Search found 5199 matches

by rob
Tue Mar 26, 2024 7:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Toys Have You Bought That Have Been Worth it?
Replies: 250
Views: 17939

Re: What Toys Have You Bought That Have Been Worth it?

Photo gear.... Most people do not grok how much $ fits into a plastic tube with some glass stuck between the end bits, so it's a tad anti-bogle head but I know there are others kicking around. Luckily I have not been bitten by the serious astro photo bug but looking at the pics above is not helping!

Over the years have keep a modicum of control over cars but I've always had at least one with 3 pedals and if I won the lottery tonight, I would buy a couple more in the morning. Luckily the really expensive ones have gone away from 3 pedals in the last decade or more and old me struggles to get out of those models now, so that helps, but only a little :D .
by rob
Tue Mar 26, 2024 3:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: M43rds digital camera vs Iphone 13 pro max?
Replies: 100
Views: 4832

Re: M43rds digital camera vs Iphone 13 pro max?

The Fuji's are on a hyper streak - especially the X100V & VI. Seems that the camera is IN more pictures than it takes - a clear hype signal :oops: This is causing some of the older models to get bid past their value as people have been looking for alternatives.

If you don't want it... sell and don't look the gift tulip in the face :D
by rob
Mon Mar 25, 2024 11:52 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Those complimentary dinners for retirees by investment advisors
Replies: 137
Views: 10150

Re: Those complimentary dinners for retirees by investment advisors

They almost - almost - got me a year or so ago.... Deal was they would give you a coupon for a steak dinner in exchange for a 30min call.... Far better than having to go to their event. Almost, but as above have better things to do with time 8-)
by rob
Thu Mar 21, 2024 5:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: London + ???
Replies: 12
Views: 1171

Re: London + ???

Lacrocious wrote: Thu Mar 21, 2024 5:16 pm For a Stonehenge tour - we booked out of London for a Sunrise tour - where you can actually get out near the stones. We were able to walk between the stones - but no touching! Had a great presentation in the early morning. The tours like this operate before the normal opening time - so you and your group are pretty much alone. They time them so one group goes out while another comes back in. Great way to do it. We did an Evans Evans tour that included Stonehenge Sunrise, Oxford & Windsor Castle.

- L
Agree... Don't bother doing the regular Disney tour. I used to tell friends to stop on the road and look over the fence as it's closer but last time I was there they put up a much higher fence so no much of an option now.
by rob
Thu Mar 21, 2024 1:19 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: In-laws 529 for grandkids, bite my lip or say something?
Replies: 58
Views: 5892

Re: In-laws 529 for grandkids, bite my lip or say something?

If you really want to go after this and I don't think you should.... Try and wrap it in something else. It would be easier for us if you had these accounts the same place we have... blah blah blah...
by rob
Wed Mar 20, 2024 7:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: M43rds digital camera vs Iphone 13 pro max?
Replies: 100
Views: 4832

Re: M43rds digital camera vs Iphone 13 pro max?

madbrain wrote: Wed Mar 20, 2024 4:37 pm
rob wrote: Wed Mar 20, 2024 4:31 pm This is not true - Many cameras provide this functionality.
Mirrorless cameras may.

DSLRs do not capture more than one frame at a time unless you use "Live view". I don't use that mode unless I'm shooting video.
But video on most DSLRs is far worse than any recent smartphone. So, I just don't use the Live View on mine.
I mostly use the DSLR with the optical viewfinder and screen turned off by default. I have it set not to turn on the screen and display the picture that was just taken. Pretty similar to the way one would operate a film camera.
I will review the image occasionally, if I feel like it. But usually it's later on when I get home.
Here is a random youtube video for a random dSLR camera with instructions.
by rob
Wed Mar 20, 2024 4:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: M43rds digital camera vs Iphone 13 pro max?
Replies: 100
Views: 4832

Re: M43rds digital camera vs Iphone 13 pro max?

beezquimby wrote: Wed Mar 20, 2024 10:48 amA regular camera may have better "optics" however they are only capturing one image at a time and without the computational software algorithms.
This is not true - Many cameras provide this functionality.
by rob
Tue Mar 19, 2024 11:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How does a landline phone decrease my bundle cost
Replies: 52
Views: 3314

Re: How does a landline phone decrease my bundle cost

Xrayman69 wrote: Tue Mar 19, 2024 11:11 pm
vnatale wrote: Tue Mar 19, 2024 8:20 pm
Xrayman69 wrote: Tue Mar 19, 2024 8:19 pm Interesting experiences shared but why is it cheaper to give me phone service and not by a little but 10-20% lower than just having internet plan?
That I cannot explain.

Who is your provider?
Century Link in Seattle
I have the same thing with Verizon FIOS here.... I just shrug and keep it.
by rob
Tue Mar 19, 2024 11:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Maintaining a new Global Entry membership (USA)
Replies: 20
Views: 1681

Re: Maintaining a new Global Entry membership (USA)

You should update the passport/s attached to GE when you renew the passport.... You can do updates (not adds last I was there) online.

Maybe US passports update automatically or maybe old and new passports are linked - not sure but I'd still update to avoid issues.
by rob
Tue Mar 19, 2024 9:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: M43rds digital camera vs Iphone 13 pro max?
Replies: 100
Views: 4832

Re: M43rds digital camera vs Iphone 13 pro max?

The iPhone does it all and solves world peace crowd will be along shortly :D ....

Is photography a priority? If no then use the phone. It will get you some decent pics. If yes then your not likely to be asking the question.

Edit: Going on a 6 week trip soon and I'm trying to cull gear I want to take :shock:
by rob
Mon Mar 18, 2024 10:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: The NAR settlement doesn't mean what you think what it means
Replies: 44
Views: 4307

Re: The NAR settlement doesn't mean what you think what it means

hash1848 wrote: Mon Mar 18, 2024 9:44 pm<>I don't really care what a jury found.<>
You have me convinced once you say it this way - solid position.... Follow the money and it's pretty clear from the cheap seats....
by rob
Mon Mar 18, 2024 9:52 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How worthwhile is Zillow to estimate home value?
Replies: 58
Views: 5237

Re: How worthwhile is Zillow to estimate home value?

Retired in CA wrote: Mon Mar 18, 2024 9:02 pm Zillow thinks that my home has 0 bedrooms and 1 bathroom (both numbers are wrong), so I doubt that the estimate has much value.
Claim the house and update it... Update any other address you like while your there :shock: (snark at the fact that anyone can claim anything with minimal info)
by rob
Mon Mar 18, 2024 2:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: I-ORP Dead or Reconstructing?
Replies: 12
Views: 1847

Re: Is IORP Gone?

tibbitts wrote: Mon Mar 18, 2024 1:56 pm
rob wrote: Mon Mar 18, 2024 1:53 pm I saw it in some video from Rob Berger and wanted to try it out... but seems it's offline/gone - checked down-for-just-me and looks like it's everyone. Anyone know anything before I move on?
It doesn't really matter because it hadn't been updated for years and nobody that I'm aware of was encouraging its use any longer. It's unfortunate that it couldn't have been refined to eliminate some of the widely criticized characteristics and of course updated to current tax laws/limits.
Thx.... I've watched a few of Rob's videos recently and maybe it was an old one but I really thought it was a recent one. No issues... Moving on....
by rob
Mon Mar 18, 2024 1:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: I-ORP Dead or Reconstructing?
Replies: 12
Views: 1847

Is IORP Gone?

[Thread merged into here --admin LadyGeek]

I saw it in some video from Rob Berger and wanted to try it out... but seems it's offline/gone - checked down-for-just-me and looks like it's everyone. Anyone know anything before I move on?
by rob
Sun Mar 17, 2024 3:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cloud based backup options for sensitive files
Replies: 93
Views: 7920

Re: Cloud based backup options for sensitive files

gunny2 wrote: Sun Mar 17, 2024 9:55 am Why not just email them to yourself? Or Google drive? You sure don't need to pay for anything.
Please don't ever email sensitive files.... Email is not the least bit secure.
by rob
Sun Mar 17, 2024 3:11 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Dot.Com Era/AI Era?
Replies: 309
Views: 29641

Re: Dot.Com Era/AI Era?

I want to add one more thing if not already discussed. Deep Blue from IBM beat Garry Kasparov in 1997. Watson from IBM won Jeopardy back in 2011. Watson was supposed to take over the medical profession. What happened? This instance is interesting to me... Not because the machine beat him as that was always going to happen with enough processing power and refined algorithms nor that a simple chess program today will beat most people - most of us are just not that good so it's a meaningless compare - but Kasparov's impressions of playing it at the time. Deep blue was restarted during the games which he likened to playing different opponents with different personalities & objectives. "Watson" was a series of technologies & a...
by rob
Sun Mar 17, 2024 1:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cameras, Binoculars and Jackets for Alaska Cruise
Replies: 21
Views: 1458

Re: Cameras, Binoculars and Jackets for Alaska Cruise

1. What camera would be best for the cruise? We have old cameras (both 14-16 year old now): a Canon Powershot SX110IS point-and-shoot with 10x zoom, and a Canon T2i SLR w/ a 18-135mm lens. The SLR has been very bulky to carry and with my (lack of) skills I generally just set it to Auto, dont really use it to its potential but it still takes better photos than the P&S. I see technologies have got better now ('mirrorless cameras', video recording resolutions are far better today than my cameras, much better sensors). What Camera would you recommend? For someone who rarely uses the SLR and assuming you don't want to reignite that hobby and spend real $$... I would just get a good 2nd hand EF or EFs longer lens. The prices of EF glass has ...
by rob
Sun Mar 17, 2024 1:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Navigating Speakers for in home theater
Replies: 44
Views: 3333

Re: Navigating Speakers for in home theater

madbrain wrote: Wed Mar 13, 2024 9:24 pm Of course, how much to spend really depends on your expectations. But good speakers can last for decades.
Adding to this point.... My main speakers on the AV stuff (I have several complete systems now days but you don't need to go down that road) that are still used every day were purchased in the late 80's and at the time were worth more than my car :shock: They started as the only speakers in a bi-amped 2 channel system and now live as the mains in a 5.1 system. Components have moved over time but I still love the sound of them, so they can be a long term purchase.
by rob
Sun Mar 17, 2024 11:58 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Great news! No more [fixed real estate] agent commission
Replies: 238
Views: 22581

Re: Great news! No more agent commission

FoolishJumper wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2024 5:23 pm Realtors have done well at making a system that is quite monopolistic but not considered as violating anti-trust laws, and no one (other than buyers and sellers) is incredibly incentivized to change things.
This is the part that I find repugnant in RE txns... It's clearly anti competitive and monopolistic and enriching institutions rather than buyers & sellers - a cartel by definition. Yet it's allowed to continue and the non-buyer/sellers fight (or pay off) anyone that tries to change any part of this morass.
by rob
Sat Mar 16, 2024 9:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New Roof - Exterior Design Ideas
Replies: 9
Views: 1008

Re: New Roof - Exterior Design Ideas

I think that house would look great with look alike slate roofing... I think they make stamped metal roofs with that stamped shape & look - metal would obviously be more $ but also add more durability.
by rob
Thu Mar 14, 2024 6:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How Much Cash Do You Keep In Your Home?
Replies: 207
Views: 15472

Re: How Much Cash Do You Keep In Your Home?

RickBoglehead wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 5:02 pm Most people who keep a stack of cash likely lived through the Depression.
I think that is too long ago for this to be the case.... Most defn have that ending by 40/41. It might be more common in the group that were adults before the general availability of credit cards - although that was earlier in the US.
by rob
Thu Mar 14, 2024 3:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Election spam texts
Replies: 41
Views: 2594

Re: Election spam texts

Funniest one recently.... I got one in a used car I purchased a few years ago. Some political nonsense.

Then it dawns on me... I didn't have my phone. No one else in the vehicle.

Quick google tells me: That the car has a cell signal in it's own right for the weather/gas-station-list gadget OR maybe a second? one for on-star. I've never used or activated either but I mean... my car gets spammed and not me. :oops:
by rob
Thu Mar 14, 2024 9:43 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How to use Google 401k for 2-3 fund portfolio
Replies: 63
Views: 6431

Re: Google 401k choices shockingly bad

The difference between total market & sp&p500 is overblown in these parts. They are "substantially identical" to steal a term from the IRS :D Your post might be confusing to people, because as many people know and may rely on for tax purposes, S&P 500 and total market seems *not* substantially identical according to the IRS Ok... I'm sorry but it's a joke as indicated by the ":D" which shows as :D if you have emojis enabled. For future readers, it's was meant as a joke using a play on words and the conflicting meaning of combining those words from a completely different topic. I was implying that the performance of total US stock market and s&p500 is very very similar. I was also implying that although w...
by rob
Thu Mar 14, 2024 12:49 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How to use Google 401k for 2-3 fund portfolio
Replies: 63
Views: 6431

Re: Google 401k choices shockingly bad

The difference between total market & sp&p500 is overblown in these parts. They are "substantially identical" to steal a term from the IRS :D
by rob
Tue Mar 12, 2024 5:11 pm
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Is an investment property worthwhile? (Australia)
Replies: 6
Views: 1773

Re: Is an investment property worthwhile? (Australia)

Some areas are putting limitation on rent increases, mandatory insulation requirements, every contractor thinks a landlord can pay more than resident for the same work and on. The benefit in neg gearing is marginal (as above only on higher income). If I could go back in time, I would not do it.
by rob
Tue Mar 12, 2024 2:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How Much Cash Do You Keep In Your Home?
Replies: 207
Views: 15472

Re: How Much Cash Do You Keep In Your Home?

Broken Man 1999 wrote: Tue Mar 12, 2024 8:13 am
snowday2022 wrote: Tue Mar 12, 2024 7:50 am
Murdock7591 wrote: Mon Mar 11, 2024 10:26 am I believe it's a good idea to have some cash on hand in one's home.
I have $5K in various bills wrapped in aluminum foil in my freezer.
Why the freezer rather than room temperature? Hiding spot?
In the freezer it becomes cold, hard, cash!

Broken Man 1999
lol... I nominate this as the best response for 2024 so far...
by rob
Tue Mar 12, 2024 2:17 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How is a broker going to make money off me?
Replies: 62
Views: 6047

Re: How is a broker going to make money off me?

Gradient Descent wrote: Tue Mar 12, 2024 8:08 am Payment for order flow, interest on settlement fund balances, upselling their own products and services, etc.
This... plus adding your assets to the we have $x trillion under mgt and $y billions of inflows last year in their marketing. Fees to fido make no difference if you can arrange your money to be out of the main areas of revenue... and sounds like your doing that now.
by rob
Tue Mar 12, 2024 12:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: SanFran - Redwoods - Henry Cowell? - Recent Info?
Replies: 4
Views: 847

Re: SanFran - Redwoods - Henry Cowell? - Recent Info?

Thanks!

- Thanks for confirm on the Henry burnt area.
- On parking at Henry - Yeah wishful thinking and I was hoping it was less of a zoo than Muir. I have the parking app but looks like must buy day of and not ahead (I know you can book parking ahead for Muir ahead).
- Big Sur has always been on my list to see, so will be going anyway. I have driven down the coast to Carmel before and it was beautiful but spouse has never anywhere in CA so wanted a full day trip just drive & stop and repeat.
- Thanks for the additional links, will kick those around.
by rob
Tue Mar 12, 2024 11:29 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Financial Advisor says my portfolio is akin to a retiree at age 34
Replies: 80
Views: 8321

Re: Financial Advisor says my portfolio is akin to a retiree at age 34

No. Same fund. Different share classes. You'd also run into the problem if you held a different S&P 500 fund since they're tracking the same index. If faced with an IRS auditor, could you explain how Fidelity's and Vanguard's S&P 500 funds are not substantially identical? Opinions vary on this and since the IRS has zip definitions :oops: . I used to be in this ultra conservative position but I gave up guessing what the "rules" are when none are specified. I don't even know what the "substantially" modifier means since "identical" has an unchangeable definition. If you want, flip the tax sheltered fund to total US so you don't have to worry going forward. I would drop the vested RSU's especially since t...
by rob
Mon Mar 11, 2024 4:03 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Dot.Com Era/AI Era?
Replies: 309
Views: 29641

Re: Dot.Com Era/AI Era?

- their relationship with knowledge is different. If you can carry, in effect, the world's largest encyclopaedia with you, or a complete map of your city that is personalised to your location - then old fashioned skills that I spent years developing are just not needed This has to start with get off my grass but in my professional circles; I've become more and more dismayed at the lack of core understanding on technical topics. This is not a knowing how to google some fact but an application of knowledge skill that has been dwindling. Maybe it's always been like this and I'm metaphorically on a rocking chair guarding my lawn, but more and more of the conversations I've been in are flabbergasting. In the context of this conversation, it sho...
by rob
Sun Mar 10, 2024 10:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How could I have known dental claim would be denied?
Replies: 43
Views: 4593

Re: How could I have known dental claim would be denied?

See if dentist will do a lower payment in full without insurance (might no longer be an option).

Appeal it anyway... Your not going to win but I do this out of spite when stuff like this happens. I know it costs them money to process the appeal and sadly I get something non-financial out of that.
by rob
Sun Mar 10, 2024 8:33 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How Much Cash Do You Keep In Your Home?
Replies: 207
Views: 15472

Re: How Much Cash Do You Keep In Your Home?

In greenbacks - almost zip apart from what's under the couch or in my wallet - might be able to find $100. When I was traveling for work, I usually had a couple of hundred on me but no longer an issue.

I do have a couple of grand of foreign currency of various types left over from trips. I don't spend for no reason to use it when overseas and since I will be back, I don't cash it back to USD. It kicks around until the next trip and rinse & repeat. I guess whoever puts me in the ground will have to deal with whatever is left over 8-)
by rob
Sun Mar 10, 2024 8:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: SanFran - Redwoods - Henry Cowell? - Recent Info?
Replies: 4
Views: 847

SanFran - Redwoods - Henry Cowell? - Recent Info?

I know I can google it but getting a lot of conflicting info out there - a lot due to recent fires & storms, so looking for recent or personal info and this crowd seems to have great non-finance knowledge.

Planning a week in San Francisco in May and looking for somewhere to go hiking for 3-4/5 moderate hours in the redwoods (will have car). There is tourist central with Muir-woods but was planning to drive down the coast maybe to Big Sur, so Henry Cowell jumped out as a good option heading south (plus it's a bit away from the city daytrip crowds).

For the people with recent knowledge - what park/forest do you suggest? Which parks were least affected by the fires?


PS - I'll obviously take any suggestions for the city also :D
by rob
Sun Mar 10, 2024 10:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Electrical Outlet Covers
Replies: 48
Views: 3811

Re: Electrical Outlet Covers

I have used these through the house and I paint them the same color as the walls.
by rob
Tue Mar 05, 2024 7:43 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Should I Reduce $258k Capital Loss Carryforward?
Replies: 18
Views: 2242

Re: Should I Reduce $258k Capital Loss Carryforward?

Keep in mind that in a flat inflation environment these are great... but with inflation recently those losses are becoming less valuable in real terms. I started using up my carry overs last year and might really hit them this year due to this.
by rob
Mon Mar 04, 2024 11:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Docking Station Recommendation
Replies: 3
Views: 568

Re: Docking Station Recommendation

Lots of options but I grabbed this one at the start of COVID for work and it's been great. More $ gets better functionality.
by rob
Mon Mar 04, 2024 6:49 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: close to retiring - what to do with company 401k
Replies: 13
Views: 1647

Re: close to retiring - what to do with company 401k

What's your age? I would NOT roll it over if you are 55 this year and not yet 59.5 this year. You can potentially (if plan allows for partial withdraw) "rule of 55" to remove $ without paying the penalty. If your basically 60 or above, I would roll it over to get better options. Note: There may be some difference in creditor protection if that is an issue for you.
by rob
Fri Mar 01, 2024 12:23 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cloud based backup options for sensitive files
Replies: 93
Views: 7920

Re: Cloud based backup options for sensitive files

Yes - I use backblaze BUT I supply the key and since the encryption is done client side only encrypted files land on their servers. It limits the functionality on their website but I don't care about that. The restore works fine but again, I have to supply the key.

You do have to trust their client side app is not shipping that key to the server.
by rob
Wed Feb 28, 2024 9:33 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Dot.Com Era/AI Era?
Replies: 309
Views: 29641

Re: Dot.Com Era/AI Era?

HanSolo wrote: Wed Feb 28, 2024 9:46 am Another flip side is that nobody really knows whether AI will cause another 737 MAX-type disaster.
It didn't. It was deterministic logic deliberately inserted into the systems that was not understood by the pilots.
by rob
Wed Feb 28, 2024 7:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: FIRE-ing In, Quitting versus Getting FIRE-d - Talking to Boss Tomorrow
Replies: 148
Views: 22987

Re: FIRE-ing In, Quitting versus Getting FIRE-d - Talking to Boss Tomorrow

soccerrules wrote: Wed Feb 28, 2024 12:28 pm im in my late 50s and the reality of "limited time" left, has me retiring in the next few months. Listening to a podcast it was described as a 3 legged stool with Finances, Health and Time as the legs. For many and likely most BHr's we will run out of health and time before we run out of finances.
I am leaving a career and job I no longer enjoy -- Life is too short.
Best wishes
I love this point of view.... We talk about the 3 legs been pension/savings/social security but this is only a tree in the forest of time & health.
by rob
Tue Feb 27, 2024 1:36 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Dot.Com Era/AI Era?
Replies: 309
Views: 29641

Re: Dot.Com Era/AI Era?

Politely and respectfully disagree again. When my nieces and nephew are my age there will be congressional debates on "what is life?" and "should we give ChatGPT an SSN?" We are talking about the potential birth of a new lifeform which supplants humans as the most intelligent species on the planet. Humans have been the smartest creature on the planet for quite a while, that is fixin' to change quick, fast, and in a hurry. I'm not proposing Terminator (movie) situation, but the Turin test will be a distant memory 10 years from now. Yeah... and this is the type of political hype I'm dealing with (mentioned earlier). The pin is out of realistic discussions even in groups that should know better... New senescent life form ....
by rob
Mon Feb 26, 2024 1:25 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Dot.Com Era/AI Era?
Replies: 309
Views: 29641

Re: Dot.Com Era/AI Era?

Same but different.... Most of the "AI" stuff is nonsense.... Most is better algorithms due to more processing power as a lot of the techniques have been around a long time. A lot of teams in my world are wasting vast time on this for questionable internal political purposes.

Some uses will stick and find purpose but most is a vast waste of time and dollars..... What that means to investing, who knows.
by rob
Sun Feb 25, 2024 11:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What got you out of poverty?
Replies: 111
Views: 13083

Re: What got you out of poverty?

- Education
- Saying yes to every stretch task (even when inside was shaking to death)
- Putting in the hours and effort

and most importantly... been incredibly LUCKY
by rob
Mon Feb 19, 2024 1:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Wine - what are we paying more for … ?
Replies: 185
Views: 33174

Re: Wine - what are we paying more for … ?

FeralCat wrote: Sat Dec 09, 2023 5:44 pm A $9 bottle of wine to me can taste like motor oil. It used to be that I could find a good bottle of wine for $15, but with inflation it is now about $20. The people who work at the liquor store nearby are helpful in picking wines. I have no idea what more expensive wines taste like. I simply can't afford them.
First off, I'd stop drinking motor oil... Your not going to find one that tastes good no matter how many you try. :wink:

Individual tastes vary but there is certainly a range of wines that are good on the lower end. Most of the everyday wines I drink are under $20. That price point for me has gone up a few dollars over COVID but still lots of options.
by rob
Sat Feb 17, 2024 12:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I get a Lexus ES for its V6?
Replies: 96
Views: 8710

Re: Should I get a Lexus ES for its V6?

If you haven't driven one of the modern turbo 4s, they are pretty smooth. Generally better gas mileage, and they have tons of acceleration. There's a reason automakers are doing away with old V6s. If you're used to old 4 cylinder engines, these are a lot different. I have yet to drive one that hasn't had noticeable and bothersome turbo lag. Having said that, I haven't driven the newest Lexus NX and RX, I have seen reviews claiming the turbo 4s in those are a lot smoother, so I probably will have to test drive them. They still mostly have terrible turbo lag but less than the past and far better than the days of old - most people are not going to notice, especially here where A to B and cost is the major criteria. Worth driving some to get y...
by rob
Sat Feb 17, 2024 11:30 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Sign up for two ACA plans
Replies: 31
Views: 2375

Re: Sign up for two ACA plans

JustHappen wrote: Sat Feb 17, 2024 10:12 amI don't know which one is more important: the surgeon or the hospital? It drives me nuts!
I'm sorry... I would go with the hospital rather than surgeon but obviously it's a crappy "choice" :x .
by rob
Fri Feb 16, 2024 10:28 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Managing my parent's small portfolio
Replies: 6
Views: 1018

Re: Managing my parent's small portfolio

Your creating a potentially large issue for them... I would not touch the US if your not a citizen nor resident.
by rob
Thu Feb 15, 2024 11:38 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How much do you spend on work/ dress shoes?
Replies: 86
Views: 9175

Re: How much do you spend on work/ dress shoes?

I have what are now very expensive dress boots that I bought several decades ago - purchased at an outlet way before they got trendy but still a few hundred bucks. I also have lizard skin boots and exactly zero sneakers, so might want to discount my opinion :D

I always wore them even after workplace became jeans or even less formal because I loved wearing them not because of others. I think over the decades maybe 2 people have noticed to say anything.