Go to Jeff Salisbury LWGate Home Page.From: persfin-digest <owner-persfin-digest@shore.net>
Subject: persfin-digest V4 #81
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 1997 10:56:25 -0400 (EDT)
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persfin-digest Tuesday, September 9 1997 Volume 04 : Number 081
IN THIS ISSUE:
ADVERTISEMENT: MCI CONNECT FOR CC:MAIL [Oppenheimer Software <Connect-Sa]
ISP? $100/year is a Good Deal [colston@viagrafix.com (Lloyd Colston)]
Re: Internet Service Providers? What To Look For? [dulnev@jhu.edu (Jaso]
Re: Internet Service Providers? What To Look For? ["Alan E. Hersh" <Cybe]
? Win 95 for $30 - Also a Good Deal [colston@viagrafix.com (Lloyd Colston]
Re: margin investing and short positions? [Rich Carreiro <rlcarr@animato.]
Re: 401k question - advice requested [Rich Carreiro <rlcarr@animato.pn.co]
Re: margin investing and short positions [Randy Barnes <rbarnes@atl.minds]
Reasonably priced small business health insurance ?? ["alkon" <alkon@hal-]
Re: Time Saved By Electronic Bill Payers [jeffcarp@usa.net (Jeff Carpent]
Re: Is the Time Saved By Online Bill Paying Significant? [Scott Barnett ]
"Good" Credit Card? [Margaret Lewis <mlewis@egusd.k12.ca.us>]
AT&T VISA Auto Rental Insurance [Avrum Lapin <avrum113@cyberg8t.com>]
Re: VITA/TCE Questions, Experiences? [Avrum Lapin <avrum113@cyberg8t.com>]
financial aid for adults? [Susan Mangiero <mangiero@shu.sacredheart.edu>]
Re:free loan? Be Careful! [publix@quebec.net]
1041 tax program? ["Elliot L. Sagall. M.D." <elliotmd@sprintmail.com>]
Need Advice on Freeadvice.com ["Gerry H. Goldsholle" <gerry@adviceco.com>]
401k question - advice requested ["Steven M. Foulks" <sfoulks@nmu.edu>]
Interactive Investment Technology Fund? [rfrego@jas-net.de (Rodger Frego)]
Gas Pump POS Security [Drew Blaha <drew_blaha@gilbarco.com>]
Toys R US Program [Drew Blaha <drew_blaha@gilbarco.com>]
Re: Is the Time Saved By Online Bill Paying Significant? [borisv@ctron.co]
Re: Is the Time Saved By Online Bill Paying Significant? [David Meyers <d]
Re: Upgrade to Win95? ["Mike Stefani" <mike-stefani@orgella.com>]
Re: Toys R US Has A Good Affinity Credit Card Program [sprasad@hsmpk12a-6]
Re: WWW Problem ["Richard E. Machado" <richmac@ici.net>]
Wanted Brokerage for No Commission Mutual Funds [koyn <koyn@fastrans.net>]
New Tax Law/Capital Gains on Precious Metals Question [koyn <koyn@fastran]
New Tax Law/Questions on real estate capital gains [koyn <koyn@fastrans.n]
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Date: Tue, 9 Sep 1997 10:31:42 -0400 (EDT)
From: Oppenheimer Software <Connect-Sales@mcimail.com>
Subject: ADVERTISEMENT: MCI CONNECT FOR CC:MAIL
MCI Connect for cc:Mail
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------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 1997 10:32:30 -0400 (EDT)
From: colston@viagrafix.com (Lloyd Colston)
Subject: ISP? $100/year is a Good Deal
$100 per year is a good deal.
However, before signing on the bottom line, ask for modem to user
ratios, the amount of web space you get, what kind of modems are
supported, and at what speed the connect will be. This will get you
started.
Lloyd Colston Excellence is not an accident.
Pryor, OK USA social worker, writer, editor
KC5FM Home page http://www.viagrafix.com/colston
Auto-responder mailto:kc5fm-info@freeyellow.com
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 1997 10:35:33 -0400 (EDT)
From: dulnev@jhu.edu (Jason Dulnev)
Subject: Re: Internet Service Providers? What To Look For?
One thing you don't want to do is to look for "best deals" when it
comes to ISPs. I tried several low cost ISPs before I realized how
they are able to cut the costs: by providing low quality service.
FlashNet was the first provider I tried and I was simply appalled at
the number of problems I encountered. I was used to receiving poor
service, but only for free from my University. After FlashNet and
Erol's I decided to try big National providers all of which offer
$19.95 flat rate. I tried Sprint, MCI and then, finally, AT&T
WorldNet. After all the other providers I was amazed at the quality
and reliability of service I received from AT&T. Having stayed with
AT&T WorldNet for a little less than a year and spending at least 4
hours a day on the Net, I have not a single complaint about their
service. I only hope they introduce 56K access soon.
Jason Dulnev
dulnev@jhu.edu
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 1997 10:35:37 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Alan E. Hersh" <CyberWiz@web-site.com>
Subject: Re: Internet Service Providers? What To Look For?
You might want to check out http://thelist.internet.com/ -
A E H
http://CyberJournalist.com http://Tax-Advice.com
P. O. Box 2067 - Thousand Oaks, California
91358-2067 USA Fax = (805) 496-6171
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 1997 10:35:47 -0400 (EDT)
From: colston@viagrafix.com (Lloyd Colston)
Subject: ? Win 95 for $30 - Also a Good Deal
It sounds like a good deal. I have upgraded recently but expect the
unexpected. I installed/uninstalled WIN95 three times before it settled
down.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 1997 10:36:13 -0400 (EDT)
From: Rich Carreiro <rlcarr@animato.pn.com>
Subject: Re: margin investing and short positions?
>1) I want to own a stock without any price exposure (both upside and
>downside). What is the cheapest way to do this? It seems to me that
What is your goal here? If you construct a position so that you
neither gain nor lose regardless of what the direction of the stock
is, you are not owning the stock, in economic terms. So why not just
*not* buy the stock? Or do you want to null out price exposure but
collect dividends?
Rich Carreiro
rlcarr@animato.pn.com
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 1997 10:37:41 -0400 (EDT)
From: Rich Carreiro <rlcarr@animato.pn.com>
Subject: Re: 401k question - advice requested
>I understand that I may make a non-hardship withdrawal of, say, $15,000
>from my 401k. According to my employer's benefit consultant, "this 15,000
>is subject to a 10% penalty tax.". Does this mean that if my salary income
>for the year is say, $50,000, and my tax rate is 28%, I expect my tax bill
>to be ($50,000 x 28%) + ($15,000 x 38%) = $19,700?
No. Remember, your $50,000 of salary is not all taxed at 28%. Some
of it is taxed at 0%, some at 15%, and some at 28%. When people talk
about their tax rate, they are almost always talking about their
marginal rate -- the tax rate on the last dollar of income.
So, it is impossible to tell you what your total tax would be without
knowing your filing status, number of dependants, itemized deductions,
investment income, etc. However, we can tell you the following (to first
order anyway):
If your tax without making the withdrawal will be X, then your
tax making the withdrawal will be X+($15,000 x 38%), assuming the
$15,000 withdrawal doesn't push you up into the 31% bracket. If
it does, then some of the $15,000 will be taxed at 38% (28%+10%) and
some at 41% (31%+10%).
If you want more exact numbers, go to the IRS web site and pull down
Form 1040ES for 1997. This is the form to calculate estimated tax
payments. It is also quite useful to help figure out an estimate of
how much tax you'll have for the current year. Run the numbers both
with and without the withdrawal and you'll be able to see the true
effect of it.
Rich Carreiro
rlcarr@animato.pn.com
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 1997 10:38:07 -0400 (EDT)
From: Randy Barnes <rbarnes@atl.mindspring.com>
Subject: Re: margin investing and short positions
> From: Benjamin Okun <bokun@hotmail.com>
> I have two questions.
>
> 1) I want to own a stock without any price exposure (both upside and
> downside).
Ben,
Please tell us why you'd want this position?
> 2) I'm looking for books or academic articles/texts on the subject of
> leveraged (margin) investi
> implementing such a long-term strategy for increasing market risk. Is
> there anybody who has held such a portfolio over the long term, and
> written about it? Any of you doing this sort of thing? Any help would
> be appreciated.
Ben I don't really understand the question, but Al Frank immediately
comes to mind. He's been margined for twenty plus years with something
like an average return of 25% yr. His book, The Prudent Speculator, is
the same title of his newsletter. Al is one of my heroes! I found the
book at the library. It's out of print so you'll have a tough time
finding it in stores.
http://www.investorsnet.com/cgi-bin/bookstore/tps3m - for newsletter
info
Best of luck on whatever you're working on ;-)
Randy Barnes
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 1997 10:38:26 -0400 (EDT)
From: "alkon" <alkon@hal-pc.org>
Subject: Reasonably priced small business health insurance ??
I have a small business that I begun with my wife here in Texas. In
order to keep my limit my tax obligations, I have set up a structure
where my wife is an employee and I am here employer. Under this
structure, I provide health insurance for her and her dependents (the
kids). In this manner, her premium is a non taxable benefit of the
job.
I found an insurance purchasing alliance in Texas that
provides health insurance for small businesses called the Texas
Insurance Purchasing Alliance (TIPA). However, the monthly premiums
for my wife and I run about $600 per month. Certainly the insurance
companies that we are insured with through this program are excellent
(PCA and Prudential), does any one know if I can get better rates
than the one we are paying?
Pls respond to my e mail as well as post here
Thanks, Al Kondo
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 1997 10:39:05 -0400 (EDT)
From: jeffcarp@usa.net (Jeff Carpenter)
Subject: Re: Time Saved By Electronic Bill Payers
First of all, I don't believe that the majority of bill payers pay
bills this way. It doesn't really matter to this discussion but I
think most people "stockpile" their bills and write check once a week
or once every two weeks all at the same time.
>I
>don't need to turn on a computer, start up a program, log into the
>internet, or anything. I admit it can take longer than 60 seconds to
>check credit card and phone bills for accuracy, but that is something
>I would need to do with either method. Is there something about
>on-line bill paying that I don't know about that makes it much faster?
I think you are missing the point of one-line bill paying. The
majority of those using on-line bill paying are ALREADY using a
program like Quicken to enter every financial transaction into. The
computer is ALREADY on, The software is ALREADY running. Where the
significant time savings comes in is this: When you use Quicken to
track finances paid by conventional check you enter the transaction
into Quicken. Then AFTER doing this you have to write the check,
stuff the envelope, attach the stamp, mail the bill. When using
online bill paying you are merely capitalizing on something you
ALREADY have to do, which is entering the transaction into Quicken.
Instead of entering check number "1234" you merely enter XMT and you
are done.
Jeff Carpenter Des Moines, IA
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 1997 10:39:15 -0400 (EDT)
From: Scott Barnett <sab@crisp.net>
Subject: Re: Is the Time Saved By Online Bill Paying Significant?
With all the discussion of which bill paying service to use,
why aren't more people taking advantage of Electronic Fund
Transfer (EFT)? I now pay my mortgage, credit card, and
electric bill using EFT, not to mention the 3 mutual funds
where I put a fixed amount in every month. My gas, water, and
phone companies claim to be providing EFT soon. Once they
do, 90% of all my monthly bills will be paid automatically,
and it costs nothing.
I haven't had any problems with EFT since I started using it.
I put scheduled transactions into Quicken, and paying these bills
has truly become time free.
- --
Scott Barnett
sab@crisp.net
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 1997 10:40:36 -0400 (EDT)
From: Margaret Lewis <mlewis@egusd.k12.ca.us>
Subject: "Good" Credit Card?
I keep seeing posting abour credit cards, but none seems to address what I
would like: nor frills, no extras, lower interest rate. I don't care about
frequent flier miles, more rental car insurance, or complimentary nutmeg
graters. I don't want a rebate. I only use a credit card when I can't pay
cash.....computer systems whose prices I need to pay over a couple of
months, for example. Does anyone know of a credit card which is simply
that....a simple credit card? Am I the only person seeking simplicity and
lower rates?
Peggy Lewis
mlewis@egusd.k12.ca.us
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 1997 10:41:06 -0400 (EDT)
From: Avrum Lapin <avrum113@cyberg8t.com>
Subject: AT&T VISA Auto Rental Insurance
There were some posts earlier that AT&T Universal was going to drop
their Auto Rental Insurance as of 1 September. Since I was not notified of
this change I checked with AT&T and was told the following
Auto Rental Insurance continues on their Gold VISAs (which is what I have)
but was dropped on their non Gold VISAs
Has anyone heard to the contrary?
Avrum Lapin
Upland., CA
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 1997 10:41:46 -0400 (EDT)
From: Avrum Lapin <avrum113@cyberg8t.com>
Subject: Re: VITA/TCE Questions, Experiences?
>
I have just received the Volunteer Income
>Tax Assistance/Tax Counseling for the Elderly (VITA/TCE) application
>for the upcoming tax season.
>
>Before I send it fill it out and send it in, I have a few
>questions:(omitted for brevity)
I've done TCE for the last 2 years and I have enjoyed the
experience. There is both the intellectual challenge and the satisfaction
in keeping my clients away from H&R Block. I am more or less retired so the
time is not an issue.
In our area AARP is the sponsor of the TCE class and co-ordinates
the the TCE activities.
The Instructional material and classes are geared both for TCE and
VITA. The class runs 4 days (about 30 hours and about 1/4 of that is
devoted to CA state taxes). The text and class time covers what is needed
to do all of the 1040's, Schedules A,B, EIC, C-EZ (net profit from
Business), D, and SE as well Sale of Home (2119), and work sheets dealing
with pensions and annunities. We are encouraged to reject clients with
full schedule C's and those with incomes over about 50K (but we have done
simple schedule C's on a time available basis if they have the previous
years form)
IMO the text is complete enough for you to skip the class and just
take the test although the class work will usually cover the "trick" or
unusual questions which show up in the open book test. Our instructors
will usually precheck your test in class and point out where the answer
(how much tax is due) is wrong. Based on your posts here, you (Rick) may
not learn much from the class or the book. When in doubt I go to Pub 17,
not the text.
In this area the TCE appointments and the work sites are set up by
the various municipal recreation departments and senior centers. We do TCE
4 hrs at least one day a week (mid week) Feb 1 to Apr 15. While we run a
TCE site we will do a "VITA" client on a time available basis. TCE can be
done in clients homes but this is discouraged because of liability. When
you sign the 1040 form as preparer it is as the TCE site not as an
individual.
VITA in our area is done by the Business Students from Cal Poly
State Univ on Saturdays at various libraries etc. They do this on a walk in
basis. I am not sure what specific training they have had or who
co-ordinates the arrangements. There are other parts of LA where AARP
co-ordinates VITA
My suggestion is to contact your local public libraries, senior
centers etc and see if they can get you the name of a point of contact or a
co-ordinator and go from there.
The major difference between VITA clients and TCE clients are that
VITA clients tend to have EIC, Child Care credits and wierd dependent
status (parent in Mexico) where as TCE clients have Schedule B & D's and
2199's
Avrum Lapin
Upland., CA
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 1997 10:42:40 -0400 (EDT)
From: Susan Mangiero <mangiero@shu.sacredheart.edu>
Subject: financial aid for adults?
Does anyone have advice/comments on procuring financial aid for adult
students seeking to go to graduate school? Does one include their spouse's
income? pension fund? house?
Thanks.
Susan M. Mangiero
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 1997 10:43:09 -0400 (EDT)
From: publix@quebec.net
Subject: Re:free loan? Be Careful!
>If I have $20K worth of stocks at my broker, and I make an order to buy
>XYZ stock for $5K with no cash in the account, I assume that they
>expect me to deliver additional funds during next 3 days. If I sell
>XYZ the same day (or the next one) with a small profit, does it
>represent a free loan I got from my broker? (Yeah, right! :)
Be careful. You may have 3 days to pay up, but so has the guy who bought
your stock! Would there be a problem at the other end, and the trade be
cancelled/modified/delayed, the spread between the
buy/sell/confirmed/paid up phases of the transaction may mean a cash
squeeze at your end, and the sellout of your assets by the brokers...
Pat St-Arnaud
FMD Brokerage
Investors Jump Point
http://spike.quebec.net/~publix/FMD/
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 1997 10:43:43 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Elliot L. Sagall. M.D." <elliotmd@sprintmail.com>
Subject: 1041 tax program?
Does anyone know of PC Tax Programs for non-accountants for trusts (IRS
Form 1041)?
Thanks for any info.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 1997 10:44:58 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Gerry H. Goldsholle" <gerry@adviceco.com>
Subject: Need Advice on Freeadvice.com
Last week, a brand new Free site, http://FreeAdvice.com, went live with
the most comprehensive source of Free legal advice and information on
the iNternet. It already contains content in 80 of what will be over 100
legal topics. The information and advice is provided in "Plain English"
question and answer format, and most was written by leading attorneys
throughout the United States. The site was shown to lawyers in a preview
mode at the American Bar Association Meeting last month, and received a
great deal of favorable reaction.
FreeAdvice.com also contains the beginnings of a list of lawyers that
are prepared to provide a Free Initial Consultation to bona fide
potential clients on a personal or business legal situation or problem.
I would appreciate your subscriber's feedback on the site, and any
suggestions as to how we can make http://FreeAdvice.com even better.
Gerry H. Goldsholle
gerry@adviceco.com
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 1997 10:45:56 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Steven M. Foulks" <sfoulks@nmu.edu>
Subject: 401k question - advice requested
>I understand that I may make a non-hardship withdrawal of, say, $15,000
>from my 401k. According to my employer's benefit consultant, "this
>15,000 is subject to a 10% penalty tax.". Does this mean that if my
>salary income for the year is say, $50,000, and my tax rate is 28%, I
>expect my tax bill to be ($50,000 x 28%) + ($15,000 x 38%) = $19,700?
There are a lot of hardship reasons, so you might check this determination
out. Your federal income tax won't be $19,700.
There are numerous reduction in your gross income (salary and 401 (k)) to
give you your tax base (i.e., standard deduction, exemptions, etc.). Also
the tax rate is not a "flat rate". Some of your taxable income will be
subject to the 15% rate. You will however pay the 10% excise penalty as
well as income taxes on the $15,000.
I always hate to see someone take a non-hardship withdrawal from a tax
sheltered savings program, because once taken out, it can never be
replaced. Why not just borrow the money?
Steven M. Foulks, CPA, CFP, PhD
Professor of Accounting & Finance
Northern Michigan University
www.nmu.edu/instruct/business/sfoulks/
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 1997 10:47:17 -0400 (EDT)
From: rfrego@jas-net.de (Rodger Frego)
Subject: Interactive Investment Technology Fund?
Anyone heard of this fund? It was up 61.05% in 1995, 60.55% in 1996, and as of
30 June 1997 up 19.40% YTD. Synbol TVFQX, No Load, ER 1.81%, 89 MIL Assets,
Inception 5-94. 13% Health Stocks and 87% Technology.
Cheers,
Sarge
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 1997 10:47:45 -0400 (EDT)
From: Drew Blaha <drew_blaha@gilbarco.com>
Subject: Gas Pump POS Security
>I'm a little concerned about the security of using credit/debit cards at these
>pay-at-the-pump POS terminals that are showing up at most gas stations
>these days.
>I've seen a lot of variety in what gets printed on the reciepts, sometimes it
>contains the entire credit card number *and* expiration date. Is it really
>necessary to print this on the reciept? I've seen some terminals that
>"X" out the last four digits of the card number, which seems prudent.
>Some people casually discard these reciepts, or leave them in the pump
>terminal.
>On a related note, I heard an electronic commerce consultant claim that
>these transactions cost the gas station about $1...pretty hefty if someone
>just buys $10 worth of gas!
>- - Tim
I'd write to you personally Tim, but there was no address on your post.
You should see most of this cleaned up within a year. The major oil
companies that I am responsible for will leave off the expiration date
and will only be showing the last four digits of the account number.
This should be the case already for any debit cards. Credit cards are
much looser, but VISA and MC will be to the last four digits soon. The
oil company cards will still vary by brand.
As for $1 per transaction, that may be true for debit cards, but not for credit.
Many retailers want to be able to advertise that they offer
the most up-to-date conviences, technology, etc. Debit cards are
a very small percentage of the business. Processing fees for credit
cards have gone way down. Last year several stores on one oil company's
network were still using paper tickets for credit card purchases.
Processing fee was .25. When our new system became available, the
fee structure changed to .05 for an electronic transaction, and
.75 for a paper ticket. Needless to say, almost everyone was
convinced to go to an electronic system.
Debit cards still aren't very popular, but a significant part of the adult
population is 'unbanked'. Right now the main thing were working on
is prepaid cards. Test markets are shwing good returns to the companies
due to customer loyalty (you can only use the card at Shell stations) and
'breakage' (collectors who buy but never use the cards, lost cards, nad
people who will toss the card with money left on it).
Also, we're currently in field trial with keychains that have small radio
transmitters in them. The pumps have receivers in them. Wave your
keys at the pump and it will authorize and charge the transaction to
whatever credit card you have registered with the oil company.
Again, builds customer loyalty as they are brand specific. More secure,
because if it is stolen they can only steal gas, not take your credit
card everywhere.
Drew Blaha
Senior Software Design Engineer
Retail Automation Products
Gilbarco Inc.
Greensboro, NC
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 1997 10:48:13 -0400 (EDT)
From: Drew Blaha <drew_blaha@gilbarco.com>
Subject: Toys R US Program
>Toys R Us has a good affinity program. It gives you 2% toward purchases at
>Toys R Us, Babies R Us, & Kids R Us for all purchases and 3% back for
>purchases made at any of the Toys R Us stores.
I've had this card for awhile. I'm only getting 1% back for
purchases outside the Toy's R Us chains.
Drew
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 1997 10:48:57 -0400 (EDT)
From: borisv@ctron.com
Subject: Re: Is the Time Saved By Online Bill Paying Significant?
David Martin wrote:
>I can open a bill, write a check, balance the checkbook, and put a
>stamp on an envelope in under 60 seconds. <...> don't need to turn on
>a computer, start up a program, log into the internet
I prefer a traditional way, too. But I believe on-line payers save
time when they pay bills in bunches...
These days you can set up automatic payments for so many ways, that the
rest 5-6 checks a month doesn't really represent a big deal for me.
- -Boris "I know it's less than 2 cents" :)
Dover,NH
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 1997 10:49:28 -0400 (EDT)
From: David Meyers <dmeyers@panix.com>
Subject: Re: Is the Time Saved By Online Bill Paying Significant?
At least as important - and the biggest reason I won't
consider electronic checks - getting screwups fixed. I've
heard a couple of horror stories about incorrect debits,
unpaid bills, etc - and getting these things _fixed_ -
I've never heard anyone say "one phone call and it was
straightened out".
>don't need to turn on a computer, start up a program, log into the
Well, I usually turn on the computer and start up quicken,
but for anything except credit card bills, it is only to
enter the transaction into my check register - and even
that, I frequently do later - I often just jot down a note
on the back of my checkbook with the date, payee and amount
and enter that into quicken later.
>internet, or anything. I admit it can take longer than 60 seconds to
>check credit card and phone bills for accuracy, but that is something
>I would need to do with either method. Is there something about
Well, I do enter _every_ credit card transaction into quicken,
which makes it _very_ easy to reconcile, as well as to track
my spending - but I still _pay_ the bill with an old-fashioned
hand-written check.
>on-line bill paying that I don't know about that makes it much faster?
I sure don't know. Again, though, I'm a real skeptic and
am very concerned about fixing errors - errors do happen -
nobody is going to guarantee otherwise - the important thing
is how they get fixed (and how frequently they happen).
> American Express has a feature which allows you to call a
>special 800 number and have the money to pay your bill transferred
>directly out of a bank account to them. I use it because it is more
>reliable than the USMail, but it actually takes longer to call and
>punch in the various numbers than to write out a check and put in an
>envelope.
It would probably be worth the cost of the stamp and check to
me to pay it the old fashioned way. I have no patience for
dealing with automated phone systems - they are the worst.
I think I'd go for something like SFNB on the internet
sooner.
BTW, with the recent endorsement of SFNB here, I'd like to
get an idea how many folks have tried it (or its equivalent,
if there is such a thing) and how they liked it.
- --D
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 1997 10:50:30 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Mike Stefani" <mike-stefani@orgella.com>
Subject: Re: Upgrade to Win95?
Stephen-
Things to consider:
New version of Win 95 (Win 98) due out early 1998.
Many (most?) of the networking features in Win 95 are available in Win for
Workgroups ("WFW".) You mentioned you use Win 3.11, which sounds like you
are using WFW 3.11.
Are you having any problems with Win3.11? Win 95 is more stable, but if
you are already stable, there is no further benefit to gain.
Do you need file compatibility between home and work? For instance, do
you use Win95 applications at work, that you would like to access at home?
Many applications now allow (in their license) a second "home"
installation of the program (check the terms carefully.)
Only you can decide, but if I were in your position (having already
decided to upgrade the hardware,) I'd wait for Win98, unless there was a
compelling reason to switch sooner. If so, I'd buy the new PC, and
"acquire" Win95 with it. The latest version of Win95 (OSR2) is available
only this way- you cannot buy it off the shelf.
Regards,
Mike Stefani
Email: mike-stefani@orgella.com
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 1997 10:51:00 -0400 (EDT)
From: sprasad@hsmpk12a-61.Eng.Sun.COM (Shankar Prasad)
Subject: Re: Toys R US Has A Good Affinity Credit Card Program
Are you sure about the "2% for all purchases" ? I have a Toys R Us VISA
card, (by Bank of New York, Delaware, 800-442-3142), which offers 1% for
all purchases, 3% for purchases at Toys/Kids/Babys R Us - redeemable in
chunks of $10 for purchases at the XXXX R Us stores. They also gave a
$10 coupon for XXXX R Us when we opened the account. Occasionally, I also
receive a "$5 off a purchase of $20 or more" coupon, which we use sometimes.
We have been using this card for over a year now. Don't know what the
interest rate is (probably around 14%), since we pay off every month.
If you have information about another program (2% sounds better ...),
can you provide us with a contact phone number for the bank or ToysRUs
to get more details on this ?
- --
Regards
Shankar Prasad
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 1997 10:52:47 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Richard E. Machado" <richmac@ici.net>
Subject: Re: WWW Problem
>When I attempt to access the www via either Netscape or Internet Explorer,
>I frequently crash the first try. The second time is usually OK.(I have a
>Mac powerbook.) Any ideas?
May be your provider (compuserve). I'd suggest a direct connection.
It may work out cheaper. Other things to consider: Get the latest
version of the software (Netscape is 4.03) since it is a bit more stable.
Next look to your system software. Sometimes older system software
can conflict with newer application software.. Mac OS8 is pretty
stable. Next, you can try trashing the preferences file for the
browsers. As a last resort, a clean install of your existing system
software should correct most problems. Other things to try: zapping
the pram, and rebuilding the desktop. If you have further problems,
feel free to contact me directly. I'll need to know what kind of
powerbook you have...
Rich Machado
Conscripted Chairperson
NAEBA Technology Committee
http://www.naeba.org
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 1997 10:53:44 -0400 (EDT)
From: koyn <koyn@fastrans.net>
Subject: Wanted Brokerage for No Commission Mutual Funds
I am looking for a brokerage house for my (small) IRA where I can get a
variety of mutual funds without loads or transaction fees. Any
recommendations? I would like to do business with someone who is not
going to nick my IRA for annual account maintenace fees, if possible.
Please email your response to koyn@fastrans.net, as well as posting it
here.
Thanks in advance for any assistance. Please email any response to
koyn@fastrans.net as well as posting here.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 1997 10:54:05 -0400 (EDT)
From: koyn <koyn@fastrans.net>
Subject: New Tax Law/Capital Gains on Precious Metals Question
I am wondering how the new tax law just passed handles capital gains on
precious metals (coins/bullion)? Do these qualify for the 8%-20% maximum
cap gains rate? Would coins be considered collectibles (28% rate)? What
requirements would gold/silver coins need to meet to not be considered a
collectible? Is the 28% rate on collectible limited by a person's tax
bracket? E.g. if they are in 15% bracket, would a 15% rate apply?
Thanks in advance for any assistance. Please email any response to
koyn@fastrans.net as well as posting here.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 1997 10:54:47 -0400 (EDT)
From: koyn <koyn@fastrans.net>
Subject: New Tax Law/Questions on real estate capital gains
I understand that the new tax law just passed reduces the capital gains
rate on real estate to the 8-20% range. However, it I heard that that
portion of gain attributable to prior depreciation would be subject to a
25% rate.
Does this 25% rate apply, if the tax payer is in the 15% bracket? Or
would the recapture portion be at 15%, with the rest at 8% or 10%.
How is the capital gain calculated if the tax payer is normally in the 15%
bracket, but the gain places him in the 28% bracket? Perhaps you might
consider this example to answer the question:
Ordinary income: $10,000 short of what is needed to enter 28% bracket if
it were the only income.
Capital Gain on sale of real estate held for 18 months or longer:
$15,000 ($9,000 attributable to depreciation, $6,000 not).
How much would the capital gain tax be for this hypothetical transaction?
Under the old law, how is a captial gain attributable to depreciation
handled?
Thanks in advance for any assistance. Please email any response to
koyn@fastrans.net as well as posting here.
------------------------------
End of persfin-digest V4 #81
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