Search found 278 matches

by Voltaire2.0
Fri Nov 11, 2022 11:17 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New Car Walk Through
Replies: 24
Views: 2011

New Car Walk Through

I am going to pick up a new car at the dealer next week. It's fresh from the factory and I am doing a cash purchase.

The dealer is not close by, so before transacting the purchase I thought I would:
- Verify the VIN on the car versus the paperwork
- Check the odometer to make sure there aren't more than 5 miles on the vehicle
- Take it for a test drive to see if there are any obvious flaws

Any other shake down steps that would be worthwhile?
by Voltaire2.0
Tue Nov 01, 2022 5:34 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Source of Dividend History
Replies: 9
Views: 1150

Source of Dividend History

This NASDAQ website used to be a free, fast and reliable source of dividend history information for stock and funds:
https://www.nasdaq.com/market-activity/ ... nd-history

It's inexplicably gone non-functional in the last couple weeks. Maybe it's a back-end problem or maybe they decided to stop giving away information.

Anyone have a source for dividend history?
by Voltaire2.0
Tue Oct 25, 2022 8:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Head scratcher: stains in washing machine
Replies: 6
Views: 945

Re: Head scratcher: stains in washing machine

homebuyer6426 wrote: Tue Oct 25, 2022 2:04 pm Paper towels saturated with bleach and then applied and left on the spot for an hour or more will likely do the trick. The bleach you used probably wasn't in contact long enough to lift the stain.
This worked better than expected. 30 minute soak and the stain is almost gone. Muchas gracias.
by Voltaire2.0
Tue Oct 25, 2022 1:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Head scratcher: stains in washing machine
Replies: 6
Views: 945

Head scratcher: stains in washing machine

I have a top loading HE washing machine. Two and a half years old and it works fine.

I washed a brand new pair of jeans to break them in and knock back the color. I used a bit of liquid detergent and some Oxi Boost. No bleach since we're on septic.

The white plastic vanes in the bottom of the tub now have blue on the edges. No functional impact, but it doesn't look right. I ran another load of laundry, but the blue stain did not fade. I even wiped the vanes down with some bleach (the horror!) but still no effect.

Any thoughts on how to get back to white?
by Voltaire2.0
Sat Oct 22, 2022 2:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Car with possible flooding
Replies: 9
Views: 913

Re: Car with possible flooding

Assuming it's a normal gas powered RAV4, I would inspect the door sills and floors for interior water intrusion. If water got inside, a host of things could be affected as there is a nest of wiring under the carpets. That said, I would start it and drive it around the lot to see if check engine light came on, the brakes worked, etc. If there are no wet carpets or other signs of water intrusion, you're probably ok. Oxygen sensors and wheel speed sensors might be affected, although they get wet in everyday wet weather. I would start it and drive it carefully for a few miles, minding the brakes, steering, throttle response and testing all things electric. If a vehicle keeps a long deep soak, problems may pop up down the line. The insurance com...
by Voltaire2.0
Tue Oct 18, 2022 9:46 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Any way to buy a decent refrigerator these days?
Replies: 137
Views: 23358

Re: Any way to buy a decent refrigerator these days?

Our Frigidaire side-by-side is excellent. No french door nonsense, just side-by-side with ice+water in the door.

It sounds like your problems are unrelated to the brand, but to the retailer. Try an appliance store that has their own installation and service staff, instead of a big box outlet. Or as another poster said, Costco.

As to those "linear compressor" machines, avoid at all costs. I have discussed them with people in the business and they all dismiss it as an unreliable gimmick.
by Voltaire2.0
Sun Sep 18, 2022 12:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Septic system additives
Replies: 13
Views: 1645

Septic system additives

Background I'm on my third house with a a septic system, but none as complex as this one. It's a new house, four bathrooms and only two people. The septic is a "pressure system" with three tanks and a pump that has a long output run from the third tank up to the smallish drain field and a return line back to the third tank. Here's the problem: between the first tank (trash tank) and the second tank is a cylindrical plastic filter that get clogged regularly with unpleasant muck. When it clogs I yank it, rinse the filter off and replace it, but 6-8 weeks later it all repeats. Never had this kind of problem before. I talked with the septic system designer, who seems competent and diligent, and he recommends removing the filter entire...
by Voltaire2.0
Fri Sep 02, 2022 10:56 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Light Bulbs
Replies: 33
Views: 2620

Re: Light Bulbs

Yes, more choices than are necessary. LED is the way to go. IMO, there are two factors to consider: color temp and quality. Regarding color, you want to be consistent. I.e., don't mix daylight, bright white and warm warm. I use warm white everywhere. For total color consistency use the same brand. Quality is another issue entirely. The Ecosmart brand at HD get good reviews but I find they don't last very long. Philips isn't much better. A third consideration for some is the "look." Lots of LED bulbs mimic the frosted glass appearance of incandescent bulbs. I've come to prefer the clear glass LED bulbs where the exposed elements mimic Edison bulbs. Behind a shade you can't tell the difference and while I don't have any data to prov...
by Voltaire2.0
Mon Aug 29, 2022 11:18 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Vanguard website succumbs to "Fisher-Price" UI design
Replies: 843
Views: 112336

Re: Vanguard website succumbs to "Fisher-Price" UI design

Cheez-It Guy wrote: Sat Aug 27, 2022 4:27 pm After logging in, try this link:

https://personal.vanguard.com/us/faces/TPView
Muchas gracias on this link. It works... still.
by Voltaire2.0
Mon Aug 29, 2022 11:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Grill: Go Cheap or Not?
Replies: 71
Views: 6146

Re: Grill: Go Cheap or Not?

This is a good time of the year to buy a grill, any grill. Inventory reductions are in process.

I've had many cheap grills, but my Weber Genesis gas grill is far and away the best. Durable and reliable. While it took a lot of time to assemble, the instructions were great and it was not difficult. The Weber was also the most expensive.

If this is a "trial" grill you can go cheap and upgrade later. But if they might love it, I would go with a good one.
by Voltaire2.0
Mon Aug 08, 2022 6:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: "ID Navigator" power by Norton
Replies: 2
Views: 267

"ID Navigator" power by Norton

Got an email from my bank that looks legitimate. They are offering me "ID Navigator" powered by Norton LifeLock, as if the latter is supposed to impress me.

This service purports to do dark web monitoring on my behalf, notify me about data breaches and assist me if my wallet is lost.

Anyone ever heard of this, and have an opinion on its value? It would seem to require a lot of sensitive information, especially the lost wallet assist piece.
by Voltaire2.0
Mon Aug 01, 2022 9:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I upgrade my Verizon plan?
Replies: 30
Views: 2974

Re: Should I upgrade my Verizon plan?

I was in the same situation. Switched to T-Mobile's 55+ plan. Equivalent coverage, 100GB of data each month and much lower cost. Got a free year of Netflix, FWIW.
by Voltaire2.0
Mon Jul 18, 2022 10:55 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Seattle visit
Replies: 25
Views: 1941

Re: Seattle visit

Skagit Valley is a destination in April. In August, not much to see. Since you have a car, Lake Diablo is very neat. Lake the boat ride/tour. Leavenworth is a Bavarian-themed town. Touristy but it has lots of lodging and you can take in an outdoor play/musical. Within Seattle, Pike Place Market is also touristy but for first time visitors, it's a must-do. Same for the Space Needle. There could be long lines at the established attractions downtown. The Gum Wall and the gargoyle under the bridge (ask a local) are.... unique. Steer clear of Pioneer Square for your personal safety. San Juan, Orcas and Lopez Islands are nice as well as accessible. The ferry ride itself can be beautiful in August so if you want to experience a tour of the sound y...
by Voltaire2.0
Fri Jul 15, 2022 12:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Thinking about longer-term places to live
Replies: 85
Views: 11228

Re: Thinking about longer-term places to live

It sounds like you don't really want to move, especially if your S.O. is happy in San Jose. The Bay Area has its share of issues you did not mention: cost of living, congestion, iffy public schools and earthquakes come to mind. Water would be further down my list of concerns. But if you're looking for an area with the amenities of northern California, nice weather and plenty of agua, new compromises arise. Charlotte and parts of Florida (e.g., Boca Raton) are interesting, but summers are tough. Austin is reaching California levels of gridlock. Nashville was been discovered and is getting overdeveloped. No easy answer. If you do choose to relocated somewhere else, I suggest you do it with the attitude of adapting to that culture and becoming...
by Voltaire2.0
Wed Jul 06, 2022 11:16 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11037
Views: 2066493

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

Elvis.

A bit too long. It felt like Tom Hanks demanded a minimum amount of dialog so they created drivel for him to say, detracting from Elvis' story.

The actor who plays Elvis is excellent and for those unaware of his role in the evolution of music it is a good backgrounder.

There is an odd scene at an airport where Elvis and Priscilla part ways. A limo has Tennessee plates and the airport is clearly LAX, but the implication is that Elvis is flying to Las Vegas and Priscilla is remaining in Memphis. A goof?
by Voltaire2.0
Wed Jul 06, 2022 11:02 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I switch from Verizon Wireless to AT&T?
Replies: 35
Views: 2410

Re: Should I switch from Verizon Wireless to AT&T?

I had AT&T long ago and switched to Verizon because my employer had an attractive employee discount program with the latter. I found Verizon to be somewhat better on the customer service front than AT&T. When we moved to a semi-rural location my Verizon phone service wasn't great, but it was serviceable for voice and text. I discussed a booster with them but the booster product they pitched required an outdoor antenna, something the CC&R's forbids. I tried voice-over-WiFi and found that the audio fidelity was exceptional, but calls continually dropped. I shut that off after a week of frustration, but there is little risk in you giving it a test drive. I ultimately tired of Verizon's high price and switched to T-Mobile. I get the...
by Voltaire2.0
Fri Jul 01, 2022 2:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: .
Replies: 54
Views: 5099

Re: Question for folks who have raised or are raising kids in the Seattle area

Cities on the Eastside (Mercer Island, Bellevue, Kirkland, Bothell, Redmond, Woodinville) have their own police forces and are far safer than Seattle. I have no stats to prove this, but Redmond, Woodinville and Mercer Island felt the safest. The Mercer Island, Bellevue, Lake Washington and Northshore school districts are all good, individual schools may vary. Th latter two districts also serve unincorporated King and Snohomish counties. You can live in the southern fringe of Snohomish County (unincorporated or in Bothell) and enjoy the Northshore school district. This would let you avoid some of the egregious add-ons to property tax and auto tax that King County levies. The weather... it is what it is. Summers are usually glorious but Novem...
by Voltaire2.0
Wed Jun 22, 2022 10:23 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do you use a VPN?
Replies: 82
Views: 7697

Re: Do you use a VPN?

I use 1.1.1.1 which is a VPN and DNS service. The VPN is useful only on public WiFi networks, though I never access sensitive accounts over public WiFi, even with the VPN.

The DNS service keeps my web access activities private from whatever ISP I happen to be using, including the one I pay for. They don't need to know the sites I visit.
by Voltaire2.0
Wed Jun 22, 2022 10:14 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Which is the best (most secure) home internet router for the money?
Replies: 23
Views: 4407

Re: Which is the best (most secure) home internet router for the money?

I would recommend the asus line of routers. I find there bios and featureset top notch without being overly complicated. My current wireless AC one has been running for years without hiccup. That being said any recent router will provide a similar set of security as long as you step through the configuration properly. Ie don’t leave admin account default, follow good password practices, and periodically install the security updates. Agree on Asus routers. Reliable, relatively easy to manage, good features, good value. Netgear products are my second choice. I've been on the vendor side selling networking equipment to carriers and cable companies. Their priorities for customer premises equipment (consumer) are cost, remote management and cos...
by Voltaire2.0
Tue Jun 07, 2022 3:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What exactly does it mean to buy a car for MSRP? Is that the total price, or should I expect extra charges?
Replies: 43
Views: 4670

Re: What exactly does it mean to buy a car for MSRP? Is that the total price, or should I expect extra charges?

Yes, expect them to attempt to slap on extra charges. A local Honda dealer crows in large bold letters on its website, "No Dealer Mark-Up," so I I recently went there shopping for a 2022 Civic LX. That same website said they had Civics in stock but, in reality, they had none. When I asked about pre-ordering a Civic LX the guy looked at some book and said, "Honda isn't making LX models." Hmmm. Apparently they have EX models on the way in. For giggles, I compared the LX to the EX which are $3K more expensive ($25.5K) and asked about detailed pricing on an EX. He offered to do a full out the door quote for a Civic EX with no additional accessories. After waiting an eternity the written quote showed an MSRP of $27.5K. I aske...
by Voltaire2.0
Wed Jun 01, 2022 5:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Deck Stain
Replies: 17
Views: 1659

Re: Deck Stain

It is easy to overapply deck stain. When in doubt, use less not more.
by Voltaire2.0
Wed Jun 01, 2022 5:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Montreal and/or Toronto vacation
Replies: 56
Views: 4926

Re: Montreal and/or Toronto vacation

Quebec City. It's extremely french. There is a historic district that feels like a step back into the 16th century.

The Chateau Frontenac (spelling?) is a fantastic castle-like hotel with historical significance.
by Voltaire2.0
Thu May 12, 2022 10:48 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestions for good colleges
Replies: 104
Views: 9969

Re: Suggestions for good colleges

Retired engineer's opinion here. The top-tier engineering schools (e.g., MIT, Stanford, CalTech) are great but they're not all small and competition for admission is an Olympic event. Maybe a stretch goal. The "flagship" state U approach works for many, but it is at odds with the stated desire for personal attention. Further, in some cases admission to the university doesn't guarantee admission to the engineering school, and you may still be looking at a 5 year slog. Mid-sized schools with strong engineering academics and a good reputation include: WPI Drexel RPI Carnegie Mellon Rice There are others, of course, and admission to these schools is no walk in the park. The "small college with an engineering school" option w...
by Voltaire2.0
Sat May 07, 2022 11:38 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: VPN for Travel
Replies: 18
Views: 2327

Re: VPN for Travel

Try 1.1.1.1 (aka "WARP") by Cloudflare. It's free. There is a version for iOS, Windows and Android. It also hides your DNS transactions from the prying eyes of whatever ISP you're using. It has no apparent impact on performance, although you can pay for a premium version that is supposed to be faster.

The only drawback I've found is that a few services aren't compatible- the iTunes store for one. When encountering this it is easy to pause 1.1.1.1 and turn it back on afterwards.

I don't access the internet on a public network without a VPN because there is no such thing as too much privacy.
by Voltaire2.0
Tue May 03, 2022 8:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Ford Lightning EV
Replies: 308
Views: 30709

Re: Ford Lightning EV

Carguy85 wrote: Tue May 03, 2022 1:05 pm Just learned a 1000lb battery pack requires 500,000lbs of processed raw material to make. :shock:
The "new green deal." :oops:
by Voltaire2.0
Tue May 03, 2022 11:07 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Wasps and fireplace vent?
Replies: 11
Views: 2656

Re: Wasps and fireplace vent?

When we moved into to our new home several years ago (existing home built about 30 years ago) it had a yellow jacket infestation. The white tempo dust did the job and got rid of all of yellow jackets. Since the area has many flowering trees nearby, there are a lot of bees, wasps, all around the area, I was looking for a natural way to deter the yellow jackets from coming around our home. I found out that a spray bottle filled with tap water, about 10 or more drops of essential oil of peppermint, and a couple drops of dish soap make a very good natural spray that stinging insects and flies absolutely hate. I go around the house 4 or 5 times in the warmer months and spray this stuff all over. It works pretty well as I was spraying some near ...
by Voltaire2.0
Fri Apr 29, 2022 10:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Wasps and fireplace vent?
Replies: 11
Views: 2656

Re: Wasps and fireplace vent?

I had a similar problem with bees attempting to build a nest through a gap in some trim boards. I solved it with several applications of clear silicon caulk. It would be good to know what the bugs your have. If they are beneficial bees, they can be smoked out be a beekeeper. While they may be beneficial, I wouldn't want stinging insects finding their way into my living quarters. If they are yellowjackets, I'd want them out dead or alive, by any means necessary. Does that vent fixture get hot when you run the fireplace? It is does, I would run it for a while and see what flies out. You could also hang a yellowjacket trap near the vent for a few days and see what it collects. If they are yellowjackets, I would carefully inject insecticide int...
by Voltaire2.0
Fri Apr 29, 2022 10:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What is the ethanol content of Costco regular unleaded?
Replies: 21
Views: 9924

Re: What is the ethanol content of Costco regular unleaded?

If you want the good stuff, 0% ethanol, you can find stations that sell it and this website: https://www.pure-gas.org/.

I buy it for my small engines, and occasionally for my car.
by Voltaire2.0
Fri Apr 29, 2022 11:52 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Looking at a new Camry or Rav4. Is a Rav4 easier to drive?
Replies: 26
Views: 4526

Re: Looking at a new Camry or Rav4. Is a Rav4 easier to drive?

We have a Camry SE and a RAV4 XLE AWD. As mentioned above, trim level makes a difference. The Camry's is better able to accelerate, corner and brake. The SE has ground-effect trim, paddle shifters and a few other "driver's features" whose value is in the eye of the beholder. The Camry gets better gas mileage than the RAV4. The RAV4 has better visibility, easier in & out access and is surprisingly quieter than the Camry SE. The advantage of AWD is obvious. Both cars hold their value well, but I suspect that RAV4's do a little better. The infotainment system on both vehicles is less than great. Toyota is good at many things, but almost every other manufacturer does better infotainment than Toyota.I service my cars and both are e...
by Voltaire2.0
Thu Apr 28, 2022 6:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dog breeds
Replies: 150
Views: 12310

Re: Dog breeds

Consider the smallest of the retrievers - -a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (known in short form as a Toller). After finishing puppydom, the dog loves to be active, but is mellow around the house. They are usually good in the water ; and are generally reliable among small children. Here's the AKC lowdown: https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/nova-scotia-duck-tolling-retriever/ They are active but tend to be less hyper than the various Doodles Tollers are delightful, but you have to understand their unique qualities. Many are very good looking. Ours was a true chick magnet. They are frighteningly intelligent. They will play fetch.... all day long. They need training and a routine, without these... ...They will train their owners and start run...
by Voltaire2.0
Thu Apr 21, 2022 10:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sealing a cedar deck
Replies: 23
Views: 2106

Re: Sealing a cedar deck

TIPS: IF you DIY: Get really good knee pads, the best gel ones. Get really excellent back supports with a wide back plate. Not cheap ones. Eye and ear and lung protection. Cedar and Redwood and Pine dust is very toxic because of the oils. Take a lot of breaks, but when you are working, go fer it and don't stop. Make sure the dog does not walk on the newly sanded deck or sealed deck. Make sure leaves do not blow on the newly finished deck when sealer is not dry yet. Use very high quality brushes and rollers. Use a 5 gallon bucket and a roller screen, not a roller tray (amateurs. . . kidding). (so you can work quickly without refilling the roller tray, or step in the roller tray or flip it over, etc). I hope this is helpful for you. j :D dis...
by Voltaire2.0
Thu Apr 21, 2022 10:39 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sealing a cedar deck
Replies: 23
Views: 2106

Re: Sealing a cedar deck

homebuyer6426 wrote: Thu Apr 21, 2022 10:15 am If the water dripping is causing this issue, wouldn't it be more of a gutter problem?
Ahhh, you almost reached root cause.

My lot has large deciduous and evergreen trees on one side. They spew needles, cones and leaves onto my roof seemingly all year long. The only way to keep my gutters functional was to install a filter system and now blow off the roof and gutters several times per year. But the rain is more persistent than my ability to keep the roof and gutters filters clear. Nonetheless, the only place things don't work is over my deck.

BTW, those trees are owned by the county so they are sacrosanct.
by Voltaire2.0
Wed Apr 20, 2022 5:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: "Senior" Computers
Replies: 50
Views: 4457

Re: Looking for a senior friendly laptop computer

What "senior friendly" attributes are you looking for?

Low weight?
Big screen?
Big keyboard?
Need Windows or don't care?

What will it be used for?
by Voltaire2.0
Wed Apr 20, 2022 5:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Consumer Reports: The Mazda 3 is suddenly only 3/5 for reliability? Is this possible?
Replies: 61
Views: 8560

Re: Consumer Reports: The Mazda 3 is suddenly only 3/5 for reliability? Is this possible?

ponyboy wrote: Wed Apr 20, 2022 9:39 am Consumer reports is a joke. I didnt even realize people still took them serious besides my uncle who is 70. There's a reason some things get outstanding ratings while others get low ratings...follow the money.

We just purchased a 2022 cx-5. My guess is consumer reports says it will break down within the 1st year.
Regarding cars, Consumer Reports has zero credibility.
by Voltaire2.0
Wed Apr 20, 2022 4:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sealing a cedar deck
Replies: 23
Views: 2106

Sealing a cedar deck

I have a sizable cedar deck. 2.5 years old.

The builder sealed it with a Behr water-based sealer.

Two gable roofs cover parts of the deck and winter rain dripping off the edges of those roofs virtually destroys the sealer on some of the decking boards. I live in a wet climate. Last summer I sanded and resealed the deck using the same Behr product, but the winter's rain again blasted off the sealer.

Is this a sealer quality problem? A prep/application problem?

The ideal solution would be to replace with Trex, but replacement is not an option.
by Voltaire2.0
Mon Apr 18, 2022 9:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Water Leak to the house 1 year and 2 months from being built
Replies: 12
Views: 1834

Re: Water Leak to the house 1 year and 2 months from being built

This could be a tough one without knowing the nature of the leak, assuming there really is a leak.

The installation of the water line could have been faulty. Heavy equipment could have been run over the line before you bought the house. Diagnosis and repair will be spendy. If either of the above is true and the builder cares about his reputation, he should be willing to help get this fixed. But a fly-by-night builder may disavow all knowledge, ala Mission Impossible.

Have you maintained a good relationship with the builder? If you have (or even haven't) I would engage him ASAP, explain the problem and see how he responds.
by Voltaire2.0
Fri Apr 08, 2022 11:23 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dripping noise in house wall when it rains?
Replies: 19
Views: 16681

Re: Dripping noise in house wall when it rains?

tomd37 wrote: Fri Apr 08, 2022 8:58 am Like others have said, I too hear a dripping noise in our MBR when it rains. Have determined it is coming from the aluminum downspouts on the gutter system close by. More prominent with a light rain when not a lot of water running through the system.
Similar story. Rainwater rolls off the corner of my roof and/or down the downspouts. Amazing how loud it is when those drops hit bottom.
by Voltaire2.0
Tue Apr 05, 2022 5:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestion for Battery Operated Mowers
Replies: 30
Views: 2586

Re: Suggestion for Battery Operated Mowers

I also have an Ego self-propelled mower. Very good machine. I think all battery mowers have gotten pretty good, but the Ego is especially well engineered. All the controls are intuitive. The buttons and clamps are oversized- easy to use with gloves. The charger tells you what's going on. And Ego does the little things well, such as making the bail flat and easy to hold.

My only gripe was that it look a lot of effort to remove the blade for sharpening. Other mowers may have the same issue.
by Voltaire2.0
Fri Mar 25, 2022 10:24 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Grass seed brands?
Replies: 21
Views: 2527

Re: Grass seed brands?

Been to this movie and I feel your pain. Walking down the seed and fertilizer aisle at Home Depot is like walking down the cereal aisle at Safeway. I've tried national brands like Scotts, no-name store brands, high-priced seeds coated with secret ingredients and seeds allegedly localized for "your unique climate." IMO, the preparation, installation and aftercare make the real difference, although I agree that a color match is best achieved using the seed you applied previously. My steps are: - Dethatch, if necessary. A dethatching rake also breaks up the surface of the soil. Dethatching is an aerobic workout, FYI. - If you don't have a dethatching rake, use a garden rake to break up the soil's surface. - Use plenty of seed. Quanti...
by Voltaire2.0
Thu Mar 24, 2022 5:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Travel Medical Insurance - Canada
Replies: 18
Views: 1660

Re: Travel Medical Insurance - Canada

jlawrence01 wrote: Thu Mar 24, 2022 1:56 pm For a couple of years, I worked in Cuidad Juarez and Mexicali in Mexico. I made the decision NOT to buy insurance as I was less than 25 miles from the US border.

You always have the option of driving across the border for medical care.
To this point, Vancouver is near the U.S. border but not near a major city. Bellingham, WA is close, but its medical care is limited. Seattle is 100+ miles from Vancouver.
by Voltaire2.0
Mon Mar 21, 2022 6:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Coffee becomes cold too soon
Replies: 171
Views: 22144

Re: Coffee becomes cold too soon

Yeti brand insulated mugs work well. I have this one.

https://www.amazon.com/YETI-Rambler-Sta ... 47&sr=1-11

Expensive, but indestructible. I like the "industrial chic" design.
by Voltaire2.0
Mon Mar 21, 2022 6:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What to do after closing on a new house?
Replies: 39
Views: 4553

Re: What to do after closing on a new house?

Ask the previous owners for the names of their service vendors: gardener, handyman, plumber, electrician, etc.

Send the IRS a change of address form: 8822.
by Voltaire2.0
Wed Mar 16, 2022 10:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Electric Shaver Recommendations (2022)
Replies: 39
Views: 5313

Re: Electric Shaver Recommendations (2022)

This is incredibly subjective. Over the decades I had one Braun and it was OK, and about four Norelco/Philips units. I like Philips as they are comfortable and reliable. Don't need to change the blades very often.

It used to be that a vendor offered one or two models and that was it. Now they offer six or seven, with the upper end models being ridiculously expensive and packed with goofy features. IMO, if you buy a model that is one or two steps up from the cheapest you're getting the best value. But that, too, is subjective.
by Voltaire2.0
Tue Mar 01, 2022 11:18 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: TV mounting — use Best Buy?
Replies: 19
Views: 5859

Re: TV mounting — use Best Buy?

You might want to look at MantleMount. Very cool product, though installation takes some planning. They have authorized installers.
by Voltaire2.0
Sun Feb 27, 2022 5:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How much to Tip a Taxi Driver in NYC & DC (Non - UBER)
Replies: 120
Views: 9035

Re: How much to Tip a Taxi Driver in NYC & DC (Non - UBER)

j9j wrote: Fri Feb 25, 2022 8:08 am Whenever it comes to typical single instance service industry with tips, I quit thinking too much and do 20%.
+1 for this, unless the hack drove recklessly or was careless.
by Voltaire2.0
Sun Feb 27, 2022 5:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How do YOU cook your Prime Rib?
Replies: 19
Views: 2141

Re: How do YOU cook your Prime Rib?

I do it the simple way.
1. Start with a good piece of beef. Have the butcher cut off the ribs and tie them back on for easy carving.
2. Take it out of the frig 1.5 - 2 hours before roasting.
3. Paint the top and sides with good olive oil, garlic-infused if possible.
4. Generous ground pepper on the top and sides. Salt, if desired.
5. Cover the bottom of the roasting pan with rock (ice cream) salt. This will absorb fat and juices to make clean-up easier.
6. Sear at 425 degrees for 15 minutes.
7. Roast at 325 degrees until the thermometer say 155 degrees internal temp.
8. Remove, tent with foil and let rest for 10 minutes.
by Voltaire2.0
Thu Feb 24, 2022 12:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Kaspersky and Ukraine
Replies: 79
Views: 16842

Re: Kaspersky and Ukraine

Cheez-It Guy wrote: Thu Feb 24, 2022 10:47 am I would say you should have been concerned before this.
+1

Years ago there were allegations that the Kaspersky founders were tied up with Soviet (or former Soviet, if you prefer) security operatives. There are many good alternatives, including Windows Security.
by Voltaire2.0
Sat Feb 19, 2022 11:18 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard 1099s Available
Replies: 9
Views: 1785

Re: Vanguard 1099s Available

Voltaire2.0 wrote: Fri Feb 18, 2022 2:05 pm At least mine is, for brokerage account, download.

Can't import to TurboTax yet, however.
Ah, but they are downloadable today. Must have needed a day to marinate at Vanguard.

There really should be an over/under pool on when corrected versions will be published.