Search found 150 matches

by TeamArgo
Sat Mar 09, 2024 8:08 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Are white, red, blue and other bright colors safer [for cars] than other colors???
Replies: 45
Views: 3869

Re: Are white, red, blue and other bright colors safer [for cars] than other colors???

Around 1995, I bought a grey Volvo that I had for about 9 years. I was hit by other cars four of the six times that I have had an auto accident in my entire driving life. Three of the times were in the rain and all of them were at relative slow speeds. Also, that car was built like a tank, so none of them did much damage to my car.
My cars since then have been bright green, gold, and white, and I have had no accidents in the last 20 years.
But just FYI, my worst accident happened in a light blue car in the early 90's. I was hit on a downtown street in bright daylight by another vehicle that even never slowed down, and claimed they didn't see me at all. So, no color is perfect.
by TeamArgo
Mon Oct 09, 2023 8:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Social Security Payment Early?
Replies: 10
Views: 1521

Re: Social Security Payment Early?

This seems to closely match the beginning of the FedNow instant money transfer system. Coincidence?
by TeamArgo
Mon Sep 18, 2023 3:07 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Attic Insulation ? Is the cost worth it?
Replies: 30
Views: 3657

Re: Attic Insulation ? Is the cost worth it?

I had a house similar to the OP's description in Louisville, KY that was built in 1989 with an R-21 value. Around 1999 I had additional insulation blown in on top of the already settling insulation, to bring the rating into the upper R-40's. My ongoing savings were in the 10% range of my total power bill. But the biggest benefit was a moderation of the temperature difference between upstairs and downstairs.
At the time, my cost was $650 for an area of about 1000 sf. You might want to try a couple of additional estimates for the work to make sure the contractor is giving you a decent price for the work. Doesn't seem like inflation in the last 23 years is 300%, does it :confused ?
by TeamArgo
Tue Aug 22, 2023 8:06 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Smart Plug Outlets
Replies: 11
Views: 1116

Re: Smart Plug Outlets

I have used Kasa plugs with Alexa for over five years, and have been very pleased. The app allows you to name the plugs individually, and then to assign them a collective name to control them together. For instance in my living room I have "East Light", "West Light", and "Top Light" that function together as "Living Room Lights". Alexa is programmed to turn then on at "30 minutes prior to sunset" and off at "11:30 PM", and I can control them at any time by voice or app.
They can also be controlled by my Google TV from the TV room. I did purchase one Amazon plug a couple of years ago, but that one unit would not allow control by the Google device. I have avoided them since.
by TeamArgo
Wed Jan 25, 2023 8:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: No estimated delivery date on Amazon
Replies: 6
Views: 1513

Re: No estimated delivery date on Amazon

I have had three separate orders with this status assigned over the past year or so. Two of them were no problem for me to wait for, and both finally shipped about two months late (clothing related, and I am hard to fit). I don't remember the third item, but I do recall cancelling the order, and receiving my refund promptly.
by TeamArgo
Wed Jan 18, 2023 10:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Any experiences with community-based wifi setup?
Replies: 1
Views: 295

Re: Any experiences with community-based wifi setup?

I was involved in a conversion of a 200 unit condo development, consisting of 18 buildings on a campus-like setting. At that time (5 years ago) AT&T and the local cable company (Charter) provided bids for converting us from coax to fiber. Both had a separate unit for working on community wide service projects. The winner provided faster and more choices than the previous coax service at a lower monthly cost, plus they covered the wiring through the property and to the units, in exchange for a 7 year contract. If you haven't already approached your local fiber service providers, you might give that a try
by TeamArgo
Sat Dec 10, 2022 8:59 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Retirees: who really keeps track of their withdrawal rate?
Replies: 74
Views: 8466

Re: Retirees: who really keeps track of their withdrawal rate?

I have been retired for 10 years this month, and like you, I use the 4 percent level as a guide only. Four years ago, I withdrew just over 6 percent to help buy a newer condo. Last year I withdrew barely over 3 percent and this year I am at about 2 1/2. Next year we have a European trip planned that might have me hitting close to 4 percent.
by TeamArgo
Sat Sep 10, 2022 9:50 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New Refrigerator - Samsung vs LG - need to decide in 2 days
Replies: 129
Views: 8364

Re: New Refrigerator - Samsung vs LG - need to decide in 2 days

I have owned both brands, and I prefer the Samsung over the LG. I bought the LG about seven years ago for my first condo, based on the french door layout and available sale price. I noticed that the compressor was a bit noisy, especially since the condo had an open kitchen/dining/living room arrangement. However, over the next few years that noise increased to a buzz and then almost to a roar. It was a "frog in boiling water" situation where I didn't notice something was drastically wrong until the warranty was expired. Calls to service companies usually pointed out that "they do that", and an expensive compressor replacement would take forever to get the part and might soon be just as bad. I sold that condo four years a...
by TeamArgo
Fri Aug 26, 2022 10:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: "clicking" noise [Electric Outlet]
Replies: 23
Views: 6007

Re: "clicking" noise [Electric Outlet]

I would proceed as follows: Given that you have replaced the GFCI outlet already and the new one is not giving a "clean" trip, I would suspect something like the night light might be lightly pushing the trip button or blocking the reset button from coming out completely. Look into this possibility first. GFCI outlets are made in such a way that one outlet can feed power and provide protection to other downstream "normal" outlets. You might wish to trip the GFCI breaker using the test button, and then check for dead outlets in other bathrooms or even in a basement or garage or outdoor outlet box (try the kitchen outlets, too). When you find one, it might have something plugged into it that is trying to trip the GFCI. Unpl...
by TeamArgo
Sat Jun 25, 2022 4:33 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can I Retire ?
Replies: 112
Views: 12084

Re: Can I Retire ?

I lived a middle-class modest life and then retired at the end of 2012 with investments and ages that were extremely similar to yours. Since then, I had my investments go up as I pulled out money to live on. I enjoyed annual vacations and a nearly annual cruise to various locations, with frequent dining out and local entertainment outings. When the market turned last year and this, my accounts have gone down to almost the same level as I started with, but I have no fear for the future. I have told many friends that it is possible to retire on less than you think or fear you will need. The ones who take my advice seem to have agreed. So, I vote "YES". Well, you retired into a 10-year bull market, so that's not quite the same. Quit...
by TeamArgo
Thu Jun 23, 2022 2:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can I Retire ?
Replies: 112
Views: 12084

Re: Can I Retire ?

I lived a middle-class modest life and then retired at the end of 2012 with investments and ages that were extremely similar to yours. Since then, I had my investments go up as I pulled out money to live on. I enjoyed annual vacations and a nearly annual cruise to various locations, with frequent dining out and local entertainment outings. When the market turned last year and this, my accounts have gone down to almost the same level as I started with, but I have no fear for the future.
I have told many friends that it is possible to retire on less than you think or fear you will need. The ones who take my advice seem to have agreed.
So, I vote "YES".
by TeamArgo
Wed Jun 01, 2022 9:54 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Car Insurance
Replies: 14
Views: 1713

Re: Car Insurance

With your very low usage, have you considered using Lyft or Uber to replace your car?
by TeamArgo
Sat May 28, 2022 9:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do u always ask for and review receipts for credit card purchases?
Replies: 89
Views: 7932

Re: Do u always ask for and review receipts for credit card purchases?

I ask for a receipt and review it for every transaction. They sit next to my "computer nest" until I see the receipt go live with the credit card company, and then it is filed if it might ever be returnable, or discarded in most instances.
I uncover a mistake about two times a year, usually in the form of a tip being left off when the charge is submitted to the card company. When that happens at a location where I know and remember the server, I will offer to cover it during my next visit. In the past seven years I have also seen two instances of a server padding the tip by a few to several dollars.
So, nothing too bad and nothing that would break me, but by checking on it I know where I stand.
by TeamArgo
Thu Apr 28, 2022 3:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dog breeds
Replies: 150
Views: 12310

Re: Dog breeds

I might suggest a Shiba Inu. Think of the dog that is used to symbolize DOGECOIN. Males run about 25 to 28 lbs., females 20 to 25. Intelligent, loyal, eager to learn. My hiking companion for 12 years, and never needed a leash while walking in the woods.
by TeamArgo
Wed Feb 23, 2022 12:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: AAA - American Auto Assn - Service has gone way down
Replies: 124
Views: 14630

Re: AAA - American Auto Assn - Service has gone way down

I haven't been impressed with AAA's service since 1979. At the height of the oil embargo on a hot sunny Sunday afternoon, I was across town with my wife and one year old child when my car began to overheat. I called AAA and they made a dispatch, but the contractor showed up and refused to work on it or to give me a tow because all of the gas stations were closed on Sunday. Subsequent calls to AAA were met with a statement that they supported him because "what other choice did he have?" I had just enough tools with me to remove the stuck thermostat from the radiator and return home, although I got grease and sweat on my "Sunday Best" clothing. Never again. I quit my membership at the next opportunity and never looked back...
by TeamArgo
Tue Feb 22, 2022 11:02 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Citi double card is terrible need new options
Replies: 99
Views: 11977

Re: Citi double card is terrible need new options

I have used the Citi Double card for nearly all of my expenditures (including travel within the US) for about 5 years, and have never been flagged or denied for any transaction. Interestingly, my impression was that they were a little lax on security, and that maybe I should look for another card. I have no idea what-so-ever why you would be having those kind of problems when I do not.
by TeamArgo
Wed Oct 20, 2021 9:34 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What 3 tips would you give a soon to be retiree?
Replies: 83
Views: 11029

Re: What 3 tips would you give a soon to be retiree?

You can get by comfortably on less money than you think, so don't put retirement off.

You won't miss going to work nearly as much as you think.

Retirement is GREAT! (Did you hear Tony the Tiger's voice as you read that?)
by TeamArgo
Thu Jul 29, 2021 12:47 pm
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Best countries for early retiree US expat?
Replies: 17
Views: 4707

Re: Best countries for early retiree US expat?

You might want to investigate Ecuador as a possibility. English is not spoken widely, except in the bigger cities with ex-pat populations, but it ticks your other boxes. Take a look on YouTube at postings by JP and Amelia titled "Our Unconventional Life". They have lived in three different cities in Ecuador over the past three years, and make some pretty entertaining and informative postings to talk about their experiences. They are in Manta now, and it is my favorite.
by TeamArgo
Fri Aug 21, 2020 2:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Did any inheritance make positive effect on your life?
Replies: 229
Views: 23036

Re: Did any inheritance make positive effect on your life?

My father passed in 1999, leaving about $23,000 for each of my siblings and I. For me and my younger brother (aged 46 and 36 at the time) it was life changing. We both paid off CC and other debt and got our financial lives in order. Neither of us has had CC debt since. My older sister (aged 55) ended an unhappy marriage, using the money as a bridge to move to Florida into a condo they owned while all of the divorce details were worked out. She still lives happily in FL. Only my older brother did not have his life changed, but the money didn't harm him in any way, either. I retired early almost eight years ago with a healthy 401K and some other savings. I am not specifically worrying about an inheritance for my three children, and they encou...
by TeamArgo
Mon May 04, 2020 12:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [Use basement air to cool 2nd floor?]
Replies: 18
Views: 1821

Re: [Use basement air to cool 2nd floor?]

I am an Engineer who lives in a condo now, but up until 6 years ago I spent 25 years in a two story home with a basement. The basement was cooler and the second story (bedrooms) always ran warm. We had a laundry chute that led from the second floor hallway to the basement. I would place a quiet personal sized fan on a low setting at the bottom (I made a wire hanger for the fan right under the chute opening) and prop the cover open at the top for the four hottest months. It made a several degree difference when the fan was running. Return airflow passed down the stairs and under the door to the basement. Until I did this, we would turn the thermostat down by two or three degrees at night for sleeping comfort, but afterwards this seemed unnec...
by TeamArgo
Thu Aug 29, 2019 10:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Amazon -- no longer the lowest prices, evidently
Replies: 120
Views: 15872

Re: Amazon -- no longer the lowest prices, evidently

At different times in my life, you could count on Sears, K-mart, Target, Walmart, and Amazon to always have the lowest prices. They all moved on, whether due to greed or whatever. The survivors find a niche to serve, while the others wither and die.
I discovered the change at Amazon about 2 years back when I ordered some specialty paint for a rusty RV refrigerator shelf, only to find it six weeks later in a Home Depot for 1/2 the cost. I have approached them since with a jaded eye, and I catch them more and more often at a higher cost than others.
Costco is the only store that has consistently has stayed where it originally debuted. That spot is not exactly the lowest prices, but more like the highest value.
by TeamArgo
Tue Aug 20, 2019 10:37 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: When Did You Ease Up On Saving Aggressively?
Replies: 171
Views: 17490

Re: When Did You Ease Up On Saving Aggressively?

My 401K was my main place to keep our retirement nest egg. At about age 55, I noticed that the earnings were far eclipsing my annual contributions. I backed them down from 15% to just the 6% needed to obtain the company match, and started to plot out my final retirement plans. In the meantime, I used some of my newly created cashflow to make some home updates and to take a few longer vacations. A job "detour" happened that allowed me to work from home for a few years and to work in a department that I had wanted to be in for many years, but I finally retired about 4 years later.
by TeamArgo
Mon Aug 19, 2019 8:12 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: RV purchase ?
Replies: 86
Views: 8303

Re: RV purchase ?

We have owned different campers over the years, as a memory maker for the kids and also because my wife hates staying in motels. I became determined to buy one after we traveled on vacation and she spent the night sleeping in the car outside rather than inside with the family in a weary motel that was all we could find in the area. We bought a 23 foot travel trailer in the mid-80's, towing it with vehicles that were really too small to do so comfortably. Pulling it for a few hours used to wear me out, as it was subject to swaying when we were passed on the road and a constant worry otherwise. But we did make many trips and had vacations that our kids still talk about. We went from there to a pop-up (easier to pull but too small and uncomfor...
by TeamArgo
Fri Jun 07, 2019 10:37 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Money Deposited into my bank account in error
Replies: 10
Views: 1354

Re: Money Deposited into my bank account in error

I have a personal policy in the case of financial errors in my favor. I tell the person or a responsible representative of the institution involved about the error. If they are interested and listen, I will explain everything and they can take whatever action they deem necessary. If I get pushback, instead, I will then drop the whole thing and enjoy the the fruits of the error. I am often blown away that people will argue with me, claiming that they can't have made an error or that I don't know what I am talking about.
by TeamArgo
Sun Jun 02, 2019 10:33 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Autos and transportation near retirement
Replies: 33
Views: 3051

Re: Autos and transportation near retirement

When we retired six years ago, my wife and I left the workforce at nearly the same time. We ditched our Volvo and pick-up, keeping only our 2008 Prius. My intent was to rent a car or truck when necessary, while getting our insurance and car maintenance costs down. Since then I have rented a truck twice (about $50 each time), a car once (~$75), and taken Uber once (~$25). We also replaced the 2008 Prius with a 2010 Prius e/w a solar panel operated fan to keep the car interior cooler, after we moved to Florida (it also has a sunroof, booming sound system, and nice wheels 'cause you do need to have a little fun :D ). So I guess I am saying that maybe you will not be using your vehicles as much after retirement. I would strongly disagree with g...
by TeamArgo
Sat May 18, 2019 11:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How do I prevent yellow underarm stains on my white shirts?
Replies: 24
Views: 4045

Re: How do I prevent yellow underarm stains on my white shirts?

I spent the summer of 1969 in Puerto Rico, and soon discovered that most men there wear cotton t-shirt undershirts in even the hottest weather. They absorb perspiration and help keep you a bit cooler instead of making you warmer. I have worn undershirts year round ever since, even here in Florida.
The downside is that you develop yellow stains in your undershirts. That problem disappeared when I switched over to one of the newer generation of non-yellowing antiperspirants. I suppose you could skip straight to that solution, but try the undershirts just a few times at least, too.
by TeamArgo
Tue May 14, 2019 8:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Instant Coffee?
Replies: 107
Views: 9982

Re: Instant Coffee?

I drink Keurig coffee while at home, but drink instant while on the road in my RV (about 6 weeks a year). I used to dread instant coffee, but didn't want to take the time to try anything else while on the road. But, about a year ago, I discovered Mexican acid neutralized coffee and now I even drink it at home about half the time. The coffee does not have the unpleasant sharp taste the all of the other instants have. :shock: My favorite, PAMPA is also the most frugal I have found. I have found it in most Walmarts around the nation; Sometimes in the Mexican food section and sometimes with the rest of the instants. It costs about $1.60 for a jar that will make about a dozen mugs. That cost is hard to beat. Give it a try for your guests. True d...
by TeamArgo
Mon May 06, 2019 8:05 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Estimating the rate of return on Social Security
Replies: 34
Views: 3541

Re: Estimating the rate of return on Social Security

I am reminded of the joke about the physicist who was asked to look into low milk yields at a large dairy farm. A few hours later he was heard to say "I think I have a solution, if you assume a spherical cow in a vacuum..."
by TeamArgo
Tue Apr 23, 2019 7:18 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: At what age did you buy your first first class airplane ticket?
Replies: 112
Views: 6467

Re: At what age did you buy your first first class airplane ticket?

I am retired, and have never flown first class. My son, however, minds his miles and points and has gotten upgraded or a good price on first class twice. I doubt I ever will, since my flying is down to a flying trip only once a year or two.
by TeamArgo
Thu Apr 04, 2019 8:38 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Universal Orlando Trip In June 2019
Replies: 34
Views: 2726

Re: Universal Orlando Trip In June 2019

You may have gone a bit overboard with the three park ticket. The two park, park-to-park ticket will get you access to all of the Harry Potter attractions. The third park is a water park operation that is not a big attraction for my family. We went last October for a two day trip, and I do wish we has stayed for another day or two. I like your five day deal in that regard. We also stayed at the Sapphire Falls resort, which lowered the price considerably without much sacrifice. The free canal boat shuttle got us to and from the parks with fun and ease. We easily returned to our rooms for a rest at midday and enjoyed the easy access to the hotel. The Falls resort has a nice big pool for unwinding when the park becomes too overwhelming or tiri...
by TeamArgo
Thu Feb 21, 2019 3:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Favorite youtube channels?
Replies: 111
Views: 15434

Re: Favorite youtube channels?

I subscribe to "Scott Manley", a Scottish engineer living in California who explains the latest in rocketry and space news with interesting detail. He also has a Kerbal Space Program channel that he uses to explain spaceflight and to try out some wild ideas.
by TeamArgo
Wed Feb 13, 2019 11:54 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Early retirees, how much did you leave on the table?
Replies: 355
Views: 39896

Re: Early retirees, how much did you leave on the table?

I'll tell a short funny story on me. I read the title of this one today, and I got about four entries in before I read a story that fit me to a "T". Wow, I will reply and quote this, I thought, and only then looked at the author of that previous reply. Then, like slowly waking up in the morning, I saw it was me and the original post was from 2016. I'm not the sharpest crayon in the box sometimes on these resurrected posts! :oops:
by TeamArgo
Sat Dec 22, 2018 1:55 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Are some insurance polcies philosophically similar to gambling?
Replies: 57
Views: 3651

Re: Are some insurance polcies philosophically similar to gambling?

Actually, all insurance is a more than a little bit like gambling. Insurance company says "I am willing to give you odds that you will live/not have a car accident/not get sued/etc. for the next year. You say " I'm willing to bet that I will die/.../.../..., and here is my money upfront to cover the bet. However, that doesn't keep it from being very useful.
by TeamArgo
Mon Dec 17, 2018 1:14 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Turbo tax quick question
Replies: 6
Views: 881

Re: Turbo tax quick question

That is what I do to determine my Roth conversion amount. Works pretty well if you can guess most items based on the previous year's entries.
by TeamArgo
Fri Dec 14, 2018 4:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is it difficult to change a baby's legal name?
Replies: 70
Views: 4119

Re: Is it difficult to change a baby's legal name?

My father was named a family name of "Leslie" by his British mother at the hospital, but his father had promised a WWI buddy to name his first son "Daniel". So Grandpa refused to call him anything other than Dan, despite his official name. Dad happily went by "Dan" for all of his 95 years on this earth, without ever trying to change his official name.
So even if your son gets a name you or he regrets, there are many options other than a name change in childhood.
by TeamArgo
Mon Dec 03, 2018 8:44 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Will we make it saving only in employer plans?
Replies: 58
Views: 4994

Re: Will we make it saving only in employer plans?

You definitely can make it, and I see no reason not to believe you will. We started out very much like you in my early years, saving very little and just increasing the 401K percentage a little bit every year. I was in an engineering job with a salary that maxed out at about $100K before I retired 6 years ago. No pension, and my only savings was in a company 401K, and I managed to set aside $1.33M using a very Bogle-like investment plan. I have lived well since retirement, rolled over about 10% of my 401K into a Roth during the last 3 years, and I still have about $1.30M in my 401K. I think you will do just fine. The 401K shoots up later in like thanks to compounded earnings, so don't worry about your $250K number. It sounds fine for your a...
by TeamArgo
Sat Dec 01, 2018 12:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: United HealthCare
Replies: 27
Views: 2675

Re: United HealthCare

My MegaCorp switched from BC/BS to UHC in the early 2000's. I groused and complained, but after getting used to the new procedures and paperwork, it was pretty much on par with the old coverage.
Certainly not bad enough to turn down an otherwise good job offer!
by TeamArgo
Mon Oct 29, 2018 8:16 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Getting depressed with all this saving. :-(
Replies: 38
Views: 7266

Re: Getting depressed with all this saving. :-(

Every year or two, I splurge and have my old Prius detailed. It helps me feel better about driving my old car around. Maybe that would help you feel better about your RAV4?
by TeamArgo
Tue Oct 23, 2018 10:01 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Timing the market - Some say it’s possible?
Replies: 44
Views: 3566

Re: Timing the market - Some say it’s possible?

KyleAAA wrote: Mon Oct 22, 2018 7:04 pm I believe it's possible, but so difficult none of us will be able to do it consistently. Winning the lottery is also possible, but I wouldn't recommend the lottery as a sound investment strategy.
Drats! The 1.6 Billion drawing is in two minutes, and NOW you tell me!
by TeamArgo
Tue Oct 23, 2018 10:16 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Making loose leaf tea
Replies: 32
Views: 2253

Re: Making loose leaf tea

In the late 1950's my British grandmother used her "Brown Betty" crock teapot to make her tea. The teapot had a strainer that fit into the opening and extended down into the water. She added black tea to the strainer, poured in boiling water, steeped it for 5 minutes, and served the most wonderful tea at 6 in the morning when only she and I were awake.
I have searched high and low for a teapot with such a strainer without luck, until finding one just recently at a Le Creuset store in an outlet mall. Almost a dead ringer, and I can now make that wonderful tea myself, at a more respectable 8:30 in the morning.
by TeamArgo
Fri Sep 28, 2018 8:29 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: cell phone plans--google fi?
Replies: 22
Views: 10247

Re: cell phone plans--google fi?

I have been an AT&T subscriber for many, many years. However, their service on the barrier islands of NE Florida, my home for 4 years, has been spotty at best. I have moved to a new location in the last 6 weeks that had no AT&T service, so I moved to Project Fi and a new Moto G6. I have service now outside my condo, and inside it switches over to my wi-fi signal without a loss in conversation.
The Moto 6 is a low cost entry point for Project Fi service at about $200 bucks. It is great for e-mail, Facebook, news, weather, etc., but has a reputation for some lagging with game playing. That last is not a problem for me, so I have been very happy with it.
by TeamArgo
Sat Sep 22, 2018 9:30 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sprint to Tello or something else?
Replies: 4
Views: 602

Re: Sprint to Tello or something else?

You might want to look into ProjectFi from Google. It is a pay as you go service for data at a pretty reasonable cost. It uses the better of the Sprint, T-Mobile, Metro PCS, plus calls over Wi-fi, switching between them without your even being aware that a switch has been made.
https://fi.google.com
by TeamArgo
Fri Jul 13, 2018 7:53 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: When does frugal cross the line to cheapskate?
Replies: 136
Views: 13576

Re: When does frugal cross the line to cheapskate?

I was brought up in a household that was "Great Depression" cheap, and I have lived on both sides of that line during my lifetime. The best definition I can give from personal experience is that you are living on the cheapskate side when having money or more money becomes more important than what you can use the money for. As I have aged, cheapness has made less and less sense (the savings no long "compound" over a long lifetime in front of me). In the last 10 years I have gone from someone who calculated 12% to 15% tips to the penny and used a pocket full of change to get it exactly right, to a person who doesn't even carry change and gives "about" 20% in whole bills or whole numbers on the credit card. I take...
by TeamArgo
Wed Jul 11, 2018 5:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone take naps at work?
Replies: 93
Views: 8079

Re: Anyone take naps at work?

When I was young, there was an older engineer who had developed the ability to fall asleep at his desk in front of the microfilm reader with his eraser touching the screen. When disturbed, he would grumble "Hang on a sec", move the eraser along a circuit line as if finishing a trace of a connection, and then glare up at the person who had the nerve to disturb him. It was art! :annoyed
Years later, I would go out to the car in the parking lot, start the A/C or heat, and take a half hour nap during lunch. My newfangled digital watch alarm would get me back in before the lunch hour ended.
by TeamArgo
Wed Jul 11, 2018 5:42 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Six stocks make up 98% of S&P 500 gains in 2018
Replies: 100
Views: 19264

Re: Six stocks make up 98% of S&P 500 gains in 2018

My opinion is that this is "clickbait" from CNBC with little real meaning and nothing actionable. I'm surprised the second sentence didn't read: "Stock number four will blow your mind!" :oops:
by TeamArgo
Mon Jul 09, 2018 7:33 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: E- Billing & Autopay
Replies: 27
Views: 3322

Re: E- Billing & Autopay

I have everything set up for e-billing, but I do not have any set up for auto-pay. I have known two different people who were hit with a ridiculously large erroneous bill, the money was removed from the auto-pay account, and then they needed to beg and plea to the company who was now holding their money that an error occurred and they needed to return it. One of them, in a dispute with a cable company, took nearly two months to get almost a thousand dollars returned. (In fairness, the other was for less than $100) Most companies will send an e-mail copy of the bill as a reminder, and those e-mails usually have links to allow printing a copy of the bill if needed. My DW and I have a separate shared Gmail account for e-bills and for any corpo...
by TeamArgo
Fri Jun 22, 2018 8:14 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Did you celebrate when you finally hit $1m?
Replies: 282
Views: 40134

Re: Did you celebrate when you finally hit $1m?

I was not too far from retirement when my 401K crossed the $1M mark. I had noticed my contributions were no longer having much effect on the balance compared to earnings, so I "celebrated" by adjusting them down to my Megacorp match levels only (6%).
by TeamArgo
Mon Jun 18, 2018 7:23 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New refrigerator issues
Replies: 18
Views: 8865

Re: New refrigerator issues

I bought an LG about two years ago, and it is much noisier than any refrigerator I have owned in my life. It vibrates the whole time it is running, and it is enough to set up "sympathetic vibrations" in many bottles and containers within the unit. It started quieter (but not quiet by any means) and then got worse over a few months. I contacted a repair facility and was told that they "just do that". They checked the compressor supports and fiddled with them, but mostly did nothing. Afterwards, the noise dropped off some, but came back over the next few months again. All this noise is made worse by my living in a small condo, where the fridge is in a straight line from almost anywhere but the bedrooms. Mostly, I am just i...
by TeamArgo
Sun Jun 17, 2018 6:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How much (green) cash at home for emergency ?
Replies: 169
Views: 19035

Re: How much (green) cash at home for emergency ?

When interest rates fell about 10 years ago, I moved about $1000 into my home. :moneybag In the intervening years I have added to it and I now have just over $2000 there. It is just for my peace of mind in the event of a big bad event of some type, and cost me very little in lost interest.