Search found 159 matches

by fourwaystreet
Sun Apr 30, 2023 9:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: best stand up comedy
Replies: 95
Views: 7363

Re: best stand up comedy

Bill Burr is hilarious, he is not for everybody but he often says what everybody else is thinking.
by fourwaystreet
Sun Apr 30, 2023 9:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best travel/walking shoes
Replies: 54
Views: 6559

Re: Best travel/walking shoes

Hoka's are like walking on air, the best pair of sneakers that I ever owned. My understanding from my daughter who studied in Spain is wearing sneakers label you as a tourist though.
by fourwaystreet
Sun Apr 30, 2023 9:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Rear Brakes @ 15%
Replies: 34
Views: 3700

Re: Rear Brakes @ 15%

I didn't have to replace the rear brake pads and rotors on my 2015 Rav 4 until I hit 73k miles. I paid $350 ish at my local mechanic.
by fourwaystreet
Mon Apr 10, 2023 1:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How long have you been in your current house?
Replies: 148
Views: 12555

Re: How long have you been in your current house?

41 years. We assumed an 8.5% mortgage when rates were in the high teens. My daughter just bought a new vehicle that was 10k more than we paid for this house. I tell my wife and kids that I am leaving this house feet first.
by fourwaystreet
Mon Mar 20, 2023 10:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Choosing colleges
Replies: 146
Views: 10348

Re: Choosing colleges

Did your son spend a day at all three of these schools? Impressions matter a great deal.
by fourwaystreet
Tue Jan 31, 2023 12:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Talk me out of getting on the Rolex AD waiting list
Replies: 160
Views: 14285

Re: Talk me out of getting on the Rolex AD waiting list

Give the money that you would pay for the Rolex, minus $400 to charity. Take the $400 and buy yourself an Apple Watch which actually does way more than an ornament on your wrist.
by fourwaystreet
Wed Jan 25, 2023 1:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Vanguard won't send tax forms by US mail contrary to their statement when signing up for e-delivery
Replies: 36
Views: 4587

Re: Vanguard won't send tax forms by US mail contrary to their statement when signing up for e-delivery

I am not a techie type person but it took me less than 3 minutes to open the site, download and print the tax documents. Of course my wife reminded me that I forgot to turn off the printer. Your complaint seems like a first world problem to me but have at it.
by fourwaystreet
Thu Dec 29, 2022 8:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Rav4 vs CRV 2023
Replies: 49
Views: 7073

Re: Rav4 vs CRV 2023

I have owned three Rav's since 2007. I had to replace one shock due to a leak under warranty and one wheel bearing at 75k miles. My Rav easily fits in my circa 1928 garage. If I was in the market for a new vehicle, I would just buy another Rav.
by fourwaystreet
Fri Dec 16, 2022 3:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do you use Kaiser-Advantage Insurance with Medicare?
Replies: 27
Views: 2247

Re: Do you use Kasier-Advantage Insurance with Medicare?

You have been paying into Medicare part A during your working years. I believe that $70 per month is in addition to the $170.10 a month you would be paying for part B if you were on Medicare presently. Part B drops to $164 and change for 2023. There are many Medicare advantage plans out there both with and without additional costs above the present day $170.10. Research these plans carefully.
by fourwaystreet
Thu Dec 15, 2022 12:46 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bogleheads Mostly Employees?
Replies: 79
Views: 7271

Re: Bogleheads Mostly Employees?

Retired now but worked for a fortune 100 company and sold the stock that I acquired through options. I have a small side gig now as a respite worker helping a family that has two children with non verbal autism.
by fourwaystreet
Wed Dec 07, 2022 10:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Costco hearing aid test
Replies: 32
Views: 5154

Re: Costco hearing aid test

I was tested and purchased my hearing aids at Costco about three years ago and they still work fine. I actually lost one after about 10 months in and Costco replaced it at no charge.

Costco and Wegmans are two of the best retailers in the nation and I am lucky to have both close by.
by fourwaystreet
Sun Sep 18, 2022 9:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Favorite music from the 1980s?
Replies: 150
Views: 11556

Re: Favorite music from the 1980s?

livesoft wrote: Sun Sep 18, 2022 3:35 pm for all these threads, I suspect most of the songs will be among the top 500 songs of the date range. After all, if the songs are favorites, then they should already be in a list. So for more fun, only list songs not in an existing list.

Here are a few existing lists: https://www.google.com/search?q=top+500 ... om+the+80s
It is easier and less time consuming to list whatever songs one chooses then to go through a list of 500 to see if your songs are listed.
by fourwaystreet
Mon Apr 18, 2022 10:25 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Is it financially bad to live entire life in first house purchased?
Replies: 124
Views: 14968

Re: Is it financially bad to live entire life in first house purchased?

I have been in my home for 42 years, our 20 year mortgage was $202 per month and we paid off the house in 14 years. This allowed me to max out both 401k and Roth IRA. I was able to retire and live comfortably at 59 and never made nowhere the amount of money you see bantered about on this forum. As far as I am concerned it was one of the best financial decisions I have ever made. As far as I am concerned they can take me out of here feet first.
by fourwaystreet
Sun Apr 17, 2022 9:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: cheap, but effective, sunglasses?
Replies: 39
Views: 4213

Re: cheap, by effective, sunglasses?

Shady Ray's! Polarized, very affordable and guaranteed.
by fourwaystreet
Fri Apr 08, 2022 10:04 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Which airlines are good for travel during covid
Replies: 11
Views: 1454

Re: Which airlines are good for travel during covid

My nephew missed his cruise because the plane never got off the ground at BWI. My sister's friend got caught up in that mess in FL last week, her Saturday flight was cancelled and the next available flight was Wednesday. She was lucky to get a rental car for the 1,200 mile trip home. In Nov. 2021 I got notice that our flight out of Tampa was delayed long enough that we would not make our connection. The nice lady at the airline counter rerouted us, that flight was also delayed. When we landed in Philly we beat feet to make our connection, which really didn't matter because the next flight was delayed 2 hours which there was no notification of either. We were returning from Punta Cana about 10 days ago and everything was fine, customs was a ...
by fourwaystreet
Wed Mar 16, 2022 3:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What charities did you give to in 2021?
Replies: 134
Views: 8813

Re: What charities did you give to in 2021?

Sarah's Guesthouse, which provides lodging, transportation, meals and comfort to patients and families of patients receiving medical treatment in Central NY.
by fourwaystreet
Tue Feb 22, 2022 9:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What's a fair way to return money to a friend?
Replies: 36
Views: 4340

Re: What's a fair way to return money to a friend?

I am wondering how your calculations back in 2010 were off by that much and you and your friend agreed to the figure?

If he is still a good friend I would give him the $1,000, take him out for a nice round of golf, including dinner and drinks and call it a day.
by fourwaystreet
Fri Feb 04, 2022 6:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Amazon Prime membership increase to $139
Replies: 274
Views: 27103

Re: Amazon Prime membership increase to $139

I got lucky, my Prime membership billed last week. I have 51 weeks to decide if it is worth keeping.
by fourwaystreet
Thu Feb 03, 2022 8:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Where should we move (east coast)
Replies: 48
Views: 5613

Re: Where should we move (east coast)

Brevard, NC or Shelby, Delaware
by fourwaystreet
Mon Jan 03, 2022 4:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Favorite budget golf balls?
Replies: 38
Views: 3199

Re: Favorite budget golf balls?

WhyNotUs wrote: Fri Dec 31, 2021 9:27 am For budget- Kirkland golf balls about $25 a dozen
For serious play- V1s (I am more likely to buy them as gifts rather than to play as I rarely play now and am unworthy). For about $50 you can get a dozen from Titleist with a persons name printed on them.
Kirkland brand which I purchase frequently are more in the $25 for two dozen range and a pretty good ball overall.
by fourwaystreet
Mon Jan 03, 2022 1:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Store receipts - what's your process??
Replies: 54
Views: 4200

Re: Store receipts - what's your process??

I only keep receipts for for big item purchases usually involving a warranty, otherwise I toss them. My credit card is set up to notify me if my card was used without being physically "swiped" i.e Amazon, Netflix
by fourwaystreet
Mon Jan 03, 2022 12:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Safety deposit box?
Replies: 28
Views: 2782

Re: Safety deposit box?

I get charges $20.00 per year for my safety deposit it includes:

Vehicle titles
Birth certificates
Deed to the house
Life insurance policy
Will (Lawyer also maintains a copy)
My death book which contains all account and password information.

My wife has access to the box also

I just feel more comfortable having a safety deposit box. Safes can be stolen or broken into and fireproof boxes are not actually fireproof.
by fourwaystreet
Thu Dec 23, 2021 10:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Did I make the right decision to switch to Geico?
Replies: 119
Views: 9047

Re: Did I make the right decision to switch to Geico?

Geico provided excellent customer service when I was involved in a non fault accident. They paid everything promptly without issue and went after the at fault drivers insurance. With that said based on pricing I switched to Liberty Mutual who also provided excellent service on a cracked windshield. Liberty Mutual does have the dumbest commercials in the industry though.
by fourwaystreet
Mon Dec 20, 2021 8:49 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Road trip from Syracuse - Ohio - Nashville - St Pete
Replies: 58
Views: 3707

Re: Road trip from Syracuse - Ohio - Nashville - St Pete

Heading west on I 90. Either the Anchor Bar or Duffs for wings. There is an Anchor Bar right at exit 49 just east of Buffalo. I would only go to Niagara Falls if you can cross the border into NF Ontario

Rock and Roll HOF in Cleveland, Columbus has a nice zoo. I would just wave at Louisville on the way by. There are several bourbon distilleries in KY that might be worth the stop. Nashville, any place on Broadway is a good time. Atlanta has a world class aquarium and the College Football HOF but traffic in Atlanta is not at all like the Cuse, it is horrific in Atlanta.

I much prefer Clearwater over St. Pete's.

Have a great trip!
by fourwaystreet
Fri Aug 27, 2021 10:01 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why I'm leaving Vanguard
Replies: 220
Views: 38426

Re: Why I'm leaving Vanguard

I never had an issue with wither Vanguard or Schwab, Fidelity is a whole other story.
by fourwaystreet
Tue Jun 22, 2021 8:36 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Favorite Westerns - Name 10
Replies: 110
Views: 9488

Re: Favorite Westerns - Name 10

A Million Ways to Die in the West, it has Charlize Theron in it after all.
by fourwaystreet
Tue Dec 22, 2020 2:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 6 years to college degree?????
Replies: 139
Views: 10798

Re: 6 years to college degree?????

My son tried to pull the five year to graduate stunt with me, with some excuse about obtaining an additional minor. I told him that if his sister can obtain two undergraduate degrees from a much more highly regarded school he can manage to get one degree in four years and oh yeah son, if you do this, it is on your dime. Needless to say he finished undergrad in four years.
by fourwaystreet
Mon Nov 02, 2020 3:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HOA stopping my rental
Replies: 80
Views: 9593

Re: HOA stopping my rental

I hope you notified your tenant to the possibility that she may need to make other housing arrangements.
by fourwaystreet
Tue Feb 25, 2020 12:59 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do you ever use cash?
Replies: 228
Views: 18742

Re: Do you ever use cash?

I still use cash for small purchases, a sandwich here a gallon of milk there, But I always carry cash because as I tell my wife "you can't bribe a cop with a credit card."
by fourwaystreet
Tue Feb 25, 2020 12:42 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How often do you TLH/Rebalance?
Replies: 7
Views: 684

Re: How often do you TLH/Rebalance?

The market over the last two days rebalanced for me. Otherwise I rebalance on my own when equities hit 5% more than my AA calls for. I haven't TLH since 2008 and don't see having the need to do that anytime soon.
by fourwaystreet
Thu Feb 20, 2020 8:58 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Has Vanguard deteriorated?
Replies: 114
Views: 11970

Re: Has Vanguard deteriorated?

I have been with Vanguard for 20 years and never had an iota of a problem. As large as Vanguard is I am sure there are some people that have isolated issues. Then again there are people that like to complain about first world problems as if the sky is falling.
by fourwaystreet
Wed Feb 12, 2020 3:39 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Costco Tires
Replies: 99
Views: 12573

Re: Costco Tires

Costco seems to do just about everything very well, including tires.
by fourwaystreet
Tue Feb 11, 2020 1:55 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Roth Coversion
Replies: 3
Views: 626

Roth Coversion

I plan of doing a Roth conversion and to stay within my present 12% bracket. Is the room available based on the total income minus in my case the standard deduction or is it simply the adjusted gross income?

Thank you
by fourwaystreet
Mon Feb 10, 2020 11:23 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What is your most luxury/expensive hobby.
Replies: 264
Views: 27789

Re: What is your most luxury/expensive hobby.

Golf and All Inclusive Resorts
by fourwaystreet
Mon Jan 06, 2020 10:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Creation details of a 529 for a niece
Replies: 32
Views: 2310

Re: Creation details of a 529 for a niece

I set up New York State 529's for my five grandsons with sizable deposits upon their baptisms and with all birthday and Christmas presents being 529 deposits. I am the owner of the account. If something happens to me my children become the account owner and I trust them to manage the accounts in the best interest of their children. I notify my children what the assets are in the accounts once a year. One of my grandsons is special needs and may not be capable of doing college level work, if that is the case then I will either split the account between his brothers or split the account between the four remaining grandsons.

What you are planning to do is very generous, best of luck.
by fourwaystreet
Thu Aug 01, 2019 12:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Ridiculously high Car Repair cost
Replies: 19
Views: 2190

Re: Ridiculously high Car Repair cost

fru-gal wrote: Thu Aug 01, 2019 12:22 pm You have to find an honest, competent mechanic and then stay with them. Ask your friends and coworkers for recommendations.

+1 and I might add, recommend your mechinic to friends and co workers.
by fourwaystreet
Wed Jul 24, 2019 11:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How do you deal with looking bad compared to others?
Replies: 77
Views: 6742

Re: How do you deal with looking bad compared to others?

You will get the last laugh when you retire years ahead of your brother.
by fourwaystreet
Wed Jul 10, 2019 8:49 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: my best new travel tip only $2 per day more [airport parking]
Replies: 60
Views: 8613

Re: my best new travel tip only $2 per day more [airport parking]

We have one of our kids drop us at the airport, it is not like they haven't been given rides over the years right? We Uber home for $19.00. $110.00 savings on our last trip.
by fourwaystreet
Sat Jun 29, 2019 9:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Did Retirement Spending go as You Planned?
Replies: 47
Views: 6785

Re: Did Retirement Spending go as You Planned?

Entering my 4th year of retirement my post retirement spend rate is just under 9% of what I spent pre retirement. My withdrawal rate last I checked it was .67% The biggest savings has been rarely buying lunches out, vehicle related expenses and having no need to purchase clothes. In 3+ years with the exception of golf shoes I don't think I have put a pair shoes on my feet more than a dozen times.
by fourwaystreet
Sun Jun 02, 2019 9:24 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How long have you been unemployed?
Replies: 97
Views: 14110

Re: How long have you been unemployed?

I was unemployed for 6 months and collecting during college. At the time there were few things better than being in college and having plenty of beer money in your pocket. After that stint worked straight until retiring at 59.
by fourwaystreet
Thu May 30, 2019 3:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Name something you had to have and now you regret purchasing it?
Replies: 505
Views: 80417

Re: Name something you had to have and now you regret purchasing it?

A Typhoon H drone...High end drone that I got an excellent deal on....After 17 months I still hope to use it.
by fourwaystreet
Fri May 17, 2019 11:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Guidance on choosing between UMich and Brown
Replies: 102
Views: 11711

Re: Guidance on choosing between UMich and Brown

psteinx wrote: Fri May 17, 2019 1:04 pm
Jags4186 wrote: Fri May 17, 2019 12:48 pm Could someone educate me on what the “lower Ivy League” schools are?
Brown, Cornell, Penn (outside of Business) and Dartmouth.
Yeah, I would hate to be suffering and one of the low end Ivy schools. The shame of it all.
by fourwaystreet
Tue Apr 30, 2019 10:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Car insurance shopping - worth leaving USAA?
Replies: 36
Views: 3612

Re: Car insurance shopping - worth leaving USAA?

Geico treated me well and has great customer service but I found a much better price at Liberty Mutual who has provided only minor price adjustments. When I retired Liberty cut my rate by $116 and it was not based on yearly mileage.
by fourwaystreet
Tue Apr 16, 2019 12:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: PSA: getting a social security statement
Replies: 10
Views: 1662

Re: PSA: getting a social security statement

I never had to lift my credit freeze when I established my account. Is this something new? What am I missing? Why should a credit freeze matter to SSA?

Thnnks
by fourwaystreet
Tue Apr 16, 2019 12:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: In Laws Retirement Nest Egg
Replies: 156
Views: 18595

Re: In Laws Retirement Nest Egg

In your original post you indicated that your in laws have health concerns, yet in your recent post you stated that they were perfectly healthy. Which one is it?
by fourwaystreet
Mon Apr 15, 2019 10:25 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: In Laws Retirement Nest Egg
Replies: 156
Views: 18595

Re: In Laws Retirement Nest Egg

Oh so your FIL should have discussed his retirement plans in advanced with you? You sound much more entitled then either of my SIL's but it either of my SIL's broached this topic or questioned my choices on this matter, I think I would be questioning my daughters about their choice of a husband.
by fourwaystreet
Mon Apr 08, 2019 8:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Can you buy a new car with a cashiers check without unfreezing a credit freeze?
Replies: 68
Views: 7537

Re: Can you buy a new car with a cashiers check without unfreezing a credit freeze?

I also have a credit freeze and paid for my last new vehicle with a cashier check and there were no issues at all. The dealership was quite happy to take my money.
by fourwaystreet
Wed Dec 05, 2018 9:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Warm-up before basketball game with space constraints?
Replies: 21
Views: 1718

Re: Warm-up before basketball game with space constraints?

Stretch in a hallway leading to the gym, they can also work on dribbling drills.
by fourwaystreet
Sun Dec 02, 2018 10:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Retirement itch- when did you get it?
Replies: 145
Views: 18699

Re: Retirement itch- when did you get it?

The company I worked for got gobbled up four times in a 12 year period. I always managed to hang when many didn't and for some reason gained responsibility and income. I was out due to knee replacement surgery at 57 years old, which gave me plenty of time to think and run numbers. I gave two months notice right after my 59th birthday. My only regret is that I didn't retire at 58.

Best of luck with your plan