Search found 23 matches

by DemySD
Wed Jan 18, 2023 3:09 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: To the Posters w/ Children That Spend Less Than $800/Month on Groceries -- HOW?!?!
Replies: 192
Views: 17449

Re: To the Posters w/ Children That Spend Less Than $800/Month on Groceries -- HOW?!?!

I have been reading a few threads lately and have been utterly bemused by multiple posters, with families, indicating that they spend less than $800/month on groceries. This absolutely blows my mind. My wife and I are what I consider very mindful and frugal when it comes to personal finance. We will have our mortgage paid off by 40, we drive paid off Toyotas, we cancel cable 8 months of the year, we don't pay for cleaning/lawn maintenance/etc. According to Mint, though, we spend about $1,250/month on groceries. This does include alcohol, but we do shop sales, limit meat consumption, don't buy pop/juices/etc. We generally shop at Meijer. How are your grocery bills so low? What are we missing? We have a networth over a million, we have two b...
by DemySD
Fri May 20, 2022 11:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: ITALY Vacation this October.. Any GUIDED Travel Tours Suggestions??
Replies: 29
Views: 3540

Re: ITALY Vacation this October.. Any GUIDED Travel Tours Suggestions??

If anyone is serious about private Italy tours I know a great guide. Fluent in English. Fluent in life. Fascinating guy with a ton of off the beaten path knowledge (and, of course, beaten path knowledge if that's what you want to stick with). He's out of Tuscany but when I traveled with him he indicated he could do most regions.

I don't want to just blast out his contact here, but if anyone's interested DM me.
by DemySD
Mon May 16, 2022 11:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Which European travel destination with young kids?
Replies: 19
Views: 1788

Re: Which European travel destination with young kids?

Florence and then take one or more food tours into Tuscany while you're over there.

It's a city, so there's a lot of take in, but it's fairly low-key with gorgeous, natural beauty in every direction...very safe, great museums, pedestrian friendly and some of the best food in Italy. The views in Tuscany are unreal and it's dotted with beautiful medieval villages you can stop in for quick/day trips. I had an elite tour guide on a private Tuscany tour when I was last in Italy who I can refer you to if you're interested. You're also moderately close to some other major attractions like Cinque Terre and Bologna if you want non-Florence full day excursions, although the kids might put a wrench in something like that.
by DemySD
Sun Apr 24, 2022 8:33 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tales from this insane real estate market [Home sales]
Replies: 2923
Views: 521154

Re: Tales from this insane real estate market

Placed an offer this evening for 50k above asking with waived inspection (we had one done earlier in the day), willing to pay cash up to offer price if appraisal came in lower. Conventional mortgage with 20% down, non contingent. Offers due by 6pm. At 630pm, selling realtor called back to say we were one of three “finalists” and asked if we would like to increase our offer by 15k, the other two offers were also being asked to make concessions or increase price. It was not a counter offer, so by agreeing we would not be guaranteed anything. Our realtor, in so many words, said this was poor form to try and squeeze buyers but they’re allowed to do whatever they want. We discussed and decided to stay firm as we are thankfully not desperate for...
by DemySD
Thu Feb 24, 2022 12:39 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What's your trigger for deciding it's time to buy more stocks during a down market?
Replies: 88
Views: 11030

Re: What's your trigger for deciding it's time to buy more stocks during a down market?

Believe me, this is in no way a criticism of anyone here, but I chuckle every time obvious external events lean on the market and people get the discount double check twinkle in their eye. "Well I don't like to time the market but..." and they're loading up to buy VTI when it's down big...and still almost double the price when the conversation was "this is unsustainable, valuations are nuts, should I reduce my position???"

Imagine if all that dry powder when in at 120 a share in the first place 8-)
by DemySD
Wed Apr 14, 2021 10:15 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: First child entering college in the fall... need some advice
Replies: 186
Views: 16064

Re: First child entering college in the fall... need some advice

The opening post explains how the enhanced cost is worth the investment. So you merely have to do what every other less fortunate American does. Take out a loan. If that is too risky a proposition then maybe this isn't as great an investment as you think.
by DemySD
Wed May 06, 2020 12:02 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Is Disney the most tempting value stock?
Replies: 274
Views: 25415

Re: Is Disney the most tempting value stock?

Elysium wrote: Mon May 04, 2020 11:34 am Never liked Disney, felt it was over-hyped, overcrowded, bad food, long lines, poor treatment of employees and environment.
I must interject. This is objectively wrong. And if you're complaining about the random fast service burgers you got that's like saying New York has bad food because the McDonald's was disappointing. That whole resort is crawling with great restaurants and more than a few spectacular ones.
by DemySD
Mon Mar 16, 2020 10:01 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: <deleted>
Replies: 85
Views: 9143

Re: Its going to get really bad, so I am Hedging - reducing stock exposure

I must say, and please don't take this the wrong way, there is a portion of this forum that talks huge game when the markets are sky high. They bust out all the talking points and drop all the witty one-liners when people question them.

And then the wind blows and everything changes.
by DemySD
Fri Mar 13, 2020 2:42 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: TLH and Roth IRA timing
Replies: 2
Views: 211

Re: TLH and Roth IRA timing

Thanks for the reply, that's a good idea. I might go the other way and put taxable vti in large caps.
by DemySD
Fri Mar 13, 2020 2:19 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: TLH and Roth IRA timing
Replies: 2
Views: 211

TLH and Roth IRA timing

Quick scenario--

I have VTI in both my Roth and taxable and both have recent purchases. If I want to harvest the losses can I just convert them both to SP500 and call it a day? Do I have to convert the roth first so nothing is flagged when the taxable sale goes through?
by DemySD
Sun Feb 02, 2020 3:14 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Using Chase Ultimate Rewards
Replies: 29
Views: 3763

Re: Using Chase Ultimate Rewards

Yes can you explain the upgraded airfare? I'm a newbie to these CC reward miles and I'm sitting on a bunch of UR with a desire to fly trans-Pacific not in a sardine can.
by DemySD
Tue Jan 07, 2020 8:31 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Exercise machine for a small apartment
Replies: 56
Views: 4442

Re: Exercise machine for a small apartment

The thing with exercise is that you really should be picking activities you enjoy doing or else you'll stop shortly after the initial "all out" phase. You can find the best deal for the most efficient machine and if you're not into the activity you'll tap out in less than two weeks. So instead of looking for the right size or the right price, talk to her about what it would take for both of you to live a more active lifestyle and pursue that. You may not have the answer to that unless you try some things you've never done before. For what its worth I've recently added a sunny bike to my apartment that takes up very little space and my girlfriend and I have each been using it 3-5 times a week with the Peloton app (which offers a su...
by DemySD
Mon Dec 30, 2019 11:25 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Has anyone done Whole 30? [Diet]
Replies: 141
Views: 7734

Re: Has anyone done Whole 30? [Diet]

There was a professor who went on the Convenience Store Diet (sometimes referred to as the Twinkie Diet) to make a point about calories in/calories out. He mostly ate processed cakes and treats, but capped himself at 1800 calories a day.

His weight dropped significantly and his blood work improved.

(He did take a daily protein shake, multivitamin and serving of vegetables).

After the diet he started by adding back meat and his cholesterol went up.

https://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/11/08/t ... index.html
by DemySD
Wed Nov 13, 2019 3:02 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Are complicated credit card cash back strategies worth it?
Replies: 131
Views: 30634

Re: Are complicated credit card cash back strategies worth it?

If your normal daily spending can ultimately get bonus multipliers for a transfer to a flight you always wanted to take then its worth it. Nickle and diming the 2% vs. the 3% cash back is just a way to fill time in the day.
by DemySD
Mon Oct 28, 2019 10:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Universal Orlando for 4 days
Replies: 27
Views: 1885

Re: Universal Orlando for 4 days

Universal is a different beast than Disney. Being so much denser there's a lot more opportunity to react to the crowds if you plan smartly. Staying on-site usually is part of that strategy. I stayed at Cabana Bay twice. It's a short bus ride to the CityWalk which gives you flexibility to get in and out of the main resort area without too much hassle if things get too crowded. There is a decent walk from the bus dropoff to the two park entrances themselves, but unless you're dropped off by car at one of the lesser known gates, drivers have to make that same walk or worse. As a HP fan I valued being able to get in early for breakfast in Diagon Alley or Three Broomsticks without the general admission crowds. You can hit the HP rides before the...
by DemySD
Mon Oct 07, 2019 8:58 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Would or should you tip AAA road assistance?
Replies: 67
Views: 8861

Re: Would or should you tip AAA road assistance?

Went to a bakery. Pointed at the pastry in the display I wanted. The girl picked it up, put it in a box then rotated an iPad towards me to select a tip with recommendations starting at 15% and going up to 25%. Next day went to a convention in NYC. Had food trucks selling sandwiches at triple the price. Guy writes down my order then hands me a phone with a 15% tip automatically added to the price. A button drops the tip 1% per press. Had to stand in front of the guy staring me down as I tap his phone 15 times. This is getting out of hand. They should tip me for paying them $40 bucks for 2 cold sandwiches and a watered down lemonade. Service was very slow by the way. Would it have been faster if I gave them an extra $6? I'll answer that. Nope.
by DemySD
Thu Aug 08, 2019 1:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Books on gaining control of your mind/behavior
Replies: 24
Views: 3009

Re: Books on gaining control of your mind/behavior

Many strange answers in this thread amounting to "deceive or handcuff yourself." Doesn't sound like there's much actual self control going on here. Makes you wonder what happens when life wanders outside of the safe space...

Respect to the people meditating/practicing martial arts, though. You guys are unflinching.
by DemySD
Fri Mar 29, 2019 9:18 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 2 days in New York City
Replies: 57
Views: 5522

Re: 2 days in New York City

Sleep No More or Then She Fell

Sleep No More is the Yankee Stadium version.
Then She Fell is the local minor league team version.

Both have pros and cons based on the above analogy, but you should try to see one of those. SNM being in Manhattan is usually a major pro for people visiting, but you'll be staying in Brooklyn so going to a super super super super random spot in Brooklyn for a show shouldn't be as big of a deal for you.
by DemySD
Thu Mar 21, 2019 9:29 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Paris - Is It Safe?
Replies: 143
Views: 12419

Re: Paris - Is It Safe?

I was in Paris fairly recently and two situations stand out; 1) I met an acquaintance at a divey bar where they didn't speak great English. A friend of mine who was with us decided it was a great time to get completely hammered to the point of incoherence with the inability to stand. I proceeded to drag said friend (who is about twice my size) through the streets of Paris in the middle of the night to the closest metro (which was not close at all). Said friend was constantly trying to get out of my grasp and sandbagging me and rolling around on the sidewalks. If there were ever two jerks who should've been mugged it was us. The Parisians didn't oblige. A few of the Parisians giggled as they sipped drinks and watched me wrestle this guy thro...
by DemySD
Wed Feb 20, 2019 9:49 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Advisability of Using a Personal Trainer at the Gym
Replies: 52
Views: 5101

Re: Advisability of Using a Personal Trainer at the Gym

Personal trainers are like financial advisors.

Take that for what it's worth.
by DemySD
Fri Dec 21, 2018 4:39 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is it wash sale? What should I Do?
Replies: 12
Views: 855

Re: Is it wash sale? What should I Do?

Anytime I see these wash rule topics with references to IRAs I always have the same hypothetical question:

Funds A, B, and C are all substantially non-identical.

You have a taxable account that is 100% invested in Fund A, but you haven't bought any shares in Fund A for many, many months. You also have a Roth IRA 100% invested in Fund A, but it is auto-purchasing shares every day for the sake of argument.

Fund A dramatically tanks overnight.

Is there any way to TLH Fund A to Fund B in your taxable account without shutting off the Roth auto-invest and waiting for 31 days?

Can you exchange the entire Roth account for Fund C and then TLH the taxable account to Fund B?
by DemySD
Mon Apr 30, 2018 12:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: New Car: Ever make sense to lease?
Replies: 148
Views: 23452

Re: New Car: Ever make sense to lease?

Yes, it can make a lot of sense. Read up on lease math at leasehackr, crowdsource deals and then go into negotiation with all the data on your side. Leasing EVs in particular can be tremendously valuable as they are heavily incentivized at the federal, state, and even local levels and the cost of energy is much less than ICE vehicles. There is a (subjective) sweet spot for cost of ownership per year for a vehicle and with the right deal you can absolutely hit it on a lease. People how even leased vehicles for effectively $0. That's rare, of course, but $100-150 a month range is extremely common with some research. But yes, be prepared to be yelled at and jeered by dealers when you push for a great lease deal, but really how is that any diff...