Search found 33 matches
- Wed Nov 27, 2019 7:15 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Would you replace this laptop?
- Replies: 30
- Views: 2172
Re: Would you replace this laptop?
As far as increasing the speed goes, I would first try all of the other no-cost things everyone mentioned, before upgrading RAM. Always upgrade the part of the system you know to be the slowest/most constrained, first. And you don't know that that's the RAM, at least not yet. What you say you use th...
- Wed Nov 27, 2019 12:19 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Would you replace this laptop?
- Replies: 30
- Views: 2172
Re: WOULD YOU REPLACE THIS LAPTOP ?
USB adapters for bluetooth and better audio are easily obtainable and inexpensive. (most Thinkpads of that generation have Bluetooth so I'm a bit suprised that yours does not, I have an E series and a Yoga and they both have it, check that it is enabled in the BIOS) Thinkpad fans are die-hards with ...
- Wed Nov 06, 2019 5:48 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How to collaborate with IT coworkers?
- Replies: 6
- Views: 604
Re: How to collaborate with IT coworkers?
OP wrote "coworkers" though - I would be interested in understanding the exact relationship between the OP and the coworkers, and I would like to see some examples of what is being asked for. IOW if OP is part of the same dev or infra team as these other people, and that team is trying to follow agi...
- Mon Nov 04, 2019 5:20 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: RESOLVED: Meetup.com group platform: free or less-expensive alternative? (ORLANDO area & beyond)
- Replies: 7
- Views: 748
Re: Meetup.com group platform: free or less-expensive alternative? (ORLANDO area & beyond)
I don't believe LinkedIn groups have functionality for creating meeting instances, tracking attendance, storing meeting documents, photos, meeting-specific conversations etc. Eventbrite is another one I have seen people use. I do not have any direct experience with using it to manage meetings myself...
- Fri Nov 01, 2019 9:06 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: How often do you allow your dentist to x-ray your teeth?
- Replies: 19
- Views: 1762
Re: How often do you allow your dentist to x-ray your teeth?
In the absence of a specific problem or reason to do otherwise, my wife and I have settled on every two years for general mouth xrays. If the hygienist pushes back we hold firm.
- Tue Oct 29, 2019 8:36 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: stay on better COBRA coverage even though new employer offers an ACA-compliant (but poor) plan
- Replies: 6
- Views: 395
Re: stay on better COBRA coverage even though new employer offers an ACA-compliant (but poor) plan
Edit: I guess this is called a skinny plan. There is apparently a convoluted mechanism that allows the employer to offer this and reduce or eliminate their fine for not offering “real” insurance. Thanks and yes - I heard someone else refer to this as a skinny plan now that you mention it, and some ...
- Tue Oct 29, 2019 8:11 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: stay on better COBRA coverage even though new employer offers an ACA-compliant (but poor) plan
- Replies: 6
- Views: 395
Re: stay on better COBRA coverage even though new employer offers an ACA-compliant (but poor) plan
This does not sound right. I am not aware of any circumstances where a plan that is “minimal essential coverage” under ACA could also only provide preventative care. For now, it sounds like it does not matter to you. But you might want to ask for clarification if you stay with this company. It's po...
- Tue Oct 29, 2019 7:55 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: stay on better COBRA coverage even though new employer offers an ACA-compliant (but poor) plan
- Replies: 6
- Views: 395
Re: stay on better COBRA coverage even though new employer offers an ACA-compliant (but poor) plan
Actually the plan documentation is pretty clear that it is both "minimal essential coverage under the ACA", and that it is preventive care only, there's a big disclaimer on the first page of the plan documentation that states both of those things. I was suprised also. I am curious what the legal req...
- Tue Oct 29, 2019 7:30 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: stay on better COBRA coverage even though new employer offers an ACA-compliant (but poor) plan
- Replies: 6
- Views: 395
stay on better COBRA coverage even though new employer offers an ACA-compliant (but poor) plan
In May I took an early retirement package after almost 25 years with a financial services Megacorp. At that time I elected COBRA coverage as the price was reasonable for the coverage provided, the price/coverage difference compared to a silver ACA plan was miniscule, and it was just easier at the ti...
- Mon Oct 28, 2019 6:52 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Favorite brand of tofu?
- Replies: 7
- Views: 657
Re: Favorite brand of tofu?
What you had was probably either kinugoshi tofu or tohua. Both are typically made fresh daily in tofu-centric restaurants or some izakaya. I am guessing that they served it either chopped up and mixed with leeks or onions as a appetizer, or as a "dessert" with red bean paste. In either case they pro...
- Mon Oct 14, 2019 9:32 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How to make myself most employable (full stack developer)
- Replies: 11
- Views: 1331
- Sun Oct 13, 2019 1:16 pm
- Forum: Non-US Investing
- Topic: U.S. expat in Japan with Japanese spouse - pre/post retirement taxation
- Replies: 7
- Views: 1272
Re: U.S. expat in Japan with Japanese spouse - pre/post retirement taxation
Not an exact answer to your question but: Separately pay the same accountant to also prepare and file your wife's Japan taxes for just this one coming year. (we lived in Tokyo for several years, and my firm used PwC for this purpose - the firm paid for the first year filing for expats for both Japan...
- Tue Sep 24, 2019 1:48 pm
- Forum: US Chapters
- Topic: Master Thread - Central NJ Bogleheads
- Replies: 10
- Views: 2080
Re: Master Thread - Central NJ Bogleheads
Hi - is there another central NJ meetup soon?
Thanks
Thanks
- Sun Sep 01, 2019 2:40 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Did humanity ever make good Gas cans
- Replies: 70
- Views: 6589
Re: Did humanity ever make good Gas cans
I like the No-Spill cans too for the mower, trimmers, chainsaws, tractor, etc., but how do you empty one of those cans into the car/truck/skid steer (i.e. anything with the fill cap on the side)? Edit: No-Spill suggests an extension nozzle for those. I use a flexible 16" metal funnel for anything o...
- Sun Sep 01, 2019 9:20 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Did humanity ever make good Gas cans
- Replies: 70
- Views: 6589
Re: Did humanity ever make good Gas cans
The "No Spill"-brand containers, with the green push button valve, have served me very well. Available at HD. Perhaps that is the one to which livesoft is referring.
- Tue Aug 27, 2019 3:44 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Semi-retired part timer with medicare gets offered health benefits
- Replies: 6
- Views: 479
Re: Semi-retired part timer with medicare gets offered health benefits
Have they offered this to any other employees who are already on Medicare? Any feedback from them? Unless you *really* need the cash difference, messing with/pausing/cancelling her medicare (something certain, if imperfect) in order to take advantage of something someone else provides (not certain) ...
- Fri Aug 23, 2019 8:58 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: temporary attachment to bathtub faucet?
- Replies: 17
- Views: 883
Re: temporary attachment to bathtub faucet?
A quality (metal, not plastic) bypass mounted to the shower head extension tube will give you the most water pressure. Be sure to use teflon tape and tighten well (not overtighten) as these things often leak. Agreed - that's what the second link I posted above is, and that's what we use. Have not h...
- Fri Aug 23, 2019 8:30 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: temporary attachment to bathtub faucet?
- Replies: 17
- Views: 883
Re: temporary attachment to bathtub faucet?
They make temporary attachments for shower heads and tub faucets, like this one:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071F9JLQ8
This one has worked well for me:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00477UNOU
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071F9JLQ8
This one has worked well for me:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00477UNOU
- Sun Aug 18, 2019 1:20 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Ethernet, MoCA, House Wiring
- Replies: 24
- Views: 2175
Re: Ethernet, MoCA, House Wiring
For Wifi - Ubiquiti Unifi supports totally wireless access points connected via uplink/downlink, so if you want to put an access point on another side of the house, you don't need to do any wiring, MOCA or otherwise. There are articles on the Ubiquiti site about the performance hit that you may/may ...
- Thu Jul 18, 2019 8:18 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Lightweight, durable, laptop bag
- Replies: 29
- Views: 1697
Re: Lightweight, durable, laptop bag
I know you said no backpacks? but I have been buying one of these every few years for the last 20 years. Bought my first one on a whim in Hong Kong.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004AM624C
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004AM624C
- Wed Jul 03, 2019 8:05 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Cleaning bugs off car bumper
- Replies: 32
- Views: 2850
Re: Cleaning bugs off car bumper
The Goof Off wet wipes work well on bugs. Test them first on a very small area.
- Thu Jun 20, 2019 7:57 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Where to stay in Hong Kong
- Replies: 16
- Views: 1275
Re: Where to stay in Hong Kong
Kowloon - the W.
- Mon Jun 03, 2019 6:00 pm
- Forum: US Chapters
- Topic: Master Thread - Central NJ Bogleheads
- Replies: 10
- Views: 2080
Re: Master Thread - Central NJ Bogleheads
Is there an agenda for the meeting or is it just meet and greet for this first one?
Is there a fee?
Thanks
Is there a fee?
Thanks
- Thu May 30, 2019 6:30 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Working in Japan?
- Replies: 10
- Views: 1309
Re: Working in Japan?
Also the school may not be willing to have the student visa start date be significantly before the start of classes.
- Thu May 30, 2019 5:46 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Working in Japan?
- Replies: 10
- Views: 1309
Re: Working in Japan?
Volunteer applications were due back in December, unfortunately. I used to work in Japan and I believe those on student visas can now work part-time, but she'd need some language background. Yes - if the school is willing to do the visa student extension/exception paperwork, not all schools do. IIR...
- Thu May 30, 2019 2:14 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Working in Japan?
- Replies: 10
- Views: 1309
Re: Working in Japan?
I would get an understanding of the visa process first - if she is on a student visa, that doesn't automatically also allow someone to work, even part-time (like in most other countries) - she will need to get her school to approve a student working visa exception, as well as get some sort of sponso...
- Fri May 24, 2019 10:47 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Is there a cheaper way to go to Long Island, NY?
- Replies: 19
- Views: 1022
Re: Is there a cheaper way to go to Long Island, NY?
Do you have to drive as opposed to taking the train?
Where are you coming from in central NJ?
Where are you going on Long Island? Do you mean Long Island City? The island itself is 100+ miles long.
Where are you coming from in central NJ?
Where are you going on Long Island? Do you mean Long Island City? The island itself is 100+ miles long.
- Fri May 24, 2019 10:21 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: How Do You Organize Your Flash Drives?
- Replies: 39
- Views: 2917
Re: How Do You Organize Your Flash Drives?
A bit of customer requirements gathering (questions for the OP): - what does "offline storage" mean to you? vs "backup", a word the OP did not use - what are the actual things you are trying to store? - how long do you need to keep them? - how often do you need to access them? - is cost a factor? - ...
- Sat May 18, 2019 1:31 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: How do I prevent yellow underarm stains on my white shirts?
- Replies: 24
- Views: 3514
Re: How do I prevent yellow underarm stains on my white shirts?
Speed Stick Stainguard/Overtime also works well for me, if the others are not to your liking.
- Wed May 01, 2019 7:01 am
- Forum: Non-US Investing
- Topic: My Life as a Japanese Investor
- Replies: 13
- Views: 2880
Re: My Life as a Japanese Investor
My wife and I (US citizens) lived in Japan for many years until 2012. We did not/do not own businesses in either country but maintained a mailing address in the US during that time. I was/am an employee of a US MegaCorp that has a Japanese subsidiary. I was paid as a local in JPY, not as an expat in...
- Tue Mar 26, 2019 8:04 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: [Retiring before 65: How do you deal with health insurance?]
- Replies: 88
- Views: 12214
Re: [Retiring before 65: How do you deal with health insurance?]
rk6, presented with the same COBRA coverage I had back in 2016, I do not believe I would have made a different choice if making that decision today. As I said, we had a Cadillac plan of sorts with broader/better coverage than what is available now under the ACA. The premium under COBRA was around $...
- Mon Mar 25, 2019 8:18 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: [Retiring before 65: How do you deal with health insurance?]
- Replies: 88
- Views: 12214
Re: [Retiring before 65: How do you deal with health insurance?]
Thank you MikeG62 for taking the time to post such a detailed reply. The results of my research on the companies, along with the analysis steps I have gone through so far, mirror what you found/did. We do not have children and DW has coverage elsewhere so I only have myself to worry about. I do plan...
- Mon Mar 25, 2019 6:27 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: [Retiring before 65: How do you deal with health insurance?]
- Replies: 88
- Views: 12214
Re: [Retiring before 65: How do you deal with health insurance?]
Early retired three years ago (I was 53 and DW was 51). First year we elected COBRA. After that we have been buying insurance in the marketplace. We do not qualify for subsidies so we buy directly from BCBS (of NJ) - I see no need to stick a middleman in between us and BCBS if no savings. Rates are...