Search found 886 matches
- Sat Feb 03, 2018 1:07 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: New Subaru Outback vs. used Volvo XC-70
- Replies: 53
- Views: 5258
Re: New Subaru Outback vs. used Volvo XC-70
We have had 3 Subaru Outbacks and have loved each one. No major mechanical issues encountered during our ownership periods.... ( although I believe they had a head gasket problem in the 2005-2009 models) Our current Subaru is a 2014- has about 60,000 miles.....would buy another if needed. Not specif...
- Tue Jun 06, 2017 5:06 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Federal and Washington DC "Safe Harbor" question
- Replies: 1
- Views: 612
Federal and Washington DC "Safe Harbor" question
I have a Federal and Washington DC income tax “Safe Harbor” question. The person in question earns virtually all of her income from wages but has a bunch of 30 year Series E bonds ( ~$37,000) which will mature in July. They were gifted to her mostly by her late grandparents during 1987. (you can gue...
- Fri Jun 02, 2017 9:49 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Favorite Biographies and Memoirs
- Replies: 33
- Views: 2841
Re: Favorite Biographies and Memoirs
Nigel Hamilton has written two books which "sort of" serve as FDR's memoirs of his leadership during the Second World War: The Mantle of Command: FDR at war 1941-1942 Commander in Chief. FDR 1943 Both were great "reads" Hamilton is reported to be working on a third volume to accompany these two whic...
- Fri Apr 28, 2017 9:45 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Gifting a down payment/avoiding gift tax
- Replies: 23
- Views: 2001
Gifting a down payment-gift tax questions
Dogsplaypoker: No one has mentioned state gift tax considerations. I believe there are only two states which have gift taxes- Minnesota and Connecticut. If you are not a resident of either of these, then your only consideration is Federal gift tax. (If anyone knows if there are more states than the ...
- Fri Apr 14, 2017 12:35 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Merrill Lynch advisory fees
- Replies: 22
- Views: 2954
Re: Merrill Lynch advisory fees
Jim3: If you are asking for assistance on the Boglehead Forum, you clearly suspect you may be about to do something unwise......Run - do not walk- away from Merrill Lynch or any Bank investment group....... .......and please recall the timeless advice of John Bridges (1587) "a foole and his money is...
- Thu Apr 06, 2017 12:19 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Restoration of old slides
- Replies: 10
- Views: 1070
Re: Restoration of old slides
There are a number of ways to fix the colors of the faded or discolored slides and they are usually pretty fixable. In extreme cases you can convert them to black and white and still get an acceptable image. There are lots of software options but I use Photoshop Elements since I already have that a...
- Wed Apr 05, 2017 10:37 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Restoration of old slides
- Replies: 10
- Views: 1070
Restoration of old slides
Greetings to all: I've been on a project to clean out "stuff" which we have accumulated in our home. Amazing what debris you collect when you have lived in the same house for over 30 years! But, to my delight, I recently found trays of Kodachrome slides I have taken of family events and trips from 1...
- Sat Mar 25, 2017 9:04 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Is there any downside to Home Equity line of credit even if we won't use it immediately?
- Replies: 24
- Views: 3557
Is there any downside to Home Equity line of credit even if we won't use it immediately?
I had to close the HELOC when I refinanced the mortgage. The only downside was a delay in the refinancing until I got the documents confirming the HELOC was closed.
Shaw croft
Shaw croft
- Wed Mar 15, 2017 7:00 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: CCRC [Continuing Care Retirement Community]
- Replies: 10
- Views: 1745
Re: CCRC [Continuing Care Retirement Community]
The CCRC's I've looked at do not include LTC in the buy-in/rental. For that you'll need LTC insurance or pay out of pocket. Should you or your spouse need LTC see if the LTC facility is on site and that you and/or your spouse are GUARANTEED a bed at that facility. Excellent observation. I have a co...
- Sun Mar 05, 2017 2:02 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Arlo Pro Security System (wireless/WiFi)
- Replies: 16
- Views: 1982
Arlo Pro Security System (wireless/WiFi)
Interesting concept. I know two families in Florida which have installed these and they like them- their experience with battery life is in the 4-5 month range.I'm up in the Northeast and the best places to install them is inconvenient but do-able. I wouldn't want to have to change batteries frequen...
- Sun Mar 05, 2017 2:01 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Arlo Pro Security System (wireless/WiFi)
- Replies: 16
- Views: 1982
Arlo Pro Security System (wireless/WiFi)
Interesting concept. I know two families in Florida which have installed these and they like them- their experience with battery life is in the 4-5 month range.I'm up in the Northeast and the best places to install them is inconvenient but do-able. I wouldn't want to have to change batteries frequen...
- Sat Feb 18, 2017 5:27 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: The russians are hacking me
- Replies: 36
- Views: 7219
Re: The russians are hacking me
Excellent discussion. I've learned much to improve our computer security......and to do very regular backups
Shawcroft
Shawcroft
- Sat Feb 18, 2017 4:38 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: What Do You Keep In Your Bank Safe Deposit Box?
- Replies: 66
- Views: 9625
Re: What Do You Keep In Your Bank Safe Deposit Box?
Excellent discussion and timely. I have been informed some states require a bank to "seal" the safety deposit box upon learning of the customers death. The box is only opened with supervision. Our estate attorney said language should be in the will to direct things in such a box to designated indivi...
- Wed Jan 25, 2017 7:50 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: VCR Head Cleaning
- Replies: 22
- Views: 2448
VCR Head Cleaning to digitize VHS tapes
The best way to digitize tapes? I've always done it by connecting the VCR to my PC via a TV Tuner card installed in one of the PCI slots. The TV tuner card allows composite cables to be hooked up to the computer as an input. Then I simply had to use the software that came with the Hauppage TV Tuner...
- Tue Jan 24, 2017 3:03 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: VCR Head Cleaning
- Replies: 22
- Views: 2448
VCR Head Cleaning
To my colleagues: I found this 3 year old thread on cleaning a VCR tape player and it was very helpful. I've begun "digitizing" VHS tapes of family events events from 1994-2006. They're in the VHS-C format and I have about 110 of them.,..great project for the winter months in the Connecticut. So far...
- Sun Jan 22, 2017 11:23 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Getting rid of mice
- Replies: 94
- Views: 7136
Re: Getting rid of mice
Several people have mentioned steel wool. I recommend copper wool. It lasts longer. In my experience in a damp location steel wool rusts to a worthless powder in less than a year and you have to do it again. Copper wool turns green but remains intact. Copper wool should be available at your local h...
- Wed Jan 18, 2017 10:15 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Subaru + Mazda
- Replies: 44
- Views: 5395
Re: Subaru + Mazda
We're on our 3rd Subaru- a 2014 Outback. Love the car- really versatile and handles well. I looked at a Toyota Venza, Nissan Rogue and an Audi All Road (the Audi was a ~$48,000 car) . The Subaru has about 95 % of the stuff the Audi offered at about 60% of the price.
Shaw croft
Shaw croft
- Fri Jan 13, 2017 9:16 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Best Financial Moves You've Made
- Replies: 158
- Views: 22740
Best Financial Moves You've Made
To me, the best financial move I have ever made was buying an engagement ring for my wife. People who know me know that I am plodding and slow to act- but not after I met her. From our first meeting to marriage in less than 16 months- " faster than a speeding bullet" for me! Best overall financial m...
- Thu Jan 12, 2017 11:19 pm
- Forum: Local Chapters and Bogleheads Community
- Topic: Sad News About a Respected Forum Member
- Replies: 118
- Views: 23033
Sad News About a Respected Forum Member
Old Meph: I joined this Forum about 7 years ago, at a time when I was moving most of our financial stuff to Vanguard and had many questions, among them life insurance. I had purchased a number of life policies over the years- all with the best of intentions- but never really knew what I was buying. ...
- Sun Jan 08, 2017 12:53 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Rewritable DVD and copying VHS tapes
- Replies: 15
- Views: 1607
Copying VHS tapes onto DVD
Before you start, it's important to get a sense of a realistic endpoint. I know from watch the tapes there was lots of dead space, pictures of the floor, and long performances by my kids that even they would not want to watch, certainly not more than once. I realized I would have to shorten the end...
- Fri Jan 06, 2017 11:43 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Rewritable DVD and copying VHS tapes
- Replies: 15
- Views: 1607
Re: Rewritable DVD and copying VHS tapes
When I mess with DVD's I generally have gotten good results with Verbatim. For DVD-RW they quote 1000 read write cycles. Another good DVD manufacturer for me has been JVC Taiyo Yuden. For a project that I was archiving personal information for hopefully a lifetime I would stick with the best qualit...
- Fri Jan 06, 2017 11:59 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Rewritable DVD and copying VHS tapes
- Replies: 15
- Views: 1607
Re: Rewritable DVD and copying VHS tapes
VHS tapes are inserted into a regular VHS player and the played output is fed into a Hauppauge Colossus 2 capture card on my desktop which produces a high bit-rate .mpg file. Then I can edit the file with VideoReDo as I wish and ultimately copy those files to a couple (or more) hard drives which ar...
- Fri Jan 06, 2017 10:44 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Rewritable DVD and copying VHS tapes
- Replies: 15
- Views: 1607
Rewritable DVD and copying VHS tapes
First, a Happy New Year to all! A fun question: one of my New Year's resolutions involves a project transferring home videos from the old VHS-C format to DVD. The process is fairly simple, although you cannot easily edit what you copy when you do it this way. (you need a computer to do that- more on...
- Mon Dec 19, 2016 10:24 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: anyone here subscribe to The Economist? (renewal question)
- Replies: 33
- Views: 12342
Discounted subscriptions to The Economist
In past years, I have used airline miles to subscribe to the Economist. Looking at United MileagePlus and American Advantage offerings this morning, I don't see The Economist as a subscription option. (maybe I missed something). Is there another "Boglehead Way" to subscribe to the Economist? While i...
- Wed Nov 23, 2016 6:51 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Shrinking CU Co-Op Network? [Credit Union]
- Replies: 6
- Views: 1456
Re: Shrinking CU Co-Op Network?
Had a similar experience with the ATM at a credit union in CT which was formerly a member of the shared services group with NFCU. Until recently, it was fee-free but now advises (once the NFCU CUCARD is inserted) that there is a $3.00 fee for each transaction. Based upon that experience I went onlin...
- Tue Nov 08, 2016 6:27 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: The problem with Medicare Plan N
- Replies: 10
- Views: 1745
Re: The problem with Medicare Plan N
Radiowave:
Indeed, no apology necessary to me as well. Some thing I would not have thought about.
Thanks!
Shawcroft
Indeed, no apology necessary to me as well. Some thing I would not have thought about.
Thanks!
Shawcroft
- Sat Aug 27, 2016 4:40 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Fidelity competing harder w/Vanguard
- Replies: 92
- Views: 11447
Re: Fidelity competing harder w/Vanguard
Willis:jwillis77373 wrote:We're comparing 1/10 ths of a basis point.. and complaining?
Only the Angels on the head of a pin could party with that much in their pocket.
Indeed.....Excellent observation!
Shawcroft..
- Sat Jul 30, 2016 7:35 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Estate planning advice?
- Replies: 34
- Views: 5279
Estate planning advice?
Bostondan: I've posted estate planning questions in the past and have gotten responses with great insights. bsteiner's thoughts were alway very helpful. Alas, we live in Connecticut and it currently has a 2M exemption (it was increased to 3.5M for a few years but the current governor reduced it to 2...
- Mon Jul 25, 2016 5:37 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: World VCR production is ending next month. What to do with my old VHS tapes?
- Replies: 57
- Views: 5714
Re: World VCR production is ending next month. What to do with my old VHS tapes?
rec7 wrote: I am still using my VCR a couple times per week. Anybody else? Yes, we use ours about twice a week. I've copied family VHS tapes ( the original big ones) taken from 1983-1995 onto DVD. Most went 2 hours so I was able to start the 2 hour VHS tape and the DVD copier (set for 2 hours) and ...
- Sun Jul 24, 2016 3:20 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Best Account for Overseas ATMs
- Replies: 14
- Views: 2106
Current Best Account for Overseas ATMs
I came across this discussion which is about 5 years old. We are planning an overseas trip for late fall. Do my Boglehead colleagues have more recent experiences / views on banks and their fees regarding use of international ATM's? Do Capital One and USAA still provide the best deal? Thanks, Shawcroft
- Mon Jul 11, 2016 10:08 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: New MetLIfe 403b
- Replies: 2
- Views: 394
Re: New MetLIfe 403b
Duckie: He would get the full match at 3%. The MetLIfe representative is supposed to have a meeting at their office some time this week to explain things and answer questions. Nothing happened today. He has gotten interested in the costs (fees) which may be floating around this variable annuity. Sha...
- Mon Jul 11, 2016 3:29 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: New MetLIfe 403b
- Replies: 2
- Views: 394
New MetLIfe 403b
One of our sons lives out-of-state and works for a non-profit organization. Last week, he received a notice that they will be changing their 403b provider to MetLife. He hasn’t gotten any detailed information but was sent a 5-page summary. He scanned the pages and sent them to me for my thoughts. (t...
- Wed Jun 22, 2016 11:53 am
- Forum: Local Chapters and Bogleheads Community
- Topic: Happy Birthday, Mel! Boglehead #2.
- Replies: 41
- Views: 4141
Happy Birthday, Mel! Boglehead #2.
Rick:
Thanks for alerting the Bogleheads to this momentous occasion. Have a grand birthday, Mel!
Shawcroft
Thanks for alerting the Bogleheads to this momentous occasion. Have a grand birthday, Mel!
Shawcroft
- Wed Mar 09, 2016 9:06 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Just on The Great Courses
- Replies: 20
- Views: 2573
The Great Courses
Having been encouraged by someone here to try them, we do find we are hooked......." Masters of War" with Andrew Wilson of the Naval Academy. Which was again a stimulating insight into matters (strategic thinkers in history) about which we knew little....... the quality so far has been high. Valuet...
- Tue Mar 08, 2016 10:09 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Rental Properties
- Replies: 19
- Views: 2773
Re: Rental Properties
[OT link removed by admin LadyGeek] hburrus: nice list of very practical information. The OP got into the rental business "by default", not part of a grand scheme. I hope his monthly rent covers all the fixed and variable costs, with something left over for occasional capital repairs and/or prepaym...
- Mon Feb 29, 2016 2:36 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: 2016 BOGLEHEADS CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT
- Replies: 118
- Views: 21394
Re: 2016 BOGLEHEADS CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT
Taylor:Taylor Larimore wrote:Philadelphia is a long trip for me at age 92. Nevertheless, meeting Jack and old and new friends will be a highlight of my remaining days.
I know I speak for all Bogleheads when I say it is our hope that you have- and enjoy- a large number of "remaining days".
Shawcroft
- Thu Feb 25, 2016 9:44 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Cheap MRI in Connecticut?
- Replies: 18
- Views: 2292
Re: Cheap MRI in Connecticut?
Anyone know of a cheap or at least fair priced place to get an MRI (for knee) done in Connecticut? Snowjob: "Advanced Radiology" has several locations in Southwestern CT- in the Stamford-Bridgeport area. I have no experience with them but their website says they will quote you a price. Might not be...
- Wed Feb 24, 2016 4:16 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: 2016 BOGLEHEADS CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT
- Replies: 118
- Views: 21394
Re: 2016 BOGLEHEADS CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT
Well, I suspect we are all economic beasts of prey......ModifiedDuration wrote: Sort of like a StubHub, but I would act as market maker.
Good idea?
That said, I recognize this is (hopefully) said with tongue in cheek.......otherwise, the much-feared" Wrath of Lindauer" will descend upon you..
Shawcroft
- Tue Feb 23, 2016 3:53 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: 2016 BOGLEHEADS CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT
- Replies: 118
- Views: 21394
Re: 2016 BOGLEHEADS CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT
The clock ticks..
My "check is in the mail" as of Saturday ...I hope the postal service is reasonably efficient (I surmise that is the wish of many who are hoping to attend)
Shawcroft
My "check is in the mail" as of Saturday ...I hope the postal service is reasonably efficient (I surmise that is the wish of many who are hoping to attend)
Shawcroft
- Sat Feb 20, 2016 10:15 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: 2016 BOGLEHEADS CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT
- Replies: 118
- Views: 21394
Re: 2016 BOGLEHEADS CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT
Kathleen: Your e-mail and Mel's badgering touches me greatly. I will request Registration Forms from Gail Cox immediately. I believe our family would also like to attend what has always been a high-point of our lives. Thank you for the "push." Best wishes. Taylor Great news that Taylor will be atte...
- Sun Feb 07, 2016 11:59 am
- Forum: Investing - Help with Personal Investments
- Topic: Yikes! FA is killing me...desperate to know how to fire FA and DIY?
- Replies: 38
- Views: 6083
Re: Yikes! FA is killing me...desperate to know how to fire FA and DIY?
Good job, you will be happy. I was. And no need to say goodbye. Vanguard does it all for you. I now have enough experience to say that that is not entirely true, and it's not true for Fidelity either. They both follow "protocol", which basically means they won't fight for your money if the current ...
- Mon Feb 01, 2016 3:20 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Forming LLC to buy condo?
- Replies: 20
- Views: 2226
Forming LLC to buy property?
Interesting thread....reminded me of a recent conversation I was at a holiday party in December. One of the attendees (who resides in Connecticut) mentioned that he and his wife own a vacation home on Cape Cod which they placed in a Florida LLC ( I asked him Florida twice and he said yes). He said i...
- Fri Jan 29, 2016 11:07 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Estate planning advice?
- Replies: 34
- Views: 5279
Re: Estate planning advice?
Dan:
Aspects of estate planning have been discussed several times on the Forum. You are getting some very thoughtful suggestions.
Shawcroft
Aspects of estate planning have been discussed several times on the Forum. You are getting some very thoughtful suggestions.
Shawcroft
- Wed Jan 27, 2016 9:14 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Modems and Routers
- Replies: 29
- Views: 3496
Modems and Routers
http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-wi-fi-router/ http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-cable-modem/ Depends on what wifi devices you have (or expect to have) and your internet speed - you might ask Comcast what they prefer for a cable modem. Quark: Thanks for the references. My dealing with Comc...
- Thu Jan 14, 2016 6:37 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Buying a condo - Tough questions to ask?
- Replies: 32
- Views: 5119
Re: Buying a condo - Tough questions to ask?
To my colleagues:
Boy, is this a timely post! We have a family member who is currently renting but is thinking about buying a condo in the Washington DC area within the next 6 months, He is just starting out on the "learning curve".
Shawcroft
Boy, is this a timely post! We have a family member who is currently renting but is thinking about buying a condo in the Washington DC area within the next 6 months, He is just starting out on the "learning curve".
Shawcroft
- Thu Jan 14, 2016 6:30 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Amazon is dropping Prime price to $73 for the weekend
- Replies: 26
- Views: 5257
Re: Amazon is dropping Prime price to $73 for the weekend
Flobes:
Thanks for the alert. Good catch!
Shawcroft
Thanks for the alert. Good catch!
Shawcroft
- Tue Nov 24, 2015 8:35 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Heads up: LONG rollover TSP to Vanguard
- Replies: 29
- Views: 4823
Re: Heads up: LONG rollover TSP to Vanguard
Are you referring to a medallion signature guarantee here? I don't think you need a bank to have your signature notarized.OutInThirteen wrote:I could print out Form TSP-77, fill it out, take it to a branch of my local bank to sign and have it notarized,
Shawcroft
- Thu Nov 19, 2015 10:56 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Wouldn't it be a great idea to buy Norfolk Southern now??!!
- Replies: 16
- Views: 2612
A great idea to buy Norfolk Southern now??!!
The deal could get derailed. or.....the two trains might never get coupled (sorry, couldn't resist) If this deal falls through, Warren Buffet might become interested. He said he bought BNSF because he never had a train set as a child. Perhaps he would want to assemble a transcontinental one... Shaw...
- Fri Oct 23, 2015 1:14 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Total Wine Store
- Replies: 27
- Views: 2321
Total Wine Store
The Total Wine store near us is huge and carries an excellent- and large- selection of wines. Connecticut (where I reside) has minimum prices set on wine and liquor so they cannot go as low as other Total Wine stores in some nearby states. As one member from Massachusetts has noted, the best prices ...
- Sat Oct 10, 2015 12:42 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: SUV recommendation
- Replies: 55
- Views: 7681
Re: SUV recommendation
Subaru Outback.
close enough to an SUV to make it a very good choice.
Shawcroft
close enough to an SUV to make it a very good choice.
Shawcroft