Search found 54 matches

by oysterboy
Wed Feb 28, 2024 5:26 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Lexus Hybrid (Sedan or SUV)
Replies: 52
Views: 5681

Re: Lexus Hybrid (Sedan or SUV)

The 4-cylinder engine and the infotainment system of RX had been worrisome until I watched the YouTube video referenced above. I now consider them the death knell. Lexus has lost its way. Excellent reviewers with all the details I wanted.

Heading on to looking at some of the other recommendations on here. Thanks again; extremely useful help.
by oysterboy
Wed Feb 28, 2024 4:46 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Lexus Hybrid (Sedan or SUV)
Replies: 52
Views: 5681

Re: Lexus Hybrid (Sedan or SUV)

Many thanks to all of you. This is great info. I'm not a car guy and I had never heard of the Toyota Crown; could be a real possibility. I am considering the Audi SUV despite hating the infotainment interface, which is far more complicated than what I need.
by oysterboy
Tue Feb 27, 2024 1:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Lexus Hybrid (Sedan or SUV)
Replies: 52
Views: 5681

Re: Lexus Hybrid (Sedan or SUV)

Thanks, Guys. Looking into both of these cars.
by oysterboy
Tue Feb 27, 2024 8:37 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Lexus Hybrid (Sedan or SUV)
Replies: 52
Views: 5681

Lexus Hybrid (Sedan or SUV)

I am looking for a good non-plugin hybrid. It could be either a mid-size SUV or sedan in the $55-60K range. I drove Lexus for years but switched to an Audi A4 (not a hybrid) a couple of years ago. I'm 76 and the Audi is just too low to the ground and difficult for me to get out of.

I'm considering going back to Lexus, which gets excellent reviews from the professional reviewers, but lots of disappointments from owners after a year or so.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
by oysterboy
Tue Feb 27, 2024 8:29 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What are some of the things that improved YOUR quality of life?
Replies: 254
Views: 41943

Re: What are some of the things that improved YOUR quality of life?

Teague wrote: Tue Jan 23, 2024 8:48 am Retirement

Moving to acreage in the countryside

Willingness to travel for superior medical care

Costco

Knowing how to cook

Daily exercise
I would include every one of these items, which I have greatly enjoyed. I would also add having time to spend with great friends with common interests (golf, wine, cooking).
by oysterboy
Sat Feb 24, 2024 8:18 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: New tool for building a TIPS ladder
Replies: 422
Views: 79502

Re: New tool for building a TIPS ladder

kaesler, thank you so much for this ingenious program. I have been wanting to create a TIPS ladder for over a year, but every time I got into it, I felt inept about achieving the annual real income amount I wanted. Your program worked perfectly and I effected my ladder yesterday through Schwab, whose bond rep was very helpful in executing the trades, sans commissions.

Anyway, I'm very grateful for your superb assistance. I've been a Boglehead for 20 years and am amazed by and appreciative for those brilliant participants, such as yourself, who provide such excellent access to insights and tools that have made a difference in the level of my financial success.
by oysterboy
Sat Feb 24, 2024 6:20 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: insights on living in the Blue Ridge Mountain region?
Replies: 27
Views: 4829

Re: insights on living in the Blue Ridge Mountain region?

Living in the mountains is wonderful. I have lived about 6 miles outside of Brevard, NC for the past 12 years. We live in a large gated community that has 15 miles of spectacular hiking trails and waterfalls. Brevard is next to a major entry into the Pisgah National Forest and about a 20 minute drive to the Blue Ridge Parkway. We moved here from New Orleans and it has exceeded our high expectations for quality of life. It still has a very rural feel, but easy access to most necessities. For us and all of our friends, it's a paradise. Asheville is 40 minutes away, but we go there only for shopping because it has become so traffic-congested; but, it has excellent restaurants and we enjoy the occasional trip there. All of that said, an earlier...
by oysterboy
Sat Jan 06, 2024 6:56 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: TIPS:Individual bonds vs. bond fund
Replies: 41
Views: 5678

Re: TIPS:Individual bonds vs. bond fund

Thanks very much to each of you; very helpful.
by oysterboy
Fri Jan 05, 2024 12:07 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: TIPS:Individual bonds vs. bond fund
Replies: 41
Views: 5678

TIPS:Individual bonds vs. bond fund

I'm 76 years old and invested in an intermediate term TIPS fund, duration ~6.6 years. I'm not sure I want to spend the time creating and maintaining a TIPS ladder, but am interested in increasing my understanding of the pros and cons of using a fund vs. individual bonds. Many thanks in advance.
by oysterboy
Sat Feb 04, 2023 5:28 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What Age & How Much Money? (Your Plan)
Replies: 185
Views: 26022

Re: What Age & How Much Money? (Your Plan)

Age: 75, Wife 71
Retired: 56
Portfolio at retirement (2004): 2.5MM (about 3.7MM in today's dollars), plus $45K pension, $600K house, SSN at 65
Current portfolio: $4MM, 1.1MM house, no debt
Perspective: Lived well while monitoring expenses generally; good stock market; great BH advice along the way. It's not difficult under those circumstances.
by oysterboy
Fri Feb 03, 2023 5:07 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Huge increase in Florida home insurance cost
Replies: 30
Views: 5789

Re: Huge increase in Florida home insurance cost

So, with the absence or unaffordability of private insurance, it appears Citizen will be absorbing the risk that sophisticated insurance carriers find unprofitable, and doing so at a lower premium offered by those few who remain in the market. Presumably, Florida's general population will be covering the anticipated losses that caused private carriers to abandon the market. How is Citizen funded?
by oysterboy
Mon Feb 21, 2022 12:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Calling all BH wine enthusiasts!
Replies: 159
Views: 16113

Re: Calling all BH wine enthusiasts!

Yes, running across forgotten bottles that show very well after aging is found treasure. You seem to be collecting wisely. Keep it up; you'll be very glad you did.
by oysterboy
Sat Feb 19, 2022 9:25 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Calling all BH wine enthusiasts!
Replies: 159
Views: 16113

Re: Calling all BH wine enthusiasts!

Nice thread. Reminds me of my posts years ago to the Wine Spectator and Wine Berserkers forums. I've dialed back my upper limit and most purchases are in the $20 to $65 range, with a few above and a few more below. My largest producers are Bedrock in Sonoma and Patricia Green from Oregon. Bedrock is helmed by Morgan Twain Peterson, son of Joel Peterson who was at Ravenswood and an early advocate of California zinfandel. Bedrock produces a number of single vineyard zins, several mixed field blends from old (think 100+) vineyards, as well as some excellent Syrah bottlings and a mix of whites and other reds. Patricia Green is out of Willamette Valley and produces a bunch of single vineyard Pinots. I buy a lot from two local wine merchants; mo...
by oysterboy
Sun Jan 23, 2022 6:24 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Calling all BH wine enthusiasts!
Replies: 159
Views: 16113

Re: Calling all BH wine enthusiasts!

Yes, the taste buds diminish, but not so much yet that I can't relish a good bottle. I hope you still have a cache of older Ridge MB, as do I, thankfully. A '92 from magnum recently was stunningly fine. Paul Draper was my favorite CA winemaker.
by oysterboy
Wed Jan 19, 2022 5:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Calling all BH wine enthusiasts!
Replies: 159
Views: 16113

Re: Calling all BH wine enthusiasts!

the light bulb came on for me when I tasted a Ridge Lytton Springs Zin around 1985. A bit like the Supreme Court definition of pornography, "You know it when you see it." I would recommend periodically buying a few bottles of higher-end wines for aging that are warranted by some research. I am now 74 and have friends who became quite passionate about wine when they were around 60-65. Having now experienced aged wines, they greatly lament not having bought more outstanding wines years ago that would be maturing now. As someone mentioned above, buying already-aged wine is a crapshoot. Maybe I should start a thread on the light bulb moment. :-) In my first job in 1987, we had a training in SF and the local team did an amazing job gi...
by oysterboy
Wed Jan 19, 2022 7:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Calling all BH wine enthusiasts!
Replies: 159
Views: 16113

Re: Calling all BH wine enthusiasts!

I have been a passionate wine enthusiast and collector for about 35 years. When I say "collector", I have purchased a large allocation of wines that usually required extensive (8+ years) aging before entering their prime drinking window. But, I have also regularly sought good value wines for routine drinking. I was pleased to see above a couple of posts extolling Ridge Vineyards, because the light bulb came on for me when I tasted a Ridge Lytton Springs Zin around 1985. A bit like the Supreme Court definition of pornography, "You know it when you see it." While most of those who love wine will seek and drink wines that don't require aging, my observation has been that a large number (both young and middle-aged) will grav...
by oysterboy
Wed Jan 19, 2022 6:09 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Calling all BH wine enthusiasts!
Replies: 159
Views: 16113

Re: Calling all BH wine enthusiasts!

tripu11 wrote: Fri Jan 14, 2022 1:38 pm Consider using the Cellar Tracker App instead.
+1
by oysterboy
Wed Jan 19, 2022 6:06 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Calling all BH wine enthusiasts!
Replies: 159
Views: 16113

Re: Calling all BH wine enthusiasts!

Consider using the Cellar Tracker App instead. I agree. There are lots of wines that I think are pretty terrible that are rated well on Vivino. In what sense are the wines terrible. I am genuinely curious what makes for a terrible wine! In addition to being "flawed" (corked or oxidized), the wine can simply be seriously out of balance in terms of the acid, tannins, fruit, or alcohol, which happens often from lesser producers. Depending on the type of imbalance, the wine will lack energy and freshness, flavor, richness, or taste hot (excess alcohol). In general, just not well made nor pleasant to drink. By far, the best resource one can have for avoiding bad wine is to find and support a good wine merchant, preferably locally.
by oysterboy
Wed Jan 19, 2022 5:37 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Your favorite restaurants in New Orleans?
Replies: 28
Views: 2471

Re: Your favorite restaurants in New Orleans?

I had a house in New Orleans for 20 years, mainly for access to the restaurants. I have no idea how they are dealing with Covid, which could certainly affect ambience and staffing. Our favorites: Brigtsen's, fabulous food in typical neighborhood restaurant setting. Charming. Clancy's, another Uptown neighborhood setting for great food. Virtually a club for locals. Galatoire's. The best of the classic old French Quarter bistros. No reservations for downstairs, which you will want, but the wait is not long. Herbsaint, close to downtown. Generally regarded as one of New Orleans's 5 best. Cochon, best Cajun food. Excellent for lunch. Try the fried oyster BLT for lunch. Mr. B's in French Quarter across from Monteleone Hotel. Commander's Palace i...
by oysterboy
Mon Jan 03, 2022 11:13 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard Website
Replies: 291
Views: 35874

Re: Vanguard Website

I just tried logging on. They required me to enter a security code from my phone; annoying, but ok. After doing so, I got a pop-up stating that, for retail customers, Vanguard was experiencing technical difficulties and listed some phone numbers to call for assistance (where I would expect a long wait under these circumstances). Institutional investors had a different message with the yellow alert icon.

Given the past week's gaffes, it seems the Vanguard IT team is either on extended holidays, or simply incompetent.
by oysterboy
Wed Dec 01, 2021 9:25 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Best decision(s) in your financial life
Replies: 278
Views: 33063

Re: Best decision(s) in your financial life

1. Around 1990, I read A Random Walk Down Wall Street, which I found very persuasive. My best decision was to generally employ Malkien's advice, both for myself and my company's pension plan, by converting to index funds at Vanguard. (Very regrettably, I'm planning to leave Vanguard over a series of administrative errors and policy changes.)

2. In early 2009, after a 6-month equity bloodbath, I made a large rebalancing back into equities, including a REIT fund. This resulted in a substantial addition to my current net worth. The rebalancing was a wise decision made in accordance with my written plan; the timing (once a year on Feb. 1) was pure luck. I continue to rebalance on Feb. 1 for old times' sake.
by oysterboy
Sun Mar 07, 2021 6:12 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard Checks Written on Brokerage/Settlement Account Being Rejected or Returned To Merchants
Replies: 74
Views: 9603

Re: Vanguard Checks Written on Brokerage/Settlement Account Being Rejected or Returned To Merchants

I'd imagine some of the Vanguard fans here will chime in with comments such as, "very happy at Vanguard, never needed check writing", or "difficult times with COVID and taxes, these things happen", or "Vanguard is low-cost, what do you expect" or "Vanguard isn't a bank, why are you writing checks", etc. In my opinion, your issues are typical of what Vanguard has become over the past five years or so...a mediocre, less than competent, short-staffed and unresponsive brokerage. Add to that the curtailment of many services they once provided clients, the move of other such services to their AUM-based advisory service, their "we don't care" customer service model, and the lower-ER funds availabl...
by oysterboy
Wed Nov 11, 2020 6:01 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What expenditures improved your happiness/quality of life?
Replies: 234
Views: 45445

Re: What expenditures improved your happiness/quality of life?

1. A large wine cellar in which I have accumulated a great collection of wines over the past 30 years. Drinking and sharing these wines with friends has been a source of great pleasure through all of these years, but particularly so since I entered my 70s.

2. High-end photography equipment, mostly Canon. Photography has helped me to be aware of the beauty to be found all around me.
by oysterboy
Tue May 26, 2020 9:41 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Pandemic buys that have improved quality of life?
Replies: 185
Views: 23076

Re: Pandemic buys that have improved quality of life?

Even though I was shopping long before the pandemic, I bought a pellet smoker. RECTEC. Love it. Just in time for the meat shortage! :oops: I also bought the RecTec 590 smoker. I've had several high-end smokers over the last 30 years and this is, by far, the best and most convenient I've experienced. I have a large freezer in my garage and it is packed with beef, heritage pork, fish and shrimp. I am retired and since the lockdown have begun smoking a large piece of meat (brisket, pork shoulder, or several rib racks) every week and sharing them with friends who, like me, miss going to nice restaurants. They usually reciprocate with excellent side dishes. Very emotionally rewarding. I also bought a FitBit Charge 3, which helps motivate me to ...
by oysterboy
Thu Mar 12, 2020 4:34 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What does your Crystal Ball say?
Replies: 103
Views: 7394

Re: What does your Crystal Ball say?

My crystal ball has not seen circumstances like this in its 50 years of advising me on investment matters. As someone above wrote, it is the accelerated downdraft that is hard to understand. There will be some blood let, no question about that, in the highly-leveraged industries, and a temporary reduction in earnings market-wide. But my crystal ball is telling me to proceed with rebalancing, which I did today in a significant amount, and keep a little dry powder for a further decline. But, I think when the virus appears to be contained, the market will respond in a solid fashion over the next couple of years. And that will be fine. I think this perspective has a precisely 50% chance of being correct, but I like it.
by oysterboy
Sat Feb 22, 2020 7:03 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Has Vanguard deteriorated?
Replies: 114
Views: 11899

Re: Has Vanguard deteriorated?

I've been with Vanguard for over 30 years. All my IRAs are still with Vanguard, although I recently transferred my taxable account to Schwab. Vanguard Brokerage still seems to have continuing problems with cost basis, and the whole Vanguard website and computer systems seem outdated. No one knows what upper management's intentions are. It ain't Jack's company anymore. This is very much how I feel about Vanguard. Mild deterioration is how I would characterize operational management. The company may have grown faster than management's ability to adjust. I've been a Vanguard customer for over 25 years and only began having problems about 5 years ago. The customer reps have generally been very good for me, but there have been several backroom ...
by oysterboy
Thu Feb 06, 2020 4:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What is the best concert you ever witnessed?
Replies: 434
Views: 39237

Re: What is the best concert you ever witnessed?

In the following order:
Rolling Stones, 1972, Mobile, AL
Ike and Tina Turner, a couple of times in early '70s, Mobile, AL
BB King, Paul Butterfield, 1971, Fillmore East, NYC
Fats Domino, 1966, New Orleans
Irma Thomas, many times, New Orleans
by oysterboy
Sat Jan 25, 2020 2:07 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Economist 2005 on the housing market: which new 'implosion' will we look back on?
Replies: 9
Views: 1525

Re: Economist 2005 on the housing market: which new 'implosion' will we look back on?

You may well be right JBTX re the stock market; I certainly hope so. It could definitely continue on for sometime.

This list of critical strategic issues on the world scene that are ultimately probably going to cost enormous sums of money, possibly coinciding with inflationary pressures on interest rates, leaves me with a sense of doubt that all of this is going to be adequately handled. It just seems like too many black swans are floating on the water.
by oysterboy
Sat Jan 25, 2020 11:59 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Economist 2005 on the housing market: which new 'implosion' will we look back on?
Replies: 9
Views: 1525

Re: Economist 2005 on the housing market: which new 'implosion' will we look back on?

I don't pretend to know what has generated the strength of this market, although over the last 20 years, it has not been particularly extraordinary. I do agree with Singer about the deep sensitivity of the stock market to interest rates, and with some justification. I am troubled by the significant rise in the national debt even during a very healthy economy. If interest rates do rise a few hundred basis points, the effect on the annual deficit will be profound. And numerous other serious issues such as climate change effects, global political unrest, potential cyber disruption, the cost of restoring the national infrastructure, etc. All of this may very well dovetail into a moderate glidepath with only periodic bear markets; that is my rea...
by oysterboy
Sat Jan 25, 2020 6:26 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Economist 2005 on the housing market: which new 'implosion' will we look back on?
Replies: 9
Views: 1525

Re: Economist 2005 on the housing market: which bubble will we look back on?

It's interesting that this week's issue of The Economist has a special section on the inadequate supply of housing in the US and Europe. They primarily site public policy that promotes home ownership versus renting, plus the NIMBY influence of keeping developers from building high rises in high employment areas such as SF and NYC. I'm personally with the NIMBY crowd and hope for a greater dispersion of employment away from high density areas. But, the irony is related to their excellent article from 2005. OP's suggestion that there are other areas posing potential major disruption is certainly credible in what appears to be a very shaky global political/economic landscape. I'm not a pessimist and don't spook easily (rebalanced fully in &quo...
by oysterboy
Mon Feb 18, 2019 12:17 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Customer Service with Vanguard
Replies: 386
Views: 39971

Re: Vanguard Customer Service is Horrible

Ah, I forgot to mention the Brokerage service. Two years ago, I called them, seeking help in setting up a 7 figure bond ladder. The summary advice I received was to go to Morningstar and pick out some bonds and call him back.
by oysterboy
Mon Feb 18, 2019 12:02 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Customer Service with Vanguard
Replies: 386
Views: 39971

Re: Vanguard Customer Service is Horrible

A few more weaknesses to add to the list: 1. Effecting transfers of funds from one account to that of another and allowing the recipient to then transfer the funds to their checking account. Took 2 weeks to get the forms, execute them, send to my daughter in San Francisco, then from there to Vanguard and then to be processed. Then, no one notified me that this had been completed; I had to call twice to find out. I understand fraud precautions, but with voice verification and electronic signature capability, this was really irritating. 2. A general observation. As Vanguard rapidly grew, it failed to adequately staff for the size of its operations. For the past 3 years, its backroom operation has been periodically interrupted during heavy tra...
by oysterboy
Mon Feb 18, 2019 10:10 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Customer Service with Vanguard
Replies: 386
Views: 39971

Re: Vanguard Customer Service is Horrible

I had never had a serious issue with Vanguard's customer service until 2 years ago. Over a 3-month period, I had several errors made by the back office operations. It took 5 weeks for the administrative errors to be corrected due to an overloaded back office staff, which my rep had warned might happen. I then experienced several problems moving some funds to my daughter's account and enabling her to distribute funds from that account. Many emails to Vanguard received boilerplate, non-action replies. Since that time, I have unfailingly completed every survey Vanguard sends out and declared that I am totally satisfied with their current cost structure of their funds and would greatly prefer that they allocate any further savings to better sta...
by oysterboy
Mon Jan 14, 2019 6:50 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Taking expensive DSLR on kayak?
Replies: 41
Views: 3113

Re: Taking expensive DSLR on kayak?

Keepcalm wrote: Mon Jan 14, 2019 6:22 am call it fate possibly but the tour had to be rescheduled on their end.

maybe I was bound to end up capsized and staring at the snout of a gator today.

so I guess thank you for the feedback but I will not be going =\

instead I will try out my new 100-400 (newest beta II) today on some bird in flights and sand cranes.

hoping I really like the lens..it was not cheap.
You will love the lens. I have many (too many), and it is my favorite. After getting used to it, you will probably want to get an extender for even greater reach. I use the 1.5x and it works beautifully. Have fun.
by oysterboy
Mon Jan 14, 2019 5:41 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Taking expensive DSLR on kayak?
Replies: 41
Views: 3113

Re: Taking expensive DSLR on kayak?

As mentioned earlier, that 100-400L is going to be heavy and difficult to stabilize in a kayak, and risky to secure. I don't know how much secure space you have for storing it when you're not using it, so could feel like a hassle. I use mine a lot in a 12' pontoon fishing boat and it's fine if there's no wind, but if there is a breeze, it takes a lot of fast shots to get a tack sharp image; and if you're not worried about serious sharpness, why not take a lesser camera? I've compromised by going with the new 70-200 f/4 II, which is far lighter and has legitimate 5-stop IS. As for dropping it in water, I do worry and am very careful, but I have photographer friends who have lost them in water when not attached to them. As for using the 24-70...
by oysterboy
Tue Dec 25, 2018 9:59 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: U.S. stocks in free fall
Replies: 36221
Views: 4651391

Re: U.S. stocks in free fall

Operating earnings estimates for 2019 are $172.76 for the S&P 500. At the current $2,385 price that's a P/E of 13.8 Merry Christmas :D Analysts' estimate a year hence are pretty much worthless. Track the change in analysts' estimates for a single blue chip stock each week between the beginning and end of a quarter and you'll see how much they change in just a quarter, usually in a downward direction. The estimate for the S&P as a whole is just the total of analysts' estimates for the individual components of the index. The one year I tracked the S&P 500 estimates from the beginning of the year to the end the beginning of the year estimates were around 4% and the final number came in just over 0%. Analysts who make negative pred...
by oysterboy
Fri Oct 12, 2018 4:41 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: If someone keeps 500K in two different FDIC insured bank accounts, 250K at each, are they still covered?
Replies: 8
Views: 1574

Re: If someone keeps 500K in two different FDIC insured bank accounts, 250K at each, are they still covered?

Yes, both accounts are covered. Regarding any overage from accrued interest, the account is still covered, but only up to $250K.
by oysterboy
Sat Aug 18, 2018 1:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Your major and investing/finance?
Replies: 99
Views: 6492

Re: Your major and investing/finance?

I was a history major and then went through law school. The things from those 2 educational experiences that did have an effect on my financial and investing philosophies were: 1. The significant effects of random external events and forces. 2. The need to clearly identify an issue and shed the emotional distortions that frequently attach to issues. I began investing while in high school in the early '60s. One of my investments, presumably an absolutely sure bet, was in a fund run by Gerald Tsai, at that time one of the heralded investment gurus of Wall St. Turned out he was a flash in the pan and my investment faired poorly. Then, I began following Chase Econometrics, a computer model designed by, or for, Chase Manhattan Bank, which was th...
by oysterboy
Wed May 02, 2018 6:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Asheville, NC Visit
Replies: 20
Views: 2875

Re: Asheville, NC Visit

There are spectacular sunrises on the Blue Ridge Parkway not far from Asheville. The Pounding Mill Overlook and the East Fork Overlook are the best spots, particularly for photography. You can find these by Googling the BRP. A great morning is to take in the sunrise and then have breakfast at the Pisgah Inn, one of the very few eateries on the entire BRP, which has fabulous vistas from the dining room. There is a nice hike from Looking Glass Overlook (in the same vicinity) to Skinny Dip Falls, one of the more beautiful waterfalls in the region. The entire region is famous for its crafts (pottery, textiles, sophisticated woodwork and metalwork) and it is well worthwhile to seek some of the shops carrying the works of local craftsmen. Since y...
by oysterboy
Wed Mar 07, 2018 5:30 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Quick, Efficient Way to Make a QCD from a Vanguard IRA when 70.5
Replies: 41
Views: 8064

Re: Quick, Efficient Way to Make a QCD from a Vanguard IRA when 70.5

Thank you; that's very helpful. I'm beginning my RMDs this year and want to use the QCD process, but was dreading the hassle.
by oysterboy
Fri Dec 01, 2017 8:02 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Invest or pay off mortgage?
Replies: 77
Views: 14703

Re: Invest or pay off mortgage?

MoonOrb wrote: Thu Nov 30, 2017 12:07 am You have to decide whether you value being debt free more or value having greater wealth more.

If you value being debt free over greater wealth, pay it off. If you value accumulating greater wealth, invest.
And at OP's age, I would go for the latter. Also, it is unlikely (though certainly possible) that you will live in that house for 25 more years, nor that interest rates will be this low when you buy another house. You can decide then if you want to own a house debt-free.
by oysterboy
Wed Sep 13, 2017 4:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New or used Lexus ES300h?
Replies: 24
Views: 4670

Re: New or used Lexus ES300h?

I bought my first Lexus 400LS almost 20 years ago, had zero problems with it for 210,000 miles when I traded it in. Also had a 330 RX, which had no problems for 12 years. I was persuaded by a friend 3 years ago to buy a used car from CarMax. I had never bought a used car. Bought a 2013 Lexus 350 ES with 13,000 miles on it for around $35,000, around $10,000 less than new. I also got a generous trade-in on the 330 RX. I've put 37,000 miles on the car and have had no problems. To me, given my prior Lexus experience, the 13,000 miles on the car at purchase was virtually irrelevant. My wife's Subaru, bought new, will probably be replaced in the next 2-3 years, and I will probably use CarMax again.
by oysterboy
Fri May 05, 2017 6:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Recommended Washer/Dryer Set
Replies: 25
Views: 5999

Re: Recommended Washer/Dryer Set

Speed Queen. We did extensive research and concluded it was far superior to anything else. Basically a commercial product. Washer and dryer combo was $1750. My wife loves both.
by oysterboy
Sat Mar 18, 2017 5:18 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Driving Savannah to New Orleans
Replies: 17
Views: 1905

Re: Driving Savannah to New Orleans

If you do decide to take I-10 to New Orleans, it is well worth spending a day in Apalachicola, FL. It is an old river port city, where the Apalachicola River flows into the Gulf, very unspoiled and charming. It is famous for its oysters. Lovely neighborhoods with pre-Civil War homes; good restaurants; very scenic along the water. It is "Old Florida". We just spent a month there and loved it.
by oysterboy
Thu Mar 26, 2015 3:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New Orleans Destinations
Replies: 21
Views: 3460

Re: New Orleans Destinations

The WWII Museum is superb. A tour of the Garden District is a great way to spend a half day.

Restaurants:
French Quarter: Mr. B's, Kingfish, Angelina (new), NOLA, Johnny's Po-boys, Palace Cafe
Near FQ: August (splurge), Herbsaint, Cochon (excellent Cajun fare), Bon Ton Cafe (modest-priced, excellent, Creole cuisine), Domenica (excellent Italian)
by oysterboy
Wed Jul 16, 2014 6:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How much do you spend on your hobby annually?
Replies: 77
Views: 14819

Re: How much do you spend on your hobby annually?

Golf: $5,000 per year
Photography: Latest upgrade last year was about $6,000. Over the next 5 years, will probably spend about $5000 on a few replacements and "stuff".
Wine: Spent 30 years accumulating a wonderful wine collection and am now in the delightful "liquidation" phase, about $7,000 annually.

What a wonderful life, thanks largely to sound financial management along the way.
by oysterboy
Mon Jun 23, 2014 1:32 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: 2nd Meeting 7/26 - Greenville Metro Bogleheads
Replies: 11
Views: 1914

Re: 2nd Greenville Metro Bogleheads Meeting - July 26th

Colum,

I plan to be at the 2nd meeting and will come early to help set up.

Thanks,
Chuck Dunn
Cdunn825@gmail.com
by oysterboy
Sat Jun 14, 2014 12:52 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Greenville Metro Bogleheads (GMBH) - 1st Meeting - June 21st
Replies: 10
Views: 1502

Re: Greenville Metro Bogleheads (GMBH) - 1st Meeting - June

Colum, I live near Brevard, NC, about 40 miles NW of Greenville, and look forward to participating in the new BH Forum. Unfortunately, I will be unable to attend the first meeting due to a conflict. Since I will not be there for introductions: I have been a highly-interested investor for about 40 years, around the time I first read Malkiel's "Random Walk", and have had most of my investments with Vanguard for about 20 years. I read the BH Forum several times a week, and consider it the best resource I know for investment info. My career began in legal, then transitioned to finance and then CEO of a chemical manufacturing company. I'm presently, and very pleasantly, retired with my wife in the mountains of Western NC. I greatly loo...
by oysterboy
Wed Apr 02, 2014 6:39 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Expensive hobbies and possessions? (B/c you can...)
Replies: 126
Views: 23554

Re: Expensive hobbies and possessions? (B/c you can...)

A first-class wine collection that is now in the early stage of a "safe withdrawal rate".
Premium food ingredients for cooking, though this is offset, probably entirely, by our reduced frequency of dining out since I retired and got serious about cooking.
High-end photography equipment, which brings me enormous pleasure.

Otherwise, a rather modest lifestyle.
by oysterboy
Mon Jan 20, 2014 7:16 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Having Enough, but Hungry for More
Replies: 18
Views: 4596

Re: Having Enough, but Hungry for More

I am fascinated by the emotional complexity of this issue for so many people. I have several friends who delayed retirement well beyond the point where they had far more than enough to live well for the rest of their lives. By "living well", I mean for each of these individuals the ability to live in the comfort to which they are accustomed, while pursuing interests they currently have, and leaving a meaningful amount to their children. Their expressed rationales were usually that they liked what they were doing or, I think more honestly, were making too much money to stop. I believe each of them regret the delay. Two of them, who are very intelligent men, believe that the continuing accumulation of wealth as their primary measuri...