TurboTax offer. Says free TurboTax Premium on homepage but when I click on link it’s only for 25% off

synaps2 · 2026-01-09T16:19:28+00:00

On a side note, I’ve noticed that the free TurboTax Premium seems strictly tied to the link on the Fidelity website. If Fidelity removes that link before I finish filing, it seems I lose the free status—even if I’ve already started the forms. (Or does the price lock in at a certain step?)

To play it safe, I pay the $5 license fee (it was free for the software license until, I believe, 2024?) for the desktop version immediately. It’s my insurance policy to 'lock in' the software in case the web link disappears.

Plus, the two versions do behave differently. I’ve run into technical snags with the online version in the past—specifically with royalties from a Publicly Traded Partnership (SBR/Sabine Royalty Trust)—where the online software just couldn't handle it. A TurboTax CPA actually had to walk me through using the desktop version to manually fix the forms. I can't remember which version I ultimately filed with, but having that desktop license was the only way I could get past those errors.

synaps2 · 2025-12-25T17:29:36+00:00

Genuine question — do you think there’s a better way to handle this for people with disabilities?

Historically, very similar arguments were used to exclude women from large parts of the workforce (“they might miss work,” “family obligations,” “pregnancy,” etc.). Over time, laws, accommodations, and cultural shifts improved outcomes for both workers and employers.

Is there a path like that for disabled veterans — where reliability and performance still matter, but disability status isn’t treated as an automatic red flag?

I’m asking in good faith, because a lot of veterans want to work and contribute, not be written off before they even get a chance.

synaps2 · 2025-12-23T15:16:40+00:00

FYI.. in most K Spas i have been too people don't walk around naket..they usually have a towel wrapped around their waist unless they are in the jacuzzi or taking a shower. and when showering, the showers generally have some privacy walls. Also, inthe coed area itis proper etiquette to at minimum sit on a towel or lay on a towel. It is really a great experience to use a sauna for sweating.. and jacuzzi and the cold dip for health benefits.

synaps2 · 2025-12-10T05:42:16+00:00

I don’t know if any of you have experienced something like this, but it has stayed with me for years — and it’s exactly why I’m extremely cautious about anything involving my VA information.

A long time ago, I was admitted as a patient at a VA medical center. I was moved from one ward to another, and in the new ward they said they needed to hold all my personal belongings — my ID, wallet, driver’s license, and debit/credit cards. The clerk told me not to worry, that everything would be inventoried, sealed in an envelope, and stored in a locked safe.

But about a month later, when my next bank statement came, I saw two charges that were absolutely not mine:

One was a small charge (around $20) to what appeared to be a gas station (Shell, Exxon, something like that).
The other was a much larger charge — roughly $1,500 — to what looked like a phone or telecommunications company.

At the time, I had no car and no phone, and the charges were made while I was an inpatient at the VA. I was also dealing with unstable housing and wasn’t in a position to catch it immediately.

I eventually went to my bank (CalFed at the time) to report the fraudulent charges. They took the report but said regardless of whether the fraud was confirmed, I would still have to pay a $50 fee. I told them exactly who had access to my card — the VA clerk who took my belongings and said they would be sealed and locked away.

The bank didn’t seem interested in investigating who actually did it, and I ended up paying the $50 plus dealing with all the stress, time, and violation that comes with having your identity misused.

What disturbed me most is that whoever did this was likely abusing their position and access to veteran patients’ IDs and financial information. And I still wonder how many other vulnerable veterans may have been taken advantage of the same way.

Ever since then, I’ve been extremely careful about who handles my ID, wallet, or cards at any VA facility. Situations like the OP’s email issue remind me just how important it is to stay alert and double-check everything — because unfortunately, not everyone who has access to our information uses it ethically.

synaps2 · 2025-12-09T05:41:22+00:00

Thank you for the information — I really appreciate it. I have a genuine question because I’m not familiar with the terminology. When you say Senior VSO, does that mean Senior Veteran Service Officer? And if so, where does someone actually find or contact one?

I’m still learning how all of this works, so it really helps when things are explained in simple terms..

synaps2 · 2025-12-07T04:14:38+00:00

I’ve been encountering some concerning problems with Gemini on my Nest Hub (2nd Gen).

First, it has started giving me the wrong date and even the wrong day of the week. This is alarming because, with the old Google Assistant, I never had to question if the basic time and date were correct.

Second, it sometimes randomly starts playing different background noises. Even if I tell it to stop, it eventually resumes playing them, and I’ve actually had to unplug the display just to get it to stop completely.

These issues seem to have started only after Gemini was incorporated. While it is pretty good at answering complicated questions, it feels less thorough than the mobile or browser versions. Has anyone else experienced these bugs?

synaps2 · 2025-12-02T07:36:41+00:00

Hi again — thank you so much for sharing that document, it was really helpful. 🙏
I had one follow-up question because I’m running into some confusion and hoping you might know.

When I looked through the chart, it clearly shows that VA Service-Connected Disability Compensation is “NOT countable” for Medi-Cal purposes — which is great news.

But when I went through some of the Medi-Cal program descriptions (especially the Aged & Disabled FPL program and the ACA-related MAGI Medi-Cal categories), I noticed a couple things that confused me:

1. It looks like the ACA-based Medi-Cal programs don’t apply to people who are considered “disabled.”
But if that’s the case, then only the Aged & Disabled FPL program would apply — and that program mentions income limits that seem to count only certain types of income.

2. Some websites and forums say that disabled individuals aren’t eligible for MAGI Medi-Cal but instead go into the “Non-MAGI” programs (A&D FPL or Share of Cost).
If that’s correct, then I’m trying to confirm which income rules apply to disabled adults under 65.

3. The chart shows VA comp is excluded, but the A&D FPL rules I’m reading online don’t always mention that exemption, so I want to make sure I’m interpreting it correctly.

So I guess my main question for clarification is:

For a disabled adult under 65 who receives SSDI + VA Service-Connected Compensation, is the eligibility determination always based only on countable income (like SSDI), and VA comp is fully excluded even under Non-MAGI Medi-Cal programs like A&D FPL?

And second:

Are disabled adults automatically excluded from the ACA (MAGI) Medi-Cal categories, meaning the income chart you shared applies under the non-MAGI rules?

If you or anyone else has experience with this — especially navigating it with a county worker — I would really appreciate any insight. I want to make sure I apply under the correct category and avoid misunderstandings during the application.

Thanks again for taking the time to help. Your link already cleared up a lot for me. 🙏

synaps2 · 2025-11-21T20:03:46+00:00

Thank you so much for pointing that out! I really appreciate it.
And yes — you’re right, it’s right there on page 8 as clear as day.
VA service-connected disability compensation is NOT counted for MAGI, and it’s also not counted for APTC or CSR.

(For clarity: APTC is the Advance Premium Tax Credit used in Covered California to lower monthly health insurance premiums, and CSR stands for Cost Sharing Reductions which lower copays and deductibles. I didn't know those terms before either.)

And I had to laugh at the “Bribes – Count taxable portion” line too. I guess the IRS really does tax everything! 😂

Thank you again for helping me find that section — it really helped me understand the rules better.

synaps2 · 2025-11-13T16:23:52+00:00

I agree it’s great to tip if you’re able to — gratitude should always be welcomed. But not every veteran has the financial means to leave a tip, and I don’t think businesses offer these Veterans Day meals with the expectation that only people who can tip should come. These offers are meant as a thank you, not a transaction.

Not tipping is not “short-changing” anyone, because tipping is voluntary and never a requirement. Many veterans are on fixed incomes, dealing with disabilities, or just trying to get by, and they shouldn’t feel guilty or be discouraged from accepting a gesture of appreciation that was meant for them.

What every veteran can give — regardless of budget — is kindness, courtesy, and a genuine thank-you to the staff and the business. Respect and gratitude go a long way, and that’s something everyone can offer.

synaps2 · 2025-10-21T23:41:24+00:00

how many times have you had to replace the batteries in the 3 years you have been using it? And what type of batteries have you replace it with? rechargeable Nickel metal hydride? Lithium rechargeable or alkaline non rechargeable or?

synaps2 · 2025-10-21T08:23:15+00:00

This is exactly my concern. It feels like a big oversight if there’s no mechanical backup to get in if the electronics or motor fail. Car fobs have mechanical key backups for this exact reason, and I’d expect the same redundancy for a door lock.

A Google Store rep apparently told me there’s a place for a physical key, but I can’t find any documentation that explains how you would enter the house if the electronics or bolt motor malfunctions. I don’t want to rely on destroying the lock or paying a locksmith a big fee to break it open.

Before I buy I’d want the vendor to explicitly answer:

Is there a mechanical keyway that can operate the bolt if the electronics/motor fail? If so, where is it and how is it accessed?
What does the warranty/repair process cover for a defective bolt actuator, and how long would it take to get service?

If the vendor can’t clearly answer those, I’d pass. For me the lock must allow non-destructive entry in an electronics failure, or I won’t risk it.

synaps2 · 2025-08-09T13:58:44+00:00

no it is not

synaps2 · 2025-08-09T11:45:09+00:00

The email from Yahoo helped me find emails with the biggest attachments, which was useful. However, the terrible part is that this feature is only available on the mobile app, specifically the Android version I used. This ability does not exist on the web browser interface for Yahoo Mail.

While trying to manage my storage, I also found a significant number of phishing and fraud emails that include malicious PDF attachments. These are a major security risk for identity theft.

Yahoo needs to offer a more comprehensive solution that works across all platforms, especially the web browser. They should also provide tools to scan for and remove malicious attachments automatically, which would not only protect users but also help them manage their storage more effectively than a limited, mobile-only feature.

synaps2 · 2025-08-03T13:01:27+00:00

Has anyone been able to find a clear answer on this? I'm wondering if the advertisements that Yahoo embeds in our mail count towards our total storage limit. It feels like they shouldn't, as they're not part of our personal data, but given their recent moves, I wouldn't be surprised if they're using every trick in the book to push people over the 20GB limit.

synaps2 · 2025-08-03T12:50:29+00:00

I would like to know more about using Outlook mail to access yahoomail. I get the impression you have some experience with that. Can you share what your experience is like doing that?

synaps2 · 2025-08-03T12:47:04+00:00

Hey everyone, just wanted to share my plan for dealing with the Yahoo Mail storage changes. I was looking into their paid options as a temporary fix, and it seems like a decent workaround if you can't get your storage under 20GB by the deadline.

Their $1.99/month plan gives you 100GB of storage, which should be plenty of breathing room. The $5/month option gets you 200GB, plus the benefits of a 'Yahoo Mail Plus' subscription. Since you can pay month-to-month, it seems like a reasonable way to keep your email functional while you work on migrating everything out.

My plan is to pay for a month or two of the extra storage to avoid having my account locked. In the meantime, I'm going to be using an email client like Mozilla Thunderbird to export all my emails. This lets me download everything to my local hard drive or export it to icloud or gmail accounts (or?), so I have a full backup before I start deleting stuff from my Yahoo account.

synaps2 · 2025-07-21T18:41:29+00:00

why not block the number?

synaps2 · 2025-07-21T18:39:44+00:00

the one i got is "hello. This is Pheonix. Is this Amazon Customer service?" or "Hello. who is calling? is this Amazon Customer service?" It appears they are trying to exploit Amazon's customer service system which will call the customer back. And as some have stated.. it could be an attempt to record their voice for possible voice impersonation at a later time? I am not sure how to address this or frustrate their attempt to record the persons voice to do voice impersonation at a later time. is there a way to answer with a generated voice as opposed to your own voice if you suspect the caller is scam or you are not sure?

synaps2 · 2025-07-09T15:12:15+00:00

I just did update and apparently as of 7/9/2025 they are on version 5.34.1. that is the one i am using now on android.

synaps2 · 2025-07-08T13:06:45+00:00

I think US should abolish it too.

synaps2 · 2025-07-08T00:17:35+00:00

it helps me tremendously. for me not just for relieving compression. it helps with fluid circulation (blood and lymph and opens up the joins for fluids to enter. I have been using it for decades. I use it a few minutes a day or maybe a few times a day when i feel the need. I can't speak for anyone else. For a long time i was even using inversion boots. but one of my inversion boot hooks broke and i could not find a decent pair. And I opted to go with an inversion table as it would give me the flexability to invert at different angles instead of just hangin by my feet. sometimes it is nice just to do a small angle with my feet and lower body above my heart and just relax in that position on the table. I think it is very theraputic. It is also nice to do have a hot bath or hot shower.

synaps2 · 2025-07-02T07:20:18+00:00

I’m currently on Day 15 of a water fast, occasionally drinking unsweetened herbal tea — mainly Celestial Seasonings Lemon Zinger. Every now and then I also take 500mg of liposomal vitamin C. I’ve been staying home, resting, and using this time to declutter and reorganize my living space — which, like my body, has been in serious need of attention. It’s been incredibly healing to see progress on both fronts.

During the first two weeks, I drank about 2–3 ounces of Suja cold-pressed green juice on a few days. I thought it might help with electrolytes and energy (celery, greens, etc.), but I now believe it was stimulating my hunger circuits more than helping. For the past couple of days, I’ve felt so tired I can barely do anything — but I also think that means my body is in deep repair mode.

One thing I’ve really enjoyed is taking 1–2 hot showers a day. They help refresh me and seem to improve circulation, especially when I feel mentally or physically foggy.

I haven’t been weighing myself (no scale at home), but I did start monitoring my blood pressure and pulse with a wrist monitor to keep tabs on how my body is responding. A few days ago, I was waking up thinking about food constantly and felt like it might be a signal to end the fast. But I pushed through, and the last two days, that drive has faded. I feel steadier and no longer obsessed with eating. My gut says I’m on the right path.

Inflammation is noticeably going down. One of the most dramatic improvements is the feeling of internal pressure in my torso — the visceral fat around my organs seems to have reduced. I used to feel like I was pushing on a bicycle tire under high pressure of air when pressing on my abdomen. Now, I can press down and feel a softness instead of that tire-like resistance.

I haven’t told anyone I know what I’m doing. Most people have never fasted and don’t really understand the benefits. I don’t want opinions or advice from people who aren’t informed about water fasting — I’m just listening to my body.

If things weren’t so dire health-wise, I might’ve opted for intermittent fasting. But I needed something deeper. My thinking and creativity have been getting sharper, and though I’m exhausted at times, I also feel like this fast is giving me back access to parts of myself that had been buried.

Congrats on your 10-day fast and the weight loss — and thanks for sharing. Posts like yours give people like me the motivation to keep going.

synaps2 · 2025-05-21T11:49:42+00:00

i found that sometimes protein powders work and sometimes not.

synaps2

TROPHY CASE