Search found 487 matches

by Murgatroyd
Fri Dec 23, 2022 3:58 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fidelity SMAs and Local Offices
Replies: 15
Views: 3906

Re: Fidelity SMAs and Local Offices

We have held the Fidelity tax advantaged SMA for 3 years. Here are the results: - three years through 7/31 the account is up 45.43% (after fee), S&P 500 is up 45.66% both pre tax, - it has averaged roughly 4% annually in net tax losses (losses minus gains), more in volatile years and less in others, - as to schedule B, yes there are a lot of holdings and cap gains/losses. If you don’t use Turbo Tax, etc and download the data at tax time it could be a bear. I do use TT and there’s no more work with this than just downloading divs and interest, - a concern could be what happens when you close the account. The SMA agreement is clear that Fidelity will request your decision on transferring the holdings in kind back to your account or selli...
by Murgatroyd
Fri Dec 23, 2022 1:20 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fidelity SMAs and Local Offices
Replies: 15
Views: 3906

Re: Fidelity SMAs and Local Offices

We have held the Fidelity tax advantaged SMA for 3 years. Here are the results: - three years through 7/31 the account is up 45.43% (after fee), S&P 500 is up 45.66% both pre tax, - it has averaged roughly 4% annually in net tax losses (losses minus gains), more in volatile years and less in others, - as to schedule B, yes there are a lot of holdings and cap gains/losses. If you don’t use Turbo Tax, etc and download the data at tax time it could be a bear. I do use TT and there’s no more work with this than just downloading divs and interest, - a concern could be what happens when you close the account. The SMA agreement is clear that Fidelity will request your decision on transferring the holdings in kind back to your account or selli...
by Murgatroyd
Wed Oct 19, 2022 11:37 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Looking to move to St Louis area, need advice
Replies: 40
Views: 3927

Re: Looking to move to St Louis area, need advice

We lived in the Ballwin area many years ago. I recall many one story homes there and it is still true per Zillow; https://www.zillow.com/homes/Ballwin,-MO_rb/
by Murgatroyd
Wed Aug 24, 2022 1:12 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fellow Retirees: How Much Do You Have in “Bucket #1”?
Replies: 90
Views: 13176

Re: Fellow Retirees: How Much Do You Have in “Bucket #1”?

My wife is more conservative financially than I am. As we approached retirement about 8 years ago she worried about having to sell at a prolonged market bottom. So I did a deep search into philosophies regarding how much cash to hold. There is a lot of material out there. Bottom line is it’s all over the map.

I honestly think you simply have to find a number/mindset that allows you to sleep comfortably.
by Murgatroyd
Thu Jun 09, 2022 5:51 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: The impact having Medicare Part A-B without Medigap?
Replies: 82
Views: 7198

Re: The impact having Medicare Part A-B without Medigap?

placeholder wrote: Wed Jun 08, 2022 6:51 pm
Murgatroyd wrote: Wed Jun 08, 2022 5:20 pm I turned 65 exactly one year ago. Healthy as a horse, active, exercise, never been sick one day. Eight months later was diagnosed with bladder cancer. I signed up for medigap. So far the bills have totaled $39,000, this only includes one of two surgeries nor two trips to the ER.

Your risk assessment is your decision.
Is that 39k all part b is much of it part a?
IIRC, the bills didn’t state which one. But since it was inpatient and I had one overnight in the hospital it would be part a. But there was a significant amount covered by my blue cross medigap plan such that I paid nothing.
by Murgatroyd
Wed Jun 08, 2022 5:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: The impact having Medicare Part A-B without Medigap?
Replies: 82
Views: 7198

Re: The impact having Medicare Part A-B without Medigap?

I turned 65 exactly one year ago. Healthy as a horse, active, exercise, never been sick one day. Eight months later was diagnosed with bladder cancer. I signed up for medigap. So far the bills have totaled $39,000, this only includes one of two surgeries nor two trips to the ER.

Your risk assessment is your decision.
by Murgatroyd
Thu Apr 21, 2022 8:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sealing a cedar deck
Replies: 23
Views: 2132

Re: Sealing a cedar deck

I am no expert but here’s my experience. 7 years ago we completely rebuilt a western red cedar deck. It was not inexpensive. I did a lot of research into the stain. The best advice I received was that over time the wood it going to age no matter what you do. And the best approach is to initially stain with a translucent to enjoy the beautiful wood and over time move through semi-translucent and then to solid. The other advice was you get what you pay for in stain products. I used a top of the line stain called Sikkens. After 6 years it needed a refresh so I cleaned the deck with Olympic deck cleaner (great product and easy to use) and resealed with the Sikkens (it’s now called Pro Luxe). The deck looks new again. Next time I will go to the ...
by Murgatroyd
Sat Apr 16, 2022 11:08 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buyer's Remorse: Omega watch
Replies: 83
Views: 11866

Re: Buyer's Remorse: Omega watch

I’ve owned both brands. The Omega was beautiful but required regular cleaning. One time the factory lost it and paid me current price. I bought a Tag. That was 24 years ago and I’ve only changed batteries in it and serviced it once.
by Murgatroyd
Sat Apr 16, 2022 11:03 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Selling a home under construction due to relocation
Replies: 30
Views: 2651

Re: Selling a home under construction due to relocation

We had this situation many years ago when the company I worked for was sold and the new owner cleaned house. We were building a fully custom house with an independent builder. He took the house back after hearing my story. I don’t know what Pulte might do but you won’t lose anything by trying.

If you have to keep the house maybe you’ll make money on it?
by Murgatroyd
Thu Mar 17, 2022 8:39 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Electric Shaver Recommendations (2022)
Replies: 39
Views: 5398

Re: Electric Shaver Recommendations (2022)

I have a very heavy beard. I rebelled against Gillette pricing about 15 years ago and switched to a double edge. I also owned a Braun 3 series for well over 20 years until it died. Pretty good shave. I’ve now had a Braun series 9 for about 1.5 years. It gives a shave almost as close and comfortable as my double edge. It is absolutely worth the money.
by Murgatroyd
Tue Feb 01, 2022 5:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Meet with recruiter if not interested in the job?
Replies: 41
Views: 4390

Re: Meet with recruiter if not interested in the job?

Well reasoned. You made an optimal decision.
by Murgatroyd
Sun Jan 02, 2022 4:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Favorite budget golf balls?
Replies: 38
Views: 3197

Re: Favorite budget golf balls?

Another vote for Vice, and a caution. They’ve become VERY popular and run out typically early in the season. If you want to try don’t wait until April.

Website: https://www.vicegolf.com/us/all-balls
by Murgatroyd
Fri Dec 24, 2021 1:54 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Spouse....Poor review [at work]
Replies: 157
Views: 20592

Re: Spouse....Poor review

Ok, an inappropriate email was sent. The question is how badly should she have been dinged for it? That is the crux of the issue. Reasonable people can disagree on how many points that should cost. And it might be difficult to argue. And no raise to boot, probably due to the total # of point accumulated.

Another problem is new manager says she doesn’t give 5’s. This should be a question for HR because if raises are based on numerical scores then new manager is not following protocol. And very soon she will have an angry department jumping ship because everyone working for her will be underpaid.
by Murgatroyd
Fri Dec 24, 2021 12:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Soundbar for LG 55 inch OLED TV?
Replies: 51
Views: 4586

Re: Soundbar for LG 55 inch OLED TV?

We put a new 55 inch LG OLED in our bedroom a couple weeks ago. The sound is surprisingly good and far better than the Samsung it replaced. It is fine for a bedroom. But in a larger space a soundbar would be needed. You might see how it goes before spending more. We do have an older Sonos soundbar in the family room which is very good. I would advise to not go Sonos unless you are building a broader sound system.

I will say this tv is the best we’ve ever owned in every respect.

Hope this helps
by Murgatroyd
Sun Nov 28, 2021 12:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Relocating to Illinois north shore - advice/suggestions?
Replies: 43
Views: 5606

Re: Relocating to Illinois north shore - advice/suggestions?

Where are you living now? What are your pluses and minuses of the current location vs what you perceive on the north shore. I grew up in the north shore area but now live in St. Charles. Most of my friends live in Deerfield, Northbrook, etc, so I know it well. You will also need a trusted real estate attorney in this state. We’re essentially in Hinsdale right now (we’re not within city limits but we’re across the street and that’s where we go for shopping and post office and haircuts and quick dining etc). We originally loved the access to Ogden and oak brook and all of the stores nearby when we were relocating and needed to get things for the home but settling in and Covid has changed our needs in that space and now it’s more about other ...
by Murgatroyd
Sun Nov 28, 2021 9:07 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Relocating to Illinois north shore - advice/suggestions?
Replies: 43
Views: 5606

Re: Relocating to Illinois north shore - advice/suggestions?

Where are you living now? What are your pluses and minuses of the current location vs what you perceive on the north shore.

I grew up in the north shore area but now live in St. Charles. Most of my friends live in Deerfield, Northbrook, etc, so I know it well.

You will also need a trusted real estate attorney in this state.
by Murgatroyd
Sat Oct 02, 2021 10:30 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Quit or Be Fired- UGH!
Replies: 115
Views: 21996

Re: Quit or Be Fired- UGH!

I had a similar situation in that I was given an absolutely impossible list of projects to complete in an impossible amount of time. This is their way of trying to document reasons for termination. It likely means your current HR file is too thin to support termination, so they’ve conjured this list. You are now in a no win situation, you will be terminated. Here’s what I did after that termination and receipt of unreasonable separation terms. I had a labor lawyer send the head of HR and my former boss a letter stating that nothing they have done is proper/reasonable and would never withstand “disclosure” nor review by arbitration or court. In hard nosed legalese. It worked. Within days I received a new, clean termination agreement. You mig...
by Murgatroyd
Thu Aug 19, 2021 7:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Severance Pay
Replies: 16
Views: 3172

Re: Severance Pay

Separation is a better word.
by Murgatroyd
Fri Aug 06, 2021 4:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: food prices going through the roof?
Replies: 124
Views: 14097

Re: food prices going through the roof?

livesoft wrote: Fri Aug 06, 2021 11:28 am 2L bottles of Dr Pepper have been 88 cents to $1 for years now. No change.
Regular oatmeal is $1.78 for 42 oz box. No change.
Dr. Pepper is the number 1 soda in Texas, it is a “loss-leader” which means retailers will artificially lower its price to enhance store traffic. It is illogical to use this item to reflect food inflation.
by Murgatroyd
Sun Aug 01, 2021 8:11 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity "FidSafe" Free online storage of documents - is this safe?
Replies: 63
Views: 18791

Re: Fidelity "FidSafe" Free online storage of documents - is this safe?

I have posted on this thread before. We want our age thirties children, one of whom is our executor, to have access to our financial info and estate planning documents if we die. However, we are not ready to share this info with them now... Our problem with FidSafe is that once you invite someone to share your info they have access right away, as we understand it. You can set up Sharing after Death instead of sharing now with your contact(s). Scroll down to that section of the FAQ to see the details: https://www.fidsafe.com/info/faq/ From the FidSafe terms and conditions Your Content will only be accessible after your death if you enroll in the Sharing After Death feature of FidSafe and designate a person in accordance with the terms of th...
by Murgatroyd
Sat Jul 10, 2021 8:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Landscape Lighting - Professional or DIY?
Replies: 22
Views: 4004

Re: Landscape Lighting - Professional or DIY?

Another vote to use Volt.com products. I inherited a 50+ light system with 4 transformers. Malibu. In 8 years I have had to replace almost all the fixtures and 2 transformers. I tried 2 different brands of fixtures I thought were better than Malibu. Ultimately I found Volt. I’ve already had to replace those other fixtures. I’ve only had one Volt fixture fail but it was because a deer kicked it. If you DIY don’t waste your money on anything less than Volt. It’s a lot of work. Volt is definitely more than the big box brands but half the cost of professional brands, which is probably what you were quoted. Also, here’s a key, make sure you use proper connectors. Silicone filled. Like these. https://www.lowes.com/pd/DryConn-Aqua-Red-20-Pack-Aqua...
by Murgatroyd
Sun Jul 04, 2021 7:40 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Health insurance before Medicare
Replies: 15
Views: 1887

Re: Health insurance before Medicare

There are a lot of ins and outs regarding health insurance. When I retired early we found a local insurance broker who walked us through it all. Made it easy. There were some issues with credit locks that he powered us through via a four way call with the credit agency, ACA, us and him. When it was time for Medicare he walked us through those issues and choices as well.

Life is complicated enough, having experience on your side for an important decision is a great relief.
by Murgatroyd
Fri Jun 18, 2021 8:36 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Preferred risk insurance company will not underwrite my home because "trees too close"
Replies: 27
Views: 3027

Re: Preferred risk insurance company will not underwrite my home because "trees too close"

We literally live within a forest and are on our 3rd insurance carrier in 8 years. Each one has inspected the exterior and commented on the trees. We also use an experienced arborist. We have massive oaks and walnut trees overhanging the house. The closest branch is probably at least 30,40 feet above.

What they are all saying is the tree types, location and distances from the house are fine. Another comment no one has mentioned above is the angle those branches come off the trees. Anything approaching perpendicular or 90 degrees is considered a weaker, more vulnerable branch. As opposed to a sharper angle.

All that said, you certainly could have had a bad assessment.
by Murgatroyd
Wed Jun 16, 2021 8:44 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to find an insurance agent?
Replies: 3
Views: 494

Re: How to find an insurance agent?

Here’s what I did a few years ago:
- researched the top home and auto insurance companies for my geography,
- listed local independent brokers that handled each carrier,
- checked reviews of each broker.

This resulted in a very obvious top to bottom list of who to call. I simply started with the broker representing the most carriers. I also separately called Amica and one other top ranked company (can’t remember which) on my own because they do not use brokers.

Good luck.
by Murgatroyd
Sat Jun 12, 2021 7:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Executive Compensation proposal question
Replies: 7
Views: 2135

Re: Executive Compensation proposal question

Is there any termination agreement? Particularly if your company is bought out?

Looks to be missing.
by Murgatroyd
Sun May 30, 2021 8:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Optimal Sunglasses for Golf?
Replies: 19
Views: 2494

Re: Optimal Sunglasses for Golf?

I’m near the end of this same exercise. As my eyes have aged I’ve found it almost impossible to track a white ball in flight. If it’s cloudy I absolutely see nothing. There are many internet articles you should read. Here’s the key pieces I’ve changed. First, most recommended is non-polarized lenses. Apparently polarization limits the ability to read greens. By far, the biggest improvement for me was going to a colored golf ball. Orange and, especially, red balls are much easier to see in flight but on bright sunny days are harder to see on the ground. Interestingly, my playing partners with better vision find it harder to see the red ball in flight. I am now trying yellow and haven’t made a decision on which I will stay with. Lastly, you w...
by Murgatroyd
Sun May 16, 2021 2:21 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Stock liquidation strategy
Replies: 8
Views: 1485

Re: Stock liquidation strategy

Correct me if I misunderstand. The pitch is not that harvested losses offset your accumulated capital gains but that higher returns “recoup” the cost of taking the gains? Money is fungible!
by Murgatroyd
Sun May 16, 2021 12:12 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Stock liquidation strategy
Replies: 8
Views: 1485

Re: Stock liquidation strategy

I understand your perspective and objective now. I don’t know if making this change is the best avenue to accomplish because I can’t know the world of options, but moving to the SMA can certainly be a benefit. It should also reduce some risk going from 30 stocks to essentially the S&P 500. We’ve stayed in the SMA because it continues to fulfill our objective of delivering return and losses to write off against some of our gains. Somewhat similar to you. We gave them 10% of our portfolio to start. Due to additions and growth it’s now roughly 20%. But we are also 40% in bond funds. The analysis you received is specific vs the performance of your 30 stocks. However, I cannot imagine how it can recoup a 57% of portfolio in losses in 3 years...
by Murgatroyd
Sat May 15, 2021 4:26 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Stock liquidation strategy
Replies: 8
Views: 1485

Re: Stock liquidation strategy

I have been in the Fidelity tax managed SMA now almost 5 years. Some of your description is at variance with my experience. First, this account is actively managed. There can be a lot of trading depending on market conditions, that’s what you’re paying for. Secondly this will not simply anything. You will now have 250 (or more) additional stocks. And preparing taxes could be more complicated unless you use TurboTax or another program that allows you to download the transactions - see my notes posted above. Also, While they will be handling the account you will need to understand how it works and make certain it is doing what you need. There is nothing “Boglehead” about this SMA. Three questions if I may; a. Did they say how long it would ta...
by Murgatroyd
Wed May 12, 2021 10:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Moving with 2 cats
Replies: 59
Views: 5639

Re: Moving with 2 cats

We drove 1000 miles Dallas to Chicago. Straight through. Put them both in a previously mentioned tube which took up the entire back seat. Two small disposable boxes at either end. One them complained fo 2 or so hours. That was it. They settled down and mostly slept.

We did not want to mess with hotels and additional strange places and the risk of losing one.

We took turns napping. It went well.
by Murgatroyd
Mon May 03, 2021 4:59 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: end-of-life values statement
Replies: 45
Views: 7145

Re: end-of-life values statement

OP, my FIL left a directive similar to yours. He had a bad case of COPD and basically was allergic to everything. He researched every condition he could find that might take him down and penned a very specific DNR. He also left a lifestyle statement that was unequivocal in terms of any short or long term decisions that would affect his quality of life. We (his daughters and brother) were forced with an either-or treatment decision that required considering his quality of life statement. We shared it with his doctors and had a frank conversation. The doctors were highly interested and all agreed they’d never seen anything like it. Bottom line, without his lifestyle statement a decision would have been made that he would not have appreciated....
by Murgatroyd
Thu Apr 22, 2021 10:33 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Illinois Estimated Tax Payments and Lumpy Income
Replies: 21
Views: 1810

Re: Illinois Estimated Tax Payments and Lumpy Income

Folks, there is a “safe harbor” rule that would prevent most taxpayers from incurring this issue: “ However, if you pay at least 90 percent of this year's tax or 100 percent of last year's tax in four equal timely installments, you may not be subject to this penalty.”

I don’t know what OP or anyone above full situation is.

I ran afoul of it in my first full year of retirement when my previous employer paid out an unexpected bonus via a contribution to my by then empty 401k. I closed it a second time by distribution in cash rather than roll it over and even though I more than offset the tax liability with my fourth quarterly payment, I got the penalty. All using Turbo Tax.
by Murgatroyd
Thu Apr 22, 2021 8:39 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Illinois Estimated Tax Payments and Lumpy Income
Replies: 21
Views: 1810

Re: Illinois Estimated Tax Payments and Lumpy Income

FoolMeOnce wrote: Thu Apr 22, 2021 8:19 am Wow, that is a silly rule. I just read the statute and it looks like the "underpayment" penalty, generally, is based on the amount that any quarterly installment falls below 25% of the total estimated tax due, even if you overpayed in total. So if you have an unexpected Q4 lump of income, you can make a big Q4 estimated installment to avoid a Q4 penalty, but will be penalized for Qs 1-3. Ridiculous.
For sure. I’ve lived in 6 states, they all have silly rules whether state or local. And, of course, in general they all have pluses and minuses as places to live. :beer
by Murgatroyd
Thu Apr 22, 2021 8:09 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Illinois Estimated Tax Payments and Lumpy Income
Replies: 21
Views: 1810

Re: Illinois Estimated Tax Payments and Lumpy Income

lstone19 wrote: Wed Apr 21, 2021 10:23 pm
Murgatroyd wrote: Wed Apr 21, 2021 6:13 pm If I recall correctly, Illinois requires each quarterly payment to be identical.
As MarkNYC said, no such requirement in Illinois. Form IL-2210 line 20, where estimated payments are listed, has room for 12 estimated payments of varying amounts.
See link: https://www2.illinois.gov/rev/individua ... ments.aspx

Equal installments cited twice. Key phrases:
a. Estimated tax payments are payments of income tax that are required to be paid evenly throughout the year.

b. Your first estimated payment is due by April 15 of the current year. You may either pay all your estimated tax at that time or pay your estimated tax in four equal installments that are due on...

And, yes, I paid a small penalty once.
by Murgatroyd
Thu Apr 22, 2021 8:08 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Illinois Estimated Tax Payments and Lumpy Income
Replies: 21
Views: 1810

Re: Illinois Estimated Tax Payments and Lumpy Income

MarkNYC wrote: Wed Apr 21, 2021 9:38 pm
Murgatroyd wrote: Wed Apr 21, 2021 6:13 pm If I recall correctly, Illinois requires each quarterly payment to be identical.
Neither Illinois nor any other state has a requirement that each quarterly payment be identical. Such a requirement would be nonsensical.
See link: https://www2.illinois.gov/rev/individua ... ments.aspx

Equal installments cited twice. Key phrases:
a. Estimated tax payments are payments of income tax that are required to be paid evenly throughout the year.

b. Your first estimated payment is due by April 15 of the current year. You may either pay all your estimated tax at that time or pay your estimated tax in four equal installments that are due on...

And, yes, I paid a small penalty once.
by Murgatroyd
Wed Apr 21, 2021 6:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Illinois Estimated Tax Payments and Lumpy Income
Replies: 21
Views: 1810

Re: Illinois Estimated Tax Payments and Lumpy Income

If I recall correctly, Illinois requires each quarterly payment to be identical.
by Murgatroyd
Wed Apr 21, 2021 2:44 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Job Offer - Company won't put bonus info in offer letter or in writing
Replies: 40
Views: 10748

Re: Job Offer - Company won't put bonus info in offer letter or in writing

Stating a target bonus % in my experience (3 Fortune 50 companies and 2 far smaller) is typical. The company should be willing to declare it. It is part of pay- it is part of how you’re evaluated. Whether or how it pays out is an entirely different issue that cannot be foreseen. All you can go by is what they tell you about recent payout history. You are right to be skeptical.

I also believe companies hire recruiters they are comfortable with. In other words, recruiters who operate and have personalities similar to the hiring authority. You are onto something.

Someone above said trust your gut, you also have empirical information as well.
by Murgatroyd
Wed Apr 14, 2021 7:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Food label question
Replies: 5
Views: 634

Re: Food label question

The answer is food is labeled “as typically consumed” For instance breakfast cereal includes useage with the appropriate amount of 2% milk. In your example of olives, just the olive, the medium is not consumed. Crumbs in the bottom are typically irrelevant because the nutrition label is via serving size, unless the entire container equals the serving size.
by Murgatroyd
Sun Mar 28, 2021 7:29 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should I quit/retire? Not a financial matter
Replies: 35
Views: 4216

Re: Should I quit/retire? Not a financial matter

Here’s how much your friends at work are loyal to you. I retired from a situation where I knew about a dozen people for roughly 20 years. There is only one person from that company I stay in touch with after being gone for 4 years. And he isn’t one one the long time acquaintances.

Retire for yourself.
by Murgatroyd
Fri Mar 19, 2021 5:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New grill: gas vs. pellet
Replies: 50
Views: 5736

Re: New grill: gas vs. pellet

I have a different RecTeq model which I love and a fairly new Weber. But if I was in your shoes, I’d get this Bullseye model. It can smoke and run high temperatures.

https://www.recteq.com/RT-B380-Bullseye ... llet-Grill
by Murgatroyd
Tue Mar 16, 2021 8:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Is buying a house in Illinois with 18k property tax a bad financial decision?
Replies: 40
Views: 4386

Re: Is buying a house in Illinois with 18k property tax a bad financial decision?

The best way to satisfy yourself is to find comparable rentals to that house. I live in St. Charles Illinois and there are a lot of homes in your range. Looking at Zillow the biggest house for rent here is 3200 sq ft 3 beds, 3.5 baths for $4350 per month. It’s hard to tell but I’d guess that house might sell for around $600k.

It’s really all about your lifestyle choice.

Best of luck
by Murgatroyd
Mon Mar 15, 2021 5:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Realtor requiring prospective buyers to get pre-approved by spouse's mortgage company
Replies: 33
Views: 3995

Re: Realtor requiring prospective buyers to get pre-approved by spouse's mortgage company

“Gee, I already have a mortgage commitment. Is there any way we can make this additional application work for both of us?”
by Murgatroyd
Thu Mar 11, 2021 8:57 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Help please. Being forced to retire early..
Replies: 185
Views: 40731

Re: Help please. Being forced to retire early..

You are currently a major customer at Fidelity. For no charge you can schedule an appointment at an investor center. They have a n excellent retirement simulation tool that can give you good insight into how your different scenarios could play out. We did this about 2 years before retirement and it really calmed my very worried about the future wife.

All the best,
by Murgatroyd
Wed Mar 10, 2021 12:41 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Listing Realtor asking me to have mortgage lenders call her directly.
Replies: 85
Views: 9991

Re: Listing Realtor asking me to have mortgage lenders call her directly.

Peaceful wrote: Wed Mar 10, 2021 12:33 pm
Murgatroyd wrote: Wed Mar 10, 2021 12:30 pm Very well could be something fishy here.

My sister was selling her house in a smaller town outside a top 5 metro area. The offer came with an approval letter from a well known suburban bank around the metro. Her agent did not want to accept the offer because “it wasn’t a local bank she was familiar with” I told sister that was bs and her agent was probably trying for a kickback. I told her she should call the agency boss if this continued. The offer was accepted as is.

You may be in a no win situation
The difference in your sister's situation obviously is that your sister as the seller, had a much greater control over her own realtor, and the property, than OP does.
Did you not read my final sentence?
by Murgatroyd
Wed Mar 10, 2021 12:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Solar Patio Pathway Lights that are indestructible or at least weed whacker proof?
Replies: 14
Views: 2453

Re: Solar Patio Pathway Lights that are indestructible or at least weed whacker proof?

Someone above has recommended Volt company low voltage. I have many of them and they are nearly indestructible. Volt also sells a solar product made from the same brass. I would think the weed trimmer wouldn’t destroy the base or the lamp assembly. I can’t speak to the solar portion. https://www.voltlighting.com/shop/solar-lights

The folks at Volt can be very helpful. You might give them a call with your questions.
by Murgatroyd
Wed Mar 10, 2021 12:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Listing Realtor asking me to have mortgage lenders call her directly.
Replies: 85
Views: 9991

Re: Listing Realtor asking me to have mortgage lenders call her directly.

Very well could be something fishy here.

My sister was selling her house in a smaller town outside a top 5 metro area. The offer came with an approval letter from a well known suburban bank around the metro. Her agent did not want to accept the offer because “it wasn’t a local bank she was familiar with” I told sister that was bs and her agent was probably trying for a kickback. I told her she should call the agency boss if this continued. The offer was accepted as is.

You may be in a no win situation
by Murgatroyd
Sun Mar 07, 2021 8:06 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Help me fix my toilet flush handle - it's too LIGHT!
Replies: 26
Views: 3598

Re: Help me fix my toilet flush handle - it's too LIGHT!

Is it possible you don’t have the correct flapper ball required for your toilet?
by Murgatroyd
Tue Mar 02, 2021 9:20 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: snow plow pricing
Replies: 45
Views: 4322

Re: snow plow pricing

Is it possible he’s attempting to take advantage because you’re “The Old Ball Coach”?
by Murgatroyd
Wed Feb 17, 2021 9:51 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Why are some grocery store items available for in-store pickup only (not curbside pickup)?
Replies: 9
Views: 8736

Re: Why are some grocery store items available for in-store pickup only (not curbside pickup)?

A guess..... Grocery is a low margin business. The additional labor used for selecting and providing curbside services is hard to recover. they could be attempting to offset these costs by using higher gross margin items.
by Murgatroyd
Mon Feb 15, 2021 11:03 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Preparing mentally for retirement
Replies: 46
Views: 5038

Re: Preparing mentally for retirement

In general I’ve noticed the people who struggle the most early in retirement are those who view their self worth as a function of their job/position. Those who don’t are ready for a new future. Being super burned out is a reason to retire but not enough, especially at 53. As to your question about others perceptions. I was the first of my friends to retire - still the only one retired 4 years later. None of these high achievers could understand it. We meet every month for lunch and I was interrogated for a long time. What do you do with your time? (Response: tell me what YOU do on Saturday...That’s what I do every day) Don’t you get bored? (I’ll call you when it happens) Etc. Now they tell others that I am happier than anyone they know. As ...