Search found 145 matches

by BostonButterfly
Mon Jul 19, 2021 3:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: TimberTech Azek decking - food stain resistance
Replies: 9
Views: 1832

Re: TimberTech Azek decking - food stain resistance

Thank you all for sharing your experiences. This is very helpful. I think I will go ahead and order some sample pieces.

Looking forward to this project!!
by BostonButterfly
Sat Jul 17, 2021 2:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: TimberTech Azek decking - food stain resistance
Replies: 9
Views: 1832

Re: TimberTech Azek decking - food stain resistance

Thanks for the info, Cicero123. This is helpful….
by BostonButterfly
Sat Jul 17, 2021 10:42 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: TimberTech Azek decking - food stain resistance
Replies: 9
Views: 1832

TimberTech Azek decking - food stain resistance

I’m hoping to hear some first hand experiences with TimberTech Azek decking, particularly when it comes to food stains. Short story: I am planning a 10x10 area in my yard dedicated to grilling. I have avoided even considering a composite material for several reasons, but mostly because of notorious composite mold issues as well as food stain problems. This area will just be a dedicated cooking area only…..no seating or eating here. Grilling/smoking obviously brings along with it grease, spills….you name it. TimberTech appears to be very resistant to stains, at least according to their marketing materials. Does anyone have first hand experience? I really want to avoid installing something, only to have it look like garbage after a couple of ...
by BostonButterfly
Fri Jul 24, 2020 6:51 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Helping my nephew out of his rut
Replies: 94
Views: 13219

Re: Helping my nephew out of his rut

OP: I’m sorry for your loss. Losing a sister is devastating. Please care for yourself as much as you are caring for your nephew.
by BostonButterfly
Fri Jul 24, 2020 6:07 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Backyard BBQ - easy
Replies: 42
Views: 4505

Re: Backyard BBQ - easy

Big green egg minimax (or mini). I’ve had a large size for many many years, and just recently added a Minimax. Love it!
by BostonButterfly
Sat Mar 21, 2020 9:07 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: A thank you to the “pay down the mortgage” folks...
Replies: 31
Views: 4189

Re: A thank you to the “pay down the mortgage” folks...

willthrill81 wrote: Sat Mar 21, 2020 7:24 pm
Now, I think about all the retirees who still have mortgages, leveraging themselves into stocks, and have to make that payment come April 1st from a portfolio that could be down substantially.
I am saddened and stunned by the enormity of the damage this pandemic will leave in its wake. I remain hopeful that some of the brilliant minds among us will find the solution to not only stop this one, but prevent future ones.

I don’t want to derail this topic, so I’ll just leave it at that.
by BostonButterfly
Sat Mar 21, 2020 4:40 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: A thank you to the “pay down the mortgage” folks...
Replies: 31
Views: 4189

Re: A thank you to the “pay down the mortgage” folks...

MotoTrojan wrote: Sat Mar 21, 2020 4:10 pm
We know none of those things but we do know exactly how much better buying in at this price is than at prior ones, and that means something. For something as subjective as paying the mortgage cause it feels better even when expected return points to equity, I think relative equity valuations or outright prices can be subjectively evaluated too.
I get your point. EXPECTED returns is the key, though.
by BostonButterfly
Sat Mar 21, 2020 3:32 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: A thank you to the “pay down the mortgage” folks...
Replies: 31
Views: 4189

Re: A thank you to the “pay down the mortgage” folks...

willthrill81 wrote: Sat Mar 21, 2020 3:17 pm Many say that cash is king. If that's true, then cash flow is the queen. :D
:sharebeer
by BostonButterfly
Sat Mar 21, 2020 3:10 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: A thank you to the “pay down the mortgage” folks...
Replies: 31
Views: 4189

Re: A thank you to the “pay down the mortgage” folks...

MotoTrojan wrote: Sat Mar 21, 2020 3:04 pm If I were your spouse I would suddenly "feel more strongly" and insist on plowing that extra cash into the market. I think your spouse is right but there are several paths to Dublin.
Been thinking about that. But I come back to the fact that I don’t know what the future holds. How quickly will the market rebound? How long will it take? How much further down will we go beforehand? I have no idea. No one does. At this point, the desire for peace of mind outweighs the desire to gamble on making more money in the market. I suppose I won’t know which path was the most advantageous until I reach the end......
by BostonButterfly
Sat Mar 21, 2020 3:00 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: A thank you to the “pay down the mortgage” folks...
Replies: 31
Views: 4189

Re: A thank you to the “pay down the mortgage” folks...

I should add....this did not come at the expense of an emergency fund. We have quite a bit set aside for that. Enough so that, for now, I still sleep well. If things change for us financially, obviously, we will stop the extra mortgage payments.
by BostonButterfly
Sat Mar 21, 2020 2:48 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: A thank you to the “pay down the mortgage” folks...
Replies: 31
Views: 4189

A thank you to the “pay down the mortgage” folks...

About four years ago, spouse and I purchased what will likely be our forever home. We took a 15 year mortgage with a 2.625% rate. Spouse and I were on the same page that our goal was to pay the mortgage off early. We differed, though, on how to achieve that goal. I am the Boglehead forum reader, and felt strongly about paying extra principal on the mortgage monthly. Spouse tends to be much more of a risk taker, and wanted to instead invest the monthly extra principal and pay off the mortgage later with the much bigger pot of money down the road. “It’s a no brainer at 2.625%.....anyone can make more of a return than that!” My response was always “things are great......until they’re not!” I was not willing to risk failing to achieve our goal ...
by BostonButterfly
Fri Jan 10, 2020 12:41 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Redeeming Iraqi Dinars - How Best?
Replies: 26
Views: 3922

Re: Redeeming Iraqi Dinars - How Best?

My electrician got caught up in this with his buddies. He has yet to believe he was scammed. Still thinks the big payout is coming. I’m sad for him, but also keep my mouth shut. None of my business.
by BostonButterfly
Tue Dec 24, 2019 11:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Help not being a Scrooge with presents
Replies: 49
Views: 4700

Re: Help not being a Scrooge with presents

gmc4h232 wrote: Tue Dec 24, 2019 9:04 pm
alpenglow wrote: Tue Dec 24, 2019 8:37 pm Frankly, call me a Scrooge - I hate the whole thing.
+1
+ 1,000
I hate it more every year....
by BostonButterfly
Sun Dec 22, 2019 6:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What frugal thing did you do today?
Replies: 4524
Views: 617393

Re: What frugal thing did you do today?

harvestbook wrote: Fri Dec 20, 2019 7:01 am Processed two deer that the neighbor gave me. Had to buy another mini freezer but a net gain.
This is completely foreign to me (and slightly nauseating to be honest). I’m curious...what happens with the parts that don’t end up in the freezer? Bones, skin, etc? How do you dispose of that? Or do you not?
by BostonButterfly
Sat Nov 02, 2019 7:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: South Pacific Travel (Bora Bora, Moorea, Society Islands)
Replies: 12
Views: 2408

Re: South Pacific Travel (Bora Bora, Moorea, Society Islands)

Mathwhiz:

I was just on the Dreams of Tahiti cruise by Windstar. Went at the end of September.
LOVED IT!! We have done the mega ships and had basically given up on cruises because we got so tired of the mega ship experience. The crowds. The lines. The underwhelming food. “Washy washy”. Just all of it......we were so done.

A friend recently convinced us to try Windstar, and so glad he did! We went on the cruise for my spouse’s milestone birthday. The service is fantastic (they really do know your name!). The food is excellent. The itinerary wonderful! If you go, spend a couple of nights in an over the water hut. This was a splurge for us, and have zero regrets. Memories for a lifetime. I wish I was there now......
by BostonButterfly
Sun May 05, 2019 7:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Outdoor Jacuzzi - Cost vs Value?
Replies: 22
Views: 3556

Re: Outdoor Jacuzzi - Cost vs Value?

I won’t re-hash what others have stated regarding cost vs. value. I will say that we have had ours for five years and love it. We even paid to have it moved to our new house when we moved a couple of years ago. Some random comments: 1. I’d agree with most people on monthly electricity cost of about $50. 2. Consider how many people will realistically use the spa on a regular basis and purchase something sized accordingly. Is this going to be an intimate relaxation space for just you and your spouse, or will it be the party place for lots of people every weekend? I find spas too intimate to feel comfortable using it with friends / relatives etc. Maybe that’s just me. My point is.....the bigger the tub, the more everything costs.....water, che...
by BostonButterfly
Fri Jan 11, 2019 2:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Geico auto - used parts??
Replies: 26
Views: 4697

Re: Geico auto - used parts??

Rupert wrote: Fri Jan 11, 2019 2:11 pm
I feel for you. In coastal areas, the HO decision usually drives all insurance decisions. It's so expensive, and your options are so limited, that many people end up paying too much for auto insurance in order to get the multi-line discount on HO. I pay a big insurer way too much presently for my auto, but I get a huge HO discount that more than makes up for it. You have to evaluate the package, not just the HO and auto individually.
Rupert, do you have any other advise on coastal insurance? Perhaps you could PM me? I have to jump offline now, but will back online tonight.
by BostonButterfly
Fri Jan 11, 2019 2:14 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 401k Rollover Timing
Replies: 7
Views: 858

Re: 401k Rollover Timing

Earl Lemongrab wrote: Fri Jan 11, 2019 2:10 pm
BostonButterfly wrote: Fri Jan 11, 2019 1:47 pm I'm now considered not employed with the company of the 401K in question. The company was sold, and I'm now employed by the acquiring company.
That wasn't the question. Have they confirmed that you can take distribution of the 401(k) funds?
I haven't asked specifically. Maybe I assumed incorrectly, but if I'm no longer employed by the company that holds that 401K, don't I have the right to roll it over to and IRA?
by BostonButterfly
Fri Jan 11, 2019 2:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Geico auto - used parts??
Replies: 26
Views: 4697

Re: Geico auto - used parts??

Is UPC a surplus line carrier? I also live in a coastal area where many of the big-time insurance companies (Allstate, etc.) won't write HO (or, at least, the wind component of HO) policies. They will, instead, refer you to another carrier, usually a surplus-line carrier, with whom they have some sort of reciprocal relationship. If that's how you ended up with UPC, then it makes sense your old auto insurance company would have given you a multi-line discount for keeping your HO with UPC. Just a guess, but that happens around where I live a lot. I don't know what a surplus line carrier is, but UPC is United Property and Casualty Insurance Co. When we bought the house, the insurance broker said this is the company he uses because so few will...
by BostonButterfly
Fri Jan 11, 2019 1:47 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 401k Rollover Timing
Replies: 7
Views: 858

Re: 401k Rollover Timing

I'm now considered not employed with the company of the 401K in question. The company was sold, and I'm now employed by the acquiring company.
by BostonButterfly
Fri Jan 11, 2019 1:37 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Geico auto - used parts??
Replies: 26
Views: 4697

Re: Geico auto - used parts??

The thing is that my auto was Arbella, and my homeowners is UPC. He says that there was a discount on homeowners by using Arbella for auto because Arbella doesn't insure coastal homes.

At this point I'm not going to ask him about the "used parts" statement because what is done is done. The Geico policy is paid.
by BostonButterfly
Fri Jan 11, 2019 1:30 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 401k Rollover Timing
Replies: 7
Views: 858

Re: 401k Rollover Timing

Thanks Alan. I was thinking that I could roll into my existing rollover IRA, but it sounds like from what you've said if I roll now, it will be to a separate additional IRA. That seems like I would be creating more headaches for myself.

Is there anything I should watch out for regarding the transfer of the 401K to Empowerment? It seems like I have no say in what happens. They will cash out my investments, I will be out of the market for three weeks, and then they'll place me in a money market like fund until I make my elections. There's nothing I can do but just sit and watch, correct?
by BostonButterfly
Fri Jan 11, 2019 1:19 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Geico auto - used parts??
Replies: 26
Views: 4697

Geico auto - used parts??

My spouse and I have used the "family" insurance broker for our entire 20 year relationship. As we have narrowed our focus on achieving our retirement goals, one of the things on my list to do was stop paying so much for insurance. SO, I started with our car. I changed the car insurance to Geico for a whopping 32% reduction with better coverage! Not surprisingly, our broker is none too happy, even though, for now - we still have our homeowners through him. I've been going back and forth with him via email, and in the end he never offered to try to come close to Geico. What he did instead was tell me that because I cancelled the auto policy with them, now my homeowners will go up by 16% AND my son's (who lives with us) auto will go...
by BostonButterfly
Fri Jan 11, 2019 12:28 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 401k Rollover Timing
Replies: 7
Views: 858

401k Rollover Timing

The company I work for was recently bought out. I have since received notice that my old company is switching their 401K plan from Fidelity to Empowerment Retirement. There will be a three week blackout period starting 1/31/19. This notification makes me feel like I should roll this into an IRA asap to completely eliminate what will hopefully be temporary Empowerment involvement. But I’m also hesitant, and don’t know what I don’t know. Wondering if it’s in my best interest to roll this over now, or just hold on. Here’s the pertinent info: 1. New employer does have a 401K, but it’s a really bad plan with high fees. 2. I am contributing to the new employer 401K, which is managed by John Hancock. Sigh 3. I have an existing rollover IRA. 4. My ...
by BostonButterfly
Wed Jan 02, 2019 9:56 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What is the truth - paper towels vs. electric hand dryer?
Replies: 37
Views: 2940

Re: What is the truth - paper towels vs. electric hand dryer?

slayed wrote: Wed Jan 02, 2019 9:38 am I always prefer paper towel because I can use it to open the door when leaving. washing is rather pointless otherwise if you have to grab a filthy door handle on your way out.
+1,000!
I use the paper towel to turn off the water after washing my hands as well, if its not automatic water start. Nothing like using your clean hands to turn off a filthy faucet.......that's probably filthier than the door handle.

But then again, I fully acknowledge that I'm a germophobe.......
by BostonButterfly
Fri Dec 21, 2018 1:15 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Over-funded 401K
Replies: 1
Views: 309

Over-funded 401K

Last month, the company I work for was acquired. While I knew it was coming, I didn't anticipate that I might not be able to be able to make 401K contributions for the rest of the year (New company wouldn't allow us to begin until Jan 1). I was furious when I learned this, as were many here. Collectively, we griped enough that the new company allowed us to begin making contributions in December. Fast forward to today, I realized something else that I didn't anticipate: because this is a new plan, my contributions didn't automatically get shut off at $18,500. Sigh. The good news is that I only over-funded by $18. From searching Bogleheads, I see that I should contact the administrator and get it corrected asap. My question is - what happens ...
by BostonButterfly
Thu Dec 20, 2018 1:36 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: U.S. stocks in free fall
Replies: 36221
Views: 4652724

Re: U.S. stocks in free fall

veggivet wrote: Thu Dec 20, 2018 1:31 pm Once the market becomes boring again, I'll get back to adding to positions. I'll use activity on this thread as a contrary indicator. :wink:
LOL
by BostonButterfly
Thu Dec 20, 2018 1:27 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: U.S. stocks in free fall
Replies: 36221
Views: 4652724

Re: U.S. stocks in free fall

veggivet wrote: Thu Dec 20, 2018 1:21 pm I think I'm down around 400k +/- from the highs of the year across all of my accounts. Have about that much set aside ready to deploy. In the meantime, staying calm and carrying on...

Lots of red in the above chart, but no Santa Claus rally this year. I think we'll end the year at new lows.
What's your strategy for "deployment"?
by BostonButterfly
Tue Nov 13, 2018 2:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to value retiree healthcare benefit
Replies: 20
Views: 1617

Re: How to value retiree healthcare benefit

All good points. Thank you.
To answer someone's question here......the job is at a very well known university in Boston. Cambridge actually. I think that reduces the risk somewhat of the benefit being yanked. Never say never, though. I know.
by BostonButterfly
Tue Nov 13, 2018 1:42 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to value retiree healthcare benefit
Replies: 20
Views: 1617

Re: How to value retiree healthcare benefit

CFOKevin wrote: Tue Nov 13, 2018 1:35 pm My SWAG would be something like $500 per month in today's dollars for those 7 years (difference of the insurance you'll have access to under the retiree health plan vs. on your own). Or, $42,000 over nine years of employment.

About $4,500 per year in value compared to salary. Way too many variables to get any more precision (benefit could change, entire health insurance market could change, etc.)

Good Luck,

Kevin
Interesting. Thanks.....
by BostonButterfly
Tue Nov 13, 2018 1:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to value retiree healthcare benefit
Replies: 20
Views: 1617

Re: How to value retiree healthcare benefit

Wow.....so you put no value on this benefit? Interesting. Not the answer I was expecting. Obviously nothing is written in stone, but given the healthcare issues in this country, I would expect this benefit to be fairly valuable. I guess maybe not?
by BostonButterfly
Tue Nov 13, 2018 1:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to value retiree healthcare benefit
Replies: 20
Views: 1617

How to value retiree healthcare benefit

My spouse is interviewing for a job that offers retiree healthcare benefit. We have always thought that this benefit would be the golden ticket because healthcare costs are the biggest unknown when retiring, especially retiring early. Now that the opportunity could possibly be here, we would like to put some kind of value on that benefit in order to make a decision if she receives a job offer. Our plan is to retire at age 58 (9 years from now), so my assumption is that the retiree health benefit would give us access to better insurance from age 58-65, and then supplemental insurance from that point forward. This is not free healthcare, but having access to really good health insurance at reasonable cost is an eye catching benefit. Neither o...
by BostonButterfly
Mon Oct 29, 2018 1:58 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Company options and non-compete agreements
Replies: 16
Views: 1309

Re: Company options and non-compete agreements

FWIW - the company I work for is essentially a niche consulting company, while the acquirer is a software company.
by BostonButterfly
Mon Oct 29, 2018 1:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Company options and non-compete agreements
Replies: 16
Views: 1309

Re: Company options and non-compete agreements

I don't have the non-compete docs yet. I've been warned by the water cooler that its likely coming.
There is a conference call this afternoon for option holders. I expect it will be discussed during the meeting.
by BostonButterfly
Mon Oct 29, 2018 1:37 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Company options and non-compete agreements
Replies: 16
Views: 1309

Re: Company options and non-compete agreements

Wow - well that's not really the response I had expected! Thank you both for chiming in. Much appreciated.

Jack - yes, I'm in Mass. Are you saying that in my shoes you would forgo the payout in order to avoid signing a non-compete? And in that case - does that mean I'm out of a job if I refuse to sign the non-compete?
by BostonButterfly
Mon Oct 29, 2018 1:07 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Company options and non-compete agreements
Replies: 16
Views: 1309

Company options and non-compete agreements

I work for a very small private company (20 people) and joined the company three years after it was founded. I’ve been with them for seven years now, and somewhere along the line I was awarded company options. At the time I didn’t really know much about options (still don’t, really) and figured that they would never actually come into play. I just said thank you and kept it in the back of my head. Fast forward to today, and the company is very close to being acquired (as in…..this week). We are being acquired by a much larger private company, with approx. 1500 employees. I’ve learned from a trusted higher up that we will be required to sign non-compete agreements in order to collect on the payout of options. Is this even legal??? I feel lik...
by BostonButterfly
Fri Sep 14, 2018 6:35 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Job burnout - Keep grinding or change?
Replies: 78
Views: 13539

Re: Job burnout - Keep grinding or change?

UncleBogle: I could have written your post. In fact I've recently been contemplating posting the same thing. Everything in your post is exactly the same for me, except I don't have 4 kids to get through college. College costs are in the rearview mirror for us, thankfully.

I have no advice.....just wanted to say you're not the only one feeling this way! Very interested to read the responses to your post.

Best wishes on your journey..........
by BostonButterfly
Thu Sep 13, 2018 12:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Credit card advice
Replies: 22
Views: 1794

Re: Credit card advice

Thank you all for your input. Much appreciated.
I will close the account, and will leave my remaining card credit limit as is. I'll report back how much it impacts my credit score.....for future reference if anyone has any interest.
by BostonButterfly
Thu Sep 13, 2018 9:45 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Credit card advice
Replies: 22
Views: 1794

Re: Credit card advice

Watty wrote: Thu Sep 13, 2018 8:37 am You should really have more than one credit card for backup too especially when you are traveling since there can be a snafu where your card is declined or compromised and needs to be cancelled.

I have two, and wife has two. If I close this one, we will have three between us. One has travel points, one has airline miles and the other is run of the mill Amex card.
by BostonButterfly
Thu Sep 13, 2018 9:40 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Credit card advice
Replies: 22
Views: 1794

Re: Credit card advice

Unless you are in serious consumer debt and need to get even more loans or you are days or weeks away from applying for a home loan I don't understand the obsession with credit score and hard pull versus soft pull. Eliminate a much debt as possible. Credit cards are extremely foolish tools to use to finance a lifestyle that a person cannot afford. Instead use credit cards for every purchase to generate points and rebates but pay them off to the penny each and every month. I use credit cards wisely. They are paid off every month, and I use them as a tool to accumulate travel points. The only debt I have is a 2.625% mortgage and a 0.00% auto loan. Those rates are hard to come by without excellent credit. My "obsession" with credit ...
by BostonButterfly
Thu Sep 13, 2018 8:16 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Credit card advice
Replies: 22
Views: 1794

Re: Credit card advice

Its true. I just want to be done with this bank. I guess I'll just close it, accept the hard pull to increase the limit on my other card, and whatever happens to my credit happens. It will be temporary. Will probably never apply for another mortgage (aggressively paying mine down). Only thing in the back of my mind is opening a HELOC at some point as a safety net only.
by BostonButterfly
Thu Sep 13, 2018 7:42 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Credit card advice
Replies: 22
Views: 1794

Re: Credit card advice

I guess I'm less concerned with closing the account than the hard pull to increase the limit on the other card. I suppose if I open a new card, there will be a hard pull on that too.

I have not asked the existing issuer to waive the fee. I guess I could try that. Although, the card is through a very large bank who I'm not happy with. I actually just closed my checking account with them because of my displeasure. I now want to close their credit card just so I can be done with them! I don't know if forum rules prevent me from saying which bank, but its the bank of the country I live in.

Am I making a mountain out of a mole hill?
by BostonButterfly
Thu Sep 13, 2018 6:20 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Credit card advice
Replies: 22
Views: 1794

Credit card advice

In my quest to simplify, I'd like to close a credit card that I never use. It does have an annual fee, so if it weren't for that, I'd just let it ride. My first thought was that closing the card will hit my credit score, which I guess is fine, as I have excellent credit. I'd like to think it will be a temporary hit to the score. My second thought was that I should request an increase in credit limit on my other credit card that I do use all the time. (I use this card for travel points). The card that I'd like to close has a high credit limit, while the card I'm keeping has a fairly low limit. It seems like I should increase the limit on the card I'd like to keep, THEN close the other card. When I go online to request an increase in credit l...
by BostonButterfly
Thu Aug 23, 2018 8:21 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Auto insurance - Collision premium
Replies: 12
Views: 921

Re: Auto insurance - Collision premium

Hmm. Ok. FWIW, I'm looking at his actual policy, and it is his annual premium. We both have excellent credit, excellent driving records, both married, have the exact same exact car, etc. I now realize that a lot more goes into calculating premium. Even still, ten times the difference seems way wrong.

I'll get a quote from Geico for the same coverage and see how the premium differs between us.
by BostonButterfly
Thu Aug 23, 2018 7:42 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Auto insurance - Collision premium
Replies: 12
Views: 921

Auto insurance - Collision premium

I'm not looking to get way deep into the weeds here, but basically what factors go into the premium for collision coverage on a car? Is it only the car specifically, or do other factors come into play........say location, other coverage, etc? I've recently been going over all of our insurance policies to make sure we are adequately insured. Back in December, a friend and I purchased the exact same car, which is a 2017 electric VW Golf. He lives about 20 miles away from where I do. I mentioned that I was going over my insurance stuff, and we discussed the auto coverage and realized that we are paying drastically different amounts, and the main culprit is Collision. He is paying $85 per YEAR for collision through Geico, while I'm paying $930 ...
by BostonButterfly
Thu Aug 16, 2018 7:37 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Chevy Volt for Commute
Replies: 24
Views: 3183

Re: Chevy Volt for Commute

Add me to the all electric camp! LOVE driving electric!

Side note: if you're not aware, range will vary widely depending on outside temperature and use of heat/AC. If you live in a place where you deal with cold winters, make sure to factor in that your range will be much less than what you expect during the winter.
by BostonButterfly
Wed Aug 08, 2018 12:58 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Post your Financial Milestone Announcements Here
Replies: 3606
Views: 562359

Re: Post your Financial Milestone Announcements Here

Very excited to share that we hit the 2 comma club in net worth (including home equity)! Our next milestone is 2 comma club in investable assets. It will take several more years, but we're plugging along nicely. Age 48, with a goal of retiring at 58.

These forums are such a wealth of information and the collective knowledge is priceless! Finding Bogleheads has changed my financial life. THANK YOU!
by BostonButterfly
Fri Jun 29, 2018 2:24 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Post your Financial Milestone Announcements Here
Replies: 3606
Views: 562359

Re: Pulled the trigger and paid off the house today

FIREchief wrote: Fri Jun 29, 2018 2:05 pm I adopted a policy decades ago of wanting everybody other than my immediate, immediate family to think I was on the brink of bankruptcy and would be lucky to keep the house.
This conversation is getting off topic, but when does this cross the line into being deceitful? People's money is none of my business. But I do think if a friend or relative of mine spent a lifetime crafting an image of scraping pennies to get by, when in fact they were very wealthy, I would feel like the relationship was built around a gigantic lie. I don't know - clearly I need to spend some time thinking about this stuff!