Search found 699 matches

by HearDoc
Thu May 09, 2019 8:23 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard Service
Replies: 9
Views: 1576

Vanguard Service

I've been an investor at Vanguard for almost 40 years and have never seen the level of incompetence I have encountered in the last year. It took four months to set up a simple trust brokerage account and it's still not entirely correct. Simple account maintenance corrections all take 10 to 14 days at a minimum to be implemented.
Is it just me or does it seem that the level of amateurism on the Vanguard admin side has risen to the point of ridiculousness? I have no problem with the funds or other basic issues but I have lost confidence in their ability to function.
Anyone else reconsidering their long term relationship with Vanguard?
by HearDoc
Wed Feb 13, 2013 8:56 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: My take on the CXO study on forecasters
Replies: 1
Views: 283

Re: My take on the CXO study on forecasters

I think that whole column could be distilled into one picture of Jim Cramer yelling " There's nothing wrong with Bear Stearns, it's a great investment and a strong company"
by HearDoc
Tue Oct 09, 2012 5:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Lost USAA debit card
Replies: 8
Views: 3181

Re: Lost USAA debit card

thebogledude wrote:I'm just curious how USAA stacks up with the credit unions for the enlisted military? Even though they were started by ex-military (the story goes a group of men who were discharged by the Army couldn't get cheap auto insurance so they started their own insurance company and branched into banking services), everything I have read leads me to believe they are a bank and not a credit union.
It was started by active, not ex military and 2) it is a Federal savings bank, not a credit union.
by HearDoc
Fri Jun 29, 2012 6:58 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How to fire your adviser
Replies: 46
Views: 8909

Re: How to fire your adviser

steve roy wrote:For me, letting go of my broker/advisor of twenty-plus years wasn't a problem.

I had been quietly seething for some time. Finally there was a meeting in his palatial offices in Newport Beach, California. He and his sons (who worked with him in the palatial offices) rolled out the pretty bar graphs to show how my money had grown. When the presentation ended, I said:

"So how have my accounts done compared to the S & P 500?"

"
So you were all invested in 100% large cap equities? Because that's what you compared your returns and risks to. If you had any asset allocation at all your
question was illogical.
by HearDoc
Fri Jun 29, 2012 6:54 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Who is this "Tim Buckley" character?
Replies: 10
Views: 2448

Re: Who is this "Tim Buckley" character?

Didn't he run an early hedge fund with Phil Ochs?
by HearDoc
Fri Jun 29, 2012 6:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Basement flooring - laminate? Which brand?
Replies: 46
Views: 11018

Re: Basement flooring - laminate? Which brand?

What laminate do you have? Or do you have hardwood/engineered product? I have Armstrong vinyl in a wood pattern in the bedroom wing, including hallway. I have Armstrong vinyl in a tile pattern (color matched to the tile countertops) in the bathrooms, kitchen and dining room. I do have engineered hardwood (the Armstrong wood-patterned vinyl was color matched to the engineered hardwood) in the family room and living room, but it has already been damaged by water seepage, furniture and pets. After 5 years, the vinyl still looks new, but the engineered hardwood looks in need of a refinishing (which can only be done once or twice with engineered hardwood, so I'm living with the "distressed" look even though it is not my style). Can yo...
by HearDoc
Thu Jun 14, 2012 11:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Books that have actually changed your life, in a way.
Replies: 172
Views: 22799

Re: Books that have actually changed your life, in a way.

nisiprius wrote:I

Flatland, by Edwin A. Abbott.

A Random Walk Down Wall Street by Burton Malkiel.

+1 on Flatland
also "How to Lie with Statistics" by Huff probably the greatest influence in making me a skeptical consumer http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_to_Lie_with_Statistics
by HearDoc
Fri Jun 08, 2012 7:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Power Washers - hire or diy?
Replies: 13
Views: 3450

Re: Power Washers - hire or diy?

Armada wrote:If you do decide to buy a washer, I'd suggest one of the Sears models that have a Honda engine. A good combination.
Unless things have changes dramatically, Sears=Homelite which is the same models as Home Depot sells. If this is your path go for price.
Sears is a never ending nightmare if your machine breaks.
by HearDoc
Tue Jun 05, 2012 11:23 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I do free oil change every six months?
Replies: 56
Views: 6747

Re: Should I do free oil change every six months?

Frugal Al wrote:For my Honda vehicles with the Maintenance Minder (MM), I change it by whatever comes first: one year or whatever the MM recommends. The MM is supposed to be accurate, but why it can't tell when a year is up is beyond me. It's not that big of a deal because I use synthetic anyway.
Exactly my plan.
by HearDoc
Tue Jun 05, 2012 11:19 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Power Washers - hire or diy?
Replies: 13
Views: 3450

Re: Power Washers - hire or diy?

sunnyday wrote:Do you do your own power washing or hire someone? Any recommendations for a reliable yet inexpensive power washer, ideally one with a detergent injector.
Really does depend on what you are going to use it for. Last few years I used an 1800 PSI electric and sprayed Crud Kutter and or bleach with a garden sprayer.
It died last season so I'm looking at a 2700- 3000 Psi gas washer. Price about $279 to 399. Rental for 3-4 of days per season gets close to the price of purchase, so not an option with me.
by HearDoc
Sun Apr 15, 2012 4:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Establishing Revocable Trust vs Will
Replies: 42
Views: 10154

Re: Establishing Revocable Trust vs Will

EmergDoc wrote:I suggest you read a quick simple book called Living Trusts For Everyone before making your decision.
If you have a Kindle and are an Amazon Prime user, the book is free for download.
by HearDoc
Thu Mar 29, 2012 7:28 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Recently Retired Military - Help me clean up this mess
Replies: 19
Views: 3023

Re: Recently Retired Military - Help me clean up this mess

[quote="fishnskiguy"]For those of you who are getting your knickers in a knot over the OP's disability pay, let me give you my example.

medial meniscus cartilage removal both knees from running to stay in shape.

Chris[/quote

I just know that's going to catch up with me someday. Running in formation on hardtop with combat boots on. When did it hit you?
by HearDoc
Thu Mar 22, 2012 10:51 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: From XP Professional to Windows or Apple
Replies: 69
Views: 4955

Re: From XP Professional to Windows or Apple

I don’t want to hijack the other thread currently running. And this is a very different and specific question. So the support for XP Professional is ending in April 2014, and I will have to decide whether I want to buy another Windows machine to replace my 6 year old Dell desktop/XP Professional. For multiple reasons I will not be upgrading it. I am not interested in anything other than a desk top. So now I need to decide to go with Apple or Microsoft. To research for my decision making, I first of all have no need to hear from Apple users. You folks are happy and that is nice. Rather I need to hear from 1-Windows people and why they have decided to stay with Windows going forward and away from Apple and also to hear from 2-Windows people ...
by HearDoc
Wed Mar 07, 2012 7:58 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Military Deployment: TSP vs Roth
Replies: 14
Views: 1446

Re: Military Deployment: TSP vs Roth

If you're enlisted , all income earned (from military sources) in a designated combat zone is tax free. R. I'm pretty sure there's no difference in the tax treatment if you are enlisted or commissioned. The fun thing about pretty sure and sure is that they're different. You're wrong, of course. Tax-exempt pay is only up to the maximum salary of the highest enlisted person in the military. Above that (many officers, especially docs get above that), no dice. I would keep your TSP contributions to zero this year UNTIL the Roth TSP becomes available, even if that's after you come home. I used pretty sure precisely because I meant pretty sure. Tax treatments and the military change like the seasons. Still, tax free pay at the E-9 /30 year level...
by HearDoc
Wed Mar 07, 2012 6:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: AR-15, why go expensive?
Replies: 25
Views: 6483

Re: AR-15, why go expensive?

LH wrote:I am thinking of buying a smith wesson M&P 15 sport for 660 dollars.
$100 bucks off M&P rifles if you are retired or active military.....
by HearDoc
Wed Mar 07, 2012 6:25 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Military Deployment: TSP vs Roth
Replies: 14
Views: 1446

Re: Military Deployment: TSP vs Roth

SpecialK22 wrote:If you're enlisted, all income earned (from military sources) in a designated combat zone is tax free. R.
I'm pretty sure there's no difference in the tax treatment if you are enlisted or commissioned.
by HearDoc
Fri Mar 02, 2012 6:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone bought a front door lately?
Replies: 15
Views: 6102

Re: Anyone bought a front door lately?

EagertoLearnMore wrote:+1 for ThermaTru fiberglass doors. They have a very large selection of styles. You can pick the door and then select from different side lites. The doors come in various sizes. The triple latch is particularly good for security since it locks the door in three different places. You can paint it or stain it to look just like wood. They sell a special kit to do this application and the directions need to be followed precisely for the best results.
Another +1 for Therma tru Fiberglass. No rust/warping/insects etc. Nice selection of doors in all price ranges.
by HearDoc
Wed Feb 15, 2012 10:43 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Considering a change to Chase Bank
Replies: 52
Views: 5754

Re: Considering a change to Chase Bank

[quote="nisiprius" Go with your Chaloosa County Savings and Loan, your Banjo Crossing Growers' Savings Bank, your Homeowners' Credit Union of Winnemac--.[/quote]


Hey this could be a new topic on it's own: Toad Stab Savings and Loan; Inthewoods Credit Union; Kissing Cousins Bank; FloodZone and Mudflats Amalgamated Mutual;
ad infinitum .
by HearDoc
Wed Feb 15, 2012 10:22 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Looking for some opinions on my situation
Replies: 14
Views: 1816

Re: Looking for some opinions on my situation

My employer offers a TSP with 100% matching on the first 5%
.

As most folks here will tell you, the 100% match is a no brainer. There are very few benefits which can rise to the level of a guaranteed doubling
of your money. do this first.
by HearDoc
Thu Jan 26, 2012 9:26 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: $683 for an office visit with a Physician Assistant?
Replies: 24
Views: 1752

Re: $683 for an office visit with a Physician Assistant?

linuxuser wrote:
fredflinstone wrote:I'm accustomed to expensive health care bills, but this one is tough to swallow: $683.00 for an office consultation with a Physician Assistant (CPT code 99245).
My last year's annual exam that the doctor claimed from the insurance company was $320. The blood and urine work was done in-office and insurance claim was $15. I'm in NJ.
.
That's an warning sign. It would be highly unusual that a solo practice would have the sophisticated blood analysis equipment that I'd expect on an annual physical
workup. Are you sure the blood panel was done in office?
by HearDoc
Thu Jan 26, 2012 8:22 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: $683 for an office visit with a Physician Assistant?
Replies: 24
Views: 1752

Re: $683 for an office visit with a Physician Assistant?

A level 5 visit with a PA? I'd find another practice. This one seems more concerned with maximizing
their billing than providing concerned care.
by HearDoc
Thu Jan 26, 2012 8:10 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: PenFed Platinum Rewards card switch
Replies: 34
Views: 5020

Re: PenFed Platinum Rewards card switch

rfburns wrote:I will answer myself. Just spoke to a penfed CSR. 02/01/2012 is the last day to make the switch and be eligible for the $250 qualified bonus.
So you can't fully see the whole program until it's too late to get the primary reward for switching? Nice touch, PenFed.
by HearDoc
Wed Jan 25, 2012 3:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 39 Dollar Glasses.com
Replies: 13
Views: 2266

Re: 39 Dollar Glasses.com

Bernd wrote:My 8 yr old grandson in his exuberance broke the frame of my glasses, lenses OK. The optician at the local department store had a 50% off sale on frames, got the same one for $45, even less than I would have to pay with my insurance. Only 2 minutes waiting. Why should I go via the Web?
Because you bought frames, not glasses?
by HearDoc
Wed Jan 25, 2012 8:33 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: PenFed Platinum Rewards card switch
Replies: 34
Views: 5020

Re: PenFed Platinum Rewards card switch

SpecialK22 wrote:The FAQs state that instead of converting you may apply for the PenFed Platinum Rewards Card in February and still be eligible for the 25000 points offer. Since this allows you to keep the Platinum Cash Card, which would otherwise be relinquished in the conversion, this seems like the better route to go if you can't decide between the two.
Applying for another credit card and it's credit rating implications aren't in the cards. :wink:
by HearDoc
Tue Jan 24, 2012 2:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: PenFed Platinum Rewards card switch
Replies: 34
Views: 5020

PenFed Platinum Rewards card switch

Anyone now holding the PenFed cash rewards card NOT planning on switching to the new card? and why?
The $250 switching bonus looks good but I hate change. If anyone has a rational reason for either switching or not I'd love to hear it.
Thanks
by HearDoc
Tue Jan 24, 2012 2:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Need Help Finding a New Rewards CC
Replies: 10
Views: 1142

Re: Need Help Finding a New Rewards CC

tyrion wrote:penfed visa 5% for gas (just don't sign up for their new program and you get to keep the 5% gas feature, at least for now)
You will still get 5% back on gas with the new card. Just one extra step in redeeming.
by HearDoc
Tue Jan 24, 2012 7:16 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Military Investing
Replies: 125
Views: 65508

Re: Military Investing

For your physical address you claim the same address that you had when you claimed the residency. It doesn't matter that you don't live there anymore. When I joined, I was renting an apartment in GA. GA was my state of residence for the entire time and I used that address for the enire time as well. The logic and legal theory is that when you are in the military and you move to a state because of orders, it is not a choice and therefore you don't have the intent to change residency (ie if you decide you don't want to move, you can be thrown in jail). The case law is well established on this point and even 'we think we should be able to tax everyone who has spent 5 minutes in our state' Virginia respects it. In any other job, you have a cho...
by HearDoc
Sun Jan 15, 2012 9:02 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Septic tanks and water flow
Replies: 17
Views: 1944

Re: Septic tanks and water flow

My house and septic system were built in 1971, so are 40 years old. The septic guy told me the drain field would eventually have to be replaced and that would cost $6000. He said it would last longer if less water goes into it. It would be easy to disconnect my showers from the drain line, and instead run a pipe out to the lawn and let the water go there. Has anyone else done this. Is there any reason not to? "Septic Guys" are notoriously opinionated. Minimizing the amounts of oils and grease and non-degradable solids will allow your septic system to last longer. So will having it serviced every 4 or five years. If you think there are problems, have the system examined with a fiber optic inspection scope. We thought our 43 y.o. s...
by HearDoc
Sat Jan 14, 2012 9:12 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Military Investing
Replies: 125
Views: 65508

Re: Military Investing

I know nothing about the military, but it seems like you would owe income tax in whatever states you physically earned income in. So if the military sent you to 17 income tax states last year and you did work in each one, no matter where you were "stationed" or where your residence was, you'd owe non-resident income tax in each of those 17 states. Whether you'd practically have to pay taxes in every jurisdiction is another matter, but I do know of some employers who used to provide their employees with detailed breakdowns of exactly where they earned income based on their assignments each year. Paul States recognize the active service person's home of record as the taxing authority for state taxes. That's why so many of us used T...
by HearDoc
Sun Jan 08, 2012 7:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: old Ipod to new computer xfer
Replies: 14
Views: 1128

Re: old Ipod to new computer xfer

kenschmidt wrote:
HearDoc wrote:
kenschmidt wrote:Hope it works for you!

Well I can't blame iTunes too much for not being able to locate them as they were not physically on the Windows 7 computer but instead were still sitting on the XP computer! :D
The whole thing started whenI tried to sync the old ipod with the new computer and Itunes wanted to erase the music files on the ipod to set up new libraries on the new computer. The whole idea of itunes erasing my legally obtained (not from the itunes store) music just seems wrong. Never had that problem with a whole slew of other
MP3 players.
by HearDoc
Sun Jan 08, 2012 3:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: old Ipod to new computer xfer
Replies: 14
Views: 1128

Re: old Ipod to new computer xfer

kenschmidt wrote:Hope it works for you!

One other thing to look out for - I had some songs in a folder on my desktop that I had purchased from Amazon. I thought I had copied them in but they showed up in iTunes with a little white "I" next to them since iTunes couldn't find them. Once I figured that out, I copied those into the My Music folder and then used iTunes to locate them and all was good.
Just more confirmation of my lifetime of shunning apple products. Way too many proprietary rules and hardware. My generic MP3 player(s) do everything
the Ipod's do but with more degrees of freedom.
by HearDoc
Sun Jan 08, 2012 1:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: old Ipod to new computer xfer
Replies: 14
Views: 1128

Re: old Ipod to new computer xfer

kenschmidt wrote:When I recently got a new computer, all I did was copy the My Music folder in XP over to the corresponding My Music folder under My Documents in Windows 7, using a USB external hard drive. Windows 7 iTunes then automatically found everything.
I'm going to try that. Seems fairly non-complex.
Thanks
by HearDoc
Sat Jan 07, 2012 4:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: old Ipod to new computer xfer
Replies: 14
Views: 1128

Re: old Ipod to new computer xfer

DesertDweller wrote:There are actually a number of ways to do this, but one of the simplest is using this utility:

http://www.easyipodtransfer.com/campaig ... QgodWleqAw

Apple does not make copying from the iPod easy due to licensing constraints on the usage of iTunes purchases. They pioneered the online music purchase concept and implemented limitations that are both annoying and obsolete (and are gradually disappearing with new iTunes and iOS releases).
Nice, but it's $29.5. I'm sure there are freeware programs some where... anyone ?
by HearDoc
Sat Jan 07, 2012 1:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: old Ipod to new computer xfer
Replies: 14
Views: 1128

old Ipod to new computer xfer

Bought the wife a new laptop to replace the 10 year old "limping along on a prayer" dell and today tried to sync
her older Ipod with the new WIN 7 laptop. Then I remembered why I detest Apple, they want to wipe her IPOD clean,
erasing her music before allowing a sync of... nothing. My MP3 player just treats it's libraries as another folder/drive
no sweat and very intuitive.. but i don't want so start an Apple vs windows flame war... just make my wife happier.
I know there are free programs to Xfer her librarys to the new computer without erasing all of her legal music.
Asking for your help in ID'ing a freeware program AND some how to proceed advice.
Thanks
by HearDoc
Fri Jan 06, 2012 5:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Going to the shooting range--really worth it
Replies: 30
Views: 3626

Re: Going to the shooting range--really worth it

I have a constant ringing in my ears. It never goes away. It will be with me the rest of my life. There were several things that contributed to this, but gun fire was one of them. Even the best ear protection only cuts down 30 decibels. Gun fire is 140 decibels. Hearing loss can start with extended exposure to only 100 decibels. It isn't worth it. Double hearing protection can cut the noise 40 db. Gunfire is impulse noise not steady state so the 100dB ( really 85 dB) you quote is apples and oranges. If you really enjoy shooting, foam plugs under a set of earmuffs rated at least 30 dB NRR will make it perfectly safe. Just remember, as a gun is always loaded, ranges are always noisy; wear your protection BEFORE you near the shooting line. St...
by HearDoc
Fri Jan 06, 2012 8:25 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Going to the shooting range--really worth it
Replies: 30
Views: 3626

Re: Going to the shooting range--really worth it

dratkinson wrote:
hicabob wrote:
texas_archer wrote:
hicabob wrote:I've got 50+ landlocked acres behind the manse - but if I take the 22 and go out to do some plinking it becomes like a hillbilly convention - with some of the "more colorful" neighbors comin' out with their shootin' irons and beer which then gets the stuffier neighbors all upset. sigh.
I've read, but don't have personal experience to verify this, that some of the subsonic ammo is so quiet that the only thing that can be heard by the shooter is the hammer fall and "plink" when a metal target is hit.
The noise from small arms comes from the explosion of the propellant, not any sound from projectile through the air. Any additional sound power from velocity
is tiny until you start talking howitzer sized munitions.
by HearDoc
Thu Jan 05, 2012 6:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Going to the shooting range--really worth it
Replies: 30
Views: 3626

Re: Going to the shooting range--really worth it

Private ranges are typically $15-25 /hr for long guns and $10-20 for handguns (don't know why the delta). Some require you to buy their ammo which goes for either a bit over normal retail or an obscene amount. Also figure in targets,cardboard backing, eye and ear protection if you don't supply your own. Rentals can go for the reasonable like $10 for a Glock 17 to crazy like $30 for a Dan Wesson 1911. Your machine gun play sounds like fun, but you can run through $75 bucks worth of ammo in a minute or two. Gander tends to be on the very high side of private ranges AND very high ammo costs. Google places to shoot or gun ranges in your zip code, you will probably find cheaper alternatives. Unless of course you live in the People's Republic of ...
by HearDoc
Mon Jan 02, 2012 2:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Traffic behavior on I95
Replies: 32
Views: 4141

Re: Traffic behavior on I95

After six years of CT to South Florida on I-95, I switched to I-81 this year to avoid the Baltimore/ Washington DC insanity. Like day and night; it was a pleasure to drive.
It reintegrates into I-95 in Southern Georgia and only added 45 minutes to a 1350 mile drive (time I'd probably lose going through DC anyway).
I'm never going the I-95 route again...
by HearDoc
Mon Jan 02, 2012 2:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best non-ipod mp3 device
Replies: 17
Views: 2356

Re: Best non-ipod mp3 device

Sansa and IRIVER are fantastic Ipod replacement at significantly less money and very open architecture. Plenty of free utilities and operating systems for them.
I got my Iriver at Walmart.com for about $19 on clearance three years ago. It's my fitness center companion and I've abused it a lot. Other than a $3.00 Ebay rubber
cover, I'm happier with it than my wife's Ipod.
by HearDoc
Mon Jan 02, 2012 1:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Verizon Wireless Service
Replies: 23
Views: 2105

Re: Verizon Wireless Service

Just go online, register for my Verizon and opt out of all advertising. Takes less time than complaining.
by HearDoc
Mon Dec 12, 2011 7:28 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Magic Jack Phone service
Replies: 34
Views: 4493

Re: Magic Jack Phone service

jvclark02 wrote:I am very satisfied with Google voice and the price is just right for a Boglehead.........Free! :beer
You have some unknown method to plug your landline phone into Google voice without an adaptor?
by HearDoc
Sun Dec 11, 2011 3:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Magic Jack Phone service
Replies: 34
Views: 4493

Re: Magic Jack Phone service

Mel Lindauer wrote:I'd certainly consider the new magicJack Plus. Doesn't need a computer and the sound quality is supposedly much improved over the older magicJack which needed to be plugged into a computer that needed to be on.

FWIW, I plan to get one of those when my current pre-paid subscription to the original magicJack runs out. MJ decided to not let current MJ users transfer the remaining time on their pre-paid subscription over to the new MJ Plus. Poor customer service IMO, but I'm very satisfied with the original MJ, so I'll just stick with that for now.
Consider OBI @ http://obihai.com/googlevoice.html. Using it now with Comcast HSI. Upfront cost about $45. No other costs. Beat MJ by a mile.
by HearDoc
Tue Dec 06, 2011 8:56 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: whats the best way to buy a cheap ruger 10/22
Replies: 17
Views: 3686

Re: whats the best way to buy a cheap ruger 10/22

Thanks for all replies : ) How much did the FFL private gun dealer charge you for doing the paperwork? Does Buds just do it all for you, and its included in the price? Did you have to find the FFL private dealer yourself, or does Bud do it? What cheaper gun would you recommend instead of the Ruger 10/22 LR , for a 22 LR rifle? I just picked it because it was a classic dependable gun. But I do not need the "name brand" per se. LH Most FFL xfers charge between $20 and $50. Given that they are mostly a legal mail drop find the cheapest one that's close to your home. You would be surprised at how many exist. I recently had two handguns shipped and the experience was as smooth as could be. I did not realize that long guns needed a FFL...
by HearDoc
Thu Dec 01, 2011 5:55 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Discover raising bonus CB limit
Replies: 30
Views: 21142

Re: Discover raising bonus CB limit

sunspotzsz wrote:Discover cashback is unreliable and they do shady things.
In 20 years I've never had a problem with them. Care to share your disappointments?
by HearDoc
Wed Nov 30, 2011 5:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Homeowners' insurance in Florida
Replies: 15
Views: 2432

Re: Homeowners' insurance in Florida

Provided proof of concrete roof construction for my condo building to USAA and they lowered the premium 20%. They didn't suggest a separate inspection just proof that the roof met certain standards.
My understanding is that homeowner's in Florida is difficult to obtain ( other than the all risk state pool of last resort) due to the legislatures attempt to
"fix" a problem. Same thing happened in NJ with auto insurance.
by HearDoc
Sun Nov 27, 2011 2:07 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Wisdom for a high income family
Replies: 131
Views: 19870

Re: Wisdom for a high income family

Frankly I'd suggest a CPF who's a CPA. Your income is large enough that efficient investing without tax planning is a mistake.
Find one who is either fee only or AUM and is not associated with a brokerage or bank.
You are not saving enough and have made some early, but not fatal, unwise money decisions. Keep the CFP until you think you
have as handle on the situation or forever, your choice. With your incomes and careers, I don't think you are financially astute
enough yet to avoid additional problems.
by HearDoc
Sun Nov 27, 2011 1:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Job Fair
Replies: 11
Views: 1262

Re: Job Fair

VictoriaF wrote:This is not how recruitment is conducted for experienced professionals. Either the start-up company's Human Resources do not have experience with mass recruiting (livesoft's point) or they are looking for entry level personnel only.

Victoria
I agree. Doesn't sound like they want you, just someone like you. Write them a nice note thanking them for the opportunity, but tell them you had a scheduling conflict. That way you are not burning bridges.
Reminds me of a position on a large research project contract I interviewed for once. Turned out that my current boss had (covertly) signed on as Project Director if the project was funded. It wasn't, but we laughed about it for years.
by HearDoc
Sun Nov 27, 2011 1:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fees Good and Bad
Replies: 34
Views: 3565

Re: Fees Good and Bad

what I never understood was consumers complaining about fees that they always had the option of avoiding. people would complain about ATM fees. solution: don't use ATMs. people would complain about overdraft fees. solution: don't overdraft your account. people would complain about credit card late payment fees. solution: don't make your credit card payment late. don't like BOA fees? don't bank with BOA. when I was younger I made all of these mistakes. it never occurred to me to blame anyone but myself. the concept of repeatedly placing your hand into a fire and then loudly protesting that you keep getting burned just never made me feel much sympathy for the consumer. I know that's considered victim blaming, and typically frowned upon, but ...
by HearDoc
Sun Nov 27, 2011 1:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Are fake Christmas trees toxic?
Replies: 28
Views: 3462

Re: Are fake Christmas trees toxic?

snyder66 wrote:She was told that the heat from the lights causes the chemicals or gasses in the tree to emit.
Look, at this point she's just not rational. They are unhealthy if your mental well-being depends on her not bitchin'
over your damn fake tree from now until New Years. Take a hint.
by HearDoc
Sun Nov 27, 2011 1:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Shipping options
Replies: 4
Views: 468

Re: Shipping options

nisiprius wrote:If they're actually books, USPS "book rate" (officially "media mail.")

http://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/Notice123.htm#1189285

Twenty pounds for $9.94. Seventy pounds for $29.44.

As grad students, when we moved, we sent 35 boxes of books that way. My wife found out that nowadays they have a restriction on the number that can be sent to any one address at one time!
Thanks, looks like the USPS media rate is the way to go.