BBB: Do that Boring Buck-saving Busywork!

[Turtle]

Do taxes count? Because until one knows if there is a refund or amount due, one might be on the hook for late filing penalty. Schrödinger's penalty.

So, yeah. Taxes done.

Same here.

[midweststache]

Semi-annual increase of our Internet bill (basically expiring off the promo rate).spoke with a retention specialist got it cut back in half.

ROR: ~$250 for about 5 minutes of work.

[Fru-Gal]

I plan to apply for low-income utilities today, now that I know our AGI for our household size qualifies.

[crocheted_stache]

I finally got started consolidating an old HSA into a current HSA. The destination account will let me invest what's in it. I was dreading having to call both institutions during their business hours (invariably in some other timezone) and generally hassle with bureaucracy, but there was a web form to initiate this transaction, and so far it appears to work.

I will need to follow up to empty and close an accompanying placeholder checking account, which just started charging a monthly inactivity fee. They assure me I agreed to this when I signed up.

Finding this post reminded me to try again to generate some activity in the account that charged the fee, and I think I managed it this time. That should give me time to close both the HSA (still in process) and the placeholder checking account.

[Gin1984]

Filled out paperwork to get a partials reimbursement for childcare from my employer. They give a small stipend for care related to school closings but life has been busy and I have not filled out the paperwork until today. 

[MaybeBabyMustache]

A couple of projects:
1) Went to book flights with a United credit that expired in January of 2025. Email confirmation & app both show that date. When I tried to book a flight for October, says it's beyond the travel date. Spent over an hour on the phone with United, and it turns out that I'd used a $75 credit (on a $10k reservation - trip for four to Turkey) & that reset the expiration date on the back end, with no notice. United was able to fix it, and reissue manual credits (which, ironically have a longer expiration), but if I hadn't noticed this or waited longer to book flights, they may have expired.
2) My doctor's office made a typo in their bill (spelled the name of their hospital incorrectly?!), which caused my insurance to consider a bunch of labs out of network, and they paid zero. I've since paid, because we couldn't figure out what happened. I've made numerous calls to the hospital & my insurance yesterday, and I think we have a solution. It's a $1760 bill, so I'm very motivated to keep chasing it until it's resolved.

[mspym]

@MaybeBabyMustache huzzah for winning against United! I had such a bad time trying to use cancelled flight credits from Expedia* that I gave up in the end, took the loss as a lesson to never use them again and badmouth them every chance I get.

Our insurance is about to rollover for the year and I have started the process of getting quotes from different companies. I also battled the govt id phone line to get my details changed from Australia to NZ so I can check my status with the IRD. I’d been putting that job off for 9+ months.

Edit: when I closed my accounts in Australia, I found I had an unexpected $165 refund in there - earning 0.10% interest - which was a nice surprise.
 
*to use the credits you had to call them, in the UK, with the time difference from Australia. Luckily my phone didn’t charge me for international calls to the UK because there was no free phone, I was on hold for over an hour, dealt with a very hostile man when I finally got someone, who couldn’t be convinced that my credit hadn’t expired. After another hour, Ofpym was “this is not worth your time and stress” and we vowed to only purchase directly from the airlines in future.

[MaybeBabyMustache]

@mspym - if it was less money, I may have given up. For my health care one, I would have absolutely given up, if I were still working & just paid out of pocket. Because chasing this stuff down is endlessly frustrating & a huge time suck.

[Dicey]

@MaybeBabyMustache huzzah for winning against United! I had such a bad time trying to use cancelled flight credits from Expedia* that I gave up in the end, took the loss as a lesson to never use them again and badmouth them every chance I get.

Our insurance is about to rollover for the year and I have started the process of getting quotes from different companies. I also battled the govt id phone line to get my details changed from Australia to NZ so I can check my status with the IRD. I’d been putting that job off for 9+ months.

Edit: when I closed my accounts in Australia, I found I had an unexpected $165 refund in there - earning 0.10% interest - which was a nice surprise.

*to use the credits you had to call them, in the UK, with the time difference from Australia. Luckily my phone didn’t charge me for international calls to the UK because there was no free phone, I was on hold for over an hour, dealt with a very hostile man when I finally got someone, who couldn’t be convinced that my credit hadn’t expired. After another hour, Ofpym was “this is not worth your time and stress” and we vowed to only purchase directly from the airlines in future.

FTFY. Asshats deserve to be called out. That's an excellent resolution.

[crocheted_stache]

I finally got started consolidating an old HSA into a current HSA. The destination account will let me invest what's in it. I was dreading having to call both institutions during their business hours (invariably in some other timezone) and generally hassle with bureaucracy, but there was a web form to initiate this transaction, and so far it appears to work.

I will need to follow up to empty and close an accompanying placeholder checking account, which just started charging a monthly inactivity fee. They assure me I agreed to this when I signed up.

Finding this post reminded me to try again to generate some activity in the account that charged the fee, and I think I managed it this time. That should give me time to close both the HSA (still in process) and the placeholder checking account.

Old HSA is transferred and closed. Accompanying old checking account is closed, with a check for the small remaining balance to be issued Monday. The destination institution has options for investing the HSA money, which I do still need to set up, but which I think I found and can easily do. This has been on the list for way too long.

[Fru-Gal]

We qualified for three low-income programs! Looking forward to some lower bills for a few years…

[oneday]

Linked up a churning bank account to main bank account. Once I'm sure the direct deposit is no longer going to the churning account, I'll transfer the money back & close it. Simplicity is underrated.

[MaybeBabyMustache]

A couple of projects:
1) Went to book flights with a United credit that expired in January of 2025. Email confirmation & app both show that date. When I tried to book a flight for October, says it's beyond the travel date. Spent over an hour on the phone with United, and it turns out that I'd used a $75 credit (on a $10k reservation - trip for four to Turkey) & that reset the expiration date on the back end, with no notice. United was able to fix it, and reissue manual credits (which, ironically have a longer expiration), but if I hadn't noticed this or waited longer to book flights, they may have expired.
2) My doctor's office made a typo in their bill (spelled the name of their hospital incorrectly?!), which caused my insurance to consider a bunch of labs out of network, and they paid zero. I've since paid, because we couldn't figure out what happened. I've made numerous calls to the hospital & my insurance yesterday, and I think we have a solution. It's a $1760 bill, so I'm very motivated to keep chasing it until it's resolved.

Still working on #2, since I never heard back from my insurance company. Dealing with insurance is *so* much fun!!

[crocheted_stache]

I finally got started consolidating an old HSA into a current HSA. The destination account will let me invest what's in it. I was dreading having to call both institutions during their business hours (invariably in some other timezone) and generally hassle with bureaucracy, but there was a web form to initiate this transaction, and so far it appears to work.

I will need to follow up to empty and close an accompanying placeholder checking account, which just started charging a monthly inactivity fee. They assure me I agreed to this when I signed up.

Finding this post reminded me to try again to generate some activity in the account that charged the fee, and I think I managed it this time. That should give me time to close both the HSA (still in process) and the placeholder checking account.

Old HSA is transferred and closed. Accompanying old checking account is closed, with a check for the small remaining balance to be issued Monday. The destination institution has options for investing the HSA money, which I do still need to set up, but which I think I found and can easily do. This has been on the list for way too long.

And it's invested! I can check this one off the list at long last. While I was at it, I adjusted my 401k allocation in a direction that should reduce fees by about $500 per year.

[crocheted_stache]

Canceled and restarted as digital-only a subscription for a magazine I read, before it auto-renewed. There was no way to convert the subscription directly from print to digital.  Saves $20/year (shrug) and stops a stack of magazines piling up on the coffee table (yay!). I'm giving myself credit here mainly because it was a hassle.

[MaybeBabyMustache]

A couple of projects:
1) Went to book flights with a United credit that expired in January of 2025. Email confirmation & app both show that date. When I tried to book a flight for October, says it's beyond the travel date. Spent over an hour on the phone with United, and it turns out that I'd used a $75 credit (on a $10k reservation - trip for four to Turkey) & that reset the expiration date on the back end, with no notice. United was able to fix it, and reissue manual credits (which, ironically have a longer expiration), but if I hadn't noticed this or waited longer to book flights, they may have expired.
2) My doctor's office made a typo in their bill (spelled the name of their hospital incorrectly?!), which caused my insurance to consider a bunch of labs out of network, and they paid zero. I've since paid, because we couldn't figure out what happened. I've made numerous calls to the hospital & my insurance yesterday, and I think we have a solution. It's a $1760 bill, so I'm very motivated to keep chasing it until it's resolved.

Still working on #2, since I never heard back from my insurance company. Dealing with insurance is *so* much fun!!

After numerous calls on all sides (doctor's office & insurance + insurance "concierge"), the labs were billed at a different code than they typically have been, which is why they've been covered in the past, but not this time. I did ask my "concierge" to follow up with the doctor about whether these were preventative labs (how they've been covered in the past & also because I have an ongoing autoimmune disease), so maybe that will work. If nothing else, I've driven this to ground & have spent more than enough time trying to understand why this was denied & working through various options to have it covered.

Also cancelled a subscription to a trail app that I tried on our hiking trip. It was free for seven days, so cancelled it before the trial period elapsed.

[Just Joe]

Reviewed our auto insurance last week. Raised deductibles on the one car with full coverage. Took one of the older vehicles insurance down to liability only as required by state law here. Not sure why it had fancy coverage anyhow, its only worth $2K or so.

Saved perhaps $750 this coming year.

I want to review the house insurance maybe next week and see if I can raise deductibles there too. I don't want to make too many changes at once so the agent clerk doesn't make mistakes.

Last week, all the adjustments, this week buying a car, next week maybe adjusting home coverage.

The insurance company probably loves us b/c we have never filed a claim in 20+ years.

Just remembered I need to check an IRS tax payment. Seems somehow we missed that DW's withholding was incorrect at her job so we owed several thousand dollars this year. Never before, just this year. Hmmm. A mistake was made, not sure by whom b/c neither of us recall making any changes but whatever. Didn't want to ding our emergency fund for that so I put it on a payment plan. Done in a six months or so.

[chasingthegoodlife]

Two boring but overdue tasks ticked off today:

1) Reviewed my insurance and reduced my income protection cover (Since I’ve reduced my work hours, I’ve been paying for a higher level of cover than I was eligible to have paid out - ooops!) . Saving maybe $50 per year.

2) Opened a new super account for my husband with cheaper investment options - saving around $1000 per year at the current balance and much more when we rearrange our assets next year.

Next step - finishing and submitting milage claim for work.

[chasingthegoodlife]

Milage reimbursement submitted!

Another $150 or so back in my pocket.

[Agatha Thrifty]

Finally did the ridiculously simple paperwork to port my dinosaur landline phone number to VOIP with my ISP.  Cost will be half of what I have been paying for a phone I frequently leave unplugged due to the volume of robocalls.

Bonus, I will be able to move the phone out of my kitchen and into some other room where it will be less intrusive.

[oneday]

Linked up a churning bank account to main bank account. Once I'm sure the direct deposit is no longer going to the churning account, I'll transfer the money back & close it. Simplicity is underrated.

Direct deposit updated & transfer scheduled. All that is left is waiting, then closing the churned account.

Also dealt with a medical billing issue. I am supposed to be refunded $10. We'll see.

[Rural]

Closed two checking accounts because they were compromised in the MOVEit breach, opened a new one, changed direct deposit to the new one.

[Sugaree]

I have to have new tires.  All four of mine have less tread left than I'd like and one has a not-so-slow leak that I haven't been able to locate or plug.  It is what it is.  I went through my insurance company's website and got 25% off, so basically four tires for the price of three.  I will also be able to submit my receipt for a mail-in rebate for an additional $75 back. 

[crocheted_stache]

Finally did the ridiculously simple paperwork to port my dinosaur landline phone number to VOIP with my ISP.  Cost will be half of what I have been paying for a phone I frequently leave unplugged due to the volume of robocalls.

Bonus, I will be able to move the phone out of my kitchen and into some other room where it will be less intrusive.

Yay, go you!
 
A couple years ago, we converted our land line to Google Voice. Saves us what was something upwards of $40/month and it comes with stuff to screen most spam.

[DeniseNJ]

In march, I did my two states and federal tax returns for 2021, 2022, and 2023.  Once I started doing them they were surprisingly easy.  Yesterday I go the last check in the mail from NJ for over 3K.  In total I got about $16K back.  I did one year each day for 3 days and got it over with and was so proud.  Took that money and put it right into a roth.

Also, I thought we couldn't do a roth bc we were just over the limit but We started contributing the max of 30K to dh's 403b which lowered the taxable income and now we can do a roth without having to go back door, so great info as a result of actually doing the taxes was another plus.  So relieved.

[DeniseNJ]

Another tip (for US residents): In a previous job, I dealt with the escheatment process. Escheatment is usually handled through the Office of the State Controller. Search for Escheatment or Unclaimed Property and your state name on Google, and you may find some funds! It's super easy.

Go to missingmoney.com so you can easily search all the states with a few clicks.  It's legit and free.  Some of the states link back to the controller's but everything should be listed there.  Every time I check this site I find a few ppl I know are owed money.  It's a rabbit hole--you end up looking up everyone you know.  But it's fun and you may find a few bucks.  I got $600 for a health insurance claim once.

[Dicey]

Another tip (for US residents): In a previous job, I dealt with the escheatment process. Escheatment is usually handled through the Office of the State Controller. Search for Escheatment or Unclaimed Property and your state name on Google, and you may find some funds! It's super easy.

Go to missingmoney.com so you can easily search all the states with a few clicks.  It's legit and free.  Some of the states link back to the controller's but everything should be listed there.  Every time I check this site I find a few ppl I know are owed money.  It's a rabbit hole--you end up looking up everyone you know.  But it's fun and you may find a few bucks.  I got $600 for a health insurance claim once.

I've been following Katy over at The Non-Consumer Advocate since before MMM launched. She just posted on this topic. There are some great scores in the comments, and other suggestions for tracking down missing money.

https://thenonconsumeradvocate.com/go-get-your-money-on-missingmoney-com/

[crocheted_stache]

Another tip (for US residents): In a previous job, I dealt with the escheatment process. Escheatment is usually handled through the Office of the State Controller. Search for Escheatment or Unclaimed Property and your state name on Google, and you may find some funds! It's super easy.

Go to missingmoney.com so you can easily search all the states with a few clicks.  It's legit and free.  Some of the states link back to the controller's but everything should be listed there.  Every time I check this site I find a few ppl I know are owed money.  It's a rabbit hole--you end up looking up everyone you know.  But it's fun and you may find a few bucks.  I got $600 for a health insurance claim once.

I've been following Katy over at The Non-Consumer Advocate since before MMM launched. She just posted on this topic. There are some great scores in the comments, and other suggestions for tracking down missing money.

https://thenonconsumeradvocate.com/go-get-your-money-on-missingmoney-com/

They suggest checking for late relatives, too. Having determined that the one person I might have a valid claim on had maybe $1.50 unclaimed (I'm not bothering), I plugged in a family surname that, as far as I know, is unique to a handful of people related to me, and found an extended family member who had failed to connect with a last paycheck or some such, to the tune of $400.

I did my part. I contacted him and let him know it was there for the taking. I saw him at a family reunion a year or three later and asked, and I guess he'd gotten intimidated by the paperwork and never claimed it. It's already none of my business, but <sigh>. I guess not everyone is cut out for mustachianism.

[Dicey]

Another tip (for US residents): In a previous job, I dealt with the escheatment process. Escheatment is usually handled through the Office of the State Controller. Search for Escheatment or Unclaimed Property and your state name on Google, and you may find some funds! It's super easy.

Go to missingmoney.com so you can easily search all the states with a few clicks.  It's legit and free.  Some of the states link back to the controller's but everything should be listed there.  Every time I check this site I find a few ppl I know are owed money.  It's a rabbit hole--you end up looking up everyone you know.  But it's fun and you may find a few bucks.  I got $600 for a health insurance claim once.

I've been following Katy over at The Non-Consumer Advocate since before MMM launched. She just posted on this topic. There are some great scores in the comments, and other suggestions for tracking down missing money.

https://thenonconsumeradvocate.com/go-get-your-money-on-missingmoney-com/

They suggest checking for late relatives, too. Having determined that the one person I might have a valid claim on had maybe $1.50 unclaimed (I'm not bothering), I plugged in a family surname that, as far as I know, is unique to a handful of people related to me, and found an extended family member who had failed to connect with a last paycheck or some such, to the tune of $400.

I did my part. I contacted him and let him know it was there for the taking. I saw him at a family reunion a year or three later and asked, and I guess he'd gotten intimidated by the paperwork and never claimed it. It's already none of my business, but <sigh>. I guess not everyone is cut out for mustachianism.

A few years ago, I checked and found a couple of small ones ($10, $15) in my maiden name. It just wasn't worth the hassle to me. This time, I checked both names and found nothing, which is fine with me. I kept such intense scrutiny on my finances for so many years, I wouldn't expect to find anything of much significance. IIRC, the small amounts were rebates from a small term life insurance policy I no longer have. Meh.

[oneday]

Also dealt with a medical billing issue. I am supposed to be refunded $10. We'll see.

$10 refunded! I did need to upload additional supporting documentation and waiting on that to be sure the bill is completely settled. But should be OK now. 🤞

[wonkette]

I have had a class action settlement postcard in the bottom of my purse for a couple of week and finally looked up the case and decided which settlement option I wanted. The settlement is related to a cybersecurity attack at a healthcare facility I used a few years ago. I think I'm getting a $50 check and some additional credit monitoring!

[Just Joe]

If you make insurance policy adjustments, make sure to go back to see if they were actually done by your agent's staff.

Also, if you owe the IRS money and decide to do a payment plan make sure they actually auto-deduct the money each month. Noticed last night that they didn't do that in MAY.

[crocheted_stache]

I just used some jet-lagged time while awake in the middle of the night to check in on a couple of things. I reviewed and paid my last credit card statement (bigger than usual, because we've been traveling). Rather than try to reconcile every amount, I just look for things I don't recognize, as well as anything that might be a duplicate or error. It's rare, but I've caught stuff before. Since I don't really do a budget, it's also an opportunity to scrutinize our spending and look for anything that could improve.

I also checked that the estimated taxes went out for June.

I found nothing to worry about on either of these items, but I'd say avoiding idiot fees and potential hassles counts here.

[stoaX]

If you make insurance policy adjustments, make sure to go back to see if they were actually done by your agent's staff.

So true.  More than once I have had to remind my agent to do what they said they would do.

[crocheted_stache]

Still mostly in the vein of not letting this kind of stuff get lost under all the other things I'd rather be doing...

• Paid the tax preparer, who finally invoiced us last week even though taxes were complete and filed in April. I'm less concerned that it took so long to invoice us and more concerned that it cost more than 4x what the previous preparer charged us for basically the same return last year. There may be an exercise shopping around next year. At least we'll ask if we might need fewer hours now that the first version happened with them and we're in their system. (Last year's preparer scaled back their business and won't still do ours.)
• Deposited a claim check from the dental insurance and put the statement where it will eventually be scanned.
• DH made sure our car registration tag is on and put the current paperwork in the right place.

[Just Joe]

If you make insurance policy adjustments, make sure to go back to see if they were actually done by your agent's staff.

So true.  More than once I have had to remind my agent to do what they said they would do.

We bought a second car that is currently financed. We'll make payments for a while and then pay it off early like we always do. Credit union wanted proof of insurance. I sent them a copy of the insurance card. Well, the person I was working with at the local level said that was all that was needed. Someone at the main bank office said sent me a letter a month since saying they needed more or they'd furnish insurance for me at some cost. No, I'll provide more proof ASAP.

Walked into our agent's office and delivered the mailed notice so the agent's staff knew exactly what needed doing. Thanked them as I departed and mentioned I would check with the bank in a couple of days to make sure the main bank office was satisfied with what was provided - IOW - nicely told the agent staff to make sure they did what they said they would do that day (FAX the info). If I need to be pushy, I'll be pushy. I prefer to just be nice about it all. ;)

[crocheted_stache]

Called the ISP to renew the annual contract and prevent a higher month-to-month rate from kicking in. Also confirmed, or attempted to, that we're not paying $10 monthly rent for a modem we own. I don't think we are, but they've come up with some other surcharge. I'm not convinced a different provider would be much if any savings, so we're sticking with the existing.

[Firepants]

Did a little research before picking up two Paxlovid prescriptions when my DH and I had COVID. Pfizer has a copay program that gives you the meds for free. Saved $450 x 2. Would have saved $1500 x 2 if we didn't have insurance.
There are also copay programs for people on Medicare and Medicaid. Looks like they might reimburse you if you paid full price out of pocket.

Sent from my Pixel 7a using Tapatalk

[crocheted_stache]

Did a little research before picking up two Paxlovid prescriptions when my DH and I had COVID. Pfizer has a copay program that gives you the meds for free. Saved $450 x 2. Would have saved $1500 x 2 if we didn't have insurance.
There are also copay programs for people on Medicare and Medicaid. Looks like they might reimburse you if you paid full price out of pocket.

Sent from my Pixel 7a using Tapatalk

I hope the past tense there means you've recovered or are well on your way. Props for sorting out the money savings while sick.

[crocheted_stache]

Paid the car insurance. No special actions (calling and pestering them about rates, etc.) Just got it over with on time, to prevent late fees and other consequences.

[Dicey]

Did a little research before picking up two Paxlovid prescriptions when my DH and I had COVID. Pfizer has a copay program that gives you the meds for free. Saved $450 x 2. Would have saved $1500 x 2 if we didn't have insurance.
There are also copay programs for people on Medicare and Medicaid. Looks like they might reimburse you if you paid full price out of pocket.

Sent from my Pixel 7a using Tapatalk

Ha! I paid $1449.83 for Paxlovid while on vacation. Insurer doesn't want to pay because I was out of their service area. I filed a challenge yesterday (my BBB), because, I'm on Medicare and it's covered by Medicare!!!! Gah!

[Dicey]

Did a little research before picking up two Paxlovid prescriptions when my DH and I had COVID. Pfizer has a copay program that gives you the meds for free. Saved $450 x 2. Would have saved $1500 x 2 if we didn't have insurance.
There are also copay programs for people on Medicare and Medicaid. Looks like they might reimburse you if you paid full price out of pocket.

Sent from my Pixel 7a using Tapatalk

Ha! I paid $1449.83 for Paxlovid while on vacation. Insurer doesn't want to pay because I was out of their service area. I filed a challenge yesterday (my BBB), because, I'm on Medicare and it's covered by Medicare!!!! Gah!

Woo-hoo! I'm getting a full refund!

This is extra exciting for at least two reasons:

1. I was told my challenge would be denied and then it might be approved if I appealed the denial. It got approved on the first try.
2. I was told there would be a $47 co-pay. Nope. I got it all back.

Alas, the refund, plus another $90, will cover the crown I needed last week, whomp, whomp. That's still a lot better than $3k+ OOP.

[crocheted_stache]

Go @Dicey !

So much of this thread is about cleaning up after "sludge:"
https://youtu.be/Ky68sLibi6g?si=X12TSJsnd-CGP7XT
 
The subscriptions that are set up to be a nuisance to cancel, the default decisions that are in the company's favor or that don't really serve anyone.

[MaybeBabyMustache]

Did a chat with Internet provider to get bill lowered again, after our contract expired. It went up $10/month, but less than the original $24/month quoted.

[mspym]

Signed up for roadside assistance through our insurance company (covers the car no matter who's driving) instead of re-signing with AA (per person) which saves us ~$80 a year.

[MaybeBabyMustache]

Remembered to call & pause DS18's gym membership for six months (Max allowed) while he's away at college.

[Sibley]

Filed a claim for reimbursement to the HRA. Cross your fingers they allow it, I think it's slightly grey area. If they do, then I get $460 back from money that can only be spent on health expenses (contributed by my employer, use it or lose it).

[crocheted_stache]

Well, no phone calls were involved, but I'd say patching the bike tire I punctured and walked a few miles home the other day counts as both boring and buck-saving. (I was carrying my repair kit when the puncture happened, but it was dark and I didn't feel that repair was the better option.)

I was able to keep the tube and tire in circulation for pennies worth of glue and rubber, and I won't need to drive to get places any more often than usual.

[crocheted_stache]

Made my DAF contribution for the year, with enough time to spare to figure out how to donate appreciated stock compensation. It took a couple phone calls and a week or two, but it should be the most bang for the buck, tax wise, and there's now enough money in the DAF to up my donation game into the coming years.