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FrugalInvestor

The current RDX is ready to be replaced and the infotainment system in it is not at all intuitive or easy to use. That ruled it out for us. The new 2019 RDX has been introduced and will be on sale this summer. It appears to be improved throughout and especially with respect to the infotainment syste...

FrugalInvestor

Anyone here ever built their own home? Do you truly save 25%? Following is an article explaining construction margins...... https://businessecon.org/2015/05/margins-in-construction/ From the article.... I’ve been asked to identify the average margins in the construction industry. Honestly, there is...

FrugalInvestor

No, you are not automatically eligible to change every year. Do some googling. Googling, it looks like you have the right to switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another Medicare Advantage plan once a year. However the same does not apply to Medigap (You don't have the right to switch from on...

FrugalInvestor

First time I've ever heard of Plan "G". Plan F is apparently still available to new enrollees today. I just received an ad in the mail today from Highmark pushing Plan F. They said "...you'll enjoy a monthly premium as low as $155.10..." If plan F goes away the only ones left will be old and sick p...

FrugalInvestor

retiredjg wrote: ↑
Sat Apr 14, 2018 8:45 am
I'd love to read it, but can't open anything at Forbes. This has happened before. Anyone else having this problem? I'm using Safari 11.0.3

Using Chrome (a Chromebook to be more specific) and no problem opening.

FrugalInvestor

If you are bothered by the loud startup noise as the blower ramps up, get a two-stage variable speed furnace/blower. The difference in perceived noise is very significant. Do consider a variable speed fan. But also talk to the various companies you get bids from about the noise (as well as any othe...

FrugalInvestor

I would milk it too, although I would shop around now and figure out what 2 or 3 companies you would be most comfortable with doing the work. Then you're prepared when the time comes to replace it - just get updated bids and have get the work done, it usually doesn't take long. I would get bids from...

FrugalInvestor

The majority of the fence that you can see, the planks, don't really matter much to the structural integrity of keeping the fence standing up. It's the posts and cross-beams that keep the fence standing. The two primarily failures I've seen is rotted posts and beams. You can't do much to treat the ...

FrugalInvestor

Interesting that in response to a question about how to do something DIY, lots of folks chimed in about how they did something without DIY..... My reason for pointing out the $4.99 Costco option was not to avoid the question or discourage DIY (I do a LOT of that myself and enjoy it). However, the O...

FrugalInvestor

ronako wrote: ↑
Mon Apr 18, 2016 11:16 am
But rather than going to a place and getting ripped off for $12, I can actually take my photo multiple times myself to get the perfect one that I want.

Costco is $4.99 while you're in the store so a little less than half a rip-off.

FrugalInvestor

Where I'm from, we take care of our family. I live frugally and make more money so that I can support my family. I could have retired 10-15 years earlier if I just put all the cash to savings. But I never regret taking care of my family. I admire and commend you for that. However, what if something...

FrugalInvestor

Tell them that they need to start researching what they'll get from Social Security + Medicare and how they'll scale back their lifestyle to live on that. It's done every day. The minute you give them the impression that you'll step-in you'll be counted on - and they won't be looking for other opti...

FrugalInvestor

Tell them that they need to start researching what they'll get from Social Security + Medicare and how they'll scale back their lifestyle to live on that. It's done every day. The minute you give them the impression that you'll step-in you'll be counted on - and they won't be looking for other optio...

FrugalInvestor

Precisely the reason you should. You are doing well now, but what about 20 years from now? Having ample HSA funds will help you pay for med expenses then (presumably in retirement) or if an emergency comes along in the interim. But shouldn't I count on Medicare? No. - Like regular health insurance ...

FrugalInvestor

I applaud MSSB for being honest about the situation. It gives your FIL the opportunity to pay more for service he values or make other arrangements if he feels the added cost is not justified. It sounds like he's known that he's been getting a sweet deal, the question is how much is the service real...

FrugalInvestor

I've also been with Vanguard since the 1980's. My wife and I hold mutual funds only (no ETFs) in taxable, TIRA, Roth IRA and 529 accounts. I had some minor difficulty with an un-knowledgeable representative a few years ago when doing my first Roth IRA conversion/recharacterization but nothing since....

FrugalInvestor

LarryAllen wrote: ↑
Sat Mar 31, 2018 5:07 pm
Forty.

We originally provided a stipend for our son until age 40 and then the balance transferred to his control.

FrugalInvestor

Pete12 wrote: ↑
Fri Jan 05, 2018 3:46 pm
I go nuts when folks refer to this forum as the “Boggleheads” or the “Bogelheads” ... I mean come on people!!!

It boggles my mind every time I see it.

FrugalInvestor

bogglizer wrote: ↑
Sat Mar 31, 2018 7:52 pm
The only way to survive retirement is to return to work. Any other plan results in certain death.

Any way you go it's certain death.

FrugalInvestor

bberris wrote: ↑
Sat Mar 31, 2018 7:50 pm
I predict a steak swimming in butter and higher cholesterol. Skip it and save money on statins.

I'd recommend going just once rather than not going at all.

FrugalInvestor

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FrugalInvestor

........For me it's really about what you're interested in. ......... Then again, how do we become interested in anything without being exposed to it? The reason I like exploring places - especially out-of-the-way and relatively unknown places - is that I learn about and become interested in less f...

FrugalInvestor

I used to live in an area with a very wet climate. I purchased mid-range Weber grills, used them regularly year-round, kept them covered, and they lasted 7 years. I would typically replace the the grates and flavorizer bars once during that time. At the 7 year mark they wouldn't be completely worn o...

FrugalInvestor

btw, does anyone have a link to the article saying that vanguard was having issues with its software? I didn't see this. The following two links (in the order posted) will take you to the full article..... http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/print/WSJ_-B001-20180330.pdf http://online.w...

FrugalInvestor

We've noticed chicken getting tougher in the last few years. We thought it was because we had moved to a different part of the country and the suppliers were different. We'll watch more carefully for the white striping to see if that explains it. Hopefully this will threaten the poultry industry's p...

FrugalInvestor

A two stage unit, properly sized with a higher SEER rating will be a nice upgrade. Will it pay for itself? Likely not. We upgraded a similar unit. The unit running in the first stage is virtually silent. The old unit would run short cycles at turbo fan mode. It didn't run enough to remove humidity....

FrugalInvestor

OP here...just internet banking, investing...just internet. Fidelity is my main asset account and I use vip for added security Larry, you are a prime candidate for a Chromebook. The choice will be between a very basic and inexpensive model or a more sophisticated one that is thinner, lighter, brigh...

FrugalInvestor

I second this. I third this. This good advice should be repeated. Since the OP had not told us anything about how he uses computer resources, how can this be good advice? Agreed. That's like saying the best color is red. Red is the best color! Seriously, it's true that we need some more specifics t...

FrugalInvestor

Time to switch to a Chromebook: https://www.pcworld.com/article/3064762/security/how-to-configure-your-chromebook-for-ultimate-security.html Quote from article: A Chromebook is already an ultra-secure computer straight out of the box. Because it doesn’t run a traditional operating system and takes a...

FrugalInvestor

19 years 6 months out. Accounts are still growing, spending is still growing That accounts growth is nominal growth, but if I recalculated my growth for the effect of inflation in this period (real growth) it is virtually even. (A good Boglehead calculated that last year when I made a similar post....

FrugalInvestor

We've been retired for nearly 15 years and haven't touched our principal. Our investments have grown during that time and we've been spending 3-3.5% per year. During the '08-'09 downturn we cut back and re-balanced from bonds into stocks - but not all the way back to our target asset allocation beca...

FrugalInvestor

We owned a RX330 - basically the same vehicle. Traded it in at 140,000 miles without any repairs other than recommended routine maintenance. It was the best vehicle we ever owned - comfortable, quiet and reliable. Our 330 had a timing belt that required replacement at around 100,000 miles. That was ...

FrugalInvestor

Use Top Tier gas and forget the additives. I was very pleased when Costco gas was certified as Top Tier a few years ago. I now see dealers in our area advertising oil additives as part of their premium service package. Sheesh!! No wonder dealers have a poor reputation for selling unnecessary services.

FrugalInvestor

We've traveled with this book and found all kinds of underrated places......

https://www.amazon.com/Road-Trip-USA-Cr ... b_title_bk

It's a wonderful country when you get off the interstate highways.

FrugalInvestor

My last house had standard because they were more consistent with the architectural style (very traditional). My current house has the rocker type. Once we got used to them I can't say that one is much better than the other, although I find the rocker type a bit easier to find and operate especially...

FrugalInvestor

<snip...> It'll be interesting to see how smoothly the new cards initially work with providers. I'm hoping that mine is not one of the earlier ones issued. I don't foresee a problem. Medicare is already using alternative numbers for claims submittal; my wife's Medicare card has my number on it, sin...

FrugalInvestor

Being a true blue Boglehead I laminated a copy of my Medicare card myself - using packing tape from Costco. :D The original resides in my safe. No one has ever questioned the validity of the card. I found the card itself to be too large for the slots in my wallet so I had to trim it down a bit to fi...

FrugalInvestor

... It appears that the closest people such as friends and family members are more passive aggressive instead of being genuinely happy for our success. For those of you that have accumulated a high net worth from modest means, have you experienced a loss of friends/family? If you think they are jea...

FrugalInvestor

The following quote from the article pretty much sums it up......

As Bethany McLean wrote in Fortune “Building a portfolio around index funds isn’t really settling for the average. It’s just refusing to believe in magic.”

No arguments here.

FrugalInvestor

Curious why most on this thread prefer a supplemental plan to an advantage plan? For one, as I mentioned above, when I needed care I could not have gone to the nationally recognized provider in my area. They don't accept any Medicare Advantage plans. Secondly and related, most Medicare Advantage pl...

FrugalInvestor

n this area, according to what many friends/acquaintences tell me (as well as a sign at our previous Primary Care Physician) - a great many Primary care Physicians will not accept new medicare patients - although they will continue to see existing patients who go on medicare. Not just primary care....

FrugalInvestor

First time I've ever heard of Plan "G". G is basically F with a $183 deductible. At some point, F plans will no longer be sold to new enrollees. As far as I know Plan G is exactly the same as Plan F except that F pays the part B deductible (currently $183) and G does not. A $183 per year in premium...

FrugalInvestor

I paid $2500 for will+trust+well written healthcare dorective (end of life) . This also included durable POA. This was what ours cost as well. It also included re-titling of appropriate assets and all by a well qualified and respected trust attorney. Follow-up questions (within reason) are handled ...

FrugalInvestor

On the average what the article states may be true but in the case of a serious health condition it may not. I don't know if my experience will be average and I want to insure against a health catastrophe. I also know that as I age I will likely become less proficient at handling my finances. For th...

FrugalInvestor

Well, I have some potentially good news. If your next 6 months stays about the same level as this increase (12% over last years rate), your APY for they year will go down to 12%!! :beer Even better, using OP's math (compare current 6 mo premium to last then annualize) the APY would go to zero. lol,...

FrugalInvestor

People have already covered the lease Vs buy angle so I will address the AWD Vs FWD angle. Unless you need to scale steep snow covered hills on a regular basis FWD + winter tires will be fine. If you Google "winter tires Vs AWD" you will find numerous articles on how winter tires make a huge differ...

FrugalInvestor

Try replacing you check valve. They're cheap. It sounds like it may not be working correctly.

FrugalInvestor

I began to respond having only looked and the title and thinking you were asking about 2008-9. :oops: After reading your post more carefully I realized you were speaking of the very recent market volatility. I suppose it may have technically been a 'correction' but in my book after going through 198...

FrugalInvestor

Superfeet did not work for me but Aetrex by Lynco do. There are a number of different types based on your specific problem and use. It took some experimentation for me to find the ones that worked best for me and that can vary by shoe.

FrugalInvestor

I owned a home on a great lot with a high water table. During the rainy season the pump cycled constantly during hard rains but kept things under control. If I were you I would maintain the pump every year including the check valve, aggressively replace it with a new pump every 5 years (they're not ...

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