Search found 1648 matches

by minesweep
Wed Mar 13, 2024 5:59 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cost of dental visit
Replies: 20
Views: 1364

Re: Cost of dental visit

$171 (senior discount) for cleaning, exam and bitewing x-rays, July of 2023. Eastern PA
.
by minesweep
Mon Mar 04, 2024 11:38 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11037
Views: 2066915

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

"The Zone of Interest". It’s a German movie with English subtitles. It has received 5 Academy Award nominations (best picture, best director, best adapted screenplay, best international feature film, & best sound). It’s about the German family who lives next door to Auschwitz in World War II Poland. It’s no ordinary family. A German Nazi commandant lives there with his wife and 5 children. The only thing separating them from each other is a wall. There are no scenes from inside the concentration camp. All that you hear and see are muffled voices, gunshots, images of smoke coming from a train locomotive, and huge towering chimneys with the glow of fire at night. The acting is excellent. The sound is something like you might hea...
by minesweep
Mon Feb 26, 2024 8:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How is income from U.S. obligations handled by state tax software?
Replies: 42
Views: 4444

Re: How is income from U.S. obligations handled by state tax software?

Fast forwarding to 2023 tax preparation: This is the first year I'm using H&R Block software for my state tax return (PA has their own tax return which I had been using). I was a bit perplexed on how to report the government obligation deductions for my state on the H&R return. Luckily, I did a computer search and discovered 'The Finance Buff's explanation. 2023 State Tax-Exempt Treasury Interest from Funds and ETFs At the above link toggle down to the 'Table of Contents' and select H&R Block (Turbo Tax or 'Free Tax USA' options) for a detail explanation. When you check the box at the bottom of your 'Dividend and Distribution' page of your tax software page (titled 'From U.S. Treasury obligations') you will see: Enter your U.S....
by minesweep
Thu Feb 22, 2024 9:15 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tax Form 1116 rejected by IRS
Replies: 25
Views: 3460

Re: Tax Form 1116 rejected by IRS

minesweep wrote: Sat Feb 17, 2024 8:31 pm I submitted my federal tax return on Feb.16. and I'm still waiting for it to be accepted. In prior years my tax return was accepted within an hour or so. I used H&R Bloch software.
My federal tax return was accepted by the IRS this morning (no explanation). Not sure if it was Form 1116 related that held up the process.
by minesweep
Wed Feb 21, 2024 8:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Be careful - could happen to anyone [fraudulent bank transactions]
Replies: 77
Views: 12247

Re: Be careful - could happen to anyone

I receive a daily account balance alert notification from my bank.
by minesweep
Mon Feb 19, 2024 7:03 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is anyone buying bonds right now?
Replies: 20
Views: 2878

Re: Is anyone buying bonds right now?

A recent posting:

Who is buying bonds?
by minesweep
Sun Feb 18, 2024 10:33 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: RMD used for Assisted Living Expenses
Replies: 6
Views: 952

Re: RMD used for Assisted Living Expenses

My sister was in an assisted living facility from Oct of 2011 until here passing in April of 2020. Standard deduction amounts were bulked up by a major tax overhaul in 2017 and in recent years the IRS has made them even bigger, amid the highest inflation in decades. In January of each year the assisted living sent a letter stating how much of her rent paid could be claimed as a deduction on her taxes (1040-schedule A). For 2016 it was $19.95/day ($7,282/yr.). You need to contact the ALF to see what the amount (or percentage) was for 2023. In 2016 my sister was able to do an itemized deduction. But after that tax change went through in 2017 (when the old standard deduction & exemption amounts were canned), she couldn't top the new standa...
by minesweep
Sat Feb 17, 2024 8:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tax Form 1116 rejected by IRS
Replies: 25
Views: 3460

Re: Tax Form 1116 rejected by IRS

I submitted my federal tax return on Feb.16. and I'm still waiting for it to be accepted. In prior years my tax return was accepted within an hour or so. I used H&R Bloch software.
by minesweep
Fri Feb 16, 2024 7:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: HR Block Deluxe wants to charge me $39.95 for the State program
Replies: 64
Views: 5832

Re: HR Block Deluxe wants to charge me $39.95 for the State program

H&R Bloch wants to charge me $19.99 to e-file the state program. I purchased the federal + state (for H&R Bloch) from Newegg on 12/16 for $19.95 ($21.15 includes 6% sales tax). I've been using my state program to file prior year taxes but for the extra $5 I decided to work up both federal and state through H&R for 2023. I wanted to see if the dollar amount would be the same on both returns. The state program calculated that I owed $150, and H&R Bloch said it was $156. I'm not even going to try to figure out why H&R wants to charge me that extra $19.99. I filed the federal return today and I'm going to file the PA return using my state program. I expect to continue to use my state tax program for future returns as well. ...
by minesweep
Fri Feb 16, 2024 6:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: HR Block Deluxe wants to charge me $39.95 for the State program
Replies: 64
Views: 5832

Re: HR Block Deluxe wants to charge me $39.95 for the State program

H&R Bloch wants to charge me $19.99 to e-file the state program. I purchased the federal + state (for H&R Bloch) from Newegg on 12/16 for $19.95 ($21.15 includes 6% sales tax). I've been using my state program to file prior year taxes but for the extra $5 I decided to work up both federal and state through H&R for 2023. I wanted to see if the dollar amount would be the same on both returns. The state program calculated that I owed $150, and H&R Bloch said it was $156. I'm not even going to try to figure out why H&R wants to charge me that extra $19.99. I filed the federal return today and I'm going to file the PA return using my state program. I expect to continue to use my state tax program for future returns as well. ...
by minesweep
Fri Feb 16, 2024 5:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: HR Block Deluxe wants to charge me $39.95 for the State program
Replies: 64
Views: 5832

Re: HR Block Deluxe wants to charge me $39.95 for the State program

H&R Bloch wants to charge me $19.99 to e-file the state program. I purchased the federal + state (for H&R Bloch) from Newegg on 12/16 for $19.95 ($21.15 includes 6% sales tax). I've been using my state program to file prior year taxes but for the extra $5 I decided to work up both federal and state through H&R for 2023. I wanted to see if the dollar amount would be the same on both returns. The state program calculated that I owed $150, and H&R Bloch said it was $156. I'm not even going to try to figure out why H&R wants to charge me that extra $19.99. I filed the federal return today and I'm going to file the PA return using my state program. I expect to continue to use my state tax program for future returns as well.
by minesweep
Fri Feb 16, 2024 9:20 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: H&R Block 2023 SSA/1099 Withholding?
Replies: 19
Views: 2916

Re: H&R Block 2023 SSA/1099 Withholding?

I got the same data verification message (5 of them). I just ignored them.
by minesweep
Tue Feb 13, 2024 7:43 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Tax Deferred : Taxable : Tax Free
Replies: 260
Views: 22877

Re: Tax Deferred : Taxable : Tax Free

Tax Deferred: 11.6%
Taxable: 85.6%
Tax Free: 2.8%

Took early Retirment Package 23 years ago. That accounts for the disparity. Turn 79 in a few weeks.
by minesweep
Sat Feb 10, 2024 8:27 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: A few questions for 2023 taxes
Replies: 10
Views: 1557

Re: A few questions for 2023 taxes

Ran into a few roadblocks completing my personal income taxes. A little help? 1. My brokerage dividends include two muni funds: Vanguard Limited Term Tax Exempt and Vanguard NY Long Term Tax Exempt. Tax software asks "Is this a mutual fund that has U.S. Government interest income?" I can't recall, should I answer Yes or No? 2. Are account transfer fees from one institution to another tax deductible? 3. If I add up all the dividends issued in my brokerage in 2023, should it equal the 1099-DIV box 1a total ordinary dividends? My eTrade 1099-div shows an extremely small number in 1a, making me wonder if they've made a mistake. Edit: eTrade said they are issuing a second 1099. Growing pains from the Morgan Stanley M&A I guess. Ta...
by minesweep
Sun Feb 04, 2024 3:28 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How is income from U.S. obligations handled by state tax software?
Replies: 42
Views: 4444

Re: How is income from U.S. obligations handled by state tax software?

Fast forwarding to 2023 tax preparation: This is the first year I'm using H&R Block software for my state tax return (PA has their own tax return which I had been using). I was a bit perplexed on how to report the government obligation deductions for my state on the H&R return. Luckily, I did a computer search and discovered 'The Finance Buff's explanation. 2023 State Tax-Exempt Treasury Interest from Funds and ETFs At the above link toggle down to the 'Table of Contents' and select H&R Block (Turbo Tax or 'Free Tax USA' options) for a detail explanation. When you check the box at the bottom of your 'Dividend and Distribution' page of your tax software page (titled 'From U.S. Treasury obligations') you will see: Enter your U.S. ...
by minesweep
Sun Jan 28, 2024 7:42 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Am I able to use the same checks if I move my cash to VUSXX?
Replies: 9
Views: 1032

Re: Am I able to use the same checks if I move my cash to VUSXX?

rkhusky wrote: Sun Jan 28, 2024 6:52 am Unless you are in CA, NY, CT, the settlement fund is partially exempt from state taxes, about 50%. It used to be higher, but has dropped due to its current holdings.
Percentage of ordinary dividends from U.S. Government Obligations:

VMFXX
2020 -74.01%
2021- 72.78%
2022- 37.79%
2023 -49.37%

VUSXX
2020 - 94.19%
2021 - 100%
2022 - 100%
2023 - 80.06%
by minesweep
Tue Jan 23, 2024 12:59 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cicadas
Replies: 79
Views: 16217

Re: Cicadas

Has Brood X started coming out yet in the southern limits of the range like northern GA? Just curious. I'm expecting them here around CIncy starting in mid-May. Noise is only bothersome part to me. Actually find the event kinda cool. My 5th time - more likely last than not. Two 'Broods' on the way in 2024 (Brood XIX and Brood XIII). The last time the two broods emerged simultaneously was in 1803. Much of the eastern United States can prepare for what one entomologist described as a "spectacular, macabre Mardi Gras" this spring. The event Jonathan Larson, an extension entomologist at the University of Kentucky, is referring to is the simultaneous emergence of two cicada broods that will erupt in states from Virginia to Illinois co...
by minesweep
Mon Jan 22, 2024 8:05 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: 🎁 🎉Happy 100th Birthday to Taylor Larimore 🎊🎂
Replies: 429
Views: 41948

Re: 🎁 🎉Happy 100th Birthday to Taylor Larimore 🎊🎂

Congratulations on reaching this impressive milestone. I hope your special day is filled with love and laughter.
by minesweep
Thu Jan 04, 2024 5:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Where do you bank and why? 2024 Edition
Replies: 113
Views: 14720

Re: Where do you bank and why? 2024 Edition

I've had a checking account at a community bank located in Allentown (Billy Joel song) since it's founding back in 2000. At the time they offered a 6% interest rate (fed funds rate was as high as 6 1/2% back then). Also, at the time I recall them billing themselves as an Internet bank (they only have one branch). Today their e-checking account pays a 1% interest rate (no minimum balance). It's been years since I set foot in the bank.
by minesweep
Thu Jan 04, 2024 4:05 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How did you make your first $1M?
Replies: 148
Views: 33649

Re: How did you make your first $1M?

Toons wrote: Thu Jan 04, 2024 3:50 pm Saving,Investing,Reinvesting ,As much as possible as often as possible,
Compounding did the heavy lifting :mrgreen:
+1
by minesweep
Tue Jan 02, 2024 10:20 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: your system for reviewing credit card transactions
Replies: 86
Views: 9321

Re: your system for reviewing credit card transactions

I have two active credit cards (Citi & Chase). I use the Citi card for most transactions (2% rebate). They send me daily balance alerts to my email account. If something seems amiss, I sign into my account to see the detail. I only use my Chase card for food purchases in the Jan-March period when give a 5% rebate.
by minesweep
Sat Dec 30, 2023 9:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Alternatives to writing checks for gifts, bill payments, etc
Replies: 25
Views: 3052

Re: Alternatives to writing checks for gifts, bill payments, etc

Happy holidays fellow BH's. With all the theft and check washing schemes that are prolific outside of our homes, what are others doing to insure mailed checks aren't intercepted then altered by thieves and criminals? W e reside in NYC which is notorious for thieves fishing out deposited letters from corner mailboxes and lately even postal facilities. It's gotten so bad we are refraining from mailing holiday cards with gift checks this year. My concern is setting up ACH accounts is unmanageable especially for the one-off and ocassional gifting of money. What are others doing to work around this? Thanks much! March 21, 2019 article: Have You Noticed Those Weird New Mailboxes? Here’s Why They Changed Thieves, often at night, use string to low...
by minesweep
Wed Dec 13, 2023 5:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestions for charity doing international work
Replies: 26
Views: 2652

Re: Suggestions for charity doing international work

I'll add 'Americares' to the list. Charity Navigator gives it a 4-star rating. 98% of the funds go to the actual cause.

Not all of these are international:

20 incredible charities that give 99% of the money they get to the actual cause
by minesweep
Mon Dec 11, 2023 4:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Favorites at Aldi's?
Replies: 36
Views: 6242

Re: Favorites at Aldi's?

neilpilot wrote: Mon Dec 11, 2023 1:29 pm
22twain wrote: Mon Dec 11, 2023 12:56 pm
lazydavid wrote: Mon Dec 11, 2023 12:15 pmI wonder at what point inflation will significantly reduce its effectiveness, and they'll have to go to two or more quarters
Or to dollar coins. Bring back the Suzie B! 8-)
In Germany it's a euro, and I still sometimes see abandoned carts there.
In the 25 years, or so, of going to 4 different Aldi locations here (in America), I never saw more than 1 cart in the parking lot (maybe they're more frugal here in America :D). I sometimes see one of them at the cart collection area uncoupled.

They closed one of the Aldi locations down here recently. In its place they opened up a brand-new store at another location with self-checkout aisles.
by minesweep
Sun Dec 10, 2023 5:59 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Favorites at Aldi's?
Replies: 36
Views: 6242

Re: Favorites at Aldi's?

A similar post from back in July My response in July: Aldi’s has a good assortment of breads to choose from. I’m partial to the organic Graintastic that has 21 whole grains & seeds. It’s similar to Dave’s bread that they sell in a regular supermarket. I tried both and thought Graintastic tasted better than Dave’s. They also have a good selection of cheeses. I like their white 'aged reserve' cheddar block cheese. I also like their quart of whole milk plain yogurt. I buy the half gallon size of ‘Simply Nature’ organic milk there as well. I purchased some milk at the end of June that has an expiration date of August 25. Organic milk has a longer shelf life because it undergoes a different preservation process called ultrahigh temperature ...
by minesweep
Sat Dec 02, 2023 1:37 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Has surviving stock market crash made you more resilient
Replies: 121
Views: 13484

Re: Has surviving stock market crash made you more resilient

I think it is also important to recognize that YOU may be different in the "next" crash. I still recall the 1987 down tick of 22% in one day. But I was a lot younger, online info didn't exist and there was nothing you could do anyway but stay out of the way of falling portfolio managers when you walked down the sidewalk. I also recall the 1987 (Black Monday') stock market crash. In spite of that pitfall the S&P finished up 2% for the year. The S&P closed at 247. I stayed the course through that crash and every other correction since then. Major stock market corrections were a bit unnerving in those early years of investing, but I always thought there was light at the end of the tunnel. In response to the OP. Yes, I became...
by minesweep
Wed Nov 29, 2023 10:01 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Personal print and use of laptop at work
Replies: 42
Views: 5540

Re: Personal print and use of laptop at work

Hi Fam - Do you print personal stuff at work? If yes - any concerns doing it from privacy standpoint? Separately - do employers really check what employees do on work laptops ie web browsing, outlook, teams etc? I have been in corporate job setting for 13 yrs and heard stories but NO direct stories from folks who were direct subject to “surveillance”. I am talking about 5000+ employee type of firms. In terms of printing at work - recently I had couple pages sent to “abacus” printing que, then I signed in with my employee card at a printer on my floor (one of ~40 xerox’es in the building), then i picked these two files and clicked to “print and delete”. But then these two files just got deleted but NO printing happened. I checked and rechec...
by minesweep
Sun Nov 26, 2023 11:16 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Canned fish. mostly salmon
Replies: 16
Views: 2396

Re: Canned fish. mostly salmon

For regular, run of the mill canned salmon, the "red/sockeye" salmon tasted better to me than the standard "pink salmon." Both are wild caught Alaska salmon but the sockeye costs about twice as much. I noticed that the pink Alaska salmon distributes under various store brands as well, there's a. "Great Value" and Aldi version for example. They just put the paper label on with the brand info but if you look at the underlying can, it's the same type of can that says it's Alaska salmon. " I agree with your assessment of the red sockeye salmon. I never saw it anywhere before until I came across it at Olie's on a recent trip (a 7 oz can for $2.25). Now that I tried it, I'll have to stock up on it on my next tr...
by minesweep
Sat Nov 25, 2023 3:41 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's Your Exit Strategy (for tax-deferred retirement accounts)
Replies: 163
Views: 22196

Re: What's Your Exit Strategy (for tax-deferred retirement accounts)

Taxable Account - 85%
TIRA - 12%
Roth - 3%
Retired 2001

1. Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) - An ongoing process.
6. Charity (escapes the tax man). QCD's for portion of RMD as well as charities when my time is up.
8. Prevent or restrain growth through very conservative investment so less to take out. - 100% bonds TIRA
by minesweep
Mon Nov 20, 2023 12:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Exercise planning for first year of retirement
Replies: 71
Views: 9223

Re: Exercise planning for first year of retirement

Do you live near a farm? I've been working as a volunteer on an organic farm for the past 11 years. I started working there at age 58, three years after breast cancer mastectomy, chemo, and radiation, and I was just getting my strength back. Now I'm 69 and strong as an ox. This kind of manual labor covers everything - cardio, resistance, weights, etc., and also adds a fabulous social network, great food, and a feeling of usefulness and purpose. It's changed my life and I never thought I'd be this healthy and happy. Today is actually the 15th-year mark of my surgery. We just finished planting 10,000 strawberry plants three days ago. Fifteen years ago, I never would have dreamed of this! Evelyn, Congratulations on your amazing recovery. That...
by minesweep
Tue Nov 14, 2023 10:03 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: My IPS saved my bacon
Replies: 30
Views: 5170

Re: My IPS saved my bacon

As Mr. Bogle stated:
by minesweep
Sat Nov 11, 2023 6:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: With higher interest rates, do you try to pay property taxes at the last minute?
Replies: 63
Views: 6407

Re: With higher interest rates, do you try to pay property taxes at the last minute?

When I receive the property tax bills for the county & city (& school real estate tax) I immediately set up an electronic bill payment at my bank. I set the payment date a few business days before the discount due date. The only thing I have to remember after doing that is to make sure I have enough money in the checking account at the time of the EBP date. Any additional amount I need is transferred from a Vanguard money market account (as that due date approaches).
by minesweep
Thu Oct 26, 2023 12:10 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Dad Inherited Mom's IRA
Replies: 10
Views: 1663

Re: Dad Inherited Mom's IRA

The $800K is earmarked for Long Term care if he needs it. He is incredibly risk averse and doesn't like seeing the account go down. ... He understands this aspect . I've educated him as best I can on the Boglehead philosophy and probably feel in the IRA that a 30/70 or 40/60 balanced fund would work for him over the long term. Maybe lump sum half and DCA half for his own psychological benefit to avoid him panicking over a short term correction. He has to take RMD's and before my Mom's passing they were putting that in a balanced fund in a taxable vanguard account. It lost money over the last two years so he wants to sell it ... I'm worried he's going to invest it, have the market take a dump and sell. He has never educated himself on perso...
by minesweep
Wed Oct 25, 2023 3:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Movies Ticket Prices
Replies: 53
Views: 5733

Re: Movies Ticket Prices

'Killers of the Flower Moon" at the local AMC theater (eastern PA):
Discount Matinee ticket prices are 30% OFF the evening price every day. Discounted price shown below
Adult
$7.69

Child
Age 2-12
$5.59

Senior
Age 60+
$6.59

Matinees are only on Saturday & Sunday. They also have special pricing for military (with ID).
by minesweep
Sat Oct 07, 2023 2:46 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Sad News - LadyGeek's Mom has passed
Replies: 158
Views: 37408

Re: Sad News - LadyGeek's Mom has passed

I also did a federal form titled: ‘From 56 -Notice Concerning Fiduciary Relationship’ at the start of the process and again at the completion. ^^^ Thanks! I'll take a look at Form 56, Notice Concerning Fiduciary Relationship | Internal Revenue Service In my situation, I don't think that form is needed. There is a Will, but it has not been registered. From Topic No. 356, Decedents | Internal Revenue Service : If there's no appointed personal representative and there's no surviving spouse , the person in charge of the decedent's property must file and sign the return as "personal representative." This will apply: If a refund is due to the decedent, it may be necessary to file Form 1310, Statement of Person Claiming Refund Due a Dec...
by minesweep
Sat Oct 07, 2023 11:41 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Sad News - LadyGeek's Mom has passed
Replies: 158
Views: 37408

Re: Sad News - LadyGeek's Mom has passed

Lady Geek, Sorry to hear of your mother's passing. I also live in PA and went through the process you are delegated to now. Some comments follow on the process that I went through. I was executor of my father's will some decades ago. That experience gave me the confidence to handle the state inheritance tax without the assistance of a lawyer this time around. Especially given that there no hard assets to deal with in this situation. My widowed sister, who was in an assisted living facility for 8 ½ years passed away on April 11 of 2020. Being that all of her assets were at Vanguard and a local bank eased the burden of settling her estate. She had no children, so my brother and I were the only beneficiaries. My brother and I both had Vanguard...
by minesweep
Tue Oct 03, 2023 10:02 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Were you nervous when you retired?
Replies: 147
Views: 21910

Re: Were you nervous when you retired?

No, I wasn't nervous when I retired. To the contrary I was elated when I was offered an early retirement package nearly 23 years ago.
To borrow the Pointer Sisters lyrics (slightly modified) at how I felt at the time:

I was so excited, and I just couldn't hide it
I'm about to lose control and I think I'll like it
I was so excited, and I just couldn't hide it
And I know, I know, I know, I know, I know I want it

Retirement is not the end of the road. It's the beginning of the open highway.
When you retire an alarm clock is just a clock.
by minesweep
Mon Oct 02, 2023 7:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Vanguard QCD Checks
Replies: 12
Views: 1603

Re: Vanguard QCD Checks

GerryL wrote: Mon Oct 02, 2023 5:02 pm In several years of doing QCDs, I have NEVER sent the stub. In fact, it never even occurred to me. The stub is for YOUR records.
This thread was started nearly two months ago. Perhaps someone at Vanguard saw it and that's why they added this notation om the check confirmation stub:
"Please review and contact us Immediately if the information isn't correct". "Log onto your Vanguard account to see additional transaction details". In my mind it reinforces the notion that the account holder should retain the confirmation stub.
by minesweep
Mon Oct 02, 2023 5:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Vanguard QCD Checks
Replies: 12
Views: 1603

Re: Vanguard QCD Checks

tomd37 wrote: Mon Oct 02, 2023 3:23 pm Minesweep - You just remove the check at the bottom of the 8x11 sheet and retain the stub portion. The stub portion has all the details should you need to follow up with Vanguard or the charity. Send the check to the charity and ask them to acknowledge receipt in accordance with IRS guidelines. I've been doing this for 13 years without any issues. PM me if you need further guidance. Regards, Tom D.
Thanks Tom. I'll follow your advice.
by minesweep
Mon Oct 02, 2023 2:29 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Vanguard QCD Checks
Replies: 12
Views: 1603

Re: Vanguard QCD Checks

I'm doing my first QCD's this year. I must admit I was also confused with regards to sending both the check confirmation stub and the check to the charity. I did a few checks in June in which I sent the check to the charities without the confirmation stub. Then in July I did a few more checks in which I included the stub (I had 2nd thoughts). The reason for my confusion was at the bottom of the stub (just above the perforation line) it stated: "Detach this confirmation and retain for your records". Which to me meant it was addressed to the charity. But at the top of the stub form it stated: "Connect with Vanguard" and listed their ph. number. Also, "Deaf and hard of hearing can sent a secure message". "Go ...
by minesweep
Fri Sep 29, 2023 12:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What delayed gratification choices have you made lately?
Replies: 129
Views: 13323

Re: What delayed gratification choices have you made lately?

cheese_breath wrote: Sun Sep 24, 2023 1:45 pm I didn't buy ice cream.
I didn’t buy/eat ice cream today either. I stock up on Breyer’s natural vanilla when Giant (Food Stores) has one of their bigger sales. I ran out 3 days ago (waiting for another sale). 3 days is the longest I’ve gone in years without having 2 scoops of it (topped with walnuts) for desert at lunchtime. I like ice cream a lot and so does Joe (no not that Joe :) , my brother Joe)). And, no I don’t have a weight gain problem.
by minesweep
Thu Sep 28, 2023 5:39 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bear, Bull, or stuck flat
Replies: 8
Views: 1030

Re: Bear, Bull, or stuck flat

It's tough making predictions, especially about the future - Yogi Berra

The future ain't what it used to be - Yogi Berra
by minesweep
Wed Sep 27, 2023 12:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What frugal thing did you do today? - Bread side discussion
Replies: 21
Views: 1621

Re: What frugal thing did you do today?

Sounds good, what kind of bread? Bread is one place we are not frugal - if store bought, its usually Dave's. I would say we are about 50/50 store bought versus homemade loaves these days. (edit: usually multigrain. The only "white" bread we use is a good sourdough loaf from a small bakery down the road that we will pick up every so often when passing through) You could be a little frugal with the store-bought bread if you purchased Aldi's 'Simply Nature' organic 'Graintastic' bread (27 oz). It has the same ingredients as 'Dave's Killer' bread (27 oz). Graintastic cost $4.49. Dave's cost $6.19 at Target. I've tried both of them and thought the Grainstastuc had a better taste. Dave’s has more sodium (170mg) than Graintastic (115mg)...
by minesweep
Tue Sep 26, 2023 12:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What frugal thing did you do today? - Bread side discussion
Replies: 21
Views: 1621

What frugal thing did you do today? - Bread side discussion

Sounds good, what kind of bread? Bread is one place we are not frugal - if store bought, its usually Dave's. I would say we are about 50/50 store bought versus homemade loaves these days. (edit: usually multigrain. The only "white" bread we use is a good sourdough loaf from a small bakery down the road that we will pick up every so often when passing through) You could be a little frugal with the store-bought bread if you purchased Aldi's 'Simply Nature' organic 'Graintastic' bread (27 oz). It has the same ingredients as 'Dave's Killer' bread (27 oz). Graintastic cost $4.49. Dave's cost $6.19 at Target. I've tried both of them and thought the Grainstastuc had a better taste. Dave’s has more sodium (170mg) than Graintastic (115mg).
by minesweep
Mon Sep 25, 2023 9:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Eggs
Replies: 150
Views: 17671

Re: Eggs

On alternate days:
Two extra-large Eggland's Best eggs in a cheese omelet with one slice of toast (21 whole grain and seeds).
One extra-large Eggland's Best egg in pancakes using whole wheat flour, buttermilk, blueberries and a sprinkle of ground flax seeds topped with real maple syrup.
by minesweep
Tue Aug 22, 2023 1:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Cash in I-Bond?
Replies: 22
Views: 2868

Re: Cash in I-Bond?

Hi - This may be a dumb question because I probably should have done more research into i-bonds when I purchased them in the first place :oops: but anyway — I bought i-bonds in May 2022 when the rates were really high. I know I forfeit 3 months of interest if I cash them in within 5 years, but being that I’m almost at 15 months, should I be thinking of cashing those in now? Are they getting more/less interest than an online savings account giving 4.9%? Unless I’m mistaken you already have 15 months (beginning of August). Anyway, I purchased an I-bond at the same time you did and sold it at the beginning of this month. What I recall reading was the best time to buy an I-bond is the end of the month because you receive the interest for that ...