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RJC

Of course the first day of open season would be on a federal holiday... I have a family of 5 (including me) and we will stick with BCBS Basic. With kids, it’s amazing the stuff that can just come up (like my youngest needing minor surgery last year). However, if you’re comfortable with a HDHP, go f...

RJC

Yes, HDHP will benefit you, especially if you maximize contributions to the HSA. The favorite HDHP seems to be GEHA. Checkbook's analysis for 2020 plan indicates that GEHA is a better buy than the other FEHB HDHPs regardless of high or low spend years. OP lives in DC. CareFirst has an HDHP which is...

RJC

Got GEHA HDHP and two littles. Works great! Not switching. One has severe food allergies and we hit the deductible every year between that and the usual ear infections. We’ve also used Limited Expense (LEX) FSA in FSAFEDS for when we’ve been able to anticipate major dental work (crowns, etc.) FSAFE...

RJC

Tdubs wrote: ↑
Mon Nov 11, 2019 2:59 pm
Yes, HDHP will benefit you, especially if you maximize contributions to the HSA.

The favorite HDHP seems to be GEHA. Checkbook's analysis for 2020 plan indicates that GEHA is a better buy than the other FEHB HDHPs regardless of high or low spend years.

Thank you. I will look into GEHA.

RJC

Dear friends,

Open Season is here. Is it worth switching from BCBS Basic to a HDHP if you are a Fed w/ a family (2 toddlers)? We are fairly healthy with no chronic illnesses.

If so, are there specific HDHP plans that you would recommend? We live in the Wash DC area.

Thanks!

RJC

We just installed the LiftMaster 8550WL a few months ago (about $600 for system + installation) and so far so good. It's much quieter than our previous chain system and has a soft close mechanism. The Wi-Fi control is a game-changer.

RJC

Apple Pay seemed mostly like a silly gimmick to me, but I use it whenever possible to get 4,5% back with US Bank's Altitude Reserve Visa. Along the way, I discovered Apple Pay (or contactless) is much better than swipe or chip cards outside the United States. It's almost universally accepted and av...

RJC

I don't use the phone-based contactless payments because NFC is a drain on device battery. Fumbling around at the register to turn it on, or alternatively keeping my phone plugged in more often isn't ideal. What's the point of wireless technology if you're tethered to a charging cable all the time?...

RJC

After reading this post, I set up Apple Pay on my watch. This morning I tried using it at a gas station but it doesn't appear to take it. Shouldn't gas stations be the first to take NFC payments because of all the card skimming?

RJC

As an aside, how does part-time employment work as a Fed? Does that affect healthcare and pension in any way? It makes health insurance while you are working more expensive (proportionally to the hours reduction) and makes your pension smaller. If two people have the same length of service (and age...

RJC

As an aside, how does part-time employment work as a Fed? Does that affect healthcare and pension in any way?

RJC

Privacy. I simply trust apple more than google. Apple is far from perfect but they are using my data to a lesser degree than google. iMessage. Most of the people I know with 2-3 exceptions use iPhones. Since imessage and FaceTime video and audio is encrypted end to end, it’s more secure. I do not u...

RJC

Can't wait until the Model Y. Hopefully the quality and service will improve by then.

RJC

I believe it's the best phone if you want privacy (e.g. encryption).

RJC

I like Prof. Jeremy Siegel's inflation adjusted real-return graph from his lectures and book "Stocks For The Long Run" https://i.postimg.cc/bJkYCn5y/download.png The way Prof. Siegel talks about the consistency of the U.S. markets roughly 7% inflation adjusted return, it was mockingly dubbed "The S...

RJC

Early 40s when I found this forum and wiki page. It's made all the difference.

RJC

I'm currently at $2/week. Are there promotions for $1/week anywhere?

Thanks.

RJC

I'm in my early 40s/spouse is late 30s. We are 100% stock because a) our jobs are relatively stable, b) we have a large emergency fund and c) it feels worse to have a constant drag than a slightly bigger drop in down markets. As we get closer to potential retirement (~10 years out) we will get on a ...

RJC

Keep the BMW. My 1998 328i has 95K miles and is running quite well. I did have the rear wheel bearings replaced, and the radiator, but other than that all is just routine maintenance. My 2008 535Xi with 33k, has never had a repair issue, save for the HPFP and 5 injectors, all of which were covered ...

RJC

If you are employed in the Defense Department, you are eligible to join Navy Federal Credit Union. There are also other Federal Credit Unions you may be eligible to joint as well. Thanks. Are all or nearly all credit unions open to federal employees? Go to the websites of the credit unions that int...

RJC

I am unable to think of a scenario where international will greatly outperforming the US when today's US companies are so global. Novice investors should focus on their savings rate. An AA of 0-50% ex-US is fine IMO.

RJC

Is it still buggy after 13.1.1?

RJC

are there any banks/credit unions or credit cards available to federal employees which offer great rates? If you are employed in the Defense Department, you are eligible to join Navy Federal Credit Union. There are also other Federal Credit Unions you may be eligible to joint as well. Thanks. Are a...

RJC

I have a 2015 428 xdrive with 27k miles and I plan on keeping it until the problems start happening on a regular basis. Once you drive a BMW, you will not be happy with anything less. Hold on for a few more years. Find a good indie shop.

RJC

RootSki wrote: ↑
Mon Sep 23, 2019 9:45 am

RJC wrote: ↑
Sun Sep 22, 2019 8:01 pm
Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I am going to try Apple Keychain and see if that helps.
Keychain is awesome. I never worry about passwords anymore.

Just trying it out for the first time. So far so good!

RJC

Some lesser features that are worth getting set up: 1. Silence unknown caller is my favorite new feature. If you don't have a contact for the number, it goes straight to voicemail. 2. I think the link preview in Safari and other applications is a nice usability feature. 3, Improved day/night mode i...

RJC

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I am going to try Apple Keychain and see if that helps.

RJC

Hi friends, I just received this notice from a credit monitoring service (CreditWise on Capital One): "CreditWise found your email compromised on the dark web. CreditWise scans the dark web daily for your email address and SSN. If we find your information, we send you this alert so you can take acti...

RJC

Hello! I used to tip zero when I pick up the meal and do not expect table service. However, I read a piece by a food critic that has caused me to rethink what I do. His point was that these types of restaurants have low margins and can easily go out of business. He suggested tipping up to 10% at su...

RJC

oops I posted in reverse so I am editing the post to put original post uptop Yes, usually. I don't like doing it....I wish restaurant owners and other owners of establishments were forced to pay a minimum wage. I would rather them pay their employees more and charge me more for food and drinks, as ...

RJC

Abou 80% of the forum can be compressed in several topics: 1. Can I afford this house? 2. Can I retire? 3. Corrola vs Camry. 4. Backdoor Roth. 5. Do we spend to much? 6. Tip or no tip? 7. Lexus SUV? 8. Where should I go for vacation? 9. Costa Rica. .... I think TESLA needs to be on the list! and US...

RJC

Tip, No Tip, Tip. How many threads are needed for the same topic? https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=283977 https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=116944 https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=134490 https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=44880 https://ww...

RJC

Yes, usually. I don't like doing it....I wish restaurant owners and other owners of establishments were forced to pay a minimum wage. I would rather them pay their employees more and charge me more for food and drinks, as the system should work and as it works in other countries. With a $15 minimum...

RJC

I'm not going to feel bad about it anymore. Thanks all for your responses.

RJC

Shouldn't businesses pay their workers more to minimize this sort of tipping? How do they pull this off in Europe and Asia?

Tipping should be reserved for exceptional service only.

RJC

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/15/trav ... tuity.html

"Those customer-facing, touch-screen payment systems in restaurants are confounding customers in the U.S. and beyond."

I feel like it's getting out of control. What is the consensus here?

RJC

I've had a pair of glasses and sunglasses from WP for about 3+ years and they have stood the test of time. Good quality and still looks great!

RJC

I recently took a diamond ring to a jeweler on behalf of my mom to understand resale value. The jeweler said the stones in it are so plentiful, she didn’t even want to buy it. Basically told us it is worthless in the marketplace. But that $18,500 appraisal sure looks nice, lol. We do have jewelry i...

RJC

Warren Buffett has made it clear his advise is buying and holding forever a low cost market cap weighted index fund, tuning out the noise and holding enough short term treasuries so you are comfortable for your needs. The 10% he has made very clear on multiple occasions, is merely a starting point ...

RJC

Dear Friends, What is the consensus here about wedding/engagement ring insurance? Is it worth having? Is there a point where you can stop paying it? Our insurance is about $300 a year and covers a ring that was purchased for around $15,000 (8 years ago). Thanks in advance. Never got it. True story ...

RJC

Just knowing where to invest. I've always heard folks saying you should invest your money but to understand where things should be (order of investments, etc.) outside of a traditional 401k.

Thank you Bogleheads!

RJC

I'm a bit unclear on physician jobs with the federal government. The job listing would say something like salary is $130,000-240,000. Even at the maximum, it seems below market for this specialty. Is it possible for physicians to get higher salaries than the listed maximum, or is that a hard limit?...

RJC

Wife has around a $15k ring. We bought insurance, pretty inexpensively. She cracked the center diamond, valued at over $10k from the crown straight to the bottom. Had to pay a deductible of $1k, got it replaced with a less expensive diamond, pocketed the difference. Diamonds are a sham, but if you ...

RJC

I've seen physicians make in the upper 200s here at FDA.

RJC

Dear Friends, What is the consensus here about wedding/engagement ring insurance? Is it worth having? Is there a point where you can stop paying it? Our insurance is about $300 a year and covers a ring that was purchased for around $15,000 (8 years ago). Thanks in advance. Though the answer may be ...

RJC

Think about this logically and philosophically. What is insurance? Commercial insurance is essentially just offloading and pooling risk for a cost. Insurance companies are big businesses that make good money by effectively estimating and capitalizing on risk. They do everything in their power to ti...

RJC

As an aside, does the Federal Gov't have some type of disability insurance? There is no short-term disability plan for federal workers, which is one of the reasons that people hoard sick leave. For long-term disability, FERS offers coverage if you’ll be disabled for at least a year: https://www.opm...

RJC

Wife has around a $15k ring. We bought insurance, pretty inexpensively. She cracked the center diamond, valued at over $10k from the crown straight to the bottom. Had to pay a deductible of $1k, got it replaced with a less expensive diamond, pocketed the difference. Diamonds are a sham, but if you ...

RJC

Wife has around a $15k ring. We bought insurance, pretty inexpensively. She cracked the center diamond, valued at over $10k from the crown straight to the bottom. Had to pay a deductible of $1k, got it replaced with a less expensive diamond, pocketed the difference. Diamonds are a sham, but if you ...

RJC

As an aside, does the Federal Gov't have some type of disability insurance? Yes it's called Social Security disability. The requirements to qualify are high and the payouts are low if you earned a good salary before the disability. The amount they'll pay is on your annual Social Security statement....

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