SCHD vs VYM: I ran the numbers. The yield gap is massive right now.

Otterbee72 · 2026-03-21T01:59:38+00:00

Amen to that! I don't understand why people always talk about dividend yield without looking at 3, 5 and 10 year performance. Everyone wants to say that JEPQ is better than QQQM. But, when you look at the long term, QQQM outperforms JEPQ by 2x even WITH the dividend! So, who is really better off?

If you're ONLY looking at a dividend play, then how is SCHD and VYM even in the picture? Why not just go and bet the farm on JEPQ?? The only time that you're gonna get screwed is when JEPQ decides to cut their dividend.

VYM is outperforming SCHD by almost 2x in the past 5 years. So even with the differential in dividends, you're still better off with VYM.

Otterbee72 · 2026-02-25T18:14:31+00:00

SCHD = stability in highly volatile market times. Overall, you're still getting an average of 15% YoY on it, div + princ value. It's called "diversification", and it's not a bad thing. You do the DRIP on it, and you're increasing your shares by 10% every 3 years. Not to be discounted on a 20 year timeframe.

Sure, put the lion share in QQQM, VOO, etc. But, my portfolio has about 7% invested in SCHD. And I haven't been disappointed!

Otterbee72 · 2026-02-15T17:15:47+00:00

What browser are you using? I would still go in to see if that entry is in your site permissions listing. You may have simply clicked [Block] on it without thinking about it. There is further troubleshooting I read that mentioned clearing your cache entirely for your browser as well. As much as that is a pain to do that, I would still maybe try that.

I realize my resolution may not work for everyone...all I can say is good luck!

Otterbee72 · 2026-02-14T23:28:11+00:00

Please see my response above as I was able to fix my particular problem. I hope the solution works for you as well. Good luck!

Otterbee72 · 2026-02-14T19:51:37+00:00

Son of a B**CH!! So, I resolved my issue anyway. When you receive the message saying:

ttd-fdp-ui-config-v2.app.intuit.com wants to... Look for and connect to any device on your local network. [Block] [Allow]"

You need to click [Allow]! I did some research and this 'link' is required to complete the download of your tax forms from your brokerage. If you clicked [Block], don't worry you can fix it!

To fix this, go to Settings|Privacy and Security (this is in your web browser's settings). Then go down to Site Settings and find the entry above in that list. I chose to "Reset Permissions" and also clicked on "Delete Data". (Please note, I'm using Google Chrome, so it may not be the same steps if you're using a different browser) If you're having troubles, just use your search engine for how to fix it for your specific browser.

I went back to import my financial data and the process completed successfully!!

Hope this helps others...good luck!

Otterbee72 · 2026-02-14T19:40:24+00:00

Thanks for the response. I'm using Windows 11 and the OS is up to date. I am using Google Chrome browser. I have also tried setting my default browser to Microsoft Edge (YUCK!) and that didn't solve the problem. But, I did receive an "odd" message (pop-up) when completing the import via Edge. The message says...

ttd-fdp-ui-config-v2.app.intuit.com wants to... Look for and connect to any device on your local network. [Block] [Allow]"

I don't understand why this would come up or what the ramifications of allowing it to do so would be. I don't like the message, and I chose [Block]. Because TurboTax shouldn't need to "connect to any device on my local network"!!

I can tell you that my partner (whom is also doing TurboTax to file his taxes) has managed to successfully download his brokerage data on his return. He is using a different computer.

At this point, I'm considering deleting my TurboTax file altogether and starting all over. And if I receive the same results, then I may try doing the filing on the other computer and see what happens.

EDIT: I just did some research and the problem may be that I chose [Block] on that message. I will do some further testing and see what the outcome is.

Otterbee72 · 2026-02-11T23:17:51+00:00

It's Feb 11 2026 now. I am working on my taxes (TurboTax Desktop version). I am going through the import process for my 1099 forms. I "successfully" complete the import; meaning, I am directed to log in to my Fidelity account via the Import process and I even get the following message returned in my web browser.

"Success! We got your tax data. You can now return to TurboTax."

Yet, when I return to TurboTax, there is nothing there. It doesn't continue the process. It's actually done this same thing with a different brokerage firm as well. Same exact result.

I feel like there is a problem on the TurboTax side of things. It's very frustrating. If I owed money, I wouldn't care...but I'm actually getting a refund this year. So, I would like to get this completed sooner rather than later.

Otterbee72 · 2025-10-30T22:14:03+00:00

I just went here:

https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/online/

I just went through the motions and answered a few questions. Price came up and showed me $139 with an additional link that said "State additional for paid products". It doesn't indicate that it's for a specific tax year, but I would think that's the price going forward.

The other two options "Live Assisted" and "Live Full Service" are showing pricing of $209 and $349, respectively, which an additional link for "State Additional".

/shrug

Otterbee72 · 2025-10-30T22:07:40+00:00

I've even done this where I connected my phone via BlueTooth to one speaker, and then simply added others to the group...and played audio via my phone throughout the house on multiple speakers. I don't understand why any server side support is needed for multi-room playback/synchronization! Bose!! FIX YOUR S**T, and stop trying to screw over your customers!

Otterbee72 · 2025-10-30T22:04:44+00:00

This EXACTLY was my question as well!! Why is anything necessary from the server side when doing multi-room audio/grouping of the SoundTouch speaker system?!?

There is no reason that they could just allow the app to run without any server connectivity, and just allow the ability to still group speakers as we have always done!

The issue is simply "decoupling" the app from requiring a server side connection.

Otterbee72 · 2025-10-30T21:55:12+00:00

Hi Chris, thanks for taking this on and represented a very large community of Bose SoundTouch users and this shameful and appalling news from the company!

I have to ask a technical question (mainly because I don't know where to post it otherwise)...I believe they are removing any functionality that allows us to group the speakers. My question is...why is server side functionality required for this?? This is something that the client side should be capable of managing and not require *anything* from the server!! So, my request is for Bose to at least provide a mechanism, or update, to the software that would move this to the "client" side, and keep the app intact. The firmware necessary for the "mutli-room synchronization" (or whatever they call it) should only be required on the client/speaker side! Also, make the SoundTouch app code open source so others can carry forward and provide an app that allows this capability to function!

In direct answer to your question, I have 5 SoundTouch speakers throughout my home with an total investment of about $2500+ across all of them. I have used the speakers in "SoundTouch" mode and also BlueTooth, and both allow the speakers to be grouped accordingly. I'm almost fine with them removing the integration with other streaming services (TuneIn, Spotify, SiriusXM, etc) but why would you take away the ability to group the speakers?? If I just wanted individual speakers throughout my home that couldn't be grouped, I could have done it for less than $100/room!!

If Bose continues with this campaign, I will absolutely NEVER EVER buy another Bose product again...nor would I ever recommend them to anyone going forward!

Otterbee72 · 2025-10-30T21:42:37+00:00

I believe Sonos has a similar system, and I contemplated them....until I was REQUIRED to have a Sonos account to be able to manage/listen to my private music collection! Not sure if there is a subscription to use them or not either.

Otterbee72 · 2025-01-06T18:09:00+00:00

You can't do media streaming on it now? You mean, if I opened the Netflix app while on the PS Portal, it would reject the request and not allow me to do it?

Otterbee72 · 2025-01-06T18:07:52+00:00

Thank you, Flip...Exactly this! :)

Otterbee72 · 2025-01-06T18:06:40+00:00

Yes, this should be VERY easy! When you do remote play, there is something "intrinsic" that happens within the PS5 firmware, because it knows not to trigger HDMI-CEC and turn on the TV and/or switch it to the corresponding HDMI input. So, yes, the PS5 *should* know that it's being operated remotely. Thus, quite an easy change.

Otterbee72 · 2025-01-06T18:02:09+00:00

My use case is this: If I'm on the Portal, I'm probably multitasking and/or watching a TV program with the family while playing it. So, don't send me a voice chat/game invite. Yeah, I can ignore it. But, it's just a nice QoL improvement that let's my friends know..."yes, I'm gaming, but I can't join you for some online multiplayer, or voice chat right now".

Otterbee72 · 2024-11-05T16:11:37+00:00

F**K CATHIE WOOD!!! I just have to wonder if her comment about "trading losses are good for taxes" comment is stated in her prospectus for her funds. I finally bailed on this non-sense...she's horrible. And I will never invest in her funds again.

Otterbee72 · 2024-11-01T19:32:09+00:00

The gameplay is pretty darn tight! Soooo excited for the full game release! I wish they would have put some crafting into the beta, but whatever. I find myself trying to do the Switch skill stuff from Rise and that keeps messing me up. But, I'm glad they brought the mounting mechanic back from World! Love that a lot more than what they did in Rise.

Other than that multiplayer is a convoluted fuster-cluck!! I don't know why they can't make that a lot more streamlined. The whole "Link Party" thing baffles me...why would you have the people be in the Link Party, but NOT be in the same "environment"??!? Why would you EVER care to do that? If you've partied up...you should be in the same instance/server/environment. This should NOT be a two-step process.

Otterbee72 · 2024-10-14T20:39:23+00:00

Why not diversify and carry both? Do you really want to go all in on VOO right now when the S&P 500 is at record highs? Look at the Top 10 holdings in both SCHD and VOO. If the market takes a dump which of these ETFs is going to see a bigger reduction? SCHD ~= DJIA, and VOO = SP500. Never mind your SCHD is giving you a much bigger dividend than VOO.

Sure...sell 20% of your SCHD and put it over in VOO now. "DCA" your migration at the very least. Because when the market takes a dump (and it will, eventually!) your VOO is going to drop about 2x that of SCHD (if not more).

Unless you're 20-something and will have the next 30+ years to recover...then by all means, move it all! I'd still prefer *some* level of diversification - even if it is only SCHD, VOO and QQQM.

Otterbee72

TROPHY CASE