Search found 320 matches

by PowDay
Fri Apr 06, 2018 8:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: VW Atlas
Replies: 49
Views: 8424

Re: VW Atlas

As a VW Atlas owner, I will be curious as to how the new warranty impacts resale value. Consider the following scenario 5 Years from now when the two cars are for sale used at Carmax, assume similar condition and mileage - Honda Pilot - 5 Years Old - 60k Miles - No Warranty - VW Atlas - 5 Years Old - 60k Miles - 12k miles & 1 Year of Bumper to Bumper Warranty from the factory I doubt the VW will have better resale than the pilot, but I believe a factory original warranty will help close the gap, yes there are extended warranties and aftermarket warranties available, but they tend to have complicated claims processes, deductibles, and don't always over the small things. This is also VW's first entry into the mainstream 3 row crossover s...
by PowDay
Fri Apr 06, 2018 8:22 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: VW Atlas
Replies: 49
Views: 8424

Re: VW Atlas

As a VW Atlas owner, I will be curious as to how the new warranty impacts resale value. Consider the following scenario 5 Years from now when the two cars are for sale used at Carmax, assume similar condition and mileage - Honda Pilot - 5 Years Old - 60k Miles - No Warranty - VW Atlas - 5 Years Old - 60k Miles - 12k miles & 1 Year of Bumper to Bumper Warranty from the factory I doubt the VW will have better resale than the pilot, but I believe a factory original warranty will help close the gap, yes there are extended warranties and aftermarket warranties available, but they tend to have complicated claims processes, deductibles, and don't always over the small things. This is also VW's first entry into the mainstream 3 row crossover se...
by PowDay
Thu Apr 05, 2018 8:19 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: VW Atlas
Replies: 49
Views: 8424

Re: VW Atlas

psteveo wrote: Wed Apr 04, 2018 3:39 pm This is a helpful summary. No issues so far?
I brought it in last week for some non-urgent recall work, buying a first year model, early in that first year, I new that it would have to go back at some point. It was super easy, quick key trade for a loaner, and back the next day to pick it up.
by PowDay
Wed Apr 04, 2018 3:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: VW Atlas
Replies: 49
Views: 8424

Re: VW Atlas

I purchased an Atlas SEL 4Motion back in Aug, and just hit 5k miles, so far I've been very happy, things that went into the decision - Extremely car seat friendly, I have two rear facing car seats, and the Atlas fit them better than any of the other SUVs - The third row was by far the biggest - Overall cargo space was the largest - The seat movement was easy, middle row slides 9 in, and both sides of the bench can be folded with a car seat installed - Adaptive Cruise control had full start stop capabilities - Pano Sunroof - Boring reliable engine and transmission, these are older proven units - Excellent bumper to bumper warranty, I can easily stay under the mileage limit, 6 years is double the competition - Android Auto & Carplay, real...
by PowDay
Wed Feb 14, 2018 11:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Digital alarm clock suggestions?
Replies: 38
Views: 5215

Re: Digital alarm clock suggestions?

I hope you enjoy it, it's definitely built to hotel standards, the power cord is super think, and the whole clock is heavy in way you don't see anymore with consumer electronics.
by PowDay
Wed Feb 14, 2018 9:29 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Digital alarm clock suggestions?
Replies: 38
Views: 5215

Re: Digital alarm clock suggestions?

This alarm clock is dead simple, pricy but worth every penny.

The dial is super easy to use for setting the time, the dial is also the button for turning off the alarm with once easy swat.

You can also dim the display down to nothing if you need to sleep in the dark.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0178ECW6A/
by PowDay
Mon Dec 11, 2017 8:28 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do girls wear Ninja Turtle character shoes
Replies: 54
Views: 4566

Re: Do girls wear Ninja Turtle character shoes

+3

"My son is interested" Is the only thing that matters.
juliewongferra wrote: Mon Dec 11, 2017 8:12 am
Angelus359 wrote: Mon Dec 11, 2017 8:05 am The original post makes me sad.

Interest and gender are not intrinsically linked, only loosely correlated.

Ninja turtles are popular regardless of gender
+1,000,000!

And it's only loosly correlated because of society's prevailing attitudes about what boys "should" be interested in and what girls "should" be interested in! Take away these preformed ideas and you would see greater distribution of interests for boys and girls!

cheers,
jwf
by PowDay
Thu Nov 09, 2017 11:56 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Home backup generator experiences
Replies: 73
Views: 14054

Re: Home backup generator experiences

After seeing the gas lines after sandy, I liked having the propane option.

Propane tanks don't need power to be refilled, vs gas that required electric pumps. I also have plenty of blue rino exchange locations nearby, so I could buy new tanks with cash, no need for electricity. And as a last resort, scavenging tanks from neighbors BBQs can be an option.

A 20lb propane tank is 4.7gal, I would estimate one tank per day of use.
by PowDay
Thu Nov 09, 2017 11:41 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Home backup generator experiences
Replies: 73
Views: 14054

Re: Home backup generator experiences

In simple terms, noise, efficiency, and clean power. An inverter generator is much much quieter, and can rev up and down based on electrical demand. The inverter also provided clean safe power for sensitive electronics.

An open frame generator is just an engine directly connected to the generator , it runs full out all the time, the electricy is raw and can be potentially damaging. They are also extremely loud

Inverter generators tend to cost roughly double an open frame.

DrakeSRT wrote: Thu Nov 09, 2017 11:35 am Can somebody explain the invertor generator vs non invertor.

I know in an rv an invertor converts 12v to 110v. I thought all generators put out 110v.

I really want a dual fuel able to use natural gas. Can all propane generators be converted?
by PowDay
Thu Nov 09, 2017 11:22 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Home backup generator experiences
Replies: 73
Views: 14054

Re: Home backup generator experiences

I just purchased a portable generator set-up in the northeast, and went with the following. $700 Refurbished Propane/Gas Inverter generator. I specifically chose this model as it was the only inverter generator I could find that would run on propane. Keeping gasoline in storage and having to swap it out is a major hassle, while propane can be stored safely and will last indefinitly. https://www.championpowerequipment.com/product/100204-3100-watt-dual-fuel-inverter/ $200 4 New Filled propane tanks from uhaul, this is in addition to the tanks I have for my BBQ $1,000 Electrician installed 6 breaker manual transfer panel, along with a 50ft run from the panel to the backyard for the generator impute. (I'm sure I could have gotten the labor chea...
by PowDay
Tue Nov 07, 2017 3:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: DIY vs work extra and pay a pro
Replies: 37
Views: 4329

Re: DIY vs work extra and pay a pro

Rarely do I regret hiring things out once the job is done. I always do the following calculation afterwards.

Take the total hours a professional took to complete the job, then I double it to account for my amateur skills and extra trips to the hardware store.

Round up to the nearest multiple of 8, and then divide by 8. This is how many weekend days I saved by outsourcing. Then take the labor cost and determine how much I paid per day to get my weekend back.

Using this very scientific calculation, I frequently buy entire weekends for $100-200, or save my self from committing to a 6 weekend project.
by PowDay
Fri Oct 27, 2017 1:41 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Annual enrollment time, trying to decide on Dependent Care FSA
Replies: 9
Views: 774

Re: Annual enrollment time, trying to decide on Dependent Care FSA

How much is childcare in your area? With infants at almost $2k a month near me, you could use most of it in Jan/Feb, and if you move its pretty easy to use the remaining for evening babysitters.
by PowDay
Thu Oct 26, 2017 8:03 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Upgrade my Roku?
Replies: 34
Views: 5482

Re: Upgrade my Roku?

I can stream Netflix 4k through Wi-fi without a problem, good chance your power line adapters are slowing things down.

Roku's are cheap enough they are worth upgrading every 4-5 years. I have a 6 year old Roku in my basement that works, but its dramatically slower than my new Roku TV. Some channels/apps won't upgrade to the current version on the old Roku's (Netflix in particular).
by PowDay
Wed Sep 20, 2017 11:14 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Car recommendation
Replies: 18
Views: 2419

Re: Car recommendation

Check out the new VW Tiguan, it has all the tech you are looking for and then some, won't be as much of a step down from the BMW as a Subaru, and has a 6 year bumper to bumper warranty.

http://www.vw.com/models/tiguan/trims/2 ... tion/edit/

After coming from a new X1, anything HRV/Crosstrek is going to feel like a massive downgrade.
by PowDay
Mon Aug 14, 2017 3:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How useful is a home security system?
Replies: 82
Views: 11769

Re: How useful is a home security system?

I have a home security system with motion sensors and a front door camera.

A Mylar birthday balloon set off the motion sensor one day, and I had police officers at my door in 4 min flat. Everything is time stamped in the system so I could see the exact response time.

It made me feel better about the $30 a month I pay for monitoring knowing how well the system works.
by PowDay
Thu Aug 10, 2017 8:10 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Long term car rental vs buying a used car vs leasing
Replies: 22
Views: 5755

Re: Long term car rental vs buying a used car vs leasing

Sales Tax
Property Taxes
Registration Fees
Auto Insurance
Maintenance
Dealership Transaction costs

$1,000 a month for rental isn't the cheapest way to solve the problem, but the premium for the flexibility probably isn't that crazy once you add in all the other costs.
by PowDay
Tue Jul 25, 2017 3:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Rhoombas, Home Mapping and Privacy
Replies: 15
Views: 1791

Re: Rhoombas, Home Mapping and Privacy

My towns tax assessment website, has a floor plan of my house posted online for anyone to see.

So far no one has broken in and rearranged the furniture on me.
by PowDay
Fri Jul 07, 2017 10:33 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buy a vehicle cash or finance?
Replies: 58
Views: 6764

Re: Buy a vehicle cash or finance?

bloom2708 wrote:
alfaspider wrote: As far as the 1978 F-150- you made it home, but I'm guessing the little one would have fared poorly had you crashed. Modern car seats give them a fighting chance.
Define "fine" as a previous poster said, if you are tall with a rear facing car seat, you won't be fine. $27k for not fine isn't fine.

It was a up to par rear facing car seat with base unit. I just happened to be driving that pickup in 1999.
Rear facing is also no longer a temporary thing, most states are changing their laws to be mandatory rear facing until 2, and it's recommended that kids stay rear facing until 3-4 depending on their weight.

If you plan to have two kids, you could be looking at 8 years of rear facing car seats.
by PowDay
Fri Jul 07, 2017 10:10 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buy a vehicle cash or finance?
Replies: 58
Views: 6764

Re: Buy a vehicle cash or finance?

We've decided to get a brand new 2017 Subaru Forester.
How tall are you and your wife? I have a 2015 Forester and once the rear facing car seats are installed, I can no longer sit comfortably in the passenger seat, and can't safely drive the car from the drivers.

We now have a second on the way, and have to sell the Forester since it can't do two rear facing car seats.

For slightly more you can get an outback that has significantly more space.
by PowDay
Wed Jul 05, 2017 8:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: UberX or UberXL??
Replies: 15
Views: 2350

Re: UberX or UberXL??

Definitely go UBERxl, you can get some really tiny cars with regular Uber, a Ford Fiesta meets their requirements.
by PowDay
Tue Jun 27, 2017 9:45 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best cars for multiple kids
Replies: 51
Views: 6165

Re: Best cars for multiple kids

Your going to get lots of general advice from bogleheads on cars, but three kids rear facing with the potential in the future for 3 kids rear facing and a 4th front facing, you have a very specialized problem to solve. I would recommendhttps://www.car-seat.org and http://thecarseatlady.com/2015familyvehiclebuyingguide/.

Seat belt overlap, seat bite, Latch, rear tether, ect it gets complicated fast, then you have to add in narrow car seats, and car seats that puzzle correctly.
by PowDay
Fri Jun 09, 2017 7:49 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Babson College
Replies: 30
Views: 4918

Re: Babson College

One of the top rated business schools in the north east, excellent brand recondition, with strong ties to the business community. If he is interested in Babson, he should also look at Bentley and Bryant, they tend to get grouped together frequently.
by PowDay
Thu Jun 08, 2017 8:29 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Trailer Towing Tidbits? [and epilogue]
Replies: 52
Views: 6289

Re: Trailer Towing Tidbits?

Have a good lock for the trailer door. Still trying to work out how to lock the trailer to the ball / hitch. The two U-Haul dealers I spoke with yesterday said they know of no way to do that with U-Haul's default ball connection method. Trailer coupler locks don't work on U-Hauls, I was told. Parking at motels is going to be the buggaboo at this point. I'm not interested in unhooking the trailer at any intermediate location, so the motel will just have to deal. Plus, I doubt I'll be able to lift the tongue once the trailer is loaded. I'll try to park such that it'd be tough to get the trailer unhooked. And hopefully the trailer tongue will weigh about 200+ pounds when I'm done loading. Also, the auto will be full of stuff as well. A padloc...
by PowDay
Thu Jun 08, 2017 8:14 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: .
Replies: 19
Views: 9071

Re: Buying a House with an Old but Working Roof

Every single system in the house is someplace in it's depreciation curve, and it will all be baked into the market price (not the listing price, but the price of the winning offer)

Unless you live in a LCOL area, where a $10k roof makes up a significant portion of the value of the house, this isn't worth overthinking.
by PowDay
Tue Jun 06, 2017 3:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Trailer Towing Tidbits? [and epilogue]
Replies: 52
Views: 6289

Re: Trailer Towing Tidbits?

Your not even going to notice it back there, I've pulled the same trailer with a Subaru Forester.

It adds 300lbs of weight, but I would consider moving up to a 5x10 trailer as they have duel axles. They will tow much better, and if you have a tire blowout, it won't be as catastrophic.
by PowDay
Wed May 17, 2017 11:41 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Which Small SUV for 15 Year Reliability?
Replies: 96
Views: 24492

Re: Which Small SUV for 15 Year Reliability?

2018 Subaru Outback (open to either engine) 2018 Honda CR-V (turbo) 2017 Subaru Forester (non-turbo) 2017 Toyota RAV4 These are all great reliable choices, if you had some BMWs, Land Rovers, or Audis, mixed in we could give you better advice, but you have already chosen four of the most reasonable practical small SUVs. My recommendation is to buy the car you want to spend the next 15 years with, for me it would be the outback, but for you it could be something else. If you love your car it will be easy to put money into it at the 10 year mark in order to get you to the 15 year mark. If you don't like your car, you'll probably ditch it at the 10 year mark and get something new. Some will argue cars are nothing but appliances to be evaluated...
by PowDay
Mon May 15, 2017 3:57 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Scolded by my adviser at F******* ! [Fidelity]
Replies: 23
Views: 5096

Re: Scolded by my adviser at F******* !

This is the Net Promoter Score System it was created by Bain, and now extremely common in all customer surveys. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Net_Promoter "Those who respond with a score of 9 to 10 are called Promoters, and are considered likely to exhibit value-creating behaviors, such as buying more, remaining customers for longer, and making more positive referrals to other potential customers. Those who respond with a score of 0 to 6 are labeled Detractors, and they are believed to be less likely to exhibit the value-creating behaviors. Responses of 7 and 8 are labeled Passives, and their behavior falls in the middle of Promoters and Detractors.[4]:51 The Net Promoter Score is calculated by subtracting the percentage of customers w...
by PowDay
Fri May 12, 2017 7:07 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Car Rental in Mexico
Replies: 37
Views: 3802

Re: Car Rental in Mexico

I rented the cheapest car class In Cancun 5-6 years ago, and drove down to Tulum. I recommend making multiple reservations, we started with Avis, their computers were down, things didn't look good, so we went over to Budget and used our backup reservation. The car had no radio, and no airbags. It was a long silent drive :) I recommend bumping up a few car classes. I read expensively about all the possible scams, including the gas station bill swap scam, even being 100% prepared for it, I still fell for it on the last day of the trip as we headed to the airport early in the morning. :oops: It's amazing how good they are. Also, the speed bumps sneak up on you, hitting one at speed in an economy car is quite the experience. Otherwise driving i...
by PowDay
Fri May 05, 2017 7:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Curb Impact Car Doesn't Go
Replies: 13
Views: 7923

Re: Curb Impact Car Doesn't Go

Corollas are not built to handle jumping curbs at speed and definitely not sideways, plus most kids are going to soften the story when telling their parents.

It's impossible to know via the internet, but considering a 10 year old Corolla is worth $3-5k, there a decent chance that it may need more work than it's worth. You could easily be looking at suspension/transmission/engine mounts being torn out of the unibody.
by PowDay
Mon May 01, 2017 12:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Kamado grill
Replies: 40
Views: 7022

Re: Kamado grill

lazydavid wrote:
FoolStreet wrote:Does yours have the sliding removable ash tray? Makes cleaning my Kamado a breeze. Single best feature.
Agree with you on this one. Between the removable ash tray and my Kick Ash Basket, it takes me ~30 seconds to fully clean out all of the ash before each cook. Twice a year I take the firebowl out and clean the whole enclosure thoroughly, which takes 5-7 minutes.
Mine doesn't the only option other than taking it apart is to use this thing,

Image
by PowDay
Mon May 01, 2017 8:07 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Kamado grill
Replies: 40
Views: 7022

Re: Kamado grill

I am fearing this. i suspect it will sit and collect dust. i enjoy grilling (only on weekends). weekdays I am away from home (6a to 7p) and i doubt i will have time. I only like grilling chicken, fish (salmon) and some cuts of lamb. 100% agree, I have one that I enjoy owning, but it just doesn't get all that much use. I have a medium BGE that is to small for entertaining, but it's to much work for 1-4 people. The overnight smokes can be fun and 12lbs of pork but can feed a party, but it's a lot or work and requires checking on the temp a few times through the night. If I'm hosting I want a good nights sleep the night before, it's not fun to entertain when you had to be up at 12-2-4-6 to adjust the venting on the egg to keep the temperature...
by PowDay
Tue Apr 25, 2017 10:26 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Purchase new, but older model cell phone - Best method?
Replies: 11
Views: 2436

Re: Purchase new, but older model cell phone - Best method?

Instead of buying an old high end phone, you will be better off with a new mid-range/low-end phone.

The Moto G5 shares the same form factor as the SG5, but will be much more powerful, have a warranty, and the latest software. All for $229 from amazon.

http://www.phonearena.com/phones/compar ... 10421,8202

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N5 ... 61011&th=1
by PowDay
Fri Apr 21, 2017 6:33 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What To Do With My Car While in NYC
Replies: 32
Views: 4496

Re: What To Do With My Car While in NYC

Depending on your neighborhood, just street park it. It's much easier in the outer Bourgous, but for only a year its not that big of a deal.

A lot of NYC opinions come from people who have visited times square on vacation a few times, but outside of lower-mid Manhattan street parking cars isn't uncommon at all.
by PowDay
Tue Apr 18, 2017 3:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 2009 Toyota Highlander on the way out
Replies: 23
Views: 2684

Re: 2009 Toyota Highlander on the way out

The new Acadia Denali is really small for a three row, With three kids I would consider waiting for the new Traverse High Country, or Buick Enclave Avenir

http://www.chevrolet.com/all-new-2018-traverse

http://www.buick.com/enclave-mid-size-l ... uv/#/index
by PowDay
Tue Apr 18, 2017 10:45 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to make best use of lunch with the company president/CEO?
Replies: 55
Views: 12011

Re: How to make best use of lunch with the company president/CEO?

Great advice on the CEO aspect, I would encourage you to see if you can figure out what peers will be in the room as well. How you are perceived by that audience when interacting with them in front of the CEO, will be much more important. Those "peers" could be your next manager If half the room is from, department X, see if you can get a baseline understanding of what they are doing so you can participate in the conversation.
by PowDay
Thu Apr 13, 2017 12:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: RV Rental
Replies: 25
Views: 3518

Re: RV Rental

It's a lifestyle decision, not a financial one, hotels and house rentals will be much cheaper than RV Ownership or rental once you add up all the costs.
by PowDay
Thu Apr 13, 2017 9:34 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Where to use $10k inheritance
Replies: 7
Views: 1106

Re: Where to use $10k inheritance

Silk McCue wrote:
Jamieson22 wrote:I'd boost that Emergency Fund by $9k, and blow $1k on something nice/fun.
+1
+2
by PowDay
Mon Apr 10, 2017 12:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Help me decide what to do with my cars
Replies: 34
Views: 3250

Re: Help me decide what to do with my cars

I would keep the Subaru, access to a AWD car that does great in the snow, plus it can handle back-up family duty just fine when the Minivan is in the shop, plus you will get to go 6-7 years before having to worry about getting a new car.

If money was the only thing that mattered, you could just trade in the Subaru for a second 2010 Civic and skip the brand new van, but money isn't everything.
by PowDay
Mon Apr 10, 2017 8:14 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Deleted
Replies: 9
Views: 1651

Re: home exchange experiences

I've never done it, but I believe there are some dog related groups who exchange houses, you trade houses and dogs avoiding having to send your pets to the kennel.
by PowDay
Fri Apr 07, 2017 4:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Repair vs Replace car for someone just starting out
Replies: 25
Views: 3458

Re: Repair vs Replace car for someone just starting out

This may not be traditional Boglehead advice, but consider pairing back you 401k a little. It's great that you are saving $20k a year on a $46k salary, but not if it's preventing you from starting your life (Moving out and having reliable transportation)

What do you do for work where you are making almost $50k? Are there advancement opportunities? Do you have you bachelors?
by PowDay
Thu Apr 06, 2017 8:12 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to buy a car with a Lightstream loan?
Replies: 10
Views: 7938

Re: How to buy a car with a Lightstream loan?

No Haggle means no haggle, the best you can do is possibly push for worn tires to be replaced, but I wouldn't count on it.

Dealers make a significant portion of their profit from finance kickbacks, at a Haggle dealership "Cash" buyers" pay more, ask the dealer to match your light stream rate and they probably will. Makes the process easier and you get a better deal.
by PowDay
Wed Apr 05, 2017 9:38 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buying expensive car, how to keep payments low?
Replies: 149
Views: 15003

Re: Buying expensive car, how to keep payments low?

How about the new VW Atlas, well equipped for $40k.
by PowDay
Fri Mar 31, 2017 8:34 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Boston apartment hunting advice/can I afford a studio?
Replies: 48
Views: 5846

Re: Boston apartment hunting advice/can I afford a studio?

Consensus seems to be that you can't afford a studio, and I agree.

Put your efforts into finding good high quality roommates. The stigma of having roommates is gone, It's common for professionals into their 30s to live with roommates, I know some who even spend upwards of $1,800 a month per person for high end three bedrooms with multiple bathrooms, and lots of space. Cleaning is generally the main pain point, but easily alleviated with a weekly cleaning service.
by PowDay
Tue Mar 28, 2017 2:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buying a home in a seller's market - how to decide how much to pay
Replies: 8
Views: 1382

Re: Buying a home in a seller's market - how to decide how much to pay

Assessed values don' t mean anything by themselves, all they are used for is comparing the value of one house to another. For example Scenario A House A - Value $100k Mill Rate $10 Taxes= $1,000 House B - Value $200k Mill Rate $10 Taxes= $2,000 Scenario B House A - Value $250k Mill Rate $4 Taxes= $1,000 House B - Value $500k Mill Rate $4 Taxes= $2,000 Either way taxes are the same, there doesn't need to be a connection to the selling prices of the homes, all the matters is that the town knows that house A is worth twice what house B is worth. The town/city budget is fixed independent of the real estate market. When house prices rise, the town doesn't bring in additional revenue, they just drop the mill rate. The assessment process doesn't n...
by PowDay
Tue Mar 28, 2017 11:51 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What's your personal criteria for deciding whether or not to rent a car?
Replies: 105
Views: 8727

Re: What's your personal criteria for deciding whether or not to rent a car?

The stress that comes from making this decision probably isn't worth the minor potential benefit. A benefit that won't become real until it's time to trade in the car.

You have keys to a car in your pocket that will accomplish the task at hand. Go drive it and put the mental energy into other tasks.
by PowDay
Mon Mar 20, 2017 4:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What would it take to buy a house in our neighborhood?
Replies: 20
Views: 2396

Re: What would it take to buy a house in our neighborhood?

You have $100k in cash now, but can save $80k a year moving forward, what is causing the discrepancy, recent raise? The crazy high income is new for us. My husband is at his first job after grad school, he finished his phd two years ago. My last salary was 60K. I had student loans. What is the plan for kindergarten, public/private? Public. The elementary schools in our neighborhood are fine, even better if you get into their specialty stuff like a bilingual or gifted program. A new middle school has been approved that will be built a few blocks away as a result of strong parent activism in this community. We are happy for our children to attend diverse city schools (many non-native English speakers for sure). I don't love NYC schools in te...
by PowDay
Mon Mar 20, 2017 2:42 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What would it take to buy a house in our neighborhood?
Replies: 20
Views: 2396

Re: What would it take to buy a house in our neighborhood?

You have $100k in cash now, but can save $80k a year moving forward, what is causing the discrepancy, recent raise?

What is the plan for kindergarten, public/private?
by PowDay
Tue Mar 14, 2017 12:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Time Saving Tactics: Kids Edition
Replies: 71
Views: 9980

Re: Time Saving Tactics: Kids Edition

1. $200 a month house cleaner
2. Let things go
3. Monthly beers with other Dads in the neighborhood
by PowDay
Wed Mar 08, 2017 3:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Car dilemma?
Replies: 25
Views: 2867

Re: Car dilemma?

My biggest regret is selling my 2004 corolla and going through 3 cars and wasting all of that money.
Buying a selling a brand new car only 27,000 miles on it, probably isn't the best way to deal with this.

Enjoy your car, take care of it, come back in 7 years when you Audi is 10 years old and has 200k miles on it, then you can get boglehead approval to buy a 2024 Corrola.
by PowDay
Tue Mar 07, 2017 11:59 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Work travel question.. car related
Replies: 10
Views: 1239

Re: Work travel question.. car related

inthearena wrote:Thanks everyone for the input, I always find this community very helpful.

As for driving back and forth, the hard part their is giving up 16 hours of a week to traveling but I guess unless I get a direct flight it's not all that different from flying.
I would encourage you do do the detailed math on this even with a direct flight, the last mile travel time is significant, travel to the airport, security, rental car counter, drive to your house.

You may be giving up an extra 8 hours, but you also get the flexibility to make your own schedule, potentially increasing your family time.