Search found 3894 matches

by GerryL
Thu Nov 16, 2023 1:23 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Are you satisfied with your past/current Roth conversions ? Why, or why not, or simply no look-back?
Replies: 37
Views: 4031

Re: Are you satisfied with your past/current Roth conversions ? Why, or why not, or simply no look-back?

I planned to do some modest Roth conversions between age 66, when I retired, and age 70, when I would start collecting SS. The amount wasn't going to decrease the chance I would forever be taxed on 85% of my SS, but it just seemed like a good idea at the time. So, I converted $35k in two tranches during the first year. Then I converted half of the $35k at the beginning of the next year. Before I got around the doing the 2nd conversion for the year, I had an epiphany. I realized that I planned for the bulk of my estate to be passed along to charity. Why would I want to pay taxes on money that would never be taxed anyway? I ditched the plan to do conversions. I manage taxes on my income from my RMDs by doing qualified charitable distributions...
by GerryL
Thu Nov 16, 2023 1:01 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Mutual of Omaha Medigap G huge price increases
Replies: 64
Views: 8441

Re: Mutual of Omaha Medigap G huge price increases

My Dad has a Medigap G policy with Mutual of Omaha. He first got in in 2019 and his monthly premiums were a little over $200 a month. He just got a letter saying that his premiums for 2024 will be $390 per month. He is 81 and a non smoker from Pennsylvania. This seems like a really excessive increases to me. I just wanted to see what others thought. Thanks Jim Is this an "Attained Age" policy? These go up with age, and often by age bands. So if he has moved into a new age band, his premium would automatically go up. If everyone is seeing a premium increase in 2024, those two increases -- age and general -- would be added together. But, yes, it does seem excessive. (I'm on a G-HD plan and recently turned 75. I expect a letter any ...
by GerryL
Thu Nov 16, 2023 12:48 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: advice on shifting to decumulation phase
Replies: 31
Views: 8165

Re: advice on shifting to decumulation phase

@PerfectName In answer to question #1, here is what I did when I began retirement 9+ years ago: I developed what I thought was a good, not-too-conservative estimate of what I expected to spend in a year by reviewing several years of expenses and subtracting a few expenses I would no longer have. Then I increased it by a bit to make sure it wasn't too tight a budget. I asked a CFP to review my retirement plan and to evaluate how it would do given my planned spend if I were to live to 100. I was gobsmacked to learn that I could really afford to spend more. A lot more. Even worst-case scenario had me dying with about as much as I started retirement with. A couple of years into retirement, I had my plan evaluated again with a target spend that ...
by GerryL
Mon Nov 06, 2023 4:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Choosing a specialist for a dental procedure
Replies: 52
Views: 5626

Re: Choosing a specialist for a dental procedure

Did you go through a dental implant and by whom? Your regular dentist, an endodontist, a periodontist, a dental surgeon, or some other dental specialist? I am also wondering who is the best person for dental implants. Eighteen months after the initial post, the work on my implant was completed. Part of the delay had to do with timing the various procedures around my travel calendar and, of course, time needed for bone regrowth at some stages. I went with my regular, long-time dentist. Well, actually his son who took over the practice in the interim. It was pretty pricey. I did not shop around, so I don't know if I could have gotten a lower price, but I am confident of the work done by this practice. I ask questions all along the way to und...
by GerryL
Mon Nov 06, 2023 1:59 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Can I Deposit a Check for Someone Else in Their Chase bank Account?
Replies: 34
Views: 7602

Re: Can I Deposit a Check for Someone Else in Their Chase bank Account?

I used to deposit checks into my mom's account with no signature. (I also routinely did not sign checks when depositing into my own account.) I did write "For deposit only" on the back. As long as the name on the To line of the check (roughly) matches the name on the account, and you are doing a deposit (not requesting cash back), there should not be a problem. That said, I did run into a glitch one time when I tried to do the deposit through an ATM. I think it was treated as a mobile deposit, which apparently required a signature.

Check with the bank where you intend to make the deposits to see what they advise.
by GerryL
Mon Nov 06, 2023 1:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do you have an annual budget?
Replies: 99
Views: 11275

Re: Do you have an annual budget?

I'm retired. I don't have an annual budget, but I do have an annual spending target. That is, what I can afford to spend and keep my retirement plan on track. I have always been an after-the-fact budgeter. I keep track of expenses and include savings right at the top, after necessary expenses like mortgage and other commitments. As I prepared to retire, I used years of data in Quicken to estimate how much I wanted to cover expenses each year. I had a Vanguard CFP run my plan and learned that I could easily spend more. A lot more. Eventually, I had the plan run again with a much higher spending target. In my 10th year of retirement, I have yet to actually hit the target, but I keep a running tab of how much I have not spent to target. Knowin...
by GerryL
Mon Nov 06, 2023 12:34 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Is it so difficult to do nothing?
Replies: 63
Views: 8451

Re: Is it so difficult to do nothing?

Jack Bogle's words are always in my head: Get right; sit tight Invest we must Don't do something, just stand there Stay the course! Time is your friend, impulse your enemy Some of us on the forum are hobbyists and tinkerers. Others (like myself) prefer to leave things alone. Apart from occasional tax-loss harvesting, I prefer to stays "hands-off". During the last 2 years I bought and sold bond funds to tax-loss harvest. That activity and subsequent bond fund losses has been somewhat demoralizing. I'm back to inertia which is my preferred method of investing. To my own list, I add "Embrace your ignorance." During the 2008/2009 scary times, I didn't know what to do. So many people were panicking and cashing out. Move my i...
by GerryL
Sun Nov 05, 2023 5:14 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Is it so difficult to do nothing?
Replies: 63
Views: 8451

Re: Is it so difficult to do nothing?

Reading and following financial sites, if that's how you want to spend your time, is not a problem. It's the reacting and tinkering that can get you into trouble. If you can't do nothing, it's probably better to stop following market news.
by GerryL
Sat Oct 14, 2023 5:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Computer Upgrade for my Elderly Parents - Your Advice Appreciated
Replies: 59
Views: 5270

Re: Computer Upgrade for my Elderly Parents - Your Advice Appreciated

I'm 75 -- is that elderly? -- and I like having an all-in-one on my desk. In fact, a couple of years ago, I replaced my 10-year-old AIO with a newer model that was essentially the same. Mine is an HP that runs Windows.

I do use Apple iPads and an iPhone when I need portability and for a lot of reading, but I like the larger screen and keyboard. And if I do need to move it (e.g., take it for servicing), it is fairly easy to pick up and transport.
by GerryL
Fri Oct 13, 2023 1:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Volunteering experiences
Replies: 52
Views: 5647

Re: Volunteering experiences

Initially, I found volunteering to be much less convenient, much more work, and overall much less gratifying than I thought it should be if I was going to give my time away. Then one day I was driving home unhappy that the volunteer project went later than it was supposed to and as a result I was hungrier than I'm used to being. Then it dawned on me. Volunteering wasn't about me being comfortable or having any of my million daily "needs" met. It was about me sacrificing so others could have some of their most basic needs met. It's become a lot more fun, meaningful and gratifying for me since that day. Thanks for this. The thing that is good about my volunteer job is that I am really needed (short staffed due to limited funding- t...
by GerryL
Thu Oct 12, 2023 3:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Volunteering experiences
Replies: 52
Views: 5647

Re: Volunteering experiences

I've done volunteer work off and on most of my life and more so once I settled down around age 40. As I was preparing for retirement, I envisioned myself volunteering regularly two days a week. I would continue my work at the Zoo one day and find another project for the second day. It has not turned out that way at all. I had difficulty finding a second project. I would go interview and even start helping on a project, then there would be personnel changes or something and they would stop communicating. The Zoo went through changes, and the work I had been doing (and loved) was no longer an option. And the program changed in ways that it was no longer enjoyable, so after getting my 25-year award, I dropped out. Over time, organizations evol...
by GerryL
Wed Oct 11, 2023 1:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medicare A,B,C, D and Medigap ...
Replies: 42
Views: 4145

Re: Medicare A,B,C, D and Medigap ...

When I was turning 65, I didn't even know there were brokers and agents, so I was all DIY. I found the book Medicare for Dummies to be a very good resource because it doesn't just copy & paste what is on the official Medicare website. I recommend it to my friends. Once I had made some decisions, I called my state SHIP office (here in Oregon called SHIBA) and got answers to any questions I had. One thing about agents and brokers is that they may represent only some of the products available to you. I, too, opted for A, B, D and Medigap supplement. I chose F-high deductible because I don't routinely use a lot of healthcare services and was comfortable with the annual out-of-pocket max, which I have never even come close to. (Subsequently ...
by GerryL
Mon Oct 02, 2023 5:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Social Security / Medicare / Medicaid TIPS
Replies: 3
Views: 515

Re: Social Security / Medicare / Medicaid TIPS

Particular topics needed to learn: 1) How to eliminate/minimize taxation on SS income in retirement 2) Strategies during working life to maximize SS income in retirement 3) Best ways to utilize Medicare and Medicaid - knowledge from retirees will be appreciated Your first two points are in some conflict. You eliminate or minimize taxation of SS income by having a very low income in retirement. That is, low taxable income. If your primary non-ss income is from a non-taxable account, like a Roth IRA, you could reduce or even eliminate taxation of ss -- as the rules now exist. You maximize ss income by working in jobs that pay into the ss system. The higher your income the better, at least up to the max that is subject to FICA. That max rises...
by GerryL
Mon Oct 02, 2023 5:02 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Vanguard QCD Checks
Replies: 12
Views: 1614

Re: Vanguard QCD Checks

In several years of doing QCDs, I have NEVER sent the stub. In fact, it never even occurred to me. The stub is for YOUR records.
by GerryL
Thu Sep 28, 2023 9:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Cruisers: Anyone buy stock to get OBC?
Replies: 13
Views: 2232

Cruisers: Anyone buy stock to get OBC?

I read that if you own at least 100 shares of NCL (Norwegian Cruise Line) stock, you can get onboard credits when you cruise on Norwegian or one of the company's other lines. I have a trip booked on Oceania for 2025 and was thinking maybe I should get some NCL shares to get the OBCs.

I've heard other cruise lines have similar offers. Anyone here cruise regularly and take advantage of this kind of shareholder benefit? Any advice or insights you can offer?

NCL does not pay dividends. So, any benefit would be based on how much I cruise with them. Oh, and if the share price eventually goes back up. I may wait until after I go on my first Oceania cruise next month. Could not use the credit since the cruise is a gift.
by GerryL
Fri Sep 22, 2023 6:11 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Has Edward Jones changed its practices?
Replies: 40
Views: 7494

Re: Has Edward Jones changed its practices?

These "free" sessions always have people trying to sell stuff or get leads (without directly advertising such or stating) - don't they? All the other sessions likely have similar vendors to EJ for their fields/areas if you peel back the speakers and who they work for and pay attention to the drops of references/etc. which help these folks with sales or leads. You can't expect free sessions to really be free. That's certainly true and it does occur in different fields. The free sessions can still be valuable; the sales angle is just something to be aware of. Agreed - the audience shouldn't just be aware of the session hosted by EJ being a lead-generator - but all of them. Shop around if you want help versus defaulting to the speak...
by GerryL
Thu Sep 21, 2023 3:49 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Just fired my investment advisor - terrified
Replies: 23
Views: 3892

Re: Just fired my investment advisor - terrified

I would start by roughly sketching out on paper how you think you want your portfolio to look. Asset allocation. What types of investments you want. As much as you can picture. Best guess. Then have an hourly advisor and/or the friendly folks on this forum help you figure out how to get from where you are now to where you want to be. Sort of like planning a trip: You have an idea about where you want to go. You need to plan the best route to get there.

Take your time. No need to rush the process. Keep learning along the way.
by GerryL
Thu Sep 21, 2023 3:38 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help me quell my brother-in-law’s nerves
Replies: 45
Views: 3871

Re: Help me quell my brother-in-law’s nerves

A tidbit to pass along: If you're banking with Ally, you can call them any time of the day or night and get a real person on the phone. I don't know how it works with any of the others, but this has been meaningful for me, especially when I messed up my initial deposit.

I started slowly and cautiously with Ally about 9 years ago. I wasn't sure about online banking. I bought a CD. Then a second CD. At this point, I have money market and savings accounts and recently started putting excess cash into CDs again. The rates are much higher than what I get at my credit union, so I keep the bulk of my cash at Ally.
by GerryL
Thu Sep 21, 2023 3:25 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Has Edward Jones changed its practices?
Replies: 40
Views: 7494

Re: Has Edward Jones changed its practices?

Thanks all for your input. Just to be clear -- since several have mentioned this -- I have no intention of asking "barbed questions" or being in any way argumentative. (Well, maybe if they made a comment dissing passive investing, I might speak up to challenge that kind statement.)

I do plan on attending the session as it will be interesting to hear both what the rep has to say and what kinds of questions the audience members ask.
by GerryL
Thu Sep 21, 2023 1:20 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Has Edward Jones changed its practices?
Replies: 40
Views: 7494

Re: Has Edward Jones changed its practices?

DoubleComma wrote: Wed Sep 20, 2023 11:51 pm If the EJ Rep didn't step up to provide the presentation for your counties residents who would do it? Your county is trying to provide a valuable service, but they are depending on local "experts" to make the presentations. These experts don't really want to do it.

My guess is EJ hasn't changed their ways. This EJ rep is feeling obligated to do the presentation but is pacifying themselves by thinking maybe they get 1 client out of it.

Eitherway, unless you want to make the presentation, best to just let it go and not throw barbs from the audience.
No plans to throw any barbs.
by GerryL
Thu Sep 21, 2023 1:17 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Has Edward Jones changed its practices?
Replies: 40
Views: 7494

Re: Has Edward Jones changed its practices?

suemarkp wrote: Thu Sep 21, 2023 12:20 am They have a bunch of things. They will be able to say we can put you in low cost index funds. But to get those you will be in an AUM model for retirement accounts.

Many Edward Jones reps are CFPs. I've seen aCcurate and well balanced presentations from EJ. I think their biggest variable are the individual reps. Some are greedy and looking for comissions. Some are decent, but still constrained by some EJ mothership rules. They will say they are a fiduciary, maybe. But even if they are, it is easy to convince yourself of specific approaches when your paycheck is driven by it.
Good to hear that you've seen well-balanced presentation from them. And that they at least acknowledge the importance of a fiduciary relationship.
by GerryL
Wed Sep 20, 2023 9:08 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Has Edward Jones changed its practices?
Replies: 40
Views: 7494

Has Edward Jones changed its practices?

Next week, I will be attending a session for retirees about Financial and Legal Planning. It's part of a series of sessions to help people get their lives in order. Today's session was about healthcare directives. The fourth will be about funeral pre-planning. I was dismayed when I saw that the presenter at next week's session is from Edward Jones. I talked with the folks (from county government) who are hosting the series. They know me and heard my concerns. They assured me that they were very clear with their presenters that they could not do anything approaching sales. I explained that my concern was that they would be trolling for leads among the unsophisticated in the audience. They encouraged me to attend next week (I'm already regist...
by GerryL
Sun Sep 17, 2023 6:35 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard low expense vs Dodge Cox
Replies: 29
Views: 4011

Re: Vanguard low expense vs Dodge Cox

Their flagship, which is DODGX, hasnt beaten the market over a longer period of time. Not sure why their international fund should be lucky enough on a continuous basis. It most definitely HAS beaten the market over long periods of time. https://www.portfoliovisualizer.com/backtest-portfolio?s=y&timePeriod=4&startYear=1985&firstMonth=1&endYear=2022&lastMonth=12&calendarAligned=true&includeYTD=false&initialAmount=10000&annualOperation=1&annualAdjustment=300&inflationAdjusted=true&annualPercentage=0.0&frequency=2&rebalanceType=1&absoluteDeviation=5.0&relativeDeviation=25.0&leverageType=0&leverageRatio=0.0&debtAmount=0&debtInterest=0.0&maintenanceMargin=25.0&a...
by GerryL
Thu Aug 31, 2023 2:18 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Low cost balanced fund vs 3 fund portfolio
Replies: 19
Views: 2552

Re: Low cost balanced fund vs 3 fund portfolio

... Probably one mistake to avoid is holding such a fund in a taxable account and finding years later that you want to make a change and selling the fund is prohibitively expensive due to taxes. Such a fund may be less tax efficient than splitting assets different ways across taxable and tax deferred or tax exempt accounts I'm one of those people who started stashing extra savings in a balanced index fund many years ago. Didn't know anything about how the taxes would work. Didn't know about different ways of selling or capital gains. Now it is my main investment outside of retirement accounts and has grown to more than many people start retirement with. I have never sold any shares, but I have taken dividends to supplement my income, espec...
by GerryL
Tue Aug 29, 2023 3:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medigap Plan G-HD (And F-HD Too)
Replies: 14
Views: 1937

Re: Medigap Plan G-HD (And F-HD Too)

I've been on F-HD and now G-HD since starting Medicare almost 10 years ago. I've never yet come close to hitting the deductible, but I know that if I do have a bad year, my out-of-pocket expense is something I can cover. Much of what I have needed so far -- vaccines, mammogram, colonoscopy, etc. -- are covered by Medicare. The rest is covered at 80%.

Meanwhile, my monthly premium has been under $50, and I'm not spending 3-4x as much for coverage I am not using. The high deductible supplement is a good option for people who don't routinely use a lot of healthcare services.
by GerryL
Mon Aug 28, 2023 9:46 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Good luck to our W. FL friends [Hurricane Idalia]
Replies: 28
Views: 7370

Re: Good luck to our W. FL friends

I've got my fingers crossed for the Center for Great Apes which is located between Wauchula and Avon Park in Central Florida. Looks like this one is NOT headed straight at them, but they have been hit hard in the past. And it's not like they can load the 50+ chimpanzee and orangutan residents into cars to get out of the way.
by GerryL
Mon Aug 28, 2023 9:41 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: submit ?s: Retirement Planning for DIY'ers w/ Steve Chen
Replies: 21
Views: 3490

Re: submit ?s: Retirement Planning for DIY'ers w/ Steve Chen

Question about using a CFP on occasion to evaluate one's plan:

Shortly before retiring, I had a CFP at Vanguard (back when they did this at no cost) evaluate my plan based on my DIY investments and my planned annual spending. A few years into retirement, I had the evaluation done again with a more generous annual allowance. All is good.

At what point -- if any -- should I consider getting another evaluation done? Every five years? (We're past that.) Ten years? At a life change, say like decision to move into assisted living? If I want to up my annual allowance?

Note: I've consistently spent below my annual allowance and have been keeping a running total of the underspend, but I might want to do some splurge spending.
by GerryL
Mon Aug 28, 2023 9:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What to do with your journal?
Replies: 44
Views: 7287

Re: What to do with your journal?

If you haven't already, you might want to read A Life Discarded: 148 Diaries Found in the Trash by Alexander Masters. Nonfiction. Surprise ending.
by GerryL
Sat Aug 26, 2023 2:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cheaper alternatives to GUM Soft Picks Advanced
Replies: 18
Views: 1315

Re: Cheaper alternatives to GUM Soft Picks Advanced

cadzan wrote: Sat Aug 26, 2023 5:19 am Doesn't anyone use (wood) toothpicks anymore? Cheap as hell and you can usually find them for free at many restaurants.
Not the same thing. The soft picks are more than toothpicks. They are not just for dislodging food from between your teeth.
by GerryL
Fri Aug 25, 2023 12:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cheaper alternatives to GUM Soft Picks Advanced
Replies: 18
Views: 1315

Re: Cheaper alternatives to GUM Soft Picks Advanced

I get them in giant packs at Costco. Don't recall how much, but I do rinse off and reuse, so the warehouse-size package lasts a long time. They used to offer a smaller, cheaper uncurved version.
by GerryL
Thu Aug 24, 2023 7:04 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: DIY Index Investing
Replies: 28
Views: 3527

Re: DIY Index Investing

guyrt wrote: Thu Aug 24, 2023 4:32 pm (new guy)

So why don't more people build their own index that tracks VTI but with a few tweaks? Too much trouble? Not enough benefit? Some reason I'm missing that it's a surefire loser? Temptation to meddle that *will* make it a loser?
Too much work that would take too much time. At this point in my life, time is more valuable than any $$$ that I might (repeat, MIGHT) get from fussing with my investments.
by GerryL
Mon Aug 21, 2023 3:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Need Binocular Recommendation
Replies: 48
Views: 4864

Re: Need Binocular Recommendation

Several years ago, I shopped around for compact binoculars to take along on an Amazon River cruise. After much in-person trialing at different stores, I chose Nikon ProStaff 10x25. I found this pair to have a nice combination of sharp vision and compact size. When walking around the neighborhood, I carry my bigger pair. When I travel, the compact Nikon binoculars come with me now. They were recently looking for whales while cruising the British Isles. Next, they will be transiting the Panama Canal.

The cost at the time was about $120, if I recall correctly.
by GerryL
Tue Aug 08, 2023 10:59 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Donation Value documentation?
Replies: 12
Views: 1259

Re: Donation Value documentation?

Related question:
What kind of deduction can you claim if you give new, unused items? Is the list price the same as the fair market value?

I am in the Amazon Vine program, which means I can select items from a list and then review and keep them. I will need to pay taxes on the estimated tax value that Amazon will report to the IRS. I agree not to sell or give away the items for six months. I am collecting some items that I intend to donate, specifically kids backpacks that I will give to a school supply drive. Is the fmv what someone would pay for it?

Good news: So far, all the backpacks I have been getting are good quality.
by GerryL
Tue Aug 08, 2023 10:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Vanguard QCD Checks
Replies: 12
Views: 1614

Re: Vanguard QCD Checks

Been doing QCDs through Vanguard for several years.
I remove the check from the stub. Then I clip it to the cover letter that I will send with it and scan it. I save the scans as digital copies and the stubs in a physical file folder. So, I have two sets of documentation for my QCDs.
by GerryL
Sun Jul 30, 2023 5:33 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medicare Supplement “Birthday Rule”
Replies: 32
Views: 3085

Re: Medicare Supplement “Birthday Rule”

I’m also in Michigan, and we are currently trying to figure out which supplement to choose. It’s been eye opening. This is basically a decision that has to be made without any clear picture of future rates, but it’s a decision that we will more or less be stuck with for 20 or more years. I would guess that the Michigan AARP might be the place to start for help with advocacy, although maybe not … since they back their own plans. Best place to get info is your state's SHIP office. See https://www.shiphelp.org/. Objective information from trained volunteers. They are not selling anything. Be sure to take a look at the high-deductible G plan. It's a good option for people who don't routinely use a lot of healthcare services, I don't think AARP...
by GerryL
Sun Jul 30, 2023 4:43 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: What was your first Boglehead post?
Replies: 61
Views: 9606

Re: What was your first Boglehead post?

My first post (not comment) was in 2013 and titled "Where does charitable giving fit in your investment plan?"

It was a bit pre-retirement and I was thinking about how I might use various tools to make the most of charitable giving.

I was surprised to find that this was my first since I recall asking a question that, since I posted it, has cropped up from time to time and thought that was my first. It was the perennial "wouldn't this be a good idea" suggestion about laddering target date funds.
by GerryL
Sun Jul 30, 2023 4:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Strasbourg ideas
Replies: 22
Views: 1859

Re: Strasbourg ideas

I enjoyed a brief stay in Strasbourg in 2018 and would like to go back. I flew into CDG and took the TGV directly to Strasbourg. It was part of a program that would include a 5-day barge cruise on the canals. Something to be aware of: Check the calendar for the European Parliament and make sure your visit will not be when it is in session in Strasbourg. Accommodations would be hard to come by and expensive. Other venues (e.g., restaurants) might be more crowded, too. I also vote for a visit to Colmar. I spent several days there but wish I had spent a little more time in Strasbourg with a briefer visit to Colmar. City tram is easy to use. You can even get on one line and end up in Germany. I did that and then crossed the platform to return t...
by GerryL
Sat Jul 29, 2023 11:07 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Anyone familiar with Sentinel Group (employee benefits provider)?
Replies: 2
Views: 425

Anyone familiar with Sentinel Group (employee benefits provider)?

My young adult nephew has asked me to do a presentation for his friends about retirement planning. I've done this for him before. He is well-grounded and wants to help his friends get started with their own retirement planning. I won't be offering any investing recommendations. This will be fundamentals. What are stocks. What are bonds. IRAs. 401(k)s. Importance of diversification, expenses, etc. The basics. Similar to what I was doing for high school financial literacy classes. Help them understand what questions to ask. It appears that his plan is handled by Sentinel Group. I had him send me a list of the available investments in his 401k. Looks much better than what was available through his previous employer. Includes some index funds a...
by GerryL
Sat Jul 29, 2023 10:42 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: is it legal for merchants to not accept cash ?
Replies: 97
Views: 10515

Re: is it legal for merchants to not accept cash ?

Earlier this year I was at LAX and saw what appeared to be a self-service shop that only accepted epayments.

A couple of years ago I was in Paris, standing in line to use a toilet. Sign said 80 centimes (i.e., .80 euro) and got my coins out. When I got to the front of the line, I saw that they did not accept cash. Had to pay with a card. And my American chip&signature card did not work. Only time I have had my card rejected in France.

PS The attendant let me in for free.
by GerryL
Tue Jul 25, 2023 10:57 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do you keep your credit account "frozen" at the Big 3? (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion)
Replies: 77
Views: 5775

Re: Do you keep your credit account "frozen" at the Big 3? (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion)

Wow, talked me into it, hope I remember to unfreeze if necessary. I froze a Wells Fargo Bank credit card a couple weeks ago that I wasn't using. The other day Wells Fargo sent me a notification that since I hadn't used their credit card in so long, they were going to close it in 90 days if I didn't use it. Off I went to buy an Amazon gift card for $10 which of course didn't go through :oops: I unfroze, redid the transaction and froze again. That brings up another question. Do you freeze the credit cards you aren't using? I don’t freeze credit cards. I get automated alerts every time a card is used and I’m not present. I find I catch fraud very quickly that way. However, I also found that cards that aren’t used never get fraudulent transact...
by GerryL
Mon Jul 24, 2023 1:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do you keep your credit account "frozen" at the Big 3? (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion)
Replies: 77
Views: 5775

Re: Do you keep your credit account "frozen" at the Big 3? (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion)

I've kept mine credit frozen at the Big Three from when it was a more onerous process to freeze and thaw and cost me $5 each -- well over 10 years now. Minor inconvenience. When I apply for a new credit card or cell phone plan (not that often). I just wait for the bank or phone company to notify me which credit report to thaw. Have only ever needed to thaw a single one at any time.
by GerryL
Sun Jul 23, 2023 10:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medicare Supplement “Birthday Rule”
Replies: 32
Views: 3085

Re: Medicare Supplement “Birthday Rule”

Just an FYI. I live in Oregon, one of the states with a Birthday Rule. My options are to switch to the same level policy at a different company or to a lower level policy at the same or a different company. So, G to G at different companies or G to G-HD. I cannot switch from G-HD to G without underwriting because G offers a higher level of benefits than the high-deductible plan.
by GerryL
Tue Jun 27, 2023 5:02 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Impossible to find hourly fee adviser for tax planning
Replies: 18
Views: 2653

Re: Impossible to find hourly fee adviser for tax planning

Sounds like you need a CPA rather than a financial advisor or CFP. In my experience, most CFPs do not profess to offer tax-planning services.
by GerryL
Fri May 05, 2023 1:20 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: excited, i am completing my mortgage payments in the next few months
Replies: 7
Views: 931

Re: excited, i am completing my mortgage payments in the next few months

I decided to pay off my mortgage six months before the final payment would have been due. Took the day off work to do the deed. Went to the credit union to get a money order (which they didn't charge me for as a congratulation gift) and then drove a couple of miles to the Wells Fargo office and handed it over.

Coincidentally, six months later I ended up taking a voluntary separation package and retired a year earlier than planned. Because I no longer had a mortgage payment, my monthly expenses at the start of retirement were low enough that I did not need to tap my retirement accounts while waiting to start SS four year later.
by GerryL
Wed May 03, 2023 10:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Another Rear End accident.
Replies: 16
Views: 2423

Re: Another Rear End accident.

I've got some experience here. First car, under two years old, rear ended at stop light. Second car, under two years old, rear ended at stop light and pushed into car ahead of me. Third and current car, under two years old, rear ended at stop light or sign THREE times in less than three months. (You might understand that I am hesitant to replace car #3, which is 15 years old.)

Each time I called my AGENT and they helped me deal with the situation, which twice included uninsured drivers. I've never spoken directly to my insurance company. I'm now with USAA and don't have an agent, so I guess I would call the main number about how to proceed. Hoping I never have to.
by GerryL
Mon May 01, 2023 12:41 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Virtual keyboard @ Treasury Direct going away?...finally!
Replies: 48
Views: 6314

Re: Virtual keyboard @ Treasury Direct going away?...finally!

I wonder if now the entries WILL be case sensitive.
by GerryL
Wed Apr 26, 2023 8:56 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is Active Management coming back?
Replies: 51
Views: 4231

Re: Is Active Management coming back?

Recently, I read and hear that the Active Management should be preferred in the coming years (i.e. stock picker's market.) as the upcoming environment will favor the active strategy unlike the last several decades; so, that 'picking the right stock' will produce alpha over the strategy of holding the index. Is there any merit to this? Or is this just a spin that the active firms are trying to promote? Has there ever been a period in history wherein majority of active management beat the index? Do you see any value in allocating a minority portion of my portfolio in an active fund and/or ETF as another way to diversify, i.e. diversifying across investment styles? Articles like this are always being written by people who make their income by...
by GerryL
Tue Apr 25, 2023 10:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Europe River Cruises - Is Viking the Last Word?
Replies: 39
Views: 5721

Re: Europe River Cruises - Is Viking the Last Word?

Viking is wonderful. My cabin was on the lower deck, so kind of dark and confining, but, hey, it was an all-expenses-paid trip. If you're interested in the itinerary and not so much on the luxury of the ship and would like to save some money, CroisiEurope is a good value line. The French-owned company offers many itineraries around Europe and elsewhere. Good service and very good food, although selection is not as expansive as on the fancier ships. Not all of their ships have balconies. They have the only ship -- the Loire Princess -- that navigates the Loire River in chateaux country. (And that one has balcony cabins. Really enjoyed that despite the low-water levels.) If someone suggests Vantage Deluxe World Travel ... DM me and I will ex...
by GerryL
Tue Apr 25, 2023 7:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should I purchase a Medicare supplement?
Replies: 202
Views: 16533

Re: Should I purchase a Medicare supplement?

The states that allow you to change your Medigap plan without underwriting include: Connecticut Maine Massachusetts Minnesota New York Oregon Rhode Island Vermont It’s important to note that, even in these states, there may be certain conditions or restrictions that apply when switching Medigap plans. For example, you may only be able to switch during certain open enrollment periods, or you may have to switch from one Medigap plan to another within a certain time frame after enrolling in Medicare. Oregon (and, I think California) allow you to change plans in your birth month, but you can only switch to a plan of equal or lesser value. I was on F-HD, and when G-HD became available, I switched to that plan. I could not have switched to F or ...
by GerryL
Mon Apr 24, 2023 10:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should I purchase a Medicare supplement?
Replies: 202
Views: 16533

Re: Should I purchase a Medicare supplement?

The states that allow you to change your Medigap plan without underwriting include: Connecticut Maine Massachusetts Minnesota New York Oregon Rhode Island Vermont It’s important to note that, even in these states, there may be certain conditions or restrictions that apply when switching Medigap plans. For example, you may only be able to switch during certain open enrollment periods, or you may have to switch from one Medigap plan to another within a certain time frame after enrolling in Medicare. Oregon (and, I think California) allow you to change plans in your birth month, but you can only switch to a plan of equal or lesser value. I was on F-HD, and when G-HD became available, I switched to that plan. I could not have switched to F or ...