Search found 147 matches

by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Tue May 16, 2023 5:15 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: "The case for financial literacy education" Planet Money article
Replies: 32
Views: 2794

Re: "The case for financial literacy education" Planet Money article

I'm puzzled by the emphasis on HS. Why would anyone think a class taught to juniors/seniors will stay with them? I wouldn't even bother with college students. Understanding loans or a 401k won't matter till they buy a new car or the new employee benefits packet is dropped in their laps.
Two words: Student Loans.
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Fri Feb 07, 2020 10:39 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cheap Black Only Printer
Replies: 26
Views: 1862

Re: Cheap Black Only Printer

The Brother monochrome laser printers are where its at. However - spend the extra $10 or whatever for the wireless one. I'm consistently reminded of the downsides of not doing so every time I have to plug into my laptop to print.
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Fri Nov 08, 2019 8:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Your Fantasy Kitchen (Cookware-wise)
Replies: 65
Views: 7785

Re: Your Fantasy Kitchen (Cookware-wise)

Get a big saucier (that can go in oven), a cast iron skillet, and a sous vide cooker attachment.

You don't need a slow cooker - you can use the le cruset in the oven (which I do and personaly trust far more than leaving an $85 piece of equipment on all day on my countertop).

And avoid anything else (cookware or utencil-wise) that has only 1 function.
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Mon Oct 28, 2019 3:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Universal Orlando for 4 days
Replies: 27
Views: 1884

Re: Universal Orlando for 4 days

Portofino Bay, Express Passes, and Club Lounge is the way to go.

I'm also a huge fan of Halloween Horror Nights @ the park. Tremendous experience.
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Wed Oct 23, 2019 6:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Business HSA Health Insurance + Private HSA Investment Account?
Replies: 5
Views: 515

Re: Business HSA Health Insurance + Private HSA Investment Account?

Yes, I believe that is correct OP.

If you offer an HDHP with no employer-provided HSA, employees can contribute with after-tax dollars and then deduct them from their taxes when filing. This is a bit different from them contributing pre-tax dollars directly from payroll into HSA if you had an employer-sponsored plan attached.

YMMV on getting people to enroll in HDHPs with no employer contribution, as premiums for HDHPs recently seem to not be as low compared to traditional plans as they once were (at least here in NY), but your idea of subsidizing the HDHP at a higher level might equalize that.
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Mon Oct 21, 2019 11:07 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fidelity HSA questions
Replies: 39
Views: 6185

Re: Fidelity HSA questions

shepherd wrote: Sun Oct 20, 2019 9:42 pm Make sure you are prepared for a wait. I started the transfer process to Fidelity over 3 weeks ago from Benefit Wallet and it is still not complete. I believe the delay is only on the Benefit Wallet side.
BenefitWallet to Fidelity took forever for me.

Also FYI, if you're using BW for pre-tax employer money and then transfering to Fidelity, BW will close your account automatically if it drops below a certain amount (I believe it was $100).
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Thu Oct 03, 2019 6:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: BH choice for car service from LGA and to EWR
Replies: 12
Views: 797

Re: BH choice for car service from LGA and to EWR

Pre-arrange a large SUV with Carmel or Groundlink (both have apps and #s). Or alternately use UberXL.

If you only have 3 people a large SUV/XL with an extra row of seats should be enough to accomodate that kind of luggage.

The actual Sprinter Vans are quite expensive.
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Tue Oct 01, 2019 1:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestions for good leather shoe?
Replies: 43
Views: 6258

Re: Suggestions for good leather shoe?

Meermin is probably the best bang for your buck out there. Best combination of style and quality (all-leather components, stacked leather heels and full leather midsoles) w/Goodyear Welt for under $200.

Also a note on shoe tress - you only need 1 set of Cedar shoe trees, the others can be the much cheaper plastic versions. Put the cedar shoe trees in the shoes you wore that day (the cedar helps absorb moisture from wear) and use cheaper plastic trees for the rest of the shoes (to keep shape).
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Thu Sep 26, 2019 1:01 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fine Art Investments
Replies: 81
Views: 10946

Re: Fine Art Investments

Buying a famous Old Maters piece because you're an ultra-rich person who wants to "safely" park money, potentially turn a profit down the road, and reap the social dividend of owning a notable art collection is a very different proposition than the average Boglehead diving into art speculation.
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Fri Sep 20, 2019 9:12 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: If accepting counter-offer, strategies to help relationship with manager
Replies: 12
Views: 1479

Re: If accepting counter-offer, strategies to help relationship with manager

It really depends on the circumstances of your initial notice and the terms of your counter-offer. If you attemped to give notice because of a great opportunity elsewhere, and they counter-offered because you're a valuable member of the team and retaining you is critical to the business - then there's probably not too many fences that need to be mended. Perhaps a politically-savvy check-in a few months in to let your manager know how happy you are that you chose to stay. If you provided a laundry list of grievances when you gave notice or in negotiating your counter-offer, then you've already sost of lost the game. I would probably not bother trying to mend any fences in this case. What happened happened - you're still here, and you know th...
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Thu Sep 05, 2019 1:48 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Making Case to Employer for Mega Backdoor Roth
Replies: 20
Views: 1750

Re: Making Case to Employer for Mega Backdoor Roth

sergio wrote: Thu Sep 05, 2019 12:51 pm
The nondiscrimination testing is what made it a no-go for our small company.
Yup. Nondiscrimination testing will make this a no-go for many companies.
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Thu Aug 29, 2019 3:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Looking to buy a Patagonia jacket. Which are your favorites?
Replies: 27
Views: 3750

Re: Looking to buy a Patagonia jacket. Which are your favorites?

Their Down Sweater is my favorite jacket for fall/winter and I own too many jackets.

Highly recommend.
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Thu Aug 29, 2019 3:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Your best deal from Craigslist
Replies: 46
Views: 4901

Re: Your best deal from Craigslist

As a seller I've learned to just advertise things I want to get rid of as "free" instead of trying to get $10 or $20 for them.

The people who come to pick up free stuff almost always take it. The people who are interested in $10 or $20 items often have weird demands, or will do stuff like drive 30-45 minutes to check out the item (for $10) and then decide they don't want it.
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Sat Aug 24, 2019 2:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to help an employee who is in debt and requesting a loan
Replies: 110
Views: 11074

Re: How to help an employee who is in debt and requesting a loan

123 wrote: Sat Aug 24, 2019 2:36 pm Two thoughts:

I suspect they are already maxed out on credit card debt and every other kind of commercial debt they could get.
Don't forget recurring bouts of cancer debt!
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Thu Jul 18, 2019 9:25 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Harrassed at work, what steps to take to protect her future employment
Replies: 93
Views: 9987

Re: Harrassed at work, what steps to take to protect her future employment

I would recommend that she: 1. Make sure that documentation of all of this stuff is in her own posession - and would probably do so by PDF'ing email records and transfering them to a usb drive. Probably better than forwarding them to her personal email - because depending on company rules and who runs IT, this could be considered a no-no, and if they're already trying to fire her....there you go. 2. Work on her resume and start to reach out to network contacts assuming she wants to stay in the workforce. If she's an at-will employee, she's at risk of losing her job. Demanding more from employees than they are personally capable of delivering isn't exactly harassment. And if you've been in the same place for 30+ years you are likely not up t...
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Mon Jul 15, 2019 6:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Can the dealer be trusted?
Replies: 17
Views: 2607

Re: Can the dealer be trusted?

bigdav160 wrote: Mon Jul 15, 2019 5:21 pm I am not sure why the constant dealership disrespect on this board. I've been in the automotive repair business for almost 40 years and worked at, or with, several types of repair facilities. By far, the best trained, the highest credentialed, and most ethical have been dealership technicians. The standards are just that much higher than anyone else. Think about it, where do the technicians go that can't meet the dealership qualifications for employment?

The dealership wants your service business. That's where the money is made. Not the sales side.
With all due respect, the consistent lived experiences of dozens if not hundreds of people on this board seem to suggest otherwise.
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Tue Jul 09, 2019 8:54 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Mega backdoor Roth:. Anyone got their employer to change plan to allow it?
Replies: 22
Views: 3171

Re: Mega backdoor Roth:. Anyone got their employer to change plan to allow it?

I tried to add it in when my SMB (12 employees) switched providers a few years back. Was told by our financial advisor and TPA that we'd never pass compliance testing if we did so.

I regret not pushing them for a more detailed answer.
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Tue Jul 09, 2019 8:46 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Grill Mat
Replies: 29
Views: 3857

Re: Grill Mat

Why is this better than aluminum foil?
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Tue Jul 09, 2019 8:45 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: (Tall) Buyer Beware: Honda Accord.
Replies: 77
Views: 15480

Re: (Tall) Buyer Beware: Honda Accord.

I'm 6'5" - currently drive an old 2002 Lexus RX300 that has plenty of room.

Prior to that I had a 1996 4-Runner which, despite having ample legroom, had the most uncomfortable seat that I've ever experienced anywhere (including cars, budget airlines, wooden benches, and amusement park rides).

That said, I did love that car because the retractable rear window was the single most useful thing ever.
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Sun Jul 07, 2019 12:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: used car buying
Replies: 20
Views: 2562

Re: used car buying

mindgap wrote: Sun Jul 07, 2019 12:19 pm Get a Toyota Camry.
Pay Cash.
Done.
Will make this easier.

Buy a Toyota.
Pay Cash.
Done.
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Wed Jul 03, 2019 1:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Adult son has not controlled credit card overuse!
Replies: 106
Views: 8306

Re: Adult son has not controlled credit card overuse!

It doesn't sound like he much cares to discuss or debate this with you, nor has he asked you for money.

He is an adult, and you say that your relationship with him is great in many other regards.

Life is short, and grown-ups need to learn (or not!) their own lessons. That's why they're grown-ups.

Buy him a book if you'd like, but I would suggest letting this go, and spending the time you spend together focused on the aspects of your relationship that bring you both joy.

While I know they come from a place of genuine desire to be helpful, most of the addiction metaphors are a bit cringeworthy.
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Sat Jun 29, 2019 12:04 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: New Landlord Here! Your Top Tips to include in a Lease?
Replies: 52
Views: 5774

Re: New Landlord Here! Your Top Tips to include in a Lease?

Telling tenants they're responsible for drain clogages is the best way to ensure that all of your tenants use Drain-O (or worse) on the plumbing system.

Though in a condo building you may not care as much.
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Fri Jun 21, 2019 3:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Getting my own Chase Sapphire Reserve or added as authorized user?
Replies: 23
Views: 2460

Re: Getting my own Chase Sapphire Reserve or added as authorized user?

Authorized users on Chase cards have the exact same credit card numbers and there is no way to easily distinguish between one user's spending and anothers. You literally have to look at every transaction. Authorized users do get Priority Pass membership (not very useful, IMO) but they do not get the $300 travel credit nor the $100 credit towards global entry membership. And the points you earn will be the primary card holders. In all, this would seem to make little sense for you. If you need/value Global Entry (which comes with TSA pre-check) at $100 and the $300 travel credit, then the $50 annual fee 1st year ($450 - $300 travel credit - $100 Global Entry good for 5 years) and $250 annual fee thereafter ($450 - $300 travel credit) then get...
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Wed Jun 19, 2019 2:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Can I get the new customer rate from Verizon Fios? Or should I switch to Spectrum?
Replies: 54
Views: 9226

Re: Can I get the new customer rate from Verizon Fios? Or should I switch to Spectrum?

I've switched back and forth between Spectrum and Fios probably 5x over my last 9 years in NYC.

Sometimes when you get kicked to the retention team before cancelling they will give you a rate that's coparable to a new customer rate, other times I've canceled and switched, then switched back after a year depending on promos rates etc...

You can also put service in someone else's name if you have roommates or a spouse. I believe (don't quote me on this) that you'll be considered a new customer by Fios after 3 months off your past account. Would check on internet for more.

For just internet, I greatly prefer Fios. For TV+Internet you get much much more with Spectrum these days.
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Mon Jun 17, 2019 12:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Recommendation for light beer.
Replies: 41
Views: 4114

Re: Recommendation for light beer.

Many replies here have listed lower-calorie beers that are average-high in carbs.

I would suggest looking at this list for some low-carb beers that actually taste OK:

https://www.delish.com/food/g26987069/low-carb-beer/

I'm a beer lover that has been on Keto/Low Carb for the past 3 years. Among the generic light beers, Miller Lite has the lowest carb content (half that of Bud Light or Coors Lite). Michelob Ultra and Corona Premier are even lower - but they are VERY light.

Lagunitas Daytime IPA and Dogfish Head Slightly Mighty IPA are pretty good for having under 4g carbs a piece, and I've found the Daytime IPA in wholefoods.

Good luck!
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Mon Jun 17, 2019 8:05 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Advice for young married couples: PLEASE HELP!
Replies: 49
Views: 5218

Re: Advice for young married couples: PLEASE HELP!

Keep it simple and broad for a gen pop audience. Save the advanced Bogleheads stuff for those who are really interested.

Don't go into extreme debt for a college education
Don't marry the wrong person
Don't buy new cars you can't afford
Don't buy more house than you can safely afford

That'll literally address almost every cause of major financial trouble that's addressable ("dont get sick" isn't really that actionable).
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Fri Jun 14, 2019 11:51 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cartier bracelet
Replies: 42
Views: 5158

Re: Cartier bracelet

Late to the discussion here - but have bought DW several Cartier pieces including the new nail bracelet while traveling in Paris this past spring.

Your best bet will be to buy new, in-store. You can probably save a few bucks (maybe $800-1k tops) buying pre-owned, but a lot of them are pretty well-worn.

If you're going to buy in-store and live in a part of the country (or are going to be in, say, Paris) where there is a flagship Cartier store, it is worth bringng your wife for the purchase and experience. Nobody does customer experience like old school luxury fashion/jewelry brands.
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Wed Jun 05, 2019 8:25 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What do business pros wear on redeye Business Class flights
Replies: 50
Views: 8642

Re: What do business pros wear on redeye Business Class flights

I wear an insanely comfortable pair of jeans, t-shirt, and a cashmere hoody that I use almost exclusively for flying.

I also have a pair of cashmere socks that I wear on-flight since I have large feet and neither the socks nor sandals provided in Business/First on most airlines will fit me.

It's not about "looking professional" on the plane, its about making damn sure I can get some sleep if I'm landing in London or Paris at 7:30am and have to be at meetings that day.
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Fri May 10, 2019 9:46 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Rental Bidding War
Replies: 20
Views: 3377

Re: Rental Bidding War

MedSaver wrote: Fri May 10, 2019 12:50 am Thanks for all the replies. In the end we just decided to act normally without offering more. We were offered the rental, so it worked out. This was probably due to a combination of our current landlord reaching out to the new one, our turnaround time on the application of less than 24 hours and a strong overall application. But yeah, they really want the deposit and they really want it now.
Good to hear this! We rent in Manhattan (apartments not SFHs but same high-demand principles apply) and I was going to say that being ready to submit a quality application as soon as a unit hits the market should be enough to land you a decent place without having to overbid.
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Mon Apr 29, 2019 3:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Daughter's First Job
Replies: 45
Views: 4528

Re: Daughter's First Job

Most are looking at this as live at home vs. rent in a HCOL area, but I do think that the full-time vs. contractor aspect of each job also merits some thought.

Benefits have actual value - so if salary is the same, it is likely that the full-time position is a better offer. Additionally, will contractors be invited to staff outings, team-building, or holiday parties? Many are not, for legal and liability reasons. This mattered to me when I was 22, and it matters to me now as an older adult.
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Thu Apr 25, 2019 10:13 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Router with VPN
Replies: 20
Views: 3095

Re: Router with VPN

Any halfway decent router will support VPN, you just have to subscribe to a VPN (I use Private Internet Access) and follow instructions for how to access the router's setup portal and make the adjustment. Honestly, it is much easier to just use VPN software on your computer and be mindful of connecting when banking. The downside of setting up VPN through your router will be that your internet speeds will be slower than they were before, you will have to choose which VPN server to connect to, and that server may be fast some times, and slow other times. It may also be IP blacklisted by certain websites. When you are using a VPN connection via software on your computer, its easy to change the server you're connecting to if its running slowly ...
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Mon Apr 22, 2019 10:50 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Professional Liability Insurance - Consulting Business
Replies: 11
Views: 1127

Re: Professional Liability Insurance - Consulting Business

We have a client that requires $5MM in Professional Liability insurance to the tune of about $16,000/year. We do brand strategy consulting.
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Mon Apr 15, 2019 8:37 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do not use Personal Capital
Replies: 172
Views: 71554

Re: Do not use Personal Capital

Sorry, but a pretty graphical UI doesn't come close to justifying what is essentially a free sales tool for Personal Capital's financial advisors.
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Wed Apr 03, 2019 4:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Part-time job for high school student
Replies: 23
Views: 1701

Re: Part-time job for high school student

If your child is into organized sports, you might consider having him/her explore options for refereeing youth league games on weekends, or working at local youth sports camps during the summer.

I was a state ceritfied soccer referee in the late 1990s when I was in HS, and would routinely get paid $50-$65 per game as the center referee. Could routinely bring in $150 or more (in 1999 dollars) doing 3 games on a Sunday in the fall and spring, all cash.
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Wed Apr 03, 2019 7:59 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: "Stop Asking Kids What They Want to Be When They Grow Up"
Replies: 25
Views: 2368

Re: "Stop Asking Kids What They Want to Be When They Grow Up"

The question itself would not be inherently problematic if we, in America, did a better job of actually educating young people on the skills and requisites needed to enter different lines of work, and provided actual career paths for people. Instead we have guidance counselors, generalized curriculae, and an economy in which a gold watch and pension at 60 are increasingly uncommon. As much as upper middle class Americans like to wax poetic about "not defining themselves by work" - there has and will always be something appropriately dignified about a good day's work, and providing for one's family. I would go so far as to say that dedication and drive toward a specific career path will be less valuable or satisfying for young peop...
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Wed Mar 27, 2019 12:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tattoos and Bogleheads
Replies: 180
Views: 15251

Re: Tattoos and Bogleheads

I have a tattoo on my back left shoulder that I got when I was in my 20s gallivanting around Europe on study abroad. I don't regret it, and frankly the "normalization" of body art in recent years has led me to consider getting another...though I likely won't do so as the "canvas" isn't quite in the shape it used to be. As an aside - several years ago I made the acquaintance of a guy whose family business was tattoo removal. In the course of conversation he told me that the core of their business wasn't young people having a tattoo that they regret removed, but rather, people with extensive body art who want to clear space for new work to be done. Said that most of their referrals come from tattoo studios and people who h...
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Tue Mar 26, 2019 11:48 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Apple Card
Replies: 128
Views: 16903

Re: Apple Card

I do think there's something to be said for a company/card that has an OK cash back structure, no fees, below-average interest, and what I assume will be a very cool, helpful, and intuitive system to track financial health and spending.

Most of the industry that's centered around maximizing rewards completely ignores the fact that the average American has a credit card debt problem and unhealthy spending. While that's not a Bogleheads issue either, I think it is kind of interesting and probably helpful to a lot of people that Apple is throwing their hat into this ring.

And Apple Pay is indeed far more secure than swiping your card.
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Wed Mar 20, 2019 11:25 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Personal HSA Account Transfers
Replies: 7
Views: 671

Re: Personal HSA Account Transfers

You will likely want to avoid transfering all of your funds to Fidelity via a trustee-to-trustee transfer. I recently did this and my legacy HSA provider (benefit wallet) automatically closed my account.

As a result I now have to fill out paperwork (including a notary stamp) to have my account re-opened, while my contributions sit in limbo with payroll provider. When I called to complain, they told me that they auto-close accounts below a certain balance (but not exclusively zero) - but were unable to provide me with whatever that number was.
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Wed Mar 20, 2019 11:12 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Men's travel shoes. One pair for hiking/biking/walking/dining
Replies: 56
Views: 7031

Re: Men's travel shoes. One pair for hiking/biking/walking/dining

Your best bet is all-black trail runners - by Nike, Adidas, or Salomon.

Many of us prefer trail runners to hiking shoes or boots for comfort and versatility on hikes (assuming you're not carrying heavy packs or hiking in wet/snowy weather).

And given the current state of sneaker fashion - you can easily get away with a minimalist all-black shoe with dark jeans/slacks and a sweater/buttondown for dinner.
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Wed Mar 20, 2019 10:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Slow cooker vs Instant pot........
Replies: 62
Views: 6046

Re: Slow cooker vs Instant pot........

If the Instant Pot isn't saving you time, then you're not really using it to make dishes that take advantage of the pressure cooker function.

I meal-prep large batches of chicken tinga in 20 minutes (12 minutes of cook time) that would take literally an entire day if not using a pressure cooker.

I use the Instant Pot for pressure cooking, and a standard Le Cruset inside oven for slow cooking.
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Tue Mar 19, 2019 8:53 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Paris - Is It Safe?
Replies: 143
Views: 12316

Re: Paris - Is It Safe?

I was in Paris 2 weeks ago, it was fine. Protests are generally only on weekends and typically Saturdays. Sometimes they're violent (as they were last weekend) sometimes less so. Protests are usually centered around Champs Elysees, Eiffel Tower, and Republique. But there is beefed up police prescene all over the place. Your hotel can give you more info - but would just plan the trip around doing Champs Elysees and Eiffel Tower on a weekday, and being mindful of where you go on Saturday. I would suggest perhaps spending time in the 6th/St. Germain/Jardin du Luxembourg on Saturday as there was little protest activity on that side of the Seine. I would also suggest utilizing Uber (or taxis) on Saturday vs. the metro. Apparently the metro can b...
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Wed Mar 13, 2019 12:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Travelers Home Insurance
Replies: 7
Views: 1150

Re: Travelers Home Insurance

I have had them for my renters insurance, my wife's engagement ring, and other valuable items coverage for about 8 years now. No claims, but I have found them to be generally good and attentive though their online interface leaves a bit to be desired (as do many insurance companies).

My feeling with Travelers was that they are on the higher-end of the mass insurance companies.
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Wed Mar 13, 2019 12:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Renting in Boston - how difficult with a pit bull?
Replies: 48
Views: 4526

Re: Renting in Boston - how difficult with a pit bull?

Renting will be more difficult than without a pitbull or a dog alltogether, but still do-able. Your best bet is to rent from private landlords (rather than large complexes run by leasing companies). I would suggest being very upfront about it all - so that you don't waste your time (and the landlords) springing the "we have a large pitbull" at the last minute. Be prepared to pay some additional security deposit as you would with any large dog. In my experience (NYC and DC not Boston) large corporate apartment complexes can be more difficult. My current apartment complex maintains a long list of banned dog breeds that was compiled as a result of every incident they've had in the past 2 decades across all of their properties nationw...
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Tue Mar 05, 2019 12:21 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: "A Couple Doesn't Agree On Financial Priorities. How Can They Resolve Their Differences."
Replies: 64
Views: 8785

Re: "A Couple Doesn't Agree On Financial Priorities. How Can They Resolve Their Differences."

"I picked up a few things we needed from the big box store"

This article feels like it was written by a Robo-Advisor.
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Fri Mar 01, 2019 7:51 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What did wise people do with their investments in 2008
Replies: 101
Views: 10447

Re: What did wise people do with their investments in 2008

I was very dumb, but also fortunate to start investing in late 2008-early 2009 when I first became 401k eligible (I was in my 20s).

Prior to that, I had worked for a few years and put money into a TradIRA with Fidelity. Because I was a dumb kid, I didn't know that you had to actually choose mutual funds to invest in, and so for the time period of 2007-2008 my contributions just sat in the default sweep account which I believe was a basic money market.

I even remember older colleages complaining about how their portfolios were down 20% or more, looking at my account's smaller losses and thinking "Wow, I'm a better investor than them because I invested in a Fidelity IRA!"
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Thu Feb 28, 2019 2:10 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Taxes on Large Bonus
Replies: 28
Views: 2679

Re: Taxes on Large Bonus

I don't know how others whose bonuses are a majority/significant part of their compensation do it - but I always just have witholding adjusted on my bonus in the time period between finding out the exact number and the bonus hits the bank account.

If you don't - you will have a big tax bill and will be penalized for under-witholdoing subject to IRS rules (e.g. multiple years of under-payment, or under-payment that exceeds a percentage of total income, etc..)
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Thu Feb 28, 2019 10:37 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Why Working as a Senior Male is Wise...
Replies: 104
Views: 13903

Re: Why Working as a Senior Male is Wise...

One of the big problems we face as a society and a not-insignificant cause of the "retirement savings crisis" is the fact that working into your 70s might be fine for some white-collar/office work type folks.

It most cases it doesn't work for blue-collar types who rely on physical labor to work into their late 60s or 70s. And that's still a lot of people in America.
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Wed Feb 27, 2019 10:53 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Lease renewal: Complex raised rent by 6.5%
Replies: 62
Views: 4028

Re: Lease renewal: Complex raised rent by 6.5%

Negotiating with corporate owner/leasing offices is different than individual human landlords. Assuming the complex lists prices for vacancies online, I would leverage this information and also negotiate with the decision-makers, who are clearly not the community managers you've spoken to. DW and I live in a coporate owned/managed luxury complex in Manhattan. We have been there for 5 years. Prices for vacancies are listed on website and change daily based on supply and demand. On 2 separate occasions after failing to come to acceptable terms on a rent inrease, I let my unit hit the "open market" and then simply re-rented it for less than what they were offering on renewal. Last renewal period, we noticed that a glut of 1BRs (our u...
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Fri Feb 15, 2019 3:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Milestone Speech Question
Replies: 10
Views: 957

Re: Milestone Speech Question

Keep it short and have something to say.

Would avoid trying to be funny. Better to be heartfelt instead.

Leave out all of the stuff about the venue's anniversary or you sharing the same month anniversary as your parents. It's too cute by half and not great material.

Thank everyone for coming. Remark as you look over the room about how great it is to celebrate the 50th anniversary of your parent's marriage with the people they care about most in the world. Talk briefly about a lesson that you've learned from you parents, and how it has enriched your life as a husband and a father. And then raise glasses, thank your parents and tell them you love them, and wish them many more years of happiness. Fin.
by LawyersGunsAndMoney
Fri Feb 15, 2019 12:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: visiting Baltimore
Replies: 55
Views: 6332

Re: visiting Baltimore

Your plans are pretty good. There is also a kids museum at Port DIscovery, Inner Harbor. Lived in Baltimore for 6 yeras. The problem with the city for pedestrian tourists is that the "nice" and dangerous neighborhoods aren't well separated. Pockets of good next to pockets of really really bad. And it isn't a great walking city. Neighborhoods like Federal Hill, Canton, Locust Point, Mount Vernon, Hampden, and Charles Village are all generally fine during the day. If you want to use Uber for destination exploring - all the better. I would second going to Woodberry Kitchen for dinner or brunch. It's really a great restaurant in an interesting part of town. Mount Washington Tavern (far from Inner Harbor, but a 20 minute Uber up 83 int...