Search found 1129 matches

by anonenigma
Mon Mar 25, 2024 10:22 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Walmart Plus Feels Like A Scam
Replies: 53
Views: 5992

Re: Walmart Plus Feels Like A Scam

The thing that is addictive about Amazon Prime is that shipping is free, period, no ifs, ands, or buts. An even with free shipping, typically--not always, but typically--Amazon prices are competitive with local brick-and-mortar stores. To pick one completely at random: "my" toothpaste is Sensodyne Pronamel Repair. The Amazon price, with free shipping, 3.4 ounces, pack of one, $6.98, free shipping, free delivery tomorrow. CVS, in stock at the local store, pick-up price, $8.79. Walmart, in stock, pickup in store $6.98. Costco: doesn't have it; I can buy a different kind of Sensodyne, but must buy four, $31.99/4 = $8 each. I don't pretend to understand pricing. Amazon prices are not necessarily bargains, but they typically are compe...
by anonenigma
Sat Mar 23, 2024 2:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Oxford UK and region - rent a car for vacation?
Replies: 20
Views: 1267

Re: Oxford UK and region - rent a car for vacation?

Two bits of advice. Even if you're adept at driving stick shifts, remember that you'll be shifting with your left hand, not your right - while getting used to driving on the left and through roundabouts. We didn't reserve a more costly automatic, but the rental agency gave us one with no charge for the upgrade.

Also, if you have a credit card that covers the collision damage waiver internationally, like the Costco Citi Visa, use it. The coverage came in very handy for us in 2018.

Bon voyage.
by anonenigma
Fri Mar 22, 2024 12:07 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: App or Browser
Replies: 4
Views: 652

App or Browser

I have an iPhone 14 and have activated the strongest anti-tracking and privacy options. That said, when I read the New York Times via Safari, is data still being collected on me? Since it's Safari, would it be Apple that receives (and presumably monetizes) the data?

The New York Times regularly encourages me to read through its app. If I did that, would the newspaper receive (and presumably monetize) the data instead of Apple?

Is there a privacy advantage one way or the other?
by anonenigma
Wed Mar 20, 2024 12:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Pension Protection: Life Insurance vs More Survivor Benefits?
Replies: 38
Views: 2965

Re: Pension Protection: Life Insurance vs More Survivor Benefits?

Just saw this thread... A decision on survivor benefits may not have to be made until just prior to retirement, but investigate whether the numbers are better if you make the decision earlier. In my case, I was allowed to make the designation at age 55 but didn't get around to it until I was 56. We chose 75% for .9007 of the full pension - my wife is 15.5 years younger. Just before I retired, I began to think about switching to 100%, but the same deal (.9007) was no longer available, and the new numbers for 100% survivor benefit weren't nearly as good as it was when I made the election at age 56. Hopefully by the time I head to the Great Beyond, she'll be of Medicare age and her Social Security benefit will have matured. So I need to live t...
by anonenigma
Sun Mar 17, 2024 2:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Concern for Possible Fraud... New Account Needed?
Replies: 29
Views: 2163

Re: Concern for Possible Fraud... New Account Needed?

This happened to us recently with our Wells Fargo ATM/Debit cards, which never leave our wallets except to use at a Wells Fargo bank/ATM. The bank handled it when I called, and we were sent new cards (though I had to make an additional call, with my wife available, to get them to replace her card - they had told me they'd replace both). As for limits, Capital One doesn't allow permanent lowering of limits on its ATM/Debit card. It's a Cinderella thing - you can lower it for the day, but it resets to $2,000 for both debit and credit at midnight. As a result, those cards stay locked. Wells Fargo, on the other hand, allows permanent setting of limits. Our debit card limits are set at $20 per day, and the ATM limit is set at $300 per day. This...
by anonenigma
Sat Mar 16, 2024 3:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Concern for Possible Fraud... New Account Needed?
Replies: 29
Views: 2163

Re: Concern for Possible Fraud... New Account Needed?

This happened to us recently with our Wells Fargo ATM/Debit cards, which never leave our wallets except to use at a Wells Fargo bank/ATM. The bank handled it when I called, and we were sent new cards (though I had to make an additional call, with my wife available, to get them to replace her card - they had told me they'd replace both). As for limits, Capital One doesn't allow permanent lowering of limits on its ATM/Debit card. It's a Cinderella thing - you can lower it for the day, but it resets to $2,000 for both debit and credit at midnight. As a result, those cards stay locked. Wells Fargo, on the other hand, allows permanent setting of limits. Our debit card limits are set at $20 per day, and the ATM limit is set at $300 per day. This ...
by anonenigma
Mon Mar 04, 2024 12:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: MS Office Subscription and Activation - seeking advice
Replies: 19
Views: 1690

Re: MS Office Subscriptin and Activation - seeking advice

I've never liked the software subscription model. MS Office Home and Student will likely meet your needs. The list price is $149. If you're a Costco member, they throw in a $25 Visa gift card, making the net price about $125. That's about two years of your subscription price for Office 365, and in my experience the ownable software will work well for years beyond that. See https://www.costco.com/microsoft-office ... 93792.html
by anonenigma
Fri Mar 01, 2024 9:33 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: TIAA Traditional GSRA rate
Replies: 36
Views: 2877

Re: TIAA Traditional GSRA rate

anonenigma wrote: Fri Mar 01, 2024 9:31 pm
JayB wrote: Fri Mar 01, 2024 9:08 pm
anonenigma wrote: Fri Mar 01, 2024 8:59 pm Can you please post a link to the new GSRA rates? Thank you.
New GSRA Rates: https://www.tiaa.org/public/investment- ... r=47933633

New GRA Rates: https://www.tiaa.org/public/investment- ... r=47933632

New RA Rates: https://www.tiaa.org/public/investment- ... r=47933630

New SRA Rates: https://www.tiaa.org/public/investment- ... r=47933631
Thanks. Very disappointing. Down .44% from last year - an 11% drop in return. I'll have to consider alternatives. TIAA has become less and less appealing over the years.
by anonenigma
Fri Mar 01, 2024 9:31 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: TIAA Traditional GSRA rate
Replies: 36
Views: 2877

Re: TIAA Traditional GSRA rate

JayB wrote: Fri Mar 01, 2024 9:08 pm
anonenigma wrote: Fri Mar 01, 2024 8:59 pm Can you please post a link to the new GSRA rates? Thank you.
New GSRA Rates: https://www.tiaa.org/public/investment- ... r=47933633

New GRA Rates: https://www.tiaa.org/public/investment- ... r=47933632

New RA Rates: https://www.tiaa.org/public/investment- ... r=47933630

New SRA Rates: https://www.tiaa.org/public/investment- ... r=47933631
Thanks. Very disappointing. Down .44% from last year - have to think about alternatives. TIAA has become less and less appealing.
by anonenigma
Fri Mar 01, 2024 8:59 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: TIAA Traditional GSRA rate
Replies: 36
Views: 2877

Re: TIAA Traditional GSRA rate

Can you please post a link to the new GSRA rates? Thank you.
by anonenigma
Fri Mar 01, 2024 8:59 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: TIAA Traditional GSRA rate
Replies: 36
Views: 2877

Re: TIAA Traditional GSRA rate

Can you please post a link to the new GSRA rates? Thank you.
by anonenigma
Thu Feb 22, 2024 6:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Purchase one year of prior service for $36k to increase annual pension benefit by $4.3k?
Replies: 28
Views: 3616

Re: Purchase one year of prior service for $36k to increase annual pension benefit by $4.3k?

Sounds like a great deal - not marginal at all. Will be even better if there's a pay raise before you retire. And then there's the COLA.

Take a look at whether it's better to use funds that have been taxed. If you do, that part of the pension won't be taxed. That might save the day with IRMAA at some point.
by anonenigma
Mon Feb 19, 2024 7:59 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Is anyone using cash for a discount on everyday items?
Replies: 83
Views: 6191

Re: Is anyone using cash for a discount on everyday items?

MtnTravel wrote: Sat Feb 17, 2024 8:58 am
Gubshu wrote: Sat Feb 17, 2024 8:43 am We have a number of restaurants in our area that have an additional charge to pay with a card.
Do they advertise the extra charge? I've noticed a lot of restaurants charging hidden fees that are basically mandatory gratuity charges that you don't find out about until you get the receipt. Outside of some cash-only food trucks, I can't remember seeing any restaurants advertise a surcharge for credit cards, but maybe I should start paying more attention :D
Most of those additional charges are not gratuities. They go to the owner, not directly to employees. These will mostly be eliminated in California beginning July 1.
by anonenigma
Fri Feb 16, 2024 3:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: I don't need renters insurance, do I?
Replies: 72
Views: 6536

Re: I don't need renters insurance, do I?

Update: I called AAA and asked why there had been a 72% premium increase (from $290 to $499 with no claims ever) and got a partial answer. There was an across the board 15% increase. That would explain an increase from $290 to $333.50. As for the other $166 of the increase, some of it has to do with the contents coverage automatically increasing annually. It had made its way up to $92,000 on the renewal quote. The other cause appears to be an endorsement for replacement cost of contents. By tuning down the contents coverage to $75,000 and removing the endorsement, the quote came down to $332. I think I'll just pay it, since I have a lot on my plate at the moment, but it's against my grain to pay 15% more for significantly less coverage. I'l...
by anonenigma
Wed Feb 07, 2024 4:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What's good on Mubi?
Replies: 2
Views: 569

Re: What's good on Mubi?

We had it for a bit, but many of the films weren't exactly first rate. If you don't like foreign language films, it's not for you. If you do, try DECISION TO LEAVE, which we liked very much. We'll probably see FALLEN LEAVES at a theater this week or next - by a terrific Finnish director. Aki Kaurismaki. There's also a highly-regarded French documentary I want to see - U.S. title is FABRIC OF THE HUMAN BODY. Here's a complete list of films on Mubi - there are more good ones than I remember: https://mubi.com/en/films?sort=popularity_quality_score PARASITE, IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE, THE 400 BLOWS, CHUNGKING EXPRESS, PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE. SEVEN SAMURAI, APOCALYPSE NOW, PULP FICTION, PERSONA, LA HAINE, SPIRITED AWAY, THREE COLORS TRILOGY, MODE...
by anonenigma
Tue Feb 06, 2024 2:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: I don't need renters insurance, do I?
Replies: 72
Views: 6536

Re: I don't need renters insurance, do I?

cheese_breath wrote: Tue Feb 06, 2024 11:58 am So you're going to 'get back' at the insurance company by cancelling your insurance? A better way, as already mentioned would be to shop around other companies to see if you can find something less expensive.
Of course I'll shop around. I was pushing back at comments that suggested that I was trying to avoid paying $10-20 per month for renters insurance. People don't read carefully before responding to what they think was said.
by anonenigma
Tue Feb 06, 2024 11:49 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: I don't need renters insurance, do I?
Replies: 72
Views: 6536

Re: I don't need renters insurance, do I?

Gardener wrote: Sat Feb 03, 2024 7:50 am One data point.

I rent in a higher end multi unit apartment building. My renters insurance is only $95 per year. And my landlord requires it.

If you are looking to save money, this is not where you should do it.
To clarify, I happily paid $290 last year for my renters insurance. With no claims, it has just increased to $499. I'm not trying to save $290. I'm just annoyed at the 72% increase in premium.
by anonenigma
Fri Feb 02, 2024 2:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: I don't need renters insurance, do I?
Replies: 72
Views: 6536

Re: I don't need renters insurance, do I?

Reviving this thread. I've had renters insurance for decades and never had a claim. I don't have pets to bite people and, especially since the pandemic began, we have few visitors at our apartment. Last year's premium was $290. The renewal I received today was $499! Do I continue or cancel?
by anonenigma
Fri Jan 26, 2024 1:56 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: No-state-income-tax states are not good for retirees.
Replies: 413
Views: 39641

Re: No-state-income-tax states are not good for retirees.

I believe LA USD just lost something like a billion dollars (!) where they decided iPad was the missing factor kids needed for education, instead of learning the three R's, and they invested massive amounts of money with a contractor with ties to one of the decisionmakers to buy iPads for everyone to use. Except a lot of them were "lost" and a lot of them were just never returned by the students. A disaster where if there were any accountability many people would have been fired on the spot. But, being a public school district, there is no accountability and so only failure thrives. Old news: 2014 under superintendent Deasy. If I recall correctly, the order for most of the iPads was cancelled, so there weren't many to lose.
by anonenigma
Wed Jan 24, 2024 11:26 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Who Regulates Shipping Companies?
Replies: 14
Views: 1325

Re: Who Regulates Shipping Companies?

Django Ii wrote: Wed Jan 24, 2024 10:09 am Bloomington IL is where the headquarters of State Farm Insurance is located. Perhaps the OP does business with them?
Alas, no.
by anonenigma
Wed Jan 24, 2024 1:50 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Who Regulates Shipping Companies?
Replies: 14
Views: 1325

Re: Who Regulates Shipping Companies?

JoeNJ28 wrote: Tue Jan 23, 2024 6:00 pm
anonenigma wrote: Tue Jan 23, 2024 5:51 pm
[Unnecessary comment removed by admin LadyGeek] If you weren’t expecting anything who cares it could have been some general spam. Just because it’s light you think it’s financial? I get more spam mail than real mail. Also this is a good reminder to use e delivery.
Credit cards cannot be e-delivered, and more than once I've received a replacement card without notice or tracking.
by anonenigma
Wed Jan 24, 2024 1:47 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Who Regulates Shipping Companies?
Replies: 14
Views: 1325

Re: Who Regulates Shipping Companies?

A couple of weeks ago, USPS Informed Delivery showed a package headed my way shipped via UPS Mail Innovations on December 26 from Bloomington, IL. It weighed .28 lbs, and I have no idea what it might be. The light weight makes me think it could be something financial - it certainly isn't a book. The package stopped making progress on January 4 in Fontana, CA. There is no indication that USPS received it. Per the USPS: How does Informed Delivery work? The United States Postal Service® (USPS) digitally images the front of letter-sized mail that runs through our automated mail sorting equipment. So you are saying that UPS Mail Innovations actually scanned the image and gave it to the USPS, and that the image you received is not from the USPS ...
by anonenigma
Tue Jan 23, 2024 5:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Who Regulates Shipping Companies?
Replies: 14
Views: 1325

Who Regulates Shipping Companies?

A couple of weeks ago, USPS Informed Delivery showed a package headed my way shipped via UPS Mail Innovations on December 26 from Bloomington, IL. It weighed .28 lbs, and I have no idea what it might be. The light weight makes me think it could be something financial - it certainly isn't a book. The package stopped making progress on January 4 in Fontana, CA. There is no indication that USPS received it. I can't create a claim on the USPS website because, according to them, USPS never received it. I spoke with UPS Mail Innovations, and after explaining that this was a mystery package, they told me I would need to get in touch with the shipper. I asked him if he appreciated how crazy that sounds. He was supposed to have reached out to a supe...
by anonenigma
Tue Jan 23, 2024 10:13 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: TIAA Marketing?
Replies: 17
Views: 2324

Re: TIAA Marketing?

officehrs1641 wrote: Tue Jan 23, 2024 9:58 am
talzara wrote: Mon Jan 22, 2024 8:02 pm
Have I got that right, or no? Thanks ever so much for clarifying things. That said, I still feel that as a participant, I'd like the company to focus on improving their operating results and the pay down of their significant debt and less on marketing, regardless of whether its a Hip-Hop video or a free coffee mug. :wink:
I'm confused. Plan participants are not owners of TIAA, and I don't believe that the public can buy shares in the company. While I wish the company well, my only material concern is the rate I'm earning from TIAA Traditional.
by anonenigma
Tue Jan 23, 2024 1:06 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: TIAA Marketing?
Replies: 17
Views: 2324

Re: TIAA Marketing?

Many of the new hires in school districts and universities are Millennials or Gen Z, so it makes sense to use music that appeals to them as a way to access educational materials re: saving for retirement. Apparently both generations have an inclination towards saving, though it's difficult given education debt and the high cost of living - especially rent. See https://www.kiplinger.com/retirement/re ... retirement
by anonenigma
Sun Jan 21, 2024 1:41 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: No-state-income-tax states are not good for retirees.
Replies: 413
Views: 39641

Re: No-state-income-tax states are not good for retirees.

I’m in SoCal. The idea that the state is going to tax me at income rates for my capital gains really irks me. All the big taxes are unbearable here. Income, capital gains, sales tax, gas, and the cost of utilities is outrageous. The only benefit here for taxes is real estate if you bought your house a long time ago. Per Forbes, CA utilities costs appear to be midpack: https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/living/monthly-utility-costs-by-state/ Gasoline is not included in the Forbes chart. We do pay more for gas here. A partial explanation is at https://www.energy.ca.gov/data-reports/energy-insights/what-drives-californias-gasoline-prices This is no doubt annoying for Californians with long commutes and/or inefficient vehicles. We deal wi...
by anonenigma
Sun Jan 21, 2024 1:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: No-state-income-tax states are not good for retirees.
Replies: 413
Views: 39641

Re: No-state-income-tax states are not good for retirees.

Maverick3320 wrote: Thu Jan 18, 2024 11:29 am
ITEP is not exactly an unbiased source.
Do you question the validity of the data in the map or just disqualify the information because of the general political position of the source?

Too easy to just throw stones.
by anonenigma
Fri Jan 05, 2024 1:26 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 403(b) choices, limits, and other options
Replies: 17
Views: 1786

Re: 403(b) choices, limits, and other options

Unless you're 59.5 years old, you can't move the money in your 403(b) without creating a taxable event and incurring penalties. CalSTRS Pension 2 is among the best vendors available in the 403(b) space. Perhaps post a list of the other 403(b) vendors available to you - you can move the money from one 403(b) vendor to another without a taxable event or penalties.
by anonenigma
Mon Jan 01, 2024 12:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Harvard RD Financial Aid
Replies: 19
Views: 3155

Re: Harvard RD Financial Aid

https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/why-harvard/affordability "Harvard costs what your family can afford. We make sure of that. If your family's income is less than $85,000, you'll pay nothing. For families who earn between $85,000 and $150,000, the expected contribution is between zero and ten percent of your annual income. Families who earn more than $150,000 may still qualify for financial aid. Families at all income levels who have significant assets are asked to pay more than those without assets. For more than ninety percent of American families, Harvard costs less than a public university. All students receive the same aid regardless of nationality or citizenship." Not sure what you mean about Harvard graduate income exp...
by anonenigma
Sun Dec 31, 2023 2:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: AARP; worth joining?
Replies: 74
Views: 10406

Re: AARP; worth joining?

My mother and aunt were both on AARP Medigap policies, which were well-priced and well-run.

Last year, around Xmas, I bought five years of membership for just under $50 because AARP members received an additional .1% on the HYSA at Marcus Bank. It may seem like a small thing, but it covered the membership cost.

I occasionally find articles of interest in their publications.
by anonenigma
Tue Dec 26, 2023 11:18 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Santa Barbara in Winter
Replies: 14
Views: 2679

Re: Santa Barbara in Winter

anonenigma wrote: Mon Dec 25, 2023 11:39 pm
Butterfly sanctuary (check the month to see if they're there.
Here's the link: https://www.cityofgoleta.org/play/parks ... rfly-grove

November through February, but check with them before going.
by anonenigma
Mon Dec 25, 2023 11:39 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Santa Barbara in Winter
Replies: 14
Views: 2679

Re: Santa Barbara in Winter

The Mission (followed by coffee/lunch at The Daily Grind)

Butterfly sanctuary (check the month to see if they're there.
by anonenigma
Mon Dec 25, 2023 11:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Any good and free EMAIL REMINDER services?
Replies: 13
Views: 1328

Re: Any good and free EMAIL REMINDER services?

Reminders app on iPhone.
by anonenigma
Mon Dec 25, 2023 11:47 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 403(b) Questions
Replies: 18
Views: 1856

Re: 403(b) Questions

cjrobertson wrote: Mon Dec 25, 2023 11:15 am Found this forum and question. Hopefully some are still following. I have Corebridge Financial for my 403B at my job. Within Corebridge I chose Vanguard funds only. I have heard terrible things about Corebridge, but since I chose Vanguard funds am I OK? Is there anything else I should be worried about?
Look for plan-level charges from Corebridge.
by anonenigma
Sat Dec 23, 2023 10:51 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: After retirement question
Replies: 32
Views: 4493

Re: After retirement question

Will you have a pension? What do you expect to receive from Social Security, and at what age do you plan to begin payments?

After I wrote this you posted that you will have a small pension, but that income can impact your ACA eligibility and IRMAA.
by anonenigma
Wed Dec 20, 2023 9:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Pension Question
Replies: 14
Views: 1607

Re: Pension Question

Retired California teacher here.

At 55, the age factor in the pension calculation is 1.4% for every year of employment; at 63, it's 2.4%. With 20 years at 1.4%, your pension would be 38% of your highest salary (definition of that depends on whether you've taught for 25 years). With 28 years at 2.4%, your pension would be 67.2% - presumably of a higher salary due to pay increases.

Depends what you need. I understand that it's a lot harder at school than when I left in 2017.
by anonenigma
Tue Dec 19, 2023 11:35 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Senior Investing Question
Replies: 12
Views: 1688

Re: Senior Investing Question

To improve the return, perhaps some of the money in the HYSA could be placed into a 12 month CD. I looked into this for an older friend yesterday, and this is what I sent him:

HYSA:
Capital One 360 4.35%
Ally 4.25%
Marcus (Goldman Sachs) 4.5%
EverBank (formerly TIAA Bank) 5.15% - this is an introductory rate

12 month certificates of deposit:
Capital One 360 5.25%
Ally 5.25%
Marcus (Goldman Sachs) 5.5%
EverBank (formerly TIAA Bank) 5.0%
by anonenigma
Sun Dec 17, 2023 3:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Apple Watch Questions
Replies: 42
Views: 6396

Re: Apple Watch Questions

I have the 8, but one useful feature for older users is fall detection. I don't think that the SE has that.
by anonenigma
Thu Dec 14, 2023 12:37 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Pension Service Credit Purchase
Replies: 12
Views: 1667

Re: Pension Service Credit Purchase

Well I spoke with my pension and 457b administrators and the information was not what I had hoped for. I asked if there would be any tax benefit (e.g., a portion of my pension annuity being income tax-free) if I purchase the additional years of service credit using money that I have already paid income taxes on, whether it be from the ROTH 457b or from my personal bank account. I was told that no, there will not be a tax benefit and my entire pension annuity will be subject to income taxes regardless of if the service credit is purchased with pretax or post tax funds. Yeah, this is wrong. In addition to the five years I bought (mentioned above) using funds from my non-Roth 403(b), I also bought the better part of a year early in my teachin...
by anonenigma
Sat Dec 09, 2023 11:53 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Ally cd - call protected?
Replies: 21
Views: 2359

Re: Ally cd - call protected?

soretired wrote: Sat Dec 09, 2023 11:45 am You can earn 50% more interest by buying a 6.5%, 5 yr CD here: https://canvasannuity.com/
Many BH use this company (issued by Puritan Life).
Doesn't appear to be FDIC insured. Is it a CD?
by anonenigma
Tue Dec 05, 2023 2:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Pirate Ship - Save Up to 89%
Replies: 32
Views: 6517

Re: Pirate Ship - Save Up to 89%

I recently used PirateShip for the first time to ship a painting. It saved 50% off the regular UPS rate. I don't ship a lot, but I'll check them first going forward.
by anonenigma
Mon Dec 04, 2023 2:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Charge in Dollars or Local Currency
Replies: 14
Views: 1299

Charge in Dollars or Local Currency

My wife is traveling overseas and, when using her credit cards, is asked whether she wants it charged in local currency or dollars. What's best? Neither of the cards she has with her charges a foreign transaction fee.
by anonenigma
Sat Nov 25, 2023 12:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Criterion Channel Deal
Replies: 3
Views: 630

Criterion Channel Deal

If you've been thinking about subscribing to Criterion Channel, which mostly offers classic films from around the world (think Bergman, Fellini, Kurosawa, Satyajit Ray), it's available for 25% off until Monday. The discounted rate is $74.99.

I don't think I've seen it discounted in the past.

https://www.criterionchannel.com/
by anonenigma
Sat Nov 25, 2023 12:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: TurboTax 2023 offer
Replies: 282
Views: 51769

Amazon TurboTax Cyber Monday Deal

[Merged into existing thread on the same subject by Moderator Misenplace]
It looks like the best price may be available now - have bought after Xmas in recent years.

I just found the TurboTax Deluxe (Federal Plus State) with a $10 Amazon gift certificate for $45.99. Last year on December 28 I got the same pairing for $44.99.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CNB2JNDM

I'm going for it!
by anonenigma
Thu Nov 23, 2023 4:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: HBO Max offer
Replies: 19
Views: 4316

Re: HBO Max offer

I'll probably go with the HBO Max deal - just paid $7.99 for final month (of three) of ad-free from extension they offered when I tried to cancel. As for Hulu, I just did one year for 99 cents per month - in my wife's name this year (we alternate to remain eligible). Here's the link: https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/shop/story/black-friday-2023-hulu-99-cents-month-year-104880222 I also did a year of Peacock for $19.99 - also in my wife's name this time. It’s hard to be very enthusiastic about Peacock other than its original series Poker Face , which was terrific - the rebirth of Route 66 . They have current and past NBC shows, which I mostly don't watch (though I loved the first season of Transplant ), and they have some films that might ...
by anonenigma
Fri Nov 17, 2023 10:34 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: AAA 5% Back Card - What is going on with issuer Comenity?
Replies: 4
Views: 741

Re: AAA 5% Back Card - What is going on with issuer Comenity?

Comenity purchased AAA credit card accounts from Bank of America about a year ago. I got a really bad vibe fast - not professional. I still have the account but turned off the cards - they're in the sock drawer. AAA is aware that it made a bad choice by partnering with Comenity.
by anonenigma
Tue Nov 14, 2023 8:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Pension Service Credit Purchase
Replies: 12
Views: 1667

Re: Pension Service Credit Purchase

I bought five years in 2009 or 2010 just when the investing future didn't look great, and it has worked out very well for me. Increased my pension by 11.65% initially, more now after several years of annual 2% COLA.

The only additional idea you may want to consider is whether to use tax deferred funds or funds on which you've already paid taxes. I did the former, but I kind of wish I'd done the latter. If I had, that part of my pension would not be taxable.
by anonenigma
Mon Nov 13, 2023 8:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: We Don't Want to Pay for Phone Landline Anymore, but need to keep the Number
Replies: 50
Views: 6734

Re: We Don't Want to Pay for Phone Landline Anymore, but need to keep the Number

I did this when we dumped our poor-performing DSL in favor of wireless 5G internet:

I paid my cell carrier (T-Mobile) for a SIM and one month of prepaid service - number was ported to them in about 30 minutes. I used an old phone to house the SIM - needed to receive a text to take the next step.

A couple of days later, for $25, I ported the number from T-Mobile to Google Voice, where it now resides. It rings through to my cell phone.

The total cost of these steps was about $50 - with no ongoing fees to Google Voice.

Presumably you could do the same thing with your carrier?