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I have an old XP Dell that I use as a dedicated MagicJack machine (VOIP telephone). Works great for that purpose.

Rich

Perhaps my needs are not that sophisticated (or demanding) but I've been quite pleased with MagicJack. I too have read the negative reviews, especially the poor customer service issues. None the less, I have two units. One older model that connects to the computer and the newer version that can be c...

I keep very good records on my cars costs (everything goes on an Excel spreadsheet). For my cars their costs were: RAV 4 (2002 purchase used), 83,000 miles of mine, $5,510 costs, .24 cents a mile to operate Lexus RX300 (2009 purchase used), 26,300 miles of mine, $1,919 costs, .22 cents a mile to ope...

Bought a 2009 Jeep Wrangler two door Sahara model this past Spring. 20,500 miles on her. Lots of fun. Much more comfortable then I thought it'd be. Much. Mileage? On a road trip, where I watch my speed (a bit over 65 MPH) I got over 21 MPG. 17 to 19 MPG around Cape Cod. Not a Boglehead purchase. Jus...

Thanks for all the input. Good advice which I'll take.

Rich

So the cash surrender value is more than the $6,100 dollars indicated on the material I received from the company??

Rich

I truly do not understand the subtleties of life insurance (except that whole life policies are, generally, bad news). My wife and I are having a discussion about an ancient policy of mine and I’d sure like some knowledgeable opinions on the matter. I’ve had a MetLife whole life insurance policy sin...

Got it now!

Thanks,

Rich Cape Cod

BobK, I'm confused (what else is new?). I looked at the worksheet for determining the RMD. It has five lines: Age Yr age was reached Value of IRA on Dec 31 of previous year 70 1/2 reached Distribution period (life expectancy number) RMD determined by subtracting value of IRA from Dec 31st by dividin...

When I retired in September 2010 (we live in a small Cape Cod town) my wife and I wished to go someplace warm for winters, eventually choosing Green Valley in AZ (just south to Tucson). Thus we live half the year in a rather expensive part of the country and half in a place that’s much cheaper. Othe...

One comment on batteries. When I get a new auto battery I immediately put a full charge on it. Many, many batteries are installed with only around 80% charge. It impacts both their life and potential energy they can hold. Also, as most of my driving is short distance, every few months I put a charge...

I once found a wallet with $240 dollars in it. Summer on Cape Cod. I brought it back to my police station (I was the chief of police) and my dispatcher on duty found the owner. While there (twenty years) as chief my officers found many wallets full of cash. Strangers would bring all kinds of wallets...

PowDay wrote:.... Rich make sure you get an over sand pass and head out to Race Point, nothing better than having a beach to youself...

PowDay, the salt, the salt!!

Rich

I recently purchased a 2009 Jeep Wrangler Sahara (she had 20,150 miles on her). This is my Cape Cod car (wife uses a Rav-4). Came with a hard "Freedom" top (front pieces come off in a couple of minutes to turn it into a convertible). Took the rear seat out (easy to do) for extra room in th...

In lieu of a non-listed number I once used by wife's maiden name on our listed phone number. No extra charge and you know immediately whether the call has any legitimacy.

Rich Cape Cod

Got a call from a friend. He and his wife were closing on a new home and someone tried to sell them a Single Premium Insurance Policy (give the guy $25K, returns $67K in X-number of years). I tried to explain why mixing insurance and investment needs is not a good idea. Could someone give me some in...

I spend half the year in AZ and half on Cape Cod. With my cars garaged in AZ the batteries of both cars are left on "smart" chargers. On the Cape, with no garage, I bring the batteries of my autos into the house and put them on smart chargers as well. Do follow the suggestion of putting fu...

She may be impacted by the SS regulation "Government Pension Offset." If you receive a pension, in which you did not pay into SS, you are likely to receive no SS monies from a spouses account. The SS formula calculating such a person's pension makes very serious cuts if such is the case (e...

I use MagicJack (MJ) all the time (for all long distance calls and frequently everything else – phone tied into MJ is right where I normally sit while normal land line is a bit further away). People cannot tell my calls are coming to them via computer. At $20 dollars a year for unlimited nationwide ...

Sorry, forgot to address the hollow point/solid point question. For a squirrel it really does not matter. In general, I'd use a hollow point, especially since you probably won't be eating the resultant meat.

Rich

For your purposes a simple bolt action rifle would be most appropriate. It is not necessary to clean a .22 long rifle caliber firearm except after extensive use. The ammunition fired through its bore actually adds some protection to the interior metal surface. Don’t forget to check your local regula...

Guys, I purchased this policy in 1984! I may not be senile, but damn! Don't remember a word of the conversation that revolved around this purchase. I wanted a life insurance policy for the rest of my life, that's what I thought I bought and this is what I was sold. It's sort of like you going to a p...

Brody, and the other posters as well, thanks for the interesting and truly educational information you've provided me. I now understand what took place in my case. I suppose we could debate whether the options offered me were fully explained or even if I understood them at the time of the purchase (...

Look for the computer illustration that was presented prior to purchase of the policy or delivered with the policy. Usuallly it is where you store your policy. I bought the policy in 1984. No computers then. No idea where the original policy information material is located. Just for giggles I'm goi...

Brody, thanks for that info on the 1035! I will be looking into it. pshonore, I'm now looking at the statement I have (the one just prior to the raise in premium) sent me. On the front, among other things, is the fact that the policy is for $200,000 and the death benefit is for $200,000 and the semi...

Guys, I'm fortunate in no longer needing the insurance. My wife and I have no debt, live in a paid off home and have a reasonable amount of money in various investments. In addition we have a nice six figure income from three different defined benefit streams of income. As I stated in my original po...

Brody: Thanks for that clear explanation of my situation. As I stated, I had no doubt what the company was doing was legit, only that when it was represented to me no one mentioned that there was a possibility that my premiums would double! You are of course correct, "buy term and invest the di...

Without notice (or any logic that I can figure) my life insurance company, AIG, American General increased my semi-annual payments from $625 to $1,348 dollars. I have had this policy since December 1984 (for $200,000 dollars). The premium, until this just received bill, had always been for $625 doll...

I believe it was Bloomberg that did an annual survey of the tax impact of living in every state by breaking down costs using three fictional families they created. The income streams varied from working income to only investment incomes. The differences between the states were significant. From memo...

Thanks for the info all!

Rich

Would one of you Quicken users please suggest the best version of the program for home use. I do not plan on tracking investments or using it for tax purposes. My sole intended use of the program is to keep an eye on my household budget. At the moment I'm using an Excel spreadsheet I put together my...

For all the reasons the other posters have stated, pay off your home. I speak from experience; living in a paid off residence gives one a feeling of security and protection that is hard to explain. The matter is not one simply of finances.

Best,

Rich

Lexus RX-300 2000 owned 2 years, put -20,000 miles on her: .293 cents per mile How in the world do you put negative miles on a vehicle? Drive it in reverse? :wink: I normally would not have asked, but indicating +30k on one line an -20k on another left me confused. My mileage is just under 20,000 m...

Mamster: Thanks for the advice and your point is well taken. I gave long and hard thought on the SS thing. My problem is, I'm just not sure what the SS rules are in regard my spouse picking up some portion of my SS should I predecease her. I'm impacted by the regulation titled Government Pension Off...

Mamster:

In regard your comments on Wellesley in my qualified accounts, I realize that it holds around 40% in equities and 60% in bonds. I don't see how my having that fund outside of a qualified account would be very helpful. Am I missing something?

Thanks,

Rich

Well, I suspect that after enough years inflation will start to whittle away at my income. That's the main purpose of my investments, to protect my wife and I from the ravages of inflation (I should have made that clear at the beginning...). Do you guys feel my asset choices are wise (particularly t...

Hi Laura: Thanks for the opportunity to fine-tune my investments. A bit of background: I retired from two police departments (from two different states with a total of 41 years in the business) and am now also receiving Social Security (submitted at age 66). My total pension/SS income is approximate...

For the fun of it I put all expenses for my three autos on an Excel spreadsheet. The costs break down as follows (excluding fuel costs): Mazda Miata 2003 owned 6 years, put +30,000 miles on her: .199 cents per mile RAV-4 2001 owned 9 years, put 80,000 miles on her: .24 cents per mile Lexus RX-300 20...

I've been maintaining my cars as you've described for the better part of twenty years. It's cheap insurance. I don't recall the last time one of my autos has failed me on the street. That you do regular oil changes is laudable. None the less, these are complex machines and I'd rather have a competen...

AmExpress has a program which permits, for a $28 dollar fee per 45(?) day rental period, them covering your rental car insurance. I've used it several times (never with an accident) and figured I'd saved a good deal of money (over rental company insurance) and hassle (with another credit card compan...

Until I retired last Sept I spent the last 41 years in law enforcement. You would be shocked and appalled by the number of uninsured/underinsured/ drivers out there. Many times I have seen my officers place individuals under arrest for driving without a license and without insurance. A significant n...

SSCritic:

I must tell you, my head is really spinning!

Your information is most interesting and informative. I'm not sure how the SS administration would view the money my wife would receive should I predecease her, but I sure hope they see it your way.

Rich

SS Critic: Should I predecease my spouse she would receive two/thirds (more or less) of my current pension from the gov't entity in which I DID NOT pay into the SS system. I believe that would be considered receiving a pension from a government entity in which SS was not paid into. Thus, as her pens...

I have the premium American Express auto coverage. It is for 42 consecutive days of rental and costs $28 dollars. If you wish to continue the rental coverage you need to "re-rent" the car (for another $28 dollar charge).

I think it's a great deal.


Rich

Research "Valley Fever" before you move. We have started to spend our winters (Dec~April) in the Tucson area (Green Valley). A year or so ago I found a woman from our town who had lived in Green Valley during the winter months with her husband. He had recently passed away from "valle...

This is a pretty complex subject and quite confusing. My understanding (using my personal situation) is: Windfall Elimination Provision: I have 27 years of “substantial” earnings. This is a specific amount of money that you earned while paying into the Social Security system each year (among other y...

We go to AZ for five months during our Cape Cod winter. Each month we transfer $1,000 dollars into our ING "vacation" account. No big deal and we know exactly how much we have for vacation at any given moment.

Rich

If you have an American Express card for a fee of $28 dollars they will insure your rental car for up to 45 days (after which you would have to re-rent the car -for another $28 dollar fee to AmExp- to maintain this coverage). Much less expensive then from the rental companies.

Rich

Our home is free of debt. We like the feeling. I do read the various posts debating whether to pay off the mortgage or not. I don't get into them. While it may be a financial question after all is said and done, my spouse and I have found it just "feels good" not to have to worry about pay...

nisiprius:

Hi. I mostly lurk on the forum but just wanted to mention that your last post on how to compare funds was most useful. I saved it to MS Word for later use.

Thanks,

Rich Cape Cod