I love credit cards so much! v3.0 (see first page for add'l details)

[punkin]

I have 5 Chase cards at the moment (DH has 6), and I'm 5/24 until June. I may just cancel instead of PCing and apply for a new card with a SUB down the road. Decisions, decisions!

I have a CIP AF due to post sometime this month. I have already reduced the limit to 1k. I am planning to cancel it outright.

 

[elgerber]

Wow, just got our rebate from the free Stella Artois deal from 2/29. I have never gotten something that fast before.

 

[disneybirds]

I've been doing some minor estate planning in my own lame brain lately. One is 'other ways to deal with giving my home to my kids upon my demise'. This is not to be confused with a will or a trust already in place.

Selling my home to my younger daughter is high on the list, although I have not had any discussion about this. After reading a bunch of stuff, I've come to the conclusion that selling the home at market value is the best way to keep uncle sam happy and away from creating other troubles at tax time.

This would leave the cash obtained in my hands and give me the ability to gift it in segments to my children as needed. I have enough income and assets to take care of myself without the house. And, I could then pay rent to my daughter.

She has the income and assets to afford the home without my help. She would be free to keep it or move on as the case may be and although I would somewhat prefer to stay, I'm open to leaving.

My biggest fear is that 'market value' will skyrocket after this recession like it did in the early 2000's around here and then go plop a few years later. Like it did in 2008 around here. Everything cycles. Now is the time to buy.

Starting the gifting process at this time would help all three in their future needs for homes and education funding for grandchildren, particularly, my son, who is actively saving for a home.

I love that you are taking such a proactive approach to your estate planning! As I deal with my in-law's estate and know that I will have to handle my parent's estate in the future, I appreciate you thinking ahead.

 

[georgina]

haha my misinformed delivery just arrived at 12:56pm.

In it there is an invite to a free gourmet meal to McCormick and Schmicks - I can't see the other side but I'm guessing it's one of these free retirement seminars where the giver is an investment counselor. Hopefully I'll be in town and can go this time.

They seem to be upping their game to some fairly decent restaurants around here.

Never did get our email today.

We go to those dinners a couple of times a year for free food. The ones at a nearby winery often include a glass of wine also. DH is older than me, so we went when he was getting invites, now I am the one getting them. We did get a free social security claiming strategy analysis out of one of them.

 

[snugglebug]

Thank you all, I learn so much here.

All of this talk of refinancing sent me down a rabbit hole where I learned about VA IRRRL. We'll be going through that process to lower our mortgage rate from 4.5 to 3.0 with nothing out of pocket since USAA covers all fees, including VA funding fee. The downside? Closing isn't until end of May or June! And, I will need to fund the new escrow, but I'll get the current escrow back right away. (I have no idea, but kind of hoping I can fund with a credit card) DH had an hour+ wait just to talk to someone and got disconnected due to phone lines being over full. They just pushed their 60 days to close window to 90. We'll be saving $200 a month and since we've only been here just under 2 years we really aren't adding much to the length of the loan.

 

[Judique]

Thank you for the info. No, I'm not currently a member, and I don't think my dad was either. I do have have his DD214 somewhere, I'll have to check into it. Thanks for posting about this!

I checked our current mortgage bank's rates and their 15 year rate is 2.75 with no points. I called and spoke with a loan officer who is supposed to get back with me with some numbers. She also said there's another option to do an "endorsement" which means we wouldn't have to go through the whole refinance process, which she said was pretty much like starting over getting new appraisals, being approved, etc. The rate on it is 2.85%, with $1100 flat fee. Our current mortgage rate is 3.875%, with 25 years left on our 30 year mortgage. It might be an option too. I would really love to shave 10 years off our mortgage!

Do it! I think that's what we used to call a streamline refi, but I don't know what they are calling things now. For 1100, it sounds like a bargain if you can do the new higher payment with the 15 years. Usually with equity you can also roll that cost back into the mortgage if you aren't doing cash out. I've refied 3 or 4 times in my early days as back in 1989, my rate was 11 and 1/4% (this was a 'good' rate that year). This is the nice thing about a certain amount of loyalty to a financial institution that does not sell your loan. Loan modification - maybe that's the term now.

 

[Judique]

Never did get our email today.

We go to those dinners a couple of times a year for free food. The ones at a nearby winery often include a glass of wine also. DH is older than me, so we went when he was getting invites, now I am the one getting them. We did get a free social security claiming strategy analysis out of one of them.

It may also be a social security one. My actual mail doesn't hit my box until after 5 most days so I haven't got it in my hand yet. I used to get ones for a dinner at a restaurant at the end of my street. Passed on that one. They would know I was just in it for the free food!

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

Yes on Thursday

Any idea what time?

 

[becauseimnew]

Thank you all, I learn so much here.

All of this talk of refinancing sent me down a rabbit hole where I learned about VA IRRRL. We'll be going through that process to lower our mortgage rate from 4.5 to 3.0 with nothing out of pocket since USAA covers all fees, including VA funding fee. The downside? Closing isn't until end of May or June! And, I will need to fund the new escrow, but I'll get the current escrow back right away. (I have no idea, but kind of hoping I can fund with a credit card) DH had an hour+ wait just to talk to someone and got disconnected due to phone lines being over full. They just pushed their 60 days to close window to 90. We'll be saving $200 a month and since we've only been here just under 2 years we really aren't adding much to the length of the loan.

Thanks for this info, I’m going to call NavyFed we have a VA loan too.

 

[Judique]

Just chatted, I would be eligible to join NFCU. I'm kind of getting excited about this!

It also opens up some credit card bonus options. Although I would personally not start churning them, I'm definitely in for at least one or two.

 

[elgerber]

Thank you all, I learn so much here.

All of this talk of refinancing sent me down a rabbit hole where I learned about VA IRRRL. We'll be going through that process to lower our mortgage rate from 4.5 to 3.0 with nothing out of pocket since USAA covers all fees, including VA funding fee. The downside? Closing isn't until end of May or June! And, I will need to fund the new escrow, but I'll get the current escrow back right away. (I have no idea, but kind of hoping I can fund with a credit card) DH had an hour+ wait just to talk to someone and got disconnected due to phone lines being over full. They just pushed their 60 days to close window to 90. We'll be saving $200 a month and since we've only been here just under 2 years we really aren't adding much to the length of the loan.

May or June? I am doing refi's in 4 weeks, 6 absolute max. Other lenders can do VA IRRRL's, if you want to close earlier you could shop around.

 

[Judique]

Thank you all, I learn so much here.

All of this talk of refinancing sent me down a rabbit hole where I learned about VA IRRRL. We'll be going through that process to lower our mortgage rate from 4.5 to 3.0 with nothing out of pocket since USAA covers all fees, including VA funding fee. The downside? Closing isn't until end of May or June! And, I will need to fund the new escrow, but I'll get the current escrow back right away. (I have no idea, but kind of hoping I can fund with a credit card) DH had an hour+ wait just to talk to someone and got disconnected due to phone lines being over full. They just pushed their 60 days to close window to 90. We'll be saving $200 a month and since we've only been here just under 2 years we really aren't adding much to the length of the loan.

I called my daughter and sent her down the same rabbit hole this morning. She's been in her last house since Nov of 2015 and her neighborhood is booming.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Any idea what time?

It’s been different times the last few openings...anywhere from 6am ish to 10:30am if I’m remembering correctly

 

[Judique]

So, @SouthFayetteFan - what do you think of all the banking business that got itself going on this thread this morning? <g>

Another note - went to Costco. Empty spots in many aisles, most notably the toilet paper section. (I've got plenty.) Couldn't find any alcohol or hand sanitizer, or wipes, but was mostly looking for the wipes since we are traveling on the weekend and I thought I might wipe down a few door handles, tv remotes, etc.

I was also in CVS and got the scoop on when the next truck arrives so I'll drop in before I leave and maybe get a container. Theres also the baggie trick.

Normally I don't worry about flu but this is a big unknown, and I am one of the vulnerable population at my age with diabetes and heart issues. Trump is off course blaming the Media for this but I'm thankful for the news so that more people actually take precautions even if it is overshadowing the political arena right now.

I did see something that I considered funny/odd in Costco. This woman was pushing her cart around the same aisles as me while wearing a paper mask and I felt she was avoiding getting close. I'm a fidgety shopper and sort of bounce back and forth between stuff. Anyway I think I made her back off a few times, not intentionally. So later, I see her stopped and talking to an employee, up very close - like 12 inches from his face, with the mask hanging around her neck! These paper masks do not protect from the virus, but I guess if she was contagious with something it might prevent her from projecting it onto me if she were to cough or sneeze! So thank you, weird shopper!

 

[snugglebug]

May or June? I am doing refi's in 4 weeks, 6 absolute max. Other lenders can do VA IRRRL's, if you want to close earlier you could shop around.

I have to leave this one in his hands and it took a lot of prodding to get this call done. I know we can change lenders and I suggested he check with NavyFed and I may ask him again. This delay does give me a chance to pull together that escrow money though. And, I don't know that anyone else is "covering" the VA lending fee. I understand it's rolled in with USAA, but I think most other places want it paid at closing.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

So, @SouthFayetteFan - what do you think of all the banking business that got itself going on this thread this morning? <g>

Sorry; lol. I largely tune out consumer banking stuff. I’m a corporate banker snob

 

[smmco]

So, @SouthFayetteFan - what do you think of all the banking business that got itself going on this thread this morning? <g>

Another note - went to Costco. Empty spots in many aisles, most notably the toilet paper section. (I've got plenty.) Couldn't find any alcohol or hand sanitizer, or wipes, but was mostly looking for the wipes since we are traveling on the weekend and I thought I might wipe down a few door handles, tv remotes, etc.

I was also in CVS and got the scoop on when the next truck arrives so I'll drop in before I leave and maybe get a container. Theres also the baggie trick.

Normally I don't worry about flu but this is a big unknown, and I am one of the vulnerable population at my age with diabetes and heart issues. Trump is off course blaming the Media for this but I'm thankful for the news so that more people actually take precautions even if it is overshadowing the political arena right now.

I did see something that I considered funny/odd in Costco. This woman was pushing her cart around the same aisles as me while wearing a paper mask and I felt she was avoiding getting close. I'm a fidgety shopper and sort of bounce back and forth between stuff. Anyway I think I made her back off a few times, not intentionally. So later, I see her stopped and talking to an employee, up very close - like 12 inches from his face, with the mask hanging around her neck! These paper masks do not protect from the virus, but I guess if she was contagious with something it might prevent her from projecting it onto me if she were to cough or sneeze! So thank you, weird shopper!

The paper masks with eye shields along with paper gowns and gloves are what are wearing for covid 19 patients. The n 95 masks are for airborne virus’s. This virus is droplet and can live on surfaces. . When I see people wearing N95 masks and playing with their cell phones It just makes me laugh. The best thing you can do is was your hands, your phone and don’t touch your face.

The only time I wear a paper mask at work outside of an isolation room if I have a cold.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Gonna go a little off topic for a moment:

I’m not a fan of GoFundMe pages. Is it callous of me to think that way... probably. Who am I to judge what another person feels is worth asking friends to contribute to, but a number of asks that I’ve felt were odd and selfish over the years have jaded my outlook on most campaigns.

However, there is one GoFundMe that pops up that always tears at my heart strings: the untimely death of a young parent. I feel like every few weeks one of these flash across my timeline, mostly friends of friends...distant people who I didn’t know existed until now and are suddenly facing an incredibly tough time. Usually trying to cover funeral expenses or provide some much needed financial relief of some sort...and the amounts raised are almost always far too small to even make a dent (though I’m sure every little bit counts).

Since we like to chat about all things financial here and more than just CCs I’d just like to put my 2 cents in on what I feel is an important topic: If you are Young(-ish) and relatively healthy, prioritize term Life Insurance!! If you have debts or a spouse who partially (or fully) depends on your income, and definitely if you have children - prioritize term Life Insurance!!

Hopefully this message means nothing to you because you already have addressed this. For the young and healthy, term life insurance is insanely inexpensive! A number of people I talk to say things like they have 1year’s salary paid for by work so they’re set. I try to gently nudge them that it’s not enough and they should be considering 10x-20x that amount. Of all the things we waste money on, it is my hope that I waste a lot of money on life insurance. So far so good on that front.

 

[havaneselover]

The main thing that's sort of non-refundable at this point for my Alaska cruise is my return airfare from Vancouver on AA. Well today I got an email with a decent flight change. According to AA it's enough to entitle me to a refund. I'm thinking of rebooking on a European cruise next summer from Barcelona to Dover then adding a few days in London. I have some time to figure this out thankfully but maybe this is a sign.

And I'm seriously going nuts at work. Won't say much more but at least I'm fitting in my clothes from my 30s.

 

[becauseimnew]

Wow...