Search found 154 matches

by shawndoggy
Wed May 12, 2021 5:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Good Modern Science Fiction
Replies: 760
Views: 149471

Re: Good Modern Science Fiction

ososnilknarf wrote: Sat Apr 24, 2021 1:23 pm I enjoyed the Three Body Problem trilogy too.
Me too. I listened to all three books as audiobooks.
by shawndoggy
Sat Apr 24, 2021 8:13 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Wireless Earbuds/Headphones Recommendations?
Replies: 53
Views: 9719

Re: Wireless Earbuds/Headphones Recommendations?

For someone who just wants to try them out, these monoprice cheapies are pretty nice and they are what I use for exercising and yard work: https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=42010&gclid=CjwKCAjwg4-EBhBwEiwAzYAlshmkXilNvuBjyNbQcyO1LvoU1i4fmkjOlGmdm8nHBJYhqtiatXRN7BoCz18QAvD_BwE They frequently go on sale for $15 too! I like them better than my AirPods Pro where passive noise cancellation is important (think running a leaf blower) though I still haven’t found anything better than my wired etymotic earbuds with foam tips for that). That said for around the house and at work I absolutely love the AirPods Pro. Great integration in the Apple ecosystem, transparency mode, very fast pairing, good call quality and the mic works well for call...
by shawndoggy
Wed Mar 10, 2021 12:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Fiat Spider 124 Qs
Replies: 16
Views: 1164

Re: Fiat Spider 124 Qs

I looked hard at these before deciding to go with a Miata (got a great deal on a 2016 GT (manual)). I actually really like the styling of the 124s, but didn't like the idea of going to my local dodge dealer for service.

Assuming the driving dynamics of the 124 and miata are pretty similar... my experience has been "why did I wait so long to buy this car?!" It's a ton of fun, SUPER frugal on gas (I get 35 in town), and an absolute blast to drive.
by shawndoggy
Tue Jun 30, 2020 2:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: I'm Buying a Boat...
Replies: 112
Views: 9460

Re: I'm Buying a Boat...

With that salary and savings, I'd strongly consider buying a new boat. When I decided to buy a boat, I spent a year preparing. I read everything, I spent days at our local boat ramp talking with owners as they entered and exited the water, I visited all the local dealers. In the end, both the majority opinion I heard and one in particular stuck with me. You can buy new and spend your time in the boat on the water or you can buy used and spend your time fixing things on the boat on the trailer in your driveway. We bought a new Four Winns Horizon 180 (18 foot inboard/outboard) with the usual extras for $15,500. It worked well for us, was a great boat, was easy to winterize (literally pull one plug and if you want, pour anti freeze in to make...
by shawndoggy
Mon Jun 29, 2020 3:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: I'm Buying a Boat...
Replies: 112
Views: 9460

Re: I'm Buying a Boat...

fatmike91 wrote: Mon Jun 29, 2020 7:25 am $24K for a 12 year old boat that is only 21' long??? Oh boy. That feels really expensive to me. Like crazy money
Feels about right for an I/O in season.

Ha, If you were talking wakeboats I’d think you’d be looking at 40k for a 2008. For a boat that probably sold new for $50-55k.
by shawndoggy
Tue Jun 23, 2020 6:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Made a horrible decision with regards to car. need guidance
Replies: 60
Views: 7097

Re: Made a horrible decision with regards to car. need guidance

honestly I just looked at the tires for the 21" wheels it came with the only option I found was the stock summer tires or another summer one. I could shell out thousands for new wheels and tires though which would make it work but I don't have storage for the other wheels and its a huge hassle. I don't enjoy the car enough to go through all of it wheels and tires aren't bigger than tires? If you could store your winter tires in summer why can't you store a wheel / tire package? You can get 21" snows, but it'd be cheaper to get 19s and wheels: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Pirelli&tireModel=Winter+Sottozero+3+Run+Flat&partnum=44VR1SZ3XLRFT&wTire=0&autoMake=Lexus&autoYear=2018&autoModel=L...
by shawndoggy
Tue Jun 23, 2020 6:47 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Made a horrible decision with regards to car. need guidance
Replies: 60
Views: 7097

Re: Made a horrible decision with regards to car. need guidance

If I go on tirerack.com, I can build winter wheel/tire packages for an LC500. Why do you think you cannot get winter tires?
by shawndoggy
Fri Oct 18, 2019 12:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How do I store a boat this winter?
Replies: 20
Views: 2093

Re: How do I store a boat this winter?

If the boat is going to be laid up for an extended period over the winter (i.e. your aren't gonna use it), shrink wrap is mucho preferable to a canvas cover. Canvas is pourous and even if coated (i.e. "waterproofed") it will leak. Using a canvas cover day in day out in the elements is very hard on it too. Shrink wrap is waterproof and will keep the interior dry.

I keep ours at home in the warm months and store indoors in the winter. Even our warm dry summer weather exacts a big toll on our custom canvas cover. Our current cover is 4 years old but looks 10, just because of exposure to the elements.

As with other posters' suggestions, definitely winterize if there's any chance of it freezing where you live.
by shawndoggy
Fri Oct 18, 2019 10:42 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: I bought a STOLEN vehicle!!!
Replies: 106
Views: 18547

Re: I bought a STOLEN vehicle!!!

delamer wrote: Fri Oct 18, 2019 10:32 am I am sorry for what you are going through, but why would you make a major purchase from a private seller in cash?
Aside from getting robbed on the way to the purchase, how's this different from other means of payment? What's the alternative suggestion?

Me personally, I think I'd use a bank check (aka "cashier's check"), but I'm not sure how I see how that would change the outcome in this case? Sounds like the check would've cleared and the funds would've been long gone by the time the OP figured out the problem.
by shawndoggy
Fri Oct 18, 2019 8:00 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Why are Mazda CX-5’s sales so much less than other brands?
Replies: 69
Views: 11260

Re: Why are Mazda CX-5’s sales so much less than other brands?

I'm a car guy and have had four hondas over the years. Bought a certified used 16 Mazda 6 (manual, of course) a year ago. It's a great car and every bit up to par with Honda or Toyota, especially if you enjoy the act of driving. I'd love to get my wife into a CX-5 for her next vehicle and wouldn't hesitate to own one if that's what I was looking for (though I think the next car will finally be a miata).
by shawndoggy
Tue Oct 15, 2019 11:02 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Invited to join HOA board. Pros/cons?
Replies: 98
Views: 15856

Re: Invited to join HOA board. Pros/cons?

It's the kind of job where nobody will ever thank you. If things go well, nobody will notice (that's how it was supposed to be, right?), and if things go badly (even if not your fault) people will complain. So all you can really do is disappoint your neighbors.

One other thing that I've noticed in working with HOAs is that the people who gravitate to serving seem to always be petty tyrants to one degree or another. You know, the garbage can police.
by shawndoggy
Mon Aug 19, 2019 3:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Poll: Beater or Luxury car for long daily commute
Replies: 33
Views: 2257

Re: Poll: Beater or Luxury car for long daily commute

would a high(er) mileage 12-15 year old lexus LS430 be a beater or luxury? Reliability seems to be good, frequently one owner cars, and would be great for regular commuting with the creature comforts at a fraction of new.
by shawndoggy
Fri Jun 14, 2019 4:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: used car advice
Replies: 20
Views: 1862

Re: used car advice

50 mile round trip.... how much of that is in heavy or stop-n-go traffic? If a lot , I would skew newer and but the best set of safety features you can (especially the active measures like brake assist, lane keeping, etc).
by shawndoggy
Fri Jun 14, 2019 11:29 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Best prepaid debit card for a teen
Replies: 23
Views: 2527

Re: Best prepaid debit card for a teen

How do you spend at home (cash, credit, debit)? We use our credit cards 99% of the time at home and have found it’s just as convenient to do the same overseas, especially with a card that doesn’t charge a foreign transaction fee.

Presumably if you think your daughter is responsible enough to go to Europe without you, she’s responsible enough not to charge up $10k in bottle service at da club (or whatever it is you are worried about). Tell her what to use it for, she will do it, you are good. Have her call or text if it’s a bigger charge that she isn’t sure about.
by shawndoggy
Sun Jun 09, 2019 8:55 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Update in post 1: Panasonic LUMIX DSC-FZ35 camera.
Replies: 40
Views: 2638

Re: Panasonic LUMIX DSC-FZ35 camera.

Image

Image

I don't miss mine, but I did get some keepers with it back in the day. Even if I still had it, under no circumstances could I see grabbing it to bring with me vs dslr. Not meaningfully smaller, picture quality definitely not up to par.
by shawndoggy
Wed Jun 05, 2019 11:29 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What flagship (even used) item is better than a budget new item?
Replies: 131
Views: 10272

Re: What flagship (even used) item is better than a budget new item?

vitamix
ultegra / xt (no need for dura ace / xtr)
kitchen knives
by shawndoggy
Tue Jun 04, 2019 12:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Havasupai, Have a Sticker Shock
Replies: 27
Views: 4378

Re: Havasupai, Have a Sticker Shock

Agree... the mooney part was fun and part of the adventure. I loved the area between Mooney and Beaver too... with stream crossings and ladders and bridges and whatnot it felt like the inspiration for Tom Sawyer's Island at Disneyland.

Image

Image
by shawndoggy
Tue Jun 04, 2019 9:48 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Havasupai, Have a Sticker Shock
Replies: 27
Views: 4378

Re: Havasupai, Have a Sticker Shock

Thanks again; I loved the photo and hope to post my own, 16 months from now. If you could get a little fall color I am sure it would be amazing. I was worried before we did it that we hadn’t trained enough. But once we got there and I saw the many completely unprepared people who managed to complete the hike, I realized it’s not really such a big deal. Heat (hydration) is the only big concern. We were glad to have stayed at the lodge. The walk from the campground to Mooney falls is made to seem like some arduous trek, but it really wasn’t a big deal. Give yourself some time, but it’s not bad. The sketchiest part by far is the descent of Mooney falls. If you have a fear of heights (like the hikers in front of us did, unfortunately) it could...
by shawndoggy
Mon Jun 03, 2019 9:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Havasupai, Have a Sticker Shock
Replies: 27
Views: 4378

Re: Havasupai, Have a Sticker Shock

The lodge was being remodeled last month when we were there. It's like a clean motel 6 (at best), but the hot water was hot and the cold ac was cold. The hike was not particularly hard. only the first/last mile from the parking area (steep switchbacks). It was cool and worth doing and really beautiful... but soooooooo many instagram stars. All about the selfies and I feel like half the people hiking there were just there for the snaps. And holy smokes there were a LOT of people. It's definitely remote, but there's not really much solitude, if that makes sense. But back to the original question... pay the $$$ if you want to see it. Once you see supai, you'll know that nobody is getting rich off of those fees. https://live.staticflickr.com/65...
by shawndoggy
Sat Jun 01, 2019 5:47 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Good Modern Science Fiction
Replies: 760
Views: 149471

Re: Good Modern Science Fiction

I read The Last by Hanah Jameson recently. Highly recommended in the near-post apocolypto category.
by shawndoggy
Wed May 15, 2019 7:56 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do you reward yourself for achieving a financial goal?
Replies: 167
Views: 14562

Re: Do you reward yourself for achieving a financial goal?

does rolling around in my virtual stash like scrooge mcduck count?
by shawndoggy
Fri May 10, 2019 4:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Used cars: Age, mileage, condition
Replies: 16
Views: 1828

Re: Used cars: Age, mileage, condition

I’m personally a fan of kids driving a mechanically sound junker. They will thrash it if it’s nice or if it’s a hooptie. If it’s a hooptie at least you won’t be upset about the curb rash on the wheels or the ding on the door.
by shawndoggy
Mon May 06, 2019 7:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone lived in Old Northwest Reno or Sparks
Replies: 10
Views: 1720

Re: Anyone lived in Old Northwest Reno or Sparks

Used to have an office there and a rental home. I like the area bounded by Plumb- Arlington- California. Classic old Reno. This area is definitely nice, tho IMHO property values are a little crazy too. You can literally move 2 miles in any direction and it's cheaper. The houses and neighborhood are super cool tho, no doubt. To the OP if you are considering old NW, I would also consider the area north of mayberry, west of booth (Reno H.S. area). VERY fast access to downtown / midtown / river etc. 100% bikeable on mellow streets to downtown. Similar vibe to old NW. Upsides of old NW IMHO would be ease of access to university and ease of access to mountain biking on Peavine. (good grief prices are crazy.... just zoomed around to look for some...
by shawndoggy
Mon May 06, 2019 5:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone lived in Old Northwest Reno or Sparks
Replies: 10
Views: 1720

Re: Anyone lived in Old Northwest Reno or Sparks

Old NW to me means inside of McCarran, north of I-80, west of Keystone.

That was nice middle class housing built in the 60s (guessing). In the early 90s when I was in college, it was in pretty serious decline (some pride of ownership, but not uncommon to see a bitchen camaro on blocks on the lawn either). Today as property values have gone nutzo there's a lot of aspiring homeowners who are bringing the neighborhood back to its former glory.

Downsides to me would be small garages / 60s layouts (really tiny bedrooms, small closets, etc). But close to everything and nice mature trees.
by shawndoggy
Tue Apr 23, 2019 6:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Which WAP to replace Airport Extreme - please no mesh recommendations
Replies: 116
Views: 8257

Re: Which WAP to replace Airport Extreme - please no mesh recommendations

So the EASY way for this to definitely work, is to (a) jettison FIOS router for more simple FIOS modem, and then (b) hook up google mesh. You will have working primary and guest networks and it should be done in less than an hour.
by shawndoggy
Tue Apr 23, 2019 10:21 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Which WAP to replace Airport Extreme - please no mesh recommendations
Replies: 116
Views: 8257

Re: Which WAP to replace Airport Extreme - please no mesh recommendations

TomatoTomahto wrote: Tue Apr 23, 2019 9:47 am I probably have configured it incorrectly. Any ideas?
Image
Make one of the five the primary router. So for instance, if that's "downstairs," then also put Cabana and Garage in bridge mode. Then downstairs will be dealing out all of the dhcp addresses for the whole network, and a device connected to any of the routers could connect to another device connected to a different router.

While it's not a huge issue given that you have airport utility, I would personally also assign static IP addresses to each of the bridged routers, so you can find them later.
by shawndoggy
Mon Apr 22, 2019 12:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Which WAP to replace Airport Extreme - please no mesh recommendations
Replies: 116
Views: 8257

Re: Which WAP to replace Airport Extreme - please no mesh recommendations

RickBoglehead wrote: Mon Apr 22, 2019 12:04 pm I was responding to a post that said multiple SSIDs in addition to a Guest network. Google WiFi allows one SSID and one Guest network, not multiple SSIDs.
ah. Gotcha. Agreed. But that's sorta the whole point -- only one SSID. I really THINK (but admittedly don't KNOW) that the google mesh is perfect for the OP. Shoot they sell 'em at costco too. So easy return if it doesn't work.
by shawndoggy
Mon Apr 22, 2019 12:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Which WAP to replace Airport Extreme - please no mesh recommendations
Replies: 116
Views: 8257

Re: Which WAP to replace Airport Extreme - please no mesh recommendations

RickBoglehead wrote: Mon Apr 22, 2019 11:15 am I'll yield to your expertise, but that's not my experience. Google WiFi for example does not support this.
I'm running a guest network with google wifi. Are you running super outdated firmware or something?
by shawndoggy
Mon Apr 22, 2019 11:05 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Which WAP to replace Airport Extreme - please no mesh recommendations
Replies: 116
Views: 8257

Re: Which WAP to replace Airport Extreme - please no mesh recommendations

I guess I should restate that. I am not interested in a mesh network without Ethernet backhaul. If anyone has lived in a house with many rooms that are full of fieldstone, they will understand. The only two things fieldstone insulates against are Wi-Fi and cellular. FYI I have google mesh and all of the access points are running off of ethernet. We have a one story house with wifi needs in the far corners, and I'd previously run multiple routers (one "master" router serving the DHCP addresses, and others in access point mode (with static IP addresses) with DHCP disabled). Worked "OK," but never great (btw, I was using the TP Link routers that klangfool linked to). Went to google mesh about six months ago and it works th...
by shawndoggy
Fri Apr 05, 2019 9:45 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Clipless pedals for a hybrid bike
Replies: 48
Views: 3722

Re: Clipless pedals for a hybrid bike

It's hard to say whether you will appreciate it but there's a definite difference in the interface between the road standard (spd-sl, look, etc) and the mountain standard (spd). Like some others here, I ran spds on my road bike for a long time. Finally for christmas one year someone got me real road shoes and pedals. I never knew what I'd been missing. No more hot spots on long rides, and a more solid interface. If you are used to your existing three hole shoes and road cleats, I'd stick with that scenario. I've been happy with the shimano system for road bikes (SPD-SL). The whole "walking around" think is pretty over-rated. If you are accustomed to a stiff-soled road shoe, the corresponding spd mountain racing shoe will be just a...
by shawndoggy
Wed Mar 27, 2019 4:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: I would like a boat. I also know nothing about boats
Replies: 147
Views: 12352

Re: I would like a boat. I also know nothing about boats

Sailboats /Boston whalers / canoes / go-fasts / cabin cruisers really have no place in this discussion.

If OP lives on a lake he should be looking in one of three directions:

1. Inboard Watersports boat (best for sports)
2. Pontoon (best for grillin’ N chillin’)
3. Inboard/outboard runabout (meh at everything, good dockside menuverability).

If OP wants to wakesurf, #1 is the only legitimate choice.
by shawndoggy
Wed Mar 27, 2019 1:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: I would like a boat. I also know nothing about boats
Replies: 147
Views: 12352

Re: I would like a boat. I also know nothing about boats

Holy cow there is some TERRIBLE advice in this thread. Like a boston whaler for wakeboarding? wow. If you want the boat for watersports (wakeboarding / skiing / surfing), you need an inboard, and if the focus is on surfing and wakeboarding, a v-drive. If you aren't a serious skier, the vdrive also has the better cabin layout (no motor in the middle of the boat). Big three brands are mastercraft, nautique and malibu. Others are axis (malibu's budget brand), centurion, tige, supreme, supra, moomba (supra's budget brand) sanger, and MB Sports. OP -- first question -- what's your budget? Older (say mid-2000s) vdrives are at the bottom of their depreciation curve and won't really depreciate more if cared for. Expect to pay $30-50K for a good use...
by shawndoggy
Tue Feb 26, 2019 11:55 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: If you currently or are planning to spend over $120k/year in retirement, what is your projected budget?
Replies: 196
Views: 18591

Re: If you are currently or planning to spend over $120k/year in retirement, what is your projected budget?

House (property taxes + utilities): $1000 Home repair / improvement: $500 (basically budgeting for reserve fund) Groceries: $1000 Insurance: $500 Car payment: $500 (planning on starting with paid for cars... this is also a sinking fund) Gas: $500 (current spend... may drop but then again we have short commutes) Health insurance: $2000 (before Medicare kicks in) Deductibles / dental / vision: $500 Phone / internet / TV: $400 (May fall if we get kids off our plan) Gym Memberships: $300 (yeah, yeah that’s a lot... but we are fit!) Misc Spending: $500 (haircuts, clothing, whatnot) Boat: $500 (current budget, not sure we keep in retirement) Vacation / Travel: $2000 I think that gets us to $10,200 without much effort. Lots of room to cut if we ne...
by shawndoggy
Mon Jan 14, 2019 6:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Taking expensive DSLR on kayak?
Replies: 41
Views: 3115

Re: Taking expensive DSLR on kayak?

great pics keepcalm!
by shawndoggy
Sun Jan 13, 2019 8:49 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone raised 3 kids WITHOUT buying a 3-row vehicle?
Replies: 81
Views: 10951

Re: Anyone raised 3 kids WITHOUT buying a 3-row vehicle?

regarding efficiency, don't compare to a prius, compare to a three row SUV. The pacifica is likely bigger in useable room inside than even the biggest three row SUV (i.e. suburban/yukon) and will kill those vehicles at the pump. So there you go, efficiency and the room to haul your family!
by shawndoggy
Thu Jan 10, 2019 12:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 5 days. What to do in Las Vegas and Grand Canyon
Replies: 48
Views: 3797

Re: 5 days. What to do in Las Vegas and Grand Canyon

Red Rock is fantastic, but can seem lame if all you do is drive around the loop because it can get pretty crowded. Consider driving a couple of miles past the conservation area and hiking oak creek. Pretty cool, fewer peeps. Just the drive out charleston to Calico Basin / RR / Spring Mountain Ranch / Blue Diamond is pretty neat. Guaranteed you'll see a couple of wild burros. Valley of fire is also totally worth it and very close (by Nevada standards anyhow). Fewer people than redrock and a great place for kids to zip around on the sandstone. one thing to note is that it's super grippy so kinda easy to climb up pretty steep stuff and get in trouble. Not a big deal but just something to keep in mind if your kids are active. The Dam is worth s...
by shawndoggy
Wed Jan 09, 2019 2:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Good Modern Science Fiction
Replies: 760
Views: 149471

Re: Good Modern Science Fiction

anyone have any good references for post-apocalypto kinda stuff? Loved Warday, Z is for Zacharia, On the Beach, etc as a kid. More recently really enjoyed the Silo series. Not really into the fantasy concepts.
by shawndoggy
Fri Dec 28, 2018 10:59 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: FAFSA - is it worth filling out?
Replies: 109
Views: 8639

Re: FAFSA - is it worth filling out?

I'd suggest doing a FAFSA calculator (https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa/estimate) to see what your EFC is (ballpark). If the EFC exceeds the true cost of attendance at university of choice, you have a pretty good idea that you won't be getting any aid and that that FAFSA will be a waste of time.
by shawndoggy
Tue Dec 18, 2018 4:43 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Ok to invest in an LLC?
Replies: 33
Views: 2479

Re: Ok to invest in an LLC?

Thanks alphaspider. At the risk of belaboring the point ..... LLCs of course also can have employees and I'm not aware of any restrictions on members also being employees, so in that case a member employee would end up identical to S corp treatment. Both are pass through to members. Make sense? All income is "partnership income" if LLC is taxed as a partnership, even if part of that income is derived from a member's status as an "employee". https://www.taftlaw.com/news-events/law-bulletins/employee-treatment-of-owners-in-a-limited-liability-company (not mine, but seems to explain the concept as I understand it) Not really sure how "employment" compensation works with LLC taxed as S... nobody has ever been able...
by shawndoggy
Sun Dec 16, 2018 9:03 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Law school without practicing law
Replies: 79
Views: 7460

Re: Law school without practicing law

Another opinion worth mentioning is that law school does not teach you law. Most people will learn their relevant law once they start their first job. It also doesn't really teach you a particular analytical framework. It gives you some experience in reading and interpreting laws, understanding the kinds of issues that come up in legal disputes, etc. But 50% of law school is learning to pass exams and tests. So you learn some interesting concepts in constitutional law, great, you can enjoy reading decisions by the supreme court. Fact is, you can do that already. Generally law students will get some kind of internship or position during or after school that sets them on their career path. I'm not sure what the value is if you don't intend t...
by shawndoggy
Fri Nov 02, 2018 7:52 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Good Non-Boring Boglehead Cars Under $30k
Replies: 247
Views: 21791

Re: Good Non-Boring Boglehead Cars Under $30k

monkey_business wrote: Wed Oct 31, 2018 2:45 pm Any experience with the 7 speed DSG? The 2019 GTIs will all come with the 7 speed for the automatic version.
I don't. Just the OG 6 speed. It's "aight." And for my non-enthusiast spouse, it's good enough... she hates driving stick and doesn't notice when the dsg performs sub-optimally.

I thought I'd really like the paddles but I've literally flipped through the gears manually only a few times. Sport mode on the tranny does work quite well on a twisty mountain road. Not gonna lie about that. But that's about 1% of my driving.

Maybe they've improved it over the years but if I were in stop-n-go traffic on the regular, the herky jerky low speed performance of the dsg would bug. YMMV.
by shawndoggy
Wed Oct 31, 2018 2:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Good Non-Boring Boglehead Cars Under $30k
Replies: 247
Views: 21791

Re: Good Non-Boring Boglehead Cars Under $30k

The nick against the GTI in this case would be the transmission. The VW dsg was awesome when it came out... 12 years ago. I have one in my 08 R32. Off the line performance is not its strong suit. From a rolling start it's fine and behaves really nicely. But do much more than roll away from a stop with your foot off the brake and it will buck and whinney (like a poorly shifted manual).

Ive gotten used to it but it's one of those little things that will eat away at you over the years of ownership.

IMHO/YMMV

(as a manual, the GTI is about as good as it gets on the intersection of value, fun, and practicality)
by shawndoggy
Tue Oct 23, 2018 1:47 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Car Dealer told us car was Certified, but it isnt
Replies: 80
Views: 8626

Re: Car Dealer told us car was Certified, but it isnt

Jack FFR1846 wrote: Tue Oct 23, 2018 1:15 pm I went to Audi because back in 98, I bought one new and at the time, the bumper to bumper on the new car was 5 years or 50k miles and included wear items. I had my brakes replaced at 49k miles, while they were replacing the transmission.
So the takeaway here is that the transmission is a "wear item" on an audi, I guess?
by shawndoggy
Mon Oct 22, 2018 12:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should I own my home through an LLC?
Replies: 20
Views: 3531

Re: Should I own my home through an LLC?

Are you financing? If so will your lender let you borrow in an LLC? Buying in your individual name and then dropping into an LLC is common, but is probably a technical violation of your loan docs (due on sale clause).

If it’s your primary residence, check to see whether holding in an LLC will mess up your homestead exemption.

Also I know CA has some nonrecourse protection for purchase money loans for your primary residence. Not sure whether owning an LLCmesses that up or not.

If it were me, I’d talk to a CA lawyer, not bogleheads
by shawndoggy
Mon Oct 15, 2018 12:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Kids and Money
Replies: 38
Views: 2393

Re: Kids and Money

It's your money not their money. This is as much about being a parent as raising a good kid. Don't helicopter. Give your kids the tools for success, but allow them to fail. Give them opportunities to work hard for a goal, and support them but don't do it for them. My kids found success in martial arts, but music, sports, scouting, etc etc all have goals that take a lot of hard work to get through. The very biggest lesson kids can be taught is to just show up and do the work. Coaches LOVE kids who try and who work hard, even if they aren't the most talented. Give them responsibility for their destiny. Stand back and realize their goal might not be yours. There are lots of good ways to be a productive member of society and the world needs art...
by shawndoggy
Wed Aug 08, 2018 3:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Selling a used car
Replies: 49
Views: 2769

Re: Selling a used car

what's the time worth to you? No offense intended, but wanting to do a proper ad in the first place, or put on hubcaps, etc etc, suggests you are pretty much ready to wash your hands of the old girl. I'd take your $1K and run. Well, no, actually, I'd clean the car up and try to get a little more money for it. But if I were YOU, I'd take the $1K.
by shawndoggy
Tue Aug 07, 2018 11:00 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Selling a used car
Replies: 49
Views: 2769

Re: Selling a used car

As noted, you need better pics! Landscape (phone sideways) not portrait.

Wash the car. Wax the car. Put tire dressing on. Wash the windows. Vaccum the car. Take all personal belongings out and wipe down the interior before taking pics.

Take pics at sunset (not in the middle of the day ever).

Take pics of the water damage (is it something a floor mat would conceal anyway?)

Consider spending $40 on a set of hubcaps.

Basically you need to convey that the car has been cared for, not ridden hard and put away wet (even though it looks like quite a lot of benign neglect going on there).
by shawndoggy
Tue Aug 07, 2018 10:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Selling a used car
Replies: 49
Views: 2769

Re: Selling a used car

Thegame14 wrote: Mon Aug 06, 2018 2:38 pm I took 4 pictures, but mostly the top half of the car. I didn't want my license plate in the pictures. Also inspection is good until summer 2019.
When you drive the car around, how to you keep people from seeing the license plate?
by shawndoggy
Wed Aug 01, 2018 6:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Peloton spin bike worth the high cost?
Replies: 104
Views: 22898

Re: Peloton spin bike worth the high cost?

I'm curious whether the cyclists who buy a peloton take the spin bike saddle off and put a real saddle on there?
by shawndoggy
Wed Jul 25, 2018 4:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Back Car Lights all went out
Replies: 25
Views: 1435

Re: Back Car Lights all went out

rickberg wrote: Wed Jul 25, 2018 3:58 pm Brake lights are dual filament bulbs - if the lights are not on, you press on the brakes, it will come on. Or if you have your lights on, the brake lights will stay on (at a lower brightness) and when you press on the brakes, it will come on at a higher brightness. I just sounds like you need to replace the bulb if all the other lights are working.
This. Seems like the pepboys guys prolly messed up.