Search found 23 matches

by littleridge
Sun Oct 01, 2023 5:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: If you could only listen to one podcast...
Replies: 185
Views: 24130

Re: If you could only listen to one podcast...

Two very different Podcasts

Security Now with Steve Gibson about online security and security news.
https://twit.tv/shows/security-now

Bad People on BBC hosted by a comedian and a criminal psychologist.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p08lj2 ... /downloads
by littleridge
Sun Aug 07, 2022 12:47 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Using Ublock Origin to get around Treasury Direct's password field
Replies: 12
Views: 2891

Re: Using Ublock Origin to get around Treasury Direct's password field

Thank you very much. On screen keyboard was a real pain.

Worked for me with Firefox.
by littleridge
Wed Jun 01, 2022 3:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New Orleans to Birmingham - Terrain & Stops
Replies: 18
Views: 1474

Re: New Orleans to Birmingham - Terrain & Stops

Rose, Huntsville is the fastest growing metro in the state. Many space and defense contractors are in the area. The Space and Rocket Center is a big tourist draw in Huntsville. You can easily spend from half a day to a whole day there. It is right off I-565 which connects I-65 to downtown Huntsville. https://www.rocketcenter.com/ The U.S. Veterans Museum near downtown has a large collection of military vehicles in addition to other military items. https://www.memorialmuseum.org/ Monte Sano State Park is located near Huntsville in northeast Alabama. In Spanish, Monte Sano means “Mountain of Health.” In the late 1800s, visitors from across the United States came for “the season” to experience and enjoy Monte Sano’s fresh air, spectacular view...
by littleridge
Sun May 29, 2022 6:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New Orleans to Birmingham - Terrain & Stops
Replies: 18
Views: 1474

Re: New Orleans to Birmingham - Terrain & Stops

If spending time in Birmingham, consider these:
Vulcan Statue and Museum
McWain Science Museum (children oriented)
Arlington Antebellum Home
Oak Mountain State Park
Birmingham Botanical Garden
Birmingham Museum of Art
Birmingham Zoo

Highest point in Alabama is Mt Cheaha State Park (east of Birmingham toward Atlanta)

Northeast Alabama (toward Chattanooga) has beautiful scenery on Lookout Mountain.

Huntsville, a couple of hours north, has many attractions also. Especially the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.
by littleridge
Sat Aug 22, 2020 2:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: move from Microsoft Office to Libre Office - any advantages or disadvantages for those that have done so?
Replies: 45
Views: 5112

Re: move from Microsoft Office to Libre Office - any advantages or disadvantages for those that have done so?

I use an Excel spreadsheet for finance data with Macros. Libre Office does not understand the Macros at all. So have stayed with very old copy of Office rather than redoing the spreadsheet.
by littleridge
Thu Aug 13, 2020 8:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Products that last forever
Replies: 288
Views: 29744

Re: Products that last forever

Our daily use Quasar 43 year old microwave with mechanical timer. I made 2 DIY repairs in last 5 years.

A bench drill press which looked old when I was a kid in the 1950s. Really heavy but still works great.

A 1973 scratch and dent Sears chest freezer purchased from their outlet store. Had one gasket replacement.

Almost 40 year old KitchenAid dishwasher was working until developed a leak last year.

Hate to think of buying replacement appliances which last 5 to 10 years max.
by littleridge
Wed Apr 15, 2020 8:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best Way to Watch British Mystery Shows
Replies: 111
Views: 13688

Re: Best Way to Watch British Mystery Shows

Our library also provides access to Acorn. But you must access from the library web site. I would gladly subscribe if did not get it through library. Library also has Hoopla, but I like Acorn much better. Our library had only first season of Touch of Frost which I liked so much I bought the complete series on DVD. Here are some of our favorites: Agatha Christie's Family Murder Party Agatha Raisin (Hoopla, Acorn) Best of Agatha Christie (Acorn) Dalziel and Pascoe (Hoopla) (pronounced De-el) Dr Blake Mysteries The Brokenwood Mysteries (Acorn) George Gently (very good) Inspector Alleyn Maigret (old and newer versions) Midsomer Murders Mrs. Bradley Mysteries (Hoopla) Ms. Fisher's Mysteries (New) Acorn Miss Fisher's Mysteries (old) Acorn Murdock...
by littleridge
Mon Jul 18, 2016 5:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Creating simple website
Replies: 11
Views: 1694

Re: Creating simple website

To expand on MarilynDennison's reply.

Create a Google account if you do not already have one. If you do, log into Google.

Then go to blogspot.com in browser where logged into Google/Gmail. It is a simple matter to create a web site there for free. It can be as simple or as complex as you want to make it. Have been very pleased with creating and maintaining sites on blogspot.

The address will be theaddressyoupick.blogspot.com

If you want a custom address, there are many places to register an address for about $12 per year.
by littleridge
Thu Jan 31, 2013 8:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best Automobile Forums
Replies: 19
Views: 4040

Re: Best Automobile Forums

I think peachparts.com/shopforum is the best I have found for Mercedes Benz. They have sub-forums for vintage Mercedes, Diesels, general Tech Help, etc. Also sub-forum for cars for sale and parts for sale.
by littleridge
Wed Feb 09, 2011 8:47 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Air Compressor [for auto tires]
Replies: 32
Views: 6446

Harbor Freight unit works for me

I agree with getting a 120v one from Harbor Freight for about $100. They go on sale regularly. In addition to airing tires, there is so many uses you will find for a home compressor. Using compressed air to blow dust out of appliances, nail gun, impact wrench, nibbler, etc. Most compressed air tools are inexpensive compared to electric equivalent. Periodically I take each PC to the basement, open the case and gently blow the dust out.

Get a cheap 12v unit to keep in car, but have a real compressor for home use.

Takes about a minute to build pressure if tank drained.
by littleridge
Wed Jun 17, 2009 1:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What are some good audio-books?
Replies: 21
Views: 6221

free audio books

I download free mp3 books from http://librivox.org/newcatalog/

The books are all public domain works and read by volunteers. Almost 2000 different titles and quality is very good. Think you could find something there you would like, for example Adam Smith's "Wealth of Nations."
by littleridge
Sun Dec 14, 2008 4:42 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Question about capital gains in 15% tax bracket?
Replies: 10
Views: 2224

related question

I will be below the 15% threshold and see two alternatives. I could convert up to the 15% bracket from regular IRA to Roth IRA and pay tax at 15% or sell some taxable stocks with capital gains at 0% for the CG's. The attractive part of the conversion is that I can convert in-kind so convert securities I expect to eventually recover that are paying a good dividend. I am undecided on which to do. But certainly need to use this low tax rate this year. Next year I expect to be above the 15% threshold and even this option may get changed by new admin.
by littleridge
Mon Oct 20, 2008 9:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What podcasts do you listen to?
Replies: 46
Views: 14338

Security Now

Not investment related, but Steve Gibson ( of GRC.COM ) has a very good computer security Podcast at:
http://twit.tv/sn

Some of the other podcasts at twit.tv like The Tech Guy and Windows Weekly are also good.

Joe
by littleridge
Mon Oct 20, 2008 9:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: JACK BOGLE'S NEW BOOK GIVEAWAY
Replies: 163
Views: 34469

Please enter me in the drawing

Please enter me into the drawing.

Joe
by littleridge
Wed Jun 25, 2008 5:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Wallstreet Journal via US Mail
Replies: 12
Views: 3350

WSJ via mail

I have been getting it via US Mail for over a year in Alabama. Three or four times it has arrived a day late. Only once or twice did I not receive it. Works great, can take to restaurant or reading room!

Joe :wink:
by littleridge
Mon Apr 07, 2008 10:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Cheapest/Easiest way to move 1,100 miles with heavy cargo
Replies: 6
Views: 2370

ABF U Pack is one alternative

We used ABF "U Pack" service for a one way move from Austin, Tx to Birmingham, Alabama. May not be absolute cheapest, but was the most hassle free. We had three days to pack the shipping containers and three days to unpack after they were delivered. They will deliver more containers than you think you need and only charge for the number you actually use. If packing or unpacking spans a weekend, those days don't count. We scheduled it so both packing and unpacking spanned a weekend although didn't really need the time. The containers are very sturdy steel containers about 8ft x 6ft x 8ft high. Was very satisfied with the service. We left Austin in a rainstorm that I was very glad not to be driving a U Haul truck. We priced PODs, wh...
by littleridge
Wed Feb 20, 2008 9:24 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Forbes article on Reapplying for Social Security
Replies: 32
Views: 8999

what about taxes?

What if you have paid income tax on your Social Security income? Would that not be an additional cost since sounds like you are paying back the pre-tax amount?
by littleridge
Tue Oct 02, 2007 10:46 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Looking for Excel Macro to download VG share info
Replies: 10
Views: 3608

another way??

Not a macro, but very quick and easy.

I do the download Vanguard provides and let it open in a spreadsheet. Then copy and paste the shares column to a sheet in my spreadsheet. The shares from that sheet are referenced in my main sheet.

Since the shares change infrequently, only need to do maybe once a month or so.

Not what you wanted, but easy enough.
by littleridge
Mon Sep 17, 2007 7:44 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Huntsville, North Alabama local group?
Replies: 21
Views: 10675

Sorry for any misunderstanding!

Sorry for any misunderstanding. Not sure that Mel realized we are far enough apart to need two groups.

I in no way wanted to detract from your efforts organizing a Huntsville/North Alabama group. Just wanted to get going with a Birmingham/Central Alabama group.

Certainly wish you success with your group and look forward to cooperating with you as we build groups.

Joe
by littleridge
Thu Sep 13, 2007 5:08 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Estimated Taxes Due 9/17/2007
Replies: 17
Views: 3526

Question about paying estimated on-line?

Please forgive me if I am being dense, but...

Are you setting this up with the on-line bill payer option at your bank or is this set up at the IRS website? I didn't know what the "ACH" really implies.

Thanks,
Joe
by littleridge
Mon Sep 03, 2007 8:55 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Can One Retire Primarily Off of Dividends?
Replies: 45
Views: 14284

Try the Morningstar Income & Dividend Investing Forum

I suspect you will get more supportive comments on the Income & Dividend Investing section of Morningstar Forums.
by littleridge
Sat Aug 18, 2007 8:36 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Help me buy a bare bones laptop
Replies: 31
Views: 9828

Acer Aspire

I recently purchased an Acer Aspire 5570 from Walmart for about $540. Alabama had a tax free week-end for school supplies which included computers under $750, so we went ahead and got it. I could have gotten it a few bucks cheaper at Office Depot or Office Max with rebates, but didn't really want to mess with the rebates. I am very pleased with the Acer. Also saw some reviews that rated it higher than some of the major brands. It has an S-video output which I have been using to play downloaded movies on my TV. Has built-in wireless, ethernet, USB, and multi-format card reader. Does not have floppy. With USB thumb drives I can live without a floppy. The version I got has 120Gig hard drive and 1 Gig RAM.
by littleridge
Sun Aug 12, 2007 9:14 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Huntsville, North Alabama local group?
Replies: 21
Views: 10675

Birmingham area

I would be interested in either a north Alabama or central Alabama group. I always look for an excuse to stop by the original Greenbrier.

Know of one other Boglehead in B'ham area.