Miscellaneous
Latest Discussions
Just A Few Hours Remain
For those itemizing in 2017 but won't in 2018, there's still time for charitable gifts.
For folks who tithe, or gift periodically, think about "front-loading" today, December 31,... read more
The Day Before New Years
'Twas the day before New Years,
And all through the land,
Folks were rushing to donate
Used clothing (off-brand).
Trump's tax bill, they fear,
Will bring little cheer.
Non-cash co... read more
Underpay Your 2017 Tax?
Check out IRS Form 2210.
With the advent of the "gig" economy, more folks are unknowingly underpaying Uncle Sam. Uncle Sam is not amused, and tends to charge interest for underpa... read more
You Might Need To Tweak Those 2018 Tax Calculators
The tax calculators for the recently-enacted Tax Bill are all the rage. Some caveats apply.
I've reviewed more than a dozen such calculators, and each has similar flaws. (1) Each ... read more
Mastercard Free Service To Counter ID Theft
You must be a Mastercard cardholder to use this free service. I signed up. It seems like a good service. Certainly the price is right:
https://www.mastercard.us/en-us/consumers/pa... read more
Is Your Withholding Adequate?
As we enter into the new, and somewhat uncharted, territory of the new tax bill, one logical question for the average taxpayer is whether his or her withholding will be adequate.
... read more
Hang Onto Your Hat. Train Comin' Down The Track . . . Fast!
Guys this new tax law deal appears to me actually to have legs. I think it is gonna happen . . and soon. Ho, boy, look out! This thing will free up huge sums of money at corporatio... read more
Trust-Fund Babies Escape Unscathed
Aside from the Estate Tax, one little-known provision in the Tax Code escaped scrutiny. The step-up in basis. For those unfamiliar with the step-up in basis, it basically eliminate... read more
Capital One
I haven't been able to log into my accounts all day. I did a web search and some think they have been hacked. Earlier messages said something like "Opps you hit a snag. Try again a... read more
TD Ameritrade Brokered CD's (E.G., 1.75% APY For 1 Year)
TD Ameritrade offers some nice rates on their brokered CDs:
Featured CDs
*FDIC INSURED*
Maturity APY*
3 months 1.3%
6 months 1.5%
9 months 1.55%
1 year 1.75%
2 years 2.... read more
Should Millenials Consider Real Estate?
While most DA readers are laser-focused on CDs, it might be time to consider alternative investments. Herewith, real estate.
Rental real estate properties can generate both profit... read more
Potential Threat To Older Americans
There is more trouble afoot in Nevada than the current well-publicized Las Vegas slaughter. Older Nevadans are being robbed, by court-approved strangers, of their life savings and ... read more
Rotation To Fixed-Income Leaps Off The Page
Every so often, an adjustment to one's asset allocation seems prudent. These days, as I noted, it just "leaps off the page". I've throttled back this year on equities, but, even so... read more
Seen This Movie Before?
Today is first of December. Last fall we had the Andrews deal. It was the only blowout CD deal of fall of 2016. Unless something surfaces darn soon . . and I mean both time and 201... read more
For Those With Tiras, Be Mindful Of The RMD
For those readers turning 70 1/2 this year, with Traditional IRAs (TIRAs), don't forget your first RMD is due this calendar year, unless you elect to defer to 2018 and withdraw bot... read more
Hi... I'm John from Ontario.
I'm new, as of today, to this forum. I have been on the internet since just about the beginning but have not learned a lot of what is going on now. If somebody wants to tell me som... read more
Bellco Index Advantage CD Rates Going Up
This afternoon's quarter point Fed rate increase will impact owners of Bellco's Index Advantage CDs, to include both the short 22 month CDs and the longer 44 month CD product. Rule... read more
New Alliant CU Savings Act Rates
Under your Topic of Savings Account Rates you list the new Alliant CU High Rate at 1.35% for deposits of $100,000
or more. The ACU website shows the new Savings Acct rate is 1.25% ... read more
Alliant Just Boosted Its Savings Yield
Now 1.243%. Not too shabby.... read more
Orrin Hatch Proposes Amendment To Curb 401K Catch-Up
Under current law, 401K participants over age 50 can contribute an additional $6000/yr to their 401Ks, for a total of $24,000, tax-deferred Hatch would amend that by (a) increasing... read more