Search found 295 matches

by testing321
Sun Mar 17, 2024 2:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: RIP edmunds.com....how can one evaluate the value of a used car now?
Replies: 25
Views: 4280

Re: RIP edmunds.com....how can one evaluate the value of a used car now?

On the Edmunds site, under "Appraise My Car", I answered questions about my car and was able to get an "Edmunds Appraisal Report" on one tab and a
Carmax offer on the other tab. The appraisal report was similar to what I got on kbb.com. The Carmax offer was more than I would have expected.
by testing321
Fri Mar 08, 2024 10:07 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Gas dryer - safe to tinker?
Replies: 10
Views: 784

Re: Gas dryer - safe to tinker?

My Maytag gas dryer stopped heating. The solution was to replace the thermal fuse, $7, from Home Depot, ordered online. You can find a Youtube video showing how to do it. It was easy. I think the fuse blew due to excess heat from lack of ventilation in the laundry room. We have since opened the window a crack to allow air in to replace what's blowing out the dryer vent.

I also have replaced the door switch and most recently the belt when the drum wouldn't turn with a heavy load of towels. Both of these were easy jobs as well. The dryer is 13 years old.
by testing321
Sat Mar 02, 2024 10:41 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Electric mower for mulching
Replies: 30
Views: 2463

Re: Electric mower for mulching

I have had a Greenworks 80v 21" self propelled lawnmower for one season. I bought it from Costco and they double the 4 year warranty on the batteries. I consider it an addition to my exercise equipment. It has two batteries, which is more than enough for the front and back lawns. We have almost half an acre, so figure half that is lawn. It takes about an hour and 15 minutes. I mulch until the leaves start falling and then I switch to using the catcher. There are too many leaves to mulch back into the lawn. I pour the mulched leaves in the catcher into yard bags, which are picked up on trash day. Compared to raking and packing leaves into yard bags, mulching into the catcher is much easier.
by testing321
Wed Feb 28, 2024 10:38 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: RMD Tax Withholding
Replies: 50
Views: 5148

Re: RMD Tax Withholding

I have a fairly simple spreadsheet for estimating state and federal taxes based on tax tables, social security formulas, potential deductions, etc. Near the end of the year, I update it and determine if I need to take a QCD to avoid falling off a cliff, and then I take my RMD. I adjust the state and federal withholding rates on the RMD to withhold more than 90% of my taxes. One year I withheld 50% of the RMD as federal tax when I had higher than expected self employment income. So I don't bother with estimated tax payments.
by testing321
Mon Jan 15, 2024 2:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: RMD Tax Withholding
Replies: 50
Views: 5148

Re: RMD Tax Withholding

I have a fairly simple spreadsheet for estimating state and federal taxes based on tax tables, social security formulas, potential deductions, etc. Near the end of the year, I update it and determine if I need to take a QCD to avoid falling off a cliff, and then I take my RMD. I adjust the state and federal withholding rates on the RMD to withhold more than 90% of my taxes. One year I withheld 50% of the RMD as federal tax when I had higher than expected self employment income. So I don't bother with estimated tax payments.
by testing321
Sat Dec 09, 2023 3:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New to Costco
Replies: 239
Views: 60999

Re: New to Costco

My wife and son split a membership, otherwise it wouldn't be worth it. Our son uses it more than we do.

Yard bags, coffee beans, woman's clothes, shoes, wine, gin, tequila, scotch, lawn fertilizer, car tires, car battery, flower bulbs, bed pillows, Sonicare toothbrush heads and a few groceries.

A few one off items: Greenworks lawn mower, garden hose, foam mattress and a blender.
by testing321
Thu Nov 16, 2023 11:42 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Mutual of Omaha Medigap G huge price increases
Replies: 64
Views: 8441

Re: Mutual of Omaha Medigap G huge price increases

My medigap G premium is going up a lot next year. I went to medicare.gov and searched medigap G policies for my age and zipcode and it turns out that my policy still has one of the lowest premiums for 2024 compared to all the others. Ditto for my wife's.
by testing321
Sun Oct 29, 2023 11:37 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Manual Aprilaire humidistat setting for HVAC humidifier?
Replies: 31
Views: 5439

Re: Manual Aprilaire humidistat setting for HVAC humidifier?

These came installed on both the up and downstairs heaters when I bought our house. There is a graph provided that tells you what humidity to set it at given the outside temperature. As the outside temperature drops, you are supposed lower the humidity to prevent condensation on the inside of the windows. Since our house is fairly airtight, it turns out that humidity never falls below the recommended setting on the graph so these never get used in our home. Never.
by testing321
Thu Oct 05, 2023 4:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Winterizing irrigation system, DIY or pay someone?
Replies: 29
Views: 2970

Re: Winterizing irrigation system, DIY or pay someone?

I have been doing the DIY method for over 20 years and never had a problem the following spring:

1. Shut off main valve to irrigation system in the basement.

2. Put a bucket next to that valve underneath the side tap, open tap and let the water drain into the bucket.

3. Run a few cycles on the sprinkler timer.

4. Unplug sprinkler timer wall wart.

I start this process a week or so before the first hard freeze.
by testing321
Tue Sep 19, 2023 11:27 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tire Question
Replies: 30
Views: 2732

Re: Tire Question

Get a flashlight and a small mirror and see if you can find a nail or piece of metal stuck in the tire. If you do, mark the location with something.
by testing321
Tue Jul 11, 2023 6:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cash Back At Aldi
Replies: 3
Views: 629

Re: Cash Back At Aldi

I sometimes use my Discover Card at Aldi when grocery stores are 5% cash back for the current quarter, and the terminal will ask if I want cash back charged to the credit card, and of course I decline this, because it counts as a cash advance and the terms for a cash advance, with any CC, are onerous.
by testing321
Mon Jul 10, 2023 12:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Compression socks
Replies: 25
Views: 2278

Re: Compression socks

Found this helpful: The Easiest Way To Put On Compression Socks . I bought my last pair at Target, 2/$10.
by testing321
Tue Jun 06, 2023 1:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What's Going On With AT&T?
Replies: 17
Views: 2208

Re: What's Going On With AT&T?

Our neighborhood got fiber in March, I signed up online where I scheduled a time for the install and eventually got $400 in gift cards. A salesman arrived about 15 minutes after the installer and I told him I didn't want to discuss any other products. He looked disappointed, but I didn't ask for him to come. I got 300 mbps for $55 per month and have had no billing problems. Apparently you can get more gift cards if you sign up online instead of calling, so I recommend doing it that way. You can stack a bunch of codes and see which work. Just today, Google fiber left a little sign at the end of our driveways saying "Thanks for your patience" "Over the next few weeks, Google Fiber crews will be constructing a brand new fiber op...
by testing321
Thu Jun 01, 2023 8:50 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Accounts keep switching to paperless
Replies: 49
Views: 5049

Re: Accounts keep switching to paperless

Does your mother have an IPad? I recently told my SIL to stop sending out checks and use her small town bank's app to pay bills online. They had a list of all her regular payees in the app already setup for electric payment, and all she had to do was enter the account number the first time and the amount to pay. We did this while on vacation together and she was pleased with how easy it was and how quickly the payee received payment. She now pays nearly all her bills with the app.
by testing321
Fri May 26, 2023 11:42 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Take Your Internet Plans
Replies: 7
Views: 1064

Re: Take Your Internet Plans

Some people have T-Mobile home internet and take the gateway with them when they travel. Lots of discussions on the RV forums.
by testing321
Wed May 17, 2023 12:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Close credit cards or lower limits?
Replies: 34
Views: 2201

Re: Close credit cards or lower limits?

I only keep cards on which I can earn significant cash back and that have no annual fees. So fido 2% on everything, Target and Lowes 5% in store, Chase and Discover 5% on a different category each quarter, Amex cash blue 3% online shopping and groceries, Sam's Club 5% on gas and at Sam's Club 3% on dining. Wife has some and I have some and we put the other as an authorized user and pay the full balance each month. My electric utility charges no convenience fee for a CC, so that goes on fido.
by testing321
Wed May 17, 2023 11:35 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone have 5G home internet? Experiences?
Replies: 99
Views: 8811

Re: Anyone have 5G home internet? Experiences?

Softballer wrote: Wed May 17, 2023 11:11 amI have the Arcadyan KVD21 gateway. It has no passthrough mode. I have not even found a way to turn off wifi on the box to use a separate router.
Are you using the app or logging into the gateway using the user name and password printed on the bottom? The good stuff is available through the latter.
by testing321
Wed May 17, 2023 8:48 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone have 5G home internet? Experiences?
Replies: 99
Views: 8811

Re: Anyone have 5G home internet? Experiences?

I switched from Spectrum to TMHI last July. Spectrum was charging $80 for 300/10 so I tried T-mobile's service for $50 with a lifetime price lock. I never had a problem with Zoom calls, streaming or internet browsing. Typical speeds were 150/50. I got the best reception in an upstairs bedroom and connected the gateway to an ethernet jack and replaced my router in the basement with a switch so I was still able to use ethernet in the rooms where I had installed jacks. The gateway had two ethernet ports. The wifi on the Nokia gateway was very strong, so I got strong signals throughout my home. In fact, I was able to turn down the power on both wifi bands to 25%. Then in March, AT&T installed fiber in my subdivision and I switched to 300/30...
by testing321
Sat Apr 15, 2023 9:22 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to Select an "Induction" Stovetop
Replies: 67
Views: 6541

Re: How to Select an "Induction" Stovetop

Consumer Reports recently rated induction cooktops.
by testing321
Sat Mar 25, 2023 1:07 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bank of America warning - re Money Market
Replies: 19
Views: 2805

Re: Bank of America warning - re Money Market

Eno Deb wrote: Sat Mar 25, 2023 10:48 amIn a pinch, the Fed has the means to ensure liquidity by pausing the QT and buying up treasuries.
Happening now!
by testing321
Sun Feb 26, 2023 1:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Reverse Osmosis vs. Bottled Water: Which is Healthier?
Replies: 82
Views: 7338

Re: Reverse Osmosis vs. Bottled Water: Which is Healthier?

OpenMinded1 wrote: Sun Feb 26, 2023 10:10 amThat's what I did, and I was surprised to find out that our drinking water appears to be pretty safe. There were a couple things that I was slightly concerned about, plus I didn't like the chemical taste of it. So I bought and installed an under-sink filtration system that water goes thru and to a separate spigot.
Ditto this. I got a one stage filter mainly to remove chlorine and whatever else the charcoal filter picks up. We needed a new kitchen faucet, so I got one with a sprayer that used one less hole freeing up one for the new spigot. Previously we were having 5 gallon bottles delivered and this was cheaper and the water tested about the same.
by testing321
Wed Feb 22, 2023 12:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Google Voice for securing financial accounts OTP
Replies: 20
Views: 1898

Re: Google Voice for securing financial accounts OTP

My GV number was suspended and no specific reason was given. I appealed to the Google bots but was denied each time. I was using GV for 2FA and some financial accounts had two phone numbers or an email or a phone number to authenticate, but some only had one method. Keep that in mind if using GV for 2FA.
by testing321
Thu Jan 26, 2023 10:41 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: how to break logjam with Comcast Service
Replies: 27
Views: 3459

Re: how to break logjam with Comcast Service

chazas wrote: Thu Jan 26, 2023 6:40 am
Or this one:

https://www.dslreports.com/forum/comcastdirect

I honestly don’t remember whether it was DSL reports or facebook, but I managed to get their attention to raise a falling Comcast wire over my driveway even though I was not Comcast subscriber. One of these direct contact methods gets you to a higher level CSR who can deal with more things.
I had success with https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet
by testing321
Thu Jan 26, 2023 10:37 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Medicare Wellness visit rules
Replies: 10
Views: 1307

Re: Medicare Wellness visit rules

My understanding of the rule is that there has to be 11 calendar months in between visits. So you could have a visit on March 30th of this year and March 1st of next year. Some medical staff assumes it has to be past the date the next year, so after March 30th next year.
by testing321
Wed Jan 25, 2023 3:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Proactively replace valves under sinks, toilets
Replies: 43
Views: 5011

Re: Proactively replace valves under sinks, toilets

I replaced a few and now turnoff the water supply to the house since the valve to do that is in the basement and easy to turn.
by testing321
Thu Jan 19, 2023 1:14 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Surprise Healthcare Bill
Replies: 33
Views: 4976

Re: Surprise Healthcare Bill

My wife and I haven't had any surprises since we went on traditional Medicare.
by testing321
Mon Jan 02, 2023 12:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Quick and easy day in Grand Canyon - Recommendations?
Replies: 23
Views: 1603

Re: Quick and easy day in Grand Canyon - Recommendations?

We went in January a few years ago and the shuttle buses were not operating in the off season. We just drove our car from one view point to the next and hiked around a little at each. There's less covid exposure doing it this way.
by testing321
Sun Dec 18, 2022 12:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Reminder: RMD divisors have changed this year
Replies: 9
Views: 2165

Reminder: RMD divisors have changed this year

I was about to take my total RMD for this year from just one of my brokers and double checked their calculation with mine in my spreadsheet and theirs was lower. Looking into this, I discovered that the divisors are larger this year, and the RMDs lower. If you are near a trigger point, this may make a difference. https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p590b.pdf#page=65
by testing321
Sun Dec 18, 2022 11:52 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Delta Dental or Physicians Mutual?
Replies: 10
Views: 3468

Re: Delta Dental or Physicians Mutual?

We have the premium option of Delta Dental of KS, and it pays up to $2,500 and includes extractions and implants. I have a spreadsheet with the claims and if I add up the in network discounts and payments made to dentists, it exceeds the premiums paid by a significant amount. Plus the premiums are a Schedule 1 line 17 adjustment (subtraction) against occasional consulting income. Nearly all the dentists in the area are in network.
by testing321
Mon Dec 12, 2022 3:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: One-way Car Rental
Replies: 19
Views: 2088

Re: One-way Car Rental

A number of times I have needed to go from Monterey CA to one of the bay area airports and have checked the car rental listings on a site like Expedia or AAA and each time have found one company that was cheaper than taking the shuttle. I usually check about two days before departure.
by testing321
Sun Dec 04, 2022 5:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Glasses cleaner that works? Wipes?
Replies: 46
Views: 4901

Re: Glasses cleaner that works? Wipes?

When my wife prepares a fresh dishpan of soapy water with dawn, she asks if I need to wash my glasses, and if so, I wash my regular and computer glasses. I rinse them and then dry them in a flour sack towel. Nothing works better.
by testing321
Sun Nov 20, 2022 10:20 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Wall Street Journal BF deal is back $4/month for 1 year
Replies: 0
Views: 433

Wall Street Journal BF deal is back $4/month for 1 year

Link I switch between two accounts. I pay with Paypal because you can login to Paypal and cancel the subscription without dealing with the WSJ staff. I put a reminder on my calendar to cancel after the October payment.
by testing321
Sun Nov 13, 2022 12:36 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Traditional Medicare or an Advantage Plan?
Replies: 134
Views: 17669

Re: Traditional Medicare or an Advantage Plan?

cashmoney wrote: Sun Nov 13, 2022 11:16 amMayo clinic has never been in network with any MA plan
This document from Mayo shows them currently in network for Humana Medicare Advantage Plans.
by testing321
Sat Nov 12, 2022 12:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Traditional Medicare or an Advantage Plan?
Replies: 134
Views: 17669

Re: Traditional Medicare or an Advantage Plan?

From an article about the Kaiser report, There is a greater, and less well-publicized, problem with MA plans -- denial of physicians' referrals for care. Even after appeals and approval, there are delays in scheduling. It's a game that gobbles up huge amounts of staff time, clinicians complain. One physician said he expects all MA referral requests to be denied at least once. "We hear about MA policies that seem to purposefully use all sorts of protocols to deny people care, or at least delay it, and we've seen more and more complaints," said David Weil, program manager for the San Diego-based Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program, a federally funded service that provides free, impartial insurance advice and education f...
by testing321
Fri Oct 14, 2022 11:35 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage
Replies: 481
Views: 44412

Re: Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage

Here is an informative article comparing original and advantage coverage.
by testing321
Sun Sep 04, 2022 9:26 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: PSA: Latest Windows virus update is giving false positives
Replies: 2
Views: 528

PSA: Latest Windows virus update is giving false positives

Version created on 9/4/2022 3:28AM cdt is giving a series of "Threat Blocked" Hive.ZY every 20 minutes or so. It's a false positive, so just ignore it. MS should update this any minute.
by testing321
Tue Aug 16, 2022 2:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Retiring at age 65 and trying to figure the best source to fund a Social Security deferral until age 70?
Replies: 27
Views: 3676

Re: Retiring at age 65 and trying to figure the best source to fund a Social Security deferral until age 70?

I rolled over my 401K into one of my IRAs and then withdrew from the IRA. I also did some consulting which allowed me to deduct medical and dental premiums. Wife took SS at age 65 and I took it at age 70. I am very happy with how this worked out.
by testing321
Mon Aug 15, 2022 9:00 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: PSA - Clean Computer Vents
Replies: 21
Views: 1824

Re: PSA - Clean Computer Vents

Homes usually are dusty. Once a year I shut down my desktop, take the cover off and vacuum out the dust. The fans and the heat sink on the cpu collect the most dust.
by testing321
Sun Aug 07, 2022 2:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Spam Bombed in Gmail
Replies: 20
Views: 2884

Re: Spam Bombed in Gmail

The Sam's Club CC has 3% cash back on dining and dining is one of the most risky places to use a CC since they often walk away with your card. If you login to the CC site, you can freeze your card.
by testing321
Mon Aug 01, 2022 11:40 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Poor performance of wash motors on Whirlpool dishwashers
Replies: 10
Views: 1740

How to Keep Your Whirlpool Dishwasher Alive for the Complete Idiot

I have had plenty of problems with my now 4 year old Whirlpool dishwasher, all that I was able to fix myself. 1. Wheels fall off the upper rack and it sags. I used two 4" zip ties to hold them back on. They don't spin with the zip ties on, but the rack slides easy enough if you lift it a bit while sliding it back. I have had to do this for both front wheels. I got this tip from an Amazon review of the expensive replacement part for the rack. 2. The open lever falls off the door that hides the soap so that the door won't stay closed. You can pry off the door, reinstall the lever and then snap the door back on. I have had to do this maybe 50 times. It helps to put some silicone grease on the underside of the lever. You can buy the grease...
by testing321
Sun Apr 10, 2022 9:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Health insurance premium deductibility
Replies: 14
Views: 1374

Re: Health insurance premium deductibility

If you were self employed (1099), it would be a business expense for you and your dependents. Line 17 Schedule 1. It even works for Medicare supplements and dental insurance.
by testing321
Mon Apr 04, 2022 3:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Mattress
Replies: 21
Views: 2870

Re: Mattress

modest_man wrote: Mon Apr 04, 2022 3:02 pmIn January, we bought the King Novaform 14" Comfort Grande Plus Memory Foam Mattress from CostCo. It has been fantastic.
This goes on sale at Costco, starting April 13th, $110 off the queen (down to $490), $150 off the king (down to $550).
by testing321
Tue Jan 25, 2022 4:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Property Survey Issue
Replies: 22
Views: 2009

Re: Property Survey Issue

For context, the rear border of the property is where this issue occurs. The rear neighbors fence is 2 feet on my side of the property. The property is roughly 70 feet wide by 110 feet in length. The 2 feet doesn’t bother me at all, especially considering we are in a sellers market. It took months of having multiple offers above asking turned down before getting this house. This house is in a great location and the seller can easily get at least $25K more than they agreed to sell it to me for. I am just frustrated that my attorney hasn’t followed up, the seller has been very accommodating and would definitely be willing to seek the affidavit for me. However I do not want to lose this house and assume that I can always seek the affidavit af...
by testing321
Tue Jan 25, 2022 9:05 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Property Survey Issue
Replies: 22
Views: 2009

Re: Property Survey Issue

Tru Blu wrote: Tue Jan 25, 2022 9:03 am Depending on how long the fence has been there it may be that your "neighbor" has acquired title to the encroached area by reason of a legal doctrine known as adverse possession. Talk to your attorney.
Yes, google "adverse possession your state".
by testing321
Mon Jan 17, 2022 2:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How did you purchase wine glasses? Beginner here
Replies: 51
Views: 4088

Re: How did you purchase wine glasses? Beginner here

My wife goes to Goodwill, and over time purchased an eclectic collection of high quality glasses for 99 cents each. Guests appreciate the quality and the variety.
by testing321
Mon Jan 17, 2022 2:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Lab tests not covered during annual physical exam
Replies: 47
Views: 6300

Re: Lab tests not covered during annual physical exam

aragorn1 wrote: Mon Jan 17, 2022 2:08 pmDo you think it will help if I reach out to the CA Department of Insurance ?
No. I would first make sure you have a EoB for the lab service, and if so call the insurance company and ask if the lab was in network, and if so ask why you don't at least get the in network discount. If the lab is not in network, then the PCP's office screwed up and sent it to the wrong lab. If you don't have a EoB for the lab service, then call the lab and give them your insurance information.
by testing321
Mon Jan 17, 2022 9:48 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Lab tests not covered during annual physical exam
Replies: 47
Views: 6300

Re: Lab tests not covered during annual physical exam

aragorn1 wrote: Sun Jan 16, 2022 1:03 pmFast forward 2 weeks and I got a bill from the hospital that I owe a balance of ~$700 for 3 of the 5 tests. I called my medical insurance helpline and the rep said that some of the tests are not considered as preventative but diagnostic. The tests in question are Metabolic Panel (CPT 80053), TSH (CPT 84443) and Lipid Panel (CPT 80061).
These prices are ridiculous. You can order these tests yourself at requestatest.com for $109 and they will create an order for either Quest or LabCorp.
by testing321
Tue Jan 04, 2022 12:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: $1,000 for Antibiotic !!!
Replies: 79
Views: 8038

Re: $1,000 for Antibiotic !!!

Someone mentioned BlueSkyDrugs.com. I see they have a generic version from India that costs between $88 and $178 for 100 pills depending on strength. https://www.blueskydrugs.com/Product/Xifaxan