Search found 59 matches

by jives
Sat Apr 07, 2012 8:05 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part V
Replies: 3372
Views: 1561385

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part V

"Catch 22" by Joseph Heller.

Hilarious in a morbid sort of way.
by jives
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.
by jives
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.
by jives
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.
by jives
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.
Fallible wrote:BTW, I greatly admire your mother - single mom of 3 kids, full-time student, part-time job. Amazing! :thumbsup
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.

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
by jives
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...
by jives
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
by jives
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.
by jives
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.
by jives
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.
by jives
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.
by jives
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.
by jives
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.
by jives
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...
by jives
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.
by jives
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.
by jives
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.
by jives
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.
by jives
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...
by jives
Fri Sep 23, 2011 2:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How many friends do you have?
Replies: 52
Views: 8695

According to my wife, none.
by jives
Mon Sep 05, 2011 11:13 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What is your favorite movie musical theme?
Replies: 96
Views: 14217

I've always loved the music from "To Live and Die in LA".

Grease is another great one.
by jives
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.
by jives
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.
by jives
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).
by jives
Tue Aug 23, 2011 8:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: MLK Jr. Memorial +++ Beautiful
Replies: 13
Views: 2010

The sculptor was Chinese and the work was done in China? Seriously, they couldn't find any American sculptors to create this monument for a true American hero? That's just ludicrous.
by jives
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.
by jives
Tue Aug 09, 2011 4:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Favorite malapropisms
Replies: 64
Views: 9332

My 13 year old son actually said one today that I found kinda funny.

We were driving down the highway and there was a black '80s model cadillac up on the right.

When we passed it he said "Oh, I thought that car was a hearst."
by jives
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.
by jives
Sun Aug 07, 2011 6:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Did you marry your college sweetie? I did.
Replies: 64
Views: 8007

Not only was she my college sweetheart, she was my high school sweetheart too. Been together going on 27 years and life just keeps getting better.
by jives
Mon Aug 01, 2011 5:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Overcontribution to TSP
Replies: 6
Views: 1614

I think normally a change made in MyPay has to be done by the 5th of the month to take effect for the 15th payday and the by the 20th of the month to take effect for the 1st payday.
by jives
Wed Jun 15, 2011 6:59 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Are you flying Old Glory?
Replies: 19
Views: 2235

Mine flies every day along with a POW/MIA flag.
by jives
Fri Jun 10, 2011 10:02 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What personal finance software do you use?
Replies: 76
Views: 11497

I'm actually now considering switching to an online service. A friend told me about Bundle. I haven't had time to really explore it, but it seems pretty usefull. Anyone have any experience with Bundle? I assume Mint is basically the same thing?
by jives
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

The Covered Bridge Scenic Byway in eastern Ohio.
by jives
Tue May 31, 2011 8:42 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Your first year investing ?
Replies: 36
Views: 3941

I started out contributing 2% of my salary to TSP in 2003.
by jives
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 ...
by jives
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.
by jives
Sun May 22, 2011 2:24 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Getting charged extra for bread on a sandwich
Replies: 40
Views: 4391

Shoulda got a po'boy instead. :D
by jives
Fri May 20, 2011 6:26 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: When Do You Go To Bed?
Replies: 48
Views: 5031

Usually in bed by 9:30. Lights out by 10. Up at 5:29; alarm goes off at 5:30.
by jives
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.
by jives
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?
by jives
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.
by jives
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

Other than buying a couple of books, I've never paid for financial advice.
by jives
Thu May 12, 2011 11:37 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Can Slim Private Clients
Replies: 14
Views: 2368

Chuck wrote:If they're so good at beating the market, why do they need your money? They should use their market timing system and get rich.
Very good point Chuck.
by jives
Thu May 12, 2011 8:32 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone Brew their Own Beer?
Replies: 15
Views: 1982

I used a Mr. Beer kit a couple of times a few years ago. Pretty simple. Just have to be careful to make sure all the utensils, containers, bottles, etc. are very clean (i.e. free of wild yeast).
by jives
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

I haven't been inside an actual bank in several years. I do all my banking with USAA through either the internet or regular mail. Works for me.
by jives
Wed May 11, 2011 1:12 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: NHL playoffs: time for a new favorite team?
Replies: 33
Views: 3171

tat2ng wrote:
jives wrote:So now I'm pulling for the Red Wings although they look like they're on their way out too.
The Red Wings are not on their way out, yet! Red Wings win 3 straight to tie the series at 3 to 3, with a big game 7 in San Jose on Thursday.
Go Wings!
by jives
Wed May 11, 2011 1:09 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: pet grammarian peeves
Replies: 323
Views: 22150

to vs. too

It also drives me nuts when people use apostrophes incorrectly; i.e. using an apostrophe with the plural form of a word as opposed to the possesive form.

Something else I've heard people say a lot and have actually seen it written is "mines" for "mine" as in "That car is mines."
by jives
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

In terms of "funniest" movies...
The Hangover
There's Something About Mary
Christmas Vacation
Caddyshack
Step Brothers
by jives
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.