Search found 705 matches

by zincTwo
Sun Mar 10, 2024 1:47 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is Calif Really That Expensive - Or Am I Missing Something?
Replies: 133
Views: 15484

Re: Is Calif Really That Expensive - Or Am I Missing Something?

Don't forget that CA will tax realized capital gains/Div/Int in an HSA account (along with New Jersey). Other states all follow federal HSA tax rules.
by zincTwo
Sun Mar 10, 2024 1:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Maximum ACH transfer?
Replies: 25
Views: 2702

Re: Maximum ACH transfer?

SmileyFace wrote: Thu Feb 22, 2024 8:56 am I have heard that different banks set different limits. It may be best to check with both banks (sending and receiving) and see if they have any limits set. I would simply pick up the phone and call them.
+1 Just call them. A year ago, I needed to receive 6-figure ACH transfer. Contacted both banks. One had no problem. Other said they had a limit, for "unknown parties" of $25K, but after one successful transfer, the limit would change.
I sent $25K, and the next day, after the transfer went through, my ACH limit was raised to $2.5M per transfer.
by zincTwo
Fri Mar 08, 2024 1:34 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Age 60+ AND retired? What's your asset allocation? What type of bonds/Fixed Inc instruments do you use?
Replies: 57
Views: 8474

Re: Age 60+ AND retired? What's your asset allocation? What type of bonds/Fixed Inc instruments do you use?

We're 60, retired 1 yr.
In IRA & 401K: 80% TDF and 20% SCV, with the TDF year being the "year" we plan to start consuming the accounts. (Roths are 2040), Trad are 2030.
In taxable account, I have 65/35 allocation (Merriman UBH), with the bonds primarily a mix of short and intermediate term CA Muni bonds.
by zincTwo
Thu Feb 29, 2024 10:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: preferred tax preparation software? [for tax year 2023]
Replies: 56
Views: 7784

Re: preferred tax preparation software? [for tax year 2023]

dlm2827 wrote: Thu Jan 04, 2024 8:36 pm ... I am looking for recommendations for tax preparation software. Ideally, the software would be compatible with a MacBook Air and Chrome.
I've been using TurboTax Online version for years, on my Chromebook. It works really well. I prefer online vs desktop due to availability on our home PC, my Chromebook, or remote work machine. It is available when/where I am.
eFile is included in the federal and state prices.
I also appreciate its seamless electronic import of my 1099 files from Fidelity, and PDF import of other needed files.

For archival purposes, I can download the final turbotax *.tax file, in addition to the pdf of the returns.
by zincTwo
Thu Feb 29, 2024 11:04 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity free Turbotax 2023
Replies: 435
Views: 153999

Re: Fidelity free Turbotax 2023

N.Y.Cab wrote: Wed Feb 28, 2024 5:27 pm I tried using TurboTax online but was uncomfortable with not being able to see the actual forms. Should be easy to efile at most State website with the printout from the desktop version.
You can see all the forms with the online version, but you need to pay first... start the tool for free, see the form details after you pay.
by zincTwo
Tue Feb 27, 2024 10:36 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Who keeps original will?
Replies: 68
Views: 6530

Re: Who keeps original will?

Fidelity offers an online solution for storage of documents at FidSafe.com
It allows for storage and access to documents prior to, or after death.
by zincTwo
Tue Feb 27, 2024 12:48 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Useful biases to remember when investing
Replies: 16
Views: 2702

Re: Useful biases to remember when investing

nisiprius wrote: Mon Feb 26, 2024 8:40 pm 13) If-you-know-about-a-bias-you-won't-be-biased-by-that-bias bias. That is, belief-in-your-own-rationality bias.
Also called BH-bias
by zincTwo
Tue Jan 30, 2024 12:15 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is there any way to track asset allocation for target date funds in google sheets?
Replies: 3
Views: 423

Re: Is there any way to track asset allocation for target date funds in google sheets?

I have a spreadsheet I built similar to the doughroller one you mention. For my target-date positions in my *IRA/401K, I just don't track the internal asset allocation. I assume that the TDF allocation is what I want, and I ignore it. Essentially, in my spreadsheet, my "category" column (using the doughroller spreadsheet example) has an entry called "Target-Date Fund". I ignore that category value for any pivot tables I use for rebalancing or other asset/factor type analysis.

I only concern myself with the allocation for the accounts I can/want to do something about. TDFs are self-managing from my perspective, all I care about is the current price, which googleFinance() pulls out.
by zincTwo
Sun Jan 28, 2024 10:05 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Looking for info/advice from Californians investing with an HSA
Replies: 49
Views: 4964

Re: Looking for info/advice from Californians investing with an HSA

Do you know what it would look like with dividend reinvestment turned on? Does the form still just tell us the total and we just plug it in, or is there more work? Since CA+NJ have to report realized gains... when you eventually sell the shares, you need to track the basis and report the gain. with dividend reinvestment turned on, that is lots of itty-bitty purchases to remember. As mentioned, I just do the purchase once a year to minimize the tracking. Jeez, we would get forms for that I assume? This is gonna be 30 years worth of info as I'm using it as another retirement account. I'm also looking to leave CA, in which case I won't have to worry about. For now, I live here and I want to know how it works for when I'm here. Forms? That wou...
by zincTwo
Sun Jan 28, 2024 6:18 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Looking for info/advice from Californians investing with an HSA
Replies: 49
Views: 4964

Re: Looking for info/advice from Californians investing with an HSA

Tav88 wrote: Sun Jan 28, 2024 3:32 pm Do you know what it would look like with dividend reinvestment turned on? Does the form still just tell us the total and we just plug it in, or is there more work?
Since CA+NJ have to report realized gains... when you eventually sell the shares, you need to track the basis and report the gain.
with dividend reinvestment turned on, that is lots of itty-bitty purchases to remember. As mentioned, I just do the purchase once a year to minimize the tracking.
by zincTwo
Sun Jan 28, 2024 6:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How do you retire when you love your work?
Replies: 163
Views: 12986

Re: How do you retire when you love your work?

Wannaretireearly wrote: Sun Jan 28, 2024 2:00 pm
zincTwo wrote: Sun Jan 28, 2024 12:47 am As a teenager and young adult, I had a job.
Then, for 35 years, I had a career.
I found my calling in my post-retirement gig.
Care to share the retirement gig?
I provide local tech support for Seniors via www.seniortechpal.org. I also give STEM presentations to schools at a local museum. Teaching can be more fun than being an engineering manager at times. :-)
by zincTwo
Sun Jan 28, 2024 12:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How do you retire when you love your work?
Replies: 163
Views: 12986

Re: How do you retire when you love your work?

winterrain wrote: Sat Jan 27, 2024 11:03 pm I found good explanation of a job, a career, and a calling on internet
You have a job if you believe work is only a way to make money.
You have a career if your work is central to your identity and sense of progress.
You have a calling if your work contributes to something beyond yourself.
As a teenager and young adult, I had a job.
Then, for 35 years, I had a career.
I found my calling in my post-retirement gig.
by zincTwo
Sat Jan 27, 2024 10:06 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Looking for info/advice from Californians investing with an HSA
Replies: 49
Views: 4964

Re: Looking for info/advice from Californians investing with an HSA

As we all know HSA's aren't tax advantaged in CA the same way they are elsewhere. ... My question is this: what should I expect in terms of having to track my HSA manually? With dividend reinvestment turned off ..., how much of a pain in the ass are we talking about here? ... I'm using Fidelity HSA. I've heard that turbo tax has a feature specifically for Californians and HSA's that does help a bit. I called Fidelity and was told they do give us some document to help with tracking that. You raised very good questions. I'm in CA, and I'll share my personal strategy. Opinions of others may vary. My HSA is only about 3% of my total portfolio, so I'm not stressing to make it match my overall asset allocation %, nor tilts to SCV & others.I ...
by zincTwo
Sun Jan 21, 2024 2:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Digitizing old photographs
Replies: 15
Views: 1602

Re: Digitizing old photographs

Another option is FREE.... see my related post at viewtopic.php?p=7363126#p7363126
by zincTwo
Fri Jan 19, 2024 1:06 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cell Phone Question
Replies: 3
Views: 861

Re: Cell Phone Question

double check that there are no pending software updates, or requests to agree to updated "terms and conditions".
Recently, a friend had an apple phone that stopped connecting to the cellular network (to receive or make calls), until an updated "terms and conditions" notification was accepted.
by zincTwo
Mon Jan 15, 2024 1:09 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: what to put in a time capsule that will be valuable in 50 or 100 years?
Replies: 65
Views: 6212

Re: what to put in a time capsule that will be valuable in 50 or 100 years?

a stock certificate with one share of AVUV. :D
(you could use VTI, but AVUV is under the desired $100 budget).
by zincTwo
Sat Jan 13, 2024 9:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Maldonado, et al. v. Apple, Inc. et al., Case No. 3:16-CV-04067-WHO
Replies: 22
Views: 4274

Re: Maldonado, et al. v. Apple, Inc. et al., Case No. 3:16-CV-04067-WHO

I typically handle this via an Amazon gift card.

I've also seen people use it to buy fuel for their gas tank.
Just ask the inside gas attendant to authorize the amount on the card, and the pump will automatically stop at that amount.
by zincTwo
Sat Jan 13, 2024 5:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: ACA Premiums and income discounts
Replies: 8
Views: 1055

Re: ACA Premiums and income discounts

Since the CA exchange will ask you to document your income and you can't with past documents you need to fill out a form on the website called "attestation of income" and put your best estimate. When you file your 2024 tax return it all gets reconciled and you may either owe money or get a refund. See form 8962 https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8962.pdf As a side note you mentioned you retired last year. Do you have medical coverage at present thru COBRA? If so and you're paying for it then cancelling it sometime during the year is not a valid reason for special enrollment to enroll in an ACA plan. Regular enrollment runs Nov. 1 through Jan. 31 Thank you very much. This (and others') answered my question. I didn't realize the true...
by zincTwo
Sat Jan 13, 2024 2:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: ACA Premiums and income discounts
Replies: 8
Views: 1055

ACA Premiums and income discounts

I am newly retired, and will obtain ACA medical insurance this year on my own (CoveredCA.com). Depending upon my zipcode and income, I can receive discounts on my monthly premium cost.

How & when is income calculated for 2024 insurance discounts? My 2023 tax return will be BIG due to a full year of work (retired prior to December).

My 2024 income will only be dividends & interest & and any realized capital gains. Do I just "guess" what it will be based upon past years dividends and interest? What if I over -or- under estimate? Is there a true-up period with next year's tax return?
by zincTwo
Sat Jan 13, 2024 2:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tips on car rental
Replies: 73
Views: 12527

Re: Tips on car rental

Lots of good advise on this thread.

for me, I use Hertz (my employer allows me to use). However, I only got CDW for free on business rentals.
Now that I am retired and all use is personal, I use AmEx Premium car rental insurance for all my rentals (and have 1 free AmEx card soley for this purpose). Flat rate per trip (not per day). This is primary insurance coverage.
Saved me $$$ on two international damage incidents (cracked windshields, and a scratched wheel rim--not by me).

I walk around and photograph my rentals now if there are any marks.
by zincTwo
Sat Jan 13, 2024 1:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Which Turbo Tax version?
Replies: 15
Views: 2065

Re: Which Turbo Tax version?

sycamore wrote: Fri Jan 12, 2024 8:23 pm
tennisplyr wrote: Sun Jan 07, 2024 7:01 am
sycamore wrote: Sat Jan 06, 2024 10:20 am Do you use the download/CD version or the online version?
I use the online version
...
I spent some time searching the TurboTax website and couldn't find a simple comparison chart between online and desktop versions. I'd guess that's because they don't want you to know. Boo!

Curious why you use online version?
I prefer the online version due to portability & I use a chromebook (due to household competition for our shared desktop). In the past, state efile was free for online, and not free for download (that may have changed this year?). Over the past 3 years, my OnlinePremier cost was within $15 of average DesktopDeluxe, including all state and efile fees. I'd price compare between various local and online sources.
by zincTwo
Sun Jan 07, 2024 11:32 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Freetaxusa vs Turbotax
Replies: 121
Views: 16801

Re: Freetaxusa vs Turbotax

CletusCaddy wrote: Thu Jan 26, 2023 2:54 pm Freetaxusa offers PDF upload of W2s for the first time this year. Gives me hope that 1099s are not far behind
Pre-retirement, I used TT exclusively, due to ease of direct/electronic import from Fidelity for 1099s. Now I'm in post-retirement, so my stock transactions will likely be less frequent.

But -- do FreeTaxUSA or TaxAct or any of the other cheaper players do electronic import from Fidelity?
by zincTwo
Wed Jan 03, 2024 11:11 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Best Place for HSA Money
Replies: 14
Views: 1981

Re: Best Place for HSA Money

I'm retired, and use Fidelity for HSA. I love the tools and fund options.
Personally, I invest it in 80% TSM(ITOT ETF), and 20% SCV ETF. No bonds since my HSA balances are <3% of portfolio, and I plan on having this account longer term before withdrawl.

I'm sensitive to taxable distributions (due to Calif. taxation policies for HSA), so I like ITOT's minimal distributions.
by zincTwo
Tue Jan 02, 2024 1:28 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Anyone rebalancing portfolio for 2024?
Replies: 28
Views: 4133

Re: Anyone rebalancing portfolio for 2024?

However, today I moved some from my existing cash position and made my HSA "contributions" for the year (I call them a rollover from taxable to tax-free account). $8300+ $1k catch-up for me and spouse ! How do you max HSA in one day? My employer only allows pay check contribution. Because I am retired and no longer have an employer who is contributing to the HSA via my payroll deductions. If you are employed, w/ employer contributing, then you can only put in money that they will not be covering. When I was employed, and over 55+ age, my employer did payroll deduction->contributions to my HSA (including my extra $1000 catchup contribution for being over 55. However, because my wife (also over 55) is covered under my family HDHP/H...
by zincTwo
Mon Jan 01, 2024 7:27 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Anyone rebalancing portfolio for 2024?
Replies: 28
Views: 4133

Re: Anyone rebalancing portfolio for 2024?

My first year in retirement, I no longer re-balance on a schedule (w/ incoming employer bonus money). Now it is only when I exceed my allocation bands.

However, today I moved some from my existing cash position and made my HSA "contributions" for the year (I call them a rollover from taxable to tax-free account). $8300+ $1k catch-up for me and spouse !
by zincTwo
Mon Jan 01, 2024 1:20 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: AVUV
Replies: 43
Views: 4519

Re: AVUV

I have some money available and consider investing in a U.S. small cap value (AVUV). The addition would fall within my IPS, and would be <10% of my equity portfolio. But I have never invested in SCV, always in total markets, which are predominant large caps. Does it make sense for further diversification ? You are receiving much advice surrounding SCV and market-timing behaviors. Personally, I use SCV to enhance my portfolio, and have reaped benefits from it for quite a while. For a positive perspective on leveraging SCV, I offer 3 resources for you to learn more... 1) Two funds for Life book (free pdf), by Chris Pedersen . The book focuses on SCV+Target-date Funds, but it is comparable to SCV+TSM. I've read the entire book, and found it c...
by zincTwo
Sun Dec 31, 2023 3:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: AARP; worth joining?
Replies: 74
Views: 10047

Re: AARP; worth joining?

zeldak wrote: Sun Dec 31, 2023 8:18 am
We don't want to have our contact information disseminated and then be bombarded with other solicitations targeting retired people.
The travel/hotel discounts were intriguing for us. But we opted for AAA. The AARP spam postal & e-mailings were too much for us.
by zincTwo
Sun Dec 31, 2023 3:33 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Sell RSUs after holding a while?
Replies: 59
Views: 6077

Re: Sell RSUs after holding a while?

I sell my RSU's the within a day or two of their hitting my account. The "short-term" taxation for a day's worth of growth [or loss] is miniscule, and it keeps my paperwork tidy. Then I sweep them into my portfolio allocation.
by zincTwo
Thu Dec 21, 2023 11:33 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: SPAXX Alternative?
Replies: 16
Views: 3015

Re: SPAXX Alternative?

anoop wrote: Wed Dec 20, 2023 11:05 pm
NateH wrote: Wed Dec 20, 2023 10:19 pm FDLXX because of state tax rate
Wish I could make that my default but doesn’t look like an option. :(
Because it is a money market fund, it will auto-liquidate to cover any debits/checks/payments ... so it is kinda "default". You only need to manually put money into a MMF, and it will come out as needed without intervention.
by zincTwo
Sun Dec 17, 2023 5:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is it safe to use TEMU website for shopping? Not the phone app
Replies: 23
Views: 13833

Re: Is it safe to use TEMU website for shopping? Not the phone app

Never ordered anything, but they got my email address from a 3rd-party, and I can't stop the email spam. :thumbsdown
by zincTwo
Fri Dec 08, 2023 1:50 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Inexpensive Chromebook or Similar?
Replies: 25
Views: 3264

Re: Inexpensive Chromebook or Similar?

This year, I purchased a Lenovo Flex 3 chromebook from BestBuy... got it at about 1/2 price (it was "open box"). I love it.
I mostly use it for google doc type apps, but have used some Linux Apps for audio and video editing.

It quickly connects to my phones wifi-hotspot, if I am away from a wifi connection.
by zincTwo
Tue Dec 05, 2023 1:36 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: MS Defender vs Bitdefender
Replies: 32
Views: 4732

Re: MS Defender vs Bitdefender

I prefer to use Defender alone.
IMHO, I think MS Defender causes less of a performance drain on your system than the other ones.
by zincTwo
Sat Dec 02, 2023 11:35 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What non-index fund investment made you a lot of money?
Replies: 141
Views: 26480

Re: What non-index fund investment made you a lot of money?

AAPL 12 years ago.
SLE (Sara Lee), over 20 years ago. The subsequent split to Haines was a lucky day.
The SLE and Haines were subsequently moved to index funds.

AAPL is my charitable/DAF funding agent.

Since then, I'm TSM+SCV -- and loving life even more. More peace and contentment, anyway.
by zincTwo
Thu Nov 23, 2023 11:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: White elephant (gag) gift ideas
Replies: 34
Views: 17205

Re: White elephant (gag) gift ideas

by zincTwo
Sat Oct 21, 2023 6:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is AAA membership worth it?
Replies: 197
Views: 27168

Re: Is AAA membership worth it?

The convenience of having road-side service is helpful (though my equivalent State Farm coverage is cheaper). I've found AAA roadside a bit more responsive.

the DMV services are handy, I've used that a few times.

However, the BIGGEST service is the hotel discounts... The savings over a year more than cover the cost of my [+spouse] AAA membership.
by zincTwo
Mon Oct 02, 2023 12:55 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: the last "double" prior to retirement
Replies: 21
Views: 4097

Re: the last "double" prior to retirement

In my last 6 years prior to retirement, I started hoarding cash and funneling it into 401K,IRA,after-tax savings.
I found that our living expenses were much lower than my income (being empty-nesters, having established vehicles & recreation expenses, etc).

My 401K was already maxed (and backdoor roths), but my company had just started offering a mega-backdoor roth option to the 401K. I maxed that completely, almost doubling my annual contributions.... getting me to where I was stashing 33% of my income into IRA+401K accounts.
by zincTwo
Sun Oct 01, 2023 11:43 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Any reasons not to consolidate everything at Fidelity?
Replies: 25
Views: 3787

Re: Any reasons not to consolidate everything at Fidelity?

Two reasons for our situation...

1) I have a BofA account... I require a safe deposit box, and so I need a local brick & mortar bank. With the box, I have the minimum "free" checking account required to keep both active. I use both BofA and Fidelity CMA for Bill payment.

2) We travel internationally regularly, and BofA has a very convenient service for obtaining foreign currency before our trip. (exchanging back the currency may require a BofA account, but receiving the currency does not). Recent elimination of foreign transaction fees on my Fidelity Rewards Visa, and the preference for some foreign locations to prefer plastic over paper money is reducing the need for this reason.
by zincTwo
Tue Sep 26, 2023 10:56 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Does Threatening to Quit Work
Replies: 113
Views: 12943

Re: Does Threatening to Quit Work

As a manager at a Fortune100 company, my personal opinion is that it won't work... this is based on several instances of employees approaching me, or my peer managers over the last 25 years ... it didn't work. Things to consider many companies schedule their performance management & rewards cycles annually, or semi-annually. If you approach us outside of this HR cycle, it causes organization and budget disruption... Do you WANT to be remembered as "that employee" who disrupted everything? (those in your mgmt chain have long memories) If you are not a high performer (compared with your peers) -- how would I justify YOU getting an out-of-cycle raise/promotion, and jumping ahead of your better-performing peers? That is NOT merito...
by zincTwo
Tue Sep 19, 2023 1:24 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Best way to track expenses? Quicken or …?
Replies: 117
Views: 10028

Re: Tracking spending using some sort of software

I have not found the need to use fancy tracking software or link accounts.
I just use a spreadsheet with 12 [monthly] rows, and two columns (Visa & Checking acct)
Each month I simply put the balance from my Visa bill, and the debits from my checking account (which includes any bill-pay debits).

Those two places are where we spend our money from.

I don't need to find which subcategory my spending is from. We live within our means, and this gives me a quick and simple method of knowing my annual spend for retirement. I pulled my prior 12 statements of the Visa & Cking acct, prior to retirement to calibrate my spend... it helped me to know I could pull the trigger and retire.
by zincTwo
Tue Sep 19, 2023 1:00 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: which cards let you issue virtual credit card numbers
Replies: 45
Views: 5946

Re: which cards let you issue virtual credit card numbers

Privacy.com +1 I love privacy.com . I get individual controls for each card ($-limit, one-time-use or many, etc.). I love to use these cards for purchases that love to have "strings attached"... like magazine subscriptions, 'free' trials, or any vendor where I need to say the CC number out loud. Refunds are easily processed. If you need to dispute a charge, I assume you take that up with the physical credit/debit card issuer? Card issuers don't have an issue with this? I've only had one need to dispute a charge... made an online purchase, the card was charged, but no item was ever shipped or received. I sent applicable documentation to privacy.com support ( not the physical card issuer), and they responded and took over the issue...
by zincTwo
Mon Sep 18, 2023 1:08 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: which cards let you issue virtual credit card numbers
Replies: 45
Views: 5946

Re: which cards let you issue virtual credit card numbers

Harmanic wrote: Thu Sep 14, 2023 5:11 pm Privacy.com
+1 I love privacy.com. I get individual controls for each card ($-limit, one-time-use or many, etc.).
I love to use these cards for purchases that love to have "strings attached"... like magazine subscriptions, 'free' trials, or any vendor where I need to say the CC number out loud.

Refunds are easily processed.
by zincTwo
Mon Aug 21, 2023 10:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best < $100 purchase?
Replies: 299
Views: 55789

Re: Best < $100 purchase?

Cheap 19" TV & a Roku adapter. Installed on a shelf in the garage next to DW exercise bike.
Best Valentine gift EVER.
by zincTwo
Sat Aug 19, 2023 7:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Your favorite finance podcast? favorite health related podcast?
Replies: 60
Views: 6393

Re: Your favorite finance podcast? favorite health related podcast?

Finance
  • Jill on Money
  • Talking Real Money
  • White Coat Investor
  • Sound Investing (Merriman)
  • Ready for Retirement
  • PlanVision
by zincTwo
Sun Jul 30, 2023 12:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Need help on Last Pass
Replies: 11
Views: 1555

Re: Need help on Last Pass

gavinsiu wrote: Sun Jul 30, 2023 8:51 am
zincTwo wrote: Sat Jul 29, 2023 2:42 pm ...I still trust LastPass (even to pay for the non-free features). ...
I had thought that way, too until I read this article by security researcher Jeremi M. Gosney
https://infosec.exchange/@epixoip/109585049354200263

...
Thank you for referencing this article. Good information.
by zincTwo
Sat Jul 29, 2023 2:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Need help on Last Pass
Replies: 11
Views: 1555

Re: Need help on Last Pass

^^ I was going to say the same. OP, do you trust LastPass? +3 As a >3+decade computer engineer, with related technical employment at "various government computer security agencies", I can offer my humble opinion that I still trust LastPass (even to pay for the non-free features). Its features, and ease of use completely outweigh the non-use of a password manager, and I have found it better than some of its competitors. I appreciate their encryption algorithms, security key handling and key separation policies. My reading of many of the press releases was that competitors were taking the opportunity to entice new users to their products, as well as the news media's love of scandalous headlines. If there was more meat to the claims...
by zincTwo
Sat Jul 29, 2023 2:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do they bargain at Tiffany's
Replies: 102
Views: 12988

Re: Do they bargain at Tiffany's

Big Dog wrote: Fri Jul 28, 2023 10:57 am That pretty blue box only comes at sticker.
If you do go with Tiffany's. Be sure to take some time and walk around the mall with that little blue box/bag. You will receive the most approving glances and nods from the women patrons walking around. A priceless, wonderful feeling.

P.S. Perhaps empty the contents into your locked car before your walk through the mall 8-)
by zincTwo
Wed Jul 26, 2023 6:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Free Music Streaming Options
Replies: 11
Views: 986

Re: Free Music Streaming Options

If you library system is linked up, another free option is Hoopla www.hoopladigital.com
It is not as convenient as a normal music streaming service, but they have many music CDs in their collection which you can download or stream directly to your device... for free.
by zincTwo
Sun Jul 23, 2023 10:41 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Any concerns with Fidelity-branded checks and/or Credit Card?
Replies: 25
Views: 2450

Re: Any concerns with Fidelity-branded checks and/or Credit Card?

I love my Fidelity credit card. I don't even think about the [good] 2% rewards, because they are automatically swept into my separate investment account, with no effort on my part.

I don't use the paper checks at all (I have a separate BofA checking account). I do use the Fidelity BillPay feature. It works well.
by zincTwo
Sat Jul 22, 2023 11:10 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fidelity CMA as taxable brokerage?
Replies: 7
Views: 938

Re: Fidelity CMA as taxable brokerage?

yog wrote: Sat Jul 22, 2023 8:06 pm We use the CMA for payables & receivables and share the account number with vendors & agencies. We prefer to keep our investments in separate accounts.
+1 ; I also like to have separation between my CMA and my Investment account...would prevent any fraudulent transaction from getting to my core cash, and any money-market funds that would automatically liquidate to cover the CMA debit.
by zincTwo
Sat Jul 22, 2023 11:07 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Retirement / COBRA / Medicare
Replies: 18
Views: 1914

Re: Retirement / COBRA / Medicare

GG1273 wrote: Fri Jul 21, 2023 7:51 am I'm getting ready to retire at the end of the year unless a nice package comes along at Megacorp.
Age: 64, will be 65 end of March 2024
I'm Rule of 75 at the organization ...
Rule of 75 struck a chord... if you are at INTC megacorp, I recommend taking the the "preparing for retirement" virtual class on "MyLearning" (take it NOW, don't wait). It goes into good detail on these types of benefits & healthplan situations, and you can ask detailed questions. I actually took the class twice, 6wks apart (once pre-package, once post-package). They also have some medicare experts you can contact and talk to, to navigate your personal situation. At your age, you may also get a RuleOf60 benefit.