Search found 4151 matches

by mouses
Sun Jun 21, 2020 4:54 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Might buy a beach house. Looking for advice.
Replies: 42
Views: 7447

Re: Might buy a beach house. Looking for advice.

bltn wrote: Sat Jun 20, 2020 7:45 pm We are familiar with hurricane season (the above advice never to buy a home in a hurricane susceptible area would vacate both coasts of Florida).
There's then and there's now. Where I live erosion and rising sea level have brought the water very noticeably further inland in the last several decades. Hurricanes have a big impact on erosion as well as their more obvious effects. This will only get worse.
by mouses
Sun Jun 21, 2020 4:44 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Interviewing buyers realtor; confused
Replies: 38
Views: 4544

Re: Interviewing buyers realtor; confused

Why can’t you find a neighborhood and lots you like and send letters yourself? You can offer more to the home owner since you don’t charge a commission. If you want to go the realtor route you will need to talk to friends and others to get names. Then interview and see what they say. It is a bit of a crap shoot. I thought about this. But....Wouldn’t this be kind of weird? How would you feel if you got a letter from random dude who wants to buy your house. Just seems like I wouldn’t have the credibility. In any case, I’d rather have the realtor go and check out the place instead of me. That used to happen to me when I lived in a desirable neighborhood. I had found my house there because a nearby resident tipped me off that the owner was goi...
by mouses
Sun Jun 21, 2020 4:41 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Interviewing buyers realtor; confused
Replies: 38
Views: 4544

Re: Interviewing buyers realtor; confused

eagleeyes wrote: Fri Jun 19, 2020 7:12 pm neighbors are nice but a little close for comfort (half acre lots).
Some people would call this a neighborhood.
by mouses
Sat Jun 20, 2020 5:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Disappointed in Amica
Replies: 40
Views: 4614

Re: Disappointed in Amica

tivattom wrote: Fri Jun 19, 2020 5:47 pm I fired Amica this year for the same reason. They constantly raised my home replacement value over and over again and over the years I had raised my deductibles higher than was probably reasonable.
Construction costs ARE going up in my area.
by mouses
Sat Jun 20, 2020 12:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Disappointed in Amica
Replies: 40
Views: 4614

Re: Disappointed in Amica

For the third year in row, Amica has increased our car insurance premiums by increasing our estimated annual mileage. Each year I call and reaffirm that our mileage will be less than half of their new estimate. They then adjust our rate back down. I suppose a lot of people either don't notice or don't call to complain. It's frustrating because they know our exact mileage for the last five years -- which, incidentally, has always been UNDER the estimate I've given them. In addition, they know most people are driving a lot less due to the virus and shutdowns. So I don't understand why they keep jacking their estimate each year -- other than to try to gouge us. Amica is highly rated on this forum and elsewhere. So I'm surprised and disappoint...
by mouses
Sat Jun 20, 2020 8:38 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Federal tax refund is late
Replies: 102
Views: 5330

Re: Federal tax refund is late

Does no one read the news? There is a pandemic. What do you think the IRS workers are doing, risking their lives to process paper returns?

No. Wait until they are back at work.

How many threads have we seen as I mailed my tax return nothing has happened.
by mouses
Sat Jun 20, 2020 8:35 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Learning how to do your own taxes?
Replies: 51
Views: 6694

Re: Learning how to do your own taxes?

sailaway wrote: Fri Jun 19, 2020 9:59 pm
The gathering of the forms and information is the only part I find taxing. If a CPA could do that part, I would probably pay them with a smile.
Forms: click click click on the irs website. I keep a running track of info during the year.
by mouses
Fri Jun 19, 2020 6:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Learning how to do your own taxes?
Replies: 51
Views: 6694

Re: Learning how to do your own taxes?

oldfort wrote: Fri Jun 19, 2020 6:15 pm
jebmke wrote: Fri Jun 19, 2020 4:57 pm
oldfort wrote: Fri Jun 19, 2020 4:15 pm I don't use any tax software and do my own taxes each year. Print out a 1040 and read the instructions. For most people, it's not difficult.
That's true. When we get people coming in to TaxAide who have historically done their returns by hand, the Federal is often correct but they hose up the state return royally. I can't tell you the number of amended state returns I have done for our taxpayers where their Federal was correct but the state return was a mess.
Taking the standard deduction and not itemizing helps a lot with the complexity.
A lot of state returns are just minor mods on the federal return. After I've done my federal return (and I do itemize), I can zip through my state's return in hardly any time.
by mouses
Fri Jun 19, 2020 6:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Learning how to do your own taxes?
Replies: 51
Views: 6694

Re: Learning how to do your own taxes?

I've done my own taxes by hand for decades. I download the forms and instructions from irs.gov. They also have more detailed instruction booklets on various topics. Pub. 17 covers many things in detail. There is an IRA pub whose number I forget. Pretty much every form has its own set of instructions. I save the instructions along with the forms each year including scanning in the filled out ones. I also save the filled out worksheets which don't have to be turned in with the forms. I have to fill out 2-3 worksheets for my situation. I would get copies of your last return and look at it and consult the irs instructions (line 10 enter X blah blah blah) until you understand it. Then I might skim the previous year or two to see if anything is d...
by mouses
Fri Jun 19, 2020 8:42 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New construction house - what to consider?
Replies: 163
Views: 14666

Re: New construction house - what to consider?

16kw Generac installed, whole house transfer switch, load shedding module for AC, wiring, gas piping (did not need larger capacity added from gas company), cement pad, first year maintenance, cost me $7800. I think there was an additional charge to bring an additional 100 amps in from the street. Why mess around, get one that goes on and off without you messing with it or getting fuel.

Ref my other thread, if you're in snow country I would get heated driveways and some paths.

Accessibility is very important, you may be young, but you can always break a leg. Wide doorways, grab bars.

Lots of electrical outlets, including exterior.
by mouses
Fri Jun 19, 2020 7:49 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Parents in a tough situation for retirement
Replies: 117
Views: 15560

Re: Parents in a tough situation for retirement

Quirkz and JackFFR1846 have given you sound advice in my opinion. 1) My mother got an inheritance about 20 years ago and I suggested a Bogleheads solution. My Dad took her money and ran down to the bank and gave it all to some "investment consultant" who promptly put her money into front load funds and proceeded to churn the account for the next 20+ years. 2) My father ask my advice about what payout he should choose for his company pension. Of course he decided to pick the payout that stops when he dies. This means my mom will have NOTHING but her social security to live on. She will have to sell the house because she will not be able to afford to continue to live there. 3) After trying to get my sister on track for retirement (...
by mouses
Thu Jun 18, 2020 7:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Might buy a beach house. Looking for advice.
Replies: 42
Views: 7447

Re: Might buy a beach house. Looking for advice.

hoops777 wrote: Thu Jun 18, 2020 11:41 am Why would you even consider buying a place in a hurricane zone???? :oops:
Think it out and be rational about the plus minuses and you will come to your senses.
Well, there is this. A house down the street from me, waterfront, but about twenty feet above the beach, is under contract for about $800,000. That's just the land as the house is a teardown. Just guessing I'd say the lot is like 100x150. So someone buys these things. There are a lot of expensive houses in that side, unlike my side which is now darn near sea level :-) behind seawalls.
by mouses
Thu Jun 18, 2020 5:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sellers agent not letting me view property without preapproval or "proof of finances"
Replies: 189
Views: 13640

Re: Sellers agent not letting me view property without preapproval or "proof of finances"

I've heard of this in the past for very expensive houses or ones owned by celebrities. They want only serious potential buyers. I can certainly see why the coronavirus makes this more common.
by mouses
Thu Jun 18, 2020 4:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Parents in a tough situation for retirement
Replies: 117
Views: 15560

Re: Parents in a tough situation for retirement

junior wrote: Thu Jun 18, 2020 3:52 pm
mouses wrote: Thu Jun 18, 2020 2:00 pm I wipe out my social security each year with prescription costs, and I have a Plan D.
You spend your entire social security income on medication?

So if you only had social security income and no other income what would happen? Would you be dead? Or would the drug company or some other charity give you 99% off the price of the medication? Or would the doctor prescribe something cheaper?
There is nothing cheaper. There are two heart meds, so yes, I suppose I would be dead sooner than otherwise. Welcome to the US healthcare system. Certainly I am not alone in this. Many people cannot afford meds. I can for awhile.
by mouses
Thu Jun 18, 2020 4:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tax bill on inheritance
Replies: 13
Views: 1934

Re: Tax bill on inheritance

I haven;t read everything but:

I thought IRAs couldn't be in the name of the trust but had to be owned by the individual.

I thought inheritances weren't taxed other than on any gains since the person's death as they have a step up basis.

The executor/trustee should be telling the beneficiaries exactly what he is doing. I used to send out monthly This is what I did this month reports to all the beneficiaries (sold X, distributed Y, paid accountant Z, tax return for year A filed, etc.)
by mouses
Thu Jun 18, 2020 2:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 36 YO wife getting Medicare related Junk Mail
Replies: 20
Views: 2280

Re: 36 YO wife getting Medicare related Junk Mail

Actual AARP junk mail can be turned off by phoning them.

I'm amazed at the number of people who complain about junk mail and never make any attempt to get off the mailing lists.
by mouses
Thu Jun 18, 2020 2:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Parents in a tough situation for retirement
Replies: 117
Views: 15560

Re: Parents in a tough situation for retirement

Momus wrote: Wed Jun 17, 2020 8:07 pm There is always wellfare, food stamps + social security. As long as they have a place to live til they die, they are gonna be ok.
Uh, no. You're assuming that pays the mortgage. Pays healthcare costs besides what Medicare pays for, and Medicare itself is not cheap. I wipe out my social security each year with prescription costs, and I have a Plan D.
by mouses
Thu Jun 18, 2020 11:37 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Leaving Amica for Cincinnati, Erie, Travelers, or MetLife?
Replies: 31
Views: 3912

Re: Leaving Amica for Cincinnati, Erie, Travelers, or MetLife?

Amica does its dividend in the next 1-2 months. I expect you were quoted a price without the dividend taken into effect.
by mouses
Thu Jun 18, 2020 7:27 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: My very first $martphone!!! Please help me decide.
Replies: 45
Views: 4264

Re: My very first $martphone!!! Please help me decide.

Faith20879 wrote: Wed Jun 17, 2020 4:08 pm
02nz wrote: Wed Jun 17, 2020 3:53 pm Looks like the magnetometer sensor is only for compass applications. If you don't need your phone to tell you where north is, you're ok without it.
Hmm, that's a bummer. I rely on the compass in Google map a lot especially in a new city. Hmm, was leaning in the G power but now not so sure. Got to think about my priorities.
Sun rises in the East, sets in the West, so you're good unless it's cloudy.
by mouses
Wed Jun 17, 2020 4:19 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Might buy a beach house. Looking for advice.
Replies: 42
Views: 7447

Re: Might buy a beach house. Looking for advice.

What flood zone is it in?

What would the flood insurance premium be? Due to the way flood insurance premiums are determined, the current owner may be paying less than you would. Note how flood premiums are projected to increase for owners not grandfathered in.

Can you even get homeowner's insurance on it and if so what would the premium be?

Is the house built structurally to possibly survive some hurricanes?
by mouses
Wed Jun 17, 2020 10:48 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Beneficiary rights in missing trust?
Replies: 15
Views: 948

Re: Beneficiary rights in missing trust?

I have a pour over will and a revocable living trust. The will says everything I have at the time of my death goes into the trust. The will names the estate executor and successor executors. The trust names the trustee and successor trustees (they happen to be the same as the executor and successor executors, my choice to do it this way.) The trust says what happens to what it owns. When I had the first will/trust done decades ago, the lawyer did both and I signed them at the same time in his office with witnesses. When I had them updated recently, different lawyer, same process. Now that I read the funded comments, I see why both lawyers had me put $1 into the trust. Of course, I went out and semi-immediately put my house and non-IRA finan...
by mouses
Wed Jun 17, 2020 10:35 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Parents in a tough situation for retirement
Replies: 117
Views: 15560

Re: Parents in a tough situation for retirement

alpenglow wrote: Wed Jun 17, 2020 9:26 am The entitlement here is ridiculous. We are talking about able people in their 50's-60's. Why should you have to enable what some would consider an early retirement? My Mom is in her mid-70's and is still working part-time for two reasons: 1) to keep active and sharp and 2) to pay for some extras in life.
Not everyone in their 70s can work. Various physical conditions make it hard to stand for any length of time, which rules out a lot of jobs. Also the must be able to lift fifty pounds jobs are a no go for a seventy year old woman.
by mouses
Wed Jun 17, 2020 8:07 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I sell my stash of dental floss now worth $3,000?
Replies: 123
Views: 18583

Re: Should I sell my stash of dental floss now worth $3,000?

JohnFiscal wrote: Tue Jun 16, 2020 9:12 pm
Now if only Amazon would get my Korean small/ultra soft toothbrushes back I'd be happy.
My retired dentist had small soft toothbrushes as giveaways. I got the ordering info from him and ordered the smallest number possible, probably a hundred or so, for about 17 cents apiece from the supply company. These should last me a couple of lifetimes. No idea now what the ordering address was.
by mouses
Wed Jun 17, 2020 7:56 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Parents in a tough situation for retirement
Replies: 117
Views: 15560

Re: Parents in a tough situation for retirement

Also, assuming you want to sell that house soon (which makes sense if you don't want to be entangled financially anymore), how will you get them to move out, especially if they are living there at no or below-market rent? The parents are paying the mortgage, so that's (1) perhaps an amount equal to rent and (2) the OP is benefiting financially from owning a house someone else is paying the mortgage on. I notice the OP sort of skims over that benefit to himself. In reality, the OP's owning the house is probably earning him more money than if he had invested that. I notice also that the OP is complicit in the money disappearing, as he helped that by buying the house, knowing the money was going to be thrown into a dubious investment. As long...
by mouses
Tue Jun 16, 2020 5:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I sell my stash of dental floss now worth $3,000?
Replies: 123
Views: 18583

Re: Should I sell my stash of dental floss now worth $3,000?

Pigeye Brewster wrote: Tue Jun 16, 2020 4:03 pm This sort of reminds me of the Seinfeld episode when Elaine has to decide if a guy is "sponge-worthy". :beer
:-)
by mouses
Tue Jun 16, 2020 3:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Beneficiary rights in missing trust?
Replies: 15
Views: 948

Re: Beneficiary rights in missing trust?

The attorney who drew up the will maybe/probably also drew up the trust. I don't know if your nephews, as beneficiaries, have the right to ask him for a copy of the trust, but I would certainly think so.

I would not take Cain's word for anything.
by mouses
Tue Jun 16, 2020 3:42 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Would you rent your house to a famous athlete?
Replies: 104
Views: 10087

Re: Would you rent your house to a famous athlete?

I would never again rent to anyone.
by mouses
Tue Jun 16, 2020 11:48 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I sell my stash of dental floss now worth $3,000?
Replies: 123
Views: 18583

Re: Should I sell my stash of dental floss now worth $3,000?

JLJL wrote: Tue Jun 16, 2020 11:30 am
I remember when you were never going to be able to get Twinkies again. Not sure what saved them but we have them in our pantry (much to my chagrin). I'm betting the product comes back.
I remember the New York Times article of a lady buscando(sp?) los Twinkies at her bodega.

SkyBars are back however, available at www.skybarcandy.com
by mouses
Tue Jun 16, 2020 11:41 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I sell my stash of dental floss now worth $3,000?
Replies: 123
Views: 18583

Re: Should I sell my stash of dental floss now worth $3,000?

Don't count on it coming back into production. Johnson & Johnson first aid cream, those Pledge dusting cloths unscented grab dust instead of just moving it around, both gone.
by mouses
Tue Jun 16, 2020 6:30 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Prenup? What Should It Say?
Replies: 233
Views: 15031

Re: Prenup? What Should It Say?

She is putting her life on the line in pregnancy? Give me a break. This isn't the 1800s anymore. Childbirth is incredibly safe unless the mother inexplicably opts for a home birth over a hospital birth or the mother has serious, pre-existing health conditions before the pregnancy. US childbirth mortality rate: 17.4 deaths per 100,000 live births. Plus the OP isn't feeling like he's swallowed a beachball for months, tossing his cookies every morning for months, and finding his body stretched out and never returning to prechildbirth condition. Not to mention slicing open the genital area to prevent it being torn during childbirth. Or, who knows, even more fun, a c-section. And there are about 8 driver deaths per every 100,000 licensed driver...
by mouses
Mon Jun 15, 2020 7:50 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tipping on curbside pickup?
Replies: 44
Views: 4803

Re: Tipping on curbside pickup?

Nowizard wrote: Sat Jun 13, 2020 9:46 am Some will not accept them, but we simply put an envelope in the rear of the car where they put grocery or carryout items with something like "For you" written on it. These folks are among those who serve those of us fortunate enough to have this option. Both they and business owners need the cash. Small gestures mean a lot anytime, particularly now. It is not altogether altruistic in the sense that we all want our favorite restaurants or local grocery stores to stay around.

Tim
I do that with peapod. Regardless of what the website says (tipping allowed), the local store prohibits tipping. The guys take the tips, the women do not...
by mouses
Mon Jun 15, 2020 7:46 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Need Landline Phone with "Parental Controls" for 90 yo
Replies: 19
Views: 2950

Re: Need Landline Phone with "Parental Controls" for 90 yo

1. Get a landline. Never disclose the number, not even to your family. 2. Get a Google voice line for free 3. Forward all Google voice calls to the land line. The Google voice number is the number you give out. You can monitor and set up whatever call blocking, notifications, etc. you want to implement remotely on the Google voice line. I have a log of every number that calls my parents home. That wouldn't stop robocalls to the landline, though, would it? It would not. It would be rare to get calls to a phone number that is not used. My cell phone number is an example. I get a few robocalls to it a year. Even I don't know what number it is. I use google voice forwarding to it. I have a backup cell phone that lives turned off in my pocketbo...
by mouses
Sun Jun 14, 2020 4:47 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Feminine Beauty Products - best bang for your buck?
Replies: 36
Views: 4941

Re: Feminine Beauty Products - best bang for your buck?

edmundspenser wrote: Sun Jun 14, 2020 1:25 pm For midpriced stuff--look at Paula's Choice, esp for toners, serums, acne etc. For recommendations of drugstore brands, look at Beautypedia (used to be owned by Paula's Choice). Reliable brands are Eucerin, Cerave. Make sure you wear sunscreen. Most exfoliants with little beads will irritate/destroy your skin.
Products that contain those little beads are terrible for the environment. Here's why and how to tell if a product contains them:

https://www.environment.gov.au/protecti ... microbeads
by mouses
Sun Jun 14, 2020 2:41 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Prenup? What Should It Say?
Replies: 233
Views: 15031

Re: Prenup? What Should It Say?

oldfort wrote: Sun Jun 14, 2020 10:11 am
She is putting her life on the line in pregnancy? Give me a break. This isn't the 1800s anymore. Childbirth is incredibly safe unless the mother inexplicably opts for a home birth over a hospital birth or the mother has serious, pre-existing health conditions before the pregnancy.
US childbirth mortality rate: 17.4 deaths per 100,000 live births. Plus the OP isn't feeling like he's swallowed a beachball for months, tossing his cookies every morning for months, and finding his body stretched out and never returning to prechildbirth condition. Not to mention slicing open the genital area to prevent it being torn during childbirth.

Or, who knows, even more fun, a c-section.
by mouses
Sun Jun 14, 2020 12:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Feminine Beauty Products - best bang for your buck?
Replies: 36
Views: 4941

Re: Feminine Beauty Products - best bang for your buck?

30 year old female, realizing my college beauty product regiment is no longer doing the job so looking for some replacements. Looking for products I could find at Target/Amazon, not at department store prices. Dry sensitive skin with lots of acne scars Starting to get forehead/eyebrow wrinkles Mouse brown hair that I dye dark brown Need suggestions for the following: -Face wash -Acne treatment -Exfoliating facial scrub -Wrinkle cream -Acne scar correcting serum/cream -Nail polish (want something that will last as long as possible) Looking forward to trying the suggestions. Thank you in advance! I would see a dermatologist, as others have recommended, especially for the acne. My understanding is that they can prescribe stuff that helps a lo...
by mouses
Sun Jun 14, 2020 12:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Kitchen Counter Top Appliance with Multiple Functions?
Replies: 22
Views: 1951

Re: Kitchen Counter Top Appliance with Multiple Functions?

I think it depend on which of those features your Mom would use or want. If she is downsizing, she may or may not want another item.
by mouses
Sun Jun 14, 2020 9:07 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: how much to tip painters
Replies: 66
Views: 8638

Re: how much to tip painters

stoptothink wrote: Wed Jun 10, 2020 11:48 am
makingmistakes wrote: Wed Jun 10, 2020 11:43 am
Cheez-It Guy wrote: Wed Jun 10, 2020 11:07 am 1. Quote job with an appropriate profit margin.
2. Complete job with best possible quality to improve word-of-mouth advertising.
3. Collect quoted payment.

Where does the tip fit in? Please stop perpetuating this dumb practice.
Usually said by folks in their high paid white collar jobs who either never had, or don’t remember, what it was like to work a hard physical job for low pay.
I was doing hard manual labor 8yrs ago (moving company and loading concrete - don't recall ever receiving a tip), my wife 6yrs ago...needless to say, we definitely don't agree with you.
I certainly tipped the movers who took heavy stuff up to the second floor of my house.
by mouses
Sun Jun 14, 2020 2:24 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: heated driveway?
Replies: 91
Views: 6686

Re: heated driveway?

Cycle wrote: Sat Jun 13, 2020 12:28 pm
mouses wrote: Sat Jun 13, 2020 11:48 am
Geez, what made you think that? I drive safely, walk, no one with the exception of bogleheads has even remotely said I shouldn't drive or should go to assisted living.

However, shoveling deep snow for long enough in freezing weather is pushing it.
According to a survey 100% of senior drivers said they were safe drivers.
Bigotry is difficult to combat. I guess we all know that. Probably you're one of those people who doesn't hire anyone over forty.
by mouses
Sat Jun 13, 2020 5:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: heated driveway?
Replies: 91
Views: 6686

Re: heated driveway?

makingmistakes wrote: Sat Jun 13, 2020 12:27 pm
The fact that it’s only 2 car widths wide by 1 car length long implied pretty limited ability as that would take about 5 minutes to clear. 😄
There speaks someone who has never shoveled snow, or never shoveled snow more than 2 inches deep.

I live in a semi-rural semi-suburban area. I have one neighbor in the winter who uses a snow blower. The other houses for several around are not occupied in the winter. My family lives out of state. (I am not asking the neighbor if I can hire him; he makes more money than God, and would probably offer to do it for free, which I will not accept.)
by mouses
Sat Jun 13, 2020 1:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: heated driveway?
Replies: 91
Views: 6686

Re: heated driveway?

Cycle wrote: Sat Jun 13, 2020 12:28 pm
According to a survey 100% of senior drivers said they were safe drivers.
If I were an unsafe driver, people would be telling me to stop driving, my insurance wouldn't renew, etc.

According to a survey I just took this minute, a 100% of younger people think anyone over a certain age is incompetent.
by mouses
Sat Jun 13, 2020 11:48 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: heated driveway?
Replies: 91
Views: 6686

Re: heated driveway?

tibbitts wrote: Sat Jun 13, 2020 11:45 am I would still say we're operating on the assumption that we're dealing with someone too physically limited to operate any kind of equipment, drive, or possibly even walk.
Geez, what made you think that? I drive safely, walk, no one with the exception of bogleheads has even remotely said I shouldn't drive or should go to assisted living.

However, shoveling deep snow for long enough in freezing weather is pushing it.
by mouses
Sat Jun 13, 2020 11:46 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: heated driveway?
Replies: 91
Views: 6686

Re: heated driveway?

livesoft wrote: Sat Jun 13, 2020 11:09 am
mouses wrote: Sat Jun 13, 2020 11:02 amSo much for privacy :-)

We are talking snow removal here, not how to consign mouses to the rubbish heap.
Exercise is good. It keeps you off the rubbish heap. It seems you might be destined to shovel your own snow from all the responses you have given.
Yes, I'm beginning to think that's what will happen. I am looking at snow blowers, for one what is reasonably efficient but not too heavy to handle.
by mouses
Sat Jun 13, 2020 11:02 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: heated driveway?
Replies: 91
Views: 6686

Re: heated driveway?

livesoft wrote: Sat Jun 13, 2020 10:49 am I rented the upstairs of a home of a pensioner who lived downstairs and didn't need all the space. I shoveled snow as part of the deal.
So much for privacy :-)

We are talking snow removal here, not how to consign mouses to the rubbish heap.
by mouses
Sat Jun 13, 2020 10:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: heated driveway?
Replies: 91
Views: 6686

Re: heated driveway?

Watty wrote: Sat Jun 13, 2020 8:06 am
mouses wrote: Sat Jun 13, 2020 7:26 am This leaves me, an ancient person......
It might be worth considering if moving to a condo or senior community where they take care of things like this would be a choice good for you. In addition to the snow a different situation might be better for other things too and allow you to live independently longer especially if you need to eventually need to give up driving.
I'm pretty sure I'm not going to give up my seaside home for a condo or elderly community with noisy neighbors and people just waiting around to die, just because the snow guys have vanished.
by mouses
Sat Jun 13, 2020 10:42 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: heated driveway?
Replies: 91
Views: 6686

Re: heated driveway?

Nate79 wrote: Sat Jun 13, 2020 9:15 am Have you tried posting ads on Facebook or other places to find a local teen interested in a little shoveling? No neighbors with a kid interested in a little money?
Yes, done that, facebook and nextdoor. Kids working chores for money no longer seem to exist.
by mouses
Sat Jun 13, 2020 10:39 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: $120,000 in credit card debt
Replies: 72
Views: 11068

Re: $120,000 in credit card debt

We need to know what happened.

Also, is the business still going to be a money drain, in which case you should perhaps get rid of it.

I would keep a six months emergency fund and use the rest of the divorce settlement to pay off the highest interest rate debts and then progressively the rest. I would probably not spend on anything except food, medical stuff, car expenses, rent until you have savings.

How old are you? What is your profession? What is your housing situation, can you downsize?
by mouses
Sat Jun 13, 2020 8:14 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: heated driveway?
Replies: 91
Views: 6686

Re: heated driveway?

bob60014 wrote: Sat Jun 13, 2020 8:11 am Just look for another snow removal contractor or kid in the neighborhood to remove the snow. Fewer issues and lower costs.
Third post of mine saying that does not work.
by mouses
Sat Jun 13, 2020 7:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: heated driveway?
Replies: 91
Views: 6686

Re: heated driveway?

livesoft wrote: Sat Jun 13, 2020 7:38 am Such a system would be out of my ability to afford it. It might be cheaper to move to a motel before any expected snow starts.
I'm sure my cat would be thrilled with that. Either his fear of a new place and worries about hotel housekeeping letting him out, or my somehow getting home every day to feed him.
minimalistmarc wrote: Sat Jun 13, 2020 7:32 am Somebody else will start up a business removing snow
There are many businesses removing snow. They are not interested so far, either booked up or they only plow.
by mouses
Sat Jun 13, 2020 7:26 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: heated driveway?
Replies: 91
Views: 6686

heated driveway?

The guys who have been doing snow removal at my house for several years are shutting down that business. This leaves me, an ancient person, with possibly no way to get snow removed. So far I have come up with zero possibilities despite contacting a number of possibilities. I think the fact that it's mainly snow blowing and shoveling vs. snow plowing is the cause of that. So I am wondering about having a heated driveway installed. Do these actually work to keep the driveway clear of snow, especially if say two feet fall? Any problems with them? The driveway is small,, a two car garage wide and only about one car length deep. If this works out, I would later have the path from the house to the garage and street done. Thanks for any info.
by mouses
Fri Jun 12, 2020 2:28 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Transfer title of auto to son -- necessary?
Replies: 40
Views: 3046

Re: Transfer title of auto to son -- necessary?

I was sued. Did I mention that the woman worked for lawyers? Her fender was barely scratched, but she claimed she was disabled permanently. (I suppose it was coincidence that she was in her sixties when she was in the accident and retired shortly after.) She got about 20k from my insurance company. I'm glad I got her picture when I arrived on the scene. Title the car in his name. Pay the extra for the insurance. I was scared witless for months. I was in an accident and sued. The other driver also worked for lawyers. I don't remember the exact amount my insurance company forked out, but it was about $10k I think. Her attorney (not one she worked for, for some reason) made all sorts of giant financial claims and my insurance company didn't t...