Search found 304 matches
- Wed May 21, 2014 7:08 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Seeking a pre paid mobil plan for a visit to the UK
- Replies: 12
- Views: 2670
Re: Seeking a pre paid mobil plan for a visit to the UK
I have an unlocked quad-band phone and have traveled in the UK. I bought a Vodaphone SIM card at the grocery store for 10 pounds (I think) and purchased so many minutes right there at the register. Need more - pop into a store and ask for a top-up of your account. You pay the register - they give you a receipt with the magic number on it. Use your phone to enter that number and you're back in business.
- Thu May 15, 2014 12:20 pm
- Forum: US Chapters
- Topic: Master Thread for Austin Texas area Bogleheads
- Replies: 91
- Views: 52188
Re: Master Thread for Austin Texas area Bogleheads
Just a post to keep this mtg notice visible for late comers.
- Sun May 11, 2014 6:27 pm
- Forum: US Chapters
- Topic: Master Thread for Austin Texas area Bogleheads
- Replies: 91
- Views: 52188
Re: Master Thread for Austin Texas area Bogleheads
I plan to be there.
- Sun Apr 06, 2014 1:12 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: RMD question
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1001
Re: RMD question
Thanks !
- Sun Apr 06, 2014 11:46 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: RMD question
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1001
Re: RMD question
So she only needs to start the yearly RMDs in 2016? She doesn't need to take 2 RMDs in 2016?
- Sun Apr 06, 2014 11:22 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: RMD question
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1001
RMD question
My wife will turn 70 next year in December. I've looked thru pub 590 and there is nothing I can see about
prorating the first year's distribution. It looks like she has to take the full 2015 distribution by Dec.
Right?
I'm reluctant to wait until 70 1/2 because she would have to take 2 distributions then.
I turn 70 in March so I'll take the full year's too. I'm also filing for SS when I turn 70 so it
looks like a big tax hit anyway I slice it.
prorating the first year's distribution. It looks like she has to take the full 2015 distribution by Dec.
Right?
I'm reluctant to wait until 70 1/2 because she would have to take 2 distributions then.
I turn 70 in March so I'll take the full year's too. I'm also filing for SS when I turn 70 so it
looks like a big tax hit anyway I slice it.
- Tue Oct 01, 2013 5:23 pm
- Forum: US Chapters
- Topic: Austin Chapter Meeting August 31st
- Replies: 3
- Views: 1119
Re: Austin Chapter Meeting August 31st
OK. I just saw this post and am confused. Saturday August 31st?
Ooo.. I really missed it. I used to be on a distro list.
Ooo.. I really missed it. I used to be on a distro list.
- Sat Sep 28, 2013 2:46 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: 18 Months Till Retirement, Need Suggestions
- Replies: 49
- Views: 7088
Re: 18 Months Till Retirement, Need Suggestions
Keep reading here (posts, wiki, etc). Now you know what you have but the next question is what should you have?
Only you can answer that so keep reading and digging. Another side of the equation is to focus on expenses.
A fixed amount with less expenses means more money for beer. Downsize the 10 bedroom house?
Don't watch all those sports cable packages anymore, etc, etc.
Only you can answer that so keep reading and digging. Another side of the equation is to focus on expenses.
A fixed amount with less expenses means more money for beer. Downsize the 10 bedroom house?
Don't watch all those sports cable packages anymore, etc, etc.
- Sat Sep 28, 2013 2:39 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: 18 Months Till Retirement, Need Suggestions
- Replies: 49
- Views: 7088
Re: 18 Months Till Retirement, Need Suggestions
You can go to a financial planner but you can do it yourself easily. Use an EXCEL spreadsheet with 3 tabs: tab 1) A list of your assets (the money that you have) tab 2) A retirement budget. Make it minimal - you may have excess money to spend on fun tab 3) Where the money will come from for that budget. Pension? Savings (don't take too much out). SS? PS: both my wife and I were FRA so she claimed her own (half of what half of mine would have been) and I claimed spousal benefits on her's (half of what she gets). I will claim my own at 70 (ouch - not that far away). It's best to go to the SS office to do this sort of thing. Also, add your RMD's to your future income. Try a simple online calculator (firecalc.com). I found that a financial advi...
- Wed Sep 04, 2013 11:00 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: The Mechanics of Starting Social Security
- Replies: 75
- Views: 9235
Re: The Mechanics of Starting Social Security
If it was just him, an online application is dead simple. I did it and no birth certificate required. BUT, for his wife to get spousal benefits, I recommend a trip to the SS office. (take a book...)
- Wed Sep 04, 2013 10:56 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: The Mechanics of Starting Social Security
- Replies: 75
- Views: 9235
Re: The Mechanics of Starting Social Security
SS does not consider him to be fully 66 until his birthdate the next month.
- Mon Sep 02, 2013 5:41 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What activities to enroll my daughter in -pls help me decide
- Replies: 17
- Views: 2577
Re: What activities to enroll my daughter in -pls help me de
Both of my daughters were full time swimmers. It was a huge committment for them and for us. The joke was that we saw all of Florida, Colorado, and Texas from the parking lot of the swimming pool. BUT, I can't say enough good things about physical exhaustion as a moderator of teenage behavior.
- Fri Aug 30, 2013 3:33 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: RMDs not far away for me
- Replies: 38
- Views: 4324
RMDs not far away for me
I looked at the Vanguard site and it was vague about how it distributed RMDs.
Does it calculate the amount and then take equally from all accounts?
Does it take them relative to the size of the account -vs- ovealll accounts?
Can I direct them to take it from only one or two accounts?
I could do it all myself too.
Does it calculate the amount and then take equally from all accounts?
Does it take them relative to the size of the account -vs- ovealll accounts?
Can I direct them to take it from only one or two accounts?
I could do it all myself too.
- Fri Aug 30, 2013 3:24 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Anyone regret saving too much and not spending when younger?
- Replies: 79
- Views: 14558
Re: Anyone regret saving too much and not spending when youn
Nope.
Current age = 68.
You will need more than you think !
Current age = 68.
You will need more than you think !
- Wed Aug 21, 2013 2:35 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Door to door annoyances--easy way to stop?
- Replies: 60
- Views: 6499
Re: Door to door annoyances--easy way to stop?
Here in Texas ,I've heard that a diagonal purple line on the sidewalk is the "last millenia" equivalent
of "No Solicitors". Back then, folks could not read so that was used. Don't know what to do about
folks that can read but refuse to do so.
of "No Solicitors". Back then, folks could not read so that was used. Don't know what to do about
folks that can read but refuse to do so.
- Sat Jul 06, 2013 2:37 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Help Me Replace my NetGear Wireless Router
- Replies: 36
- Views: 5170
Re: Help Me Replace my NetGear Wireless Router
At least try this:
Power everything off and leave it off for 5 minutes.
Power on the cable modem - let it set for 5 minutes.
Power on the wireless router after that time has passed.
See what happens.
Power everything off and leave it off for 5 minutes.
Power on the cable modem - let it set for 5 minutes.
Power on the wireless router after that time has passed.
See what happens.
- Wed Jul 03, 2013 1:38 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Good with money but careless/unaware with other assets?
- Replies: 2
- Views: 866
Good with money but careless/unaware with other assets?
Slashdot reports:
Do you have a Motorola smartphone? Watch out:
"Ben Lincoln was hooking up to Microsoft ActiveSync at work when he 'made an interesting discovery about the Android phone (a Motorola Droid X2) which [he] was using at the time: it was silently sending a considerable amount of sensitive information to Motorola, and to compound the problem, a great deal of it was over an unencrypted HTTP channel.' He found that photos, passwords, and even data about his home screen config were being sent regularly to Motorola's servers. He has screenshots showing much of the data transmission."
More data:
http://www.beneaththewaves.net/Projects ... ening.html
Do you have a Motorola smartphone? Watch out:
"Ben Lincoln was hooking up to Microsoft ActiveSync at work when he 'made an interesting discovery about the Android phone (a Motorola Droid X2) which [he] was using at the time: it was silently sending a considerable amount of sensitive information to Motorola, and to compound the problem, a great deal of it was over an unencrypted HTTP channel.' He found that photos, passwords, and even data about his home screen config were being sent regularly to Motorola's servers. He has screenshots showing much of the data transmission."
More data:
http://www.beneaththewaves.net/Projects ... ening.html
- Tue Jun 18, 2013 6:46 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Help create a Financial Presentation: Calling all Bogleheads
- Replies: 134
- Views: 32652
Re: Help create a Financial Presentation: Calling all Bogleh
How 'bout this:
1) It's about you, your money, and your life. What's not to like?
2) Saving money for retirement is buying your freedom on the installment plan.
1) It's about you, your money, and your life. What's not to like?
2) Saving money for retirement is buying your freedom on the installment plan.
- Thu Feb 14, 2013 1:14 pm
- Forum: US Chapters
- Topic: Scott Burns at Austin Bogleheads
- Replies: 12
- Views: 2800
Re: Scott Burns at Austin Bogleheads
I have gotten the invitations in the past but missed this one.
I suspect you have my old email address (nwatkins@bga.com) which is now gone.
My new email address is: nwatkins1@austin.rr.com
TIA
I suspect you have my old email address (nwatkins@bga.com) which is now gone.
My new email address is: nwatkins1@austin.rr.com
TIA
- Thu Feb 14, 2013 1:10 pm
- Forum: Forum Issues and Administration
- Topic: bogleheads.org attacked - some accounts hijacked
- Replies: 107
- Views: 21277
Re: bogleheads.org attacked - some accounts hijacked
Old joke:
Use "invalid" as your password. That way, when you misstype it, you will be prompted: "Your password is invalid"
Use "invalid" as your password. That way, when you misstype it, you will be prompted: "Your password is invalid"
- Mon Feb 11, 2013 7:39 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Good, cheap phone to send & receive SMS
- Replies: 14
- Views: 1871
Re: Good, cheap phone to send & receive MMS
This site always has some unlocked phones: http://www.icemonkey.com/
- Thu Feb 07, 2013 7:46 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Converting some IRA dollars to ROTH
- Replies: 3
- Views: 678
Converting some IRA dollars to ROTH
The 2012 15% tax bracket is $70,700. I would like to convert some regular IRA dollars to ROTH but I have a question. Is that $70,700
my Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) or my Taxable Income?
my Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) or my Taxable Income?
- Mon Dec 24, 2012 3:40 pm
- Forum: US Chapters
- Topic: Merry Christmas to All
- Replies: 22
- Views: 1938
Merry Christmas
Or perhaps:
Happy Christmahanukwanzivus !
Christmas
Hanuckkah
Kwanzaa
Festivus (for the rest of us)
This forum has provided me with excellent advice and comfort. Comfort that there are still rational
and nice folks in the world. Meanwhile, this classic is just too good not to post:
http://heavensgates.us/50s/whitechristmas/
Happy Christmahanukwanzivus !
Christmas
Hanuckkah
Kwanzaa
Festivus (for the rest of us)
This forum has provided me with excellent advice and comfort. Comfort that there are still rational
and nice folks in the world. Meanwhile, this classic is just too good not to post:
http://heavensgates.us/50s/whitechristmas/
- Thu Nov 29, 2012 3:36 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: File & Suspend Timing for Social Security
- Replies: 4
- Views: 1052
Re: File & Suspend Timing for Social Security
Been there and done that. I recommend a visit to the local SS office to do it. You can do it online but "they" can get confused.
One point: when your wife files for spousal benefits, she will get a new Medicare card with a new number.
It will be your number with a "-B" at the end.
One point: when your wife files for spousal benefits, she will get a new Medicare card with a new number.
It will be your number with a "-B" at the end.
- Sun Nov 18, 2012 9:08 am
- Forum: US Chapters
- Topic: Austin Chapter Meeting
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1227
Re: Austin Chapter Meeting
Yes indeed. I will be there.
- Fri Sep 14, 2012 2:51 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Medical Spanish Immersion Abroad
- Replies: 13
- Views: 1982
Re: Medical Spanish Immersion Abroad
In the meantime, you could try this: http://learner.org/resources/series75.html
- Sat Jul 14, 2012 10:02 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: To leave the computer on or off?
- Replies: 48
- Views: 4514
Re: To leave the computer on or off?
I leave my XP deskside on all the time, I run a number of grid projects so the cycles are always used.
I still reboot it morning and evening - XP gets goofy after a while. Plus I let it cool down.
If you want you can do it too. Go here to download the BOINC manager (Berkley Open Infrastructure for Network computing.
BOINC is the manager and then you can attach to any of the projects or more than one.
http://setiweb.ssl.berkeley.edu/
[image link fixed by admin LadyGeek]
I still reboot it morning and evening - XP gets goofy after a while. Plus I let it cool down.
If you want you can do it too. Go here to download the BOINC manager (Berkley Open Infrastructure for Network computing.
BOINC is the manager and then you can attach to any of the projects or more than one.
http://setiweb.ssl.berkeley.edu/
[image link fixed by admin LadyGeek]
- Wed Jul 11, 2012 11:23 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Half of wife's SSI benefit.... is it smart?
- Replies: 8
- Views: 2630
Re: Half of wife's SSI benefit.... is it smart?
I'm doing it too. Wife is FRA and claimed on her earnings. I'm FRA and claimed spousal benefits on hers. Mine continues to grow until 70
NOTE:
To do this, go to the SSA office. Don't try it online - I did and they/I got it hosed up. It's OK now after 3 trips to the SSA office.
Note:
If you do this, you will get a NEW Medicare card with a NEW number. Her number with a B1 suffix. Just be prepared
for some confusion over that.
NOTE:
To do this, go to the SSA office. Don't try it online - I did and they/I got it hosed up. It's OK now after 3 trips to the SSA office.
Note:
If you do this, you will get a NEW Medicare card with a NEW number. Her number with a B1 suffix. Just be prepared
for some confusion over that.
- Wed Jun 20, 2012 8:52 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: SS question - Is there...
- Replies: 2
- Views: 532
SS question - Is there...
Recently started SS. Filled out form W-4V for taxes. Medicare is being deducted.
Is there:
A website where I can see all this data (similar to a wage statement when I was working)?
All I see is a deposit for $x in my account.
Is there:
A website where I can see all this data (similar to a wage statement when I was working)?
All I see is a deposit for $x in my account.
- Sat Jun 02, 2012 4:32 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Ed Slott
- Replies: 20
- Views: 4257
Re: Ed Slott
I like Edd Slott. A bit of a salesman but what he says is correct IF you can afford to do it.
As I understand it, the life insurance is to pay the taxes due at death.
It will be interesting to see if the estate tax reverts to $1M at the end of this year.
As I understand it, the life insurance is to pay the taxes due at death.
It will be interesting to see if the estate tax reverts to $1M at the end of this year.
- Sat May 19, 2012 4:33 pm
- Forum: US Chapters
- Topic: Austin Chapter Meeting - Saturday May 19
- Replies: 23
- Views: 3667
Re: Austin Chapter Meeting - Saturday May 19
Thanks Bryan for arranging this ! It was great.
- Sat May 19, 2012 1:08 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Total newbie help
- Replies: 9
- Views: 1186
Re: Total newbie help
All good advice ! Don't be overwhelmed at the varied posts on this forum. If we all followed the Boglehead Way, this would be a boring forum with nothing to talk about. So my advice is to peruse but ignore most of the posts here. Later, if ever, you may have
more questions that can be answered here - but not now. Just like that old infomercial said: "Set it and forget it".
more questions that can be answered here - but not now. Just like that old infomercial said: "Set it and forget it".
- Sat May 19, 2012 10:10 am
- Forum: US Chapters
- Topic: Austin Chapter Meeting - Saturday May 19
- Replies: 23
- Views: 3667
Re: Austin Chapter Meeting - Saturday May 19
Crumbs...! It seems like every time I have something like this to go to, my wife schedules something too. It must be bad karma or something... Anyway, in case I don't get to attend, here's my intro to get the ball rolling. 1) age 67 and retired with a pension 2) my wife retired in January - also FRA but no pension 3) Applied for SS for my wife in Feb on her earnings alone. (Her's is very close to 1/2 of my FRA amount.) 4) I applied for spousal benefits on her earnings and left mine to grow. 5) This is working. We have more income from the 2 SS's than we did when she was working. She was saving most of her's in 401K and IRA's. 6) I will wait until age 70 to apply for my SS benefits. Of course, RMD's kick in then too. This means too much cash...
- Fri May 18, 2012 3:14 pm
- Forum: US Chapters
- Topic: Austin Chapter Meeting - Saturday May 19
- Replies: 23
- Views: 3667
Re: Austin Chapter Meeting - Saturday May 19
It's mostly us folks sitting around a bit shy about talking about ourselves, our money, our goals, our methods, etc. No agenda usually.
More of a first coffee date....
More of a first coffee date....
- Wed May 02, 2012 3:02 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: yarq! (yet another refi question)
- Replies: 6
- Views: 1051
Re: yarq! (yet another refi question)
Not a direct answer but it looks to me like you are a unix sysadmin. Yes?
- Wed Apr 25, 2012 7:56 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: 1st Day of Retirement
- Replies: 44
- Views: 5392
Re: 1st Day of Retirement
On my first day, my wife instructed me to take the truck to the garden shop and get a load of compost (not mulch). Shoveling that reminded me of work....!
- Sun Apr 22, 2012 10:30 am
- Forum: US Chapters
- Topic: Austin Chapter Meeting - Saturday May 19
- Replies: 23
- Views: 3667
Re: Austin Chapter Meeting - Saturday May 19
I'll be there !
- Tue Jan 03, 2012 6:46 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Favorite Christmas songs
- Replies: 50
- Views: 3298
- Sat Dec 31, 2011 3:51 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Best non-ipod mp3 device
- Replies: 17
- Views: 2367
Re: Best non-ipod mp3 device
I have a Sansa Fuze and love it. I watch videos on it too. It comes with a video converter to put them on the device.
- Thu Sep 22, 2011 5:38 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: What do you do to prevent scammers?
- Replies: 6
- Views: 1549
Web Of Trust (WOT)
Try this:
http://www.mywot.com/
http://www.mywot.com/
- Mon Sep 19, 2011 2:58 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: linux on an old PC
- Replies: 27
- Views: 3916
Here's a Linux for ya
http://www.geek.com/articles/chips/u-s- ... -20110722/
[caveat]
It may not work with old(er) hardware.
[/caveat]
[caveat]
It may not work with old(er) hardware.
[/caveat]
- Tue Sep 13, 2011 6:09 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: social security
- Replies: 3
- Views: 1057
easy
That's easy to estimate. Go to the website ssa.gov and use their online calculator. Use zero for all future earnings. See what you get.
- Mon Aug 22, 2011 8:31 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Decent (Cheap) Phone for International Travel?
- Replies: 19
- Views: 5190
shop
This is a UK store but you may be able to order one from here.
http://www.carphonewarehouse.com/pay-as-you-go
http://www.carphonewarehouse.com/pay-as-you-go
- Sun Aug 21, 2011 10:12 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: 12 Hour Plane Ride - Help me Find a Book!
- Replies: 52
- Views: 7737
Book
Amazing book and an easy read.
"Surely you're joking Mr. Feynman" an autobiography (of sorts) by Richard Feynman. Nobel laureat in physics. But not to worry. His topics include "how to pick up Las Vegas showgirls", "playing the bongos", "cracking all the safes at the Los Alamos Manhatten project". It is a real hoot.
"Surely you're joking Mr. Feynman" an autobiography (of sorts) by Richard Feynman. Nobel laureat in physics. But not to worry. His topics include "how to pick up Las Vegas showgirls", "playing the bongos", "cracking all the safes at the Los Alamos Manhatten project". It is a real hoot.
- Thu Aug 18, 2011 7:04 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: 2012 COLA for Social Security recipients looks probable
- Replies: 20
- Views: 5865
COLA question
I'm not presently taking SS but I am FRA. If there is a COLA, will my future base amount change too?
- Sat Jul 30, 2011 10:50 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Vanguard- Cost basis changes coming soon to mutual funds
- Replies: 11
- Views: 2579
Do it
OK. Do it. Let us know how it works out for you.
- Sun Jul 17, 2011 4:09 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What Book Are YOU Currently Reading? Part IV. (07/04/2010)
- Replies: 1507
- Views: 403069
Richard Feynman
"Surely You're Joking Mr. Feynman"
(Adventures of a curious character)
(Adventures of a curious character)
- Thu Jul 14, 2011 6:22 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: social security question re my parents
- Replies: 15
- Views: 2935
do nothing
They don't need to do anything. When they claim, their newer ages will be factored in. "File and Suspend" is for more complicated arrangements...
- Thu Jul 14, 2011 5:34 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Wi-Fi–Hacking Neighbor From Hell Sentenced to 18 Years
- Replies: 36
- Views: 5010
Encryption
Make sure it's encrypted. The stronger the better. Check your Wi-Fi manual.
- Thu Jul 14, 2011 4:59 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Dilbert on economic forecasting:)
- Replies: 23
- Views: 3676
Dilbert
I heard that Scott Adams' most asked question was: Do you work at my company?"
I think he worked at GE.
I think he worked at GE.