Search found 2979 matches

by ralph124cf
Sun Mar 10, 2024 8:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How Much Cash Do You Keep In Your Home?
Replies: 207
Views: 14914

Re: How Much Cash Do You Keep In Your Home?

It sounds like nobody here is serious about poker.
by ralph124cf
Sat Mar 09, 2024 5:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Flying to London - Delta or British Airways
Replies: 58
Views: 5433

Re: Flying to London - Delta or British Airways

Consider booking a mini-van for the trip to the airport. This can easily save you an hour, and a lot of hassle not having to schlep your bags on a shuttle bus from the economy lots to the check-in counter. I live about 45 minutes from ORD, and the cost is about $100 including tip.

Also, check with your phone carrier about service in London, and cost.
by ralph124cf
Sat Mar 09, 2024 5:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Flying to London - Delta or British Airways
Replies: 58
Views: 5433

Re: Flying to London - Delta or British Airways

Consider booking a mini-van for the trip to the airport. This can easily save you an hour, and a lot of hassle not having to schlep your bags on a shuttle bus from the economy lots to the check-in counter. I live about 45 minutes from ORD, and the cost is about $100 including tip.
by ralph124cf
Sat Mar 09, 2024 2:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How do you decide air travel priorities? Flight to CDG
Replies: 38
Views: 2602

Re: How do you decide air travel priorities? Flight to CDG

When dealing with airlines, terminology is extremely important.

Non-stop means non-stop.

Direct does not mean non-stop. It only means that the flight number does not change. The airplane may land, and continue. The airplane may land and you may have to change planes. It is even possible that you would have to change airports.

Is this deceptive on the part of the airlines? Certainly. But not illegal.
by ralph124cf
Sun Mar 03, 2024 10:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Want to leave timeshare.
Replies: 111
Views: 12035

Re: Want to leave timeshare.

Even when you get to see an audited financial statement about maintenance costs, this cannot catch intentional self dealing. In many cases the owners relative may own the pool company, the lawn care company, the elevator maintenance company, the plumbing company, etc.
by ralph124cf
Sun Mar 03, 2024 10:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How much term life coverage to get for 50 y.o., DINKs, good savings?
Replies: 27
Views: 2862

Re: How much term life coverage to get for 50 y.o., DINKs, good savings?

If a parent, yours or hers, were in a nice private pay nursing home, and was running out of money, would you feel obligated to help? This could be another scenario where term life could help.
by ralph124cf
Sun Mar 03, 2024 7:17 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: SPIA: Roth or tIRA
Replies: 9
Views: 1332

Re: SPIA: Roth or tIRA

One point to consider regarding your estate. Some people prefer to leave the Roth account to their heirs so the heirs don't pay tax on it. If you spend down the Roth and leave the Traditional IRA to your heirs they will pay taxes over 10 years. If you are leaving your estate to charity definitely go with the Roth. If your heirs are in a higher tax bracket than you they might like to inherit the Roth. It's sort of a decision on whether you are going to pay taxes on your tax deferred account while alive or whether you are going to have your heirs pay them after you are gone. Second: are you sure your wife needs the SPIA after your "expiration date"? It sounds like she has a solid income stream that would pay for a very nice retirem...
by ralph124cf
Sun Mar 03, 2024 1:48 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: SPIA: Roth or tIRA
Replies: 9
Views: 1332

SPIA: Roth or tIRA

I am trying to figure out the optimum place to put a SPIA for my wife. Based on family history and current health and history, this would be a single life policy with no refund. For context, we are both 75, I am fully retired, she is still working part time (because she still enjoys it) in her own single employee S corp. This should continue for at least two more years, but not more than five years. The net profit tends to be $100k-150k. This is paid out 60/40% W2/dividend. Our RMDs are $110k. We donate 1/3 of this as QCDs. Our taxable holdings generate $50k in dividends and interest. We also have four annuities, three of which are government guaranteed. The two SS checks are inflation protected, the PBGC one is not. The TIAA-CREF one is st...
by ralph124cf
Thu Feb 29, 2024 3:29 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What are some of the things that improved YOUR quality of life?
Replies: 254
Views: 41960

Re: What are some of the things that improved YOUR quality of life?

Buying a Kindle Paperwhite.

I used to haul six to ten books on a vacation flight or cruise, now just the kindle. Internal light, long battery life, fast recharge.
by ralph124cf
Sun Feb 25, 2024 8:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: tipping shuttle driver ?
Replies: 34
Views: 3965

Re: tipping shuttle driver ?

Wwwdotcom wrote: Sun Feb 25, 2024 1:49 pm I've been using this guide from an old post on bogleheads.

https://emilypost.com/advice/general-tipping-guide

$2 for the first bag carried, $1 per additional bag.
I'm not sure when this guide was written, but this may be on the low side depending on the city and the hotel.
by ralph124cf
Sun Feb 25, 2024 6:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Vehicle damaged and liable party has low coverage limits
Replies: 45
Views: 4028

Re: Vehicle damaged and liable party has low coverage limits

H-Town wrote: Sat Feb 24, 2024 4:07 pm
pshonore wrote: Sat Feb 24, 2024 1:33 pm 25K for a PD limit is ridiculous. That was ok when cars sold for 10K, but it should be at least 50K or 100K today. Of course that would make policies more expensive and more folks might go without and exacerbate the problem
Are you living in a fantasy land? Where in the world people drive cars value at least 50k or 100k?

A certain number of accidents involve multiple cars. Also an accident may involve a non-car high value vehicle, that is also quite fragile, such as a motor home.
by ralph124cf
Fri Feb 16, 2024 4:03 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Job title for PhD Economist Daughter
Replies: 36
Views: 3979

Re: Job title for PhD Economist Daughter

She is a Phd. The simple title of Doctor is always appropriate.
by ralph124cf
Thu Feb 15, 2024 3:49 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Dividends in Retirement
Replies: 8
Views: 1151

Re: Dividends in Retirement

One thing to consider. If you do decide on a dividend strategy, it is best to keep the high dividend payers in a taxable account. If you keep them in a tax deferred account, that will turn the tax favored dividend income into ordinary income taxed at a higher rate.
by ralph124cf
Wed Feb 14, 2024 12:40 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Did we miss anything?? Looking to retire next year!
Replies: 48
Views: 3529

Re: Did we miss anything?? Looking to retire next year!

Seriously consider a CCRC for age 75-80 onward. We moved in to ours two years ago and we love it. One thing you will always hear about this type of move, is "better five years too early than five minutes too late". I would love to hear more about this, Ralph - thank you. It makes sense and seems like a conservative move that wasn’t on my radar for down the road…but should be…thank you! Hi BHN. To define some terms: An Independent Lining community is a community where essentially everyone moving in is cognitively aware, capable of moving around, (walking, including with a cane or walker, or using an electric scooter or wheelchair), and doing all five activities of daily living. Generally at least one person in a couple must be ove...
by ralph124cf
Sun Feb 11, 2024 10:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Did we miss anything?? Looking to retire next year!
Replies: 48
Views: 3529

Re: Did we miss anything?? Looking to retire next year!

Seriously consider a CCRC for age 75-80 onward. We moved in to ours two years ago and we love it. One thing you will always hear about this type of move, is "better five years too early than five minutes too late". I would love to hear more about this, Ralph - thank you. It makes sense and seems like a conservative move that wasn’t on my radar for down the road…but should be…thank you! Hi BHN. To define some terms: An Independent Lining community is a community where essentially everyone moving in is cognitively aware, capable of moving around, (walking, including with a cane or walker, or using an electric scooter or wheelchair), and doing all five activities of daily living. Generally at least one person in a couple must be ove...
by ralph124cf
Sun Feb 11, 2024 3:47 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Margin loan vs. Bridge vs. Heloc
Replies: 5
Views: 490

Re: Margin loan vs. Bridge vs. Heloc

In taxable, tax loss harvest any stocks with a loss and offset by selling losses with capital gains stocks. Choose stocks with small percentage gains first.

How much is needed as down payment to get mortgage? Do they need or want to do a completely cash deal?
by ralph124cf
Sun Feb 11, 2024 2:37 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Are Owning EQUITY REITs an Alternative to Being a Landlord/Owning Real Estate
Replies: 26
Views: 2711

Re: Are Owning EQUITY REITs an Alternative to Being a Landlord/Owning Real Estate

Timberland REITs and Farmland REITs are far more concerned with the changes in the value of the land, than about the operating profit from sales of timber or crops. Thus I consider them to be more akin to direct ownership of property. Also, they throw off relatively little income subject to current taxes, compared to other REITs, so are more reasonable to own in a taxable account.
by ralph124cf
Sun Feb 11, 2024 2:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Did we miss anything?? Looking to retire next year!
Replies: 48
Views: 3529

Re: Did we miss anything?? Looking to retire next year!

Seriously consider a CCRC for age 75-80 onward. We moved in to ours two years ago and we love it.

One thing you will always hear about this type of move, is "better five years too early than five minutes too late".
by ralph124cf
Sun Feb 11, 2024 1:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Window Unit A/C Compressor won't shut off. AGAIN.
Replies: 15
Views: 1383

Re: Window Unit A/C Compressor won't shut off. AGAIN.

As a landlord, I would have considered 10 years on an AC to be normal wear and tear.
by ralph124cf
Sat Feb 03, 2024 6:23 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Three ways that shareholders make money from mutual funds
Replies: 34
Views: 1907

Re: Three ways that shareholders make money from mutual funds

A fourth way is to write call options (only for SOME funds).

A fifth way (for the rich and old), is to borrow money on margin, pay interest, die, and the children get a step up in basis.
by ralph124cf
Sat Jan 27, 2024 5:20 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: TIAA single life annuity payout of 9.45% - OMG!
Replies: 35
Views: 6955

Re: TIAA single life annuity payout of 9.45% - OMG!

Does anybody have a record of what annuity payouts TIAA has offered in the past? This seems unusually generous, and may be an anomaly that should be jumped on before it disappears.
by ralph124cf
Sat Jan 27, 2024 4:02 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Interacting with electrician for big-ish job
Replies: 20
Views: 2601

Re: Interacting with electrician for big-ish job

I have always done this type of thing on a time and materials basis. You NEED an electrician that you can TRUST for this type of arrangement to work. You want an electrician, not a handyman that handles basic electrical work. Ask your friends and neighbors for recommendations. A lot of the work that needs to be done cannot be determined until he starts to run conduit or wires, and possibly open up walls. The electrician will normally open the wall, but he is usually not an expert drywaller. He will probably ask if you would like to take care of the patching, either doing it yourself or hiring somebody else. He may have to spend two or three hours scoping out the job, and he deserves to be paid for this time. Tell him that you want to buy th...
by ralph124cf
Tue Jan 23, 2024 5:47 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Anyone Ever Retire With a 6-Month Notice?
Replies: 50
Views: 4593

Re: Anyone Ever Retire With a 6-Month Notice?

When I got hired, Federal law mandated that I could not work beyond my 60th birthday, so that was my retirement date. A few years prior to that date, Federal law changed that to age 65, so that became my new retirement date. Many of us do not have a choice of a retirement date, unless we want to retire early.
by ralph124cf
Tue Jan 23, 2024 5:32 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Does it still make sense to do Roth conversions?
Replies: 13
Views: 2106

Re: Does it still make sense to do Roth conversions?

If you do not have serious LTCI coverages, you should leave enough in tax deferred accounts to cover at least the first to die tax deferred accounts to cover the LTC expenses of that person final expenses. These final expenses will be tax deductible, and the tax conversion expenses would be wasted.
by ralph124cf
Sat Jan 20, 2024 3:59 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: At what invested net worth do contributions start to matter less?
Replies: 48
Views: 8281

Re: At what invested net worth do contributions start to matter less?

Nobody has mentioned taxes.

Even if my tax deferred savings do not move the needle on my portfolio, they still save me in current tax dollars. Whether they will save me in long term total taxes is a different analysis.
by ralph124cf
Thu Jan 18, 2024 5:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Any pension actuaries here?
Replies: 11
Views: 1350

Re: Any pension actuaries here?

From what you have said, I am assuming that the pension does not have any inflation adjustment. I deferred my PBGC pension from 65 to 70. During that time the pension increased at a rate of 10.01% per year, compounded. I believe that comparing the delayed retirement credits of this to SS is apples to oranges since SS has built-in inflation adjustments.
by ralph124cf
Sun Jan 07, 2024 10:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Best bank for international ATM withdrawals
Replies: 44
Views: 4159

Re: Best bank for international ATM withdrawals

HSBC Bank is my favorite for international use. They reimburse for ATM fees, and the currency conversion is for the "Million Dollar" rate, (the best rate available to the bank). This only works for their debit card, if you try to pull money from an ATM with the credit card, there is a fee.

You must be a "Premier" account holder to get this service. Only inconvenience is that you must either pay a $50/month for premier status, or keep $100k on deposit. Their money market account is paying close to 5%, so this is not really a problem.
by ralph124cf
Sun Jan 07, 2024 6:56 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What are people with LMP/TIPS ladders doing with the interest payments?
Replies: 31
Views: 4073

Re: What are people with LMP/TIPS ladders doing with the interest payments?

During the recent spike in real returns on TIPS, I bought a few $100K of tips, all with a 0.125% or 0.250% coupon rate. These were all at a significant discount from par. The interest on $100,000 at 0.125% is $125. I collect enough dividends and other interest that this gets lost in the noise.
by ralph124cf
Sun Jan 07, 2024 6:22 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Cash Balance plan vs Taxable Brokerage
Replies: 9
Views: 1559

Re: Cash Balance plan vs Taxable Brokerage

Does your current high tax state tax the money that goes into your retirement accounts? If not, you have some opportunity for tax arbitrage, if your plans for moving to a no tax state are reasonably firm. The contributions to the retirement plans would go in free of state tax, and also come out free of state tax.
by ralph124cf
Thu Jan 04, 2024 8:02 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: RMD Distribution Dates
Replies: 19
Views: 1916

Re: RMD Distribution Dates

We are often advised to but bonds in tax deferred, to slow down the growth that will affect RMDs and thus taxes and IRMAA. If you want more in tax deferred, wait until late in the year. If you want more in taxable and less in tax deferred, then take the RMD early and stuff it in a tax efficient fund.
by ralph124cf
Wed Jan 03, 2024 1:39 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Funding Parent's Retirement: Cashflow it or Use Bonds?
Replies: 24
Views: 2962

Re: Funding Parent's Retirement: Cashflow it or Use Bonds?

Many pure Medicaid facilities are just nasty, due to inability to hire staff at the wages they can afford to pay. Many private facilities will commit to not kicking people out if they have enough money to private pay for a year, and then have to go on Medicaid.
by ralph124cf
Wed Jan 03, 2024 1:23 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Reviewing my 90-y/o mom's portfolio - is this as bad as I think?
Replies: 15
Views: 3882

Re: Reviewing my 90-y/o mom's portfolio - is this as bad as I think?

Sorry for the extra post, I realize I didn't supply some budget specifics. My mom currently has $4K sent to her checking each month for day-to-day expenses (rent, groceries, utilities, bills, dining, etc). That and Social Security have been more than enough for day-to-day. The only other expenses would be taxes (unless I am missing something major). I am getting an introduction to her accountant (it has been difficult with the holidays etc) to get a look at her tax returns to see what taxes are being paid and what income she needs over-and-above the $48K+SS. She is planning to move to a facility of some kind which is how I got involved. With one option monthly expenses will go up maybe $1000 or $1500 but with a large buy-in ($300K+) and wi...
by ralph124cf
Thu Dec 28, 2023 1:53 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: LA/Vegas/Grand Canyon trip
Replies: 56
Views: 5731

Re: LA/Vegas/Grand Canyon trip

From Las Vegas, consider an airplane or helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon.
by ralph124cf
Sun Dec 24, 2023 10:42 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Question about Gifting Stock
Replies: 15
Views: 1508

Re: Question about Gifting Stock

I know that when you gift stock to qualified non-profits, you can get more out of your donation because the cost basis is reset. This is a weird statement because the cost basis doesn't change just because you gave the stock to charity. But it also really doesn't matter. Don't forget that the shares must have been held long-term and have unrealized long-term capital gains. If they have been held only short-term or have an unrealized capital loss, then I think that changes things. Livesoft, Yeah, I just meant that with some charities you can gift the full amount and, as I understand it, they get to reset the cost basis not having to pay on the gains, or so I thought. Good point about the short term. Assuming the Giver gave the stock that ha...
by ralph124cf
Thu Nov 30, 2023 4:27 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Small tool chest on wheels
Replies: 30
Views: 2852

Re: Small tool chest on wheels

I had a Sears rolling tool chest for 30 years before I had to sell it when I went into a CCRC. Check garage sales in your area.
by ralph124cf
Sun Nov 05, 2023 2:17 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Small to Medium sized cities for FIRE
Replies: 103
Views: 10090

Re: Small to Medium sized cities for FIRE

Champaign/Urbana Illinois. Flagship state university, one very high end (selective) university high school.
by ralph124cf
Sat Nov 04, 2023 2:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Good options for places to travel in August?
Replies: 7
Views: 1124

Re: Good options for places to travel in August?

Any of the northern US or Canada national parks. Northern Australia is cool enough in August. Might try Kakadu.
by ralph124cf
Sat Oct 28, 2023 10:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Gifting college money to family friend
Replies: 47
Views: 5252

Re: Gifting college money to family friend

Good for you! We are considering providing a similar kind of gift for a close family friend (godchild). I haven't found a better option than simply writing a check at the appropriate time. I'll be following this thread to see if I've overlooked any better option. For the $2,500 that the OP mentioned, I believe that this is the best solution. However, for higher dollar amounts, like giving the godchildren a full ride to an ivy league university, paying the university directly avoids gift tax paperwork. Also, the gift never shows up in the child's (or parents) finances, preserving any scholarship eligibility. Apropos of nothing whatsoever, I wish to observe that the only people who should ever be allowed to get a Doctorate in Medieval Art Hi...
by ralph124cf
Mon Oct 23, 2023 4:46 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Did inflation reduce your DCA amount every month?
Replies: 177
Views: 15105

Re: Did inflation reduce your DCA amount every month?

I would like to challenge one common categorization of expenses: I don't like mortgage payments being seen as housing expense. You bought the home as one transaction. In that year you had a big expense. You also borrowed a large chunk of money. As you pay back this loan it should be considered interest expense just like if you ran a balance on a credit card, and not a housing expense. If you pay taxes and insurance through your mortgage lender, then these should be separated out as housing expense.
by ralph124cf
Wed Oct 11, 2023 12:46 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: High Yield Term Bond Ladder Crazy or Genius ?
Replies: 52
Views: 5575

Re: High Yield Term Bond Ladder Crazy or Genius ?

According to Standard & Poor’s, junk bond default rates range from 18% for BB-rated securities to more than 50% for CCC/C-rated bonds. This represents data over a range from 1981 – 2018. More recently, the annual average default per rating for a range spanning 2014 – 2018 was: Rating BB – 0.14% Rating B – 1.78% Rating CCC/C – 26.22% I can't see putting much $ in this space, though I do have a little in ARTFX, which will have a shorter duration than any ladder you would build. Crazy would be my answer. :P 18% default .. sounds quite outrageaous, are you sure ? Because then interest rate would have to be above 20% to make any sense I have a hard time believing it An important note about corporate bond defaults is that the bond holders se...
by ralph124cf
Sun Oct 08, 2023 2:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Pulling the Early Retirement Trigger - 39M and Worrier by Nature
Replies: 76
Views: 12032

Re: Pulling the Early Retirement Trigger - 39M and Worrier by Nature

If you are staying home with a one and three year old, while your partner works, you can probably forget the hobbies until they are both in school.
by ralph124cf
Sun Oct 08, 2023 2:03 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Diving into My First Portfolio Review: Co-op Considerations, Asset Allocation, and Retirement Goals
Replies: 25
Views: 3617

Re: Diving into My First Portfolio Review: Co-op Considerations, Asset Allocation, and Retirement Goals

The biggest driver in the need for an ER is not unexpected expenses, but unwanted unemployment.

As an academic, you have relatively low risk of unwanted unemployment. Is your partner also an academic? In any case with two paychecks coming in, you have relatively little need for an emergency fund compared to a one paycheck, corporate job.

Ralph
by ralph124cf
Fri Oct 06, 2023 1:44 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: My Dream Annuity by Nathan Dutzmann
Replies: 93
Views: 9027

Re: My Dream Annuity by Nathan Dutzmann

It is actually quite simple to purchase an inflation indexed life annuity. Simply join the US military, and serve 20 years. Works fine, unless you get shot.
by ralph124cf
Thu Oct 05, 2023 10:50 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What asset approximates your concept of risk-free?
Replies: 30
Views: 3691

Re: What asset approximates your concept of risk-free?

One risk free real (inflation adjusted) annuity that many people have is a military pension.

While I consider this risk free in retirement, it was certainly not risk free while being earned.
by ralph124cf
Wed Sep 27, 2023 9:30 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Anyone else had Capital One cancel credit card with no notice?
Replies: 23
Views: 3631

Re: Anyone else had Capital One cancel credit card with no notice?

As to your actual question, yes.

My action? Nothing. If they don't want me, I don't want them.
by ralph124cf
Tue Sep 19, 2023 12:08 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Leaving Fidelity Wealth Management
Replies: 24
Views: 5306

Re: Leaving Fidelity Wealth Management

PottedPlant wrote: Mon Sep 18, 2023 11:09 pm
Jack FFR1846 wrote: Sat Sep 16, 2023 7:32 am The only actual work the manager is doing is:
Not quite true.
Our daughter and her husband are paying for Fido advice.
I asked her why. “So [husband name] doesn’t panic and do something stupid.”
[/

This is definitely one of the few rational reasons for paying for a Financial Advisor.
by ralph124cf
Mon Sep 18, 2023 12:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Older house with geothermal
Replies: 20
Views: 2512

Re: Older house with geothermal

I believe that it is incorrect to call ground source heat pumps "Geothermal", although I know that it is common. I believe that geothermal heating terminology should be reserved for naturally occurring hot springs, or hot water that can be reached by drilling a few hundred or a few thousand feet deep. This type of "Geothermal" does not need any type of heat pump, the hot water is simply pumped to wherever heat is needed. The entire city of Reykjavik in Iceland is heated this way. My understanding is that the lodge in Yellowstone National Park is also heated like this. Note: The hot water available a few hundred to a few thousand feet down is not suitable for direct use. It is usually a few hundred degrees, very acidic, a...
by ralph124cf
Mon Sep 18, 2023 11:44 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Water heater replacement . One or both?
Replies: 19
Views: 1629

Re: Water heater replacement . One or both?

bd7 wrote: Sun Sep 17, 2023 10:17 pm Well, what would be the cost of doing one vs two? I have two unrelated water heaters (for different areas of the house) and I replaced them both because I got a deal on a 'contractor 2-pack' at Lowes. b/t/w, what does 'in series' mean?
"In Series" means that the water first goes into one heater, passes thru that one, and then into the next one, then to the house. Typically, the first heater brings up the water to a lower temperature, like 85-95 degrees, and then the final heater brings the temperature up to the users desired hot water temperature.
by ralph124cf
Mon Sep 18, 2023 11:26 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tipping at car detail shop?
Replies: 8
Views: 1227

Re: Tipping at car detail shop?

If you can identify the guy who did the work, or most of the work (waxing), I would definitely give him a $20. Not for the general tip jar.
by ralph124cf
Mon Sep 11, 2023 12:12 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Variable annuities seem great. So why are they bad?
Replies: 32
Views: 4014

Re: Variable annuities seem great. So why are they bad?

While I was working, I had Group Term Variable Universal Life Insurance. While working, I only had the premium deducted from my paycheck. After I retired, I wanted to maintain insurance while I waited to 70 to take my 100% joint PBGC pension. If I died before starting the pension, DW would only get 50%, so the insurance would make up for this loss. This particular policy had a fixed income option that paid a guaranteed 4% return for the life of the policy. This was quite attractive in 2014, and remained so till I dropped the policy in 2019. I calculated how much the premiums would be. Luckily, my co-workers averaged very healthy, so premiums were reasonably affordable. I calculated how much I would have to deposit, including interest earnin...