Search found 193 matches

by 64415
Mon Nov 14, 2022 10:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best EV for around $50k, or RAV4 Prime???
Replies: 133
Views: 17697

Re: Best EV for around $50k?

We have a Mach e premium AWD with the extended range battery. We find the ride and handling comparable to the Mercedes E class we had a few years ago. The interior feels consistent with a $59000 car ($51,500 with the federal tax credit)with very comfortable seats and driving position. We had to wait 10 months for the car, and were considering forfeiting the deposit as we hadn’t even driven the car prior to arriving at the dealer for pick up. We were hooked after driving it for 30 minutes, it is a very well built car.

Watch the video of the Ford AWD engineers testing the Mach E at their winter testing facility in the UP of Michigan. The pride and satisfaction on the engineers faces is very real and very telling.
by 64415
Wed Oct 27, 2021 2:44 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: American Airlines revamps status program. Credit card strategy?
Replies: 6
Views: 1327

Re: American Airlines revamps status program. Credit card strategy?

I read through the details, and while I can easily achieve the top platinum status based on credit card spend, I would still have to fly 30 segments to unlock the benefits of the tier I achieved with credit card spending. That is a pretty tall order for the pure leisure traveler.
by 64415
Wed Dec 26, 2018 4:58 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: CityVest investment
Replies: 11
Views: 1953

Re: CityVest investment

Hi Boomer, My profile is similar to yours. I invested with City Vest in their PathFinder deal today. I have two friends that are successful in flyover country with the same model on a smaller scale (renovating existing class B multi family properties) and their returns are higher than the 20% IRR that PathFinder is reporting for the first 72 deals that they did. So I wasn’t sceptical of the historical returns. Unfortunately, my friends dont need my money, so no chance of investing with them. I would have preferred to invest with PathFinder directly, but my available funds had already been deployed when I read the WCI article. I did verify with PathFinder that they are expecting an end of year capital contribution from City Vest, and they kn...
by 64415
Wed Dec 13, 2017 1:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Prices paid for 2018 Honda Odyssey EX-L
Replies: 10
Views: 3224

Re: Prices paid for 2018 Honda Odyssey EX-L

bob60014 wrote: Wed Dec 13, 2017 8:49 am "I don’t usually press the small local dealership too hard, ........."

No offense, thats a nice sentiment but I don't think you will need to hold any tag days for them. They wouldn't accept $4k off if they weren't making money on the front end, you the buyer or back end, manufacturer incentives or combination of both.
Fair point. Reading thru the linked Honda Odyssey forum it looks like the $4000 off MSRP deals are more prevalent nationwide now. $37000 before TTL should be a straightforward proposition.
by 64415
Wed Dec 13, 2017 8:33 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Prices paid for 2018 Honda Odyssey EX-L
Replies: 10
Views: 3224

Re: Prices paid for 2018 Honda Odyssey EX-L

3dream3 wrote: Tue Dec 12, 2017 9:55 pm I don't have an 18 Odyssey but here is a thread from another forum that might help... just have to read through all of the posts. Maybe start from the last post and go back to get a sense of what folks are paying now. I think I read someone paid close to $36k +TTL earlier this month for the model that you`re looking at.

http://www.odyclub.com/forums/81-2018-o ... yssey.html
Thank you! $4000 off MSRP would be wonderful. I don’t usually press the small local dealership too hard, I want them and their employees to do well, but I will target at least $2000 off MSRP.
by 64415
Tue Dec 12, 2017 9:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Prices paid for 2018 Honda Odyssey EX-L
Replies: 10
Views: 3224

Prices paid for 2018 Honda Odyssey EX-L

Hi everyone,

I am interested in the prices people have paid for a 2018 Honda Odyssey EX-L with rear entertainment system and navigation. The MSRP is $40,300. How large of a discount off of MSRP have people been able to get?

Regards, Sebastian
by 64415
Fri Nov 03, 2017 10:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Vacation ideas in Jan/Feb?
Replies: 25
Views: 3389

Re: Vacation ideas in Jan/Feb?

Regarding the west coast of Florida I would suggest you look at renting a condo on Boca Grande. The island is very quiet, with beautiful beaches and caribbean blue water. Traffic is non-existant when compared to very congested areas like Ft Meyers and Sanibel Island. The restaurants are very good with an unpretentious atmosphere. The Boca Grande Club would be an excellent choice.

For a great value, check out the Anglers Club in nearby Placida. It is close enough to drive to the Boca Grande beaches and restaurants (5-9 minutes) using the toll bridge (nominal toll), or you can stay and swim in the pool at the Anglers Club. Temperatures are usually in the 80's in February.
by 64415
Thu Oct 19, 2017 8:48 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Asset Allocation with Farm Land
Replies: 20
Views: 2945

Re: Asset Allocation with Farm Land

I treat my farmland as “other”. With respect to investable assets I am now approximately 50:50 farmland vs liquid investable assets. The liquid asses are currently 75:25 equity: fixed income. I am working toward paying of the small debt (less than 10%) I carry on the farms by building up funds in a munincipal bond fund. Once the debt is payed off I will glide toward 100% equities. I feel like the farms allow me to take more risk for the sake of my heirs and charities. The two thoughts I have on how farmland positions should impact the management of an equity:bond portfolio are as follows. First, if I was going to hold bonds I would be comfortable stretching out the term given the inherent inflation protection of farmland. Granted, farmland ...
by 64415
Sat Feb 25, 2017 2:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: critique Italian itinerary
Replies: 34
Views: 4276

Re: critique Italian itinerary

Fly in to Milan and rent a car to go to lake area for 2 nights (Varenna ?), then 2 nights in the Italian Alps (Bolzano ?), then return the car rental in Venice where we would spend 2 nights. Then take the train to Cinque Terra for 2 nights (probably stay in Vernazza). Then take the last possible train of the day back to Milan to spend the night before our next morning flight back home. A somewhat circuitous route going from Milan--Venice--Cinque Terra--Milan. Can you fly into Milan and out of Venice? Also, Verona is a nice stopping point in between Milan and Venice, and I would recommend Portofino if you are going to be on the Northern coast. I am going to look into an open jaw into Milan and out of Venice. for 8-9 days I would limit my st...
by 64415
Fri Feb 24, 2017 6:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: critique Italian itinerary
Replies: 34
Views: 4276

Re: critique Italian itinerary

jebmke wrote:for 8-9 days I would limit my stays to two at the maximum. Note - I'd be hard pressed to justify the wear and tear of flying there and back for only 8-9 days to begin with though.
The time factor does bother me, I much prefer slow travel (which we have done in the past) as it is far less expensive, but that is not the hand I am dealt at the moment.
by 64415
Fri Feb 24, 2017 6:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: critique Italian itinerary
Replies: 34
Views: 4276

Re: critique Italian itinerary

[quote="FreeAtLast"]You spent only one day in Firenze, one of the most beautiful - art and architecture and countryside - cities in the world? Please reconsider staying longer on this trip.[/quote
Yes, Florence will be a 90 day base when we retire. Very friendly people, great food, and wonderful museums with great day trip opportunities into Tuscany.
by 64415
Fri Feb 24, 2017 12:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: critique Italian itinerary
Replies: 34
Views: 4276

critique Italian itinerary

Hello everyone, I am planning an anniversary trip to Italy in the last half of October. We have been to Italy previously and saw Rome (2 nights), central Tuscany (5 nights at Terra di Nano, heaven on earth!), and Florence (1 night). This trip we would like to see northern Italy. In general, we like the beautiful rural areas of countries, where the pace is slower, the crowds smaller, and the locals friendlier. But we certainly try to see the important city based artistic and cultural sites on such trips. Our enjoyment seems to be maximized with a 70:30 ratio of time spent in rural natural beauty versus cultural city experiences. Does the following rough itinerary seem reasonable to those of you who have been to northern Italy? We will pack l...
by 64415
Mon May 30, 2016 2:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone convert a van for travel/camping?
Replies: 38
Views: 6700

Re: Anyone convert a van for travel/camping?

One way to improve your tent camping experience is to look at the European products. The quality of a Dutch tent designed for car camping is far superior to anything available in the USA. Tent camping is the way many middle class Europeans travel on vacation, and a whole industry of modular easily storable high quality camp furniture and high quality family friendly tents has grown to meet that demand.

Regards, Sebastian
by 64415
Fri Apr 01, 2016 2:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Big spenders, anybody successfully downsized?
Replies: 30
Views: 5795

Re: Big spenders, anybody successfully downsized?

I would suggest YNAB, (You Need A Budget). Initially you can use it as a spending tracker, just to see what your top spending categories are so you can target the low hanging fruit for cuts. Then you can progress to use it as the powerful budgeting tool it is.

The biggest impediment will be an uncooperative spouse. If you are both on board, hitting $10,000 a month should be easy. What is in your $20,000 per month total? Based on your post I am assuming that $20,000 per month figure doesn't include income taxes. Do you have children? How much of the total represents debt servicing?
by 64415
Sat Aug 22, 2015 11:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11152
Views: 2086060

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

Watched "Nanking" last night on Netflix. A truly horrifying account of military barbarism against a civilian population. I would not believe the demonic acts described if I wasnt able to listen to the live interviews with the now elderly victims of the beastly assault and most importantly view the archival footage taken by the Westerners who didn't evacuate and tried to intervene to stop the carnage. 20,000 rapes and 250,000 murdered civilians in a matter of months ! Let that sink in. Even more shocking were the interviews with the elderly Japanese "soldiers". I would like to know the setting of their interviews as they all seemed so relaxed and at ease as they smiled and chuckled while describing in candid detail unspea...
by 64415
Sun Nov 23, 2014 3:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 23 year old... Can I afford a Rolex?
Replies: 213
Views: 45565

Re: 23 year old... Can I afford a Rolex?

How about developing his brain? Then he might attract a woman who's worthwhile.[/quote]

In my humble opinion, it is a mixture of alpha and beta traits that will produce the best results for him in the long run. I am assuming he has well developed beta traits (analytical and introspective) or he wouldnt be reading Bogleheads. Cheers.
by 64415
Sun Nov 23, 2014 3:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 23 year old... Can I afford a Rolex?
Replies: 213
Views: 45565

Re: 23 year old... Can I afford a Rolex?

I am assuming, given your young age, that one of the goals with this purchase is to attract the attention of young females. That is very understandable, but I would suggest there is a much better means of accomplishing this with the $5000. First focus on your fitness. One third of young men your age are fat slobs. Make sure you are not one of them. Trim your body fat to less than 8%, preferably 5% and develop an inverted pyramid physique thru hard work in the gym. There are no shortcuts to fitness. Then spend the $5000 on a wardrobe of custom fit shirts, pants and sport jackets to demonstrate your finely tuned physique and signal to young ladies the level of earning capacity and education that was needed to acquire such a nice wardrobe. The...
by 64415
Sat Aug 16, 2014 6:29 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Europe travel: best card for ATM cash
Replies: 33
Views: 5844

Re: Europe travel: best card for ATM cash

Does anyone know what kind of exchange rate you get in a large retail bank in Germany, changing dollars to Euros? I normally just use my debit card at an ATM, but my bank has a 3% foreign exchange fee. I know that's better than what you get at exchange shops in airports but a retail bank branch might do better. Any experience? A commercial bank in Lindau Germany had the exchange rates posted for their ATM and that is when I quit using cash except when mandated. They were charging 1.44 USD to buy a Euro when the open market cost was $1.34. Fortunately, that was our last day in Germany which had a heavily cash based tourism economy for our circumstances (camping with a rented RV). The three weeks we were in France I put 95% of our purchases ...
by 64415
Sat Aug 16, 2014 1:40 pm
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Help-Do I need a chip/pin card in europe?
Replies: 22
Views: 3759

Re: Help-Do I need a chip/pin card in europe?

"Really my biggest worry is the potential that I will not be able to withdraw cash from UK ATMs with my non-chipped Wells Fargo Visa debit card."

You have nothing to worry about. The magnetic strip bank debit card from my small midwest bank worked at the majority of ATM's I tried in London. I can only think of one ATM at the Paddington train station that rejected me, but there was one 20 yards away that accepted my card. I tried to avoid getting cash because I had a .8% foreign conversion fee with my debit/ATM card.
by 64415
Sat Aug 16, 2014 12:25 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Help-Do I need a chip/pin card in europe?
Replies: 22
Views: 3759

Re: Help-Do I need a chip/pin card in europe?

I just returned from a long trip to Europe this summer. I took a Chase Sapphire Chip and Signature, and a PenFed Chip and PIN. Both cards were accepted without any difficulties in France and England. Interestingly, I was never once asked for my PIN number on the the PenFed Chip and PIN card, I was always asked for my signature. Both cards also worked in the automatic tollbooths on the French tollways. I think the important thing is to have the Chip. The PIN versus signature was irrelevant in Great Britian, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Macedonia. My non chip magnetic strip ATM card was accepted at most (75%) ATM machines in GB, and 100% of the ATM's in France, D was problematic in this regard. I probably had a 50% rejection rate in...
by 64415
Sat May 17, 2014 5:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Ideas for our cross country Road Trip
Replies: 22
Views: 2941

Re: Ideas for our cross country Road Trip

When you are in Oxford Iowa you should stop at the Oxford sale barn. You will enjoy the experience, from the cadence of the auctioneers banter, to the handling of the livestock into and out of the ring, as well as observing the farmers as they bid. The food there is also quite good, very hearty country fare, usually made by a farm wife who cares about what she is serving.

The sales occur every Tuesday around 12:30.

I have many fond memories of the place. It was my first introduction to capitalism, "you mean I can buy that bred sow for $200 and she will have 10 pigs I can raise and sell for more money"

Sincerely, Sebastian
by 64415
Fri Jan 03, 2014 8:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: The Funniest Movie Ever
Replies: 227
Views: 27988

Re: The Funniest Movie Ever

Napolean Dynamite
by 64415
Sat Sep 14, 2013 1:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Boston this weekend
Replies: 25
Views: 2821

Re: Boston this weekend

Thanks again for all the advice. We enjoyed Wally's jazz cafe, it had a very interesting mix of patrons unified by their appreciation of good music. The best meal we had was at Mama Maria's. i had the Osso Buco which was divine. The wine was a disappointment, but we are not familiar with Itialian wines. We also enjoyed the clam chowder at the Warren Tavern which was recommended by a Boglehead. The second best meal we had and the least expensive by far was at Pho Basil on Massachusets Ave in the Back Bay neighborhood. We really enjoyed the duck entree and their soups. The most magical moment of the trip was watching Rachel Price (whose vocal talents were recently praised in the Wall Street Journal) give a free performance in Copley Square at...
by 64415
Fri Sep 06, 2013 6:06 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Boston this weekend
Replies: 25
Views: 2821

Re: Boston this weekend

Thank you so much for all the responses! I have read through each with great interest. My wife and I are very excited for our trip today. The jazz bar will definitely be on our list, as well as the Boston library, Free Tour, and maybe the canoing if the weather cooperates. I am excited to sample as many of the restaurant suggestions as possible.

Warmest Regards, Sebastian
by 64415
Thu Sep 05, 2013 11:23 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Boston this weekend
Replies: 25
Views: 2821

Boston this weekend

Hi,

I will be in Boston for a meeting from Thursday thru Monday. My wife and I are staying at the Fairmont Copley. I always appreciate bogleheads sharing their recommendations for restaurants and entertainment venues. We are not renting a car. We live in fly over country, so we try to emphasize ethnic dining, museums, live music and any unique shopping venues (my wife anyway), when in a major metroplitan area.

Sincerely, Sebastian
by 64415
Mon Jul 22, 2013 5:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Farmland--Cash Rent or Share Crop?
Replies: 10
Views: 6342

Re: Farmland--Cash Rent or Share Crop?

I own nonirrigated farmland in the Midwest. I have 1/2 of it custom farmed and the rest I rent to a large well known AAA rated agricultural corporation for $400 per acre. With custom farming you are in effect acting as an agricultural general contractor by paying for the equipment and labor and technical knowledge and skill of the farmer. You are also obviously assuming all the risk.The custom farmed land returned $600 per acre on average last year. For reference, the average farm in Southwest Minnesota according to Progressive Farming magazine had a net income of $375,000 on an average size farm of 883 acres. So this was nothing extraordinary for areas that had rain last year. I grew up on a farm where the emphasis was on livestock product...
by 64415
Thu Jul 18, 2013 10:56 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Lost a lot in stocks and starting fresh: Please Help
Replies: 90
Views: 16889

Re: Lost a lot in stocks and starting fresh: Please Help

Congratulations on the steps to control your spending you have taken so far. I predict you will rise like a Pheonix from this mess and have a successful financial life. I want to suggest the blog mrmoneymustache.com to give you ideas on cost cutting. I think he will be of great help to you particularly with respect to your car expenses.

Regards, Sebastian
by 64415
Fri Jul 05, 2013 9:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Waylon Jennings, some songs I like from the sober days
Replies: 1
Views: 604

Waylon Jennings, some songs I like from the sober days

I was made aware of this video by a fan at a recent Merle Haggard concert (still going strong at 78 years of age). Its a medley of songs Waylon Jennings performed on TV in 1971, pay particular attention to "loving her was easier than anything I have ever done" To me it is one of the best songs I have ever heard across all genres. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGqx5S9TMaU I almost wish I had never seen this. Compared to the cocaine years of 1972 thru 1984, he has unbelievable command of his beautiful tenor voice. It really makes you wonder what could have been for Waylon Jennings if he hadnt succumbed to drugs. Granted , he still goes down as a legend with the body of work he put together in spite of the coke and booze, but oh my ...
by 64415
Sun Jun 30, 2013 10:42 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buying a suit in Chicago.
Replies: 7
Views: 1939

Re: Buying a suit in Chicago.

Hi Ed,

We stayed at the Ivy. Very nice, spacious well appointed rooms. Any suggestions on affordable downtown parking for the next trip to Chicago ?

Regards, Sebastian
by 64415
Sat Jun 29, 2013 3:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buying a suit in Chicago.
Replies: 7
Views: 1939

Re: Buying a suit in Chicago.

Thanks Attila. I ended up going to Balani Custom Clothiers. I splurged on a suit and sport jacket as well as 4 shirts, three ties, and a pair of slacks to go with the sport coat . I don't need nice clothes for work, but when I travel or go out with my wife I want to look nice . I just got tired of wearing poorly fitting suits. I probably should have gone more mid level, but what the heck, I have always wanted to have bespoke clothing. I get the clothes in about three months. I will let you know if I feel it was worth it.

Thanks, Sebastian
by 64415
Sat Jun 29, 2013 9:10 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buying a suit in Chicago.
Replies: 7
Views: 1939

Buying a suit in Chicago.

Hi,

I am in Chicago for the weekend while my wife attends a function. I am interested in buying a higher end suit that is tailored to my dimensions. I am fit and am interested in timeless, classic styles. Any recommendations based on first hand experience are appreciated. I am staying downtown, so would prefer to look in the downtown
area. Thank you.

Regards, Sebastian
by 64415
Fri May 24, 2013 9:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Year Round Living on a Sandy Beach
Replies: 55
Views: 7638

Re: Year Round Living on a Sandy Beach

Boca Grande. It is a quiet oasis of rust belt retirees. It is far more livable than other Florida retirement destinations that are congested with east coasters. The beach is second to none.
by 64415
Wed May 22, 2013 11:35 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Farm Income vs. Bond Income
Replies: 11
Views: 1534

Re: Farm Income vs. Bond Income

If their annual expenses could be met in a scenario where the farm income goes down by half and the dividends from a passive diversified all equity portfolio goes down by 50% during a 50-70 % bear market, then I think there is nothing wrong with an all equity portfolio. If they can pass that scenario than they have the ability to take that risk. Most farmers are hardwired to endure volatile markets without panic selling. I would still, however, have 1-2 years of annual expenses in cash. My grandparents farmed and had a sizable 100% equity portfolio until the very end. They had very modest expenses that were met by their farm rental income during retirement, and the dividends from the equities were just reinvested in more equities. They had ...
by 64415
Fri Jan 25, 2013 2:34 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Farmland as an investment
Replies: 39
Views: 6103

Re: Farmland as an investment

IMADreamer wrote: If you buy 13k a acre land you better plan on making your living off it, not renting it out. The money in farming right now, is in farming. We are coming off our third record profit year in a row. Considering we had one of the lowest yields in my lifetime last year that's saying something. We are kind of stockpiling some money to buy after the bubble bursts. Which it will.
.
Amen to that. Farm it yourself and be ready to buy after the next 20% price correction. A multigenerational outlook helps with the discipline needed to buy and hold farmland.
by 64415
Fri Jan 25, 2013 2:27 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Farmland as an investment
Replies: 39
Views: 6103

Re: Farmland as an investment

Cyclone wrote:Bubbles can be difficult to spot, but the graph on the first page sure looks like a bubble.
I have always thought of true bubbles as requiring easy credit/leverage to develop. Most of the current transactions are all cash. If you do borrow, the ag lenders are tightening standards. I had to put 35% down for a recent purchase and I bet I was the only person in the county last year to utilize a loan ( fixed rate of course at 10 years).
by 64415
Fri Jan 25, 2013 2:10 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Farmland as an investment
Replies: 39
Views: 6103

Re: Farmland as an investment

Valuthinker wrote:really opened my eyes to the links between soil erosion and the collapse of civilizations.
Keep this in mind when you are contemplating buying organic groceries. As it pertains to corn and soybean production, organic production methods with their emphasis on maximum tillage are the equivalent of a weapon of mass destruction on the midwest. The tons of soil lost per year per acre are off the charts when compared to a no till approach with conventional applications of herbicides and pesticide.
by 64415
Wed Jan 23, 2013 9:19 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Two Comma Club
Replies: 200
Views: 48426

Re: Two Comma Club

Awesome! Congratulations on your discipline and hard work.
by 64415
Fri Jan 18, 2013 11:03 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What was your 2012 return?
Replies: 275
Views: 30962

Re: What was your 2012 return?

I have found it interesting to compare the time weighted returns with the time and dollar weighted returns (ie, the internal rate of return). Especially since I periodically raid my taxable accounts to buy farmground. It is a good way to quantify how well you are hardwired to "buy low and sell high".
by 64415
Thu Jan 17, 2013 9:12 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What was your 2012 return?
Replies: 275
Views: 30962

Re: What was your 2012 return?

IRRC was 16.28% on an 80:20 portfolio. International is 40%, and there is an aggressive tilt to small and value.
by 64415
Tue Jan 15, 2013 11:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can we afford it? (International trip)
Replies: 92
Views: 9734

Re: Can we afford it?

Good luck on your trip. I don't know if it will be of any value to you but are you familiar with the website Flyertalk. The members are usually serious travelers and list all sort of travel advice. My wife and I are going to Europe next year for our anniversary and used the award booking services of one of the businesses that offers to book flights for you. The company was able to find business class seats from Calif to Paris in business class for 200k points total. We paid about $150-$200 for the company's services. Now some members of Flyertalk scorn award booking services because they believe that members can do the footwork themselves and save the costs. But since I am ignorant about bonus points or workarounds, I went with it. Here is...
by 64415
Tue Jan 15, 2013 10:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Your most intense movie scene
Replies: 155
Views: 19923

Re: Your most intense movie scene

The airplane crash scene in "ALIVE". Very terrifying. The rest of the movie was enjoyable for the depiction of the mental toughness required to hike out of the Andes.

Robert Deniro in " The Mission" carrying the crucifix up the Igaucu Falls as penance for his years as a slaver and murderer. Difficult to stay dry eyed during that one.

Innumerable scenes from "The Ring".
by 64415
Tue Dec 11, 2012 1:55 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How does your Business or RE affect your diversification
Replies: 10
Views: 1151

Re: How does your Business or RE affect your diversification

With respect to investable assets I am at 65% midwestern farmland, 28% equities, 7% bonds. I target 80:20 equities:fixed income with a heavy tilt to small and value. I sleep very well in spite of the volatility of a tilted 80:20 portfolio because of the presence of the minimally leveraged farmland ( around 10% leverage).

One adjustment I should probably do because of the farmland is make my entire fixed income position consist of
long term treasuries since my biggest risk with farmland is deflation/depression scenarios. I don't do this at the moment and most likely never will.
by 64415
Mon Nov 19, 2012 10:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Farming and Homesteading Thoughts/Advice?
Replies: 27
Views: 2915

Re: Farming and Homesteading Thoughts/Advice?

If your goal is caloric self sufficiency, any 3-4 acre site in the midwest where irrigation is not required will work. My grandparents provided all their caloric needs from the bounty of the 2.5 acres surrounding their house. They gardened, canned, butchered and preserved their own hogs, beef and chickens thru the 1980's. They relied on traditional row crops and the full complement of livestock production (beef, diary, farrow to finish hog production) to make a respectable income. To produce a respectable income with minimal start up capital I would recommend a cow-calf operation where you leased the pasture land or worked on a cost share basis with a land owner, where you gave part of each years calf crop in exchange for access to pasture ...
by 64415
Thu Nov 15, 2012 9:52 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Contrarian Investing Today
Replies: 30
Views: 3293

Re: Contrarian Investing Today

Florida vacation homes are fairly unloved. I am investigating. Granted you are still making more of a luxury consumer
item purchase than a true investment given the 3% annual drag from property taxes, insurance, and maintenance, but they certainly are heavily discounted. I am looking at the last short sale townhome available in my parents gulf coast boating community. Annual taxes, insurance, HOA's equal $12000 per year. Gross rentals last year were $20,000. $350,000 will probably buy it, it sold for $720,000 in 2006. Recent non short sales are in the $425-450K range in this development. Association maintenance funds are fully funded. Not a screaming deal, but certainly better than buying bonds.

Sebastian
by 64415
Wed Oct 03, 2012 9:54 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What would you do - $450K in farm land
Replies: 28
Views: 4084

Re: What would you do - $450K in farm land

[quote=]250 bu per acre on corn is expected. [/quote]

I need to edit my comments, Cerro Gordo is a little further west than I realized and doesnt receive the same amount of rain as the counties to the east. They would still get 200 bu/acre in a good year, but not 250. I would still not take less than $300/acre for cash rent on a Cerro Gordo farm.
by 64415
Wed Oct 03, 2012 9:32 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What would you do - $450K in farm land
Replies: 28
Views: 4084

Re: What would you do - $450K in farm land

University of Maryland extension put out the following information for 2007

Calculating Cash Rent
1. Typical Cash Rent
Iowa
Area 3 County Cerro Gordo
Determine Overall average $ 200
High Quality Third = $ 238
I agree with slick8503, these rates are no longer applicable. Cerro Gordo has some of the best farm ground in the world. Think of rich black loam 3 feet deep. 250 bu per acre on corn is expected. At a minimum I would double those cash rent numbers. The farms we cant have custom farmed we rent at $400 per acre and the quality is not as good as a Cerro Gordo farm.
by 64415
Tue Oct 02, 2012 12:51 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What would you do - $450K in farm land
Replies: 28
Views: 4084

Re: What would you do - $450K in farm land

The farm consists of 60 acres tillable, 60 acres wood and 9 acres miscellaneous. The tenant plants corn or soybeans and we have no idea what the yield is. Fair value is approximately $275 / acre while my mother is charging approximately $125 / acre. I would not sell the farm. What is she going to put the proceeds into? A CD yielding 1.25%? A portfolio of Ameriprise funds? It is imperative she get the market rental rate. Keep this in mind: that nice young man she is renting the land to most likely has averaged $475 per acre in profit after paying your mom rent. I am assuming a below average Iowa farm with a CSR of 60 and average yields of 180 bushels per acre on corn. $6/bu corn X 180 bu/acre - $480 per acre in inputs (assuming he is a bott...
by 64415
Sat Sep 15, 2012 1:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Why do people [Why Would I] live in expensive places?
Replies: 51
Views: 4295

Re: Why do people [Why Would I] live in expensive places?

Check out www. mrmoneymustache.com to see how a family of three lives lavishly on $24,000 per year.
by 64415
Tue Aug 21, 2012 5:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: big diamond ring
Replies: 80
Views: 15575

Re: big diamond ring

I used goodoldgold 8 years ago and was happy with the experience. They have a very good website that does a good job of educating the customer. In particular there was a nice formula that a Russian mathematician/physicist created that quantifies the iridescence and scintillation a diamond will create. You plug in the cut angles, table dimensions etc and the formula quantifies the "sparkle" of the diamond. I purchased very nice stud earrings for my
wife after extensive research on the goodoldgold website.

If you don't want to spend hours researching diamonds, go into Costco and buy what looks attractive to your wife. Every diamond you buy at Costco will be a fair deal.
by 64415
Sat Aug 04, 2012 7:44 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The most depressing financial newsletter ever
Replies: 38
Views: 6980

Re: The most depressing financial newsletter ever

Yes, clearly there must be no shortage in the US, given that we turn 40% of our corn crop into fuel. He is referring to a global food crisis and he does say "the main contributor to reducing the food imbalance between supply and demand is once again likely to be price: more of the poor will eat less and some, regrettably, will eat nothing". He basically seems to be saying that the impact on the wealthy countries would result from the destabilization of those that do have a food crisis. I guess this summer's drought may give us a preview of what we may expect from a further rise in food prices. In the mid 1980's my family considered 140 bushels per acre on corn to be a very good crop, and this was on good productive ground with a ...