Hidden expenses of family life in US?
Mar 25th 2014, 12:34 am
#61
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,448
Re: Hidden expenses of family life in US?
well if they set the rate and then stuck with it, that would be like everyone paying the frozen prop 13 rate. if they stuck the rate TODAY, then people moving in 15yrs from now would be paying that same low low rate. Yes, all the residents would be paying similar amounts, but they would be at a yester-year rate. I'd love to buy a house and pay taxes from 15yrs ago, but the state would lose far more money under that method. .....
Mar 25th 2014, 2:20 am
#62
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 168
Re: Hidden expenses of family life in US?
How about states spent only what their residents can afford, so tax increase in $ terms are effectively linked to product/ service inflation, and that spending was on ESSENTIAL services, like roads, education, trading standards, restaurant inspections, etc.and not on "nice to haves" like twin-city programs, "outreach" activities, and tax-breaks for for-profit businesses. It's just a thought.
Mar 25th 2014, 3:36 am
#63
Joined on April fools day
Joined: Apr 2012
Location: 30 miles from a decent grocery store.
Posts: 10,642
Re: Hidden expenses of family life in US?
I suspect the big problem is that it is seasonal but the facilities have to be maintained and paid for year around. If they could find someplace where they could pitch tents, have everyone bring their own equipment, and do simple things where kids had to rough it and pitch in, I suspect the price would drop significantly. 
Mar 25th 2014, 6:49 am
#64
Lost in BE Cyberspace
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Location: San Francisco Bay Area
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Mar 25th 2014, 8:28 am
#65
Joined on April fools day
Joined: Apr 2012
Location: 30 miles from a decent grocery store.
Posts: 10,642
Re: Hidden expenses of family life in US?
Well times are changing. In all seriousness, I think the Boy Scouts are an under appreciated organization. Nearly all the leaders are voluntary and parents of the kids in their group. They have good facilities that are maintained much by volunteer effort. My son spent 1 year as a cub and 1 as a scout...week long camps in the summer as I recall were under $100 with aid for those unable to pay. This was back in around 1994-1995.
Mar 25th 2014, 9:22 am
#66
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Thread Starter
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 86
Re: Hidden expenses of family life in US?
What's the deal with a tax break on a car purchased before you move? We've been approached by these cos that sell cars to visa holders planning a move to US. I don't think we'll use them-- I've maintained my credit in the US. but would it be a good idea to buy a car before we move for tax reasons?
Mar 25th 2014, 12:14 pm
#67
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Mar 25th 2014, 12:31 pm
#68
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: Hidden expenses of family life in US?
That said, the fees in the US tend to still be lower then north of the border where its pretty much impossible to avoid banking fees, even credit unions charge them.
Mar 25th 2014, 12:35 pm
#69
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,022
Re: Hidden expenses of family life in US?
Seems to vary by region, in some places it can be rather difficult to find a bank or credit union offering free accounts these days unless you maintain some stupid high daily balance.
That said, the fees in the US tend to still be lower then north of the border where its pretty much impossible to avoid banking fees, even credit unions charge them.
That said, the fees in the US tend to still be lower then north of the border where its pretty much impossible to avoid banking fees, even credit unions charge them.
Mar 25th 2014, 12:43 pm
#70
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: Hidden expenses of family life in US?
I use RBC and TD, TD is 14.95/month and RBC is 10.95/month.
Only way to avoid fees is to have high income and be able to maintain the stupid high balances.
On TD's cheapest account you need to maintain a 2,500 monthly balance, I don't even make that much in a month, let alone maintain a balance of that size.
The account I have requires a 3,500 monthly balance to avoid the fee.
Only way to avoid fees is to have high income and be able to maintain the stupid high balances.
On TD's cheapest account you need to maintain a 2,500 monthly balance, I don't even make that much in a month, let alone maintain a balance of that size.
The account I have requires a 3,500 monthly balance to avoid the fee.
Mar 25th 2014, 1:03 pm
#72
Rootbeeraholic
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Houston, Tx
Posts: 2,280
Re: Hidden expenses of family life in US?
Mar 25th 2014, 1:18 pm
#73
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Joined: Jan 2014
Location: Anchorage, AK, USA
Posts: 1,347
Re: Hidden expenses of family life in US?
You can get 0.9% from a few places online. We went with GE Capital Bank, but there are others. Barclays have recently set themselves up as an online-only retail bank in the US, and have the same rate, but they are my UK bank, and I don't trust them enough to maintain that rate medium- or long-term.
The best rate by far available locally at a brick-and-mortar bank is 0.75% at Capital One. Almost everything else is 0.1% or worse, bank or credit union.
Even 0.9% is tiny compared to the gains the stock market has made in the last year, but it's better than nothing.
Mar 25th 2014, 2:35 pm
#75
I have a comma problem
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
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