Search found 25354 matches

by jebmke
Sun Mar 24, 2024 11:32 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What are your "hidden" tax tips?
Replies: 56
Views: 4790

Re: What are your "hidden" tax tips?

One oddity we have in MD is that it sometimes pays to itemize on the Federal return even if Schedule A deductions are less than the Standard Deduction. This hasn't ever been the case for me personally but it is frequently applicable for taxpayers I serve. A lot of paid preparers in the area either don't know about this or don't bother to check if it pays to do this. This is true for a lot of moderate income homeowners in NY as well. They benefit from claiming standard deduction on fed 1040 but itemizing on NY return, which is allowed. NY standard deduction is relatively stingier than federal but NY itemized deduction for real estate taxes does not bump up against a $10K cap. There are many borderline cases where a paid preparer wouldn’t bo...
by jebmke
Sun Mar 24, 2024 11:20 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Incorrect 1099-R from Vanguard
Replies: 24
Views: 2057

Re: Incorrect 1099-R from Vanguard

I converted X number of shares of a Vanguard mutual fund from my IRA to my Roth IRA on 12/29/2023. When Vanguard calculated the dollar amount of the conversion, they used the closing price from 12/28/2023 instead of 12/29/2023. Since the market dropped on the 29th, the dollar amount on my 1099-R is higher than what it should be. That means I'll have to pay more taxes. I've been trying to get Vanguard to issue a corrected 1099-R since 1/5/2024. So far, no luck. One of the representatives said it was a "system processing error." If so, this could potentially affect anyone buying or selling mutual funds that day. I'm wondering if anyone else has a similar problem and any luck in getting Vanguard to correct it. Thanks. If you did you...
by jebmke
Sun Mar 24, 2024 10:57 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: When brand names matter and when they don't
Replies: 193
Views: 11802

Re: When brand names matter and when they don't

EnjoyIt wrote: Sun Mar 24, 2024 10:52 am I try to avoid high fructose corn syrup as much as reasonably possible and willing to pay a bit more for that luxury.
same; very hard to digest for me. Also all the "ol" sugar/sugar alcohol molecules (sorbitol, mannitol, maltitol, and xylitol being common ones)
by jebmke
Sun Mar 24, 2024 10:46 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What are your "hidden" tax tips?
Replies: 56
Views: 4790

Re: What are your "hidden" tax tips?

One oddity we have in MD is that it sometimes pays to itemize on the Federal return even if Schedule A deductions are less than the Standard Deduction. This hasn't ever been the case for me personally but it is frequently applicable for taxpayers I serve. A lot of paid preparers in the area either don't know about this or don't bother to check if it pays to do this.
by jebmke
Sun Mar 24, 2024 10:43 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What are your "hidden" tax tips?
Replies: 56
Views: 4790

Re: What are your "hidden" tax tips?

Calculating our TOTAL ACTUAL (vs Effective, Marginal, etc.) tax rate every year and using this information to plan our financials for next year and further out. Example - if our Federal Effective Tax Rate comes out to say, 17%, if we account for absolutely all of the taxes we've paid (Federal, FICA, various State & Local taxes, etc...), our TOTAL Actual rate is around 23%. One thing this does NOT account for are State Sales Taxes... :? Income Tax software can automatically calculate an estimated total amount of sales tax you pay on routine purchases, using an IRS-provided formula based on your household size, income, and state and local sales tax rate where you live. I was surprised by the amount. My estimated sales tax was a LOT more ...
by jebmke
Sun Mar 24, 2024 10:30 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: When brand names matter and when they don't
Replies: 193
Views: 11802

Re: When brand names matter and when they don't

I sure woulnd't bet on many of my preferences standing up to blind taste tests. Wise words. I've seen more than a few such tests (not just food) open people's eyes about the power of marketing to convince one that something is better (even though it isn't) because it's a certain brand, costs more, has a fancier label, etc. Happens all the time. Stella Artois beer is a classic example in the food and beverage world. I agree, happens all the time, and the few blind tastes we've done bears it out (real maple syrup excluded). What I wonder is if you think it is better, does it really matter if it is not actually better? If you think it is better, maybe it is better (expensive wines excluded - marketing does not work for me with wines, and I am...
by jebmke
Sun Mar 24, 2024 10:22 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Incorrect 1099-R from Vanguard
Replies: 24
Views: 2057

Re: Incorrect 1099-R from Vanguard

I converted X number of shares of a Vanguard mutual fund from my IRA to my Roth IRA on 12/29/2023. When Vanguard calculated the dollar amount of the conversion, they used the closing price from 12/28/2023 instead of 12/29/2023. Since the market dropped on the 29th, the dollar amount on my 1099-R is higher than what it should be. That means I'll have to pay more taxes. I've been trying to get Vanguard to issue a corrected 1099-R since 1/5/2024. So far, no luck. One of the representatives said it was a "system processing error." If so, this could potentially affect anyone buying or selling mutual funds that day. I'm wondering if anyone else has a similar problem and any luck in getting Vanguard to correct it. Thanks. If you did you...
by jebmke
Sun Mar 24, 2024 9:52 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is there a way to get different yield curves of bonds?
Replies: 6
Views: 419

Re: Is there a way to get different yield curves of bonds?

I think only issued securities. I don't know anything about strips. I only buy Tips and nominal bonds. I also don't play the yield curve so it is only of minor intellectual interest to me.
by jebmke
Sun Mar 24, 2024 9:42 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is there a way to get different yield curves of bonds?
Replies: 6
Views: 419

Re: Is there a way to get different yield curves of bonds?

gavinsiu wrote: Sun Mar 24, 2024 9:09 am Is there a way to get Yield curve of bonds so I can compare Treasury vs STRIP for example? I have access to Fidelity, Vanguard, and Schwab.
should be on Federal Reserve web site
by jebmke
Sun Mar 24, 2024 8:08 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What are your "hidden" tax tips?
Replies: 56
Views: 4790

Re: What are your "hidden" tax tips?

3) Ability to transfer income between parent and child tax returns to maximize AOTC. Okay, not really sure what this is about. A little more explanation please. One of the primary strategies involves reporting the full tuition and qualified expenses on the parent's return to maximize the AOTC while peeling off the scholarship and reporting that as income on a student's return, often at low or zero tax rates. This can only be done if the scholarship is unrestricted (e.g. Pell Grant). Otherwise, the scholarship should be net against qualified expenses and therefore reduces the potential AOTC benefit for the parent. One of the challenges in doing this is that you have to have the parent and student present to do both returns (or ensure that t...
by jebmke
Sun Mar 24, 2024 7:38 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: When brand names matter and when they don't
Replies: 193
Views: 11802

Re: When brand names matter and when they don't

yatesd wrote: Sun Mar 24, 2024 7:30 am One tip, don't buy anything not labeled "Ice Cream".
I only eat (infrequently) frozen Yogurt. Am I doing it wrong?
by jebmke
Sun Mar 24, 2024 7:34 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What are your "hidden" tax tips?
Replies: 56
Views: 4790

Re: What are your "hidden" tax tips?

ejm009 wrote: Sun Mar 24, 2024 7:27 am 1) Marginal tax rates as noted, especially their effect on Roth conversions.
2) Interaction of self employed health insurance deduction, IRA deduction, and HSA contribution on ACA coverage subsidy.
3) Ability to transfer income between parent and child tax returns to maximize AOTC.
#3 is an obscure one and normally depends on the characteristics of the scholarship. Generally this can only be done with unrestricted grants like Pell Grants.
by jebmke
Sun Mar 24, 2024 7:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do you setback thermostat on your electric heatpump?
Replies: 47
Views: 2750

Re: Do you setback thermostat on your electric heatpump?

f35phixer wrote: Sun Mar 24, 2024 6:59 am SOMD here on Bay, use a nest, go to bed 830 drops to 67, in morning 68 at 230, 69 at 530 and 70 at 830. Our HVAC uses R410 refrig.... I always track what is coming out of the blower, the other day was 35 in a.m and she was blowing out at 94 degrees... huge difference from old stuff.... AUX heat doesnt come on unless big frost ....
With well sealed and insulated ducts, the newer systems can produce some impressive discharge temperatures. Our two-stage system rarely runs at the higher speed which keeps the room temperatures much more even.
by jebmke
Sun Mar 24, 2024 6:31 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 12 months before retirement what do you wish you had done
Replies: 72
Views: 8779

Re: 12 months from retirement what do you wish you had done

Well there is the financial. 12 months is not much time, but (a) if you haven't started, learn as much as you can and (b)try to set you termination date so there is no big tax hit. In many cases, this could mean retirement early the year rather than Dec 31. It seems you may be on track if your date is 12 months from now. There's the life/social aspect. You won't be automatically interacting with co-workers anymore, so figure out how to replace that. NEW UPDATE: I totally misunderstood the question is this thread which is why my replies may not have made sense. I interpreted the Q to mean "12 months before retirement" while it now seems clear it meant "12 months after retirement." I think before. “Debating” is the clue. ...
by jebmke
Sun Mar 24, 2024 6:21 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 1099-NEC for Teen (high school) Taxes
Replies: 8
Views: 622

Re: 1099-NEC for Teen (high school) Taxes

toddthebod wrote: Sat Mar 23, 2024 8:22 pm
jebmke wrote: Sat Mar 23, 2024 7:49 pm I think if net earnings from self-employment is $400 or more one has to file notwithstanding the above. Chart C, p11
Yes my mistake.
The “fine print” exceptions in Who Must File, Filing Status, and Dependents is maddening. I’ve been tripped up more than once and I have been doing returns for taxpayers for 15 years.
by jebmke
Sun Mar 24, 2024 6:12 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Incorrect 1099-R from Vanguard
Replies: 24
Views: 2057

Re: Incorrect 1099-R from Vanguard

Push past the front line reps and ask to speak to the tax reporting department. I’ve done that a couple of times for people. The front line reps often don’t know anything and just use standard answers.
by jebmke
Sun Mar 24, 2024 6:08 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What are your "hidden" tax tips?
Replies: 56
Views: 4790

Re: What are your "hidden" tax tips?

The unpublished 27% marginal tax rate
by jebmke
Sat Mar 23, 2024 7:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 1099-NEC for Teen (high school) Taxes
Replies: 8
Views: 622

Re: 1099-NEC for Teen (high school) Taxes

Hi, MFJ (49.42) Kids ( 16,8) Myself ( self employed) spouse ( w2) Always filed Married File Jointly ( MFJ) - I used free tax usa online software. My daughter (16) received 1099-NEC for tax year 2023 for $900 as part of summer work. This was her first earnings and she received 1099-NEC form. Tax filing question: 1) As a dad can I include my daughters (16) 1099-NEC with my tax return ? 2) Does my daughter(16) need to file her own individual tax return for this 1099-NEC ? 3) Can I still claim my daughter as my dependent while filing my tax returns ( Married filing jointly) ? 4) If my daughter need to file her own taxes ( indvidually) any other things I need to be aware of ? Any other suggestions are welcome. 1. No. 2. No. 3. Yes. 4. N/A Form ...
by jebmke
Sat Mar 23, 2024 5:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Investment property in different city i.e. remote investment property
Replies: 10
Views: 575

Re: Investment property in different city i.e. remote investment property

We used a property manager in both cases we had a rental. Happiest day was when we sold it. Not worth the trouble. Both cases were situations where holding them was a best of the bad alternatives during weak market conditions.
by jebmke
Sat Mar 23, 2024 5:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Paying Electric Bill With Checking
Replies: 49
Views: 3537

Re: Paying Electric Bill With Checking

LSLover wrote: Sat Mar 23, 2024 5:06 pm
jebmke wrote: Sat Mar 23, 2024 8:40 am Estimated tax payments on auto debit through EFTPS.
Can you elaborate on that?
Every April I set up all four ES payments using the EFTPS system. I also set up my HYSA account to push the funds into my checking account a couple of days prior to the debit date. Maryland has a system similar to EFTPS for my state ES payment.
by jebmke
Sat Mar 23, 2024 4:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Paying Electric Bill With Checking
Replies: 49
Views: 3537

Re: Paying Electric Bill With Checking

Yeah, my property tax payment routine is to take a check into the courthouse and chat with the two people in the finance office. An annual ritual. The head bailiff lives near me so I sometimes hit him up for any good court gossip. Small town life. :wink:
by jebmke
Sat Mar 23, 2024 4:41 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: First Time Filing Kid's Tax Returns and Roth Contributions
Replies: 14
Views: 661

Re: First Time Filing Kid's Tax Returns and Roth Contributions

MrCheapo wrote: Sat Mar 23, 2024 4:36 pm
somewhatentertained wrote: Sat Mar 23, 2024 4:15 pm I did the same for my kid this year. Direct Roth contributions are capped. You will need the tax return to document income to support the Roth contribution.
Sorry can you add in some more details. By capped you mean the $6500 cap right? But what do you mean by "direct" contributions.
Probably new contributions vs.conversions.
by jebmke
Sat Mar 23, 2024 4:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Vanguard 1099 Consolidated very different from 1099-DIV
Replies: 21
Views: 3991

Re: Vanguard 1099 Consolidated very different from 1099-DIV

I find the Vanguard consolidated 1099 form not very user friendly. I believe this is the third year for the consolidated form and prior to that you received at 1099 DIV that provided exactly what amount was to be put into each box of your tax form by mutual fund. I do not know if is usable with Quicken and how are adjustments made for federal and state government income of each mutual fund with consolidated results. Thanks to Vanguard in making my tax filing more difficult. You don’t need to do each fund. Enter the total as one entry. That is what makes it such a better way to prepare your return. Not only do you not NEED to do each fund separately, you DO NOT list each fund separately as the fund was not who paid you. When you held the fu...
by jebmke
Sat Mar 23, 2024 4:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Paying Electric Bill With Checking
Replies: 49
Views: 3537

Re: Paying Electric Bill With Checking

mptfan wrote: Sat Mar 23, 2024 1:58 pm
Fillmore wrote: Sat Mar 23, 2024 4:05 am My question is, is it safe to give them my checking info?
Safe is a matter of opinion and a matter of degree. I used to refuse to give out my checking account number to anyone, including utilities and credit card issuers for security reasons, but I relaxed that rule a few years ago and I have been using the auto debit feature for my electric utility bill as well as my various credit card bills and I haven't had any issues, it's been very convenient and I'm glad I did. But I draw the line at utilities and credit card issuers and the IRS, no one else.
Not even a broker?

I gave mine to Vanguard and the HYSA bank I use to push money to checking.
by jebmke
Sat Mar 23, 2024 4:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: When brand names matter and when they don't
Replies: 193
Views: 11802

Re: When brand names matter and when they don't

gunny2 wrote: Sat Mar 23, 2024 4:08 pm
randomguy wrote: Sat Mar 23, 2024 2:54 pm I sure woulnd't bet on many of my preferences standing up to blind taste tests.
Wise words. I've seen more than a few such tests (not just food) open people's eyes about the power of marketing to convince one that something is better (even though it isn't) because it's a certain brand, costs more, has a fancier label, etc.
Happens all the time. Stella Artois beer is a classic example in the food and beverage world.
by jebmke
Sat Mar 23, 2024 2:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Using encryption with Thunderbird
Replies: 6
Views: 597

Re: Using encryption with Thunderbird

I have not tried it but tbh, I am finding T-Bird stability to be declining and am seriously looking at either ditching a separate e-mail client or shifting over to Better Bird.
by jebmke
Sat Mar 23, 2024 1:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: When brand names matter and when they don't
Replies: 193
Views: 11802

Re: When brand names matter and when they don't

AnnetteLouisan wrote: Sat Mar 23, 2024 1:47 pm I think brands matter when it comes to yogurt also. Norr Skyr, Fage. I’d get La Fermiere but it’s out of my price point.
Normally we make our own. Siggi's is sometimes a good backup which I prefer to Fage but I think they are close. I often cut the ones from the store with excess whey from our prior draining of home-made. I'll look for La F.
by jebmke
Sat Mar 23, 2024 1:32 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Fidelity CD down
Replies: 16
Views: 2527

Re: Fidelity CD down

CDs bought in brokerage accounts can fluctuate in value just like bonds.
by jebmke
Sat Mar 23, 2024 1:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Toys Have You Bought That Have Been Worth it?
Replies: 254
Views: 18440

Re: What Toys Have You Bought That Have Been Worth it?

Nicolas wrote: Sat Mar 23, 2024 1:11 pm I bought an EGO lawnmower last year with a 7.5 Ah battery and charger. I can almost cut my lawn on one charge. I usually have to break for an hour to recharge. That’s okay, gives me time to rest.
I love my Ego string trimmer; does a job even on vines etc which we have a lot. I have only one 2.5 Ah battery which doesn't get all the area I need to do. So far I've resisted the temptation to get a spare since that would not give me an excuse to quit and put off the rest for another day.
by jebmke
Sat Mar 23, 2024 12:59 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Help with possible accountant errors
Replies: 2
Views: 304

Re: Help with possible accountant errors

A rollover of a 401(k) to an IRA is recorded on Form 1040. So is a non-taxable (rollover) of a pension lump sum to an IRA.

Custodian to custodian transfers of IRAs are not recorded at all. An indirect rollover is recorded on Form 1040.

Need more info on specific transactions to comment whether errors were made.
by jebmke
Sat Mar 23, 2024 12:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Abode, or Domicile, or Statutory Residency, Or.....?
Replies: 46
Views: 2120

Re: Abode, or Domicile, or Statutory Residency, Or.....?

If they file a tax return as a full-year SC resident and GA nonresident, they cannot credibly claim that the GA home was their principal residence during any part of that year. Spending 3 months during the year in one of your homes does not convert that home into a principal residence . As I mentioned earlier, there is absolutely no usage of the terms "legal residence", or "primary residence", or "principal residence" in the IRS regulation (Publication 523). They only use the term "main home"... . IRS publications are not the law nor are they regulations, and they are not authoritative. The relevant law is IRC Sec 121 - "Exclusion of Gain From Sale of Principal Residence" . I would urge you...
by jebmke
Sat Mar 23, 2024 12:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: When brand names matter and when they don't
Replies: 193
Views: 11802

Re: When brand names matter and when they don't

eric321 wrote: Sat Mar 23, 2024 12:43 pm Brand name matters less than the quality of what you are buying.
High fructose corn syrup is a cheap sweatener. You can buy heinz ketchup with high fructose corn syrup or a simple version without. I'd go without whether heinz or generic.

Costco does a good jood job balancing out cost and quality. They filter out the obvious price gauges that you may see at other stores, but brings in high quality foods when it can.
I agree on the corn syrup, although I think we have standard Heinz. I have a problem digesting HFCS but in the case of ketchup we use it so seldom that it isn't something I think much about.
by jebmke
Sat Mar 23, 2024 12:47 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 1099 NEC how to report it correctly? And IRA/ HSA ?
Replies: 14
Views: 722

Re: 1099 NEC how to report it correctly? And IRA/ HSA ?

Schedule C and Schedule SE for self-employment tax; she is considered self-employed by the IRS

She should be able to do an IRA (I think HSA also but will defer to others to comment)
by jebmke
Sat Mar 23, 2024 11:51 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Kids W2 form
Replies: 4
Views: 512

Re: Kids W2 form

Often it is blank for low earners (employers do not withhold). Nothing to be concerned about.
by jebmke
Sat Mar 23, 2024 11:36 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Toys Have You Bought That Have Been Worth it?
Replies: 254
Views: 18440

Re: What Toys Have You Bought That Have Been Worth it?

Softballer wrote: Sat Mar 23, 2024 10:58 am
MrCheapo wrote: Fri Mar 22, 2024 7:00 pm
hoofaman wrote: Fri Mar 22, 2024 4:12 am I got a 3D printer a few years ago, it's been fun
What do you do with it that is fun?
I have had a 3D printer for some time. It is fun for engineering types but I have designed and made useful parts like a car dash phone holder when I could not find one to buy that worked well in my car. There are also sites like Thingiverse that have ready to print designs if you are not into designing them yourself.
I should look at this. The library where I do TaxAide work underwent a recent renovation and they have a "maker space" with 3D printers. I've been meaning to stop in when someone was using them and see what they were doing. While I have no real need, I'm interested in the tech just to see how it works.
by jebmke
Sat Mar 23, 2024 11:24 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do you setback thermostat on your electric heatpump?
Replies: 47
Views: 2750

Re: Do you setback thermostat on your electric heatpump?

valleyrock wrote: Sat Mar 23, 2024 11:18 am
StevieG72 wrote: Sat Mar 23, 2024 9:22 am I set mine back but have a small home (approx 100sq ft) and the system can bring the house to temp quickly. I also use a small oil filled radiant heater in living room since I like the temp cooler when I sleep. The preference is to heat up the room I am in vs. the entire house.
100 sq ft? A tiny house? What sort of furniture do you have?
standup desk?
by jebmke
Sat Mar 23, 2024 11:22 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Looking for advice on unhappy experience in VG short term bond fund
Replies: 67
Views: 5677

Re: Looking for advice on unhappy experience in VG short term bond fund

Most of our fixed income is in short term bond funds. I expect some fluctuation in principal. I try to view my portfolio in totality and not focus on one asset. In total, it has more than kept up with inflation. My #1 goal is to have enough to get me into the ground without any impact on my lifestyle. In that respect, I have no worries at all.
by jebmke
Sat Mar 23, 2024 10:46 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Autos Collecting and Selling Our Driving Info? Is this real?
Replies: 25
Views: 2799

Re: Autos Collecting and Selling Our Driving Info? Is this real?

Hogan773 wrote: Sat Mar 23, 2024 9:55 am I just went and requested my LexisNexis report. Will see what they have on me!

Interesting on their website

"The states of California, Connecticut, Colorado, New Jersey, Nevada, Utah, and Virginia grant their residents certain rights with respect to their personal information. View information on how to exercise your privacy rights"


What about the other 43 states????? They don't have privacy protections?
often not, vague or weak.

this is one of several issues on my radar before I get serious about swapping out my old car for new.
by jebmke
Sat Mar 23, 2024 8:55 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: If you don't have a will made out...do it. Now. Please.
Replies: 24
Views: 4329

Re: If you don't have a will made out...do it. Now. Please.

tibbitts wrote: Sat Mar 23, 2024 8:50 am
rene wrote: Fri Mar 22, 2024 11:18 pm Replace ‘Will’ with ‘Trust’
I haven't found universal agreement among attorneys that trusts are necessarily a better choice than a will. The recommendation for one or the other is very common, but the choice of which one seems to be client-specific.
and maybe state-specific
by jebmke
Sat Mar 23, 2024 8:55 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Golf Cart Battery Charging
Replies: 7
Views: 441

Re: Golf Cart Battery Charging

I have a couple of smaller items rarely used (ER light and a water pump tap for a 5-gallon bottle of ER water) I top off every couple of months to replenish battery loss - I use a Kasa smart plug since i have several in the house and can access them all from my phone or iPad.
by jebmke
Sat Mar 23, 2024 8:40 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Paying Electric Bill With Checking
Replies: 49
Views: 3537

Re: Paying Electric Bill With Checking

Being old-timers, we generally pay most bills by check. We have had a couple of occasions over more than 50-years with problems but none in the past decade or so. Have friends who have had a check-washing issue and have had a couple of occasions where checks were delayed in the mail. Our approach includes writing all checks with a gel pen, taking them to a very conveniently located Post Office rather than putting them in our mail box, and mailing them somewhat earlier than technically should be necessary. Tim Being an old timer I do the exact opposite. I want to make sure bills are paid if I am ill, incapacitated or dead. Direct debit for many, a few charged to credit card, credit cards and insurance on autopay. Estimated tax payments on a...
by jebmke
Sat Mar 23, 2024 8:35 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do you setback thermostat on your electric heatpump?
Replies: 47
Views: 2750

Re: Do you setback thermostat on your electric heatpump?

We don't do setbacks winter or summer. Sure, our variable speed Lennox heat pump system will run faster/harder and catch up relatively quickly, but that's just the air temp, not the furnishings temp. Let's say we have one of our regular power outages due to tree limbs falling somewhere on our 1100-customer circuit out here in the woods along the river. The indoor temp falls from the usual 70*F to, say, 67. When the power returns the indoor temp gets back up to 70 fairly rapidly, but the funiture, walls, floor, clothes in the closet, etc. take a few hours longer to get up to temp. I won't even get into the expense of the recovery if the auxillary/emergency heat strips are used. Now, imagine you have the backup strips running for an hour or ...
by jebmke
Sat Mar 23, 2024 8:20 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HCOL in retirement - mortgage vs. paid off vs. rent?
Replies: 25
Views: 2072

Re: HCOL in retirement - mortgage vs. paid off vs. rent?

I would do two things:

One, I would probably rent something for a year or two to see how things work out. It might turn out not to be where I want to be long term.

Two, I'd evaluate the mortgage question based on my finances at the time, housing prices and mortgage rates then available.

We ended up paying cash for our house but that was because we could. We did rent for about a year but in retrospect I would have done it longer to get a better lay of the land. We like where we are but it may not have been our choice with more info.
by jebmke
Sat Mar 23, 2024 8:08 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do you setback thermostat on your electric heatpump?
Replies: 47
Views: 2750

Re: Do you setback thermostat on your electric heatpump?

I think we drop back 2-3 degrees in winter (67 ---> 64 or 5); mainly because we like it cooler at night.
by jebmke
Sat Mar 23, 2024 6:33 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Paying Electric Bill With Checking
Replies: 49
Views: 3537

Re: Paying Electric Bill With Checking

MrJones wrote: Sat Mar 23, 2024 6:24 am They have your routing number and account number. They have exactly those two if you write them a check. Those are the two numbers on the bottom of each check. Hundreds of millions of people have done this (written checks) for at least a hundred years. It's a well tried and tested sitation. Nothing to worry about.
Safer than checks maybe. I’ve had checks go missing recently. Never a problem using DD for decades.
by jebmke
Sat Mar 23, 2024 6:12 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: When brand names matter and when they don't
Replies: 193
Views: 11802

Re: When brand names matter and when they don't

heartwood wrote: Fri Mar 22, 2024 8:54 pm No one has mentioned Kerrygold butter! Or several other premium butters.
My wife uses some kind of premium butter for some things because it has much lower water content (higher fat). I think a couple of baking uses. Not for general use.
by jebmke
Fri Mar 22, 2024 7:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: When brand names matter and when they don't
Replies: 193
Views: 11802

Re: When brand names matter and when they don't

Milk. No. It's milk. There are no high-dollar cows giving superior milk. To me it seems at least plausible, leaning towards likely, that there are indeed high-dollar cows giving superior milk (cows that are fed and treated better, etc). Would you say that beef is beef, and there are no high-dollar cows giving superior beef? Japan and Argentina would beg to differ. What would be the difference with milk? Because it's milk and not beef? Just because it comes from the same animal doesn't mean quality differences are the same for two entirely different substances. That said, maybe there are some high-dollar cows putting out "better" milk, but I seriously doubt it. Different breeds of cows, different feeds, even different times of yea...
by jebmke
Fri Mar 22, 2024 7:10 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Abode, or Domicile, or Statutory Residency, Or.....?
Replies: 46
Views: 2120

Re: Abode, or Domicile, or Statutory Residency, Or.....?

micron wrote: Fri Mar 22, 2024 2:49 pm
jebmke wrote: Fri Mar 22, 2024 2:24 pm
micron wrote: Fri Mar 22, 2024 1:44 pm I was wondering if we could just not even file an SC return, since there's no record of any income there. Just file the GA return.
All of our income (wife's wages, my SS, my pension, our interest, qualified div's, IRA distribution) is still linked to the GA address...
.
For tax purposes, I don't even know what "linked to" means for unearned income.
By saying "linked" I just meant that all income and accounts are still registered at, and sent to, the address in GA.
.
I don't think that has any meaning with respect to taxation.
by jebmke
Fri Mar 22, 2024 5:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tax Question: Paying IRS Balance According to Turbotax
Replies: 6
Views: 557

Re: TurboTax efile and third party tax payment options

Tell them you are mailing a check, print and shred the voucher and pay however you want. The IRS will take your money any way you send it.