Search found 344 matches

by aida2003
Wed Dec 29, 2021 9:22 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Computershare Transfer Question
Replies: 34
Views: 21425

Re: Computershare Transfer Question

While the OP has already finished their transfer, for the benefit of others who will come across this thread in the future, this past summer, I transferred my T stock to Vanguard. I called Vanguard on the phone regarding medallion signatures, because I couldn't find a local bank that could do them. Vanguard told me they weren't needed for Computershare. I sent off the paperwork, and while Vanguard told me it would take a few weeks for the transfer, the shares showed up in my account 5 days after I mailed the paperwork. No issues, and their phone service was prompt. I was nervous about using them for this, since I've seen a lot of dogging on this point on this forum, but my experience went off without a hitch. Also, in my case, I ended up w...
by aida2003
Sat May 09, 2020 8:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Where do I file unemployment? Complex military spouse situation
Replies: 7
Views: 694

Re: Where do I file unemployment? Complex military spouse situation

abracadabra11 wrote: Sat May 09, 2020 7:31 pm What does her paystub show? My wife has been in similar positions in the past and her UI was paid to the state where we were stationed even though our state of residence was elsewhere and her company was located in DC.
I would expect California in your case.
Sorry for a dumb question, but where on the paystub would I find such information? Employee doesn't pay UI taxes. Employer does. I'm guessing that employer goes by employee's address on his/her file with the company. So, if she listed CA address as her home, my guess would be that her UI benefits should come from CA. But I am as knowledgeable in this area as OP. :|
by aida2003
Sat May 09, 2020 7:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Quitting a job after two weeks: relocation expenses
Replies: 196
Views: 22362

Re: Quitting a job after two weeks: relocation expenses

This is a fantastic thread of showing a person who's 'married to' the money of how to assess his situation and see that this is not as terrible as he thinks considering his NW and no other obligations like supporting a family and having a mortgage. He sounds to be in his own abusive/fearful mindset due to the $40k-$50k relo repayment. You either have to suck it up and work another 10-11 months to get to 12 months so you don't need to pay the relocation money or quit now and pay $40-50K now and be done. If you choose the former option, then you should aim to perform well and earn the bonus too instead of slaving those months because of $40k. However, if you are already under-performing now what's the chance you'll receive your bonus if you d...
by aida2003
Mon May 04, 2020 7:19 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Graph of how SS benefits can change with decreases in 2020 national wages for one born in 1960
Replies: 138
Views: 15506

Re: Graph of how SS benefits can change with decreases in 2020 national wages for one born in 1960

I admit that I got lost in the math. Can someone just summarize what this is all about? The calculation of the "bend points" used to calculate a person's primary insurance amount depend on the national average wage index (NAWI) from the year in which they turn age 60. (See the bottom of this page for the 2020 example.) If the NAWI is low in the year you turn 60, your bend points will be lower than they would be if the NAWI were higher that year (meaning you have a lower primary insurance amount for a given amount of historical wages). And, NAWI is likely to be low for 2020, which is not good news for people born in 1960. Wow, I never realized that even SS is determined by 'the luck' of the birth year. Does this mean that people b...
by aida2003
Sat Feb 15, 2020 11:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: FreeTaxUSA:Non-resident state(SC) & Resident state(NC) return questions. How do other providers handle this?
Replies: 0
Views: 294

FreeTaxUSA:Non-resident state(SC) & Resident state(NC) return questions. How do other providers handle this?

Hello BH's, This is going to be a LONG post (or rant), but I hope somebody can help me or tell me whether I misunderstand questions on FreeTaxUSA and how to proceed... It's the first time ever that I decided to try an electronic filing for 2019. Before I used to do manually but since I worked in a different state in 2019 I thought that a tax software will be guiding me and I will not need to study a different state's taxes. I've read good reviews about FreeTaxUSA so I thought I would give it a shot. Well, I ended up reading the other state's tax manuals and filling its forms by pencil as soon as I got some weird numbers while doing electronically. I also wonder how other tax providers handle Non-resident and resident state filings when they...
by aida2003
Sat Nov 09, 2019 1:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: CD discussion thread
Replies: 1214
Views: 189494

Re: Best CD rates thread

Yep, supposedly I got lucky but I'm not 100% sure yet. Today I got an email that my membership at PSECU was granted. I called to find out how to transfer money to my membership account and add a CD. While chatting about my options (either add a checking account first or fill out and mail/fax a paper form), he mentioned that the promo rates are ending today but will be honored in my case. As soon as he said it, we got disconnected. I called back. Another rep confirmed that I'm OK as long as I add the CD by the 30th. So, I'll see if that's true. I'm waiting for the trial deposits and as soon as I can verify them I'll call PSECU to get those CD's added. So, I hope I'll be OK. I'm not surprised about PSECU pulling these promos when I read that ...
by aida2003
Mon Nov 04, 2019 2:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: CD discussion thread
Replies: 1214
Views: 189494

Re: Best CD rates thread

aida2003, I had the same problem with DL using Chrome and Safari. Filed application anyway and next day PSECU called to ask me to email the DL. Account opened same day. Their process is a bit clunky, but for 3.25% well worth the trouble to me. Same glitch here, I emailed it and called to assure they received it. They did! All is well. Thank you both for responding. I'll be calling after work and request to email instead of faxing. I'll also ask to delete a duplicate account. I don't know how I managed to request two but whatever. I'll do some jumping through the hoops to secure the 3.25% rate :mrgreen: I hope $15 suffices or should I have paid $20? I saw other people depositing $20 instead of $15 for some reason. I'll ask the rep to make s...
by aida2003
Sun Nov 03, 2019 7:55 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: CD discussion thread
Replies: 1214
Views: 189494

Re: Best CD rates thread

TY, Katie.
Neither Chrome nor Firefox worked in uploading the docs. I'll see what I'm told tomorrow.
by aida2003
Sun Nov 03, 2019 6:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Moved to a new state, purchasing house -- should I amend my will and living trust?
Replies: 6
Views: 821

Re: Moved to a new state, purchasing house -- should I amend my will and living trust?

I definitely lack estate law knowledge, but for whatever reason when we had our revocable trust set up in NC years ago, the lawyer advised against putting our house into the trust. I cannot recall the reasons why but it's something to do with NC laws. If you hire an attorney ask which way is better in your case. It might be different for single, no clue.
by aida2003
Sun Nov 03, 2019 6:07 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: CD discussion thread
Replies: 1214
Views: 189494

Re: Best CD rates thread

I stumbled on one hurdle in the process of the application. It's asking to upload my DL but each time I try to upload it, I keep getting the same pop-up message "The file you're trying to upload is not of the approved format" or something like that. I tried PDF, JPG, and DOC. None goes through. I attempted to attach a gas bill in PDF but it failed as well. Anyone know what's the problem? I might need to fax the doc in but I hope they can accept an Email. I don't know where I will find a fax to do this. Also, I had two fields saying the same thing...I will get a savings account which is a regular share account, and the minimum I had to deposit in each was $15. Why? I thought it would have been only one regular share account, not tw...
by aida2003
Sun Nov 03, 2019 4:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: CD discussion thread
Replies: 1214
Views: 189494

Re: Best CD rates thread

Ricchan wrote: FWIW, I called and asked PSECU about the dormant account fee a few weeks ago. The lady on the phone said they don't charge the dormant account fee on the normal share (savings) account if you also have a CD open. If this is an important issue for you, I'd suggest you call them and confirm yourself since there's always the chance I might've heard it wrong.
TY :beer I will not need it for a while. I need to open an account first.
by aida2003
Sun Nov 03, 2019 3:10 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: No out of network coverage
Replies: 61
Views: 4880

Re: No out of network coverage

Not to hijack this thread, but been down that same road myself (same insurance company, but different test). Doctors office submitted test for pre-clearance and BCBS denied as medically unnecessary. Doc (not Doc's office, but Doc himself) had to get on the phone with insurer and explain why the test was medically necessary. While I was worried after the initial denial, he was not. He said that is routine with insurance in NJ. Test was approved following his call with insurer. It's ridiculous (infuriating actually) that they won't at least let you take advantage of the insurers negotiated rates (even if you were willing to pay OOP and not have it count against your deductible or OOP maximum). BTW, DW had colonoscopy in 2018 at Tier 1 Endo S...
by aida2003
Sat Nov 02, 2019 11:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: No out of network coverage
Replies: 61
Views: 4880

Re: No out of network coverage

I discovered that our current insurance plan's out of pocket max did not apply to non-network care received. The only way it would apply is if our insurer deems that the care we received out of network was both medically necessary and occurred in an area where we could not get in network coverage. Obviously, this could leave us with a huge medical bill if we got sick or injured while traveling. Thankfully, we will be switching to another plan with the same premium but a slightly higher deductible where the out of pocket max applies to non-network care that is initiated at an emergency room or urgent care facility. We have to contact the insurer within 24 hours to notify them of the situation, and they may determine that we need to travel b...
by aida2003
Sat Nov 02, 2019 10:19 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: CD discussion thread
Replies: 1214
Views: 189494

Re: Best CD rates thread

TY, Kevin, for your answers. I wanted to make sure that I will not be hit by fees. My savings will not be very high at this CU, so fees would not be welcome for me than say for people who move hundreds of thousands.
by aida2003
Sat Nov 02, 2019 6:58 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: CD discussion thread
Replies: 1214
Views: 189494

Re: Best CD rates thread

BTW, when looking at the PSECU fee schedule, it says "Stop Draft Payment Series or ACH Permanent Stop - $15"

So, once you're done with your monthly add-on, you're charged $15 to stop?

And then "Dormant Account - $2 a month". So, while you have add-on going on, it's all good and free, but once you stop, you pay $15 for stopping ACH plus $2 a month unless you make a habit of making a monthly call to PSECU or deposit/withdraw $ from the account. To avoid these charges, I'm guessing I can set up a monthly ACH to pull $2-3 to the share account until the 3-year CD expires.

Did others interpret the fee schedule and how to overcome those fees the same way? Maybe I'm reading too much in.
by aida2003
Sat Nov 02, 2019 5:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: CD discussion thread
Replies: 1214
Views: 189494

Re: Best CD rates thread

1. The checking account is only to help you overcome the 6 monthly withdraw limits imposed on savings account. 2. The money for the add-on has to come from an account within PSECU. It's your responsibility to get the money into the funding account before the transfer date. 3. The add-on is as described. You cannot increased it after the first 30 days. TY, Indexfan. Re.# 2, Can add-on money be transferred from the share account that holds my $5? I see people linking account to different banks. What's the average time for an ACH to clear and deposit into the share account at PSECU? GTE Financial takes long: sometimes a week (!!) and other times only 2-3 business days. This is maybe because I pull money instead of pushing from Wells Fargo to ...
by aida2003
Fri Nov 01, 2019 8:58 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: CD discussion thread
Replies: 1214
Views: 189494

Re: Best CD rates thread

Hello, I learned about this PSECU CD from SeekingAlpha today and the article linked to this thread. You have been discussing so much, but I still have a few questions so I hope somebody can share/clarify. 1. A few people mentioned that they opened a checking account in addition to a CD at PSECU. What's the benefit of having it? Can you do two instead of one monthly add-on this way (1st by funding PSECU checking account and moving to the CD and the 2nd by letting the CD pull $$ from your external account)? 2. If I want to fund once a month, I hope I don't need to open a checking account there and instead add-on by pulling $$ from my local bank account. Would this work? 3. I have a hard time interpreting how the add-on feature works at PSECU....
by aida2003
Sun Sep 15, 2019 9:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bay Area teacher saving half my income – why the doubt? (and asking more questions)
Replies: 707
Views: 67901

Re: Bay Area teacher saving half my income – why the doubt? (and asking more questions)

Despite 'complaints' about high income (along with taxes), this thread was quite instructional if you wanted to learn of strategies... OP has done an awesome job on managing his family's financial and tax situation. It is nice to hear/read that 'simple' folks can also take advantage of some perks presented by laws. For whatever strange reason, I don't feel resentful towards the OP situation even though we pay way more in taxes on higher income like some folks do. Weird, I'll have to ponder later why I don't feel the same way as Sam :mrgreen: :P . I am curious about OP's situation 20-30 years down the road like some folks mentioned... Could somebody explain the math how bad it will be for him or his family once retires? A few posters mention...
by aida2003
Sun Sep 15, 2019 6:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medical expense deduction documentation
Replies: 16
Views: 1609

Re: Medical expense deduction documentation

You need to exceed 10% gross to even deduct anything. Most people here will have income 100k-1M+/yr. Say 150k income, anything over 15k is deductible. So if you have 20k in medical expenses, only 5k is deductible for tax purpose. No way I'll reach paying out of pocket cost for over 15k... I threw away all my medical or pharmacy receipts. Useless. Maybe when I'm old :| Lucky you. $130k income here and have enough medical expenses to make it worthwhile to deduct. One year it was almost $50k. I'm in my mid-30s. I would keep those receipts in case. You never know if you'll be hit by huge bills before the end of the year. To the OP, save all your receipts and also make note of transportation. If you travel further for medical care, also keep tr...
by aida2003
Mon Aug 05, 2019 8:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Cannot login to TrueIntity (TransUnion's Credit Freeze) account. What now?
Replies: 7
Views: 2243

Re: Cannot login to TrueIntity (TransUnion's Credit Freeze) account. What now?

Hi Student,

I'm kind of clueless about technology. Could you please explain the step on how to do this? I don't know what even 'tether' means.

Thanks

PS. because of this problem I think we need to learn how to freeze/unfreeze via phone service, but how does one receive a PIN? And can people freeze/unfreeze either way (phone or online) or do you need pick one method and stick with it?
by aida2003
Thu Aug 01, 2019 7:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Cannot login to TrueIntity (TransUnion's Credit Freeze) account. What now?
Replies: 7
Views: 2243

Cannot login to TrueIntity (TransUnion's Credit Freeze) account. What now?

Can anyone crack this mysterious to me problem? I was able to login into my account last week and do unfreeze and re-freeze my credit. On the weekend, I cleared all the browsing info because Vanguard account was acting out. Clearing cookies and browsing history helped there. So, today I tried to login into my TransUnion's TrueIndentity account several times but keep getting this message: "The requested URL was rejected. Please consult with your administrator. Your support ID is: 12614629814635160534" Cleared cookies/history. Nothing. Called online support and was sent a temp password. No go, the same message as above except the # changed. When I called online help again, luckily this rep asked me to try from the phone. Since I hat...
by aida2003
Sun May 19, 2019 10:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Signed up for American Express - "Premium" car rental insurance
Replies: 56
Views: 13318

Re: Signed up for American Express - "Premium" car rental insurance

Hello, I'm bumping this thread up to ask a few questions. I googled if AmEx $19.99 primary rental car insurance is good, and this thread popped up first. :) Since we don't have Chase cards that offer primary rental car insurance, we wondered whether $20 AmEx *primary* insurance is the next best thing for us. Citi TY Premier CC offers physical damage & theft as a secondary insurance. I have a few questions what happens and what I'm supposed to do if I ever experience damage to my rental car. I'm trying to visualize a scenario of events and how I should handle it in order not to panic if it ever happens: - Do renters have to pay for the physical charges to the rental company on the spot and then they file claims with AmEx? - If yes to the...
by aida2003
Wed Apr 17, 2019 10:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can I semi-retire now?
Replies: 138
Views: 16544

Re: Can I semi-retire now?

What if chipperd first decided to reduce hours and take Fridays off, and then discovered-surprise!-this only cost $80 after taxes and increased financial aid. 1) Would chipperd be ethically obliged to go back to working Fridays? 2) If not, is there really that big of a difference. Either way, from that point forward, chipperd is choosing to work less and have the financial cost largely offset be college financial aid. 1. No. 2. Yes. It matters why you do things. Edit to add the following: For 1, if it were I and I realized what happened, I'd probably make a contribution to the school of the increased financial aid (altho I'm pretty sure I would have never figured out the connection between taking the day off and the extra financial aid). S...
by aida2003
Wed Apr 17, 2019 6:45 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 401k rollover and Backdoor Roth IRA:Am I making correct steps?
Replies: 2
Views: 378

Re: 401k rollover and Backdoor Roth IRA:Am I making correct steps?

Awesome, mhalley, this is what I was expecting to hear actually. I love the quote of WCI. He didn't say it originally, of course, but hearing/reading it again reinforces the message that I've read over the years. I think the doubts stem from paying attention to 'experts' who claim a better AA thanks to back testing. Unfortunately it's easy to pick the dates looking backwards, but so far nobody has invented the way of looking forward. OTOH, I must also admit that it's hard to keep adding additional money to the Int'l index fund (in a taxable account) which has under-performed for quite a few years now. I'm trying to be patient waiting for it to 'bloom' again. Maybe it will never perform anymore or maybe it will as soon as I sell and switch t...
by aida2003
Mon Apr 15, 2019 10:28 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 401k rollover and Backdoor Roth IRA:Am I making correct steps?
Replies: 2
Views: 378

401k rollover and Backdoor Roth IRA:Am I making correct steps?

Hello BH, I would like to confirm that I'm making the right steps because my conversation with a rep of Fidelity brought some doubts. 1. After a lot of years of working for one company, I changed my jobs. I decided to roll-over the 401k with the new employer because this plan lets me leave money in it with no administrative charges whereas the old one would have charged me $15/quarter in addition to higher ER on the funds. I didn't choose to go roller over to my personal IRA because of our income which would prevent us from doing backdoor IRA. When I called Fidelity (administrator of the new 401k), I asked for the best way to allocate the rollover money. In response, he asked me why I am not considering to rollover to an IRA 'because you wo...
by aida2003
Mon Apr 15, 2019 9:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: In Laws Retirement Nest Egg
Replies: 156
Views: 18595

Re: In Laws Retirement Nest Egg

My side of the family gifts us the max amout each year. I woud never expect that from my in laws, but I draw the line in a situation where they would have to take from us due to not being able to support themselves. If you're 'very well off' why are you taking handouts from your own family? Why can't that be donated for a better cause? Not sure what you're exactly driving at, but perhaps not working will help the in-laws relax more and regain some of the health benefits. It sounds that you're a serious workaholic who feels contempt at people who are not at par with your your pot of money. I don't know, but this OP sounds very strange: he's either living in unreal world or he's doing so well financially that has lost touch reality with peop...
by aida2003
Sat Apr 06, 2019 5:54 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The "dividend preference anomaly"
Replies: 183
Views: 12473

Re: The "dividend preference anomaly"

I'd say the much more likely and simpler explanation is ignorance. 99% of investors simply think that dividends are free money or enjoy receiving money thinking they're richer. Same exact thing with tax refunds. Most people love receiving it and complain when they don't because they're receiving money versus not receiving money. Same exact thing. Receive money = feel good. This is the silliest thing I've heard. How could dividends be free money? How can it be free if you must pay taxes on them? Tax refund is worse, IMO. Anyhow, I'm not comprehending one thing on BH forum these days. So, you're all against dividends, but somehow you advocate investing in index funds (Total market or S&P 500 for example) that happen to pay dividends. Wha...
by aida2003
Sun Mar 31, 2019 12:29 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Series I Savings Bonds Buying Opportunity
Replies: 52
Views: 12007

Re: Series I Savings Bonds Buying Opportunity

Just for my curiosity: Why to buy iBonds at 2.83% when you can get 5, 6, or 7 year CD's at higher than 3.10%? Who generally buys iBonds? For what purpose and for how long? Would it be people who have maxed 401k, HSA, Roth IRA, and have more than enough in their taxable accounts? Aren't there better alternatives than this very low interest rate despite it being tax-free until withdrawn? I'm trying to understand what I might be missing and perhaps even buy a little bit myself before May 1. We have a small chunk of $ in iBonds ourselves. Initially we thought it would be for the college education if our AGI is low enough to use them tax free, but I am not sure it's going to work (due to the AGI). Recently I read somewhere that supposedly there...
by aida2003
Sun Mar 24, 2019 2:25 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Series I Savings Bonds Buying Opportunity
Replies: 52
Views: 12007

Re: Series I Savings Bonds Buying Opportunity

Just for my curiosity: Why to buy iBonds at 2.83% when you can get 5, 6, or 7 year CD's at higher than 3.10%? Who generally buys iBonds? For what purpose and for how long? Would it be people who have maxed 401k, HSA, Roth IRA, and have more than enough in their taxable accounts? Aren't there better alternatives than this very low interest rate despite it being tax-free until withdrawn? I'm trying to understand what I might be missing and perhaps even buy a little bit myself before May 1. We have a small chunk of $ in iBonds ourselves. Initially we thought it would be for the college education if our AGI is low enough to use them tax free, but I am not sure it's going to work (due to the AGI). Recently I read somewhere that supposedly there ...
by aida2003
Wed Mar 20, 2019 5:48 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Rolling old 401k to new employer's 401k @ Fidelity:Choices & Questions
Replies: 2
Views: 426

Re: Rolling old 401k to new employer's 401k @ Fidelity:Choices & Questions

Thank you for your answer, curiouskitty (like your name :beer ). So, as for more information, I can tell that our dual income has crossed $250k line in 2018, however, my spouse earns 2/3 of that. This makes me think that I'd love to become a SAHM and Uber our 2 kiddos to school/activities instead. Where's that *enough* line and how to overcome the fear factor of quitting and living on one paycheck? That's the biggest question. Anyway, back to the topic. I am quite illiterate (because I never had interest to explore) to figure out our effective or marginal tax rate, but it should be on the higher end, maybe 24% plus 5.5% state tax. My DH has the following funds in his 401K (70/30 in total): VPMAX (PrimeCap Admiral) VWILX (Int'l Growth Admira...
by aida2003
Mon Mar 18, 2019 8:42 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Rolling old 401k to new employer's 401k @ Fidelity:Choices & Questions
Replies: 2
Views: 426

Rolling old 401k to new employer's 401k @ Fidelity:Choices & Questions

Hello, I hope I have some easy questions for BH. After working for more than 15 years at the same company I decided to change the scene and got a job at a new company. I like the job itself, but I'm not thrilled with its workload and the hectic pace, so I cannot tell whether it will be short term or long term. However, I'm definitely happy I quit the old job where the work morale was becoming very toxic and workload was increasing badly as well. It's unbelievable how the culture can go down the gutters once the company at the corporate level decides to get lean, outsource services, and then outside managers are hired for the group I worked in. Everybody wanted to work for this group, but now it has hard time finding somebody to take my plac...
by aida2003
Thu Feb 14, 2019 11:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can you give me a hand with Form 2441 (Childcare exp.)?
Replies: 1
Views: 252

Can you give me a hand with Form 2441 (Childcare exp.)?

Hello, Specifically I'm attempting to understand Line 30 which affects Lines 2 and 3, I think. Our situation: We had 2 kids (under 13) in day camps (equal time) in 2018. We spent $4,330 in total or $2,165/each. Pre-tax contributions of $4,000 total to FSA in 2018. Both parents worked and earned say $100k and $50K. We are MFJ. I would like to figure out how to do Form 2441 correctly———- I must show $4,330 on Line 1, but then I would need to show only $165 for each child on Line 2, is that correct? Line 27 would be $6k Line 28 would be $4K Line 29 would be $2K I’m stumbling on Line 30. Can you confirm that I cannot show $4,330 total expense and that it must be $330 (after reducing it by $4k benefit). Line 30 and Line 2 are inter-related and i...
by aida2003
Thu Oct 04, 2018 8:42 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
Replies: 7203
Views: 1421968

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

fareastwarriors wrote: Thu Oct 04, 2018 8:35 pm
aida2003 wrote: Thu Oct 04, 2018 8:29 pm I'm not a pro in this CC churning game, but if I apply for Chase IHG or CitiCards TY card, can I buy a grocery GC of a few hundred and count it as spending for the bonus purposes? I think AmEx is picky which GC count toward spending, but not sure about Citi and Chase.
Just to be clear, I don't intend to buy a prepaid VISA card, but just a regula Target or HD gift card for spending at those stores later. Thx
My gift cards always counted toward min/bonus spending. No issues.
OK, thanks. I just wanted to confirm if there were or not any changes to T&C in the past year as I hear here and there about the tightening of the rules.
by aida2003
Thu Oct 04, 2018 8:29 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
Replies: 7203
Views: 1421968

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

I'm not a pro in this CC churning game, but if I apply for Chase IHG or CitiCards TY card, can I buy a grocery GC of a few hundred and count it as spending for the bonus purposes? I think AmEx is picky which GC count toward spending, but not sure about Citi and Chase.
Just to be clear, I don't intend to buy a prepaid VISA card, but just a regula Target or HD gift card for spending at those stores later.

Thx
by aida2003
Tue Oct 02, 2018 8:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: The Next Millionaire Next Door: Enduring Strategies for Building Wealth Hardcover will be released October 1, 2018
Replies: 69
Views: 16617

Re: The Next Millionaire Next Door: Enduring Strategies for Building Wealth Hardcover will be released October 1, 2018

This was news to me though I read that the Thomas Stanley's daughter continued his work.
I've just reserved this book at my library system. I'm second in line, so hopefully by Sat the book will be delivered to my library branch.

Thanks
by aida2003
Tue Oct 02, 2018 7:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Thinking of moving to Texas, Iowa, Idaho, or North Carolina
Replies: 216
Views: 21541

Re: Thinking of moving to Texas, Iowa, Idaho, or North Carolina

Cities in NC have traffic issues. It's not LA, but I'm afraid we can start competing in this misery soon. I've noticed a trend that my commute time has been increasing 5 minutes a year for the last 3-4 years and this is because I leave the house earlier.
Summers are not super in NC cities either unless you enjoy the heat and humidity.
You must think/research schools for your kids.

PS.Your spouse's work history is interesting. Did she start as a CS operator after getting a BA? OTOH, it sounds she did well on her career path after that. You must start somewhere.
by aida2003
Sat Aug 11, 2018 7:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to get 2nd number on smartphone?
Replies: 22
Views: 2901

Re: How to get 2nd number on smartphone?

ft2010 and retiringwhen,
Thank you for clarification. I will stick with using my int'l calling cards then. Not worth looking for a cheaper way of calling if I spend $1.5-$2 for a call of 40-50 min.
by aida2003
Fri Aug 10, 2018 6:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to get 2nd number on smartphone?
Replies: 22
Views: 2901

Re: How to get 2nd number on smartphone?

bob60014 wrote: Fri Aug 10, 2018 12:04 pm Google voice, free, with free calls to US and Canada, international calls for pennies! Along with text and other features it cant be beat, imho.
Sorry to steer of topic slightly plus I'm a total rookie regarding smartphones, but if you install a GV app and then use it to make *free* calls, doesn't the usage of the app go against the your data plan if you're on a prepaid plan? I would be interested in making int'l calls to Europe. If I spent 40 min chatting with Europe each weekend through the GV app, how much data will I consume on my prepaid plan?

Thank you.
by aida2003
Wed Aug 01, 2018 7:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: First smartphone:What to buy and what prepaid plan to sign on?
Replies: 27
Views: 3179

Re: First smartphone:What to buy and what prepaid plan to sign on?

Wow! You all are awesome :!: :beer I'm so glad I asked my questions on BH. Not only did you give me examples of phones and plans to consider, but also you answered my questions using simple terminology that I was able to follow. Very helpful to a rookie like me. I plan to reread this thread on the weekend and start my research. I need to buy by the end of this month. I have a couple of questions: What's the difference between prepaid plans offered by major carriers vs. not widely known companies? Why do people choose latter vs. former or vice versa? I vaguely recall that we had a plan with Sprint for 2+ years 16-18 years ago when we lived in Detroit. At the time, we had to sign a contract for 2 years. I hated paying high prices and arguing ...
by aida2003
Tue Jul 31, 2018 9:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: First smartphone:What to buy and what prepaid plan to sign on?
Replies: 27
Views: 3179

First smartphone:What to buy and what prepaid plan to sign on?

Hello, In cases like this topic, I'm grateful for the virtual world and forums. The people around me in the real world seem to use iPhones with expensive monthly plans mostly. When I tried to mention a prepaid plan and a 'cheaper' phone, I got a few blank looks :oops: ... My DH and I have had dumb phones on prepaid plans for years and would like to keep them. One is Virgin Mobile and another is Page Plus. However, since our children will start taking the same school bus home from their school, I feel like the older one should have a smartphone. I understand it would be too 'uncool' to call me or text me at work from a dumb phone nowadays. My dilemma questions: How to know what kind of phone to buy? Where to buy? Return policies for the phon...
by aida2003
Thu Mar 15, 2018 12:47 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Would like to retire Jan. 2, 2019, can I do it?
Replies: 37
Views: 4785

Re: Would like to retire Jan. 2, 2019, can I do it?

Yankee53 wrote: Thu Mar 15, 2018 10:37 am niceguy7376 - you are correct that the HSA contribution was raised for 2018. Family is now $6900 plus additional $1000 for over 55 so my 2018 contribution could be $7900.
The $6,900 was later revised to $6,850.

Also, you should confirm for BH's that your NW includes your house value because you can see conflicting conclusions whether you can afford to retire or not yet. If your NW excludes the house, then you're good to go, but if not, you should reread answers of those who state you're on a shaky footing.

BTW, do your expenses of $6,500/mo. include some of discretionary expenses that you could afford to cut if needed? Any children/grandchildren who might need to lean on you in the future?
by aida2003
Sun Mar 04, 2018 6:28 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: New Kid Expenses
Replies: 31
Views: 3359

Re: New Kid Expenses

Re childcare expenses, I thought we paid quite a bit, but I hear that nowadays parents have to pay much more. If it's of good quality, then I agree that they're worth it considering that childcare givers are underpaid in general. If your wife doesn't like her current job and has or will have little room to move up her career ladder to increase her earnings and if she feels that her personality fits to be a SAHM, then it would be the best solution for your family. Some women (like myself) are not built to be SAHM full time. It was hard to leave my first child at the daycare at the beginning, but luckily the daycare was very very reasonable. I do not regret taking our children to the daycare. Of course, I'm also glad that my after-school paym...
by aida2003
Sun Feb 25, 2018 4:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Free Fillable Forms and 1099-R
Replies: 5
Views: 723

Re: Free Fillable Forms and 1099-R

I googled it. Strangely Google couldn't find anything from the IRS directly, but I found my answer on this link:
https://pocketsense.com/happens-forgot- ... 39846.html

Like some people above understood correctly, taxpayers don't need to file 1099-R unless a federal tax was withheld.
by aida2003
Sun Feb 25, 2018 3:33 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Free Fillable Forms and 1099-R
Replies: 5
Views: 723

Re: Free Fillable Forms and 1099-R

Thank you for the replies so far.

Hmm, should I transmit them for the 2017 then even though they both show zero taxes withheld for both fed and state? We've never withdrawn or received $ from our Roth IRA's and we're still a good few years away from doing that...

Thanks again. I'll try to google some more, but my fingers are itching to press the button to transmit the FFF to the IRS and be done with 2017 taxes :sharebeer .
by aida2003
Sat Feb 24, 2018 5:36 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Free Fillable Forms and 1099-R
Replies: 5
Views: 723

Free Fillable Forms and 1099-R

Hello, When I got to the Step 2 on FFF (this is where you fill out your W-2's before transmitting the tax return to the IRS), I saw that in addition to W-2, I'm also asked to add all 1099-R. Were 1099-R's supposed to be added in the prior years? I cannot recall seeing, but I could have blindly missed that. I think 1099-R's are not required to be mailed with the paper tax return or am I wrong? If I was supposed to add 1099-R in the last few years, what should I do now? Mail them with an explanation or do nothing? I filed 8606 for both my DH and me with the tax returns for 2014-2016. This time I guess I should add my DH's and my 1099-R's that we received from Vanguard, but they are for the backdoor Roth IRA funding. I would have thought 1099-...
by aida2003
Sat Feb 10, 2018 8:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Is there a way to figure 2018 taxes?
Replies: 18
Views: 3485

Re: Is there a way to figure 2018 taxes?

I have a question on the 2017 Form 1040 on the offered Excel file at sites.google.com/site/excel1040. We will file a Sch. A this year. We also paid foreign taxes of $74 on the divvies as reported per Vanguard's 1099-DIV. The download from the above site automatically assumes that we want to claim foreign taxes paid as a deduction on Line 8 of Sch.A, but I want a credit on Line 48 of Form 1040. So I deleted $74 in Sch.A, but the cell of Line 48 of Form 1040 is protected. I hope the file isn't forcing me to do Form 1116, is it? If so, it cannot be right. I'm quite positive the IRS allows to claim foreign taxes on divvies of less than $600 (MFJ) as a straight credit on Line 48, but of course I'm not a tax pro. Any advice on this? Thanks PS. Ot...
by aida2003
Fri Jan 12, 2018 12:54 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help with 529 plan for the next 6-10 years
Replies: 9
Views: 2537

Re: Help with 529 plan for the next 6-10 years

Thank you for the responses. I like your, SCV-Lawyer, glide path...a very cool graph. I'll printed out to start planning.

I agree with Grt2bOutdoors that the costs at colleges will need to normalize in the future somehow. But OTOH, I don't think they plan to do anytime soon especially considering that the stock market keeps growing to the sky and I'm sure they assume that parents are invested in it. E.g. while I was busy at work and had no time to revisit our 529 plan, it grew another $2k...isn't it insane!? I could wait another year and have $24-30K extra but that's unreasonable to expect (or is it? Bitcoin has done even better!)
by aida2003
Mon Dec 25, 2017 8:57 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help with 529 plan for the next 6-10 years
Replies: 9
Views: 2537

Help with 529 plan for the next 6-10 years

Hello and happy holidays to y'all ;-). Today I sat down to record the track record of our 529 plan in an Excel file. I never really looked at the statements and it was time to save them for my files after 8.5 years of investing in it. Talk about the negligence LOL and also talk about the luck considering that I opened this account as soon as the market bottomed out. Had I known the market would be THAT strong, I would have invested much more (OTOH, we invested in taxable accounts too). We didn't invest a lot in it because we've always been 'on the fence' about the 529 plans. We think that some of college education will be paid for from the available cash flow (if we work) and/or from taxable accounts if the kids go to college. At this point...
by aida2003
Tue Dec 06, 2016 2:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Informal probate in Massachusetts was easy
Replies: 12
Views: 2280

Re: Informal probate in Massachusetts was easy

Spirit Rider wrote: In many states there is no probate court administration required when the sole beneficiaries are a spouse and/or children. These are called by various names (Informal, summary administration, etc...). All that is necessary is to open the estate, resolve everything without any probate court involvement and then close the estate.
I guess, we paid unnecessarily to set up a revocable trust (in NC). I'm guessing if/when we move to another state or even overseas we'll need to make changes again and will need to pay again. :oops:
by aida2003
Tue Dec 06, 2016 1:41 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Confused about chase 5/24 rule
Replies: 15
Views: 2702

Re: Confused about chase 5/24 rule

Chase offers a no-fee United Mileage card. Less bennies and frills than the Plus card: but free. It gives a mile for every $2. You can downgrade from United Plus with a phone call. My Netflix bill is set on autopay from the card, which restarts the 18-month clock each and every month. The card is set on autopay from my checking acct. So I use United Mileage free card solely as a perpetual repository for my miles. I made the Plus to fee switch years ago, and my miles endure, effortlessly. Once you downgrade to a no-fee card within the same family, can one qualify for a new AF bonus CC again in 24 months? Curious how Chase handles that. I downgraded my Barclay's Arrival card to a no-fee arrival (?) card, but I was denied on a new 40k bonus A...