Search found 33 matches

by RookieMistake
Mon Oct 07, 2013 7:57 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Renting a House, What Should Be on a Lease Agreement?
Replies: 9
Views: 1670

Renting a House, What Should Be on a Lease Agreement?

Hello,
I am going to be moving out of my apartment soon and renting a house. I am curious as to what types of things I should be sure are ON/NOT ON the lease agreement.

For example: My dad mentioned that I might want to be clear what types of repairs I will do and what type the landlord will do.
Any ideas or examples will help!

Thanks so much in advance.
by RookieMistake
Wed Oct 02, 2013 1:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Car advice
Replies: 16
Views: 1905

Re: Car advice

I have a 13 year old Civic with 140K miles on it and I know the feeling! It's completely paid off and I just recently noticed it's losing oil and power steering fluid but that only costs me about $10/month to replace which is a mighty fine price for a car if you ask me!

In my opinion, if you are still dealing with Student Loans while also trying to save for Retirement, you should keep on buying older (low cost) cars until you pay off your Student Loan.

Once your Student Debt is gone, and you make enough to fully fund retirement AND buy a newer car THEN I would say you are ready!

Good luck!
by RookieMistake
Sat Aug 31, 2013 12:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Videos Streaming SO SLOW and I have TURBO Internet
Replies: 6
Views: 1157

Videos Streaming SO SLOW and I have TURBO Internet

I have turbo Internet with Time Warner cable and yet when I try to stream Hulu it's always so choppy. It's so frustrating paying for fast Internet am not getting good video. Could it be my computer or what?! Thanks!!
by RookieMistake
Tue Nov 13, 2012 2:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Where To Buy Gifts That Support Charities?
Replies: 17
Views: 1694

Re: Where To Buy Gifts That Support Charities?

Thanks to ALL for the great suggestions!! :beer
by RookieMistake
Fri Nov 09, 2012 1:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Where To Buy Gifts That Support Charities?
Replies: 17
Views: 1694

Re: Charitable Gifts

Thats just the type of website i would be looking for! Thanks!
by RookieMistake
Fri Nov 09, 2012 10:44 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Where To Buy Gifts That Support Charities?
Replies: 17
Views: 1694

Where To Buy Gifts That Support Charities?

I saw an interesting article online about buying Christmas gifts by strictly buying products that give a portion of their profits to charity. This way you can buy actual presents for people (rather than a certificate of a donation made in someones name) while also putting your money towards a good cause. I was wondering if anyone knows of a website that listed many different gifts like these. Something like a store full of merchandise that only had items that were sold to raise money for a charity.

I would be looking for a site that had items for many different charities, not just one charity with many items.

Thanks! :sharebeer
by RookieMistake
Thu Jun 07, 2012 10:52 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Time for a New Car?
Replies: 17
Views: 2336

Re: Time for a New Car?

I just had a bunch of work done to my 99 Honda Civic to include replacing the steering rack and right wheel bearing about 2 weeks ago. Cost me $1300 so I know how it can be tempting to justify getting a new car rather than repairing an old one. Now I realize I do get about double the mpg BUT you are still spending less on your current car than you would on a new one. If it were me... 1)Assuming you would have to take out a loan for a fancy new hybrid: Get atleast all the safety critical repair work done. After that I would open a new savings account that is specifically labeled as a "new car fund". This will help minimize the amount of interest you will have to pay due to a smaller loan once the car finally does crap out! 2)If you...
by RookieMistake
Thu Jun 07, 2012 10:31 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: MBA or MSE??
Replies: 21
Views: 4227

Re: MBA or MSE??

[quote="arkerr123"]I have a BS in biomechanical engineering. One thing we should know - have you worked using your engineering degree yet? quote]

Yes, I have been working for 2 years.



Again thanks for everyones continued advice and input!!!
by RookieMistake
Wed Jun 06, 2012 11:32 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: MBA or MSE??
Replies: 21
Views: 4227

Re: MBA or MSE??

The Wizard wrote:It's only another year to get a MSE, so go with that for now. That's basically what I have.
Once you get out in the big bad world, if your job focus trends more to the business side, you might be able to get your employer to pay for much of the MBA...

Great point!
by RookieMistake
Wed Jun 06, 2012 11:29 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: MBA or MSE??
Replies: 21
Views: 4227

Re: MBA or MSE??

Thanks so much for the quick responses, its great to be able to get valuable feedback from people with far more experience than me!
by RookieMistake
Wed Jun 06, 2012 10:41 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: MBA or MSE??
Replies: 21
Views: 4227

MBA or MSE??

I have my undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering. I am looking to start my Masters Program in the Fall but have heard different ideas about whether one should get an MBA or MSE. I have been told it is very desirable to have a Technical Undergrad degree and then get an MBA that way you have a technical background and also a Business background. The same person might argue that if you get an MSE then you are further narrowing your job opportunities to strictly engineering while a MBA would broaden possibilites.

Anyone have any advice or insight on this issue?

Thanks in advance for any feedback!! :sharebeer :sharebeer
by RookieMistake
Tue Mar 06, 2012 9:16 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part V
Replies: 3372
Views: 1564868

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part V

Without Fail by Lee Child

If you havent read these Jack Reacher novels yet I highly suggest you start. I have been able to get all of them, so far, from the library and they are excellent books imo. They do not need to be read in any order but if you want to read them in the order they were released, check out this link:
http://www.leechild.com/faqcontact.php#order

-Rook
by RookieMistake
Fri Feb 03, 2012 10:14 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Have you ever actually used Paypal to pay a pal?
Replies: 38
Views: 4258

Re: Have you ever actually used Paypal to pay a pal?

I just started using Chase Quickpay to pay/collect money to/from friends. It's free and easy.
by RookieMistake
Fri Sep 23, 2011 6:56 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Favorite song line?
Replies: 153
Views: 15695

"I wake up,
stare at the ceiling,
I'm Alive,
what a beautiful feeling."

-Curtis Jackson
by RookieMistake
Fri Aug 26, 2011 10:59 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The New Bogleheads Facebook Page
Replies: 90
Views: 13719

I think facebook is a great way to spread the Boglehead message to the younger generation so that they may be more financially responsible BEFORE driving up alot of debt and making bad investment decisions!
by RookieMistake
Fri Aug 26, 2011 10:18 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Blockbuster gift card #^@*!
Replies: 39
Views: 8231

Boglenaut wrote:Christmas with my extended family used to turn into a gift card exchange. So finally, we all decided to ban them. No more gift cards. Instead, we draw a random name and are responsible for selecting a thoughtful gift.
This is what we do now as well, this way you buy one nice gift for one person for around $40 rather than buying 5 crappy gifts for $15 each ($75). This way everyone gets one good useable gift rather than a bunch of crap!
by RookieMistake
Wed Aug 24, 2011 11:48 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Car Dealer Shenanigans
Replies: 18
Views: 3714

Re: Car Dealer Shenanigans

[quote="kraftwerk"]So do you think this is some Shenanigans going on or am I paranoid?quote]

I don't think you are paranoid at all, when it comes to car dealers and car repair shops they are unfortunately usually only concerned about making maximum money off you even if you end up screwed in the end :?
by RookieMistake
Wed Aug 24, 2011 11:23 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should I Loan My Kid Money for College
Replies: 81
Views: 11847

College is a PRIVILEGE not a right. American culture has reduced the perception of higher education as a place where parents mortgage their financial future to send their kids off to go to have sex,party, watch sporting events, slack off; cram for passing grades and then graduate to make six figure incomes. Make your kids work and contribute to their educations so they will understand and appreciate that it is not a right but a privilege, the same way student immigrants come to our country everyday bust their humps to pay for their educations in order to realize the American dream. I have never heard one immigrant complain about their student debt load or that their parents didn't finance their education nor do I see any of them arrive on ...
by RookieMistake
Wed Aug 24, 2011 11:03 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: When to dump the old car and buy a new one?
Replies: 15
Views: 2556

I'm driving a 10yo clunker with almost 3/4 of your miles and it seems like every annual inspection, I get hit with a brake pad replacement, rotor replacement, etc etc. I have no idea if they are screwing me over either. :lol: Unfortunately you probably are getting screwed over :? You would be surprised how much the repair shops charge for labor. Just yesterday I got a few quotes to do a job on my car that would only cost $70 in parts at maximum and every shop wanted $200 or more for this 20minute job. I finally decided to just do it myself. Its a shame people get suckered because the shops try to make money off helpless people that dont know better. I reccomend to everyone to read up a little on your car (maybe buy the haynes manual, or re...
by RookieMistake
Tue Aug 23, 2011 1:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are YOU Currently Reading? Part IV. (07/04/2010)
Replies: 1507
Views: 403045

Auto Repair for Dummies.

Great book for newbies trying to learn a little more about cars so the repair man doesnt sound like he's speaking a different language when you take your car into the shop. First part tells you how a car works (system by system), second helps you inspect and repair these different parts/systems throughout the car.
by RookieMistake
Tue Aug 23, 2011 1:31 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: BH Guide to Investing on Kindle - Quality of Graphs/Tables?
Replies: 6
Views: 1184

Re: BH Guide to Investing on Kindle - Quality of Graphs/Tabl

(Also a quick thanks to all moderators and contributors for a great forum. This is my first post, but I've learned a lot so far just reading posts.)
+1
I have learned tons by just browsing through topics (even if they are not relevant to me) and just picking up on bits of advice here and there. Love this Forum!
by RookieMistake
Tue Aug 23, 2011 1:28 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: BH Guide to Investing on Kindle - Quality of Graphs/Tables?
Replies: 6
Views: 1184

I own a kindle and think the pictures on a kindle look fine. I own the hardcopy of Bogleheads guide to Investing and can't really recall a bunch of plots (read it most recently a few months ago). I think you should be fine buying it on your kindle.
by RookieMistake
Tue Aug 23, 2011 12:59 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anti-theft Fire Waterproof Safe
Replies: 16
Views: 2926

As far as the pictures are concerned I would backup your pictures online. My dad is a photographer and thats what he does. Search google, there are tons of sites that will allow you to backup data online.
by RookieMistake
Thu Mar 17, 2011 12:55 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Roth IRA contribution time frame
Replies: 6
Views: 1427

wizard--

Ok I feel pretty confident now, thanks for everyone's help...this forum is incredible.

--RookieMistake
by RookieMistake
Thu Mar 17, 2011 12:43 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Roth IRA contribution time frame
Replies: 6
Views: 1427

I have not opened a Roth so I dont know how it works, but how can I designate which year I am contributing to? Does this option come up when adding the funds on Vanguard?

**Clearly I'm a novice and maybe I should just open up the Roth and I will learn these things on my own?..

Thanks for quick responses Wizard and Jinx!
by RookieMistake
Thu Mar 17, 2011 12:34 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Roth IRA contribution time frame
Replies: 6
Views: 1427

Roth IRA contribution time frame

Hypothetically, If I were to open up a ROTH IRA this year on April 1st 2011 and contribute my max allowance of $5K, could I then contribute my max allowance again on April 19th 2011 (after taxes are due) without paying tax penalties for exceeding contribution limits. Basically I guess the question would be: Is the 1 year Time frame to make IRA contributions from April-April (tax days) OR is it Jan-December??

I've read Pub 590, but i'm no tax expert so I wanted to make sure I understood it right.

Thanks!
by RookieMistake
Wed Mar 16, 2011 9:09 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Strategy Traditinal IRA to ROTH? This Rookie Needs HELP!!!
Replies: 10
Views: 1523

Bob--

All that is true except that I EXPECT to change jobs; it is just a possibility. Otherwise that seems to be sound advice and I will read Pub's 970 & 590 and check my 401(k) loan provisions.

Thanks very much for your thorough responses and advice, its much appreciated!!
--Rookie
by RookieMistake
Wed Mar 16, 2011 1:06 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Strategy Traditinal IRA to ROTH? This Rookie Needs HELP!!!
Replies: 10
Views: 1523

kenyan--

Great Point, Thanks for the feedback!
by RookieMistake
Wed Mar 16, 2011 8:10 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Strategy Traditinal IRA to ROTH? This Rookie Needs HELP!!!
Replies: 10
Views: 1523

"...maybe I shouldnt be contributing to a Roth and a 401(k)..."

--what I meant by this was maybe I should skip the Roth for now and only invest in my 401(k) until after I buy a home--
by RookieMistake
Wed Mar 16, 2011 8:07 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Strategy Traditinal IRA to ROTH? This Rookie Needs HELP!!!
Replies: 10
Views: 1523

Bob-- Sorry for lack of info, i'm new at this... I contribute 8% to my works 401(k), because I must contribute 8% in order for them to match the first 4% and it is 100% vested. Thier retirement plan is thru Fidelity and I'm using a 2045 Target Retirement Fund for that. Also, Yes I am actually returning to grad school this September in which my work will pay $5K a year, therefore I should only have about $2k-$3k left to pay out-of pocket per year (but maybe slightly more if i decide to take more credit hours each year, but i dont plan to do so.) **This brings up a seperate question-- Should I go ahead and take out more student loan to pay these extra thousands of dollars so I have more money to invest?? I currently already have about $22K in...
by RookieMistake
Wed Mar 16, 2011 7:42 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Strategy Traditinal IRA to ROTH? This Rookie Needs HELP!!!
Replies: 10
Views: 1523

pkcrafter--

yes, I contribute enough to maximize company match on my 401(k)
by RookieMistake
Tue Mar 15, 2011 1:57 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Strategy Traditinal IRA to ROTH? This Rookie Needs HELP!!!
Replies: 10
Views: 1523

Strategy Traditinal IRA to ROTH? This Rookie Needs HELP!!!

Greetings! I am quite new at this investing thing and was looking to start a Vanguard IRA. Forgive me if the following sounds rediculous or it seems I have no clue what I'm talking about but I am speaking in terms of what I think I have learned....I've been reading the Vanguard site and other sites regarding Traditional and Roth IRA's and I had a question. I am pretty young (mid 20's) and meet eligibility to have a Traditional IRA with tax-deductions of full contribution (single status, gross income under $56,000). However I plan to make more than $56,000 within the next 3 years in which I could transfer this Traditional to a Roth IRA and begin the benefits of a Roth's tax-free earnings. If I plan on maxing out my contributions of $5,000, i...