Search found 12059 matches

by sport
Thu Dec 14, 2023 7:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Christmas Gifts (Cash) for Grandkids
Replies: 51
Views: 10465

Re: Christmas Gifts (Cash) for Grandkids

sailaway wrote: Thu Dec 14, 2023 7:30 pm My grandparents used to give me those when I was small! They switched to $5 when they were discontinued.
I believe 2 dollar bills are still available.
by sport
Thu Dec 14, 2023 7:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Christmas Gifts (Cash) for Grandkids
Replies: 51
Views: 10465

Re: Christmas Gifts (Cash) for Grandkids

We give a large cash gift to our grandson on his birthday. His parents invest it for him. For the holidays, he gets something a 9-year old will enjoy.
by sport
Wed Dec 13, 2023 4:19 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: SPIA, CD, IRA oh my. . . need input for best option!
Replies: 96
Views: 12810

Re: CD's - best rates and question needing input

Presumably you realize that when you put your money into a SPIA, the money is gone. You get the monthly payments, but the insurance company keeps the principle. If you live long enough, you get it back in monthly payments. If you don't, the insurance company keeps whatever is left and all the earnings on the principle. The money in the SPIA is no longer yours nor will any of it go to your heirs. You can get a guarantee of a certain number of payments, but then the payments will be smaller.
by sport
Wed Dec 13, 2023 12:19 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How to handle 2023 RMDs?
Replies: 18
Views: 3325

Re: How to handle 2023 RMDs?

hudson wrote: Sat Dec 09, 2023 6:18 pm I'm taking RMDs out of two accounts; both are scheduled for Dec. 15. Vanguard withholds state and federal taxes; the other only federal taxes. That's why I'm doing two RMDs.
Vanguard will withhold only for those states that require it. They may or may not withhold for your state. They will not withhold for Ohio. I have complained about this for a long time. :annoyed
by sport
Wed Dec 13, 2023 12:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestions for charity doing international work
Replies: 26
Views: 2689

Re: Suggestions for charity doing international work

Smile Train. They provide cleft palate surgery to children in third world countries. It costs them only $250 to give a normal life to a child. So, a $500 donation (for example) can fix two children. If you look at their web site, you will understand. https://www.smiletrain.org/
by sport
Wed Dec 13, 2023 8:20 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: SPIA, CD, IRA oh my. . . need input for best option!
Replies: 96
Views: 12810

Re: CD's - best rates and question needing input

Godot wrote: Wed Dec 13, 2023 1:02 am "I thought a CD would be better than SPIA and have more control of my funds. As mentioned, I would like to bring in around $400-$500 a month and draw that from the interest w/o penalties."
You would need a CD that pays monthly interest. Some do, some do not. The amount of interest will remain constant only for the term of the CD. When the CD matures, you would have to reinvest in a new one and the new interest rate may be much lower than what you can find now.
by sport
Wed Dec 13, 2023 8:16 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: A few questions about ovens
Replies: 25
Views: 2246

Re: A few questions about ovens

If you have a smart phone, it probably has a timer function built in.
by sport
Tue Dec 12, 2023 9:31 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: SPIA, CD, IRA oh my. . . need input for best option!
Replies: 96
Views: 12810

Re: CD's - best rates and question needing input

If you want to invest in CDs, you should decide if you want direct CDs or brokered CDs. The way they pay out can be different.
This may be of interest: https://personal.vanguard.com/us/FixedIncomeHome
by sport
Tue Dec 12, 2023 5:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New to Costco
Replies: 239
Views: 60932

Re: New to Costco

Six days ago, I bought a nice Gerry puffer jacket for $24.97. I was there today and the price had been reduced to $19.97. They gave me a $5 refund. A Google search shows similar jackets for about $60.
by sport
Tue Dec 12, 2023 12:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Security of physical gift cards?
Replies: 5
Views: 709

Re: Security of physical gift cards?

You can use the old-fashioned way: write a paper check and mail it.
by sport
Tue Dec 12, 2023 8:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New to Costco
Replies: 239
Views: 60932

Re: New to Costco

deleted
by sport
Mon Dec 11, 2023 9:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New to Costco
Replies: 239
Views: 60932

Re: New to Costco

Winthorpe wrote: Mon Dec 11, 2023 9:16 pm
Dregob wrote: Mon Dec 11, 2023 2:21 pm
ThankYouJack wrote: Sat Dec 09, 2023 1:26 pm Costco has a cult like following but I hate shopping there - or any crowded bulk grocery store. Online is an option but they charge quite a bit more (about 20%) so there's not much savings if any going that route.

Good luck! Stay patient and don't go hungry :)
I agree. I've tried Costco twice with yearly memberships.
I'd rather pay a little more and avoid the lines at the zoo.
And…Sam’s Club is better anyway.
In my area the Sam's Club store closed "due to competition and lack of business". The competition is Costco.
by sport
Mon Dec 11, 2023 5:03 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: CD vs Bond fund in 401k
Replies: 9
Views: 1164

Re: CD vs Bond fund in 401k

imracerx wrote: Mon Dec 11, 2023 3:17 pm Right now, I can get a 10yr non-callable brokered CD at vanguard with a 5% yield.
Look again. The 10-year CD at Vanguard is callable. The highest non-callable 10- year CD yields 4.3%.
by sport
Mon Dec 11, 2023 2:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New to Costco
Replies: 239
Views: 60932

Re: New to Costco

In addition to the low prices, Costco gasoline is "Top Tier".
by sport
Sat Dec 09, 2023 8:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New to Costco
Replies: 239
Views: 60932

Re: New to Costco

It can help to know the "codes" on the price signs: If the price ends in either .97 or .00 the price is reduced for clearance. These are generally very good buys as they are reduced below Costco's already low prices. These reduced price items will be scattered throughout the store with no advertising to tell you about them. If you want to find them, you have to search. This will cause you to find other items you did not know you needed. As an example, we recently found a 2-pack of aerosol whipped cream for $2.97. If there is an asterisk (*) in the upper right corner of the price sign, the item is being discontinued and will disappear when the present inventory is sold. Sometime, it will return at a later date, or in a different si...
by sport
Sat Dec 09, 2023 8:19 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Where do you buy glasses?
Replies: 70
Views: 8294

Re: Where do you buy glasses?

In my experience, prescription safety glasses are inexpensive, often cheaper than regular glasses. I believe the reason is that they are paid for by employers who will not want to spend a lot on them. The problem can be finding a place where you can buy them.
by sport
Thu Dec 07, 2023 4:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New Set of Tires
Replies: 77
Views: 8647

Re: New Set of Tires

TBillT wrote: Thu Dec 07, 2023 3:12 pm But if you could get N2 when you get new tires, free, that would be cool.
Costco does that.
by sport
Wed Dec 06, 2023 7:59 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: IRS Error Correction
Replies: 11
Views: 1781

Re: IRS Error Correction

Thanks
by sport
Wed Dec 06, 2023 5:52 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: IRS Error Correction
Replies: 11
Views: 1781

Re: IRS Error Correction

I filed a paper return, so there are no problems with software. When the IRS entered my data into their system, they typed the same number for two different boxes on the form, instead of the correct number for the second box. I was able to reach them by phone and I was instructed to send another copy of my tax return marked "Duplicate Do Not Process". I sent that and I included a letter stating what was incorrect in their process. I found out what was incorrect by asking the agent what the value was in the second box and that identified the problem immediately. This assumes, of course, that there are no other errors. I have the return receipt from the post office.
by sport
Wed Dec 06, 2023 1:59 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: IRS Error Correction
Replies: 11
Views: 1781

Re: IRS Error Correction

ivgrivchuck wrote: Wed Dec 06, 2023 12:15 am You might get better answers by providing more information.

What was the issue?
Does IRS think you owe them money?
Do you think they owe you money?
What does your irs online account show?
The IRS thinks I owe them money. When they transcribed my paper return, they put an incorrect total for my capital gains. Their number was too low, so it changed some of my capital gains into ordinary income.
by sport
Tue Dec 05, 2023 1:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Odd Truck Issue SOLVED!!!
Replies: 36
Views: 5742

Re: Odd Truck Issue SOLVED!!!

lthenderson wrote: Tue Dec 05, 2023 1:03 pm I was told connect the red to the dead car, then the red to the car supplying the jump, then the black to the car supplying the jump and finally black to the dead car. When disconnecting, reverse order exactly.
This is correct. However, when making last connection connect the clamp to the car frame away from the battery. The last connection will cause a spark and if the spark is at the battery, a battery explosion (in your face) is possible. This accident does not happen often. However, it can happen and is easily avoided. Also, wear eye protection.

In a former life I was a battery engineer and I worked on developing anti-explosion devices for auto batteries.
by sport
Tue Dec 05, 2023 1:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: IRS Error Correction
Replies: 11
Views: 1781

IRS Error Correction

IRS made an error processing my 2022 paper return. I sent them the information as they instructed last May. I have the return receipt from the post office. I have not heard from them since. What should I expect now? Do I need to do anything special with my 2023 return?
by sport
Tue Dec 05, 2023 12:39 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Odd Truck Issue SOLVED!!!
Replies: 36
Views: 5742

Re: Odd Truck Issue SOLVED!!!

When you want to disconnect an auto battery, you only need to disconnect one cable. The safest way is to disconnect the grounded one (usually the negative). Always use eye protection when doing anything with an auto battery.
by sport
Tue Dec 05, 2023 11:40 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Where do you buy glasses?
Replies: 70
Views: 8294

Re: Where do you buy glasses?

Costco for the last 16 years. Both DW and I have been very happy with the glasses.
by sport
Mon Dec 04, 2023 1:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Lock to secure luggage inside SUV
Replies: 27
Views: 3108

Re: Lock to secure luggage inside SUV

bob60014 wrote: Mon Dec 04, 2023 12:48 pm In my 50+ years of travel I've never gone to this extreme and never have had a issue with break-ins or theft, even in many dodgy areas.
Past performance may not be representative of future results.
by sport
Mon Dec 04, 2023 12:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Lock to secure luggage inside SUV
Replies: 27
Views: 3108

Re: Lock to secure luggage inside SUV

Another option would be to rent a car for the trip. Then you could lock your things in the trunk.
by sport
Sat Dec 02, 2023 6:41 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Lower bond percentage after you won the game?
Replies: 112
Views: 22285

Re: Lower bond percentage after you won the game?

There is no objectively correct answer to this. It's purely personal and it constantly amazes me that people can't see it. People are much too willing to project their own style of risk aversion onto everyone else. Some people have increasing relative risk aversion. They are the ones that say "Why keep playing when you've won the game? I don't like taking financial risks and now that I don't need to, I won't." Some people have decreasing relative risk aversion. They are the ones that say "I have more than I need, I've always wanted to take financial risks, and now I can afford to, I will." Increasing relative risk aversion and decreasing relative risk average are inputs to all the financial economics math, not outputs. ...
by sport
Sat Dec 02, 2023 5:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Hospital procedure prepayment question
Replies: 21
Views: 1676

Re: Hospital procedure prepayment question

I just had surgery and the estimate for everything was $53000. My share was estimated at $270. They didn't ask for anything. I don't think they were too worried.
by sport
Sat Dec 02, 2023 5:27 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Lower bond percentage after you won the game?
Replies: 112
Views: 22285

Re: Lower bond percentage after you won the game?

If I won 50M at the lottery (which is what "winning the game" brings to mind), I'd be about 0% in cash/bonds, my share of private equities would likely be much larger, and I would probably run for office. I would do just the opposite. If I did hit a $50M lotto jackpot, I would simply put the after-tax $31.5M (no CA tax on lotto) in the VCTXX CA tax-exempt MMF earning about $68,862 a month. Since that is not going to happen, I will merely continue with my existing plan of making cashflow every year from the income the portfolio produces. But then those 50M would be wasted on you. Unless you spend them (and very few would), the only reason to have 50M is to have a solid chance of turning them into 100M. need to take risk?
by sport
Sat Dec 02, 2023 10:13 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: problems with "post-dated" checks?
Replies: 49
Views: 5271

Re: problems with "post-dated" checks?

Years ago I received a pamphlet from my bank about how to write a check. They recommended using block capital letters instead of cursive for checks. They showed how it can be easy to change a cursive word to a different word to change the check to a higher amount. For example "two" can become "twenty".
by sport
Sat Dec 02, 2023 9:52 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New Set of Tires
Replies: 77
Views: 8647

Re: New Set of Tires

I had to be driven to the hospital on Tuesday for a followup to surgery on Monday. We had 8 inches of lake effect snow to drive through. The crossclimate2 tires performed very well on our camry. We had to drive 10 miles each way.
by sport
Fri Dec 01, 2023 5:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Used car sold as new car
Replies: 74
Views: 7003

Re: Used car sold as new car

I once negotiated a good deal on a new car with a trade in at an out of town dealership. It was a 250 mile drive with the old car to get there. Upon arrival I learned that the car had 200 miles on it. They were using it as a demo. I complained, but got nowhere. It was a really good deal, so I took the car. It turned out to be a normal good camry.
by sport
Fri Dec 01, 2023 11:59 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Daughter wants to pursue a career in music
Replies: 86
Views: 16769

Re: Daughter wants to pursue a career in music

There's a line that circulates..... If you can be happy pursuing anything other than music as a career, do that. Whatever that is. When I was in a public high school we had an elite instrumental music department with a number of serious talented student musicians. When the question of making music a career was addressed by our expert teacher the response was: "If it is a choice between music and anything else, choose the anything else. However, if music is the only option, then go for a career in music". An interesting footnote is that after a being a successful music teacher for many years he changed jobs and became a guidance councilor in the same school. So, even he chose the "anything else". For anyone who might rec...
by sport
Thu Nov 30, 2023 6:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Where to Buy Wool Sweaters
Replies: 28
Views: 3227

Re: Where to Buy Wool Sweaters

Rose wrote: Thu Nov 30, 2023 9:43 am I'm aware that there are several types (angora, merino, cashmere, boiled wool, etc), looking for something to keep my nieces and nephews warm (preteen to young adults), easy to maintain (this sounds like oxymoron, may be easier to maintain), less likely to pill etc.
Rose,
As an alternative to wool sweaters, I would suggest shirt jackets. I have been wearing polyester shirt jackets that have a sherpa type lining. They are very warm, easy to maintain (just put them in the washing machine) and very durable. I have bought them at Costco and they are not too expensive.
by sport
Thu Nov 30, 2023 5:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Where to Buy Wool Sweaters
Replies: 28
Views: 3227

Re: Where to Buy Wool Sweaters

by sport
Sun Nov 26, 2023 11:57 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Father with dementia - how to deal with his FA
Replies: 57
Views: 8326

Re: Father with dementia - how to deal with his FA

My father is in a Skilled Nursing Facility (nursing home). His financial advisor is a friend/ex-neighbor of his. Dad has been diagnosed with dementia. The advisor said he doesn’t see it (the dementia) when he goes in to visit him. The FA has called me on two occasions to say that he thinks dad shouldn’t be in there. I had called the FA when my mom died a few years back and asked that he not “take stock orders” from dad, as we feel that he is not capable of making good decisions. He agreed to that. Last week, he sold $30K in bonds and bought another $25K in new bonds and $5K in new stock. What concerns me is future transactions with a dementia patient. My older sister is POA on the account. We want to protect dad’s assets, but this FA is al...
by sport
Sun Nov 26, 2023 8:16 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Canned fish. mostly salmon
Replies: 16
Views: 2422

Re: Canned fish. mostly salmon

There are other kinds of canned fish. Here are three that we have found tasty:
1. Smoked Sardines, also called Sprats. The only brands are European, but some groceries carry them. The brands we have found are Polar and RugenFisch.
2. Herring in tomato sauce. This usually comes in an oval can.
3. Kipper snacks.
All of these are ready to eat, right out of the can. They are best eaten with bread.
by sport
Sat Nov 25, 2023 8:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: The psychology of frugality when you no longer need to be frugal
Replies: 152
Views: 29039

Re: The psychology of frugality when you no longer need to be frugal

One thing to keep in mind is that while it's easy to check how much money you have, it's much harder to check how much time you have. Might be helpful to average out the ages at which your parents passed away and figure out how many days you have left - if you only have 40 years left that's 14000 days. Start counting down as you "spend" each day. If you decide to make this calculation, one thing to keep in mind is the advances in modern medicine. The blood pressure and cholesterol drugs available today can extend lifetimes significantly. So, you may live a lot longer than your parents. This especially true if there is high cholesterol and high blood pressure in your family history. For example, my father had a serious heart attac...
by sport
Sat Nov 25, 2023 8:00 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Treasury Bill or CD for 5 years?
Replies: 38
Views: 9375

Re: Treasury Bill or CD for 5 years?

I believe it is possible to have an IRA account at a bank and you can put CDs into that account. With a 401k, that is not possible.
by sport
Thu Nov 23, 2023 1:05 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: New fee for Vanguard mutual [and brokerage accounts - July 2023 updates]
Replies: 2094
Views: 217738

Re: New fee for Vanguard mutual [and brokerage accounts - July 2023 updates]

MariaT wrote: Thu Nov 23, 2023 11:37 am
sport wrote: Thu Nov 23, 2023 11:15 am
WolfgangPauli wrote: Thu Nov 23, 2023 10:51 am An interesting twist about all this. If you have all your money titled in a trust, they have to send you paper. Maybe a regulation or something but all my trust statements come in paper and have never been charged nor asked to go paperless.
Can anyone confirm this?
Yep, same here. No option to go paperless on my end.
My trust account at Vanguard is paperless. Perhaps that is because my IRA accounts are not trust accounts. Same is true for DW.
by sport
Thu Nov 23, 2023 11:15 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: New fee for Vanguard mutual [and brokerage accounts - July 2023 updates]
Replies: 2094
Views: 217738

Re: New fee for Vanguard mutual [and brokerage accounts - July 2023 updates]

WolfgangPauli wrote: Thu Nov 23, 2023 10:51 am An interesting twist about all this. If you have all your money titled in a trust, they have to send you paper. Maybe a regulation or something but all my trust statements come in paper and have never been charged nor asked to go paperless.
Can anyone confirm this?
by sport
Thu Nov 23, 2023 10:24 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dualit Classic Kettle - anyone used this?
Replies: 34
Views: 3236

Re: Dualit Classic Kettle - anyone used this?

We have been using this for roughly ten years. I don't see a need to spend more than $20.
https://www.target.com/p/aroma-1l-elect ... lsrc=3p.ds
by sport
Wed Nov 22, 2023 11:08 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Treasury Bill or CD for 5 years?
Replies: 38
Views: 9375

Re: Treasury Bill or CD for 5 years?

Thanks everyone for ideas and explanations. I haven't looked at this thread in a week, and lots of stuff here. In general, I'm not concerned about liquidity for at least 5 years. Goal is to lock in current high interest rates. I currently do not have a brokerage account. Baby steps. So I would buy CD directly from a bank because it's simpler and I'm not concerned about liquidity but am concerned about being "called." I would be delighted to earn 4 or 5% predictably and securely for 5 years. I'm actually saving up for a balloon payment on the mortgage that's due in 10 years. (Mortgage is 2% fixed so 4.5% fixed would be just fine thanks, even with inflation factored in.) I've got about half of what I need currently saved in 401K so...
by sport
Fri Nov 17, 2023 7:44 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Treasury Bill or CD for 5 years?
Replies: 38
Views: 9375

Re: Treasury Bill or CD for 5 years?

Golf maniac wrote: Fri Nov 17, 2023 7:27 pm What I see on Fidelity is when CDs get out to 5 years the top rates are all callable.
This can change from one day to the next and even within a day. Friday is not a good day for having a good selection. The banks don't want to commit too much over the weekend. Monday can be slow too.
by sport
Fri Nov 17, 2023 6:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Next instrument for young pianist?
Replies: 35
Views: 3239

Re: Next instrument for young pianist?

If he has a band or orchestra at school, I would encourage him to choose a band or orchestra instrument. For someone with an interest or talent in music, a school group is something they would enjoy and benefit from. The participants in those groups become friends and spend time in rehearsals and other activities. There is a lot of camaraderie. This helps to keep them out of trouble since the music kids tend to be good bunch of people as opposed to the troublemaking element. At the same time, they learn about types of music they might otherwise not be exposed to, so it is educational as well as enjoyable. I benefited from my experience in the school band and orchestra and my children did the same.
by sport
Fri Nov 17, 2023 11:35 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Treasury Bill or CD for 5 years?
Replies: 38
Views: 9375

Re: Treasury Bill or CD for 5 years?

valleyrock wrote: Fri Nov 17, 2023 11:30 am Funny, we bought a $100,000 brokered CD on Fidelity. When it came up after selection, the website said something like "you are buying 1,000 CDs at $100 each". We went ahead, but I'm still wondering why so many CDs? Is this a characteristic of brokered CDs? Does Fidelity make more money based on the volume or something? I'm not really worried, but why not just a simple $100,000 CD?
Brokered CDs are sold in "units" of $1000. So, $100,000 is 100 "units". This also means you can sell part of the CD if you decide to do that.
by sport
Wed Nov 15, 2023 4:07 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New/used car decision and impact of a state car tax
Replies: 23
Views: 2099

Re: New/used car decision and impact of a state car tax

Come to Ohio. Except for sales tax when you buy the car, the only annual fee is the registration fee. That amounts to about $50 to $60 depending on the county.
by sport
Wed Nov 15, 2023 9:59 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: CD Purchase through Vanguard
Replies: 6
Views: 852

Re: CD Purchase through Vanguard

Of course you are aware that there is no commission on original issue CDs.
by sport
Tue Nov 14, 2023 6:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New Set of Tires
Replies: 77
Views: 8647

Re: New Set of Tires

You might want to consider Michelin CrossClimate2 tires. Instead of "all season" they are "all weather". They are good all year around, but are much better than "all season" in the snow. I bought a set of them at Costco last year and I have been very pleased with them.