Search found 74 matches

by spoco79
Mon Jan 22, 2024 2:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
Replies: 1372
Views: 166809

Re: Sharing this attempted eBay scam because its wild

TravelforFun wrote: Mon Jan 22, 2024 12:58 pm
I don't understand this. If the scammer used eBay's mailing label, the package should've come to you; and if the scammer used a fake label, eBay shouldn't have received an 'item has been delivered' notice from USPS.

TravelforFun
Scammer photoshopped fake return address and address to Wal Mart in the same city.
by spoco79
Thu Jan 18, 2024 2:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Two Weeks New Orleans in March
Replies: 25
Views: 2349

Re: Two Weeks New Orleans in March

My wife is from New Orleans. Two weeks. Wow.

There's the French Quarter, the Riverfront area. The World War II museum is amazing - might be the best museum in the United States. But you can knock all of the out in 2-3 days.
by spoco79
Thu Jan 11, 2024 5:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
Replies: 1372
Views: 166809

Sharing this attempted eBay scam because its wild

[Thread merged into here --admin LadyGeek] I finally received a positive resolution today, so I wanted to share this in case anyone else ever ran into it. It was new to me and my case resolution specialist. I upgraded my iPhone to the latest edition. Rather than trading in for $300, phones in good condition were going for $600 or so on eBay. I am a technologist, so I keep my tech up to date and in mint condition, so my used phone was a good deal for someone on eBay. I sold the phone, the buyer paid immediately and I shipped the phone in original packaging in factory new condition. The buyer received it and sent me a message: "FaceTime does not work. Want refund." Now, FaceTime itself not working is sort of odd. I offered to troub...
by spoco79
Wed Jan 10, 2024 10:18 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Potentially selling a great house
Replies: 101
Views: 12303

Re: Potentially selling a great house

We have a very similar issue. I love our house. It's perfect for our family. Our kids go to great public schools. Our neighborhood is fine, and our direct neighbors are great, but there are some things that we don't like about the neighborhood. I have about $215k left at 2.25% on a $600k home. If we put our home up for sale it would likely sell within a couple days, as it was built by a premier builder and is one of the nicer homes in a mid-level neighborhood. A couple miles down the road is a newer neighborhood with more amenities, a huge lake with a manmade beach, a golf course and equestrian center. It is the premier neighborhood in our area and my kids have friends that live there. For us to get in a comparable house, it would take $1 M...
by spoco79
Sat Jan 06, 2024 1:55 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HELOC/boat purchase
Replies: 33
Views: 3170

Re: HELOC/boat purchase

“Teachers don’t make money” is one of the biggest lies our society believes.

Where I live, a starting teacher with just a bachelors degree makes 115% of the average household income in the state. Plus they have access to the 457 plan, perhaps the best wealth building tool in existence.

A masters degree, a couple of certifications and a decade of experience can get to 100k easily.
by spoco79
Sat Jan 06, 2024 11:36 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HELOC/boat purchase
Replies: 33
Views: 3170

Re: HELOC/boat purchase

AMEX offered me a personal loan up to $120k for 6%. If you are looking for a better rate, then that might be an option. Came with a bonus of Membership Rewards points as well.

Congratulations on your standing in life. My wife is a HS teacher and I am a college administrator (former teacher). Many "quiet millionaires" come from our ranks.

I'm a fan of enjoying life. Post pics of the boat. So exciting!
by spoco79
Fri Jan 05, 2024 12:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Hot Water Heater (Good deal or did I get scammed?)
Replies: 51
Views: 7623

Re: Hot Water Heater (Good deal or did I get scammed?)

Great. I guess I feel better about it. I talked to my neighbor and he confirmed what another post said - they probably installed them early in the construction process. Here's the detailed invoice. Seems like it was done correctly.

Image
by spoco79
Fri Jan 05, 2024 9:52 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Hot Water Heater (Good deal or did I get scammed?)
Replies: 51
Views: 7623

Re: Hot Water Heater (Good deal or did I get scammed?)

I didn't have it done on Christmas Day. Sorry for the confusion. I noticed it on Christmas Day and called plumbers the week between Christmas and New Year's. The work was done on January 2, their first availability.

As far as the "how they got up there" question - that is what I am struggling with. I asked and they could not give me an answer. I do not believe the tanks were a different size in 2007 when we built the house. They did not remove the old units. They disconnected them and they are still in the attic.
by spoco79
Fri Jan 05, 2024 9:38 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Hot Water Heater (Good deal or did I get scammed?)
Replies: 51
Views: 7623

Hot Water Heater (Good deal or did I get scammed?)

On Christmas Day, as I was washing dishes, I noticed that I did not have hot water. I have two tanks, so the bathrooms had not had an issue. I called a plumber and they came and inspected - the hot water heater (40 gallon) that served the kitchen laundry and guest bathroom was out. The 50 gallon unit that served our master bath and our kids' bathroom was on its way out. I was given a quote for $2500 to replace the 40 gallon unit or $3200 to go ahead and replace both units. I opted to replace both units to save labor costs down the road. They showed up and in about an hour, came down from the attic and said that they could not get the new units to the attic and recommended a tankless option. I had not have time to research the tankless optio...
by spoco79
Fri Nov 10, 2023 9:30 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should I ask my in-laws to change their trust?
Replies: 83
Views: 10041

Re: Should I ask my in-laws to change their trust?

My grandmother passed away about a year ago. She had told my mother that there would be "substantial" assets. My mother had asked me to put together a plan and I asked "how substantial?"

Of course no one knew and no one wanted to ask. In the end, my mother and her two siblings split about $60,000. That was "substantial" to my Depression era grandmother.
by spoco79
Thu Dec 22, 2022 8:49 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What are your LEAST favorite vacation destinations
Replies: 399
Views: 43721

Re: What are your LEAST favorite vacation destinations

My wife is from New Orleans. I have never understood the appeal of New Orleans as a "premier vacation destination." Great food would keep it off of any Worst list. Its a dirty, nasty city and most places are unsafe.

Enough has been said about Disney as a least favorite destination, but I'll second it. My daughter outgrew it by age 6-7. She's 13 now and has friends that are excited about going for the 5th time in their life.

Most underwhelming place I have ever been: Niagara Falls. I was at a convention in Buffalo and took a day excursion. Its beautiful, but you can see it all in about 15 minutes.
by spoco79
Mon Dec 12, 2022 3:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: One-way Car Rental
Replies: 19
Views: 2088

Re: One-way Car Rental

douginct wrote: Mon Dec 12, 2022 3:14 pm If you are a member of Costco, check their rates - that is how I always book car rentals and have had good results.
Oh my goodness! That was the answer. $110 instead of $300. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
by spoco79
Mon Dec 12, 2022 2:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: One-way Car Rental
Replies: 19
Views: 2088

One-way Car Rental

I have a unique situation where I need to rent a car one-way. I am flying into an airport and need to meet my family about 3 hours away. When I look at rates, traditional rental agencies are charging $200-$300 over the normal rate for this service. Is there a better option? Am I missing something?
by spoco79
Tue Dec 06, 2022 3:00 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Getting my life together at 35.
Replies: 45
Views: 7442

Re: Getting my life together at 35.

I'm in Mississippi as well. Your insurance rate is way high. I pay about half that for full coverage on both a 2022 and 2018 Acura. That would be my first call in your situation. I can recommend someone, but I'd look at independent agents in your area. That rate should be at most half of what you are paying, unless you just have a ton of claims against you. Might want to contact a credit union about refinancing the vehicle out of the 12.9%. My local credit union in the Jackson area has 4.29% rates for great credit but even bad credit is 7.5% Your state income tax rate is probably 4%, not 7% (that's sales tax). However, the state is likely going to get rid of all state income tax this legislative session, so that will give you some more room...
by spoco79
Tue Aug 23, 2022 2:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: The worst financial, best life decision you have ever made?
Replies: 114
Views: 15780

Re: The worst financial, best life decision you have ever made?

I was really unhappy with a job. Management had changed and my department was getting toxic. I had nothing lined up, but I put my notice in. How toxic was it? My manager flew off the handle when I put my notice in and told me to pack my office get out. HR came in and assured me that I would be paid for my two weeks. We had bought our first home about a year prior, and our savings wasn't great. I did a little freelance consulting to get by, then was offered a great position at nearly double the salary if I moved from a HCOL city to a low cost of living area. I took it and we could not sell our new home, so I rented it out to a friend for a couple years. Nashville began to boom and that little starter home we bought for $155k became worth $30...
by spoco79
Sun May 24, 2020 7:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Pandemic buys that have improved quality of life?
Replies: 185
Views: 23258

Re: Pandemic buys that have improved quality of life?

My HVAC went out and I opted to purchase a much more higher efficiency model, taking advantage of some generous rebates. Went from a SEER 10 builders grade unit to a SEER 25 Lennox.

The air quality in my home is dramatically better. The unit is much quieter and runs less. I haven’t received a full months electricity bill, but I suspect it will go down 30-;0 percent.
by spoco79
Tue Dec 03, 2019 10:39 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best Ways to Help Poor Families at the Holiday Season?
Replies: 43
Views: 3524

Re: Best Ways to Help Poor Families at the Holiday Season?

We do a Christmas Jar.

I'm nearly cashless in my daily life, but always end up with a little bit here and now. When I come home with cash in my pocket, I put it in a jar. Over the course of the year, its usually around $250.

We have:
Anonymously put the jar on a poor families' porch on Christmas Eve
Purchased a wish list for a needy child in our community
Go to Waffle House and leave a big tip.

Our kids have loved the Waffle House thing. Those women that work at WH are hurting. They usually have multiple kids and are just scraping by. A $250 tip on a $20 meal makes their day and my kids enjoy it. That's what we are planning to do this year.
by spoco79
Mon Nov 25, 2019 9:50 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Severance Negotiation - what is reasonable
Replies: 59
Views: 5426

Re: Severance Negotiation - what is reasonable

A week of pay and benefits per year of service would be generous.
by spoco79
Fri Oct 04, 2019 12:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: At wits end with mortgage company issues
Replies: 74
Views: 7173

Re: At wits end with mortgage company issues

Ive had a similar issue in the past. Document everything. Put together an email with a timeline and explain everything. Find the top person at the company you can find (http://elliott.org/ is an excellent resource, if the bank is local - bank officers are notorious for having their contact info out there). Here is what happened to me. Within a couple of hours, someone from Wells Fargo's executive office contacted me. (I emailed a couple of SVPs). They assured me the issue would be taken care of. By the next morning, the web portal appeared correct and I received another call confirming that the issue had been corrected and they apologized for the inconvenience and thanked me for being a customer. Sometimes you got to go to to top to make th...
by spoco79
Thu Oct 03, 2019 12:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Wedding Finances-Today
Replies: 107
Views: 10893

Re: Wedding Finances-Today

My daughter had been raised by a Boglehead and that helped a lot. We had $30,000 saved in an account earmarked for her wedding. I started saving the day the sonogram said it was a girl. I told her and her then fiancé that was their budget and anything left over would be theirs.

My daughter put together a $10,000 wedding and ending up actually spending under $8000. My son in law had $15,000 in student loans which they planned to pay off. I was so impressed and proud that I gave them the $15,000 as a wedding present on top of the $22,000. They were able to start their life together in a much better spot than her mother and I. But that has been my life's goal - change the family tree.

[Comment removed by Moderator Misenplace.]
by spoco79
Thu Oct 03, 2019 12:39 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Bose discontinues SleepBuds
Replies: 7
Views: 1425

Bose discontinues SleepBuds

Received an e-mail today that Bose is discontinuing its Sleepbuds because "the product is not the quality we expect at Bose." Bose is offering a full refund if you send them back.

Here's the issue. I like mine. They work. The issues that others are having do not affect me. I would like to keep them. But in diving deeper, it seems that Bose is abandoning the product, including the app that is required to run the Sleepbuds. I feel like I need to send them back. Does anyone know of an alternate product that works in a similar manner? I have slept well in the last four months since purchasing this product.
by spoco79
Thu Aug 29, 2019 2:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: While there is a high school question - my daughter wants to graduate early
Replies: 76
Views: 5414

Re: While there is a high school question - my daughter wants to graduate early

in the first place, an 'elite grad school' will not care that she graduated young. Moreover, they are likely to see it as a slight negative. That being said, my question has to do with her math background, for financial engineering. Has she completed Calc BC? If not, that would be a reason to stay in HS, IMO. yes, calc in HS is not the same as calc in college, but that is exactly the point: better to take it slower in HS and learn the concepts well. btw: am I missing something on the age? Graduate college at 19, means that she is ~15 now? Or, has she been in a dual enrollment program so she already has teh equivalent of an AA? Yes. She will have 36 hours of dual enrollment credits, and will take CalcBC her "senior" year. She is a...
by spoco79
Thu Aug 29, 2019 2:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: While there is a high school question - my daughter wants to graduate early
Replies: 76
Views: 5414

Re: While there is a high school question - my daughter wants to graduate early

You learn nearly nothing senior year? What? That's where we are. Senior year in our state is a joke. She's far from the only student that has the credits to do this. Senior year for typical students at my daughter's high school looks like this. 12th grade English Government/Economics A BS class Lunch Early Dismissal automatic admission to state university. Our state universities have a 35% graduation rate and this is why. I can shout it from the rooftops but more people care about the social aspect of high school. If there were an environment where she could thrive with other advanced kids, I'd be more open to it. We're currently going back and forth on the dorm as a 17 year old freshman. I've scheduled meetings with appropriate campus par...
by spoco79
Thu Aug 29, 2019 2:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: While there is a high school question - my daughter wants to graduate early
Replies: 76
Views: 5414

Re: While there is a high school question - my daughter wants to graduate early

She thinks its cool that she'll be able to graduate college at 19 years old. Explain the math to me. Most high school students graduate at age 18. A year early would put her at 17, graduating from a four year university at age 21. To add to @afans' post, there may be other options. My youngest girl took advanced placement courses her senior year jointly offered by her HS and the local community college. She verified with her already accepted University which ones they would accept. So she got the best of both worlds. She got to hang out one more year with her HS friends and even had AP classes with some of them. Then started college with credits under her belt. She will graduate high school at 16 with 36 hours of college credit via dual cr...
by spoco79
Thu Aug 29, 2019 8:37 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: While there is a high school question - my daughter wants to graduate early
Replies: 76
Views: 5414

While there is a high school question - my daughter wants to graduate early

Any downside to this? She will have the credits to graduate a year early, provided she takes an English class next summer (she has room for it in schedule next year, but school district doesn't allow for English classes to be taken two at a time. She has a solid ACT score (31) and is planning to attend the university where I work (100% free) and shoot for an elite grad school pursuing Financial Engineering.

The guidance counselor is trying to talk her into not graduating early, but is only talking about the social aspect of things. My daughter just doesn't care about things like that. She thinks its cool that she'll be able to graduate college at 19 years old.
by spoco79
Wed Jun 26, 2019 12:41 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Dave Ramsey says to give up employer 401K match to pay down debt
Replies: 148
Views: 12120

Re: Dave Ramsey says to give up employer 401K match to pay down debt

He admits that the math is not in his favor - but his argument is that it is more important to get out of debt as quick as possible. He never advocates to take from an existing 401k to pay down debt, just put it on pause.
by spoco79
Tue Sep 04, 2018 8:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: I hit the magic side hustle milestone in August
Replies: 19
Views: 5513

I hit the magic side hustle milestone in August

I officially made more money in my side hustle than my real job. I do some IT-related consulting, and I had two big clients pay, and picked up a remote $1000/month gig. I'm not really looking at quitting and making the side hustle a full time job, but it is admittedly exciting. I took my wife out to a nice dinner to celebrate, and the entire lump sum + 30% of my regular paycheck went to Vanguard.

If there is a question in all of this, I am a bit worried about taxes at the end of the year. I'm looking at right at $70k in self employment income and have planned for about $25k in taxes. Is there any way I can minimize this?
by spoco79
Mon Jul 30, 2018 12:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Talk to me about Le Creuset
Replies: 53
Views: 8907

Re: Talk to me about Le Creuset

All of our cookware is LeCreuset. One of the first Boglehead recommended purchases we made. The quality to cost ratio is off the charts.
by spoco79
Sun Jul 29, 2018 5:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Peloton spin bike worth the high cost?
Replies: 104
Views: 22915

Re: Peloton spin bike worth the high cost?

My wife wanted one for Christmas. I looked into it and found a Facebook group where you could buy used ones. I bought one for $1500 that had been ridden for less than an hour.

My wife liked the bike, but she wasn't into the classes. Lots of cursing, political statements and virtue signaling in a place where she "just wanted to work out." I put it back on the group for $1500 in May and someone drove 10 hours to pick it up.
by spoco79
Sun Jul 29, 2018 5:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Boy's first job
Replies: 38
Views: 4717

Re: Boy's first job

My first job was shagging golf balls at a driving range. Paid $4.75 an hour. Had to drive around in one of those little carts with the cage on it while everyone tried to hit me.

A guy nailed me one day and then offered to buy me lunch. He was one of the most successful people in my hometown - owned a lot of timber land and invested well. You would have never known it, but the man died recently and was worth more than $10 million. He taught me the value of "Big Hat, No Cattle" in that 90 minute lunch.
by spoco79
Fri Feb 16, 2018 3:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Digital alarm clock suggestions?
Replies: 38
Views: 5212

Re: Digital alarm clock suggestions?

I know that its probably overkill, but I bought an Amazon Echo Show and use it as an alarm clock in addition to all of its other capabilities.
by spoco79
Tue Jan 02, 2018 2:04 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: College scholarships: How much should I pencil in for my future students?
Replies: 54
Views: 3834

Re: College scholarships: How much should I pencil in for my future students?

It absolutely is true. Football, men's basketball, women's basketball and women's volleyball at the high Division I level are the only places you see full ride athletic scholarships. Women's softball is close, but not at the same level as the other sports. Baseball, which is the epitome of the youth sports racket that plagues our society, spreads 11 scholarships over 35 players. Many good players get enough of a scholarship to cover books. The number of parents I meet with that have spent $20k+ on their kids youth sports to get $10,000 in scholarships over four years is mind boggling. It has been widely reported, but people just choose not to believe it. Is your assertion that money spent on your children that doesn't have a tangible retur...
by spoco79
Tue Jan 02, 2018 11:54 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: College scholarships: How much should I pencil in for my future students?
Replies: 54
Views: 3834

Re: College scholarships: How much should I pencil in for my future students?

I found this article enlightening. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/10/sports/10scholarships.html Apparently it is far more cost effective to put your money in a 529 than to pump it into all the sports camps necessary to get an athletic scholarship. It's dated though by a decade. Who knows how this Title IX stuff is going to play out by the time your kids hit college age. I'd be interested in knowing if any of the college admins on here think the basic gist of the above article is still true. It absolutely is true. Football, men's basketball, women's basketball and women's volleyball at the high Division I level are the only places you see full ride athletic scholarships. Women's softball is close, but not at the same level as the other spor...
by spoco79
Tue Jan 02, 2018 11:39 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: College scholarships: How much should I pencil in for my future students?
Replies: 54
Views: 3834

Re: College scholarships: How much should I pencil in for my future students?

What state are you in and I'll give you a quick look at what to expect.
by spoco79
Tue Jan 02, 2018 11:23 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: College scholarships: How much should I pencil in for my future students?
Replies: 54
Views: 3834

Re: College scholarships: How much should I pencil in for my future students?

Full disclosure: Im a college administrator. I wouldn't count on $0, especially for a halfway decent student. But a high SAT/ACT score doesn't usually mean full ride. If you calculate that your student will be in the top quartile in test scores, then that amounts to about 50% of tuition at average state schools (most "regional" schools) and private colleges and about 25% at good state schools (Alabama, Oklahoma, Indiana) and maybe 10% at flagship state school s (UNC, UVA, Texas, Berkeley) Elite private colleges are mostly need based. If your AGI is under $100k, you can get a full ride at Ivies nowadays. For an average student (25th-75th percentile), any scholarship money would be a bonus, but many non-elite private schools operate...
by spoco79
Fri Dec 15, 2017 9:03 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to deal with Micro-manager
Replies: 42
Views: 5471

Re: How to deal with Micro-manager

Early in my career, I had a manager who had been promoted to that role a month or so before I came on. I was his first direct report. In my first few days, he had taken several thousand dollars to pay a consultant to come in and train the two of us on a system that I knew my way around on an expert level and relayed this to him in the interview process. The day before the consultant was to fly out to our corporate office, she had a terrible auto accident and was not able to come. She recovered fine, but had a hospital stay. The guy freaked out. How were we supposed to get started on this project? This is terrible. By lunch he had meetings with all the higher ups freaking out. His boss called me in and I explained confidently that I could ha...
by spoco79
Thu Dec 14, 2017 3:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Retirement Account Stolen by Identity theft
Replies: 393
Views: 90687

Re: Retirement Account Stolen by Identity theft

The same thing happened to my elderly grandmother.

Ended up being a <former> family friend. She didn't wipe her out, but took her for about $10k.

The security questions were things along the line that anyone close to my grandmother would have known. My grandmother refused to press charges so the thief got away with it, albeit the friendship was over.
by spoco79
Wed Dec 13, 2017 3:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Who is Right Me or Spouse
Replies: 51
Views: 4538

Re: WHO IS RIGHT ME or SPOUSE

My grandfather did the same thing. A crisp $100 bill in a bank envelope.

When I got married, my wife started getting an envelope as well. Now all three of us are married with children, and the great grandchildren get $100 as well. My oldest brother's oldest daughter is expecting a ring for Christmas from her boyfriend. Will he also get $100?
by spoco79
Tue Dec 12, 2017 12:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cricket Wireless: What are the gotchas?
Replies: 38
Views: 4015

Re: Cricket Wireless: What are the gotchas?

The only negative of a smaller wireless company that uses a big network (Cricket, Boost, StraightTalk etc.) is that your texts and calls are second priority to mainline customers. So in the event of an emergency, its likely you will not be able to use your phone.

Doesnt matter one bit to me, but thought I'd share.
by spoco79
Wed Sep 27, 2017 3:41 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: My boneheaded financial mistakes
Replies: 132
Views: 25327

Re: My boneheaded financial mistakes

Too many to count, but here are the highlights!

1. When I was 24, I left a job with a $14,000 in an IRA. I cashed it out and blew it, then got hit with a big tax bill.
2. I invested in a friend's business venture. The friend disappeared as quick as my money did.
3. I bought a home at the peak of the market in 2004, was too proud to sell it an break even in 2007. In 2009, I gladly sold it with a $30,000 loss after going through 4 renters in two years.
4. I quit a job about 10 months before I was vested. Probably cost me $50,000
5. Had 1000 shares of Apple stock at around $20. Sold it when it hit $25 and bought Circuit City.
by spoco79
Sun Sep 10, 2017 4:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Am I overinsured on my autos?
Replies: 20
Views: 2399

Am I overinsured on my autos?

My family has two vehicles. A 2007 Volvo sedan that I drive 20 miles/day to my job as a college professor, and a 2015 Nissan Murano that is my wife's "take the kids everywhere" vehicle. I recently received my 6 month renewal notice from Allstate and was floored. The premium is $1236 for liability only on the Volvo and full coverage on the Nissan. This is up from $902 just 24 months ago.

I looked closely at my policy and noticed that I have all 50/100 limits and a $500 deductible. I'm thinking about going to 25/50 and $1000. I priced it on Geico and the 6 month premium was $480. I want to give my Allstate agent a chance, and I am willing to pay a premium, but as someone who has never made a claim, I'm wondering if I am overinsured.
by spoco79
Tue Sep 05, 2017 11:37 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: how often does high ACT score == scholarship?
Replies: 102
Views: 14801

Re: how often does high ACT score == scholarship?

College professor here

What state are you in? In some states, those stats would get you a full ride at the state universities. In others (North Carolina, Texas, California, Georgia) the lower GPA will hurt.

My niece just got $120,000 at the University of Alabama for a 4.0/31 ACT. She's in-state, and she pockets a couple thousand a semester after everything is paid for.
by spoco79
Wed Aug 23, 2017 8:49 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Would you hire an obese nanny?
Replies: 81
Views: 7096

Re: Would you hire an obese nanny?

No need to apologize.

Obesity doesn't bother me, but I won't hire people with visible tattoos.
by spoco79
Mon Aug 21, 2017 8:56 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dental Insurance/Costs
Replies: 25
Views: 3339

Re: Dental Insurance/Costs

My wife and I rarely disagree. We disagree on dental insurance. She thinks it is a must have. Family coverage through her employer is roundly $110/mo., $1320/year.

Outside of cleanings, the max benefit is $1500/year. Nothing significant is covered until after 12 months. Its a terrible deal for us.
by spoco79
Sun Aug 20, 2017 5:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Frozen steaks ordered through the mail
Replies: 29
Views: 4831

Re: Frozen steaks ordered through the mail

Check for a local farm. We have one that does this. I buy them vacuum sealed and flash frozen and the cows were born 15 minutes from my home.

They may ship. Contact them.

http://www.remingtonlottfarms.com
by spoco79
Thu Aug 17, 2017 4:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Little P**S Ants
Replies: 59
Views: 11280

Re: Little P**S Ants

3/4 C sugar and 1/4 C of borax or boric acid

Let those ants --admin LadyGeek take it back to their queen as a gift.

It works!
by spoco79
Thu Aug 17, 2017 1:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Other people's perception of your finances
Replies: 73
Views: 6506

Re: Other people's perception of your finances

My wife has a brother who lives in a HCOL desirable area.

He welcomes us whenever, but I always pay for dinners out. They have young kids and we will keep them while they go do whatever. A couple of dinners and some babysitting is much cheaper than a hotel and its courteous - except when I suggest that we go to a restaurant that we love that he admitted on our last visit they just despise. I felt bad.
by spoco79
Wed Jul 26, 2017 9:36 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Reasonably priced Data recovery?
Replies: 1
Views: 383

Reasonably priced Data recovery?

I have a 1 TB external hard drive that has pretty much died. There are some files that I need off of it. Is there a reasonably priced data recovery solution that a Boglehead can recommend?
by spoco79
Thu Jul 20, 2017 2:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Would you let your teenager spend all his savings on a gaming computer?
Replies: 123
Views: 14080

Re: Would you let your teenager spend all his savings on a gaming computer?

I was not a gamer, but I did build my first computer back in the 90s. Learned how everything worked together and some valuable skills.

A conservative estimate of what I have made "on the side" in my 20 years since building computers and coding would be north of $50k, including $5,000 one month between semesters at college.

The gaming part of it aside, I'd use it as an opportunity to teach him to shop around for quality parts, and learn the skill with him. Computer engineers make good money even with degrees from state schools.