Search found 1464 matches

by Stonebr
Sun Sep 27, 2015 6:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Help with wheeled carry on purchase please
Replies: 11
Views: 1214

Re: Help with wheeled carry on purchase please

Get him some packing cubes to go with whatever you get. I first read about these in the Rick Steves website. They enabled me to do a 3 week trip in Europe with a much smaller than legal carryon bag -- an old Samsonite that would fit inside of a lot of the carryons named above.

Eagle creek makes packing cubes, as do others...
http://shop.eaglecreek.com/packing-cubes/l/212
by Stonebr
Sun Sep 20, 2015 7:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: [Another] Pension Lump Sum Choice
Replies: 9
Views: 1568

Re: [Another] Pension Lump Sum Choice

Ordinarily, I would tell you that keeping the original benefit of the DB pension plan is the way to go, but at 27 you are so far from retirement that all the present value calculations in the world are sort of meaningless. In 38 years the political, economic and investment worlds could be vastly different. 38 years worth of inflation could render it worthless, for example.

I'd be inclined to get my hands on the money now.
by Stonebr
Sun Sep 20, 2015 7:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: May Need New Gas Water Heater
Replies: 12
Views: 2256

Re: May Need New Gas Water Heater

As I understand it, Rheem manufactures HW tanks and sells under brand names Rheem, Ruud, Richmond and General Electric. State HW tanks are manufactured by A.O. Smith, which also sells under their own name as well as Kenmore. Another brand is Bradford White. Every plumber out there will have his/her own preference, and they all call each other "idiots." So take your pick. Gas water heaters cost more than electric. However, natural gas HW may be cheaper to run over the life of the tank. The problem with gas, of course, is that you are dealing with burning a fossil fuel inside the home which means exhaust, carbon monoxide, and other safety and code issues. Because of this the rules change periodically and the price of installation go...
by Stonebr
Sat Sep 19, 2015 1:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Taking a trip to Oregon
Replies: 36
Views: 3784

Re: Taking a trip to Oregon

By the way, it's pronounced Or-e-gn, not Or-e-GAWN.
by Stonebr
Fri Sep 18, 2015 7:11 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: what would Yale do if it were taxable
Replies: 8
Views: 1596

Re: what would Yale do if it were taxable

LadyGeek wrote:FYI - I merged Vegomatic's thread into here.
What would Yale do if it were taxable?

--- merge with U. Mumbai?
by Stonebr
Fri Sep 18, 2015 7:07 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Wade Pfau on withdrawal rates
Replies: 76
Views: 10110

Re: Wade Pfau on withdrawal rates

Dutch wrote:1% anybody?

How low can you go
0% taxable is my goal, just like the billionaires and homeless...
by Stonebr
Fri Sep 18, 2015 7:03 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Talk me off the Ledge
Replies: 73
Views: 9438

Re: Talk me off the Ledge

You've been on the ledge more than once. Why don't you jump and tell us what happens?
by Stonebr
Fri Sep 18, 2015 6:59 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How late to visit Yellowstone?
Replies: 22
Views: 3491

Re: How late to visit Yellowstone?

Old Maine saying -- "if your feet are cold, put on a hat."

Don't stress about shoes/boots. Just go. Anytime in Yellowstone is worth it. One of the magical places on Earth.
by Stonebr
Fri Sep 18, 2015 6:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Any experience with stainless steel counter tops?
Replies: 12
Views: 1655

Re: Any experience with stainless steel counter tops?

Watty wrote:
livesoft wrote: Since I worked in a commercial kitchen for 4 years, I associate SS counter tops with a cafeteria-style place and not the homeyness of someone's kitchen. They are easy to clean especially with a garden hose. And they smell like stainless steel, too.

Sorry, but it just doesn't do it for me. I wouldn't buy a house with SS countertops.
I just worked in a nursing home kitchen for a summer and I feel the same way.
When I was college age, working at the M&M Restaurant as a dishwasher, stainless steel was what we had. It was great. :beer

In my own home, 45 years later...
by Stonebr
Fri Sep 18, 2015 5:47 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Convince me on Small-Value Premium
Replies: 54
Views: 5622

Re: Convince me on Small-Value Premium

I first heard about this premium in the late 70s/early 80s from interviews in Barron's (John Neff, Ralph Wanger, Charles Royce) -- long before the genius economists got their Nobel Prizes. I waited 20 years for the payoff and got gray hair in the process. Like the cartoon cat Garfield says, "Big, fat, hairy deal."

If the market goes up, all boats rise. If the market goes down, your small value will sink like everything else, and your pants will get soiled just like mine. As Jack Bogle says, get your fair share of market returns. Total stock index funds own every single one of those small value stocks.
by Stonebr
Mon Sep 14, 2015 7:15 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: gold and silver
Replies: 18
Views: 3214

Re: gold and silver

livesoft wrote:Welcome to the forum. The internet is full of ads that say one can do this. Have you clicked on any of them?
Yeah. I've heard for 30+ years that you can do an IRA with American Gold Eagles. Never checked it out because there's no particular tax advantage to sheltering a no income asset in an IRA.

Better strategy: Buy your gold. Then someday far in the future, shelter the gains (if any) with Tax Losses and Tax Loss Carryforward. I've done this to good effect in the 2009-2012 era when gold was high and my stocks were low. I also lost my shirt twice in the 1980s and the 1990s, but that's another tax story.

Even better strategy: invest in investments, but hold a little gold for kicks or survivalist fantasies.
by Stonebr
Mon Sep 14, 2015 6:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Lighted Vanity Mirror (LED)–Good idea?
Replies: 12
Views: 4506

Re: Lighted Vanity Mirror (LED)–Good idea?

teacher wrote:We were told led lights directly above the mirror gives a harsh reflection, in other words, not flattering. I would rather not have to deal with that, especially in early morning hours, so I am on a mission to find the most forgiving light source. I am fascinated with the notion of Lighted Vanity
We have 4 Cree LED bulbs over our sink. I'm perfectly happy with what I see in the mirror. We bought the kind that mimic incandescent soft-white bulbs and screwed them into an ordinary fixture. They use about 6w each for 40w/160w equivalent.

Vanity is a sin. Best not to have it lighted. :wink:
by Stonebr
Mon Sep 14, 2015 6:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: About to pay off mortgage
Replies: 20
Views: 3764

Re: About to pay off mortgage

Maybe call them up. But don't pay any fees. The way I paid off my mortgage was to pay off 98% and then let the automatic deductions run out the rest over the next 2 or 3 months. You want to give their computers time to think about it -- a month or two to adjust the principal and notify bureaucrats at the bank to send "congratulatory" mailings. The bank will then take the exact amounts of the remaining balance as mortgage payments for a couple of months, not charge you a cent in wire transfer fees or any other bank BS, and eventually send a letter releasing the lien. As for the insurance, I'd suggest calling the insurance company and making arrangements with them. Tell them what you are doing and ensure that there is never a gap in...
by Stonebr
Mon Sep 14, 2015 5:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 20th Century Stereo in a 21st Century World
Replies: 71
Views: 10203

Re: 20th Century Stereo in a 21st Century World

Interesting question, but frankly I'm going in the other direction. I've recommissioned the KLH model 18 tuner that I bought in college. It's a work of art just to look at. Fortunately, local stations here in Portland, Maine -- jazz, classical and university-student -- provide all the music I want. I look at it as a way to avoid needless clutter.
by Stonebr
Sun Sep 13, 2015 5:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How much do you pay for insect control?
Replies: 32
Views: 3708

Re: How much do you pay for insect control?

rs899 wrote:I see no reason to poison myself until I see a problem that needs correcting. Then, I see no reason to let someone else who doesn't need to live in the poisoned house walk away with my money.
+1

I own only a small piece of land on this good Earth. Spraying it with poison is one of the last things I'd ever do.
by Stonebr
Sun Sep 06, 2015 8:57 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Fund minimum initial investment question
Replies: 6
Views: 842

Re: Fund minimum initial investment question

retiredjg wrote:In general, you do not have to meet fund minimums in a 401k account. Just buy what you want.
The idea here is that the 401k plan is not just you. It's hundreds, maybe thousands of plan participants working for the same employer. The mutual fund companies are eager to get their hot little hands on the potential big bucks coming their way. So they waive minimums for 401k plans. Any fund company that didn't do this would be at a tremendous competitive disadvantage.
by Stonebr
Sun Sep 06, 2015 8:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Mac Book Pro- do I need antivirus software?
Replies: 32
Views: 9292

Re: Mac Book Pro- do I need antivirus software?

mbres60 wrote:We too use the free version of Avast.
+1 Avast nowadays, but before that, I used Sophus.

Initial scan with Avast found a couple of files that Sophus had missed. Sophus found a few in the 2-3 years I used it.

Your problem may be something else, but virus protection is always good. Avast and Sophus maybe slow things down a bit, but it's hardly noticeable. When my wife got her MacBook last year, Avast was the top rated. I liked what I saw on her computer and made the switch from Sophus on mine.
by Stonebr
Sat Aug 29, 2015 9:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: I need a classic men's black dress belt
Replies: 58
Views: 11547

Re: I need a classic men's black dress belt

I once had this problem and went to Brooks Brothers. I still use the belt they sold me 15 years ago. Sometimes it pays to pay full price.
by Stonebr
Sat Aug 29, 2015 9:00 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Can the market go up forever?
Replies: 80
Views: 10104

Re: Can the market go up forever?

At current population growth of 1.6% per year, in about 550 years there will be 1 human being for every square foot on the planet. That includes the oceans. If the ocean people insist on being on dry land, we will need a 3-story building. There will be no room for toilets.

If M2 money supply grows at a real rate of 2% per year, in about 4000 years there will be more dollars than there are atoms on planet Earth.

Get the picture?
by Stonebr
Sat Aug 29, 2015 12:12 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fidelity Contrafund Pool Vs VIIIX
Replies: 36
Views: 9883

Re: Fidelity Contrafund Pool Vs VIIIX

Contra has great past performance. Based on that past performance one could assume the future would be bright. Will Danoff is fairly young for a manager with such a long past performance track record, and as long as he remains in charge of Contra one might expect performance to continue. However... However, as others mention above, expectations for future performance are not always met, especially when based on past performance. There's another fund that comes to mind -- Davis NY Venture Value -- which had extremely good long-term performance for several decades. And then it didn't. Same management team, same investment "culture," but different economic conditions. All that being said, my wife has owned Contra since 1991. She tell...
by Stonebr
Sat Aug 29, 2015 10:35 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Prius owners and rest of Bogleheads
Replies: 44
Views: 7116

Re: Prius owners and rest of Bogleheads

Prius V - negotiated a 2012 with 15K miles to approx 20K OTD - monthly payment of $215 for a 7 yr 16K loan or $288 for a 5 year loan. With gasoline savings this would translate to net of $140 or $213 for said amount of years Prius - a 2012 that is currently at $14,500. It has 45K miles. Negotiation pending. I am thinking of asking for a 15K OTD and see how that goes but this is a big dealership.Worst case would be 16K OTD. Monthly payment of $162 for 7 yr 12K loan or $216 for a 5 year loan. With gasoline savings this would translate to net of $87 or $140 depending on loan what would the bogleheads recommend and why? You could get a new Corolla for about $17,000 and that would come with a full warranty. I don't think that the better gas mil...
by Stonebr
Sat Aug 29, 2015 9:52 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Prius owners and rest of Bogleheads
Replies: 44
Views: 7116

Re: Prius owners and rest of Bogleheads

Desert wrote:Another vote for diesel. Over 38,000 miles on my 2013 Passat, I've averaged 44 mpg.
We average over 50 in the Prius on highway -- regular gas. And we don't have to deal with VW reliability.
by Stonebr
Sat Aug 29, 2015 9:50 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Prius owners and rest of Bogleheads
Replies: 44
Views: 7116

Re: Prius owners and rest of Bogleheads

Prius...

Negatives: performance is basically non-existent. You aren't driving a Prius for fun. Also, the AC defaults to blowing cold air in your face.

Positives: Interior space is more like a mid-size or large car than the Elantra someone compared it to above. Totally different cars for comfort and size. The regular Prius has that big cargo space in back: rear seats fold down FLAT. The Prius V is even bigger. Seats are more comfortable than our Corolla. For reliability, Prius is one of the best Toyotas. And that says a lot.
by Stonebr
Sat Aug 29, 2015 9:44 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Prius owners and rest of Bogleheads
Replies: 44
Views: 7116

Re: Prius owners and rest of Bogleheads

amd2135 wrote:It sounds like you do a lot of highway driving. Hybrids are a great solution if you drive a lot of city miles. Have you considered a diesel or even a conventional gasoline car instead?
In the real world we get better mpg on the highway in our Prius than in the city. City -- about 48; Highway -- anywhere from 50-56 depending on speed. Best is country roads -- 45 mph, no traffic, no stops -- the sky is the limit.
by Stonebr
Thu Aug 27, 2015 4:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Nissan Versa Note SV
Replies: 15
Views: 2407

Re: Nissan Versa Note SV

We rented a 2013 Versa for 2 weeks in Oregon a few years ago. MPG was between 30 and 40 -- at the low end in the mountains and on the coast and at the high end on flat highway driving. We liked the hatchback configuration for traveling with luggage. There's a lot of room inside for a small car -- more than our Corolla but significantly less than our admittedly midsize Prius. Ergonomics was good -- at least I can't remember any annoyances -- and performance was fine for a couple of retired people driving from one state park to another. :happy
by Stonebr
Thu Aug 27, 2015 11:22 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Has anyone actually used gold or silver coins for a purchase?
Replies: 57
Views: 10999

Re: Has anyone actually used gold or silver coins for a purchase?

A gentleman wrote a book about the collapse in Argentina, and he indicated that gold or silver coins were useful in that situation. I would love to know the name and author of this book as it would be the only example of a failed economy using gold as a means of exchange since the fall of the Roman Empire. Here is his website http://www.themodernsurvivalist.com/ The site shows a link to his book, it actually is fairly good book if you are interested in what was the closest thing we have had to a large scale (non-war) collapse in modern times. By the way he is not a big advocate of gold and points out many of its weaknesses in a disaster. I've read Ferfal's book and his blog. He actually says that gold coins were pretty useless for anything...
by Stonebr
Wed Aug 26, 2015 10:39 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Simple investment plan - is this sane?
Replies: 5
Views: 855

Re: Simple investment plan - is this sane?

Not sure what your tax situation is, but one downside to inflation linked bonds is that they are best held in tax sheltered space.

60/40 allocation served me well for 30 years. Then I backed off the equities a bit at retirement. The exact percentage is only important to the extent that you can stick with it through the manic and depressive states of the financial markets. The important thing is to be able to sleep at night when the global markets are falling, and not tinker with your allocations the next morning.
by Stonebr
Tue Aug 25, 2015 7:39 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Do you count cash towards your portfolio asset allocation?
Replies: 34
Views: 5301

Re: Do you count cash towards your portfolio asset allocation?

One of the interesting cultural shifts... in my opinion part of a broad cultural shift toward taking on more and more risks... is that if you check any financial-advice book into the late nineties, they all advised that an investment portfolio including a meaningful cash allocation. The three asset classes were stocks, bonds, and cash (or, if you were highfalutin, equities, fixed income, and short-term reserves). This can be seen with crystal clarity in the makeup of Vanguard's LifeStrategy funds, which until they were revamped in 2011, always had meaningful allocations to "short-term reserves." In the past it was easy to have less portfolio risk with a cash allocation because you got paid a decent return -- even in real terms. P...
by Stonebr
Fri Aug 21, 2015 1:37 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Potential Energy Downside?
Replies: 27
Views: 3337

Re: Potential Energy Downside?

Tigermoose wrote: If you know about some bad news, you can rest assured that if it is True is it already baked into the current market price.
That's what folks said on Diehards back in 2007 when the subject of the housing bubble came up.

Knowing something and doing something about it are two different things.
by Stonebr
Wed Aug 19, 2015 7:59 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Old Company Bankrupt- Small Pension
Replies: 1
Views: 502

Re: Old Company Bankrupt- Small Pension

As I recall, when the PBGC takes over a plan, you are generally LESS likely to receive a lump sum. Small benefits, like those with a present value less than a modest amount -- it used to be $5000 -- may still be offered lump sums.
by Stonebr
Mon Aug 17, 2015 4:37 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: the 12 commandments of gold bugs
Replies: 62
Views: 7044

Re: the 12 commandments of gold bugs

Nice to have a bit of my wealth that is not hackable by computer criminals or vulnerable to identity thieves. :happy
by Stonebr
Wed Aug 12, 2015 8:58 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why not diversify beyond the Three Fund Portfolio?
Replies: 78
Views: 12705

Re: Why not diversify beyond the Three Fund Portfolio?

I used to own diversifiers like REIT funds, but I dumped them years ago.

Reason: whenever I found myself with a sleepless night, tossing and turning, worrying about my investments, the reason was always the 5% positions like REITs and Energy and Precious Metals, or whatever. It was never the 90% in 3-fund.
by Stonebr
Mon Aug 10, 2015 10:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 70 year old boiler for radiant heating. Upgrade or keep it running?
Replies: 14
Views: 2791

Re: 70 year old boiler for radiant heating. Upgrade or keep it running?

You are a prime candidate for a new high efficiency boiler. They cost a lot, but given the age of your Jurassic-era equipment, a new boiler would probably pay for itself in 5-7 years. After that, it's pure savings.

New boilers are small -- ours hangs from the wall in the basement and is about the size of a large suitcase. It also provides domestic hot water without a tank. New boilers are extremely efficient -- some of them rated as high as 96% AFUE. The exhaust from ours is so cool it is vented in PVC pipes.
by Stonebr
Thu Aug 06, 2015 9:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Record Retention - Monthly Debt Statements
Replies: 10
Views: 1176

Re: Record Retention - Monthly Debt Statements

It's been a long time since we had any debt, but when we did, we had it modeled in Excel so we could keep tabs on the creditor. As long as the creditor was calculating things correctly, we would shred anything older than the most current statement. For annual summary of the mortgage, they send a tax statement which would go into that year's tax folder.

Water under the bridge.
by Stonebr
Sun Aug 02, 2015 4:01 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Everybody is sick of gold - Is now the time to buy??
Replies: 37
Views: 6030

Re: Everybody is sick of gold - Is now the time to buy??

I've thought about allocating some of my AA to bulk silver or gold in the past, but for now am just sticking to hobby coin collecting instead. My 35+ years of "investing" in gold and mining shares took this turn a few years ago. I decided to get out of it as an "investment" and simply own some for fun. Sold off all the mutual funds. My approach was to buy up all the US Gold Eagles by date -- the bullion coins in 1, 1/2, 1/4, and 1/10th-ounce denominations from 1986 through 2001. I did this in the early 2000s when gold was so cheap you could collect by date. The coins were available on eBay, the market wasn't full of fakes, and even the scarce dates like the early 90s were available at reasonable prices. When I was a kid...
by Stonebr
Mon Jul 27, 2015 3:53 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 50/50 asset allocation
Replies: 69
Views: 11546

Re: 50/50 asset allocation

I was 60/40 until retirement, and then planned (via my written investment plan) to drop to 50/50. In the actual event I've been a bit more risk averse. My portfolio never seems to get above 45/55, and I expect that I will have to re-write the plan.

So I agree with a comment made above that, once retired, your perspective and risk tolerance change maybe more than you think. When your salary goes away to be replaced by a pension and/or "sustainable" withdrawals, the world just looks different. So don't be so sure that 50/50 is going to do it for you.
by Stonebr
Mon Jul 27, 2015 3:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: FWD vs AWD (Vehicle)
Replies: 76
Views: 15910

Re: FWD vs AWD

My observation after many years of amusement is that in the wake of a Maine snowstorm, it's the AWD/4WD vehicles that are getting pulled out of snowdrifts. :twisted:

FWD - better fuel economy. With winter tires it closes the gap on AWD. Most of my Subaru and Quattro friends don't bother to switch to winter tires.
by Stonebr
Sun Jul 26, 2015 8:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Durability of consumer goods
Replies: 44
Views: 6816

Re: Durability of consumer goods

Wood floors - pine lasts 200 years minimum. Just repaint it once 20 or so.
BBQ grill - my Hibachi is the same one my parents used in the 1960s. So 50-100 years minimum.
Razor - my 1978 Trac 2 is still working fine, but I've recently discovered the virtues of my grandfather's safety razor. It's from the 1930s. The double edge blades last about 2 months with proper care.
by Stonebr
Sun Jul 26, 2015 8:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Would you look down on a co-worker for driving a beater?
Replies: 198
Views: 29264

Re: Would you look down on a co-worker for driving a beater?

Just tell everyone it's a company car.
by Stonebr
Sun Jul 26, 2015 7:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Would you look down on a co-worker for driving a beater?
Replies: 198
Views: 29264

Re: Would you look down on a co-worker for driving a beater?

I hauled free horse manure in my 2005 Corolla last Thursday. But then, I'm retired.
by Stonebr
Sun Jul 26, 2015 7:15 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Time to Abandon the Larry Portfolio?
Replies: 12
Views: 3621

Re: Time to Abandon the Larry Portfolio?

I'd step back from the asset allocation discussion and look at the big picture. Right now, your annual savings are are a huge part of your overall portfolio. Because of that, how much you have 5 years from now isn't going to depend that much on your asset allocation. ... In 5 years, it will be more important to focus on asset allocation. By that point, you may be at a different employer, your 403b options may be different etc. Stlutz has it right here. At this point in your investment lifetime, the AA is nearly irrelevant. Just about anything from 50/50 to 100/0 will do as long as you stick with it. In a few years you can worry about AA, and when you turn 60 you can fuss with whether to include your pension, etc. By far the most important ...
by Stonebr
Wed Jul 22, 2015 8:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bogle backfire?
Replies: 81
Views: 14829

Re: Bogle backfire?

I think maybe you have done some cherry picking.

Are you sure there aren't other past "opportunities" you turned down that would have caused you to lose your shirt?
by Stonebr
Tue Jul 21, 2015 8:30 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: This Is Why You Don't Buy Individual Stock
Replies: 11
Views: 3138

Re: This Is Why You Don't Buy Individual Stock

Don't be so smug. If you own an index fund, you own this stock.
by Stonebr
Tue Jul 21, 2015 8:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: solar energy in new england
Replies: 32
Views: 3335

Re: solar energy in new england

D Remember last winter with all the snow? Just thinking... I was concerned about this too. Last few years I've been considering buying solar, so I walked around the neighborhood last winter. Solar panels are mounted on the roof, tilted at an angle. They are also black. So what happened to my neighbors' solar panels is that snow covered them for the day of the storm, then when the sun came out all the snow slid off almost immediately. I was surprised. Nobody ever had to get up there with a shovel and clear them off. I've also heard that (assuming proper installation) your roof will last longer with panels shading the shingles. There are some concerns that PVs lose performance as temperatures rise. So using PV in Arizona or Saudi Arabia, eve...
by Stonebr
Tue Jul 21, 2015 7:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: lock for $500 bike
Replies: 27
Views: 4731

Re: lock for $500 bike

roymeo wrote: Get a U-Lock. Lock using the Sheldon Brown strategy (lock the back tire through the triangle, include the frame if you can/want) etc. etc.
http://www.sfbike.org/resources/theft-locking/
+1 This is basically what I do too. The Sheldon Brown method is brilliant.

The other problem is that accessories and parts disappear sometimes. My neighbor had his panniers stolen, and a co-worker lost his saddle (ouch!)
by Stonebr
Tue Jul 21, 2015 7:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: solar energy in new england
Replies: 32
Views: 3335

Re: solar energy in new england

Jack FFR1846 wrote:As mentioned, electricity is far more expensive in New England than it is almost anywhere (except maybe Hawaii). My 2800 square foot air conditioned house summer monthly electric bill is always over $300. Winter...$125 or so. Almost nobody uses electric heat. I don't think they make numbers high enough to document electric costs for an electric heated home here.
Actually, air source heat pumps are the big new thing in Maine. Drive around the far northern Aroostook County and you see them everywhere. You are right that electric resistance heat is uncommon, but solar PV combined with an ASHP is feasible.
by Stonebr
Tue Jul 21, 2015 7:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: solar energy in new england
Replies: 32
Views: 3335

Re: solar energy in new england

New England is too far north and too cloudy and stormy to get enough sun to make solar electric work well. So no one that I know of sells the panels or installs them there. Plus solar works the best in summer when New Englanders don't need much energy. You guys need lots of energy in the winter for heating when the sun is very low in the sky and only shines for 6 hours a day. So not much energy. This is a really amusing post. Thank you. 8-) Now you know of at least one installer: http://www.mooseheadpowersystems.com As for the too far north comment, my latitude here in Portland, Maine is the same as Avignon in the lovely south of France. While we don't get the beautiful light of Provence, I can assure you that the sun shines here. Nearly e...
by Stonebr
Sun Jul 19, 2015 8:37 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: honda civic or Prius?
Replies: 86
Views: 22670

Re: honda civic or Prius?

We shopped the Prius against the Civic a year ago and decided on the Prius. No regrets. Reasons: Civic had vague, sloppy handling. A big surprise for me. I used to be a Civic fan, but the new one is pitiful. Prius handling was no worse. Yeah, the acceleration is weird, but the car actually handles okay. Prius has cavernous cargo space. Rear seats fold FLAT. Cargo area is comparable to many SUVs. I'm talking about the regular, plain vanilla Prius. Not the V and not the C. Civic cabin was small, Prius was more like a mid sized car (think Camry rather than Corolla) Counting up all the red dots and black dots in Consumer Reports repair histories, I found that the Prius is one of the most reliable Toyotas ever built. And Toyotas are no slouch wh...
by Stonebr
Sun Jul 19, 2015 8:05 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: When did you start investing in the Market?
Replies: 60
Views: 6015

Re: When did you start investing in the Market?

I got my start in 1981 by way of a money market mutual fund. By the end of 1982 I had stock mutual fund accounts, some IRA, some not. I was investing the very modest minimums to open the accounts -- $500 or $1000 or even $250. In 1983 I read about the 500 Index Fund offered by Vanguard but decided I could do better ("Why settle for average?") by clever choice of active managers, a path I followed for the next 20 years without catastrophic consequences (sorry, bogleheads, but I'm fat dumb and happily retired in spite of investing in active funds for all those years). Vanguard also had high minimums to open accounts. I also considered Sequoia in 1983 having read about Warren Buffett in Adam Smith's Supermoney , but their $10,000 min...
by Stonebr
Tue Jul 07, 2015 3:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Provence Travel
Replies: 19
Views: 2629

Re: Provence Travel

If you like riding bicycles, there are some wonderful tours in Provence. My wife and I did a 4 day self-guided tour starting and ending in Avignon. The company was cyclomundo.com. They arrange for the hotels and move your luggage each night so it's there waiting for you.