Search found 92 matches
- Fri Jan 15, 2021 5:05 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Accepting payment on used car sale during covid
- Replies: 55
- Views: 4222
Re: Accepting payment on used car sale during covid
from bank america, wire transfers can be done online without going to branch
- Sat Jul 04, 2020 12:10 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: cable vs. fiber internet. Which to choose?
- Replies: 31
- Views: 2147
Re: cable vs. fiber internet. Which to choose?
you can replace your landline with google voice / obitalk. this voip solution requires a obi device (eg, obi200). you can port your landline to a cell phone then to google voice. there is NO monthly costs.
https://www.obitalk.com/info/googlevoice
https://www.obitalk.com/info/googlevoice
- Sat Mar 14, 2020 9:02 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Ally 1% bonus, up to $250, sign up by 3/23
- Replies: 252
- Views: 23994
Re: Ally 1% bonus, up to $250
The only place I have cash available to transfer for this bonus is Vanguard Prime Money (VMMXX). I don't quite understand how to read the performance page to determine if this is a good idea or not. Vanguard currently shows the YTD of VMMXX as 0.32% so I thought I should move money to Ally. But Van...
- Fri Mar 13, 2020 1:10 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Ally 1% bonus, up to $250, sign up by 3/23
- Replies: 252
- Views: 23994
Re: Ally 1% bonus, up to $250
thanks for heads up.
I just opened a 11 mo CD with option to withdrawal without penalty. I am guessing fed may cut rate in future. Fyi, 25k deposit yields 1.75% without counting bonus.
I just opened a 11 mo CD with option to withdrawal without penalty. I am guessing fed may cut rate in future. Fyi, 25k deposit yields 1.75% without counting bonus.
- Fri Jan 10, 2020 11:03 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: limo travel to nyc from nj
- Replies: 14
- Views: 1263
Re: limo travel to nyc from nj
You may want to purchase a family membership even though you will only be there for one day. The $150 membership includes admission for two adults & four children. Have fun! https://www.amnh.org/join-support/membership If you wish to visit the museum without any IMAX movies or special exhibits,...
- Sat Nov 16, 2019 11:30 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Keeping my Co. 401k
- Replies: 18
- Views: 1032
Re: Keeping my Co. 401k
I keep my index funds in my old co 401k because of enhanced creditor protection with 401k (vs ira) paying no tax for backdoor roth IRA conversion, where make traditional ira contribution then convert to roth ira. if fees are high or fund selection is poor in old company, consider rolling over to new...
- Wed Sep 25, 2019 9:04 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How to find the best credit card promotion?
- Replies: 47
- Views: 4431
Re: How to find the best credit card promotion?
The right answer is: multiple. Gas card, grocery card, restaurant card, everything else card. DOC seems to have the most comprehensive list at any given time. Also see /r/churning for sign up bonuses. Be mindful of what constitutes certain categories. I've found Amex does not recognize Fred Meyer a...
- Wed Sep 25, 2019 8:59 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How to find the best credit card promotion?
- Replies: 47
- Views: 4431
Re: How to find the best credit card promotion?
citibank doublecash gives 2% cash back. Fidelity does, too, if you have a brokerage account. Both cards have zero annual fees.
- Mon Sep 02, 2019 8:25 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Diminshed value claim
- Replies: 12
- Views: 1235
Re: Diminshed value claim
carfax website will estimate value of your car post accident for free. give your vin. vin will indicate car has accident.
- Thu Aug 22, 2019 8:42 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: RESOLVED: Dual-use "dress" / comfy shoes: Matte Black, locally sourced--starting with Brown Rockport Pro-walkers
- Replies: 24
- Views: 2315
Re: Dual-use "dress" / comfy shoes: Matte Black, locally sourced--starting with Brown Rockport Pro-walkers
I suggest looking at Cole Haan. In particular, try the ones with leather uppers and rubber soles. They are known for comfort.
- Thu Jun 27, 2019 8:00 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Boston travel ideas (was New England generally)
- Replies: 51
- Views: 4074
Re: Boston travel ideas (was New England generally)
if you wish to see a boat, I suggest going to National Park service's USS constitution. It is a 200 year old wooden sailing ship that you can board. It is docked at charlestown naval yard, near downtown. In the same naval yard is a WWII destroyer. If you wish to take a short cruise, charles river bo...
- Sun Jun 16, 2019 12:38 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: how is Home Depot's contractor service (for a water heater)?
- Replies: 53
- Views: 6765
Re: how is Home Depot's contractor service (for a water heater)?
For lowes for a recent bath faucet, the plumber shows up to inspect beforehand ($35 detail fee). Then you return to Lowes to order faucet and pay for install.
- Wed Jun 05, 2019 9:54 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Would you buy a house without a garage?
- Replies: 95
- Views: 7066
Re: Would you buy a house without a garage?
real estate is pretty local. If having a garage is common in your area, then I would NOT buy as this home will be hard to sell. If having a full bath on the same floor as the bedrooms is common, I would NOT buy. Homes are pricey around NYC so good to think of resale value and ease of selling. If you...
- Sun Mar 10, 2019 10:28 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Car is likely totaled, not at fault. Negotiate?
- Replies: 31
- Views: 2253
Re: Car is likely totaled, not at fault. Negotiate?
Agree better to go with one's own insurance co.
However, if OP does not have collision coverage and if OP's insurance feels it is clearly NOT OP's fault, OP's insurance will NOT get involved.
However, if OP does not have collision coverage and if OP's insurance feels it is clearly NOT OP's fault, OP's insurance will NOT get involved.
- Fri Feb 15, 2019 8:21 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Refurbished Nikon D750 + AF-S 24-120mm f/4G Nikkor VR lens
- Replies: 37
- Views: 1968
Re: Refurbished Nikon D750 + AF-S 24-120mm f/4G Nikkor VR lens
I wouldnt save 10% on a refurb. that's too little. New is a better value. As a data point, a long time ago, I bought a refurb directly from nikonusa website. This D600 dslr was $1500 refurb vs $2000 new. It was their father's day sale. The Nikon refurb was like-new (very few shots according to exif ...
- Thu Feb 07, 2019 11:17 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: AA cancelled flight - results.
- Replies: 31
- Views: 3153
Re: AA cancelled flight - results.
what are the reason for flight cancellation? eg, if weather, you have no recourse. you can change your dates of travel w/o penalty. If mechanical failure, it is AA's fault so you can get some miles or compensation.
- Sat Jan 12, 2019 12:39 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Salary Question During Job Interview
- Replies: 17
- Views: 2669
Re: Salary Question During Job Interview
Can you use glassdoor to get a sense of salary range?
- Fri Nov 02, 2018 9:20 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: HMO vs HDHP/HSA. Should I switch?
- Replies: 21
- Views: 1261
Re: HMO vs HDHP/HSA. Should I switch?
re switching midyear, the deductibles are NOT prorated for my company's plans. I did take advantage of the last month rule for adding money to HSA. If you are happy with the HMO doctors, I would stay with HMO and NOT switch to PPO or HDHP, even after the birth. The premiums are more and with kids yo...
- Tue Oct 23, 2018 9:07 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Mega Backdoor vs Backdoor Roth IRA
- Replies: 11
- Views: 1781
Re: Mega Backdoor vs Backdoor Roth IRA
I would tend to leave your old company's 401k untouched, or rollover to new company 401k. This would keep your traditional IRA balance zero.
What if one day, you leave your new company and want to do a backdoor Roth?
What if one day, you leave your new company and want to do a backdoor Roth?
- Wed Oct 17, 2018 9:34 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Pending I-485 & Roth
- Replies: 9
- Views: 763
Re: Pending I-485 & Roth
Here is a link from IRS that defines US residency from IRS view. https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/determining-alien-tax-status Your spouse can qualify for as a resident (from IRS view) from substantial physical presence in USA or from marriage to US citizen (and jt filing of 1...
- Mon Oct 15, 2018 9:47 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Girlfriend lost job, getting a lump sum severance... What should we do next
- Replies: 36
- Views: 3341
Re: Girlfriend lost job, getting a lump sum severance... What should we do next
For a lease, you are legally liable until the landlord finds another tenant. The landlord is supposed to make a good faith effort to find someone. So, maybe you can help your landlord find someone?? For cobra, the cost is 2% over the sum of employee contribution and company contribution. You can fin...
- Tue Oct 09, 2018 9:48 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: .
- Replies: 52
- Views: 5049
Re: New Car: No Collision/Comprehensive?
> For example, if someone hits your car and is likely at fault, can you call your insurance company for subrogation, so they can deal with the other > person's insurance company (since you have auto liability insurance)? That happened to my spouse. Spouse gave her insurance details of the accident. ...
- Wed Sep 26, 2018 10:22 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How to pay for upcoming medical / IVF expenses
- Replies: 73
- Views: 5711
Re: How to pay for upcoming medical / IVF expenses
First of all, when choosing a clinic, keep in mind that success rates vary. CDC publishes statistics at https://www.cdc.gov/art/artdata/index.html. These statistics include number cycles, number twins, maternal age, etc. Emotionally it is a hard process so try to get some support. On Sep 10's wall s...
- Tue Sep 18, 2018 7:21 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Gas leak detector?
- Replies: 21
- Views: 1404
Re: Gas leak detector?
I have a Kidde Nighthawk combo gas and CO detector (something like https://www.kidde.com/home-safety/en/us/products/fire-safety/co-alarms/kn-coeg-3/ ) placed in my basement near the gas furnace. A tradesman smelled a faint gas odor and called the gas company who verified the presence of a very small...
- Fri Jul 27, 2018 7:25 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: DisneyWorld-Needing specific advice
- Replies: 33
- Views: 2398
Re: DisneyWorld-Needing specific advice
To save money, stay off site. Hotels are cheaper. We stayed in downtown disney area for about $70. This is 20 min drive to animal. prob need 45 min for magic kingdom due to shuttle bus from parking lot. If you are going to both Disney and Universal, you have to rent a car any ways. I agree with the ...
- Sat Jul 14, 2018 8:54 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Choosing a Used Car Model
- Replies: 13
- Views: 1674
Re: Choosing a Used Car Model
We also have 2 kids and dislike driving big cars so have 2 sedans.
Maybe you can also consider getting new car seats instead a 3 row SUV/minivan? Eg, Diono Radians are very narrow so can fit an adult and 2 car seats in the back row. Google 3 car seats in a row.
Maybe you can also consider getting new car seats instead a 3 row SUV/minivan? Eg, Diono Radians are very narrow so can fit an adult and 2 car seats in the back row. Google 3 car seats in a row.
- Sun Jul 01, 2018 7:05 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: What is your one favorite Fidelity Fund??
- Replies: 93
- Views: 16563
Re: What is your one favorite Fidelity Fund??
I also have a fidelity 401k from work. I use two institutional index funds: one for US total stock market and and one for international. The institutional version is the same as the retail index fund but with lower expense ratio.
- Sun Jul 01, 2018 12:50 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Cheapest way to buy a phone in 2018?
- Replies: 73
- Views: 9830
Re: Cheapest way to buy a phone in 2018?
re swappa, read the description and check the photos to see the justification for the condition rating. I like good quality or better. ebay is another place to look. only buy from those with good feedback and from listings with detailed descriptions. if buy used, try to activate with your carrier AS...
- Wed May 30, 2018 8:46 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Fitting three young kids in the car...
- Replies: 76
- Views: 6612
Re: Fitting three young kids in the car...
here are some web articles on fitting 3 car seats in a CR-V. My suggestions is to forgo using the latch. Use seat belts to secure the car seats.
https://www.thecarcrashdetective.com/3- ... tions-crv/
http://thecarseatlady.com/vehicles/suv/honda-cr-v/
https://www.thecarcrashdetective.com/3- ... tions-crv/
http://thecarseatlady.com/vehicles/suv/honda-cr-v/
- Tue Mar 20, 2018 8:16 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: 2018 Honda Accord LX ... is this a good deal?
- Replies: 44
- Views: 6087
Re: 2018 Honda Accord LX ... is this a good deal?
Last month I bought a 2018 Accord EX for 23.8k (which includes destination, dealer fees) and 25.5k otd (boston). This price is about $1000 less than the lowest truecar exceptional nationwide. Your price is decent but maybe you can get another $500 off. I also considered the LX trim but wanted the bl...
- Tue Feb 20, 2018 9:27 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: New to FSA and Planning a baby
- Replies: 12
- Views: 1000
Re: New to FSA and Planning a baby
yes, birth is a qualifying event so can elect to enroll in a FSA.
but in my experience, you can only withdraw from FSA for costs that were incurred AFTER the birth. any costs BEFORE birth are not allowed, because you didnt not have a FSA before birth.
but in my experience, you can only withdraw from FSA for costs that were incurred AFTER the birth. any costs BEFORE birth are not allowed, because you didnt not have a FSA before birth.
- Wed Feb 07, 2018 6:34 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Want a Safe Car, Feel Guilty
- Replies: 72
- Views: 7149
Re: Want a Safe Car, Feel Guilty
could consider avalon. This month Toyota is offering $3500 cash incentive on 2018 models.
- Sun Jan 14, 2018 2:54 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Merrill Edge best choice for higher net worth accounts?
- Replies: 90
- Views: 22550
Re: Merrill Edge best choice for higher net worth accounts?
another vote for fidelity or vanguard. They pay more for funds waiting to be invested.
Bank america reward money market pays .07% interest for platinum. think 0.14% for merill sweep??
Vanguard and Fidelity pay alot more, around 1%.
Bank america reward money market pays .07% interest for platinum. think 0.14% for merill sweep??
Vanguard and Fidelity pay alot more, around 1%.
- Sun Jan 14, 2018 9:55 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Replacement Suggestions For Microwave Oven
- Replies: 22
- Views: 2636
Re: Replacement Suggestions For Microwave Oven
If you havent got a new microwave in 30 years, almost any modern model would heat food much faster.
agree with the others re panasonic inverters. They heat food more evenly than other types.
agree with the others re panasonic inverters. They heat food more evenly than other types.
- Sat Jan 13, 2018 5:22 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: COBRA alternative for 1 month? (it's $2,400 per month!)
- Replies: 69
- Views: 7165
Re: COBRA alternative for 1 month? (it's $2,400 per month!)
to clarify dm200's post, my employer deducts premiums monthly so if i quit a few days into the month, I am covered til month end.
Eg, last day is Feb 2 so have old job's subsidized (non cobra) insurance til Feb 28. Then start work at new job Feb 5.
Eg, last day is Feb 2 so have old job's subsidized (non cobra) insurance til Feb 28. Then start work at new job Feb 5.
- Wed Nov 08, 2017 11:24 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Best strategy for selling cell phone on Ebay?
- Replies: 33
- Views: 2628
Re: Best strategy for selling cell phone on Ebay?
check the prevailing prices for your phone on the swappa, crraiglist and ebay. then subtract fees and shipping. on ebay, goto advanced search and check completed sales over $50. that will filter out sales of accessories like cases. if you never sold on ebay, this would NOT be my first choice. buyers...
- Sat Jul 01, 2017 5:20 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Advice on Desktop PC
- Replies: 87
- Views: 7756
Re: Advice on Desktop PC
The dell you mentioned is overkill. You are paying a big premium for the best and latest technology. To save money, I would get a mid tier desktop. That is, look for i5-6xxx CPU (or i5-7xxx or i7-5xxx or i7-7xxx) with 8 Gb memory and 256 Gb SSD. You dont need a graphics card for watching TV or movie...
- Sun Jun 04, 2017 6:06 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: High Income Earner Humbly Seeks Advice
- Replies: 83
- Views: 25527
Re: High Income Earner Humbly Seeks Advice
If you are donating to your church, you can consider opening a charitable gift fund. And then donate appreciated stock or mutual funds to the CGF; you can deduct today's stock value and avoid paying capital gain tax. And then have the CGF give money to your church. The CGF's gift to your churcch can...
- Tue Apr 25, 2017 12:19 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Will cars be autonomous in three years?
- Replies: 225
- Views: 19676
Re: Will cars be autonomous in three years?
Self driving cars are a long long way off. Definitely not in 3 years. I would be surprised to see full level 5 autonomy in 10 years. The only technology that can produce high resolution 3D map of the car's surroundings is lidar, which right now costs a lot. Eg, see velodynelidar.com. The cost needs ...
- Fri Apr 14, 2017 10:12 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Will - what is complicated?
- Replies: 72
- Views: 6799
Re: Will - what is complicated?
My case is similar to OP's. My child is a minor so I wanted to setup a trust and guardian in case my spouse and I both passed away. Nolo Willmaker didnt have a problem with this. My family is close and wont contest the will. I think it is a simple case common to many Americans. I dont pay for financ...
- Wed Apr 12, 2017 4:21 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Tax question: cost basis on rental real estate
- Replies: 5
- Views: 587
Re: Tax question: cost basis on rental real estate
condos have a useful living of more than 7 years, so I dont think you can take 200% declining balance depreciation. I think you are supposed to use 27.5 yr straight line at 100%.
- Fri Apr 07, 2017 11:26 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Citi Costco Visa vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve
- Replies: 73
- Views: 34556
Re: Citi Costco Visa vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve
The Costco Visa has NO annual fee so it does not hurt to have the card. Plus it rebates 4% on gas. Why not have both cards?
- Mon Mar 27, 2017 3:06 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: How to make my old MacBook to work?
- Replies: 20
- Views: 2239
Re: How to make my old MacBook to work?
I have an old macbook that is slow, too. we are thinking of installing chrome os and turn it into a chromebook.
- Fri Mar 24, 2017 3:23 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Camcorder recommendations
- Replies: 44
- Views: 3718
Re: Camcorder recommendations
I like your initial suggestion of getting a canon vixia. Canon is a well respected brand with a long history of making camcorders. Eg, the R70 has an external mic input and costs $250 new at B&H photo. I think you can also buy from Costco/ BJs. Compared to the $150 model you are considering, thi...
- Fri Mar 24, 2017 2:53 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Primary residence mortgage over the 1.1M mortgage interest deduction cap ... what to do?
- Replies: 13
- Views: 2095
Re: Primary residence mortgage over the 1.1M mortgage interest deduction cap ... what to do?
I thought one can deduct interest of the first 1 Million, not 1.1 Million.
- Tue Mar 21, 2017 10:30 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Used German Luxury vs New Japanese
- Replies: 89
- Views: 14031
Re: Used German Luxury vs New Japanese
I would get a new Accord / Camry with the optional 6 cylinder engine. This engine would provide some fun factor. Or a used Lexus or Avalon. I can see the appeal of a German car, but dislike spending time in repair shops.
- Thu Mar 16, 2017 11:10 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Looking at refurbished desktop PCs
- Replies: 25
- Views: 3754
Re: Looking at refurbished desktop PCs
if you are comfortable fixing and troubleshooting, refurbs are a good way to save some money. That said, I dont think these refurbs are a good deal. These refurbs are approx 5 years old so probably seen a lot of use. For about the same price I think you can buy a 1 year old refurb directly from Dell...
- Thu Feb 23, 2017 1:40 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Honda: buy new or used?
- Replies: 29
- Views: 2682
Re: Honda: buy new or used?
Honda Sense suite of safety features is an option for 2016 Accord and later. Might be hard to find that in a used car.
- Fri Feb 10, 2017 12:14 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Building a Computer
- Replies: 33
- Views: 4687
Re: Building a Computer
The advantage of building your own is longer warranty (3 yr vs 1 yr) and quality parts. and you can customize the PC to your wants. Eg, you can get a very quiet PC. But building your own PC will cost more today. I dont think it will save any money even over the long run either. Technology changes v ...
- Mon Feb 06, 2017 2:14 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Car Replacement Strategy
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1878
Re: Car Replacement Strategy
about 2 yrs ago, I had a Honda dealer put new timing belts and water pump in a Civic for $750. This is in Boston, a HCOL area. imho, a $1000 is way too high. Try calling around a few dealers and independent shops.