Search found 29 matches

by DarthEnol
Thu Apr 04, 2019 12:12 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Ready to buy a new cheap smartphone - any gotchas?
Replies: 44
Views: 5605

Re: Ready to buy a new cheap smartphone - any gotchas?

Refurbished iPhones are available directly from Apple. They have new batteries, screens, warranty, etc.

Another plus about buying directly from Apple is that you'll get an unlocked model (7,8 or X) that will work on all 4 US carriers.

Apple used both Intel and Qualcomm modems in the 7,8 and X models. The Intel equipped ones, even if they’re unlocked really won’t work on Verizon and will not work period on Sprint. TMO & ATT are no problem. The Qualcomm equipped ones will work on all 4 US carriers, which is what Apple sells.

Something to be aware of: Not all iPhone 7,8 and X models are the same.
by DarthEnol
Sun Mar 10, 2019 9:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best Car Values
Replies: 155
Views: 15156

Re: Best Car Values

Google search. Then call and ask what they can/will provide for services.
by DarthEnol
Sun Mar 10, 2019 8:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Dental care for mother-in-law with low income
Replies: 26
Views: 3194

Re: Dental care for mother-in-law with low income

Are there any colleges/universities nearby that have dental programs? They may offer discount dentistry services.
by DarthEnol
Fri Mar 08, 2019 10:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best Car Values
Replies: 155
Views: 15156

Re: Best Car Values

I’m in the boat of buying (with cash) 3-5 yr old vehicles w around 30,000 miles. We now have a 3 and 10 year old vehicles. My question for you all is do you follow the recommendations for maintenance? Oil changes and tire rotation are a no brainer. I’m talking about spark plugs, transmission flush, brake fluid, etc. This can get expensive but it also in theory should keep the car running longer. Thoughts? I pretty much follow the same vehicle buying strategy you (and others) do. And, yes, I follow maintenance recommendations. Like I posted in another thread - if you have access to technical/trade schools, they (in my experience) are an excellent way to keep your vehicles maintained for a low, low cost. We’ve been utilizing trade/technical ...
by DarthEnol
Fri Mar 08, 2019 8:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best Car Values
Replies: 155
Views: 15156

Re: Best Car Values

I’m in the boat of buying (with cash) 3-5 yr old vehicles w around 30,000 miles. We now have a 3 and 10 year old vehicles. My question for you all is do you follow the recommendations for maintenance? Oil changes and tire rotation are a no brainer. I’m talking about spark plugs, transmission flush, brake fluid, etc. This can get expensive but it also in theory should keep the car running longer. Thoughts? I pretty much follow the same vehicle buying strategy you (and others) do. And, yes, I follow maintenance recommendations. Like I posted in another thread - if you have access to technical/trade schools, they (in my experience) are an excellent way to keep your vehicles maintained for a low, low cost. We’ve been utilizing trade/technical ...
by DarthEnol
Fri Mar 08, 2019 8:23 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Things to do in Maine
Replies: 87
Views: 10993

Re: Things to do in Maine

Portland Museum of Art.
by DarthEnol
Thu Mar 07, 2019 10:29 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: boom mobile compatible phone question
Replies: 6
Views: 537

Re: boom mobile compatible phone question

Cool. Good luck.
by DarthEnol
Thu Mar 07, 2019 10:20 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: boom mobile compatible phone question
Replies: 6
Views: 537

Re: boom mobile compatible phone question

BashDash wrote: Thu Mar 07, 2019 9:14 am Thanks for the reply. Yes I have been relying on Verizon so that might not be good. Worst case scenario I change to one of Boom's other plans for sprint or ATT? We don't live in a rural area so I would imagine it would be ok....
You’re welcome. I’ve never used Boom, but I would think they’d change you over to either ATT or Sprint. You'd might have to pay for a new SIM card? You should contact Boom and ask.

OTOH, if Verizon is working well for you, the easiest thing to do is find a comparable Verizon phone and also keep the same plan/SIM you have.
by DarthEnol
Thu Mar 07, 2019 8:58 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: boom mobile compatible phone question
Replies: 6
Views: 537

Re: boom mobile compatible phone question

What carrier are you using on Boom?

For Sprint and ATT, yes. For Verizon, mostly yes.

https://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_moto_x4-8634.php

Verizon uses LTE bands 2, 4 and 13.

If you can connect to band 4 (and you'll only be able to connect to band 4 for LTE), it should work.

Again, if you’re relying on Verizon, it’s not the best choice, but is should work.
by DarthEnol
Thu Mar 07, 2019 7:30 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Repair or Sell 2002 Avalon
Replies: 32
Views: 3619

Re: Repair or Sell 2002 Avalon

If you have technical and/or trade school(s) near you, they can be an excellent option for vehicle maintenance.

And used Toyotas (and Hondas) will always have a value to someone, even with a multitude of issues. They’re very rarely worth nothing. You should be able to sell your Avalon with little to no problems, even with disclosing known issues with it.
by DarthEnol
Sun Mar 03, 2019 7:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Where to find inexpensive unlocked phone
Replies: 56
Views: 5790

Re: Where to find inexpensive unlocked phone

Right now Simple Mobile, is selling an “open box” iPhone 8/64 GB for $299, plus a minimum $25 for 1 month of service. These phones are in basically new/never used condition and unlocked. I’ve bought two of these.

That phone for that price is an excellent buy.
by DarthEnol
Thu Feb 28, 2019 10:27 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Going to "cash-only" restaurants?
Replies: 109
Views: 7147

Re: Going to "cash-only" restaurants?

Cheyenne wrote: Thu Feb 28, 2019 9:00 am
Noble Knight wrote: Thu Feb 28, 2019 8:35 am Restaurants claim they do it to avoid credit card fees, but in reality it's to pocket extra cash and not have to pay the taxes on it.
I used to have a acquaintance who was a retired IRS agent and he told me they operated on the assumption that ALL small businesses cheated on their taxes. So if it's expected of them, is it any wonder that some of them might?
A small business owner told me this many years ago:
“You have three sets of books. A real set, a set for when you want to sell and a set for tax purposes.”.
by DarthEnol
Thu Feb 28, 2019 8:59 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Going to "cash-only" restaurants?
Replies: 109
Views: 7147

Re: Going to "cash-only" restaurants?

Nicolas wrote: Thu Feb 28, 2019 8:45 am
DarthEnol wrote: Thu Feb 28, 2019 8:42 am There’s a nice, smaller, family run restaurant near me that offers a 10% discount for paying with cash.
We have an Indian restaurant that gives the same 10% discount for cash. Whenever we eat there I bring cash. Much better deal than points.
My place is Italian.

And yes - much better than points.
by DarthEnol
Thu Feb 28, 2019 8:48 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How did mylife.com get my info?
Replies: 115
Views: 21534

Re: How did mylife.com get my info?

I looked myself up on mylife.com. Comical results.
*Wrong martial status.
*Wrong address.
*No info for religion, political affiliation, etc.
*Outside of my parents, no idea who the “family/associates” they listed are.

As a disinformation tool, it works. I’m leaving it as is; no request to remove it.
by DarthEnol
Thu Feb 28, 2019 8:42 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Going to "cash-only" restaurants?
Replies: 109
Views: 7147

Re: Going to "cash-only" restaurants?

There’s a nice, smaller, family run restaurant near me that offers a 10% discount for paying with cash.
by DarthEnol
Sun Feb 24, 2019 8:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Thoreau Simplify
Replies: 65
Views: 9219

Re: Thoreau Simplify

“The things you own, end up owning you.”
-Tyler Durden, Fight Club
by DarthEnol
Wed Feb 20, 2019 8:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Problems Using ATT Phones on Verizon Network?
Replies: 17
Views: 2339

Re: Problems Using ATT Phones on Verizon Network?

Starting with the iPhone 7 through the iPhone X, Apple used two different manufacturers for their iPhone modems: Intel (for ATT and TMO) and Qualcomm (for Verizon and Sprint).

These iPhone models with the Qualcomm modems (assuming they’re unlocked), will work on all four US networks. These models with the Intel modems (again assuming they’re unlocked) will not. They'll work on ATT and TMO, sort of work on Verizon and will not work at all on Sprint.

The problem is a hardware compatibility issue.
by DarthEnol
Wed Feb 20, 2019 7:21 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Auto Extended Warranties
Replies: 48
Views: 3344

Re: Auto Extended Warranties

Skip the extended warranty. Do something productive with the money.
by DarthEnol
Thu Feb 14, 2019 7:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Refurbished smart phone or new Consumer Cellular Smart phone?
Replies: 9
Views: 1015

Re: Refurbished smart phone or new Consumer Cellular Smart phone?

Planning on making the tech leap from flip to smart phones, especially for easier google map viewings. Also makes plane boardings more convenient, plus better airport gate change apps. Consumer Cellular users (very happy with their service) has a budget Moto e5 Play for $80, which has very good reviews as a basic phone, which is mostly all we've used. That being said, Consumer Cellular allows unlocked AT&T and T-mobile phones. Before I start looking, would it be worthwhile to buy one of those older phones - refurbished - with better features such as camera & audio quality - 2 areas the e5 are weak? Not a tech geek - by a long shot - but have managed to transition smoothly from iMac to iPad much faster than I did from 8 track to cas...
by DarthEnol
Thu Feb 14, 2019 4:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Refurbished smart phone or new Consumer Cellular Smart phone?
Replies: 9
Views: 1015

Re: Refurbished smart phone or new Consumer Cellular Smart phone?

If you already have an iPad and iMac, you should stick with Apple. An iPhone 6s or 7 should be reasonable. although more $. You can use your existing Apple ID. The experience will be similar across devices. If you add an Android device, now you need a Gmail account. Photos from your phone go to your Google Drive. With an iPhone, photos go to iCloud and can be accessed from your iPad or Mac computer. Sharing and moving files isn't that tough, but it just adds a lot of complexity. Android devices tend to have a shorter life, especially in the budget under $100 range. Staying in one ecosystem may make sense for your first smartphone. https://www.consumercellular.com/Products/778/Details https://www.consumercellular.com/Products/748/Details It...
by DarthEnol
Thu Feb 14, 2019 8:33 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Need help with frequent week-long stays in Boston over next 18 mos
Replies: 68
Views: 4389

Re: Need help with frequent week-long stays in Boston over next 18 mos

Just out of curiosity, in what type of situation would a W-2 employee be expected to pay their own travel / lodging costs? It's a good question. It's an unusual situation. Briefly, it's like this. There would be a business need for me to be in Boston at a company owned facility. Company would prefer I relocate from an office near where I currently live. I balked on relocation. It is in all other respects an excellent opportunity. We discussed. The Boston location might not even be needed by the company in the relatively near future too. They understood concerns. Conclusion was that I would not need to relocate but I was needed to be there as needed. The compensation delta can more than cover my travel and lodging costs even after I adjust ...
by DarthEnol
Tue Feb 12, 2019 1:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Need help with frequent week-long stays in Boston over next 18 mos
Replies: 68
Views: 4389

Re: Need help with frequent week-long stays in Boston over next 18 mos

Boston area resident here.

I vote for the AirBnB route. Try out a few of them, pick one that you like and see if you can do a deal with the owner/manager.

Otherwise, look at extended stay hotels. They can get pricey quick though and the quality of them can vary greatly.

Buying to rent out? Like others have said, be careful. Boston (and Cambridge) have resently passed some very anti-AirBnB legislation.
by DarthEnol
Sun Feb 10, 2019 4:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Mint Mobile feedback
Replies: 27
Views: 3452

Re: Mint Mobile feedback

I have two lines with Mint. No complaints.
by DarthEnol
Wed Jan 30, 2019 8:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Please share some lifestyle creep you regret.
Replies: 226
Views: 33045

Re: Please share some lifestyle creep you regret.

kacang wrote: Wed Jan 30, 2019 12:44 am I'm of two minds about my Miata. It has lousy gas mileage, not practical, is an extraneous 4th car. Generally not a very boglehead-ish thing.

But it is also my guilty pleasure, absolutely a blast driving it top down. lol, maybe it belongs to the other thread.
+1 for a Miata. I bought a ‘96 (last year with the pop up headlights). It was fun, but living in New England cuts down on the amount of available fun time.

Sold it after ~a year.
by DarthEnol
Sun Jan 27, 2019 8:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Where to stay in Naples, Italy and along Amalfi coast
Replies: 36
Views: 3290

Re: Where to stay in Naples, Italy and along Amalfi coast

WestUniversity wrote: Sun Jan 27, 2019 2:18 pm
DarthEnol wrote: Sat Jan 26, 2019 3:22 pm
WestUniversity wrote: Sat Jan 26, 2019 7:02 am
DarthEnol wrote: Thu Jan 24, 2019 4:26 pm If possible, check out Sorrento. It’s beautiful.
I would agree. Really did not like Naples. Sorrento however is beautiful...
Yep. Naples is zoo-ish. Sorrento, OTOH, is gorgeous.
I just found Naples to be a large, filthy, industrial city. Everywhere we went there was garbage and cigarette butts...
Agreed. It takes a certain breed to live there, that’s for sure.
by DarthEnol
Sat Jan 26, 2019 3:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Where to stay in Naples, Italy and along Amalfi coast
Replies: 36
Views: 3290

Re: Where to stay in Naples, Italy and along Amalfi coast

WestUniversity wrote: Sat Jan 26, 2019 7:02 am
DarthEnol wrote: Thu Jan 24, 2019 4:26 pm If possible, check out Sorrento. It’s beautiful.
I would agree. Really did not like Naples. Sorrento however is beautiful...
Yep. Naples is zoo-ish. Sorrento, OTOH, is gorgeous.
by DarthEnol
Thu Jan 24, 2019 4:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Where to stay in Naples, Italy and along Amalfi coast
Replies: 36
Views: 3290

Re: Where to stay in Naples, Italy and along Amalfi coast

If possible, check out Sorrento. It’s beautiful.
by DarthEnol
Thu Jan 24, 2019 2:59 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cell Phone Plans - Question Re Best Plan for Combining Husband & Wife
Replies: 65
Views: 4969

Re: Cell Phone Plans - Question Re Best Plan for Combining Husband & Wife

I currently have Verizon for my cell phone plan. I'm paying $60 per month for unlimited talk & text and 5 gb max data per month. My wife has Sprint. She's paying $80 per month for unlimited talk & text and unlimited data. We are both happy with the respective carriers and plans but I'd like to get the two of us on one plan to save money. I called Verizon and they've offered a family plan covering the two of us for $110-$120 per month with unlimited talk & text but with a data cap of 4 gb per month. Neither of us mind this lower data cap since we're usually on WiFi and barely exceed 3 gb at most each month. Any idea which major carrier (i.e., TMobile, Sprint) would have the least expensive plan that would cover the two of us and...
by DarthEnol
Mon Jan 21, 2019 11:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sicily over Italian cities?
Replies: 49
Views: 4331

Re: Sicily over Italian cities?

“Anyone prefer exploring Sicily over Italian cities like Rome, Florence, Venice? I'm not a huge city person, and I'm thinking I would rather visit Sicily. Am I nuts?”

Are you nuts? Not at all.

I’ve been going to Italy since I was three and the two weeks I spent in Sicily stick out as a high point. If you’re not a big city person, you’ll like Sicily.

Most of the “must see” places (Taormina, Agrigento, Palermo, Cefalu) have been mentioned. I’ll add Noto and San Vito Lo Capo to the mix.

And from a financial point of view, Southern Italy (including Sicily) is cheaper than Rome, Florence, Venice, etc.