Search found 174 matches

by bklyn96
Tue Sep 03, 2019 10:56 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What is your plan for the last few years of a long life?
Replies: 230
Views: 19108

Re: What is your plan for the last few years of a long life?

flyingaway wrote: Tue Sep 03, 2019 10:27 am
bklyn96 wrote: Mon Sep 02, 2019 10:35 am
flyingaway wrote: Wed Aug 28, 2019 8:49 am ….in your retirement (or long life) planning? What is your plan?
We're in extremely good financial shape but are not independently wealthy. Rather than having a detailed plan for the next 30 years—one of us is 81 and the other 71—we decided to get ourselves in a position of maximum financial flexibility so we could adjust quickly to the future. That led us to the decision to monetize our real estate asset—we're selling our NYC coop apartment we've owned for 35 years.
Are you selling your home that you currently live or your rental (or vacation home)?
It was our primary, and only, home. For now we're renting and staying in NYC.
by bklyn96
Mon Sep 02, 2019 10:35 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What is your plan for the last few years of a long life?
Replies: 230
Views: 19108

Re: What is your plan for the last few years of a long life?

flyingaway wrote: Wed Aug 28, 2019 8:49 am ….in your retirement (or long life) planning? What is your plan?
We're in extremely good financial shape but are not independently wealthy. Rather than having a detailed plan for the next 30 years—one of us is 81 and the other 71—we decided to get ourselves in a position of maximum financial flexibility so we could adjust quickly to the future. That led us to the decision to monetize our real estate asset—we're selling our NYC coop apartment we've owned for 35 years.
by bklyn96
Thu May 02, 2019 6:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Retirement Countdown - sanity check
Replies: 19
Views: 3256

Re: Retirement Countdown - sanity check

….maybe I'm missing something Our financials were not wildly different from yours when we both retired nearly 10 years ago. At the time I was certain we had "won the game" financially. Then, a couple of years later, my spouse was diagnosed with Parkinson's. Fortunately, we have long term care insurance coverage that will last another five to seven years depending on the course of the illness. The LTC policy will cover a total of $420,000 but after that we'll be on our own. In anticipation, we have a dedicated investment reserve should it be needed. While we don't expect to run out of money we have adjusted our spending plans as we want to leave that investment reserve alone. I'd recommend you work through how you'd handle a major...
by bklyn96
Wed Apr 10, 2019 7:17 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Baby boomer vicious cycle crash
Replies: 63
Views: 6950

Re: Baby boomer vicious cycle crash

quisp65 wrote: Wed Apr 10, 2019 8:03 am Thoughts... opinions?
Issues like this are the main reason we have a large position in Wellington. I don't have the time/energy to deal with the details but am confident Wellington is paying attention. If the U.S. looks like a problem Wellington can go up to 25% international stock.
by bklyn96
Tue Mar 26, 2019 3:43 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Those of You Having Medigap Plan F More than 5 Years
Replies: 49
Views: 5020

Re: Those of You Having Medigap Plan F More than 5 Years

legio XX wrote: Mon Mar 25, 2019 8:12 pm I have been confused about this ever since the death of Plan F was announced. This thread isn't helping . . .
bklyn96 wrote: Mon Mar 25, 2019 6:23 pm We are in New York and have Plan F from AARP/UnitedHealthcare. Monthly premiums over the past few years:

2013 $257.00
2015 $259.00
2016 $269.50
2017 $277.00
2018 $292.50
2019 $292.50
2019 $306.25
I am also in New York and moved to AARP from my employer's plan in 2013, just before I turned 70. Don't remember the past year costs as well as you do, but my 2019 moved up to $308.25, effective next month. Yours doesn't? Any idea why the difference?
You're absolutely right. I've been too busy to pay attention to the coming April 1 rate increase. I just checked my account and ours is going up to $306.25
by bklyn96
Mon Mar 25, 2019 6:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Those of You Having Medigap Plan F More than 5 Years
Replies: 49
Views: 5020

Re: Those of You Having Medigap Plan F More than 5 Years

drawpoker wrote: Mon Mar 25, 2019 3:34 pm Trying to canvass some others' exp. on this. As far as annual premium increases....
We are in New York and have Plan F from AARP/UnitedHealthcare. Monthly premiums over the past few years:

2013 $257.00
2015 $259.00
2016 $269.50
2017 $277.00
2018 $292.50
2019 $292.50
by bklyn96
Thu Feb 21, 2019 6:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Seek input on yet another LTC insurance question
Replies: 7
Views: 813

Re: Seek input on yet another LTC insurance question

patriciamgr2 wrote: Thu Feb 21, 2019 3:50 pm ….May I ask that people weigh in once more on LTCi....
Some cost considerations:
  • Investigate but I assume the LTC premiums are suspended if she is receiving benefits
  • Find out how the state she lives in treats LTC premiums on state income tax. We live in New York and 20% of LTC premiums are tax credits that carryover year-to-year. We have a $5,000+ tax credit carryover as of 2018 :)
by bklyn96
Thu Feb 21, 2019 4:45 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Long term care premiums and tax deductions
Replies: 5
Views: 561

Re: Long term care premiums and tax deductions

Are long-term care premiums still included with medical expenses as a tax deduction?.... Yes according to TurboTax 2018. Qualified long-term care insurance premiums are entered separately for calculation purposes but then are added back in with other medical expenses for the total that flows through to Schedule A line 1. For example, here are the some of the pertinent line items from the 2018 TurboTax "Medical Expenses Worksheet" 2 Health Insurance Premiums: …. NOTE: If LTC premiums are associated with a specific business activity, enter them directly on the applicable Self-Employed Health and Long-Term Care Insurance Deduction Worksheet, not on lines 2e - 2j below. e Taxpayer’s gross long-term care premiums 2 e f Taxpayer’s allo...
by bklyn96
Sun Feb 17, 2019 9:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I Feed the Aide?
Replies: 31
Views: 4558

Re: Should I Feed the Aide?

cheese_breath wrote: Sun Feb 17, 2019 11:15 am ….What do others using outside aides do?
Starting almost four years ago we have had a home health aide in our apartment to help my wife 40 hours a week. We decided to provide a cash bonus on a regular basis so the aide would have the flexibility to decide how the money would be used. Our current aide has been with us for three years. We started out giving her $300 every three months and increase the amount 5% each year.
by bklyn96
Sun Feb 17, 2019 5:07 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Long term care issues -- quality, accessibility, and tail risk
Replies: 60
Views: 3327

Re: Long term care issues -- quality, accessibility, and tail risk

….if you have absolutely no family members who can help you.... Here's what I learned/experienced two years ago when I had open heart surgery and my spouse, who was also battling a major health problem, couldn't manage my care. There are some things you can do and expect others to do that provide a basic safety net so you are not alone and adrift Prepare a health care proxy and make sure it is on file at the hospital where your doctors are affiliated Familiarize yourself with your hospital's patients' rights statement Establish relationships with the social workers at your hospital—specialists in practice groups might have their own social worker for their patients—mine did Care doesn't end when you leave the hospital. I received regular c...
by bklyn96
Fri Feb 15, 2019 6:28 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Wellesley’s Secret Sauce to Remain Secret
Replies: 26
Views: 7200

Re: Wellesley’s Secret Sauce to Remain Secret

SEC.GOV has all the annual reports. VANGUARD WELLESLEY INCOME FUND CIK#: 0000105544 Filing Type: N-CSR https://www.sec.gov/cgi-bin/browse-edgar?action=getcompany&CIK=0000105544&type=N-csr&dateb=&count=40&scd=filings The 2017 and 2018 annual reports were vague on the bond and stock component performance compared to earlier years. 2018 Overall Vanguard Wellesley Income Fund returned 3.28% for Investor Shares and 3.38% for Admiral Shares for the 12 months ended September 30, 2018. It outperformed its benchmark, the Wellesley Income Composite Index, as well as the average return for its mixed-asset target allocation conservative fund peers. Bonds The fixed income portfolio’s absolute returns were negative but surpassed those...
by bklyn96
Tue Feb 05, 2019 7:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Vanguard Tax 2018 Forms Now Online
Replies: 65
Views: 6820

Re: Vanguard Tax 2018 Forms Now Online

flamesabers wrote: Tue Feb 05, 2019 3:55 pm I used H&R Block Premium and I didn't have any issues with downloading my capital gains data from Vanguard....
Thanks for the response. It prompted me to go back and check the import file details while still in TurboTax. The error was mine. The cap gains distributions are listed there and show up later as I'm preparing the return step-by-step. From now on I'll go straight to the file details to tie into the paperwork before importing.
by bklyn96
Tue Feb 05, 2019 10:43 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Vanguard Tax 2018 Forms Now Online
Replies: 65
Views: 6820

Re: Vanguard Tax 2018 Forms Now Online

I have a "2018 Consolidated Form 1099 2019-01-27" that looks accurate. It shows all the dividends, short-term and long-term capital gains our funds paid and the totals match the 12/31/2018 account statements we received.

The problem is the files Vanguard posted for downloading don't include any capital gains data—only the dividends are there! I'm using TurboTax Deluxe—while it's always possible I doubt there's a bug in the TurboTax software.

I just sent a message to our Flagship rep and will pass on the reply when it arrives. I asked Vanguard if a file would be posted at a later date or will I need to enter the capital gains data by hand.

Vanguard response: Enter the data by hand
by bklyn96
Thu Jan 31, 2019 9:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Letting Dog out everyday for lunch... the roundtrip drive is killing me.. ideas?
Replies: 182
Views: 24512

Re: Letting Dog out everyday for lunch... the roundtrip drive is killing me.. ideas?

I've been considering getting real grass for times when our dog gets old and can't wait to get outside.

No personal experience but here's one vendor: https://doggielawn.com/
by bklyn96
Thu Jan 17, 2019 4:04 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Have I Now Become Out of Touch Financially? Aging question...
Replies: 90
Views: 12993

Re: Have I Now Become Out of Touch Financially? Aging question...

phxjcc wrote: Wed Jan 16, 2019 3:45 pm ….Do any of you retired folks have an index that you use...to determine inflation?
While I don't personally look at the number—I just keep an annual detailed family expense budget on a spreadsheet—there is plenty of data out there that might give you a perspective.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides specific data on COLA that you could compare to other metropolitan areas around the country.

For example, Los Angeles: https://www.bls.gov/regions/west/ca_losangeles_msa.htm
by bklyn96
Sun Jan 06, 2019 5:16 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How old is too old to buy a house?
Replies: 66
Views: 9248

Re: How old is too old to buy a house?

….I would be approx. 67-68. I want to get some prospective. We are very tired of living in a CO-OP building and we like our privacy. +1 for leaving co-op ownership behind. We're both 70+ and are putting our Brooklyn apt. on the market this month. We won't miss having to deal with co-op politics and constraints. Our old co-op is going to have to make major financial decisions in the coming decade. We decided to rent in Manhattan. It's expensive it but simplifies things. Priorities for us as we look at advanced old age: Live very close to our doctors and hospital Activities of daily living don't require a car (shopping, entertainment, socializing) Avoid having to manage a major financial asset (the co-op apt.) Flexibility to move easily on r...
by bklyn96
Thu Jan 03, 2019 5:44 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How long before real estate becomes stale? (Advice)
Replies: 14
Views: 2060

Re: How long before real estate becomes stale? (Advice)

defscott627 wrote: Wed Jan 02, 2019 6:50 am ….how long does it typically take for a property to become stale on the market?
If you haven't already done so, be sure you go to StreetEasy.com and study the "Past Sales" list for your address. You'll see sales price vs. asking and if you open the link to each listing you'll see days on market.

FYI we're listing our Brooklyn apartment this month and the broker we're working with uses current sales in our building at $/sq. ft. as the expected ceiling.
by bklyn96
Sun Dec 30, 2018 1:02 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Father with Dementia Took a Full IRA Distribution
Replies: 56
Views: 6420

Re: Father with Dementia Took a Full IRA Distribution

JonSharpe wrote: Sun Dec 30, 2018 8:27 am ….if there is any way to avoid the huge tax bill that is looming and/or get this money back into an IRA or similar vehicle.
One year we had a problem resolving our tax bill and the IRS taxpayer advocate service was extremely helpful. While the current budget impasse in D.C. means the service is temporarily suspended I strongly recommend you try working with them when they reopen. If there's a precedent for resolving your family's problem I would think they'd know how to go about it.

https://www.irs.gov/taxpayer-advocate
by bklyn96
Fri Dec 14, 2018 5:08 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Will new 5G technology allow us to jettison cable tv or phone co. and/or allow more competition to push down prices
Replies: 9
Views: 1688

Re: Will new 5G technology allow us to jettison cable tv or phone co. and/or allow more competition to push down prices

Just last week asked a Verizon FIOS tech who was doing our installation about wireless delivery vs. the cable he was running. He said Verizon employees are testing the technology before it's released into the wild. One identified problem is signal strength given the thickness of the walls varies from building to building.
by bklyn96
Sat Nov 10, 2018 12:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Finances in NYC
Replies: 127
Views: 16665

Re: Finances in NYC

mark39 wrote: Sat Nov 10, 2018 6:44 am ….anything else you can think of.
As you consider different neighborhoods be sure to get an estimate of your commute using the MTA's custom trip planner.

You can check out the time and complexity of getting between your work address and different neighborhood locations around the city.

MTA trip planner: http://www.tripplanner.mta.info/mytrip/ ... anner.aspx
by bklyn96
Thu Nov 08, 2018 12:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: High-end Christmas decorations
Replies: 41
Views: 5278

Re: High-end Christmas decorations

Caduceus wrote: Wed Nov 07, 2018 5:07 pm ….What are some high-end Christmas stores with really nice decorations?
Take a look at Bronner's

https://www.bronners.com/
by bklyn96
Thu Nov 08, 2018 4:36 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Updating Microsoft Word
Replies: 19
Views: 2535

Re: Updating Microsoft Word

ragabnh wrote: Wed Nov 07, 2018 11:19 pm Would office 365 open wordperfect documents?
Yes, WordPerfect 5.x and WordPerfect 6.x are options on the file open pull-down
by bklyn96
Wed Nov 07, 2018 9:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Updating Microsoft Word
Replies: 19
Views: 2535

Re: Updating Microsoft Word

Get the free trial of Office 365—you can check to be sure your documents are supported.

I have Office 365 and the Word file open pull-down includes, among others, the following:

All Word Documents
Word Documents
Word Macro-Enabled Documents
Word 97-2003 Documents
All Word Templates
Word Templates
Word Macro-Enabled Templates
Word 97-2003 Templates
by bklyn96
Mon Nov 05, 2018 2:22 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Seeking a balanced, aggressive portfolio
Replies: 25
Views: 2158

Re: Seeking a balanced, aggressive portfolio

If it were my portfolio I'd defer to Vanguard Charitable's growth portfolio.

55% Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund
25% Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund
20% Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund

https://www.vanguardcharitable.org/inve ... -solutions
by bklyn96
Mon Oct 29, 2018 7:37 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone using Pillpack?
Replies: 12
Views: 3525

Re: Anyone using Pillpack?

Be sure to check with your parents' drug plan. Some plans, Express Scripts for example, have "preferred" pharmacies and the coverage is different if you don't use one. Also, note a plan can change "preferred" pharmacies from one year to the next.
by bklyn96
Sat Oct 27, 2018 10:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Insurance for dog(s) ?
Replies: 12
Views: 1227

Re: Insurance for dog(s) ?

I recommend taking a look at Banfield's plans if there's a location nearby.
https://www.banfield.com/
We have our dog in the active prevention plan and are very satisfied with the care he's getting.
by bklyn96
Mon Oct 22, 2018 8:18 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Federal taxes in retirement
Replies: 31
Views: 4673

Re: Federal taxes in retirement

Estimating upcoming federal taxes? We use TurboTax Deluxe and the built-in "what if" worksheet to estimate future taxes.

Tax history? Here's some data from our federal returns.

Year => Tax Bracket => Effective Tax Rate

For married, filing joint, 1 retired, 1 working
2010 => 15% => 6.57%
2011 => 25% => 10.13%

For married, filing joint, both retired
2012 => 15% => 4.15%
2013 => 15% => 5.15%
2014 => 15% => 6.53%
2016 => 15% => 7.53%
2017 => 10% => 1.13%

Comments
One-time extremely high medical expenses in 2017

Definitions
Tax bracket % is based on taxable income
Effective tax rate = tax / adjusted gross income
by bklyn96
Thu Oct 18, 2018 7:46 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: flat for the year
Replies: 27
Views: 3227

Re: flat for the year

As of yesterday's close my retirement accounts were +.98% for the year.

Asset allocation is 21% Total Stock Market, 35% Total Bond Market and 44% Wellington.
by bklyn96
Sun Aug 19, 2018 11:35 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Retirees: Timing your withdrawals
Replies: 45
Views: 5771

Re: Retirees: Timing your withdrawals

We take our RMDs once a year in January. We keep a year's estimated expenses liquid and invest the balance.
by bklyn96
Tue Aug 07, 2018 5:49 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Relaxing - quieting the mind
Replies: 47
Views: 3999

Re: Relaxing - quieting the mind

Get outside for a while on a regular basis and stay with it throughout the year. Start with a 30-minute walk or easy run three days a week if you haven't been exercising much.
by bklyn96
Tue Jul 03, 2018 4:06 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Assisted living move for my elderly parents
Replies: 8
Views: 1882

Re: Assisted living move for my elderly parents

Wishing you and your folks all the best!

When planning for costs and fees I suspect their LTC policy will only pay for some of their expenses. For example, my LTC policy with Northwestern states:
Qualified Long-Term Care Services do not include any of the following items: Physician's services; prescription or non-prescription medication; medical supplies; hospital services; laboratory services; durable medical equipment; transportation; and items furnished at the insured's request for beautification, comfort, convenience, or entertainment.
by bklyn96
Thu Jun 28, 2018 2:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Northwestern LTCI Rate Increase in New York State
Replies: 0
Views: 362

Northwestern LTCI Rate Increase in New York State

Received a letter today from Northwestern. I was surprised the rate increase was modest—hats off to the NYS Department of Financial Services for insisting on some restraint. With any luck, in a rising interest rate environment, the state of New York will scale back any future rate approvals even more. Here's Northwestern's announcement: "Across most of the country we have requested rate increases of up to 30%, which was determined by balancing the premium needed to support the expected benefits and the ability of our clients to manage the increases. In lieu of a larger single increase, the state of New York prefers smaller annual increases over time and approved a single increase of 5% at this time. Based on current assumptions it is e...
by bklyn96
Wed Jun 13, 2018 4:01 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard Advisor Services
Replies: 45
Views: 5569

Re: Vanguard Advisor Services

JoinToday wrote: Wed Jun 13, 2018 12:40 am The notion that Vanguard PAS is a ripoff is not correct in my opinion....it is managed pretty well (no high fee funds, churning, etc)…I told my wife to have Vanguard PAS manage our assets after I am gone....

+1 Vanguard PAS is our backup option if I'm no longer involved.
by bklyn96
Sat May 26, 2018 9:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Genworth LTC (Again)
Replies: 19
Views: 2487

Re: Genworth LTC (Again)

I'd keep the policy for now. At 61 it's likely you've still got 1/3 of your life ahead of you. That's a lot of time and your feelings about a legacy might end up changing. You're in a strong financial position so you could easily afford keeping the policy another two or three years before making a final decision.
by bklyn96
Wed May 23, 2018 2:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I spend $1,500 on getting some rust repaired on a 15 year old Buick
Replies: 37
Views: 5850

Re: Should I spend $1,500 on getting some rust repaired on a 15 year old Buick

Years ago I had a hand-me-down '63 Chevy that was 11 years old when it was stolen. A guy I worked with who had friends who did such things expressed surprise when I asked him why in the world someone would want an old car. He said it was simple, old car parts are quite valuable as they're hard to find. So my suggestion is either (1) be careful where you park it or (2) take a nice picture of it and sell it. Good luck whatever you decide to do!
by bklyn96
Fri May 18, 2018 8:03 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Road trip Newark NJ to Albany
Replies: 105
Views: 9363

Re: Road trip Newark NJ to Albany

jrbdmb wrote: Thu May 17, 2018 11:39 pm ....Hyde Park and the FDR estate....
+1

You can easily spend a full day in this area.

The library and museum: https://fdrlibrary.org/museum

Eleanor Roosevelt's cottage: https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/president ... lkill.html
by bklyn96
Wed May 16, 2018 10:32 pm
Forum: Forum Issues and Administration
Topic: Please Try Out Test Posts Here
Replies: 445
Views: 375715

Re: Please Try Out Test Posts Here

JohnFiscal wrote: Wed May 16, 2018 10:14 pm oh, my word! Look at that building in the background. It's like a stack of pizza boxes! There actually are some tall building constructed so that the each floor is sort of "rotated" from that below it. But this building seems a bit random about it. Interesting (to an engineer).
Here's an article about that building:

https://newyorkyimby.com/2018/05/yimby- ... attan.html
by bklyn96
Wed May 16, 2018 10:11 pm
Forum: Forum Issues and Administration
Topic: Please Try Out Test Posts Here
Replies: 445
Views: 375715

Re: Please Try Out Test Posts Here

Text before the image.

Image

Text after the image.
by bklyn96
Sun May 13, 2018 5:34 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: First time seller interviewing realtors--what to ask?
Replies: 19
Views: 2355

Re: First time seller interviewing realtors--what to ask?

Since your building has 350 units there must have been a significant number of sales in the last few years. I would ask each realtor for a list of their company's sales in your building in the last five years along with the seller's broker's name, the original listing price, the sale price and days on the market..
by bklyn96
Sat May 05, 2018 9:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Have you quit eating sugar? Tell me how!
Replies: 129
Views: 17698

Re: Have you quit eating sugar? Tell me how!

I share the OP's goal of consuming as little sugar as possible but have never tried to eliminate it entirely. My target, when I'm doing my periodic diet audits, is a maximum of 62 grams a day. Over the course of several years I've managed to get at or below that target on a regular basis. Choices, along with gm of sugar, that made a big difference for me:
  • Almond milk, unsweetened (0 gm)
  • Smucker's natural peanut butter (1 gm)
  • Smucker's sugarless preserves (0 gm)
  • Cheerios (1 gm)
  • Dannon Light & Fit yogurt (8 gm)
  • Thomas' English muffin (1 gm)
  • GNC whey protein powder (2 gm)
by bklyn96
Sat Apr 21, 2018 9:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Medical alert "button"
Replies: 45
Views: 5719

Re: Medical alert "button"

mouses wrote: Sat Apr 21, 2018 7:32 pm
bklyn96 wrote: Sat Apr 21, 2018 6:30 pm I recommend taking a look at VTech phones. https://www.vtechphones.com/products/ca ... ior-phones

We have regular handsets along with a programmable pendant and two programmable picture phones; I'd check with the company but I'm sure you can purchase additional pendants.
That doesn't seem to come with monitoring?
Correct. While there's not a "company" monitor I decided the system's flexibility was enough for our needs. My wife uses the pendant; one button dials my cell phone which is kept on 24/7. The other pendant button dials our building security desk which is staffed 24/7.
by bklyn96
Sat Apr 21, 2018 6:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Medical alert "button"
Replies: 45
Views: 5719

Re: Medical alert "button"

I recommend taking a look at VTech phones. https://www.vtechphones.com/products/ca ... ior-phones

We have regular handsets along with a programmable pendant and two programmable picture phones; I'd check with the company but I'm sure you can purchase additional pendants.
by bklyn96
Mon Apr 16, 2018 3:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Blood pressure monitor - 2 users w/ different size arms
Replies: 12
Views: 1240

Re: Blood pressure monitor - 2 users w/ different size arms

Looking4Answers wrote: Mon Apr 16, 2018 3:14 pm Any suggestions?
We got our monitor from Omron four years ago. It's a simple matter to switch the cuffs depending on who is using it. Over the years the numbers we've gotten at home generally agree with those we get at our doctors' offices. Here's the old order detail:

Product SKU: HEM-705CPN
Product Name: Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor with Printer (HEM-705CPN)
Qty Ordered: 1
Amount: $129.99

Product SKU: H-003DS
Product Name: Small Cuff 7"-9"(H-003DS)
Qty Ordered: 1
Amount: $22.00
by bklyn96
Thu Apr 12, 2018 5:09 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Medical Records
Replies: 21
Views: 2391

Re: Medical Records

If your primary care doctor was affiliated with a hospital your records could be in the hospital's computer system. You and your new doctor ought to be able to work through the hospital to get access.
by bklyn96
Wed Apr 04, 2018 5:20 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: taxes: e-file vs. paper
Replies: 52
Views: 6534

Re: taxes: e-file vs. paper

It's e-file for us. Years ago we used to file paper returns but that was before an IRS data entry error overstated our income and provoked a bill for unpaid taxes along with a first-ever audit. It took 18 months and working with the IRS taxpayer advocate to get everything straightened out...there was absolutely nothing wrong with our original paper return.
by bklyn96
Sat Mar 24, 2018 9:12 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tips for moving to NYC
Replies: 57
Views: 7146

Re: Tips for moving to NYC

Njm8845 wrote: Fri Mar 23, 2018 1:20 pm ....what do you wish you had known when you first moved there?
Both Kennedy and La Guardia airports are in Queens and you'll want to avoid being too close to any common flight paths.
by bklyn96
Sat Mar 24, 2018 9:01 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Brokers Must Now Try to Obtain "Trusted Contact" Info
Replies: 0
Views: 1228

Brokers Must Now Try to Obtain "Trusted Contact" Info

We recently upgraded our Vanguard mutual fund accounts to brokerage accounts and were pleased to find a new "trusted contact" feature in the account management section. Here's an article that runs down what several brokerages are doing to comply with the rule that took effect on February 5, 2018.

http://corporateinsight.com/brokerages- ... egulation/
by bklyn96
Wed Mar 14, 2018 6:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tips on saving on living expenses for a first time single householder
Replies: 46
Views: 4697

Re: Tips on saving on living expenses for a first time single householder

acp03 wrote: Wed Mar 14, 2018 4:38 pm ....household budgeting....
Get your local electric utility's tips on saving energy and follow them. Little things can add up, for example:
  • turning out lights that aren't going to be needed soon
  • buying/using LED bulbs (save the boxes and take the bulbs with you when you move)
by bklyn96
Thu Mar 08, 2018 4:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: BH's that are retired & mortgage free
Replies: 21
Views: 3881

Re: BH's that are retired & mortgage free

jehovasfitness wrote: Thu Mar 08, 2018 3:35 pm
bklyn96 wrote: Thu Mar 08, 2018 3:26 pm
jehovasfitness wrote: Thu Mar 08, 2018 2:10 pm ....Curious as to your expenses in retirement. If you're under 65 how much are you paying for health insurance? 65 or older what are you paying?....
  • $6,603 AARP/UHC Supplemental Plan F
....what is the UHC plan?
For AARP members in New York state it's the United Healthcare Medicare Supplemental Plan F