Search found 24 matches

by goflyers13
Tue Jan 16, 2024 9:24 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Lost - how to dig myself out
Replies: 24
Views: 2610

Re: Lost - how to dig myself out

Tamalak wrote: Tue Jan 16, 2024 9:09 am I don't see a particular need to do anything. As much as I like index funds, the ER of individual stocks is 0.00%. Personally I'd let them ride and just put dividends and new contributions into indexes from here on out.
I agree with this to a point. We don't know how funds are distributed across companies/sectors. This may not be a great idea if you're heavily concentrated in a small number of companies or industries.
by goflyers13
Wed Jun 14, 2023 11:07 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Low Cost Mobile Phone Plan Options
Replies: 37
Views: 5890

Re: Low Cost Mobile Phone Plan Options

Tello Mobile is another good option. Runs on T-Mobile network. $29/month for unlimited plan, and you don't have to pay for a whole year up front like you do with Mint Mobile. Tello beats Mint on price if you're a light user (<2GB/month) or if you want the unlimited plan.
by goflyers13
Tue Feb 15, 2022 12:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Best credit card for grocery rewards
Replies: 59
Views: 13594

Re: Best credit card for grocery rewards

My wife and I each have a Citi Custom Cash card that we use exclusively for groceries. The card gives you 5% back on your top spending category each month, up to $500 of spending. We split grocery shopping duties, so neither of us come near the $500 limit each month. We effectively get 5% cash back on all groceries.
by goflyers13
Tue Feb 15, 2022 12:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Mattress recommendations?
Replies: 67
Views: 8706

Re: Mattress recommendations?

zlandar wrote: Tue Feb 15, 2022 6:39 am I like my Costco Kirkland S&F bed.
My wife and I have also been really happy with the Kirkland Signature mattress. Stearns and Foster doesn't sell the exact same mattress elsewhere, but based on the features of the mattress, it would probably retail for about double elsewhere. I think it's a really good mattress for the money.
by goflyers13
Tue Aug 03, 2021 9:02 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do we have to claim it as income?
Replies: 22
Views: 2725

Re: Do we have to claim it as income?

My wife will be responsible for obtaining her own liability insurance, Don't underestimate the importance of having really good liability insurance. It sounds like the church is stopping the prior arrangement largely because of the liability risks and insurance problems. She may also need a business license so that would be good to look into. It would also be good to look into what child care center rules she may need to follow. I think we're on the right track for insurance. We have a quote for $1,000,000 of general liability coverage, which is more than enough protection for us. The prior arrangement didn't work because the couple organizing the program couldn't get liability coverage as "secondary instructors." The insurance a...
by goflyers13
Tue Aug 03, 2021 8:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do we have to claim it as income?
Replies: 22
Views: 2725

Re: Do we have to claim it as income?

sailaway wrote: Tue Aug 03, 2021 8:33 pm This screams of dodging insurance, employment and tax rules.
I genuinely don't believe that's what's going on. That's not to say they're doing everything exactly by the book, but they're not acting nefariously. They're just trying to find a structure where everyone involved has proper liability coverage. Either way, the plan was always for the couple organizing the program to cover the instructor payment and insurance out of their own pocket.
by goflyers13
Tue Aug 03, 2021 8:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do we have to claim it as income?
Replies: 22
Views: 2725

Do we have to claim it as income?

Hi all, I'm hoping to find some guidance on an unusual income situation. For the last several years, my wife has taught science for a home school program at a private Christian school, but the school just discontinued the program. A couple formerly involved with the program is trying to start a new independent program. Originally, my wife was to work as a 1099 contractor, but due to complications with the facility they're planning to use and liability insurance, it looks like my wife will have to act as an independent instructor. They've developed a new plan where the parents are to pay a fee directly to my wife to cover materials and equipment. My wife will be responsible for obtaining her own liability insurance, and she will have her own...
by goflyers13
Tue Nov 17, 2020 2:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Essential kitchen appliances?
Replies: 55
Views: 4053

Re: Essential kitchen appliances?

I'd start with a few essentials:
  • Chef's knife
  • Paring knife
  • Cutting board
  • Nonstick skillet
  • Cast iron skillet
  • Large Pot
  • Mixing bowls
  • Measuring cups & spoons
  • Tongs, spoons, rubber spatulas, whisk, etc.
  • Aluminum half sheet pans
  • Instant read thermometer
I'm sure I'm leaving some things off the list, but that's a good start. You can always buy new equipment as needed.

Here's a good resource for product recommendations:
https://www.seriouseats.com/2017/06/bas ... pment.html

p.s. Don't buy a knife set. You'll get better knives for your money if you buy individual knives.
by goflyers13
Tue Nov 17, 2020 2:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Essential kitchen appliances?
Replies: 55
Views: 4053

Re: Essential kitchen appliances?

Cast iron pans. They are cheap, last forever, and the food tastes good. To be very simple, you can just put some oil on whatever you are cooking and stick it in the oven on 350 or so. I know that is likely true but I can't get over not cleaning/scrubbing pots and pans. Yeah, stupid but true. Contrary to conventional wisdom, you actually can wash cast iron pans with soap and water. I wash my cast iron pans with soap and water every time I use them. Just make sure you dry your pans immediately after washing to prevent rust. See myth #4 at this link: https://www.seriouseats.com/2014/11/the-truth-about-cast-iron.html Thanks. Maybe I bought cheap ones but when I tried cleaning them, it just seemed to get sticky. I ended up only using the pan wi...
by goflyers13
Tue Nov 17, 2020 12:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Essential kitchen appliances?
Replies: 55
Views: 4053

Re: Essential kitchen appliances?

rich126 wrote: Tue Nov 17, 2020 12:35 pm
dsmil wrote: Tue Nov 17, 2020 12:11 pm Cast iron pans. They are cheap, last forever, and the food tastes good. To be very simple, you can just put some oil on whatever you are cooking and stick it in the oven on 350 or so.
I know that is likely true but I can't get over not cleaning/scrubbing pots and pans. Yeah, stupid but true.
Contrary to conventional wisdom, you actually can wash cast iron pans with soap and water. I wash my cast iron pans with soap and water every time I use them. Just make sure you dry your pans immediately after washing to prevent rust.

See myth #4 at this link:
https://www.seriouseats.com/2014/11/the ... -iron.html
by goflyers13
Fri Aug 21, 2020 9:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11152
Views: 2086082

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

wilson08 wrote: Fri Aug 21, 2020 7:54 pm
Jim Beaux wrote: Fri Aug 21, 2020 3:45 pm Death at a Funeral.
Netflix.

Pretty entertaining & at times I laughed out loud.
There is a version that was released in 2007 & then this one in 2010 with Chris Rock, Danny Glover, Martin Lawrence, Kevin Hart, Tracy Morgan and many other supporting cast.

Movie is absurd, irrelevant, goofy at times and what I liked best was it's different.

I intend to find the 2007 version.
I saw the 2007 version at a movie theater.
Highly recommended.
I'll second this. 2007 version is hysterically funny. One of the funniest movies I've ever seen.
by goflyers13
Thu Aug 06, 2020 4:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cookware (frying pan) for a glass cooktop?
Replies: 24
Views: 2259

Re: Cookware (frying pan) for a glass cooktop?

This might be outside the scope of the original question, but I'll give my two cents on cookware. I'd consider myself an advanced home cook, and I've done a lot of research and experimentation with different products. I don't think you don't need to worry about cast iron scratching your glass cooktop. The glass in those cooktops is much harder than cast iron, so the iron literally can't scratch the glass. Perhaps the pan could drag a hard particle across the stove, but that could happen with any material. I also wouldn't be too concerned about cast iron cracking your cooktop. A crack is most likely to occur when you have a sudden change in temperature inducing thermal stress. Cast iron probably won't heat or cool the cooktop quickly enough ...
by goflyers13
Tue Mar 17, 2020 8:18 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Teflon pan brand
Replies: 24
Views: 1203

Re: Teflon pan brand

I've been really happy with the ones recommended in this article:

https://www.seriouseats.com/2017/02/why ... -best.html

That being said, nonstick pans are not the workhorse of my kitchen. I don't use them for much besides eggs. Cast iron pans are very inexpensive and will last a lifetime with proper care. They also aren't as difficult to maintain as people think. You can actually wash them with soap and water. See the link below if you're feeling adventurous:

https://www.seriouseats.com/2016/09/how ... kware.html
by goflyers13
Wed Jan 22, 2020 3:14 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard's new game - has anyone played it?
Replies: 21
Views: 5042

Re: Vanguard's new game - has anyone played it?

happysteward wrote: Tue Jan 21, 2020 8:44 pm I kept the old car and lost points, bummer
Haha same here. I take issue with the question. What's wrong with the engine? What if I can get another 100,000 miles out of the car by spending $2000 on a repair? That's certainly better than buying a new car.
by goflyers13
Wed Jan 22, 2020 3:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Engineers - What are you making? ($$$)
Replies: 357
Views: 54336

Re: Engineers - What are you making? ($$$)

I'm with the people who have commented that the salaries posted in this thread seem unusually high. I'm sure there's some selection bias on this forum, but I'd be really surprised to hear of an engineer earning more than $150-$175k in my LCOL area. Here are my stats: Research engineer at a university research institute B.S mechanical engineering M.S. materials engineering 6.5 years experience $81k salary 7% 401k match $1000 HSA contribution Very low insurance premiums (about $2k/year for family medical, dental, and vision) 35-40 hrs/week, flexible hrs & location 12 sick days/year 18 vacation days/year 16 paid holidays/year FREE college tuition for children if I stick around long enough (and they don't pull the rug out from under me) I c...
by goflyers13
Wed Nov 06, 2019 7:59 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Health Insurance - HSA during birth year?
Replies: 27
Views: 1718

Re: Health Insurance - HSA during birth year?

My wife and I had our first baby earlier this year, so I'll throw in my two cents. As others have mentioned, your decision will ultimately come down to the specific details of the plans available to you. You'll just have to run the numbers the best you can. In our case, it's cheaper to go with the high-deductible plan no matter what healthcare expenses we incur. I wouldn't be so certain that you'll hit your out-of-pocket max. Our total bill for a routine delivery with an epidural came out to $10,000 before insurance. Look for a list of prices for common services on your hospital's website. Our hospital estimated that a routine delivery would cost $11,000, so they weren't too far off. Since our Q4 expenses from the previous year are applied ...
by goflyers13
Thu Oct 10, 2019 7:05 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Statistics question
Replies: 33
Views: 3613

Re: Statistics question

I tried simulating this in R, with 100,000 trials. I’m getting a 28% loss after 10 years in the 1st percentile and a 7% loss in the 5th percentile. I know there are people on this forum who code for a living, so would welcome anybody who would like to check my work. Here is the code: # Inputs n <- 100000 years <- 10 meany <- 0.058 standy <- 0.114 x <- rep(1,n) # Vector of length n # do n trials of duration years for (i in 1:years){ x <- x * (1 + rnorm(n,meany,standy)) } # check mean(x) (1+meany)^years ordered <- sort(x) # 1st percentile ordered[n/100] # 5th percentile ordered[n/20] I did the same thing in MATLAB and got the same results. For a 5-year simulation, the 1st percentile is -29%, and the 5th percentile is -15%. See code below: % ...
by goflyers13
Mon Jul 22, 2019 10:08 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Your pick for a lawn edger
Replies: 30
Views: 3489

Re: Your pick for a lawn edger

My experience is that string trimmers are just no as effective as blades. It will also need to be cordless and hopefully something that lasts a long time. I'm sorry you feel this way. It's a glorious revelation to understand the edging power of a good string trimmer. The best part: you don't need to flush away an extra $200 on a unitasker! You only need one device to trim and edge! I spent a couple summers working for a lawn service during high school/college, and we always used string trimmers to edge. It takes a little practice and technique, but it's very fast and effective once you have it down. With a proper string trimmer, I can edge a typical suburban lot (1/3 acre, driveway, sidewalk to the front door and along the road, curb, pati...
by goflyers13
Mon Mar 26, 2018 11:08 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Underrated places to visit in U.S.?
Replies: 126
Views: 17679

Re: Underrated places to visit in U.S.?

A tour of the coast of Lake Michigan would make a great summer trip! Lots to do, and lots of beautiful scenery to see. You could easily stretch this out over two or three weeks or more or just tour a small part of the coast. If I were taking this trip, it might look something like this: Fly into Chicago, rent a car, and head north to Wisconsin Check out Milwaukee for a day Play a round of golf with amazing views of Lake Michigan at Whistling Straits If you pick the right week (July 23-29 this year), catch a day of the Oshkosh Airshow Visit Lambeau Field in Green Bay (I'm a Packers fan) Head up to the Upper Peninsula in Michigan and hike the Hiawatha National Forest and Sault Ste. Marie State Forest Take the Ferry to Mackinac Island Cross th...
by goflyers13
Sat Jan 27, 2018 10:06 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Your favorite beach vacation destination?
Replies: 64
Views: 8142

Re: Your favorite beach vacation destination?

Playa Hermosa in Costa Rica is the most beautiful beach I've ever visited. The water was warm, the sunsets over the Pacific were stunning, and the scenery was gorgeous. Most east-coast beaches look totally boring in comparison. My family and I flew from Columbus, OH to Liberia (the Costa Rican city, not the country) for $350/ticket round trip in summer 2016. The beach isn't more than a 30-minute drive from the airport. We stayed in a no-frills Airbnb house right on the beach for $115/night. There were also plenty of nicer options for those willing to pay a bit more. As an added bonus, there's a lush, beautiful rainforest/volcano only a couple hours away. We split our time between the rainforest and the beach, and it was one of the two best ...
by goflyers13
Tue Dec 12, 2017 11:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: prudent buying a refurbished laptop?
Replies: 25
Views: 4025

Re: prudent buying a refurbished laptop?

aristotelian wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 10:12 am The whole point of the "refurbished" label is that it is used but comes with at least some warranty. You do want to check to see how it compares, but it should come with something.
I think the warranty coverage depends on where you buy the refurbished product. If you buy a refurbished iPhone straight from Apple, you'll probably get better warranty coverage than if you buy it from a 3rd party seller. You'll also probably pay more buying from Apple. I've always bought from 3rd party sellers, and I don't believe I've ever had warranty coverage beyond the return policy.
by goflyers13
Tue Dec 12, 2017 9:40 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: prudent buying a refurbished laptop?
Replies: 25
Views: 4025

Re: prudent buying a refurbished laptop?

The main drawback of buying refurbished electronics is that you probably won't get any warranty coverage. Look at the return policy. Can you return the laptop for a full refund if you get a defective unit? Some sellers offer a 90 day return policy on refurbished electronics, effectively giving you a 3-month warranty. Electronic devices are most likely to fail very early in their lives (a phenomenon called burn-in in the reliability world), so you're probably in good shape if you make it through the first 90 days. For what it's worth, I've bought 2 refurbished TVs, 3 refurbished phones, a refurbished Surface tablet, and a refurbished Xbox. Every single one of them arrived in like-new condition, and I've never had a problem with any of them. ...
by goflyers13
Mon Oct 30, 2017 11:17 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should I pay extra on my mortgage?
Replies: 11
Views: 2479

Should I pay extra on my mortgage?

My wife and I were recently married, and we're still in the process of combining our finances and adjusting how we allocate our money now that we have two incomes and only one residence. I purchased a condo 2.5 years ago, about 3 weeks before I met my wife, and I've been making the minimum payment on the mortgage since I bought it. I don't have a crystal ball, but I expect to stay in the condo for another 3-5 years before selling it and purchasing a house. I expect the house will cost between $225k and $275k, and I hope to have a down payment of at least 50%. In the break-down below, you'll see that we have about $20k annually to contribute to our future down payment. I'm trying to decide what to do with these funds. Option 1 is to put the ...
by goflyers13
Tue Sep 19, 2017 8:44 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Memory Foam Mattress Recomendations
Replies: 63
Views: 10255

Re: Memory Foam Mattress Recomendations

Until my wife and I moved in together, I had never slept on anything but a traditional spring mattress. I always slept very well on spring mattresses, almost always sleeping straight through the night. My wife's memory foam mattress (for which she had paid more than a pretty penny) was a scourge upon my sleep. The memory foam wasn't quite as firm as I'd like, but that wasn't a deal breaker. The real problem: heat retention. With spring mattresses, you sleep on a thin layer of insulating foam, but the volume containing the springs is mostly air. All that empty space basically acts as a passive ventilation system. Memory foam mattresses, on the other hand, are essentially a foot-thick block of insulating foam. They absorb your body heat, and ...