Search found 770 matches

by ejvyas
Thu Jan 03, 2019 11:18 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 529 - limits and contribution
Replies: 15
Views: 2007

Re: 529 - limits and contribution

Yes we are married and plan on 15/yr so not much worried about the gift tax as we won't hit that soon. The page is definitely out of date :)

I was wondering more on the lines of doing a 529, taking state deduction and then rolling it over

Also there was no mention of whether the able limit is an aggregate limit of 529 +able or separate limit.
by ejvyas
Wed Jan 02, 2019 11:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 529 - limits and contribution
Replies: 15
Views: 2007

529 - limits and contribution

Is the annual limit for 529 plans - an aggregate 529A + 529 limit? Also, Can I contribute to 529 take the state deduction and then rollover to 529A in the same year?

Note:
1. State - MA
2. daughter qualifies for 529A
by ejvyas
Tue Oct 23, 2018 11:58 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HSA or PPO (2019 baby)
Replies: 4
Views: 788

Re: HSA or PPO (2019 baby)

Any reason you are listing single coverage and not Employee + 1 or family? Is your husband covered separately.

I want to have the best insurance coverage to help cover all costs related to before/during/after having a baby-->
I am guessing all these plans provide same coverage. Its how you are paying for it with premiums or higher deductibles
by ejvyas
Fri Apr 13, 2018 10:33 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: If you leave your job, can you use up your whole FSA?
Replies: 46
Views: 39772

Re: If you leave your job, can you use up your whole FSA?

Wonder if you can discuss and pay an approx expected amount to the doctor's office. I am not sure if its allowed but sometimes the insurance company/doctor can provide with an estimate
by ejvyas
Wed Feb 28, 2018 9:11 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mega Backdoor Roth IRA - wait for 401(k) ADP/ACP testing deadlines?
Replies: 3
Views: 2157

Re: Mega Backdoor Roth IRA - wait for 401(k) ADP/ACP testing deadlines?

For the past several years I've performed annual mega backdoor Roth IRA rollovers of my after-tax 401(k) contributions and associated earnings. So far, I have not had any trouble with this aside from a 1099-R issue that was resolved. My ability to make after-tax contributions has not been affected by ADP/ACP testing, but I am concerned that could change in the future. Late last year, mega corp changed 401(k) custodians and coincident with that change, doubled the percentage of our salaries we could contribute to the 401(k). I immediately took advantage of this, and for 2017 had more after-tax contributions than ever, even though the higher contribution rate was in effect only the last part of the year. For 2018, I plan to have even more af...
by ejvyas
Tue Feb 20, 2018 2:22 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Anyone using Optum Bank for HSA?
Replies: 29
Views: 10144

Re: Anyone using Optum Bank for HSA?

TravelforFun wrote: Sun Jan 07, 2018 1:12 pm I have an HSA account at Optum. I keep $1,500 In cash and the rest in mutual funds. No fees.

TravelforFun
Is it through employer ?
by ejvyas
Mon Feb 19, 2018 10:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: free dinner investing seminar
Replies: 396
Views: 46449

Re: free dinner investing seminar

Why I never get such invitations :annoyed
by ejvyas
Wed Jan 24, 2018 12:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: If you leave your job, can you use up your whole FSA?
Replies: 46
Views: 39772

Re: If you leave your job, can you use up your whole FSA?

Spirit Rider wrote: Wed Jan 24, 2018 11:56 am From IRS Notice 2012-40:

However, an employee employed by two or more employers that are not members of the same controlled group may elect up to $2,500 (as indexed for inflation) under each employer’s health FSA.

She can elect the full limit for the new company unless it is part of a controlled group (joint ownership) with the previous company.


Full limit as in 2650 again?

Also, does this mean husband, wife can both elect 2650 from employers? <---I did not know this
by ejvyas
Wed Jan 24, 2018 9:57 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: If you leave your job, can you use up your whole FSA?
Replies: 46
Views: 39772

Re: If you leave your job, can you use up your whole FSA?

I am trying to resurrect this old topic to understand one point (for helping a friend):
She has special needs child so they already used $2650 in early Jan 2018 contributed $200 (assuming - rounded) in the last paycheck. She got laid off

Now, she has a new job and a medical plan where she can again contribute to Medical FSA. Can she contribute $2450 or $0 ?
by ejvyas
Wed Dec 27, 2017 8:15 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help selecting bond in my 401k
Replies: 6
Views: 828

Re: Help selecting bond in my 401k

Thanks for the suggestions. More info on Morley Stable Value Fund Class 25 https://my.mixtape.moe/ltiakl.pdf
by ejvyas
Wed Dec 27, 2017 5:09 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help selecting bond in my 401k
Replies: 6
Views: 828

Help selecting bond in my 401k

I use core four 60/40 lazy portfolio and ended up with a "spread asset allocation" after following the tax efficient fund placement wiki . To rebalance, I need a bond fund in my 401k similar to VBTLX. The options available to me are:

Name - symbol - ER
Fidelity® Capital & Income Fund - FAGIX - 0.73%
Oppenheimer International Bond - OIBIX - 0.6%
PIMCO Total Return Fund Institutional - PTTRX - 0.51%
Fidelity® U.S. Bond Index Fund - FXSTX - 0.035%
Metropolitan West Total Return Bond - MWTIX - 0.44%
Morley Stable Value Fund Class 25 - - 0.55%
PIMCO Real Return Fund Institutional - PRRIX - 0.64%

I am leaning towards FXSTX. What would you pick?
by ejvyas
Wed Dec 27, 2017 8:55 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: The car dealership model needs to die
Replies: 85
Views: 7217

Re: The car dealership model needs to die

Truecar helped me negotiate online. YEs - I visited few local dealers to get the price down. Once they started kicking me out I was focussed on the nearby dealer getting me a match. I did not get a match. Finally travelled 1 hr to get the car

Not all dealers give you the final price. But many of my local dealers have internet-only salesperson who can get you the OTD price
by ejvyas
Wed Apr 12, 2017 12:50 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Saving for college for my son with autism
Replies: 22
Views: 4918

Re: Saving for college for my son with autism

I m interested to know what you did finally. I am in similar situation but I dont have anyone else who can use the funds
by ejvyas
Fri Feb 17, 2017 7:41 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mortgage fees- Is this reasonable?
Replies: 14
Views: 2393

Re: Mortgage fees- Is this reasonable?

It looks good. I just compared it with our recent purchase.

You may want to ask if the attorney will help with P&S and other stuff before closing.
I did my own homeowners insurance for cheaper from outside
I did not do any escrow as I want to be involved in it.
by ejvyas
Sun Sep 11, 2016 9:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: My New Car Buying Tips
Replies: 741
Views: 205870

Re: My New Car Buying Tips

an_asker wrote:
ejvyas wrote:Negotiate over email/phone. Dont step in until you get the best rate. Use truecar for reference
... and ONLY as a reference. If you are not (significantly) undercutting truecar, you are paying too much!

Disagree with this.I helped multiple friends recently. Anything lower than truecar dealer quote they actually showed us the door. They were not even ready to talk. Finally in all the transactions we got like 200-300 off but if you do like that the deal turns sour.
by ejvyas
Thu Sep 01, 2016 11:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fannie Mae Occupancy Types
Replies: 0
Views: 704

Fannie Mae Occupancy Types

My spouse and I are separating (status is still married and filed married returns in 2015). We are separately trying to buy a home and the bank is giving me a hard time. We both maintain our own separate finances and down-payment money.

We have both labeled our future purchase as primary residency and the borrower is just one person. The bank wants to label one home as investment home (on the basis of some fannie mae underwriting specifications) . This seems ridiculous to me as I would be living in my home and she would be living in hers. So either it has to be a primary residence or second home.
Ref: https://www.fanniemae.com/content/guide ... /1/01.html

Please help me understand this puzzle. We are both first time homebuyers
by ejvyas
Thu Sep 01, 2016 11:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: My New Car Buying Tips
Replies: 741
Views: 205870

Re: My New Car Buying Tips

Negotiate over email/phone. Dont step in until you get the best rate. Use truecar for reference
by ejvyas
Thu Jul 14, 2016 10:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What kind of car do Bogleheads like to drive?
Replies: 470
Views: 47163

Re: What kind of car do Bogleheads like to drive?

Check out Toyota Prius
by ejvyas
Thu Jul 14, 2016 9:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cell phone data plans
Replies: 62
Views: 12157

Re: Cell phone data plans

free tier of Tmobile with promotion so 2.5G + unlimited
by ejvyas
Fri May 06, 2016 12:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dark - Side Window Deflectors for Cars
Replies: 12
Views: 2210

Re: Dark - Side Window Deflectors for Cars

BobDaBlob wrote:
Front side window deflectors (rear seem to have problem of not sticking)
Not sure what you mean here, since these actually fit into the window channel in the door frame, not "stick-on"...
I understand that but it seems the rear window deflectors are difficult to install and wont stay on
http://www.amazon.com/product-reviews/B ... ty-reviews

Does that mean if I cannot lower my windows?
by ejvyas
Fri May 06, 2016 10:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dark - Side Window Deflectors for Cars
Replies: 12
Views: 2210

Re: Dark - Side Window Deflectors for Cars

Thanks for the info

Planning to buy the following from weather tech:
Digifit front, rear and trunk mats
Head light protection
Front side window deflectors (rear seem to have problem of not sticking)
by ejvyas
Thu May 05, 2016 9:52 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dark - Side Window Deflectors for Cars
Replies: 12
Views: 2210

Dark - Side Window Deflectors for Cars

Are dark side window deflectors legal in MA? There is law against front side window tinting so I wasn't sure if it includes this. Where should I check?

http://www.weathertech.com/toyota/2010/ ... eflectors/
by ejvyas
Fri Apr 22, 2016 10:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 2014 Amended Return
Replies: 10
Views: 1063

Re: 2014 Amended Return

I need to file paper returns as these tax softwares dont support international address e-filing. So finally I plan to send: 1040x does need to be mailed, but turbo tax handles electronic filing of 1040 for international now. Got my refund that way so am sure it works! What international address do you have? Is it 1099-INT, DIV or property? Taxact allowed me to file Federal return online this time but wont allow for MA state return. Its a pain filing paper taxes. Not to be evasive but I don't think country is related to the ability to file. I don't file a state return and so don't know if that is possible. 1099-INT 1099-DIV Rental income 2555 FEIE Sched B (cap gains/losses) 1116 (foreign tax credit for taxes paid by ETFs) Might be wrong on ...
by ejvyas
Fri Apr 22, 2016 10:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Pop up ads driving me nuts! Please help
Replies: 33
Views: 4389

Re: Ghostery

daveatca wrote:I prefer https://www.ghostery.com over AdBlock Plus as ABP has bought into https://adblockplus.org/en/acceptable-ads

Even though I am an expert at all this, I find Ghostery much easier to use.
You can disable the acceptable ads.

Also look into MOAB if you want 0 ads but it may block some legit sites and affect performance
by ejvyas
Fri Apr 22, 2016 9:58 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 2014 Amended Return
Replies: 10
Views: 1063

Re: 2014 Amended Return

in_reality wrote:
ejvyas wrote: I need to file paper returns as these tax softwares dont support international address e-filing. So finally I plan to send:
1040x does need to be mailed, but turbo tax handles electronic filing of 1040 for international now. Got my refund that way so am sure it works!
What international address do you have? Is it 1099-INT, DIV or property?

Taxact allowed me to file Federal return online this time but wont allow for MA state return. Its a pain filing paper taxes.
by ejvyas
Fri Apr 22, 2016 9:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 2014 Amended Return
Replies: 10
Views: 1063

Re: 2014 Amended Return

Thanks all! LOL..I was sending everything to IRS all these years as Turbotax says it in its instructions "Be sure to attach the state copy of Form(s) W-2, W-2G, and any Form 1099 to your return."
I need to file paper returns as these tax softwares dont support international address e-filing. So finally I plan to send:
1. 1040X + Federal Schedule B
2. Mass CA-6 + State Schedule B
by ejvyas
Fri Apr 22, 2016 4:41 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 2014 Amended Return
Replies: 10
Views: 1063

Re: 2014 Amended Return

Sidney wrote:I assume you mean the 1040X. All you send is the 1040X and any schedule that has changed. In your case it is probably Schedule B.
So 2 packets:

1. 1040X, Schedule B, 1099-DIV to federal
2. MA CA-6, Schedule B, 1099-DIV to state?
by ejvyas
Fri Apr 22, 2016 4:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 2014 Amended Return
Replies: 10
Views: 1063

2014 Amended Return

Turbotax did not import my 1099-DIV correctly in 2014. I realized it late. I have already received the 2014 refund.

I corrected that in Turbotax and printed 1040X and MA CA-6 .However it also printed the corrected return. Totaling 70 pages!

1. Do I have to only send in 1040X to federal and CA-6 state to MA or the entire bunch?
2. Do I have to only attach the 1099-DIV which was not imported earlier or all attachments (W2, 1099-INT etc) again?
by ejvyas
Sat Apr 16, 2016 8:55 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Taxact FinCEN Form 114
Replies: 2
Views: 714

Re: Taxact FinCEN Form 114

Nope. This is TaxAct specific bug. I reported two in form 114.

Also 1099b for espp seemed weird. The worksheet is supposed to fill out adjustments box but it didn't do that for my case.
by ejvyas
Sat Apr 16, 2016 3:22 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Taxact FinCEN Form 114
Replies: 2
Views: 714

Taxact FinCEN Form 114

Anyone tried completing it on taxact? Looks like there is a problem or something is wrong on my end

1. After filling out FinCEN Form 114 - Part II - Separate Account it doesnt show up in listing "FinCEN Form 114 - Parts II-IV for ..."
2. Randomly worksheets disappear and reappear
by ejvyas
Fri Apr 15, 2016 1:01 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: W2 ESPPD figure
Replies: 3
Views: 1500

Re: W2 ESPPD figure

My W2 includes ESPPD figure in box 14. Is that the figure I enter in Taxact as adjustment of ESPP tax basis in the textbox "Actual cost or other basis"? Hard to tell. Does that number match your own calculation? The IRS description of box 14 includes (see https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw2.pdf): Employers may use this box to report information such as state disability insurance taxes withheld, union dues, uniform payments, health insurance premiums deducted, nontaxable income, educational assistance payments, or a member of the clergy's parsonage allowance and utilities. Probably worth a call to your payroll department asking what the number represents. Huh? It clearly says ESPPD so I'm sure it can't be anything else but espp di...
by ejvyas
Thu Apr 14, 2016 10:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: W2 ESPPD figure
Replies: 3
Views: 1500

W2 ESPPD figure

My W2 includes ESPPD figure in box 14. Is that the figure I enter in Taxact as adjustment of ESPP tax basis in the textbox "Actual cost or other basis"?
by ejvyas
Wed Apr 13, 2016 4:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Roth IRA Recharacterization
Replies: 13
Views: 1846

Re: Roth IRA Recharacterization

Thanks to all who helped me :) I am still learning. This is what I did in 2015. I havent thought about 2016 and will wait to decide depending on MAGI my spouse account had earnings so I did recharacterize it to tIRA and I ll convert to rIRA tomorrow However, my account has ~200 loss. Is it worth removing the contribution and contributing full amount 5500 to non-deductible tIRA? Can I claim the ~200 loss on my taxes? I guess not as its a MISC deduction and I dont itemize You do have a choice here to either recharacterize the contribution and then convert the ~5300 you received and let the remaining 200 basis carry over, or request a return of your Roth contribution, then recontribute it along with 200 to bring your non deductible contributi...
by ejvyas
Wed Apr 13, 2016 2:47 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Roth IRA Recharacterization
Replies: 13
Views: 1846

Re: Roth IRA Recharacterization

Thanks to all who helped me :) I am still learning. This is what I did in 2015. I havent thought about 2016 and will wait to decide depending on MAGI

my spouse account had earnings so I did recharacterize it to tIRA and I ll convert to rIRA tomorrow


However, my account has ~200 loss. Is it worth removing the contribution and contributing full amount 5500 to non-deductible tIRA?
Can I claim the ~200 loss on my taxes? I guess not as its a MISC deduction and I dont itemize
by ejvyas
Tue Apr 12, 2016 10:25 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anybody use a Motorola Moto X smartphone?
Replies: 17
Views: 2506

Re: Anybody use a Motorola Moto X smartphone?

johnny wrote:
ejvyas wrote:Love the Moto X. I rooted it and installed a custom OS.

Did you also consider Oneplus one?
This is the first I've heard of the Oneplus one. I googled it and it looks interesting. And I read some of the Amazon reviews -- a lot of people swear by it, some seem to swear at it. :P Anyway, I'll think about it...
I love OnePlus one especially because the phone is so open and conducive to Custom ROMs like Cyanogen . Its unlocked too and has good specs

Only issue if you stick to Motorola phone and their own OS is that they were very quick with updates when Google owned the company but now they are very slow in releasing updates/security patches. Its NOT a big deal but I always like to go with the latest and the greatest.
by ejvyas
Mon Apr 11, 2016 5:37 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Roth IRA Recharacterization
Replies: 13
Views: 1846

Re: Roth IRA Recharacterization

You DO have to file the 2015 8606 to report the non deductible contribution. I only commented on the things that warranted comment or clarification. Most of what you posted is correct. I don't use Tax Act, but most of these programs provide a screen to use for a narrative explanatory statement. Assuming you can pull up that screen your statement would follow this format: "In January, 2015 both spouses contributed 5,500 to our Roth IRAs. In April, 2016 we each recharacterized our entire contributions to traditional IRAs. At the time of recharacterization these contributions were worth $x." Note that the statement only addresses your 2015 contributions since this is your 2015 return. You will have to do the same thing when you file...
by ejvyas
Mon Apr 11, 2016 3:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Roth IRA Recharacterization
Replies: 13
Views: 1846

Re: Roth IRA Recharacterization

Looks good. All your 1099R forms will be issued in Ja, 2017, but the recharacterization 1099R will be coded to show that you recharacterized a 2015 contribution. With your 2015 return you include an explanatory statement indicating the date and amount of the Roth contribution, the date you recharacterized it as a TIRA contribution, and what that contribution was worth on the recharacterization date. For your 2016 return, because you explained the recharacterization as above, all you need to do is report the conversion on Form 8606. That conversion may have a modest taxable amount to it. If your TIRA is worth more than 5500 when you convert, the amount in excess of 5500 will be taxable. Above applies to each spouse separately, although you ...
by ejvyas
Mon Apr 11, 2016 3:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anybody use a Motorola Moto X smartphone?
Replies: 17
Views: 2506

Re: Anybody use a Motorola Moto X smartphone?

Love the Moto X. I rooted it and installed a custom OS.

Did you also consider Oneplus one?
by ejvyas
Sun Apr 10, 2016 12:18 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Roth IRA Recharacterization
Replies: 13
Views: 1846

Roth IRA Recharacterization

I wanted to get a quick sanity check to make sure I do this right.I have read the Backdoor Roth IRA, Recharacterization of Roth IRA articles + searched the forums for this topic. Here's my story: Contributions to Roth IRA Jan 2015 - 5500 (me), 5500 (spouse) Jan 2016 - 5500 (me), 5500 (spouse) Due to some unexpected income we crossed the barrier for Roth IRA (married filing jointly). Now I believe I need to take the following steps to rectify: 1. Open tIRA with Vanguard 2. Call Vanguard to recharacterize Roth IRA to tIRA 3. Once it posts convert it to Roth IRA Questions 1. Does my procedure look ok? 2. What tax forms will be generated for 2015 and 2016? a. I believe it will generate two 1099-R in 2015 and two 1099-R in 2016? b. I think I nee...
by ejvyas
Tue Nov 03, 2015 10:12 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Lazy portfolio - calculations
Replies: 7
Views: 1334

Re: Lazy portfolio - calculations

Thank you everyone. I have simplified my calculations. So just to clarify here is my classification now:

Total US Market
VTSAX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Admiral Shares
Dryden S&P500
FFKHX Fidelity Freedom K® 2050 Fund

All-World ex-US
VTIAX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares
VTPSX Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares

REIT
VGSLX Vanguard REIT Index Fund Admiral Shares

Bonds
VBMPX Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund Institutional Plus Shares
various CD

These are various different accounts - HSA, 401k, Roth IRA, Taxable etc. Looks ok?
by ejvyas
Wed Oct 21, 2015 3:38 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Lazy portfolio - calculations
Replies: 7
Views: 1334

Re: Lazy portfolio - calculations

ok so I can dissect some funds like S&P500 into US, Intl, Bonds but for REIT I just need to consider funds like VGSLX which are exclusively marked REIT
by ejvyas
Wed Oct 21, 2015 1:57 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Lazy portfolio - calculations
Replies: 7
Views: 1334

Re: Lazy portfolio - calculations

whatusername? wrote:You are 103% invested... you might want to do some more digging to get better numbers. That may give you a better idea of where the real estate is being counted. And cash is cash, though bonds (fixed income) is the most logical place to categorize it if you're trying to fit the 4 categories.
Hence the question :?

Real Estate will always be US or International. Should I decrease the US/Intl percentage according to which Real Estate it is ?
by ejvyas
Wed Oct 21, 2015 1:43 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Lazy portfolio - calculations
Replies: 7
Views: 1334

Lazy portfolio - calculations

I have been a Boglehead for the last 6 yrs. One of the good things about this is I dont have to look at markets everyday or return to my calculations. But when I do look at my portfolio every few months I dont remember my calculations :oops: I was updating my spreadsheet to manage my core 4 lazy portfolio: https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Lazy_portfolios#Core_four_portfolios and I ran into an issue. If I add FFKHX Fidelity Freedom K® 2050 Fund ER:0.64 in my account. I do morning star X-Ray on that http://portfolio.morningstar.com/Rtport/Free/InstantXRayDEntry.aspx here is what I get US Stocks 60% Foreign Stocks 30% Bonds 6% Real Estate 2.81% Cash 4% Questions: 1. Do I use these values multiplied by the total money I am going to invest? Reaso...
by ejvyas
Fri Sep 25, 2015 7:46 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: medical billing: crime or just mistakes?
Replies: 48
Views: 6556

Re: medical billing: crime or just mistakes?

I had multiple billing issues during our pregnancy with UHC and local providers. Once I fought with the lab for more than 6 months when they tested my wife and marked her as a male which UHC gladly declined saying how & why pregnancy hormones are tested on males.

More recently we have moved to BCBS and feel their billing is more consistent and I havent had any issues. Also, I use a service called Health Advocate that can do all this work for me - sorting out billing issues, billing codes, appointments, medical records. I wish I had this service during our pregnancy days. It would have saved me tons of time.

I use HDHP so I look forward to every bill, EOB and billing codes
by ejvyas
Mon Jul 27, 2015 1:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: FIOS Router. Can you use your own?
Replies: 7
Views: 2622

Re: FIOS Router. Can you use your own?

JohnFiscal wrote:Just curious, why would one want to do this? Security? Economy? other?
Looks like they are charging him $9.99/month as router rental.

FiOS never charged me anything for router. In fact, they asked me to keep it after the service is over and I am not using the same router with Comcast :-)

So yes, you can use your own router with Verizon,Comcast and maybe other services too
by ejvyas
Mon Apr 13, 2015 4:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Car Insurance
Replies: 12
Views: 2212

Re: Car Insurance

Since you appear to be in Massachusetts, be sure and include Commerce Insurance with the discount from AAA in your search. For our family, the cost plus AAA membership is a wash with the next cheapest--but at least we get AAA membership which can be helpful. Agree with other comments that you should assess pricing with a higher deductible. Make sure you do not qualify for a low mileage discount (for example if you work close to home or use public transport and keep miles per year under 10K or even 5K) Also, let me just advise the most important thing you can do going forward is to maintain that step 99 rating. My wife recently made two small "mistakes"; these will cost us $400+ PER YEAR for the next 5 years. EW Test GEICO too. I ...
by ejvyas
Mon Apr 13, 2015 4:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Car Insurance
Replies: 12
Views: 2212

Re: Car Insurance

FuyuKei wrote:not drinking, going to church, being a flying purple people eater, etc...
Are you serious?
by ejvyas
Mon Apr 13, 2015 4:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: AT&T Uverse + Roku
Replies: 7
Views: 15545

Re: AT&T Uverse + Roku

DSInvestor wrote:The downside of using the roku or other streaming box while you sleep is that you're consuming internet bandwidth.
How is it a downside?

Does Uverse has data plan restriction? Roku and other streaming devices can sleep or be turned off too isnt it?
by ejvyas
Mon Apr 13, 2015 4:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How should I name my home Wi-Fi network?
Replies: 55
Views: 20764

Re: How should I name my home Wi-Fi network?

A true hacker wont care if its Virus, malware or FBI. In fact they would be more interested to crack it

Just any random name would help. I randomly log into the router to check whats connected and the traffic