Search found 56 matches

by davibi02
Wed Oct 06, 2021 2:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Washington State Long Term Care Trust Act - 0.58% payroll tax - $36,500 lifetime maximum benefit
Replies: 1772
Views: 196946

Re: Washington State Long Term Care Trust Act - 0.58% payroll tax - $36,500 lifetime maximum benefit

WoW2012 wrote: Wed Oct 06, 2021 1:52 pm I didn't say, "fraud". I said "defraud". There's a difference.

It costs several hundred dollars to underwrite and issue a long-term care insurance policy: medical records, prescription drug reports, phone health interviews, blood and urine samples, etc...

That's how it defrauds the insurance company.
Defraud means to take by fraud. If someone cancels their policy as is within their rights laid out in the contract, there is nothing even deceitful in that action, much less fraudulent.

Personally though, I plan to keep my policy, and I appreciate the effort that went into making things happen for me before the deadline.
by davibi02
Wed Oct 06, 2021 1:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Washington State Long Term Care Trust Act - 0.58% payroll tax - $36,500 lifetime maximum benefit
Replies: 1772
Views: 196946

Re: Washington State Long Term Care Trust Act - 0.58% payroll tax - $36,500 lifetime maximum benefit

WoW2012 wrote: Wed Oct 06, 2021 1:08 pm Buying an insurance policy from an insurance company with the intent to cancel it after a few months defrauds the agent and the company.
You could make an argument it's immoral or unethical, but it's certainly not fraud.
by davibi02
Mon Oct 04, 2021 1:55 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Washington State Long Term Care Trust Act - 0.58% payroll tax - $36,500 lifetime maximum benefit
Replies: 1772
Views: 196946

Re: Washington State Long Term Care Trust Act - 0.58% payroll tax - $36,500 lifetime maximum benefit

Kookaburra wrote: Mon Oct 04, 2021 1:27 pm Is anyone getting exemption approvals yet? For those who are, how are you learning about your newly-approved status - via email notification, regularly checking your status in your SAW account, or other?
I got an email saying "your status has changed". I was (eventually, after a couple days) able to log in and view the new status of "approved".
by davibi02
Tue Aug 31, 2021 10:23 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: CD player/boombox?
Replies: 51
Views: 4639

Re: CD player/boombox?

starboi wrote: Tue Aug 31, 2021 10:21 am
davibi02 wrote: Tue Aug 31, 2021 10:10 am Viva la Physical Media!!
Beware of disc rot.
Good point! Thankfully I'm all backed up to my NAS.
by davibi02
Tue Aug 31, 2021 10:10 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: CD player/boombox?
Replies: 51
Views: 4639

Re: CD player/boombox?

an_asker wrote: Tue Aug 31, 2021 7:33 am
davibi02 wrote: Sun Aug 29, 2021 3:40 pm I was in the market and picked up a nice older model on Craigslist for a song.
For just a song? ;-)
Hahaha, clever!

I'll take a second to agree with the folks on here saying KEEP your CDs. If the movie industry is anything to go by, a lot of music won't be available in our brave new world. I have a mountain of DVDs/Blu-Rays that you simply CANNOT buy or stream anywhere.

Viva la Physical Media!!
by davibi02
Sun Aug 29, 2021 3:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: CD player/boombox?
Replies: 51
Views: 4639

Re: CD player/boombox?

I was in the market and picked up a nice older model on Craigslist for a song.
by davibi02
Wed Aug 25, 2021 11:22 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Western mini series/movies
Replies: 34
Views: 2719

Re: Western mini series/movies

Deadwood,

Deadwood Deadwood, Deadwood.

Deadwood,

-Deadwood
by davibi02
Fri Aug 20, 2021 2:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Books that changed your life!!
Replies: 159
Views: 24702

Re: Books that changed your life!!

Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis - Despite being an irreligious book, brought me to faith in a higher power. I remember the very paragraph the veil was lifted and my perspective on reality shifted. Do you mind sharing the paragraph? It comes toward the tail end of the book, so without the foundation laid, I'm not sure it'll have much impact. It was: “When the time comes to you at which you will be forced at last to utter the speech which has lain at the center of your soul for years, which you have, all that time, idiot-like, been saying over and over, you'll not talk about the joy of words. I saw well why the gods do not speak to us openly, nor let us answer. Till that word can be dug out of us, why should they hear the babble that we thi...
by davibi02
Wed Aug 18, 2021 8:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Books that changed your life!!
Replies: 159
Views: 24702

Re: Books that changed your life!!

The Body Keeps Score by Bessel van der Kolk, MD. - It completely changed how I interact with others. Game changer, especially in dealing with difficult people.

Sickness Unto Death by Soren Kierkegaard - Introduced the concept of looking at myself from a third-person perspective which helps me reason through issues objectively.

Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis - Despite being an irreligious book, brought me to faith in a higher power. I remember the very paragraph the veil was lifted and my perspective on reality shifted.
by davibi02
Thu Aug 12, 2021 10:14 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do You Budget Pre/During Retirement?
Replies: 98
Views: 7991

Re: Do You Budget Pre/During Retirement?

Totally agree, YNAB (and the envelope method in general, whether electronic or with physical envelopes) are game-changers. I budgeted intensively for a decade, using YNAB maybe half that time, and managed to build up a healthy head of steam in retirement accounts, pay for a new car, and fund a 20% down payment on a house. And it was fun - obsessive, really. But over years I became very weary of tracking every penny and when YNAB switched to subscription I decided to stop using it. I am not naturally interested in money, or in self-denial, and it made me emotionally tired. Also there were relationships and personal goals I had been neglecting because I simply had to save - I was/am middle-aged - and those needed tending. I've "rested&q...
by davibi02
Wed Aug 11, 2021 6:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do You Budget Pre/During Retirement?
Replies: 98
Views: 7991

Re: Do You Budget Pre/During Retirement?

I've found budgeting with the envelope method THE most effective wealth building tool. Before I found YNAB in 2014 I was all over the place. Once I wrote it down I had something to stick to. I wasn't irresponsible before, especially compared to the average American, but after I put an "every dollar has a job" budget into play... it felt like I had doubled my income. I at least encourage you to try it out for 90 days and see if it tickles your fancy. I expected it to be a chore, but I actually really enjoy the process. It feels like playing a turn-based strategy game in real time. (My move comes every paycheck.) Budgeting has had a bigger positive impact on my life than just about anything. Give it a fair shot to see if it'll do th...
by davibi02
Tue Jul 27, 2021 2:03 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Review my parents' humble retirement with me
Replies: 37
Views: 8328

Re: Review my parents' humble retirement with me

We uncovered a 403b that mom was confusing with her pension in a prior state. There's $119,000 we didn't know about before!! I advised that they roll it to Vanguard to fit our theme of simplification.

We decided to cancel and pay back the $10k social security dad has received so he can start at age 70. Wheels are turning on all other action items. I'm pleased to see they're taking their situation seriously, even after the 403b windfall. I'm proud of my folks for jumping in to their new roles with both feet. Mom has clicked with the budget software, and dad has been saving his receipts. :)
by davibi02
Thu Jul 22, 2021 8:05 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Review my parents' humble retirement with me
Replies: 37
Views: 8328

Re: Review my parents' humble retirement with me

One thing that might be worth looking into is buying meds through a Canadian mail-order pharmacy. It is hugely less than U.S. retail price, and may even be less than insurance. It takes a while to get though all the red tape with your first order. Figure on about 6 weeks. But, once you're up and running, its easy, cheap and efficient. Here's one provider I've used. https://www.mapleleafmeds.com/ Thanks for the idea. I looked for her most expensive med on there and don't see it, but I'm certainly open to looking for the others once I get a list. When evaluating a business, one often applies 20% discount rate to the income. Other factors come into play, but it is a good starting point. If a person has a business for sale, that produces 1K pe...
by davibi02
Wed Jul 21, 2021 10:32 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Review my parents' humble retirement with me
Replies: 37
Views: 8328

Re: Review my parents' humble retirement with me

Didn't you write that their gross income is $9k per month? I am in the process of moving my mother into a senior apartment in MN. Nice one bedroom apartments with kitchen and large living/dining room are only about $2500 per month. There is no buy-in cost in most places. It seems that your parents could afford that with their cash flow. Their other assets could be used if and when they need to move to assisted living down the road. In my mother's case she has waited too long to move out of her house, so won't be able to take advantage of many of the amenities the senior living center has to offer. Yes, 9k/mo income while working. They'll be down to about $3,500 once they've both stopped working. Thanks for sharing your mom's experience. So...
by davibi02
Tue Jul 20, 2021 8:50 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Review my parents' humble retirement with me
Replies: 37
Views: 8328

Re: Review my parents' humble retirement with me

Is that a realistic budget? What have they been doing with the surplus previously? Seems like a large difference between what they bring home and what they are spending on paper. We haven't done a budget yet. I agree it's lacking in detail, and I'm concerned there are some more things hiding in the weeds. Income - expenses+savings = something doesn't add up! We had our first serious conversation about what will be needed from them and things of course it didn't go smoothly. Reading between the lines, they aren't including what they "do for others" in the numbers they gave me. For example, groceries for themselves was included, but food they buy for others wasn't brought up. I fear the "surplus" isn't going in their coff...
by davibi02
Tue Jul 20, 2021 6:05 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Review my parents' humble retirement with me
Replies: 37
Views: 8328

Re: Review my parents' humble retirement with me

delamer wrote: Mon Jul 19, 2021 10:02 pm Here’s some information on continuing care retirement communities: https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/basics/ ... ities.html
Thanks for the link and relaying your mother's experience. We'll check it out!
by davibi02
Mon Jul 19, 2021 9:18 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Review my parents' humble retirement with me
Replies: 37
Views: 8328

Re: Review my parents' humble retirement with me

@retired@50, @MrBobcat Thanks for feedback on HSA, you saved me a research dead-end! @MrBobcat, @JoeRetire I know nothing about medicare, so I appreciate everyone's responses. Both parents are signed up for medicare part A. My understanding from them is that part A does not cost anything. They said they'll sign up for B and D six months before they retire. They "have a guy" advising them on this topic. (Who I'll certainly be digging more into.) Mom has the option to buy into health care in retirement from two prior jobs, but she thinks the costs may be prohibitive, similar to COBRA. I've asked her to do more research on this so we can dial in our target. @retired@50, @JoeRetire I'll work with them on digging into OpenSocialSecurit...
by davibi02
Mon Jul 19, 2021 12:42 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Review my parents' humble retirement with me
Replies: 37
Views: 8328

Re: Review my parents' humble retirement with me

retired@50 wrote: Mon Jul 19, 2021 12:21 pm Are you certain about the Federal rate?
I'm not aware of a 16% Federal bracket. Maybe 12% or 22%.

Roth contributions could be the right answer, it really depends on their current tax bracket, and whether or not that will change in the future. If they are only paying 12% Federal now, I might be inclined to use Roth. If the current rate is higher (like 22%) then a tax-deferred contribution to a traditional plan would probably be best.
Thanks, fixed. They're in the 22% bracket. I appreciate your response.
by davibi02
Mon Jul 19, 2021 12:11 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Review my parents' humble retirement with me
Replies: 37
Views: 8328

Review my parents' humble retirement with me

Hi All, My parents are approaching retirement and asked for my input on their status. I'm elated they've asked because I've assumed things were not rosy for a while but didn't want to step on their toes. Thankfully they own their home outright and just have a smallish car debt. DF's IRAs are with Primerica which looks like a high-fee "multi-level marketing" deal so I'm advising that they roll them to Vanguard and will discuss what AA they're comfortable with. They feel behind and want to see some larger gains, but they are NOT optimistic about future stock performance so the AA ratio will be a roundabout conversation. Both are not ready to stop working and plan to work until 70. An inheritance of $40,000 is expected in the next co...
by davibi02
Sun Jul 04, 2021 6:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: E-bay "Best Offer"?
Replies: 32
Views: 3419

Re: E-bay "Best Offer"?

Sounds like the seller got greedy and it bit them. Once an offer is declined, they can't "un-decline" it. And without a transaction, there's no way to contact another ebay user as far as I know, so they couldn't reach out to you even if they wanted to.
by davibi02
Sat Jun 26, 2021 9:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do you use a Kindle? Are they worth trying?
Replies: 133
Views: 11423

Re: Do you use a Kindle? Are they worth trying?

I prefer the Kindle 2nd Generation (Keyboard) version. Many of this version have built-in cell service allowing downloading of books anywhere. Its one of the few versions that will actually read text from the page. I don't believe the new ones do this because they want to sell the audible version. Lastly, with the older Kindles you can download the book from the library, disconnect all ties back to the internet and keep the book indefinitely until you reconnect again. Only a few months left for the 3G network so unfortunately that functionality will go the way of the dodo. Last I read it will be turned off Feb 2022. :annoyed I miss my Kindle Keyboard. The screen cracked one day after years of use. :( I thought about getting a Kindle Oasis ...
by davibi02
Sat Jun 26, 2021 7:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: iPod Classic -- "dying" battery
Replies: 21
Views: 2439

Re: iPod Classic -- "dying" battery

If you're willing to leave the Apple ecosystem I love my Plenue D. It's tiny, 100 hrs of battery life, and the DAC sounds incredible. It can run my power-hungry planar headphones with no issues.
by davibi02
Sat Jun 26, 2021 10:34 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?
Replies: 193
Views: 30893

Re: What was your best quality of life improvement for $1000?

Dottie57 wrote: Sat Jun 26, 2021 10:19 am
BogleFan510 wrote: Sat Jun 26, 2021 10:18 am Good hiking shoes and poles. Treat yourself to nature and good health.
Why use poles?
I'll let my knees answer that one. "Pop, crack, pop!"
by davibi02
Mon Jun 21, 2021 8:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do you use a Kindle? Are they worth trying?
Replies: 133
Views: 11423

Re: Do you use a Kindle? Are they worth trying?

I've been an e-ink reader since the Kindle II. My favorite is the Kobo Clara HD, and I like not being locked into Amazon's ecosystem.
by davibi02
Sun Jun 20, 2021 10:07 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Vaccine mandate for continued employment
Replies: 70
Views: 4723

Re: Vaccine mandate for continued employment

Cheez-It Guy wrote: Sun Jun 20, 2021 10:00 pm I wish my company would require this, and have clearly stated this when feedback was requested. Instead, we're acquiescing to those making the poorest decisions on both personal and public health.
Those on the other side of the topic are as vehement in their beliefs as you are in yours and make the same arguments. Lesson for both: just because you're loud doesn't mean you're right.

If you want to refuse the jab, be prepared to work elsewhere.
by davibi02
Sun Jun 20, 2021 10:03 pm
Forum: Forum Issues and Administration
Topic: Dark mode?
Replies: 20
Views: 5014

Re: Dark mode?

Elric wrote: Sun Jun 20, 2021 9:51 pm I asked about this maybe a year ago. Try installing DarkReader (https://darkreader.org/). Bogleheads (and most other sites) look really good with it turned on. And you can easily toggle it on or off or set it to be off on certain sites where it might not work well. I've become a huge fan, and it works really well on most sites (better than many other plugins).
Thanks for this. I was using the flag in chromium but it has serious issues with a lot of sites. DarkReady works great, can be toggled site-by-site, and it appears their attitude toward data/privacy/open source is in line with my personal beliefs.
by davibi02
Sat Jun 19, 2021 10:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Favorite Movies - Name Five
Replies: 277
Views: 24221

Re: Favorite Movies - Name Five

BradJ wrote: Sat Jun 19, 2021 8:29 pm Not my favorite but I really can’t encourage people to watch Won’t You Be My Neighbor enough. The movie is about the power of forgiveness and that being positive and nice is an effort worth doing.
"Power of forgiveness" makes me think you might be thinking of A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019). Won't You Be My Neighbor (2018) is a lovely documentary which I highly recommend. (In an I'm-not-crying-YOU'RE-crying sort of way.)
by davibi02
Sat Jun 19, 2021 5:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best reasonable price eye glass store
Replies: 26
Views: 2980

Re: Best reasonable price eye glass store

I have bought 10+ pairs from Zenni since 2014 or so. One had a lens issue but was easily replaced through support at no cost. They're cheap enough that I have a variety of frames to mix up my style.
by davibi02
Thu Jun 17, 2021 10:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Favorite Movies - Name Five
Replies: 277
Views: 24221

Re: Favorite Movies - Name Five

Brazil (1985)
Children of Men (2006)
The Fall (2006)
Won't You Be My Neighbor? (2018)
Game Night (2018)
by davibi02
Mon Jun 14, 2021 10:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Vacation in Michigan in August
Replies: 22
Views: 2526

Re: Vacation in Michigan in August

rascott wrote: Mon Jun 14, 2021 10:49 pm Much of the best of Michigan is on the Lake Michigan border and then all the way north to Traverse City (and beyond), IMHO.
Agreed.
by davibi02
Mon Jun 14, 2021 10:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Vacation in Michigan in August
Replies: 22
Views: 2526

Re: Vacation in Michigan in August

It's about 1h45m from Detroit, but if you're into architecture, Midland has a lot of Mid-Century Modern homes and buildings. (Including the incredible Alden B Dow Home and Studio: https://www.abdow.org/ ) There are some self-directed driving tours via app, etc.
by davibi02
Mon Jun 14, 2021 9:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Advice on Buying Condo
Replies: 18
Views: 2159

Re: Advice on Buying Condo

My first home purchase was a condo because it was the only thing I could afford. I expected to be there for a year or two and turn it over for a bit more money after my wages increased enough to allow me to buy a "real" home. I won't recount the countless horrors, but I'll say I'm still there 14 years later. I would never buy a condo again. And I tell anyone that asks for my advice to never buy one either. Would you mind sharing the reason(s) that you’re stuck? I assume it’s not just because your wages never increased. I bought April of 07, not too long before the RE crash. It wasn't until 2019 that my place was worth as much as I paid for it. On top of that we've have two special assessments totaling 75k. My own personal code of...
by davibi02
Mon Jun 14, 2021 8:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Advice on Buying Condo
Replies: 18
Views: 2159

Re: Advice on Buying Condo

My first home purchase was a condo because it was the only thing I could afford. I expected to be there for a year or two and turn it over for a bit more money after my wages increased enough to allow me to buy a "real" home. I won't recount the countless horrors, but I'll say I'm still there 14 years later.

I would never buy a condo again. And I tell anyone that asks for my advice to never buy one either.
by davibi02
Fri Jun 11, 2021 10:46 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Where to get podcasts without activity being tracked?
Replies: 34
Views: 4554

Re: Where to get podcasts without activity being tracked?

There's little hope of avoiding tracking, but as long as it's not being tracked against YOU (your identity), so be it. I use a VPN strategically. I segregate my browsers. On the browser used to download media, I NEVER log in with an account associated with either my name, or an email associated with my name or phone number.

It's getting increasingly difficult to do anything on the web not linked to your identity. Providers require phone numbers to sign up, etc.
by davibi02
Mon Jun 07, 2021 10:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Home Gym or “Real Gym”
Replies: 94
Views: 8774

Re: Home Gym or “Real Gym”

FireSekr wrote: Mon Jun 07, 2021 7:53 pm Tonal.

Better than going to the gym. Doesn't waste space in your garage.
Tonal looks very useful and right up my alley. Can I use it without connecting it to the internet? I don't want it to send any data out.
by davibi02
Sat Jun 05, 2021 1:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Where do you shop for groceries?
Replies: 148
Views: 26328

Re: Where do you shop for groceries?

I buy all my fruit and veg from my beloved local farmers market (which is closing in on the century mark!)
The rest I buy from Grocery Outlet and Dollar Tree.
Very, very, very occasionally I head to the QFC. Probably $100 a year worth of specialty items I can't find at the above when I need them.

I don't really buy meat, but if I did I would travel to butcher shop. I don't trust the grocery supply chain to keep animal protein fresh.

I'm a single male and I spend about $250-300 a month on groceries, including "splurges". I only spend $30-40 a month eating out since covid has me working from home.
by davibi02
Fri Jun 04, 2021 2:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Where do I go and experience the other America?
Replies: 52
Views: 6200

Re: Where do I go and experience the other America?

Were I in your shoes I would pick based on geography first and filter from there. Do you like shoreline? Maybe West Michigan fits. (Grand Haven, MI?) River life? Gotta be the Mississippi, right? Mountains? Idaho. The most stunning scenery I've seen was simply driving through Montana. I wouldn't worry too much about safety as long as you're not acting like a moron, and you assuredly do not sound like you would act as such. No culture likes an outsider coming in and being critical. But I feel like most would appreciate an authentic curiosity about their way of life as long as it's seen as a positive interest and not "freakshow" curiosity. (That said, there are obvious violent hot spots I would avoid, but they tend to be urban areas ...
by davibi02
Tue Jun 01, 2021 11:21 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Amazon Sidewalk, Use Your Neighbor's Internet for Free
Replies: 97
Views: 15748

Re: Amazon Sidewalk, NOT USING Your Neighbor's Internet for Free

Since the use is not of the internet, the title of this thread is totally misleading... Well, actually it does use 'internet'... but I agree it's a misleading title. Here's the pertinent paragraph from Amazon: An important role Amazon plays when managing the network, is to ensure no single gateway becomes overburdened with Amazon Sidewalk traffic. The maximum bandwidth of a Sidewalk Bridge to the Sidewalk server is 80Kbps, which is about 1/40th of the bandwidth used to stream a typical high definition video. Today, total monthly data used by Sidewalk enabled-devices, per customer, is capped at 500MB In most cases I assume your Echo will use your internet. But if for some reason it can't speak out (Pi-Hole for instance) it will speak "...
by davibi02
Tue Jun 01, 2021 10:46 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Amazon Sidewalk, Use Your Neighbor's Internet for Free
Replies: 97
Views: 15748

Re: Amazon Sidewalk, Use Your Neighbor's Internet for Free

Indifference..... why do I care? I'm not discussing state secrets. I've occasionally reviewed the voice data in the privacy settings.... it's pretty comical what my kids shout at it, but that's about it. Google has loads more info via using Android, Gmail and search. No judgement, I can see the allure.... but it doesn't take a genius to look a few steps ahead on the road we're travelling. And justifying Amazon's hoard by arguing that you already give more to Google is an odd way of looking at the world. (to me) Your family is analyzed, cataloged, and digitally segregated based on data you wouldn't believe they have. I don't picture slimy employees ogling the data which seems to be most people's concern. What's most concerning to me is the ...
by davibi02
Sun May 30, 2021 12:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Amazon Sidewalk, Use Your Neighbor's Internet for Free
Replies: 97
Views: 15748

Re: Amazon Sidewalk, Use Your Neighbor's Internet for Free

What a terrifying present we're in, when people willingly (if ignorantly) participate in a surveillance state that would have had the East Germans apoplectic.

These devices speak on the 900mhz range and are laying out a map of local devices addresses (MAC Addr) for things like bluetooth, etc., even if they're not connected to the wi-fi network. So when I walk around my neighborhood, every Echo on the block is mapping my route. If I go to my buddy's house, Echo knows that same headset is there. It's more than our movements being mapped... it's our social engagements. And in today's world you don't even have to be a customer of these agencies to be a target of the surveillance!

I heard that any Echo since 2018 is compatible.
by davibi02
Fri May 28, 2021 8:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Altruistic companies to work for?
Replies: 37
Views: 6960

Re: Altruistic companies to work for?

I'm in IT and felt the same as you, OP. I took a 40% pay cut to work for my city. I no longer sell toys to make rich people richer, and instead use my "talents" to give back to my community, in whatever small way I can. I provide a heck of a lot of value for my wage, and feel like I provide a dose of reality to the life-long public sphere employees pretty regularly.
by davibi02
Fri May 21, 2021 3:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Washington State Long Term Care Trust Act - 0.58% payroll tax - $36,500 lifetime maximum benefit
Replies: 1772
Views: 196946

Re: Washington State Long Term Care Trust Act - 0.58% payroll tax - $36,500 lifetime maximum benefit

czaj wrote: Fri May 21, 2021 2:33 pm Is anyone lacking confidence that their employer’s payroll department will be good at administering opt-outs? Particularly, I am one of few who work in Washington state, so I could see it going either way.
I'd imagine there will be some hiccups and resulting refunds, but be kind to your overworked HR/Payroll staff. I guarantee they don't want another mandated deduction forced down their throats, especially one with this much complexity to administer.
by davibi02
Wed May 19, 2021 7:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Washington State Long Term Care Trust Act - 0.58% payroll tax - $36,500 lifetime maximum benefit
Replies: 1772
Views: 196946

Re: Washington State Long Term Care Trust Act - 0.58% payroll tax - $36,500 lifetime maximum benefit

My employer (local municipality) emailed staff this week explaining the tax and opt-out. They mentioned our benefits provider is "looking into a couple of different options that would qualify as opt-out coverage".

How long does it typically take to apply for solo coverage? I'm concerned if I wait for our benefit provider and they don't have options I like, I may miss the opt-out window.
by davibi02
Wed May 19, 2021 11:05 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Home Security System - ADT or ?
Replies: 10
Views: 1282

Re: Home Security System - ADT or ?

Whatever system you go with, don't advertise the make/model. Those little signs in the yard that say "protected by SimpliSafe" (or whoever) just help a thief do research on exploits.
by davibi02
Tue May 11, 2021 10:10 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: I See no Path Forward Financially
Replies: 101
Views: 14694

Re: I See no Path Forward Financially

First three things that came to mind, in order of priority:
1. Prioritize your sobriety.
2. Start a "zero-dollar" budget.
3. $110/mo cell is about $100 too high. Try Tello or Mint or another MVNO.

You have a lot of great advice from a lot of well wishers here!
by davibi02
Thu May 06, 2021 1:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Former poor kid who has followed guides, but still lost...
Replies: 34
Views: 4898

Re: Former poor kid who has followed guides, but still lost...

Your net take-home is almost as high as my gross! The biggest thing for me was to start a zero-dollar budget. It felt like I got a raise once "every dollar has a job" entered my world. I use an old version of YNAB.

I'm with many others in that I think you should pay your debt down. With your high wage I think it can be done faster than you realize if you hyper focus on it.

I feel like your emergency fund is much too large, but on this note I encourage you to do what you're comfortable with. I would aim for 6mo, maybe a year if you're timid, but 95k seems excessive personally.
by davibi02
Tue May 04, 2021 10:57 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I sold off all my (modest) crypto holdings this morning
Replies: 103
Views: 17820

Re: I sold off all my (modest) crypto holdings this morning

Any recommendations on handling taxes? I've been mining ETH this year and apparently I'm supposed to be recording the payouts in USD at the time of receipt. If I sell some, but not all, how do I know which "coin" I am selling to determine the gains?
by davibi02
Tue Apr 27, 2021 12:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sleep Headphones?
Replies: 23
Views: 1717

Re: Sleep Headphones?

I use headphones while I sleep. (I can't stand the feeling of something in my earholes.)

My most comfortable (or maybe I should say 'least uncomfortable') are the Sennheiser HD380. They have really big cups so they surround the entire ear, and they're very flat so they don't apply too much pressure.
by davibi02
Sun Apr 25, 2021 12:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Any way to find out your refinanced rate beforehand?
Replies: 9
Views: 995

Re: Any way to find out your refinanced rate beforehand?

Don't stress about hard credit inquiries. They'll disappear before you know it. You clearly care about your credit score... here's where that juicy score can work in your favor. Use it! I just refinanced at 2.35% and gave no care to the hard inquiries or what they did to my 836 credit score.
by davibi02
Sat Apr 24, 2021 12:46 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Can't Login to Vanguard
Replies: 41
Views: 6374

Re: Can't Login to Vanguard

Try a 'private' or 'incognito' window? I know you said your restored settings, but it's a quick test.