Search found 3963 matches

by rustymutt
Wed Apr 13, 2022 8:00 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: "Vanguard Response To The War In Ukraine"
Replies: 53
Views: 7508

Re: "Vanguard Response To The War In Ukraine"

Thank you Taylor for this link! :happy
by rustymutt
Sat Apr 02, 2022 10:09 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Need Help! Who makes the best American Made Laptop?
Replies: 44
Views: 5294

Re: Need Help! Who makes the best American Made Laptop?

I use to use and recommend Dell, but the last technician they sent to my home to replace the cpu, did so on carpet without a ground strap. When I ask him why he wasn't grounding himself he replied that the standard of grounding had changed and they didn't do it any more. NOT TRUE!

After changing it out, the problem still there. I found and and changed the bios setting to fix the issue, but not till they had replaced the CPU twice without fixing it.

Any of the phone help I received was with men who didn't know what the bios fix was. This was shocking to me, and is why I won't own another Dell.

What happened to made in the USA? Means nothing if those making it don't have the knowledge to support their product.
by rustymutt
Mon Jul 26, 2021 7:13 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Parents having trouble getting home loan
Replies: 23
Views: 3828

Re: Parents having trouble getting home loan

Here in Oklahoma, I was told that I didn't make enough income monthly, and declined. Despite my over $ million retirement accounts. Debt free.
$2500 a month income supplemented only when needed of of retirement accounts. Keeps my tax average low. Banks are getting flakey acting, and proud of their cash holdings. hmmmm? What does this mean in the short term? Inflation?
by rustymutt
Tue Jul 06, 2021 2:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Whole House Surge Protector
Replies: 51
Views: 7186

Re: Whole House Surge Protector

They are no better than the ground attached to it. So have electrician make certain your panel has correctly installed grounding system. Ground rod should not be right next to foundation. This reduces the area of circumference and also the ground plane. Common issues found out.
Other than that, I wish I had one.

I will add that the cable TV, phone, and other utilities should all tie into the same electrical system ground. When two of more grounds are used, it can create a dirty ground that acts like an antenna, and that's not what you want for ground.
by rustymutt
Mon May 31, 2021 8:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is an iPhone value worth it over an Android phone?
Replies: 142
Views: 14128

Re: Is an iPhone value worth it over an Android phone?

I like the security and simplicity of the iPhone. I've owned both iPhone and Android. Originally I loved that Android phones we went with had replaceable batteries. That gave us another 1-2 years of useful life for $30. The iPhones we had lasted ~4 years and that was enough, but I'd probably still be on a 6s had the battery held out. The 11 is not much different than the 6s to be honest, it is like buying the same thing over again... One major issue that caused me to switch to the iPhone - Android phones come preloaded with bloatware from some providers (AT&T in my experience). These apps could not be removed or turned off. They were monitoring us or upselling useless crap. That is a really shady tactic in my opinion. Apple never caved...
by rustymutt
Wed May 19, 2021 4:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tesla’s regenerative braking
Replies: 65
Views: 7878

Re: Tesla’s regenerative braking

I had a Yamaha golf cart with this regenerative charging as you glide down a hill, took that energy back into a generator, into battery system. And that was 20 years ago.
by rustymutt
Wed May 19, 2021 11:06 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What’s the problem with dividends?
Replies: 379
Views: 30265

Re: What’s the problem with dividends?

Typically, higher paying dividend stocks tend to be value stocks. They have to willing to hold cash, or have projected cash in hand to keep paying forward the process. They have better PE, and are hurt less in market downturns. They do it year after year. So I don't see any problem with stocks that pay out like slot machines, only much better odds. Many wealthy people got that way with honest investments.
by rustymutt
Sun May 16, 2021 9:16 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Future of Natural Gas
Replies: 22
Views: 2895

Re: Future of Natural Gas

runner26 wrote: Sun May 16, 2021 9:02 am California is moving towards eliminating nat gas in new home construction. Some California counties are even moving more aggressively than the state.
I had read that all new homes being built in California, are Net-Zero ready quality.
by rustymutt
Mon May 03, 2021 5:27 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Backup (redundant) home internet service
Replies: 54
Views: 6645

Re: Backup (redundant) home internet service

Mobile hot spot is my only connection, and it works fast. $40 a month for Visible 5G which isn't throttled down. Visible is Verizon subsidiary.
Phone with internet hotspot both. Check you area for Verizon towers. I get 5meg down, and up and higher than that most of the time.
Very pleased with it.
by rustymutt
Sat May 01, 2021 9:47 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Wish I could quit Vanguard for poor customer service
Replies: 187
Views: 23407

Re: Wish I could quit Vanguard for poor customer service

Imagine opening up your balances home page expecting to see your $1,000,000.00 and some odd change, and it shows $23,456,000.00 instead of.
That's what happened to me Thursday morning. So I call and went through all the hoops to have an agent tell me she sees it now. On hold and off the tech support she went handing me off to him. By this time it was corrected. After logging out and back in the issue was resolved, however no explanation was offered.

Something in management is wrong at Vanguard. I expected an reason to this and got nothing out of them. Service has gone at Vanguard. I never get my rep when calling anymore, just a clerk who knows very little, or isn't saying.

:confused
by rustymutt
Fri Apr 30, 2021 7:40 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Anyone else have problems w Vanguard website this week?
Replies: 26
Views: 2499

Re: Anyone else have problems w Vanguard website this week?

Yes, I just logged in and see where I've gotten 14,000,000 suddenly showing up in the account, and it's that's not my money. Wish it was, but it's not.
I'm now on the phone on hold with rep who had to go to tech support to explain this sudden wealth.

They saw the error, and cannot explain it to me. The error is now gone, but so is my faith in Vanguard. :confused

Now Fidelity might be gaining me back as a customer. Vanguard couldn't, of wouldn't tell me the issue. If I receive no follow up from them, I'll move elsewhere and told them that. 1st time I've ever had issues with them. Shocked that this happened.
by rustymutt
Sun Apr 25, 2021 3:47 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Moving service tips?
Replies: 20
Views: 2066

Re: Moving service tips?

McDougal wrote: Sat Apr 24, 2021 1:41 pm I suggest strong friends, pizza and beer (after move is done!)
I was once told that a beer before heavy lifting was good at protecting the lift from hurting you. Not sure but one beer couldn't hurt.
:sharebeer
by rustymutt
Mon Apr 19, 2021 3:37 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Invest 120K now or wait for the crash?
Replies: 75
Views: 12402

Re: Invest 120K now or wait for the crash?

6U7a9Zfym64CRBB8gY3v wrote: Mon Apr 19, 2021 1:13 pm
rustymutt wrote: Mon Apr 19, 2021 9:53 am Amen! I'm with you on this. We're in a Covid induced bubble, and it's going to break at some point. But who knows when? I don't, but we're be ready to invest when it happens, and it will happen.

Don’t try market timing. I can fund hundreds or thousands of posts on this very forum back to 2010 about the “looming crash”

If you are so risk averse to be so scared of the ever-imminent crash, I wonder when you would feel safe to jump into a market that is crashing? or would you just keep convincing yourself that an even larger crash is coming? How would you know?
You must be patient. What about the looming crash from back in 2008. Cherry picking.
by rustymutt
Mon Apr 19, 2021 9:53 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Invest 120K now or wait for the crash?
Replies: 75
Views: 12402

Re: Invest 120K now or wait for the crash?

ballasowjanya18 wrote: Sun Apr 18, 2021 7:10 pm
Dave55 wrote: Sun Apr 18, 2021 7:07 pm
ballasowjanya18 wrote: Sun Apr 18, 2021 7:04 pm
Dave55 wrote: Sun Apr 18, 2021 7:02 pm For the $120K, when will you need that money?

Dave
I am 35 and will not need it until retirement.
Drop it all in.

Dave
Should I DCA for the next two years (my usual 5K + 5K from my additional fund)?

There is so much greed these days and it makes me feel that there might be a crash.

I know nobody can predict a crash, but don't feel like buying at an all time high.
Amen! I'm with you on this. We're in a Covid induced bubble, and it's going to break at some point. But who knows when? I don't, but we're be ready to invest when it happens, and it will happen.
by rustymutt
Thu Apr 15, 2021 9:31 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What’s the problem with dividends?
Replies: 379
Views: 30265

Re: What’s the problem with dividends?

Why do so many folks on here find dividend income undesirable if one needs income? Qualified dividends have the same tax rate as long term capital gains, so what difference does it make whether the income comes from selling appreciated assets or from dividends? Dividends are WORSE than selling the stock yourself in several ways: You can't control when You can't control how much Dividends are taxed more. When you receive a dividend, the entire amount is taxed. When you sell stock, only the gain is taxed. Example: You receive a $500 dividend. All $500 is taxed ( $75 at 15% tax). Instead, if you sold it yourself and $100 of it was gains, you'd only pay $15 in tax. That's a $60 difference for just $500. So imagine an annoying guy named Ralph r...
by rustymutt
Wed Apr 14, 2021 2:05 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: are inflation fears driving the housing market
Replies: 34
Views: 5332

Re: are inflation fears driving the housing market

SashaWalpole wrote: Wed Apr 14, 2021 1:06 pm https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HmGLV46L60

Just curious what people think of this? The video claims that inflation fears are driving up real estate since a 30 year mortgage is the best hedge against inflation and rich people know this. It also claims that inflation is likely to hit consumer goods in the near future.
My understanding is it's because of shortages due to shut downs around the country, and world. Materials are in short supplies for new homes. Every else follows as homes become thinner and thinner on the market. Nice homes that is. I heard an expert say prices will fall in 2022, as we open back up again. Sale now, and rent till then.
by rustymutt
Wed Apr 14, 2021 1:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Lawn care question
Replies: 38
Views: 3700

Re: Lawn care question

2.5 tablespoons of 24D weed killer per gallon of water will kill all weed, but not grasses. Read and follow the label. I just sprayed last week and yard look much better today. I do this every spring, as those weeds grow in colder months here.
by rustymutt
Sat Apr 10, 2021 7:31 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Rebalance frequency
Replies: 39
Views: 4111

Re: Rebalance frequency

Rebalancing once a year is enough. Many don't even do that often. Why make investing time consuming.
:moneybag
by rustymutt
Wed Apr 07, 2021 12:02 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Developed markets
Replies: 1
Views: 440

Developed markets

I want learn more about the reasons for the years 2000-2003 when American market went bullish, and my Developed markets went up.
Wasn't the dollar falling at that time? That was the driver of their market upswing, as ours tanked? What other reasons might having opposite market movements? I was amazed at my diversified investment, and how well they did to just the USA markets.

:dollar
by rustymutt
Mon Mar 29, 2021 11:10 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Is a "fiduciary" Worth it?
Replies: 10
Views: 1609

Re: Is a "fiduciary" Worth it?

If you'd ever want the law on your size it is. They have rules to live by. Without them, they open themselves up to law suits, winnable.

:moneybag Even fiduciaries use marketing to sell bad products, but's it's not illegal unless they lie, and the truth isn't in them. Use caution at all times with your money.
by rustymutt
Mon Mar 29, 2021 11:08 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone with experience removing pipe plugs
Replies: 61
Views: 7685

Re: Anyone with experience removing pipe plugs

mrc wrote: Fri Mar 19, 2021 2:50 pm
rustymutt wrote: Fri Mar 19, 2021 1:47 pm I saw one removed with large pliers and a mullet. Spray head with lube, tap down a couple times and grip with pliers and pound loose with mullet.

That made in china scares me a bit. I don't remember anything but made in the usa.
This made me laugh out loud. Thanks for that. Pliers and a 70s hairdo.
It was honest typo. Thanks for someone pointing that out. I'm laughing at your comments.
by rustymutt
Mon Mar 29, 2021 9:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New grill: gas vs. pellet
Replies: 50
Views: 5668

Re: New grill: gas vs. pellet

I had a pellet fireplace that I loved, but had a grill I hated. Dried out the meat to much for me, and had a bitter overtone. And the pellets got high priced.
by rustymutt
Fri Mar 19, 2021 1:47 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone with experience removing pipe plugs
Replies: 61
Views: 7685

Re: Anyone with experience removing pipe plugs

I saw one removed with large pliers and a mallet. Spray head with lube, tap down a couple times and grip with pliers and pound loose with mullet.

That made in china scares me a bit. I don't remember anything but made in the USA.
by rustymutt
Mon Mar 15, 2021 10:59 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Contractor installed floating hardwood floor - extremely noisy
Replies: 37
Views: 4142

Re: Contractor installed floating hardwood floor - extremely noisy

My problem was a cheap contractor trying to save money on lumber, and they completely did an rotten job of flooring. They left out strongbacks : stringers between the floor trust which supports the floor as one trust, rather than many. It's done often as most people just let them get away with it.

The dishes in the kitchen rattled inside the cabinets as anyone walk across out living room floor. How's that for quality? Cheap builders cutting cost at our expense. Most people are afraid to get into it with their builders, as they don't want to be labeled trouble makers. But they better learn to love that if they want to build new homes.
by rustymutt
Fri Mar 05, 2021 11:53 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The bond market is a mess and there are no solutions!
Replies: 232
Views: 34616

Re: The bond market is a mess and there are no solutions!

Well apparently buying international bonds is in. Vanguard use to never recommend these investments, and now the personal advisers do it daily.
To me it seems a little like bitcoin. So called experts change the rules in mid stride.
by rustymutt
Fri Mar 05, 2021 11:52 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The bond market is a mess and there are no solutions!
Replies: 232
Views: 34616

Re: The bond market is a mess and there are no solutions!

Well apparently buying international bonds is in. Vanguard use to never recommend these investments, and now the personal advisers do it daily.
To me it seems a little like bitcoin. So called experts change the rules in mid stride.
by rustymutt
Fri Mar 05, 2021 11:48 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Help! Dealer may have sold the car we are buying
Replies: 97
Views: 9328

Re: Help! Dealer may have sold the car we are buying

I'd never buy a vehicle online site unseen. And you shouldn't have either. :moneybag
by rustymutt
Sun Feb 14, 2021 6:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Needing input - Thinking to move back to TX after my move to CA
Replies: 19
Views: 2979

Re: Needing input - Thinking to move back to TX after my move to CA

JaneyLH wrote: Sun Feb 14, 2021 11:05 am California real estate is expensive and state income tax is another financial burden. On the other hand, think of the recent ice storms in Texas! :shock:
And wind storms.
by rustymutt
Sun Feb 14, 2021 6:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Hot Tub
Replies: 46
Views: 9042

Re: Hot Tub

I had a Sundance spa and loved it. Spent many hours in it watching the snow come down and being glad the warm clean water was there. But the up keep gets high as the years go by. I had replaced the pump, and 2 or 3 nozzles, and the heater core.
Then it died again, and I paid someone to chop it up and hauled it off in the trash because I got lazy and didn't want the upkeep any more.
by rustymutt
Wed Jan 27, 2021 10:46 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Brokerage outages
Replies: 96
Views: 3557

Re: Brokerage outages

Do you suppose the Russians could be trying to hack into these businesses. DOS attacks can happen to any business. It keeps traffic at standstill with overloaded buffers, and congestion. This Russian hack issue needs resolved.

I read this morning of a bank here in US that got hacked.
by rustymutt
Wed Jan 20, 2021 8:09 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Signs of Bubble logic - greed overcoming fear
Replies: 212
Views: 22265

Re: Signs of Bubble logic - greed overcoming fear

During the 2000-2003 market downturn, I had developed markets which kept my returns higher for that period and I still held US equities. Diversification does work, and this is a principal I don't deny, and no real investor should. And my US bond holding helped also.
by rustymutt
Fri Jan 15, 2021 4:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Ugh Vanguard! May have to leave. They made a huge error.
Replies: 223
Views: 30099

Re: Ugh Vanguard! May have to leave. They made a huge error.

Stay cool, they'll get it fixed. Thank God, you could have been on a jet that crashed.
by rustymutt
Tue Dec 15, 2020 12:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Where to Retire?
Replies: 262
Views: 29051

Re: Where to Retire?

Don't forget to check out the quality of the water wherever you move. Nothing worse the water the smells of rotten eggs. I don't really care how low state income taxes are if the water stinks, or is contaminated. Water is becoming a huge issue with western states. But it's swept under the rug sort of speaking, as nobody wants it rubbed in the the source is foul, getting that way for over pumping ground water. The media only reports on major water issues, and you can find more information online at local government agencies water supply's and issues.
by rustymutt
Sat Dec 05, 2020 12:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Fish Prep Ideas
Replies: 33
Views: 2666

Re: Fish Prep Ideas

Salt pepper the filet, then put some special pepper, garlic, onion, olive oil,and sprinkle seasoned filet with italian bread crumbs. Place one slice of butter on top in middle, then slip it into oven at 325 for about 20, depends on the size, but you get the general ideal. I use a temp probe.
Serve on top of spaghetti with cream sauce, or tomato sauce. Lot of great dry rubs on the gulf for markets. :sharebeer
by rustymutt
Tue Nov 24, 2020 4:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Real estate inflation
Replies: 44
Views: 4619

Re: Real estate inflation

It seems Real estate is skyrocketing to the moon not only in the main metro areas but also in 2nd tier cities, places like Fort Collins and Colorado Springs, CO.. Boise, ID and Las Vegas, NV.. all areas that were relatively affordable just few years ago are skyrocketing to the moon. Any ideas when this will come to an end? Or if it will? How is this happening given incomes aren't going up that much at all, especially now with all the layoffs. Who exactly is buying these properties? Realtors in places as remote as Vermont are saying that they have multiple offers and over asking. Supposedly in Las Vegas there are 10+ offers on each property for over asking. Is this a new phenomenon of remote working and the exodus from HCOL areas? I was thi...
by rustymutt
Tue Nov 24, 2020 11:55 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Soc Gen: Deflationary pressures suggest bonds will continue to do well
Replies: 16
Views: 2000

Re: Soc Gen: Deflationary pressures suggest bonds will continue to do well

nedsaid wrote: Sun Nov 22, 2020 1:43 pm My thinking is along these lines as well, at least for now. If we get even mild deflation, 1% interest rates will look awfully good. There is a chance for inflationary pressures in 2021 but I am not seeing this now. To the contrary we are seeing disinflation now.
It's my understanding that deinflation is worst for the nation, and world than is inflation itself. We are already in a prolonged recession caused by the virus. It's a mess and something is going to snap and break. Reversion to the mean. The Feds have borrowed lots of money to throw at the economy to give the impression of health. Rather we like it or not, we're part of a broken system right now.

:shock:
by rustymutt
Tue Nov 24, 2020 11:46 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What in the world is propping up this market?
Replies: 214
Views: 25139

Re: What in the world is propping up this market?

muffins14 wrote: Tue Nov 24, 2020 11:44 am
rustymutt wrote: Tue Nov 24, 2020 11:41 am I got out in March, and don't regret it. I believe the fed is buying stocks to keep the appearance of a healthy economy. Has to end at some point near the $?,000,000,000,000.00 in debt spending. Inflation is my concern. It's become to easy for spending into the future. At some point, the pipers got to be paid off. I've been sleeping the best of my life this year. This easy money is fake. Something gives in 2021.
There is no evidence that the fed is buying stocks, right?
It's my understanding that the central bank is doing bond issues, raising cash to make this happen. Fed pays little interest on this now, but....
by rustymutt
Tue Nov 24, 2020 11:41 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What in the world is propping up this market?
Replies: 214
Views: 25139

Re: What in the world is propping up this market?

I got out in March, and don't regret it. I believe the fed is buying stocks to keep the appearance of a healthy economy. Has to end at some point near the $?,000,000,000,000.00 in debt spending. Inflation is my concern. It's become to easy for spending into the future. At some point, the pipers got to be paid off. I've been sleeping the best of my life this year. This easy money is fake. Something gives in 2021.
by rustymutt
Sat Nov 07, 2020 9:39 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Supplements for Omega 3 Fatty Acids?
Replies: 15
Views: 1318

Re: Supplements for Omega 3 Fatty Acids?

I add crushed flax seed to everything. Salads, soups, and mix it with water at times. Walnuts, and pecans.
by rustymutt
Sat Oct 31, 2020 4:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Value of Quicken?
Replies: 75
Views: 5689

Re: Value of Quicken?

I'm a long time Quicken user, and won't be renewing next year. Already called them and told them why. I refuse another expense that goes up each year, with very little service, and poorer product. I've had nothing good to say about the new Quicken, other than someone out thinked themselves with this mess.
by rustymutt
Wed Oct 28, 2020 6:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best charity to help dogs?
Replies: 29
Views: 2049

Re: Best charity to help dogs?

Your local humane society? Local dog shelters. I'm sure there are national dog groups worthy also. Many people volunteer their time.
Check them out with better business bureau.
by rustymutt
Thu Oct 22, 2020 1:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: waited too long to buy a house - but starting to feel priced out..
Replies: 33
Views: 6618

Re: waited too long to buy a house - but starting to feel priced out..

Hello, I'm a Software Program manager (him/her early 40s) living in the Seattle area. I've saved a good amount of money about ~2.2M net worth. We have a combined income of 350K/year. We made a mistake that we didn't buy any real estate till now. We currently rent. We have been focused on saving and investing the money, but this has been ill-timed because of the big run-up in residential real estate prices. Given Covid and work from home, life has become difficult in our rental place, along with kids and we have started to feel the urge to buy a house (no, we don't move to a different rental). The last few months have been very difficult because despite our efforts in searching a house (we are searching for a ~1M house in good school distri...
by rustymutt
Thu Oct 22, 2020 1:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Recommend WiFi camera that works on guest network
Replies: 25
Views: 3183

Re: Recommend WiFi camera that works on guest network

Just make sure it's full HD. Many good cams out there. Many different reasons for cams. Security is pretty high on that list.
Night vision, with auto focus. You may want wireless also, and now that's offered. Do your research.
by rustymutt
Wed Oct 14, 2020 9:07 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sound like opening a bottle of champagne in house
Replies: 15
Views: 3284

Re: Sound like opening a bottle of champagne in house

Heat and/or humidity in your attic can cause swelling of wooden joints and that can make loud noises. Refrigerators can make loud pops, guns, fireworks, and roofers. Not to mention all in your head kinda noise we here in politics.
by rustymutt
Tue Oct 13, 2020 5:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Building a new house - Successes and regrets?
Replies: 53
Views: 8300

Re: Building a new house - Successes and regrets?

Sounds lovely, if I may use that word so loosely. lol I built new in 1995, and honestly you have got to know the local building codes yourself, to keep my builder honest. By the time my attorney and me met with him, he offered to buy it back for more than I'd paid for it. Housing boom was just under way. We held him to the contract, and legal ramifications. I think if I build new again, I'm hiring a architect to help me with small details that matter most to me. Like energy efficient appliances. Whole house ventilation exchanger. I'm wanting also to downsize, as it's just me. Seems taxpayers can't stop property tax increases in some states. My God it's out of control what local, and state lawmakers do to homeowners. And we only have our vot...
by rustymutt
Mon Oct 12, 2020 10:47 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: PC breach and identity theft nightmare
Replies: 40
Views: 5530

Re: PC breach and identity theft nightmare

A couple of things that would increase security are to use the yubico key and to not do any financial transactions on a windows pc. Get a chrome book or dual boot into Linux for finances. If ms authenticator is not working well, try googles. Interesting yoy say this. Is there a specific vulnerability on a windows pc? I only ask because in many other threads about pc security/antivirus/malware/firewall/etc., people say that they just use Windows defender (some with Malwarebytes, but many just defender), and it is fine. Yules MS ratio of use is highest among USA businesses and home devices. So naturally they they are one of the highest hit targets. That's my opinion. Engineers the world wide know MS. You can't use weak encryption. You must h...
by rustymutt
Thu Oct 01, 2020 1:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Rat at home - how to catch?
Replies: 48
Views: 4103

Re: Rat at home - how to catch?

Rat trap baited with peanut butter and cheddar cheese will get them every time. Dose it with beer before setting trap.


PS The rat will call it entrapment, but in my judgement you'll get away with it.
by rustymutt
Thu Oct 01, 2020 12:36 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard is pushing Personal Advisory Services
Replies: 93
Views: 10061

Re: Vanguard is pushing Personal Advisory Services

It's their business model, and I feel it should be. Some people love that type service and want it offered, other don't. I don't, but have received invitations to Personal Advisory Service associates myself. I'm not interested at age 65, because I've do-my-self. Is that DIY? I think so. All other businesses of this portion do it. Respectfully decline and I love Vanguard. I also have a account at Fidelity which I like. I think Fiduciary businesses are held to a higher degree of marketing honesty. Thank God we've not seen Vanguard ads at dinner time where I'm at anyway. I'd like to see drug ads banned from TV. Some stoop low in wording at dinner time. I've had it.
by rustymutt
Mon Sep 07, 2020 12:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Strange iMac issue
Replies: 17
Views: 2060

Re: Strange iMac issue

That's default timing for many security utilities that might be waking the computer. Backups, updates, and scans. Try locking the computer when signing out on Saturday. Also check your network adapter for "network wake" enabled/disabled. You'll figure it out.