Greg, an interesting article and it made me think about what little luxuries I encounter whether big or small. I like your thinking on that side of the world where you are. Maybe life is greener in Australia? Unfortunately, as with many of the articles I read on HD along with the comments, it brings out snide jabs and the main topic gets hijacked. Who would have thought Jeff Bezos name would become a part of this topic?
Good suggestions Andrew. I'm still old fashioned and in addition to the email, I would mail a written letter and send it certified with a written receipt. An email might get received by them as junk/spam.
From a different concern about ACH withdrawals, I've never contributed to a 529 plan and not sure how they are setup (gov't, bank or brokerage). I'm wanting to help my niece pay off her college school loans in under five years, because right now she'll be retired before the payments are completed. Her parents and grandparents are deceased, so I'm offering to help. Plus she is divorced with two young children. She currently makes payments via ACH on the AidVantage website which manages federal student loans on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education. I can add my banking info and authorize ACH payments, but I'm hesitant as sited in Adam's article even though this is a different purpose as I'm not funding a 529, but paying off a student loan. I want to make lump sum payments to the loans with the highest interest and the options to assist are: mail a check (I use the gel pens) with instructions which loan to apply the payment to; make on over-the-phone payment with my bank check card; or transfer the money to her and let her make the payment. A credit card is not an option offered. Have other readers been in this situation in paying school loans and what caveats should I be aware of?
I recently read a book called The Roth Conversion Formula by Alex O'Shea. The book provides 10 case studies using 2026 tax law. It was an easy and understandable read. Has anyone experimented with the author's RetireSmartIRA and compared it to other programs? I went to the website and it looks interesting. As with any source, how do you know the information is accurate in the details it returns?I enjoyed the author's article, although nebulous in some parts and will require reading several times over. His other articles have also been good to read.
David, I read the same article this morning and it confirmed my suspicions. About 10 years ago I was interested in taking the CFP course for my own benefit through a local college. I attended a welcome visit and one class. I was appalled how the instructors (CFP's) portrayed themselves and the negative stories they told about clients. Many of the students attending were from a well known brokerage firm because they were being required to get the CFP certification. A designation that might be considered is a PFS (Personal Finance Specialist) along with a CPA title.
I'm not recommending this to anyone, but I've been mixing 1/2tsp baking soda with 8oz of water for many years. The acid reflux will be gone quickly...very quickly.
Perhaps as we age it isn't worth the negotiating hassle and just want to enjoy our remaining years...and the car of our dreams. I read an article this morning from Komando.com titled: Use AI to cut junk fees from your car quote VIN etching can cost $199 to $499, and paint or theft packages can hit $2,500. Tax, title and registration? Normal. Then come dealer prep, VIN etching, nitrogen tires, paint protection and theft packages. Suddenly, Todd is charging you $399 because the tires contain air that came from Swiss mountains. Taxes, title, registration and government fees are generally not negotiable. Beyond those, fees aren’t sacred, they’re almost always negotiable. The dealer is counting on you not knowing that. If a dealer says a fee is mandatory: Fine. Lower the vehicle price by the same amount. The humor at the end of the article:
A salesman asked what I wanted in a car. I said affordable. He said he'd never heard of a Ford Ibble.
Comments
Greg, an interesting article and it made me think about what little luxuries I encounter whether big or small. I like your thinking on that side of the world where you are. Maybe life is greener in Australia? Unfortunately, as with many of the articles I read on HD along with the comments, it brings out snide jabs and the main topic gets hijacked. Who would have thought Jeff Bezos name would become a part of this topic?
Post: Little luxuries
Link to comment from September 21, 2026
Good suggestions Andrew. I'm still old fashioned and in addition to the email, I would mail a written letter and send it certified with a written receipt. An email might get received by them as junk/spam.
Post: When $2000 Isn’t Worth the Hassle
Link to comment from September 16, 2026
From a different concern about ACH withdrawals, I've never contributed to a 529 plan and not sure how they are setup (gov't, bank or brokerage). I'm wanting to help my niece pay off her college school loans in under five years, because right now she'll be retired before the payments are completed. Her parents and grandparents are deceased, so I'm offering to help. Plus she is divorced with two young children. She currently makes payments via ACH on the AidVantage website which manages federal student loans on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education. I can add my banking info and authorize ACH payments, but I'm hesitant as sited in Adam's article even though this is a different purpose as I'm not funding a 529, but paying off a student loan. I want to make lump sum payments to the loans with the highest interest and the options to assist are: mail a check (I use the gel pens) with instructions which loan to apply the payment to; make on over-the-phone payment with my bank check card; or transfer the money to her and let her make the payment. A credit card is not an option offered. Have other readers been in this situation in paying school loans and what caveats should I be aware of?
Post: Financial Fraud
Link to comment from September 5, 2026
Understood. Thanks for elaborating.
Post: Roth Conversions and Taxes
Link to comment from August 11, 2026
V Saraf, if you experiment with both Boldin and the author's app, please share your thoughts if you don't mind.
Post: Roth Conversions and Taxes
Link to comment from August 10, 2026
John, you raise many good additional thoughts to consider. Thanks!
Post: Roth Conversions and Taxes
Link to comment from August 10, 2026
I recently read a book called The Roth Conversion Formula by Alex O'Shea. The book provides 10 case studies using 2026 tax law. It was an easy and understandable read. Has anyone experimented with the author's RetireSmartIRA and compared it to other programs? I went to the website and it looks interesting. As with any source, how do you know the information is accurate in the details it returns? I enjoyed the author's article, although nebulous in some parts and will require reading several times over. His other articles have also been good to read.
Post: Roth Conversions and Taxes
Link to comment from August 8, 2026
David, I read the same article this morning and it confirmed my suspicions. About 10 years ago I was interested in taking the CFP course for my own benefit through a local college. I attended a welcome visit and one class. I was appalled how the instructors (CFP's) portrayed themselves and the negative stories they told about clients. Many of the students attending were from a well known brokerage firm because they were being required to get the CFP certification. A designation that might be considered is a PFS (Personal Finance Specialist) along with a CPA title.
Post: Beware the CFP Designation?
Link to comment from August 3, 2026
I'm not recommending this to anyone, but I've been mixing 1/2tsp baking soda with 8oz of water for many years. The acid reflux will be gone quickly...very quickly.
Post: Subconscious Frugality
Link to comment from July 31, 2026
Perhaps as we age it isn't worth the negotiating hassle and just want to enjoy our remaining years...and the car of our dreams. I read an article this morning from Komando.com titled: Use AI to cut junk fees from your car quote
VIN etching can cost $199 to $499, and paint or theft packages can hit $2,500. Tax, title and registration? Normal. Then come dealer prep, VIN etching, nitrogen tires, paint protection and theft packages. Suddenly, Todd is charging you $399 because the tires contain air that came from Swiss mountains. Taxes, title, registration and government fees are generally not negotiable. Beyond those, fees aren’t sacred, they’re almost always negotiable. The dealer is counting on you not knowing that. If a dealer says a fee is mandatory: Fine. Lower the vehicle price by the same amount. The humor at the end of the article: A salesman asked what I wanted in a car. I said affordable. He said he'd never heard of a Ford Ibble.
Post: Buying a car in retirement
Link to comment from July 23, 2026