How to register for COVID vaccine in Massachusetts: how to find availability and which vaccine is available at which location.

How to sign up for COVID Vaccine shot in Massachusetts

 

I have helped several of my elderly neighbors to get through the maze of registering for the COVID vaccine.   This post shares how to use several websites to find available appointments in all Massachusetts locations and which vaccine is available at which location.  

The official Massachusetts website for vaccination is not a centralized website with information about all vaccine sites available in Massachusetts. It only handles Mass vaccination locations. These official locations are located close to Boston and maybe less convenient for people who live in other parts of the state.  While it is worth pre-registering on the official Mass.gov site as a backup plan, several other options might be more convenient. 

In addition to the official Mass vaccination, vaccines are available at selected Walgreens, CVS, Osco, and special locations such as former Wang Towers and a few others.  There are many websites, and they all change frequently. 

Fortunately, a website https://www.macovidvaccines.com/ crawls all websites and generates a list of all locations with available appointments. However, this website does not include information on what specific vaccine is given at which location. To find vaccine type information, you need to use another website https://vaccinefinder.org/search/. This website appears to be less up-to-date regarding availability, so I found that combining these two websites provided me the best information. 

Here is the process I have used to help those who are eligible (Note: you need to meet eligibility requirements for the vaccine or you will be rejected in step 5)

1. Go to CVS and Walgreen websites and look up their location. They both have a huge number of locations all over the state. Using their websites, create a list of all acceptable to you locations in terms of driving distances. Lookup and write down zip codes for these towns. Note that if you are a Mass resident who lives near New Hampshire, you CANNOT use New Hampshire locations; they will reject you.

Create an account on CVS and Walgreen site if you don't already have one.  You need to be logged into your account when you are making your appointment.

I recommend that you do everything described in this step before you become eligible so you can do things quickly when you become eligible. When you become eligible proceed to steps 2 through 6.

2. Go to https://www.macovidvaccines.com/ and see which locations have the vaccine in stock. 

3. Go to https://vaccinefinder.org/search/ and enter the zip code of the locations you like from Step 2 and enter them as *YOUR* zip code. This search will bring up the location of your choice and will list which vaccines are currently in stock. This information will allow you to reject a location if it has the vaccine you don't want. 

4. Go back to https://www.macovidvaccines.com/ and pick the link for the location that has the vaccine you want. The link will take you to the specific website to make an appointment (CVS, Wallgreens, etc.).   

5. To register, you need to meet eligibility requirements. Neither Wallgreens nor CVS websites tell you which vaccine you are getting, although you will get a hint if it is J&J vaccine because you will only need to book one appointment, not two. If you are asked to book two appointments, then you are getting either Moderna or Pfizer. 

6. When you are registering for an appointment, you need to work quickly. Your appointment is not locked in until you select two dates and two times. Sometimes when you are done, it will tell you that the appointment is no longer available. You need to go back and select a different time slot. Fortunately, it remembers all other information, and the second time around, you can be faster. 

You will see all information you need on the confirmation screen (you are assigned a number, and you need to bring this printout to your appointment). I suggest you print this confirmation page for your records.  You will also get a confirmation email. Email is not instant and might take 12-24 hours to arrive.

Product review: Schwarzkopf Professional Essensity Hair Color, 4-68

Like many folks due to Corona Virus, I am not able to visit my hairdresser for several months, and the greys in my hair did not look good. I decided to color my own hair for the first time in my life.

In the last few months, I purchased three different Schwarzkopf colors, with 4-68 being the latest. I tried 4.0 Cappuccino kit, then Schwarzkopf Essensity 4.0, and this time Schwarzkopf Essensity 4-68.

They all gave me a dark brown color. I hope to add a bit more red with 4-68 but really did not notice a big difference compared to 4.0.

I was pleasantly surprised that Schwarzkopf Hair Color did not spell bad (note that the left-over color starts smelling bad overnight, so dispose of it before the smell develops). The overall process was pretty straightforward, and the color looks good and natural. I like the results of all three of my own color jobs.

I am writing this review three weeks after I applied a 4-68 color to see how it is holding up, and it is doing okay. By that, I mean that the roots lost some of the color, but the hair still looks acceptable. I can tell it will not last as long as the salon color job (I could go five weeks in between colors and with a home job I felt I had to reapply every four weeks), but it cost me eight times less, so it is not bad if I have to do it every four weeks.

The package includes only the tube of color; you need to buy the developer separately. I got Schwarzkopf (Schwarzkopf Essensity Oil Developer- 5.5% / 18 Volume- 33.8 oz). Since I use about 1 oz for each color, this developer bottle will last me for 34 applications. For my short hair, I use half of the tube of color. The package does not include a brush to spread the color, mixing container or gloves.

I started by applying chapstick around my hairline, so the color does not stick to the skin (I read about this tip on-line). Then I mixed the color and the developer.

I used the brush to paint color on my scalp, first around the hairline, then all over the scalp. I used my gloved hands to work the color into the hair and scalp and left the color on my head for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, I applied more color to the rest of the hair and again worked it with my hands. I waited another 6 minutes and then got into the shower to wash off the color. Note that I was wearing a t-shirt, and even though I did not really care about it, I realized that if I were to take it off before the shower, I would get the color all over it, so I got into the shower wearing the t-shirt.

One of the fears I had is that the color will stain my shower, my shower curtain, the walls, etc. Those fears were unsubstantiated. Once the water began running clear, I saw that there was no staining on the tub, walls, or shower curtain.

The entire coloring session took about an hour, including all the prep steps. I have short hair, and about half of the tube of color remained unused. I am pleased with the results and plan to do it again in four weeks.

You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★★

Product review: Product review: H&R Block Tax Software Deluxe

I was anxious to do my taxes to see the effects of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act for my specific case.  The current version of the software has some of the changes from the new Tax Law in the current version, but many of the changes will be in the January 3, 2019 update.  The warning “this interview is not final” appears on every page, and I could clearly see some things that no longer apply still there.  For example, even though the standard deductions in H&R Block software were changed to $12,000 the comments said “This year your itemized deductions are less than your standard deductions.  In future years, you can bunch your deductions to have more expenses you can itemize.”  This is no longer true, deductions over $12,000 are no longer allowed.  There was also a change in the interview about 401K deductions, and the interview did not say not to report 401K contribution during the interview if the deduction appears on the W2 form and when I reported it it gave me a double deduction.  I would have loved to take that double deduction but I knew this is not right and went back to remove it from the interview when I saw the final result.  By comparison, HSA deduction interview question stated not to report in the interview if that deduction was reported it on the W2 form.

I have been using H&R Block tax software for many years, and I typically do a preliminary version of the tax return in November. This year I felt the software was less ready than in  other years due to a large number of changes related to the new tax law. I have less confidence that the numbers will remain the same after January 3 update.

I keep using H&RBlock because it does what I need and it has always been cheaper than TurboTax. I have been buying the Deluxe version of H&R Block because it covers the mutual funds sales, cost basis calculations are included (Schedule D), the form for Foreign Tax Credit from mutual funds is present (Form 1116), as well as stock sales. To get this functionality in TurboTax you need to buy the Premium version of the software.

INSTALLATION
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
* If you are using a digital download you will need an activation code to install the software.
The activation code is shown in Amazon email with the subject line "Your Amazon.com order of "H&R Block Tax Software Del...". If  needed you  can also get it from Amazon Software downloads. To locate it you need to do this:
1) Log into Amazon
2) Select 'Your account' and the section called 'Digital Content'
3) Select 'Your Games and Software downloads'
4) Then under H&R software entry you will see activation code

* Does H&R allow to install the software on two PCs?
No. The license agreement that one needs to accept during the install says this:

“Software copies.  You may only install and use the Software on one computer.  You may copy the Software for backup and archival purposes only, as long as the original and each copy are kept in your possession and control.”

* WHAT IS INCLUDED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This package includes only the Federal return software. Using tax software includes two fees - one to use the software and the second one to e-file the returns with IRS. This package includes the cost of using the software to create the Federal tax return  and the cost of of 5 free Federal e-files. You can print and mail any number of returns you desire.

* GENERAL
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

* Since many of my numbers are not final, I use the capability of the software to mark entries as “tentative”  (right mouse click, then select “mark entry as tentative” from a drop down list). 

At the end of the interview process there is a check step (which you can run at any time, but the interview ends with this check). This step flags problems (e.g. missing information) and potential audit alerts (e.g. unusual deductions), and reminders (e.g. things you marked tentative). I find this check step very helpful.  All entries marked as tentative are listed so it is easy to update them.

* H&R Block starts the interview process with an annoying up-sell pitch, recommending an upgrade from Deluxe to Premium even when it is not necessary. In my opinion, they should have determined if the person would truly benefit from the Premium version first. That would have been useful. As it stands now it is just annoying.

What is the difference between Premium and Deluxe? The Premium version offers advanced tools for self-employed and rental property owners: cost basis of home sales, dividends, gifts, and inheritance assets. It has advanced schedule C guidance to maximize deductions for self-employment income. And finally it has guidance for rental property income and expenses. The rest of the Premium package is the same as Deluxe.

Note that the Deluxe package has support for self-employed income as well as stock sale cost basis calculations.

* To combat stolen-identity tax returns H&R Block now requires you to provide state-issued ID number.

* H&R Block provided me some guidance for completing Form 1116 (foreign tax credit, for example foreign tax paid by a mutual fund). However, I needed to keep switching between the whole-form view to enter data and then back to interview to read the instructions. Even though the form where you can enter data is visible at the same time as instructions you cannot enter data into it until you switch into whole-form view. This is cumbersome, but at least there is some guidance for this form.

* I like DeductionPro which helps suggests reasonable prices based on condition of the donated used clothing items. It is nice not to have to come up with what is reasonable on my own.

* The final tax return can be saved in a .PDF format for future reference. I always do that so I can re-print an old return without having to run an old copy of H&R Block (especially down the road when a new computer may not even have an old H&R Block installed).

* H&R Block can print forms when Ethernet connection is disconnected. In 2014 TurboTax's introduced a requirement that the data had to be sent to Intuit's servers to be formatted for printing. H&R Block does not have this requirement.

* Does H&R has the ability to import TurboTax data from previous years?
Yes. TurboTax files have a .tax extension. Use the Browse button within H&R Block application to navigate to the folder you need and it will import the data from TT return. In addition this year you can also import pdf file of your return no matter what software you used to save the old return.

* If you owe taxes there are three options for payment: electronic withdrawal from your bank, mailing a check and paying by credit card from a secure web site. Is there a charge to pay by credit card? Yes. There are several web sites that provide this service with a "convenience" fee (lowest fee is $2.58 flat fee for a debit card and 1.87% fee for a credit card). If you search for "pay taxes by credit or debit" you will see the detailed fee schedule on the irs.gov web site.

PRICE considerations
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The price on H&R Block package changes often and you can catch some great discounts. I got H&R Block on Black Friday sale. If you missed that sale you can still get bargains by using a tool that alerts on Amazon prices discounts for any product. If you enter "Amazon price history alert" in Google it will come up at the top, my favorite has the word "camel" (repeated 3 times) in the name. You can set it up to send you an alert when you desired price drop is reached. During the last tax year season the price fluctuated between $20 and the list price of $44.99, dipping below $30 a number of times. It also qualifies for digital credits for No-rush Prime shipping.

Also note that Amazon adds the State sales tax to the final price of H&R Block (in states where it has physical presences such as Massachusetts).

SUMMARY
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This year software is less “ready” due to the large number of tax changes, however I had no technical issues or software glitches.  If you have a question I have not covered leave a comment and I will do my best to answer it.

Update
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This year there have been problem with activation code which surfaces during e-file. You can get a new code by calling 1-888-482-9288 and pressing 4.

When the activation code fails the software will request $10 charge for e-file. This cost is already included in the software purchase, don't pay it. Be aware that you credit card gets authorized even if there is no charge made and this might trigger fraud alert.


If you need to chat with H&R block here is a link to the 24 hour chat.



You can find Federal only version of the software on Amazon by following this link.


If you are interested in Federal and State version of H&R Block Tax Software Deluxe 2018 follow this link instead.


Ali Julia review ★★★★☆

Product review: H&R Block Tax Software Deluxe + State 2018

I was anxious to do my taxes to see the effects of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act for my specific case.  The current version of the software has some of the changes from the new Tax Law in the current version, but many of the changes will be in the January 3, 2019 update.  The warning “this interview is not final” appears on every page, and I could clearly see some things that no longer apply still there.  For example, even though the standard deductions in H&R Block software were changed to $12,000 the comments said “This year your itemized deductions are less than your standard deductions.  In future years, you can bunch your deductions to have more expenses you can itemize.”  This is no longer true, deductions over $12,000 are no longer allowed.  There was also a change in the interview about 401K deductions, and the interview did not say not to report 401K contribution during the interview if the deduction appears on the W2 form and when I reported it it gave me a double deduction.  I would have loved to take that double deduction but I knew this is not right and went back to remove it from the interview when I saw the final result.  By comparison, HSA deduction interview question stated not to report in the interview if that deduction was reported on the W2 form.

I have been using H&R Block tax software for many years, and I typically do a preliminary version of the tax return in November. This year I felt the software was less ready than in  other years due to a large number of changes related to the new tax law. I have less confidence that the numbers will remain the same after January 3 update.

I keep using H&RBlock because it does what I need and it has always been cheaper than TurboTax. I have been buying the Deluxe version of H&R Block because it covers the mutual funds sales, cost basis calculations are included (Schedule D), the form for Foreign Tax Credit from mutual funds is present (Form 1116), as well as stock sales. To get this functionality in TurboTax you need to buy the Premium version of the software.

INSTALLATION
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
* If you are using a digital download you will need an activation code to install the software.
The activation code is shown in Amazon email with the subject line "Your Amazon.com order of "H&R Block Tax Software Del...". If  needed you  can also get it from Amazon Software downloads. To locate it you need to do this:
1) Log into Amazon
2) Select 'Your account' and the section called 'Digital Content'
3) Select 'Your Games and Software downloads'
4) Then under H&R software entry you will see activation code

* Does H&R allow to install the software on two PCs?
No. The license agreement that one needs to accept during the install says this:

“Software copies.  You may only install and use the Software on one computer.  You may copy the Software for backup and archival purposes only, as long as the original and each copy are kept in your possession and control.”

* WHAT IS INCLUDED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Using tax software includes two fees - one to use the software and the second one to e-file the returns with IRS. This package includes the cost of using both the Federal tax return and State return for one state. If you need to file tax in two states, you will need to purchase the rights to use the second state software. This package also includes the cost of 5 free Federal e-files, but does NOT include the cost of e-file for the state return. Note that there is no limit on how many returns can be printed on paper for either Federal or State return, so you can print and mail any number of returns you desire.

Note 1: New York State law prohibits additional charges for State e-file (NY residents still have to pay for using the software).
Note 2: It is not possible to e-file a state return for New Hampshire, the NH returns have to be mailed.

*  The state forms are not available as I write this review. When I tried to install my state return I got a message that I will receive an email when state return will become available.

When the state forms became available the state software can be downloaded directly from the H&R Block application from the first screen of the state tax preparation.

* GENERAL
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

* Since many of my numbers are not final, I use the capability of the software to mark entries as “tentative”  (right mouse click, then select “mark entry as tentative” from a drop down list). 

At the end of the interview process there is a check step (which you can run at any time, but the interview ends with this check). This step flags problems (e.g. missing information) and potential audit alerts (e.g. unusual deductions), and reminders (e.g. things you marked tentative). I find this check step very helpful.  All entries marked as tentative are listed so it is easy to update them.

* H&R Block starts the interview process with an annoying up-sell pitch, recommending an upgrade from Deluxe to Premium even when it is not necessary. In my opinion, they should have determined if the person would truly benefit from the Premium version first. That would have been useful. As it stands now it is just annoying.

What is the difference between Premium and Deluxe? The Premium version offers advanced tools for self-employed and rental property owners: cost basis of home sales, dividends, gifts, and inheritance assets. It has advanced schedule C guidance to maximize deductions for self-employment income. And finally it has guidance for rental property income and expenses. The rest of the Premium package is the same as Deluxe.

Note that the Deluxe package has support for self-employed income as well as stock sale cost basis calculations.

* To combat stolen-identity tax returns H&R Block now requires you to provide state-issued ID number.

* H&R Block provided me some guidance for completing Form 1116 (foreign tax credit, for example foreign tax paid by a mutual fund). However, I needed to keep switching between the whole-form view to enter data and then back to interview to read the instructions. Even though the form where you can enter data is visible at the same time as instructions you cannot enter data into it until you switch into whole-form view. This is cumbersome, but at least there is some guidance for this form.

* I like DeductionPro which helps suggests reasonable prices based on condition of the donated used clothing items. It is nice not to have to come up with what is reasonable on my own.

* The final tax return can be saved in a .PDF format for future reference. I always do that so I can re-print an old return without having to run an old copy of H&R Block (especially down the road when a new computer may not even have an old H&R Block installed).

* H&R Block can print forms when Ethernet connection is disconnected. In 2014 TurboTax's introduced a requirement that the data had to be sent to Intuit's servers to be formatted for printing. H&R Block does not have this requirement.

* Does H&R has the ability to import TurboTax data from previous years?
Yes. TurboTax files have a .tax extension. Use the Browse button within H&R Block application to navigate to the folder you need and it will import the data from TT return. In addition this year you can also import pdf file of your return no matter what software you used to save the old return.

* If you owe taxes there are three options for payment: electronic withdrawal from your bank, mailing a check and paying by credit card from a secure web site. Is there a charge to pay by credit card? Yes. There are several web sites that provide this service with a "convenience" fee (lowest fee is $2.58 flat fee for a debit card and 1.87% fee for a credit card). If you search for "pay taxes by credit or debit" you will see the detailed fee schedule on the irs.gov web site.

PRICE considerations
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The price on H&R Block package changes often and you can catch some great discounts. I got H&R Block on Black Friday sale. If you missed that sale you can still get bargains by using a tool that alerts on Amazon prices discounts for any product. If you enter "Amazon price history alert" in Google it will come up at the top, my favorite has the word "camel" (repeated 3 times) in the name. You can set it up to send you an alert when you desired price drop is reached. During the last tax year season the price fluctuated between $20 and the list price of $44.99, dipping below $30 a number of times. It also qualifies for digital credits for No-rush Prime shipping.

Also note that Amazon adds the State sales tax to the final price of H&R Block (in states where it has physical presences such as Massachusetts).

SUMMARY
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This year software is less “ready” due to the large number of tax changes, however I had no technical issues or software glitches.  If you have a question I have not covered leave a comment and I will do my best to answer it.


You can find it on Amazon by following this link.

Ali Julia review ★★★★☆

How to: How to grow potatoes in a grow bag

• Plant potatoes when the soil is 43 F or higher
• Use seed potatoes (not supermarket potatoes) cut into chunks with at least two spuds on each chunk. Plant chucks with the spud up in 6 inches of soil.
• Do not water for the first 2-3 weeks until leaves emerge. After leaves emerge water when it is dry.
• When the plant is 12" tall add 6" more soil (it is okay to cover the bottom leaves)
• Let the plan grow another 12" and then add 6" more soil.
• New potatoes can be harvested in 7-8 weeks after planting.
• You can harvest full size potatoes when the foliage dies
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Product review: E-Z Ancor Tap-N-Lock Utility Hooks

I picked up a set of Tab-N-Lock ancors for hollow walls at a local store. The pictures shows that 3/4 of an inch of the green plastic will fold and will form a fairly long anchor compared to the other models of anchors I have tried. That sounded like a good idea,

Before starting the job I checked for studs. The area I needed to put the hook in did not have a stud. The instructions said to just tap in the green ancor without pre-drilling. I made a small pilot hole just so the anchor went in exactly where I wanted. Then I began tapping in the anchor. The ancor went in about half way but as the ancor got thicker and had more resistance from the wall it would not budge. I pounded it harder and was able to get in more but the thick head of the anchor  just would not go in. I attempted to remove the anchor first my hand, then with pliers. At which point the head of the anchor broke off, leaving a couple of mi-limiters of green plastic sticking out of the wall, and chucks of the anchor head in my hand (those chucks are included in the photo). Then I had to spend a lot of time sanding the plastic and re-speckling the wall. I tried again in a new spot with similar results - the thick part of the anchor is just no strong enough to go through plaster. At least the second time I was able to pull out the ancor without leaving plastic in the wall. After another re-speckling session, I went back to the standard anchors and the job was completed quickly.

These anchors sounded like a good approach unfortunately in practice they do not work.


You can find it on Amazon by following this link.


Ali Julia review ★☆☆☆☆

How to convert a USB data cable into a charging cable

In several of  my reviews of charges and external power supplies I mentioned the difference between a power cable and a data cable.

Charging cables short the two data connections together (rendering them useless for data transfer), but this fools devices to see them as an AC power connection, and thus accept the higher current of the charging source. 

You can see the difference in performance between two cables by using a battery app.  My favorite is Battery App by Elvison as it clearly shows how each device recognized the charging source. 'AC' status means the charging is at full charging rate. 'USB' status indicates charging at a lower charging rate. 'Discharging' status means that the charging rate is below the power that the device is consuming so it slows down the discharge rate but does not re-charge.

You can buy a charging cable on Amazon or alternatively you can convert any USB data cable into a charging cable as shown in this video.