Search found 34 matches

by ebabin
Mon Apr 22, 2019 12:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buying a house without a realtor
Replies: 55
Views: 7664

Re: Buying a house without a realtor

Unless you are an experienced real estate person, use a hard working experienced realtor to help you Hard working? My last two houses I found on my own by driving around in neighborhoods I liked. All they did was open the door and let me walk around. At closing, once I signed the contract and they got their check the realtor stood up and walked out. I am sure some realtors work hard for people that have no idea what they can afford, how to finance, or where they want to live but I suspect that for many Bogleheads the realtor does very little other than split the commission check. Ditto your remarks, including finding your own houses. Many of the realtors I worked with weren't showing me what I was asking for and I had to do the foot work o...
by ebabin
Sat Oct 07, 2017 7:54 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Tradittional vs Roth?
Replies: 6
Views: 940

Tradittional vs Roth?

I need some advice. I feel like I have a pretty substantial nest egg. It hit me that I will need to start paying taxes on withdrawal of 401/IRAs when the time comes. I am 60 and currently in the 28% bracket and still working but looking forward to semi-retirement soon. My tax bracket would probably not change much for the next 3 or 4 years. I think I could easily wait until 70 for SS with the amount in my retirement funds. Should I be putting everything after my employer match into a Roth? I can easily absorb the tax hit now. I don't understand the IRA to Roth conversion rules.
by ebabin
Sat Feb 07, 2015 7:45 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: First job, first everything
Replies: 23
Views: 2179

Re: First job, first everything

DON'T STOP CONTRIBUTING AT 6%. This is a newbie's #1 mistake. Contribute as much as you can afford at least up to the max amount allowed before taxes, if you can. The only exception to that rule is if you need to save for known expenses, i.e., saving for a home purchase. If you find your personal budget comes up short, you can always lower your contribution at any time. Once you have a reasonable or considerable amount, for smaller financed purchases, you can consider taking out a loan from your 401k. A lot of people advise against this. I would also, unless you feel as if your job is very secure and you are certain you can pay back the loan. In this case you are paying yourself back, while hopefully, the balance of your 401k is accruing in...
by ebabin
Mon Jan 26, 2015 9:31 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Who do you listen to? (Podcast, etc)
Replies: 48
Views: 13191

Re: Who do you listen to? (Podcast, etc)

Unfortunately, many of the financial podcasts, i.e., Marketplace seem to be dated if you wait a day or two before you listen. It's amusing when you listen to some commentary based on the day's events, only to see how wrong it is a few days later.

For entertainment, try Fresh Air with Terri Gross. This is one of the most diverse, and best interview shows ever. Subjects which ordinarily I would have no interest in are made to be very entertaining.
by ebabin
Sun Jan 18, 2015 9:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Florida in the summer [thinking about moving there]
Replies: 132
Views: 18858

Re: Florida in the summer

Toons wrote:
four7s wrote:It hasn't been mentioned so I will. Bugs and mosquitos. The heat and humidity creates a perfect environment for them. An elderly Floridian once told me to learn to "get used to them and love'em cause they were here first and they ain't leavin'."

Don't forget Fire Ants :shock:
Adding to fear mongering: don't forget the gators, coral snakes and hurricanes. Palm trees, and rum runners help mask the fear.
by ebabin
Sun Jan 18, 2015 10:21 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Florida in the summer [thinking about moving there]
Replies: 132
Views: 18858

Re: Florida in the summer

There have been times during the summer when the NJ weather was oppressively hot but milder while I was in Florida. You didn't say where you lived in NY but if you are from the city, take a relatively hot day, and make it a common occurrence nearly everyday throughout the summer. It is pretty persistent except for the daily thunder shower that usually occurs. It might cool the temperature a few degrees or make it more humid. That's okay, I like it that way. If you like to live in short pants, this is the place to be. You can't do that in the dry climates. When the sun goes down, you will need long pants and a jacket.
by ebabin
Mon Dec 29, 2014 5:59 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Appalachian Trail thru-hike in retirement?
Replies: 78
Views: 13964

Re: Appalachian Trail thru-hike in retirement?

My $.02 is worth even less than that. Appalachian Trail hiking is more for the personal challenge rather than taking in vista views. I have done many segments, climbing, climbing, climbing, and expecting a great view at the top only to find the vegetation so dense, only a peek of the valley could be seen. The AT can be very very mentally stressful when this happens. Of course, there are some great views but not like the Pacific Crest Trail where every step is to be savored. I recall reading about Earl Shaffer who was the first to walk the trail from end to end. He completed his third thru hike of the trail in 1998 at the age of 79 and commented (paraphrasing) "to do this hike is just insanity".
by ebabin
Sun Dec 14, 2014 7:41 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Best travel rewards card for my unique situation
Replies: 11
Views: 2742

Re: Best travel rewards card for my unique situation

I try to use my Discover card whenever I purchase. 1% cash back to use on anything you want. It's not accepted at every location but I would say close to 90% acceptance in the US. It is also growing in Europe piggybackng on the Diners Club network. Since I use it for almost all purchases, it's nice to get a few hundred dollars back in my pocket every year.
by ebabin
Mon Oct 27, 2014 7:02 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Lightweight Electric Blanket.
Replies: 8
Views: 2191

Re: Lightweight Electric Blanket.

[off-topic comment (and followup) removed by admin alex. Medical discussions are off topic on this site.]
by ebabin
Fri Oct 24, 2014 8:58 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Florida Retirement Communities advice/thoughts
Replies: 33
Views: 8094

Re: Florida Retirement Communities advice/thoughts

pgi wrote:Punta Gorda Fl.
.
.
Don't tell everyone,though, its Florida's best kept secret ;)
I have a condo in North Naples which was planned to be my retirement home (renting it out at the moment). I've been to Punta Gorda and it looks very appealing to me.
by ebabin
Fri Oct 24, 2014 8:49 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Phone for Europe trip
Replies: 24
Views: 2859

Re: Phone for Europe trip

If you only need to call home, rather than locally, use Skype on the smart phone you already own. Of course, you need to be sure you will have dependable wifi along your travels. I managed to get by for 4 weeks and when I needed to contact someone locally in Europe, email was sufficient.
by ebabin
Wed Oct 08, 2014 5:50 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sump Pump Running Every 8 Minutes?
Replies: 20
Views: 82217

Re: Sump Pump Running Every 8 Minutes?

Much depends on the water level and the porousness of the soil. My house is on a sand base and after some excessive rains, you can actually see water percolating up through the ground in my crawl space. My sump ran every 6 minutes for almost 3 months one year. Underground streams flow in my soil and find a normal level at some point. Normally, the water pumped out is deposited outside my house which just returns underground and back into the crawl. In abnormal times, I have bought a collapsible hose that I can unroll out to the storm drain which is about 200 feet away.
by ebabin
Thu Oct 02, 2014 6:03 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: fidelity v.s. vanguard
Replies: 18
Views: 2700

Re: fidelity v.s. vanguard

I have 80% of my portfolio with Vanguard and 20% with Fidelity. Most of each were built up through 401k rollovers. Since one of my 401k was with Fidelity to begin with, I thought it easier to stay there but I was turned off by the front loaded fees and I never contributed more to Fidelity. I have to say, though, over time, my Fidelity funds have outperformed my Vanguard funds.
by ebabin
Sat Sep 20, 2014 8:29 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Does anyone know of a college FASFA expert?
Replies: 13
Views: 1583

Re: Does anyone know of a college FASFA expert?

After going through this process with two children, it is my opinion that there is very little benefit in filling out the FASFA accurately unless you are at or near the poverty level. Of course I wouldn't grossly underestimate your income or assets in order to meet some threshold for aid. Most colleges and universities offer aid packages and it is your requirement to fill out this form, but unless, as I've said, there is some asset/income threshold, it usually doesn't make any difference if you only provide estimates on your form. True to government forms, it is unnecessarily agonizing to complete but knowing what I've said, don't sweat it.
by ebabin
Wed Sep 17, 2014 6:00 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Eldertreks to Costa Rica
Replies: 1
Views: 472

Eldertreks to Costa Rica

I am looking at one of Eldertreks' tours to Costa Rica. I am not accustomed to tours. I normally make my own arrangements and I get impatient waiting for others to get their act together so we can get moving. This should be a small group so I hope there will be less of that. Does anyone have experience with this tour operator and tips for traveling to Costa Rica? We probably will have very little time on our own to wander, likely only in San Jose, just before and after the tour itinerary. Thanks for the input.
by ebabin
Tue Sep 16, 2014 8:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Australia and New Zealand
Replies: 47
Views: 7505

Re: Australia and New Zealand

MtnTraveler wrote:One thing I would note is doing a day trip out to the Great Barrier Reef is (in my opinion) a waste of time. Those ships can only go so far from land so most of what you will see will be damaged and not amazing.
I beg to differ. Yes, the further south you are the further you need to go to get to the reef. I took a small charter out of Cairns and went snorkeling just a few miles from town. The sea life was spectacular. Large turtles, schools of rainbow fish and giant clams cohabitate in shallow water < 30 ft on the top edge of underwater canyons.
by ebabin
Tue Sep 16, 2014 8:34 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Australia and New Zealand
Replies: 47
Views: 7505

Re: Australia and New Zealand

My advice would be to pick one country or the other. If you are an outdoors person, I tell people that they shouldn't go to New Zealand unless they can take five weeks. We did it in three and it felt rushed. We didn't get to spend near the amount of time we wanted to in any location. We went as backpackers with plans to do three three day hikes. We ended up only doing about 1.5 of the hikes and still felt rushed. There is so much to see and do in that country. Some good points here. Other things to note, climate is quite the opposite in each place (sans Tasmania). Hot and dry vs cool and wet. Distances are far and beyond in Australia, closer in New Zealand but travel is slow because of the terrain. If you are bound to see both countries pi...
by ebabin
Mon Sep 15, 2014 7:10 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: FIOS [versus cable]
Replies: 47
Views: 6324

Re: FIOS [versus cable]

[OT comments removed by admin LadyGeek]
by ebabin
Mon Sep 08, 2014 7:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Favorite airbnb/vrbo properties?
Replies: 7
Views: 1382

Re: Favorite airbnb/vrbo properties?

I had mixed experiences: Toronto: I rented a very nice apartment in a converted warehouse on a trolley line straight to downtown. The owner was in India and had no local contact in case of a problem. Indeed something came up and I was a little stressed due to not knowing what to do. In the end, I wound up helping him out but that is part of the community. Now that AirBnB has gone IPO, I would be wary of that community disappearing. Florence, Itay: Had a fantastic flat near the Domo. Unfortunately, there were 70 steps to climb to get to it without an elevator. No problem for me, (my wife, not so happy) but if you forget something like a camera, you really have to question whether you want to go back up for it. More unhappily, someone seemed ...
by ebabin
Mon Sep 08, 2014 6:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Remove Cigarette Smoke Smell from House?
Replies: 20
Views: 3505

Re: Remove Cigarette Smoke Smell from House?

Gets rid of the smell but not all the tiny particles trapped in the carpet and air ducts.

Yes, beware, my air ducts are compressed fiberglasss (ductboard). All particles running through the air ducts may be captured by the fibers and may be released years later if/when the fiberglass breaks down
by ebabin
Sat Sep 06, 2014 5:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestions for 10 days on Hawaiian Islands
Replies: 24
Views: 2754

Re: Suggestions for 10 days on Hawaiian Islands

I may be skewered for this post but I was surprised to see the amount of racial animosity of the islanders towards the mainland visitors on Oahu. Everyone was very friendly on Maui and the Big Island and I felt no tensions there. It is possible that the largest city is on Oahu and city influences exist throughout there and to be sure there were plenty of transplanted mainlanders that I was suspicious of. Some of the Islanders warned me to be sure to secure my valuables and others who had warned me, if my vehicle broke down and I had to leave it, not to expect it to see it in one piece. After driving around the island, I could not count the many burned out vehicles on the side of the road. I must add that I never felt unsafe, but I was there...
by ebabin
Fri Sep 05, 2014 6:22 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Road Trip, New England to Cailfornia
Replies: 11
Views: 1962

Re: Road Trip, New England to Cailfornia

I drove through Saguaro National Park at dawn and it was very inspiring.
by ebabin
Fri Sep 05, 2014 6:19 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Any Tips on wintering in the Bahamas ?
Replies: 29
Views: 5157

Re: Any Tips on wintering in the Bahamas ?

I have only been to the Bahamas once, about 20+ years ago in Nassau. Beaches and resorts were beautiful, infrastructure reminded me as to something that was built in 1960's with no expense spared, but hasn't been upgraded since. We are not the type to strictly stay at the resort and beach, we like to wander. We found a Botanical Gardens that didn't seem visited or tended to in years but the overgrown look was very enjoyable. I have traveled a bit and what surprised me most that in the obviously middle class neighborhoods that I had been through, the houses had bars on the windows.
by ebabin
Wed Aug 27, 2014 6:03 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Master Thread for Philadelphia PA Area Bogleheads Chapter
Replies: 213
Views: 115352

Re: Master Thread for Philadelphia PA Area Bogleheads Chapte

What's up with this thread? The title has no relevance to the posts. At some point I would like to attend a meeting, but some of us still work for a living (1 pm ??) and somewhere closer to Center City would be more accommodating.
by ebabin
Wed Aug 27, 2014 5:57 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Arches-Bryce-Zion road trip: Where to stay?
Replies: 16
Views: 2195

Re: Arches-Bryce-Zion road trip: Where to stay?

Bring a tent, it's the only way to really enjoy these places. That said, I was a little perturbed with Zion's facilities. No showers, there was a motel or restaurant outside the park that provided outside shower stalls for a fee. The campsites cost more than a night at a small casino hotel/motel right at the Nevada border. What's wrong with that picture?
by ebabin
Tue Aug 26, 2014 6:48 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Moving to Eastern PA - need advice
Replies: 29
Views: 3829

Re: Moving to Eastern PA - need advice

I live in Atlantic County NJ. I wouldn't call it a growth area but it is a pleasant place to live, traffic is light in most areas, and although NJ is notorious for high property taxes, it is relatively low in this area. It is less than an hour to PHL if you avoid rush hour and if you only plan to fly to Florida, cheap airfare from ACY which is only minutes away. A four bedroom house on a few acres can be had in the $300Ks.
by ebabin
Tue Jul 08, 2014 1:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Windows 7 free support will be ending in 2015
Replies: 27
Views: 3296

Re: Windows 7 free support will be ending in 2015

No problem. There are plenty of wrong answers provided by Microsoft in their own support forums. Google what you need to know. Take it from an engineer with 30 years experience.
by ebabin
Mon May 19, 2014 8:35 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Jersey shore recommendations?
Replies: 14
Views: 1894

Re: Jersey shore recommendations?

I'm an offshore local. Golf at several places in Galloway (Seaview, National, Blue Heron) and 15 minutes to the AC Boardwalk or Brigantine Beach. Free parking most everywhere in Brigantine, one block from the beach if you come early. Worst I've ever walked was 3 blocks on a holiday weekend. Beware, greenheads are brutal late July/early August on the north end, not a problem any other time. AC Boardwalk is fun, no trolls please. Show me a city without problems. Gardiner's Basin, neat aquarium, good food and drinks near the water. If you look, free parking in AC, right at the boardwalk, 2 blocks from Revel. Very active and safe during the day, safe at night also but not well lighted so some may not be comfortable.
by ebabin
Mon May 19, 2014 8:18 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Hotel suggestions Washington,DC
Replies: 32
Views: 3788

Re: Hotel suggestions Washington,DC

I'm a Marriott fan so I always stay in Rosslyn, 3 blocks from the Metro for Key Bridge Marriott, Courtyard and Residence Inn. If I am paying, I avoid KB Marriott, only because it annoys me to pay for internet access. In the past, not much to do at night in Rosslyn but it is improving. It is just a short and scenic walk to Georgetown. In the past, parking was free on the weekends at the Courtyard. I also like to stay at Residence Inn at Dupont Circle but the nightly rate varies to over $150 between different nights, so I guess it depends on occupancy.
by ebabin
Mon May 19, 2014 8:09 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Travel insurance mysteriously appear on the credit card bill
Replies: 4
Views: 1067

Re: Travel insurance mysteriously appear on the credit card

Spirit Air is good for this tactic. One time they charged me travel insurance after unclicking the option and when I tried to call both the airline and the insurance company, I could not reach a live person to speak with. I called my credit card company and they interpreted it as an unauthorized purchase, changed my account number and revoked payment to both the insurance company and airline. Spirit never came back to me to ask for payment. Thus, I got to travel for free.
by ebabin
Wed Apr 02, 2014 6:34 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Windows XP to Linux Question with existing HW
Replies: 61
Views: 5996

Re: Windows XP to Linux Question with existing HW

If you are really intent on keeping this machine, and experimentation is really for you, consider upgrading your hard drive and memory. I run 8 computers at home, mostly old and un-useful in the windows world, but fully functional for my needs. There are a few XP & windows2000 running under a KVM VM (virtualized environment) because some of the apps that I have only run under these environments. They all run some version of Fedora linux. I have a file server that has not been rebooted in 6 months and is still chugging along.
by ebabin
Fri Feb 28, 2014 5:58 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Advice needed on problem neighbors
Replies: 30
Views: 4301

Advice needed on problem neighbors

I have some neighbors who live quite close but we are both off the main road, mostly unseen by anyone driving down the road. I am told the house is in foreclosure with the owner abandoning it to his two teenage adult children. They have had a history of problems with frequent police activity prior to the owner moving out and obvious drug dealing going on. Now there is a lot of activity with parties and people coming and going constantly. There is nothing disruptive yet, but when the weather gets warmer I fear it will become a problem. Calling the police is always an option but unless they can catch them in the act of something illegal or disruptive, nothing will be done and then you open yourself up to retribution. Anyone have any advice on...
by ebabin
Wed Jan 22, 2014 12:17 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: John Bogle on International Investing
Replies: 73
Views: 23817

Re:

I've got about 20% of my equities invested in International funds and am reluctant to go higher. Two of the 3 primary reasons have already been mentioned (currency risk and higher costs). However, the biggest reason is proven governmental stability in the U.S. In the last ~30 years, the U.S. governmental system has suffered presidential asassination, impeachment, and a very close election that was settled by a recount in Florida. We've fought unpopular wars that resulted in a change of ruling party. Despite all this, the basic rules of law haven't changed, the economy has continued to tick along, and all power changes followed the rules of law. The same cannot be said for the dominant emerging markets. The rumblings in North Korea are pret...
by ebabin
Mon Jan 20, 2014 10:31 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Real Estate Agent in Naples/Bonita Beach Florida
Replies: 6
Views: 800

Re: Real Estate Agent in Naples/Bonita Beach Florida

I tried using multiple agents and after you identify type of housing, location, and price range they will all show you the same units (BTW, I have a condo in this area). The last four properties I bought, were found on my own because none of the realtors were showing me what I was looking for. The procedure was all the same, first property was laughable, the next few got better, then the last was the best they had to offer. Prepare to spend some time in the area, explore the different neighborhoods, and don't be afraid to seek out opinions of the neighbors about what they like and don't like. Also, if you are buying into a property with a homeowners association, be sure to look at their books to make sure they are financially sound and what...