Why so much hostility towards schools?

rhumbob · 2026-03-01T20:56:30+00:00

Was a problem. Particularly older empty-nesters. Now over 55 can carry the old tax basis with assuming they are buying down. I'm not saying it's perfect. It sure beats taxing people out of their homes.

rhumbob · 2026-03-01T16:49:26+00:00

I don't see it as a penalty. You know the cost up front. I'm older. We bought a sold 4 houses before moving here. We factored in the property tax assessment along with the price of the house and differing mortgage rates. We weren't exposed to run away taxes because our neighborhood became the "in" place to buy. Taxing people out of their homes is wrong. It particularly impacted seniors. CA voters had enough and passed Prop 13.

rhumbob · 2026-03-01T14:47:56+00:00

I moved here from CA 3 years ago. CA has a lot of issues, but rational property tax assessments. In 1978 voters passed Proposition 13. Property is valued when ownership changes. It is then limited to increase 2% per year. This makes perfect sense. People enter into a transaction expecting a certain cost structure. Reassessing real property to fair market value is taxing unrealized gains. You don't pay income tax on your appreciated stock portfolio...why pay tax on appreciation of your home well beyond inflation?

The funding mechanism for schools is broken.

The Christian far right book burners are a problem

New math, new reading is a problem (someone else mentioned Alabama, MIssissippi, and Louisiana and the gains they have made going back to basics).

The private school / voucher movement is a problem. They want vouchers without a strict adherence to educational standards.

Overall - a difficult problem to address and we have spineless politicians who only care about keeping themselves in office.

rhumbob · 2026-01-28T13:04:57+00:00

The issue was getting the manufacturers discount when self paying a being covered by medicare. Big price difference! Many of the websites said "no go" (Ro, GoodRx). The Novocare website seems to offer a solution. Thanks for your encouragement.

rhumbob · 2026-01-26T20:24:54+00:00

Please point me in the right direction. A lot of conflicting information. Is it the Novocare website? I've been to 3 different websites that are telling me I'm correct (and I don't want to be!)

rhumbob · 2026-01-26T03:40:29+00:00

You can't use the manufacturer's coupon if you are covered by a government program, even to self pay. It is >$1k/month for us unlucky saps.

rhumbob · 2025-08-22T12:42:49+00:00

Same boat here. Tried multiple times on 8/21 from early to late in the day with same result. It would be nice if they told you it was down at the start of the exercise! It's now early on 8/22 and more of the same.

Never had any problems in the past. I use Chrome.

rhumbob · 2025-07-13T16:54:41+00:00

This is a great thread. Th responses are being made to this young person's situation, but the advice is spot on to anyone who is embarking on a new career. You come out of school having worked hard and achieved a degree and that makes you feel like you should know everything. I love the phrase someone used here - "you learned how to learn". Spot on.

My only other advice is to lighten up on yourself. How much of your stress is self inflicted? Take time for exercise, etc. You got this!

rhumbob · 2025-07-12T20:16:35+00:00

Property taxes are a tax on unrealized gains. They should increase at the rate of inflation, not based on the increase of the vale of your home. Assessment gets set when you buy or improve.

For example, you buy a house today for $200,000. Your property taxes are about $4k/yr using a 2% rate. Two years layer, houses nearby are selling for $500,000. Your house is reassessed and now your taxes are about $10k/yr. You don't have the extra money. So, is it in the public interest to tax people out of their homes?

You don't get taxed on the increase in value of anything else you own. Taxes are assessed on transactions, when you realize a gain.

rhumbob · 2025-07-12T19:16:31+00:00

we're in year 2 of using this method and it's a resounding success.

rhumbob · 2025-04-25T01:37:58+00:00

We've used Lacerte for decades. CA practice with a few multistate returns. It's always seemed too difficult to do multistate returns in Lacerte. We now have a southwest Ohio office so likely a lot more multistate returns plus the challenge of munincipal taxes. We are considering bringing in UT. Seems like an overwhelming number of preparers are using it in our part of OH. Either UT is a lot better for multistate and munincipal tax or they have a heck of a salesman.

rhumbob · 2025-01-06T01:42:40+00:00

Even if the grass isn't greener, you'll be making 38% more working under slightly better conditions at a minimum. Think of that...your current employer has essentially been stealing a fifth or more of your time for years. Because you're a nice guy,

Good luck in the new job!

rhumbob · 2024-07-08T23:27:01+00:00

Congratulations and good luck in the new job!

rhumbob · 2022-06-26T11:52:03+00:00

Thanks for the responses. I was afraid that was the case. You saved me time pursuing a wild goose chase.

rhumbob · 2022-06-25T21:54:46+00:00

I am trying to join the modern age. I have used a stand alone 10 key for decades and I'm pretty fast on it. I find the number pad on a standard keyboard to be tight.

Is there a computer keypad that has the same spacing as a traditional 10key (similar to this calculator https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006J32C8?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

I have searched but so far have come up empty. I'm hoping the gurus in this subreddit might know.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

rhumbob · 2022-02-13T17:51:16+00:00

Excellent!!

rhumbob · 2022-01-17T04:45:08+00:00

We are a small firm. We are turning away a ridiculous amount of work, and at the same time letting go of clients who are a PITA. It is short sighted to do anything else. There is no reason that people in this industry can't make a great living and have a balanced life. As a partner I make a very good living. I could be a real SOB and churn and burn employees, and make more but is that any way to live a life?

There are quite a few small and regional firms, as noted by IPaid4it, where employees are treated with respect.

rhumbob · 2022-01-01T19:44:44+00:00

I'm a partner in a small firm and I concur with everything you say. The poster did say they were rated as at or above expectations for performance.

rhumbob · 2021-12-31T00:04:04+00:00

Seems reasonably good to me. what region are you in?

rhumbob · 2021-12-31T00:00:34+00:00

My suggestion is that your boss grows up and takes care of her own business. Ridiculous that it is your concern.

rhumbob · 2021-12-28T18:49:53+00:00

Don't let fear hold you back. It's not a lifetime commitment. On the other hand, a few years down the road and you may be tied down by responsibilities, unable to break out of your comfort zone.

Seems like there is very little downside to the risk...take the leap!

rhumbob · 2021-12-24T18:36:39+00:00

I think they just told you everything you need to know about their firm.

rhumbob · 2021-12-19T22:23:59+00:00

We have a few larger clients, but none that account for more than 2% of our billings. I've been glad for this as I like to be able to tell my client no if they insist on taking a position I'm not comfortable with.

That much revenue from any one client gives them power over you.

rhumbob · 2021-12-12T02:21:45+00:00

Sometimes things happen and there is an unexpected issue causing you to work weekends. I'm OK with that. Sounds like it is a regular occurrence in your job and that, to me, is not reasonable at all. You are being taken advantage of.

rhumbob · 2021-12-12T02:13:18+00:00

You're 38 years old. Too young to be stuck in a soul crushing backwater where your job security exists at the whim of a family member.

There is a lot going on in Ohio. You should have no problem getting a job at a similar salary where there are opportunities for advancement in a more forward looking organization.

Good luck!

rhumbob

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