Bogleheads.org

Big Dog

If City B is on Maui, you'd have a lot of 'essplainin to do.

Big Dog

I'm not really looking to retire early, and I'm cheap so I really rather not pay any more than I have to. I max out every year on the standard tax advantaged account plays. I was curious if there were any more "outside the box" strategies out there. For example, my in laws live near me an...

Big Dog

Consider this as an alternative to spending lots of money on 529 accounts, especially if you have a gifted or motivated child.

Personally, I think this is a terrible idea particularly for a gifted child. But as my mom used to say, 'to each their own'.

Big Dog

suggest that you compare specs on Tire Rack.

Big Dog

My thoughts: First, I'd get an insulation contractor to measure the insulation of the upstairs, and upgrade to recommended R-value for your region as necessary. Second, I'd get an HVAC contractor that specializes in duct work to measure the ducts and air flow and heating/cooling demands in the house...

Big Dog

Live in SoCal and have chosen not to purchase EQ insurance, but every home is different. We are also in a low liquefaction area, with wood frame house bolted to the slab. Most likely scenario is that the chimneys collapse and take part of the wall/roof with them. But I can't forsee how that approach...

Big Dog

KlangFool has already chosen their risk level, so I am presuming they are comfortable with it. The thing they are overlooking is that they're taking on more risk by using a mortgage to leverage up their market portfolio, not less. That is not how it works if having a lower risk is a normal good for...

Big Dog

On one hand, I have a professional home inspector who has told me the roof has hail damage. On the other, I have a roofer who says he thinks it's a defective product. Neither explanation makes full sense to me. It sounds like blistering, which can look like hail damage but is actually manufacturer'...

Big Dog

This is really easy to say when money isn't an issue. Tell that to the "average" U.S. family. The average US family will pay none to attend the top privates in the US if their children is accepted. If a family has an income below $80k, Harvard is going to be nearly as cheap as their local...

Big Dog

Oral B from Costco

Big Dog

deleted

Big Dog

You mean to tell me there's only a negligible difference between 2 candidates with identical LSATs and extracurriculars, but one has a 3.7 from Elite University and the other has a 3.7 from Northwest Podunk State? I realize schools are sensitive to their 25/75% scores , but I think you're substanti...

Big Dog

Joe Namath is advertising an insurance broker that specializes in Medicare.

But yes, Medicare is confusing and many people appreciate the help. The reasons that the ads run all year is that everyday thousands of Boomers are turning 65.

Big Dog

In addition to the recommendations above, also have your spouse start getting involved in day-to-day bill paying. There's no substitute for experience "doing" vs. reading about it when stressed & bereaved. And have your spouse logon to financial accounts at least once a quarter to loo...

Big Dog

Kenneth French has studied the dividend phenomenon and has documented that, historically, dividend paying stocks have provided higher total returns, with lower standard deviation of those returns, compared to non-dividend paying stocks. This may be a case of investors being willing to pay a higher ...

Big Dog

Check out OpenSocialSecurity.

https://opensocialsecurity.com

Big Dog

Is there a law or settle cases that says one has no choice as to whom one sells their property? Last time I looked, sellers are free to sell to whomever they please. If I don't like you, I won't sell to you. An additional problem with these is that they will often reveal that potential buyer is a p...

Big Dog

CA Real Estate professional assoc starting to look askance at such a practice to avoid the appearance of discrimination: https://www.car.org/-/media/CAR/Documents/Transaction-Center/PDF/QUICK-GUIDES/Quick-Guide---Buyer-Interest-Letters-Accompanying-Offers.pdf?la=en&hash=3809E044C24862F303F731EB0...

Big Dog

Sounds like a good fit. That said, I'd wait for 6-9 months as I expect that the feeding frenzy will decline as more and more folks are vaccinated adn real estate gets back towards normal. Since it's a high rise, other places will come on the market over the next months, so waiting shouldn't cost you...

Big Dog

Agreed that its the shortage of houses for sale. Due to COVID, folks are hunkering down and staying put.

Big Dog

I see this argument a lot when people favor paying down their mortgage in place of taxable investing. I also see the argument that you wouldn't take a mortgage on a paid off house to invest. At least, most people wouldn't. So why would you invest rather than pay down the mortgage? This, to me, is a...

Big Dog

I see this argument a lot when people favor paying down their mortgage in place of taxable investing. I also see the argument that you wouldn't take a mortgage on a paid off house to invest. At least, most people wouldn't. So why would you invest rather than pay down the mortgage? This, to me, is a...

Big Dog

when I sold my parents house in Jan (both had passed), the offer was made late Friday afternoon and the buyer's broker provided us with a copy of a lender pre-approval for a loan needed AND a current copy of their bank (BofA) statement -- some redaction for security-- showing enough cash available t...

Big Dog

1. No
2. It is in their interest to get you out of the plan as they are paying Admin fees to keep you in. Try moving up the contact food chain. Do you remember the name of your former payroll person?

Big Dog

forget about recovering the money for the insulation -- that ain't happening. Since you have correct copies of the bills, what is the amount that you were actually overcharged? If you will be able to recover the overpayment in full in ~24 months, I'd do that deal. Otherwise, send me a check. Don't f...

Big Dog

If you can get accepted to "one of the vaunted" law schools, you should be able to score a bunch of merit money from schools a few spots down the food chain. Do NOT pay sticker.

Big Dog

What is a digital asset? Digital Assets is content that resides in your digital devices like Cellphone Tablets Computers Cloud accounts like email, social media, memberships etc. Digital Heir / Digital Legacy is how you pass access and ownership of the digital assets I must be dense, but: A) why do...

Big Dog

What is a digital asset? Digital Assets is content that resides in your digital devices like Cellphone Tablets Computers Cloud accounts like email, social media, memberships etc. Digital Heir / Digital Legacy is how you pass access and ownership of the digital assets Can't apple conduct a complete ...

Big Dog

For example, if you go to an elite law school your undergrad is a lot less important. Of course, your undergrad school reputation is a significant factor in getting admitted into an elite law school. I am not necessarily disagreeing with the thesis of this thread, but attending a higher-ranked unde...

Big Dog

I do agree (and stated as much earlier) that few schools are worth what they charge. I wouldn't pay $300K for USC. Your spreadsheet is very interesting for a number of things, but it’s hard to imagine the meeting where $4,000 merit aid was decided (unless it was formulaic and deterministic). Tuft’s...

Big Dog

^^ got it, thanks. Follow Kenkat's recommendation above.

Big Dog

^^ dupe, sorry.

Big Dog

California doesn't tax SS benefits. By the way, I keep seeing the term Cali to refer to the State of California. Generally, those of us in California simply use CA (or So Cal to refer to the sprawling LA basin). "Cali" must be a Midwest or East Coast term! Or just a generational thing. 8-...

Big Dog

His Medicare plans don't start until March, so any claim from a date of service prior to March gets covered by his previous plan. If he did not have enough hours for coverage by BC/Publix, he'll have to pay out of pocket, (or somehow get retro COBRA coverage?). For any medical expenses in March and...

Big Dog

His Medicare plans don't start until March, so any claim from a date of service prior to March gets covered by his previous plan. If he did not have enough hours for coverage by BC/Publix, he'll have to pay out of pocket, (or somehow get retro COBRA coverage?). For any medical expenses in March and ...

Big Dog

So if one is making $40K from SS benefits, "tens of thousands" would be at least $20K of taxes on it. OK. Don’t forget about state taxes. Many will be living in other states like Cali. Want it or not California doesn't tax SS benefits. By the way, I keep seeing the term Cali to refer to t...

Big Dog

to our family, the primary factor in choosing a college was "value" (as are most of my purchase decisions). It all comes down to that fact that our instate flagship is $35k per year, so how much more value does a private offer for the increased price? My kids took classes at the junior col...

Big Dog

1. Yes.
2. Yes, but not more undergrad debt than the federal limits. And do not attend a PhD program unless its fully-funded.
3. No way.
4. Sure. (But one man's emergency is another man's morning cappuccino.

)
5. Yes to car loans.

Big Dog

In TN, I'd definitely go with 2-speed over 1-speed. The increased comfort is woth it, IMO. (I'd also probably upgrade the compressor since you are in the South, and presumably run AC quite a bit. Electricity rates only have one way to go: Up!)

Big Dog

you really should narrow down the location in teh US where you mostly stay. In my neighborhood, Verizon has excellent reception, but AT&T does not; many dropped calls and the best reception is outside in the back yard. OTOH, when I visited my hometown, Verizon was terrible. My sis said T-Mobile ...

Big Dog

Strange -- 21% of my portfolio is marked 'Uncategorized', even tho they are all Vanguard Mutual funds held in Vanguard brokerage accounts (IRA's).

Big Dog

The OP is asking about a financial aspect. Please, let’s keep away from discussions of treatments for the son’s condition. With all due respect, I took Big Dogs suggestion as a way to provide another input to the insurance company rating son's alleged condition. Such a hospital etc might carry more...

Big Dog

do you have a med school/research hospital that has a practice for JIA nearby? Instead of going back to your rheumatologist, why not a second opinion from experts in the field?

Big Dog

highly suggest running your numbers on OpenSocialSecurity. (click on the Additional Input tab)

https://opensocialsecurity.com

Big Dog

Commute will be roughly 40 miles, but I will need it to do longer trips like to the city, airport, medium length weekend trips How far is the airport? Might be renting a condo for a couple years with garage, and am thinking I can survive just plugging into a regular outlet which will give me 40-50 ...

Big Dog

Do you know what's required for the transfer if using the POD option? I'd like to hear if somebody has been a beneficiary using POD and how the transaction went, if there's any lawyer involvement or if you can just do it through the institution. PoD/ToD is extremely easy for simple estates. The ban...

Big Dog

What did HR say about federal COBRA, or Cal-COBRA (for small employers)?

Big Dog

you might edit your post to clarify which direction you are going with the transfer as your headline says one way the body says the other. But I have transferred both Roths and tIRA's from Fidelity to Vanguard and it just took a few days, but was not of the market any day. Did one by phone and one o...

Big Dog

The let-the-kid-decide crowd is not being realistic since no teenager has one iota of knowledge of what heavy debt does to life choices. The kid would be making the decision with zero information. Not a way to enter a contract. IMO, if your children reach high school graduation without at least a f...

Big Dog

The let-the-kid-decide crowd is not being realistic since no teenager has one iota of knowledge of what heavy debt does to life choices. The kid would be making the decision with zero information. Not a way to enter a contract. IMO, if your children reach high school graduation without at least a f...

Search found 2455 matches