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Also needed a transmission flush recently. That went to a mechanic because I don't have the time/resources/desire to get involved in that complexity. Why? Time? What car make/model recommends a transmission flush ? At what mileage? Many manufactures recommend transmission fluid changes (replacement...

I do anything that's cheaper, easier, or faster than paying someone else to do, and I consider the time I'd need to spend calling, coordinating with, and bringing my car to a mechanic an expense. Things like bulbs, cabin filter, air filter, oil changes (unless I have a coupon), wipers, and basic rep...

I'd say sailing, but to be honest the sailing part is actually free. It's the maintenance and storage that makes my money disappear!

An interesting explanation why hoarding isn't to blame for product shortages. Demand has moved from a mix of commercial and consumer, to almost entirely consumer. Supply chains are still catching up. We're aren't using more paper, just more at home. https://marker.medium.com/what-everyones-getting-w...

I work in power plant operations. There have been some schedule changes within my team (moved to a week on/week off schedule), but luckily we've had no reduction in hours or pay. However, all personal time off has been cancelled, our spring maintenance outage is at risk of being cancelled, and our m...

I'm optimistic because: 1. When this is all over, I think we'll look back and realize how quickly we mobilized as a species to fight and (hopefully) cure this virus. Maybe individual areas were faster or slower to respond, but when was the last time the entire planet moved in unison towards one goal...

I work as an operator at power plant. Everything has been status-quo as far as my schedule is concerned.

Deleted after re-reading first post.

Facilities Engineering (BS), finishing a Master in Engineering Management (MS). Operating Engineer (certainly not a "real" engineer) at a power plant in HCOL area. 12 hour rotating shifts, so many nights, weekends, and holidays. Base is about $140k. Bonus (5-10%) and OT (500-600 hours a year) push i...

This sounds like a drop shipping operation. Not that I'm passing any judgement on that. Remember that if you do file a legal entity, it should be totally separate from your personal assets as not to "pierce the corporate veil." Ideally, an LLC should have it's own address and it's own contact info a...

If you're near water and like boating, being a launch driver at a nearby marina may fit your description. I've come across a few early retired launch drivers in the last few years.

People are generally in a good mood when heading out to their boat on a nice day.

I think what Rick described above makes the most sense, but if I', a potential customer, I think a straight hourly fee is easier to digest emtionally. Paying an hourly fee makes me feel like I am getting something for each hour's work. Paying a retainer up front makes me feel like I have to pay a co...

Keep in mind that by patenting something, you are essentially telling the world exactly what your invention is and how it works. There is no reason someone cannot take your patent, reverse engineer it, and change the product just enough so that it does not infringe the original patent. Also keep in ...

How about an iPad with Skype on it? I believe Apple's electron assistant, Siri can perform basic Skype commands like, "Siri, open Skype." Or even "Siri, call XYZ on Skype."

I've been following this thread with great interest as my wife and I have also been talking about taking a year to go sailing. We are in a similar situation to the OP, but a few years younger. Out of curiosity, what have other who have taken an extended leave from work done for insurance? It seems t...

Hi Bogleheads, I have a few changes coming in my life and am trying to understand how I should be filling out my W4's for 2018. Note, this is not a discussion about the upcoming tax changes for 2018. I am simply trying to understand how I can most closely match my withholding to my actual tax liabil...

I just bought an Aqua Lung i450t. It's not huge, but could be too big for what you are describing. I have only used it a couple times, but so far my only complaint is that it can be a pain to swap back and forth to the compass. It can also be set up with a transmitter on your octopus to read your ai...

I have had this problem before, and had to replace the whole flush valve. If the seat of the flush valve is rough and scored the any flapper you put on will not seal correctly. The valves themselves are not expensive(maybe $15), and relatively easy to replace if you know your way around basic hand t...

https://www.wildernessscotland.com/adve ... s/sailing/

I have not been on this trip, but plan on doing it as part of my honeymoon next summer. Doesn't get much more adventurous than sailing the Scottish wilderness!

Wow, everyone. Thank you for the thoughtful responses. In my mind, I would treat the taxable account completely separate from long term savings (do not include it in overall asset allocation). For simplicity sake I would like to invest in a single fund with a 60/40 or 40/60 split (something like Van...

Hi all, I have been tossing an idea around my head and am curious how others feel. Let assume that between my 401(k), ROTH IRA, my wife's 403b, her ROTH IRA, and our HSA that we are able to save more than enough to do the things we plan on doing during retirement. Let's also assume that after paying...

Honestly I would go to Wikipedia and read the main article on WWII. From there decide how you want to go about reading. You could find books that walk you through the conflict in a linear timeline. Or, you could focus on the specific things that interest you (first hand accounts, battles, units, peo...

Bogleheads, I have an issue I've been trying to work through, but I can't convince myself to feel confident about either option. My 401k offers an indexed S&P 500 fund, a Total International Stock Market, a Total Bond Market Fund, and multiple Target date Funds (among other funds). Below is my infor...

Brake fluid is very hygroscopic (it absorbs water easily), and definitely needs to be changed occasionally. Might be kind of a cop out of an answer, but do whatever the manufacturer recommends. There should be a maintenance schedule listed in the owners guide.

Smart pay is pretty much the only way I pay for gas now, and I see no reason to go back. Can't remember is there was a "hard pull" credit inquiry, but I remember it being very easy to sign up for, so my guess would be there was none. I've always used the smartphone app and never signed up for the ca...

I play (probably too much) Company of Heroes 2. Always had a thing for RTS games. Also just started playing a game called Naval Action. It's still in alpha, but very fun and has lots of potential once completed. Who doesn't love sailboats, and cannons, and pirates? I also love Half-Life 3. Hands dow...

While I understand the premise of what you're saying (good content can be hard to find sometimes), I do believe that there is an entire world worth of things to watching and reading online. A few suggestions of things I do online that I enjoy... 1. Go to Wikipedia and read the article of the day, or...

I bought my longtime girlfriend an adult color book when she started the most demanding year of her graduate program. While I've never tried coloring in it myself, I know she enjoys picking it up from time to time with a glass of wine to relax and unwind.

Thank you, everyone, for the thoughtful responses. My preference right now is to attend a distance Masters of Engineering Management program though Duke University. A traditional MBA doesn't really interest me since I work in a relatively technical field. Engineering Management has been described to...

Hi Bogleheads, I am in the process of looking at and applying to graduate programs to pursue a degree in Engineering Management, and I'm curious what the consensus of this community is pertaining to online degrees. Are they worth it? Are they respected and taken seriously? As a little background, I ...

That makes no sense. They (basically) have no operating costs. They don't go offline unless they break. Un-subsidized utility scale solar is in the $50-60/MWh range. Wind is even cheaper. Show me where, in the USA, is there new nat gas, coal or nuclear coming online for under $50/MWh. --Keanwood I ...

Hi all, I am new to the forum, so forgive me if this topic has already been covered extensively. I work in the energy industry and have a job where a significant portion of my income comes in the form of overtime and year end bonus. I currently max out a Roth Ira each year because even with bonus an...