Search found 1337 matches

by queso
Tue Mar 26, 2024 11:35 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Apple ... stay the course or scale back?
Replies: 177
Views: 33372

Re: Apple ... stay the course or scale back?

Holding. I bought hundreds of shares back when it was like $12 in my pre-BH days and just left it alone. Prob won't sell any until I retire and dip into taxable.
by queso
Fri Mar 22, 2024 12:18 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Riding HEDGEFUNDIE’s excellent adventure
Replies: 370
Views: 99509

Re: Riding HEDGEFUNDIE’s excellent adventure

That was my takeaway as well. I have since TLH'd out of TMF and feel lucky to be back to even. Would take the UPRO off the table as well, but my HFEA is in taxable and I don't feel like paying the taxes on it at the moment since it's up like 300%.
by queso
Tue Mar 05, 2024 12:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Undersizing whole house generator?
Replies: 62
Views: 4929

Re: Undersizing whole house generator?

We have a Kohler and use load shedding modules to accomplish this task. You can dictate which loads are more critical than others and if the generator approaches max load it will "shed" them in the order you have prioritized them.

The Kohler guy can explain it a lot better than I can..

https://resources.kohler.com/power/kohl ... Part_1.pdf

https://resources.kohler.com/power/kohl ... Part_2.pdf
by queso
Sun Feb 25, 2024 4:49 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Riding HEDGEFUNDIE’s excellent adventure
Replies: 370
Views: 99509

Re: Riding HEDGEFUNDIE’s excellent adventure

queso wrote: Wed Nov 22, 2023 1:59 pm
jarjarM wrote: Wed Nov 22, 2023 1:56 pm
queso wrote: Wed Nov 22, 2023 1:54 pm
jarjarM wrote: Wed Nov 22, 2023 1:31 pm
queso wrote: Wed Nov 22, 2023 12:45 pm Same...proud bagholder since 2019. Down (only) 28% (probably because I never rebalance).. :D
28% from the peak? or from 2019 start? I assume is the former?
From the 2019 start..
Thanks. You must've start late in 2019? Since i think it one were to follow the proposed rebalance in the OG2 thread, one would still be positive against the starting value.
I started in Sept 2019 and rebalanced with new money for a while. Up until about Sept of 21. I haven't added anything or even really looked at it since then.
Pretty much back to even now.. Hmm...
by queso
Mon Feb 12, 2024 10:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is it foolish to keep driving my old car?
Replies: 138
Views: 12453

Re: Is it foolish to keep driving my old car?

We're in the same boat with my 19 year old Pilot and decided to keep it running for a bit longer so we replaced the failed AC compressor and just put new tires on it last week. It has under 90k miles since it doesn't get driven much, but it has gotten to the point where it develops at least an issue or two a year over the past couple years. Some of them I fix myself (alternator, water leak, serpentine belt) and some of them I don't depending on my available time and the level of effort involved. If I were to replace it I would get a crew cab 3/4 ton pickup capable of hauling a gooseneck horse trailer and the last time I priced those out I went running for cover.
by queso
Fri Feb 09, 2024 6:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best & Worst "Mid-Life Crisis" expenditures
Replies: 129
Views: 24661

Re: Best & Worst "Mid-Life Crisis" expenditures

We have a Jura fully automatic. It’s the best. My wife and I make at least 4 cups daily and mine are always doubles. This is going to be our splurge this year. Probably either an E8 or Z10, or the S8 if it gets updated before we're ready to buy. As for the thread topic, last year I bought the modern version of a car I've been lusting after since I was a teenager. It cost just slightly more--in nominal dollars--than my last three vehicles combined. :shock: But we're doing well (just crossed a major investment milestone last month), I enjoy it and am keeping it forever. I bought my wife a Z10 for her birthday last year. It replaced our 15ish years old C9. So far she's really pleased with it, but I think she's still exploring the modes.
by queso
Thu Feb 01, 2024 9:55 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Newretirement (free) "chance of success" much lower than others?
Replies: 17
Views: 2352

Re: Newretirement (free) "chance of success" much lower than others?

Another similar thread here - https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=422401&newpost=7687053&view=unread#unread Thanks, perhaps the admins can consolidate the 2 threads since they are both recent. I am probably not going to proceed with newretirement since I was just test driving it anyway, but based on what I can tell, it appears: 1. The free version seems to have many parameters that cannot be configured, some of these are: 3.5% rate of return, high health expenses automatically added, etc. 2. All taxable accounts seem to have a "ordinary income" rule for taxation. This is a problem for people with large taxable accounts and relatively high cost basis, and is exacerbated when you have already included ...
by queso
Thu Feb 01, 2024 8:51 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Planes, trains, automobiles, boats- $$$ for hobbies
Replies: 51
Views: 5522

Re: Planes, trains, automobiles, boats- $$$ for hobbies

She has a horse and I have motorbikes. The horse is waaaay more expensive than my motorbike hobby which works out since I can add or swap one out without too much notice. :happy

There is absolutely no justification beyond "we are meeting our financial goals, still live well below our means and we like horses and motorbikes"
by queso
Tue Jan 30, 2024 1:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: AC Soft Starter
Replies: 9
Views: 1277

Re: AC Soft Starter

Not directly related to the soft starter in question, but since the generator topic came up maybe it's relevant. When I had my whole house generator installed they installed Supco SPP-6's on both my central AC units. As @dpc correctly pointed out it was to remain comfortably under the 20kw generator size which is also accomplished by installing a load shedding module or two for "non-critical" loads (e.g. wall ovens, electric dryer, etc.). The next generator size up is not only a lot more expensive but also more of a pain to maintain (liquid cooled 4 if memory serves vs. my easy to work on air cooled twin).
by queso
Mon Jan 22, 2024 1:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What video games are you currently playing?
Replies: 529
Views: 88267

Re: What video games are you currently playing?

Next up hopefully Horizon Forbidden West, but if that's not out when I am ready to move on then it might be Baldur's Gate 3, Starfield, Forever Skies, Dave the Diver or Sons of the Forest. I received Horizon Forbidden West as a gift for my new PS5. I don't play a lot of games, maybe once every 3 years or so but when I do play, I finish the game and all DLCs. I'm really enjoying this one - but it took a while to get my brain to adjust to all the controller buttons and combos. I played through the first one twice (once on newgame+) when it came to PC as I don't own a current console anymore. I really enjoyed the first one so have been chomping at the bit for them to release Forbidden West on PC before I forget how to stake down Thunderjaws.....
by queso
Mon Jan 22, 2024 12:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What video games are you currently playing?
Replies: 529
Views: 88267

Re: What video games are you currently playing?

I'm playing the three latest Tomb Raider games... Although when I say "the latest", I mean released in 2013, 2015, and 2018. The graphics, gameplay, and story are really good even though they are older games. I got them on sale on Steam, and I'm playing them on a new computer, so I can crank the graphics all the way to the max (which I probably couldn't have done if I had played them on the computers I owned back in 2013, 2015, and 2018). Great puzzle games, good combat, lots of fun. Do all the optional tombs where it's pretty much all puzzle solving to physically get to a room with the treasure. I finished the first two, and just started the third one. Thanks for bumping. Those are great games, IMO. I have played through all of ...
by queso
Fri Jan 12, 2024 11:25 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Kohler 20 KW - Doing Own Maintenance - Warranty
Replies: 31
Views: 3704

Re: Kohler 20 KW - Doing Own Maintenance - Warranty

Carguy85 wrote: Fri Jan 12, 2024 11:20 am I have had the same gen as you for about 7 years now…has been perfect.. I can’t comment on your warranty but will say throwing away new looking plugs and air filter every year seemed to be a waste. I get a genuine kohler filter and 2 quarts of synthetic 5w30 for under $20 and do it myself yearly. BTW, don’t forget to replace the battery every 3 years or so or you could be outside jumpstarting it in the dark when it’s blowing snow and single digit temps like me :D .
^^ This. I am on my second battery and it was around the 3-4 year mark when I changed the original one out. I now test it with my battery tester every year when I do the annual maintenance.
by queso
Fri Jan 12, 2024 8:42 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Kohler 20 KW - Doing Own Maintenance - Warranty
Replies: 31
Views: 3704

Re: Kohler 20 KW - Doing Own Maintenance - Warranty

I have had mine for 7 years or so and have always done the maintenance myself (although I didn't buy a 10 year warranty). I usually skip the spark plugs and air filter and do those every other year or as needed so I sometimes buy the maint kits and sometimes just change the oil and filters. I do stock up on all the supplies though in case I need to keep it running for an extended period.
by queso
Tue Jan 02, 2024 1:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Concierge Doctor for Primary Care
Replies: 31
Views: 5250

Re: Conceirge Doctor for Primary Care

[Topic is now in Personal Consumer Issues - mod mkc] What are you paying? Too much. $2,000 just to see a doctor that I previously saw as a normal insurance-covered patient. I didn't bite. Moved on. If the $2k meant that I no longer had to submit through insurance or deal with co-pays, maybe. But the conceirge thing still uses insurance. You just get the privilege of paying for access when before you didn't. Hate it. The doc tried to sell this by saying you get more time with the doc, better access, etc., but all those things were just fine before. I don't know whom they're trying to attract. Maybe really sick people that like a lot of hand-holding and a side serving of therapy session along with their wellness check? [Off-topic comments re...
by queso
Sat Dec 30, 2023 5:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Concierge Doctor for Primary Care
Replies: 31
Views: 5250

Re: Conceirge Doctor for Primary Care

$4200 for the two of us.. very happy customers here as well for all the reasons mentioned upthread (great doctors, immediate and 24 hour access, more time spent/more thorough appts, they handle scheduling of referrals to other specialists that are nearly impossible to schedule with/deal with, etc.)
by queso
Fri Dec 08, 2023 10:10 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Whose is Self Insuring for Long Term Care (LTC)? I'd Like To Hear Your Plan
Replies: 202
Views: 21581

Re: Whose is Self Insuring for Long Term Care (LTC)? I'd Like To Hear Your Plan

HomeStretch wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2023 8:23 am
MrCheapo wrote: Thu Dec 07, 2023 2:15 pm For what it’s worth after researching LTCI I promptly ensured in companies like AIG and GenWorth (GNW). GNW has done spectacularly as most people don't use even a fraction of what they put in.
Does “ensured” mean you bought LTCI the day after you started this thread or that you invested in LTCI companies?
I read that to mean "invested".. I think that's what the poster intended to type.
by queso
Thu Dec 07, 2023 2:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Whose is Self Insuring for Long Term Care (LTC)? I'd Like To Hear Your Plan
Replies: 202
Views: 21581

Re: Whose is Self Insuring for Long Term Care (LTC)? I'd Like To Hear Your Plan

Self insuring (assuming the risk/cost for those that are averse to that phrase) for reasons mentioned upthread. Companies seem especially weasely even by insurance company standards, too many anecdotes about cranking up premiums later in life to get people to cancel despite paying in for years, too many anecdotes about them weaseling out of paying or requiring superhuman efforts to get them to pony up, etc. Overall it doesn't sound like companies or an industry I am interested in supporting so I'll keep my pile o' pesos and use them to pay for someone to feed me and wipe my bottom when I'm an old if I am lucky enough to get that far.
by queso
Tue Nov 28, 2023 4:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 2023: do you use your Peloton bike? (indoor cardio questions)
Replies: 42
Views: 5417

Re: 2023: do you use your Peloton bike? (indoor cardio questions)

I have had mine for about 5 years and still use it, but not as regularly as I did the first year or two. We also have a NordicTrack treadmill with iFit and I find that content generally more interesting (e.g. running "with" the trainer through Japan, Costa Rica, Mexico, etc. vs. staring at an instructor on a platform in a studio setting). I try to alternate between the two to mix it up and because my body can't take the amount of running it once could. I am thankful to have both as various injuries tend to crop up the older I get that will force me off of one for a period of time. The latest was a bulging/herniated disk with nerve damage that sidelined me from everything for about 1-2 mos, but I was able to get back on the Peloton...
by queso
Wed Nov 22, 2023 1:59 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Riding HEDGEFUNDIE’s excellent adventure
Replies: 370
Views: 99509

Re: Riding HEDGEFUNDIE’s excellent adventure

jarjarM wrote: Wed Nov 22, 2023 1:56 pm
queso wrote: Wed Nov 22, 2023 1:54 pm
jarjarM wrote: Wed Nov 22, 2023 1:31 pm
queso wrote: Wed Nov 22, 2023 12:45 pm Same...proud bagholder since 2019. Down (only) 28% (probably because I never rebalance).. :D
28% from the peak? or from 2019 start? I assume is the former?
From the 2019 start..
Thanks. You must've start late in 2019? Since i think it one were to follow the proposed rebalance in the OG2 thread, one would still be positive against the starting value.
I started in Sept 2019 and rebalanced with new money for a while. Up until about Sept of 21. I haven't added anything or even really looked at it since then.
by queso
Wed Nov 22, 2023 1:54 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Riding HEDGEFUNDIE’s excellent adventure
Replies: 370
Views: 99509

Re: Riding HEDGEFUNDIE’s excellent adventure

jarjarM wrote: Wed Nov 22, 2023 1:31 pm
queso wrote: Wed Nov 22, 2023 12:45 pm Same...proud bagholder since 2019. Down (only) 28% (probably because I never rebalance).. :D
28% from the peak? or from 2019 start? I assume is the former?
From the 2019 start..
by queso
Wed Nov 22, 2023 12:45 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Riding HEDGEFUNDIE’s excellent adventure
Replies: 370
Views: 99509

Re: Riding HEDGEFUNDIE’s excellent adventure

Same...proud bagholder since 2019. Down (only) 28% (probably because I never rebalance).. :D
by queso
Sat Nov 11, 2023 2:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What video games are you currently playing?
Replies: 529
Views: 88267

Re: What video games are you currently playing?

49, not retired...yet.. :twisted:

This year:
Dead Space
Returnal
The Last of Us
The Forest
Horizon Zero Dawn
Uncharted
Subnautica Below Zero

Not sure what I am playing next.. Taking a break to catch up on a few books that are in my reading stack. Might try Starfield, Forever Skies or Jusant..
by queso
Thu Sep 28, 2023 3:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: noisy generator
Replies: 71
Views: 7987

Re: noisy generator

Do you have a lot of power outages and it runs a lot or is it just the weekly testing that's bothering you? If the latter, the day/time that the weekly test runs is user configurable so maybe you can work something out with your neighbor if he has those running at times that you are trying to rest. I have mine running at 3 pm on Friday afternoons. I haven't timed it, but I think it takes 10-15 mins to complete the weekly test run. My neighbor has two small children so I would imagine if I was running it at 11 pm I'd prob hear from him about it.
by queso
Wed Sep 27, 2023 3:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Passive Income Streams
Replies: 96
Views: 14396

Re: Passive Income Streams

I have relatives that own substantial acreage that have allowed people to keep animals, grow/harvest hay, plant soybeans and other crops and even one who allowed a company to place a billboard there which resulted in a monthly check from the billboard company (property was near a major interstate). According to them, none of the above methods netted them much beyond enough to pay the property taxes. Recently one was approached by a solar company that wanted to place panels on his land (can't remember if it was his 30 acre or his 70 acre parcel) and although the monthly income sounded pretty decent he ended up passing on the deal due to the length of the lease they wanted him to sign. I can't remember what it was, but it was longer than he e...
by queso
Tue Jun 13, 2023 2:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Repair car’s air conditioner or sell it
Replies: 36
Views: 3280

Re: Repair car’s air conditioner or sell it

Just went through this with an 18 year old Honda Pilot with about 85k miles. I tried recharging it, but the compressor was shot. I think it was about $1600 all in. Nice and cold now. I have owned it since new and this is prob only the second time this vehicle has needed anything other than routine maint.
by queso
Mon May 15, 2023 9:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Kohler 20 kW generator routine maintenance
Replies: 2
Views: 739

Re: Kohler 20 kW generator routine maintenance

I have been doing my own maintenance on our 20RES for about 7 years. You might be able to reach back there, but the back cover does come off in exactly the same way as the front cover (the 4 nuts on the threaded posts inside each cover and then lift up). If you look closely, you will see there is a cutout for the conduit, etc. on the back and the cover comes right off without disturbing any of the connections coming into the unit. It can be a little fiddly with the top cover/lid (I don't remove that during maint), but if you work at it a bit I think you will figure it out.
by queso
Wed Apr 26, 2023 12:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What video games are you currently playing?
Replies: 529
Views: 88267

Re: What video games are you currently playing?

The Last of Us Part 1
Days Gone
Uncharted
The Forest
Subnautica Below Zero
Stray
AoE IV
by queso
Tue Mar 21, 2023 4:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Riding Lawn Mower
Replies: 40
Views: 3509

Re: Riding Lawn Mower

Hopefully supplies are better than when I replaced my mowers in 2021. After a couple years of hemming and hawing I finally decided on a Honda push mower and a Hustler zero turn. From the time I placed the order with my local outdoor equipment dealer the Honda took about 5 months to come in and the Hustler about a year.
by queso
Wed Feb 08, 2023 1:45 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Opensocialsecurity calculations - has waiting for when social security is claimed become less attractive?
Replies: 36
Views: 4632

Re: Opensocialsecurity calculations - has waiting for when social security is claimed become less attractive?

Is the general concensous here to just follow the recommendations of this calculator? I have no issue with that, and of course beginnning to collect 10 months earlier vs the older plan has some advantages. I don't know if there is any Boglehead general consensus on any topic. I did do the calculation for DW and me and it actually surprised me as it has her taking SS at 62 and me at 70. While she has 40 quarters, she has nowhere near 35 years of working and even plans to take a part time job for lower cost group health insurance. A welcome outcome of the calculator's output is a matrix of numbers of payments by the year. We had not known that once I take SS at 70, we will have about an equal amount coming in from SS alone to what our predic...
by queso
Wed Jan 11, 2023 1:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Advice on home alarm / security system
Replies: 30
Views: 4550

Re: Advice on home alarm / security system

Just went through this exercise and dumped ADT after many years for Simplisafe. My panel was EOL and no longer protected by cellular backup (it was 3G) and they wanted to have a salesperson come on site and quote me for an upgrade (e.g. it wasn't going to be free plus the annoyance of having a salesperson come out). On top of that, my ADT bill had crept up over the years to something like $81/mo for monitoring. Among my biggest ongoing frustrations with ADT was the closed model they have where you basically can't do much yourself without having a technician come out and do it for you. Case in point, I had some motion sensors that were acting up and would have loved to be able to order them and install them myself, but with ADT that's a no g...
by queso
Thu Nov 17, 2022 9:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New Coffee maker
Replies: 53
Views: 4457

Re: New Coffee maker

DurangoWino wrote: Thu Nov 17, 2022 6:10 pm Love my Moccamaster and the Virtuoso grinder. Expensive but it is worth it to me.
Have the exact same combo. Bought it when I found out I was going to be teleworking permanently. Use it every day.
by queso
Wed Sep 14, 2022 3:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone use a car dash camera???
Replies: 32
Views: 4418

Re: Anyone use a car dash camera???

I only have a front one in one vehicle - a FItcamx. Installation was easy and came with the necessary cable and OEM compatible connectors to just split the rearview mirror power cable. It looks very OEM. I installed it while my wife was on a business trip and she's been back for weeks and hasn't even noticed it yet. That sounds cool...I would love to have a dash camera but I hate the cable hanging over...what car do you have? Do most cars have a power cable to the mirror? My Nissan Armada has an electric mirror, but not sure if I can just tap in into that. I looked at their website real quick (fitcamx.com) and it doesn't appear that they offer one for Nissan. From looking at their installation page it appears they vary where they pull powe...
by queso
Tue Sep 13, 2022 4:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone use a car dash camera???
Replies: 32
Views: 4418

Re: Anyone use a car dash camera???

I only have a front one in one vehicle - a FItcamx. Installation was easy and came with the necessary cable and OEM compatible connectors to just split the rearview mirror power cable. It looks very OEM. I installed it while my wife was on a business trip and she's been back for weeks and hasn't even noticed it yet.
by queso
Wed Aug 10, 2022 12:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Is the best time to upgrade house during a down market?
Replies: 23
Views: 2593

Re: Is the best time to upgrade house during a down market?

We did this in 2010. We sold our existing home (bought near the height in 2005) for 50k less than we paid for it, but talked the seller down 100k off the price of the place we ended up buying. Exactly like you outlined in your original post, we lost on the sale of a lower value home but more than made up for it on the higher priced home we were buying. We also had the slow sale situation you mentioned happen to us and we ended up carrying both houses for a few months due to the slow market making our old house harder to sell than it normally would have been. The choice came down to waiting it out for a better offer or taking the 50k below what we paid offer. I forget what the mortgage payment was, but we ended up coming to the conclusion th...
by queso
Tue Jun 21, 2022 7:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Recommend a Hand Truck?
Replies: 31
Views: 3215

Re: Recommend a Hand Truck?

FoolishJumper wrote: Tue Jun 21, 2022 9:52 am Costco sells this (I believe I bought on sale for around $90-100) and it has been a lifesaver through two moves. I can't recommend it strongly enough!
Came here to say this.. the Cosco one at Costco (don't confuse the two..) has been great. I also like that the base plate/nose plate folds flat so you can store it pretty flat against a wall.
by queso
Tue Jun 07, 2022 12:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Lawn Experts: Which Mower is Right for Me?
Replies: 87
Views: 6225

Re: Lawn Experts: Which Mower is Right for Me?

There's a BigDiff between a 1/4Acre "Yard", as the OP first indicated, Vs a 1/4+ acre "Lot". A Qtr/Third Acre Lot can easily be designed & maintained with a nice Electric... A Qtr Acre (10,000+sqft) GassGreenspace Yard is a whole nother Task! You actually hit on a great point that is probably the underlying reason for a lot of the divergent opinions on lot size. As an example, I have one neighbor that has a one acre plus lot, but built a 7500 sqft house on it with a detached 3 car garage, a massive circular driveway in front, an inground pool, an outdoor kitchen/entertaining area and a bunch of hardscaping/features. You could probably cut his entire lawn with an electric trimmer in half an hour since there is so lit...
by queso
Tue Jun 07, 2022 11:24 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Lawn Experts: Which Mower is Right for Me?
Replies: 87
Views: 6225

Re: Lawn Experts: Which Mower is Right for Me?

Lots of discussion about maintenance differences between the two and having never owned an electric mower I might be wrong, but I spend very little time maintaining the part of the mower that relates to it being ICE vs. electric. I change the oil once a season and that is very, very easy since push mowers don't even have oil filters. You turn it upside down over a pan and then add oil. That's it for an entire year. I might replace the spark plug or clean/replace the air cleaner/filter but most years I skip that as I don't have a very dusty yard so it ends up being a 30 second check. The biggest part of mower maintenance that takes me the longest time is removing the blades, cleaning/scraping the deck, sharpening the blades and reinstalling...
by queso
Tue Jun 07, 2022 9:59 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Lawn Experts: Which Mower is Right for Me?
Replies: 87
Views: 6225

Re: Lawn Experts: Which Mower is Right for Me?

Lots of discussion about maintenance differences between the two and having never owned an electric mower I might be wrong, but I spend very little time maintaining the part of the mower that relates to it being ICE vs. electric. I change the oil once a season and that is very, very easy since push mowers don't even have oil filters. You turn it upside down over a pan and then add oil. That's it for an entire year. I might replace the spark plug or clean/replace the air cleaner/filter but most years I skip that as I don't have a very dusty yard so it ends up being a 30 second check. The biggest part of mower maintenance that takes me the longest time is removing the blades, cleaning/scraping the deck, sharpening the blades and reinstalling ...
by queso
Sun Jun 05, 2022 11:12 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Lawn Experts: Which Mower is Right for Me?
Replies: 87
Views: 6225

Re: Lawn Experts: Which Mower is Right for Me?

Have never tried an electric mower, but I picked up a Honda (HRX217HYAA) last year. Compared to the mower it replaced it is excellent and has far exceeded expectations. I usually mulch, but it has a slider so you can switch from bag to mulch and about 8-9 settings in between for various levels of mulched clippings vs. bagged. My old mower used to bog down and leave clumps when the grass was damp, but so far the Honda has never done that. It is not my primary mower, but I have cut my whole yard with it before (about an acre) when my old tractor died and it didn't miss a beat.
by queso
Fri May 20, 2022 9:17 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Debating an electric zero turn mower
Replies: 126
Views: 10289

Re: Debating an electric zero turn mower

UPDATE: I went and picked up the Ego Z6 yesterday. I had it set for delivery but that kept getting pushed out, so I just decided to go pick it up. Had to rent a U-Haul trailer to get it home. I put it together on the trailer so I could just drive it off. Well, that didn't work out. Seems the main control panel / display is DOA. Charges fine. The green start button lights up. The USB port works. But I cannot power up the mower. After calls to Ego and Lowes asking me stupid questions, I am going to return it and rethink all this. Although all the reviews are glowing, this failure has put me off to all the techno wizardry. I know how to work on a gas mower (I used to flip them) and I know I can always get one up and running without a lot of f...
by queso
Sat May 14, 2022 1:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Anyone regret paying off mortgage early?
Replies: 2483
Views: 293992

Re: Anyone regret paying off mortgage early?

I'm prob an outlier, but am holding a 15 year mortgage at 2% and a 3 year auto loan at 2.1%. We're usually cash people, but for me it came down to the rate. I just wasn't willing to part with cash when they were offering 2% rates. The mortgage I understand, but not the car. A house is much more likely to appreciate while in the long-term a car invariably depreciates. Holding a loan on a depreciating asset doesn't make sense. I was willing to pay 2% for the ability to deploy the cash elsewhere. That still doesn't really make sense considering the double-jeopardy of a car loan. You're paying loan interest and you're also losing money on car equity depreciation. That's why a car loan is one of the worst loans you can take. Interesting how peo...
by queso
Sat May 14, 2022 12:55 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Anyone regret paying off mortgage early?
Replies: 2483
Views: 293992

Re: Anyone regret paying off mortgage early?

Apathizer wrote: Sat May 14, 2022 12:51 pm
queso wrote: Sat May 14, 2022 12:43 pmI'm prob an outlier, but am holding a 15 year mortgage at 2% and a 3 year auto loan at 2.1%. We're usually cash people, but for me it came down to the rate. I just wasn't willing to part with cash when they were offering 2% rates.
The mortgage I understand, but not the car. A house is much more likely to appreciate while in the long-term a car invariably depreciates. Holding a loan on a depreciating asset doesn't make sense.
I was willing to pay 2% for the ability to deploy the cash elsewhere.
by queso
Sat May 14, 2022 12:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Anyone regret paying off mortgage early?
Replies: 2483
Views: 293992

Re: Anyone regret paying off mortgage early?

I do understand that many people (including Bhs) have an almost illogical aversion to debt, pushed by the Dave Ramseys of the world. But debt is a tool that has been used for centuries to create wealth. Like any tool, if you don't handle it properly it can hurt you. If you know how to use it, it can be quite useful. Whatever the merits are of paying off a mortgage early, I just have to say, saying debt is a tool is inaccurate. It implies that debt will do what you tell it to. A tool is inert and your hand wields it as you will. A debt has a banker on the other end of it. So it's like two of you are using the "tool." Eh? What does the banker have to do with my decision to pay off my non-callable debt? Zero. But for the grammar pol...
by queso
Fri Oct 08, 2021 2:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How long to drive to recharge auto battery vs letting it recharge in driveway?
Replies: 54
Views: 6428

Re: How long to drive to recharge auto battery vs letting it recharge in driveway?

JDave wrote: Fri Oct 08, 2021 2:50 pm Get a Battery Tender. It keeps your battery charged all the time, without overcharging it. Best thing going for cars that are used infrequently. They make them for motorcycles too.
https://www.batterytender.com/
+1. I have 4 of them. I usually keep them on my bikes, but I don't drive my cars much either these days (COVID) so once a week or so I'll throw them on the cars for a day.
by queso
Fri Oct 01, 2021 2:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Protecting cars on driveway
Replies: 176
Views: 16496

Re: Protecting cars on driveway

I'm familiar with several of the NJ towns in the 100 Safest list cited earlier. Most of them are not only for the super-rich. And in every one of them, you will find that almost all car thefts and items stolen are due either to an unlocked car with valuables in it, or an unlocked front or kitchen door. I'm sorry, but it is just unreasonable to believe that it's a basic human right to leave those things unlocked today. You can moon all you want about how life used to be (which isn't precisely true .... ), but it's 2021 today. You can't make time go backwards. Locking your doors will eliminate 95% of the crimes discussed in this thread. If I'm not mistaken, it is actually against the law in NJ to leave your car running while you go into the ...
by queso
Tue Sep 21, 2021 6:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Please recommend speakers for laptop
Replies: 16
Views: 1388

Re: Please recommend speakers for laptop

When I replaced my monitor, the new monitor did not have built-in speakers. So, I found these at Costco: Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX Certified Computer Speaker System Features: -200 Watts of Dynamic Power -THX® Certified -Two-Way Satellites' 3" Midbass Drivers -6.5" Subwoofer -Separate Primary and Subwoofer Controls At the time they were selling for $129.99, but had a $60 discount, so my cost including sales tax was $75.24. Unfortunately the sale is over, but I would buy them again at full price. They sound very, very good. They certainly have much more oomph than the typical computer speakers. I had bought a cheaper set of Logitech speakers, but they are still in the box. I'll use them somewhere. Broken Man 1999 Came here to recomm...
by queso
Fri Sep 17, 2021 1:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Laptop Backpack Recommendations?
Replies: 29
Views: 2534

Re: Laptop Backpack Recommendations?

I have had a bunch, but am currently using an Osprey Transporter panel loader. Found it on Osprey's website for about half off ($60 with free shipping). So far it is working out great. I have 3 other Osprey packs in various sizes and vintages that I use for backpacking and climbing and have never had an issue with any of their products.
by queso
Sat Sep 11, 2021 5:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Smart Switch and Remote Motion Sensor?
Replies: 26
Views: 3386

Re: Smart Switch and Remote Motion Sensor?

That certainly would have been cheaper, although arguably not as cool as my new Hue system. :D
by queso
Sat Sep 11, 2021 4:47 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Smart Switch and Remote Motion Sensor?
Replies: 26
Views: 3386

Re: Smart Switch and Remote Motion Sensor?

Does Lutron make an outdoor motion sensor? I am just curious since I originally was looking for a replacement for an old Heath Zenith outdoor motion sensor that was paired to an indoor wall switch that controlled my front porch lights. Similar to this one - https://heath-zenith.com/products/wireless-motion-sensor When I originally poked around for a new, more updated alternative I couldn't really find many/any standalone motion sensors that were designed to work with an indoor switch and existing outdoor fixtures. I found a bunch of indoor ones and I found a bunch that were a combination of light fixture and motion sensor, but not many systems around like my old Heath Zenith. That Heath Zenith product reminds me of the X10 products https:/...