Search found 408 matches

by Gambler
Tue Aug 23, 2016 1:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Retirement: Where $200K Will Last 30 Years
Replies: 113
Views: 25462

Retirement: Where $200K Will Last 30 Years

http://www.nextavenue.org/slideshow/8-c ... nt/#slide1

$200k + social security will last 30yrs in:

1) Ecuador -> Monthly expenses for a couple including rent $1500
2) Nicaragua -> $1200/month expenses
3) Thailand -> $1750/month
4) Beliza -> $1500/month
5) Panama -> $2550/month

6) Costa Rica -> $1900/month

7) Malaysia -> $1550/month
8) Spain -> $2300/month

So whats the downside of each country (besides having to be able to speak Spanish in most of them)?

i'm thinking costa rica myself (after taking an immersion spanish class)
by Gambler
Wed Aug 10, 2016 2:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Your Credit Score Doesn’t Matter Unless It’s Bad
Replies: 10
Views: 2404

Your Credit Score Doesn’t Matter Unless It’s Bad

http://twocents.lifehacker.com/your-credit-score-doesn-t-matter-unless-it-s-bad-1785050429 The idea of “gaming” your already-excellent credit score to drive it up is not going to benefit you in any real substantive way – there’s little or no difference between the interest rates or credit terms offered to people with an 800 and those offered to people with the elusive 850. So gaming it doesn’t help anything but your ego. once your score is over 740, “it doesn’t matter how much higher your credit score is. You will always be offered the best borrowing terms.” As long as your credit isn’t terrible, you’re going to get the same level of perks at “good” as you will at “excellent.” :( when it comes to credit, there’s little point in striving for...
by Gambler
Mon Aug 08, 2016 6:41 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Beneficiary- 'In Trust for' or Payable on Death?
Replies: 3
Views: 2943

Beneficiary- 'In Trust for' or Payable on Death?

ally bank gives these 2 options:
1) In trust for- Funds in acct held in trust for designated beneficiary. Upon the owners death, the funds pass to the beneficiary.
2) Payable upon death- Funds in acct are payable to beneficiary when the acct owner passes away.

whats the effect of having it in trust?
i'm thinking payable upon death is the better/simpler option?
by Gambler
Sun Jul 24, 2016 10:25 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What to do w/$150k after tax $?
Replies: 8
Views: 1921

What to do w/$150k after tax $?

age=45, single, no kids. dont want kids.
401k/roth/ira = $450k. (35% total bonds, 25% total intl, 40% total market)

i expect $1k/month (in today's $) from my pension when i turn 62.
plus whatever $ from social security when i'm 67.

After tax $:
right now i have $75k in a healthcare mutual fund, $65k in biotech, and $10k cash in the bank.
yeah im gambling those sectors will continue it's HUGE growth.

right now, i think i'm undergoing a mid life crisis.
move to a 3rd world country, save 1 yrs expenses in the bank and blow the rest on sex/drugs.

maybe Costa Rica or Thailand?
by Gambler
Wed Jul 20, 2016 12:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do chipped ATM only cards offer more protection vs unchipped?
Replies: 21
Views: 2723

Do chipped ATM only cards offer more protection vs unchipped?

Citibank is sending everyone new chipped debit cards.

i requested the atm only version.
To my surprise, it has a chip.

it's inconvenient to use compared to the old atm card.
now i stick i into the atm machine, remove card, wait, then stick the card back into the atm machine and leave it there. :oops:

how much better are chipped atm only cards compared to the non-chipped version?
by Gambler
Thu Jul 14, 2016 3:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Networth = Age x Pretax income then divide by 10?
Replies: 49
Views: 14922

Networth = Age x Pretax income then divide by 10?

From:
http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2011/ ... next-door/

"Multiply your age times your realized pretax annual household income from all sources except inheritances. Divide by 10. This, less any inherited wealth, is what your net worth should be."

( it’s more accurate for people who are at least a couple of decades into their careers. )


so i meet the author's definition of suggested networth.
But what does it mean?
by Gambler
Sat Jun 04, 2016 3:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cheap place to get prescription safety glasses?
Replies: 8
Views: 5073

Re: Cheap place to get prescription safety glasses?

dkluger wrote:I bought prescription safety glasses for woodworking at zenni.com

I paid about 20$ for the pair. I have been happy with them
unfortunately, none of the 'safety' glasses say Ansi in the description thus my insurance company wont reimburse for it.
in fact, Zenni calls them Prescription Wind Goggles.

do you have a link for the safety glasses u bought?
by Gambler
Fri Jun 03, 2016 12:20 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Be thankful you are not a pension fund, WSJ
Replies: 47
Views: 9012

Re: Be thankful you are not a pension fund, WSJ

Didnt know States could default on pensions? wouldnt lawsuits force them to pay, or at lease issue IOUs? (like California did for state tax refunds) Under Chapter 9, states can't declare bankruptcy. Municipalities (anything smaller than a state) can. I believe municipalities employ far more employees than states. As a example of a state going bankrupt, the constitution of Puerto Rico guarantees that general obligation bonds must be paid. PR does not have money to pay for said G.O. bonds. So lawsuits probably will be filed. However you can't squeeze blood from a stone. I doubt bondholders will be paid in full. So think of a higher level of uncertainty than your typical bankruptcy. It could be a taste of things to come. yeah, want to see the...
by Gambler
Fri Jun 03, 2016 12:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cheap place to get prescription safety glasses?
Replies: 8
Views: 5073

Cheap place to get prescription safety glasses?

my insurance partially reimburses me for safety glasses every year.
and i could buy online but i must send them proof they are ansi rated.

zenni optical doesnt sell safety glasses.
their goggles are not ansi rated and i got a rejection letter from my insurance company when i tried a few years ago. :(

any recommendations for cheap safety glasses?
by Gambler
Thu Jun 02, 2016 12:37 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Be thankful you are not a pension fund, WSJ
Replies: 47
Views: 9012

Re: Be thankful you are not a pension fund, WSJ

ralph124cf wrote:My county in Illinois had a 17% increase in property tax rates this year. Note: This was not a change in appraised value, just a straight rate increase.

Ralph
i remember last decade there was a temp 1% sales tax increase.
then the next year, not only did they want to extend that 1% another year, they wanted to add ANOTHER temp 1% increase on top.

did they ever get that approved?
has it gotten better since then?
by Gambler
Thu Jun 02, 2016 11:52 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Be thankful you are not a pension fund, WSJ
Replies: 47
Views: 9012

Re: Be thankful you are not a pension fund, WSJ

alex_686 wrote:
SeeMoe wrote:Of course civil servants have more protection since their pensions are covered by law and, ultimately, the taxpayers.
Unless you are a ex-civil serpent of Detroit. My guess is that at some point certain states will have to cut their pension obligations, in particular Illinois. Some states are getting so deep in the hole that default on pension obligations may be their only choice. I know that there legal protections in place, but that is going to make little difference if a state is unable to pay.
Didnt know States could default on pensions?
wouldnt lawsuits force them to pay, or at lease issue IOUs? (like California did for state tax refunds)
by Gambler
Thu Jun 02, 2016 11:25 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Traveler's Insurance: More slimy tricks
Replies: 3
Views: 1581

Traveler's Insurance: More slimy tricks

a year ago Travelers quoted me a 10% lower price for combined house/car/umbrella over my current provider. a month after i switched, they said i need $25k more insurance for my house. plus the additional charge to go w/it. else i can cancel and find another insurance company. Geez!! can you say bait and switch? :annoyed with the additional charge, the whole package is only a little cheaper and not worth it to switch! anyway, my home + umbrella renews on the same month. i get the email alert and check online. my homeowners went up by 3% but my umbrella is only like 1/10th of what it should be? if i click on 'make a payment', the amount due is the minimal and it lists the total amount. but the minimal amount makes no sense. if it's monthly, i...
by Gambler
Tue May 24, 2016 11:04 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Make a Separate "Happy Budget" to see how much a Happy/Ideal life would cost over your normal budget
Replies: 2
Views: 1116

Re: Make a Separate "Happy Budget" to Motivate Your Financial Goals

nanoanalyzer wrote:Decent articles (I followed the second link, too), but I did not expect to read the perspective of someone who earns less than their happy budget. The happy budget concept is probably more useful for LBYM penny pinchers.

I did something similar recently to introspect my down payment savings rate. Turned out that the extra 200/mo in food and drink I was avoiding barely made a dent in savings rate, but was making me much less happy. Definitely an actionable exercise.
LBYM = live below your means
[OT comment removed by moderator prudent] took a bit to figure that out. lol

and yeah, i guess i could classify myself as a LBYM penny pincher.
thx for sharing about your experience about $200/month less food+drink
by Gambler
Mon May 23, 2016 2:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Make a Separate "Happy Budget" to see how much a Happy/Ideal life would cost over your normal budget
Replies: 2
Views: 1116

Make a Separate "Happy Budget" to see how much a Happy/Ideal life would cost over your normal budget

http://twocents.lifehacker.com/make-a-separate-happy-budget-to-motivate-your-financi-1777852077 They took their regular budget, then compared it to what their own ideal, comfortable spending would look like. "The 'happy budget' is more of a self-realization thing, because I've seen too many people who work themselves really hard for that little bit of extra money, and I don't know if it's worth it," more $ doesn't make you happy (as long as you're above poverty levels). It's what you choose to do with it. i've always envisioned what an ideal happy life would be for me but till i read that article, never thought of crunching the #s. :shock: i thought that life was a fantasy/pipe dream and out of reach. time to break out the spreads...
by Gambler
Mon Apr 25, 2016 7:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Advice for post retirement career
Replies: 53
Views: 5735

Re: Advice for post retirement career

sdsailing wrote:I don't quite get it. You say your pension is 75% of your salary, and call that modest? Surely that is a livable amount if your current income is livable.
but at what age do you get the pension?

in nyc, you can retire with full pension after 25yrs teaching, but the earliest to receiving $ is age 55, i think.
lets say you graduate college at age 22 w/an education degree and start teaching.
22 + 25 = 47.

you need something to cover those 8yrs till u get your $.
by Gambler
Mon Apr 25, 2016 6:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Advice for post retirement career
Replies: 53
Views: 5735

Re: Advice for post retirement career

cadreamer, at 50, I will have 30 years in. At that point, I get 75% of my highest annual salary. I've been told that it really doesn't make sense to continue working after this point because you are only working for 25% of your salary. Additional years only gain an additional 2.5%, so unless you live a very long time you may never recover those costs. Most people I've talked to say to begin collecting your pension after 30 years and take on a second job that may not pay as much but it is more than the 25% that you would essentially be making after 30. Hopefully this makes sense. after retiring from your current school district, take a teaching job in a neighboring school district and get a 2nd pension? i live in VA. Loudon and fairfax are ...
by Gambler
Thu Feb 25, 2016 6:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Healthcare fund dividend is a capital gains distribution?
Replies: 3
Views: 659

Re: Healthcare fund distribution has a capital gains distribution?

Because the fund managers buy and sell stocks and thus realize capital gains. They have to pass any net capital gains on to shareholders. I guess they didn't create enough losses to offset the realized gains. This is a problem with actively managed funds: The managers do not usually try to achieve tax efficiency. Another thing: If a fund gets a new manager, then the new manager usually does not like what the previous manager had put into the fund, so out with the old and in with the new which creates capital gains to distribute. And technically, the dividend is not a capital gain distribution. The fund pays a distribution which can consist of dividends, short-term capital gains, and long-term capital gains (and probably other things that I...
by Gambler
Thu Feb 25, 2016 6:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Healthcare fund dividend is a capital gains distribution?
Replies: 3
Views: 659

Healthcare fund dividend is a capital gains distribution?

i'm doing my taxes and i noticed that most of my healthcare fund (prhsx) dividends were capital gains distributions?
note: prhsx is in my taxable acct

from my brokerage firm's 1099, i have 3 items relating to prhsx:
-non qualified dividends ($1100)
-qualified dividends ($400)
-capital gains distribution ($6200) :!:

from my acct, all 3 items happened on 12/17/2015, which is the dividend distribution date.
http://individual.troweprice.com/public ... tion-Dates


i did not sell any prhsx in 2015 so why do i have a capital gains distribution? :?:
by Gambler
Mon Feb 22, 2016 5:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: TaxAct Plus vs TurboTax vs H&R Block for 2015
Replies: 117
Views: 17459

Re: TaxAct Plus vs TurboTax vs H&R Block for 2015

livesoft wrote:i guess you didn't get to the Income reported on 1099-B or 1099-DIV steps yet. But you do see the "Help" option, right?
ahh no. i have to get to that specific page to get the option to d/l directly from my brokerage site?! unintuitive software!
i see it now. thx

and yes, i did goto Help.
it was useless.

i typed in 'import' and it said 'no keywords match my entry' :(
by Gambler
Mon Feb 22, 2016 4:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: TaxAct Plus vs TurboTax vs H&R Block for 2015
Replies: 117
Views: 17459

Re: TaxAct Plus vs TurboTax vs H&R Block for 2015

livesoft wrote:You click on the "Import" button. Not all financial institutions are supported. Click on "Help" for more information.
i dont see an option to import directly from your brokerage site.
just 'import last years data' and 'import from financial software'. :(
by Gambler
Mon Feb 22, 2016 4:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: TaxAct Plus vs TurboTax vs H&R Block for 2015
Replies: 117
Views: 17459

Re: TaxAct Plus vs TurboTax vs H&R Block for 2015

Jim Profit wrote:Used TurboTax for 10+ years, until this year due to their slimy tactics. Using H&R Block software this year, haven't done much with it yet but looks promising so far.
same here. bought the H&R block software and loaded it on my computer.
but how do you import data directly from stock brokerage houses (schwab, optionshouse, etc) like i could with Turbo tax?

i dont see that option with H&R block?
by Gambler
Sat Feb 20, 2016 7:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Estimating AGI for Healthcare.GOV application
Replies: 26
Views: 3061

Re: Estimating AGI for Healthcare.GOV application

Would it be better to overestimate the income or is there something else to consider ? There are three strategic reasons to err on the side of underestimating your income: One: cash flow Two: Paybacks are capped, in steps, when you reconcile via your tax filing. In your example, the maximum you (a household of two) would pay is $600, as your income remains below 200% FPL (@$31,850 this year). Actual dollar amount is gradual as your income increases. Three: Most important. At your income level, you will be eligible for cost-sharing benefits. This lowers the cost of health care by reducing your out-of pocket expenses: deductibles, co-pays, coinsurance and maximums. Cost-sharing benefits must be garnered on the front-end; they cannot be award...
by Gambler
Sat Feb 20, 2016 3:19 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Keep emergency cash in Vanguard's Short Term Investment Grade fund?
Replies: 31
Views: 7444

Re: Keep emergency cash in Vanguard's Short Term Investment Grade fund?

here's a dumb question:
do the returns listed include the yield?

https://personal.vanguard.com/us/funds/ ... 0039#tab=1
1 yr return: .77%

but if the yield is 2.11%, then i'm getting 2.88% ?
by Gambler
Sat Feb 20, 2016 1:55 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Keep emergency cash in Vanguard's Short Term Investment Grade fund?
Replies: 31
Views: 7444

Keep emergency cash in Vanguard's Short Term Investment Grade fund?

http://paulmerriman.com/pauls-mutual-fu ... endations/

Vanguard Emergency Fund Portfolio:
Vanguard Short Term Investment Grade-> Funds in excess of three to six months of living expenses


i have my emergency cash in a bank savings acct (1% interest).
the Short Term Investment Grade fund is double that at 2.11% yield.

im thinking of going down to 3 months expenses in the 1% acct and moving the rest of the emergency cash to the Short Term Investment Grade fund.

your thoughts?
by Gambler
Sat Feb 20, 2016 12:56 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: MarketWatch's slice and dice portfolio
Replies: 17
Views: 3482

Re: MarketWatch's slice and dice portfolio

telemark wrote:Stay diversified and keep your costs low and you'll probably do okay. Is this a diversified, low-cost portfolio? Yes, it is. Can any portfolio be guaranteed to outperform in the future? No, it can't.
i think it outperformed because it had no bonds?
by Gambler
Fri Feb 19, 2016 6:27 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: MarketWatch's slice and dice portfolio
Replies: 17
Views: 3482

MarketWatch's slice and dice portfolio

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-ul ... atest_news

Image
lcv = large cap value, scb = small cap balanced, scv = small cap value, EM = emerging market

Image

so what do you think vs the tried and true 3 fund portfolio?
total bonds = age - 10
total intl = 20%
total market = rest
by Gambler
Wed Feb 17, 2016 6:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Amex Blue raised my interest rate to 29.5%?!
Replies: 19
Views: 10832

Re: Amex Blue raised my interest rate to 29.5%?!

mrc wrote:That seems putative. Any chance your credit is compromised?
free amex fico score (available when i log in to see my amex blue statement) is 840. 8-) (assuming 850 max like regular fico).

just found it perplexing about the high interest rate on a card i rarely use and have never been late on.
by Gambler
Wed Feb 17, 2016 4:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Rental car for weekend trip to save on miles on new car?
Replies: 65
Views: 12021

Re: Rental car for weekend trip to save on miles on new car?

greg24 wrote:I can practically guarantee that Enterprise considers Friday to Monday four days. Because it is.
lol.. ummm.. nope.
I did it. 3days.. fri afternoon to mon afternoon.
$30 + $3 tax + $1 mileage overage.

tax is 6% state + 4% non-airport rental surchrage. (more if it was an airport rental.)
100mile/day limit. i drove 305 miles so they charged like $1 extra.

hassle free.
reserved online.
called them to pick me up. used amex for free collision coverage. got a free upgrade to intermediate because they were out of compacts.
returned car. they drove me home,
by Gambler
Wed Feb 17, 2016 3:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Amex Blue raised my interest rate to 29.5%?!
Replies: 19
Views: 10832

Amex Blue raised my interest rate to 29.5%?!

just got this notice about hiking my interest rate.

i hardly use this card. i've probably used it a dozen times over the 5+ yrs i've owned it.
it gives points instead of direct cash back. and it's less than 1%.

i only use it when there's a good amex offer.
the last time i used it was in Dec for a 20 off 50 jet.com amex offer.

and i dont care about the interest rate since i pay off everything every month.
(i havent paid credit card interest this century.)

just found it puzzling that they raised my rate as if i'm in default/late payment. :?:
(i'm not. just checked. $0 balance.)
by Gambler
Tue Feb 09, 2016 3:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What to buy at Staples B&M with $10 off $10 coupon?
Replies: 9
Views: 1091

What to buy at Staples B&M with $10 off $10 coupon?

regular priced items only. :(
it expires this sat.

i havent been to a staples store in years.
i already have reams of paper from various free after rebates promos.

i have no idea what to get. i've never bought anything from Stapes that wasnt on sale.
and getting stuff not on sale at Staples just hurts my soul for some reason.
(for non-sale items, i usually goto Walmart.)

So, Ideas?
What item/items would you get?
by Gambler
Tue Feb 09, 2016 3:33 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Rental car for weekend trip to save on miles on new car?
Replies: 65
Views: 12021

Re: Rental car for weekend trip to save on miles on new car?

barnaclebob wrote:Is that $10 per day out the door or are there a bunch of fees on top of it. Sounds like a too good to be true teaser rate of some kind.
looks like state and non-airport car rental taxes add ~10% total.
so $30 + $3 = $33.
by Gambler
Tue Feb 09, 2016 3:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Rental car for weekend trip to save on miles on new car?
Replies: 65
Views: 12021

Re: Rental car for weekend trip to save on miles on new car?

Watty wrote:Another consideration is that with a rental car you will have to deal with the mechanics of getting to and from the rental car office to pick it up and drop it off.
Enterprise pics me up and drops me off. it's in their commercials and website.
i've done this before.
by Gambler
Mon Feb 08, 2016 5:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Rental car for weekend trip to save on miles on new car?
Replies: 65
Views: 12021

Rental car for weekend trip to save on miles on new car?

bought a new 2015 car in Nov.
currently has 2k miles on it.

3day weekend is coming up.
i'm going to be driving around 250 miles round trip by myself.

Enterprise car rentals has a weekend special of $10/day.
so $30 to save 250 miles on my new car.
that's $0.12/mile.

i save on wear + tear, plus saving some of that 36k mile warranty.

so does this make financial sense?
by Gambler
Mon Feb 08, 2016 3:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Heavy Lifting Job: $60/hr nights or $75/hr weekends?
Replies: 36
Views: 6713

Re: Heavy Lifting Job: $60/hr nights or $75/hr weekends?

Bounca wrote:Frustrating. :annoyed

What is being lifted and at what volume/rate? I’m dying to know. Because at that rewarding hourly rate it must be 200 pound mesh bags of Chinese throwing stars.

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/electr ... tml#weight
there's actually 2 parts to the job.
lifting plus hammering.

it's constant movement for the whole time with only 1 break 1/2 way.
so 6hrs straight.

surprisingly, hammering hurts more.
thats hundreds of swings of the hammer per shift.
oww my shoulder after the 1st day.


edit:
took weekend job
by Gambler
Mon Feb 08, 2016 3:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Which Mazda3 to buy? 2013 (53k miles) $12k, 2012 (27k miles) $15k, new 2015 $19k
Replies: 60
Views: 7987

Re: Which Mazda3 to buy? 2013 (53k miles) $12k, 2012 (27k miles) $15k, new 2015 $19k

What did you get and how did you like it? I'm thinking of getting a 2012 hatch today or tomorrow. got the new 2015 3i sport hatchback @ $500 under invoice. add $2k in incentivess, and it was $19k out the door. it has 2 annoyances: 1) no cig lighter under the dash board. there's one in the arm rest but it's ON ALL THE TIME. :annoyed i have both a gps and dash cam. so i have to unplug EVERYTIME i leave the car because: a) i dont want to risk a dead battery b) dont want to bring attention to my car thats parked on the street with still on electronics 2) the dash is lit even if head lights are off. with my old car, i remember to turn on the headlights at night because i cant see the speedometer. with this car, since i could see the dash and si...
by Gambler
Mon Jan 11, 2016 2:02 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Heavy Lifting Job: $60/hr nights or $75/hr weekends?
Replies: 36
Views: 6713

Re: Heavy Lifting Job: $60/hr nights or $75/hr weekends?

CoAndy wrote:Well, this is going to come down to personal preference but if I am reading this correctly, you make the same amount of money for 24 hours of (weekend) work as you would a normal 40 hour (evening) schedule? I would personally go the weekend route, as the idea of having 5 days off consecutively is very appealing to me.
the night work is 30hrs/week.
if it was 40hrs, then i'll be taking the 24hrs weekends.
by Gambler
Mon Jan 11, 2016 1:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Heavy Lifting Job: $60/hr nights or $75/hr weekends?
Replies: 36
Views: 6713

Heavy Lifting Job: $60/hr nights or $75/hr weekends?

i'm single, no kids, age = 45, and work in construction. i took a night job (mon-fri, 11pm - 5am) that involves heavy lifting that pays $60hr. ($1800/wk) I start after i pass a background check. Company has a 3yr contract at various locations, all outdoors. but now they want to move me to weekends, which is 12hrs sat + sun during the day @$75/hr. ($1800/wk) heavy lifting 6 hrs/day for 5 days at night: -easier on the body -since i;ve been unemployed for 18months, i stay up to 3am often anyway Heavy lifting 12hrs/day on weekends: -harder on the body -weekdays are free - very hot in the summer due to sun. (there's no sun at night) -a lot less time traveling to/from job site since i only have to go there 2 times/week instead of 5. --->so if you...
by Gambler
Thu Jan 07, 2016 1:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: If all space heaters = 1500w max, then buy the cheapest one?
Replies: 25
Views: 4145

Re: If all space heaters = 1500w max, then buy the cheapest one?

Swampy wrote:Gambler wrote:
...so if all space heaters use the same power, then just buy the cheapest one?
Only if you want to gamble with your life.
:oops:

Buy the safest.
lol.. all space heaters that i've seen at walmart are UL listed.

the UL listing meas they are safe enough for the avg consumer
by Gambler
Tue Jan 05, 2016 8:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How is Costco's gas so cheap? (15% cheaper in my area)
Replies: 59
Views: 17144

Re: How is Costco's gas so cheap? (15% cheaper in my area)

bhsince87 wrote:They make it up on volume!

But seriously, IMO, it's a perk that lures people into buying memberships. Also known as a loss leader.
didnt know costco sold any non-clearance item for a loss?

what got me into costco was their tires.
cheap gas was a bonus
by Gambler
Tue Jan 05, 2016 7:59 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: If all space heaters = 1500w max, then buy the cheapest one?
Replies: 25
Views: 4145

If all space heaters = 1500w max, then buy the cheapest one?

all the space heaters i;ve seen says 1500w.

1500w /120v = 12.5amps
most home wiring = 15amps so that makes sense.

so if all space heaters use the same power, then just buy the cheapest one?
by Gambler
Tue Jan 05, 2016 7:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How is Costco's gas so cheap? (15% cheaper in my area)
Replies: 59
Views: 17144

How is Costco's gas so cheap? (15% cheaper in my area)

local gas stations around my costco (VA) is $2/gallon for regular unleaded.
costco is $1.70/gallon!

and i think i read that gas stations are selling their gas at cost, meaning they get ~$0 profit from selling gas.
they get all their profit from people coming inside their convenience store and buying soda/candy/etc plus the garage for car repair.

so how can costco sell their gas for so much cheaper if the competing gas stations arent making $ off their gas?

edit:
VA costco
by Gambler
Sun Jan 03, 2016 7:58 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What are your 2 retirement numbers?
Replies: 260
Views: 42474

Re: What are your 2 retirement numbers?

Age: This week
#'s: the 6 needed to win the $400M Powerball :P

heck, i think i can still retire this week if i hit the $1M 2nd prize
by Gambler
Fri Jan 01, 2016 1:47 pm
Forum: Forum Issues and Administration
Topic: Jan 1,2016 outage?
Replies: 17
Views: 4213

Jan 1,2016 outage?

Just curious what happened?
by Gambler
Thu Dec 31, 2015 4:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What are your 2 retirement numbers?
Replies: 260
Views: 42474

Re: What are your 2 retirement numbers?

What is your number that you will retire at once achieved? Mine is $4 million. What is your minimum number that you would retire at if work became unbearable and you had to get out of the game? Mine is $2 million. I would also need to own my home and be completely debt free with either scenario. my expenses are $2500/month ($30k/yr). reverse engineering: 30k/4% safe withdraw rate = $750k needed i'm age= 45, not married, no kids and dont want kids. I have $410k in my 401k/ira/Roth. assume 7%/yr avg gain -> in 10yrs it'll grow to $750k. thus i can retire at age 55 at the latest, assuming i dont add another penny into my 401k. (which i do plan to add, thus why i said at the latest.) Am i cutting it close? nah.. as a backup, i have social secu...
by Gambler
Thu Dec 31, 2015 3:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How did your retirement Portfolio do in 2015?
Replies: 95
Views: 10568

How did your retirement Portfolio do in 2015?

Didnt find a thread like this on the 1st page.

It is now Dec 31, 2015 @ 4:42pm. the final day of trading for the year has closed.
The markets are (slightly) down for the year.

How did your RETIREMENT portfolio do?
Best performer?
Worst performer?

My portfolio ended up +2.25%.
best = prhsx (health care) @ +13.5%. It was 10% of my holdings. :shock: (Finally re-balanced back to 5% a couple of days ago.)
worst = vtiax (total Intl) @ -4.25%. it is 21% of my holdings :(

How about you?
by Gambler
Sun Dec 27, 2015 3:08 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Share your current asset allocation?
Replies: 94
Views: 11407

Re: Share your current asset allocation?

nedsaid wrote:Age 56.

51% US Stocks
17% International Stocks
28% Bonds
3% Cash
only 28% bonds? You're kinda light on Bonds at your age?


Me (IRA/Roth only):
age 45

42.5% US Stocks (5% REITs, 5% in Healthcare, rest= Total Market)
22.5% Intl (Total Intl)
33.5% Bonds (10% TIPs, rest= Total Bonds)
1.5% cash
by Gambler
Sun Dec 27, 2015 3:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Christmas Fail
Replies: 54
Views: 9813

Re: Christmas Fail

i ordered a $40 item from walmart.com on Dec 15.
i forgot about it then on xmas day i decided to check on it.

when i logged in my acct, it said the item was delivered to the store on Dec 20 for pickup and someone has already picked it up?!
[(removed) --admin LadyGeek]

called up walmart.com on 12/26 since they were closed on 12/25.
they said i had to contact the store.
[(removed) --admin LadyGeek]

of course calling up the store on the day after Xmas was a nitemare and went into xferring to different departments then got disconnected. :x

so i have stop by in person to see whats going on.
by Gambler
Fri Dec 04, 2015 12:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: I drive 20k miles/yr. Should i buy an extended warranty for my new car?
Replies: 16
Views: 2015

Re: I drive 20k miles/yr. Should i buy an extended warranty for my new car?

What? https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=178672&p=2705715#p2705715 Why on Earth did you buy a new car with no job? :oops: Why do you need to travel 20,000 miles/yr with no job? I live 25 miles from my job and I don't put miles per year on my vehicle and work 5 days a week plus visit family and such. But to answer your question, no, don't pay extra for an extended warranty. It has been my experience that most serious failures (manufacturing defects) will occur within the first 36,000 miles or they will be well outside of the 50,000 mile extended warranty term (wear item). Take the money that you would have been paying for the extended warranty and self insure. Better yet, use some of your downtime from being unempl...
by Gambler
Fri Dec 04, 2015 9:27 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: I drive 20k miles/yr. Should i buy an extended warranty for my new car?
Replies: 16
Views: 2015

I drive 20k miles/yr. Should i buy an extended warranty for my new car?

i bought a new 2015 mazda3i last month.

mazda lowered the warranty from 4yr/50k miles to 3yr/36k miles. :(

since i drive so many miles, i was thinking about an extended warranty.
if that sounds like a good idea, can any one recommend an extended warranty company?

thx
by Gambler
Thu Dec 03, 2015 11:40 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Not stressing over $1-> Slippery slope? (ie: $5, then $10, then $20, etc)
Replies: 22
Views: 3288

Not stressing over $1-> Slippery slope? (ie: $5, then $10, then $20, etc)

i had a rental car. car has an electronic fuel gauge and it was exactly at the 3/4 mark. i filled up at my last destination point because gas there was cheaper than the gas stations near the rental place. i estimated the amount of gallons (based on 30mpg) i needed to get back to the 3/4 mark + 15miles back to rental place. before i removed the nozzle from the gas tank, i looked at the fuel gauge. it was exactly at the same 3/4 mark. then i thought maybe i should add 1/2 gallon ($1) more. nah. so i'm 10miles away from the rental place and the fuel gauge dropped 1 bracket. doh! so now i'm stressing that they'll change me $4/gallon fee to get it back to the 3/4 gallon mark. (probably $2) normally, 10miles = ~10min driving. but the last 5 miles...