Search found 945 matches

by GoldStar
Fri Mar 17, 2023 9:42 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Calm small dog breed for family
Replies: 142
Views: 13626

Re: Calm small dog breed for family

Lots of great suggestions and you are not alone as many people are interested in calmer dogs. You can see many of the mellower breeds people have mentioned in these various lists (pick out the smaller breeds since that's what you are looking for) - in case you haven't seen these yet good to look through: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/pets/g40613580/calm-dog-breeds/ https://www.rd.com/article/calm-dog-breeds/ https://www.dailypaws.com/living-with-pets/pet-compatibility/calm-dog-breeds https://www.purewow.com/family/calm-dog-breeds https://www.dailypaws.com/living-with-pets/pet-compatibility/calm-dog-breeds https://www.k9ofmine.com/calmest-dog-breeds/ https://www.southernliving.com/culture/pets/calm-dog-breeds https://be.chewy.com/beh...
by GoldStar
Tue Dec 06, 2022 9:18 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Recliner chair for my Dad
Replies: 45
Views: 5748

Re: Recliner chair for my Dad

For anyone following this thread I would NOT recommend a lift chair unless already medically necessary. The problem with lift chairs is that folks slowly become reliant upon them and further muscle atrophy occurs. They end up not being able to stand up from a bed or toilet since were they are not getting the motion from where they spend the most time standing up. It builds a bad habit.
by GoldStar
Wed Mar 13, 2019 8:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Peanut Butter recommendations
Replies: 84
Views: 9542

Re: Peanut Butter recommendations

dm200 wrote: Wed Mar 13, 2019 4:50 pm
bdrolan wrote: Wed Mar 13, 2019 3:23 pm
GoldStar wrote: Wed Mar 13, 2019 8:33 am We buy Skippy Natural Peanut Butter Creamy.
My spouse used to buy more expensive natural brands but we found Skippy Natural to be consistently good (and just as "Natural" at a better price).

If you want to compare to the coffee aficionados maybe you should roast and grind your own peanuts and make your own :)
I 2nd this. We use Skippy Natural. Always good to go and cheaper than all others at our HEBs and Wal-Marts.
Unfortunately - not that "natural". Other things besides "peanuts" and, optionally, some salt.

http://thedelicioustruth.blogspot.com/2 ... py-vs.html
It is.
Your blog post points to and talks about regular Skippy and not Skippy Natural.
by GoldStar
Wed Mar 13, 2019 3:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What time do you start your day?
Replies: 69
Views: 4450

Re: What time do you start your day?

Why the focus on start time? Why not hours worked? Of course the best metric is goals accomplished (but society doesn't work that way).

I live East Coast but work for a West Coast company so now work 9-ish to 6-ish or 7-ish. Sometimes being on calls later. When I've worked for East Coast companies I was typically starting 8-ish. When I was commuting I would shift hours around to try to avoid traffic (either by going in earlier and leaving earlier; or going in later and leaving later).
by GoldStar
Wed Mar 13, 2019 3:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Renting in Boston - how difficult with a pit bull?
Replies: 48
Views: 4526

Re: Renting in Boston - how difficult with a pit bull?

Boston had ordinance specific to Pit Bulls but a state law a few years ago prohibited the ordinances so they had to be removed (hundreds of ordinances across the state were).
Everytime another Pitbull attack or death occurs the debate re-launches (One article below of death of 7-year old). With so much press on pitbulls issues - I'm sure it will be a problem renting with one.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2017/ ... story.html
Of course there is the "Service Dog" loophole that someone mentioned above.
by GoldStar
Wed Mar 13, 2019 3:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should I give more money to a family member?
Replies: 107
Views: 8802

Re: Should I give more money to a family member?

You gave younger sister more than older sister - promised more to younger sister but now are planning on backing out of promise?
I am surprised either one of the two sisters is talking to you! In hindsight you should have just executed the will to the instructions - now that you've made the promise - not sure what you should do. I personally don't like to back out of commitments I make.

For those that find the OPs story interesting - there are several like it in this book (Beyond the Grave by Condon):

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LEYI4S6

Estate distribution sounds like it should be easy - but...
by GoldStar
Wed Mar 13, 2019 3:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: MMM on pbs newshour
Replies: 9
Views: 3334

Re: MMM on pbs newshour

My opinion of him remains the same:
Still a False Profit (Claims to live frugally although makes boat-loads of money - easily got divorced and simply went out and bought 2nd home mortgage free - etc.; claims to be retired although makes money working blog/speaking-gigs/etc. Even before he started making money after the blog picked up he wasn't really retired - doing construction work, etc.).
by GoldStar
Wed Mar 13, 2019 3:07 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Any credit cards that can beat the Citi doublecash?
Replies: 72
Views: 14572

Re: Any credit cards that can beat the Citi doublecash?

UpperNwGuy wrote: Wed Mar 13, 2019 2:35 pm PenFed Power Cash Rewards. 2% on everything. Better than Citi Double Cash because the full 2% posts ehen the charge posts, and you can redeem any amount any time.
I would call the Citi card better for most of us because there isn't a credit union membership barrier to deal with. (Harder to join PenFed if you aren't ex-military from what I've read).

Anyone can sign up for Citi DoubleCash - and redeeming the second 1% after paying the card really isn't that much of a downside.
by GoldStar
Wed Mar 13, 2019 3:04 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Any credit cards that can beat the Citi doublecash?
Replies: 72
Views: 14572

Re: Any credit cards that can beat the Citi doublecash?

I think you've got the best all-around cash-rewards card with Citi (No credit union to join; no annual fee; no gimmicks/tricks; no categories to worry about; etc.).
Charge away and get 2% back. Its that simple.
by GoldStar
Wed Mar 13, 2019 2:40 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Late-start Fidelity 401(k)
Replies: 17
Views: 1937

Re: Late-start Fidelity 401(k)

^^ You should read this page if you haven't done so yet:

https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Asset_a ... e_accounts
by GoldStar
Wed Mar 13, 2019 2:36 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Late-start Fidelity 401(k)
Replies: 17
Views: 1937

Re: Late-start Fidelity 401(k)

For the life of me, I cannot fathom recommending putting my entire 401(k) into a single US Total Market index fund. (I wonder how much that advice is influenced by the fact that index funds are currently experiencing a decade in which that advice would retroactively look amazing.) I was merely using this as an example (Can't make real specific suggestions since you didn't provide info on your wife's 401k and your taxable and anything else you might have). For example - if your spouse has better bond fund choices than you in her 401K you could put all (or most) your 401K money in Total-US-Stock-Market; she could put all her 401K in Bond; and you could put all (most) taxable in International. This might give you the exact Asset-Allocation yo...
by GoldStar
Wed Mar 13, 2019 12:07 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Utility bill hits new highs! What can I do?
Replies: 55
Views: 4125

Re: Utility bill hits new highs! What can I do?

That seems like a lot of electricity use for a 2-bedroom apartment that isn't electricity heated. Perhaps your refrigerator coils need cleaning or you have an appliance issue. Is hot water heater gas or electric? Is the water heater in a cold basement somewhere? Is stove gas or electric? You said you have the same routine as last year but I would think it through to make sure (Are you cooking more meals in the oven than you were a year ago? Are one of you showering at home that was showering at a gym a year ago? Small differences like these can make a big difference). A colder winter could explain the gas difference (if your heat is definitely gas) but not the electric difference (unless you have an electric water heater in a cold place). E...
by GoldStar
Wed Mar 13, 2019 10:53 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Things to do in Maine
Replies: 87
Views: 10863

Re: Things to do in Maine

Thanks for all the replies. What I'm thinking of doing is to maybe rent a house and then do day trips from there. If the house could be on a lake, all the better. I know a lot of houses (probably especially during this period) will want you to rent for an extended period but if I could get two houses in different parts of the state, then all the better. So with a lot of the suggestions here, does anyone know of good areas to look for? We don't have to have any views or be on the coast per se, but a lot of the suggestions do seem to be coastal related. Also I like the idea of Prince Edward Island in Canada so not sure if there's a good "base camp" around that area to hit that plus some other northern Maine sightseeing. Believe it ...
by GoldStar
Wed Mar 13, 2019 10:44 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to finance addition
Replies: 21
Views: 1344

Re: How to finance addition

I'd take half from taxable and half from Cash - replenishing both over time as if you are paying back a loan.
by GoldStar
Wed Mar 13, 2019 10:41 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I want to leave Vanguard
Replies: 71
Views: 8054

Re: I want to leave Vanguard

Fidelity. You can transfer your IRA there and use the ZERO-ER Index funds.
by GoldStar
Wed Mar 13, 2019 8:43 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bright daughter wants to work for nonprofit
Replies: 103
Views: 10753

Re: Bright daughter wants to work for nonprofit

In life happiness is even more important than the size of your paycheck. If the non-profit will be the job where she finally feels at home - I would say that is a good decision.
Number of job-hops is somewhat industry dependent - but 4 jobs in 3 years would be a bit worrisome for me. If she doesn't stick with the next job for a longer period of time and we hit a recession with the job market tightening up folks may be afraid to hire her. As a hiring manager I'd be looking at her resume concerned she will jump ship as soon as she has been with the company long enough to become productive. Right now the job market is so hot she is getting away with it - this might not be the case in a few years.
by GoldStar
Wed Mar 13, 2019 8:33 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Peanut Butter recommendations
Replies: 84
Views: 9542

Re: Peanut Butter recommendations

We buy Skippy Natural Peanut Butter Creamy.
My spouse used to buy more expensive natural brands but we found Skippy Natural to be consistently good (and just as "Natural" at a better price).

If you want to compare to the coffee aficionados maybe you should roast and grind your own peanuts and make your own :)
by GoldStar
Wed Mar 13, 2019 8:18 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Late-start Fidelity 401(k)
Replies: 17
Views: 1937

Re: Late-start Fidelity 401(k)

I am assuming you do realize you can easily move between funds inside this 401k later without any taxable event occurring. You mention that you want this 401k to be a self-standing diversified holding while you manage another 401k account and a taxable account separately. If you look at all of these as a single portfolio you can optimize your choices across all of them (e.g. - you could put ALL your 401k into the Total-Market fund; and pick international elsewhere). If you later cash out a large portion of your Schwab taxable for a home purchase - at that time - you can choose to rebalance by moving money inside the 401ks. Looking at my portfolio as a whole is what made the biggest difference for me in optimizing my portfolio as well as sim...
by GoldStar
Tue Mar 12, 2019 6:34 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Late-start Fidelity 401(k)
Replies: 17
Views: 1937

Re: Late-start Fidelity 401(k)

TRRJX is likely to just drag down your returns. 1. Thank you for both of your replies, very appreciated. 2. I guess I just don't conceptualize my 401(k) goal that way. Part of it is preservation, part of it is growth, and part of it is coming up with a strategy that I can follow, contribute to, and see through into retirement years. For me, there's already an artificial barrier in the funds that are available via my employer's program, which may change multiple times, as it has already. Personally, I feel like concluding that there's sufficient diversity in the low cost index funds offered is not accurate. So I either "pay" by accepting some additional fees to get something closer to the diversification I want in a single account...
by GoldStar
Tue Mar 12, 2019 6:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: United Economy class and personal item bringing on plane
Replies: 23
Views: 3207

Re: United Economy class and personal item bringing on plane

Their website clearly states 17 x 9 x 10 inches max for personal item. All three of your bags are bigger than this (2 are significantly so) - so could be taken away if they can't be squished down into these dimensions. When I think "personal item" - I think small backpack or small laptop bag. Duffel bags are carry-on's at best - not personal items. (EDIT ADD: I have 3 that I use. For business trips - small laptop bag is personal item - bring small roller-board for carry-on; for overnight business trips I bring a small laptop backpack that can also fit a change of clothes and a few toiletries; for personal trips - I have a backpack that fits a laptop and DSLR with an extra lens or two). At the airport the steel frames simulate the...
by GoldStar
Tue Mar 12, 2019 3:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: lawn care cost
Replies: 151
Views: 19691

Re: lawn care cost

mak1277 wrote: Tue Mar 12, 2019 3:56 pm
jebmke wrote: Tue Mar 12, 2019 3:53 pm
mak1277 wrote: Tue Mar 12, 2019 3:44 pm I pay $30 per trip to a "real" lawn care company for mowing/trimming/edging.
How do you identify a "real" lawn care company? Do they have special signs on their trucks?
As compared to a bunch of high school kids.
RE: Real Lawn Care Company: They have commercial grade machines and trimmers and blowers. In and out quickly and efficiently allowing them to keep the cost down.
by GoldStar
Tue Mar 12, 2019 3:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: lawn care cost
Replies: 151
Views: 19691

Re: lawn care cost

I can't imagine I'll ever routinely pay someone to mow my lawn, but I would say $40 a pop is WAY cheaper than hiring it out to an actual landscaping/mowing crew. It depends on the area I suppose. I am surprised at how cheap basic lawn maintenance service is (Landscaping is a different story). I live in Massachusetts and I was paying $45 per trip for half-acre lot - was quoted $35 last year by a pro. They come in with 4 guys and their huge machines and are in and out in 10 minutes (They should name the company "Mow-Blow-And-Go" - so fast its amazing). They have it down to a science such that they are so much more efficient than the neighborhood kid (who wants to charge more actually). What takes me (or the neighborhood kid) 90 min...
by GoldStar
Tue Mar 12, 2019 3:46 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Late-start Fidelity 401(k)
Replies: 17
Views: 1937

Re: Late-start Fidelity 401(k)

As an example to my statement above - the current top holding of TRRJX is "T. Rowe Price Growth Stock (PRGFX)"
If you compare this fund to a similar passive Index fund (like Vanguard's Growth Index Fund) it is lagging by several percentage points each year.
Why pay more for weaker performance? I would do similar comparisons on every fund in its current make-up.
You can get really great diversification with the three fidelity funds you list - TRRJX is likely to just drag down your returns.
by GoldStar
Tue Mar 12, 2019 3:40 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Late-start Fidelity 401(k)
Replies: 17
Views: 1937

Re: Late-start Fidelity 401(k)

I wouldn't do the TRRJX fund myself - I'm an 100% index fund guy though. I don't believe in actively managed funds (any longer) as I know there are few that consistently beat their indexes over the years. I would stick with just a mix of the three Fidelity Index funds you have listed. I would be curious to know how you think that the T-Rowe fund is more diversified and quality than the total-market funds and how you think that mix of large actively managed T-Rowe-Price funds (that is within TRRJX) is going to beat the market by at least 0.7% every year. If you aren't convinced it will beat the market consistently by 0.7% every year - then you should stick with the other three. You also don't know how they will change the mix-up over the yea...
by GoldStar
Tue Mar 12, 2019 2:28 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Work or stay home for 1 year
Replies: 30
Views: 2607

Re: Work or stay home for 1 year

I guess the question is how old are these "Little kiddies" and is tuition really just day-care or a real elementary private school? If you can dump the private school costs it will make it easier for one of you to stay home. My spouse stayed home after our first was born - it was really tight for the first year then became easier thereafter (after I started getting raises, etc.). You learn to live on less when you have to and the rewards of having your children with one of you more often - picking up your values, etc. - is simply priceless (in my opinion). It's been 25 years now and the only work my spouse has done has been free volunteer work - we've been SIK (Single-Income-Kids) for life now but haven't regretted it for a minute...
by GoldStar
Tue Mar 12, 2019 1:00 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What theory has changed, since you last took Economics/Finance courses in college?
Replies: 69
Views: 7342

Re: What theory has changed, since you last took Economics/Finance courses in college?

Funny - I went to school for Electric Engineering - both undergrad and grad but never took a finance class (could have as elective).
Now I've moved up into management and spend more time working with financials than dealing with engineering - learned on the job throughout the years.
by GoldStar
Tue Mar 12, 2019 10:12 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: United Economy class and personal item bringing on plane
Replies: 23
Views: 3207

Re: United Economy class and personal item bringing on plane

Their website clearly states 17 x 9 x 10 inches max for personal item.
All three of your bags are bigger than this (2 are significantly so) - so could be taken away if they can't be squished down into these dimensions.

When I think "personal item" - I think small backpack or small laptop bag. Duffel bags are carry-on's at best - not personal items.
(EDIT ADD: I have 3 that I use. For business trips - small laptop bag is personal item - bring small roller-board for carry-on; for overnight business trips I bring a small laptop backpack that can also fit a change of clothes and a few toiletries; for personal trips - I have a backpack that fits a laptop and DSLR with an extra lens or two).
by GoldStar
Sat Mar 09, 2019 7:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Men & Women: What do you pack for travel inside 1 carry-on luggage only??
Replies: 169
Views: 15789

Re: Men & Women: What do you pack for travel inside 1 carry-on luggage only??

Sandtrap wrote: Sat Mar 09, 2019 7:35 am
Thanks for the pointers.
What DSLR system are you using?
Is it heavy?
j :happy
Cropped sensor so it's not as heavy as full sensor.
Currently Nikon D7100.
by GoldStar
Fri Mar 08, 2019 2:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Budget help
Replies: 54
Views: 3940

Re: Budget help

With the edit you just did your expenses exceed your income. I assume you are sitting on a high networth of cash you are living off of perhaps since you have enough in taxable to remove the HELOC. Personally I would remove the HELOC if I could.
I also wouldn't be comfortable spending about 20% of my salary on my mortgage (29% if you include the HELOC!) - perhaps you have large bonuses you aren't mentioning or are sitting on a lot of taxable money making you comfortable. From what you provided above - you seem to have a classic case of house-poor.
by GoldStar
Fri Mar 08, 2019 2:39 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bogle "5% Gold"
Replies: 248
Views: 38916

Re: Bogle "5% Gold"

PurpleArc wrote: Fri Mar 08, 2019 2:34 pm Would crypto invalid some of the motivation to hold gold as a store of currency during times of flight?
I suppose - I view them both as speculations and not investments.
by GoldStar
Fri Mar 08, 2019 11:22 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: attacked by off-leash dog
Replies: 220
Views: 10711

Re: attacked by off-leash dog

Because I don't know that your dog is in fact friendly, and even if it is, I don't want its slobber all over me. :D The answer is "Because there really is not such thing as a 'friendly dog'". They are animals - might be friendly one minute and angry and lose control the next. The good news is, in every state I'm aware of, they are considered property. If an unleashed dog approaches you and you shoot it you aren't committing murder - you are simply destroying property and normally considered within your right to do so. If you shoot my dog simply for approaching you, you will find yourself in court. Sure - and I will win. Okay, Goldstar. Take your gun on your next walk and shoot the next dog you see that might approach you. Please ...
by GoldStar
Fri Mar 08, 2019 11:12 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: attacked by off-leash dog
Replies: 220
Views: 10711

Re: attacked by off-leash dog

Regattamom wrote: Fri Mar 08, 2019 11:10 am
GoldStar wrote: Fri Mar 08, 2019 11:07 am
CFM300 wrote: Fri Mar 08, 2019 10:54 am
HomerJ wrote: Thu Mar 07, 2019 11:22 pm Why is a friendly dog a big problem? Serious question.
Because I don't know that your dog is in fact friendly, and even if it is, I don't want its slobber all over me. :D
The answer is "Because there really is not such thing as a 'friendly dog'". They are animals - might be friendly one minute and angry and lose control the next.
The good news is, in every state I'm aware of, they are considered property. If an unleashed dog approaches you and you shoot it you aren't committing murder - you are simply destroying property and normally considered within your right to do so.
If you shoot my dog simply for approaching you, you will find yourself in court.
Sure - and I will win.
by GoldStar
Fri Mar 08, 2019 11:10 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: attacked by off-leash dog
Replies: 220
Views: 10711

Re: attacked by off-leash dog

DanMahowny wrote: Fri Mar 08, 2019 11:07 am I'm convinced nobody posting in this thread has ever seen a "well trained dog."

You would be amazed what is possible.

Also, is the OP gone?
I've seen lots of well-trained dogs. I also know well trained dogs attack and sometimes even kill people.
by GoldStar
Fri Mar 08, 2019 11:07 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: attacked by off-leash dog
Replies: 220
Views: 10711

Re: attacked by off-leash dog

CFM300 wrote: Fri Mar 08, 2019 10:54 am
HomerJ wrote: Thu Mar 07, 2019 11:22 pm Why is a friendly dog a big problem? Serious question.
Because I don't know that your dog is in fact friendly, and even if it is, I don't want its slobber all over me. :D
The answer is "Because there really is not such thing as a 'friendly dog'". They are animals - might be friendly one minute and angry and lose control the next.
The good news is, in every state I'm aware of, they are considered property. If an unleashed dog approaches you and you shoot it you aren't committing murder - you are simply destroying property and normally considered within your right to do so.
by GoldStar
Fri Mar 08, 2019 10:32 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: attacked by off-leash dog
Replies: 220
Views: 10711

Re: attacked by off-leash dog

HomerJ wrote: Fri Mar 08, 2019 10:29 am But I don't think a friendly tail-wagging dog is suddenly going to bite me.
Here is the mistake I made years ago. Tail-wagging has nothing to do with friendly. It means the dog is excited. It might be excited because it wants to say hi or it might be excited because you seem a threat and it wants to attack you. If you watch videos of dogs hunting small prey look at how much their tails wag.

You have a false sense of security thinking you can read dog's emotions. This could get you bit. It did for me. I learned my lesson.
by GoldStar
Fri Mar 08, 2019 10:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: attacked by off-leash dog
Replies: 220
Views: 10711

Re: attacked by off-leash dog

HomerJ wrote: Fri Mar 08, 2019 10:14 am
Dogs are pretty easy to read.
LOL!
by GoldStar
Fri Mar 08, 2019 10:13 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: attacked by off-leash dog
Replies: 220
Views: 10711

Re: attacked by off-leash dog

It's a problem of getting attacked. Twice. Ah, then I understand your point of view. Dogs are wild animals with a bit of domestication but folks should realize that anything can set them off (even the best trained dogs) such that they lose control. Even some of the best trained dogs can be subject to losing control. Homer - Based upon your answers above - sounds like you have been lucky so far - but all it takes is one dog giving your hand a sniff and having you remind him of someone that threatened him earlier in life and off goes your hand. The chance of this actually happening may be low enough that the happiness you get by saying hi to strange dogs is worth the risk - but you should realize the risk is always there. Dog attacks happen ...
by GoldStar
Fri Mar 08, 2019 9:46 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: attacked by off-leash dog
Replies: 220
Views: 10711

Re: attacked by off-leash dog

I get a kick out of some of you demanding that ALL dogs must be leashed. Ridiculous. I have two German Shepherds (working line) and their training is exceptional. I haven't used a leash since they were 9 months old. They will respond to my voice commands or hand signals ALWAYS, under any circumstance, in any environment. We train often, and we train for everything. It's unfortunate the OP was attacked. All dogs should be under control- leash or otherwise. A leash is a pretty crappy tool for controlling a dog if you dog has no obedience training. I get a kick out of people who think that their unleashed dogs will always be under their control. Ridiculous. Everyone with an unleashed dog thinks their dogs are under control .... until they are...
by GoldStar
Thu Mar 07, 2019 4:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Which of these Online Savings Accounts (high-yield) are reliable?
Replies: 45
Views: 8468

Re: Which of these Online Savings Accounts (high-yield) are reliable?

athan wrote: Thu Mar 07, 2019 1:37 pm
Arthur Digby Sellers wrote: Thu Mar 07, 2019 11:06 am
athan wrote: Thu Mar 07, 2019 9:49 am
Nickyg1478 wrote: Wed Mar 06, 2019 11:21 pm Marcus by Goldman Sachs is currently at 2.25% and has gotten numerous increases over the last 6 months. Never had a problem with them. Surprised no one has mentioned them yet.
Marcus is great. They seem to raise rates faster than most online banks. ACH in one day.
Marcus is also running a promotion right now offering a $100 bonus for $10,000 in new deposits held for 90 days. It is available to new and existing account holders. To receive the bonus you must sign up at: https://www.marcus.com/us/en/savings/osa-savingsbonus.
Thanks for the heads up!
Thanks for the heads up - too bad they didn't offer it a month sooner (when I was moving from Ally to Marcus).
by GoldStar
Thu Mar 07, 2019 4:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: First “financial” thing you do in the morning
Replies: 80
Views: 7333

Re: First “financial” thing you do in the morning

LinusP wrote: Thu Mar 07, 2019 4:20 pm
WannabeAgAlum wrote: Thu Mar 07, 2019 4:03 pm Number 2 is probably the first thing I do.
Along with all of the random details I learn about strangers' lives on Bogleheads, I now add...the schedule of their bowel movements. :|
For me - the coffee has to kick in first. :wink:

I start my day with exercise - then move on to coffee and breakfast. Later in the day I take a look at the credit card and bank online to see where my spouse is shopping. For the stock market - I usually look after the closing bell to see what happened.
by GoldStar
Thu Mar 07, 2019 4:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Things to do in Maine
Replies: 87
Views: 10863

Re: Things to do in Maine

Dottie57 wrote: Thu Mar 07, 2019 4:07 pm
2b2 wrote: Thu Mar 07, 2019 2:53 pm LOBSTAH!

2b2
Lobstah rolls!
And if you drive up coast, you won't believe how many places have "The best lobster rolls in Maine". I scratch my head every time I go up there - how can that be?

Personally - I enjoy the Maine coastline - plenty to see and do - lots of nice towns to see and explore (Camden, Boothbay, Rockland, Rockport, Stonigton, Bar Harbor, etc.). Not sure about the young kids though. There are some museums and beaches (with nice "refreshing" water) - depends upon their temperament.
by GoldStar
Thu Mar 07, 2019 3:56 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bogle "5% Gold"
Replies: 248
Views: 38916

Re: Bogle "5% Gold"

Both Bogle (and Buffett) have said multiple times Gold is speculation and not an investment. Now in this interview we have Bogle saying things like "Are you sitting down"; "against a contingency"; "Just in case" "Its not ideal" in the context of Gold where he states to hold 5% as a hedge against some type of catastrophe. So I think he is being somewhat consist - saying its not an investment - just a hedge for catastrophe. Interesting he is also advocating about 5% to Emerging Markets. I do wonder if he was simply watching too much CNN last year when the interview was recorded. My hedge against corporate and stock bond markets are my iBonds - full faith for me in the US Government. We aren't Venezuela.
by GoldStar
Thu Mar 07, 2019 3:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Employee stock options investment thesis?
Replies: 29
Views: 3170

Re: Employee stock options investment thesis?

I have avoided market timing by cashing immediately. When I was young and foolish I would hold. At times I would sell half and hold half.
by GoldStar
Thu Mar 07, 2019 10:41 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Why all the surveys?
Replies: 38
Views: 2983

Re: Why all the surveys?

fru-gal wrote: Thu Mar 07, 2019 7:04 am
GoldStar wrote: Thu Mar 07, 2019 6:07 am Best way to improve customer satisfaction is to gauge how satisfied the customer is.
Best way to decrease customer satisfaction is to annoy customers with email survey spam.
Sounds like the annoyed customers don't respond so they will never know :wink:
by GoldStar
Thu Mar 07, 2019 6:45 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Next steps for investing?
Replies: 9
Views: 1244

Re: Next steps for investing?

If you plan on college for the kids definitely 529 plans.
by GoldStar
Thu Mar 07, 2019 6:36 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Which of these Online Savings Accounts (high-yield) are reliable?
Replies: 45
Views: 8468

Re: Which of these Online Savings Accounts (high-yield) are reliable?

I've read here (a different thread), some banks, I believe like Ally, can take up to 4 days! I submitted a transfer order yesterday to Ally to move some cash to my brick-and-mortar checking account. The cash is there this morning. I don't think one could ask for better. Now, I grant that this may not be typical, but it certainly is better than four days. Ally takes 3 days for me (so I am steering away from them). I use Marcus-GoldmanSachs as my main online HY savings. Solid bank with consistent 24 ACH transfers for everyone and always a higher interest rate than Ally. That's interesting. I just had the very same experience as oldcomputerguy. I initiated a transfer shortly after 5 pm last night and when I checked at 5:30 this morning it sho...
by GoldStar
Thu Mar 07, 2019 6:07 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Why all the surveys?
Replies: 38
Views: 2983

Re: Why all the surveys?

Best way to improve customer satisfaction is to gauge how satisfied the customer is.
by GoldStar
Thu Mar 07, 2019 6:04 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Which of these Online Savings Accounts (high-yield) are reliable?
Replies: 45
Views: 8468

Re: Which of these Online Savings Accounts (high-yield) are reliable?

oldcomputerguy wrote: Thu Mar 07, 2019 5:46 am
LookinAround wrote: Mon Mar 04, 2019 9:50 pm I've read here (a different thread), some banks, I believe like Ally, can take up to 4 days!
I submitted a transfer order yesterday to Ally to move some cash to my brick-and-mortar checking account. The cash is there this morning. I don't think one could ask for better. Now, I grant that this may not be typical, but it certainly is better than four days.
Ally takes 3 days for me (so I am steering away from them).
I use Marcus-GoldmanSachs as my main online HY savings. Solid bank with consistent 24 ACH transfers for everyone and always a higher interest rate than Ally.
by GoldStar
Wed Mar 06, 2019 4:27 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: ESPP shares tank before I can sell
Replies: 26
Views: 2258

Re: ESPP shares tank before I can sell

We have different definitions of tanking.
8% isn't tanking in my book.
50 to 75% would be tanking.
by GoldStar
Tue Mar 05, 2019 4:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Which Used Car to Buy???
Replies: 6
Views: 1265

Re: Which Used Car to Buy???

Need: no.
Can afford and desire: that's up to you.