Search found 152 matches

by JohnF
Sun Nov 26, 2023 1:45 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Kellogg Spinoff
Replies: 4
Views: 1760

Re: Kellogg Spinoff

Answering my question, Kellanova spinoff basis allocation:

https://investor.kellanova.com/files/do ... evised.pdf
Kellanova – 93.98%
WK Kellogg – 6.02%
by JohnF
Thu Oct 12, 2023 11:28 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Kellogg Spinoff
Replies: 4
Views: 1760

Kellogg Spinoff

Kellanova (K- kellogg’s) recently spun off WK Kellogg Co (KLG) with one share of WK Kellogg for every four shares of Kellanova. That’s fine, except I can’t find any info on the cost basis allocation. Can anybody help?
by JohnF
Mon May 08, 2023 11:34 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Another question about transitioning from mutual funds to brokerage at vanguard.
Replies: 77
Views: 4645

Re: Another question about transitioning from mutual funds to brokerage at vanguard.

I recently received the “Transition your account for an enhanced experience” letter and email. Pretty sure all my accounts already are brokerage. They all have the word “Brokerage” in the description. What am I missing?

(On 5/4 I messaged my Flagship representative on the issue. Still waiting for a response.)
by JohnF
Sat Dec 03, 2022 2:41 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fidelity – Entering Cost Basis for Stock Certificates
Replies: 8
Views: 623

Re: Fidelity – Entering Cost Basis for Stock Certificates

Thanks to all that responded to my Fidelity stock certificate cost basis question. Now I have a specific question.

Back in November of 2020 Pfizer spun-off Viatris. Even a couple years after the fact, I assume if I enter cost for Pfizer shares purchased prior to spin-off Fidelity will allocate it between Pfizer and Viatris. Correct?

(On the subject, following message is on Viatris Cost Basis Update screen
“Unfortunately, you cannot provide cost basis information for this security at this time. Please contact a Fidelity representative if you have any questions.”)
by JohnF
Wed Nov 30, 2022 12:44 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fidelity – Entering Cost Basis for Stock Certificates
Replies: 8
Views: 623

Fidelity – Entering Cost Basis for Stock Certificates

Back in 2017 I deposited stock certificates for a holding in a Fidelity brokerage account. At the time I opted to continue maintaining cost info outside the account. Rethinking that decision I have a question on now entering cost in the system. For background, prior to 2017 a significant portion of the holding was accumulated via two plus decades in the company’s Dividend Reinvestment Program (DRIP) with no buy/sell since. Further complicating the matter, prior to 2017 a portion of the holding was sold using average basis for capital gain. To Fidelity, they are looking for one or more purchase dates with corresponding cost(s) to report/track basis for a holding. That won’t work in my situation. What to do, can I arbitrarily enter date certi...
by JohnF
Sun Sep 04, 2022 2:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Switch off minisplit when not needed if you have A/C in the same room?
Replies: 9
Views: 1035

Re: Switch off minisplit when not needed if you have A/C in the same room?

Mitsubishi, and I got to believe Bryant too, mini splits are variable. That is they automatically ramp up or down as needed to satisfy the specified temperature. When not needed they ramp down to where power consumption is virtually zero. In other words, there’s little savings in turning a mini split off. It sounds like our situation is similar to yours. About five years ago we installed two Mitsubishi mini splits to cool the upstairs which was always warmer than down. And we have the original HVAC which in theory cools the whole house but in reality mainly downstairs. After some experimentation we now set the mini splits a couple degrees cooler than the main unit and don’t touch either during the day. Under this approach the mini splits, w...
by JohnF
Wed Jun 29, 2022 11:15 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Depositing, In-person, Share Certificates with Fidelity?
Replies: 4
Views: 767

Re: Depositing, In-person, Share Certificates with Fidelity?

Did exactly what you’re planning a few years ago. It went smoothly. 1) Do I need to take to the office anything other than the paper-certificates, the listed owner(s), drivers' licenses, and FIDO account numbers? Brought certificates and print of account header for numbers, nothing more. Imagine they asked for ID proof, don’t recall. 2) Is an appointment required, or are walk-ins appropriate (and quick)? I did not have an appointment and didn’t sense it was expected. 3) Other advice, from those who have done this in the not-too-distant past? Now believe I qualified for a cash reward for transferring assets to Fidelity. At the time I didn’t ask and nothing was said. I didn’t supply cost basis info so Fidelity setup holdings with zero basis. ...
by JohnF
Sun Apr 10, 2022 1:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New outdoor gas grill?
Replies: 54
Views: 5231

Re: New outdoor gas grill?

Just checked, we purchased our Weber Spirit 500 Series LP Gas Barbecue August 14, 1994. Since that day it has sat outside (under a grill cover) year around in all kinds of weather. It’s typically used two or three time per week year around here in sunny Atlanta. Granted, we‘ve replaced the flavorizer bars a couple times and I believe the grates once, but it’s still going strong with no signs of failure. Either there’s confusion on what constitutes failure or Weber’s quality has declined big time since 1994.
by JohnF
Tue Feb 22, 2022 2:44 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Paper vs. E-filing of tax returns
Replies: 134
Views: 12826

Re: Paper vs. E-filing of tax returns

FFFF Question: “Step 2. E-File Your Tax Forms” “Section 1: Add your W-2, 1099-R and/or W-2G information” instructions state “Complete one electronic 1099-R for every 1099-R you received”. Are others following this verbatim or only including 1099-R’s that have withholding per IRS paper filing instructions?
by JohnF
Fri Dec 10, 2021 11:37 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help needed with Rollover IRA
Replies: 6
Views: 952

Re: Help needed with Rollover IRA

For what it’s worth, I can covert (transfer) Fidelity Traditional to Roth online where my wife is unable to convert her Traditional. When she tries to transfer Roth does not show in the “To” drop down. Fidelity claims it’s because her accounts are old (mutual fund?) where mine are more recent (brokerage?). Not sure it has any significance, but her accounts have “aw” in the 2nd and 3rd digits where mine are numeric.

I’d be interested in hearing your resolution of the issue.
by JohnF
Sun Aug 08, 2021 8:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Car battery replacement interval advice
Replies: 271
Views: 28705

Re: Car battery replacement interval advice

Yet to have one fail, but for peace of mind I replace Optima batteries at ten years.
https://www.optimabatteries.com/?gclid= ... XsQAvD_BwE
by JohnF
Sat Jul 10, 2021 11:10 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What is your only money regret?
Replies: 166
Views: 20402

Re: What is your only money regret?

Expect this has been mentioned already ... wish I’d more aggressively converted Traditional IRA to Roth before reaching RMD age.
by JohnF
Mon Jun 21, 2021 6:33 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: TaxAct Free Income Tax Calculator
Replies: 3
Views: 457

Re: TaxAct Free Income Tax Calculator

Silk McCue wrote: Mon Jun 21, 2021 3:49 pm Just switch to this excellent tool. Don’t let the website name throw you. This link is for 2021 taxes filing in 2022.

https://www.mortgagecalculator.org/calc ... ulator.php

Cheers
Been playing around with the linked tool and so far it looks very good. Thanks for the recommendation.
by JohnF
Mon Jun 21, 2021 2:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: TaxAct Free Income Tax Calculator
Replies: 3
Views: 457

TaxAct Free Income Tax Calculator

I’ve used TaxAct’s Calculator for years (as recently as this past March) without issue. Now trying to do what if’s for 2021 it doesn’t seem to work. The application accepts input but does absolutely nothing with the data. Can anybody help?

https://www.taxact.com/tools/tax-calculator
by JohnF
Fri Jun 11, 2021 8:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What dehumidifier for finished basement (ducted from utility room)
Replies: 5
Views: 974

Re: What dehumidifier for finished basement (ducted from utility room)

You might try your question on the HVAC-TALK Forum.
https://hvac-talk.com/vbb/forums/1-AOP-Residential-HVAC

Expect they’d recommend one of these, probably the first (70 pint).
https://www.sylvane.com/ultra-aire-dehu ... mzEALw_wcB
by JohnF
Thu May 27, 2021 11:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Did I get shilled on Ebay?
Replies: 65
Views: 10893

Re: Did I get shilled on Ebay?

Elric wrote: Tue Apr 27, 2021 1:42 pm
Trying to manually get in during the last few seconds seems both stressful and unlikely to succeed v. automated snipers. I use Gixen, which has a free as well as paid version, and haven't had any problems. Bids go in during the last 5 seconds. Even with automation, glitches can happen, but the few times I've used it I haven't ever had the problem (although I've been outbid by folks with a greater willingness to pay). If you want to go the auction route rather than "buy it now," a sniper service is the only way to go.
I’m confused. Suppose one manually places a bid a couple seconds before or a couple seconds after an automated sniper, what‘s the difference? Either sequence the highest bid wins the auction.
by JohnF
Thu Apr 15, 2021 8:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Help, anyone else use OneDrive?
Replies: 13
Views: 2069

Re: Help, anyone else use OneDrive?

To avoid confusion I right click on whatever item(s) I want to move/copy selecting the desired action (copy or cut) and then right click and paste into the destination.
by JohnF
Fri Feb 26, 2021 1:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Fixing a mail box
Replies: 22
Views: 6054

Re: Fixing a mail box

I had the exact problem last summer. Not having anything better in my supply cabinet, I replaced the rivet with a wood screw into a small chunk of wood placed under the box. So far it’s working.
by JohnF
Tue Feb 23, 2021 10:15 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Amica offer discount for low annual mileage vehicles?
Replies: 6
Views: 966

Amica offer discount for low annual mileage vehicles?

Google returns an Amica document as well as older discussions indicating the insurer reduces the premium for little use vehicles. However, Amica’s website makes no mention of the discount and their representatives have not been able to help. Does anybody know if Amica currently reduces the premium for low annual mileage vehicles?

https://www.amica.com/en/maip/annual-mi ... tions.html
by JohnF
Sun Jan 03, 2021 5:58 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Withdraw from Fidelity IRA
Replies: 8
Views: 820

Re: Withdraw from Fidelity IRA

Unlike myself, just discovered my wife can still make withdrawals directly from a mutual fund in her Fidelity IRA. She simply selects “Withdraw from this IRA” on the Summary tab and is presented with a series of withdrawal screens. One important difference, her IRA is in a Fidelity mutual fund account where mine is in a brokerage account. Now suspect mutual fund and brokerage accounts shared this functionality back in 2019 and it was subsequently removed from brokerage accounts. Whatever, it’s not a big deal.
by JohnF
Sun Jan 03, 2021 12:56 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Withdraw from Fidelity IRA
Replies: 8
Views: 820

Withdraw from Fidelity IRA

I’m trying to make a withdrawal from a mutual fund in Fidelity IRA brokerage account. The last time I made a similar withdrawal (2019) I’m positive Fidelity had a sell/withdraw transaction. Now it seems to require two transactions, a sell request to obtain cash followed by a separate withdraw request to move the cash from Fidelity. Is that correct or am I missing something?
by JohnF
Wed Dec 23, 2020 12:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: change 4' fluorescents to something else?
Replies: 58
Views: 4569

Re: change 4' fluorescents to something else?

I rewired fixtures to bypass ballast (option 2). For me rewiring was easy (few minutes per fixture) as well as the most economical approach. Here’s an article on the subject –
https://insights.regencylighting.com/pl ... linear-led
by JohnF
Sun Dec 20, 2020 10:05 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fidelity Mutual Fund Accounts – Roth Conversion
Replies: 4
Views: 398

Re: Fidelity Mutual Fund Accounts – Roth Conversion

Possible, how old is your wife's Fidelity accounts? I remember Fidelity accounts in the '70s thru early '90s being mutual fund accounts. I think any new accounts starting in the early '90s were brokerage accounts. Call the rep and just instruct them to convert the account to a brokerage account. You may need to fill out some authorizations and beneficiary designations since I would think this would be technically a new account. Should be easy enough to do since most of the stuff at Fidelity is handle thru e-signing PDF docs. Just looked, first year for Roth’s was 1998. But you’re right, they’re relatively old accounts. It surprises me. Unlike Vanguard, I’ve never heard mention of two types of accounts at Fidelity and as far as I see Google...
by JohnF
Sun Dec 20, 2020 9:01 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fidelity Mutual Fund Accounts – Roth Conversion
Replies: 4
Views: 398

Fidelity Mutual Fund Accounts – Roth Conversion

The wife has been unable to transfer (convert) a portion of her Fidelity Traditional IRA to her Roth via the website. According to a representative it's because she has mutual fund rather than brokerage IRA accounts. She was told her conversion could only be done via form or phone call. That’s hard to believe. Is that (form or phone) in fact the case? If so, how does one upgrade Fidelity mutual fund accounts to brokerage accounts?
by JohnF
Fri Nov 06, 2020 12:39 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Feature update to Windows 10, version 2004 downloaded!
Replies: 17
Views: 1944

Re: Feature update to Windows 10, version 2004 downloaded!

Following up, yesterday I installed the Win10 2040 update on my desktop. So far there has only been one significant issue, no sound, which I managed to resolve. Thanks all for the suggestions and encouragement.
by JohnF
Wed Nov 04, 2020 1:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Feature update to Windows 10, version 2004 downloaded!
Replies: 17
Views: 1944

Feature update to Windows 10, version 2004 downloaded!

Currently on 1909, with no action on my part the feature update to 2004 downloaded yesterday and is pushing for installation. I thought this was optional (user controlled) until 1909 goes off support next May?

The only options I see are install now or schedule install no later than Nov 11. At this point is there any way to delay the update for a few months while MS addresses issues?
by JohnF
Sat Oct 10, 2020 6:43 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fidelity Roth Conversion Dollars
Replies: 11
Views: 934

Re: Fidelity Roth Conversion Dollars

FIREchief wrote: Sat Oct 10, 2020 5:40 pm Your monthly statement will indicate the dollar value of the conversion.
That’s it! And statement has YTD as well as monthly amount. thanks
by JohnF
Sat Oct 10, 2020 6:40 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fidelity Roth Conversion Dollars
Replies: 11
Views: 934

Re: Fidelity Roth Conversion Dollars

This doesn't help with finding the dollar value of your conversion in black and white, but it should help you figure out how Fidelity will most likely calculate that value according to a Fidelity chat representative I corresponded with a few years ago. I use this information when I want to target a particular conversion amount. If you make an IRA to Roth IRA conversion after market close and before midnight EST the conversion will happen using that days market price. If you make the conversion during market hours the conversion will happen at the market price at market close that day. If you make a conversion on a non-trading day it will happen at next trading day's market close. That sounds right. Conversion share price has to be a common...
by JohnF
Sat Oct 10, 2020 2:07 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fidelity Roth Conversion Dollars
Replies: 11
Views: 934

Re: Fidelity Roth Conversion Dollars

RetiredAL wrote: Sat Oct 10, 2020 12:35 pm Mine shows in my ROTH's History as: ROTH CONVERSION VS 105-55xxxx-1 (Cash) where the number is the 'from' account.
My IRA History is: CONV TO ROTH IRA VS 226-32xxxx-1 (Cash) where the number is the destination account.
Yes, I have similar transactions in my Roth and IRA histories. However, perhaps because I converted shares rather than dollars, the amount is blank (--). Far as I can see dollar value of transaction is not displayed. Yet Fidelity clearly has the dollar amount for tax reporting.

Now I can easily lookup share price and calculate dollars. But I’d like to verify Fidelity and I are on the same page before they generate tax documents.
by JohnF
Sat Oct 10, 2020 12:38 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fidelity Roth Conversion Dollars
Replies: 11
Views: 934

Re: Fidelity Roth Conversion Dollars

crefwatch wrote: Sat Oct 10, 2020 12:26 pm This may not be what you want, but under something like "Taxes" will be the PDF annual statements for the IRS. Some of them will be the Roth Conversion forms.
I’m looking for YTD Roth conversion dollars. Under Tax Information Fidelity states –

“You can view your year-to-date (YTD) activity for your nonretirement accounts. Please note, your YTD activity is not final until the end of the tax year.”
by JohnF
Sat Oct 10, 2020 12:13 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fidelity Roth Conversion Dollars
Replies: 11
Views: 934

Fidelity Roth Conversion Dollars

Is there any place on Fidelity’s website that shows Roth conversion dollars? Far as I can see history only lists shares.
by JohnF
Mon Sep 14, 2020 3:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Optimal HVAC Size
Replies: 44
Views: 3465

Re: Optimal HVAC Size

This is actually an interesting question. Everyone agrees that on/off cycling causes more wear-and-tear than running continuously. But, if one is comparing a 5-ton vs a 4-ton unit, then a real world comparison may be: - 5-ton: runs 1200 hours per year, cycles on/off on average every 15/15 minutes. - 4-ton: runs 2400 hours per year, cycles very infrequently. Which unit do you think would have the longer lifespan? Yes, but in your example the 5 ton generates 6,000 ton hours (5 ton * 1,200 hours) of cooling. Rather than 2,400 hours, for the same cooling the 4 ton would run 1,500 hours (6,000 ton hours / 4 tons). Having lived in a house with an oversized unit and now with a slightly undersized, I prefer the later by far. Oversized was never co...
by JohnF
Sun Jan 12, 2020 2:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Microsoft : Edge Being Replaced by Chromium
Replies: 27
Views: 4837

Re: Microsoft : Edge Being Replaced by Chromium

Folks might be interested in this short video, which shows browser market share by year since 1996. Of note, even in ~2006 IE held like a 90% market share. It’s a dynamic space. I imagine in 10 years it’ll look very different again, with someone finally creating a decent mobile browser. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zc9Oy_zdEwc Thanks for the link. The data itself is very interesting, but the presentation method is really interesting. It's a great way to present historic data that, in static line-graph form, would be a bunch of jagged lines crossing back and forth. I wonder if it's available via some data analysis software package. Putting the history of the Callan periodic table of investments into this presentation format would be real...
by JohnF
Wed Dec 18, 2019 12:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Capital One 360 shaking up savings accounts
Replies: 61
Views: 26748

Re: Capital One 360 shaking up savings accounts

SpaceMonkey wrote: Wed Dec 18, 2019 11:39 am
JohnF wrote: Wed Dec 18, 2019 10:56 am I can’t find it anyplace online. Where is Capital One showing the current rate for their Money Market fund?
If you currently have a MM account at Capital One, you can see the current rate from your account page online. There's a button -- I think somewhere near the top of the page -- that launches a pop-up window with your account info.
Got it. Shows “ANNUAL PERCENTAGE YIELD - 1.50%”. thanks
by JohnF
Wed Dec 18, 2019 10:56 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Capital One 360 shaking up savings accounts
Replies: 61
Views: 26748

Re: Capital One 360 shaking up savings accounts

I can’t find it anyplace online. Where is Capital One showing the current rate for their Money Market fund?
by JohnF
Wed Oct 30, 2019 9:35 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: My 2017 CRV is a victim of the dreaded oil gas-dilution issue
Replies: 1223
Views: 231497

Re: My 2017 CRV is a victim of the dreaded oil gas-dilution issue

Just received this information from Polaris Labs, oil analysis laboratory, discussing oil contamination. FUEL DILUTION It is normal to see low levels of fuel in engine oils as a byproduct of the combustion/ignition process. When fuel levels start to exceed 1%, the lubricant's viscosity will begin to decrease. As the percent of fuel in oil increases the lubricant's ability maintain a full fluid film and protect against boundary wear is decreased. Fuel in oil will also dilute additives which could lead to other wear and performance issues. Some engines are more prone to high fuel dilution, but this does not mean that the fuel will not harm the engine. I just received my latest report from Blackstone concerning my Honda 1.5L DI Turbo engine. ...
by JohnF
Wed Jun 05, 2019 8:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Reliable Wireless Mouse?
Replies: 31
Views: 2201

Re: Reliable Wireless Mouse?

We've had good luck with Logitech M525 Wireless Mice.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005K ... UTF8&psc=1
by JohnF
Wed Jun 05, 2019 7:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Smoke Alarms - Individual Battery Operated vs. Hard-Wired Linked
Replies: 28
Views: 1896

Re: Smoke Alarms - Individual Battery Operated vs. Hard-Wired Linked

I’m also looking at smoke alarms and am undecided on the sensor type, photoelectric or ionization. What do you recommend?
by JohnF
Sat May 04, 2019 5:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: new Subaru Forester 2019 - Accessories?
Replies: 27
Views: 3194

Re: new Subaru Forester 2019 - Accessories?

For our Crosstrek we purchased Subaru OEM floor mats, bumper cover, splash guards and seat back protector on-line installing ourselves saving almost 50% from dealer price.
by JohnF
Thu Jan 10, 2019 12:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best way to match paint?
Replies: 22
Views: 1820

Re: Best way to match paint?

I’ve found even knowing the code new paint often does not match because the supplier has changed the base formulation.
by JohnF
Thu Jan 10, 2019 11:53 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cleaning Car Battery Terminals
Replies: 26
Views: 4203

Re: Cleaning Car Battery Terminals

Next time buy an AGM battery … no corrosion.
by JohnF
Thu Oct 04, 2018 7:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dehumidifier and humidity meter recommendations
Replies: 25
Views: 2713

Re: Dehumidifier and humidity meter recommendations

I’m more than satisfied with the following in a 1,600 square foot basement – Meters https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013BKDO8/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Dehumidifier https://www.sylvane.com/santa-fe-compact70-dehumidifier.html?product_id=1633&s_cid=cse_gpl&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4bWxh6Lt3QIVEIGzCh3iHApFEAQYASABEgLAlPD_BwE Dehumidifier Controller https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001OLVNU0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Interesting. Where did the water drain to? How often do you change the filters? Water drains into AC condensation pump. Change filter once a year. Before dehumidifier basement humidity was in the upper 70’s during the summer. Now with dehumidifier running less than twelve hours per...
by JohnF
Wed Sep 05, 2018 12:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: When do you drop collision insurance?
Replies: 52
Views: 4794

Re: When do you drop collision insurance?

l2ridehd wrote: Wed Sep 05, 2018 12:11 pm I never put it on, even a new 50K plus car. I have not bought collision insurance for 50 years so if I roll it into a ball tomorrow I am still ahead. I never buy add on warranty on anything either. So again if something craps out I am still ahead. When I first started not buying collision I took the annual savings and placed it in a mutual fund, at that time it was the Fidelity Magellan fund. I did that every year until I had about 20K in there(took probably 10 or 15 years, don't recall exactly as a long time ago). Never added any more, moved it to Vanguard 25 or 30 years ago and now that fund has over 200K so if it happens, I just get a new one.
Much the same here. When one can afford the loss insurance of any type doesn’t sense.
by JohnF
Tue Aug 14, 2018 2:46 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How to make a withdrawal from a Vanguard Individual 401k?
Replies: 3
Views: 424

Re: How to make a withdrawal from a Vanguard Individual 401k?

Last year I had the same problem with taking my RMD from a Fidelity 401k. When I called the answer was with my particular 401k a Fidelity representative had to initiate the withdrawal! Needless to say I no longer have the Fidelity 401k.
by JohnF
Thu Jul 19, 2018 7:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Need Help Evaluating HVAC Needs and Quotes
Replies: 22
Views: 3007

Re: Need Help Evaluating HVAC Needs and Quotes

It seems to me your experience with the current system should be as good if not better than any Manual J.

If on a hot day (design temp for your location) the current system ran more or less continuously to maintain set point replace with the same size. If it couldn’t maintain set point increase by ½ ton. And if it cycled frequently decrease by ½ ton.
by JohnF
Wed Apr 04, 2018 7:07 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How did you file your income taxes?
Replies: 84
Views: 9678

Re: How did you file your income taxes?

Spent the month of March doing and redoing Federal manually on IRS downloaded PDF fill-in forms (1040, 1040sa, 1040sb, 1040sd, &%@#6251, 8606, 8949, 8960) and related worksheets. After verifying results via TaxAct Tax Calculator, printed and mailed in. Wife thinks I'm crazy.

State taxes, Georgia, took about an hour using their PDF form.
by JohnF
Sun Mar 11, 2018 3:05 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Comparing Fidelity Investments to Index
Replies: 18
Views: 2468

Re: Comparing Fidelity Investments to Index

Q's Laptop wrote: Sun Mar 11, 2018 2:11 pm With all of that trading going on you won't be able to easily calculate whether or not the advisor beat the index. However there are equity funds at Fidelity that regularly beat index funds.
For instance?
by JohnF
Tue Feb 27, 2018 7:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sweet Spot For SEER Rating
Replies: 29
Views: 6968

Re: Sweet Spot For SEER Rating

Not that you asked, but 5.5 tons of AC for 2,675 square feet seems grossly oversized. I’m cooling 3,600 square feet in Atlanta with 3.5 tons. Smaller units would be cheaper, quieter and run longer removing more moisture.