Search found 6892 matches

by Ron
Sun Apr 03, 2022 9:33 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Wiki - Medicare article overhaul
Replies: 150
Views: 12003

Re: Wiki - Medicare article overhaul

CRC_Volunteer wrote: Sun Apr 03, 2022 9:07 am
Ron wrote: Sun Apr 03, 2022 9:02 am But where is the "cash back benefit" information :mrgreen: ...

- Ron
You mean the $255 from the SSA at your demise?
No, the one that is advertised on TV with Joe Namath and Jimmie Walker as spokespersons.

- Ron
by Ron
Sun Apr 03, 2022 9:26 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medicare Part D Tips - Cost of Prescription Drugs
Replies: 19
Views: 2018

Re: Medicare Part D Tips - Cost of Prescription Drugs

What happens if you start the year with a Part D plan that includes all of your meds, but during that year you need to start a new expensive medication that is not on the plan's formulary? Thanks! The same thing that happens if the price of an existing med increases for the year. Since I'm on quite a few meds, there is always a couple/few that increase their price during the coverage year. Your plan is not a contract; prices you pay can increase during the year. OTOH, the plan premium is set for the year. If the plan could increase the premium during the year to cover the increased med cost to them, I'm sure they would. My wife is currently going through this right now. She was just put on a med that lists as $600/month. The first month is...
by Ron
Sun Apr 03, 2022 9:02 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Wiki - Medicare article overhaul
Replies: 150
Views: 12003

Re: Wiki - Medicare article overhaul

But where is the "cash back benefit" information :mrgreen: ...

- Ron
by Ron
Wed Mar 30, 2022 10:59 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Subaru (Forester) oil burning issue in 2022 (and overall reliability)
Replies: 19
Views: 5586

Re: Subaru (Forester) oil burning issue in 2022

FWIW, I believe that problem was resolved many years ago. All I can add is my wife's 2015 Legacy (7 years old, 50k miles) has not required any additional oil added between her 3k oil changes. Yes, I know that frequency may be overkill for all/most cars, but she still takes it to the dealer (and she pays for all car expenses so I just remain quiet and smile :mrgreen: ).

As far as longevity, I have no idea. The longest we have ever owned a car was my '69 Dodge Dart GT which I owned over 10 years and 96k miles when I traded it. Needless to say, I/we don't drive much (I have a 20-year old Mustang that just turned 25k a few weeks ago, along with a 2015 GMC Acadia with 23k on the odometer).

- Ron
by Ron
Wed Mar 30, 2022 10:35 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: GI Bill and splitting the cost of splitting college
Replies: 67
Views: 4652

Re: GI Bill and splitting the cost of splitting college

cshell2 wrote: Wed Mar 30, 2022 9:50 am You paying for everything not covered by the GI Bill and things like cell phone, car insurance, etc., seems like a good deal for everyone.
Back in the day (1970's), the tuition for the college I wanted to attend would not be fully covered by the then GI bill. Even today with the improved benefits tuition would not be covered.

That's why I attended as an (evening) adult student years later at the same school, when I had a job that covered tuition reimbursement. I never used my benefits either for school or mortgage assistance.

Use the link I provided above to see what is actually covered for the school(s) being considered and the possible shortfall in the tuition and living expenses. It may be a bit eye opening for some.

- Ron
by Ron
Wed Mar 30, 2022 8:59 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: GI Bill and splitting the cost of splitting college
Replies: 67
Views: 4652

Re: GI Bill and splitting the cost of splitting college

Calico wrote: Wed Mar 30, 2022 7:37 am "If her father uses his GI Bill to pay everything"
I could be wrong, but I don't think the benefit will pay "everything" (at least it didn't in my case)...

- Ron
by Ron
Tue Mar 29, 2022 11:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best phone(s) for Ukrainian families?
Replies: 17
Views: 1565

Re: Best phone(s) for Ukrainian families?

Only iPhones can do FaceTime. Many apps on both Android and Apple phones can do live video calls, which seems to be the goal in this case. I would be surprised if Apple FaceTime is an actual requirement. I suspect FaceTime is becoming a bit of a generic term for 'video calls from a phone.' I use the Duo app to communicate with IPhone folks from my Samsung device (they use the same app). You don't need FaceTime to do video calls. Also, remember that if they are communicating with folks outside the US, they probably will be talking to someone using an android phone (regardless of manufacturer) along with knowing how an android device works - since they probably have/had one. Just because Iphone has the US market cornered, the vast majority o...
by Ron
Tue Mar 29, 2022 9:43 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Withdrawals in Retirement
Replies: 21
Views: 2885

Re: Withdrawals in Retirement

dbr wrote: Tue Mar 29, 2022 9:00 amWhen dividends exceed what you choose to spend you can spend part of the dividend and reinvest the rest somewhere. If dividends are insufficient to meet spending then one would sell something to make up the difference.
Exactly.

The only withdrawals we make are those required by current RMD rules (Roth's are not touched). In years that we don't have enough dividends generated to meet the RMD, we will sell off the minimum amount of shares required to meet our individual withdrawal requirement. In years that we generate more dividends than required to meet our respective RMD's (such as last year) we reinvest the excess in additional shares.

FWIW,

- Ron
by Ron
Mon Mar 28, 2022 5:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Diagnosing Auto Battery Issue
Replies: 35
Views: 3616

Re: Diagnosing Auto Battery Issue

My wife's 2015 Legacy initially had the same problem, but was resolved under TSB 11-174-17R. Since she only uses the car for short/local trips, it was not run enough to recharge the battery. According to the dealer, the initial software was programmed to manage a car with a typical 15k/year usage to save a bit of fuel. However, it did not cover those that drove just a fraction of that mileage. After the dealer applied the software change (along with a replacement battery), it has worked well for the last seven years.

You may want to check with Subaru (dealer/manufacturer) to see if a later TSB should be applied to your situation.

FWIW,

- Ron
by Ron
Sun Mar 27, 2022 9:44 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: GI Bill and splitting the cost of splitting college
Replies: 67
Views: 4652

Re: GI Bill and splitting the cost of splitting college

Just for giggles, use this tool to see how much would be covered by the current benefit scheme for the school(s) you are looking at:

https://www.va.gov/education/gi-bill-comparison-tool/

- Ron
by Ron
Tue Mar 22, 2022 5:58 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Roth Conversion in the state of Pennsylvania [state income tax]
Replies: 16
Views: 2921

Re: Roth Conversion in the state of Pennsylvania [state income tax]

jerryk68 wrote: Tue Mar 22, 2022 5:31 pm PA does not tax IRA or pension benefits. Please don't tell any PA politicians.
Too late....

PA House Bill 13 is under consideration to start taxing certain retirement benefits (in addition to increasing/including other taxes) in order to eliminate school taxes.

It's still to be determined how one does not get double taxed on retirement contributions to IRA's & 401(k)'s but the proposed taxability scheme seems a bit wanky to me. They have yet to show a process that can ensure taxes paid on these contributions (for my wife/me) starting back in 1982 could be documented; but that's another story.

And no, VG nor FIDO has record of those contributions going back that far.

- Ron
by Ron
Thu Mar 17, 2022 7:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New fence encroachment: contractor or neighbor responsible?
Replies: 82
Views: 6948

Re: New fence encroachment: contractor or neighbor responsible?

When I had a fence installed, the contract had language that said that I was responsible for showing the contractor the property/survey monuments for proper placement. It was on me, not the contractor.

- Ron
by Ron
Mon Mar 14, 2022 7:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: hydronic baseboard heating
Replies: 34
Views: 4250

Re: hydronic baseboard heating

Valuethinker wrote: Mon Mar 14, 2022 7:10 amRon

I am remembering (perhaps incorrectly) that your current home has an "unusual" heating system? i.e. you are off the gas grid & have some other system?

I am thinking a heat pump - but a very old one?

(It is always nice to see you posting).

Vt
Unusual? No - just a traditional air source heat pump.

You may be thinking of the posts I made concerning automatic backup generator (actually alternator) discussions. We don't have gas in our area and our backup genset is fueled by propane (500 gal underground tank).

I guess you can say that if we lost power, our heating system is actually fueled by propane :mrgreen: ...

- Ron
by Ron
Mon Mar 14, 2022 7:02 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: hydronic baseboard heating
Replies: 34
Views: 4250

Re: hydronic baseboard heating

Our last home, purchased in 1979 (circa 1951) had a gas boiler and hydronic baseboard heating. It worked fine, and we used 2 window AC units for cooling (before the age of mini-splits). The folks that purchased the home from us installed central air (the new owner's family had a HVAC business). The home before that, purchased in 1975 (circa 1906) had radiators heated by an oil boiler. Other than the cost of oil (3 story, 5 bedrooms), the system worked well. We only had a room AC in our bedroom on the second floor. The main floor was always cool during the summer since it had two levels above it. With the water systems, the noise was minimal since it was limited to the boiler in the basement - quite unlike the air noise of our current system...
by Ron
Mon Mar 14, 2022 6:45 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What percentage of home value do you save for repairs?
Replies: 49
Views: 4743

Re: What percentage of home value do you save for repairs?

guyfromct wrote: Mon Mar 14, 2022 12:00 am In the midst of buying a home and I was wondering what people saved for future repair costs? I’m assuming 1% of replacement value per year.
Since we purchased our first house in 1971 (followed by three more throughout the years), we have never put aside any money for home repairs/upgrades. It simply came out of our savings as problems or projects arose over the years.

FWIW,

- Ron
by Ron
Sun Mar 13, 2022 2:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Pennsylvania MyPath Personal Income Tax
Replies: 17
Views: 1442

Re: Pennsylvania MyPath Personal Income Tax

See "https://www.rolekretirement.com/post/do ... ent-income" ... Refer to "At the state level" for each paragraph.

While PA is attempting to change the retirement income taxability for funding schools and eliminating school taxes in the future, it is not yet law.

As for myself? I don't enter any 1099R's. My/our income for PA tax purposes is simply interest we receive from our savings accounts. Would deleting and starting a new return solve your problem?

- Ron
by Ron
Sun Mar 06, 2022 10:21 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Pay off niece's credit card debt or not?
Replies: 96
Views: 10663

Re: Pay off niece's credit card debt or not?

TomatoTomahto wrote: Sat Mar 05, 2022 2:57 pm
willthrill81 wrote: Fri Mar 04, 2022 9:38 pm You can borrow money and brains, but you cannot borrow character.

She needs to pay it off herself.
Tell me (slowly please) how to borrow brains.
Quite easily!

https://youtu.be/C9Pw0xX4DXI
by Ron
Sun Mar 06, 2022 8:11 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cost for COVID test for travel
Replies: 40
Views: 4008

Re: Cost for COVID test for travel

We just cancelled our Amsterdam trip due to the PRC test hassle. We needed to get the results of the test within 48-hours of boarding our outbound flight, later this month. We could not get a local provider (doctor's office or pharmacy) guarantee that we would get the results on time, since they sent out their specimens for remote lab testing. However, we were able to find a local lab (within 30 miles) that would do the test and get the results back quicker due to their in-house lab. The cost would be (not covered by insurance) $250/each. Due to the ever changing requirements for testing and of course what's currently going on in Europe, we decided to change our destination to a cruise (also with Viking) to stay within the US. FWIW, - Ron
by Ron
Sat Mar 05, 2022 7:05 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Pay off niece's credit card debt or not?
Replies: 96
Views: 10663

Re: Pay off niece's credit card debt or not?

"You made your bed now lie in it".

A saying repeated to me by my parents many times over the decades (I'm 74).

Let her solve her own problem, in her own way.

- Ron
by Ron
Sat Mar 05, 2022 6:58 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fidelity Investments Cold Calling Me
Replies: 74
Views: 9153

Re: Fidelity Investments Cold Calling Me

tibbitts wrote: Fri Mar 04, 2022 7:42 pm
Wiggums wrote: Fri Mar 04, 2022 5:09 pm I’m a Fidelity customer and I get the quarterly cold calls as well.
I've been a Fidelity customer since the '80s and they've never called me. Between this thread and the other one where everybody is being offered jobs after retiring I'm really feeling left out.
Same here; I've called them but they have never called me.

- Ron
by Ron
Wed Mar 02, 2022 7:18 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Taking Social Security at 62
Replies: 635
Views: 86075

Re: Taking Social Security at 62

JDave wrote: Wed Feb 23, 2022 3:04 pm Here's a reason to delay beyond 62 - you have genes similar to Elizabeth Windsor's, who's still going strong at 95, even with Covid-19. What if you live to 105?
Heck, the first SS recipient lived until age 100 :D ...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ida_May_Fuller
by Ron
Sun Feb 27, 2022 9:28 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How much home can my parents (68 and 61) afford to retire in?
Replies: 27
Views: 2579

Re: How much home can my parents (68 and 61) afford to retire in?

CaptainT wrote: Sun Feb 27, 2022 9:26 amUnless they ask for your help this is not your choice to make.
:thumbsup
by Ron
Sat Feb 26, 2022 10:09 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best way to upgrade TMobile cellphone
Replies: 7
Views: 781

Re: Best way to upgrade TMobil cellphone

I just upgraded my/wife's phones; we've been on T-Mobile for decades (we started with Voice Stream which was bought out by T-Mobile many years ago). We've always upgraded our phones using T-Mobile. However, this time we went and bought out phones directly as an unlocked device - in our case, directly through Samsung who gave us a better discount and to get around T-Mobile's marketing to upgrade service. Go to https://www.t-mobile.com/resources/bring-your-own-phone to get more information. You don't need a new sim card. We just swapped our existing card from the old to the new phone; worked, as expected. You can probably have Best Buy do the check for you at the store since you don't know the IMEI of the device you are considering purchasing...
by Ron
Fri Feb 18, 2022 8:03 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Why would you pick Vanguard over Fidelity
Replies: 190
Views: 25108

Re: Why would you pick Vanguard over Fidelity

I wouldn't. That's a decision I don't have to or refuse to make. I use both.

- Ron
by Ron
Fri Feb 18, 2022 7:45 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Your tips for living without a home Internet provider?
Replies: 73
Views: 6625

Re: Your tips for living without a home Internet provider?

Horologium wrote: Thu Feb 17, 2022 2:05 pmI just checked my router and it's telling me that there are currently 21 devices connected. Internet service is definitely a requirement in this house. :happy
Same reason I have cable internet. I'm up to 22 devices and many of them are used when I'm away from home (lighting, security cameras, garage doors, etc.)

- Ron
by Ron
Wed Feb 16, 2022 10:31 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tax Returns not Needed for SSA only
Replies: 15
Views: 1966

Re: Tax Returns not Needed for SSA only

My disabled son received his stimulus checks without any special handling. The feds knew he was on SSD and they had the records of their payments to him. No tax return was needed to get the $$$.

The OP's question concerns SS income; not somebody who is not on SS/SSD and $0 income which would require a return to be filed or the special submission form to be made in order to get the stimulus money. This is assuming the person is below the current SS single/joint $25/$32K taxable limits.

- Ron
by Ron
Wed Feb 16, 2022 8:49 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tax Returns not Needed for SSA only
Replies: 15
Views: 1966

Re: Tax Returns not Needed for SSA only

TurboTax would not allow me to submit a return for my adult disabled son. His only income is Social Security Disability along with SNAP benefits and an annual stipend from the state as a low income renter.

In his case, with few financial resources I/he are not too concerned about identity theft. You can't get blood out of a stone.

FWIW,

- Ron
by Ron
Tue Feb 15, 2022 9:03 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Surviving Power Outage During Blizzard
Replies: 274
Views: 21289

Re: Surviving Power Outage During Blizzard

dknightd wrote: Tue Feb 15, 2022 8:20 am
Call_Me_Op wrote: Mon Feb 14, 2022 12:37 pm
Now, if I can just find a reliable shoveler, I'd be al set. What ever happened to the promise of robots that are supposed to help people out? It's taking way too long.....
hmmm Robotic snow and ice removal. I like that idea!
Here's a solution; however you need to have an electricity source to use it :annoyed ...

https://heattrak.com/

- Ron
by Ron
Tue Feb 15, 2022 8:46 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Generac extended warranty?
Replies: 14
Views: 3547

Re: Generac extended warranty?

tm3 wrote: Tue Feb 15, 2022 8:33 amSure. But friends in neighboring town with the same service have underground lines and they almost never have an outage.
We have underground lines and a Generac 20kV. However, those underground lines run to the edge of our development. From there, they run from/to the closest distribution point on overhead lines. Over the last 9 years, that's where our outages came from either from weather (falling trees) and the occasional traffic accident where a vehicle snaps a poll.

OTOH, we've never had an outage due to weather or vehicle accident within our development :oops: ...

- Ron
by Ron
Tue Feb 15, 2022 8:39 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Generac extended warranty?
Replies: 14
Views: 3547

Re: Generac extended warranty?

We had our 20kV installed March of 2013, coming up on 9 years. In that time, the only thing we've done to it is normal maintenance along with replacing the battery at the 7 year mark.

Receiving many offers around the termination of the original warranty, I just threw them into the paper recycle pile.

Just my experience with my Generac.....

- Ron
by Ron
Mon Feb 14, 2022 7:08 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Surviving Power Outage During Blizzard
Replies: 274
Views: 21289

Re: Surviving Power Outage During Blizzard

hudson wrote: Mon Feb 14, 2022 6:34 amHow far off is my rampant speculation?
While oil/filter/air filter is easy to do if you need to during an unexpected long run period, I leave the lifter adjustment to the service folks along with checking/adjusting propane fuel delivery pressure from my underground tank, as needed.

Since I'm capable of cleaning my own trash cans (another thread), I can afford to have someone else maintain my genset :mrgreen: .

- Ron
by Ron
Sun Feb 13, 2022 9:39 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Surviving Power Outage During Blizzard
Replies: 274
Views: 21289

Re: Surviving Power Outage During Blizzard

hudson wrote: Sun Feb 13, 2022 9:14 pm
nigel_ht wrote: Sun Feb 13, 2022 8:44 am
Filters, gaskets, etc. Relatively inexpensive but priceless if you need them.
What to keep on hand?
The basics: Enough oil for 2 oil changes with 2 oil filters?
Serious: A maintenance kit?

What does it take to prepare a Generac 22KW for an oil change?
https://www.electricgeneratorsdirect.co ... -kits.html

- Ron
by Ron
Sun Feb 13, 2022 3:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Surviving Power Outage During Blizzard
Replies: 274
Views: 21289

Re: Surviving Power Outage During Blizzard

Ron We were also considering something like what you have, also same concerns as the OP. Questions: 1. Does your Generac 20kVA system power the entire house main with no compromise in coverage? 2. Do you have a battery backup system as well and the generator kicks in occasionally to top them off? 3. Does the generator kick in only as needed or does it sit and idle if the grid goes down and as long as the grid is down? 4. What powers the generator? 5. How large is your home (right question?) such that that size generator fits it? (Our home is over 5000 sf on 3 levels with separate hvac on each plus well and outbuildings so not sure how the generator is sized if a whole house one). 6. Does the generator run occasionally on it's own to check ...
by Ron
Sun Feb 13, 2022 9:29 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medicare Supplement Costs Plan F
Replies: 18
Views: 1768

Re: Medicare Supplement Costs Plan F

bradinsky wrote: Sun Feb 13, 2022 9:02 am Switch to G. Everything is the same as F, except you will be responsible for the deductible, which is $233 this year. Including deductible & monthly premiums, your yearly savings should be substantial.
It depends on where you reside and your health. I tried to get it last year but was not able to meet their underwriting approval due to my health situation.

OTOH, I don't directly pay the premium; it's covered by my retiree Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRA) along with my VA disability income.

- Ron
by Ron
Sun Feb 13, 2022 8:08 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medicare Supplement Costs Plan F
Replies: 18
Views: 1768

Re: Medicare Supplement Costs Plan F

We've been on Plan F (through United Health) for the last 10 years. Although it has gone up over the years (since we've grown older, both age 74) we're currently paying 219.98 each vs your increased monthly cost of 330.91. I don't believe it has anything to do with your income (of course, I've been wrong many times over my lifetime :mrgreen: ).

FWIW,

- Ron
by Ron
Fri Feb 11, 2022 8:12 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Surviving Power Outage During Blizzard
Replies: 274
Views: 21289

Re: Surviving Power Outage During Blizzard

Unless they are in a sound resistant housing, most of the standby generators seem have about the same noise level as a lawnmower. Generac's latest model, at 26kW has a level of 68db at normal backup run speed. This puts it at a much lower level than a lawnmower. Ref: https://www.generac.com/generaccorporate/media/library/content/all-products/generators/home-generators/guardian-series/26kw-preliminary-spec-sheet-a0002026894.pdf At the scheduled test (running at a lower speed) is 58db. In fact, my 20kW (which uses the same 999cc powerplant as the 22kW and 26kW models) cannot be heard in our bedroom on the opposite end of the house. Flip open the top cover and you will see an automotive type muffler which helps moderate the noise quite consid...
by Ron
Tue Feb 08, 2022 2:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Chromebook or Tablet for Travel??
Replies: 43
Views: 3808

Re: Chromebook or Tablet for Travel??

<snip...)Haha, definitely YMMV. I am a big movie/tv show guy, with all the waiting I usually end up doing at the airport then watching on the actual flight, I am not sure I would want to stare at a small phone screen that long. Maybe if I had one of those giant phones. My father got one of those giant phones (easier on his eyes), but those just look so comical, my dad can't even fit it in his pocket, he has a giant holster... Another reason why I went with the Samsung Fold3 5g. It's great for us "Q-Tips" (white hair, age 74) that need a bit of a larger screen to work with. While the phone fits easily in my shirt pocket and I can work with the cover screen a lot of time (including phone calls), the unfolded phone is great to use w...
by Ron
Tue Feb 08, 2022 2:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Surviving Power Outage During Blizzard
Replies: 274
Views: 21289

Re: Surviving Power Outage During Blizzard

<snip...>But that brings up another question. How reliable are the transfer switches used with standby generators? Does the transfer switch introduce a point of possible failure into the power system that was not there before (installation of the standby generator system)? I suppose I could make the argument that if the switch were to cause a problem, it would be unlikely to be during or immediately following a blizzard - which is when leaving the house is problematic. I've had a Generac 20kVA unit installed for the last 8+ years and I've never had a problem with the transfer switch (manufactured by Honeywell) not doing its job during an outage. However, I had the transfer switch mounted in my garage, across where the electric panel is. Th...
by Ron
Tue Feb 08, 2022 6:29 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Chromebook or Tablet for Travel??
Replies: 43
Views: 3808

Re: Chromebook or Tablet for Travel??

I use my https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/samsung-galaxy-z-fold3-5g. Small enough for my shirt pocket; big enough to use as a mini-tablet.

- Ron
by Ron
Sat Feb 05, 2022 4:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Amazon Prime membership increase to $139
Replies: 274
Views: 27092

Re: Amazon Prime membership increase to $139

TheTimeLord wrote: Thu Feb 03, 2022 4:52 pm I am beginning to think I am the only person here who values free same day and next day delivery.
I ordered KN95 masks and two cell phone quick chargers yesterday afternoon. They were delivered this morning.

I've never paid for Prime (I'm not a big streamer; however I do have HBO Max and Netflix).

For me, it's an unnecessary expense.

- Ron
by Ron
Mon Jan 31, 2022 9:37 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How RMDs Play Out when Markets Head South
Replies: 82
Views: 11562

Re: Will Required Minimum Distributions Exhaust My Savings and Leave Me in Penury?

texasdiver wrote: Mon Jan 31, 2022 9:34 amEssentially they treat their RMDs like a paycheck and they save the bulk of it like they always have.
Same thing that I/wife do, in our mid-70's.

- Ron
by Ron
Sun Jan 30, 2022 12:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: ID.me [Identify verification site]
Replies: 363
Views: 42203

Re: ID.me [Identify verification site]

I've been using ID.me for quite a while when accessing my VA disability records. Even today, it did not require a scan or additional info.

I submitted my/our Federal tax return yesterday, and I just went in to see what the tax transcript info showed. I didn't expect any info after 24-hours, and I was correct. However, to use my ID.me account on this site required me to do the document along with the face scans.

It took several attempts using my passport along with selfie, but I was able to satisfy the security requirement in about 10 minutes total. I did not have to do a one-on-one contact/interview.

FWIW,

- Ron
by Ron
Thu Jan 27, 2022 5:50 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Transferring from Fidelity to Vanguard.. mistake?
Replies: 31
Views: 4476

Re: Transferring from Fidelity to Vanguard.. mistake?

I'm trying to understand why the OP is trying to merge/combine funds just to satisfy RMD's.

I'm in my 5th year of RMD's (along with my DW) and all it takes to calculate is to add two numbers supplied by FIDO and VG to each of us.

You can even do it without a calculator or computer :mrgreen: ...

- Ron
by Ron
Fri Jan 21, 2022 7:07 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do people still wear ties and belts?
Replies: 222
Views: 18748

Re: Do people still wear ties and belts?

Heck, I'm not even getting dressed up for my own funeral - that's why I opted for cremation 😎 ...

- Ron
by Ron
Thu Jan 20, 2022 6:51 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How Do You Pay Taxes When Retired? Qrtly Or Once Every Year?
Replies: 69
Views: 6609

Re: How Do You Pay Taxes When Retired? Qrtly Or Once Every Year?

FreeAtLast wrote: Thu Jan 20, 2022 12:49 am Hmmm......I believe that I am an outlier in this thread.....I calculate what I will owe in estimated taxes for the entire year and pay all of my obligations in the first quarter.....for both Federal and State returns. Then I don't have to think about it for the rest of the year. :beer
Same here.

I know my total income will be for the year on January 1st (no job, no taxable income - other than savings which is at 0%). I send the Fed (no State/Local tax) 15% of the RMD amount on the first business day of the year and am done with it. The 15% is on the high side of the effective tax rate due for the year, although I have slightly surpassed it in the distant past.

- Ron
by Ron
Wed Jan 12, 2022 7:34 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How do people buy their 2nd house? (To replace the 1st)
Replies: 74
Views: 12327

Re: How do people buy their 2nd house? (To replace the 1st)

A few decades ago, when we purchased a more expensive home, we took out a bridge loan. I don't know if those are still offered today or not. I don't remember exactly how it worked, but I do remember having two mortgages until our first home sold. It didn't leave a lot of breathing room, but I remember it took about 4 months or so until our first home sold and was glad to go back to having just one mortgage versus two. That's what we did when we moved/built our 2nd, 3rd, and current (final) home. Bridge loans are interest only for the period of time you hold them (in our case, not more than a few months) so the payments are not excessive. However, they are above any current 30-year home loan since they are short term instruments. In our cas...
by Ron
Sun Jan 09, 2022 9:21 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity Rewards Visa not Updating Transactions?
Replies: 3
Views: 652

Re: Fidelity Rewards Visa not Updating Transactions?

Do a manual refresh on Full View and you should see this message:

"ELAN CardMember Service - via Direct Web Access
We're unable to get the most recent account values. This is a temporary problem. No action is needed on your part."


Give it a day or so to self-correct...

- Ron
by Ron
Sat Jan 08, 2022 11:18 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: A book or resource like "If You Can" for people 60+?
Replies: 10
Views: 1136

Re: A book or resource like "If You Can" for people 60+?

PeninsulaPerson wrote: Sat Jan 08, 2022 9:51 am<snip...> There are finance shows here on local radio on Saturday mornings. I do not follow them or trust them because they tend to harp on the "scary unknowables" and throw numbers out there like people will spend "$300,000 on healthcare in retirement" which obviously sounds like a lot but - over say 30 years - that's less than $1000 a month. Real money, but not unpayable by many!
"According to the Fidelity Retiree Health Care Cost Estimate, an average retired couple age 65 in 2021 may need approximately $300,000 saved (after tax) to cover health care expenses in retirement."

Ref: https://www.fidelity.com/viewpoints/per ... care-costs

- Ron
by Ron
Sat Jan 01, 2022 11:20 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Frequency of RMDs that aren't really needed?
Replies: 37
Views: 3471

Re: Frequency of RMDs that aren't really needed?

A disadvantage of procrastinating can be seen in recent posts here, where those procrastinators have been on hold for 7 hours with Vanguard, trying to get that RMD distributed to them, knowing that if it doesn't happen RIGHT NOW, the IRS could technically penalize them by taking 1/2 of the required RMD, then forcing the RMD, then, you of course pay income tax on the RMD. I'm not yet at that age, but I tend to be someone who does things immediately when they're assigned, so I'd have an RMD done before my birthday at the end of January. How will I estimate the amount? I'll probably just take double what I expect. You don't need to take a penny more than you need to when withdrawing RMD's. It's based upon the closing value of the last busines...
by Ron
Thu Dec 30, 2021 11:57 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Favorite Purchases of 2021?
Replies: 203
Views: 19281

Re: Favorite Purchases of 2021?

Samsung Fold 3 5G.

-Ron