"Catch 22" by Joseph Heller.
Hilarious in a morbid sort of way.
Search found 59 matches
- Sat Apr 07, 2012 8:05 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part V
- Replies: 3372
- Views: 1561385
- Thu Mar 15, 2012 8:23 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Reverse Pension?
- Replies: 2
- Views: 456
Reverse Pension?
I came across the term "reverse pension" today and had never heard of it. I briefly looked around the wiki and forums here and couldn't find anything. Can anyone explain it or point to some links where I can read about it? I'm not interested in actually doing a reverse pension, I just want to understand what it is.
- Thu Jan 05, 2012 1:40 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: REGISTRATION FOR 2012 BOGLEHEAD CONTEST
- Replies: 408
- Views: 30758
- Wed Jan 04, 2012 7:46 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Most Advisors Say they Can Beat the Market
- Replies: 43
- Views: 3594
Re: Most Advisors Say they Can Beat the Market
Welcome to Lake Wobegon.
- Mon Jan 02, 2012 6:48 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Are you left or right handed?
- Replies: 33
- Views: 2632
Re: Are you left or right handed?
I picked ambidextrous even though I don't think I meet the true definition of the word. I eat, write, and do most non-sports related activities (i.e. swing a hammer, cut a board, shovel, etc.) left handed. However nearly all sports type things I do right handed; e.g. throw, hit (baseball, hockey puck, golf ball), kick, etc. For some manual tasks I can do reasonably well with either hand, but for sports, I'm almost purely right handed. Strangely enough, I throw a frisbee left handed. Go figure.
- Wed Dec 28, 2011 9:05 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Value of time
- Replies: 35
- Views: 3039
Re: Value of time
As I suspected, there have been some interesting and entertaining answers. Obviously, there's no one right answer, but it's I like to hear other people's opinions and I'm never disappointed in the variety of viewpoints.
BTW, I loved the comment by Wizard about going out for a bike ride before it gets dark. Not sure if it was intentional, but the subtle satire in the comment was not lost on me. :lol
Thank you! I'm often amazed at the things my mother was able to accomplish through shear willpower and determination. It definitely had an impact on who I am today.Fallible wrote:BTW, I greatly admire your mother - single mom of 3 kids, full-time student, part-time job. Amazing!
BTW, I loved the comment by Wizard about going out for a bike ride before it gets dark. Not sure if it was intentional, but the subtle satire in the comment was not lost on me. :lol
- Tue Dec 27, 2011 11:10 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Value of time
- Replies: 35
- Views: 3039
Value of time
Lately I've been thinking about the value of time. I remember a boss of mine who would justify taking his clothes to the laundry by saying his time was more valuable than the time he would spend washing and ironing them himself. I always wondered exactly what he was doing with that time that was so valuable. I also remember when I was growing up my mother used to occasionally pay someone to do her ironing or clean the house even though she really couldn't afford it. Her time was very limited as she was a single mother of 3, was a full time student, and had a part time job. So, in some sense, I can see that the time she would have spent doing those chores was more valuable than what it cost to pay someone simply because her time was so limit...
- Wed Dec 21, 2011 11:47 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What song describes your life?
- Replies: 67
- Views: 5588
Re: What song describes your life?
"Walking on Sunshine" - Katrina and the Waves
- Thu Dec 08, 2011 3:15 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: The Term "SUV"
- Replies: 45
- Views: 4315
Re: The Term "SUV"
[*]biasion wrote: Why not a wagon?
Because wagons aren't cool. I always got a laugh out of people that would say something like "I would never drive a station wagon" yet they drove a SUV which is basically a station wagon with bigger tires.
- Mon Nov 28, 2011 7:39 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: .
- Replies: 113
- Views: 7773
Re: Redshirting school age children
I have found that in the town we live in here in Ohio, parents tend to start their kids a year later than what I would consider the norm everywhere else. It has been true for both my kids that they have classmates who are a full year older than them. My older son had a friend who was actually a week older than my son yet he was a year behind in school (and no, he was not held back a grade; he started a year later). I don't know why that seems to be the general rule here, but it is. Most kids here are 19 when they graduate high school. It's a lot different than when I was a kid. I started kindergarten when I was 4 (October birthday) and graduated at 17.
- Sun Nov 27, 2011 7:07 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: The Muppets (Movie)
- Replies: 4
- Views: 649
Re: The Muppets (Movie)
My two teenaged kids think I'm crazy because I want to see this movie, but the original Muppet Movie is one of my all time favorites. This one looks pretty good too.
- Sat Nov 26, 2011 7:51 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Let's whine about "unexpected" expenses
- Replies: 66
- Views: 6828
Re: Let's whine about "unexpected" expenses
Last night the back window in my wife's car exploded...for no apparent reason. I have no idea what it's going to cost, but it's always something.
- Wed Nov 23, 2011 2:41 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: New Roof?
- Replies: 25
- Views: 3753
Re: New Roof?
Thanks everyone for your replies. I appreciate your input.
I decided to call my insurance company to send out an adjuster. I'm waiting to schedule an appointment for the inspection.
I decided to call my insurance company to send out an adjuster. I'm waiting to schedule an appointment for the inspection.
- Tue Nov 22, 2011 11:17 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Favorite comic strips
- Replies: 50
- Views: 5269
Re: Favorite comic strips
I loved Bloom County.
- Sun Nov 20, 2011 2:29 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: New Roof?
- Replies: 25
- Views: 3753
New Roof?
Hi Folks, I'd like to ask your advice on something. I live in SW Ohio. Last spring, we had a pretty decent hail storm come through. I don't think my area got hit as hard as some, but it did get hit (I was out of town at the time). From what I've heard, the largest hail was smaller than a golf ball and that was by no means the entire storm. So now, lots of people in my neighborhood are getting their roofs replaced. I hear the same thing from all that I've talked to. To wit, "Have a roofer come out and inspect it. If there's any hail damage, you can make a claim against your homeowner's insurance and get a new roof for the cost of the deductible." Estimates I've heard on damage range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. M...
- Sun Nov 20, 2011 2:09 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Password manager?
- Replies: 109
- Views: 12511
Re: Password manager?
I have used a program called PW Safe for several years now. As far as I know it's still free.
- Sat Nov 19, 2011 9:32 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What was your very first job
- Replies: 103
- Views: 7850
Re: What was your very first job
My father passed away when I was 11 leaving my mother with 3 kids to raise and nothing in the way of financial stability. I have worked for my own money ever since. I started out working for our landlord around his properties - painting, yardwork, maintenance, etc. He paid me whatever he thought I earned that day; usually between $5 and $8. At 14 I had a paper route and made about $100/month. At 16 I worked at McDonald's starting at $2.85/hour. In college I worked as a janitor in a fitness center and a fabric store, as an admin clerk in a travel agency, and as a "gofer" at a computer store (back when they had small mom and pop computer stores). I then joined the Air Force and have done that ever since.
- Wed Nov 09, 2011 7:07 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What Book Are YOU Currently Reading? Part IV. (07/04/2010)
- Replies: 1507
- Views: 401933
Re: What Book Are YOU Currently Reading? Part IV. (07/04/201
What the Dog Saw by Malcolm Gladwell. So far, not quite as interesting as Blink or Outliers, but not bad either.
- Wed Oct 26, 2011 7:19 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Planning to Die in Debt
- Replies: 15
- Views: 2232
Re: Planning to Die in Debt
I view this as stealing. I don't believe one can, in good faith, borrow money to purchase something and have little to no intent to pay back what is owed. I know there are plenty of people who do this, but that doesn't make it right or ethical.
- Wed Oct 12, 2011 6:51 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: BSEE/MSEE or BSEE/MBA?
- Replies: 49
- Views: 8522
It depends on what he wants to do. I have a BSEE/MSEE which has allowed me to move into leadership roles on technical teams. If your son is more interested in leading from the business side of things, the MBA is probably more appropriate. Of course, if he has the time and money, getting both the MSEE and MBA would make him very versatile. My recommendation though is to get the MSEE first. I say this for a couple of reasons. First, early in his career he can do technical work and see if he wants to continue doing that. I don't know an engineer that went through the pain of engineering school who didn't want to end up doing technical work - at least early in their career. Second, getting the more technically demanding MSEE sooner allows him t...
- Fri Sep 23, 2011 2:22 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: How many friends do you have?
- Replies: 52
- Views: 8695
- Mon Sep 05, 2011 11:13 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What is your favorite movie musical theme?
- Replies: 96
- Views: 14217
- Wed Aug 31, 2011 3:20 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: USAA Car Buying Service
- Replies: 4
- Views: 1129
USAA Car Buying Service
Have any of you ever used USAA's car buying service? How do you feel about it? Do you feel like you got a good deal?
The price quotes I've seen on USAA seem pretty reasonable, but I'm just wondering what others' experiences were.
The price quotes I've seen on USAA seem pretty reasonable, but I'm just wondering what others' experiences were.
- Tue Aug 30, 2011 2:20 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Where to put home security motion sensors?
- Replies: 11
- Views: 4386
Funny story about motion sensors in my old house.
One of the motion sensors "looked" down the main hallway of the house. It just so happened that the AC return vent was in the ceiling at the front of the hallway.
We went out one evening and got a call from the sheriff's deputy who had responded to a call at our house. When we got home, the alarm was sounding and we couldn't figure out what had set it off. It turned out that a helium balloon my son had brought home earlier that day had been sucked toward the AC return vent and went in front of the sensor setting off the alarm.
One of the motion sensors "looked" down the main hallway of the house. It just so happened that the AC return vent was in the ceiling at the front of the hallway.
We went out one evening and got a call from the sheriff's deputy who had responded to a call at our house. When we got home, the alarm was sounding and we couldn't figure out what had set it off. It turned out that a helium balloon my son had brought home earlier that day had been sucked toward the AC return vent and went in front of the sensor setting off the alarm.
- Sat Aug 27, 2011 11:39 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Paying bills with a credit card.
- Replies: 45
- Views: 8569
I have a Visa that gives me hotel points. I use it like a checking account and pay for everything I can with it. I'd put my mortgage payment on it if they'd let me.
It has an annual fee, but I feel like it's more than offset by the 6 or 7 free hotel nights I get every year (we stay in a lot of hotels).
It has an annual fee, but I feel like it's more than offset by the 6 or 7 free hotel nights I get every year (we stay in a lot of hotels).
- Tue Aug 23, 2011 8:03 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: MLK Jr. Memorial +++ Beautiful
- Replies: 13
- Views: 2010
- Wed Aug 10, 2011 4:04 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Cleaning concrete fllor in garage - help?
- Replies: 14
- Views: 2310
When my father-in-law moved into his house there were a lot of oil stains on the garage floor. A friend of his told him to pour a little dry cement on the stains and let it sit a day or two then rub it around with a piece of wood or whatever then sweep it up. It actually lightened the stains up considerably.
I don't know if that would work in your case, but it might be worth a try.
I don't know if that would work in your case, but it might be worth a try.
- Tue Aug 09, 2011 4:04 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Favorite malapropisms
- Replies: 64
- Views: 9332
- Sun Aug 07, 2011 6:34 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Ceiling electric heat?
- Replies: 15
- Views: 12997
My in-laws live in a one story house built in 1961 with ceiling heat. They don't have any complaints about it and it keeps their house pretty warm (they live in Ohio, so it gets fairly cold). I don't think their electric bill changes much in the winter; mostly because when the heat isn't being used the AC is, so it seems to be a wash.
A great thing about it is each room of the house has it's own thermostat so they can shut off the heat in the unused rooms and only heat the areas where it's needed. One minor issue is that it doesn't provide "instant" heat like a furnace does. You have to have it on for a couple of hours before it starts to really heat up the room.
A great thing about it is each room of the house has it's own thermostat so they can shut off the heat in the unused rooms and only heat the areas where it's needed. One minor issue is that it doesn't provide "instant" heat like a furnace does. You have to have it on for a couple of hours before it starts to really heat up the room.
- Sun Aug 07, 2011 6:28 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Did you marry your college sweetie? I did.
- Replies: 64
- Views: 8007
- Mon Aug 01, 2011 5:35 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Overcontribution to TSP
- Replies: 6
- Views: 1614
- Wed Jun 15, 2011 6:59 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Are you flying Old Glory?
- Replies: 19
- Views: 2235
- Fri Jun 10, 2011 10:02 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: What personal finance software do you use?
- Replies: 76
- Views: 11497
- Wed Jun 08, 2011 8:15 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Things to see in PA, OH, NY, WV in a few hours... Question.
- Replies: 44
- Views: 4310
- Tue May 31, 2011 8:42 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Your first year investing ?
- Replies: 36
- Views: 3941
- Sun May 29, 2011 7:48 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Annual termite inspections - do you get one?
- Replies: 17
- Views: 5081
I have a rental home that was built in 1961. The house is brick with no basement. When I bought it in 2007, the previous owner told me about a termite problem. Apparently 2-3 years earlier he had stacked firewood against the wall outside the garage (not a real bright fellow) and termites had gotten into the firewood and then the garage and done minimal damage. He had it treated and purchased a plan for annual treatments and quarterly inspections. It costs $275 a year and every year when I renew, I wonder if I really need it. There hasn't been any indication of termite activity since the initial treatment by the previous owner. The pest control companies definitely try to scare you into getting the service, but I'm thinking if it hasn't had ...
- Tue May 24, 2011 9:02 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: New mattress...
- Replies: 35
- Views: 6392
Believe it or not, my wife ordered a Serta mattress from Shop NBC because it was a really good price. We never even tried it out, but it is by far the most comfortable mattress we've ever owned. We had 60 days to send it back if we didn't like it. They also delivered it, set it up, and took the old one away.
- Sun May 22, 2011 2:24 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Getting charged extra for bread on a sandwich
- Replies: 40
- Views: 4391
- Fri May 20, 2011 6:26 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: When Do You Go To Bed?
- Replies: 48
- Views: 5031
- Mon May 16, 2011 1:14 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: What personal finance software do you use?
- Replies: 76
- Views: 11497
Thanks for all the replies. As an engineer, I'm kind of nitpicky about the numbers and I like keeping track of it all. I do use Excel quite a bit to forecast investments and things, but I like being able to balance my accounts in Money.
I'm also a creature of habit and would prefer not to switch to something else. This whole conversation has me thinking about ways to simplify, though. Unfortunately, over the years I think I've made things a little too complicated; it all makes sense to me, but my wife would be seriously overwhelmed if she had to manage the finances all of the sudden.
I'm also a creature of habit and would prefer not to switch to something else. This whole conversation has me thinking about ways to simplify, though. Unfortunately, over the years I think I've made things a little too complicated; it all makes sense to me, but my wife would be seriously overwhelmed if she had to manage the finances all of the sudden.
- Sun May 15, 2011 6:37 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: What personal finance software do you use?
- Replies: 76
- Views: 11497
What personal finance software do you use?
I'm currently using Microsoft Money 2005. I've used MS Money for years and I like it for the most part, but I've found that it has become quite cumbersome to do certain transactions and I'm having a heck of a time getting a new investment set up in it. I've been thinking about changing to Moneydance since Microsoft doesn't publish Money anymore. What do you use? Anyone have any exprience with Moneydance? What would you recommend?
- Sat May 14, 2011 1:23 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Your best non-financial investment?
- Replies: 52
- Views: 8136
My education has probably been the single, highest yielding investment I ever made and, since I was on scholarship, it really didn't cost me anything other than 18 hour days for a few years. I worked for 9 years before I went to college and within 4 years of graduating, my salary had doubled compared to what I was making before. That enabled me to save more which in turn has put me on the road to a comfortable retirement.
- Fri May 13, 2011 6:51 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How much did you/Do you pay for financial advice?
- Replies: 29
- Views: 4459
- Thu May 12, 2011 11:37 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Can Slim Private Clients
- Replies: 14
- Views: 2368
- Thu May 12, 2011 8:32 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Anyone Brew their Own Beer?
- Replies: 15
- Views: 1982
- Wed May 11, 2011 11:27 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How to deal with bank wanting to "help" me with my
- Replies: 42
- Views: 7650
- Wed May 11, 2011 1:12 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: NHL playoffs: time for a new favorite team?
- Replies: 33
- Views: 3171
- Wed May 11, 2011 1:09 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: pet grammarian peeves
- Replies: 323
- Views: 22150
- Sat May 07, 2011 5:05 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Funniest movies of all time? Name five of your favorites...
- Replies: 338
- Views: 50088
- Fri May 06, 2011 7:10 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: NHL playoffs: time for a new favorite team?
- Replies: 33
- Views: 3171
My favorite team didn't even make the playoffs (Blue Jackets). The Caps are my alternate, and that didn't work out so well either. So now I'm pulling for the Red Wings although they look like they're on their way out too. So if all else fails, I'll root for the Sharks since they're playing the Preds, and I hate the Preds.
Edit: I just realized I said Sharks were playing the Preds. I meant the Canucks.
Edit: I just realized I said Sharks were playing the Preds. I meant the Canucks.