Search found 27 matches

by HMdocinPA
Fri Oct 23, 2020 4:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Got Samsclub membership -- give me your best tips!
Replies: 77
Views: 8785

Re: Got Samsclub membership -- give me your best tips!

Sams club credit card for 5% on gas but as noted only paid out once a year. I use the fidelity credit card via scan and go for the 2%, scan and go is awesome. I have 4 kids, so diapers and wipes, fruit, and lots of TP and paper towels. I get the 10lb roll of ground beef and vacuum pack at home into 2lb servings for the freezer. I’ve bought TV’s, a small beer fridge, clothes, all kinds of things from Sam’s. Only downside is the one closest to me doesn’t have gas or I’d save even more.
by HMdocinPA
Mon Sep 30, 2019 8:00 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: All in one single serve and pot of coffee maker
Replies: 21
Views: 2190

Re: All in one single serve and pot of coffee maker

travelnut11 wrote: Sun Sep 29, 2019 9:29 pm We've been happy with our Ninja. Makes single cup, travel cup, half pot or full pot with reusable filter.
Have had a Ninja machine for several years now. As noted, it makes a cup, travel cup, half or full carafe, and we've used all the different settings at different times. I do use a Baratza burr grinder to grind the whole bean coffee first, but otherwise this is a real simple way to make various sizes of coffee. We also have a Nespresso for espresso drinks which works well too.
by HMdocinPA
Fri Sep 27, 2019 9:30 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Switched from Verizon's postpaid plan to prepaid: Saved 38%
Replies: 95
Views: 16126

Re: Switched from Verizon's postpaid plan to prepaid: Saved 38%

$91 with taxes, so save $29/month but also get 4x more data. I also bought $80 in Verizon prepaid cards for $60 on eBay, so saved another $20 on the month. Out of pocket will be $71 instead of $120. The OP stated that his taxes/fees were $6 for 2 phone lines. So your additional 3rd line adds no extra taxes/fees? That is good to know. You also mention buying prepaid cards on eBay. Are you doing that for just the first month or every month? You wouldn't be eligible for the $15 worth of autopay discounts when using Verizon prepaid cards, would you? I’m in PA, so tax rates and whatnot may be different. If my bill will be $91, I’m going to add $80 in cards each month then autopay the $11 balance, which should be sufficient to keep the autopay d...
by HMdocinPA
Fri Sep 27, 2019 8:17 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Switched from Verizon's postpaid plan to prepaid: Saved 38%
Replies: 95
Views: 16126

Re: Switched from Verizon's postpaid plan to prepaid: Saved 38%

researcher wrote: Fri Sep 27, 2019 8:12 am
HMdocinPA wrote: Fri Sep 27, 2019 7:03 am Went from 3 line family plan sharing 4gb data at $120 after work discount to 3 lines with 6gb each for $85 with autopay. Haven’t noted any difference in calls or internet speed. Can also find Verizon prepaid cards very discounted on eBay to save even more.
I assume the $85 does NOT include taxes/fees/surcharges.
Can you share how much it is after all of those additional costs?

I currently pay $105 for 3 lines with Verizon.
Sounds like I wouldn't be saving all that much if I switch.
$91 with taxes, so save $29/month but also get 4x more data. I also bought $80 in Verizon prepaid cards for $60 on eBay, so saved another $20 on the month. Out of pocket will be $71 instead of $120.
by HMdocinPA
Fri Sep 27, 2019 7:03 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Switched from Verizon's postpaid plan to prepaid: Saved 38%
Replies: 95
Views: 16126

Re: Switched from Verizon's postpaid plan to prepaid: Saved 38%

Changed to prepaid yesterday. Went from 3 line family plan sharing 4gb data at $120 after work discount to 3 lines with 6gb each for $85 with autopay. Had to call customer service, whole process took maybe 20 minutes, and one follow up phone call to get an issue sorted out. Haven’t noted any difference in calls or internet speed. Can also find Verizon prepaid cards very discounted on eBay to save even more. Worth it so far, we’ll see how the next few months go.
by HMdocinPA
Mon Sep 16, 2019 6:00 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Wait to transfer ?
Replies: 26
Views: 1891

Re: Wait to transfer ?

I transferred a Roth from vanguard to fidelity a couple months ago, sent as cash, took less than a week. Fidelity Rep said they have a good working relationship with vanguard and the transaction is all electronic.
by HMdocinPA
Sat Sep 14, 2019 6:26 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: International Fund Questions – Roth vs. Pre-Tax, FTIHX vs. VTIAX?
Replies: 13
Views: 3377

Re: International Fund Questions – Roth vs. Pre-Tax, FTIHX vs. VTIAX?

codedude wrote: Sat Sep 14, 2019 6:22 pm For the taxable account at Fidelity, you can use IXUS instead of FTIHX.
I use IXUS and IEFA as international tax loss harvesting partners. ITOT and IVV for US stock for TLH as well. I keep the zero funds in my fidelity IRAs to avoid any wash sales.
by HMdocinPA
Sat Sep 14, 2019 2:23 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Fidelity beating vanguard now? switch to Fidelity?
Replies: 121
Views: 9590

Re: Vanguard is Falling Behind Compared to Fidelity

MotoTrojan wrote: Sat Sep 14, 2019 1:51 pm My Fidelity CMA with brokerage (so my direct deposits earn top interest, $0 in CMA) has been life changing, no more separate savings. Still have my taxable equity at VG as I like the commission free ETF trading. Have thought about consolidating but need to see if I can get equivalent funds and reinvest existing ones fee-free.
I recently consolidated almost all of my accounts to fidelity. The CMA is really excellent. I like the app and website, started using FZROX in our IRAs, and will be moving HSA over at the end of the year. Also use fidelity Visa, so really a one stop shop for all of my needs.
by HMdocinPA
Fri Sep 06, 2019 8:11 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Fidelity: When Zero does not mean free
Replies: 108
Views: 14466

Re: Fidelity: When Zero does not mean free

DaftInvestor wrote: Fri Sep 06, 2019 6:58 am So how do we come to the conclusion in the titles post especially as compared to all other mutual funds?

As far as I see - these funds are free to me (yet to see someone proove otherwise) and the post title is fake news.
I agree. Sounds more like OP has an axe to grind with Fidelity rather than providing some new insight.
by HMdocinPA
Thu Sep 05, 2019 10:51 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Fidelity: When Zero does not mean free
Replies: 108
Views: 14466

Re: Fidelity: When Zero does not mean free

My Roth IRA and wife’s Roth IRA are both in Fidelity Zero funds, and next year when I move my HSA to fidelity that will be in zero funds as well. I don’t see any downside at this point, and free to me is great.
by HMdocinPA
Sun Aug 11, 2019 2:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Optum HSA Fee Increase Notice
Replies: 30
Views: 5083

Re: Optum HSA Fee Increase Notice

My company uses Optum but they do not give us any matching HSA contribution. I also have to keep $2k cash before investing, but if I don’t keep $3k cash I have to pay $1/month fee. Between this fee and the 0.03% monthly AUM fee, I’m probably going to just switch to fidelity HSA since I have most of my money there anyway. Because of my income, paycheck deduction only really saves me the Medicare tax and surcharge, not the other fica taxes, so I’m not really missing much tax savings if I just go to fidelity.
by HMdocinPA
Wed Aug 07, 2019 7:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity as a one stop shop
Replies: 6053
Views: 1036956

Re: Fidelity as a one stop shop

Fidelity will give you a bunch of free trades if you move your accounts over to them, just do the online chat with a rep. You can then sell the vanguard ETFs without any fees. I’ve moved 3 accounts to fidelity from Vanguard, all online without any paperwork to print or mail, very seamless.
by HMdocinPA
Wed Aug 07, 2019 2:37 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: New Jersey taxes
Replies: 58
Views: 5011

Re: New Jersey taxes

Doctor here that moved from NJ to PA, I left for my residency and never went back. Car insurance is half, income tax is half, live in a nice home in a great town with excellent public schools. Property taxes are very town dependent even in eastern PA so it takes some research. Doctors in general also make more in PA I believe. Worth the move for me, probably worth it for you as well.
by HMdocinPA
Fri Aug 02, 2019 7:41 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Questioning our portfolio
Replies: 75
Views: 5438

Re: You helped us - 2 month update

I recently rolled over my old 403b and my wife’s old 403b as well. Went from 8 401k/403b accounts to 2, so much easier to manage now. The paperwork was a real hassle but thankfully didn’t require any medallion signatures or any signatures from old employers. The checks were sent directly to the new plans, but both the old 403b and current 401k companies required their own paperwork to be completed.

As an aside, I’m consolidating all of my investing and banking needs with fidelity, and they have been really easy to deal with. IRA transfer from Vanguard was easy and no paperwork, completely online. Big thumbs up there.
by HMdocinPA
Sat Apr 27, 2019 8:07 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What are the cons of always being a one parent working household?
Replies: 134
Views: 11077

Re: What are the cons of always being a one parent working household?

My wife works per-diem, makes ~15k/yr. She puts the max possible in her work 403b, I think it’s 80% per check, so she takes home very little but most of what she makes is federal tax deferred at this point, saving the 32% federal her income would be taxed at. This works nicely for our retirement savings goals, gives us more tax deferred space, and enables her to get out of the house while I watch our 3 kids.
by HMdocinPA
Sat Mar 30, 2019 11:15 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Question about Cashiers Check for tentative car purchase
Replies: 34
Views: 12756

Re: Question about Cashiers Check for tentative car purchase

I paid the maximum on fidelity card they would take ($2500) then paid the rest with a personal check. I showed them my checking account balance on the bank’s iPhone app, with enough $$ to cover the check, and they didn’t need to do any credit check or anything after that.
by HMdocinPA
Thu Mar 28, 2019 6:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dedicated computer to access electronic medical record (for work)
Replies: 2
Views: 392

Re: Dedicated computer to access electronic medical record (for work)

I use a cheap Lenovo chromebook as my only laptop, and I use it to get into the work EMR via pulse secure VPN and Citrix app. Seems to work fine and I’m not concerned about security, that’s the best part of the ChromeOS.
by HMdocinPA
Wed Feb 20, 2019 8:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What is a lemon? 2018 Outback Infotainment issues
Replies: 33
Views: 16359

Re: What is a lemon? 2018 Outback Infotainment issues

Had my head unit replaced, much more responsive now but now my CarPlay is a bit less stable. Still a work in progress I guess
by HMdocinPA
Wed Jan 16, 2019 10:02 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: John Bogle has died at age 89
Replies: 856
Views: 82105

Re: John Bogle has died at age 89

I’ve learned so much from this forum, been lurking for awhile and registered recently. Thanks to Mr Bogle, my investments are cheap, diversified, and simple. You’ve taught this man to fish. Rest In Peace.

“So long and thanks for all the fish” - Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy.
by HMdocinPA
Tue Jan 01, 2019 8:47 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: PA 529 plan investments
Replies: 4
Views: 519

Re: PA 529 plan investments

I have PA529’s for my 3 kids. I believe that the PA529 has protections from creditors that are not given to 529 plans from out of state. Costs are minimally more than some other plans, but still quite reasonable.
by HMdocinPA
Thu Dec 27, 2018 11:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best bet for streaming YouTube TV on my TV?
Replies: 27
Views: 2624

Re: Best bet for streaming YouTube TV on my TV?

Howdy y'all, I recently jettisoned my cable TV service, and I'm very happy that I did so. I'm cable-TV free!! It's a nice feeling. Now for the next steps... I have a subscription to YouTube TV, and I've been streaming that on my iPad and phone. It's pretty cool. But I want to stream to my TV too. What's my best option for doing so? Apple TV (given that it's an Apple product) is pretty damn expensive. Maybe Roku instead? If so, which Roku product should I get? Or is there yet another option that I should consider? Let me know what y'all think... Either Roku streaming stick+ or ultra, both have remotes that can control the TV power and volume which is convenient. Stick is WiFi only, Ultra can be wired directly to a router if needed but also ...
by HMdocinPA
Wed Dec 26, 2018 8:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Home Heating Advice
Replies: 72
Views: 7368

Re: Home Heating Advice

My home is propane: 2 furnaces, hot water heater, clothes dryer, stovetop and backup generator. Propane is more expensive than natural gas, but cheaper than using electricity when it comes to heating. I have a 1000 gallon underground tank, gets filled ~ 3 times per year, usually 600gal at a time, cost is appx $2.15 per gallon. We have 3 young kids, which means lots of baths and laundry, but I think the overall cost of the propane is reasonable. That’s $3,870/year in propane costs. If NG cost half of that, then after 10 years NG would save $19,350. So how much does it cost to run a NG line and how much would your estimated propane/NG costs be? I also think having NG + radiant heat would be a selling point. Otherwise I think the dual-stage h...
by HMdocinPA
Sun Dec 23, 2018 7:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Home Heating Advice
Replies: 72
Views: 7368

Re: Home Heating Advice

My home is propane: 2 furnaces, hot water heater, clothes dryer, stovetop and backup generator. Propane is more expensive than natural gas, but cheaper than using electricity when it comes to heating. I have a 1000 gallon underground tank, gets filled ~ 3 times per year, usually 600gal at a time, cost is appx $2.15 per gallon. We have 3 young kids, which means lots of baths and laundry, but I think the overall cost of the propane is reasonable.
by HMdocinPA
Thu Dec 13, 2018 6:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [Anyone drop cable for YouTube TV?]
Replies: 139
Views: 17381

Re: [Anyone drop cable for YouTube TV?]

I pay for YouTubeTV through an iTunes subscription using discounted gift cards for the iTunes Store that I buy from amazon or Sams club, this past week I got 2x $100 gift cards for $80 each, nice savings there.
by HMdocinPA
Thu Dec 13, 2018 5:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Who else is doing home automation?
Replies: 64
Views: 5460

Re: Who else is doing home automation?

I have Lutron Caseta dimmers and automatic blinds, Honeywell WiFi thermostats. Very happy with them, but that’s about as automated as I’m going right now. I have a roomba too, really like that little thing, and it’s WiFi connected as well.
by HMdocinPA
Thu Dec 13, 2018 5:55 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: New job, sales at Subaru
Replies: 72
Views: 11717

Re: New job, sales at Subaru

RustyShackleford wrote: Thu Dec 13, 2018 4:53 pm
OldBallCoach wrote: Wed Dec 12, 2018 4:23 pm ... from what I have seen Subaru has a cult like following and sell really well built cars.
I heard two remarkable things about them. One, they are the only brand in the world which increased its sales during the great recession. Two, an amazingly large number of their buyers pay cash. This later seems very Bogle'ish: buy a car you can afford when you can afford it, rather than stretching and going into debt.
Interestingly, I recently bought my first Subaru (an outback touring) and I paid cash. Must be a trend...
by HMdocinPA
Sun Oct 28, 2018 9:41 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Vehicle recommendations for long commutes in CO mountains
Replies: 72
Views: 6312

Re: Vehicle recommendations for long commutes in CO mountains

If you want mileage, comfort/luxury, and winter traction and dirt roads, a Subaru is the best way to go. A Jeep Wrangler or 4 runner outfitted for the apocalypse makes sense if you are truly going off-road, but otherwise is probably a bit overkill and you will sacrifice comfort and mileage. Get one used. Put on 15” wheels and get some snow tires for the winter, all terrains for the summer. If you want nav/Bluetooth, consider upgrading the stereo with an aftermarket head unit from a maker like pioneer or alpine with CarPlay/android auto. You can do it yourself. Find one on crutchfield.com Whtether you go cross trek, outback or forester will depend on your personnel and cargo needs. Check out this bloggers outback mods for an idea of how ver...