Search found 7121 matches

by mptfan
Mon Mar 18, 2024 11:52 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Have any of you Frugal Zebras Changed Your (Spending) Stripes?
Replies: 127
Views: 10512

Re: Have any of you Frugal Zebras Changed Your (Spending) Stripes?

jeffyscott wrote: Mon Mar 18, 2024 11:42 am If I were to splurge, I think a likely possibility would be a beachfront vacation home. We probably could pull that off with what we have. The hassles of owning and the fact that we would probably have to rent it to others make it unappealing. As a billionaire, I could buy it and let it sit empty for 10 or 11 months each year.
Even as a billionaire the house would require maintenance and repairs. Yes, you could pay someone to manage the house, but you could also pay someone to manage it as a rental even as a non-billionaire.

I agree with your general point though, I much rather rent a vacation home than buy.
by mptfan
Sun Mar 17, 2024 3:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Mobile finance apps - do you use them?
Replies: 52
Views: 3982

Re: Mobile finance apps - do you use them?

I do not have any mobile financial apps on my phone... no banks, brokers, credit cards or money transfer apps of any kind. I think it's too risky.
by mptfan
Sun Mar 17, 2024 9:58 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: The best game-changing financial advice you ever received (or "discovered")
Replies: 120
Views: 11067

Re: The best game-changing financial advice you ever received (or "discovered")

steadyosmosis wrote: Sat Mar 16, 2024 11:53 am .
1. Retrieving the SP500 index value of the day I was born, then extrapolating what one dollar invested then would be worth today.
How did you extrapolate? I'm not sure if you know this, but you cannot simply compare the index value from one point in time to another because the index value does not include dividends.
by mptfan
Sat Mar 16, 2024 6:58 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Should I Keep Sacrificing or Start Enjoying Myself
Replies: 32
Views: 3551

Re: Should I Keep Sacrificing or Start Enjoying Myself

playboy_number9 wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2024 5:21 pmShould i start enjoying myself and letting the gas off the pedal?
Yes.
by mptfan
Sat Mar 16, 2024 6:14 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Charles Schwab cannot overnight a replacement debit card
Replies: 87
Views: 6099

Re: Charles Schwab cannot overnight a replacement debit card

michaeljc70 wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2024 8:36 pm If you over plan for the worst case scenario in every aspect of your life I think it becomes very tiresome and wasteful. I don't want to live that way.
I agree, but "over planning" is a subjective thing. I also travel overseas and I carry two ATM cards issued by different banks, I think it's prudent and not over planning.
by mptfan
Sat Mar 16, 2024 6:11 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Charles Schwab cannot overnight a replacement debit card
Replies: 87
Views: 6099

Re: Charles Schwab cannot overnight a replacement debit card

popoki wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 3:22 pm If your hairdresser only takes cash, that person is probably not reporting income. Why wouldn’t that person take personal check, Venmo, Cash app or something similar?
It's not common, but I occasionally come across people or businesses that only take physical cash. I don't know why and I don't question it because it's none of my business. I do not carry checks and I do not use Venmo or cash app or any similar money transfer app.
by mptfan
Thu Mar 14, 2024 8:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Active Schwab Users
Replies: 8
Views: 1036

Re: Active Schwab Users

Read this thread...

viewtopic.php?t=270543
by mptfan
Thu Mar 14, 2024 10:21 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Charles Schwab cannot overnight a replacement debit card
Replies: 87
Views: 6099

Re: Charles Schwab cannot overnight a replacement debit card

typical.investor wrote: Wed Mar 13, 2024 8:16 pm You can always set your POS limit to zero which would stop any online or in-store transactions, and just use the debit card for ATM usage.
You can't set it to zero, the lowest is $.01.
by mptfan
Wed Mar 13, 2024 9:59 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What UN-frugal thing do you do? What do you splurge on?]
Replies: 785
Views: 82826

Re: Frugal heros - what is your one guilty consumer splurge?

snackdog wrote: Wed Mar 13, 2024 8:26 amIt is weird but many of us are very frugal in almost every way, daily, then we splurge at odd times almost as a relief valve to the frugality.
I don't think it's weird.
by mptfan
Wed Mar 13, 2024 9:35 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Is Raymond James beating the SP500? That's what they are claiming.
Replies: 59
Views: 4602

Re: Is Raymond James beating the SP500? That's what they are claiming.

I would be wary of a claim based on one 22 year old paper based on one 10 year time period.

There will always be stock pickers who beat the SP500 over various time periods. I could pick 10 stocks right now and if I'm lucky the total return of those 10 stocks might beat the SP500 over the next 5 years, or they might not, but in either case you should not invest based on which stocks I choose.
by mptfan
Mon Mar 11, 2024 10:24 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Have any of you Frugal Zebras Changed Your (Spending) Stripes?
Replies: 127
Views: 10512

Re: Have any of you Frugal Zebras Changed Your (Spending) Stripes?

kleiner wrote: Mon Mar 11, 2024 7:17 am In any case, to answer your question, we willingly paid $6500 per ticket last year for our trip to Asia. Currently, I don't see any city pair (except to China which is a special case) which exceeds approximately that amount.
You didn't answer the question, what is your limit?
by mptfan
Sun Mar 10, 2024 10:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Have any of you Frugal Zebras Changed Your (Spending) Stripes?
Replies: 127
Views: 10512

Re: Have any of you Frugal Zebras Changed Your (Spending) Stripes?

delamer wrote: Sun Mar 10, 2024 8:00 pm While for me that is exactly the kind of comfort and convenience that I’m willing to pay for (and have).

Especially since you are talking about a difference that is less than 1% of our liquid assets.
What is your limit? Would you pay an extra $15,000 for business class? $20,000?
by mptfan
Sun Mar 10, 2024 12:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Have any of you Frugal Zebras Changed Your (Spending) Stripes?
Replies: 127
Views: 10512

Re: Have any of you Frugal Zebras Changed Your (Spending) Stripes?

And, I'm not sure I ever will be able to pay for first class air, even though I could. Just can't get over paying thousands more for a seat that gets me from point A to point B at the same time as economy. Even on a long overnight flight, although perhaps some day that will change. I am planning a trip to Europe, the approximate cost for a roundtrip economy ticket for my destination in Eastern Europe with one stop (I excluded all itineraries with more than one stop) is $1,400 and business class for the same itinerary is $6,000 per person. For two people that is approximately $3,000 for economy compare to $12,000 for business class. I can afford to pay for business class but I cannot bring myself to pay an extra $9,000 for an 8 hour flight ...
by mptfan
Thu Mar 07, 2024 10:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Longtime iPhone user looking at Pixel - what to know?
Replies: 60
Views: 4772

Re: Longtime iPhone user looking at Pixel - what to know?

Some people who use Mac computers may consider it a disadvantage to use a smartphone other than an iPhone because it is not a part of the Apple ecosystem but I consider it to be an advantage. I use a Mac mini and a MacBook Air as my primary computers and I have a Google Pixel 8 Pro smartphone. I use the Mac computers to store my important documents on iCloud and I enabled the Advanced Data Protection program which makes them encrypted, and I use the Mac computers exclusively for accessing my banking and investing accounts and I do not have any banking or financial apps on my Pixel phone. The net result is I feel much safer that my important documents and financial accounts cannot be accessed by someone who steals or finds or otherwise gains...
by mptfan
Thu Mar 07, 2024 5:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Longtime iPhone user looking at Pixel - what to know?
Replies: 60
Views: 4772

Re: Longtime iPhone user looking at Pixel - what to know?

eggraid101 wrote: Thu Mar 07, 2024 9:22 amI switched back to an iphone because I got bullied by my family who all had them ...
Wow, what a family! That would be a reason for me not to get an iPhone.
by mptfan
Thu Mar 07, 2024 4:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mental health or Money: navigating the OMY question
Replies: 48
Views: 4796

Re: Mental health or Money: navigating the OMY question

I would stay for one more year and use all vacation time in the interim to get through it.
by mptfan
Mon Mar 04, 2024 7:54 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Responding to credit card "update your income" requests
Replies: 7
Views: 1063

Re: Responding to credit card "update your income" requests

nisiprius wrote: Mon Mar 04, 2024 7:37 am It's a reasonable question for them to ask, and a reasonable question for me not to answer.

I think it's important not to get into the habit of answering random questions, particularly over the Internet, just because someone asked. I do pay attention to the little "this information is required" asterisks and I do not fill in blanks if they are not required.
I agree.
by mptfan
Sun Mar 03, 2024 10:51 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Does testing out FreeTaxUSA make sense?
Replies: 14
Views: 2581

Re: Does testing out FreeTaxUSA make sense?

WeakOldGuy wrote: Tue Feb 13, 2024 10:22 pm Is it possible to go through the process of doing the return in FreeTaxUSA but just not submitting it?
Yes, it is possible. I use TaxHawk (I think it is part of the same company and uses the same software) it is also free and I can submit any information I want and review the results before e-filing. You can review the results in summary form on their software, or you can review the information on the IRS forms with a DRAFT watermark printed on the forms.
by mptfan
Sun Mar 03, 2024 10:45 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best way to pay for a car in cash with Schwab
Replies: 20
Views: 1590

Re: Best way to pay for a car in cash with Schwab

MGBMartin wrote: Sun Mar 03, 2024 10:10 am I didn’t say the service reports how much is in the account.
You didn't say it, but 8foot7 did.
by mptfan
Sun Mar 03, 2024 9:51 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best way to pay for a car in cash with Schwab
Replies: 20
Views: 1590

Re: Best way to pay for a car in cash with Schwab

Wow, 8foot7, that is interesting information about EWS. It is troubling to me because if a customer gives their bank account information to anyone, the bank will claim that is a violation of their terms of service and often use that as grounds for refusing to compensate fraud victims... and yet banks routinely give customer account information to EWS? I was under the impression that my bank does not share my bank account information, including balances, with anyone without a court order or government compulsion.
by mptfan
Sun Mar 03, 2024 9:40 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best way to pay for a car in cash with Schwab
Replies: 20
Views: 1590

Re: Best way to pay for a car in cash with Schwab

MGBMartin wrote: Sun Mar 03, 2024 9:31 am The last few cars I’ve bought I paid for by personal check; never questioned about it.
I asked one of the dealers how they know the check will be good and he told me they use a service that checks if the account is good for that amount plus they know where I live.
To my knowledge there is no service that knows how much is in my checking account, that would violate my expectation of confidentiality with my bank. Besides, the amount changes everyday and intraday as various amounts are credited and debited throughout the day.
by mptfan
Sun Mar 03, 2024 9:24 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best way to pay for a car in cash with Schwab
Replies: 20
Views: 1590

Re: Best way to pay for a car in cash with Schwab

scifilover wrote: Sun Mar 03, 2024 8:44 amGiven that most checks given to businesses are direct debited to the account of the writer, there isn't any real reason for refusing a check.
What do you mean by "direct debited?" I think the reason for refusing a personal check is the risk that the check will bounce several days later after they do all the paperwork and you drive away with the car.
by mptfan
Fri Mar 01, 2024 7:35 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Safe to Travel to Egypt in 2024?
Replies: 17
Views: 2175

Re: Safe to Travel to Egypt in 2024?

Define what "safe" means to you.
by mptfan
Fri Mar 01, 2024 7:19 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Retirees: at what age...?
Replies: 48
Views: 5168

Re: Retirees: at what age...?

delamer wrote: Thu Feb 29, 2024 4:35 pm
Florida Orange wrote: Thu Feb 29, 2024 4:28 pm Having lived frugally my whole life, first out of necessity then out of habit, I now find it difficult to spend money on anything I don't need, even though I easily could and probably should.
Everybody spends money on things that they don’t strictly need. It is just a question of degree.
I agree, it is a question of degree. We are all wired differently and we all have different life experiences, some of us can be very happy spending much less than others.

It's possible for someone to spend $500,000 per year and live a jet set lifestyle and be miserable while someone else may spend $50,000 per year and live a relatively modest lifestyle and be very happy.
by mptfan
Fri Mar 01, 2024 7:14 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Retirees: at what age...?
Replies: 48
Views: 5168

Re: Retirees: at what age...?

goblue100 wrote: Thu Feb 29, 2024 4:02 pm Shackles, I have a few.
But then again, too few to mention. - With apologies to ol blue eyes
You should apologize to Paul Anka, he wrote that song.
by mptfan
Tue Feb 27, 2024 8:02 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Divorce and co mingling asset question
Replies: 42
Views: 5684

Re: Divorce and co mingling asset question

teacher2163 wrote: Tue Feb 27, 2024 7:32 amI am working with an attorney on this matter...
Did you ask your attorney? The answer depends on the law of your state and the judge assigned to your case and whether you and your spouse will fight over the issue. Regardless of the law of your state, if there is no fight then there is no issue.
by mptfan
Sun Feb 25, 2024 1:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: In the event of an untimely death, what is the best way for family members to have immediate access to funds?
Replies: 53
Views: 5156

Re: In the event of an untimely death, what is the best way for family members to have immediate access to funds?

roamingzebra wrote: Sun Feb 25, 2024 12:24 pmBut if one wants to close a parent's bank account, yet leave the credit card side open to pay off remaining bills (the credit card being paid off by an entirely different bank), will this be thwarted by MegaBank shutting down both checking and credit card?
Most likely yes.
by mptfan
Sun Feb 25, 2024 10:59 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: In the event of an untimely death, what is the best way for family members to have immediate access to funds?
Replies: 53
Views: 5156

Re: In the event of an untimely death, what is the best way for family members to have immediate access to funds?

Halicar wrote: Thu Feb 22, 2024 11:25 amIf I open a separate HYSA at Ally with her named as the beneficiary, would it be quick and easy for her to access that money?
I think that is a good idea, so long as your sister knows about the account. If you do that but do not tell her, or if you tell her but she can't remember where the account is after you are gone, then she will not be able to access the money. I've often wondered what happens to accounts with beneficiaries if the beneficiary does not know about the account or does not contact the institution where the account is located. I think it depends on the policy of each institution and the law of each state, the account eventually escheats to the state.
by mptfan
Sun Feb 25, 2024 9:07 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: In the event of an untimely death, what is the best way for family members to have immediate access to funds?
Replies: 53
Views: 5156

Re: In the event of an untimely death, what is the best way for family members to have immediate access to funds?

HomeStretch wrote: Sun Feb 25, 2024 5:26 am My understanding is that an authorized signer’s authority generally ends with the death of the account owner.
Your understanding is correct. It's not generally that way, it is always that way.

I suspect when capran wrote of "added with signatory ability" that meant a joint account. Also, the bank does not usually find out of the account holder's death immediately.
by mptfan
Sun Feb 25, 2024 9:06 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: In the event of an untimely death, what is the best way for family members to have immediate access to funds?
Replies: 53
Views: 5156

Re: In the event of an untimely death, what is the best way for family members to have immediate access to funds?

dowse wrote: Thu Feb 22, 2024 11:30 am The easiest way is to open a joint account with your sister, provided she will agree to let you have all of the checks and statements for it. In the event of your death, she would have full access to funds in the account.
She doesn't have to agree. And there doesn't have to be any checks, I'm sure this varies depending on the institution and the account, but In my experience with opening new savings or checking accounts ordering checks is an option not a requirement.
by mptfan
Tue Feb 20, 2024 7:24 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Odd phone call to an old number, should we be concerned?
Replies: 10
Views: 2231

Re: Odd phone call to an old number, should we be concerned?

khh wrote: Tue Feb 20, 2024 6:27 am My guess is it was a spam call using information purchased from a data broker.
This.
by mptfan
Tue Feb 20, 2024 7:19 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Umbrella Policy
Replies: 18
Views: 2112

Re: Umbrella Policy

If my umbrella gets damaged I can cover my head with a towel so I don't feel the need to pay for umbrella insurance.
by mptfan
Tue Feb 20, 2024 6:46 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Who is buying bonds?
Replies: 69
Views: 8716

Re: Who is buying bonds?

dbr wrote: Sun Feb 18, 2024 11:00 am
mptfan wrote: Sun Feb 18, 2024 10:25 am
adave wrote: Sun Feb 11, 2024 4:42 pmBND seems out of favor...
What does this mean?
It means there has been a lot of posting on the forum since interest rates went up and BND NAV went down where people are unhappy with that and want to find a different selection of fixed income holdings that somehow evade that sort of bad thing happening.
I understand (and I know you know this) but I think being "out of favor" is a good thing for buying new shares.
by mptfan
Sun Feb 18, 2024 10:25 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Who is buying bonds?
Replies: 69
Views: 8716

Re: Who is buying bonds?

adave wrote: Sun Feb 11, 2024 4:42 pmBND seems out of favor...
What does this mean?
by mptfan
Thu Feb 15, 2024 7:53 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Bank login security question - need a dummy SMS number
Replies: 52
Views: 4879

Re: Bank login security question - need a dummy SMS number

RationalWalk wrote:But since authenticator apps are (based on my limited understanding) linked to a "real" phone or device somewhere, that would seem to meet the test.
This is not true at all. TOTP authentication can be done on any device, anywhere, including a computer or tablet and is not linked to one device.
by mptfan
Mon Feb 05, 2024 2:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Using Online Banking to Write Checks
Replies: 19
Views: 1565

Re: Using Online Banking to Write Checks

cheese_breath wrote: Mon Feb 05, 2024 2:11 pm Suggestion... Don't write so many checks. There are other ways to pay your bills. I wrote six checks last year.
This.
by mptfan
Sun Feb 04, 2024 9:07 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Help! 25 Maxed out credit cards.....
Replies: 268
Views: 34193

Re: Help! 25 Maxed out credit cards.....

fmzip wrote: Sun Aug 14, 2022 9:48 pm Anyway, I decided to bail him out. The question is now what do I do with all these paid off accounts? Closing them all at once wouldn't seem prudent. Any ideas as to how to rebuild his credit properly? Open for suggestions
Regarding your initial post, they are not your accounts, so I don't understand why you are asking "what do I do with all these paid off accounts?" Second, as others have pointed out, his credit is not broken, there is nothing to rebuild.

Regarding your update: There is nothing you can do to save your stepson, he will continue to use (or abuse) credit, the sooner you realize that the better for your own sanity. You cannot (or should not) try to force your help on someone who will not help themselves.
by mptfan
Wed Dec 27, 2023 1:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Help - Locked Out of Gmail Account
Replies: 54
Views: 7032

Re: Follow-Up Question on Locked Gmail Account

1955Chevy wrote: Tue Aug 08, 2023 8:34 amBetter yet, don't use free e-mail. I pay for and love Fastmail. The benefit of paying a few dollars/month is that I can reach a human, I'm not spied on, and I don't have to worry as much about automated security systems. YMMV.
There are many more benefits, and I agree!
by mptfan
Thu Jul 20, 2023 2:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: [Federal Reserve launches FedNow instant payment service - update July 2023]
Replies: 126
Views: 13653

Federal Reserve launches FedNow instant payment service

[Thread merged into here --admin LadyGeek] July 20 (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Reserve has launched a long-awaited service which will aim to modernize the country's payment system by eventually allowing everyday Americans to send and receive funds in seconds, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the central bank announced on Thursday. The "FedNow" service, which has been in the works since 2019, will seek to eliminate the several-day lag it commonly takes cash transfers to settle, bringing the U.S. in line with countries including the United Kingdom, India, Brazil, as well as the European Union, where similar services have existed for years. https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/fed-set-launch-long-awaited-instant-payments-serv...
by mptfan
Tue Jul 18, 2023 10:48 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: [RESOLVED] $250k lost in unauthorized wire fraud - experience/advice?
Replies: 206
Views: 28886

Re: $250k lost in unauthorized wire fraud - experience/advice?

brew wrote: Tue Jul 18, 2023 9:18 am Is Google going the same direction as Microsoft and allowing for the complete removal of passwords from accounts (i.e., "true" passwordless login)?
Yes, but it will take time.
by mptfan
Mon Jul 17, 2023 1:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Credit card transactions -- do you look into it closely?
Replies: 94
Views: 6728

Re: Credit card transactions -- do you look into it closely?

MrJedi wrote: Fri Jul 14, 2023 11:11 am I've tried financial software before but I prefer the flexibility of an open spreadsheet.
I agree.
by mptfan
Mon Jul 17, 2023 10:58 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 1Password as 2FA for Google account not working
Replies: 15
Views: 1290

Re: 1Password as 2FA for Google account not working

rebellovw wrote: Mon Jul 17, 2023 10:55 am It isn't a big deal - I have a yubikey on 3 of our car key sets - a 4th in a safe - and a 5th in my nightstand. Adaptors work perfectly. This is the best way to lock down your email which is an entry point to pretty much everything. This is using the Google Advanced Security model.
Are you referring to Google's Advanced Protection Program (APP)? I've never heard of "Google Advanced Security model."
by mptfan
Sun Jul 16, 2023 10:51 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: [RESOLVED] $250k lost in unauthorized wire fraud - experience/advice?
Replies: 206
Views: 28886

Re: $250k lost in unauthorized wire fraud - experience/advice?

Caliscotsman wrote: Sun Jul 16, 2023 10:43 amYou don't do this?
Perhaps you should.
The issue is whether your bank requires you to do this?
by mptfan
Fri Jul 14, 2023 12:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: [RESOLVED] $250k lost in unauthorized wire fraud - experience/advice?
Replies: 206
Views: 28886

Re: $250k lost in unauthorized wire fraud - experience/advice?

Mudpuppy wrote: Fri Jul 14, 2023 11:11 am One shouldn't think that in-person transactions are okay to be "easier" than online transactions.
I do not think that and I did not suggest that.
by mptfan
Fri Jul 14, 2023 10:36 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: [RESOLVED] $250k lost in unauthorized wire fraud - experience/advice?
Replies: 206
Views: 28886

Re: $250k lost in unauthorized wire fraud - experience/advice?

You hit the nail on the head. Look at the people (including some on this website) who throw a fit when the bank questions them about doing a wire transfer. "Don't you dare question me." I don't think this is a fair criticism. I think you are comparing the situation where someone shows up in person at their bank and presents their ID and initiates a wire transfer and the bank employee questions the customer because they are concerned about a scam. That is a different situation than requiring security procedures to access your account online. In the first situation, the bank knows its you because you are a real flesh and blood person sitting in front of them as a real person with an ID, the bank knows who you are and knows you are ...
by mptfan
Thu Jul 13, 2023 3:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: [RESOLVED] $250k lost in unauthorized wire fraud - experience/advice?
Replies: 206
Views: 28886

Re: $250k lost in unauthorized wire fraud - experience/advice?

snic wrote: Thu Jul 13, 2023 3:07 pm This is a good argument for using a very secure email account for all financial emails. Ideally it would require an authenticator app or hardware key to log in, and the contents of the account would be encrypted by a key only you know. Gmail comes close, but protonmail is even better because there is no way to social engineer them into unlocking your account.
Gmail has an Advanced Protection Program that is about as secure as you can possibly get.
by mptfan
Thu Jul 13, 2023 3:10 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: [RESOLVED] $250k lost in unauthorized wire fraud - experience/advice?
Replies: 206
Views: 28886

Re: $250k lost in unauthorized wire fraud - experience/advice?

mouth wrote: Thu Jul 13, 2023 2:05 pm
mptfan wrote: Thu Jul 13, 2023 1:46 pm
snic wrote: Thu Jul 13, 2023 7:56 am This is why security experts keep recommending other forms of 2-factor authentication than texts (Google Authenticator, Authy or Yubikey).
I am not aware of any bank that supports Yubikey, and I've looked. Or authenticator apps for that matter. If there is one I would like to know, and even if you can find one I am confident enough to say that they are in the distinct minority.
USAA uses the VIP authentication app. Log in is Pin + code (or the other way around)
Do they also use your phone number as a default if you do not have access to the authentication app? So long as a phone number is an available option then you are vulnerable.
by mptfan
Thu Jul 13, 2023 1:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: [RESOLVED] $250k lost in unauthorized wire fraud - experience/advice?
Replies: 206
Views: 28886

Re: $250k lost in unauthorized wire fraud - experience/advice?

vmsx wrote: Thu Jul 13, 2023 10:50 am For Gmail and Outlook email you can completely remove your phone number from the 2FA process however and use a mix of the authenticator or other email addresses. This removes the SIM swapping / illegal phone number porting method threat.
No, it doesn't. Gmail and Outlook are email providers, whereas SIM swapping and phone number porting relates to one's phone number. It doesn't matter how secure your email is if the bank allows a code to be sent to a compromised phone number.
by mptfan
Thu Jul 13, 2023 1:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: [RESOLVED] $250k lost in unauthorized wire fraud - experience/advice?
Replies: 206
Views: 28886

Re: $250k lost in unauthorized wire fraud - experience/advice?

snic wrote: Thu Jul 13, 2023 7:56 am This is why security experts keep recommending other forms of 2-factor authentication than texts (Google Authenticator, Authy or Yubikey).
I am not aware of any bank that supports Yubikey, and I've looked. Or authenticator apps for that matter. If there is one I would like to know, and even if you can find one I am confident enough to say that they are in the distinct minority.
by mptfan
Tue Jul 11, 2023 12:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: If retired early, what do you tell people you do?
Replies: 338
Views: 29758

Re: If retired early, what do you tell people you do?

I'm not retired yet, but my plan for after early retirement when asked what I do is to respond "portfolio manager." They don't have to know that the only portfolio I am managing is my own.
:D