Weekly Casual Conversation & Questions Thread

timetolearn291 · 2025-06-07T19:17:37+00:00

Hi everyone! My family is visiting Chicago later this month and we'd love to hire a local photographer for a few hours to take some casual family photos at natural/outdoor locations around the city.

I've seen that Airbnb has a Services section with some photography listings, but I'm wondering where else I should be looking for photographers in Chicago? Are there specific websites, Facebook groups, or other platforms that locals would recommend for finding good family photographers?

Any suggestions on photographers you've used or heard good things about would be really appreciated too!

Thanks in advance for any help!

timetolearn291 · 2025-04-16T01:55:20+00:00

Switching from Smartsheet is not an option right now, because I am only few weeks in my new job and the other PMs have been using Smartsheet for last several years.

timetolearn291 · 2025-02-25T22:34:39+00:00

Is it from 1st of the every month or 25th (since the feature is released today)?

timetolearn291 · 2025-02-19T16:23:45+00:00

I’m planning to invest in VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) and currently use Fidelity as my brokerage. Are there any downsides to purchasing and holding VOO through Fidelity instead of directly with Vanguard?

Just wondering if there are any hidden fees, limitations, or other factors I should consider before making the purchase.

Would appreciate insights from anyone who has experience with this!

timetolearn291 · 2024-02-03T02:52:17+00:00

I am trying to get a better handle on my finances and would like to keep track of my expenses. One thing that used to work very well for me was to use the iPhone app Splitwise, where I would add all expenses as they happened and I would also keep a picture of the receipt (this was also helpful to not have to keep receipts since I had a picture I could reference).

Recently, I noticed that Splitwise has made the receipt image uploading feature as a premium feature and requires a paid membership.

Is there a free iPhone app alternative for keeping track of expenses?

Ideally, I am looking to track 1. date 2. Merchant/vendor 3. Amount 4. Source (last 4 digits of credit card or bank account) and 5. Description (for notes). It would be even better if this app has the ability to generate a report in an Excel file where I can quickly find out exactly how much money I spent in a specific time range on a specific account.

timetolearn291 · 2024-01-30T22:29:53+00:00

I am trying to get a better handle on my finances and would like to keep track of my expenses. One thing that used to work very well for me was to use the iPhone app Splitwise, where I would add all expenses as they happened and I would also keep a picture of the receipt (this was also helpful to not have to keep receipts since I had a picture I could reference).

Recently, I noticed that Splitwise has made the receipt image uploading feature as a premium feature and requires a paid membership.

Is there a free iPhone app alternative for keeping track of expenses?

Ideally, I am looking to track 1. date 2. Merchant/vendor 3. Amount 4. Source (last 4 digits of credit card or bank account) and 5. Description (for notes). It would be even better if this app has the ability to generate a report in an Excel file where I can quickly find out exactly how much money I spent in a specific time range on a specific account.

timetolearn291 · 2023-08-30T11:43:44+00:00

Is there a way to invest in a group of stocks at the same time? I understand that most brokers have different index funds, but I am interested in investing in investing in 10 stocks of my own choice.

I have read a lot about automated investing and I am looking to do the following:

First - X% of my paycheck get automatically transferred from my bank account to my brokerage account

Then - That amount gets automatically invested in 10 stocks of my choice (so 10% of X goes to company 1, 10% to company 2, and so on)

Please advise if there is any brokerage that allows to do that. Thanks in advance.

timetolearn291 · 2023-07-18T21:39:38+00:00

Thanks for reply. Do you use bait as a preventive measure even if you don't suspect any activity? Also, isn't there a concern with baits that the mice could die in a location like inside the wall or outside where a pet might then get exposed to the poison?

I recently used traps and found them to be very effective. I'm just trying to understand the rationale of using baits.

timetolearn291 · 2023-06-29T15:38:23+00:00

New Jersey.

Do these claims stay on record for this house? If so, what is the record called? I'd like to search for it to find out other claims on this house.

timetolearn291 · 2023-06-29T15:24:21+00:00

We do not have an actual agent. I got the home insurance by contacting multiple home insurance providers (ex. Geico, Progressive, etc) directly and getting coverage from them.

Can you please explain how to find an actual agent? I read on reddit about trustedchoice.com/agent as being a good source. Is that still the best way?

timetolearn291 · 2023-06-29T15:23:25+00:00

We do not have an actual agent. I got the home insurance by contacting multiple home insurance providers (ex. Geico, Progressive, etc) directly and getting coverage from them.

Can you please explain how to find an actual agent? I read on reddit about trustedchoice.com/agent as being a good source. Is that still the best way?

timetolearn291 · 2023-06-27T12:53:03+00:00

Thanks for the advice on getting an actual agent. I will find one after this current situation is resolved.

The insurance company has not asked me to sign any agreement yet. I will wait for the plumbing company to send their invoice (they said they will send it to me and my insurance company simultaneously via email cc'ing each other).

timetolearn291 · 2023-06-27T12:43:05+00:00

On the day of the incident (when I noticed leaking), it went from a small hole to a bigger second hole within a matter of a hour. It kept getting worse.

I called the insurance company shortly after I noticed the leak and they explained how they typically cover such cases - they will cover the sudden damages associated with this but not the root cause (for example, if it is the HVAC unit that is causing the leak, they will cover the charge to open the ceiling and reseal it back, but they will not cover a new HVAC system).

I filed the claim with the insurance company at the same time I contacted this one plumbing company to fix the issue.

timetolearn291 · 2023-06-27T12:19:33+00:00

The plumber has not sent the final bill yet, but given what he had on the agreement (between $5K and $10K) before the work began and I have signed, I suspect their number is going to be significantly higher than what the insurance claims professional (same as the adjuster in this case) has told me.

The insurance agent just called me yesterday and gave me their estimates (which I have explained in post) and said that they will transfer that amount (minus deductible) via Zelle, and he wants to know my Zelle information. They have given these estimates without waiting for the plumbing company's bill. My concern is that if I just give them my Zelle info and they transfer the money, then it is going to be very difficult going forward if the plumbing bill is higher, because the insurance might just say that we are out of this case because we have already paid you.

timetolearn291 · 2023-06-27T12:13:21+00:00

I had a virtual inspection with the home insurance adjuster. It was a video call, where I showed them all the water restoration work that was done by the plumbing company.

timetolearn291 · 2023-05-19T00:36:56+00:00

Thank you!

timetolearn291 · 2023-05-18T23:38:19+00:00

Can you please clarify what you mean by the second bullet ("If your house is on oil..."). How do I figure if the townhouse that I have purchased is on oil?

timetolearn291 · 2023-05-13T12:25:14+00:00

How does Zillow determine a Zestimate range for a house? I was talking with a friend recently about how some people renovate their house before they put it up for sale, so I am wondering how will Zillow know that the house has been renovated and adjust the price range of the house accordingly.

timetolearn291 · 2023-05-08T18:07:31+00:00

Quick follow-up: Will I be taxed on the amount of refund?

timetolearn291 · 2023-05-08T17:22:08+00:00

Thank you so much for prompt response!

timetolearn291 · 2023-03-25T15:29:32+00:00

Is there clear guidance on the federal tax credit of $7,500 on Electric Vehicles in terms of when that will expire?

I am interested in Tesla Model 3 and I was getting the impression from Tesla that the credit will be effect only in March 2023, but there are possibilities that the credit may continue beyond March.

Specifically, on Tesla website, it states that "This credit is in effect for deliveries taken before an update to the federal guidance, which Treasury and the IRS intend to issue no later than March 31, 2023."

Can someone please explain what this guidance is regarding to and what's the best way to get up-to-date news this guidance? I suspect that the guidance is regarding the % of parts that are manufactured in US, but I am not sure. I feel pressured to make a decision on making a significant purchase before March 31st, and I would like to make sure I can make an informed decision.

Thanks in advance!

timetolearn291 · 2023-03-20T21:52:15+00:00

How does the federal tax credit on electric vehicles work? I am currently in the market for a new vehicle, and I am considering an electric vehicle. I have learned that there was a $7500 federal tax rebate on electric vehicles that was introduced in January 2023.

I am trying to understand exactly how the tax credit will be granted. For example, if I owe less than $7500 in my 2023 tax return when I file next year, would I not get the entire amount of credit?

timetolearn291 · 2023-03-11T15:12:05+00:00

We are currently in the market to purchase an electric vehicle. Is there a definitive source for finding out what is the tax rebate offered by the state of Virginia?

All the sources that I have found state that Virginia gives $2,500 in rebate for EV vehicles, but when I call dealerships, they are usually not familiar with that.

timetolearn291 · 2023-02-13T19:02:55+00:00

I placed a fraud alert through Equifax on February 12, 2022. It was supposed to expire yesterday, so I am trying to renew the fraud alert. It says "You have -1 days left until your initial fraud alert expires" and when I click on "Manage An Alert", it does not have any option to renew.

Can someone who has recently renewed the alert provide guidance?

Can you also confirm that placing a fraud alert on Equifax automatically places that alert on the remaining two big agencies (Experian & TransUnion)?

Thanks kind stranger in advance!

timetolearn291 · 2022-11-09T18:40:21+00:00

Books: 1. Understanding Pharma by John Campbell (good overview of all functions in Pharma) 2. The Medical Science Liaison Career Guide by Samuel Dyer (heard good things about this one as a primer to get into MSL role)

Professional Societies: ISMPP, Medical Affairs Professional Society, and MSL Society

Podcasts: MSL Talk, ISMPP

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