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Yes OldSport. I have correspondence and seller has repeatedly told me that they would cancel the order and reimburse the charge, “in 2-3 business” days. They have not done so.
eBay was contacted and they just send my complaint to seller to resolve, who tells me again that they will cancel the order and reimburse me.
I have put a stop loss on my efforts with EBay and have filed with my credit card company with the documentation of communication.
It shouldn’t be this hard, and in my opinion EBay should be weeding out this type of seller for what I consider fraudulent listing. eBay can do what they want, I’ll vote with my feet.
I do feel equally bad for legitimate sellers who have scams run on them by buyers. eBay has lost its way.

I have reached the same conclusion about EBay
as Jack FFR1846, but as a buyer. I will only buy low value items that won’t hurt if scammed.
I am currently working through a problem purchase where seller posted “last one, order soon”, and seller does not have/own item. Seller turns out only to try to find item after purchase, and have it dropped shipped to you the buyer. In my case, seller can’t find item, won’t reimburse me, and eBay won’t cancel order.
eBay allowing what I consider fraudulent listings will pretty much keep me away.

"The problem with installment payment setups failing below a certain (erroneous) $ threshold has been resolved. I just set up a desired amount that was repeatedly rejected for being "too low" in January. Spouse received the Docusign document within seconds of making the change. " Thanks for posting MnD. I have wanted to change my monthly draw amount, but have been waiting for TSP contractors to allow what they have no clue about. A week ago after they erroneously withheld Federal taxes (again) from my monthly distribution from January without my permission or notification I pulled the trigger and have initiated a move of 90% of my TSP funds to an IRA at my outside brokerage. Never in my thoughts would I think ten months ...

I appreciate the guidance DukeBlue

Yes DukeBlue, I would think that also, but when I divide my current C fund balance into my total account balance I get exactly 70% what I set at my rebalancing weeks ago.
Strange, isn’t it?
Anyone else with TSP that confirm what I am seeing or tell me I am missing something ?

Artic,
1. The percentage is for existing balance, not future continuations.
2. I don’t believe this option of periodic rebalancing period is available.
3. Why would the tsp rebalance on my behalf without my concurrence, it is not a target date fund (where I would find fund managers rebalancing appropriate).

In the last few months I have changed/rebalanced my asset mix of the C & G fund accounts. For example, 70% C & 30% G to 50% C & 50% G. When I then days, weeks, or a month later check my balance, the percentage of total value is exactly the percentage I rebalanced to, even though the G and C fund had different rates of return in that time period. My conclusion is that the new contractor must be rebalancing to my set percentages on a daily basis. This is a difference from the old contractor where values would run. For example, if the C fund tanked, I might see I now have a greater percentage of my overall balance in G which held its value. I hope I am explaining this correctly for readers, and appreciate any thought or insights yo...

Wells Fargo limited me to $3000 per thirty day period for ACH transfers. I no longer bank with them.

The person making the withdrawal request is less than 72 years old….
The tax withholding is directly from TSP publications.
Chemocean, you respectfully don’t know what your talking about and misleading this conversation.

TSP withdrawals is a hot mess right now, and has been since the new company & website took over in May 2022.
New company is changing tax withholding on me without notification or consent. This has happened to me twice now.
Friend just tried to change his monthly draw and they will only allow an amount equal or great than his RMD at age 72, which is much greater than he wants, and is in violation of TSP rules which state a $25 minimum.
Long wait times, and even the supervisors at the call center do not have an understanding of the TSP.
Errors on their part are not corrected. Blame is placed on a Federal Holiday, or some erroneous user error, or a “glitch” in the system.
Be very cautious

I may be an outlier, but have had the following issue with an IPhone 11. I bought it from Apple unlocked and had my provider ATT activate the esim for service. This was early 2020. Local att store made it happen, but with difficulty.
While out walking months later I lost cell service with the message “sim failure”. ATT could not resolve, they blamed Apple. Apple support blamed ATT. Attempted resolutions did not work. Eventual work around was for att to install physical SIM card.
It was a disappointment to me to be in the middle of two industry titans and hosed.
Still don’t know what the issue was and which company might be able to resolve. Covid hit, and plans to visit Europe and need for a tourist sim made the answer mute.

I read the articles published by the WSJ on this and walked away unimpressed and dissatisfied with their coverage.

Is the Federal Reserves target of 2% inflation annually the correct course ?
Aren’t they devaluing the US dollar over time at the expense of those that hold US dollars? Should there be a policy of guaranteed interest rates above the 2% floor or any given inflation rate to protect the dollar?
If 2% is good, why not 4, 6, 8, or some other benchmark percent?
Doesn’t inflation reward borrowers at the expense of savers, and is this what the Federal Reserve wants to encourage?

I have noticed the same pattern for about 3-4 months with my yahoo email account. Dramatic increase in spam emails landing in my inbox.
12-20 spam emails a day. Identifying them as spam has not cut down the number of spam emails.

I have been watching gold & silver spot prices for several years.
My take (which is probably completely wrong) is that since the spot prices have been relatively flat (static), that inflation may be actually be ready to adjust down, bringing interest rates & prices with it, or at least leveling at current prices & rates.

I suggest you buy your FIL an extravagant gift.

"I have 5 percent of my 401k in exUS (EAFE) and I’m glad it doesn’t move the needle (downward). It’s all about what you feel comfortable with."

I also have (had) about 10% in international. It is less now. Sometimes the consensus of the crowd should be reflected on.

Nisiprius, the other oil shock was 1978-79.
Odd/even rationing. Gas stations running out of fuel.

Once again, thank you for the thoughtful responses and links.
I will discuss with CPA and go with what she is comfortable with.

Thank you for the responses and the references.
After reading the links, it is clear as mud to me.
My only solace, is my ability to ask difficult questions.

While residents of Florida, my parents stood up and funded two trusts. The trusts were written by their Florida attorney under Florida state laws. Several years ago, my mother stepped down as trustee and I accepted appointment as trustee. The trust's income would pass to my mother's 1040 and be reported there via K-1's. My mother passed away in 2020 and this event had a new trust "stand up" (be created) to hold my sister's portion of her inheritance. This was done under Florida state law by the family attorney in Florida. Fast forward to 2021. I fund my sister's trust and begin to send her monies as outlined in the trust. She is a current resident of California and I plan on having the Trust to prepare a K-1 to report trust income...

I received a designation of “Attorney in Fact”
to conduct matters on behalf of the trustee (my parent) for what I needed to do with the trust. I could buy, sell, manage as needed. I am not an attorney.
In layman speak it was very similar to what I could do for my parent as POA.

Lots of good advice being posted.
The other avenue to explore would be to obtain a bridge loan for your NC home, and convert to mortgage after condo sells.
As a side bar, $10k to your condo buyer sounds like an attractive path.

I actually had a leak in my water supply between the meter and my house. Original galvanized supply was about 40 years old.
Cost $850 to repair in low cost of living area.
Plumber just dug a trench and ran new flex pipe between meter and house. I thought that was great.
About a sixty foot run.

Post some signs with this theme:

“We care about your safety”
Heavy tick presence in this area

Ticks can carry Lyme disease.

…..Who want to pick ticks off there dog?

I’m seconding Haymans suggestion of VWIAX.
Vanguard Wellesley.
About 40% equities, 60% bonds.
Receive dividends quarterly as fund pays them to use for your Dad’s expenses. End of year capital gains, and any unused dividends can be reinvested as your Dad’s cash flow dictates.
Slightly higher expense ratio, and you receive professional management of your money.
This is simple, good, & “one and done” for the long term.
Other suggestions breed more complexity, where it is not needed.
The Wellesley fund will have a capital distribution at years end.
So for timing, I would wait until January to buy, and lump sum it at that time.

Sounds great. You did your homework

Thank you drk, exactly what I was looking for.
Much obliged.

VTEB is a municipal bond ETF.
In another thread a poster stated, “ But municipal bond funds could be helpful if you suspect your marginal tax rate will increase with time. I personally wouldn't use VTEB because you get caught up in the tax-loss harvesting restrictions that other funds avoid (I'd prefer the national muni fund, VWIUX).”

I have searched and unable to find tax-loss harvesting concerns with VTEB, can someone enlighten me? Thanks

VTEB is a Vanguard municipal bond fund etf.
They also have a mutual fund equivalent.
Federal tax exempt.
Won’t be a barn burner for your portfolio.

If your house is on Montclair, I believe price is the problem.
(Fingers crossed for you that it isn’t)

And why would you not consider a municipal bond fund/etf
Such as VTEB?
Please correct my understanding if wrong, but doesn’t it currently yield 1.5-1.8% and it is Federally tax exempt.
Some principle volatility, but yield is beating CD rates.
What am I missing?

Try Taxidermy.net

I also see listings on Craigslist from time to time.

Thanks for correcting my misinformation Silk McCue

I believe distributions are “pro-rated” for the year to date of death, so if you are taking distributions monthly no worries.

A new heat pump will save you with its efficiency over a twenty year old model.
If you proactively replace it, you can shop prices. If it fails, you will be in a “do it now” situation.
Either decision is reasonable

Makes sense to me.

I suggest she may be eligible for Medicaid and that would greatly reduce an expense in her monthly outflow/budget.

OP, Celia is giving you some "spot on" advice.
The trustee should inform you of the trust valuation and process of distribution to the beneficiaries.
This may take some time depending on the complexity of the estate and the trustee's familiarity with the trust and assets held.
I would touch bases with the trustee.
T

I second runner 3081’s recommendation of
Liquid Nails.
I used it to reattach slate tile on a floor foyer that would get wet on occasion. Never worried about it again.

Thanks Sergeant, I thought that too, but wasn’t sure.
The big three ( Fidelity, Schwab, & Vanguard) have to make a few bucks somewhere from us that have a low cost focus.

What does this statement mean?
“ I chose Vanguard over Schwab because I didn't like the cash draw(5-6%) Schwab does.”

Auction it

I will have in 2021 GEHA high deductible health plan with an "self + one" (calculated under family).
My child ages out of the plan in September 2021 and I will revert to "self only".
I am over 55 years old.
For 2021 HSA contribution limits are $7200 family and $3600 individual,
& $1000 "catch-up".
So I can contribute 9/12's as a family and 3/12's as an individual?

GEHA contributes $150/month for family plans, and $75/month for individual.
So... $150x9 + $75x3 = 1575

For HSA:
First 9 months $7200 x 9/12's = $5400
Last 3 months $3600 x3/12's = $900
$5400 + $900 + $1000 = $7300

$7300 HSA contribution allowed, less $1575 from GEHA equals $5725 for the 2021 year from me?
Anything I am missing?

I took and recommend “Harley Davidson’s Riders Edge” Course.
When I took it, it was a 24 hour course both classroom and riding.
In my state you could use successful completion to obtain your motorcycle endorsement without a state road test.

I found the course interesting and valuable.

Be the best Dad possible for your kids.

For twenty years I brought coffee from home in a thermos to work. Buying a cup of coffee at work then was more about a break than a cup of coffee.
Last ten years it was the community coffee made at work, nothing extravagant.
Boy how times have changed and reinforces my thoughts that we are living in an age of extraordinary wealth & choice.

Become a slacker (hard to do for people our age), so you eventually get terminated. That way you will qualify for unemployment. You will be on the same boat as many others in this era of COVID, so after a break you will be able to re-enter the workforce untainted.

“Has anyone developed workaround best practices to work with the Vanguard customer service team so we can do business with Vanguard without wasting so much time?”

The best advice I ever received on this site was from Member Livesoft and it applies here, as well as many other times I have phoned for customer assistance. He succinctly said, and I paraphrase, “if you get a substandard representative, simply thank them and hang up. Call again in a few minutes and try again with a different representative.”
This has helped me across many interactions.

I have bought 4 houses (& sold three).
Second house was bought close to a market top and nine years later I sold for a bit more than I paid.
It was my favorite property and a great place to live with my family for nine years. No regrets