Search found 409 matches

by camden
Fri Mar 08, 2024 2:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Greece in August 24
Replies: 31
Views: 2296

Re: Greece in August 24

Has been over 20 years since I’ve been to Greece, so I’m going to refrain from making suggestions that may be too dated, but as to things that one is pretty sure have not changed…. It will be hot. If you live in Texas or Florida, may be no different than home in August. If you’re from Maine or Oregon, will be a change. Would not even think about renting a car in Athens. Of all the cities I’ve visited in Europe, Athens tops the list for absolutely miserable time wasting vacation pleasure killing snarled urban traffic. Santorini is great. If you are more into outdoor activities and don’t care about nightlife, there are probably better island choices than Mykonos. I’ll leave it to more experienced travelers to Greece than myself to recommend.
by camden
Mon Feb 26, 2024 12:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should my cousin pay for med school out-of-pocket or take out student loans?
Replies: 5
Views: 960

Re: Should my cousin pay for med school out-of-pocket or take out student loans?

My first question would be “how much contact/experience has she had with the actual practice of family medicine in a rural setting”?? Does she live in a rural area? Has she spent a good bit of time talking with/shadowing family medicine docs in such a setting as to get a good feel for what it is really like? The percentage of entering med students who initially feel they are headed for specialty A and wind up choosing something altogether different is very high. Also, rules for forgiveness of student loans are certainly subject to change. Would wonder if an individual with enough assets to be “independently wealthy” would in future years be eligible for such loan forgiveness when the time comes. Sounds like she is in great shape no matter w...
by camden
Sat Feb 24, 2024 3:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dental crowns
Replies: 58
Views: 6644

Re: Dental crowns

$1700 (six months ago), New Orleans region.
by camden
Mon Feb 19, 2024 9:33 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Prague Recommendations
Replies: 14
Views: 1339

Re: Prague Recommendations

Being a history buff, was going to suggest a side trip to Konopiste castle, which is within easy reach from Prague. However, if you only have 2-3 days there is more than enough to see in the city itself. Visit the Old Town square, walk the Charles Bridge, and pick whatever else most interests you from a good guide book.

Don’t worry a bit about language issues. You will have a harder time finding someone who does not speak passable English than someone who does.
by camden
Sat Feb 17, 2024 9:14 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Is anyone using cash for a discount on everyday items?
Replies: 83
Views: 6088

Re: Is anyone using cash for a discount on everyday items?

I use cash at casual restaurants, since a lot of them in my area are passing their credit card usage fees on to the customer. Many gas stations also have “discounted” prices for cash, but there the convenience of using the credit card at the pump outweighs the small savings, at least for me.
by camden
Sun Feb 04, 2024 10:33 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Vanguard website succumbs to "Fisher-Price" UI design
Replies: 843
Views: 112259

Re: Why is Vanguard's web site so awful?

If ever there was a website design change that was a “downgrade”, it was Vanguard’s most recent one. Had no problems with the old one, but still find myself hunting around to find what I want to accomplish on the new one, despite a couple of years or so using it. Would hope for a new design done by a new software team, but not likely to happen anytime soon…..
by camden
Mon Jan 22, 2024 7:34 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Decent Pinot Noir < $20 possible?
Replies: 31
Views: 3659

Re: Decent Pinot Noir < $20 possible?

I like both La Crema and Meiomi pinot noir, and both can regularly be had for under $20.
by camden
Sun Jan 14, 2024 8:34 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Calling all doctors….again
Replies: 110
Views: 20826

Re: Calling all doctors….again

Would also like to encourage your daughter to stay confident and ignore the noise she may hear and read on social media about the difficulty of gaining admission. It is very hard to be accepted to medical school. It always has been. But from what I gather from hearing from and reading about young students interested in medicine there seems to be a notion that it is much more difficult now than ever, and that is statistically not true. There are many more applicants than there were several decades ago, but there are 40 or so medical schools that have opened in the US since the early ‘70s, not counting osteopathic schools. In addition, the majority of schools in existence then have expanded their class sizes from what they were (my alma mater...
by camden
Sat Jan 13, 2024 9:40 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Calling all doctors….again
Replies: 110
Views: 20826

Re: Calling all doctors….again

Have never served on an med school admissions committee, but for many years have served on one interviewing and selecting med school students for slots in a residency program which is quite competitive. I would advise against doing such a year. The M.D./residency pathway is already very long; do not voluntarily make it any longer. As for increasing her chances of acceptance at a more “selective” med school, well….if her aim is ultimately to become a practicing physician as opposed to an academic researcher in pursuit of the Nobel Prize, it is extremely unlikely that it will ever matter much where she went to medical school. In fact, if one has a choice, picking the least expensive/lowest debt load option is usually best. Tell her to finish ...
by camden
Fri Jan 12, 2024 10:45 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Will SS last?
Replies: 15
Views: 1627

Re: Will SS last?

Posted at 10:05, 12 responses, and the lock at ?????
by camden
Wed Jan 10, 2024 12:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Gift ideas for retiring male doctor? (PCP)
Replies: 6
Views: 1234

Re: Gift ideas for retiring male doctor? (PCP)

Another vote for the card and note. Tell him why you are sending it, and what he has done to deserve your appreciation. To be thanked for your efforts is worth its weight in gold. No matter how many cards he receives, yours will always be unique, and he may not receive nearly as many as you might think.
by camden
Wed Jan 10, 2024 9:30 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Filing for divorce. How to pay for it and other advice?
Replies: 50
Views: 7639

Re: Filing for divorce. How to pay for it and other advice?

Am sympathetic, having gone through this once. One silver lining is that from a financial standpoint, she has substantial tax advantaged assets of her own (yours are greater, but not dramatically). Realize that, ultimately, the laws of your state will govern the financial settlement, and follow the advice of your attorney. Try with all your might not to get your emotions involved; undoubtedly you have strong feelings about what is “fair” and notions of “fault” and “responsibility” regarding the breakup. For the most part, the court does not care. The governing law will prevail. Try to come to a settlement as expeditiously as possible. The more acrimony that creeps in and the lengthier the process, the more of the combined assets will be red...
by camden
Fri Dec 22, 2023 8:39 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: did you get an inheritance / gift -- impact?
Replies: 52
Views: 5718

Re: did you get an inheritance / gift -- impact?

My parents paid for my college and professional school at a time when it was, I am sure, a financial strain for them. While I was in professional school, my father started his own small business which ultimately was quite successful, and he became considerably more affluent than when we were growing up. When he died at age 83, I received a substantial inheritance. I did not need it. My parents had become close to a younger cousin of mine, starting when she happened to go to college in the city where they lived, and continuing for the rest of their lives. She was particularly good to them as they became elderly and started to have medical problems. At the time I received the inheritance, she had three grade school aged children. I have used ...
by camden
Fri Dec 22, 2023 7:54 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Inheritance Financial/Moral Dilemma
Replies: 105
Views: 12904

Re: Inheritance Financial/Moral Dilemma

Another strong vote for 50/50. Not only will it avoid resentment, but the future could bring changes in their relative financial situations currently unforeseeable in which the one in the better position now is saddled with unusually heavy burdens (medical problems, special needs child, etc.,etc) and/or the one in the lesser place now will become more successful and wind up the wealthier of the two. Stuff happens, both good and bad.

The conversation I would have with them would be “You will each receive half. And I’d like to think that I have raised children who are generous and who would each help the other if help was needed.”
by camden
Thu Nov 16, 2023 3:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Advice for student re: Medical Pharm/Device sales rep jobs
Replies: 2
Views: 576

Re: Advice for student re: Medical Pharm/Device sales rep jobs

Thanks for that detailed and informative response. Great information.
by camden
Thu Nov 16, 2023 12:07 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Advice for student re: Medical Pharm/Device sales rep jobs
Replies: 2
Views: 576

Advice for student re: Medical Pharm/Device sales rep jobs

Seeking advice for a college student who has expressed interest in jobs in medical sales as a pharmaceutical/device sales rep. I am in my 70s, with a long career in diagnostic radiology, and over the years I have interacted with quite a few sales reps employed by major vendors of imaging equipment (GE, Siemens, Philips, Toshiba, etc), as I participated in departmental selection committees evaluating purchases of new CT/MR scanners and the like. But my experience dates primarily from the mid 80s to the mid 2000s, and things may well have changed. perhaps a lot. Back then, sales reps were a varied group; some came from a medical background (were former radiologic technologists or the like), and some did not (came from sales/business backgroun...
by camden
Thu Nov 16, 2023 7:57 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Internal Medicine or Family doc as primary?
Replies: 25
Views: 2460

Re: Internal Medicine or Family doc as primary?

We've had both, mostly internists. As nearly as I can tell, the difference between the specialities is dwarfed by the individual difference between doctors. My spouse's favorite doctor happened to be a family practitioner. When my own internist retired, I started seeing the same family practitioner, and I thought she was good, too. Given the shortage of primary care doctors in many areas, I don't think I'd get picky about the specialty. MD here. Think the comment above is spot on; for the role of being a PCP for an adult patient, both family medicine and internal medicine residencies provide more than adequate preparation, and differences in quality of care are going to relate much more to the individual doctor than to the differences in s...
by camden
Mon Nov 06, 2023 6:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Pair of pricey college football tickets?
Replies: 70
Views: 8703

Re: Pair of pricey college football tickets?

Think almost anyone would agree that you can afford it.

Only you can determine whether it is worth it.
by camden
Wed Sep 06, 2023 6:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sauna?
Replies: 27
Views: 2489

Re: Sauna?

RobLyons wrote: Wed Sep 06, 2023 7:02 am I found the sauna to be uncomfortable and I don't see the benefits of one. There's not much conclusive science behind it. Maybe some find it relaxing, I don't.
Without making any comment on the purported health benefits of a sauna, I’m with you. I just plain don’t like it at all.
by camden
Mon Jul 31, 2023 6:36 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Premium for 2 million umbrella policy
Replies: 128
Views: 19869

Re: Premium for 2 million umbrella policy

I have a 5 million umbrella. 2 older adults, no kids, 2 cars, no boats, no unusual risk factors other than being a deep pocket target.

Premium was 1,850.

Does the premium go up disproportionately as the coverage amount increases, or am I getting taken and need to shop around?
by camden
Tue Jun 27, 2023 7:11 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medallion signature guarantee conundrum
Replies: 44
Views: 4457

Re: Medallion signature gurantee conundrum

This is a common conundrum that I have faced twice in the last two years that really puts the consumer in a tough position. Of course you should go and ask your bank (manager) for an MSG before proceeding further, but it is very likely you will be met with an outright refusal. When I encounter posts on this forum that say that the poster got an MSG from their bank, always wonder how recent their encounter was; if you were a bank customer 20 years ago, there was no problem. It is very different now. My recent experience would suggest that you will have more success getting the party asking for the MSG to alter their demand and be satisfied with some type of lesser signature guarantee/documentation than you will getting a bank to agree to giv...
by camden
Thu Jun 15, 2023 3:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone have a good battery operated weed trimmer?
Replies: 42
Views: 2883

Anyone have a good battery operated weed trimmer?

Need a new weed trimmer, after an old inexpensive but reliable Black and Decker we have used for years finally quit. This is for pretty easy work; do not have to blast through really thick weeds and would rather not have a gas powered one. The old one had a mechanical button to feed out line that worked just fine. The new models seem to all have either auto feeding of line or feeding by striking the head on the ground. Bought another B&D. When we use the prespooled cartridges (which cost about $11 apiece) the line is used up so fast it takes a whole cartridge to do our property, chewing up a ridiculous amount of line compared to the old one. We then bought a Stihl FSA 57. It will not feed out line properly and often sucks the line back ...
by camden
Sun Jun 11, 2023 2:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Pinot Noir on the lower end?
Replies: 96
Views: 10208

Re: Pinot Noir on the lower end?

I very much enjoy not being a wine expert. It leaves me free to drink what I like and not worry about what anybody else thinks.

Meiomi Pinot Noir can be had for less than $20 a bottle at lots of retail outlets, and it tastes good to me.
by camden
Tue May 30, 2023 8:06 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 2 nights left after Lyon France
Replies: 7
Views: 778

Re: 2 nights left after Lyon France

Many great possibilities depending on your interests, but as a history addict I would second the suggestion of a day in Avignon.
by camden
Sat May 20, 2023 11:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Strategies for Permanently Reducing Speeding on Residential Streets
Replies: 139
Views: 13666

Re: Strategies for Permanently Reducing Speeding on Residential Streets

Even if your local governmental authority would allow them, I would be be very, very reluctant to add speed bumps. They will be effective to some degree in slowing people down, but less than you imagine. You will be amazed at the number of fools that race in between them then brake hard, and the few that just blast over the things. They will produce a lot of unwanted noise. They will get in the way of emergency response vehicles. And you and every single one of your nonspeeding neighbors will come to detest having to cross the miserable things going to and from their houses every single trip for the rest of your lives. Not to deny that speeding in residential areas is bad, but I concur with some other comments that distracted, text-while-yo...
by camden
Thu May 11, 2023 3:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Treasury Direct OTP not being sent?
Replies: 62
Views: 7345

Re: Locked out of Treasury Direct account today

Tried to log in to a Treasury Direct account today (a trust account, though doubt that matters). Was met with a message that the old TD “virtual keyboard” had been replaced, that I would now login manually from my own keyboard like every other website in creation, and that my password would now be case sensitive, which it was not using the old virtual keyboard. Should have known there was trouble ahead😁. Was very careful to enter the correct password. Password declined. Tried again, being even more careful. Declined again, and have been locked out after I tried to go the “forgot password” route, so now I will have to call them. Ugh. Am afraid to try to login to my other (personal) TD account for fear that the same thing will happen, Anyone...
by camden
Wed May 10, 2023 7:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Treasury Direct OTP not being sent?
Replies: 62
Views: 7345

Locked out of Treasury Direct account today

[Thread merged into here --admin LadyGeek] Tried to log in to a Treasury Direct account today (a trust account, though doubt that matters). Was met with a message that the old TD “virtual keyboard” had been replaced, that I would now login manually from my own keyboard like every other website in creation, and that my password would now be case sensitive, which it was not using the old virtual keyboard. Should have known there was trouble ahead😁. Was very careful to enter the correct password. Password declined. Tried again, being even more careful. Declined again, and have been locked out after I tried to go the “forgot password” route, so now I will have to call them. Ugh. Am afraid to try to login to my other (personal) TD account for f...
by camden
Wed Apr 26, 2023 4:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dying is Expensive!
Replies: 147
Views: 13637

Re: Dying is Expensive!

whodidntante wrote: Wed Apr 26, 2023 10:05 am When I die, just throw me in the trash.
I feel the same, and if it were legal would be fine with it. But my wife feels very differently (one of the very few topics on which our opinions are seriously at odds), so I have deferred to her and spent a painful amount of money on purchase of plots and prepaid services. At least now it is done and “what to do” will not fall as a burden on either of us or our survivors at an emotional time.
by camden
Sun Apr 09, 2023 8:39 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Time in Helsinki, Tallinn and Stockholm
Replies: 9
Views: 1138

Re: Time in Helsinki, Tallinn and Stockholm

Strongly encourage a visit to the Temppeliaukio church in Helsinki; interesting and quite unique.

A third vote for traveling between Helsinki and Stockholm by ferry; the scenery is picturesque as one passes innumerable small islands.
by camden
Tue Apr 04, 2023 8:22 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: College Decision: Health/Pre-Med Track In-state vs Out-of-State
Replies: 71
Views: 6346

Re: College Decision: Health/Pre-Med Track In-state vs Out-of-State

While some individuals take “gap” years to do research or other activities between undergrad and med school, it is not required and is not the norm; by far the majority do not. Those who do are often unsuccessful applicants during their first application year who are trying to improve their resume for another go round. If your daughter maintains interest, she should strive to compile a record which will avoid this if at all possible. The road of undergrad/med school/residency is plenty long enough as it is.
by camden
Mon Apr 03, 2023 7:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: College Decision: Health/Pre-Med Track In-state vs Out-of-State
Replies: 71
Views: 6346

Re: College Decision: Health/Pre-Med Track In-state vs Out-of-State

Pick one of the UC schools. Would not even consider NYU unless she really wants NYC and you are so wealthy that you can pay extra for her undergrad and, if she does not change her mind and gets into med school, the massive med school bill as well. If she will have to borrow money at any point along the way, paying extra in undergrad for NYU would be a real bad move, IMHO.
by camden
Sat Mar 25, 2023 2:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How can I reach someone in VRBO's Austin Office?
Replies: 16
Views: 1725

Re: How can I reach someone in VRBO's Austin Office?

Seven or eight years ago, my wife was having an incredibly frustrating and apparently endless problem with AT&T. She found the e-mail address of the president of the company on a corporate website accessible by the public and sent an e-mail to them explaining her frustration with their customer service. To our astonishment, a few days later she received a call from an AT&T representative who actually took care of the problem. Interestingly, she tells me that website no longer lists the president’s e-mail. Your situation is so frequent as to be nearly the norm. It goes like this “I have a long term business relationship with your company. I am a vital cog in your ability to turn a profit and exist as an entity (in your case, providin...
by camden
Fri Mar 17, 2023 8:04 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should we put stay off the grass sign?
Replies: 29
Views: 2996

Re: Should we put stay off the grass sign?

I am reminded of a saying I heard long ago about the fundamental difference between the Americans and the British.

In the US, there are “Do not walk on the grass” signs everywhere, which are for the most part ignored.
In the UK, there are no signs, because no one would think of walking on the grass.

How about one of those yellow “radiation hazard” signs?. That will get them to thinking….
by camden
Sun Mar 12, 2023 9:19 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Moving a CD in a trust to new bank
Replies: 8
Views: 853

Re: Moving a CD in a trust to new bank

Make certain that the bank/financial institution you wish to transfer the assets to will accept new trust accounts. Not all will.
by camden
Mon Mar 06, 2023 4:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best Funeral you ever attended?
Replies: 75
Views: 9017

Re: Best Funeral you ever attended?

Whatever you decide, would hope that focus is kept where it should be; on the deceased and celebrating/honoring their life and sharing stories about them. Have attended some where that did not seem to be the case, where the occasion did not seem to differ much from any other gathering where people chat, catching up with each others’ lives. Found those especially sad.
by camden
Mon Mar 06, 2023 7:56 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Going to Venice: What To Do or See?
Replies: 66
Views: 5395

Re: Going to Venice: What To Do or See?

Harry’s Bar is a must for Hemingway fans. Have a $25 Montgomery or the original Bellini. Have an aperol spritz at a cafe with a view. Venice is beautiful and completely unique and everyone should see it. But you’ll wish you’d gone in the 1950s or 1930s, when it was a functioning city and not just a giant tourist trap. 4 days is ample. Totally agree that Venice is unique and fascinating, but Harry’s Bar? Would not bother even if you are a Hemingway fan. My second time in Venice I went there. It was so packed with humanity that when I opened the door I would have literally had to squeeze through others to set my first foot in the place. Turned around and left. If you envision sitting at a cozy table soaking up the atmosphere while channeling...
by camden
Thu Mar 02, 2023 8:03 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buying a CPO Luxury Car; questions and advice.
Replies: 67
Views: 5103

Re: Buying a CPO Luxury Car; questions and advice.

[quote=SeattleLaw post_id=7145291 time=1677764473 user_id=190601 (1) Volvo XC 40 or 60. Feel solid, extremely safe, but reliability concerns me. Consumer Reports hates Volvo and most people seem to get rid of them before 40k miles. I previously had Volvos before they were the "in" car and they were built like tanks, but not sure if that's still the case. People rave about them online, but then if you look at the CR satisfaction surveys, they get bad marks... not sure what gives there. All individual reports about vehicles are anecdotal experiences rather than statistical data, but I also have a “not sure what gives there” reaction to reports of poor reliability scores regarding Volvo. Over the years, my wife has owned 6 (that’s ri...
by camden
Sun Feb 12, 2023 8:31 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Southern Spain early November
Replies: 19
Views: 1992

Re: Southern Spain early November

Would be a great time to go. I went to Seville, Cordoba, etc. in late September; was terrific, but it was hot then.
by camden
Wed Feb 08, 2023 8:23 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Am I spending too much on home addition?
Replies: 66
Views: 5278

Re: Am I spending too much on home addition?

What is your tolerance for chaos? Perhaps yours is or has gotten very high with four youngsters aged 9 months to seven years, but mine is pretty low. Leaving aside the financial ramifications, going through such a massive renovation for the length of time (including inevitable delays) that it would take would, for me, be like living in one of the circles of Hades.
by camden
Thu Jan 19, 2023 7:22 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Old format [Vanguard]
Replies: 19
Views: 1692

Re: Old format [Vanguard]

No, the new one hasn't improved at all. It's still far more cumbersome than the previous one, requiring more steps to find information that was readily available on the holdings page before. I am all for change.....when the change results in a smoother experience, but not when the change is for change sake only. IMHO, the new format is definitely NOT an improvement over th eold one.. Amen, brother. The old one was flat out better, and the new is a step back. Always get irritated by comments implying that anyone who prefers anything old to anything new is some sort of Neanderthal who “doesn’t like change”; and this comes from someone who has spent their decades of work life in a field where change has been constant, massive, and unquestiona...
by camden
Mon Jan 16, 2023 8:57 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: how to get an honest(unbiased) second opinion from medical doctors
Replies: 93
Views: 10260

Re: how to get an honest(unbiased) second opinion from medical doctors

Thoughts for all who seek 2nd opinions: It is more likely that a 2nd opinion will confirm the first one than will disagree with it; not because doctors “stick together” or “don’t want to embarrass the first doctor”, but because statistically your first doctor is likely to have been competent and correct in a treatment plan which is standard care for your condition and reasonable. Sometimes the second doctor will disagree with the first doctor’s diagnosis and/or treatment plan; if they do, you will be candidly informed of that fact. Personally, when asked for a 2nd opinion, I would rather not know what the first doctor said or advised until I have made my own judgement. And I have never even heard of a doctor suing another doctor for disagre...
by camden
Thu Dec 22, 2022 2:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What are your LEAST favorite vacation destinations
Replies: 399
Views: 43295

Re: What are your LEAST favorite vacation destinations

As someone who has lived in New Orleans for decades, it’s sad to see so many list it as a least favorite destination. What is even sadder is that I can no longer take issue with them; the city has been in a slow but seemingly inexorable decline for quite a while. For a place whose economy is so tourism driven, we are heading to the end of the road if things don’t change, and soon. Food remains an attraction (an awful lot of really good restaurants old and new, famous and obscure, upscale and modest). Jazz and Heritage festival is well worth coming to, and Mardi Gras is pretty unique and worth experiencing once. But overall the city has become less attractive and far more dangerous (way too few police and way too many violent youthful crimin...
by camden
Tue Dec 20, 2022 8:18 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What are your favorite vacation destinations?
Replies: 120
Views: 13673

Re: What are your favorite vacation destinations?

Small town New Hampshire/Vermont during October/foliage season. Perhaps the locals take it for granted seeing it every year, but to those of us living in regions where trees just don’t get those colors it is stunningly beautiful and, as I once heard Charles Kuralt describe it, a “shock to the senses”.
by camden
Tue Dec 20, 2022 7:59 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What are your LEAST favorite vacation destinations
Replies: 399
Views: 43295

Re: What are your LEAST favorite vacation destinations

Agree totally with Disney and anything Disney. Guess I can understand its attraction for children, but why on earth adults would go there on their own (and know some adults who have gone multiple times) in preference to all of the great places they could be going for the same money baffles me. For my interests and tastes, wouldn’t go near the place; if I were Dante reincarnated, would have to open a new circle in Hades for it.
by camden
Sun Nov 27, 2022 8:27 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Treasury Direct -How did this happen? Anyone else?
Replies: 3
Views: 1402

Treasury Direct -How did this happen? Anyone else?

Have had a personal TD account for many years and have never had any problems. Recently opened a TD entity account for a trust (I am sole trustee, no successor trustee) with no difficulty, and purchased an I bond. No problem. The next investment was a purchase of a 2yr Treasury note (auctioned Nov 21). Everything seemed fine online when I arranged the purchase earlier in the month. However, when I checked the account earlier in the week, was stunned to see that my “pending transactions” included not one, but 3, 2yr notes for the same amount. The amount and purchase date of all 3 were listed as the same as the original intended correct transaction. So unintended by me, I was purchasing 3 notes, not just one. Ugh. Was too late to edit the tra...
by camden
Mon Oct 10, 2022 8:46 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 2 days in London-best museums/restaurants/pubs
Replies: 35
Views: 2682

Re: 2 days in London-best museums/restaurants/pubs

If this is your first visit to London and your time is that limited, the British Museum (huge and overwhelming/can’t see it all but with something to interest everyone) and Churchill War Rooms are good choices.

I had been to London three or four times before I finally went to the Victoria and Albert Museum; had been put off by some of what I had read emphasizing its collections of applied art (am extremely interested in history and like fine art, especially paintings, but am not much taken by period furniture, porcelains and the like). But really enjoyed the Victoria and Albert; has a very wide ranging collection, well presented. If not this time, keep it in mind for the future.
by camden
Wed Sep 28, 2022 6:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Amsterdam hotel recommendations
Replies: 22
Views: 2056

Re: Amsterdam hotel recommendations

It has been a couple of decades now, but I stayed at the Krasnapolsky and enjoyed it. Very centrally located with relation to the major sights of Amsterdam.
by camden
Sat Sep 03, 2022 4:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's the favorite thing or most important thing you have learned here? [Personal finance]
Replies: 191
Views: 17121

Re: What's the favorite thing or most important thing you have learned here?

Continually learn things from this forum, but perhaps the most important and useful came before I officially became a member and started posting. In the fall of 2008, for several months when the market was tanking scarily and it looked like the financial system was going to implode, accessing this forum daily helped me do nothing and stay the course. It was extremely healthy for my financial future to turn off the doom and gloom overdramatized hysteria and read posts about what was going on written by seemingly calm and well informed individuals who were not panicking but held firm to their long term plans. Helped me do the same.
by camden
Sun Aug 28, 2022 8:51 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Favorite music from the 70s?
Replies: 357
Views: 31155

Re: Favorite music from the 70s?

Such great music in that decade, especially its first half. Have too many favorites to list, most of which have already been mentioned. Completely agree with the comment that the music you liked when you were in your mid teens to mid twenties will stay with you forever.

One of the most interesting and fun things about reading this thread was to find many instances of posters listing songs among their favorites that I did not like at all; a reminder that despite the fact that I may have hated it, somebody liked it a lot (and still does) or it would not have been a hit in the first place, now would it ? Exposure to variety of opinion is one of the factors that makes looking at this forum regularly worthwhile.
by camden
Sat Aug 27, 2022 1:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Favorite music from the 70s?
Replies: 357
Views: 31155

Re: Favorite music from the 70s?

GibsonL6s wrote: Sat Aug 27, 2022 10:39 am
bob60014 wrote: Sat Aug 27, 2022 8:11 am As long as Afternoon Delight and Having My Baby stay off the list, this could be a good thread.

And NO disco!!
If you add Billy Don't be a Hero to your picks, you have my top three most hated songs :sharebeer
Good grief, those three were abysmally awful, were they not? Not all of the song memories one dredges up are good ones…