Search found 1512 matches

by mrmass
Thu Mar 28, 2024 7:04 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Got fired and I have question regarding resume.
Replies: 31
Views: 2836

Re: Got fired and I have question regarding resume.

OP Still apply for Unemployment, as your former employer might not contest it.
by mrmass
Wed Mar 27, 2024 1:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Chicken bone broth
Replies: 10
Views: 600

Re: Chicken bone broth

Skip to 21 seconds. This is Curly making Chicken Broth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJJzOjtG5vk
by mrmass
Wed Mar 27, 2024 12:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Another, buy house thread but this time with parents
Replies: 18
Views: 1493

Re: Another, buy house thread but this time with parents

Definitely work with a realtor then. Tell them your requirements. They might have insight on "coming soon" listings.
by mrmass
Wed Mar 27, 2024 11:05 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Another, buy house thread but this time with parents
Replies: 18
Views: 1493

Re: Another, buy house thread but this time with parents

ElBarto wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 10:10 am
mrmass wrote: Tue Mar 26, 2024 3:03 pm When I looked at this in MA, all the "in-law" apts were small. Definitely not multiple bedrooms with an office and large kitchen.


You need to look for a 2 Family/Duplex/Multi Family property and not a single family with an ADU/In-Law.
We have talked about this. The thing is, my partner and I have some desires of our own with regards to a house. Duplex don't fit our needs and in the area Multi Family properties are sitting in the $2.5 million plus range and require updating putting us well over $3 million. That is not something we can afford today.
What state are you in?
by mrmass
Tue Mar 26, 2024 3:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Another, buy house thread but this time with parents
Replies: 18
Views: 1493

Re: Another, buy house thread but this time with parents

When I looked at this in MA, all the "in-law" apts were small. Definitely not multiple bedrooms with an office and large kitchen.


You need to look for a 2 Family/Duplex/Multi Family property and not a single family with an ADU/In-Law.
by mrmass
Tue Mar 26, 2024 12:02 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Dedicated Financial Computer Master Thread
Replies: 207
Views: 9524

Re: Dedicated Financial Computer Master Thread

Make it 3FA or 4FA and watch heads explode. :beer
by mrmass
Tue Mar 26, 2024 6:11 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How am I doing?
Replies: 25
Views: 2457

Re: How am I doing?

What are your monthly expenses? $2-$4k/month is a big range especially when you add sometimes less sometimes more.

Condo's can be good, you just need to be aware of the monthy condo fee, and any possible assessments that might be coming.
by mrmass
Sun Mar 24, 2024 12:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Dedicated Financial Computer Master Thread
Replies: 207
Views: 9524

Re: Dedicated Financial Computer Master Thread

Detroit Rick I've never considered doing this, and never would. I am completely comfortable accessing websites, running personal financial software and using a variety of apps on both pcs and android. Do you answer or send email on your PC? Are you sure you can distinguish phishing emails? https://www.nebrcentre.co.uk/what-is-the-most-common-form-of-cyber-attack/#:~:text=This%20makes%20phishing%20by%20far,them%20to%20a%20malicious%20website. What is the Most Common Form of Cyber Attack? ?The most common form of cyber attack is phishing attacks. Phishing involves sending fake emails that pretend to be from a reliable source, such as a business’ vendors or the victim’s boss. The email will then i A separate computer won't stop phishing. If y...
by mrmass
Sun Mar 24, 2024 6:29 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Going Back to Work Numbers
Replies: 18
Views: 2463

Re: Going Back to Work Numbers

Are you moving from the west coast to the east coast and needing to rent an apartment? If so, why didn't this get more attention in the thread, as its kind of a big deal.
by mrmass
Sat Mar 23, 2024 10:07 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Direct Pay IRS from Fidelity
Replies: 2
Views: 359

Direct Pay IRS from Fidelity

I don't normally use Fido to pay anything. Should I be using the 17 digit number to enter in Turbo Tax to direct pay the IRS?

I'd be getting that number from Summary Page and clicking the Routing Number link which then displays the routing number and that account number.


Thank you
by mrmass
Fri Mar 22, 2024 7:33 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: When brand names matter and when they don't
Replies: 193
Views: 11775

Re: When brand names matter and when they don't

gunny2 wrote: Thu Mar 21, 2024 10:53 pm
MathWizard wrote: Thu Mar 21, 2024 10:33 pm Spaghetti sauce: store bought is unpalatable to me.
I'd love to get you in on a blind taste test :wink:
Rao's sauce is good. Get it at Costco.
by mrmass
Fri Mar 22, 2024 7:27 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do you tip hotel staff when checking out?
Replies: 145
Views: 6929

Re: Do you tip hotel staff when checking out?

Most of my stays are 5 nights or less. I don't have housekeeping during that time at all. I leave cash on the bed/dresser on my last day.
by mrmass
Tue Mar 19, 2024 8:25 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buying an Expensive Car
Replies: 101
Views: 8719

Re: Buying an Expensive Car

After you buy it, what will you do about washing it? That's another rabbit hole to go down.

Finally, too many YOLO's and FOMO's will put you in the poor house....You only get so many of those. Good luck.
by mrmass
Tue Mar 19, 2024 6:53 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio Advice Needed - Can I Retire?
Replies: 29
Views: 3243

Re: Portfolio Advice Needed - Can I Retire?

Where is this Excel sheet from? Is this something you created? Yes, I made that, but happy to share. Data and Models I use for Monte Carlo: NYU Data Set 1928-2017 with Model Fits Accumulation Monte Carlo Withdrawal Monte Carlo <-- the sheet posted above (links above are subject to change as I make revisions, which is not often but does happen) Edit: Broken links for Accumulation and Withdrawal fixed. You'll need a MS Excel license; download to your local machine and enable macros (required for the 1,000 random trials and results aggregation). I'm using my own model as I like to know what's under the hood, but there are other models I like that have public facing website interfaces: Portfolio Visualizer's Monte Carlo (with distribution mode...
by mrmass
Mon Mar 18, 2024 3:44 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Portfolio Advice Needed - Can I Retire?
Replies: 29
Views: 3243

Re: Portfolio Advice Needed - Can I Retire?

1) Can I retire? This is my main question. You have $3.2M in retirement assets. If they were invested per your desired AA, that would be 60% stocks, 20% bonds, and 20% cash. You're asking if you can retire now at 59.5 and that your family has high longevity (planning to age 100), so that's a 40-year withdrawal phase. The 4% rule from the Trinity Study assumed a 30-year withdrawal period so that initial withdrawal has to be reduced to 3.3% to maintain a success rate of not running out early >90%. Other assumptions are that you increase withdrawals by +3%/yr and that your dollar-weighted average expense ratio across all holdings is 0.10%. For those assumptions, YES, you can retire right now. https://i.imgur.com/9pL3FeH.png Taxable Accts = $3...
by mrmass
Mon Mar 18, 2024 3:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone purchased a RAV4 hybrid recently?
Replies: 32
Views: 4836

Re: Anyone purchased a RAV4 hybrid recently?

Fbone wrote: Sun Mar 17, 2024 7:22 pm I test drove a RAV4 Hybrid yesterday in Central NJ. They had about seven on the lot mostly the XLE trim. Selling price was $5000 over sticker or around $42000. I asked about leasing with $5000 down (36 mos. and 10k miles) the salesman came back with "low-ball" offer of $497/mos. Ridiculous. I said no while laughing. The sales manager came out with offer of $399/mos. Declined; then "final" offer was $350. I didn't accept.
Thats messed up. Here in MA everything has a discount.
https://www.woburntoyota.com/new-vehicles/rav4-hybrid/

I recommend a Venza better ride than a Rav4.
by mrmass
Sun Mar 17, 2024 8:21 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Peach trees - protecting from freeze
Replies: 3
Views: 464

Re: Peach trees - protecting from freeze

I can’t help but I’m in MA and don’t protect my peach tree from cold and still get peaches.
by mrmass
Thu Mar 14, 2024 3:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Need Help Finding a Hobby
Replies: 76
Views: 6392

Re: Need Help Finding a Hobby

BrooklynInvest wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 2:54 pm If you like the crossword have you tried the spelling bee and Wordle? I try and do all three every day - with middling results.
DW and I do these and another one (forgot the name) nightly together.
by mrmass
Wed Mar 13, 2024 6:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Laptop problem
Replies: 12
Views: 1048

Re: Laptop problem

Just hold the power button for about 20 seconds to force a shutdown. The to turn it back on
by mrmass
Wed Mar 13, 2024 10:25 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Microsoft Office 2021 for Home
Replies: 47
Views: 3515

Re: Microsoft Office 2021 for Home

OP, what part of Office do you really need? Many are looking for Excel-and its Power Query function. If you just tinker with Excel, Word then anything else mentioned works.
by mrmass
Tue Mar 12, 2024 6:25 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Embracing Principles [during the dot-com bubble and tech surges?]
Replies: 43
Views: 4197

Re: Embracing Principles Amidst Bitcoin and Nvidia's Surge?

firebirdparts wrote: Tue Mar 12, 2024 5:52 am Honestly, "sticking to principles" is the easiest thing I've ever done. I don't know how it's even a question.

Now, if I had a time machine, sure. I'd go back in time and buy Nvidia. I admit it. Without a time machine this is no temptation at all for me.
+1 Nicely put.
by mrmass
Mon Mar 11, 2024 2:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Ooma Phone Service
Replies: 40
Views: 3570

Re: Ooma Phone Service

Poor coverage might be one reason for some. If you're in a major metropolitan area that's probably not a consideration. It's a bit different elsewhere. Spotty coverage and likely better 911 service is my reason. Reverse 911 can be a life saver. While poor coverage used to be a concern in the past, most of the modern cell phones released in the past few years support WiFi calling, so at home while you are connected to a stable internet, you always have great connectivity regardless of whether the tower signals are good. These are also enabled by default in nearly all phones and carriers available today in the market - atleast in the US. Fax and E911 are still good reasons; although the 911 (phase 2 911) available via cell phones is far supe...
by mrmass
Mon Mar 11, 2024 12:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Ooma Phone Service
Replies: 40
Views: 3570

Re: Ooma Phone Service

I always ask people what their use case is for keeping a landline versus shutting it down and simply using Mobile all the time. - If the use case is a second number to give out so you aren't giving out your mobile - you can get a free Google number. - For my Dad, he didn't want to give up all his handsets that he had throughout the house that he was accustomed to using. He had a set of 5 wireless Panasonic handsets - wanted to answer from various rooms without having to carry his cell phone around with him. I looked at the set and noticed it supported blue-tooth so we connected his mobile to the system and he was able to answer both landline calls AND mobile calls from anywhere in the house on his existing phone handsets. Once he got used ...
by mrmass
Thu Mar 07, 2024 11:31 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: FT Lauderdale April 1 4 nights?
Replies: 2
Views: 358

FT Lauderdale April 1 4 nights?

Thinking about getting away for a bit. Considering Ft Lauderdale April 1 4 nights. Maybe stay at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort as I won't have a car and it looks it's near some places to walk to.

My only concern is Spring Break still happening April 1?
by mrmass
Thu Mar 07, 2024 9:13 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Fidelity and Bank of America data lost in Infosys breach
Replies: 57
Views: 6764

Re: Fidelity and Bank of America data lost in Infosys breach

Lastrun wrote: Thu Mar 07, 2024 9:06 am
lazynovice wrote: Thu Mar 07, 2024 8:13 am
It absolutely is part of doing business these days. Businesses carry insurance for it. .....
I look at this two ways and I might be in the minority:

1. There are businesses, such as financial institutions and medical insurers, where security is paramount and breaches should be rare and exceptional events.

2. There are businesses, such as Lastpass or SolarWinds, where security is the sole reason for the existence of the business. This is a 0% policy to me.
I'm not convinced the businesses in item 1 commit enough resources to IT/Cyber security and internal controls.
by mrmass
Thu Mar 07, 2024 7:44 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How do you deal with online misinformation?
Replies: 28
Views: 1782

Re: How do you deal with online misinformation?

nisiprius wrote: Thu Mar 07, 2024 7:39 am (Scooped by dcabler while organizing this posting... but I'm including an image link)
Obligatory: xccd: "Duty Calls"

Image
Great image. So true for me in the early days in the 90s.
by mrmass
Thu Mar 07, 2024 7:43 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How do you deal with online misinformation?
Replies: 28
Views: 1782

Re: How do you deal with online misinformation?

Like wack a mole, what a headache. I don't seek much outside of here. At Bogleheads, I get so many different views on a wide variety of topics.

To me many people on YT are pushing their agenda and that agenda is not always clear.

For me YT, is for learning home repairs, cooking, tech, squirrels waterskiing...
by mrmass
Wed Mar 06, 2024 10:16 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Help me understand which T-bill to buy
Replies: 12
Views: 1407

Re: Help me understand which T-bill to buy

Artsdoctor wrote: Wed Mar 06, 2024 10:11 am First question: Is this is a taxable account, or a tax-advantaged account?

Second question: If a taxable account, will you most likely hold the investment until it matures?

It sounds as if you're just getting started with investing in treasuries; so, if this is in a taxable account and you're pretty sure you'll hold until maturity, definitely buy the T-bill (not the T-note).

All of that said, the amount you're investing is very small so why not just buy a 6-month T-bill at the next auction? The auctions are weekly and you'll get the same price as institutional investors.
Agreed. Buy at the auction hold til maturity.
by mrmass
Wed Mar 06, 2024 7:08 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What would you do? Corporate Life vs. Business Ownership
Replies: 16
Views: 1421

Re: What would you do? Corporate Life vs. Business Ownership

Hope you enjoy selling...Need that pipeline of business. Like Alec Baldwin said in Glengarry Glen Ross.
A Always
B Be
C Closing.
by mrmass
Mon Mar 04, 2024 1:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cloud based backup options for sensitive files
Replies: 93
Views: 7923

Re: Cloud based backup options for sensitive files

I zip with 7zip and add a password, then let them upload to OneDrive Personal Vault.
by mrmass
Sat Mar 02, 2024 12:25 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Let go from Megacorp at 42....can I retire?
Replies: 90
Views: 22527

Re: Let go from Megacorp at 42....can I retire?

Do you have longevity in your family? If so, you might have a 50yr retirement. Thats something to ponder. But health insurance is key.
by mrmass
Sat Mar 02, 2024 8:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Lexus Hybrid (Sedan or SUV)
Replies: 52
Views: 5915

Re: Lexus Hybrid (Sedan or SUV)

canderson wrote: Thu Feb 29, 2024 6:58 pm Keep in mind the Venza is now discontinued, keep that in mind. No longer being made as the move to the new Crown vehicle.
Yes being discontinued. That shouldn’t stop you from buying. The Venza shares a platform with the RAV4 and will continue to be sold in other parts of the world.

Their parts bin isn’t going anywhere.

Also when any auto gets a makeover isn’t that similar?
by mrmass
Fri Mar 01, 2024 9:20 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Neighbor Got Burglarized, How To Prevent
Replies: 74
Views: 8524

Re: Neighbor Got Burglarized, How To Prevent

Anything that prevents the belief that the house is unoccupied. What kind of neighborhood do you live in? It changes the answer. In poorer neighborhoods, the burglars are more likely to be your immediate neighbors who may have the ability to watch your house very closely without you ever knowing. This is what happened to us back in the day - it was the next door neighbor, looking for money to support a drug habit, who broke in when we left the house empty to go to the movie theater. The thing is we live in a great neighborhood where people leave their doors and garages open. Lots of people walking their dogs at all hours (even when dark out). It was very surprising to hear about this but I guess it could happen anywhere. While anything can...
by mrmass
Tue Feb 27, 2024 8:49 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Lexus Hybrid (Sedan or SUV)
Replies: 52
Views: 5915

Re: Lexus Hybrid (Sedan or SUV)

Take a look at the Toyota Venza. It has Lexus quality at a lesser price. I have a 2024. Gets 40MPG. They're all Hybrids (not plugin)
by mrmass
Mon Feb 26, 2024 12:58 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Retiring Advice Please
Replies: 9
Views: 2262

Re: Retiring Advice Please

Where is that $1MM in cash being held? is it invested? or in a bank account collecting interest?
What are your expenses? Have you tracked them?
by mrmass
Mon Feb 26, 2024 6:43 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 24 year old- money problems
Replies: 50
Views: 6497

Re: 24 year old- money problems

Good decision buying the Corolla.
by mrmass
Mon Feb 26, 2024 6:36 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What email address is "okay/acceptable" to use then?
Replies: 168
Views: 18364

Re: What email address is "okay/acceptable" to use then?

Gmail > own domain or own domain > gmail? I've been using my own domain (and gmail) for many years now, more than 20 with my own domain and at least 20 with gmail. Here's a point that many do not consider when deciding whether to have your own domain: Your IP address can get blacklisted--and therefore your email may end up in recipients' spam or junk mail folders--through no fault of your own. Regardless of how your domain is hosted (shared vs. dedicated server), there are multiple ways that your IP address could end up on blacklists, your mail will not get delivered, and you'll be left with the unpleasant and time-consuming task of getting it off of blacklists or, even worse, changing hosts. With gmail, Google has those headaches and chor...
by mrmass
Sun Feb 25, 2024 12:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What email address is "okay/acceptable" to use then?
Replies: 168
Views: 18364

Re: What email address is "okay/acceptable" to use then?

sls239 wrote: Sun Feb 25, 2024 11:42 am Frankly which email address I give you says more about you than it does about me.
True. It’s funny to see the reaction people get when they ask for my email. If it’s a service that I really don’t care about I give them spam@mydomain.com.
by mrmass
Sat Feb 24, 2024 7:36 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How do you live healthy?
Replies: 107
Views: 8336

Re: How do you live healthy?

I just came back from a work event at Universal in Orlando


People huffing and puffing just walking a bit. Sad.
by mrmass
Sat Feb 24, 2024 6:20 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: FIRE vs Loving your work
Replies: 101
Views: 8778

Re: FIRE vs Loving your work

Why does Bill Belichick want to keep working? His Social Security is maxed out :mrgreen: He likely can afford a nice CCRC...
by mrmass
Fri Feb 23, 2024 2:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How do you live healthy?
Replies: 107
Views: 8336

Re: How do you live healthy?

jebmke wrote: Fri Feb 23, 2024 12:04 pm
mrmass wrote: Fri Feb 23, 2024 11:55 am I get off the train to work 1.45 miles from the office (3 days a week) and walk the rest of the way. Coming home too. The other days I walk but less than office days.

Drink significantly less. There are many great non alcohol beers out there that I drink.
any you recommend highly? I only have a real one once or twice a month at lunch. I don't like that drowsy feeling in the afternoon so I often pass despite liking the taste of a good brew.
the ones we like ( forget all their non alcohol names) but know the mfgs.
Blue Moon
Athletica (hoppy)
Sam Adam Gold Rush
Guinness Zero
Heineken Zero is not bad but the others are almost indistinguishable. Especially the Guinness.
by mrmass
Fri Feb 23, 2024 12:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How do you live healthy?
Replies: 107
Views: 8336

Re: How do you live healthy?

1. Meditation: Twice a day, As soon as I wake up before getting out of the bed and last thing in the bed at night. 30-45 minutes each session. This has improved my health and outlook on life significantly. I wish I was doing this all my working life. Would have helped me immensely. 2. Daily exercise: Strengthening weak muscles that create chronic problems + overall strengthening. Cardio also 2 times a week. 3. No TV news. Just read news. Avoid reading opinion pieces (I have enough of my own opinions - all I want is news). Found WSJ to be more neutral news reporting (not the op-ed). 4. Watch no more than 1 - 1.5 hrs of TV. Mostly some kind of a series. 5. Adventure trip: One a year that requires me to commit to specific training. Mostly it ...
by mrmass
Fri Feb 23, 2024 11:55 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How do you live healthy?
Replies: 107
Views: 8336

Re: How do you live healthy?

I get off the train to work 1.45 miles from the office (3 days a week) and walk the rest of the way. Coming home too. The other days I walk but less than office days.

Drink significantly less. There are many great non alcohol beers out there that I drink.
by mrmass
Fri Feb 23, 2024 11:52 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fidelity Security Options
Replies: 5
Views: 850

Re: Fidelity Security Options

They also authenticate via the moble app. That's what I moved to from sms.