Search found 110 matches

by rutrow2015
Sun Mar 24, 2024 5:50 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Pressure Washer
Replies: 20
Views: 1588

Re: Pressure Washer

I have two types. I have a cheap "sun joe" electric that's good for low pressure jobs and is much easier to maintain - and it always "starts". I think it maxes out at sub 2000 PSI but it cost me less than $100 on sale when I bought it years ago. For sidewalks and concrete driveway I had to purchase a gas version thats over 3000 PSI. It was well over $300 on sale. My pro tip for the gas models? Get one with a gas cut off switch. That way you can let the engine die from lack of fuel when you are finished with the job. My Gas model only gets pulled out once or twice a year and if you leave gas in the carb there's a good chance it will take you an hour to get it running again the next time you use it. Both versions have thei...
by rutrow2015
Wed Mar 13, 2024 4:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Be careful - could happen to anyone [fraudulent bank transactions]
Replies: 78
Views: 12775

Re: Be careful - could happen to anyone

Does the alert allow you to more easily recover your funds? My alerts have only ever been triggered for my credit card accounts - the brokerage, bank etc.. have never been tested by an unknown charge. In the case of my credit cards, I've called the credit card company when the charge was still pending and have a 100% success rate in getting the charge dismissed and a new card issued. It frosts me that I've had thousands in fraudulent charges before, which common sense says it would be easy to find the culprit since there were amazon deliveries, resort reservations, etc.., and the credit card company would not even investigate. I mean, somebody is getting that big screen TV. I think I’m missing something. Thousands…? How so, I mean I have h...
by rutrow2015
Tue Mar 12, 2024 5:53 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Be careful - could happen to anyone [fraudulent bank transactions]
Replies: 78
Views: 12775

Re: Be careful - could happen to anyone

hvaclorax wrote: Does the alert allow you to more easily recover your funds?
My alerts have only ever been triggered for my credit card accounts - the brokerage, bank etc.. have never been tested by an unknown charge.

In the case of my credit cards, I've called the credit card company when the charge was still pending and have a 100% success rate in getting the charge dismissed and a new card issued.

It frosts me that I've had thousands in fraudulent charges before, which common sense says it would be easy to find the culprit since there were amazon deliveries, resort reservations, etc.., and the credit card company would not even investigate. I mean, somebody is getting that big screen TV.
by rutrow2015
Mon Feb 26, 2024 1:39 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Robinhood 3% IRA Match
Replies: 1560
Views: 120001

Re: Robinhood 3% IRA Match

I'm using the snail mail protocol for transferring over an old 401k to Robinhood. My former employer uses Alight's platform and it is just so counter intuitive that I could not figure out how to do a direct transfer and from experience I didn't bother to contact them for assistance. I used Robinhood's third party (Capitalize) to assist but honestly they were not that much help other than sending me a SASE for the check I'm waiting on from the 401k. Anyhow, I'm trying to make the 2024 contribution to my tIRA at the same time and I have to say that Robinhood does not make it easy. I can only transfer $1,000 per day - which actually works out to 48 hours for some reason as Robinhood continues to deny an additional transfer within one business ...
by rutrow2015
Thu Feb 22, 2024 7:02 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: investing in private credit through a business development company (Blue Owl)
Replies: 22
Views: 1860

Re: investing in private credit through a business development company (Blue Owl)

Ask your FA to explain why this is a better investment vehicle than BIZD?

I would always go with the more diverse and transparent option. Blue Owl is not it.

BIZD can get crushed by a sector downturn. Blue Owl can go to zero for that and a couple of other reasons.

IMO BDC's fall into that high risk basket that most high yielding investments find themselves - BDC's, REIT's, MLP's, etc ...

I love my dividends but I also have a growing appreciation for total return. VTI, SCHB, IUSG.
by rutrow2015
Wed Feb 21, 2024 6:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Be careful - could happen to anyone [fraudulent bank transactions]
Replies: 78
Views: 12775

Re: Be careful - could happen to anyone

CAsage wrote: Wed Feb 21, 2024 6:13 pm I have an alert sent to my email
I agree with this. I have alerts set up for all of my accounts - banking, brokerage, retirement. Any transaction over $1.00 and I get an email and text.
by rutrow2015
Sun Feb 18, 2024 5:36 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: ACA subsidies vs. Roth IRA conversions- how to decide?
Replies: 12
Views: 1405

Re: ACA subsidies vs. Roth IRA conversions- how to decide?

I've wrestled with this question too and have not found / developed a spreadsheet to model it.

By manual analysis, under current rules, it makes little sense for us to forgo the ACA PTC in favor of ROTH conversions and this is inversely proportional to the amount of income we have above 400% of FPL.

I try to keep our income under 7x FPL and our PTC is typically around 10% of this amount. It's hard to beat that kind of return.

The math changes drastically if congress fails to keep extending the current rules and the original 'cliff' version of ACA PTC comes back.
by rutrow2015
Wed Feb 14, 2024 5:57 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 401k pre and post tax rollovers affect on contributions
Replies: 2
Views: 288

401k pre and post tax rollovers affect on contributions

I'm finally getting around to ending an old 401k account from an employer "A" whom I worked for as recently as 2020. I resigned from that company and had one other employer after that and then retired in 2022. The 401k account in question has both normal pretax dollars and a small amount (about 1%) in post tax dollars - purely because I miscalculated my contribution amounts a few times. I was able to convert all funds to stable value (cash) and will soon receive a check for the post tax amount made out to me. This check will reflect federal and state tax deductions on the earnings (but not the contributions). My plan is to deposit this check into an existing ROTH IRA within 60 days and make sure it gets classified as a rollover by...
by rutrow2015
Thu Feb 08, 2024 5:20 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)
Replies: 13
Views: 1862

Re: Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)

Question for the forum :

I've had one HELOC (since closed) but my recollection is that my bank solicited me with the offer to open a HELOC shortly after purchasing the home and I didn't pay anything out of pocket for it - just signed some papers and had a $100k HELOC. I only used it once, but it came in very handy as a source of down payment funds for a vacation home.

A quick search leads me to believe that I would be paying typical closing costs to open a HELOC. Is this correct?

TIA.
by rutrow2015
Thu Feb 08, 2024 5:08 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: HSA [contribution eligibility questions]
Replies: 11
Views: 1359

Re: HSA [contribution eligibility questions]

I looked at the plan online but nowhere does it say anything about HSA eligible. Now I'm nervous. Assume calling provider they will tell me? To be shamefully honest, I'm not great with the fine print. Yup, this just happened to me. I had an HDHP in 2023 through the ACA (bronze) and I assumed it was HSA eligible. Contributed to my HSA account the family max on 12/07/23, realized my mistake a few days later, requested and received distribution for the contribution amount 10 days after deposit. Spent a month with my HSA banker via phone and emails to get the 1099SA to correctly reflect this. If you don't correct it you will likely pay a 20% penalty and your regular income tax rate on the amount you withdraw. Just make sure the 1099SA shows a ...
by rutrow2015
Mon Feb 05, 2024 5:19 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 2023 Tax Year - First Big Roth Conversion - Triage Summary
Replies: 165
Views: 11249

Re: 2023 Tax Year - First Big Roth Conversion - Triage Summary

micron wrote: Sun Feb 04, 2024 12:08 pm .
So I created a spreadsheet to model all these retirement financial interactions.
I'm in the 'retired early, but not that early' crowd of couples navigating the landscape between ACA and medicare.

Would you consider sanitizing your worksheet and sharing it? I've yet to develop or find any solution for modeling the balance between ROTH conversions, IRRMA, and ACA subsidy. The Bogleheads RPM can be used for IRRMA whereas the MM worksheet is better for ACA - but neither do an intuitive job at both.

I've been trying, but I am not fluent in spreadsheet.
by rutrow2015
Thu Jan 25, 2024 3:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is having insulation blown into the walls of an old house worth it?
Replies: 35
Views: 4358

Re: Is having insulation blown into the walls of an old house worth it?

We recently moved into a four square house built in 1927 that has a veneer brick outer layer, a 2 inch air gap, and then a solid wood inner layer which attaches to normal framing and then finally plaster and lathe interior walls on the other side of the framing. From the interior plaster to the exterior brick I'm guessing the total wall thickness is at least 10 inches. We've had a couple of window sills replaced and that's how I know there's an air gap between the brick and the timber. I think the brick veneer is tied to the inner wall via metal straps. At some point in the past they did the blown in insulation thing because every wall that faces the exterior has 2 inch plugs approximately every 16 inches (above and below the window casings...
by rutrow2015
Thu Jan 11, 2024 2:55 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: An unintended visit from "Aunt IRMAA"?
Replies: 41
Views: 7282

Re: An unintended visit from "Aunt IRMAA"?

Yes, you can make up to a $7,500 contribution (2023) to your Traditional IRA (assuming older than 55) and reduce your AGI/MAGI by this amount. The income limit for contributions is $230,000 for 2023. Note that because you do not work this will be considered a 'spousal IRA' contribution but I don't think you need to open a special IRA to do this.

Note that your wife is not eligible for this since she has a 401k plan available - but she may still be able to contribute $7,500 to her ROTH IRA although that won't help your MAGI.
by rutrow2015
Thu Jan 11, 2024 5:54 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Horrified by Schwab Platform -- Where to Next?
Replies: 94
Views: 15654

Re: Horrified by Schwab Platform -- Where to Next?

My only complaint with schwab is how they calculate performance return when dividends are reinvested. They include the reinvested amounts as part of your basis - thus generally increasing your purchase price and reducing return.

This might be the correct way to do it, but I would rather know my return on the original principal that includes capital appreciation and dividends.
by rutrow2015
Tue Jan 09, 2024 7:28 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Ethernet cable and Ethernet to wireless bridge
Replies: 40
Views: 4949

Re: Ethernet cable and Ethernet to wireless bridge

Something else to try. Ask the septic company for the ip address of the monitor or google "default ip for xxx brand septic monitor" Take the cable from the septic that is plugged into the cox cable modem and plug that into your laptop. press the windows logo button + r button at the same time on your keyboard type in "cmd" hit enter type in ping xxx.xxx.xxx.xx <---- this is the ip address from the monitoring company / default ip address from the monitor. if you get a response then the cable is good. What this does is it sends a signal to the device and waits for a response. That's a good thought - but the OP has already had the network card at the Septic replaced and it's probable that the tech left it in DHCP mode. How...
by rutrow2015
Tue Jan 09, 2024 7:19 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Article - $600K and live off dividends "forever"!
Replies: 66
Views: 15998

Re: Article - $600K and live off dividends "forever"!

If you take their recommendations I hope you like to deal with K1's at tax time. Rather than holding 10 stocks/ETF's, I would simplify in the following manner : AMLP (allows you to own those Energy MLP's in a tax deferred account without tax implications): Yield 8% REM (for Residential REIT MBS exposure) yield around 10% SCHD 3.5% BUT with some hope of capital appreciation. I would prefer this allocation because you don't have to be a stock picker and undertake the risk of owning a single stock. You pay for this in high fees (except for SCHD). I mean I get it. It's the same logic as for buying an immediate annuity. If you have enough principal this portfolio will throw off a known amount of cash every year, up years and down years, for a lo...
by rutrow2015
Sun Jan 07, 2024 6:31 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Ethernet cable and Ethernet to wireless bridge
Replies: 40
Views: 4949

Re: Ethernet cable and Ethernet to wireless bridge

When conducting your tests with your laptop make sure to turn off the wireless/ cellular network adapter under network settings - this will force your laptop to use the hardware ethernet port.

If your laptop does not have an ethernet port, you can purchase a USB to Ethernet adapter (dongle) from Walmart or Best Buy. My last three laptops have not had a physical ethernet port on them.
by rutrow2015
Sun Dec 10, 2023 4:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Anyone Make a Major Career Change in Their Forties?
Replies: 95
Views: 24522

Re: Anyone Make a Major Career Change in Their Forties?

Btw, I am thinking of switching from tech. to accounting. Currently not working due to layoff. When I was forty I was a regional sales manager for a Swiss tech company selling hardware to fiber optic manufacturers. These manufacturers overbuilt capacity and demand was not as forecasted so my industry had a pretty severe recession which I did not make it through. I was home for two years and during this time I started taking classes for a Masters in Accounting (I had multiple tech engineering degrees to that point). I did really well in classes (and really liked being back on campus) but after 3 semesters my advisor had a heart to heart with me. He said "there's no doubt you will find work in this field - but are you really prepared to...
by rutrow2015
Sat Dec 02, 2023 11:21 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Fidelity introducing automatic ETF investing
Replies: 160
Views: 28806

Re: Fidelity introducing automatic ETF investing

Come on Schwab, catch up already! Charles Schwab has had this in place for years. I know because I set up my children to automatically transfer from their direct deposit accounts into a Schwab ROTH IRA with automatic fixed dollar amount buying SCHB once a month. I can't recall the particulars but it's been working for a long time. I I can not see a way to do this and you are the first that I have ever heard who says they can do this at Schwab. It is a common complaint that Schwab can't do this. So I and many people would love to know how you My apologies I was incorrect. I just checked with one of my kids and the investment is in SWPPX (a mutual fund) and not SCHB (an ETF). Schwab can only do auto investment with an eligible mutual fund - ...
by rutrow2015
Sat Dec 02, 2023 7:17 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Fidelity introducing automatic ETF investing
Replies: 160
Views: 28806

Re: Fidelity introducing automatic ETF investing

Nate79 wrote: Tue Nov 07, 2023 8:17 am Come on Schwab, catch up already!
Charles Schwab has had this in place for years. I know because I set up my children to automatically transfer from their direct deposit accounts into a Schwab ROTH IRA with automatic fixed dollar amount buying SCHB once a month. I can't recall the particulars but it's been working for a long time. I
by rutrow2015
Fri Jan 13, 2023 3:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: COBRA Vs. ACA Vs. Private health insurance
Replies: 16
Views: 1610

Re: COBRA Vs. ACA Vs. Private health insurance

Go look on the ACA marketplace for the county you will live in. The income caps have been temporarily removed until (I think) 2025 so you should qualify for a subsidy even if you are high income. It's way cheaper than COBRA.
by rutrow2015
Tue Sep 13, 2022 10:57 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Going to the DOGs [ProShares Short Dow30]
Replies: 39
Views: 4703

Re: Going to the DOGs

Are you sure its not SDOG that he's invested in? That would make at least some sense.
by rutrow2015
Tue Sep 13, 2022 9:40 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Comparing YouTube TV and Hulu
Replies: 41
Views: 4445

Re: Comparing YouTube TV and Hulu

Hmmm.... Not a lot of love for Hulu+Live. We've had HULU+Live for about 6 or 7 years and I can hardily recommend YouTubeTV even though I've never used it. The HULU app is clunky, prone to spontaneous reboots (this on both Roku and FireStick) and despite watching dozens, perhaps hundreds of episodes of "Dateline" this show has never once showed up in the "keep watching" category. on the plus side, you may find a better streaming service but you won't pay more for it! We are currently at about $85 and change per month for a very basic plan. $75 Base plan (This includes Hulu + Live, nothing else). $10 "unlimited screens" option - So we can stream to TV's in multiple locations. This works poorly - you have to be st...
by rutrow2015
Mon Jul 25, 2022 1:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buying(mortgage) home for parents
Replies: 7
Views: 1199

Re: Buying(mortgage) home for parents

I've not heard of this option but I quickly sent the link to all of my adult children. I'm hard to shop for but this sounds like the perfect gift!
by rutrow2015
Wed Jul 20, 2022 5:18 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 2022 IRS estimated tax payments not showing on my IRS account
Replies: 11
Views: 1278

Re: 2022 IRS estimated tax payments not showing on my IRS account

The last payment to post in my account was the final 2021 estimated. We utilize the online portal.

This has been consistent for several years. The payments don't show until the tax year is concluded

Edited to add:. I'm not the primary filer (MFJ) and I wonder if this has anything to do with when the payments show up)
by rutrow2015
Tue Jul 19, 2022 11:41 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 2022 IRS estimated tax payments not showing on my IRS account
Replies: 11
Views: 1278

Re: 2022 IRS estimated tax payments not showing on my IRS account

They won't show up until you file taxes next year.
by rutrow2015
Sun Apr 10, 2022 1:36 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Social Security question nearing retirement
Replies: 8
Views: 943

Re: Social Security question nearing retirement

When I run the calculator it doesn't give me a monthly total but it does give me an annual total - just divide by the number of months.

Are you not seeing the table below what you quoted that shows annual amounts? Try printing in landscape mode.
by rutrow2015
Fri Apr 08, 2022 7:42 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Mortgage Payoff/Pursue Other Options
Replies: 49
Views: 5349

Re: Mortgage Payoff/Pursue Other Options

TO OP:

Maybe I'm missing something but how are you still contributing to a ROTH IRA when you exceed the income limit?
by rutrow2015
Sat Apr 02, 2022 5:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How Often Do You Measure Your Net Worth?
Replies: 229
Views: 19772

Re: How Often Do You Measure Your Net Worth?

Multiple times per day unless I'm traveling.
by rutrow2015
Fri Jul 16, 2021 6:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Good introduction books to Networking and Security
Replies: 22
Views: 1909

Re: Good introduction books to Networking and Security

Have him buy any CCNA self teach book and download Cisco's "Packet Tracer" program (it's free). If you really want to understand how data gets built up through the layers of the OSI model and transmitted this neat little program is a wonder. I doubt most people realize just how much overhead there is in a simple browser search of google.
by rutrow2015
Thu Jul 08, 2021 5:53 pm
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: BABA and Tencent
Replies: 93
Views: 26189

Re: BABA and Tencent

Full disclosure - I was buying BABA on it's first trading day and during the next several months until it my average cost was under $73/ share (remember it got down into the 60's during an early pull back). It was my only directly owned stock at the time but I had FOMO on the next amazon. Side note : I would have been way better off buying amazon even at that point when it's P/E was merely ridiculous. Tuesday's press release regarding the CCP changing regulations to hamstring the VIE structure to force companies to list in Hong Kong finally put the issue to bed with me and I sold 80% of my original shares at around $210 yesterday. At one point BABA was 13% of my net worth. Now it's less than 2% as my other investments have grown and BABA ha...
by rutrow2015
Thu Jul 08, 2021 1:14 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Thoughts on AIG Power Select Builder 8
Replies: 11
Views: 1034

Re: Thoughts on AIG Power Select Builder 8

Thank you all for feedback and links. My main issue is the 30 year term and only guaranteeing 87.5% of premium after the 8 year period where surrender charges drop to 0. I think I will avoid. Any vehicle that goes to this much trouble to obfuscate the real math can't be good.
by rutrow2015
Thu Jul 08, 2021 9:44 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Thoughts on AIG Power Select Builder 8
Replies: 11
Views: 1034

Thoughts on AIG Power Select Builder 8

I have a friend that is suggesting this as a good place to park money for the next 8 years and I haven't started researching it yet.

My thinking is that Bogleheads is the best place to start. I'm not sure if this is an immediate annuity or not but I'm hoping somewhere here has already done some looking and can give me an impression.

TIA.
by rutrow2015
Wed Apr 07, 2021 2:02 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: S&P 500 High Dividend ETF - SPYD
Replies: 100
Views: 16118

Re: S&P 500 High Dividend ETF - SPYD

anon_investor wrote: Wed Apr 07, 2021 1:53 pm What made you choose those funds instead of using a combination of VYM (Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF) and VIG (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF)?

As for SPYD I was looking for a bigger yield number (combined with low ER). I know the total return argument - I even agree with it - but I was looking to maximize monthly cash flow, not return. It's a psychological thing with me.

I'm also already deep in the Schwab universe so that explains SCHD over other choices.
by rutrow2015
Wed Apr 07, 2021 1:50 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: S&P 500 High Dividend ETF - SPYD
Replies: 100
Views: 16118

Re: S&P 500 High Dividend ETF - SPYD

SPYD was one of those vehicles that I had my eye on for a while when the COVID dip arrived in March 2020. As an experiment I was looking to set up my own annuity with high yield funds and SPYD was my main selection. When the price dropped from (IIRC) $40 to $30 I began buying. Because of the luck in timing my yield is materially higher than today's. At this point my 'experiment' is throwing off > 70% of what an immediate annuity would have paid me for the same amount of capital invested - but my DIY annuity continues to grow it's payments and of course I've retained the principal. I reinvest the divvies from my experiment but my new money goes into SCHD. It's also dividend focused but more on dividend growth than yield. My long term plan is...
by rutrow2015
Mon Mar 29, 2021 6:21 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: What is the best way to buy and store gold?
Replies: 8
Views: 1547

Re: What is the best way to buy and store gold?

I have used bullionvault.com in the past with success in both purchasing, selling, and withdrawing. The initial set up is a bit much but probably necessary considering their business.

I found it a good compromise between purchasing physical vs. fiat and avoiding the premium of local dealers.
by rutrow2015
Mon Mar 15, 2021 4:04 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mortgage Servicing - MrCooper - Prepay full month to enroll in Biweekly Autopay
Replies: 19
Views: 5313

Re: Mortgage Servicing - MrCooper - Prepay full month to enroll in Biweekly Autopay

I'm with Mr. Cooper as well but instead of bi-weekly I just add extra to the monthly payment. I'm also a month ahead so I don't know if that has an impact. I've never talked to them but they have always applied the extra principal correctly and immediately.
by rutrow2015
Thu Feb 25, 2021 6:21 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Water leakage - fix it or not?
Replies: 54
Views: 4328

Re: Water leakage - fix it or not?

A doubled water bill may have nothing to do with consumption of water.

Water supplied is only 1/2 of your bill. The other half is sewer. I routinely see a doubling during the year from low to high points but it's based on the amount of rainfall. In my county they charge you for run-off based on the square footage of your roof. It's been raining heavily this year and I've seen my bill more than double from the lows.

Keep it SIMPLE.
by rutrow2015
Sat Feb 20, 2021 7:41 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What's Wrong with Annuities?
Replies: 150
Views: 16208

Re: What's Wrong with Annuities?

Here are the numbers from immediateannuities.com: $500,000 to invest: Life: $2,392 monthly Life & 10 years certain: $2,328 monthly 5 year period certain: $8,266 monthly $500,000 invested in SPYD right now yields $2062/ month into perpetuity - and you retain the principal. Likely worse historical case you lose 40% of the principal but it's still paying you the $2k/ month. Worried about inflation? You can reposition at any time and it's likely that the S&P dividend rate will beat ST treasuries for the foreseeable future. If you want to get crazy put it into a MREIT ETF such as MORT - you'd be getting over $4k per month but with more risk. I've never understood the allure of any type of annuity. You're paying a middleman a fee to mana...
by rutrow2015
Sat Dec 26, 2020 5:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sliding glass door leak in heavy storm
Replies: 8
Views: 1530

Re: Sliding glass door leak in heavy storm

I don't have much to add to the good advice already posted.

First, a horizontal wind driven rain will go right through modern brick exterior wall, so this may only be an issue when you have the same type of storm.

Second, for drainage issues google a wick drain. Very similar to standard french drain but easier to install and moves much more water.
by rutrow2015
Sat Dec 19, 2020 8:16 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bitcoin, Ethereum and Crypto: Educational Thread
Replies: 215
Views: 37507

Re: Bitcoin, Ethereum and Crypto: Educational Thread

Prodded by the OP's initial post I've been looking into crypto currencies and I've been struck by the similarities to the market for physical gold. Both have large transaction fees built in. Both are clumsy to use for purchases of goods and services (at least in 2020). Neither has a calculable discount rate.

Having said that, I'm purchasing a hardware wallet and funding an account to go through the process at least once. Nothing big. More of an exercise so I will have practical knowledge if the subject comes up in conversation. I do believe this is the future of currency but I don't believe it will be outside of the control of governments and banks. That is a disappointment to me.
by rutrow2015
Fri Dec 18, 2020 6:58 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bitcoin @ 23K, why am I anti-Bitcoin?
Replies: 404
Views: 26379

Re: Bitcoin @ 23K, why am I anti-Bitcoin?

I recently became aware that four of the more well known crypto currencies can be purchased via paypal. I was somewhat interested until I dug a little bit and found that they charge a 1.5% transaction fee.

Much like gold, there seems to be good money in making a market.

Are there ways to acquire bitcoin without the transaction fees?
by rutrow2015
Thu Nov 12, 2020 1:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Google Photos
Replies: 56
Views: 5323

Re: Google Photos

indexfundfan wrote: Thu Nov 12, 2020 11:37 am The photos I take on the phone get backup to Google Photo. Any suggested alternatives, other than paying Google the storage fee?

If you have Amazon Prime then put the "Amazon Photos" app on your phone and it will automatically back up all the pictures you take on your phone to Amazon AWS. No storage limit. From Prime website :


Unlimited full-resolution photo storage
You have unlimited, full-resolution photo storage with your Prime membership.


When I take a pic on my Google Fi phone it gets backed up to both google and Amazon.
by rutrow2015
Wed Sep 09, 2020 9:37 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Immediate Annuity Satisfaction or Regrets?
Replies: 66
Views: 5680

Re: Immediate Annuity Satisfaction or Regrets?

I keep seeing that these payments are guaranteed. Are they backed by the full faith and credit of the USG? If not, then they cannot be considered to be risk free. The issuing entity has to be there to make the pay out. I prefer to make my own annuity by purchasing SPYD on the open market which currently yields over 6 percent. I don't even have to know the math to intuit that there is a great likelihood that $100,000 invested in SPYD today will put more monthly income in my pocket with a greater "cash out value" almost irrespective of the term compared to any immediate annuity given the ZIRP environment we are in today. If there ever comes a time when SPYD goes to zero and ceases dividend payouts, likely we will all have bigger pro...
by rutrow2015
Wed May 13, 2020 6:05 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Wells Fargo Recast: Anyone recently completed?
Replies: 14
Views: 19608

Re: Wells Fargo Recast: Anyone recently completed?

Thanks BH! I've never heard this term before. Knowing is half the battle.
by rutrow2015
Thu Mar 19, 2020 5:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Major unintended consequences of [Families First Coronavirus Response Act]
Replies: 43
Views: 7984

Re: Major unintended consequences of coronavirus bill

Thank you for this info. Friends are part of a ownership group that owns more than 10 restaurants in our city and they will be closing all locations permanently prior to 4/1. Unintended consequences indeed.
by rutrow2015
Sun Mar 08, 2020 7:15 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: For MLP investors:
Replies: 19
Views: 1877

Re: For MLP investors:

Look into AMLP to avoid K1 complications. Yes, you are paying for the convenience. I can not suggest to buy an MLP inside of your tax deferred accounts - it is one of the few investments that is taxable inside of your tax deferred account. Also note that there seems to be a movement of these MLP's to convert into C Corps - this reduces their yield but eliminates the K1. If you're reaching for yield you should also google "BDC"/ REITs (MAIN, NLY, ARCC, AINV). These are not recommendations just what I can spout off the top of my head. Also may be worth looking at an Emerging Market Bond Fund (EMLC) or Junk Bonds (VWEHX). For quite some time I've been looking at immediate annuities but I keep coming to the conclusion that I can essen...
by rutrow2015
Mon Feb 10, 2020 5:02 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: rear ended, police witnessed
Replies: 17
Views: 3292

Re: rear ended, police witnessed

It doesn't sound like a serious repair but please work with the body shop to ensure that they do not code this as a 'structural repair'. In fact, try to use a paintless dent repair solution as opposed to conventional body shop replacement and paint.

Why? Because if your VIN shows a structural repair it takes thousands off the value when you trade it in or sell it - even if the repair eliminates all evidence of the damage.
by rutrow2015
Sun Jan 19, 2020 8:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Navien Tankless Heater - DIY not working
Replies: 5
Views: 1686

Re: Navien Tankless Heater - DIY not working

I would ask this question On Terry Loves' site.
by rutrow2015
Sun Jan 12, 2020 4:45 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Has anyone sold a home to Zillow?
Replies: 32
Views: 7226

Re: Has anyone sold a home to Zillow?

This is my experience with "we will buy your home without listing it" for what it is worth. Please note that we do not have plans to move but if the price is right we would. Two years ago we asked open door for an evaluation to buy our house. Their offer came in almost to the penny of what our mortgage balance would have been had we not been paying extra principal for many years. At that point the offer / mortgage was about 60% of what we paid for the house. Since it is fairly easy to find out (in some states) how much the original note on a property is I have always wondered if that is what open door based their offer on. Fast forward to 2019 and I go through the same process with Zillow offers. The difference is that Zillow actu...