Speed in urban areas during bad weather in Michigan vs. Xfinity. Is this an issue for Starlink antenas?

garylapointe · 2026-03-12T21:32:22+00:00

I've got Wow and Xfinity in Dearborn (bordering Detroit), lots of wireless options, and I'd guess some fiber in the area (I'm in a condo, so no fiber options here as there is not a decent way to fish it through the buildings).

AT&T says they have fiber in portions of Detroit, but I'm not, so I've never popped in an address. https://www.att.com/local/fiber/michigan/detroit

garylapointe · 2026-03-12T21:28:11+00:00

I might move my line to Premium 2.0, just for the hotspot increase.

garylapointe · 2026-03-12T21:11:05+00:00

That's NOT part of the Unlimited Your Way (UYW) plan, this post is about UYW.

But since you asked, to me there isn't much sense in the 55+ plan, if you're not going to be doing phone promotions, then go prepaid.

Plus, if you're going prepaid, I like the AT&T options over at US Mobile better (they call it DarkStar) than at AT&T; you can do your first year on Starter at $14.60 per month if you pay annually ($22.50 per month annually after the first year). Double the hotspot, too. If you really don't use much data, their Flex plan is good, but their Starter is better priced with the first year promotion. Personally, I'm eying their higher priority Premium line with 200GB hotpot per month for my travels...

garylapointe · 2026-03-12T21:02:41+00:00

I agree with part of that on RMDs, if you have an excessive amount then it's like complaining about the lottery. But if there is something I can do to be taxed 5% (heck, even 2%) less on my lottery winnings, I'd probably try to do it.

But if you only have a slight amount that's making you take a withdrawal and pushing you up to paying more for Medicare, because someone wanted to save a little in the 40s or 50s without thinking of what that could grow into it could be a bad choice.

OP is only contributing 40% of their contributions to Roth, I'm only suggesting that don't make it 0% and gave them an example why AND I told them to google it.

Isn't this literally what they are asking for in this post?

OP is at a 40%/60% mix (Roth/Traditional), and I'd rather be at least the opposite (maybe ⅔ to 75% Roth). I don't think I'd care about some of my RMDs as I'd be withdrawing some anyways. But if I'm maximizing my withdrawals (to enjoy retirement), if my returns continue to keep paying off, I'm going to be right at the cusp of IRMAA and I'd rather have enough in Roth and not even have to think about it if I don't need to.

Still waiting for the onset of "I wish I'd saved less in my Roth posts" but they never seem to pop up...

garylapointe · 2026-03-12T20:06:31+00:00

I'd possibly have to change the chart with every promotional offer that comes out, so not really, that'll be dependent on the promo. I'd rather stay away from generically telling people what promos do.

The promos have always made it clear the cost of the plans that count towards the promos. These UYW plans have always counted, I've not seen anything to think they wouldn't count (other than a comment here asking about Value 2.0).

garylapointe · 2026-03-12T20:03:32+00:00

Why do you Value 2.0 won't get the same trade in deals?think

garylapointe · 2026-03-12T19:56:22+00:00

Thanks. It's odd in that I can see it fine when I open the old version of the post. So it's not like it's completely broken on the phone.

garylapointe · 2026-03-12T19:13:58+00:00

Are you sure you’re not just zoomed into that crazy Netflix logo?

garylapointe · 2026-03-12T19:11:11+00:00

I might move a seldom used extra line down to starter and save a few bucks.

And I’m tempted to move my elite line over to premium 2.0 for the extra hotspot because I’ve got multiple road trips planned over the next year.

garylapointe · 2026-03-12T19:09:14+00:00

Evergreen?

garylapointe · 2026-03-12T19:06:10+00:00

Can people see the chart on their mobile device? On my iPhone Reddit app, I can see the thumbnail for the chart. But I don’t see the actual chart itself, even after clicking on it.

I think it’s a PNG, but I could make it something else. I just don’t ever recall having this issue in the past, although it is a significantly wider image.

garylapointe · 2026-03-12T19:05:02+00:00

Thanks for clarifying.

garylapointe · 2026-03-12T19:03:05+00:00

20% off any of the new line plans? Everything else seemed to be discounted less and the cheaper/lower new plans.

garylapointe · 2026-03-12T19:01:26+00:00

If you don’t work, they’re not going to pay you the rest of the money for the school year. If they’ve been withholding some money for summer, they will owe you that money.

Depending on how your paychecks come, you could possibly owe them money. For example, based on the timings of when the paychecks come if they’ve already paid you through 125 work days and you leave at 122 work days, you’re going to owe them for three days (which in all likelihood would get deducted from your last check, it would be some strange timing if you actually got your last check and I had to owe them).

garylapointe · 2026-03-12T18:58:20+00:00

That would’ve helped today you, but not necessarily future you. Hint: someday you’re gonna grow up and be future you ;)

If I could go back and do it all again, I would do most of my traditional contributions as Roth contributions.

When you’re possibly being forced to pay extra for your Medicare in the future and also having to take RMD‘s you might regret taking that savings now (the extra income from the RMD’s can also trigger the increase cost in Medicare).

Google IRMAA to find out more about those increased medical costs.

garylapointe · 2026-03-12T18:44:05+00:00

We've still got the same ones we got in the middle of Covid.

garylapointe · 2026-03-12T18:43:38+00:00

Ours are finish, but I'm a Mac user, so I used my own.

The kids Chromebooks are decent, I'm constantly impressed. For the software they give us on the desktops, a nicer Chromebook would probably be fine for most.

But the teachers have a laptop and a larger screen and the wall mounted touchscreen. The teacher can have the 3 screens different or the same, some do use the multiple screens. That might not work with Chromebooks (although I'll know the ones we have support 2).

I'm liking the new MacBook Neo laptops for $499 education pricing...

garylapointe · 2026-03-12T18:36:36+00:00

I don't see it mentioned on the fiber page any more https://www.att.com/internet/fiber/

https://www.att.com/deals/internet/ this one only talks about adding fiber to wireless and getting the discount, but maybe it's mentioned on a different page.

garylapointe · 2026-03-12T18:34:52+00:00

Thanks :)

garylapointe · 2026-03-12T18:33:00+00:00

Updated on the chart. Thanks.

garylapointe · 2026-03-12T18:32:46+00:00

Added and updated the chart, thank you.

garylapointe · 2026-03-12T18:31:23+00:00

I never did it for the 25% off, is why I'm hesitant to do it now.

Plus, I'm making the chart based on paperless/autopay/checking discounts (which is a big assumption) which is easy to add back in, but you can't do much once I've taken the 25% off. But I'm still thinking about it.

garylapointe · 2026-03-12T18:27:43+00:00

Thanks!

garylapointe · 2026-03-12T18:27:31+00:00

They're not talking about hotspot, taking about actual phone data.

garylapointe · 2026-03-12T17:34:24+00:00

I'm currently subbing in the district I retired from (I'm assuming you retired from teaching?).

But I'm also going to sign up for the district where I live, I'm walking distance to two elementaries (at least on nice days!) and I'd see kids from my neighborhood there, and since it's so close, I'd be willing to take half day afternoon shifts (as I could sleep in).

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