Search found 110 matches

by LuckBeALady
Mon Feb 05, 2024 11:05 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best & Worst "Mid-Life Crisis" expenditures
Replies: 129
Views: 24371

Re: Best & Worst "Mid-Life Crisis" expenditures

livesoft wrote: Thu Feb 01, 2024 11:28 am I started my "OnlyFans" channel. So far, so good.
Link please. I have to see this.
by LuckBeALady
Mon Feb 05, 2024 10:07 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bought the wrong house - Sell now or later?
Replies: 67
Views: 8292

Re: Bought the wrong house - Sell now or later?

No judgement here. We bought a shoddily-constructed house in haste and my spouse hated it for the entire 4 years we lived there.

Pool=no go for me. Waste of time and effort for our lifestyle.

Tough call. You wouldn’t be wrong to start shopping, just take your time this go-round. We certainly learned that lesson from our experience.

Could you find a suitable home and then put yours on the market, thus avoiding two moves? You might have to carry two houses for a while…
by LuckBeALady
Mon Dec 04, 2023 11:11 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What non-index fund investment made you a lot of money?
Replies: 141
Views: 26491

Re: What non-index fund investment made you a lot of money?

Best: bought a buildable lot in our small mountain town. It has appreciated 50% in a few years.

Worst: 10k private equity investment. Now worth 0.00
by LuckBeALady
Wed Oct 11, 2023 11:09 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: MEXICO City Trip for 4 days
Replies: 26
Views: 3984

Re: MEXICO City Trip for 4 days

grtwallchina75 wrote: Wed Aug 16, 2023 12:29 am Thank you, We are IHG member and want to stay at Holiday Inn but not sure yet which part of town to stay, Is centro a good place ?
Roma neighborhood seems bit expensive.
LuckBeALady wrote: Mon Aug 14, 2023 9:11 am The Red Tree House in The Roma neighborhood is a beautiful and comfortable place to stay (fabulous art work). Check it out!
Centro is the most touristic area. Safe, lots of stuff to see and do, touristy restaurants. My reservation with hotels is that there is little opportunity to interact with other guests and guesthouse owners, which is a fun part of the travel experience for us. We stay in hotels when it’s a convenient place to sleep on our way to someplace interesting. To each his own preference!
by LuckBeALady
Wed Oct 11, 2023 11:01 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Carbonated Water At Home
Replies: 21
Views: 3006

Re: Carbonated Water At Home

NYCaviator wrote: Wed Oct 11, 2023 10:42 am Would people who have the SodaStream recommend it? Did you find yourself drinking less canned seltzer?

I really like plain seltzer water and we go through 2-3 packs of La Croix and Polar a week. Not sure if we’d save any money but it sure seems convenient.
Hubs has a SodaStream, uses it daily for 1-2 1 liter bottles. Used to buy 2-3 packs of La Croix or whatever per week, now we only buy canned water for camping trips. Big difference in the amount of packaging/recycling.
by LuckBeALady
Sat Sep 23, 2023 1:20 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's Your View Of the Fidelity 2% Cash Back Visa Credit Card
Replies: 78
Views: 12249

Re: What's Your View Of the Fidelity 2% Cash Back Visa Credit Card

Unlike my Chase cards, it does not download smoothly to YNAB (my budgeting software of choice).
by LuckBeALady
Sat Sep 23, 2023 1:14 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Quitting a high paying job and retiring early
Replies: 118
Views: 16318

Re: Quitting a high paying job and retiring early

rockstar wrote: Fri Sep 22, 2023 12:50 pm I’d want to avoid a divorce.
That’s not rockstar advice
by LuckBeALady
Mon Aug 14, 2023 9:11 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: MEXICO City Trip for 4 days
Replies: 26
Views: 3984

Re: MEXICO City Trip for 4 days

The Red Tree House in The Roma neighborhood is a beautiful and comfortable place to stay (fabulous art work). Check it out!
by LuckBeALady
Thu Jul 20, 2023 6:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I Fight a bad VRBO Customer Review
Replies: 29
Views: 5512

Re: Should I Fight a bad VRBO Customer Review

We had 2 separate reservations with AirBnB in March 2020 that were refunded without delay after the COVID restrictions prevented travel.

I’ve never used VRBO, at least in part because I was satisfied with AirBnB’s customer service. I have heard some horror stories more recently, and I now prefer to book guest houses, hostels, or hotels.
by LuckBeALady
Thu Jun 22, 2023 8:17 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: home steam shower--how did you do it?
Replies: 14
Views: 2005

Re: home steam shower--how did you do it?

We have a steam shower installed by the previous owner.

The walls and ceiling are large tiles. The steam compressor is installed in the crawl space beneath the bathroom.

We live in an arid climate- mildew/mold is not a problem. I do leave the transom window open after a steam shower so it can dry properly.

A steam shower is heavenly after a day of skiing, snowshoeing, or fat tire biking!
by LuckBeALady
Mon May 01, 2023 5:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Taking responsibility for missed connections
Replies: 13
Views: 2427

Re: Taking responsibility for missed connections

When COVID caused mass chaos in travel plans worldwide, I learned my lesson regarding third party booking sites. I use Google Flights to find the flights I want and to compare prices, then pay the small amount of extra money to book through the airline website.

Cancelling, rescheduling, and receiving refunds are way more complex-to-impossible through a third party booking site.
by LuckBeALady
Sat Feb 11, 2023 11:02 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can we afford a move to a mountain town?
Replies: 59
Views: 9074

Re: Can we afford a move to a mountain town?

Living the mountain life is a dream for many, until you can't. I personally know several families that went all in (bought or built a home - major money sunk), moved in only to discover they physically couldn't live at that altitude. Altitude sickness is real (and can be life threatening) and if you have not lived at altitude for awhile/recently it becomes the unknown deal breaker to carefully laid plans. It can affect anyone, no matter their fitness level or age. I echo others, rent for at least a year before buying. It's a good plan for being able to undo things if needed. You know many families that spent the time building and/or buying a mountain house only to move in a suffer from altitude sickness? That is crazy and unimaginable to m...
by LuckBeALady
Sat Feb 11, 2023 11:00 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can we afford a move to a mountain town?
Replies: 59
Views: 9074

Re: Can we afford a move to a mountain town?

This is our 8th year living in a CO mountain town. 1. Medical care is a concern for sure - I had cancer and made many drives to the Front Range to a tertiary medical facility. We maintain helicopter evacuation insurance ($85 per year for 2). Our local hospital is great for uncomplicated issues. 2. Do you like to shop? If so, you may be driving a lot more often than we do. No big box stores around here except the ubiquitous Walmart. (With your spending pattern I suspect shopping is not a large part of your lives.) 3. Daycare may be a concern but the schools are safe and supportive. 4. Weather varies by location. Our specific weather pattern is very similar and at times milder than Denver. Not as hot, not as cold. 5. Restaurant choices are li...
by LuckBeALady
Sun Jan 29, 2023 3:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to Find a (New) Medical Specialist
Replies: 52
Views: 4212

Re: How to Find a (New) Medical Specialist

Please see an actual MD for your child (and not a PA, NP, etc) the reason you are getting canned answers that the education and experience for non-MD medical practitioners is far less. In order to obtain their Medical Licensure, doctors must obtain a 4-yr undergraduate degree, 4 years of medical school, 3-7 years of residency (and for some specialties, even more than that). A PA or NP can obtain that licensure in a combined 5-yr undergrad/grad school program. In my experience (both personally and professionally), there are situations where a PA or NP can be appropriate, but for other situations, you need the years of education, training & experience of an MD. I’m a PA in oncology, and I completely agree with this advice. Mid-level prov...
by LuckBeALady
Sun Jan 01, 2023 10:54 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: tell me about your "lean years" where you saved less
Replies: 58
Views: 8815

Re: tell me about your "lean years" where you saved less

We were 30 years old with a 2 year old child. I was working 24 hours a week and spouse not at all. We had just purchased our first house.

I stopped contributions to retirement and savings accounts. We heated our cabin with wood for 2 years (furnace was broken, no money to fix). Debt began to accrue.

It was a stressful time in many ways. Ultimately, two additional temporary jobs were obtained, the debt was retired, and we got back on track. We are semi-retired (0-6 hours work a week each) since age 56/57.
by LuckBeALady
Sun Aug 21, 2022 1:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Utah mighty 5 trip
Replies: 66
Views: 6459

Re: Utah mighty 5 trip

We did Moab, Canyonlands, Zion, Bryce, and Capitol Reef in 2 weeks this spring. If I had it to do again I would spend all my time in Zion and Bryce. We hiked and biked.

Canyonlands and especially Moab are amazing but need a couple of weeks to explore.
by LuckBeALady
Sun Aug 21, 2022 1:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: The worst financial, best life decision you have ever made?
Replies: 114
Views: 15697

Re: The worst financial, best life decision you have ever made?

Carefreeap wrote: Sun Aug 21, 2022 11:31 am
I'm fond of saying that I may have not made the best decisions but I could have done a whole lot worse! :beer
+1

Worst financial decision was selling our house in Maine to move to Colorado: 80k in maintenance and improvement costs and decreased value at the time of sale, plus a 20% pay cut for me.

We love our lives in CO- we’ve each lost 40+lbs, get outdoors every day, and had less stressful work until we mostly retired at age 57-58.

Fortunately, the condo we bought 7 years ago has doubled in value, so it worked out in the end.
by LuckBeALady
Mon Jul 11, 2022 2:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Europe Travel - logistical issues?
Replies: 34
Views: 3842

Re: Europe Travel - logistical issues?

There are all sorts of travel issues currently and the situation changes constantly. The best you can do is decide if you have sufficient flexibility in your plans to roll with the changes that happen. If you are on a strict schedule and have a rigid itinerary, then you might need to find some slack or delay your travel. My wife and I have traveled to various locations in Europe and elsewhere recently and invariable there were airline problems that resulted in delays. We had anticipated this and built in large amounts of slack in our plans so that we would not be stressed. This did not suit the "10 countries in 10 days" sort of travel, but worked for us. Travel is always an adventure - now more than ever! +1 We just returned from...
by LuckBeALady
Sat Jul 09, 2022 7:16 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: settling a spat [continue investing during downturn?]
Replies: 53
Views: 5989

Re: settling a spat

How about halfsies? Invest half “your” way and she can decide when and how to invest “her” half.

When my husband gets spooked by market drops I tell him he is welcome to pull “his” investments out. He never gets around to it. (We consider all the money to be “ours” but the investments are in separate work-related accounts.)
by LuckBeALady
Wed Mar 30, 2022 8:12 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Home options…thoughts?
Replies: 20
Views: 2277

Re: Home options…thoughts?

I wouldn’t do it. We always enjoyed the flexibility a low mortgage gave us (now both working around 6 hours a week at 57 and 58).

Also- half an acre? That’s a big nope to spending the time and money necessary to farm the grass. Life is too short.

I would wait for prices/supply to improve; meanwhile use your time ro plan what you want and stash money for a big remodel.

Good problem to have.
by LuckBeALady
Wed Feb 02, 2022 8:50 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Steam shower for a bathroom
Replies: 25
Views: 2893

Re: Steam shower for a bathroom

We bought a condo that has a steam shower. It is a custom tiled walk in shower with a glass door and a tilting upper window to let out the humidity. It was installed after initial construction and our realtor (who was friends with the seller) told us it cost about 5k.

We love it- we use it after biking, skiing, or hiking on colder days, or after a workout when muscles are stiff. Probably 1-2 times a week in the winter months.

We live in Colorado with an arid climate, so mold/mildew have never been problems.
by LuckBeALady
Sun Jan 30, 2022 7:20 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Health insurance and where to live when retiring early?
Replies: 86
Views: 7900

Re: Health insurance and where to live when retiring early?

I just stumbled across this article that lists ACA cost by state:

https://healthcareinsider.com/the-cheap ... re-in-2021

Hope this is helpful.
by LuckBeALady
Mon Dec 27, 2021 5:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Continue term life insurance?
Replies: 22
Views: 1593

Re: Continue term life insurance?

Every vote has been yes. I agree, and I think spouse agrees but he feels uncomfortable wanting to continue it, because it means he thinks there is a possibility I’ll die. (Which is true! But he hates to admit it.) I don’t mind cold calculations- that’s why I asked you guys to weigh in. You don’t have a horse in the race so you can be honest. No need to apologize for being morbid. The recurrent tumor grew a few centimeters in 3 years. I’m willing to bet I have 3-5 years from now, if it were to recur today. If I make it to 2024 with no recurrence I will feel more confident. Thanks for the suggestions. I’ll check out the in force illustrations and selling the policy. Good point on prior premiums being water under the bridge. I think we need to...
by LuckBeALady
Mon Dec 27, 2021 2:22 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Continue term life insurance?
Replies: 22
Views: 1593

Continue term life insurance?

I have a question for the Bogleheads. I am a 57 year-old cancer survivor. I was diagnosed 5 years ago and underwent surgery, chemo, and radiation at the time of diagnosis. 2 years ago I had a recurrence and underwent massive surgery that gave me an approximately 50% chance of cure. So far, so good. I had a 20-year level term insurance policy for 200k that was cheap. Now that the term has expired, it increases every 6 months (290>466 was the most recent jump). I have checked and I will not be eligible for any further life insurance. I don't work enough to have workplace benefits. Should I keep paying for this insurance? I can afford it but it will eventually get too pricy. I think I may have a few more years to live. Even if the cancer recur...
by LuckBeALady
Sun Nov 21, 2021 10:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: No wires, No BT external TV speaker
Replies: 17
Views: 1907

Re: No wires, No BT external TV speaker

I wear headphones when I watch TV. My headphones plug into the Roku remote, but Bluetooth headphones might also work.

Hearing aids work well, too.
by LuckBeALady
Sun Oct 31, 2021 11:55 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: HSA Limits
Replies: 7
Views: 1573

Re: HSA Limits

One quirk I will add to the above is that the extra catch up contributions at age 55+ are NOT shared in the family limit. Each spouse's catch up must go into his/her own HSA. This can be a little confusing if a couple goes many years focusing on spouse A's HSA and putting the entire family limit there, and then then spouse B turns 55 and becomes eligible for the $1000 catch up contributions. Spouse B's catch up contributions must go into his/her own HSA and not into spouse A's HSA that has been used the whole time for the family limit. To clarify, if both members of the couple are over 55 years old: 2022 limit 7300 family contribution (in his HSA account) Spouse 1 1000 catch-up (in his HSA account) Spouse 2 1000 catch-up(in her HSA account...
by LuckBeALady
Wed Sep 01, 2021 9:09 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: UPDATE: I have learned my lesson. No more preaching finances to my friends or family
Replies: 165
Views: 30468

Re: I have learned my lesson. No more preaching finances to my friends or family

I ran a patrol shift for the last 25 years of my career. On day one of a new officers shift I explained the benefits of our 457b plan. I had their FTO take them to city hill and accompany them to HR to enroll. As their boss I was privy to their step increases and raises. I would remind them to increase their contribution so that half the raise went to deferred comp. I had a very high success rate since I had authority that was respected. Guys stop by my home every now and then to thank me for forcing them to save. None of my advice given to family or friends was followed. I never felt the need to advise anyone, but like you, I ended up in hiring position at megacorp (this is 20 years back). I hired many, mostly young people in their 20s. W...
by LuckBeALady
Mon Jul 26, 2021 8:27 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Have you ever taken a huge salary cut to live somewhere you wanted to be?
Replies: 35
Views: 5378

Re: Have you ever taken a huge salary cut to live somewhere you wanted to be?

I took a 25% pay cut to live in a more hospitable climate which was located within driving distance of my and husband’s extended families. No regrets.

I would take the Germany job in a heartbeat. We have several dear friends there and I love the civic-mindedness of German culture.
by LuckBeALady
Sun Jun 13, 2021 10:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mid life and beyond
Replies: 32
Views: 7274

Re: Mid life and beyond

At this point the other house is not an option so I will just go all in in paying of the debt, with the exception of contributing to the 401k, which I feel I need to do for tax and and to fund my retirement. There was an easy way out a couple of years ago, but I decided not to take it. I feel better about it, but it would have saved me a lot of money… I did the same- ignored Dave’s (IMHO) bone-headed advice to discontinue 401k contributions but otherwise I went all-in on paying off non-mortgage debt. Hindsight is 20/20- don’t waste time regretting the past; everyone makes mistakes. Just make better decisions in the future. Best of luck to you. Sounds like you’re on the path to a comfortable future. And it seems like spending more money on ...
by LuckBeALady
Sun Jun 13, 2021 2:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mid life and beyond
Replies: 32
Views: 7274

Re: Mid life and beyond

Stormfloatter wrote: Sat May 29, 2021 8:20 am
Did you have to go to that transition or were you born “smart”
I was definitely not born smart. I woke up in my late 30’s in a lot of debt: cars, credit card, student loan, mortgage.

I followed Dave Ramsey’s “baby steps” to get out of debt, and simultaneously found the fine folks here at Bogleheads to help guide my investment decisions.

I’m 56 now and on good financial shape, despite cutting my work back to 1 day a week due to health issues.

Change is possible. You have to keep your mind flexible and your options open.
by LuckBeALady
Wed May 26, 2021 3:25 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Would you downsize from 2 cars to 1 car household in my situation?
Replies: 30
Views: 3279

Re: Would you downsize from 2 cars to 1 car household in my situation?

We did it. We both live within a mile of our workplaces in a bike friendly town. Grocery store is 8 blocks away.

I recall one time in the last 5 years when we could have used a second car. Our car was in the repair shop after hitting a deer and we needed to go to the airport 3 hours away. We rented a car, no big deal.
by LuckBeALady
Wed May 26, 2021 9:18 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Poor Timing Between Buying and Selling Home
Replies: 23
Views: 2805

Re: Poor Timing Between Buying and Selling Home

If supply is as short in your area as it seems to be all over the US, someone will snap up your house. It’s not January 2008.

Get on the stick and get it ready! Take some vacation days if you need more spare time.

It will all work out.
by LuckBeALady
Wed May 12, 2021 3:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How did you figure out what to Retire TO?
Replies: 51
Views: 4664

Re: How did you figure out what to Retire TO?

I retired about 7 months ago at age 56. I understand the folks who say “do nothing”-that’s how my husband rolls For myself, I’ve always been happier when my day includes some “do-nothing” time (which includes surfing the web and watching TV), some fun exercise(mountain biking or hiking), an hour or two of work (like gardening, cleaning, vacuuming the car), hobbies like playing piano or practicing my horrible Spanish, and socializing with friends 1-3 times a week. I’ve recently come to realize that most of those things don’t happen if I leave them until “later”. My days go better and I’m happier with some loose structure- mornings are for work and exercise, afternoons are for sedentary hobbies, and evenings are for doing nothing. Nothing rig...
by LuckBeALady
Sun Mar 21, 2021 11:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to Deal with Worry of job loss and providing for family?
Replies: 127
Views: 14214

Re: How to Deal with Worry of job loss and providing for family?

The above advice is very wise. Bogleheads are the best.

I don’t know if this will help you, but I occasionally run “worst case scenarios” in my head, which lowers my anxiety. What is the worst thing that could happen if you lose your job?

Would you need to move to a small apartment or to a less desirable neighborhood/city/town/state? Will your kids starve? Exceedingly unlikely. Will they be dirty or neglected? No. Would you need to drive an older car(s)? Survivable. Move in with family for a while? Not optimal but again, survivable. Live out of a van or RV? I have a feeling you are resourceful enough to prevent this situation. Etc
by LuckBeALady
Tue Mar 09, 2021 11:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tips to stick to a weight loss diet?
Replies: 415
Views: 38333

Re: Tips to stick to a weight loss diet?

RXfiles wrote: Sat Mar 06, 2021 12:17 pm Consistently tracking your calories is the only way to 100% lose weight and keep it off.
That’s a pretty bold claim.

I’ve lost 45 lb over 5 years without tracking one single calorie.

I move more (mostly walking, with random bike rides, skiing, or hikes) and I dropped the daily afternoon snack of 3 fun-sized snickers and a Diet Pepsi.

It seems like the daily crapfood snack stimulated my appetite to eat more food in general and crave carbs.
by LuckBeALady
Sun Mar 07, 2021 10:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Unloading Massive Collection of Classical Music
Replies: 59
Views: 8309

Re: Unloading Massive Collection of Classical Music

My husband recently passed away. He was a classical violinist, and one of the things he left to me was his classical music collection. It is HUGE—probably thousands of CDs—each carefully researched, famous recordings, etc. I’m very sorry for your loss. My husband absolutely LOVES carefully researching famous classical music recordings, and then going to thrift stores, Goodwill, library sales, etc and FINDING those exact recordings and purchasing them for anywhere from 10c to 1$. Very rarely are they priced at more than a buck or two. It’s the thrill of the hunt, I guess- he never buys new CDs. If you donate them, please know that someone out there is going to stumble on these little gems and will celebrate “scoring” (see what I did there?)...
by LuckBeALady
Thu Feb 11, 2021 10:59 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: My LenderFi refinance is going well
Replies: 1849
Views: 214029

Re: My LenderFi refinance is going well

I got a letter from Freddie Mac saying they bought my mortgage. Lenderfi is my current servicer. The letter says to keep making payments to “my current servicer” which the letter identifies as “The Money Source Inc.” The phone number listed on the letter for The Money Source is a Lenderfi number. So is The Money Source another name for Lenderfi? I don’t recall seeing that name anywhere. My lenderfi payment is supposed to post today so I’ll check it out and see if the loan amount updates once the bank draft is completed. We refinanced through Better.com for 3.25% 30 year in March 2020 and send our mortgage payments to The Money Source, Inc. I like their website interface and so far everything is seamless. I guess TMS is a mortgage payment p...
by LuckBeALady
Wed Jan 13, 2021 10:24 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: My LenderFi refinance is going well
Replies: 1849
Views: 214029

Re: My LenderFi refinance is going well

If I've locked with LenderFi already (yesterday), does LF allow you to re-lock at a lower rate if rates drop? Sorry, I'm relatively new to refinancing and always assumed that once you lock your rate, that's it. I've seen a few people post that they can sometimes get a better rate even after locking. No. They very much discourage shopping around once you lock with them. This includes floating the rate down. I was able to float my rate down after locking. Better.com matched a slightly better rate (2.85 to 2.625 30 year fixed on a condo) and cut my closing cost to zero after I got a better offer from Loan Depot. Unless I am misreading this, the two of you are not talking about the same thing. LenderFi very much discourages shopping around onc...
by LuckBeALady
Tue Jan 12, 2021 9:42 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: My LenderFi refinance is going well
Replies: 1849
Views: 214029

Re: My LenderFi refinance is going well

truenyer wrote: Sat Jan 09, 2021 12:25 am
Indi808 wrote: Sat Jan 09, 2021 12:07 am If I've locked with LenderFi already (yesterday), does LF allow you to re-lock at a lower rate if rates drop? Sorry, I'm relatively new to refinancing and always assumed that once you lock your rate, that's it. I've seen a few people post that they can sometimes get a better rate even after locking.
No. They very much discourage shopping around once you lock with them. This includes floating the rate down.
I was able to float my rate down after locking. Better.com matched a slightly better rate (2.85 to 2.625 30 year fixed on a condo) and cut my closing cost to zero after I got a better offer from Loan Depot.
by LuckBeALady
Sat Dec 26, 2020 8:20 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tips for Frugal Living
Replies: 284
Views: 33035

Re: Tips for Frugal Living

rockstar wrote: Thu Dec 24, 2020 7:53 pm I save a ton by not drinking alcohol and not smoking.
But,but,but.... you’re a ROCKSTAR!?
by LuckBeALady
Sat Nov 28, 2020 6:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Kitchen Pots and Pans - Any Recommendations?
Replies: 119
Views: 10719

Re: Kitchen Pots and Pans - Any Recommendations?

We bought a 4 piece All Clad set (plus lids) in 1996. We use all the pieces on a frequent basis- DH cooks several nights a week and the pans still look great. DH says the even heat distribution is excellent.

Nonstick is another story- have never found anything very durable. We just buy new nonstick skillets every couple of years.
by LuckBeALady
Mon Jul 13, 2020 10:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Helping my nephew out of his rut
Replies: 94
Views: 13227

Re: Helping my nephew out of his rut

Our nephew was not a great student, had a job at a supermarket after high school. He was stuck and unsure of what to do. We encouraged him to go to junior college.

He chose a 9-month lineman training program and now makes 50k a year more than he was earning before his training program.

Kudos to you for supporting and encouraging your nephew. I think ages 18-20 are a tough life transition for a lot of young people, even without the added difficulty of losing a parent.
by LuckBeALady
Fri May 15, 2020 11:48 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Worth refinancing?
Replies: 18
Views: 1424

Re: Worth refinancing?

I just closed a refinance with Better.com. I found them to be organized and quick.

Rate: 3.25% 30 year loan on a condo (condo rates tend to be a bit higher)
Closing costs:
-$1564 loan costs
-$2485 prepaid interest and escrow
+$2008 credits
+$2500 Amex credit

So for about 2 hours of work gathering documents and responding to “tasks”, I lowered our rate from 3.9% to 3.25% and actually ended up with a credit.

It’s worth it to shop around. I checked with my original lender as well as 3-4 other loan providers.

We will pay it as a 15-year but wanted the flexibility of a lower 30-year payment in case of a change in circumstances.
by LuckBeALady
Mon May 04, 2020 12:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Considering getting an espresso maker - thoughts?
Replies: 52
Views: 5522

Re: Considering getting an espresso maker - thoughts?

We have owned a Breville Barista Express for about 8 years. It was sent off for reconditioning after year 7- two weeks of torture and gnashing of teeth!

I make 4 cappuccinos every day for hubs and myself. It’s a delicious cuppa, not the very best I’ve ever had (that memorable one was in NYC in Little Italy), but pretty close.

It takes a month or two to dial in the grind and get the tamping pressure just right. And of course the quality of your beans, water, and milk really matters.
by LuckBeALady
Thu Apr 23, 2020 6:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Best Covid19 resistant job
Replies: 155
Views: 12606

Re: Best Covid19 resistant job

Maytag repairman?

Charmin Squeezer?
by LuckBeALady
Thu Apr 16, 2020 7:58 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: My friend says his Roth and 401k are higher than before the pandemic started
Replies: 49
Views: 6424

Re: My friend says his Roth and 401k are higher than before the pandemic started

sergeant wrote: Wed Apr 15, 2020 5:31 pm My friend says he never loses when he gambles in Las Vegas.
My family members who gsmble seem to think they never lose money. :confused Then where does the money come for all those huge buildings? The casino owners must be really generous people. :oops:

I hate to say it, but I think people sometimes get confused about how well they are doing with their money. Witness spending your tax return or raise two or three times over.
by LuckBeALady
Tue Apr 14, 2020 8:49 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Cash out 401k to pay off mortgage? (Forbes article)
Replies: 4
Views: 1027

Re: Cash out 401k to pay off mortgage? (Forbes article)

Thank you all for your comments and explanations. I never stop learning from this forum; I appreciate you gals/guys sharing your expertise.
by LuckBeALady
Mon Apr 13, 2020 5:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Cash out 401k to pay off mortgage? (Forbes article)
Replies: 4
Views: 1027

Cash out 401k to pay off mortgage? (Forbes article)

This smells like a bad idea to me, but I would really appreciate commentary from you Smart People. “Cashing out your 401(k) and using the proceeds to pay off your mortgage lets you borrow at a low rate and invest at a high rate and do so at no risk. Yes, your 2020 taxes will increase, but there will likely still be a large net gain. The fact that your 401(k) is invested in stocks doesn’t matter. Once you adjust for the risk, investing in stock is no different from investing in today’s low yielding long-term Treasury bonds. I.e., on a risk-adjusted basis, stocks are now yielding a very low return.” https://www.forbes.com/sites/kotlikoff/2020/04/08/given-current-rates-cashing-out-your-401k-to-pay-off-your-mortgage-can-make-you-a-bundle/?fbcli...
by LuckBeALady
Fri Apr 03, 2020 10:32 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Are your personal expenses down during stay home and shelter?
Replies: 180
Views: 15868

Re: Are your personal expenses down during stay home and shelter?

I have to ask, because $500/week for dining out is something I can’t even imagine, why? I don’t mean to be negative or harsh as obviously it’s affordable for you and by all means spend your money how you choose, I just can’t imagine that $26,000 yearly in food could easily be halved and saved in regular times. I didn't dare ask this. Thanks for asking. Not to mention the health effects of eating out that much. Add the alcohol in. Yikes. I guess you don't care about a long retirement if you eat $500 out per week. I think this may be unnecessarily snarky. 26k may be a small part of the poster’s yearly income- there are some seriously wealthy people on this board. And you could easily spend as much on a beautiful organic salad or fish or sush...
by LuckBeALady
Tue Mar 31, 2020 10:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Did you move for better weather? Did you regret it?
Replies: 246
Views: 32655

Re: Did you move for better weather? Did you regret it?

We moved from Maine to Colorado (not the front range) 5 years ago for weather. Got completely sick of gray skies, mud and bug season, super short days in winter.

We love it here. Housing costs more, but we no longer pay $360/month for heating oil. Electricity is cheaper. No snow plow bills in winter. Property tax is 50% less on a slightly larger home. We both walk to work now, we only have one car that sits in the garage for a week at a time. We love being able to recreate out the front door without bugs, mud, ice, frigid temps, so many rainy days.

I do occasionally miss rain and thunderstorms, but honestly not much else other than our dear friends who still live in ME.