Is an hour drive worth $2000? It is in my book.
BA is totally fine compared to Delta. Flew BA to London a few times with no issues.
Search found 490 matches
- Tue Mar 05, 2024 10:05 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Flying to London - Delta or British Airways
- Replies: 58
- Views: 5434
- Mon Mar 04, 2024 2:12 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Portugal trip
- Replies: 19
- Views: 1453
Re: Portugal trip
Had no problem using Uber in Portugal.
No problems with the rental car either. I do not remember if they required a deposit, but it was returned in full if they did.
As far as I recall, the toll transponder is required to be included with the rental car in Portugal. So it is very much hassle free. You must have a transponder as there is no way to pay without it.
No problems with the rental car either. I do not remember if they required a deposit, but it was returned in full if they did.
As far as I recall, the toll transponder is required to be included with the rental car in Portugal. So it is very much hassle free. You must have a transponder as there is no way to pay without it.
- Mon Mar 04, 2024 9:57 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Need better sound for music enjoyment
- Replies: 20
- Views: 2894
Re: Need better sound for music enjoyment
I am using a cheap Yamaha receiver with a pair of decent speakers which sit next to the TV.
Works well for music, TV and games. I don't feel that I need the sound bar.
Works well for music, TV and games. I don't feel that I need the sound bar.
- Mon Feb 26, 2024 9:36 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Tech Compensation
- Replies: 39
- Views: 5179
Re: Tech Compensation
There were boom and bust cycles in the tech industry. Boom years were mid-to-late 90s and then again late 2010s-to-early 2020s.
This is when an ordinary engineer or manager with some luck could be bringing home 1M per year.
The bubble has deflated now and million dollar compensations are few and far between.
There may not be another boom in 20 years, who knows.
This is when an ordinary engineer or manager with some luck could be bringing home 1M per year.
The bubble has deflated now and million dollar compensations are few and far between.
There may not be another boom in 20 years, who knows.
- Fri Feb 23, 2024 10:49 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Time to reach 1M and 2M milestones
- Replies: 426
- Views: 136849
Re: Time to reach 1M and 2M milestones
Just hit the 5M mark. First million was by far the hardest.
12 years to 1M
6 years to 2M
3 years to 3M
2 years to 4M
1 year to 5M
12 years to 1M
6 years to 2M
3 years to 3M
2 years to 4M
1 year to 5M
- Wed Feb 21, 2024 12:03 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Interested in seeing the best of Redwood country
- Replies: 23
- Views: 2058
Re: Interested in seeing the best of Redwood country
My favorite is driving north from SF along the coast to the Redwood National Park. From there can go to Crater lake (doesn't have redwoods, but is worth visiting) and back down I-5. Or you can go in reverse. Avenue of the Giants is the road through the redwoods that you should take. Eureka/Crescent City are the nearby towns where we stayed in the past. I would not stay a week in either. Eureka has a bigger city center with some old victorian buildings. Last trip we rented an AirBnb cabin in the redwoods near Crescent City which was nicer than staying in town. If you plan on driving from Arizona then Sequoia/Kings Canyon/Yosemite has sequoia (not redwood) trees which you shouldn't miss. There are also redwood groves near SF (Santa Cruz area,...
- Tue Feb 20, 2024 11:23 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: House purchase questions
- Replies: 22
- Views: 2461
Re: House purchase questions
570k house seems reasonable given your income.
I you have better plans for your cash, you should not pour it into the house. Instead you can pay more towards the principal if/when you earn extra cash.
By doing that we paid our first 30 year mortgage in 10 years (it helped that we were able to refinance when the rates fell).
I you have better plans for your cash, you should not pour it into the house. Instead you can pay more towards the principal if/when you earn extra cash.
By doing that we paid our first 30 year mortgage in 10 years (it helped that we were able to refinance when the rates fell).
- Tue Feb 13, 2024 12:16 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Any reasons not to rollover my 401k?
- Replies: 32
- Views: 3399
Re: Any reasons not to rollover my 401k?
Sounds like "yes to rollover" to me.
- Mon Feb 12, 2024 11:41 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Dishwasher - repair or buy new?
- Replies: 60
- Views: 5515
Re: Dishwasher - repair or buy new?
Yes, they are easy to replace. I had to do it several times over the years.
The only problem is that leaking $10 part can easily do hundreds of $$ in damage to the kitchen so I also had to replace some wooden paneling etc.
I
- Mon Feb 12, 2024 11:27 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Understanding 4% rule
- Replies: 41
- Views: 3888
Re: Understanding 4% rule
This is the problem with the SWR strategy that it does give different results in these identical situations.
One can argue that they are not exactly identical because the second person has more information about the market performance when they make a decision.
It would make sense if market ups and downs were random and the success rate was a mathematical probability.
But markets are not random and I would expect a sound strategy to adjust rather than keep spending...
One can argue that they are not exactly identical because the second person has more information about the market performance when they make a decision.
It would make sense if market ups and downs were random and the success rate was a mathematical probability.
But markets are not random and I would expect a sound strategy to adjust rather than keep spending...
- Mon Feb 12, 2024 11:20 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Anticipating a lay off
- Replies: 25
- Views: 3749
Re: Anticipating a lay off
Front load/max out your 401k and use your FSA balance.
Assume you will lose company account access immediately.
Make sure you can log in to HSA, 401k, health insurance etc from your personal account.
Save copies of your paychecks and move personal docs off your work computer.
Take all personal belongings from the office. Some employers will let you collect them on the layoff day, others won't.
Figure out if you will be taking Cobra (employer may pay for some if it as part of the package or may not). If not, go to the doctor/dentist before health insurance runs out.
Connect on LinkedIn or elsewhere with all your coworkers.
And yes, update your resume, prepare for interviewing and start looking.
Assume you will lose company account access immediately.
Make sure you can log in to HSA, 401k, health insurance etc from your personal account.
Save copies of your paychecks and move personal docs off your work computer.
Take all personal belongings from the office. Some employers will let you collect them on the layoff day, others won't.
Figure out if you will be taking Cobra (employer may pay for some if it as part of the package or may not). If not, go to the doctor/dentist before health insurance runs out.
Connect on LinkedIn or elsewhere with all your coworkers.
And yes, update your resume, prepare for interviewing and start looking.
- Mon Feb 12, 2024 10:15 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: should i pay off a car at 1.9% or invest in a cd at 5.5%
- Replies: 67
- Views: 6286
Re: should i pay off a car at 1.9% or invest in a cd at 5.5%
You are better of with a loan and the CD even if you are in a high tax bracket.
- Mon Feb 12, 2024 10:11 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Safest way to pay bills electronically
- Replies: 72
- Views: 6099
Re: Safest way to pay bills electronically
In my experience, online bill pay from the bank quietly stops working whenever the company changes their billing system, resulting in missing payments. Though not frequent, it happened to me more than once.
I set up payment on the billing company site instead.
Some bills you can pay with credit card. Others require a checking account.
Credit card should be the safer option. For the checking account I don't know if it makes much difference which side you set it up on. You could be billed the wrong amount either way...
I set up payment on the billing company site instead.
Some bills you can pay with credit card. Others require a checking account.
Credit card should be the safer option. For the checking account I don't know if it makes much difference which side you set it up on. You could be billed the wrong amount either way...
- Mon Feb 12, 2024 9:58 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Has anyone appealed a drug price with Kaiser? Mine quadrupled.
- Replies: 22
- Views: 2658
Re: Has anyone appealed a drug price with Kaiser? Mine quadrupled.
Check with the drug manufacturer if they can provide assistance. In my experience with crazy expensive brand-name drugs, you just need to ask.
- Mon Feb 12, 2024 4:07 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Is it worth the risk to install thermostats myself, or should I pay to have them installed? Homeowners insurance
- Replies: 39
- Views: 3879
Re: Is it worth the risk to install thermostats myself, or should I pay to have them installed? Homeowners insurance
Go ahead and install. This is not something that one needs a permit for. With a C wire it should just work.
I diy replaced an old mercury thermostat with a Nest five years ago and works perfectly even without the C wire.
The wallplate that came with it was barely large enough to cover the spot where the large old thermostat was. I wish it were half an inch wider, but it works.
I diy replaced an old mercury thermostat with a Nest five years ago and works perfectly even without the C wire.
The wallplate that came with it was barely large enough to cover the spot where the large old thermostat was. I wish it were half an inch wider, but it works.
- Sun Feb 11, 2024 11:06 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Mechanics of Social Security Bridge?
- Replies: 22
- Views: 1808
Re: Mechanics of Social Security Bridge?
Depends on how you plan to use the bridge.
E.g. if in your retirement budget you count on 4400 guaranteed income then you set aside 4400x96 in cash to bridge the gap. I.e. (b).
E.g. if in your retirement budget you count on 4400 guaranteed income then you set aside 4400x96 in cash to bridge the gap. I.e. (b).
- Fri Feb 09, 2024 4:57 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Freetaxusa vs Turbotax
- Replies: 121
- Views: 16806
Re: Freetaxusa vs Turbotax
I have been using free fillable forms for a number of years without any issues. They support all the forms I ever needed.
I don't know if I trust my personal info to them more than to the other options though.
This product does not come direct from the IRS, but from a third party (the name buried in the terms of service on their website is On-Line Taxes, Inc).
I don't know if I trust my personal info to them more than to the other options though.
This product does not come direct from the IRS, but from a third party (the name buried in the terms of service on their website is On-Line Taxes, Inc).
- Wed Feb 07, 2024 1:54 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Do 401k plans (at Fidelity) distinguish betweenRoth 401K balances & after-tax converted to Roth 401k balances?
- Replies: 8
- Views: 499
Re: Do 401k plans (at Fidelity) distinguish betweenRoth 401K balances & after-tax converted to Roth 401k balances?
Vanguard shows my converted 401K balances as "ROTH IN PLAN CONVERSION" (there is a "view by source" option that shows the contribution source).
- Fri Feb 02, 2024 3:20 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Alternative to Uber/Lyft. Anyone take car service or taxi to airport anymore?
- Replies: 55
- Views: 4948
Re: Alternative to Uber/Lyft. Anyone take car service or taxi to airport anymore?
Pick up the car locally the day before, drop it off at the airport.Doctor Rhythm wrote: ↑Fri Feb 02, 2024 2:35 pmI’m not sure I understand the workflow. Doesn’t this require getting a ride to the airport car rental agency to pick up a car, in which case you’re already at the airport?
- Fri Feb 02, 2024 9:21 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Alternative to Uber/Lyft. Anyone take car service or taxi to airport anymore?
- Replies: 55
- Views: 4948
Re: Alternative to Uber/Lyft. Anyone take car service or taxi to airport anymore?
I find that it is often cheaper to rent a car for a day and drop it off at the airport than the other options.
Going from the airport taking a cab is the easiest.
Going from the airport taking a cab is the easiest.
- Thu Feb 01, 2024 12:07 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Love my job, told re-lo for RTO or no advancement [Return To Office]
- Replies: 128
- Views: 9761
Re: Love my job, told re-lo for RTO or no advancement
Relocating for the promotion which may or may not happen does not make much sense.Big Dog wrote: ↑Wed Jan 31, 2024 8:45 pm I think you answered your own question in your 'long story short...
You basically have 3 choices:
1) relo to the company office (I'd ask for relo assistance since you were hired remote)
2) remain remote and get zero promotions (and likely minimal salary increases)
3) seek another remote job
2 and 3 are not mutually exclusive. Can stay remote for now and start looking.
- Tue Jan 30, 2024 12:10 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: IRS Direct File is now live
- Replies: 28
- Views: 3240
Re: IRS Direct File is now live
It's a start. Hopefully they expand to cover a wider range of incomes.
- Sat Jan 27, 2024 12:34 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Dishwasher - repair or buy new?
- Replies: 60
- Views: 5515
Re: Dishwasher - repair or buy new?
Depending on where it leaked, the repair may be as simple as DIY replacing the rubber gasket.
Modern dishwasher are energy and water efficient so they tend to no not clean/dry as well.
Modern dishwasher are energy and water efficient so they tend to no not clean/dry as well.
- Thu Jan 25, 2024 2:23 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Most popular boglehead withdrawal strategy
- Replies: 117
- Views: 12897
Re: Most popular boglehead withdrawal strategy
Not retired yet.
I think looking at the different strategies is useful when planning the retirement to get an idea on how to budget X dollars to last N years, but 1/N feels like the most reasonable plan to me. It is also the most intuitive and easiest to calculate.
I hope that when I do retire, I just spend what I need without obsessing over formulas.
If my yearly budget gets vastly different from 1/N in any given year, that would be the time to reevaluate the strategy.
I think looking at the different strategies is useful when planning the retirement to get an idea on how to budget X dollars to last N years, but 1/N feels like the most reasonable plan to me. It is also the most intuitive and easiest to calculate.
I hope that when I do retire, I just spend what I need without obsessing over formulas.
If my yearly budget gets vastly different from 1/N in any given year, that would be the time to reevaluate the strategy.
- Thu Jan 25, 2024 1:55 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: 401(K)Question - What am I missing?
- Replies: 11
- Views: 1016
Re: 401(K)Question - What am I missing?
That Roth 401K may be a better option for you.salvaje wrote: ↑Wed Jan 24, 2024 12:31 pm Am I understanding this correctly? I'm in a situation where my employer does not match any of my 401(k) contributions. I've been contributing faithfully for years but had this thought... Am I not potentially better off paying taxes now and then only paying long term cap gains on the growth rather than delaying tax payments now but then having to pay income tax on any amounts (including growth) I take out of the 401(k)? I'd imagine that my income tax bracket will not fall below the long term cap gains rates. What am I missing?
There is no cap gains tax in Roth 401K.
- Wed Jan 24, 2024 2:12 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Washington Post: "That 'free' annual checkup might cost you"
- Replies: 112
- Views: 11776
Re: Washington Post: "That 'free' annual checkup might cost you"
Don't think the issue is specific to ACA.
We had many billing code "errors" over the years with an employer-sponsored plan insurance.
These sometimes required resubmitting claims multiple times with different codes and/or three-way calls with dr office and insurance to sort things out. All of these were eventually resolved in our favor.
What we did learn is that medical billing is complicated and one needs to keep track of visits, networks, bills, claims, payments and stay on top of things and check for mistakes. Whether or not these mistakes happen unintentionally or not (knowing that some people will just pay), I can only guess.
We had many billing code "errors" over the years with an employer-sponsored plan insurance.
These sometimes required resubmitting claims multiple times with different codes and/or three-way calls with dr office and insurance to sort things out. All of these were eventually resolved in our favor.
What we did learn is that medical billing is complicated and one needs to keep track of visits, networks, bills, claims, payments and stay on top of things and check for mistakes. Whether or not these mistakes happen unintentionally or not (knowing that some people will just pay), I can only guess.
- Tue Jan 23, 2024 11:09 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Access to funds in an American credit union while abroad?
- Replies: 17
- Views: 1427
Re: Access to funds in an American credit union while abroad?
I used an ATM card from a CU in many different countries over the years. Never had a problem.
They do sometimes block their Visa cards in certain random countries. They advised me to use a non-Visa ATM card instead which is what I am using.
There are ATM fees and currency exchange rates.
The ATM will often offer you an option to convert currency at a certain rate. This rate is often poor so I just rely on the network to do the conversion.
I suspect cashing a cashier's check may be difficult or impossible in a foreign country (e.g. may need to deposit to a local bank account and wait for it to clear).
They do sometimes block their Visa cards in certain random countries. They advised me to use a non-Visa ATM card instead which is what I am using.
There are ATM fees and currency exchange rates.
The ATM will often offer you an option to convert currency at a certain rate. This rate is often poor so I just rely on the network to do the conversion.
I suspect cashing a cashier's check may be difficult or impossible in a foreign country (e.g. may need to deposit to a local bank account and wait for it to clear).
- Tue Jan 23, 2024 1:50 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: New house replacing locks
- Replies: 36
- Views: 4076
Re: New house replacing locks
For smart locks I would not go with a random brand off Amazon, especially if it is has an internet connection. Working in internet security, I know enough not to trust any of these.
We have a Schlage Encode Plus which is convenient. It worked fine for a few years until it didn't.
I took it apart and the issue was with thin wires wearing out and breaking. The way it was made, it was only a matter of time.
But their warranty is good and they replaced the failed lock so there is that.
We have a Schlage Encode Plus which is convenient. It worked fine for a few years until it didn't.
I took it apart and the issue was with thin wires wearing out and breaking. The way it was made, it was only a matter of time.
But their warranty is good and they replaced the failed lock so there is that.
- Mon Jan 22, 2024 11:51 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Help me buy Red wine to drink in 10-20 years
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1556
Re: Help me buy Red wine to drink in 10-20 years
I don't know much about old wine. We found a few cases of dusty wine bottles (10-15 years) in the basement of the house we bought.
They were apparently improperly stored. A few bottles were OK, but we poured most of it down the drain.
I guess one needs to do the research on how to care for it over the years to prevent oxygen exposure, not just leave it in the basement and hope for the best.
They were apparently improperly stored. A few bottles were OK, but we poured most of it down the drain.
I guess one needs to do the research on how to care for it over the years to prevent oxygen exposure, not just leave it in the basement and hope for the best.
- Sat Jan 20, 2024 12:20 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Domed skylight and summer heat
- Replies: 9
- Views: 1103
Re: Domed skylight and summer heat
We replaced the plastic bubble with a modern glass skylight and added blinds. We also added insulation to the skylight shaft in the attic.
All of this helped reduce the summer temps, but adding blinds helped the most. We chose the most simple manually-operated design (we only close them once a year in the summer and open in the fall).
You should be able to order blinds to fit your existing skylight. DIY installing them may be a bit tricky depending on how difficult the skylight is to access.
All of this helped reduce the summer temps, but adding blinds helped the most. We chose the most simple manually-operated design (we only close them once a year in the summer and open in the fall).
You should be able to order blinds to fit your existing skylight. DIY installing them may be a bit tricky depending on how difficult the skylight is to access.
- Fri Jan 19, 2024 4:40 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Sell house on open market vs. to "investors?"
- Replies: 32
- Views: 2714
Re: Sell house on open market vs. to "investors?"
I would be concerned about the same thing - how do you know you got the market price.
The investor is making money on something. Either their offer is below market or they pocket the commission or both.
I suppose there may be cases when the house is difficult to sell in the open market because it has some issues, needs to be paid in cash and the owner is happy to unload it at whatever price. But it does not sound like this case.
The investor is making money on something. Either their offer is below market or they pocket the commission or both.
I suppose there may be cases when the house is difficult to sell in the open market because it has some issues, needs to be paid in cash and the owner is happy to unload it at whatever price. But it does not sound like this case.
- Thu Jan 18, 2024 6:25 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Are car washes necessary?
- Replies: 116
- Views: 12618
Re: Are car washes necessary?
We rarely wash our cars in California. Usually only after road trips to get rid of mud and bugs.
Cars don't rust here which would be the main concern. I would wash the car where salt/rust is an issue.
I suppose the tree sap will turn into crust eventually which may need to be removed with alcohol.
But for a 2006 car you may end up spending more on car washes than the car is worth.
Cars don't rust here which would be the main concern. I would wash the car where salt/rust is an issue.
I suppose the tree sap will turn into crust eventually which may need to be removed with alcohol.
But for a 2006 car you may end up spending more on car washes than the car is worth.
- Thu Jan 18, 2024 2:44 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Wallet stolen at work. How to keep handbags/totes secure at work?
- Replies: 29
- Views: 3704
Re: Wallet stolen at work. How to keep handbags/totes secure at work?
I suppose a locked desk drawer is much better than leaving things out in the open. People usually grab what they see.
A safe suggests there is something valuable inside so someone may decide to take it.
A safe suggests there is something valuable inside so someone may decide to take it.
- Thu Jan 18, 2024 2:25 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Pacific NW trip in August
- Replies: 27
- Views: 2267
Re: Pacific NW trip in August
So many outdoor things to do! You cannot go wrong.
I would suggest either Olympic NP or the Cascade loop on the WA side.
Vancouver island on the BC side is also very nice. Went camping there a number of years ago.
I would suggest either Olympic NP or the Cascade loop on the WA side.
Vancouver island on the BC side is also very nice. Went camping there a number of years ago.
- Wed Jan 17, 2024 10:31 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Dealing with "one time" or "temporary" expenses when calculating X in 25X
- Replies: 33
- Views: 2825
Re: Dealing with "one time" or "temporary" expenses when calculating X in 25X
For semi-regular expenses like this I estimate them the best I can and average over the number of years.
E.g. a new car every 10 years for 40K is 4K/yr, a new roof every 20 years for 30K is 1.5K/year etc.
For smaller items like minor home repairs which happen every year I just include them in the baseline based on the average over the last few years (there is always something small that needs to be replaced every year like a water heater or a dishwasher or a garage door or a faucet).
E.g. a new car every 10 years for 40K is 4K/yr, a new roof every 20 years for 30K is 1.5K/year etc.
For smaller items like minor home repairs which happen every year I just include them in the baseline based on the average over the last few years (there is always something small that needs to be replaced every year like a water heater or a dishwasher or a garage door or a faucet).
- Wed Jan 17, 2024 6:48 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: No-state-income-tax states are not good for retirees.
- Replies: 413
- Views: 39188
Re: No-state-income-tax states are not good for retirees.
You need to assess your own situation in a particular state as the costs of living are very different.
But generally when there are no income taxes, the state has higher other taxes (property, sales) and/or provides fewer services or subsidies (e.g. healthcare).
A typical retiree pays little income tax and may end up paying more elsewhere.
For a rich retiree the math may be different.
But generally when there are no income taxes, the state has higher other taxes (property, sales) and/or provides fewer services or subsidies (e.g. healthcare).
A typical retiree pays little income tax and may end up paying more elsewhere.
For a rich retiree the math may be different.
- Wed Jan 17, 2024 3:35 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: [Decision] Leave my job or wait to be let go?
- Replies: 75
- Views: 7042
Re: [Decision] Leave my job or wait to be let go?
I was in a somewhat similar situation 10 years ago when job-related stress caused chronic health issues which made it impossible to continue full speed at work. Most of the stress was self-inflicted. I was considering quitting. Decided to stay and take it easy at work. I.e. work from home, don't take on any assignments I don't want to do, don't put any more effort than absolutely necessary and stop worrying about deadlines and performance reviews (the worst thing they could do is fire me). Deadlines change all the time for all sorts of reasons. One year later I got promoted and kept working there for 5 more years before leaving for greener pastures. I did have a very supportive boss who gave me enough flexibility to keep going without killi...
- Tue Jan 16, 2024 9:21 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: How to get rid of car
- Replies: 50
- Views: 4699
Re: How to get rid of car
Had that happen several times. Usually you can just jumpstart (easy if you can park another car next to it). If not, replace the battery. New battery is $150-200 at Walmart or auto parts place.
If you cannot do it yourself, I am sure the tow truck can do it.
If you cannot do it yourself, I am sure the tow truck can do it.
- Sat Jan 13, 2024 10:29 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: UK Trip Estimate
- Replies: 104
- Views: 9491
Re: UK Trip Estimate
We spent 3 weeks in Scotland 3 years ago (Edinburgh, Glasgow, Highlands, islands, lochs, castles). Spent about 6K for two people, including flights, hotels/bnbs, train, ferry, car rental, tickets to castles, museums etc. I thought we spent a bit too much.
We did a London trip a few years earlier. While it is pricey, it is not more expensive than a big US city like NYC.
50K sounds very expensive for a 1 month trip.
We did a London trip a few years earlier. While it is pricey, it is not more expensive than a big US city like NYC.
50K sounds very expensive for a 1 month trip.
- Fri Jan 12, 2024 3:45 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Recommendations for trip to Italy and Netherlands
- Replies: 33
- Views: 3916
Re: Recommendations for trip to Italy and Netherlands
FYI Amsterdam banned most airbnbs (much like NYC) so your only choice may be a hotel. The ban on vacation rentals in Amsterdam has been overturned in court. Many American tourists are not aware that Europe has aparthotels. These are booked like hotels, but they are actually serviced apartments. Most of them have two-bedroom apartments for families. Can only share my experience trying to book accommodation in Amsterdam. There are some apartments listed on airbnb. I contacted a few. Most either never responded or said they were "over quota" or "not available". Some suggested to "pay in private". There are aparthotels, yes. They are akin to extended stay hotels in the US and have more space, kitchen etc. There is...
- Fri Jan 12, 2024 3:11 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: 401K Options Not Great - Need Advice!
- Replies: 22
- Views: 2002
Re: 401K Options Not Great - Need Advice!
You can build a good three fund portfolio with these options.
I would do 86% stock (120 minus age) with 20% international.
69%, TIAA-CREF S&P 500 Index Fund (Institutional)[TISPX] (.05)
17%, Vanguard Developed Markets Index Fund Admiral[VTMGX] (.07)
14%, TIAA-CREF Bond Index Fund (Institutional)[TBIIX] (.07)
I would do 86% stock (120 minus age) with 20% international.
69%, TIAA-CREF S&P 500 Index Fund (Institutional)[TISPX] (.05)
17%, Vanguard Developed Markets Index Fund Admiral[VTMGX] (.07)
14%, TIAA-CREF Bond Index Fund (Institutional)[TBIIX] (.07)
- Fri Jan 12, 2024 11:55 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Looking for 65" HDTV
- Replies: 60
- Views: 6799
Re: Looking for 65" HDTV
Went to Costco to buy a 65" OLED, ended up buying a 75" Sony non-OLED.
Was surprised by how much dimmer the OLED was (which, as I understand, is a deliberate compromise to avoid premature burn-in).
Our TV is in a bright room and we watch it during the day sometimes so that was a factor. For a dark room at night won't be an issue.
Tuner is irrelevant if not using rabbit ears. Sony's tuner works quite well though, better than old TVs which required a bigger antenna.
You can ignore the smart features, of course. But we ditched the external box and use the built-in Google TV which works fine. But the smart features of any TV will eventually become obsolete.
Was surprised by how much dimmer the OLED was (which, as I understand, is a deliberate compromise to avoid premature burn-in).
Our TV is in a bright room and we watch it during the day sometimes so that was a factor. For a dark room at night won't be an issue.
Tuner is irrelevant if not using rabbit ears. Sony's tuner works quite well though, better than old TVs which required a bigger antenna.
You can ignore the smart features, of course. But we ditched the external box and use the built-in Google TV which works fine. But the smart features of any TV will eventually become obsolete.
- Fri Jan 12, 2024 12:36 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Recommendations for trip to Italy and Netherlands
- Replies: 33
- Views: 3916
Re: Recommendations for trip to Italy and Netherlands
It is doable, but seems like too many places. I would do Amsterdam on a separate trip.
In fact, we are doing in on separate trips. Italy last year, Netherlands this year.
Cinque Terre is a bit out of the way and hard to see by car. Will be very crowded in the summer.
Tuscany is right in between Rome and Venice and there are many towns you can drive to. The scenery is very beautiful. We stayed on a farm in Tuscany as an alternative to an aribnb in a city (google agriturismo).
Or take the train and stop over in Florence?
FYI Amsterdam banned most airbnbs (much like NYC) so your only choice may be a hotel.
In fact, we are doing in on separate trips. Italy last year, Netherlands this year.
Cinque Terre is a bit out of the way and hard to see by car. Will be very crowded in the summer.
Tuscany is right in between Rome and Venice and there are many towns you can drive to. The scenery is very beautiful. We stayed on a farm in Tuscany as an alternative to an aribnb in a city (google agriturismo).
Or take the train and stop over in Florence?
FYI Amsterdam banned most airbnbs (much like NYC) so your only choice may be a hotel.
- Thu Jan 11, 2024 3:08 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Oil change frequency on older Toyota (w/ 140k)
- Replies: 64
- Views: 7593
Re: Oil change frequency on older Toyota (w/ 140k)
I change oil when the "change oil" reminder comes up. The reminder is exactly for this purpose. Why overthink it?
In the old cars I followed the schedule in the manual.
In the old cars I followed the schedule in the manual.
- Thu Jan 11, 2024 1:39 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Anyone consider taking investment accounts offline?
- Replies: 95
- Views: 15492
Re: Anyone consider taking investment accounts offline?
While WiFi is not immune to hacking, the risk of your router getting hacked is lower than that of your many online accounts getting hacked.
Even if you did lock the account, it would not protect against company network getting hacked and your identity getting stolen (account number, name, address, phone number, SSN etc). The hacker can use the stolen identity to call and ask to transfer the money out.
Even if you did lock the account, it would not protect against company network getting hacked and your identity getting stolen (account number, name, address, phone number, SSN etc). The hacker can use the stolen identity to call and ask to transfer the money out.
- Thu Jan 11, 2024 1:16 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Withdrawal Rate Math
- Replies: 36
- Views: 4649
Re: Withdrawal Rate Math
One should also take taxes into account. Withdrawing 4x the yearly amount in a single year may result in significantly higher taxes.
- Thu Jan 11, 2024 1:12 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Is 7 Years a short time period in stocks?
- Replies: 19
- Views: 3441
Re: Is 7 Years a short time period in stocks?
Stocks were essentially flat from 2000 to 2013 so I would not count on positive returns in 7 years.
- Wed Jan 10, 2024 4:37 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: who pays 401k fees?
- Replies: 53
- Views: 5173
- Wed Jan 10, 2024 3:19 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: 3 weeks in Italy - how much cash?
- Replies: 14
- Views: 1740
Re: 3 weeks in Italy - how much cash?
Should be fine. I usually take 100-200 euro from an ATM when I arrive in case my card does not work somewhere.
Most places take cards so I rarely need cash. After covid nobody seems to use cash anymore.
Most places take cards so I rarely need cash. After covid nobody seems to use cash anymore.
- Wed Jan 10, 2024 2:53 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: who pays 401k fees?
- Replies: 53
- Views: 5173
Re: who pays 401k fees?
My 401k charges a flat $5/year fee (regardless of whether you are a current or a former employee).