Search found 234 matches
- Sat Feb 09, 2019 11:22 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: starting HDHP and HSA mid-year
- Replies: 11
- Views: 733
Re: starting HDHP and HSA mid-year
You can’t have both unless it is a special purpose FSA.
- Sun Jan 20, 2019 12:26 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: How are we doing?
- Replies: 18
- Views: 2363
Re: How are we doing?
Is there any reason you’re not investing in tax deferred accounts? I assume you estimate your future taxes will be higher that they are now??
In my opinion as long as you’re maxing our investment all the investment space you can, you’re good.
In my opinion as long as you’re maxing our investment all the investment space you can, you’re good.
- Sat Jan 19, 2019 8:53 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Is Fidelity Zero Fund BETTER than Fidelity Expense Ratio Fund
- Replies: 58
- Views: 6568
Re: Is Fidelity Zero Fund BETTER than Fidelity Expense Ratio Fund
My question is what would you use in a HSA account? I currently have opened a HSA account with Fidelity but don't know which funds to pick, i am weighing between FZROX and FSKAX. I do want to be able to move it to vanguard if they offer HSA accounts down the road. I personally wouldn't use either i...
- Thu Jan 17, 2019 12:22 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: John Bogle has died at age 89
- Replies: 856
- Views: 49214
Re: John Bogle has died at age 89
RIP, John Bogle! You were a true leader.
- Mon Jan 14, 2019 5:17 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Experience with HSA to HSA trustee transfer?
- Replies: 41
- Views: 1951
Re: Experience with HSA to HSA trustee transfer?
I have just opened a new Fidelity HSA account and also just linked my Fidelity Checking account to my OPTUM HSA account. In the next few days, I will ask for a distribution of the full investment amount into the Fidelity Checking account. When that is completed, I will transfer the full amount from ...
- Mon Jan 14, 2019 2:36 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Experience with HSA to HSA trustee transfer?
- Replies: 41
- Views: 1951
Re: Experience with HSA to HSA trustee transfer?
In my case, yes, it's fees and a $2,000 cash requirement (paying 0.25% interest). My employer HSA charges $2/month plus 5 bp/quarter (20 bp/year). On a $50K HSA that's $124/year plus cash drag. They do not, however, charge for transfers, so I was making roughly quarterly transfers to Lively. Going ...
- Mon Jan 14, 2019 2:23 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Experience with HSA to HSA trustee transfer?
- Replies: 41
- Views: 1951
Re: Experience with HSA to HSA trustee transfer?
In my case, yes, it's fees and a $2,000 cash requirement (paying 0.25% interest). My employer HSA charges $2/month plus 5 bp/quarter (20 bp/year). On a $50K HSA that's $124/year plus cash drag. They do not, however, charge for transfers, so I was making roughly quarterly transfers to Lively. Going ...
- Mon Jan 14, 2019 1:14 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Experience with HSA to HSA trustee transfer?
- Replies: 41
- Views: 1951
Re: Experience with HSA to HSA trustee transfer?
In my case, yes, it's fees and a $2,000 cash requirement (paying 0.25% interest). My employer HSA charges $2/month plus 5 bp/quarter (20 bp/year). On a $50K HSA that's $124/year plus cash drag. They do not, however, charge for transfers, so I was making roughly quarterly transfers to Lively. Going ...
- Mon Jan 14, 2019 10:43 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Experience with HSA to HSA trustee transfer?
- Replies: 41
- Views: 1951
Re: Experience with HSA to HSA trustee transfer?
Forgive me for the sideline ... but I don't quite understand 1. What so bad about your current employer HSA (that you want to do this)? Fees? 2. FWIW, my employer uses Optum HSA. Other folks here also mention Optum and wanted to do transfer. What's bad about Optum? To me it just seems like an okay ...
- Tue Jan 01, 2019 10:38 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: 529 yes or no?
- Replies: 33
- Views: 2359
Re: 529 yes or no?
That is right. But it looks like with the new law you can use the savings for expenses from K to college(not only college expenses). Another advantage.
- Tue Jan 01, 2019 10:25 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: 529 prepaid college trust rollover to standard 529
- Replies: 2
- Views: 147
Re: 529 prepaid college trust rollover to standard 529
You’re right. It is a type of gamble. That is why I opted for the Maryland College Investment Plan. You have more flexibility and you may come up on top if your child attends non Maryland college. Alternatively you can contribute to both plans but I’m not sure how beneficial that would be if your ch...
- Fri Dec 28, 2018 6:42 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Bathroom Dripping-Potential Leak Question
- Replies: 20
- Views: 1209
Re: Bathroom Dripping-Potential Leak Question
It may not be a leakage at all. After all if it is water leakage, at some point you’ll see the water damage. I say this because I had a similar problem that turned out to be noise coming from one of the pipes carrying hot water. I do not hear the noise when the shower or pipe in the bathroom is open...
- Fri Dec 28, 2018 6:06 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Financial advice to family members
- Replies: 37
- Views: 3421
Re: Financial advice to family members
Seems like you’d be better off introducing your sister to the basics of personal finance by suggesting reading books like the millionaire next door or complete money maker by Dave Ramsey. Perhaps purchase the books for her and encourage her to read and ask questions. Sometimes, the best way to get t...
- Fri Dec 21, 2018 7:13 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Converting IRA to ROTH. How would this affect my taxes?
- Replies: 8
- Views: 528
Re: Converting IRA to ROTH. How would this affect my taxes?
Although you would have to pay taxes on all the dollars you convert, you don't have to convert the entire IRA. You could convert 50% or 25% of it, or enough to take you to the top of your current tax bracket. I imagine you are noticing the value of the traditional IRA going down, thus making it hav...
- Fri Dec 21, 2018 4:34 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Converting IRA to ROTH. How would this affect my taxes?
- Replies: 8
- Views: 528
Re: Converting IRA to ROTH. How would this affect my taxes?
That is exactly what I dreaded. I was in the 28%rate so I have to figure out how much I can convert without moving into a higher bracket. There is no longer a 28% tax bracket. You are apparently looking at old data since the tax laws changed as of last January. These are the current tax brackets . ...
- Fri Dec 21, 2018 4:05 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Converting IRA to ROTH. How would this affect my taxes?
- Replies: 8
- Views: 528
Re: Converting IRA to ROTH. How would this affect my taxes?
That is exactly what I dreaded. I was in the 28%rate so I have to figure out how much I can convert without moving into a higher bracket.
- Fri Dec 21, 2018 3:27 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Converting IRA to ROTH. How would this affect my taxes?
- Replies: 8
- Views: 528
Converting IRA to ROTH. How would this affect my taxes?
With the market being down, I am thinking about converting an old traditional IRA into a Roth for obvious reasons. However, I am concerned that this would put me in a different/higher tax bracket and therefore negate any gains from the convertion, at least in the immediate. My question is, would I p...
- Fri Dec 14, 2018 12:11 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Wired router vs wifi router with radio turned off.
- Replies: 9
- Views: 862
Re: Wired router vs wifi router with radio turned off.
I have them both. My router is wired directly to the cable coming in from outside the house( I don’t use any Fios router). The router I use is the ubiquiti Edge X router https://m.newegg.com/products/0XK-000W-00080 I also have a WiFi router upstairs which I use only as an access point. I do not find...
- Sat Nov 17, 2018 9:32 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Rumor mill - Fidelity starting individual HSA's Nov. 15th
- Replies: 906
- Views: 72075
Re: Rumor mill - Fidelity starting individual HSA's Nov. 15th
To transfer or not to transfer? I have Optum Bank with $3 monthly fee and invest all in the Vanguard S & P 500. Not sure if it worth it to transfer. Transfer fee seems to be just $20. Doesn't Optum charge an asset fee, in addition to the $3/month? No. No other fee beside the monthly investment fee.
- Sat Nov 17, 2018 2:49 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Rumor mill - Fidelity starting individual HSA's Nov. 15th
- Replies: 906
- Views: 72075
Re: Rumor mill - Fidelity starting individual HSA's Nov. 15th
To transfer or not to transfer? I have Optum Bank with $3 monthly fee and invest all in the Vanguard S & P 500. Not sure if it worth it to transfer. Transfer fee seems to be just $20.
- Wed Nov 14, 2018 3:08 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Questions to late starters
- Replies: 8
- Views: 976
Re: Questions to late starters
OP. I think you're on the right track. Don't fret. While you may think you started late because you immigrated here, you probably also don't have any student loans and consumer debts that most young people get themselves into before it is too late. You may also have an advantage over many people bor...
- Tue Nov 06, 2018 3:37 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Appealing Insurance Dental Claim Decision
- Replies: 10
- Views: 881
Re: Appealing Insurance Dental Claim Decision
I have had success talking with the providers themselves. They may not write everything off but they will sometimes give you a significant discount. Also, in terms of the insurance company, you may want to call several times to talk to different people and request to talk with a manager to get some ...
- Mon Oct 15, 2018 10:02 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Gift for two of four grandchildren
- Replies: 18
- Views: 2309
Re: Gift for two of four grandchildren
A 529 isn't a solution. The money is for the kids going to college, not necessarily to be spent on college. My oldest received many scholarships and barely touched the 529, so that gift is invested. My younger child's 529 is probably more than needed already. The second unfunded grandchild has some...
- Fri Sep 28, 2018 9:10 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Good Non-Computer Jobs?
- Replies: 20
- Views: 3946
Re: Good Non-Computer Jobs?
You can work in a job that requires the use of a tablet instead of the old desktop. Many companies don't give provide desktop computers these days. Only laptops and tablets.
- Thu Sep 20, 2018 9:35 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Kid's school brought in Wells Fargo to teach them financial literacy today.
- Replies: 26
- Views: 2091
Re: Kid's school brought in Wells Fargo to teach them financial literacy today.
Mostly, it is the financial institution that will offer the school some incentives to gain access to the kids. The local credit union won't offer any incentives so they have no chance of getting into the schools.
- Wed Sep 19, 2018 10:29 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What is your single most expensive mistake?
- Replies: 293
- Views: 26195
Re: What is your single most expensive mistake?
subscribing 

- Wed Sep 12, 2018 8:09 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Can I contribute to HSA this year?
- Replies: 9
- Views: 889
Re: Can I contribute to HSA this year?
You may also try to convince your wife's employer to cancel her FSA or change it to a limited purpose FSA. Some have had success with that.
- Sat Jul 07, 2018 2:04 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Finding an adviser for lower-income immigrant couple?
- Replies: 13
- Views: 1184
Re: Finding an adviser for lower-income immigrant couple?
Unless you don’t want to get involved in guiding them, I’d just guide them to open accounts at BG, Fidelity it Schwab and invest in some index funds a little at a time. I don’t think it is worth it to pay an advisor at this point.
- Sat Jun 09, 2018 3:13 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: AT&T lower-cost data alternatives (is Sprint's $15/mth worth it)?
- Replies: 27
- Views: 2579
Re: AT&T lower-cost data alternatives (is Sprint's $15/mth worth it)?
Switched from ATT to the Sprint's $15 per line for 3 lines. I couldn't be happier. A savings of over $80 dollars. I couldn't be happier.
- Tue Apr 03, 2018 11:50 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Maryland 529 College Investment Plans
- Replies: 28
- Views: 3310
Re: Maryland 529 College Investment Plans
This is what you’re looking for. https://maryland529.com/basics-of-529-college-savings-plans/tax-advantages-of-529-plans Maryland 529 Offers Significant Tax Benefits The state of Maryland offers a generous income tax deduction of up to $2,500 per year for Account Holders enrolled in either Maryland ...
- Tue Apr 03, 2018 11:05 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Contributed to FSA while spouse has HSA in 2017.
- Replies: 4
- Views: 1257
- Thu Mar 22, 2018 5:53 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Working till retirement is not a great plan
- Replies: 175
- Views: 15963
Re: Working till retirement is not a great plan
Any ideas on how to prepare if this happens? Self employment is good but how many of us have the skills to self employ?
- Sat Feb 17, 2018 11:42 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How to get child's skin in the game for college?
- Replies: 135
- Views: 8526
Re: How to get child's skin in the game for college?
Pay for dd and let her graduate without a college loan. Seems like you can afford it. There is no need asking for any skin in the game. Her skin in the game is to get good grades.
- Sat Feb 10, 2018 12:25 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: From EJ to Vanguard to Schwab
- Replies: 21
- Views: 2470
Re: From EJ to Vanguard to Schwab
VG screwed me up once on a rollover. If you save with VG, you better know what you are doing.
- Fri Jan 26, 2018 9:10 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: 401k millionaires
- Replies: 158
- Views: 26948
Re: 401k millionaires
One can often roll over IRAs to 401(k). In fact if one wants to do Roth conversions this is recommended. I see too many other confounding variables to consider this stat much more than a curiosity. Can you elaborate on this? Why go from IRA to 401k to Roth, when you can simply go from IRA to Roth?
- Sun Jan 21, 2018 8:46 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Car Stereo Questions
- Replies: 25
- Views: 2290
Re: Car Stereo Questions
I would recommend the pioneer AVH line of car head units with feature rich options including navigation, Apple CarPlay or Android, waze etc.... . Newegg discounts these units fairly frequently.
- Mon Jan 15, 2018 11:17 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Tahoe/Silverado Hybrids
- Replies: 3
- Views: 497
Re: Tahoe/Silverado Hybrids
Here’s the reason.
https://www.autotrader.com/car-news/che ... led-207769
Generally people don’t see any financial benefits in getting a hybrid since you pay for it one way or the other.
https://www.autotrader.com/car-news/che ... led-207769
Generally people don’t see any financial benefits in getting a hybrid since you pay for it one way or the other.
- Fri Jan 12, 2018 8:14 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: HSA Contribution Limit
- Replies: 6
- Views: 747
Re: HSA Contribution Limit
You got it right. The max for family is $6900 including employer match/contribution. So, you have to make sure that all contributions max $6900.
- Thu Dec 28, 2017 11:04 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Question about Sunday religious school tuition deduction
- Replies: 6
- Views: 999
Re: Question about Sunday religious school tuition deduction
Generally, if a charitable organization gives you goods or services in return for a payment, the payment is not deductible. So, I would think neither the tuition nor tutoring fees would qualify as deductible. Why are Temple dues deductible? Aren’t we getting membership and ability to attend religio...
- Tue Dec 26, 2017 12:00 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Landlord vs tenant issue across the country
- Replies: 32
- Views: 3880
Re: Landlord vs tenant issue across the country
The lease is what should govern your dealings with the landlord. Don't be bothered by his threats unless what he claims is stipulated in the lease or generally accepted in the jurisdiction. Unfortunately, you may have to go to court if he sues or you may have to hire a lawyer to represent you if he ...
- Mon Dec 25, 2017 3:45 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Need to open HSA account and IRA before the end of the year. Possible?
- Replies: 23
- Views: 1726
Re: Need to open HSA account and IRA before the end of the year. Possible?
Not sure what you mean by "shelter", but you can only have an HSA account if you already have a high-deductible insurance plan. Do you? As for an IRA, you can open/fund the IRA anytime before April 2018, and backdate the funds to the 2017 tax year, so there should not necessarily be a rush. Yes, we...
- Sun Dec 24, 2017 9:46 pm
- Forum: US Chapters
- Topic: My Christmas Present to You
- Replies: 90
- Views: 10284
Re: My Christmas Present to You
Awesome. Thank you and Merry Christmas. Is the "General Taylor" mentioned in the piece you?
- Thu Dec 21, 2017 9:28 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Will you take this Fidelity bait ?
- Replies: 126
- Views: 16065
Re: Will you take this Fidelity bait ?
I would in a heartbeat. Superior customer service, lower cost ETFs, a great cash management system, the best fixed income desk in the industry (my opinion),a 2% cash back credit card,comfortable offices to conduct business in. Nothing against Vanguard, but in my experience they are also-rans. Schwa...
- Tue Dec 19, 2017 5:01 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Reposession - worth it?
- Replies: 17
- Views: 2457
Re: Reposession - worth it?
A classic Dave Ramsey case. Please follow Dave Ramsey's debt snowball and you will be fine in just a couple of years or months. They key is to be very angry at the debt and eliminate it ASAP by giving up a lot of your comforts.
- Tue Dec 19, 2017 4:54 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Who missed out on maximizing 401k?
- Replies: 62
- Views: 6822
Re: Who missed out on maximizing 401k?
I reached the max one paycheck before the last so I left about $164 on the table and my employer said they won't help to fix that "\ 

- Sun Nov 19, 2017 4:35 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Invest using my State's college plan or Another?
- Replies: 7
- Views: 602
Re: Invest using my State's college plan or Another?
One advantage of the MD 529 college plan is that you can deduct up to $10K from your State Tax returns. I think that is significant enough for you to take into consideration. It is basically $2500 per account. So, you and you spouse can open two accounts each for the child ' 'Edited: I also wish to ...
- Thu Sep 21, 2017 9:41 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Personal Capital Education Planning Guide
- Replies: 0
- Views: 291
Personal Capital Education Planning Guide
I just read the Personal Capital Education Planning Guide, which is very informative.
https://www.personalcapital.com/land/education_guide/
https://www.personalcapital.com/land/education_guide/
- Tue Sep 05, 2017 4:15 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Becoming a Landlord: My Experiences
- Replies: 136
- Views: 29897
Re: Becoming a Landlord: My Experiences
Nice job OP
- Sun Aug 13, 2017 7:22 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Health Savings Account
- Replies: 37
- Views: 4912
Re: Health Savings Account
My employers HSA forces you to use it or lose it by the end of the year. Is there an option, outside of employer that offers a HSA account (similar to a 529)? Thanks! Are you sure that is not an FSA - Flexible Spending Account? The laws governing these are federal. Your employer cannot change the r...
- Sun Aug 13, 2017 7:07 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Personal Loan?
- Replies: 19
- Views: 2088
Re: Personal Loan?
Don't go into more debt trying to pay off another debt. Sell his car and take on extra hours on the weekend, if you can to knock off this demon away. With your current salary you could be out of debt shortly. Good luck.