Search found 330 matches

by surveyor
Mon Mar 18, 2024 3:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Soccer for kids - supplemental practice drills, suggestions, etc
Replies: 18
Views: 1387

Re: Soccer for kids - supplemental practice drills, suggestions, etc

USA Soccer, Youtube, etc has good videos for drills. Stop going to/from the field. If you have green space nearby get some disc cones and create your own training area. Juggling, dribbling, footwork drills, etc. can all be done alone at home with a small yard. If you don't have a good brick wall for him to use as a backstop/rebounder you can pickup an old heavy folding table and put it on its side. Perfect to practice passing/receiving. Work both feet. Did you throw a baseball with your dad or kids in the neighborhood? Get out and kick back and forth together.
by surveyor
Wed Jan 31, 2024 12:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Grass seed methods, timing, etc.
Replies: 35
Views: 2699

Re: Grass seed methods, timing, etc.

I like Jonathan Green Black Beauty and add a bit of Bluegrass. Soil temperature is key for germinating, as is h2o. I rake the soil loose, spread the seed, and spread a light layer of bagged pulverized top soil. I have never had an issue, but I do it in September.

If you do it in the Spring make sure that no product with crabgrass preventer is used - that stuff works by preventing anything from germinating. Blue grass is slower to germinate, 30+ days. I've heard of people putting seed on snow during the winter and having it germinate in the spring. No idea if that works. Hydroseeding may be an option too.
by surveyor
Wed Jan 31, 2024 12:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: college decision: UIUC or UF for ECE?
Replies: 339
Views: 31719

Re: college decision: $63k UIUC ECE or full-ride UF ECE?

I posted what my daughter is like in OP. Can you take another look? Of course, at college, she will grow and form a new personality. But as of now, given her "current" personality, I'm not 100% sure whether UF will push her to reach her potential. Have you looked at the first two years of the programs? Unless something has changed there are very few engineering courses. I'd say it's similar to an extension of HS with a couple of introductory engineering courses in the second year. If she isn't motivated currently, the early college classroom isn't going to help. You're looking at classes with hundreds of students and professors that typically aren't engaged. That will change with time but realize 1/3 of the kids who start freshma...
by surveyor
Tue Jan 30, 2024 11:55 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: college decision: UIUC or UF for ECE?
Replies: 339
Views: 31719

Re: college decision: $63k UIUC ECE or full-ride UF ECE?

Do not discount the weather factor. Purdue and UIUC haven't seen the sun in over a week. Snow isn't a factor as much as it used to be, but below zero windchills are still common. SAD is a real thing. There are reasons the wealthy midwest move to Florida permanently or snowbird. However, this Saturday will be sunny and 54 degrees. People will be in shorts. Take advantage of the discount airlines that fly us to Florida all winter, but do it before college spring breaks startin March. Consider flying in/out of Indy. It's an easy airport on the west side of the city and less than 2 hours to both schools. I'm a Purdue engineering grad and wouldn't recommend someone from out-of-state attending there vs. UIUC unless scholarship dollars are availab...
by surveyor
Wed Nov 29, 2023 1:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: LA/Vegas/Grand Canyon trip
Replies: 56
Views: 5731

Re: LA/Vegas/Grand Canyon trip

zie wrote: Wed Nov 29, 2023 11:19 am

Correct. But just next door it's legal, under 1hr drive, many will even come pick you up, door to door service. I used to work at one, the rules sometimes bordered on ridiculous.
I'll buy the beer if you tell the stories. I can't imagine.
by surveyor
Thu Nov 09, 2023 8:10 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: City wants "Temporary Limited Easement" from me
Replies: 42
Views: 8012

Re: City wants "Temporary Limited Easement" from me

Talk to the firm that sent you the letter. Likely they are the Buyer for the city and have access to the project plans. Get a look at those so you understand what is happening. If your fence was getting messed with it would be a cost to cure item on the offer, similar to the trees.
by surveyor
Wed Oct 11, 2023 11:30 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Career/education mentoring/counseling for a young engineer
Replies: 47
Views: 4431

Re: Career/education mentoring/counseling for a young engineer

Have him consider going federal. Both Kansas City and St Louis have Corps of Engineers offices. They have multiple programs and a person could move within the organization to gain wider experience. The 3 major programs are dams/civil works, military installation design/construction, and hazardous waste remediation. I know of several MOS&T geological engineers that work there. Federal is not top end $ but for Midwest at least, is fairly competitive and better than state jobs. With direct hire authority, best to email resume direct to hiring managers which may take some leg work to get emails, but not that hard. Would start with those in Engineering Division. Could also check with MOS&T guidance office and attend their career fairs. ...
by surveyor
Mon Oct 02, 2023 11:37 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Vocational colleges for a Mech Eng/Aero Eng major
Replies: 92
Views: 12084

Re: Vocational colleges for a Mech Eng/Aero Eng major

https://polytechnic.purdue.edu/find-your-major

vs

https://engineering.purdue.edu/Engr

Hands-on versus allowed to sit for the Professional Engineer exam. You can start on the engineering side and move to the tech side. I wouldn't count on starting tech and moving to engineering.
by surveyor
Thu Sep 14, 2023 8:03 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: State DOT damaged my driveway
Replies: 5
Views: 1455

Re: State DOT damaged my driveway

Pretty good advice. Don't bother with the engineer in charge of the project. Call the region/district DOT and ask for the engineer in charge of the area/region. Here, that is the Area Engineer and there are a handful for each district. Your DOT probably has a different nomenclature. More than likely they will have to sign off on any repairs so it's better to get them involved/aware up-front.
by surveyor
Tue Aug 01, 2023 7:13 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone else seeing sharp rise in homeowner's policy?
Replies: 87
Views: 9420

Re: Anyone else seeing sharp rise in homeowner's policy?

Huge rise in the midwest. Changed carriers and got coverage at $2500 with a 5k deductible. However, wind/hail claims now come with a deductible of 1% of structure replacement cost ($7,500 in my case).
by surveyor
Fri Jun 09, 2023 9:20 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Chipmunks
Replies: 32
Views: 2442

Re: Chipmunks

5 gallon bucket. Water. Bird Seed. Ramp.
by surveyor
Thu May 25, 2023 7:30 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Wife's John Hancock 401(k) Total Expenses
Replies: 79
Views: 5118

Re: Wife's John Hancock 401(k) Total Expenses

I would suggest the employer pay the admin fees.
by surveyor
Thu May 04, 2023 10:10 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Selling small business
Replies: 7
Views: 939

Re: Selling small business

A business worth 5m should have an accountant and attorney. Both should be involved in the sale. I suspect the accountant can recommend a valuation consultant. They should value the business using multiple methods and will recommend one way depending on the goals. Even then, it's just a basis for negotiations. It's worth is what someone is willing to pay for it under the terms.

Good luck with the tax part.
by surveyor
Thu Apr 20, 2023 7:00 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Gated community - too much hassle?
Replies: 68
Views: 8515

Re: Gated community - too much hassle?

Here gated communities are responsible for their street maintenance. Depending on the neighborhood, that can be quite an assessment when the asphalt needs to be milled and resurfaced every 15-20 years. THe city wants nothing to do with it - they are considered private streets like someone's driveway.
by surveyor
Wed Apr 19, 2023 7:03 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Alaska Cruise - use travel agent?
Replies: 15
Views: 2113

Re: Alaska Cruise - use travel agent?

We have used Costco Travel for several cruises.
by surveyor
Thu Mar 02, 2023 5:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Advantages of switching to an S-Corp
Replies: 16
Views: 1540

Re: Advantages of switching to an S-Corp

S-corp will pass through income/losses to you personally. If you're doing it right, you will likely be paying estimated taxes quarterly on income you don't have. An accountant can help you on what you should send (at a minimum do a distribution from the business for taxes).

We had an interest in changing our S-corp to a C-corp for a particular reason. It is possible but there are some double taxation issues or something. Point is, make sure you get with the right professionals and get it right for your situation.
by surveyor
Wed Feb 22, 2023 8:54 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Small business 401k
Replies: 51
Views: 5095

Re: Small business 401k

You'll be a named fiduciary. As the employer offering the plan I don't think there is a way around that. I see this as troubling for small businesses. They either have to do a bunch of work with an EF type outfit or go with a high cost plan provider.

Also, there are rules regarding highly compensated employees (HCE). You can avoid testing altogether with a safe-harbor, but that requires employer contributions. Did you look into a SIMPLE IRA plan?
by surveyor
Tue Feb 21, 2023 1:54 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Small business 401k
Replies: 51
Views: 5095

Re: Small business 401k

Keep in mind that you have a fudiciary duty as plan administrator.
by surveyor
Thu Feb 09, 2023 6:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can we afford a move to a mountain town?
Replies: 59
Views: 9074

Re: Can we afford a move to a mountain town?

Have you priced what it will cost you to have those kid(s) on the county ski team?
by surveyor
Mon Nov 07, 2022 8:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Snow Country Trip- What Clothes to Buy?
Replies: 44
Views: 3835

Re: Snow Country Trip- What Clothes to Buy?

Balacava and goggles if wind is a consideration. Wind is a game-changer and can turn 10 degrees into -20.
by surveyor
Tue May 03, 2022 1:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: In ground basketball hoop - please help me pick
Replies: 27
Views: 5111

Re: In ground basketball hoop - please help me pick

We have "requirements" in our neighborhood for hoops. I went with the Goaliath 54" Prodigy from Dick's. Seemed like a good balance between quality, price and looks. There is some rattle when shooting - probably inevitable unless you go $$$. The worst part was attaching the backboard. There is a Youtube video of the Goaliath install that showed a guy installing the backboard on the ground and using a pickup to set the assembly. I would do that if I had to do it again.
by surveyor
Mon Mar 07, 2022 12:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sewer lateral missing!! who pays for it now?
Replies: 19
Views: 3744

Re: Sewer lateral missing!! who pays for it now?

Find an experienced utility locating service and explain your issue. My guess is that ground penetrating radar might find it depending on depth and soil conditions.
by surveyor
Thu Feb 10, 2022 9:21 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Who Pays? [Neighbor developing backyard "discovered" my sewer lateral]
Replies: 99
Views: 16262

Re: Who Pays? [Neighbor developing backyard "discovered" my sewer lateral]

a) you have an encroachment, now known, on his property or
b) he is going to build a building across an easement that favors you and potentially relocate your sewer lateral outside that easement

Neither of these are good and now you are both aware of the situation. Ignorance is bliss when it comes to disclosure.

If it was me I would also considering replacing a 80-100 year old lateral, likely a clay tile pipe, in conjunction with my neighbors and work with an attorney to make it copasetic from a title standpoint. This isn't just your problem.
by surveyor
Tue Jan 25, 2022 9:37 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Property Survey Issue
Replies: 22
Views: 1976

Re: Property Survey Issue

Adverse possession is rare, but people sure love to talk about it. Open, notorious and a time-frame - all state dependent. Platted land and taxes can also be factors. Again, rare and expensive in most cases. I've seen it once in 25 years and that was against an abandoned railroad that had no interest in defending their title. I would worry more about a prescriptive easement, which is why I suggested granting an easement on your terms and move on. I'm sure there are other things about the house you don't like, just add this to the list.
by surveyor
Tue Jan 25, 2022 8:27 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Property Survey Issue
Replies: 22
Views: 1976

Re: Property Survey Issue

What would be the purpose or even the type of affidavit? The survey says it is encroaching. If you're relying on a mortgage survey, don't. If it is a stakes in the ground survey the neighbor at this point will have seen it. At worse, your title insurance will except it from the policy. Personally, I would disregard the issue for the house purchase unless the lot or property was very small or in an area with valuable land. Once purchased I would approach the neighbors and see if they had a survey with a different opinion of where the property line is. If they built the fence without a survey I would grant them an easement allowing the current fence to stay in place for a)certain amount of time, b)sale of their property, c)it fell into disrep...
by surveyor
Fri Nov 12, 2021 8:37 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buying A Car
Replies: 18
Views: 2090

Re: Buying A Car

There's buying a car in "normal" times and there is buying a car now. I wanted a Camry Hybrid or Rav4 Hybrid. Very difficult to find. Check carvana - used hybrid Rav4's are priced like MSRP of new. I talked to a large dealer who wasn't getting any new Camry's until mid-January. I found another dealer that had one being built next Wednesday he could sell to me. MSRP plus garbage floormat charge and $1000 for delivery processing/handling. At that margin they don't care cash vs. financing.
by surveyor
Fri Jul 16, 2021 11:45 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should We Return to Cruising?
Replies: 58
Views: 6017

Re: Should We Return to Cruising?

I didn't hesitate taking a July 3rd cruise from FTL. Great time. Middle aged and no concerning conditions. What's the point of vaccination if I still sit at home?
by surveyor
Thu Mar 18, 2021 7:01 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Pressure to start returning to the office from WFH
Replies: 14
Views: 1973

Re: Pressure to start returning to the office from WFH

In a survey we did, 95% of employees said they are more productive remotely. That is simply not true for the most part. Most count their commute time into it.
100% want an option to work remotely forever.
50% want to work at the office 3+ days per week.

With a few exceptions we will require employees to be at the office 4 out of 5 days per week when the vaccine is widely available. We have lost a sense of culture, training of newer employees is terrible, overall productivity is down and our billings are starting to waver. We want people like you to be at the office and show our other employees how to do it.

Employees are required to wear masks when they are not in their work area. Non-negotiable. Work areas are spaced appropriately.
by surveyor
Fri Nov 13, 2020 9:35 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New Traeger Pellet Grill - Super Excited!
Replies: 38
Views: 4120

Re: New Traeger Pellet Grill - Super Excited!

I have been happy with mine but I only use it for protein that doesn't need a sear. For a tri-tip or whole chicken that gets smoked, it spends some time on the gas grill before serving. Steaks, chicken parts, etc. only see the gas grill. Maybe I'm doing it wrong.
by surveyor
Fri Oct 23, 2020 12:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Downsizing to one car in a pandemic
Replies: 34
Views: 3795

Re: Downsizing to one car in a pandemic

My wife didn't like her car and we sold it to Carmax in May. Sports came into play this Fall and we ended up double booked on two nights. We managed but it was a lot of driving. We are searching for a "fun" late 60's convertible that is in good shape.
by surveyor
Fri Oct 09, 2020 8:38 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Marketers think I'm elderly. I'm not.
Replies: 47
Views: 5281

Re: Marketers think I'm elderly. I'm not.

When I was 25 a younger friend signed me up for AARP. The gift that keeps on giving.
by surveyor
Fri Aug 28, 2020 1:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Any car enthusiasts? (or soon to be)
Replies: 142
Views: 12439

Re: Any car enthusiasts? (or soon to be)

tyrion wrote: Fri Aug 28, 2020 12:33 pm

And check out the MB forums. MBWorld.org and benzworld.org both have lots of model-specific information.
Appreciate the information!
by surveyor
Fri Aug 28, 2020 12:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Any car enthusiasts? (or soon to be)
Replies: 142
Views: 12439

Re: Any car enthusiasts? (or soon to be)

I'm contemplating a 95 Mercedes E320 convertible. Anyone have idea on what it is going to take to keep that running?

Or a 60's mustang. That I know I can work on.
by surveyor
Wed Aug 12, 2020 12:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Rec'd Unsolicited Offer for Land
Replies: 27
Views: 2689

Re: Rec'd Unsolicited Offer for Land

While it seems trivial, projects can pit neighbor vs. neighbor as they proceed through the approval and/or re-zone process. Are you okay with 1/2 the people in the area hating your guts if you give your blessing by letting them buy the option and start the process?
by surveyor
Thu Jul 23, 2020 2:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Screened in porch - Yay or Nay
Replies: 47
Views: 6089

Re: Screened in porch - Yay or Nay

For 25-35k you should be able put actual doors and windows. That's maybe a 5k material cost for standard doors and big fiberglass windows that slide. Throw in a 2k hotel style heat pump and you have a four season room that adds sq ft.
by surveyor
Mon Jul 13, 2020 3:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: “Surviving” a Florida panhandle vacation
Replies: 38
Views: 5449

Re: “Surviving” a Florida panhandle vacation

We just returned from a month on the Atlantic side near Daytona. The behavior change in a month was noticeable. Most locals follow mask guidelines. Most tourist don't. Beaches in front of hotels were a madhouse. The beach outside of our condo wasn't bad. We stopped doing our large grocery shopping at the beach and went inland. Some restaurants were shutting down for 2 days for sanitizing - clearly a sign that staff had contracted it. We did eat out but only outside between 2 and 4 pm at restaurants where social distancing and server mask wear was in force. We could have stayed as long as we wanted for free but chose to come home. From the behavior I saw at hotels and restaurants, I can only imagine that many tourists are getting the virus d...
by surveyor
Tue May 19, 2020 7:27 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Central Indiana: Reasonable Cost?
Replies: 16
Views: 1474

Re: Central Indiana: Reasonable Cost?

Indy area. Labor is at $60/hr so your job is roughly 95 man hours. Divide that by two guys and you're roughly at a week of labor.
by surveyor
Fri May 15, 2020 12:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Selling home - low ball negotiation
Replies: 145
Views: 15748

Re: Selling home - low ball negotiation

masonstone wrote: Fri May 15, 2020 12:05 pm

How can one find a property in foreclosure?
Wait about 6 months.
by surveyor
Wed Apr 29, 2020 10:57 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: PPP Loan ethics
Replies: 56
Views: 5003

Re: PPP Loan ethics

It's complicated and the short-sightedness by many doesn't help. Taken in context, many of these loans were applied for nearly a month ago when circumstances regarding the loans weren't clear and the future was, at best, muddy. My business applied for and received a loan. Have we been hurt financially? It's tough to say. We've had visible revenue and productivity reductions, but the exact numbers aren't known until monthly billings are completed. In other words, hours worked in early April aren't translated into P&L until second week of May. That will be true for many professional service firms. Paychecks and rent are due now. Receivables, some of which may never come in, are typically 60-90 days out. Many also concentrate on the forgiv...
by surveyor
Thu Apr 16, 2020 1:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Has your PPP loan been processed yet? Ours hasn’t been, and I'm getting concerned
Replies: 102
Views: 10029

Re: Has your PPP loan been processed yet? Ours hasn’t been, and I'm getting concerned

Even more disappointed is the queue will not be maintained. That can't be a difficult thing to maintain now that applications are frozen.
by surveyor
Wed Apr 15, 2020 9:43 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Has your PPP loan been processed yet? Ours hasn’t been, and I'm getting concerned
Replies: 102
Views: 10029

Re: Has your PPP loan been processed yet? Ours hasn’t been, and I'm getting concerned

Our stage is "paralending obtaining SBA Authorization" whatever that means. The banker doesn't know. Application went in 4/6.
by surveyor
Fri Jan 17, 2020 8:08 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Engineers - What are you making? ($$$)
Replies: 357
Views: 54072

Re: Engineers - What are you making?

If there are any experienced road/bridge civils reading this and are willing to relocate to Indiana you will have no problem exceeding 100k. Probably Ohio too. Feel free to message. I'm currently looking for road, bridge, survey and construction inspection staff. Everybody else is too.
by surveyor
Fri Jan 03, 2020 9:13 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Latest updates driving from New Hampshire to Clearwater
Replies: 39
Views: 4117

Re: Latest updates driving from New Hampshire to Clearwater

There are two primary ways for me to get home from Florida. One will run me up 95 to Charleston then NW and the other up 75 through Atlanta. The 95 route is 20 miles longer. Guess which one Waze/Google tells me to take at 6 AM when leaving Florida? Real-time there is no traffic in Atlanta, Chattanooga, Nashville, etc. at 6 AM.
by surveyor
Fri Jan 03, 2020 8:12 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Latest updates driving from New Hampshire to Clearwater
Replies: 39
Views: 4117

Re: Latest updates driving from New Hampshire to Clearwater

setancre wrote: Fri Jan 03, 2020 7:49 am I would just plug the destination into Google Maps on my phone and let it decide in real-time to avoid accidents, unexpected traffic, roadwork, etc.
Apps don't seem to do a good job predicting future traffic.
by surveyor
Thu Dec 19, 2019 11:43 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Injured at work, should I bill my employer?
Replies: 57
Views: 5078

Re: Injured at work, should I bill my employer?

As an employer, I want you to do this through workman's comp. The exact injury and remedy is documented.
by surveyor
Wed Oct 30, 2019 12:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cutting the Cord - NFL Network?
Replies: 65
Views: 8086

Re: Cutting the Cord - NFL Network?

I'm in a similar situation losing VUE. I can't seem to find a service that has Big Ten and NHL and will run on a firestick.
by surveyor
Fri Oct 04, 2019 7:01 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bookkeeping side hustle for wife: thoughts?
Replies: 21
Views: 3150

Re: Bookkeeping side hustle for wife: thoughts?

QuickBooks. Most small companies looking for PT help will likely be using or should be using this. A good target here is 5-20 employee service firms.