Search found 1056 matches

by strafe
Tue Mar 05, 2024 5:41 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do All Traditional Solo 401(k) Contributions Reduce QBI or Only Ones Made as the EmployeER for Sole Proprietor?
Replies: 5
Views: 421

Re: Do All Traditional Solo 401(k) Contributions Reduce QBI or Only Ones Made as the EmployeER?

GoldenBear17 wrote: Tue Mar 05, 2024 3:08 am I'm getting mixed messages reading around the web on this.

I know for sure that traditional Solo 401(k) contributions made as the EmployER reduce QBI. Many sites emphasize this.

Do Traditional Solo 401(k) contributions made as the EmployEE through an employee deferral also reduce QBI?

In other words is QBI reduced by all traditional Solo 401(k) contributions regardless if they are classified as EmployER or EmployEE? Or is it only reduced by the ones made as EmployER?
The QBI reduction is based on your self employed retirement deduction. Yes, voluntary (that is what I think you mean by “employee”) contributions to your solo plan count.
by strafe
Thu Feb 01, 2024 4:09 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Grass seed methods, timing, etc.
Replies: 35
Views: 2699

Re: Grass seed methods, timing, etc.

psteinx wrote: Wed Jan 31, 2024 10:41 am Once again, a chunk of our backyard (St. Louis area) is a bit of a sloppy mess. ~40% grass coverage, lots of mud.
This may be the root of your problem. How is the drainage? More water isn’t always better.

I disagree with those suggesting sod. A lawn grown from seed is always healthier than a sodded lawn, and sod will not fix fundamental problems like inadequate drainage.
by strafe
Wed Jan 24, 2024 6:08 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 60/40 vs. 67/33 plus bond allocation question
Replies: 46
Views: 5010

Re: 60/40 vs. 67/33 plus bond allocation question

veggivet wrote: Tue Jan 23, 2024 6:54 am Yes, the person involved is on the risk averse side…. Her taxes are extremely complicated with multiple trusts….
A person who seeks asset management advice for a complicated $15 million portfolio from someone who must turn to an anonymous group of internet strangers for basic bond investing questions is hardly risk averse. :D

If ever there were a need for hiring a (fee-only) financial planner, this would be it!
by strafe
Fri Jan 12, 2024 5:44 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Beginner YouTube vlogging setup
Replies: 10
Views: 1536

Re: Beginner YouTube vlogging setup

DJI Pocket 3 w/ creator bundle.
Even if you give up on YT, it's a terrific lightweight video camera for personal/family use.
by strafe
Sun Sep 17, 2023 6:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Multi Stage Gas Furnace with Single Stage AC
Replies: 9
Views: 966

Re: Multi Stage Gas Furnace with Single Stage AC

There are multiple options with both communicating (eg Carrier infinity) and non-communicating systems. You should ask your contractor.

I would add that the most important part for humidity control is correctly sized AC. Both furnaces and ACs are often grossly oversized, which leads to decreased comfort from run times being too short. Do not assume the existing system is correctly sized. A “Manual J” load calculation is essential.

Edit: As I read your initial post more carefully, I personally would proceed with a variable speed furnace and get a thermostat that can control the blower speed. Would not replace your existing 6yr old AC unless oversized. Your money may be well spent on a dehumidifier.
by strafe
Sun Sep 17, 2023 4:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Multi Stage Gas Furnace with Single Stage AC
Replies: 9
Views: 966

Re: Multi Stage Gas Furnace with Single Stage AC

Yes. A variable speed blower can help a great deal with humidity. The “standard” airflow for AC is 400cfm per ton. With a humidity sensing thermostat and fan speed under control of the thermostat, the thermostat can slow down the fan speed or overcool slightly when the humidity exceeds set point. Alternatively you could set the airflow to 350cfm/ton all the time for better humidity removal. (Slower airflow means colder discharge air temp and lower dew point. However total cooling capacity decreases somewhat.) A variable speed blower is worthwhile because it maintains the programmed airflow. In my experience with multiple HVAC contractors, every one of them has cut corners and not measured airflow or static pressure. To some degree a variabl...
by strafe
Sun Sep 17, 2023 2:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Need for routine HVAC maintenance?
Replies: 53
Views: 5653

Re: Need for routine HVAC maintenance?

I stopped having them done when one of the service people intentionally disconnected the blower motor to check for temperature over-limit. Uh, no thank you. I don't rev my car up to the red line to see if the rev limiter works either. BTW, that unit failed after 21 years with a leaky evaporator. Did this one event contribute to it? Probably not, but who knows. Meanwhile, a sister unit that he did not mess with is still going at 24 years. I check that one and clean the coils. Most of the maintenance that they don't like to do (clean coils, etc.) can be done yourself. If they clean coils, you pay more anyway. They can check amperages and pressures, but if you have an old unit and the pressure is low, they'll just complain that it is R-22 and...
by strafe
Fri Sep 01, 2023 4:48 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Guaranteed tax free high income with rock recycling
Replies: 50
Views: 6917

Re: Guaranteed tax free high income with rock recycling

Clothing prices have skyrocketed as well! I also earn a few hundred dollars a day, tax free, by recycling my garments in the washing machine.

Combining the messy business of rock recycling with clothes recycling yields an inexhaustible stream of income.
by strafe
Thu Aug 24, 2023 4:09 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Vanguard has blocked/blacklisted my home IP address
Replies: 206
Views: 16855

Re: Vanguard has blocked/blacklisted my home IP address

Tex wrote: Wed Aug 23, 2023 2:23 pm If you have Apple devices (Mac/iPhone), then turn on iCloud Private Relay. Then, use Safari to access Vanguard instead of the Vanguard App (Private Relay only works over Safari and not the individual iOS / Mac apps). That will change your IP address and the problem should end.
OP, if you are genuinely looking for a safe and convenient resolution to this issue, Tex has given you the most actionable advice in this entire thread.
by strafe
Sat Jul 15, 2023 3:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New google AI called Bard
Replies: 60
Views: 6177

Re: New google AI called Bard

The remarkable thing here is that you can tell ChatGPT not to confabulate! Glendower: I can call the spirits from the vasty deep. Hotspur: Why, so can I, or so can any man; But will they come, when you do call for them? Just now: https://imgur.com/vGOBHRl.png I wrote: When John C. Bogle was at Princeton, was he a member of an eating club? Please don't confabulate in your answer. ChatGPT 4 replied: Yes, John C. Bogle was a member of the University Cottage Club, one of the eating clubs at Princeton University. My reason for being pretty sure this is BS is that various bots using ChatGP4 have told me that he was but keep naming different clubs . One of them changed its answer on consecutive days. And I haven't been able to find any confirmati...
by strafe
Sat Jul 15, 2023 3:11 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Real world performance of iShares iBonds (defined-maturity bond ETFs)
Replies: 5
Views: 1308

Re: Real world performance of iShares iBonds (defined-maturity bond ETFs)

This was inspired by a specific thread: https://bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=379983 as well as my curiosity about the behavior of these maturing bond funds. Yesterday I purchased 1 share each of the funds discussed in the linked thread as well as the treasury fund of the same duration for comparison. I am also making note of the treasuries maturing around the same time: The defined maturity bond ETFs hold bonds that mature throughout the year, not just December. The individual Treasuries you listed for comparison all mature in or around Dec 2025. A more accurate comparison would include Treasuries maturing throughout 2025; for example in January, June and December 2025. With such a short time horizon the yield curve across months m...
by strafe
Sat Jul 01, 2023 5:58 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Personal CFO services? (paying bills, managing cash flow, etc.)
Replies: 23
Views: 2854

Re: Personal CFO services? (paying bills, managing cash flow, etc.)

Do any services exist that provide personal “CFO“ services to individuals? Those exist at the family office level, but what about for a busy professional that doesn’t have $100m laying around? Something like a housekeeper, or a gardener, but for your finances… As someone with an irregular income who owns a business, my financial life is a lot more complicated than simply putting everything on auto pay. There are decisions about how much to set aside for taxes, making sure bills are paid on time, making sure the cash flow is smoothed out to pay those bills, investing excess cash, etc. I imagine that there are many self-employed people, or business owners, in the same situation I am who would happily pay for a service to not have to worry ab...
by strafe
Fri Jun 30, 2023 5:38 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Has investing conservatively ever paid off over a career?
Replies: 261
Views: 32606

Re: Has investing conservatively ever paid off over a career?

The conclusion you should draw from the data is that a higher savings rate always pays off. The impact of allocation is secondary.

To the degree allocation matters, the concern is not the average outcome, but rather the 5th percentile outcome.
by strafe
Sun May 21, 2023 6:03 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Professor salaries since COVID
Replies: 14
Views: 2377

Re: Professor salaries since COVID

edudumb wrote: Sat May 20, 2023 11:41 pm I'm an adjunct professor
It’s apples and oranges to compare your pay to full time regular rank faculty let alone an endowed chair.

As you’ve discovered— Comparison creates envy. Envy creates unhappiness. What are you going to do about it?
by strafe
Fri May 19, 2023 8:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New google AI called Bard
Replies: 60
Views: 6177

Re: New google AI called Bard

...Hinton has an answer for that too: bullshitting is a feature, not a bug. “People always confabulate,” he says. Half-truths and misremembered details are hallmarks of human conversation: “Confabulation is a signature of human memory. These models are doing something just like people.”... I think that misses the point, badly. People don't go to things like ChatGPT because they want slick BS. They go because they believe they are going to get accurate answers to their questions. As evidence, I exhibit the following, recently posted in this forum: Are there any AI tools like ChatGPT available for personal finance?...As a tool, it seems like AI could guide one on how to structure finances (how much to save, where to save, need a will or trus...
by strafe
Tue Mar 07, 2023 2:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: I successfully disputed credit card charge and now getting a bill!
Replies: 91
Views: 11711

Re: I successfully disputed credit card charge and now getting a bill!

It's irritating and worth a short grievance letter to the CEO as the above poster mentioned. But don't allow this event to devour hundreds more $$$ of your time, energy and life.
JVV wrote: Tue Mar 07, 2023 2:17 pm On the contract, there was an additional $142 charge for adding the additional driver. I asked about this and he said as soon as I picked out my car, they would take this charge off at the gate on my way out of the airport.
Also consider this also a life lesson about believing unwritten assurances that the terms of a written contract won't be enforced. I would bet that your rental agreement has both an integration clause (invalidating the assurances of the clerk) and a clause about your financial responsibility in the event of a credit card chargeback.
by strafe
Tue Jan 10, 2023 5:24 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Incorrect 1099R from VG?
Replies: 4
Views: 774

Re: Incorrect 1099R from VG?

The form is correct. Qualified charitable donations are treated by the broker like any other distribution from the IRA. You exclude the QCD component of the distribution from your income on your federal tax return. See here:
https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/re ... ithdrawals
by strafe
Sun Jan 08, 2023 4:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Billed for "No Copay" Preventative Care Medical Visit
Replies: 56
Views: 5113

Re: Billed for "No Copay" Preventative Care Medical Visit

AnEngineer wrote: Sun Jan 08, 2023 2:48 pm
8foot7 wrote: Sun Jan 08, 2023 8:59 am I simply wouldn’t pay. If they want some money, they can code properly and resubmit...
+1
8foot7 and AnEngineer,

Your posts indicate the code selected was improper and suggest the OP withhold payment in that basis. Presumably you would not write this recommendation without knowledge of the relevant coding requirements. It would be a great help to the OP if you would identify the proper code for the service.
by strafe
Sun Jan 08, 2023 9:44 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Billed for "No Copay" Preventative Care Medical Visit
Replies: 56
Views: 5113

Re: Billed for "No Copay" Preventative Care Medical Visit

I empathize with the OP. I've dealt with my fair share of medical billing errors as well. At the same time, I am astonished at others' willingness to reach sweeping conclusions about fraud by the medical practice, filing state regulatory complaints, etc, without understanding the basic facts! I am by no means an expert on medical billing, I but did spent some time to read about ophthalmology billing and in particular the differentiation between the "eye codes" (92002-92015) and the standard E/M coding. There is a lot more to the story. In this case, the insurer reminds me of the car dealers that advertise a car for thousands below market value. When you get to the lot, you find the deal is for a specific car that either doesn't ex...
by strafe
Sat Dec 04, 2021 2:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Any easy way to ditch PMI?
Replies: 11
Views: 1599

Re: Any easy way to ditch PMI?

If the lender will not remove PMI, she could refinance at <80% LTV
by strafe
Fri Oct 29, 2021 9:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Replacement or new installation windows?
Replies: 5
Views: 1155

Re: Replacement or new installation windows?

Thanks for the replies, guys! We are in the suburb of major city in the Mid-Atlantic region. I'm guessing that has something to do with the high quotes. Pella was the first quote we got and rather eye opening (supposedly only lasts 15 days which just passed... not sure if that makes a difference). House has stucco siding on wood. Had a stucco inspection 5 years ago, water penetration underneath only one window that was underneath a leaky gutter (gutter since replaced). Our roofer is in his early 40's. We met him through a friend who is an HVAC contractor. Okna makes good windows. Make sure you know what they look like — sash frames may be thicker than you like. Installation quality and post-installation support are key with any of these ch...
by strafe
Fri Oct 29, 2021 6:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Replacement or new installation windows?
Replies: 5
Views: 1155

Re: Replacement or new installation windows?

Nail fin (full frame new installation) is the gold standard. Replacement insert windows leave the potentially rotted window frame in place, cover over potentially rotted brick mold and reduce the glass area (frame within a frame).

New installation windows are not practical if you have fiber cement siding (Hardiplank) or brick.

Your quotes seem very high.

I would also get a quote from Sunrise Restoration if available in your area. They have an option for finless full frame installation that straddles the line between nail fin new installation and replacement inserts.

Andersen Renewal is reputed online to be expensive and use high pressure sales techniques. I personally avoided them.
by strafe
Sat Sep 25, 2021 1:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Six inch scratch on Honda - touch up paint options
Replies: 21
Views: 2593

Re: Six inch scratch on Honda - touch up paint options

1. This is the wrong forum to get advice.
2. The best fix depends on the depth not the length of the scratch. Need photos.

Take a picture of it and post on a detailing forum like Meguiars Online, Autopia.org or Autogeek Online.
by strafe
Thu Sep 16, 2021 4:16 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Changing Old Truck to Full Synthetic Oil?
Replies: 36
Views: 4201

Re: Changing Old Truck to Full Synthetic Oil?

I bought a 1995 Chevy Truck that has 56,000 miles on it. The odometer is 6 digits so it’s not as if it has rolled over. The truck has had 2 owners, the person I bought it from owned it for the last 22 years. He only used Conventional oil in it. Has anyone had any success with changing an older vehicle over to Full Synthetic and not had it leak oil terribly after making the change? When I was a teenager I had a Ford Escort and accidentally put synthetic in it not realizing the small detail on the oil bottle and it started leaking like a sieve and I had to replace a seal on the front of it. This truck leaks very very little currently but I’ve heard Synthetic will clean out an old car’s buildup and possibly cause leaks? Thanks, Fordguy88 It’s...
by strafe
Wed Sep 15, 2021 8:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do provider "rebates" on smart phones provide real value?
Replies: 23
Views: 2362

Re: Do provider "rebates" on smart phones provide real value?

Looking to buy a new high end smart phone and wanted to get the group's thoughts on this topic. The last time I looked into this, Verizon, my carrier at the time, simply prorated the cost of the new phone over a 24 month period and added it to my monthly bill. Rather than deal with that hassle, I simply bought an unlocked phone with cash. No great savings, but not locked into a contract. Additionally, I've also seen mention that any savings one might realize are often not realized because the provider requires you to upgrade to a more expensive cell phone plan as part of the deal. I've not done an exhaustive analysis, but figured some Boglehead may have done so or can point to good resources. I searched the forum and did not find much on t...
by strafe
Sat May 15, 2021 8:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Auto insurance total loss claim
Replies: 16
Views: 1463

Re: Auto insurance total loss claim

I would want the car totaled so that I could more easily replace it with one that had not been involved in an accident.

Glad this worked out well for you in the end.
by strafe
Thu May 13, 2021 5:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What products do you use to clean and maintain a car "ceramic coating" or "other coating"?
Replies: 25
Views: 2784

Re: What products do you use to clean and maintain a car "ceramic coating" or "other coating"?

DW and I just had our 2021 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro and 2021 Honda Passport Elite "Ceramic Coated" at a reputable auto detailing shop. The cars came out looking 100x better than from the dealer. The surface is deep and extremely shiny and slick. The shop said it takes 2-3 weeks to "cure" and not to get the car wet, etc. I've been looking at these products on Amazon.com (for example). Ceramic Coating cleaning and maintenance spray. (seems very expensive). Is this a good product? https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DPB4JL9/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A3V2J9MYBWODV4&psc=1 Edgeless Microfiber Cleaning Cloths. Is this a good product? https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DXCGCHF/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=AKGPT8B5V96TT&...
by strafe
Thu Apr 22, 2021 11:28 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Crazy Situation - Acura Dealer Gave Me Car With Wrong VIN Number - Wants to Swap Cars?
Replies: 115
Views: 11474

Re: Crazy Situation - Acura Dealer Gave Me Car With Wrong VIN Number - Wants to Swap Cars?

There is so much bad advice in this thread, I don't even know where to begin!

You need to take possession of your car and return the dealer's car.

What's so hard about that?
by strafe
Fri Apr 16, 2021 5:39 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: TIPS yield curve has dramatically steepened. Why? What does this mean for investors?
Replies: 27
Views: 4170

Re: TIPS yield curve has dramatically steepened. Why? What does this mean for investors?

Right now the 5-year TIPS yields -1.74%, whereas the 30-year TIPS yields 0.01%. That is a huge difference compared to (say) 2019 when these yields were almost equal. For example, on 1/2/2019, the 5-year TIPS yielded 1.00% and the 30-year TIPS yielded 1.19%. So the difference in yields has increased from 0.19 percentage points to 1.75 percentage points. I don't understand why the yield curve for TIPS has steepened? What is the market telling us? And why would any individual investor prefer a short-duration TIPS to a long-duration one, since credit risk of both is (theoretically) zero and both are (theoretically) adjusted for inflation? You may find the answer (or at least part of the answer) in revisiting both assumptions in your last parag...
by strafe
Tue Apr 13, 2021 7:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: C8 Corvette?
Replies: 45
Views: 5188

Re: C8 Corvette?

No, not yet.

I disagree that buying a C8 is “totally non-Boglehead.”
First, the Corvette is an excellent value. Its direct competitors cost at least 2x the price.
Second, the purpose of investing is to fund future consumption. Spend your money according to your priorities.
by strafe
Sat Mar 27, 2021 5:21 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Park home sale proceeds 60% VWIUX/40% VTSAX?
Replies: 7
Views: 1444

Re: Park home sale proceeds 60% VWIUX/40% VTSAX?

Tip: You’ll get better replies if you post the fund names. Few people have ticker symbols memorized. I know one of the funds is total stock index. I don’t recognize the other.
by strafe
Tue Mar 16, 2021 8:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Cash out refinance?
Replies: 39
Views: 3019

Re: Cash out refinance?

vkat wrote: Mon Mar 15, 2021 8:07 pm I have a 15 year fixed mortgage at 2.875% for 285000. Term remaining is 10 years and amount is 199200. Is 15 year fixed, cash out refinance for new loan amount of 250k at 1.99% worth the refinance. No closing cost, or lender fees.
I plan on putting the 50k back into the new loan to get the reduced rate and same term.
- V
This is a sensible, and frankly, quite clever plan. I was surprised by the number of people replying that don’t understand what you’re doing. I see little to no downside. You’ll need to make more than the minimum payment to achieve the same term, even with the $50k prepayment (repayment?).
by strafe
Mon Mar 15, 2021 9:09 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help With TIAA 3-Tier Employer Retirement Options
Replies: 19
Views: 1972

Re: Help With TIAA 3-Tier Employer Retirement Options

What is your bond allocation? Assuming it is small relative to stocks, I would be inclined to avoid tier 3 for the sake of simplicity. The aggregate expense ratio across the portfolio would still be low if you use the tier 2 bond option. Using the self-directed brokerage would marginally decrease your cost, but it adds hassle transferring in and out, and could also open you up to a number of behavioral pitfalls insofar as having more options. what is the expense ratio for the tier 1 target date funds? If low, have you considered using those, either in total or with the income fund standing in for a bond fund? Your response makes the most sense so far. I agree, it would be a hassle selling, transferring in and out, rebalancing into a tempor...
by strafe
Mon Mar 15, 2021 8:47 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: DLP Capitol
Replies: 37
Views: 4215

Re: DLP Capitol

I would not invest in this if I were you: 1) it is an illiquid, opaque investment without the transparencies afforded by marketable securities. You are sacrificing a great deal of diversification and investor protections without adequate compensation. 2) risk adjusted private equity real estate returns lag REITs in the aggregate. Ample data on this. 3) the superficial consistency of returns from these funds is an illusion because they are not marked to market 4) “if you have to ask...” The point of accredited investor status is to permit sophisticated investors who have done their due diligence to invest in these offerings at their own peril. If your due diligence consists of asking a bunch of internet strangers “should I invest in this?” —...
by strafe
Sat Mar 13, 2021 5:24 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help With TIAA 3-Tier Employer Retirement Options
Replies: 19
Views: 1972

Re: Help With TIAA 3-Tier Employer Retirement Options

What is your bond allocation? Assuming it is small relative to stocks, I would be inclined to avoid tier 3 for the sake of simplicity. The aggregate expense ratio across the portfolio would still be low if you use the tier 2 bond option.

Using the self-directed brokerage would marginally decrease your cost, but it adds hassle transferring in and out, and could also open you up to a number of behavioral pitfalls insofar as having more options.

what is the expense ratio for the tier 1 target date funds? If low, have you considered using those, either in total or with the income fund standing in for a bond fund?
by strafe
Wed Mar 10, 2021 7:59 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Poor experience with Schwab
Replies: 42
Views: 5238

Re: Poor experience with Schwab

neurosphere wrote: Wed Mar 10, 2021 7:56 pm
inverter wrote: Wed Mar 10, 2021 7:51 pm Your account is likely blocked/locked out on Schwab.com, which is just a problem you would experience. There are a number of legitimate reasons why they would do that.
What's not clear is whether the OP can't GET to schwab or gets to schwab and the error message is AFTER trying their credentials. I suspect the latter, and it's something to clarify.

I agree that a locked account could account for that message.
The message is presented after entering login credentials.
by strafe
Wed Mar 10, 2021 7:53 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Poor experience with Schwab
Replies: 42
Views: 5238

Re: Poor experience with Schwab

Problem is not with my computer.
Based on replies, I will entertain the possibility there is an idiosyncratic issue on Schwab’s end with my account registration. If that is the case 1) Schwab customer service should be responsive to my inquiries and 2) website should not (falsely) claim there is a technical error.
Have never had an issue with other brokerages.
by strafe
Wed Mar 10, 2021 7:48 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Poor experience with Schwab
Replies: 42
Views: 5238

Re: Poor experience with Schwab

MishkaWorries wrote: Wed Mar 10, 2021 7:00 pm I haven't had any problems logging onto Schwab all week. Maybe clear your cookies and restart your computer.

10 minute hold time is excessive? I noticed this week they've taken down the banner saying hold times are longer than expected. It seems Schwab has addressed the issue of long hold times for CSR.
Yes, 10min hold is excessive. I am not retired.
by strafe
Wed Mar 10, 2021 7:47 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Poor experience with Schwab
Replies: 42
Views: 5238

Re: Poor experience with Schwab

From time to time, I see posts on this forum of complaints about Vanguard customer service. My experience with Vanguard has been great. I wanted to share my poor experience with Schwab. The Schwab website login has been broken for many weeks. The website always shows a message “This system is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later. For urgent trade-related matters, please call us at 800-435-4000.” I find it to believe that they can’t fix their website. I have tried calling customer support but the hold times are always excessive (>10 min). Online chat support was no use and directed me to call the phone support. There is no option to schedule a phone call. Based on my experience I would recommend avoiding Schwab. Try clearing all ...
by strafe
Wed Mar 10, 2021 7:46 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Poor experience with Schwab
Replies: 42
Views: 5238

Re: Poor experience with Schwab

jpmorganfunds wrote: Wed Mar 10, 2021 6:59 pm Their website is working fine. Must be your computer.

https://www.schwab.com/
Happens on multiple computers
by strafe
Wed Mar 10, 2021 7:45 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Poor experience with Schwab
Replies: 42
Views: 5238

Re: Poor experience with Schwab

From time to time, I see posts on this forum of complaints about Vanguard customer service. My experience with Vanguard has been great. I wanted to share my poor experience with Schwab. The Schwab website login has been broken for many weeks. The website always shows a message “This system is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later. For urgent trade-related matters, please call us at 800-435-4000.” I find it to believe that they can’t fix their website. I have tried calling customer support but the hold times are always excessive (>10 min). Online chat support was no use and directed me to call the phone support. There is no option to schedule a phone call. Based on my experience I would recommend avoiding Schwab. Unfortunately it ...
by strafe
Wed Mar 10, 2021 6:47 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Poor experience with Schwab
Replies: 42
Views: 5238

Poor experience with Schwab

From time to time, I see posts on this forum of complaints about Vanguard customer service. My experience with Vanguard has been great. I wanted to share my poor experience with Schwab. The Schwab website login has been broken for many weeks. The website always shows a message “This system is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later. For urgent trade-related matters, please call us at 800-435-4000.” I find it to believe that they can’t fix their website. I have tried calling customer support but the hold times are always excessive (>10 min). Online chat support was no use and directed me to call the phone support. There is no option to schedule a phone call. Based on my experience I would recommend avoiding Schwab. UPDATE/RESOLUTION:...
by strafe
Fri Mar 05, 2021 5:07 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Can Subaru Outback cabin and air filters get really dirty in just 3500 miles?
Replies: 76
Views: 5614

Re: Can Subaru Outback cabin and air filters get really dirty in just 3500 miles?

I guarantee you the shop is not inspecting the cabin filters before they suggest the replacement. I had a dealer try to pull this scam on me when I had changed the filters myself the day prior. For reference, many manufacturers recommend filter replacement every 20,000 miles.
This is an easy DYI task that can probably be done in less than five minutes if your Subaru is like most cars. Filter media cost about $10 each.
Lesson learned.
by strafe
Wed Mar 03, 2021 5:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: QBID - Qualified Business Income Deduction -Rookie questions
Replies: 24
Views: 1817

Re: QBID - Qualified Business Income Deduction -Rookie questions

I encourage you to hire a CPA when QBI is involved — at least for the first year. It is very complex. Hiring a CPA saved me thousands on taxes compared to the tax software calculation.

As you will see, this makes self employed 401k less valuable. It is in your best interest to use other sources of tax deductible retirement contributions (from a W2 job for example) first. Consider making your self employed 401k a Roth.
by strafe
Sat Feb 27, 2021 7:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Refinance Mega Thread
Replies: 12862
Views: 1265570

Re: Refinance Mega Thread

Similar to other reports I've read here recently, I just had a bit of a bad experience on a refinance with Interactive Mortgage. Loan Amount: 580k Value of Home: ~1M+ (to be able to waive appraisal, they just put $999k on the paperwork) Here's the basic timeline, I'll leave out all the instances that I attempted to nudge my LO into action (let's just say there were a lot of them from start to finish): Jan 5th: locked a true no cost 30 yr fixed refi at 2.375%, with a 30 day lock Jan 20th: received an email from IM saying the loan was 'conditionally approved' and that 'Your Processor will reach out to you in the next 7-14 days to go over your approval and discuss the signing of final loan documents' Jan 26th-Feb 2nd: me sending a bunch of em...
by strafe
Sat Feb 27, 2021 6:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Used minivan - suggestions
Replies: 36
Views: 2975

Re: Used minivan - suggestions

tibbitts wrote: Sat Feb 27, 2021 5:22 pm
Lexx wrote: Sat Feb 27, 2021 3:40 pm I urge you to look at the IIHS.org safety ratings for minivans. On one of their previous tests, which is relevant to a used minivan, the only minivan that was not literally a death trap was the Odyssey. Take at look at how the other vehicles folded up after a collision and ask yourself you want to be inside one of those things.
I'm looking at the results for the Pacifica and I'm not seeing the "deathtrap" issues...?
I think there was an issue with small front overlap crash test in very early production run in 2017 that was addressed. There are lots of “fake news” posts about the Pacifica on this forum. If you talk to actual owners (hybrids excepted) you’ll find these are reliable vehicles. Don’t feed the trolls.
by strafe
Sat Feb 20, 2021 9:36 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Pay off student loans or delay in case of a cancellation
Replies: 4
Views: 800

Re: Pay off student loans or delay in case of a cancellation

Say there is a 25% chance that the debt is cancelled and I have 15k at that point. Speculation about future legislation is prohibited by forum policy, see: Unacceptable Topics The OP did not speculate about any future legislation. Every student loan promissory note I've ever seen contains provisions outlining criteria for cancellation. In addition there are many other sources of full or partial loan repayment. The inference that this cancelation would be the result of proposed legislation may or may not be true. This is not a critique of forum policy, just a statement of fact. The best approach is to make your decision about current law. When the law changes, make your decision at that time. I've seen this aphorism repeated many times with...
by strafe
Sat Feb 13, 2021 5:37 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: My LenderFi refinance is going well
Replies: 1849
Views: 213992

Re: My LenderFi refinance is going well

I recently refi’d with LenderFi.
They were outstanding!
Great communication.
Zero hassle.
Closed on time.
by strafe
Sat Feb 13, 2021 5:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best Tires
Replies: 90
Views: 12273

Re: Best Tires

thefoggycity wrote: Sat Feb 13, 2021 11:43 am Dear Bogleheads:

I am helping my mother in law with new tires and wanted to get your recommendations from the list Costco offers. Her van is a 2005 Mazda MPV ES. She drives mostly in Bay Area, CA and drives to the Sierras a few times a year in the snow. Choices from Costco are:

Michelin - X Tour A/S T + H
Item #1164328

Michelin - Defender T + H
Item # 1141208

Michelin - Premier A/S
Item # 1237429

Thoughts?
Every tire is a compromise. The “best” tire depends on your priorities. The X Tour and Defender are optimized for tread life. The Premier is better in every other regard. These are all fine options. If I were selecting from those options, I would buy the Premier. But I am not penny wise and pound foolish.
by strafe
Fri Feb 12, 2021 5:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dash cams?
Replies: 34
Views: 4663

Re: Dash cams?

It caught my notice that Amazon was selling dash cams for the lightning deal of the day. Other than law enforcement and maybe Uber/Lyft/Taxi drivers - who else would find them useful and why? I’ve considered buying one to protect myself. I live in an area with particularly bad drivers (based on my experience in many other parts of the country). I have never been involved in an accident and have never been pulled over by police. But am having more and more close calls. Recently had an incident at a stop sign where the Prius driver in front of me inexplicably threw her car in reverse and nearly rammed the front of my car. Would have been hard to prove I didn’t read-end her. Last week a driver in the inner turn lane swerved into the outer tur...