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dpc

Thanks for the answers all. One more medicare question .... I've heard that some docs will not take medicare patients due to the lower compensation. Has anyone found this to be true? If so I suppose that would be a huge advantage for an HMO type advantage plan. Yes. Before we moved, our long-time d...

dpc

I'm late to this discussion, but I have to throw in my $0.02 since this topic always drives me crazy. Bottom line - delaying SS is a great deal if you are healthy and don't need the money right away. The biggest risk in retirement is not dying before collecting SS, but rather outliving your money . ...

dpc

+1 on Aeropress. Works best if making one cup at a time. But it makes outstanding coffee and clean up is pretty simple.

dpc

I'd try chatting on line or calling customer service agent. It might work out.

I just switched to Verizon and was offered an 8% discount for signing up for autopay using bank account or debit card (not credit card). Seemed like a good deal.

dpc

FWIW, I believe that the hybrid version of the RAV4 has better acceleration that the standard version. Both have the same engine. If you want a V6 or need towing capacity, then Highlander makes sense. But gas mileage is quite a bit better in the RAV4.

dpc

I have no real expertise in investing, but I did want to make a comment - I see no reason to assume that the market is anywhere near a bottom. It can go down much further. The next few weeks will be nothing but bad news as the economy worldwide grinds to a near halt. Unemployment, bankruptcies, bond...

dpc

I just applied on-line to start my SS retirement benefits in July (I'll be almost 70). My wife started retirement benefits on her own earning record at age 62 (she's 68). Her spousal benefits should be more than she is getting on her own record. My dumb question: Does she need to apply separately fo...

dpc

I would find a CPA that you want to use and ask them. An S Corp gives more avenues for "creativity", but LLC is much simpler, tax-wise. NOLO has some good reference books regarding the choices. If you expect your income to be high, then S-Corp might make more sense. FWIW, when we started o...

dpc

I've dealt with building codes for 40 years. The short answer is that the code is the code. Trying to apply logic only frustrates you. Just follow the code. However, in this case, there are actually good reasons for this requirement and it is common throughout the US. Battery-powered CO detectors ar...

dpc

I originally signed up for the Humana Walmart plan because I have only one prescription and they were the least expensive. However, I note that for 2020 the premium will be increasing from $20/mo to $45/mo. I found this by going to the Medicare.gov site and confirmed on the Humana website. I haven't...

dpc

Stayed at the Maui Coast Hotel in Kihei a few times when I was working over there. It's close to the beach, restaurants, etc. Clean and nice, but certainly not a fancy resort. We found the area to be pleasantly funky - lots of dive shops, etc nearby. But that's been a few years ago now.

dpc

Obviously, it's bothering you more than it does me, but there's no certainty that a refurbished unit won't been the same, or worse. I really doubt they check the clock accuracy that closely. I have the same problem with my 2012 Honda. These units have a free-running crystal or ceramic oscillator. Th...

dpc

It's hot there now. I just got back from a 1 week business trip to Honolulu. It should be a bit cooler by late August - not sure when the trade winds pick up again. Honolulu is a big city with a lot of traffic and all of the features of a big city on the mainland. I've been to Maui and Oahu. I would...

dpc

It's been a while, but my recollection is that in an LLC taxed as a partnership, self-employment tax must be paid on all income received by the members. When taxed as a corporation, self-employment is paid only on direct compensation to member, not on corporate profits. This seemed to be the major d...

dpc

The Medicare.gov website has a good table explaining the differences in the Medigap plans. It will also show the available plans and companies in your state if you enter your zip code. Probably a good starting point.

dpc

I don't know about free, but I've used GoToMeeting (GoToWebinar) several times and it works pretty well. I wasn't paying for it, so know nothing about the cost structure. You can record the sessions. You might see if they have a trial offer or special deal for non-profits.

dpc

If you receive a salary, not sure how you can be considered a contractor. Welcome to the world of the self-employed. You have to pay estimated taxes which includes, effectively, your Social Security payment as well. When you make more money, you pay more taxes, but you still end up with more money. ...

dpc

Retrofitting an elevator into an existing house could be a major project. The stair lifts are not very attractive, but they work well, and can be removed pretty easily. My penny-pinching father resisted buying a stair lift for the basement stairs for a long time, even after being forced to use a wal...

dpc

My Costco only carries even number waist sizes and unfortunately I fall between two of the sizes.

Same. The Costco jeans are a great buy, but they stopped making the 33 waist and neither the 32 or 34 fit me. I also had no idea Amazon sold their own line of jeans.

dpc

Ed Slott has been hard over on Roth conversions forever. He's convinced tax rates will rise significantly in the future. I'm sure I don't know. I just have a hard time believing paying taxes now that can be deferred until later is ever a really great strategy. Too many variables and unknown unknowns...

dpc

Ethically I would think the best solution is to complete the purchase and then re-sell it.

dpc

At one time, Vanguard offered free investment planning services for Flagship customers. I got a recommended plan from one of Vanguard's financial planners. It clarified a lot of things for me. I've mostly followed the plan with few changes over time. I rode right through 2008-2009 and didn't really ...

dpc

I'll probably lose my Boglehead credentials, but I'd say give it a test drive and if you like it, buy it through a Toyota loan (probably 0.9%) Put as much down as you can of course. 100 miles a day is a lot of windshield time and life is short. Sounds like you can afford it. No point in being the ri...

dpc

I did not like Costco at all. They do not sell ultra high index lenses

This was my experience as well. I got a pair of prescription sunglasses from them some years ago and they weighed twice my normal glasses. I also found their frame selection pretty limited.

I have no better suggestion.

dpc

Generally rear passenger side, although I have sat in the front a couple of times. i did have an Uber driver request that I not sit directly behind him. He had the seat so far back it would not have been possible anyway.

dpc

Not sure it's worth worrying about, but be aware that the IRMAA determination runs almost a year behind the actual calendar. Medicare won't get information from IRS on your 2018 taxes until near the end of 2019. At least that is how it was explained to me by Medicare when I appealed my IRMAA. It was...

dpc

Yes, I think this is difficult mental hurdle for many people, including me. I retired 3 years ago, but have been working part-time so I have not really to take much out of my retirement savings, but this year, it's getting close and I find myself trying to avoid taking out any money. The rational pa...

dpc

Have you tried using a double edge safety razor? Razors are cheap Yes, about 50 years ago. I'd never go back. I get annoyed at the cost of the Gillette cartridges, but never found anything else that works as well. I hate shaving so it's not an area where I want to scrimp if there is a better produc...

dpc

Usually you can get a better price if you don't take the financing This seems logical, but has not been my experience. The financing is through the car manufacturer. It's still a cash deal for the dealer. And I suspect they get some credit for having it financed through their manufacturer. I did a ...

dpc

Pretty sure that most bankruptcy claims in the US are related illness and medical expenses. I think most people drastically underestimate how quickly life savings can be depleted during extended serious illness, as well as the assumption that "it won't happen to me".

dpc

Been retired for three years and reasonably healthy. I pay for Medicare Part B - $134.00/mo, Medigap - $225/mo and Medicare Prescription Drug plan - $15/month or so. In three years, I've had maybe $1000 in out-of-pocket expenses - total. Excluding dental, of course.

Cheers,

Dave

dpc

I don't know about cruises, but I try to leave a small tip each morning for the hotel room cleaners, whether traveling for business or pleasure. Regarding expenses and expense sheets - as my old boss told a co-worker "If you can't figure out a way to get paid for it, you're not nearly as smart ...

dpc

We got a mortgage on our new house before selling the old one. As long as the old house is paid off and you qualify, it is possible. One possible sticking point is that the lender wants to see INCOME regardless of your assets. If you're retired, it can be difficult to get a conventional mortgage due...

dpc

You got to be insane to buy bulky items, perishable food items, or something of the sort from amazon. Must be a lot of insane people out there. I've had somewhat mixed results, but Amazon has been good at working things out. I've have major problems with Home Depot. Costco has been good. We ordered...

dpc

I'd reduce your holding in GE. They have a lot of problems. You don't have to do it all at once if you prefer to not just dump it. "Mental accounting bias." GE just sold off their electrical equipment business to ABB. So pretty much anything that Thomas Edison would have associated with GE...

dpc

Sounds like sales BS. Copper prices fluctuate, but I'm not aware of any long-term upward trends. Majority of your costs will be labor. As others have pointed out, the copper is only part of the cost of the cable. Speaking as a EE, if you do this - make all receptacle circuits 20 A with #12 wire. Als...

dpc

It's good keep in mind that there is a powerful selection bias at work at Bogleheads.org. Most people on this forum are generally frugal and perhaps overly concerned with their finances. "Common sense" works when we have generally have not had a problem in our working life with overspendin...

dpc

If he needs the money for retirement, he should really diversify. That is more important than tax impact. Way too much of his net worth in one stock. It will all be long-term capital gains - I'd assume at 15% rate, but I'm not a tax accountant. I'd be selling off big chunks pretty quickly. He just h...

dpc

At a pure anecdotal level, I've been happy with the Brother ink-jet all-in-one we've had for a couple of years. We don't print that much so the cost savings per page for laser printing doesn't mean too much to me. YMMV.

dpc

I agree with you. I always try to upgrade to the "plus" seating. BUT..... If you ever have to change travel plans or even if the airline bumps you to another airline for some reason, you will generally lose the upgrade. It's non-refundable. Just something to be aware of.

dpc

If your main goal is chasing the highest interest rate for savings account, then you'll probably do better at a bank, although not always. We've banked at credit unions for 50 years due to better service, local ownership and lack of misleading marketing and sales practices. The online banks seem to ...

dpc

Well, the 2018 tax will have to be paid, even if not deductible. I guess I don't see the reason to pay $30 to stop payment.

dpc

There's little complexity in forming an LLC, at least in most states. I've done it a few times. But an LLC is taxed as a pass through to your personal income. You can elect to have the LLC taxed as a corporation, or at least you could. I don't know if that's changed. As far as the IRS is concerned, ...

dpc

I didn't buy a new car today (again).

dpc

You didn't mention your refrigerator and/or freezer. Frost-free refrigerators and freezers used to be notorious energy hogs. Your winter thermostat settings seem high. Most people set down to 68 or so. You can only do so much. Do what you can, and live with it. Enjoy the family at home - it doesn't ...

dpc

We sold our house about three years ago in a great seller's market. We had three offers the first day, two above the asking price - both cash. We got two "heartfelt" letters from the potential buyers about how much they loved the house. We didn't pay much attention to the letters and went ...

dpc

A bit off-topic, but the events in Puerto Rico remind me that money in a checking account in a local bank or credit union is not cash. Puerto Rico has become a cash economy and the ATMs are out of cash or have no power. I don't have an answer, but something to keep in mind.

dpc

Interesting to read all the comments about not checking bags. I went through that phase as fairly frequent business traveler, but totally past it now. Unless it is very short trip, I always check my bag. I'm generally carrying a fairly full backpack of laptop and other work-related material that I c...

dpc

I agree that this is mostly marketing hype and perhaps Volvo's desire to carve out a new niche. Internal combustion engines will be with us for a long time. If you compare energy storage by weight/volume of gasoline or diesel versus storage batteries, the hydrocarbons win by several orders of magnit...

dpc

There is a fairly good chance that at least one of you will live well beyond 85 unless you know something you haven't shared. The greatest risk of old age is running out of money. Something like 60% of elderly people in nursing homes receive Medicaid and Medicaid pays over 50% of all long-term care ...

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