Mustachian People Problems (just for fun)

[LennStar]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_and_white_(police_vehicle)

Yeah, that one here
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_and_white_(police_vehicle)#/media/File:Transit_Police_New_Livery.JPG
is what I had in mind when I heard the term. Or with a stripe in the middle length wise.

Probably from the Police Academy movies :D

[Dollar Slice]

@Dollar Slice would something like this work?  I wonder if it could be diy-ed with odds and ends? 

Or ye old bend a hanger and hook it onto a command hook?

Yeah, something like that is what I need. There's also an oddly-placed towel ring about 16" above the toilet paper holder (that never gets used, because who on earth would put a towel on the TP?). I could probably attach something to that.

[solon]

I just found out Charmin will send you a free extender. I requested one. Will update everyone when it arrives.

https://www.charmin.com/en-us/about-us/charmin-guarantees

[Sugaree]

My MPP is probably my brother's problem.  He works for the credit union I use.  Any time I have a question, I text him first.  Since the new online portal came out, I'm probably driving him crazy.  Like today, I scheduled a transfer from my CU to my HYSA to happen next week.  I now have a weird pending transaction for $0.00 to the bank that holds my HYSA for tomorrow.  It's never done that before.  I'm guessing that most of his customers wouldn't notice and/or care, but I've already texted him and asked about it on the chat feature.

[RetiredAt63]

I just found out Charmin will send you a free extender. I requested one. Will update everyone when it arrives.

https://www.charmin.com/en-us/about-us/charmin-guarantees

 


I i wish Costco did that!   Their Kirkland rolls are not only too fat for the holder in my apartment, they are too wide!

[DadJokes]

MPP: My workplace is switching HSA vendors. During a webinar yesterday, we were told that our current investments would be liquidated sometime in February, and we'd be able to invest in the new options some time after that (a specific timeline wasn't given). I just feel like we're going to miss out on several days of gains during that time.

[ixtap]

MPP: My workplace is switching HSA vendors. During a webinar yesterday, we were told that our current investments would be liquidated sometime in February, and we'd be able to invest in the new options some time after that (a specific timeline wasn't given). I just feel like we're going to miss out on several days of gains during that time.

Or losses. Most of the time, a couple of days here or there isn't a big deal.

[DadJokes]

MPP: My workplace is switching HSA vendors. During a webinar yesterday, we were told that our current investments would be liquidated sometime in February, and we'd be able to invest in the new options some time after that (a specific timeline wasn't given). I just feel like we're going to miss out on several days of gains during that time.

Or losses. Most of the time, a couple of days here or there isn't a big deal.

You're right. It'll probably be fine. But if I miss out on several big days because we changed HSA vendor, I'm not going to be happy.

[ixtap]

MPP: My workplace is switching HSA vendors. During a webinar yesterday, we were told that our current investments would be liquidated sometime in February, and we'd be able to invest in the new options some time after that (a specific timeline wasn't given). I just feel like we're going to miss out on several days of gains during that time.

Or losses. Most of the time, a couple of days here or there isn't a big deal.

You're right. It'll probably be fine. But if I miss out on several big days because we changed HSA vendor, I'm not going to be happy.

You could look into transferring to Fidelity, so that you have more control over the timing, but you will still likely have to liquidate.

[rantk81]

You could look into transferring to Fidelity, so that you have more control over the timing, but you will still likely have to liquidate.

+1000 to Transferring it to Fidelity. I recently switched jobs -- and I needed to move funds out of my "PayFlex" HSA...  PayFlex wasn't as "horrible" as some employer HSA plan can be... But it certainly wasn't great either.  It's great to now have my funds in a Fidelity HSA, where there are no fees to worry about, and I can invest however I choose.

Fidelity makes it easy to open a HSA account, and to fund it from assets at another HSA custodian.  I was able to transfer all of my assets by filling out a form on Fidelity's website, and uploading a PDF of my most recent HSA account statement.  No phone calls needed!  The Fidelity site did give me the option to transfer assets "in kind" -- but I liquidated mine first anyway.

[Zaga]

You could look into transferring to Fidelity, so that you have more control over the timing, but you will still likely have to liquidate.

+1000 to Transferring it to Fidelity. I recently switched jobs -- and I needed to move funds out of my "PayFlex" HSA...  PayFlex wasn't as "horrible" as some employer HSA plan can be... But it certainly wasn't great either.  It's great to now have my funds in a Fidelity HSA, where there are no fees to worry about, and I can invest however I choose.

Fidelity makes it easy to open a HSA account, and to fund it from assets at another HSA custodian.  I was able to transfer all of my assets by filling out a form on Fidelity's website, and uploading a PDF of my most recent HSA account statement.  No phone calls needed!  The Fidelity site did give me the option to transfer assets "in kind" -- but I liquidated mine first anyway.

That is super super helpful information for me!  DH and I are looking at leaving our jobs in the near-ish future and we have most of our other investments already at Fidelity, so moving our HSA's to Fidelity would be ideal.

[DadJokes]

You could look into transferring to Fidelity, so that you have more control over the timing, but you will still likely have to liquidate.

+1000 to Transferring it to Fidelity. I recently switched jobs -- and I needed to move funds out of my "PayFlex" HSA...  PayFlex wasn't as "horrible" as some employer HSA plan can be... But it certainly wasn't great either.  It's great to now have my funds in a Fidelity HSA, where there are no fees to worry about, and I can invest however I choose.

Fidelity makes it easy to open a HSA account, and to fund it from assets at another HSA custodian.  I was able to transfer all of my assets by filling out a form on Fidelity's website, and uploading a PDF of my most recent HSA account statement.  No phone calls needed!  The Fidelity site did give me the option to transfer assets "in kind" -- but I liquidated mine first anyway.

I've thought about that, but I also don't want another step to have to go through every month. Can I set things up so that my monthly $550 is automatically sent to Fidelity & invested there? Or am I going to have to do it manually? Then it's just another account that I have to keep track of as well.

We currently have Payflex, which has no fees under our current plan, and the investment options have been sufficient for me (I currently have VFIAX). The new vendor also won't have any fees and will also have Vanguard funds. One thing I do really like about state government is that they manage to negotiate low/no fees very well with our plans.

[ixtap]

You could look into transferring to Fidelity, so that you have more control over the timing, but you will still likely have to liquidate.

+1000 to Transferring it to Fidelity. I recently switched jobs -- and I needed to move funds out of my "PayFlex" HSA...  PayFlex wasn't as "horrible" as some employer HSA plan can be... But it certainly wasn't great either.  It's great to now have my funds in a Fidelity HSA, where there are no fees to worry about, and I can invest however I choose.

Fidelity makes it easy to open a HSA account, and to fund it from assets at another HSA custodian.  I was able to transfer all of my assets by filling out a form on Fidelity's website, and uploading a PDF of my most recent HSA account statement.  No phone calls needed!  The Fidelity site did give me the option to transfer assets "in kind" -- but I liquidated mine first anyway.

I've thought about that, but I also don't want another step to have to go through every month. Can I set things up so that my monthly $550 is automatically sent to Fidelity & invested there? Or am I going to have to do it manually? Then it's just another account that I have to keep track of as well.

We currently have Payflex, which has no fees under our current plan, and the investment options have been sufficient for me (I currently have VFIAX). The new vendor also won't have any fees and will also have Vanguard funds. One thing I do really like about state government is that they manage to negotiate low/no fees very well with our plans.

You could transfer the existing funds to Fidelity, then set up.the. new account and leave it in place. Or, just ignore the market for a few days while the official transfer takes place (that is what we did when Megacorp transitioned).

[rantk81]

We currently have Payflex, which has no fees under our current plan, and the investment options have been sufficient for me (I currently have VFIAX). The new vendor also won't have any fees and will also have Vanguard funds. One thing I do really like about state government is that they manage to negotiate low/no fees very well with our plans.

If I were in your situation, I'd do the following:
1) Open a Fidelity HSA, and move the funds from PayFlex to Fidelity.
2) Make any "new" payroll contributions to the new HSA at the new custodian that your employer has chosen.
3) No need to make regular transfers form the "new HSA" account to your Fidelity HSA account. You can keep both open, no problem.

[Dicey]

I just found out Charmin will send you a free extender. I requested one. Will update everyone when it arrives.

https://www.charmin.com/en-us/about-us/charmin-guarantees

 
I i wish Costco did that!   Their Kirkland rolls are not only too fat for the holder in my apartment, they are too wide!

That's because over the last decade, TP manufacturers have sneakily narrowed the rolls to save money, thinking consumers wouldn't notice. Costco insisted they not do that to their members. It's not just the Kirkland TP, it's every brand they sell. That's why it cracks me up when people say they can get it cheaper elsewhere. Maybe so, but it's often not an apples-to-apples comparison.

I have a TP holder that is too narrow for Costco rolls. It's in a half bath that has no storage. Once in a while, I go around the house and switch out all the partially used rolls in the other bathrooms with the fat new rolls. I fill the holder with the partials, and problem solved.  It's a guest bathroom that doesn't get used much, so I only have to do it once in a while.

Slicey, I like your plunger idea. I would use something to protect the bottom roll from the plunger cup. Maybe thread a coffee filter over it, then load up the handle?

[RetiredAt63]

I just found out Charmin will send you a free extender. I requested one. Will update everyone when it arrives.

https://www.charmin.com/en-us/about-us/charmin-guarantees

 
I i wish Costco did that!   Their Kirkland rolls are not only too fat for the holder in my apartment, they are too wide!

That's because over the last decade, TP manufacturers have sneakily narrowed the rolls to save money, thinking consumers wouldn't notice. Costco insisted they not do that to their members. It's not just the Kirkland TP, it's every brand they sell. That's why it cracks me up when people say they can get it cheaper elsewhere. Maybe so, but it's often not an apples-to-apples comparison.

I have a TP holder that is too narrow for Costco rolls. It's in a half bath that has no storage. Once in a while, I go around the house and switch out all the partially used rolls in the other bathrooms with the fat new rolls. I fill the holder with the partials, and problem solved.  It's a guest bathroom that doesn't get used much, so I only have to do it once in a while.

Slicey, I like your plunger idea. I would use something to protect the bottom roll from the plunger cup. Maybe thread a coffee filter over it, then load up the handle?

It's not the fatness, it is the actual width.  My Costco also sells Cottonelle, which fits just fine.  Dollarama sells a nice TP holder with storage, but it seemed a bit much to get it when the dispenser is installed.

[Sandi_k]

Just remember - the advantage of having the HSA auto-deducted from your paycheck means that you don't pay FICA taxes on that deduction.

If you move your HSA to Fidelity and do your own deposits, you will still pay FICA on those funds - so effectively an 8% loss.

Best of all worlds: auto-deduct from employer paycheck, and the transfer monthly to Fidelity HSA account...

We currently have Payflex, which has no fees under our current plan, and the investment options have been sufficient for me (I currently have VFIAX). The new vendor also won't have any fees and will also have Vanguard funds. One thing I do really like about state government is that they manage to negotiate low/no fees very well with our plans.

If I were in your situation, I'd do the following:
1) Open a Fidelity HSA, and move the funds from PayFlex to Fidelity.
2) Make any "new" payroll contributions to the new HSA at the new custodian that your employer has chosen.
3) No need to make regular transfers form the "new HSA" account to your Fidelity HSA account. You can keep both open, no problem.

[dragoncar]

That's why it cracks me up when people say they can get it cheaper elsewhere. Maybe so, but it's often not an apples-to-apples comparison.

Dollars per softness-pound or GTFO*



*_{I'll also accept dollars per sqft-ply}

[APowers]

That's why it cracks me up when people say they can get it cheaper elsewhere. Maybe so, but it's often not an apples-to-apples comparison.

Dollars per softness-pound or GTFO*



*_{I'll also accept dollars per sqft-ply}

I don't use TP by the in², though. I use it by the square-- so the appropriate comparison measurement is $/square, unless the area per square is different enough to cause me to use one more/less square per wipe (or the thickness is great enough to cause me to use one more/ less square per wipe). Then again, I'm a folder instead of a buncher; I can see how any extra in² might make a difference in a different usage system.

[Monerexia]

MPP: at some point this summer I finally found some of my preferred toilet paper in the local drugstore for a decent price - not the package I usually buy (double rolls) but the "mega" size rolls. Well, who cares, right? Except I just found out that the mega sized rolls don't fit on my toilet paper holder, properly or balanced atop it. And my tiny apartment bathroom doesn't really have anywhere to put it because every available surface is used for storage or is not a good place to put it (liable to be knocked over/get wet/etc.).

I refuse to buy a new toilet paper holder, obviously. And I can't possibly get rid of the toilet paper and buy something that works in my bathroom, because that would be wasteful. I'm thinking about using the plunger handle as a stand-up toilet roll holder.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLq6whfg2pA

My toilet paper roll holder broke sometime around 2010 and at that point I realized toilet paper roll holders are a complete and total scam--not a single one of them should have ever been sold. Since the break the toilet paper sits happily on the shelf next to the toilet and weird, the world hasn't ended.

[dragoncar]

My toilet paper roll holder broke sometime around 2010 and at that point I realized toilet paper roll holders are a complete and total scam--not a single one of them should have ever been sold. Since the break the toilet paper sits happily on the shelf next to the toilet and weird, the world hasn't ended.

Only works if you've got two hands available.

[LennStar]

My toilet paper roll holder broke sometime around 2010 and at that point I realized toilet paper roll holders are a complete and total scam--not a single one of them should have ever been sold. Since the break the toilet paper sits happily on the shelf next to the toilet and weird, the world hasn't ended.

Only works if you've got two hands available.

I also need two hands to get the paper off the roll. One for stopping to roll and one to get the paper.
I don't see the difference and since I moved I also don't use a holder anymore since I have a perfectly placed *lack of English word* besides the throne. If you have a bare wall there though it's better to have a holder, dragoncar. 

[Sibley]

For everyone trying to transfer money out of your HSA - be aware that the IRS limits the number of rollovers you can do per year to 1. And you might get charged for direct transfers. And that's assuming your employer allows it.

[frugalnacho]

For everyone trying to transfer money out of your HSA - be aware that the IRS limits the number of rollovers you can do per year to 1. And you might get charged for direct transfers. And that's assuming your employer allows it.

This only applies to an HSA rollover, which is where you withdraw funds from one institution and then send it to another institution and act as a middleman.  An HSA transfer is where you don't act as a middleman, instead the money is sent directly from one institution to another institution, and you can make an unlimited number of HSA transfers.  I'm unclear on why anyone would ever do a rollover instead of just a transfer.

Also the money in an HSA is yours free and clear to do whatever you wish.  Your employer cannot stop you from transfering money out.  There are no rules like there are with 401ks to prevent you from just taking the money wherever you want.

They may however charge a transfer fee (or they might not, it depends on the company) to transfer money to another institution.  If this is the case you may want to limit the number of transfers to reduce the number of transfer fees.

[GuitarStv]

MPP: at some point this summer I finally found some of my preferred toilet paper in the local drugstore for a decent price - not the package I usually buy (double rolls) but the "mega" size rolls. Well, who cares, right? Except I just found out that the mega sized rolls don't fit on my toilet paper holder, properly or balanced atop it. And my tiny apartment bathroom doesn't really have anywhere to put it because every available surface is used for storage or is not a good place to put it (liable to be knocked over/get wet/etc.).

I refuse to buy a new toilet paper holder, obviously. And I can't possibly get rid of the toilet paper and buy something that works in my bathroom, because that would be wasteful. I'm thinking about using the plunger handle as a stand-up toilet roll holder.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLq6whfg2pA

My toilet paper roll holder broke sometime around 2010 and at that point I realized toilet paper roll holders are a complete and total scam--not a single one of them should have ever been sold. Since the break the toilet paper sits happily on the shelf next to the toilet and weird, the world hasn't ended.

Some toilet paper holders are scams.  But some are functional works of art.












Don't malign the simple toilet paper holder simply because you're using the wrong one.


:P

[PMG]

Toilet paper holders are necessary in our house! They are a designated place for toilet paper to be and because they are anchored in place it is much more likely for tp to actually be where it’s supposed to be, unlike when you designate a shelf space for tp, there is no guarantee that tp will actually be returned to the designated place. I speak from experience.

[dragoncar]

My toilet paper roll holder broke sometime around 2010 and at that point I realized toilet paper roll holders are a complete and total scam--not a single one of them should have ever been sold. Since the break the toilet paper sits happily on the shelf next to the toilet and weird, the world hasn't ended.

Only works if you've got two hands available.

I also need two hands to get the paper off the roll. One for stopping to roll and one to get the paper.
I don't see the difference and since I moved I also don't use a holder anymore since I have a perfectly placed *lack of English word* besides the throne. If you have a bare wall there though it's better to have a holder, dragoncar.

You gotta practice the pull-n-snap.  Have you tried adjusting your papyric tensioner?

[okisok]

I forgot my lunch AND didn't get my parking validated before the one person in the office who can authorize validation left for the day. $23 I wasn't expecting to spend! AAARGH.

I did manage to get to the library to get my book on hold before it closed. And I have enough leftovers from lunch to eat for dinner. Small succor to a bereft Mustachian.

[scottish]

MPP: at some point this summer I finally found some of my preferred toilet paper in the local drugstore for a decent price - not the package I usually buy (double rolls) but the "mega" size rolls. Well, who cares, right? Except I just found out that the mega sized rolls don't fit on my toilet paper holder, properly or balanced atop it. And my tiny apartment bathroom doesn't really have anywhere to put it because every available surface is used for storage or is not a good place to put it (liable to be knocked over/get wet/etc.).

I refuse to buy a new toilet paper holder, obviously. And I can't possibly get rid of the toilet paper and buy something that works in my bathroom, because that would be wasteful. I'm thinking about using the plunger handle as a stand-up toilet roll holder.

I think I detect a theme there.    What do your wall sconces and table lamps look like?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLq6whfg2pA

My toilet paper roll holder broke sometime around 2010 and at that point I realized toilet paper roll holders are a complete and total scam--not a single one of them should have ever been sold. Since the break the toilet paper sits happily on the shelf next to the toilet and weird, the world hasn't ended.

Some toilet paper holders are scams.  But some are functional works of art.












Don't malign the simple toilet paper holder simply because you're using the wrong one.


:P

I think I detect a theme there.    What do your wall sconces and table lamps look like?

[BTDretire]

 Um our cop cars are Blue (state and City) or White and gold/tan (county). I’ve never heard of a car being called a black and white.

Ours are black and white but generally called police cars or cop cars.

They were all black and white when Broderick Crawford was chief!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9TmHkkQVpo

[dragoncar]

 Um our cop cars are Blue (state and City) or White and gold/tan (county). I’ve never heard of a car being called a black and white.

Ours are black and white but generally called police cars or cop cars.

They were all black and white when Broderick Crawford was chief!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9TmHkkQVpo

Funny thing about black and white cars.  They are actually yellow to make them easy to find in a crash.

[LennStar]

 Um our cop cars are Blue (state and City) or White and gold/tan (county). I’ve never heard of a car being called a black and white.

Ours are black and white but generally called police cars or cop cars.

They were all black and white when Broderick Crawford was chief!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9TmHkkQVpo

Funny thing about black and white cars.  They are actually yellow to make them easy to find in a crash.

With orange foam.

[Dicey]

MPP: at some point this summer I finally found some of my preferred toilet paper in the local drugstore for a decent price - not the package I usually buy (double rolls) but the "mega" size rolls. Well, who cares, right? Except I just found out that the mega sized rolls don't fit on my toilet paper holder, properly or balanced atop it. And my tiny apartment bathroom doesn't really have anywhere to put it because every available surface is used for storage or is not a good place to put it (liable to be knocked over/get wet/etc.).

I refuse to buy a new toilet paper holder, obviously. And I can't possibly get rid of the toilet paper and buy something that works in my bathroom, because that would be wasteful. I'm thinking about using the plunger handle as a stand-up toilet roll holder.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLq6whfg2pA

My toilet paper roll holder broke sometime around 2010 and at that point I realized toilet paper roll holders are a complete and total scam--not a single one of them should have ever been sold. Since the break the toilet paper sits happily on the shelf next to the toilet and weird, the world hasn't ended.

Some toilet paper holders are scams.  But some are functional works of art.











Don't malign the simple toilet paper holder simply because you're using the wrong one.

:P

The guy that owns this cool Portland Bike Shed airbnb used to hang out here, but I can't remember his name. Maybe he will see these fine accessories, which would complement his decor nicely...

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/12230518?source_impression_id=p3_1600951405_W65IHgoYXjSBcuq8

[GuitarStv]

I think I detect a theme there.    What do your wall sconces and table lamps look like?

Pretty standard stuff.


 
 
 

[Dollar Slice]

A very serious MPP that I'm posting here as a sort of PSA, since I've seen people talking about it on this forum a number of times.

An acquaintance of mine - a previously healthy man in his early 40s - started having some problems out of nowhere... he fell, he couldn't figure out some app on his phone that he uses all the time. Odd stuff. His ex took him to the ER because she thought something was really wrong with him. Long story short, he needs brain surgery (best case scenario) or months to years of radiation therapy (worst case). Guess what? He's a really frugal guy. So frugal, he opted out of his employer-provided health insurance plan so he wouldn't have to pay the premiums, even though he has a good job that pays well. Zero medical coverage. Not sure what he's going to do. :-(

[TomTX]

A very serious MPP that I'm posting here as a sort of PSA, since I've seen people talking about it on this forum a number of times.

An acquaintance of mine - a previously healthy man in his early 40s - started having some problems out of nowhere... he fell, he couldn't figure out some app on his phone that he uses all the time. Odd stuff. His ex took him to the ER because she thought something was really wrong with him. Long story short, he needs brain surgery (best case scenario) or months to years of radiation therapy (worst case). Guess what? He's a really frugal guy. So frugal, he opted out of his employer-provided health insurance plan so he wouldn't have to pay the premiums, even though he has a good job that pays well. Zero medical coverage. Not sure what he's going to do. :-(

If he opted out relatively recently, it might have been due to the brain tumour - and that might be a valid argument to get it reinstated, paying back premiums of course.

[Dollar Slice]

A very serious MPP that I'm posting here as a sort of PSA, since I've seen people talking about it on this forum a number of times.

An acquaintance of mine - a previously healthy man in his early 40s - started having some problems out of nowhere... he fell, he couldn't figure out some app on his phone that he uses all the time. Odd stuff. His ex took him to the ER because she thought something was really wrong with him. Long story short, he needs brain surgery (best case scenario) or months to years of radiation therapy (worst case). Guess what? He's a really frugal guy. So frugal, he opted out of his employer-provided health insurance plan so he wouldn't have to pay the premiums, even though he has a good job that pays well. Zero medical coverage. Not sure what he's going to do. :-(

If he opted out relatively recently, it might have been due to the brain tumour - and that might be a valid argument to get it reinstated, paying back premiums of course.

His brother is going to call his employer and ask if there's anything they can do, but I doubt it unless he is very lucky and it's open enrollment. It's not cancer - it's some kind of vascular thing (I heard it all over the phone via a third party so I don't have the exact details). Sounded sort of similar to an aneurysm, but not that - some kind of defect in the artery behind his eye. His confusion etc. was probably due to something that happened suddenly like a clot or bleeding in the brain.

[Morning Glory]

A very serious MPP that I'm posting here as a sort of PSA, since I've seen people talking about it on this forum a number of times.

An acquaintance of mine - a previously healthy man in his early 40s - started having some problems out of nowhere... he fell, he couldn't figure out some app on his phone that he uses all the time. Odd stuff. His ex took him to the ER because she thought something was really wrong with him. Long story short, he needs brain surgery (best case scenario) or months to years of radiation therapy (worst case). Guess what? He's a really frugal guy. So frugal, he opted out of his employer-provided health insurance plan so he wouldn't have to pay the premiums, even though he has a good job that pays well. Zero medical coverage. Not sure what he's going to do. :-(

If he opted out relatively recently, it might have been due to the brain tumour - and that might be a valid argument to get it reinstated, paying back premiums of course.

His brother is going to call his employer and ask if there's anything they can do, but I doubt it unless he is very lucky and it's open enrollment. It's not cancer - it's some kind of vascular thing (I heard it all over the phone via a third party so I don't have the exact details). Sounded sort of similar to an aneurysm, but not that - some kind of defect in the artery behind his eye. His confusion etc. was probably due to something that happened suddenly like a clot or bleeding in the brain.

It's possible that the AVM was pressing on his frontal lobe so it could have been affecting his executive functioning. If he can get a note from a doctor to back this up he has a good case with the insurance company. The hospital social worker is a good resource too.

[PMG]

We're newbie home owners.  Just got our first tax bill, went back through my notes from when we were buying the house, oh yeah, that's  paid through escrow but I need to make sure the mortgage company gets the bill... I hunted around on the mortgage company website and found a mailing address to send tax info to.  Why oh why isn't there an upload tab in my account!?!  Why do I have to mail this off into the ether?

But the real problem is that there's a 2% discount if it's paid within 30 days... I have little faith that the mortgage company get through it in time to take advantage of that.. ugh! I hate missing a discount for an unavoidable expense.

[Dicey]

We're newbie home owners.  Just got our first tax bill, went back through my notes from when we were buying the house, oh yeah, that's  paid through escrow but I need to make sure the mortgage company gets the bill... I hunted around on the mortgage company website and found a mailing address to send tax info to.  Why oh why isn't there an upload tab in my account!?!  Why do I have to mail this off into the ether?

But the real problem is that there's a 2% discount if it's paid within 30 days... I have little faith that the mortgage company get through it in time to take advantage of that.. ugh! I hate missing a discount for an unavoidable expense.

Ultimately, the payment of taxes is your responsibility and the Tax Assessor is not known for showing any degree of leniency.  Missing out on 2% is a damn sight better than the penalty for being late.

[PMG]

We're newbie home owners.  Just got our first tax bill, went back through my notes from when we were buying the house, oh yeah, that's  paid through escrow but I need to make sure the mortgage company gets the bill... I hunted around on the mortgage company website and found a mailing address to send tax info to.  Why oh why isn't there an upload tab in my account!?!  Why do I have to mail this off into the ether?

But the real problem is that there's a 2% discount if it's paid within 30 days... I have little faith that the mortgage company get through it in time to take advantage of that.. ugh! I hate missing a discount for an unavoidable expense.

Ultimately, the payment of taxes is your responsibility and the Tax Assessor is not known for showing any degree of leniency.  Missing out on 2% is a damn sight better than the penalty for being late.

Well I'm anxious about it (of course!)! But they have 90 days before any penalties and I should get notified when they pay.  I'll set a reminder to check on... and hope for the best! 

It would be so much easier to walk down to the courthouse and drop a check in their drop box...

On the bright side, our house is small and isn't worth a whole lot, and the taxes are low, much lower than what we've been putting in to escrow, so a 2% discount or even the 20% penalties really don't add up to much... definitely not breaking the bank and we should get a nice chunk back from escrow. 

[frugalnacho]

We're newbie home owners.  Just got our first tax bill, went back through my notes from when we were buying the house, oh yeah, that's  paid through escrow but I need to make sure the mortgage company gets the bill... I hunted around on the mortgage company website and found a mailing address to send tax info to.  Why oh why isn't there an upload tab in my account!?!  Why do I have to mail this off into the ether?

But the real problem is that there's a 2% discount if it's paid within 30 days... I have little faith that the mortgage company get through it in time to take advantage of that.. ugh! I hate missing a discount for an unavoidable expense.

Why can't you just pay it and let your mortgage company refund your escrow?

[sherr]

We're newbie home owners.  Just got our first tax bill, went back through my notes from when we were buying the house, oh yeah, that's  paid through escrow but I need to make sure the mortgage company gets the bill... I hunted around on the mortgage company website and found a mailing address to send tax info to.  Why oh why isn't there an upload tab in my account!?!  Why do I have to mail this off into the ether?

But the real problem is that there's a 2% discount if it's paid within 30 days... I have little faith that the mortgage company get through it in time to take advantage of that.. ugh! I hate missing a discount for an unavoidable expense.

Why can't you just pay it and let your mortgage company refund your escrow?

To state it more directly: you can just pay it yourself and let your mortgage company refund your escrow. I'm not an expert, but I think there's really three scenarios:

• You pay, and you tell your mortgage company to refund you. They should cut you a check.
• You pay, and don't tell your mortgage company anything, and they were unaware of the tax bill. They may get confused about why the tax bill never came and reach out, or maybe they'll just automatically re-adjust your escrow payment to be lower to only cover the insurance (plus a year or two of you now having to pay in since you already have enough there to cover the insurance for a while).
• You pay, and don't tell your mortgage company anything, and then they double-pay. The state should cut you an over-payment check.

[talltexan]

In France (~75% nuclear electricity ) they do, using Westinghouse-style Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR).

France often has to buy huge amounts of Energy from Germany (regeneratives) during winter and summer. Whenever the weather gets somehow extreme.
So it's not as if those reactors are making a stable energy grid.

Especially with higher and longer high temepratues due to climate change nuclear has a big problem getting cooling water since the rivers can get so warm they can't use any of it.

I don't understand blaming climate change for the problems.  It's not something that has happened suddenly.  According to NOAA, we're about two degrees Fahrenheit warmer than 150 years ago, and temperatures have actually been sorta flat the last five years.  Power plants get built a whole lot faster :)

Sure, you can spin out a 12 MW CT in fifteen months, but building the kind of serious Coal or Nuclear power plant talked about up-thread takes a long time. Five years is a very short cycle in that business.

[dragoncar]

You don’t have to wait until open enrollment if you have a “life event”.  Some of these life events are completely voluntary

[Paul der Krake]

Yeah whenever I feel like resetting my deductible I just spin up a temporary kid instance.

[PMG]

We're newbie home owners.  Just got our first tax bill, went back through my notes from when we were buying the house, oh yeah, that's  paid through escrow but I need to make sure the mortgage company gets the bill... I hunted around on the mortgage company website and found a mailing address to send tax info to.  Why oh why isn't there an upload tab in my account!?!  Why do I have to mail this off into the ether?

But the real problem is that there's a 2% discount if it's paid within 30 days... I have little faith that the mortgage company get through it in time to take advantage of that.. ugh! I hate missing a discount for an unavoidable expense.

Why can't you just pay it and let your mortgage company refund your escrow?

To state it more directly: you can just pay it yourself and let your mortgage company refund your escrow. I'm not an expert, but I think there's really three scenarios:

• You pay, and you tell your mortgage company to refund you. They should cut you a check.
• You pay, and don't tell your mortgage company anything, and they were unaware of the tax bill. They may get confused about why the tax bill never came and reach out, or maybe they'll just automatically re-adjust your escrow payment to be lower to only cover the insurance (plus a year or two of you now having to pay in since you already have enough there to cover the insurance for a while).
• You pay, and don't tell your mortgage company anything, and then they double-pay. The state should cut you an over-payment check.

I suppose... I already sent it off the mortgage company so we’ll see what happens. I don’t anticipate it being a big deal but it is a bother.

[Alfred J Quack]

In windows there are security settings that have to be set correctly to get the camera and microphone to work with zoom and other web apps.    You'll have to google it.

I worked as IT help desk support for a small biz for 18 years alongside many other job titles, so I don't really need the "google it" level of advice... but thanks anyway. I did try to set the settings correctly, but it didn't do what it was supposed to and I didn't have a lot of time to figure it out pre-meeting (and I haven't needed it since). I'll give it another shot at some point before actually spending money on something.

Knowing me, I probably unchecked the option to include a webcam when I ordered it to save $7... :-P  Who knew we'd all be spending our lives in video conferences in 2020.

Reminds me of all the DOD contractor laptops i've seen where they paid someone to take the camera out... I wonder if they had to pay someone to put some of them back in this year...

Not DOD, but within DHS.  Pre Covid, we had limited non blue line access with our laptops.  No video and only 10% of the work force could be use it at the same time.  Miraculously over the course of a weekend in March the system was upgrade so we could massively work from home and use video too.  Which mean the CIO’s office had the solution already and somebody kept saying we don’t need to do that.

Probably just the cost that "couldn't be justified".

At work we work from home too. Basically anyone with an account can login from home but certain departments have managers that appearently think that day-to-day work is more important than staying healthy. I gently reminded those coworkers that the facilities are available and the rule from the board is to work from home where possible and if they have any technical issues to call me.

To my mustachian problem. Bought a used Nissan Leaf with subsidy from the state (2k off). Drives great, is silent but my workplace did something funny with the chargers because I'm charging for free (with my private, not company, card). I now feel obliged to ask them whether this was on purpose and happy charging, or an error which they need to correct. I'd hate to lose that chargepoint since I don't have a garage/parking place where I can mount my own...

[jinga nation]

Unsure if this qualifies for a MPP or maybe a Mustachian's Pet Peeve:

I'm clearing out my garage and getting rid of things I don't need. I placed a Craigslist ad a few months back giving away some car parts for free. No takers even though I renewed the ad weekly. Last night decided to price each item for a buck, $3 total. 

Today a guy messages me saying he can pick it up ASAP. I don't give my address, but I used the CL relay reply email as well as my Google Voice number to message him to meet me at the cul-de-sac (bag-end) on my street for the items. No reply.

I'm assuming people use the term ASAP without a feckin clue. Never had issues selling on CL in 15 years, maybe I was lucky.

Ad: https://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/pts/d/tampa-honda-parts/7208198526.html

[secondcor521]

Unsure if this qualifies for a MPP or maybe a Mustachian's Pet Peeve:

I'm clearing out my garage and getting rid of things I don't need. I placed a Craigslist ad a few months back giving away some car parts for free. No takers even though I renewed the ad weekly. Last night decided to price each item for a buck, $3 total. 

Today a guy messages me saying he can pick it up ASAP. I don't give my address, but I used the CL relay reply email as well as my Google Voice number to message him to meet me at the cul-de-sac (bag-end) on my street for the items. No reply.

I'm assuming people use the term ASAP without a feckin clue. Never had issues selling on CL in 15 years, maybe I was lucky.

Ad: https://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/pts/d/tampa-honda-parts/7208198526.html

That's the CL pattern, as far as I can tell.  Many, many people will ping you with a text asking if it's still available and that they'll be by to pick it up ASAP.  As soon as you reply in a positive fashion, then they suddenly can't find the time to stop by.

My CL policy is that the first person to show up with cash gets it.  So I don't worry about no-shows or flakes, and I don't hold items for people or worry about being fair.  It's available until someone is on my doorstep and trading me greenbacks for the item.