Search found 195 matches

by Buster
Fri Apr 06, 2012 4:33 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: does anyone own/maintain a pond on their property?
Replies: 22
Views: 6012

Re: does anyone own/maintain a pond on their property?

Own some ranch land in north central Texas. Has three ponds(we call em' "tanks" in Texas). All three had fish until the 2011 drought dried up two of the three. The third made it and with the rains this year, they're looking good again. The only cost/maintenance is catfish feed for the third pond.
by Buster
Thu Apr 05, 2012 4:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [POLL] If you gamble, what do/did you play?
Replies: 42
Views: 3744

Re: [POLL] If you gamble, what do/did you play?

I used to play 8-ball and 9-ball (pool) for money, but only if asked. Sure learned a lot about how irrational people can be.
by Buster
Sat Jan 14, 2012 8:43 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buy land?
Replies: 27
Views: 4540

Re: Buy land?

Bought some hunting/recreational land last Spring. I'm not interested in hunting but do enjoy the game cameras and pictures of animals around the feeders. Most folks I talk to who have done the same refer to their purchase as an investment but unless they are extremely lucky or have very accomodative math - they're fooling themselves. The land gives me something to do and keeps me from going crazy listening to Fox/CNBC business and politics(on every network).

If I get my money back not counting taxes and other outgo, I'll feel like I've done just fine.
by Buster
Sun Dec 25, 2011 7:04 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Seeking input: AWD or 2WD?
Replies: 41
Views: 3836

Re: Seeking input: AWD or 2WD?

Spend as much as possible on stuff ya don't need; that's the American way....
by Buster
Sun Dec 25, 2011 6:58 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Who was your favorite teacher?
Replies: 17
Views: 1491

Re: Who was your favorite teacher?

Mr. Gray, my 5th grade teacher. Was '62 in Austin, Tx.
by Buster
Fri Dec 23, 2011 9:05 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Movie night in recommendations
Replies: 269
Views: 29287

Re: What is your favorite movie?

I can't answer to an absolute favorite but the all-time favorites of movies/tv series are The Searchers, Hondo, Old Yeller, Rocky 1, Forest Gump, Conagher and Lonesome Dove.
by Buster
Sun Dec 18, 2011 7:40 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do you exchange gifts with your wife?
Replies: 41
Views: 4843

Re: Do you exchange gifts with your wife?

No - It became rote and nonsensical. We can get for ourselves whatever we want or need throughout the year. Last few years we'd do something fairly large for the house and call it a gift to the both of us. What a relief....
by Buster
Sun Nov 20, 2011 7:17 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: My House, Your Money
Replies: 8
Views: 1853

Re: My House, Your Money

From the description of the show, I doubt I would want to watch it. Too aggravating....
by Buster
Sun Nov 20, 2011 7:10 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: An ethical (?) question [getting free newspapers]
Replies: 29
Views: 3554

Re: An ethical (?) question [getting free newspapers]

My first job was delivering newspapers. Also did it off on on thru my 20s for extra money. Sounds like it's the delivery persons mistake; I've done it myself but because I wasn't paying attention. It's not the former customer's job to see that I did mine correctly.

This tip nonsense offends me, and yes, we've gotten the self-addressed envelope over the last few years. Talk about being obvious with mooching......
by Buster
Sun Nov 20, 2011 6:59 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone actually use their convection oven?
Replies: 23
Views: 3830

Re: Anyone actually use their convection oven?

Hmmm, my bbq pit is a natural convection oven - just in case y'all are interested :-)
by Buster
Sun Nov 20, 2011 6:52 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What was your very first job
Replies: 103
Views: 7850

Re: What was your very first job

1. evening paper route - 13

2. Der Weinerscnitzel(hot dog fast food) - 15
by Buster
Mon Nov 14, 2011 7:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Test drive a new car prior to buying?
Replies: 33
Views: 3047

Re: Test drive a new car prior to buying?

I know, I'm weird but I didn't test drive the last two vehicles I bought, a '98 Nissan Frontier pickup and a '09 Nissan Versa. I hate the process of buying a new car so much that I can't wait to get the heck out of there. I make an offer and that's IT. I refuse to play games with the saleman. Kinda amazing how well it has worked; they don't know where to go.
by Buster
Mon Nov 14, 2011 7:32 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Money Brain
Replies: 7
Views: 1166

Re: Money Brain

Seems to me it's as simple as this: Folks refusing to say no to themselves when they want stuff....
by Buster
Mon Nov 14, 2011 7:28 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Haircuts
Replies: 57
Views: 5022

Re: Haircuts

Been with the same gal for 22 years. Bought some Braun cutters in the early 90s and she's been cutting my hair ever since. I wish all my investments were so successful :-)
by Buster
Sun Nov 13, 2011 7:38 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Burglar Deterrents
Replies: 46
Views: 5272

Re: Burglar Deterrents

From my experience a German Shepherd will: Run the perimeter of the house or yard on command and report back. Never take any food from someone he doesn't know - even with the owner present. Be cordial to anyone he is introduced to...unless his sixth sense tells him that person ain't good. Always trust a Shepherd's judgement and keep people he doesn't like on your suspicion list. Tolerate small children, even if a stranger. Be the best family dog ever. Not be a problem with homeowner or umbrella insurance policy issuers. Be a major problem to someone who doesn't belong on the property. And at all times 24/7 will sound the alarm - but only when necessary - not a barky nuisance dog. But wait, this isssss America - won't the criminal be able t...
by Buster
Fri Oct 07, 2011 6:04 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do companies intentionally hire idiots for customer service?
Replies: 36
Views: 5840

A hunting products company I've done business with has found a way around the company representative thing: you're simply never able to connect with anyone. No matter how early ya call in the morning, there is 28 calls ahead of you. Then there is contact via email but they warn it can take 3 to 4 days for a response back. It's been 3 mos. so I expect something back any day now.
by Buster
Sat Sep 17, 2011 9:41 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Boglehead Beer
Replies: 1071
Views: 203002

Tom_T wrote:I'll tell you what beer I would not want to drink again. You may remember that years ago, before supermarkets had their own brands of food (America's Choice, etc.), Pathmark had a "no-frills" line. White labels, black lettering. And one of their offerings was no-frills beer.

Image

And please don't tell me that you have fond memories of drinking this stuff! :)
In the late 70s - early 80s HEB in central Texas(Austin) had "Generic Beer". White can with black lettering. In small print somewhere on the can(don't remember) it indicated Falstaff produced it. Purdy good and cheap too.
by Buster
Tue Sep 06, 2011 6:08 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Ego depletion, decision fatigue
Replies: 5
Views: 1890

Interesting!

I've observed that in myself. It's easier to make a big decision in the am. after a good night's sleep than later in the afternoon. Always compared it to a battery gradually losing it's charge.
by Buster
Mon Jul 04, 2011 8:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Green Store Clerks
Replies: 72
Views: 7511

It doesn't annoy me when asked if I want a bag. It also doesn't bother me if asked if I want to donate to something as long as I'm asked only once. For sure won't tolerate a lecture from a brainwashed brat.
by Buster
Thu May 26, 2011 8:23 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Is Your Parking Lot Parking Style?
Replies: 56
Views: 6076

I'm type A unless I know ahead of time it ill be difficult to back out after the place is crowded.

I also don't like to parallel park. Would rather park farther away and walk than hold up traffic or have my vehicle bumped by others parking.
by Buster
Tue May 24, 2011 1:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Boglehead Hamburgers: Wendy's vs McDonalds
Replies: 107
Views: 12597

monkey_business wrote:
stives wrote:I wouldn't consider either very Boglehead like. Both are low quality and unhealthy (though McDonald's takes the cake).

The Boglehead approach would be to buy the ingredients and make it yourself. For about the same price you can get significantly higher quality food that not only taste better but is healthier too.

If you are set on Fast-Food style burgers, at least Five Guys or In-N-Out is fresh and better quality.
Agreed. Nothing Boglehead about choosing between crappy and crappier.
+2

Whataburger or Braum's for me.
by Buster
Tue May 24, 2011 1:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Hats
Replies: 38
Views: 6948

Bucket hats(by Otto) is the only thing I wear if out in the sun. Caps - no bueno.

I hate it when people wear an odd hat or cap as nothing more than a cutesy prop or attention getter. Oh, and don't get me started on wearing caps backward.
by Buster
Mon Apr 25, 2011 10:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: NYT: Is Sitting a Lethal Activity?
Replies: 111
Views: 20151

Re: Balance Board Instead of Treadmill

Two years ago, I built a standing desk for my computer after reading the dangers of sitting too much. http://i52.tinypic.com/11cbp0g.jpg I have been standing at my computer ever since. It took me 3 weeks to get used to standing all day (am 70 years old). At first it was very tiring & discouraging but now I stand all day long without thinking about it. It is amazing how adaptable our bodies are. Since standing gets boring and can strain the legs and feet, I added this wobble board last year to stand on to get some exercise and motion. It allows lot of varied movements, does not take up the space of a treadmill and is 100 times cheaper. It took about a week to get comfortable typing while wiggling on it as I am doing right now. It works ...
by Buster
Mon Apr 25, 2011 10:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Boglehead Beer
Replies: 1071
Views: 203002

$1.79 a quart Milwaukee's Best. Sure gives me gas, though.
by Buster
Mon Apr 25, 2011 9:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: gas prices what are you doing to fight it
Replies: 208
Views: 24689

BigFoot48 wrote:
wilked wrote:I am organizing a one day ban of gas stations...
So, should we fill-up the day before, or the day after the ban?
Hah, this same nonsense pops up time after time. Was it '73 or '08, the last time I heard of the creative, new idea of gas station boycotts? :)
by Buster
Mon Apr 25, 2011 9:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How much to spend on high school graduation gift?
Replies: 20
Views: 5982

After receiving such numerous graduation notices from an assortment of folks, it sure took on the feel of clever kid racket. At that point, it was zippo.
by Buster
Sun Feb 06, 2011 7:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What is "North Texas"??
Replies: 68
Views: 9209

Ron wrote:
Buster wrote:As far as I'm concerned, much has been ruined due to over population. Yes, already.....
Yes, a lot going on there :lol: ...

http://www.vpike.com?e=33.580953,-102.053317:325.03:

This is the road I rode my MC on some 44 years ago. Nothing much has changed...

- Ron
Ron - Location: West of NYC

Good...stay there.
by Buster
Sun Feb 06, 2011 5:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What is "North Texas"??
Replies: 68
Views: 9209

I've been to Texas a dozen times and have yet to find some place I'd like to go back to. Galveston, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Dallas/Ft. Worth etc. All looks the same. All way too hot in the summer. Little to no elevation change. Brown, Brown, Brown. It's like taking all the worst parts of Alabama and combining it with the worst parts of Kansas. Heh. As a non-native and hopefully temporary Texan I'd tend to agree. The way I see Texas is that it is an odd bastardized mix of both "western" and "southern". It basically takes the wost from both the south and west. Texas, especially north and west Texas has a lot of the rural cowboy & ranching culture that defines much of the inland western US. But because Texas is a...
by Buster
Sat Feb 05, 2011 9:22 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What is "North Texas"??
Replies: 68
Views: 9209

nisiprius wrote:Dunno, but during a brief visit to Texas I noticed that when the weather report came on TV, there were five different weather reports for each of five different regions of Texas. I don't remember what the regions were named, but if they're big enough to have their own weather they're big enough to deserve their own name.

Wisconsin is closer to Texas than some parts of Texas are to each other.

You can joke about it all you like but it really is big.
I'm a loyal Texan and all but just about the time I start bragging on the size of Texas, someone from Alaska posts and mentions they could cut Alaska in half and Texas would then be the 3rd largest state. DANGIT! :x
by Buster
Sat Feb 05, 2011 9:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: At what age do you feel you really began to apply yourself?
Replies: 58
Views: 7406

Re: I picked "17"

wts wrote:
At 18 got serious and tried to enlist. Took and passed the ASVAB but was rejected by all 4 branches for being physiologically unsuited due to a severely juvenile anti-authoritarian reaction. Who Knew? :roll:
Physiologically unsuited?
by Buster
Fri Feb 04, 2011 8:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: At what age do you feel you really began to apply yourself?
Replies: 58
Views: 7406

I was presented with an opportunity at work back in '84, at age 32. I knew if I didn't accept it or failed, the likelihood of another would be highly unlikely and would be forever stuck at lower paying and more manual or physical tasks. I surprised myself and upper management how much and quickly I learned when "it was all on me". Seems it was something I needed all along. From then on, the job felt differently to me.
by Buster
Thu Jan 20, 2011 11:27 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How much should a locksmith charge for emergency service?
Replies: 27
Views: 13330

investor wrote:I must be the only one who keeps a spare key hidden for home and for cars. Never a need to call anyone.

investor
I think it's just the two of us :-)
by Buster
Wed Jan 19, 2011 7:09 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Scams that make me laugh -- what are you favorites?
Replies: 105
Views: 15396

Fallible wrote:I don't think any scam made me laugh because even if I didn't fall for one myself, some other unsuspecting soul would. Scammers know this and that's why they don't care how absurd their sales pitches sound. Somebody will buy and be hurt. And that's sad. (Hope I haven't rained on this parade...)
I thought the same thing when the thread first came out.

Funny and scam in the same sentence doesn't work for me.
by Buster
Tue Jan 18, 2011 9:06 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Scams that make me laugh -- what are you favorites?
Replies: 105
Views: 15396

@Buster "Munchkin Man, I know I'm going to kick myself afterward but explain to me how what they're doing works; what is the payoff?" The "tuition" is $500. They send a check for $1,000 and ask you to send the difference to someone else in the country to help with "books". Of course the other person is a shill or another dupe that forwards the money somewhere else. In the meantime, five days later your certified check bounces and you are out the $500 or if more egregious, thousands. They tried it on a friend who advertised an apartment in Manhattan on Craig's list. Out of 15 responses, three were bogus. Hmmm, it never occurred to me that someone would forward money without knowing the check was good. Oh well....
by Buster
Mon Jan 17, 2011 4:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Scams that make me laugh -- what are you favorites?
Replies: 105
Views: 15396

Munchkin Man wrote:Greetings:

The Munchkin Man is a private math tutor who has occasionally used the internet for advertising.

This has resulted in a lot of "scam" email messages.



The usually ask the Munchkin Man for an estimate of the total charges for something like "two hours a day for three times a week for four months."

Then they say that they will send the Munchkin Man a cashier's check for "more" than this amount.



Best Wishes,

Munchkin Man
Munchkin Man, I know I'm going to kick myself afterward but explain to me how what they're doing works; what is the payoff?
by Buster
Sat Jan 15, 2011 2:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Any old vehicles guys lurking on this board?
Replies: 26
Views: 4231

Re: Any old vehicles guys lurking on this board?

For quite some time now I've been considering getting an older vehicle. My poison is an older Chevy truck or IH Scout 2. The problems is: I am not very mechanically inclined and I really don't know what to look for or avoid. I recently found a Scout being sold by a Scout-only garage. It seems to be a pretty good deal. I just don't want to get burned. I do realize that I will have to pour more money into it, I'm just looking for a reasonable starting point. Thanks I've got a 1956 BMW motorcycle, it's a "hobby" as I tell the Mrs. Vintage vehicles don't exactly fit with the mindset of many Bogleheads, they are most often no cost effective, require funds to keep them running, etc - but heck they are FUN. I have always been a motorcyc...
by Buster
Fri Jan 14, 2011 11:23 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Calling Miss (or Mrs., or Mr. or Dr.) Manners
Replies: 17
Views: 2006

Seems like kiddie-poo birthday parties have gotten too complicated.
by Buster
Fri Jan 14, 2011 7:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Seeking advice on personal matter
Replies: 59
Views: 7091

Long before Craig's List and Ebay, I would sell things thru ads in the newspaper. I always HATED the process for reasons like your post.
by Buster
Wed Jan 12, 2011 1:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Anyone use Wells Fargo Bank?
Replies: 57
Views: 12349

I bank with Wells Fargo. I'm happy with 'em except for the numerous calls at home to sell me something. Seems to go in cycles and hasn't happened in a month or so but if they don't stop and catch me on a bad day, I may let them go.
by Buster
Tue Jan 11, 2011 4:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Things that were better "Back When"
Replies: 35
Views: 4094

Leesbro63 wrote:My parents never had the key to our house front door lock that they bot in 1962. For my entire childhood, they never had the lock fixed!
We didn't lock the house unless we left for a few days.
by Buster
Tue Jan 11, 2011 3:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Things that were better "Back When"
Replies: 35
Views: 4094

Back when:

1. Eight year olds used Mr. and Mrs. when addressing much older folks.
2. Kids didn't interact with adults as if they're simply big kids.
3. When you could play football in vacant lots without the cops coming to run everyone off.
4. When a fight would settle things without school officials and parents turning it into "60 minutes" story.
5. When selling bb's wasn't treated like your buying hand grenades.
6. When my dad would let me sip some of his Falstaff at the beer joint without being labeled an unfit parent.

*Oh, whats the use, I could go on forever.
by Buster
Mon Jan 10, 2011 5:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What is a story ... and similar questions!
Replies: 8
Views: 1519

Watch to our so-called news programs and you'll see more "story" than news.
by Buster
Mon Jan 10, 2011 5:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Fossil Fuels 100 years from now?
Replies: 19
Views: 2477

Progress may well continue in the steep curve as it has in the...say...last 150 years. I do wonder if the "curve" will flatten and so many of the things we imagine will ever happen and be useful in a practical/everyday sense.

With the humongous supplies of natural gas, I often wonder why there seems to be so little interest for now - not 100 years from now.

It'll be interesting; too bad I won't be around to see it. OR, maybe not....
by Buster
Mon Jan 10, 2011 1:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Our Sedentary Lifestyles & Our Health
Replies: 34
Views: 5271

EmergDoc wrote:I find it reassuring that getting up every few minutes to go into a patient's room is good for me. Maybe that will make up for the fact that working nights is a cardiac risk factor.
I did 8 years on third, midnight, or graveyard shifts. Nearly killed me....and I thought I was a night person, hmmmm.
by Buster
Mon Jan 10, 2011 1:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Our Sedentary Lifestyles & Our Health
Replies: 34
Views: 5271

Accumulator wrote:
yobria wrote:More and more people I know are using raisable desks at work, so they can work standing up some of the time.
I've been considering doing this myself. How's it been working out for them?
I didn't get a home computer until 2000. It's a long story but when I set the computer up I had to stand to use it. Felt normal to me to stand at the thing with my coffee in the morning. I've never been able to sit for long periods of time anyway, so....
by Buster
Mon Jan 10, 2011 11:57 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Our Sedentary Lifestyles & Our Health
Replies: 34
Views: 5271

Wow! PdDs discovered that sitting still your whole life is probably not good for ya. Who woulda ever thought of that....
by Buster
Tue Jan 04, 2011 10:26 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Machine Washable Men's Dress Slacks
Replies: 41
Views: 15278

Re: Machine Washable Men's Dress Slacks

stan1 wrote:I need to replace some of my work slacks. I have been wearing multiple pairs of Joseph and Feiss 55 poly/ 45 wool machine washable slacks from Men's Warehouse for about 4 years, and have been generally happy with them.



Thanks,
stan01
Ewwwww, stan1, don't those pants itch? I guess it's all in my head but anything except cotton itches to me. Because of this, I've never felt comfortable in suits. Fortunately, have never had a job that I needed to wear a suit, except on corporate training trips, etc.
by Buster
Tue Jan 04, 2011 5:14 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do you have Umbrella Insurance?
Replies: 50
Views: 8630

Since lawsuits are the bread and butter of some lawyers and a not-so-new-anymore financial plan for many, won't they just sue for the amount that takes the umbrella coverage, plus whatever of the other they can get?
by Buster
Tue Jan 04, 2011 5:08 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: True Grit (2010)
Replies: 46
Views: 9962

V572625694 wrote:Saw "True Grit" yesterday and loved almost everything about it: the often hilarious declamatory style of speaking, the faces that look like real people rather than gorgeous actors, the profuse facial hair, and the exquisitely detailed interior sets. Yes it's all artifice but it seemed more realistic--more like contemporary photos--than any Western movie since "McCabe and Mrs Miller."

The ending was a bit disappointing but true to the dictates of the Western form.
As with my favorite Westerns, Lonesome Dove and Conagher, at least the folks speak and dress more realistically for the time. Some of the movies from the 40s, 50s and 60s are downright painful to watch.
by Buster
Wed Dec 29, 2010 8:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What commercials make you NOT want to buy their product?
Replies: 127
Views: 15170

joruva wrote:Head on, apply directly to the forehead!
Head on, apply directly to the forehead!
Head on, apply directly to the forehead!
Head on, apply directly to the forehead!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_SwD7RveNE
I hear ya.....makes want to slap your post :-)