Search found 963 matches

by user5027
Thu Oct 01, 2020 12:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Help with replacing water heater
Replies: 49
Views: 4393

Re: Help with replacing water heater

I'd evaluate what the damage will be if it blows a leak.

High $$$ damage risk. Replace it yesterday.

Low $$$ damage risk. Get a water monitor to alert you of any leak and ride it to the end.

If you plan to do your own install, buy it now so you are prepared.
by user5027
Thu Oct 01, 2020 11:57 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Help with YouTube TV buffering issue
Replies: 38
Views: 5033

Re: Help with YouTube TV buffering issue

I like Youtube TV and use it across several devices (android tablet & phone, windows 10 pc's, insignia tv with built-in roku and a dynex tv with a roku stick).

I had buffering problems with an older tablet. Replaced it and now I rarely have any buffering issues and never on the tv's. The Youtube TV menus do load slower on the insignia tv with built-in roku. That tv was a "hand me up" from my son when he got a new 4k(?). I suspect the roku is an older version. The dynex has a newer stick and is faster.

I have occasionally had problems playing some recordings. Sent a message to Youtube TV and they replied and apologized there was nothing they could do. A few hours later, recordings played fine. :?
by user5027
Thu Sep 24, 2020 7:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Contingent Beneficiary Question-Specific Situation
Replies: 11
Views: 873

Re: Contingent Beneficiary Question-Specific Situation

Our wills both state....

A beneficiary must survive me for at least 45 days to receive property under this will. As
used in this will, the phrase "survive me" means to be alive or in existence as an
organization on the 45th day after my death.

If I leave property to be shared by two or more beneficiaries, and any of them does not
survive me, I leave his or her share to the others equally unless this will provides
otherwise.
by user5027
Thu Sep 24, 2020 7:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Paying estimated taxes question
Replies: 7
Views: 1007

Re: Paying estimated taxes question

She can pay taxes at this IRS website...

https://www.irs.gov/payments
by user5027
Thu Sep 24, 2020 5:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Planned power outage - any 'must-do's' or 'don'ts'?
Replies: 28
Views: 2661

Re: Planned power outage - any 'must-do's' or 'don'ts'?

whodidntante wrote: Wed Sep 23, 2020 9:23 pm
Yooper wrote: Wed Sep 23, 2020 9:14 pm If you like your morning showers, take one the night of the outage before you go to bed. If your water heater is electric.
A 50+ gallon tub of insulated hot water sort of just stays hot.
I've gone on vacations with the hot water shut off (gas in my case) and I came back to hot water.
Of course, it's not go to be enough for the Brady Bunch to each have a 30 minute shower.
A few years ago we lost power for several days during the summer. I found the hot water tank would last me for 4 showers taken over 4 days before getting too cold. These were "Navy Showers." The water is only on to wet and rinse and off while soaping and shampooing.

Would not have been possible with a tank-less hot water heater.
by user5027
Thu Sep 24, 2020 5:23 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: In which companies do you own a single share, or token amount, of stock?
Replies: 119
Views: 12248

Re: In which companies do you own a single share, or token amount, of stock?

Disney. Years ago shareholders got a discount staying at the parks. Our holding is now 12 shares due to splits.
by user5027
Mon Sep 07, 2020 8:14 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: advice for light switch timer
Replies: 44
Views: 2863

Re: advice for light switch timer

I installed two timers similar (mine are 20 amp) to this 6 years ago and have been happy with them....

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Defiant-15- ... /300524126
by user5027
Tue Aug 04, 2020 6:29 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Parent DOB Error on Birth Certificate
Replies: 20
Views: 2106

Re: Parent DOB Error on Birth Certificate

anon_investor wrote: Mon Aug 03, 2020 11:10 pm
user5027 wrote: Thu Jul 30, 2020 6:59 pm It could be that the actual record is correct and a mistake was made when the certificate was created for you. 40 years ago I got a birth certificate from Pennsylvania Vital Statistics with my DOB wrong. I corresponded with them and they assured me the record was correct and provided me a corrected certificate.
Whoa! So you celebrated the wrong birthday for a bunch of years???
No. I noticed the incorrect DOB immediately, mailed Vital Statistics a letter and they replied with written confirmation the record was correct along with a corrected certificate after a week or two. It all happened 40 years ago.
by user5027
Thu Jul 30, 2020 6:59 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Parent DOB Error on Birth Certificate
Replies: 20
Views: 2106

Re: Parent DOB Error on Birth Certificate

It could be that the actual record is correct and a mistake was made when the certificate was created for you. 40 years ago I got a birth certificate from Pennsylvania Vital Statistics with my DOB wrong. I corresponded with them and they assured me the record was correct and provided me a corrected certificate.
by user5027
Mon Jun 22, 2020 1:59 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: roof attic fan
Replies: 42
Views: 3408

Re: roof attic fan

I had a roof mounted attic fan motor stop working and could not locate a replacement. I bought a gable fan and mounted it directly underneath the roof mounted fan. I had access to the attic.

About 10 years later I had to replace the gable fan.

About 10 years after that I had the roof redone and had them install a new roof mounted fan, gutters/downspouts/leaf guards and skylights.
by user5027
Sun Jun 21, 2020 9:22 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: "Open Social Security" calculator: feature requests, bug reports, etc.
Replies: 641
Views: 89161

Re: "Open Social Security" calculator: feature requests, bug reports, etc

Nice feature and thank you for updating for 2020. Thank you Mike and Brian. Enjoy the day!
by user5027
Tue Jun 09, 2020 6:51 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cumulative Rainfall Reference?
Replies: 13
Views: 988

Re: Cumulative Rainfall Reference?

vested1 wrote: Tue Jun 09, 2020 5:07 am I'd much rather access the information on a screen on my computer than have to access it from my Iphone. I guess that makes me a dinosaur.

Any additional suggestions as to a model that would connect to WiFi and transmit to my router so that I could access it on my Imac would be appreciated.
The Ambient Weather model I linked above will do that. I can view my weather station's data on my desktop pc and laptop.
by user5027
Mon Jun 08, 2020 8:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cumulative Rainfall Reference?
Replies: 13
Views: 988

Re: Cumulative Rainfall Reference?

I was gifted a weather station for my birthday and it works great...
https://www.amazon.com/Ambient-Weather- ... B01N5TEHLI
by user5027
Sat Jun 06, 2020 6:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Turning attic into living space
Replies: 3
Views: 714

Re: Turning attic into living space

Keep in mind permits will be required and will trigger a reappraisal to include the additional square footage of living space and an increase to any property taxes.
by user5027
Tue Jun 02, 2020 7:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: what to do about 1000s of dandelions/weeds?
Replies: 60
Views: 6114

Re: what to do about 1000s of dandelions/weeds?

ram wrote: Fri May 22, 2020 8:00 pm
user5027 wrote: Thu May 21, 2020 6:38 am Similar to what I have...
https://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-Deluxe-S ... B0030MIHAU

Get them before they go to seed.
I am planning to buy this Fiskars. Do you like yours?
Yes I do. Got mine after my son bought one.
by user5027
Thu May 21, 2020 6:27 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Choices of and precautions at hotels in this summer
Replies: 52
Views: 3719

Re: Choices of and precautions at hotels in this summer

I used to ask for no housekeeping when I did field support on equipment that I worked on at night. It might be observed for a day or two but then housekeeping showed up. My guess is they may get paid by the number of rooms they do. I think part of this is that they do need to check occasionally for "signs of life", etc. So if one is calling the front desk for something, or if one calls to remind housekeeping *not* to come into the room, etc., that seems to work well, when otherwise they might knock/enter "by mistake; oh, we forgot" - or "we didn't notice the Do Not Disturb sign"... RM People have also set up drug labs or other illegal activities in hotel rooms. Some hotels will want to check your room every fe...
by user5027
Sun May 17, 2020 7:27 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Heating Oil prices
Replies: 13
Views: 1285

Re: Heating Oil prices

We have a heat pump with oil backup and only order oil once a year. I've used an online broker to find the cheapest price the last two years. I paid $1.28/gallon a few weeks ago.

http://www.cashheatingoil.com/
by user5027
Sat May 16, 2020 11:36 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Roofing job -- what to know when paying final balance ?
Replies: 15
Views: 1184

Re: Roofing job -- what to know when paying final balance ?

When I had my roof done a few years ago I paid with a credit card. I think they charged me a 3% fee. I get 2% cashback rewards. I looked at the 1% as a cheap "performance bond." If a problem developed within the first 60 days, I had the ability to enter a dispute with the credit card company.
by user5027
Fri May 01, 2020 7:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: COBRA plan question
Replies: 3
Views: 336

Re: COBRA plan question

My experience is you stay with the same plan.
by user5027
Sat Apr 11, 2020 10:25 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: [Government stimulus payments]
Replies: 361
Views: 36749

Re: just got my $1200 stimulus payment

CABob wrote: Sat Apr 11, 2020 12:00 am I'm not sure I will be getting a check but what are your thoughts on the best use of the check to help the economy and needy. My primary interests are local small businesses and the needy.
Feeding America.

https://www.feedingamerica.org/
by user5027
Sat Apr 11, 2020 10:04 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Taxes on New Home in PA
Replies: 10
Views: 1127

Re: Taxes on New Home in PA

I live in Bucks.

The property transfer last fall should have put you on the tax record then and you should have a bill that was mailed 3/1....

https://www.ccpa.net/3021/When-Are-My-Taxes-Due

Even if the the tax record does not reflect a reassessment for the new home, the bill would be at least for the land.

Can you find your property on this map and make sure the information is correct? Being vacant land they may have a bad mailing address. Might be part of the "Care of" line.

https://gis.ccpa.net/propertymapper/
by user5027
Sat Apr 11, 2020 5:50 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Taxes on New Home in PA
Replies: 10
Views: 1127

Re: Taxes on New Home in PA

It's been 32 years and my recollection is...

1) Township Code Office handles building permits and inspections. After final inspection they issue Occupancy Permit and notify County Tax Assessor's office. That triggers...

2) Tax assessment of property and revision to tax record.

3) Local tax collector issues tax bills based on current tax record when bill is issued. You get two bills. One in March for County and Township. One in July for School District.

Hope that helps. YMMV
by user5027
Sun Mar 29, 2020 10:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New Gutters Now or Later?
Replies: 12
Views: 1259

Re: New Gutters Now or Later?

And consider getting leaf guards if you have trees and need to clean your gutters.
by user5027
Sun Mar 29, 2020 10:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How will coronavirus affect housing choices? Do walkable suburbs win?
Replies: 19
Views: 2419

Re: How will coronavirus affect housing choices? Do walkable suburbs win?

I've been thinking it may be best to return to where I spent my summer 36 years ago...

https://mapio.net/pic/p-33800897/

Problem is it has been abandoned...

https://www.radomes.org/museum/parsehtm ... ecent_html
by user5027
Sat Mar 21, 2020 7:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Heat pump - Minimum outside temp for yearly test & inspection
Replies: 7
Views: 805

Re: Heat pump - Minimum outside temp for yearly test & inspection

I've asked the technicians that service my heat pump. They suggested 80 deg F or higher for cooling and 60 deg F or less for heating.
by user5027
Mon Mar 16, 2020 2:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Thinking I should go car shopping amidst the panic
Replies: 106
Views: 12554

Re: Thinking I should go car shopping amidst the panic

I got an email from a local dealer the other day.

They've instructed staff and are asking customers to not shake hands.

Encouraged customers to bring their own pens.

Are sanitizing all vehicles before and after tests drives.

Removed all reading material from the service lounge. Feel free to bring your own or use the free wifi.

Complimentary coffee and snacks are no longer self serve. Staff will serve it.
by user5027
Mon Mar 02, 2020 6:09 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Question on New Fence Etiquette
Replies: 29
Views: 3541

Re: Question on New Fence Etiquette

Have you considered an invisible fence....

https://www.petsafe.net/fencing
by user5027
Sun Feb 09, 2020 3:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Philly with Kids
Replies: 31
Views: 2906

Re: Philly with Kids

Moshulu. Restaurant on a floating Tall Ship...

https://www.moshulu.com/
by user5027
Thu Feb 06, 2020 12:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Philly with Kids
Replies: 31
Views: 2906

Re: Philly with Kids

You can see the Liberty Bell without going inside....
https://www.nps.gov/media/photo/gallery ... 80C4C4C431

I'd consider the Franklin Institute...
https://www.fi.edu/

and the Please Touch Museum...
https://www.pleasetouchmuseum.org/

Travelling South on I-95 into the city is heaviest for the AM rush (6-9 am).
by user5027
Sat Feb 01, 2020 9:13 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Honda Ridgeline
Replies: 17
Views: 3047

Re: Honda Ridgeline

Have a 2018 E. Replaced a F250 super cab I was gifted by employer when I retired. It was my assigned vehicle and drove similar for 30 years. Wife hated driving the big Fords when she had to. She loves the Ridgeline. We've made 9 hour rides in both and with the uni-body ride of the Ridgeline, I can get out at the destination and stand up straight after not having my lower back feel every bump in the road.

Two issues; rear door opening was small and no lock on the tailgate (we have the bed cover). We had the dealer install longer rear door checks and a tailgate lock at the first service. Both are addressed on the 2020 models.

If you've not found the Ridgeline Owners Forum...
https://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/
by user5027
Mon Dec 23, 2019 4:16 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What tech wiring in new build house?
Replies: 124
Views: 9788

Re: What tech wiring in new build house?

The conduit tips reminded me of our experience. We reconstructed our 1 story home to a 2 story in 1988. At the time we considered having a central vac and I ran the piping and installed the wall hose connections. We never installed the vac. Fast forward a few years and the kids wanted ethernet in their rooms for their computers. I used the abandoned piping to run cat 5 from the basement to the attic and drop into the bedroom closets. Not sure why I ran the pipe to the attic, but am glad I did. :idea:
by user5027
Tue Dec 03, 2019 9:59 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Should I do a Roth conversion in 2019?
Replies: 16
Views: 1697

Re: Should I do a Roth conversion in 2019?

Newlearner19 wrote: Tue Dec 03, 2019 6:44 am We expect our bracket to drop next year but we couldn’t convert all of it next year or we’d blow through several brackets then.
I'm not a fan of converting ALL. You do not know what the future may bring with regards to medical and long term care. Costs may be tax deductible against IRA withdraws.

Newlearner19 wrote: Tue Dec 03, 2019 6:44 am Finally am I correct we should pay taxes on Conversion with aquarterly payment in January if we do a conversion in 2019? If we don’t do a conversion we might get a small refund. I’m concerned we will face a penalty but there doesn’t seem any way around paying the taxes in January. Unless one of you experts can tell me a better way.
I figure what I need to meet safe harbor and have Vanguard withhold it from an end of year IRA withdraw.
by user5027
Fri Nov 22, 2019 7:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Recommend Online Eyeglass Company for Strong Presc.?
Replies: 13
Views: 1445

Re: Recommend Online Eyeglass Company for Strong Presc.?

Try Payne Glasses. They filled an order for me that Zenni could not.
by user5027
Tue Nov 05, 2019 9:19 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Job change + high healthcare costs = pay deductible twice?
Replies: 17
Views: 1527

Re: Job change + high healthcare costs = pay deductible twice?

simplesimon wrote: Tue Nov 05, 2019 12:24 pm Isn't COBRA very expensive? Cost likely more than the deductible?
COBRA is usually 102% of the current premium (employer + employee portions). Depends on how good (Cadillac or Volkswagen) the plan is.

If you waive your new employer's coverage to stay on COBRA, make sure you can go on the employer's plan when COBRA runs out. You may have to wait for the annual enrollment period. All plans do not use the same start/end dates.
by user5027
Fri Oct 25, 2019 7:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Where do you buy eyeglass frames online?
Replies: 16
Views: 1956

Re: Where do you buy eyeglass frames online?

Payne Glasses. Zenni could not fill my prescription in the lenses I wanted.
by user5027
Fri Oct 11, 2019 8:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Seller misrepresented fulfillment of defect fixes - next steps? sue?
Replies: 56
Views: 6358

Re: Seller misrepresented fulfillment of defect fixes - next steps? sue?

rasputin wrote: Fri Oct 11, 2019 5:46 pm I'm kind of set on having messy wood burning fires.

I am curious about options that allow for both - hrm, seems unlikely that such a thing really exists.
Consider a wood burning stove that vents through an insulated metal liner installed in the chimney. We had one before switching to a gas stove that is direct vent through two pipes that run to the top of the chimney, one draws air for combustion and the other exhausts.
by user5027
Fri Sep 13, 2019 8:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Kitchen drawer slide hardware recommendations needed
Replies: 17
Views: 1468

Re: Kitchen drawer slide hardware recommendations needed

Bought four Accuride 1029 Center Mount Slides 23" from cabinetparts.com in January 2015 and they worked like a charm.
by user5027
Mon Sep 02, 2019 7:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Cash & Checkbook Register Reconciliation
Replies: 89
Views: 7637

Re: Cash & Checkbook Register Reconciliation

CAsage wrote: Mon Sep 02, 2019 11:08 am And I would not find folders of PDF's from different credit cards to be very searchable for vendor or category.
I use the File Explorer in Windows to search by vendor on the pdfs of my monthly credit card statements. I just did it yesterday to find a deposit paid for my daughter's wedding reception in 2014.
by user5027
Sun Sep 01, 2019 10:48 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Did humanity ever make good Gas cans
Replies: 70
Views: 8304

Re: Did humanity ever make good Gas cans

Dude2 wrote: Sun Sep 01, 2019 10:35 am I definitely noticed a change in quality when they started making the no-drip types. I got so frustrated with certain models, I just threw them away. Although years have passed, and I think they've worked the bugs out for the most part, I would offer the following product suggestion:

Eagle UI-50-FS Red Galvanized Steel Type I Gasoline Safety Can with Funnel
I snagged three of those for $69 with tax and shipping on a Woot deal of the day in December 2015! They are great for filling the mower and generator.

I do like the No-Spill cans for the mixed gas/oil. Easy to use with weed whacker and leaf blower.
by user5027
Sun Sep 01, 2019 8:29 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Improving soft skills
Replies: 35
Views: 4137

Re: Improving soft skills

galving wrote: Sun Sep 01, 2019 8:18 am Dale Carnegie - How to Win Friends & Influence People
It worked for Warren Buffett and Charles Manson.... :shock:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_to_Wi ... ar_culture
by user5027
Sat Aug 31, 2019 7:52 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Cash & Checkbook Register Reconciliation
Replies: 89
Views: 7637

Re: Cash & Checkbook Register Reconciliation

Since 2005 I've kept a check register on excel and reconciled it against my monthly bank checking account statement. I actually reconcile it against my online bank account just about every time I log in to the bank account and stop on the monthly cut-off date. When the statement is available the reconciliation is already done. I check it and save the excel file, then rename it to the next month (ie the file is currently named 1909, next month will be 1910). Every year I copy the prior years entries and use excel to add 365 days to the date. I highlight the copied fields in yellow and delete the outliers. This helps me to avoid missing a payment and I can project our cash flow for the coming months and plan future draws from our IRA's. As de...
by user5027
Fri Jul 19, 2019 6:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Login for citicard-Citibank [login problems]
Replies: 19
Views: 2631

Re: Login for citicard-Citibank [login problems]

I've had problems too. Try clicking your browsers "Go Back" button. That has worked for me.
by user5027
Tue Jun 18, 2019 7:19 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: My Cost of Progressive Lenses/glasses - did I pay too much?
Replies: 69
Views: 11286

Re: My Cost of Progressive Lenses/glasses - did I pay too much?

I tried Zenni for my last pair and they could not fill my script in progressives. I wound up buying them at Payne Glasses online. Offering that in case anyone has the similar problem.
by user5027
Sat May 25, 2019 8:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Basement flooded, insurance not wanting pay
Replies: 13
Views: 2867

Re: Basement flooded, insurance not wanting pay

ResearchMed wrote: Sat May 25, 2019 12:13 pm
Do you have flood insurance?
Won't that pay for the water "coming up from the ground" (or however it is worded)? But it won't pay for furnishings, unfortunately.
Flood insurance will not pay for any finishes or contents in a basement. It will pay for mechanical equipment (furnace, hot water heater, etc.). I believe it will pay for studs and drywall but not paint or flooring/carpeting. It will pay for a dumpster/disposal.
by user5027
Fri May 24, 2019 7:22 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Whaddyagunna do? 7 months and still no safety deposit box inventory!
Replies: 6
Views: 2133

Re: Whaddyagunna do? 7 months and still no safety deposit box inventory!

Can't speak to the law in NJ.

In PA my parents had a joint safe deposit box. Mom was advised by the branch manager to close the safe deposit box after Dad died. Mom was told if she died the box would be sealed until the contents were inventoried for PA tax purposes.
by user5027
Tue May 21, 2019 12:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Postponing Roth Conversion & receive a larger ACA subsidy
Replies: 22
Views: 1657

Re: Postponing Roth Conversion & receive a larger ACA subsidy

I thought about it but the wife is still working and we are getting our health insurance through her employment for $700 per month making us ineligible for ACA subsidy. I've been doing conversions since I retired in 2014 (2015 on).

Once she decides to retire I'll be interested in doing the analysis. Lots of pieces to consider. She is medicare eligible in September and I have to get to March 2023. I tell everyone she robbed the cradle and I was taken advantage of by an older woman!
by user5027
Mon Apr 08, 2019 11:21 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New homeowner wants to DIY, but disappointed today
Replies: 50
Views: 6132

Re: New homeowner wants to DIY, but disappointed today

I've not read all the replies. During 35 years of home ownership I've learned a few things about plumbing. I'll do simple faucet and toilet repairs, more than that, I save for a plumber. I keep a list of non critical plumber projects and call one when I can get a lot done during one visit and save on multiple "service call charges." I NEVER attempt a plumbing repair on a weekend or late in the day. Avoids the weekend/night time emergency charge when I break what I am working on. Fill a bucket before you shut off the water to start a repair. I may need it to flush the toilet while waiting for the plumber. :idea: A talented plumber can save you time and effort. I needed one of the elements replaced in the electric hot water heater a...