first time. Quite different from the Blue Ridge of Va. Steeper and more remote. I suggest checking out Snowbird Mountain Lodge in Robbinsville N...

grandmacassie

Hi, all. I have been a stickler about recording all expenses carefully for the last 25 years or so, as a way of controlling spending and making sure that retirement funding is on track. Well, DH is retiring at the end of the year, and our net worth is higher than we ever expected. Our RMDs plus SS w...

grandmacassie

Great restaurants in QC Old Town. Hard to get bad food unless you order poutine! Service is wonderful, too. I’m not much of a shopper, but the boutique shops are interesting, too. We walked our legs off and had a great time doing it last fall.

grandmacassie

Two sets of experience: DH is POA for his mother, who has dementia. He began acting as Attorney-in-Fact for her over 5 years ago. Before cognitive decline got too severe, he accompanied her to her local bank to certify and got on the phone with her to her brokerage to certify (also provided document...

grandmacassie

Look for a class indicating Yoga for the Core at your local yoga studio. It is core strength that helps balance and balance training that helps core strength. And it makes you feel strong and great! I've been taking 2 classes a week for about a year now, and it has made a big difference, even though...

grandmacassie

More re Aid and Attendance

The Vet must be a combat vet and qualifying dates are specific. The rules and lengthy and complex.

Resources: www.VA.gov
www.VeteranAid.org
www.VeteranCareAdvisors.com

grandmacassie

I was solicited by Vanguard to talk to a PAS rep a couple of weeks ago. My phone interview was yesterday. I was rather surprised by the moderately hard sell. Even after I demonstrated to him that I had a very good handle on my financial picture, he asserted that I was too low on international, that ...

grandmacassie

Re: VA Aid and Attendance Benefit. I just did the research on this on behalf of my mom. My dad was a WWII combat vet. Vet with no dependent: income limit $22,577 Vet with spouse or children: income limit $26,765 Surviving spouse income limit: $14,529 In addition, there is a net worth limit of $123,600

grandmacassie

Hi, All, I've been dragging my feet in converting to the brokerage platform, but want to get this done by end of summer. This is regarding a taxable account. One poster on another thread mentioned that you should make sure you record the cost basis prior to conversion, so that you can be sure it is ...

grandmacassie

Last fall we replaced a Goodman that was original to the house, which was built in 1997. So it gave 21 years of service which is not bad for a heat pump/ac. It was very NOISY, though. So if quiet is important to you, check the noise rating carefully.

grandmacassie

I know this route like the back of my hand. (I've been making that trek for over 45 years since I moved "up north") Staunton and Lexington are both good choices. Since you are spending 2 nights, I'd look at heading East from Staunton about a half hour and check out Wintergreen Resort. It's...

grandmacassie

I just called Vanguard 5 minutes ago b/c I had received the same message. I was prepared to transition, but had a few questions. My Flagship rep told me transition was totally optional. I elected not to transition because I don't have any individual stocks/ETFs and my set-up now works perfectly for ...

grandmacassie

I have a couple of observations: About 10 years ago dear MIL was beginning to lose cognitive ability and began to complain about paying for LTC insurance "that I've never even used!" We likened it to her homeowners insurance and said "you still pay homeowners insurance and your house ...

grandmacassie

Is is possible that the word REF with a long number following stands for REFERENCE # not a REFUND #? Perhaps we are all misreading REF, and the # following could shed some light if followed up - that you overpaid last year by $53. Just a thought.

grandmacassie

OP here. Here's an update. DS read the fine print of the plan and it says the assets are considered assets of the institution until the employee separates from service. So it's a non-governmental fund, after all. Thanks for all comments. In further discussion with DS, I recommended that before he ti...

grandmacassie

Hi Boglefriends, DS has been looking into investing over and above his maxing of his 403(b) plan. He is a prof at a major land-grant university and has just learned that there is a 457(b) plan available to him that he can invest pre-tax dollars in up to $19K in 2019 (no match). I have read the Wiki ...

grandmacassie

I am 67 years old. Neither DH or I have ever received a monetary gift or loan from any parent. I did receive $500 from my grandfather when he died in 1967 and $1,000 from my grandmother when she died in 1972.

grandmacassie

Thanks for the replies! If I could have persuaded DH to retire sooner, I would have! Took some persuasion to get him to agree to this date 3 years ago. He's in the enviable position of enjoying his work and being his own boss (profession). For the two years before SS and RMD we will just live off of...

grandmacassie

Hello, all DH has finally decided that 2019 will be his last year of work, and that he will retire 12/31/19. Yippee! As the family financial manager, I'm looking for advice on what, if any, moves I should make in this, his last year of earning. Here is our situation: Ages: DH67, DW67 Currently on Me...

grandmacassie

I recently listened to Trevor Noah read his memoir "Born A Crime" on a road trip. Better than reading it because he does all the voices and speaks in several South African languages. It's the story up his upbringing as the child of a black mother and white father in South Africa during the...

grandmacassie

My Mom settled on a new house on her 90th birthday, 5 years ago. She still lives in it, alone. She did not try to get a conventional mortgage, but took a loan against the value of her taxable portfolio from her brokerage. The loan was about $250K. Once she sold her old house, she paid off the portfo...

grandmacassie

DH and I just did this last winter. We submitted the application on Valentines Day, but "notice of award" was not issued until May 29. So my advice is be patient. SS is good about paying your back benefits when they finally get around to approving your application.

grandmacassie

Couldn't you gift up to $15,000/year* to each of your kids without any tax consequence at all? This accomplishes two things: it puts $$ in your kids' pockets in the high expense years of growing families, and it allows you the flexibility to suspend the gifts at any time should market conditions and...

grandmacassie

Oops, I mentioned the wrong McPhee books. Rising from the Plain is the one... but all are wonderful!

grandmacassie

I haven't had to simplify much - been using Bogle principles a long time. But we all read threads from folks with multiple positions in multiple accounts. If I were in that situation, I would unwind/simplify deliberately and step-by-step. I would want to make sure each transaction was completed accu...

grandmacassie

I think 9 months to a year is routine to settle an estate. Once a wills and estates attorney told me of his response to family members who nag him for "their" money during the estate settlement process. "If you are so desperate for this money, what would you have done if (loved one) h...

Search found 208 matches