Spring 1983 - 16 years old - until now. Have been unemployed a total of 1 day and that was because I quit a job on the spot when I was 24, not planning to quit that morning when I got up.
It took me 1 day to make a phone call and get another job.
Search found 1179 matches
- Fri Apr 20, 2018 6:51 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: How long have you been employed?
- Replies: 44
- Views: 2449
- Thu Apr 05, 2018 5:54 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Permanent DINK couples - Considerations, thoughts, etc?
- Replies: 40
- Views: 4444
Re: Permanent DINK couples - Considerations, thoughts, etc?
With no kids, you can use all that extra money to invest and have the means to pay people to be nice and take care of you in your old age. An aunt and uncle did that - hired live in help - great lady who lived with them for a number of years before they passed.
- Thu Apr 05, 2018 5:41 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Tequila and Magaritas
- Replies: 59
- Views: 4416
Re: Tequila and Magaritas
I'm not a tequila expert but I do like my shaken margarita on the rocks with salt. Tequila is one place you don't want to go cheap. Cheap rum or vodka - fine. But cheap tequila is just plain nasty in a bad way. Go with a reposado - a good compromise between white and anejo. I will not go cheaper tha...
- Sun Apr 01, 2018 6:08 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Towel Warmers - worthwhile luxury or useless?
- Replies: 39
- Views: 3051
Re: Towel Warmers - worthwhile luxury or useless?
My bathroom towel rod is directly over a heat vent. 

- Wed Mar 28, 2018 3:41 pm
- Forum: Local Chapters and Bogleheads Community
- Topic: A lot of heavy hitters this morning
- Replies: 244
- Views: 17290
Re: A lot of heavy hitters this morning
It all depends. In Podunk Arkansas I'm King of the World. Lookit Mabel, we done become milyunaires. In San Francisco, I'm just another chump who can't afford to buy a decent house.
- Wed Mar 28, 2018 3:38 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How Do You Value Your Home for Net Worth Purposes?
- Replies: 150
- Views: 9038
Re: How Do You Value Your Home for Net Worth Purposes?
I use assessed value. Around here that number is always lower than sale price for as long as I've been paying attention (last 25 years).
Home value is not figured into asset allocation or counted toward $$ needed to retire since we need to live somewhere.
Home value is not figured into asset allocation or counted toward $$ needed to retire since we need to live somewhere.
- Tue Mar 27, 2018 4:56 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Grass is always greener, federal edition
- Replies: 59
- Views: 6460
Re: Grass is always greener, federal edition
Add another pro to the government job - apparently you don't wake up at night sweating & stressing about your job? At the end of the day you can truly leave it behind? The dudes making big bucks I guarantee are paying for it 24/7 with stress and distraction when they are at home. I fight it all the ...
- Sat Mar 24, 2018 12:31 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How does it make sense to buy a condo/house in Texas?
- Replies: 97
- Views: 6588
Re: How does it make sense to buy a condo/house in Texas?
Or you can live where property taxes are 2.3% of assessed value each year - AND have income tax on top of that. It's one big reason we aren't upgrading our living situation - the property taxes get stupid real quick.
- Tue Mar 20, 2018 4:57 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Cost of College vs Starting Income
- Replies: 94
- Views: 4184
Re: Cost of College vs Starting Income
https://www.zerohedge.com/sites/default/files/images/user230519/imageroot/2016/08/18/College%20Inflation_0.png Speaks for itself. In-state high-quality public university is where the value is. So, basically all the major costs associated with having children have skyrocketed. I'm more cynical. I se...
- Sun Mar 18, 2018 6:40 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Buying a new wardrobe tomorrow | Indochino or other options?
- Replies: 9
- Views: 1407
Re: Buying a new wardrobe tomorrow | Indochino or other options?
Last suit I bought was from SuitSupply's Chicago store. Sharp, good quality suit for the price. They have locations near you - check them out.
https://us.suitsupply.com/en_US/stores?countryCode=US
Chicago store provided onsite alterations and shipped back to me when done.
https://us.suitsupply.com/en_US/stores?countryCode=US
Chicago store provided onsite alterations and shipped back to me when done.
- Fri Mar 16, 2018 6:23 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: What are the jobs with the best medical insurance?
- Replies: 51
- Views: 3610
Re: What are the jobs with the best medical insurance?
Government jobs - from what I see around here it's Cadillac coverage with a very reasonable out of pocket expense.
- Fri Mar 16, 2018 5:15 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What is your favorite reasonably priced Rum?
- Replies: 35
- Views: 2159
Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced Rum?
Cheap everyday mixer rum - I find Rondiaz to be an excellent value, really tastes quite good.
For a bit more pricey - Captain Morgan 100 Proof is excellent and a great sipping rum. Totally different animal than the regular Captains which I find way too sweet.
For a bit more pricey - Captain Morgan 100 Proof is excellent and a great sipping rum. Totally different animal than the regular Captains which I find way too sweet.
- Tue Mar 06, 2018 7:02 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Donations to your enrolled public school
- Replies: 106
- Views: 5832
Re: Donations to your enrolled public school
Our donation was quite substantial. 13 years of paying school property taxes while paying out of pocket to send the boy to a private school.
- Sat Mar 03, 2018 5:00 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Housing Budget Check (paging Watty / KlangFool)
- Replies: 86
- Views: 6534
Re: Housing Budget Check (paging Watty / KlangFool)
Dude, seriously rent a bigger place for a year. I work from home and my wife used to. I get it about the space thing. But job insecurity, a new baby and a major new debt do not mix. And you are trying to do it all real fast. You have no idea what you are in for over the next two years. At least. Don...
- Tue Feb 27, 2018 6:54 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: 3 layers of roof. Pull my offer??
- Replies: 63
- Views: 5886
Re: 3 layers of roof. Pull my offer??
If 3 layers of shingles isn't up to code, you can nail them. Should be good for a few bucks off the place if you are nice about it.
- Mon Feb 19, 2018 5:59 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Chillin' in the BH Lounge
- Replies: 46
- Views: 5493
Re: Chillin' in the BH Lounge
Investing for life
Low expenses are the key
Avoid Edward Jones
Low expenses are the key
Avoid Edward Jones
- Sun Feb 18, 2018 6:18 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How to get child's skin in the game for college?
- Replies: 135
- Views: 7073
Re: How to get child's skin in the game for college?
After reading this very interesting thread, and contemplating my own college experience, I am warming up to one idea that came up from a few posters. That is if parents can afford it, they pay for non-tuition costs, the student is responsible for tuition. If a kid has a good scholarship at a state ...
- Sat Feb 17, 2018 9:06 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How to get child's skin in the game for college?
- Replies: 135
- Views: 7073
Re: How to get child's skin in the game for college?
Tell the kid to get a job for any spending money. Parents pay for tuition, room & board but spendy money comes out of the kid's hide.
- Wed Feb 07, 2018 6:34 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Jogging in the cold.
- Replies: 50
- Views: 3676
Re: Jogging in the cold.
It's not so much temperature but wind that gets you. I'll go running as cold as zero degrees or a bit lower if there's not much wind. Finding a way to cover your face while you can still breathe easily is the key. Personally I think running in the morning is good for you - clears the crap out of you...
- Tue Jan 23, 2018 1:52 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: How much house can we afford (Madison WI area)?
- Replies: 25
- Views: 2393
Re: How much house can we afford (Madison WI area)?
Real estate in Madison area can be outrageously priced. Old tear-down houses on tiny lots in my preferred neighborhood run close to $300,000. Location will have a huge influence on affordability. Be very careful regarding public schools. ALL of our friends with school-age children fled the Madison d...
- Fri Jan 19, 2018 8:19 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: How do you adjust side mirrors in a car?
- Replies: 61
- Views: 3767
Re: How do you adjust side mirrors in a car?
The only correct way: Place head against, left window & adjust left mirror so you see the edge of the car as most people would sitting normally. Place head in center of the car and do the same with the passenger side mirror. Now mirrors are properly adjusted to eliminate the blind spot almost entire...
- Thu Jan 18, 2018 9:28 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How will or might nonprofits be affected by tax law changes?
- Replies: 36
- Views: 1939
Re: How will or might nonprofits be affected by tax law changes?
We give regularly - every 2 weeks. No mortgage (paid off - ha!)but local property and state income taxes that along with the deductible giving made it worth itemizing. I ran the numbers to see if the new tax law would make sense to "bunch" giving into odd years to make itemizing worth it under the n...
- Sun Jan 14, 2018 4:05 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: What unexpected emergencies require sizeable emergency cash funds available immediately in a checking account?
- Replies: 95
- Views: 8265
Re: What unexpected emergencies require sizeable emergency cash funds available immediately in a checking account?
Stuff happens you can never anticipate - good stuff (opportunities) and bad stuff. My "emergency" fund is small - but half is kept in cash in a handy, secure place. Money in a local bank checking account ain't necessarily "immediately" available. 

- Sun Jan 07, 2018 3:38 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Hitting The Sell Button
- Replies: 226
- Views: 27583
Re: Hitting The Sell Button
Tomorrow I'm selling my next-to-last individual stock holding. Looking back the 10 years I've held it I'm up 300% including dividends. Time to declare victory, sell and put the money into a 5 year CD to coincide with the time I may be stepping away from my career to do something less stressful and l...
- Fri Jan 05, 2018 5:46 pm
- Forum: Forum Issues and Administration
- Topic: Misuse of adverse when averse was meant
- Replies: 149
- Views: 7436
Re: Misuse of adverse when averse was meant
All these smart people complaining about grammar using bad punctuation.
Me, I ain't smart.

- Sun Dec 31, 2017 6:56 pm
- Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
- Topic: 30K Spare Cash
- Replies: 15
- Views: 2656
Re: 30K Spare Cash
There is no such thing as "spare" cash or "extra" money. 

- Sat Dec 30, 2017 6:07 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: What is your threshold for paying down debt?
- Replies: 89
- Views: 6253
Re: What is your threshold for paying down debt?
My threshold for paying down debt is if I have any.
I've had lots of debt and I've had no debt.
No debt is a lot better.
I've had lots of debt and I've had no debt.
No debt is a lot better.
- Tue Dec 26, 2017 12:20 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Call the top! - Bitcoin
- Replies: 182
- Views: 18789
Re: Call the top! - Bitcoin
Found out over dinner last night my best friend's son quit his director of marketing job to trade bitcoin full time. So whatever the highest price was/is as of today - that's the top.
- Tue Dec 19, 2017 5:56 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Memories over money
- Replies: 40
- Views: 3044
Re: Memories over money
I still have fond memories of the dyno-verified 500 horsepower Holly carb old school 383 stroker smallblock I put into my 1980 Camaro. I can still hear the lumpy cam idle that would put a modern factory skat pack challenger to shame. 

- Tue Dec 12, 2017 8:57 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Ancestry / 23andMe
- Replies: 83
- Views: 7421
Re: Ancestry / 23andMe
Heh, ancestry. 3 of four of my grandparents I'm told were 100% German. On a 10 day trip to Munich this fall only once was it assumed by a native (before I spoke a word- I know zero German outside what I know from old Hogan's Heros reruns) that I was not German. This includes the stewardesses on the ...
- Sun Dec 10, 2017 5:24 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: What are your big-picture ‘rules of life’ —financial or otherwise?
- Replies: 123
- Views: 13691
Re: What are your big-picture ‘rules of life’ —financial or otherwise?
Love God, Love People. Everything else flows from that.
Love is a verb, a choice and not a feeling.
Love is a verb, a choice and not a feeling.

- Sat Dec 09, 2017 8:16 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Mortgage as percentage of take-home pay
- Replies: 79
- Views: 6891
Re: Mortgage as percentage of take-home pay
Back when we had a mortgage it was $1,000 a month on a six figure family income and it bugged the hell out of us.
Killed the mortgage going on 4 years ago. The no cash flow at retirement thing is key to me, No. Cash. Needed. For. A. Mortgage. When. You. Want. To. Retire.
Killed the mortgage going on 4 years ago. The no cash flow at retirement thing is key to me, No. Cash. Needed. For. A. Mortgage. When. You. Want. To. Retire.
- Sat Dec 09, 2017 8:10 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What MPG App Do You Use To Track Fuel Usage ?
- Replies: 61
- Views: 2906
Re: What MPG App Do You Use To Track Fuel Usage ?
Every time I fill my tank I do a quick calculation on my cell phone . Seems to run a good 1MPG less than what the car puter tells me my mileage is.
Mileage app? WT@?
Mileage app? WT@?
- Sat Dec 09, 2017 3:55 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Save all this money, what do you splurge on?
- Replies: 193
- Views: 18070
Re: Save all this money, what do you splurge on?
We drive decent Japanese performance luxury cars (bought used) and take a nice vacation every year on our anniversary. 2018 - Aruba baby!
And Monday night is always Steak Night because everyone knows a fat steak on Monday makes Monday suck less. Ribeye is mandatory.
And Monday night is always Steak Night because everyone knows a fat steak on Monday makes Monday suck less. Ribeye is mandatory.

- Sat Dec 09, 2017 12:29 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Espresso Machine suggestions?
- Replies: 41
- Views: 3067
Re: Espresso Machine suggestions?
Gaggia Classic.
Reasonable price, simple to use & works like a dream. I use distilled water only so I never have to descale it.
Reasonable price, simple to use & works like a dream. I use distilled water only so I never have to descale it.
- Wed Dec 06, 2017 6:00 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Vegas on a budget
- Replies: 49
- Views: 4024
Re: Vegas on a budget
Since you're staying at Four Seasons - Charlie Palmer steak house has had unadvertised/weekly specials that can be quite a bargain considering the quality of the place - be sure to ask the concierge or do some research.
- Mon Dec 04, 2017 8:01 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Family Finance Meeting Agenda
- Replies: 23
- Views: 2478
Re: Family Finance Meeting Agenda
I keep a Family Fortune spreadsheet and email an updated copy to the lovely bride every quarter, If she has a question about the contents she can ask, but usually doesn't.
Net worth, saving and investing conversations make her hot.
Net worth, saving and investing conversations make her hot.

- Mon Nov 27, 2017 8:11 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Non Stick frying pan
- Replies: 73
- Views: 6802
Re: Non Stick frying pan
I have 3 styles - Calphalon, Lodge and LeCreuset and use whichever is best for the task at hand. The Calphalons get tossed out and replaced after 4-5 years while the others last forever.
When it's quick and lazy cooking you want - non stick is the boss. Just not as durable.
When it's quick and lazy cooking you want - non stick is the boss. Just not as durable.
- Thu Nov 23, 2017 3:09 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Making collegebound Kid Financially Savvy Questions..
- Replies: 49
- Views: 3349
Re: Making collegebound Kid Financially Savvy Questions..
I didn't "get it" until my mid 30's. #1 son grew up seeing my reformed financial self and was able to take a Dave Ramsey financial class or two in high school. He knows we don't spend nearly what we make; and we invest for our old age. When he was given a car at 16 it was with the expectation that h...
- Wed Nov 22, 2017 4:12 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Public or Montessori Private School
- Replies: 60
- Views: 4713
Re: Public or Montessori Private School
For a child like yours I can't imagine public school as anything other than a downgrade compared to what you can afford privately.
- Mon Nov 20, 2017 4:56 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What are the things you want to do between 55 and 65?
- Replies: 140
- Views: 11440
Re: What are the things you want to do between 55 and 65?
I want to step back from the full time rat race, get a German Shepherd puppy, do a lot more of walking and biking. Long road trips with the wife and the new fierce protective hound to warm places in the winter, volunteer more than I do now, get to a shooting range much more. Right now I'm pressed fo...
- Fri Nov 17, 2017 9:52 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Tesla truck unveil
- Replies: 142
- Views: 9661
Re: Tesla truck unnveil
Will the Tesla truck have an automatic slower traffic keep right feature?
- Thu Nov 16, 2017 3:45 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Scottrade to TDA
- Replies: 24
- Views: 2279
Re: Scottrade to TDA
I'm waiting to see keep or rid of the flexible reinvestment program. I really love that feature about Scottrade.
- Wed Nov 15, 2017 8:44 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Keurig died...what now?
- Replies: 73
- Views: 6025
Re: Keurig died...what now?
Buy another Keurig if crappy, expensive, convenient coffee is your thing. But buy distilled water for 69 cents a gallon and only use that. The machine will last forever.
It's what I use for my kicka$# Italian-made espresso machine that I have never had to clean, except externally with a wet rag.
It's what I use for my kicka$# Italian-made espresso machine that I have never had to clean, except externally with a wet rag.
- Wed Nov 15, 2017 6:17 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How much to charge for nanny services on New Year's Eve?
- Replies: 29
- Views: 2365
Re: How much to charge for nanny services on New Year's Eve?
Holiday pay is Double Time. Charge no less than that. My God - New Year's Eve. NO less than Double Time and preferably a premium above that.
- Sun Nov 12, 2017 5:10 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Flying first class, business, versus economy.
- Replies: 184
- Views: 18461
Re: Flying first class, business, versus economy.
The airline must matter a bunch too. We flew O'Hare to Munich on Lufthansa in the cheep seats and it was not bad at all. The whole 9 hour flight on the way over I only got up twice. Wife and I are both 6' tall. On the return, the final 1 hour connecting United flight - my back was killing me it was ...
- Sun Nov 12, 2017 4:49 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Frontier Flight Fees
- Replies: 17
- Views: 1437
Re: Frontier Flight Fees
Frontier ain't what they used to be - they are definitely an el cheapo takes your chances airline now. However, if it's a direct flight and you figure all your fees into the cost I'd consider them. They recently started direct fights from our city to Las Vegas. All other airlines had to connect some...
- Fri Nov 10, 2017 10:51 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Did you tell anyone you paid off your mortgage?
- Replies: 338
- Views: 39732
Re: Did you tell anyone you paid off your mortgage?
We don't make a big deal, but over drinks with close friends if mortgages come up as a topic, wife and I might look at each other mock-quizzically and say "what is this mortgage thing you speak of?". I have a color photocopy of the official certificate but she won't let me frame it and hang it anywh...
- Fri Nov 10, 2017 10:35 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Do you keep anything in your portfolio as a monument to your bad decisions?
- Replies: 69
- Views: 5560
Re: Do you keep anything in your portfolio as a monument to your bad decisions?
Nope - sold all my crap investments the same way I burned/tossed out all the pictures of me and the first wife after she decided to seek other relationship opportunities and said she wanted out.
Don't need the reminder.
Don't need the reminder.
- Fri Nov 10, 2017 10:32 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: When would you take a part-time option?
- Replies: 23
- Views: 1985
Re: When would you take a part-time option?
I would consider a part time option when I tell my bosses I'm ready to retire and then they ask me to stay on part kind of time in some capacity. 
