Search found 30 matches

by anticrastinator
Thu Jul 21, 2022 7:56 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: At-fault driver's insurance company offering money after car accident
Replies: 31
Views: 4525

Re: At-fault driver's insurance company offering money after car accident

Many thanks for all your input! My conclusions after reading the replies: 1. Essentially, their offer to pay for my "inconvenience" is more like a settlement outside of courts rather than concern and consideration for the things we went through. 2. Expect them to cover all our medical expenses related to the accident, regardless of any other potential additional compensation. 3. Little chance of getting reimbursed for the recent work done on the car (parts and labor) as they were factored in the totaled car pay off. 4. Hard to put a price on the emotional trauma even though it probably will be the one with the most long lasting effects, particularly for my daughter. 5. Do not sign a waiver of future claims. 6. Do not rush to sign ...
by anticrastinator
Wed Jul 20, 2022 10:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: At-fault driver's insurance company offering money after car accident
Replies: 31
Views: 4525

At-fault driver's insurance company offering money after car accident

Hello boghleheads, hope somebody here can answer my question. tl;dr at-fault driver insurance offering cash "for my inconvenience". How do I price my inconvenience? The long story is that I was recently rear-ended by a careless driver, her car suffered severe damage, mine with less, was still drivable from the scene. The driver admitted fault, confirmed by the police report. My car was an old car (209K miles but in excellent shape), so with all the damage (apparently the frame was bent and the back side of the car crumpled) my insurance decided that fixing it would be more expensive than the value of the car, they offered a fair price for the car. My teenager daughter was in the passenger seat, the impact was so strong that her ey...
by anticrastinator
Thu Apr 02, 2020 7:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Did you move for better weather? Did you regret it?
Replies: 246
Views: 32850

Re: Did you move for better weather? Did you regret it?

Anybody move to the drier part of Washington like Yakima or Spokane? What do you think of the weather? We lived in Spokane for years. Since moved on to Atlanta and now Seattle. The weather is great if your into 4 seasons, snowy winters and it's drier, until you consider the amount of snow they get. Winters are long, but depends how much you enjoy that. Other factors like career may have a bigger downside depending on your situation. And if your in Western Wa you may miss the green, the sound, the access to big city amenities and access to the mountains. Spokane has great outdoor access depending on what your looking for, hard to beat the access to rainier, olympics, cascades, mt baker (especially if your a hiker, camper or do winter sports...
by anticrastinator
Mon Jan 13, 2020 9:06 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Few dollars remainder in TIRA due to backdoor roth
Replies: 54
Views: 3422

Re: Few dollars remainder in TIRA due to backdoor roth

I too am in the confused camp. What is the downside of leaving a few dollars behind in the tIRA over years? On the first year I did my backdoor conversion, I converted them all, only to find out later that TD Ameritrade closed my tIRA account since it had no funds left in it. For the next year I had to open a new tIRA then transfer all but a few dollars to my Roth. I did it intentionally so TDA would not close the account again, and I was able to use the same account for the subsequent years of tIRA contributions and Roth conversions. Was that wrong?
by anticrastinator
Mon Dec 09, 2019 5:29 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Contributed to HSA in error. How to make things right?
Replies: 1
Views: 221

Contributed to HSA in error. How to make things right?

Hello all,

I started contributing to an HSA back in 2014, after checking with HR and being told that the plan did qualify. As my company is changing the medical plan, it turns out that my old HDHP actually did not qualify for an HSA as we did have a prescription drug plan that would disqualify it.

So far I have only contributed (after tax dollars) and have not taken any money out. I did claim deduction for the monies going in each year I contributed. So far it has grown to almost $40K, out of which $26,700 contributions.

How do I correct this? What should I expect in terms of back taxes and penalties?

Thanks!
by anticrastinator
Thu Mar 28, 2019 6:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 11 days. England, Ireland or Scotland?
Replies: 31
Views: 2942

Re: 11 days. England, Ireland or Scotland?

Here is your best bet if you want to see a lot:
day 1 london
day 2 london
day 3 rent a car and drive west, see salisbury and stonehenge, spend the night in bath
day 4 see cotswolds
day 5 drive to warwick, see stratford on the way
day 6 drive back to london, see oxford and windsor on the way. Take caledonian sleeper to edinburgh
day 7 edinburgh
day 8 rent a car and drive to mallaig, see stirling and lock lomond on the way. Spend the night in fort william
day 9 drive around loch ness then back to edinburgh through cairngorms. drop off your rental, take caledonian sleeper back to london
day 10 see more london stuff
day 11 extra day to pad any of the above or take a side trip
by anticrastinator
Mon Feb 25, 2019 4:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: DIY Auto repairs
Replies: 46
Views: 3522

Re: DIY Auto repairs

My car's KBB value is $670. I just replaced the radiator and engine mounts and likely saved more $$ than the car is worth :happy
by anticrastinator
Mon Feb 18, 2019 7:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Wife filled our gas engine car with diesel fuel
Replies: 111
Views: 14379

Re: Wife filled our gas engine car with diesel fuel

jlawrence01 wrote: Mon Feb 18, 2019 5:00 pm Be happy that she did not add gasoline to a diesel car as that will be catastrophic to the diesel engine.
Did that when I lived in Europe. Filled up my Ford Fiesta 1.6D then noticed the price was too high for diesel (yes, diesel was cheaper). There was nobody around to help, before cell phone era, I had to remove the hose from the tire pump and siphon some of the gasoline out, then suck out the rest when I couldn’t siphon any more due to the length of the hose. I then filled up with diesel and drove away. Car drove like a champ for maybe 20-30k more, then I sold it. Was still running great years after. And no oral cancer yet, it’s been like 30 years now. 😊
by anticrastinator
Mon Feb 11, 2019 5:09 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Copenhagen/Stockholm/Oslo in May/June
Replies: 28
Views: 2825

Re: Copenhagen/Stockholm/Oslo in May/June

Great cities, lots to see. Make sure you don’t make it about the little mermaid, as it is quite underwhelming and anticlimactic once you get there, your daughter might have high expectations and be disappointed.
by anticrastinator
Thu Feb 07, 2019 6:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: FamilyTreeDNA Admits to Sharing Genetic Data
Replies: 53
Views: 3586

Re: FamilyTreeDNA Admits to Sharing Genetic Data

Please provide me a realistic situation in which sharing my DNA negatively impacts my life. Assume your DNA somehow ends up on a crime scene (accidentally or intentionally, easy to come up with many plausible scenarios). Obviously it has nothing to do with you but do you really want the hassle of proving your innocence (no such thing as innocent until proven guilty)? Having police, FBI or whoever digging through your or your relatives' life? Nowadays a positive DNA match is almost a guaranteed conviction. I would not take any chances. Kindly present one instance in which DNA randomly left some place where a crime is later committed has resulted in an innocent person being convicted. Even some hypothetical scenario in enough detail will do....
by anticrastinator
Wed Feb 06, 2019 5:47 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: FamilyTreeDNA Admits to Sharing Genetic Data
Replies: 53
Views: 3586

Re: FamilyTreeDNA Admits to Sharing Genetic Data

scout1 wrote: Wed Feb 06, 2019 2:36 pm
Please provide me a realistic situation in which sharing my DNA negatively impacts my life.
Assume your DNA somehow ends up on a crime scene (accidentally or intentionally, easy to come up with many plausible scenarios). Obviously it has nothing to do with you but do you really want the hassle of proving your innocence (no such thing as innocent until proven guilty)? Having police, FBI or whoever digging through your or your relatives' life? Nowadays a positive DNA match is almost a guaranteed conviction. I would not take any chances.
by anticrastinator
Tue Jun 26, 2018 10:35 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Family dynamics/in laws/am I being petty?
Replies: 143
Views: 10552

Re: Family dynamics/in laws/am I being petty?

One way to make them aware of the disparity is to try and outspend your in-laws to where splitting the bill would be to your advantage (getting the large filet mignon, or the lobster, or the expensive individual drink, with several appetizers, plenty to take leftovers home). If they indeed are oblivious, then you get the better deal and not feel the way you feel now. If not, and they suddenly feel the injustice of footing more than half the bill, they might get it to your attention and open the door for you to say your part.
by anticrastinator
Thu Jun 21, 2018 7:51 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Hands-free solutions
Replies: 15
Views: 1191

Hands-free solutions

New hands-free driving law in effect July 1st in GA. My 17 year old boglehead car obviously has no CarPlay or other available system. The only way I can connect my phone (iPhone 6) to my car is through one of those cassette adapters.

Short of ignoring the law or not answering the phone (both unacceptable to me), what are my options? Please keep in mind I’m a bit of a technophobe. I have never used Siri and actually disabled it on my phone, therefore not familiar with its use. And not planning to get a new car just for that :)

Thanks in advance!
by anticrastinator
Mon Feb 26, 2018 1:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Traveling to Germany (Bavaria) in April/May - Itinerary Help Needed
Replies: 49
Views: 4893

Re: Traveling to Germany (Bavaria) in April/May - Itinerary Help Needed

I’d say that unless you’re planning on going back some other time, Salzburg and Berchtesgaden are a must see. Berchtesgaden in particular if you’re into WW2 history. The museum, the bunker, Eagles Nest, all worth it, in addition to other attractions.
by anticrastinator
Wed Jan 31, 2018 5:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: A weekend in Rome - what would you do?
Replies: 13
Views: 1271

Re: A weekend in Rome - what would you do?

baconavocado wrote: Wed Jan 31, 2018 5:24 pm Be extra watchful for pickpockets in Rome, esp. at the airport and around the tourist spots [...] I would rather give them some money than have them take my wallet and passport.
I would say that's a pretty bad idea. In general, they will pester you more after you engage them and give them something. Plus, many times they just want to see where you keep your money. Giving them even a little bit might give away the location of your wallet, much easier for them to get it.
by anticrastinator
Sat Sep 16, 2017 10:38 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: HVAC AC and furnace replacement quandary
Replies: 21
Views: 3963

Re: HVAC AC and furnace replacement quandary

Good to hear!
Now make sure everybody else knows who the HVAC guy and his company were. Keeping them accountable will save other guys down the line the unnecessary expense and being taken advantage of by greedy/dishonest/incompetent businesses.
by anticrastinator
Tue Sep 05, 2017 10:22 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Top Hat vs taxable dilemma
Replies: 12
Views: 2124

Re: Top Hat vs taxable dilemma

Personally, I chose the "start at termination, spread over 5 years" option. In my mind, that gave me the ability to spread the payments out sufficiently to ensure they were taxed at much lower rates, while limiting the time the money was at risk with my employer. I just checked with my plan administrator (Fidelity), unfortunately in my case, the "separation +5years" option DOES NOT mean distribution starting at separation and evenly spread over 5 years, just a lump sum 5 years post separation/termination. However, I am allowed to make a one time change to distribution options, and only if that means a longer term, not shorter. It may help in case separation also means retirement, when hopefully my income tax will be low...
by anticrastinator
Mon Sep 04, 2017 7:16 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Top Hat vs taxable dilemma
Replies: 12
Views: 2124

Re: Top Hat vs taxable dilemma

Thank you all for your input, very helpful. One thing I did not say was that the distribution as a lump sum at the time of termination was entirely my (poor) choice. The plan offered other options, yet none of them appealed to me at the time. These options were: 1. at death 2. at termination 2a. +5yrs 2b. +10 yrs 2c. +15yrs 2d. +20yrs 3. in a specific year (had to be specified at the time of enrollment) The enrollment in plan is done yearly, distribution of funds for that year has to be selected at the time of enrollment and cannot be changed once selected. I eliminated the "at death" option right away, not interested. I chose "at termination" as I have no plans of moving or leaving my job, in my mind "at terminatio...
by anticrastinator
Sun Sep 03, 2017 9:38 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Top Hat vs taxable dilemma
Replies: 12
Views: 2124

Top Hat vs taxable dilemma

Hi all, For the past few years I've been contributing to a Top Hat 457(f) plan at work { not a 457(b)}, steadily growing, soon to reach 100k. I am currently in the highest income tax bracket, and the pre-tax contribution made a lot of sense to me when I started out. I also opted to have all the money back at termination, whenever that will be, likely within the next 10-12 years, unless circumstances dictate otherwise. I am now questioning the validity of participating in the plan, as I realized the lump sum given back at termination will likely put me in the highest tax bracket anyway, effectively appearing to be a zero sum game from that standpoint. Questions: 1. Since there appears to be no future benefits from a tax standpoint, and takin...
by anticrastinator
Wed May 13, 2015 9:41 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Reduce mortgage or invest cash?
Replies: 4
Views: 756

Reduce mortgage or invest cash?

Would it be better to pay cash to decrease a 30 yr loan amount to below jumbo limit and refinance at a lower rate for 15 yr or invest the cash?

I currently owe 650k at 4.38% for 27 more years.
I am contemplating paying about 230k to bring it below the 417k limit for conforming loans, then refinance at about 3-3.2% (current rates) for 15 years.

Would it be a good move or should I just invest the cash?

Thanks!
by anticrastinator
Mon May 11, 2015 8:53 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Keep or sell high ER fund? [What to do with 200k cash?]
Replies: 9
Views: 1293

Re: Keep or sell high ER fund?

LadyGeek wrote:I merged anticrastinator's thread back into the original.

anticrastinator - To give you appropriate advice, it's best to keep all of the information in one spot. Feel free to bump the thread when you have more information, or want to ask a question.

I was thinking that since the topic was quite different, it would have been appropriate to start a new thread with a link to the old one for anybody that cared about where the money was coming from. Is it possible to maybe change the title back to the one about investing the cash?

Thank you!
by anticrastinator
Mon May 11, 2015 7:46 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Keep or sell high ER fund? [What to do with 200k cash?]
Replies: 9
Views: 1293

What to do with 200k cash?

[Thread merged into here, see below. --admin LadyGeek] Hello everybody, I have decided to sell a high ER fund (Hennessy Focus Fund HFCSX ER 1.41), details here: https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=165115&p=2480629#p2480629 It will get close to 200k, not sure what to do now. Many options considered: 1 reinvest in a low ER index fund/ETF to fill the same mid-cap allocation or splitting between large and small-cap 2 pay off some of my mortgage (residual 650k at 4.35%, 27 years left) 3 use part of it to fund IRA/HSA for 2015 and rest as above 4 buy a new car with cash (I currently drive a well maintained 2001 MDX with 180k on board, bought new, very fond of it) 5 use as downpayment for a condo somewhere in Florida or S...
by anticrastinator
Mon May 04, 2015 6:54 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Keep or sell high ER fund? [What to do with 200k cash?]
Replies: 9
Views: 1293

Re: Keep or sell high ER fund?

Thanks for your replies.

I have not contributed to the fund in at least 5-6 years, only had the dividends reinvested. I don't plan to add any more money to it.
I don't have any capital loss carryover to offset any gains.

I just think that maybe getting rid of it and getting similar fund or ETF with an ER of 0.05-0.15 from Vanguard of Spartan may be better in the long run.
by anticrastinator
Mon May 04, 2015 12:27 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Keep or sell high ER fund? [What to do with 200k cash?]
Replies: 9
Views: 1293

Keep or sell high ER fund? [What to do with 200k cash?]

[Thread updated, see below. --admin LadyGeek] Hi everybody, I would appreciate some help and guidance, here is the situation: I have about 200K worth of HFCSX (Hennessy Focus Investor) at an ER of 1.41. The fund has been doing pretty well, I have gains of about 75K long term and about 3K short term. I am concerned that the high ER will cut into further gains as I am in for the long term (maybe 15-20 more years). The question is: should I sell, pay taxes on gains (about 16K), and reinvest the rest in a super low ER fund or ETF in a taxable account? The benefits that I see are decreasing ER by about 1.3 that should amount to quite a lot of extra gain over the years, and the ability to do some tax loss harvesting if the market goes down (as I...
by anticrastinator
Thu Apr 30, 2015 6:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What not to miss in Stockholm?
Replies: 6
Views: 868

Re: What not to miss in Stockholm?

Definitely Gamla Stan and the Vasa, including the waterfront as mentioned above. I enjoyed the Village Museum - Skansen, must do if the weather is fine (as it should be in June). Also the City Hall and the tower, awesome views of the old city (Gamla Stan).
by anticrastinator
Thu Apr 30, 2015 12:07 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Private Schools - Tuition
Replies: 90
Views: 10933

Re: Private Schools - Tuition

Not all kids or public schools are created equal, and just because one kid does well in a certain public school does not mean others will do as well in other schools. In my daughter's case, the difference between public and private was quite significant and many many times my wife and I congratulate each other on deciding to take her out of our public school. We toyed with the idea of moving to a better school district, but decided against it and we are happy with the decision. The public HS is considered very good and we may switch over when the time comes (3 more years). As far as starting in pre-K, while it may be seen as an unnecessary expense, it guarantees your kid will be in that school until done. In my area there are several top-no...
by anticrastinator
Fri Apr 17, 2015 8:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Costco and AMEX
Replies: 69
Views: 29877

Re: Costco and AMEX

CABob - post edited for accuracy and clarification

DSInvestor - I was just interested in the Costco savings that AMEX offers, I have other cards for my other purchases. I was kinda trying to see if getting a new card for less than one year would be something that others would consider.
We spend about 25K/year there (about 3K in gas) and the Executive membership gets us back about $450-500/year. Getting the AMEX would get us maybe $300-400 more back. Is it worth it?
by anticrastinator
Fri Apr 17, 2015 7:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Costco and AMEX
Replies: 69
Views: 29877

Costco and AMEX

As announced recently, Costco will replace AMEX as the preferred credit card next April.
Would it still be a smart choice to open an AMEX Costco card until then?

edited for accuracy and clarification
by anticrastinator
Mon Apr 13, 2015 5:09 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Top Hat plan strategy?
Replies: 0
Views: 368

Top Hat plan strategy?

Hello everybody, asking for some help with my retirement planning: My employer allows highly compensated employees to defer 0-100% of compensation into a Top Hat 457f plan with decent investment options (same as the 401k they offer). Besides the usual 457f provision that the money belongs to the employer until distributed, the plan has the following distribution options: 1. at death (not interested) 2. at separation +0, +5, +10 +15 or +20 years 3. specific year (I can choose whichever year I want but cannot change once selected) Each year I choose to contribute to the plan is treated separately and has to have it's own distribution election. The employer is a healthcare system (Piedmont) owning 5 hospitals and many practices in and around A...