Search found 206 matches

by westcoast
Sun Jun 11, 2023 6:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: $7500 EV Tax Credit?
Replies: 9
Views: 1742

Re: $7500 EV Tax Credit?

You may be able to buy the car and later gift it someone.
by westcoast
Sun Jun 11, 2023 6:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Pinot Noir on the lower end?
Replies: 96
Views: 10220

Re: Pinot Noir on the lower end?

There are many Pinot Noirs from Oregon under $15 that are very delicious.
by westcoast
Sat Jun 10, 2023 12:10 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Defense against the dark arts - Pickpockets!
Replies: 123
Views: 12925

Re: Defense against the dark arts - Pickpockets!

We carry a back pack and use a small padlock at the closure.
by westcoast
Wed May 17, 2023 12:05 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best cities with lots of outdoor/hiking activities and good year round weather
Replies: 248
Views: 25078

Re: Best cities with lots of outdoor/hiking activities and good year round weather

Carnation Washington it checks all he boxes. Close to Redmond, Seattle hiking all over, River and lake activities.
by westcoast
Sun Apr 30, 2023 11:59 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Stay or go [Can I retire?]
Replies: 53
Views: 6152

Re: Stay or go [Can I retire?]

You have the financial ability to retire and be happy. I would do it, we only have a few rotations around the sun. Retire and enjoy them.
by westcoast
Tue Jan 18, 2022 12:08 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How did you purchase wine glasses? Beginner here
Replies: 51
Views: 4070

Re: How did you purchase wine glasses? Beginner here

The type and brands mentioned in this tread are available at your local Goodwill Store. I’ve picked some up for $1.99 each, same glasses we’ve paid $40/50 for each one before.
by westcoast
Mon Nov 01, 2021 9:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Pay raises for 2022
Replies: 421
Views: 63197

Re: Pay raises for 2022

2% cola on pension, 5.9 Social Security, and raised rent 2%.
by westcoast
Sun Sep 05, 2021 1:25 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone buying cars right now?
Replies: 261
Views: 32349

Re: Anyone buying cars right now?

Just paid MSRP for a Toyota Rav4 prime two days ago. They are very hard to find here and most dealerships require a deposit to be put on a list to buy one. That was our experience with the dealerships I called expect for one. They had a list of buyers with 50 ahead of us. They asked the usual questions about a trade in and where we were calling from. This dealership was 20 miles from our home. I expected it would be several months before we moved forward on their list. They called us three days after our initial phone call telling me the Rav4 would be there the next day and if we still wanted it they required a $1000 deposit. They car arrived and we picked it up thursday. We think they sold it to us because our trade was Honda Crv with very...
by westcoast
Sun Aug 29, 2021 5:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Golf shorts/pants that aren’t SKINNY style
Replies: 15
Views: 2245

Re: Golf shorts/pants that aren’t SKINNY style

Curious, what are old man pants?
by westcoast
Fri May 07, 2021 7:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do you still read the print newspaper?
Replies: 84
Views: 5431

Re: Do you still read the print newspaper?

Stopped years ago with the local newspaper as their bias became so apparent with the articles and stories they wrote. We had one of their editors come to one of our management staff meetings tell us each story they write has to an an urgency to it. They didn’t seem to care about facts so we cancelled our subscription.
by westcoast
Tue Mar 09, 2021 5:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: So what are you cooking
Replies: 945
Views: 107624

Re: So what are you cooking

We made a great tasting meatloaf last night with steamed cauliflower, broccoli and cheese mashed potatoes. It was delicious and we’re having leftovers tonight. My have a heavy hopped IPA with it for me and a peanut butter flavored whiskey for DW.
by westcoast
Wed Feb 17, 2021 5:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Window screen mending, fixing, patching
Replies: 16
Views: 1434

Re: Window screen mending, fixing, patching

You can take your old frame to Ace Hardware and they will install the new screen mess in it. Price seemed fair.
by westcoast
Sun Feb 14, 2021 11:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: home security camera
Replies: 75
Views: 8886

Re: home security camera

We have Arlo cameras and a wired Ring door bell camera. All of them work very well and connect to a smart phone. The clarity is very good on both brands of camera’s both day and night. You might think of adding an audible alarm system as a backup in case WiFi goes down. The battery powered or battery backup cameras are great for when the power goes out for days.
by westcoast
Sun Feb 14, 2021 10:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Boglehead Beer
Replies: 1071
Views: 203037

Re: Boglehead Beer

I enjoy IPA with a strong hop aroma and flavor such as Melvin 2x4 DIPA, Crux halfhitch, Beak Breaker, and Monster Cookies. Most are Pacific Northwest Breweries.
by westcoast
Fri Dec 11, 2020 4:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Favorite Travel Experiences
Replies: 178
Views: 17851

Re: Favorite Travel Experiences

Renting a car and doing a road trip through Scotland. We stayed at B%Bs everynight, only had reservations our first night and last night there. Best vacation ever.
by westcoast
Thu Dec 10, 2020 6:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Where to Retire?
Replies: 262
Views: 29083

Re: Where to Retire?

Pacific Northwest sounds like is out for you. Earthquakes, wildfires, rain and more rain. Very cold in the east part during the winter. Taxes are very high and are going up next year too. Riots in the major cities and seem not to end, crime is going up a lot also. Good luck in you quest.
by westcoast
Sun Nov 15, 2020 2:13 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New Traeger Pellet Grill - Super Excited!
Replies: 38
Views: 4120

Re: New Traeger Pellet Grill - Super Excited!

Had mine since 2003 and it’s still working fine. Sanded and repainted the outside once along with replaced the fan. I keep the cover on it and it stays on the patio all year. Weather here is cold and rainy in the winter. Follow the recipes in the cook book that comes with the traeger and you won’t go wrong. Have fun with it.
by westcoast
Tue Sep 01, 2020 6:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Landlords: How are you doing this year?
Replies: 163
Views: 24150

Re: Landlords: How are you doing this year?

We just sold 6 we owned in a partnership with four other couples. Still own one of our own. So far all rents have come in on time.
by westcoast
Sun Jun 21, 2020 1:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Federal tax refund is late
Replies: 102
Views: 5330

Re: Federal tax refund is late

We e-filed May 5th. We received our state refund two weeks later. We have still not received our federal refund. Through the IRS website they show they have received and are processing our return. I called them last wednesday and was told to wait another three weeks for the refund.
by westcoast
Sat Feb 22, 2020 6:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Trip to Puerto Vallarta
Replies: 11
Views: 1702

Re: Trip to Puerto Vallarta

Thanks for the additional ideas. We plan on going to the Botanical garden. The Casa Noble Tequila and Original Cigar Factory sound great. Thanks for the suggestions, part of the reason for going is our 46th wedding anniversary which actually isn’t until April. The timing just worked out to go in March.
by westcoast
Sat Feb 22, 2020 12:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Trip to Puerto Vallarta
Replies: 11
Views: 1702

Re: Trip to Puerto Vallarta

Thanks for information I'll check it out.

Thank you
by westcoast
Fri Feb 21, 2020 7:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Trip to Puerto Vallarta
Replies: 11
Views: 1702

Trip to Puerto Vallarta

Looking at trip to Puerto Vallarta Mexico next month for ten days. We have been there before on a cruise which only gave us six hours in the city. So really didn’t have time to explore the city and surrounding area. We are in our mid sixties in good shape and like the outdoors and I prefer golf to laying by the pool. Looking for recommendations for historical things to see, places to explore outside the city, must eat at restaurants, golf courses. We’re looking at staying at the RIU or Velas Vallarta if you have stayed at either would you recommend them?
by westcoast
Tue Mar 26, 2019 12:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to Sell a Wyland Painting on My Bathroom Wall?
Replies: 88
Views: 11504

Re: How to Sell a Wyland Painting on My Bathroom Wall?

Depending on what is on the backside of the bathroom wall, you could first remove the dry wall from the backside. This would give you a look at where the studs are before trying to remove the painting from the front side. Then go to painting side of wall measure the size of the painting you want and add 18 inches all around it. Drill some screws into the corners of the area you measured and draw a straight line to connect the corners. Make sure you covered the painting to protect it before cutting it out. Good luck.
by westcoast
Mon Mar 04, 2019 3:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Boglehead Beer
Replies: 1071
Views: 203037

Re: Boglehead Beer

I enjoy Crux Fermentation Project Half Hitch IPA, very smooth and a great taste. Its fairly expensive $6 for a 10 ounce glass at a tap house. A few others Barley Brown IPAs they have several all very good. Also from Block 15 Brewing Monster Cookies IPA and Melvin Brewings 2x4 DIPA.
by westcoast
Thu Jan 31, 2019 5:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cruise to China, Japan and South Korea— ship tours or booking private tours
Replies: 8
Views: 937

Re: Cruise to China, Japan and South Korea— ship tours or booking private tours

Thank you for all the replies and insight for our cruise. We have decided to take the ships tours on this cruise for the piece of mind. Again thanks for the information.
by westcoast
Sat Jan 19, 2019 1:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cruise to China, Japan and South Korea— ship tours or booking private tours
Replies: 8
Views: 937

Cruise to China, Japan and South Korea— ship tours or booking private tours

We are leaving on a cruise this February trying to decide if we should us the ships tours or use soon private vendors. Anyone have experience with private vendors there as to the quality of the tour making sure they return to the ship on time.
by westcoast
Fri Jan 18, 2019 11:44 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What shelf liquor and your favorite cocktails?
Replies: 45
Views: 4665

Re: What shelf liquor and your favorite cocktails?

Jameson 18 year old
Jameson castmates IPA edition
Macallen 12 year old (on hand for guests not my favorite)
Tanqueray Gin
by westcoast
Wed Jan 16, 2019 6:00 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: John Bogle has died at age 89
Replies: 856
Views: 81316

Re: John Bogle is dead at 89

Rest in Peace, truly a great human being.
by westcoast
Sat Oct 20, 2018 11:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cross-country trip via Amtrak
Replies: 58
Views: 10018

Re: Cross-country trip via Amtrak

Did that several years ago from New York City to Portland Oregon. I booked standard seat to Chicago and it was very comfortable and sleep very well in it. The negative part was the bathroom, very dirty all the time. I had a sleeping compartment from Chicago to Portland it was great. Very comfortable bed with shared bathroom and shower with a lock for private use.
by westcoast
Tue Oct 16, 2018 8:09 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: "MegaMillions and Powerball jackpots combined are now $1B" - Good investment?
Replies: 55
Views: 3910

Re: "MegaMillions and Powerball jackpots combined are now $1B" - Good investment?

Why so serious, it’s entertainment go buy the tickets. This thread inspired me to go buy $20 in lottery tickets as I drink $20 worth of microbrew beer.
by westcoast
Tue Oct 16, 2018 8:07 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: "MegaMillions and Powerball jackpots combined are now $1B" - Good investment?
Replies: 55
Views: 3910

Re: "MegaMillions and Powerball jackpots combined are now $1B" - Good investment?

Why so serious, it’s entertainment go buy the tickets. This thread inspired me to go buy $20 in lottery tickets as I drink $20 worth of microbrew beer.
by westcoast
Fri Aug 24, 2018 6:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Trip to the Steens Mountains in Oregon
Replies: 13
Views: 1546

Re: Trip to the Steens Mountains in Oregon

We had a great trip to the Steens Mountain very beautiful country. The roads were paved most of the way to French Glen and plenty of gas there. The road from French Gle up to the top of the mountain was dirt with lot ants of dust. We have Honda CR-V so wasn’t any problem on any of the roads. A sedan could easily make the trip without any problems. I would take a class a or c motor home it would will have problems parking and turning around. We didn’t make it to the Alford desert as our crv started having problems, all of the safety device lights on the dashboard started flashing. We continued to the hamlet of Fields Oregon and fueled up. After restarting the crv the dashboard lights stopped flashing and we haven’t had a problem since. Got t...
by westcoast
Sun Jul 01, 2018 11:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What are your property taxes?
Replies: 375
Views: 29818

Re: What are your property taxes?

$6100 last year, roughly $21 per thousand of assessed value. Assessed value increases each year by 3 per cent any new bond measures passed by the voters also increase our property taxes without increasing the assessed value of our property. The rate per thousand increases. Large income tax and no sales tax.
by westcoast
Tue Jun 19, 2018 5:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Trip to the Steens Mountains in Oregon
Replies: 13
Views: 1546

Re: Trip to the Steens Mountains in Oregon

Thank you for the suggestions, we very much looking forward to the trip. Probably stay in Burns and take the trip around to Fields and up to Frenchglen. The Travel Oregon site was a great help, thanks.
by westcoast
Tue Jun 19, 2018 1:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Trip to the Steens Mountains in Oregon
Replies: 13
Views: 1546

Trip to the Steens Mountains in Oregon

We are planning a trip to the Steens Mountains in the beginning of July and wondering if anyone on the forum has been there before. Looking for ideas on places to stay with moderate prices and the availability of gas as it looks pretty sparse on a map. thank you for any insight.
by westcoast
Fri Apr 20, 2018 1:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: My 2017 CRV is a victim of the dreaded oil gas-dilution issue
Replies: 1223
Views: 231511

Re: My 2017 CRV is a victim of the dreaded oil gas-dilution issue

We bought ours in July 2017 not knowing about the oil dilution problem. After about 500 miles the oil pressure gauge stayed on indicating the pressure was to high. After taking it to the dealer they kept it for three days trying to figure out what was wrong. They called Honda Tech and changed the "switch" and it seemed to fix it. Prior to taking it to the dealer I checked the dip stick and it looked the it was over fill mark but I didn't do the sniff test. Had the oil changed at the dealer at 5000 miles and the oil minder still had 20 per cent value left. I asked the service tech at the dealership if she had heard of the oil dilution issue she told me she didn't know anything about it. Car now has 7200 miles and looks like it is o...
by westcoast
Tue Feb 27, 2018 5:22 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Physical cash
Replies: 121
Views: 12115

Re: Physical cash

a thousand in the house twenty to forty in the wallet.
by westcoast
Wed Feb 21, 2018 12:10 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do you wear a wedding band? [at a job interview]
Replies: 157
Views: 16088

Re: Do you wear a wedding band? [at a job interview]

I was part of many hiring teams and never thought about looking to see if anyone we were interviewing was wear a wedding ring. I took mine off because of safety issues while working , it went back on after work.
by westcoast
Thu Feb 15, 2018 2:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Digital alarm clock suggestions?
Replies: 38
Views: 5175

Re: Digital alarm clock suggestions?

I use an Echo dot (alexa) which sits in a ihome iavsi bedside speaker. It is the size of my old alarm clock and works great. It has large numbers which can be dimmed to very bright to completely off. To set the alarm just tell alexa the time and your all set. If you don't want to look at the clock just ask alexa what time it is and go back to sleep. It has worked flawlessly for me.
by westcoast
Sun Feb 04, 2018 7:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: For BHs who actually like cars - [what car do you drive every day?]
Replies: 280
Views: 28826

Re: For BHs who actually like cars - [what car do you drive every day?]

2006 Lexus es330 for long trips. 2017 Honda CR-V el for daily driving.
by westcoast
Mon Jan 01, 2018 12:26 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: I Want to Buy a Horrible, Expensive Car
Replies: 155
Views: 16622

Re: I Want to Buy a Horrible, Expensive Car

No don’t buy it. Complete waste of money, buy a new Honda Pilot or CRV.
by westcoast
Tue Dec 26, 2017 7:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Statefarm Auto Insurance goes up every 6 months without reason?
Replies: 50
Views: 12663

Re: Statefarm Auto Insurance goes up every 6 months without reason?

Age 66 have had State Farm insurance since I could drive (16), we also have a 2017 Honda CR-V exl. Premium is 340 every six months. Also have a Lexus insured with them as well as rental property, home insurance, medical and an umbrella policy through them. After asking my agent for the policy face sheets of each policy to shop apples to apples, I got a rate decrease .. Shop around
by westcoast
Wed Dec 20, 2017 11:44 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: A meal with friends yields a financial revelation
Replies: 95
Views: 15808

Re: A meal with friends yields a financial revelation

Great post TimeLord, I understand what your saying. That’s a great feeling to realize about the road you travelled an where you are today. Congratulations.
by westcoast
Sat Nov 25, 2017 6:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I keep the new iPad I bought or return it?
Replies: 51
Views: 5956

Re: Should I keep the new iPad I bought or return it?

DW and I each have one, we use them everyday mostly to read an surf the web. When they are out dated we will get the next upgrade. Can’t imagine not having one. We also have an iMac and two I phones. I would keep the one you bought.
by westcoast
Sat Sep 30, 2017 12:45 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Caught by speed camera
Replies: 49
Views: 7092

Re: Caught by speed camera

Where I am from the only person responsible for the ticket is the person who was driving the vehicle. The cameras take a picture of the driver, front license plate and the rear plate also. We only have cameras for running traffic lights not for speeding in my state. The program is out sourced to a private company who sends the police department photographs of the traffic violation and pictures of the driver. A police officer reviews the photos to confirm a violation and then checks the license plate through the department of motor vehicles to get the name of the registered owners of the vehicle. The officer then checks the photograph of the driver committing the violation with the photographs of the registered owners of the car that DMV has...
by westcoast
Sun Sep 03, 2017 11:54 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Becoming a Landlord: My Experiences
Replies: 183
Views: 48685

Re: Becoming a Landlord: My Experiences

We have had rental units for twenty years in a partnership with three other couples an have not had any real problems. We have a real estate company manage the property's for us. They take eight percent of the rents and handle everything from maintaining the properties, evictions, backgrounding tenants and market rents. Luckily one of the partners owns the management company an gave us a great deal.
by westcoast
Sun Sep 03, 2017 1:32 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What are you up YTD? [Year To Date]
Replies: 5249
Views: 900264

Re: What are you up YTD? [Year To Date]

8.04 per cent. 60/40