Search found 1338 matches

by Jazztonight
Tue Mar 26, 2024 6:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How many credit cards do you have
Replies: 110
Views: 4868

Re: How many credit cards do you have

I guess 3:
Hers, mine, and ours.

She and I each have a card for our personal purchases that we pay off from our own money. (I know a couple who were constantly asking permission of the other to buy something. It was sad and ugly.)

Then we have a joint card for food, gas, household expenses, and joint entertainment & travel.

This has worked well for us for many years. We also have 3 checking accounts at the same bank: hers, mine, and ours.

btw, I stopped dealing with "points" a few years ago. Now it's all cash-back. Period. I have enough interests and activities without spending the limited time I've got left on such things.
by Jazztonight
Tue Mar 26, 2024 6:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Kindle Users--Please help
Replies: 24
Views: 1414

Re: Kindle Users--Please help

Years ago I bought an inexpensive Kindle from Amazon, but paid extra for the ad-free version.

If your wife had that ad-free Kindle deal, then obviously something's gone wrong. Occasionally you can get Amazon help to actually solve the problem. Worth a try.

Or, buy a new, updated Kindle and be sure to specify ad-free. (There's enough ads in my life. But that's what seems to make the world go round to a great degree.)
by Jazztonight
Tue Mar 26, 2024 6:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Favorite protein powder for shakes at home?
Replies: 76
Views: 3339

Re: Favorite protein powder for shakes at home?

I've been using this one for many years and highly recommend it:

NOW Sports Nutrition, Whey Protein Isolate, Unflavored

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015 ... UTF8&psc=1

It's pricey, but pure, unflavored, etc.

My daily shake:

about 3/4 cup of water
1/2 frozen ripe banana
4 cubes of mango (Costco frozen mango chunks)
1 scoop protein powder
1 tsp of plain cocoa powder (no added sugar or anything; it's organic)
Blend in blender.

Works for me--I'm still alive!
by Jazztonight
Tue Mar 19, 2024 3:29 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Anybody heard stories of well "prepared" retirees running out of money?
Replies: 210
Views: 23863

Re: Anybody heard stories of well "prepared" retirees running out of money?

fyre4ce wrote: Mon Mar 18, 2024 1:18 pm One take-away: I never want to put my kids in this kind of pickle.
My experience and observation is that you don't put your kids in a pickle. They somehow put themselves there.
by Jazztonight
Tue Mar 19, 2024 2:13 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Anybody heard stories of well "prepared" retirees running out of money?
Replies: 210
Views: 23863

Re: Anybody heard stories of well "prepared" retirees running out of money?

One of my grandmothers probably is close to what you are looking for, though... She lived to be 102 and spent the last 11 years of her life in assisted living facilities... Grandma and grandpa had saved/prepared for retirement and making it to 100 before the money ran out seems to me to qualify "prepared"... The 'worst' thing that can happen financially in retirement is to: (a) live a lot longer than expected while (b) incurring unexpected expenses.,, And the other failure is retiring too late and not being able to enjoy it nearly as much as hoped. Grandma lived to 102 and outlived her money... Grandpa died 18 months after they retired. One of the grandma's lifelong disappointments was that she and grandpa got so little time in r...
by Jazztonight
Tue Mar 19, 2024 11:28 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Princess Cruises
Replies: 2
Views: 531

Re: Princess Cruises

DW and I always cruise on Princess, and we always get Princess Plus (even though we don't drink alcohol).

There are some perks worth paying for, in my opinion, and at our age I'm not sure how many more vacations I'll be taking.

Here are the descriptions and differences:

https://www.princess.com/en-us/cruise-d ... e-packages

bon voyage!
by Jazztonight
Mon Mar 18, 2024 7:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Alaska cruise recommendations
Replies: 27
Views: 2356

Re: Alaska cruise recommendations

DW and I are booked on a Princess cruise (10-11 days) from San Francisco to Alaska RT on 28 June 2024.

I like Princess cruises for the very reasons you're describing!

PM me if you'd like more info.

(This is not the first time we've taken this trip to Alaska. Love it!)
by Jazztonight
Sun Mar 17, 2024 10:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Pretty set financially, but considering relocation to VHCOL (Bay Area) for the career/adventure
Replies: 49
Views: 5286

Re: Pretty set financially, but considering relocation to VHCOL (Bay Area) for the career/adventure

For what it's worth, I live in the East Bay, love it here, and know many people young, middle, and old who seem to find a place to live and send their kids to school.

I live in a building where there are young kids and retired people. I used to live in a home in a neighborhood with the same sorts of people. The high schools are large and have opportunities for high, middle, and low achievers. Sure, you can send your kids to private or parochial schools. Your choice. But I've seen wonderful things and great teachers in the public schools here, particularly in the music and arts as well as the sciences, etc.

It sounds like you'll be making enough to live comfortably.

Good luck, and feel free to PM me if you want.
by Jazztonight
Thu Feb 08, 2024 10:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What is your favorite book?
Replies: 187
Views: 20545

Re: What is your favorite book?

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay (by Michael Chabon).

Pulitzer Prize for fiction; a well-written book that spans several decades. You'll enjoy it!
by Jazztonight
Mon Feb 05, 2024 7:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best & Worst "Mid-Life Crisis" expenditures
Replies: 129
Views: 24663

Re: Best & Worst "Mid-Life Crisis" expenditures

There are things you can DO and there are things you can BUY.

OP, which appeals to you more?

At 55 I semi-retired and went back to school to get another BA (in music), which took 4 years.

At one point, I bought a new Lexus. I sold it 4 years later and got a Camry, which I still have 23 years later. I drive as little as possible these days.

I bought a new trombone 4 years ago and I play it 1-2 hours every day. It brings me a lot of joy!

You'll think of something.

(btw, it's easier to change your hair color than to remove a tattoo. But you know that.)
by Jazztonight
Mon Feb 05, 2024 7:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best & Worst "Mid-Life Crisis" expenditures
Replies: 129
Views: 24663

Re: Best & Worst "Mid-Life Crisis" expenditures

SharpNine wrote: Thu Feb 01, 2024 7:36 pm Bought a 1999 Steinway & Sons Model L piano in mint condition. Play it for 2+ hours every day.

Best decision ever.
Brilliant! Play on!
by Jazztonight
Mon Feb 05, 2024 6:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Travel agent / tour companies / tour itineraries?
Replies: 49
Views: 5102

Re: Travel agent / tour companies / tour itineraries?

DW and I have traveled a lot together and separately. It's gotten to the point where sometimes we'll be on a tour bus or taxi driving through a town in, say, Tahiti, and I'll say, "Wait a minute...this looks just like that place we once saw in Mexico." And she'll say, "No, you're thinking of that place in the Middle East." That's when I realized that "more" isn't necessarily "better." I've traveled around North America in a car, bus, across the US in a train, and on foot (yes, from Coast to Coast). Then there was China, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico (maybe 25-30 times), S. America, Galapagos, Israel, France, Italy, Spain, etc., etc. In the end, the world is big, and you just can't see it all, no matt...
by Jazztonight
Sun Feb 04, 2024 11:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: First time Amtrak train ride. Is there anything I should know?
Replies: 36
Views: 5018

Re: First time Amtrak train ride. Is there anything I should know?

Hello, OP. In 2014 (just 10 years ago) I walked out of my building in Oakland, CA, pulled my carry on about 5 blocks away to the Amtrak station at Jack London Square, and got on the Amtrak going to NY for my 50th high school reunion. I posted about the trip along the way on the Boglehead site, and here is the link: https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=143434 In a nutshell, I had a wonderful trip. I was traveling solo in coach, not a sleeper. I had a 4 week Amtrak pass, and got off the train every two nights and either stayed with a friend/acquaintance or at a hotel (Omaha, Denver, Chicago, Cincinnati, Washington DC, NYC). On the way back I stopped in Chicago and Glacier National Park and Seattle, and a couple of other places. It...
by Jazztonight
Mon Jan 29, 2024 11:18 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Experiences from those who have scaled back before full retirement
Replies: 6
Views: 993

Re: Experiences from those who have scaled back before full retirement

I myself did what I believe you're suggesting. My details will be different from yours or others, of course. In the year 2000 when I was turning 55 several big things happened: 1. My significant other and I paid off our home mortgage. 2. My youngest child graduated from college, which I'd been funding, and that was the end of "child support" for me. 3. The significant other previously mentioned and I got married. I'd wanted to go back to school to study music, and "now" was the time. I negotiated with my employer to work 2 days a week for 2/5 of my then income. I had two back-up plans if they did not agree to my proposal, but they did, which made it easy for me. I'd crunched the numbers and made certain changes in my lif...
by Jazztonight
Thu Jan 25, 2024 6:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5993
Views: 699850

Re: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]

DW and I just finished watch the last episode of the 6th (and last) season of "Bull." DW is a retired attorney, and I enjoyed both the music and the creative writing and character development.

But, now it's over. And what's next?

We've been watching NCIS and like that. But there's no more (new) Perry Mason, and Endeavour, and Inspector Morse, and we're still waiting for the next season of Attorney Woo.

So now you know what we like to watch. Any recommendations? (We have Amazon Prime and Netflix, and I'd rather not pay for any more subscriptions. Sigh.) All Creatures Great and Small, maybe?

I'm considering Monsieur Spade.
by Jazztonight
Wed Jan 24, 2024 10:46 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What are some of the things that improved YOUR quality of life?
Replies: 254
Views: 42506

Re: What are some of the things that improved YOUR quality of life?

Moving BACK to California! I now live in the climate that works best for me (the SF East-Bay). Housecleaning service every 2 weeks. Grocery delivery from Costco and Amazon Fresh as needed. (Maybe I'll shop if I need gas at Costco.) Stopped chasing music gigs that pay $50 or $100; realized the money wouldn't change my life or lifestyle and only brought more stress. Now I volunteer to do the gigs that are convenient and allow me to play music I want to play. House plants--I enjoy propagating peperomia and geraniums. I grow alstroemeria in 4 colors. I love the plants, and they love me. Cruise vacations with DW, the easiest and best way to travel at our age given mobility issues. I leave the cooking and cleaning to the crew, enjoy great enterta...
by Jazztonight
Sun Jan 21, 2024 11:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Lots of white exhaust smoke after oil change
Replies: 22
Views: 2906

Re: Lots of white exhaust smoke after oil change

vsk wrote: Sun Jan 21, 2024 7:31 pm Do you hear Loud roar when you start the car, louder as you accelerate? Catalytic converter?

All seems to be fine at this point. 2001 Camry...best car I've ever owned.

End of story (I hope!).
by Jazztonight
Sun Jan 21, 2024 4:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Lots of white exhaust smoke after oil change
Replies: 22
Views: 2906

Re: Lots of white exhaust smoke after oil change

Good news: It's not a bad valve, or blown head gasket, or cracked block, or coolant leaking, or any of the other bad stuff we feared. After adding additive to the oil and gas tank, and running the engine and driving at a higher speed on the freeway, and reviewing everything else that he'd done (and checking with his friend at Toyota), my mechanic Tony advised that there was nothing he'd done that could cause the increase in white smoke exhaust, and we probably just need to wait and see what happens. I'd already noticed that the amount and length of exhaust was decreasing each morning. By the next day, there was hardly any white smoke at all. And the following two days, none was visible. This may remain a mystery, or as some of you predicted...
by Jazztonight
Mon Jan 15, 2024 7:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Lots of white exhaust smoke after oil change
Replies: 22
Views: 2906

Re: Lots of white exhaust smoke after oil change

Major tuneup: new spark plugs, etc..... Having replaced spark plugs on three vehicles in past year I have experienced "white" smoke for a period of time afterwards. I believe some of it was related to some burning off of the thread anti seize lube that may have made its way into the cylinder upon installation. I also used Iridium Spark Plugs on all three which results in a improved ignition profile that allows your fuel to burn more efficiently. I believe some of the additional smoke was a result of long-term valve carbon build up burning off with the improved ignition. Over time with 1 or 2 weeks of daily driving, the smoke reduced and disappeared. I suggest you give it some more time to clear up. Maybe a good fuel system cleane...
by Jazztonight
Mon Jan 15, 2024 7:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Lots of white exhaust smoke after oil change
Replies: 22
Views: 2906

Re: Lots of white exhaust smoke after oil change

Major tuneup: new spark plugs, etc. Mechanic said: "The smoke is somewhat normal in this cold weather condition. I do smell some oil burning from the tail pipe. Normal with higher mileage vehicles. I will add an engine additive to help with the valve seals."
He took the valve covers off and examined them. Yes, I'm burning some oil, but no blown head gasket or cracked block.
He will do further tests later this week.

I passed the CA smog test in the fall. No idea what the measurements were.
by Jazztonight
Mon Jan 15, 2024 5:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Lots of white exhaust smoke after oil change
Replies: 22
Views: 2906

Lots of white exhaust smoke after oil change

I brought my 2001 Camry to a new but highly recommended mechanic for a routine oil change and tuneup. The next day LOTS of white exhaust smoke came out of my tailpipe, and it's been happening ever since for the last 2 weeks when the engine is cold (e.g. in the morning, mostly). I brought it back to the shop and they checked things out and told me that it's due to the age of my car and mileage (145K miles) and the colder weather. My concern is that I'd never had this problem before. I checked the oil; the level is good and it looks clean. The car otherwise runs just fine. (My best car ever.) I'm wondering if it might have something to do with this mechanic using a different grade of oil (usually I bring it to a quick oil change place every 5...
by Jazztonight
Sun Jan 14, 2024 7:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best < $100 purchase?
Replies: 299
Views: 56509

Re: Best < $100 purchase?

In July 2023 I posted that my best purchase was an Insignia TV/monitor from Amazon. But I'd forgotten I'd posted that, and thought of something that's even better: When the 3BR/2BA apt. DW and I bought almost 13 years ago was being renovated before we moved in, our contractor pulled me aside one day and said, "You know, your wife is getting everything she wants in this apartment. She's picking the walls, floors, ceilings, fixtures, bathrooms, counters, doors, colors, and everything. Isn't there anything YOU want?" I thought for a moment and said, "Yes. You see that spot right above the door in what will be my new study? Can you put a pull-up bar there?" He laughed and said, "Absolutely! No extra charge! It's my gif...
by Jazztonight
Sun Jan 14, 2024 7:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone here "unretire"?
Replies: 21
Views: 3540

Re: Anyone here "unretire"?

Unretire?

Absolutely not!

I planned my retirement (first semi-retirement, where I went back to college and cut my work week by 3 days/week) very carefully, staying at my office until I was 66 and eligible for SS.

After working at my profession and investing, saving, etc., I'd had enough.

Then I got to work! But not for money. Since the day I turned 66 and before and after that, I've led a full life with creative projects, travel, exercise, language learning, reading, writing, performing, social activities, and so on.

(My sister, a retired school administrator, unretired because the school district offered her money. She couldn't resist the money, but she doesn't need it.)
by Jazztonight
Sun Jan 14, 2024 7:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Calling Ocean Engineers: What is happening to my cruise ship?
Replies: 86
Views: 11961

Re: Calling Ocean Engineers: What is happening to my cruise ship?

What you are hearing, I believe, are the STABILIZERS.

Stabilizers serve an essential function on cruise ships. They are fins or rotors beneath the water line, extended from the ship's hull to stabilize the ship and prevent it from rolling. This rolling could result from either wind or waves, and the stabilizer steadies the ship.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stabilizer_(ship)

https://www.cruisehive.com/cruise-ship-stabilizer/92526

I've been on a couple of dozen cruises and experienced noise just as you are describing during rough seas.
by Jazztonight
Sun Jan 07, 2024 11:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Devices to Increase Hand-Grip Strength
Replies: 49
Views: 8028

Re: Devices to Increase Hand-Grip Strength

...I do a hundred pull-ups a few times a week, and hang on the bar once a week doing a total of 100 hanging knee raises in 30 minutes. Wow that is a very small group of people that can bang out 100 pull ups in a row very impressive at any age...but I'll bet you are small framed and have always been small framed so ideally suited to this sort of exercise I doubt you just recently started doing that many pull ups. But other than climbing over walls not useful for picking up heavy things or opening a jar. Which are things many people are more likely to do day in and day out, hence OP's question about grip strength and building it up. The trick in exercise is to do the things that are hard not what we are naturally adept at to build up overall...
by Jazztonight
Sat Jan 06, 2024 11:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Devices to Increase Hand-Grip Strength
Replies: 49
Views: 8028

Re: Devices to Increase Hand-Grip Strength

I'm just not convinced that hand grip strength is any more important than "how much weight you can press" or whatever. I have a minimal amount of osteoarthritis and experience pain in my hands at various times during the day or during the week. If I can't open a jar, I use a jar-opener device I have installed under a cabinet. It's just a tool, and I do not feel like a failure if a lid is sealed too tight for me to open with my hands. That said, I do a hundred pull-ups a few times a week, and hang on the bar once a week doing a total of 100 hanging knee raises in 30 minutes. A few years ago a friend brought a hand-grip-strength-testing gadget to a gathering, and I was not one of people in the group with the strongest grip. I remain...
by Jazztonight
Tue Dec 26, 2023 7:08 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Cathie Wood - What's the story?
Replies: 83
Views: 14023

Re: Cathie Wood - What's the story?

Beensabu wrote: Tue Dec 26, 2023 6:31 pm Cult of Personality
Yes, there seems to be a lot of that. This article from npr.org is very descriptive:

https://www.npr.org/2022/05/22/10994952 ... eet-stocks
by Jazztonight
Tue Dec 26, 2023 6:05 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Cathie Wood - What's the story?
Replies: 83
Views: 14023

Re: Cathie Wood - What's the story?

I'm getting the information I expected. Thanks!
by Jazztonight
Tue Dec 26, 2023 4:07 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Cathie Wood - What's the story?
Replies: 83
Views: 14023

Cathie Wood - What's the story?

I constantly see headlines that Cathie Wood is buying this or that, implying that it's a good idea, she's smarter than you, and you should follow her investing lead.

When I look at her bio, I see she runs an investment management firm and has had plenty of down years. I just wonder what the appeal is. You see her name in the financial "news headlines" as much or more as Warren Buffett. (At least I know something about his bio, history, and appeal.)

Can someone please enlighten me about Cathie Wood?
by Jazztonight
Mon Dec 25, 2023 2:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Pull-ups and Push-ups
Replies: 678
Views: 182790

Re: Pull-ups and Push-ups

My New Year’s resolution is to score 100 on the Marine Corps pull ups fitness standards. I’m currently at an 80. https://www.fitness.marines.mil/Portals/211/Docs/PFT_CFT/PFT_CFT%20Standards/Table%202-2%20Hybrid%20Pull-up%20Push-up%20Test%20Scoring%20Tables.pdf?ver=2019-01-04-154009-413 You reminded me of a time, about 20 or 25 years ago, when I was visiting a friend who had a booth at a Fitness Forum in San Jose. There was a recruiting booth set up nearby--I think it was Navy, but I could be wrong--and they had a pull-up bar. Young buff guys were seeing how many they could do (maybe 5 or 10, pushing it). I was 2 or 3 times the age of many of these guys, but when it was my turn I did 29 consecutive pull-ups with good form. The good news was...
by Jazztonight
Sun Dec 24, 2023 1:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New to Costco
Replies: 239
Views: 61003

Re: New to Costco

I needed gas and went to Costco this morning (Christmas Eve morning). It was worth the wait in line, which was not terrible. Looking at the gas prices on my way there compared to the Costco pump (and the 4% rebate) started my day off just nicely!

When I need groceries from Costco next week, I'll order them online and have them delivered :happy
by Jazztonight
Sun Dec 24, 2023 11:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Pull-ups and Push-ups
Replies: 678
Views: 182790

Re: Pull-ups and Push-ups

This 10-minute bodyweight exercise routine provides a full-body workout and can be done at home with no equipment required. Remember to listen to your body and adjust the intensity as needed. You can also modify the exercises to make them easier or harder depending on your fitness level." Zhen, I like what you've posted--all seem like good exercises, and it's a nice, short, no-equipment routine, with smart advice. I'd say that what's missing is a "pull" exercise. The ideal pull routine is pull-ups. A similar pull workout can be done with a dumbbell and are called dumbbell bench pulls or rows (easy to find on Youtube). Other pull exercises can be done in a doorway or under a sturdy table, pulling yourself up. (WikiHow has an ...
by Jazztonight
Sat Dec 23, 2023 8:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Anyone Make a Major Career Change in Their Forties?
Replies: 95
Views: 24520

Re: Anyone Make a Major Career Change in Their Forties?

My experience is different than the OP's, but I wanted to put in my 2 cents. After my first bachelor's degree I jumped from job to job in my early 20s and realized I was never going to achieve the middle class life that I aspired to. The conclusion that I came to was to go back to school and get a degree in a field that would always provide me a decent income, much like the posters who went into nursing (although my field was in a different branch of health care). It took me 5 1/2 years of schooling. I had the support of my family and school was cheaper then than now. I worked 37 years in that new field in a number of positions. At 55 I went back to college again (music), and was with the 20-somethings. I disagree with the thought that this...
by Jazztonight
Sat Dec 23, 2023 6:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Uber drivers and cancellation fee
Replies: 36
Views: 3993

Re: Uber drivers and cancellation fee

Everyone who uses Uber or a competitor is going to have some kind of similar story. If you challenge the charge, the ride service will typically credit you. They don't want you to post a bad review. However, you certainly should make a point of putting in a negative review of the driver (as if this particular one would care, ha!). I had one driver refuse to take me where I wanted to go (home) after he arrived at my location! These days, we use Lyft, but I think most of the drivers in this region drive for both Uber and Lyft. Stories about taxi drivers in the old days are legion. Be grateful that you didn't have a really bad experience, and that you could get a credit or refund. The vast majority of drivers I've had were wonderful, patient, ...
by Jazztonight
Sat Dec 23, 2023 2:59 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New to Costco
Replies: 239
Views: 61003

Re: New to Costco

Personally, I love Costco. I typically get my gas at Costco, which is the best price around and with my CC I get an additional discount, like 4%, I believe. I've continued to have my groceries delivered from Costco since before the pandemic. A 30+ min. drive each way, an hour in the store, parking, and freeway driving--who needs it? If it costs me an extra $30 or so to have someone shop and deliver it for me, I can afford that. It saves on wear-and-tear on both the car and me! I shop online at home using the website and my shopping list. The site has my prior purchases so I can easily save time and effort there, too. If anything is wrong with any product (bruised bananas, etc), I tell them online after the purchase and get a credit. For wha...
by Jazztonight
Wed Dec 20, 2023 12:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: High school graduation gift amount?
Replies: 43
Views: 4600

Re: High school graduation gift amount?

While I don't consider myself a particularly good or generous gift-giver, when my oldest grandson graduated from high school this past spring he'd already been accepted to a university and received an excellent scholarship.

Without earmarking it as a gift for HS graduation or college acceptance, I gave him enough of a gift to buy 5 shares of VTI (etf) with instructions on how to call Vanguard and set up an account (the details are not important for this thread). He's a smart kid, listened to his grandfather (me), and made it happen. He's tech-savvy and did all this on his phone, I think.

I would not have been as generous with someone who is not as close to me.
by Jazztonight
Tue Dec 12, 2023 2:14 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Comparing Daily Ups & Downs: ETFs vs. Mutual Funds
Replies: 9
Views: 718

Re: Comparing Daily Ups & Downs: ETFs vs. Mutual Funds

SmileyFace wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2023 1:39 pm VTI and VTSAX should go up by the same exact PERCENTAGE.
Thanks!
I guess the question I am wondering is - why do you care?
why does anyone care about anything? I’m curious, as I said.
by Jazztonight
Tue Dec 12, 2023 1:30 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Comparing Daily Ups & Downs: ETFs vs. Mutual Funds
Replies: 9
Views: 718

Comparing Daily Ups & Downs: ETFs vs. Mutual Funds

I'm curious if there's a way one can predict how VTSAX and VBTLX (Total Stock & Bond Market funds) will go up (or down) for the day compared to the movement of the comparable ETFs, VTI and BND.

Thus, if VTI goes up 25 cents, what would be the expected rise in VTSAX?

Same for BND and VBTLX.
by Jazztonight
Fri Dec 08, 2023 7:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [Exercises for physical balance]
Replies: 43
Views: 5954

Re: physical balance

Personally, I've never bought into this "improving your physical balance thing on your own" business.

I have a friend who told me he brushes his teeth while standing on one leg, then switches half-way through to the other leg. That kind of stuff.

I don't fall. On the other hand, my DW has fallen regularly and more often as time has gone by. Nothing she's done per physical training or therapy has ever helped, sadly.

I'm thinking I'm either very lucky, or the daily physical exercises I do keep me in good-balance condition. Something does.

That said, the Mayo clinic says Balance exercises can improve your balance as you get older. Who am I to argue with them?

(Well, just call me a skeptic.)
by Jazztonight
Wed Dec 06, 2023 10:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: retire in 50s what do you do
Replies: 64
Views: 12223

Re: retire in 50s what do you do

OP, you'll find your way. As you can see, different Bogleheads have their ways of doing things. Personally, I am always telling people that you don't just retire from something, you definitely need to retire to something. And I believe that. I was planning my retirement from age 40 (I was a health professional for 37 years), and knew that at some point I'd like to write and compose. To do that, I decided to cut back and semi-retire at age 55 and went back to get a degree in music composition. There were just a few other people in my age group doing that, and we all enjoyed the experience. From there, I created music, walked across America, and wrote or co-wrote 3 books (not about music). I provide entertainment (for pay or as a volunteer) a...
by Jazztonight
Tue Dec 05, 2023 12:07 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Anxious for retirement
Replies: 63
Views: 7391

Re: Anxious for retirement

Rubicon77 wrote: Mon Dec 04, 2023 9:21 pmWow, that's great. Suppose your classmates were all much younger. Did you find it difficult to keep up? I don't know anything about music but I'm guessing at that level it's quite technical. Ability to learn technical subjects diminishes rapidly at that age, especially if memory is important.
Rubicon77, I do not wish to hijack this post, so I'll send you a PM.
by Jazztonight
Mon Dec 04, 2023 7:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Anxious for retirement
Replies: 63
Views: 7391

Re: Anxious for retirement

I negotiated with my employer to work 2/5 time for 2/5 pay. Then I went back to school MWF for four years and got a degree in a field I was really interested in, and worked hard at school, and did my regular job at work. I'm curious about the degree in the new field that you achieved while working part-time. Did you parlay that into part-time work in retirement or was that more for personal fulfillment? Something creative that you always wanted to learn/study? At the time I went back to the university at age 55 I'd already gotten a couple of undergraduate degrees and a doctorate in a health care field. But I'd always been a musician and wanted to compose at a higher level, so I pursued a 4 year BA in music composition, attending MWF at a l...
by Jazztonight
Sun Dec 03, 2023 6:59 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Anxious for retirement
Replies: 63
Views: 7391

Re: Anxious for retirement

Interesting thread. OP, please do what's best for you, your mental and physical health, and remember always that you are not just retiring from something; you've got to think of what you're retiring to. I was in a great position to semi-retire at 55, and I did. I negotiated with my employer to work 2/5 time for 2/5 pay. Then I went back to school MWF for four years and got a degree in a field I was really interested in, and worked hard at school, and did my regular job at work. When it came time for me to get Soc. Sec. at 66, I wanted to give my employer 2 weeks notice, but I'd worked there 30 years and they asked for 2 months so they'd "have time to fill my position." That final 2 months was torture. And guess what? The SOBs neve...
by Jazztonight
Sat Dec 02, 2023 12:03 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Private Music Lessons: Piano vs. Ukulele/Guitar
Replies: 18
Views: 1714

Re: Private Music Lessons: Piano vs. Ukulele/Guitar

My vote: BOTH. Definitely. Have a piano or keyboard in the house that can be played at any time. Start lessons soon. This (imho) should include learning to read both the treble and bass clefs. Don't you want your kid to be able to read? Absolutely. You can call it theory if you want. There's a lot to learn, just as in any field of knowledge. Have a ukulele AND a guitar in the house. A 7 yo can learn to play a few chords, for sure, even without knowing what a chord is. (btw, you might want to do a little reading about chords, clefs, notes, etc. yourself, just as you help your child to read. The basics are, well, basic. Sharing music with my parents was one of the most wonderful things of my childhood.) Finally, at this point, if your kid doe...
by Jazztonight
Mon Nov 27, 2023 7:44 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can I afford this $2M house in bay area?
Replies: 67
Views: 8729

Re: Can I afford this $2M house in bay area?

$2 million in Cupertino is probably the going rate, and probably not bad for a fixer-upper.

If you think you can swing it, and you and spouse can start learning the basics of "fixing up" what you can (cosmetic stuff), then take a chance.

DW and I bought a fixer upper in the Oakland Hills in 1985 for a fraction of what it's worth now (we sold it 13 years ago and did very well on the sale), and the school district was not what Cupertino's is (we had no kids so not an issue).

This is what it's like living in a HCOL area.

Good luck.
by Jazztonight
Sat Nov 11, 2023 11:45 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What frugal thing did you do today?
Replies: 4536
Views: 625996

Re: What frugal thing did you do today?

The other day I bought a beautiful blue salvia plant at Home Depot for $24.95. We live in an apartment building in a downtown location overlooking a lake, and have a 40' long balcony deck. Plants such as this attract hummingbirds and other pollinators. When I re-potted the plant in a large pot on the deck, a few branches broke off, and I felt bad. I checked on Youtube to see if the plant can be propagated from cuttings, and yes, it could! I took about 6 cuttings from the broken branches and am propagating them (some in water, some in soil). If any of them survive, I will have new plants that cost me nothing! Note: I have a fair number of peperomia and others plants that I've successfully propagated from cuttings. I'm not a "big" g...
by Jazztonight
Tue Nov 07, 2023 2:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Daughter wants to pursue a career in music
Replies: 86
Views: 16789

Re: Daughter wants to pursue a career in music

Sorry I came to this thread late, but the feedback and responses are just about what I would have expected. Consider strongly that we are Bogleheads replying to the Boglehead parent, not the musician herself. THEN: When I was in high school in the 1960s, I was a musician and bandleader. Sadly, the only "professional" musicians I ever personally came into contact with were my music teachers and the guys who played at weddings, bar mitzvahs, and graduations. I didn't know anyone who toured, who played on Broadway, or who was a studio musician. NOW: I spent 37 years as a health professional, and lived (and still live) a solid middle class Boglehead-type life. I never gave up my love of music, and gigged and wrote songs and even wrote...
by Jazztonight
Thu Nov 02, 2023 11:02 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Long Term Care Insurance
Replies: 448
Views: 41424

Re: Long Term Care Insurance

Thanks for all the helpful information on this extensive thread. I enrolled in the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program in 2006 (DW was a federal employee), and it seemed like a good idea at the time. Now? Not so much. I pondered the value of this insurance year after year, and as the premiums rose I had to decide on paying the increases or "adjust" (e.g. lower) my benefits. This morning I pulled the plug on this plan. I'll be 77 in a few weeks, and have accrued a "Maximum Lifetime Benefit" of almost $35K. My thought process in deciding I don't want to continue to pay the increasing premium has as much to do about my current age and life-expectancy as it does about the condition I'd have to be in to even qualify to r...
by Jazztonight
Sun Oct 15, 2023 10:38 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: VCADX vs VBTLX
Replies: 11
Views: 3095

Re: VCADX vs VBTLX

Thanks to everyone for your assistance.

Just submitted our 2022 tax returns and I'm indeed in a bracket high enough to justify having the VCADX Vanguard California Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund, primarily because we're married filing jointly.
by Jazztonight
Sat Oct 07, 2023 11:07 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: VCADX vs VBTLX
Replies: 11
Views: 3095

Re: VCADX vs VBTLX

You are missing the most important question: what is your tax bracket? This is a reasonable allocation for a CA investor in a high tax bracket, but not one in the 12% tax bracket. (Even if you are in the phase-in of SS taxation, munis don't make sense in the 12% bracket, because muni income is counted as income for making SS taxable.) As a separate issue, if you are drawing down the taxable account, it makes sense to sell the bonds there and keep the stocks; you can change your allocation in the IRA to keep the appropriate stock percentage. The reason is that there is little or no tax cost for selling bonds, while there is a capital-gains tax for selling stocks; by selling the bonds first, you postpone the need to pay the capital-gains tax...