Search found 3732 matches

by bob60014
Mon Mar 18, 2024 9:07 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Realtor has ideas and a buyer
Replies: 24
Views: 1796

Re: Realtor has ideas and a buyer

Sounds a bit unethical, IMHO. The realtor was manipulative and self serving if nothing else.
by bob60014
Mon Mar 18, 2024 7:54 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medigappers: which plan do you have and why
Replies: 21
Views: 1746

Re: Medigappers: which plan do you have and why

I'll play, but agree with others, doing a search here will result in hundreds, if not a thousand replies regarding Medigap choices and why they were chosen.

We use a G plan for its overall coverage. With it, we haven't had to pay a penny for services over the last few years.
by bob60014
Mon Mar 18, 2024 7:42 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: navigation system for car
Replies: 51
Views: 2194

Re: navigation system for car

In the OPs case, GARMIN is the option.
by bob60014
Sun Mar 17, 2024 2:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Pointers for Buying 2024 Honda Odyssey EX-L
Replies: 11
Views: 968

Re: Pointers for Buying 2024 Honda Odyssey EX-L

Invoice prices are meaningless. No dealer actually pays that.
by bob60014
Sun Mar 17, 2024 11:35 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Portable Audio - your configuration?
Replies: 9
Views: 571

Re: Portable Audio - your configuration?

I use my cellphone with over the ear earbuds. For me, they're more comfortable than the small earbuds and they dont fall off.
by bob60014
Sun Mar 17, 2024 10:30 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Pointers for Buying 2024 Honda Odyssey EX-L
Replies: 11
Views: 968

Re: Pointers for Buying 2024 Honda Odyssey EX-L

"Dealer-Installed Equipment $995"
Pure profit, unnecessary items.

Perhaps other than the pinstripes, all other items can be easily removed by the dealer and pricing can be negotiated further. It depends how much stomach you have for it.
by bob60014
Sun Mar 17, 2024 8:58 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestions around Dulles-IAD Arrival
Replies: 14
Views: 1378

Re: Suggestions around Dulles-IAD Arrival

SpaghettiLegs wrote: Sun Mar 17, 2024 8:54 am ... Returning from an Ireland trip last summer, we went through US customs at the Dublin airport, thus landing at a regular gate at Dulles. Way, way easier. Not sure what other airports in the Eurozone have that feature but might be worth a look.
Dublin and Shannon are the only preclearance sites in Europe.
by bob60014
Sat Mar 16, 2024 4:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Soccer for kids - supplemental practice drills, suggestions, etc
Replies: 18
Views: 1382

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

Hopefully, the coaches are teaching and not emphasizing the "wins" at that age. If they are win oriented, not much will change to keep the kids interested or motivated.
by bob60014
Sat Mar 16, 2024 4:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Caribbean island in January/February
Replies: 19
Views: 1571

Re: Caribbean island in January/February

afr wrote: Sat Mar 16, 2024 3:59 pm My wife and I honeymooned in Aruba in '89 and went again in '95 and loved the atmosphere, water, beach, etc. But I'm guessing its much too crowded in Jan/Feb. Reservation for beach chairs seems like a cruse ship.
It does get crowded when the cruise ships arrive! Actually, normally we don't find it too crowded, busy yes. We stay in the low rise area but further north in the Palm Beach hi rise area, it does seem always crowded due to the density. We only go up there for occasional meals and window shopping.
by bob60014
Sat Mar 16, 2024 3:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Caribbean island in January/February
Replies: 19
Views: 1571

Re: Caribbean island in January/February

We go to Aruba every year, mid Jan to mid Feb and enjoy it. We stay at Amsterdam Manor and don't have to play the palapas game. Many of the other hotels have gone to the reservation system, which helps eliminating the dawn patrol rush! Iirc, AA has nonstops from PHL, which is bonus, IMHO.
by bob60014
Sat Mar 16, 2024 2:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: London hotel - which neighborhood
Replies: 4
Views: 475

Re: London hotel - which neighborhood

Currently being discussed.

viewtopic.php?t=427136
by bob60014
Sat Mar 16, 2024 6:28 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: “Bellys” on sewer scope for new house
Replies: 41
Views: 2348

Re: HVAC 30 years old on house under contract

I didn't see it, was there actually a inspection contingency in place?
by bob60014
Sat Mar 16, 2024 6:05 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestions around Dulles-IAD Arrival
Replies: 14
Views: 1378

Re: Suggestions around Dulles-IAD Arrival

Uber to Ellicott is $60-$100 depending on vehicle type and time of day and only about an hours drive. No brainer to me, leave the driving to someone else. It lets you start fresh in the a.m..
by bob60014
Fri Mar 15, 2024 9:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Am I Only One Who Hates Having Left Over Pennies
Replies: 53
Views: 4136

Re: Am I Only One Who Hates Having Left Over Pennies

As they say, "don't sweat the small stuff"...........and this is about the smallest thing to sweat over.
My $.02! ;)
by bob60014
Fri Mar 15, 2024 8:38 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Advice re London Neighborhoods, Hotels?
Replies: 21
Views: 1646

Re: Advice re London Neighborhoods, Hotels?

We recently stayed in Bloomsbury and found it to be a very convenient base for all our exploring. We were able to walk to many major sites and due to the great tube, bus and train access, anywhere else was a easy trip.

The Thames Clipper is a great suggestion. A good way to get around and to see some of the sites from a different perspective.
by bob60014
Thu Mar 14, 2024 11:50 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Election spam texts
Replies: 41
Views: 2465

Re: Election spam texts

Fwiw, political calls are exempt from the Do Not Call lists. Funny how that happened! ;)

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/topics/ ... 0charities).
by bob60014
Thu Mar 14, 2024 8:25 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Happy Pi Day! (And what pie?)
Replies: 54
Views: 4545

Re: Happy Pi Day! (And what pie?)

Drivin my Chevy past the levee and will buy some American Pie.....

Apple of course! ;)
by bob60014
Thu Mar 14, 2024 7:12 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Election spam texts
Replies: 41
Views: 2465

Re: Election spam texts

Occasionally I'll play the game and reply something similar to, "congratulations, because of this text, your candidate just LOST MY VOTE!"
by bob60014
Wed Mar 13, 2024 4:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cost of dental visit
Replies: 20
Views: 1363

Re: Cost of dental visit

Just paid $245 for the same.
by bob60014
Wed Mar 13, 2024 2:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Auto insurance in Scotland / UK
Replies: 5
Views: 664

Re: Auto insurance in Scotland / UK

Read the coverage terms & conditions no matter which insurance you choose, especially for UK/Ireland and a few other countries. We've been using our AMEX card along with the AMEX Premium car rental coverage, $20 or $25 per the rental period, not per day. No issues, though we haven't had to make any claims either.

https://feeservices.americanexpress.com ... ge/home.do
by bob60014
Wed Mar 13, 2024 8:10 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 80 year old mother's retirement accounts
Replies: 23
Views: 2107

Re: 80 year old mother's retirement accounts

ILikeFinances wrote: Tue Mar 12, 2024 8:34 pm I am wondering if I should transfer my 80-year-old mother's retirement accounts to Vanguard. She has Roth and traditional IRA accounts with Primerica and a 401k with Sentinel Benefits Group. If I were to transfer her accounts to VG, what would I do exactly? And would I invest 80% in a bond index fund and 20% in total stock market? Should some of it go to an annuity?
Has she asked for your help? Are you authorized to make any changes?
by bob60014
Wed Mar 13, 2024 7:58 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Appliance service wait times
Replies: 6
Views: 872

Re: Appliance service wait times

Yes. The lack of qualified techs is one reason contributing to this.
by bob60014
Tue Mar 12, 2024 9:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Where to take Senior on Caribbean vacation?
Replies: 13
Views: 1020

Re: Where to take Senior on Caribbean vacation?

We're just back after a month in Aruba and was going to suggest it. But after reading your Mom's wish list, it lacks the lush greenery she may want. It is however as Jack stated and is good for getting around. There is also a great walking-bike path runs along Eagle Beach up into the high rise area and beyond that we used just about every day.
by bob60014
Tue Mar 12, 2024 6:14 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Mouse nest in engine compartment after recent service
Replies: 27
Views: 2122

Re: Mouse nest in engine compartment after recent service

Its more likely that they didn't do the inspection.
by bob60014
Tue Mar 12, 2024 5:23 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Have any of you Frugal Zebras Changed Your (Spending) Stripes?
Replies: 129
Views: 10692

Re: Have any of you Frugal Zebras Changed Your (Spending) Stripes?

I’m less frugal in retirement and honestly not finding it difficult. I’m willing to pay for comfort and convenience. Those were not as important to me when I was younger; saving a dollar was the priority. I’m also well aware of the clock ticking, and have more of an “if not now, when?” attitude. Plus we fully retired just as Covid hit, which made me fully appreciate how plans/opportunities can be uprooted out-of-the blue. +1. We were careful during our working years, now it's time to enjoy the fruits of our labor. Not having to overthink the cost of vacations, car purchases, home improvements, everyday purchases, etc.. is actually comforting, in a way. Luckily we have good retirement income streams and haven't had to touch the IRAs and not...
by bob60014
Mon Mar 11, 2024 1:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: When Do You Buy Airline Tickets?
Replies: 25
Views: 2441

Re: When Do You Buy Airline Tickets?

Circe wrote: Mon Mar 11, 2024 1:28 pm ... I went through a discounter but am getting tired of "junk fees." I had to pay a bag fee for the Spirit flight and neither flight has seat assignments. I think that there are front-ish window and aisle seats available for about $18 each. I paid $5 to get boarding pass emailed to me 24 hours ahead.
Paying to get a boarding pass....SMH!!

Always book through the airline and never fly Spirit or Frontier unless you enjoy all the nonsense mentioned above!
by bob60014
Mon Mar 11, 2024 1:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Want to leave timeshare.
Replies: 111
Views: 12034

Re: Get out of a timeshare

The Timeshare Users Group might be a place to start.

https://tug2.net/timeshare_advice/how-t ... TAxODA1OTc.
by bob60014
Mon Mar 11, 2024 8:36 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: W4 withholding
Replies: 8
Views: 714

Re: W4 withholding

Use the IRS Tax Withholding estimator to get in the ballpark.

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/tax-wit ... -estimator
by bob60014
Sun Mar 10, 2024 9:47 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Getting off cruise ship a day early
Replies: 20
Views: 3326

Re: Getting off cruise ship a day early

“.....One of their agents told me a few months ago we could get off the ship on Sunday so I forgot about it.....“

Nothing in writing, of course?
by bob60014
Sat Mar 09, 2024 5:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Electrical Outlet Covers
Replies: 48
Views: 3697

Re: Electrical Outlet Covers

Google, electrical supply store.
by bob60014
Sat Mar 09, 2024 4:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How much do you spend a month on food?
Replies: 334
Views: 29227

Re: What's normal for grocery costs for a family?

Location dependent, along with your normal and our normal are most likely different. :)
by bob60014
Sat Mar 09, 2024 11:41 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How do you decide air travel priorities? Flight to CDG
Replies: 38
Views: 2602

Re: How do you decide air travel priorities? Flight to CDG

MSP nonstop is a no brainer. Less hassle overall.
by bob60014
Sat Mar 09, 2024 8:21 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: new mid/upper range hotels
Replies: 7
Views: 1022

Re: new mid/upper range hotels

When I'm traveling and just need a quick overnight rest, I have for years focused on a Courtyard or a Hampton Inn. Multi night stays are a different matter and worth looking into airbnb, resorts, etc. I'm starting to realize that these old reliable are getting tired. There are many new hotel names from the big chains like Tru, Moxy and Aloft - and I'm looking for ideas to refresh my old choices. I've stayed in a couple Aloft and one Moxy, usually in smaller towns that don't have nicer hotels. They were totally fine; new, modern looking, and clean, but nothing special. Like any other hotel, you can't really trust the brand, but rather the individual hotel. There are some excellent Courtyard properties and some horrible Courtyard properties....
by bob60014
Fri Mar 08, 2024 9:06 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can I splurge on a family vacation to Hawaii?
Replies: 56
Views: 4798

Re: Can I splurge on a family vacation to Hawaii?

If you can cover the cost, do it while you can. You don't need anyone's permission.
by bob60014
Fri Mar 08, 2024 7:51 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Portable generator issues
Replies: 20
Views: 2070

Re: Portable generator issues

You replaced the carb, but did you properly adjust it? Too lean of fuel mixture is the usual cause.
by bob60014
Fri Mar 08, 2024 6:25 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Your Original Medicare OR Advantage Experience: Nightmare or Sublime?
Replies: 156
Views: 9921

Re: Your Original Medicare Experience: Nightmare or Sublime?

bradinsky wrote: Thu Mar 07, 2024 6:38 pm As I have stated many times on this forum, paired with a supplemental G plan, it’s the absolute best insurance we have ever had.
+1!
by bob60014
Fri Mar 08, 2024 5:04 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Flying to London - Delta or British Airways
Replies: 58
Views: 5432

Re: Flying to London - Delta or British Airways

coolasadog wrote: Thu Mar 07, 2024 10:25 pm
Rent car on one way and avoid parking. Costco rental car resv is often good value as well as discount code on Avis/Hertz, etc
Parking at ORD, when parking in the economy lots, is only $15/day.
by bob60014
Thu Mar 07, 2024 7:27 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5973
Views: 690080

Re: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]

Rewatching the original Frasier . I had forgotten just how clever the writing was. Just finished a six-episode season of Funny Woman on PBS. British show about a free-spirited girl trying to make her way in comedy in 1960s London. It's cute, and the soundtrack brings back memories. We really enjoyed Funny Woman. We streamed it through our PBS Passport membership which didn't bleep any of the dialog. (It's not that I wanted to hear all the four letter words, but when watching it live/recorded on our local PBS channel, so many words were muted that it broke up the dialog too much.) I liked the soundtrack, the 60s clothing and that beautiful red Austin Healey. It will be back for a second season, in the form of four one-hour episodes. That's ...
by bob60014
Wed Mar 06, 2024 7:57 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: AARP/UHC Medigap policies
Replies: 40
Views: 3176

Re: AARP/UHC Medigap policies

In Illinois and have used UHC/AARP Plan G without issues. Website easy to navigate, bills paid quickly, no surprises and other than paying the G premiums (currently $136/mo which has risen about $5/yr for the last 5 yrs) and yearly Part B deductible, we haven't paid another penny for care.
by bob60014
Tue Mar 05, 2024 2:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Non-WiFi Dishwasher Needed Software Update
Replies: 33
Views: 2898

Re: Non-WiFi Dishwasher Needed Software Update

Make and model number of the dw?
by bob60014
Tue Mar 05, 2024 9:51 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Experiences with special orders with Home Depot and Lowes
Replies: 16
Views: 1848

Re: Experiences with special orders with Home Depot and Lowes

We've had several projects over the years and haven't had a issue with the special order process with either, even during Covid, surprisingly!
by bob60014
Tue Mar 05, 2024 9:39 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Flying to London - Delta or British Airways
Replies: 58
Views: 5432

Re: Flying to London - Delta or British Airways

We fly both AA and BA nonstops out of ORD to LHR often, and both are fine. AA and BA codeshare so look closely at the flights, you may actually be flying on AA metal! For the $2k savings for 1 hour extra drive time, it's a no brainer to me.
by bob60014
Tue Mar 05, 2024 8:35 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Giving (unequal) money to adult children
Replies: 90
Views: 8263

Re: Giving (unequal) money to adult children

Stinky wrote: Tue Mar 05, 2024 8:23 am
bob60014 wrote: Tue Mar 05, 2024 8:11 am
What gift? Unless I missed something, it's a loan being paid back.
OP proposes to borrow the money from her 403b, give it to child, and repay her 403b loan without asking for repayment from child.

So it is a gift from parent to child.
Ahh, missed it. That's what I get for not having the wakeup cup of coffee first! Thanks
by bob60014
Tue Mar 05, 2024 8:11 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Giving (unequal) money to adult children
Replies: 90
Views: 8263

Re: Giving (unequal) money to adult children

"Has anyone had terrible blowback from this sort of gift, financially?"

What gift? Unless I missed something, it's a loan being paid back.
by bob60014
Mon Mar 04, 2024 2:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Getting new car
Replies: 53
Views: 6242

Re: Car Insurance Issues

After signing the papers, I just add the new vehicle to the coverage on the insurance company app, while enjoying another cup of coffee in the waiting area at the dealer. It takes about three minutes.
by bob60014
Mon Mar 04, 2024 9:03 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Kitchen Cabinet Cost
Replies: 37
Views: 3169

Re: Kitchen Cabinet Cost

$49k isn't unusual nowadays. Shop around a bit, do you really want high end or are just being guided by the designer?
by bob60014
Mon Mar 04, 2024 8:16 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: At what point in a car’s life do you try miracle elixir fixes?
Replies: 36
Views: 3321

Re: At what point in a car’s life do you try miracle elixir fixes?

......excuse me while I go out to change my points, plugs, condenser and adjust the distributor and timing. So it was back in the early 70s that was the last time I used STP or other rubbish.
by bob60014
Sun Mar 03, 2024 5:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What laptop to buy for TurboTax business?
Replies: 13
Views: 1790

Re: What laptop to buy for TurboTax business?

Atwater28 wrote: Sun Mar 03, 2024 4:53 pm What laptop would you recommend for doing TurboTax business on? TurboTax requires windows computer. Would only use computer to do taxes each year and then put away. Was thinking of getting this dell inspiron 16 laptop for $499, but not sure if anything else is better. Thank you.
Any current laptop will work. Why in the world would you use once, then put away? Once the tax is computed and filed, just delete the program. Do save all the TT .tax files so they can be used next year to populate the TT prior year fields. Then use the laptop.