Search found 266 matches

by tacster
Mon Nov 12, 2018 9:49 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How long have you had, or did you have, your HP-12C calculator?
Replies: 72
Views: 4784

Re: How long have you had, or did you have, your HP-12C calculator?

No 12C, but I still have and use the 15C that got me through engineering school over 30 years ago. I like it so much that I also bought the app emulator for my Android phone.
by tacster
Tue Feb 13, 2018 12:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What big item (>20k) are you saving up for?
Replies: 159
Views: 19946

Re: What big item (>20k) are you saving up for?

New Porsche. Retirement, house, and everything else I need/want is already covered.
by tacster
Tue Jan 30, 2018 11:27 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buy a new car or not?
Replies: 34
Views: 4059

Re: Buy a new car or not?

daggerboard wrote: Mon Jan 29, 2018 9:00 pm ...

Current contender for a replacement would be a BMW 3 series GT (amazingly roomy) for somewhere in the $48-55k range if I buy new. I usually buy 1 or 2 year old used cars, but my wife is upset about my experience w Golf and is suggesting buying new.

I would pay cash for something new after trading in the Golf. Unless I get some <2% financing deal.

We can afford the new car easily - less than 10% of annual income.

...
If $48-55k is less than 10% of your annual income, IMO you can buy whatever you want. In your shoes I'd be looking at a Panamera, but hey that's just me. Although I do own a 3-series and like it a lot.
by tacster
Sun Jan 28, 2018 12:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Keeping a new BMW shiny!
Replies: 27
Views: 3772

Re: Keeping a new BMW shiny!

I use Optimum No Rinse for regular cleanup on my new 330i. Much quicker and easier process than soap and water, works great and does not scratch the paint. Before waxing your car the first time it should be decontaminated with Iron-X and clay barred to remove the crud that accumulated on the paint during transit from the factory and while sitting on the dealer's lot. If you're having it detailed they should do that. Enjoy the new Bimmer, I really like mine.
by tacster
Sat Dec 23, 2017 1:39 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Where to stay - Venice & Rome
Replies: 21
Views: 2379

Re: Where to stay - Venice & Rome

Okay, I'll toss out a recommendation for a specific hotel in Rome: Hotel Fori Imperiali Cavalieri. I stayed there five nights during a four week trip to Italy last Spring. The hotel is located on a quiet little side street a short walk from the Coliseum and Forum. Does have an elevator. Good Italian style breakfast included. Very professional and nice staff speaking fluent English. At check in they gave me a free upgrade to a larger room. Price should be well within your limit.

Obviously there are hundreds of hotels to choose from in Rome, I just wanted to give these guys a shout out for the great stay I had with them.
by tacster
Mon Oct 16, 2017 12:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What are you driving? And would you buy your current ride again?
Replies: 130
Views: 13018

Re: What are you driving? And would you buy your current ride again?

2017 BMW 330i. Would buy it again in a heartbeat only next time I'd add heads-up display and maybe step up to a 340i. My first BMW and far and away the most enjoyable car I've ever owned. In fact since it's looking like a sunny day here today I'm about to log off and go for a drive. Just for fun.
by tacster
Wed Aug 30, 2017 11:21 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Possible January trip to Naples, Italy / Amalfi Coast
Replies: 37
Views: 4524

Re: Possible January trip to Naples, Italy / Amalfi Coast

Didn't see Oplontis mentioned in this thread. If you're going to Ercolaneo and Pompeii, it's in the same area. It was a villa belonging to Nero's wife. There's quite a bit of painting remaining on the villa walls if you're interested in getting a sense of how Roman houses were decorated.

Earlier this year I spent a few days in Naples, wandering around by myself, and riding the Circumvesuviana train between Naples and Sorrento. Nobody bothered me - not even the street vendors. I had nothing stolen. Naples does not look very good because of trash and graffiti, but it has a number of sites well worth a visit.
by tacster
Tue Jul 18, 2017 12:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: ATM card for overseas travel
Replies: 25
Views: 3482

Re: ATM card for overseas travel

LiveSimple wrote:Fidelity debit card, charges 1% of the international ATM withdrawal, as foreign transaction fees.
However some time it is mentioned that Fidelity debit card has no foreign transaction fees.
Please share your thoughts.
I used a Fidelity Cash Management Account debit card on a month long trip to Italy earlier this year. Zero foreign transaction fees. None, nada. Fidelity also reimbursed all fees that were charged by the ATM's. It worked perfectly and I am completely satisfied.
by tacster
Fri Jun 30, 2017 11:24 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buying a dishwasher
Replies: 54
Views: 6464

Re: Buying a dishwasher

Bought a Samsung DW80K7050US dishwasher a year ago for around $600. It does a very good job of cleaning and drying the dishes and is nearly silent. Really like the 3rd rack on top for silverware. No issues or problems at all. I am completely satisfied with it.
by tacster
Sun Jun 18, 2017 11:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Credit for Retirees
Replies: 29
Views: 4701

Re: Credit for Retirees

I retired three years ago and have since applied and been approved for several credit cards (churning for airline miles). For income I use my total annual income from a pension plus distributions/withdrawals from mutual funds. Most (all?) of the CC applications I've seen explicitly allow including investment income. Although my total gross income is less than when I was working that doesn't seem to matter much. I don't think you will have anything to worry about regarding credit cards. Also, congratulations on the impending retirement.
by tacster
Sun Jun 18, 2017 9:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: BMW X5 2017 - Seeking advice
Replies: 40
Views: 8628

Re: BMW X5 2017 - Seeking advice

My primary reasons for buying new are -
  • - BMW warranty is now limited to 3 years/36K miles.
    - Good "deals" for used BMW X5 appear to be restricted to those that are out of warranty with mileage more than 50K miles (suggesting aggressive use).
Just for clarity, the BMW Basic Warranty (covering repair work) is still 4 years/50k miles. It's the Maintenance Warranty (free oil changes) that is now 3 years/36k miles.
by tacster
Fri Mar 17, 2017 4:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: (Updated Again- Happy Ending) Issue With Contractor. What to do?
Replies: 56
Views: 8341

Re: Issue With Contractor. What to do?

If your having work done on your house make sure you are home to watch even reputable contractors . Plus one million on this post. These people simply cannot be trusted. It's a shame but that is just the way it is. That is simply not true...I have been a general contractor for 20+ years, and I and several of my competitors can be trusted. We treat our client's homes as if they were our own. It's these type of contractors who give us all a bad rep and get all of the publicity. I inform any potential client that they need to do their due diligence before hiring a contractor. It seems as if most homeowners are so price sensitive that they will forgo their due diligence for the sake of what appears to be a bargain. The problem is the homeowner...
by tacster
Fri Mar 17, 2017 2:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: (Updated Again- Happy Ending) Issue With Contractor. What to do?
Replies: 56
Views: 8341

Re: Issue With Contractor. What to do?

My nephew is building a 7,000 sq foot home in Florida. He also supposedly hired a {reputable } builder so he thought. His wife and himself are very busy professionals so they seldom oversee the construction. Well my nephews wife left work early and came to the construction site without prior notice. She caught the workers putting all kinds of garbage in the wall. Soda cans etc. And they were planning to seal them in the wall. She contacted my nephew who called the contractor and informed him what was going on . He responded and made sure the garbage was removed and the wall properly sealed. He then fired the contractor! NO EXCUSE FOR THIS BEHAVIOR. All the blame is on the contractor . He is the one who hires these idiots. If his wife did n...
by tacster
Wed Mar 15, 2017 9:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Shingle concerns with relatively new build *updated 4/14
Replies: 22
Views: 3697

Re: Shingle concerns with relatively new build

Were the shingles not nailed down? Also, can't quite tell but it looks like there are no gutters - true?
by tacster
Thu Mar 09, 2017 4:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Traveling to Japan
Replies: 37
Views: 6407

Re: Traveling to Japan

Have spent a good bit of time in Japan and consider it my second home. By chance, I am setting up a site on Japan for visitors and photographers - it is here: http://occassionalgaijin.smugmug.com I plan to change it to my own URL in a week or two so if the above does not work you might try http://www.occassionalgaijin.com I think it might answer many of your questions including those you have not asked yet. It probably has a few bugs as I work feverishly to release it into the wild but this might be good test. If there are mistakes or things you think should covered, let me know. Currently I am working on adding pages on food and Kyoto. By the way, this is not a commercial site nor do I intend it to become one. Charlie Superb photography.
by tacster
Fri Mar 03, 2017 9:07 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Traveling to Italy - 3 weeks in 2017, advice appreciated
Replies: 124
Views: 16736

Re: Traveling to Italy - 3 weeks in 2017, advice appreciated

OP, FYI- In 2008, I arranged for the Scavi tour under St Peters in Rome and my group of 8, including non Catholics, considered it the coolest thing we did in Rome...plus you get some interaction with the Swiss guards at the beginning of the tour. Simply follow these instructions (if interested), and at the end of the tour you end up exiting right in the area below the main alter so the sequence is "do the tour, then tour the Basilica: http://thecatholictraveler.com/vatican-scavi-tour/ I have only run into 2 other persons in almost 10 years who have done the tour. I'm going to Italy next month and am signed up for the Scavi tour. Didn't realize the Scavi includes admission to the Basilica...does that also include the Vatican museums? R...
by tacster
Thu Feb 23, 2017 10:40 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Looking for suggestions for a Wine Cooler
Replies: 28
Views: 2969

Re: Looking for suggestions for a Wine Cooler

My house's crawl space is easily accessible and almost deep enough to stand up in, so I decided to build a plywood wine cabinet down there. Consistent temperature year round, dark, and uses zero electricity. Been storing 80-100 bottles down there for the last fifteen years or so. They've aged nicely.

I know this probably doesn't help the OP, but might give someone else the thought of putting that space to good use.
by tacster
Fri Feb 17, 2017 5:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: driveway repair
Replies: 19
Views: 3403

Re: driveway repair

I've been involved with engineering some fairly significant industrial concrete jobs - slabs several feet thick, massively reinforced, designed to carry extremely heavy loads. Concrete sealer was never discussed nor considered for those projects. It's hard for me to believe sealer would provide much benefit for a homeowner's concrete driveway. Personally I'd pass, unless you want it just on the chance it does some good and the extra money means nothing.

Yes, if a contractor damages something he should be expected to make it right for no charge. I agree with your instinct that he's probably just looking for extra money.
by tacster
Sat Feb 04, 2017 10:39 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Seeking comfortable car seat
Replies: 19
Views: 2398

Re: Seeking comfortable car seat

carolc wrote:For the past 35 years, I have driven Honda Accords. A great car in so many ways but I have noticed that after an hour or more of driving I am very stiff when getting out of the car. I might just be me (I am 62) but maybe it is the car seat too. I'm thinking of 'upgrading' maybe to a Volvo or something else. Trouble is...you can't take a car on a one hour plus test drive to see how you feel after that.
Anyone have any thoughts about brands and comfort? Thanks.

carolc
You could just sit in the car in the dealer's lot for an hour plus to check the seat comfort. Read a book, surf your smartphone, whatever. I don't think the dealer would mind.
by tacster
Fri Jan 13, 2017 9:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 24 hour stop over at LHR, what all can I visit in London?
Replies: 31
Views: 2885

Re: 24 hour stop over at LHR, what all can I visit in London?

Will you have a working smartphone with data? If so, it's very easy to get around London via tube and bus using Google Maps.
by tacster
Thu Jan 12, 2017 9:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Keeping kitchen knives sharp
Replies: 54
Views: 7628

Re: Keeping kitchen knives sharp

Tamales wrote:Anybody have any thoughts on how to sharpen a small bird's beak knife like this one:
Image

Flat stones just don't work. Need some sort of small diameter rods I guess.
Looks like a good candidate for a Spyderco Tri-Angle Sharpmaker.
by tacster
Fri Jan 06, 2017 5:59 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What monetary value has your education provided you?
Replies: 107
Views: 9852

Re: What monetary value has your education provided you?

miamivice wrote:
tacster wrote:Mine works out to around 100x or thereabouts. Engineering degree.
Defintely worth it!
Absolutely. For myself this represents total lifetime earnings from start of career to retirement. It helps that college was very inexpensive by today's standards (though it didn't seem like it at the time).
by tacster
Fri Jan 06, 2017 5:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What monetary value has your education provided you?
Replies: 107
Views: 9852

Re: What monetary value has your education provided you?

Mine works out to around 100x or thereabouts. Engineering degree.
by tacster
Thu Dec 29, 2016 6:21 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 2017 Boglehead Contest Reminder
Replies: 14
Views: 1534

Re: 2017 Boglehead Contest Reminder

Looks like Deutsche Bank should invest all my money. I'll do it for you... :wink: Tacster - do you know something the rest of us don't know, or are you in on the conspiracy with Deutsche Bank and S&P Capital? :greedy Standings - as of the close on Thur. Dec. 29, 2016 Rank Name Guess + / - 1 tacster 2249.34 0.08 2 Deutsche Bank 2250.00 0.74 ♦ 2 S&P Capital 2250.00 0.74 ♦ 2 kite 2250.00 0.74 5 BTDT 2250.10 0.84 6 Meaty 2248.00 1.26 7 gffisher 2247.30 1.96 8 jadi 2247.00 2.26 8 NOgmacks 2247.00 2.26 10 Terraplane 2252.00 2.74 Standings - as of the close on Wed. Dec. 28, 2016 Rank Name Guess + / - 1 Deutsche Bank 2250.00 0.08 ♦ 1 S&P Capital 2250.00 0.08 ♦ 1 kite 2250.00 0.08 4 BTDT 2250.10 0.18 5 tacster 2249.34 0.58 6 Meaty 2248....
by tacster
Thu Dec 29, 2016 3:14 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 2017 Boglehead Contest Reminder
Replies: 14
Views: 1534

Re: 2017 Boglehead Contest Reminder

simplesimon wrote:Looks like Deutsche Bank should invest all my money.
I'll do it for you... :wink:
by tacster
Mon Dec 26, 2016 10:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Replies: 216
Views: 53316

Re: Chase Sapphire Reserve

Given my timing for signing up, based on everything I've read, even if I charge a travel expense between now and year end, I understand that it will count towards the 2017 $300 reimbursement. Due to this timing, it doesn't appear to me that I will be able to get two $300 travel reimbursements while paying only one annual fee (if I do decide to cancel just before the end of the first year). Am I understanding this correctly? Thanks. The "reimbursement period" runs from one December statement closing date to the next. So if you make $300 in travel charges right after the Dec 2017 statement close date, you'll get reimbursed for those charges against 2018. Then quickly cancel the card before the annual fee comes due if desired. I'm i...
by tacster
Tue Dec 13, 2016 6:35 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Silver market was allegedly fixed
Replies: 11
Views: 2085

Re: Silver market was allegedly fixed

sandramjet wrote:I didn't read the article, but just the words "silver market" bring to mind (well for some, anyway) the Hunt brothers and their effort to manipulate that market....
Yep that's what I thought the thread was referring to.
by tacster
Mon Nov 28, 2016 11:46 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Gas range and refrigerator suggestions?
Replies: 13
Views: 2102

Re: Gas range and refrigerator suggestions?

Parents are looking for new appliances. They currently have an old gas range and a fridge. Budget is about 1K for range and about 1.5K or so for the fridge. They cook quite a bit and don't want anything electric. Fridge is an issue as they have limited space, only 65.5inch height. They came across this range: http://www.jcpenney.com/samsung-58-cu-ft-gas-range-with-convection/prod.jump?ppId=pp5006590063 Any idea if that is a good gas range? Just purchased that exact range. So far it's working great. Heats up very quickly. Big improvement over my old builder grade range. Can't speak to reliability yet as I've only had it a couple weeks. Be aware these modern high powered gas ovens do emit quite a bit of heat from the vent when in use. It's b...
by tacster
Tue Nov 22, 2016 10:49 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New gas range vents LOTS of heat into kitchen
Replies: 45
Views: 44238

Re: New gas range vents LOTS of heat into kitchen

The reason this happens: Gas ovens are heated by a flame. In order for the flame to burn, there must be a steady supply of fresh oxygen. If the oven were tightly sealed it could not draw in fresh oxygen. Therefore the oven must have an air intake and an exhaust vent. The vent allows hot air to escape from the stove, but is necessary to support combustion. FYI, I also just replaced an old gas range with new Samsung very similar to yours. It vents a lot more heat than the old one did. Not surprising, since the new oven has a much higher BTU rating. I do have a proper vent fan over the stove to draw off the heat. Unlike the poster above, I find that using convection bake with lower temperature setting helps mitigate the issue somewhat. Of cour...
by tacster
Wed Nov 09, 2016 3:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Wife's Colleague Scratched our car with his car
Replies: 30
Views: 6642

Re: Wifes Colleague Scratched our car with his car

If not too severe, minor scratches can sometimes be touched up and/or polished out. Auto detailers do that sort of thing. Don't know what you'd be looking at costwise.
by tacster
Tue Nov 01, 2016 11:48 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Deleted
Replies: 26
Views: 5052

Re: leaf blower, chainsaw, hedger or single tool

letsgobobby wrote:thanks folks,

leaf blower is first and foremost, especially if I can find a decent one after season on sale. Probably can get away with the handheld as opposed to backpack since I'll probably only need to do it about 3 times per fall for leaves, and here and there to spot clean the driveway and sidewalk otherwise.
I use a handheld Stihl blower for my leafy half acre property. It works very well but after a few minutes my hand starts going numb from the vibration. Wishing I would have just spent the extra money for a backpack style blower.
by tacster
Sat Sep 17, 2016 4:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sawzall and Batt Operated tools questions?
Replies: 25
Views: 2751

Re: Sawzall and Batt Opertated tools questions?

I tried cutting up some tree limbs with my Sawzall and found that it didn't work very well. The short stroke of the sawzall just wasn't enough to quickly go through the limbs. A small chainsaw (small enough to easily hold and use with one hand) worked far better.
by tacster
Tue Sep 06, 2016 7:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How much is your cell phone bill?
Replies: 341
Views: 45685

Re: How much is your cell phone bill?

BlueCable wrote:Google Fi
$20 month for Unlimited Talk and Text
Data is $10/GB. If I use half a GB, I pay $5.

Coverage is as-advertised. Check their maps before you switch.

I am very happy so far (6 months).

edit: Plus tax.
Ditto.
by tacster
Sat Sep 03, 2016 7:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Next Weekend Car - Dodge Viper to What?
Replies: 65
Views: 10081

Re: Next Weekend Car - Dodge Viper to What?

C7 Corvette. Might be a little above that budget though.
by tacster
Wed Aug 31, 2016 12:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Toyota Tacoma - 4 cylinder vs. 6
Replies: 24
Views: 18180

Re: Toyota Tacoma - 4 cylinder vs. 6

Sounds like you liked your previous Tacoma and are a loyal customer. However, I just saw Consumer Reports' list of disappointing cars for 2017 and surprisingly the Tacoma is listed (albeit they say it's good for towing): With a punchy powertrain, the Toyota Tacoma excels for hauling, towing, and off-road use. But for everyday driving or commuting, the Tacoma feels dated and is uncomfortable. Clumsy handling makes it a chore to drive, and the rough ride is fatiguing, with constant jiggling and a rubbery feel over even small imperfections. More here: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2013/03/the-disappointing-dozen-cars-that-fail-our-tests/index.htm Not sure if this is helpful, but wanted to share. Moreover, I believe this review is fo...
by tacster
Thu Aug 25, 2016 4:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Honda maintenance schedule?
Replies: 57
Views: 20177

Re: Honda maintenance schedule?

Dutch wrote:Does anybody know if the current Civic engines have a timing belt or a chain?
Google says it has a chain. Usually you can tell by looking - if there's a removable plastic cover it has a belt, no removable cover it has a chain.
by tacster
Tue Aug 23, 2016 2:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: cost to build a deck?
Replies: 10
Views: 2374

Re: cost to build a deck?

I recently rebuilt my home's 200 sqft deck. The estimate I got was $3800 to have someone build it using pressure treated lumber, built to code. Since I'm handy I ended up doing the whole job myself, using cedar, for under $2000 all in. This is a medium to somewhat lower cost area for most things. IMO your estimate does not seem terribly unreasonable, especially the $500 for tear off. That was a miserable chore.
by tacster
Wed Aug 17, 2016 4:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Home warranty of choice?
Replies: 13
Views: 2478

Re: Home warranty of choice?

My new construction house came with a home warranty. One year later the warranty company went bankrupt. Never got a thing out of it.
by tacster
Tue Aug 16, 2016 10:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Gutters and gutter guards
Replies: 64
Views: 14485

Re: Gutters and gutter guards

miles monroe wrote:
i am curious if anyone has tried the foam gutter fillers. they fill up the gutter, but the foam allows the water to go thru the gutter system. supposedly. i can see how these could fail. anyone?
I tried those foam gutter fillers. The top of them quickly clogged up with dirt and pine needles. Pulled them out, threw them away and went back to manual gutter cleaning as needed.
by tacster
Tue Aug 09, 2016 10:10 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Will realtor advise on needed improvements for home sale?
Replies: 38
Views: 3606

Re: Will realtor advise on needed improvements for home sale?

I say keep the whole process as simple and painless as possible. Do an estate sale or auction to clear out the contents, then sell the house as-is as a fixer upper and be done with it. Realtors can help establish a fair value. Upgrades and repairs seldom return what they cost, and it sounds like you/your mother are already busy enough with your father's care, so I wouldn't go down that path. Good luck.
by tacster
Tue Aug 02, 2016 11:18 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: anyone own a stingray corvette? how do you like it?
Replies: 51
Views: 7767

Re: anyone own a stingray corvette? how do you like it?

navyasw02 wrote:As much as I want to like this generation, I cant get over the fact that the rear end looks like they ran out of time and took pages from the Camaro design.
Agree with you on the rear end. If they had used the C6 rear, imo the car would look dead perfect: http://s1.cdn.autoevolution.com/images/ ... 4612_1.jpg

That said, I'm still seriously thinking about buying one. :happy
by tacster
Wed Jul 27, 2016 11:32 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do Realtors Find FSBOs?
Replies: 63
Views: 10659

Re: Do Realtors Find FSBOs?

I paid a few hundred dollars to have my property listed on the MLS and offered a 3% buyer's agent commission. I had no problems with getting showings and was happy with the final selling price. This was not my first time selling property and past experiences with listing agents made me decide listing agents were simply not worth their 3%. When you folks sell a house with no listing agent, how does it work with your side of the closing process? Is the paperwork simple enough that you handle it yourself? How do you know what all needs to be done and how to go about doing it? I'm kicking around the idea of selling my house this way and would like to know what I'd need to know. Lawyers are not normally used for real estate transactions here.
by tacster
Sat Jul 09, 2016 11:59 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Home inspection items for repair
Replies: 32
Views: 3742

Re: Home inspection items for repair

engin33r wrote: I guess I don't see a flip as being more risky than any other kind of work done on a home, including the initial build. Everyone's always trying to do things for the lowest cost as quick as they can. No matter what resale house you buy, there's probably lots of questionable stuff behind the drywall.
You got that right on the initial build. I discovered all kinds of stuff over the years on my new build house. Everything from failure to install flashing on exterior doors leading to water intrusion and rot, to leftover drywall scraps stashed between the walls and empty beer cans hidden under the insulation. Not saying a flipper would be better or worse, I'd take them all with a large grain of salt.
by tacster
Wed Jul 06, 2016 7:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Costco Tires - Anyone ever frustrated?
Replies: 86
Views: 39008

Re: Costco Tires - Anyone ever frustrated?

quantAndHold wrote:People rotate their tires?

The only time in 30 years I ever found that my tires actually wore unevenly was when my alignment was off. And then no amount of rotation was going to save them.
+1
This thread motivated me to go out and measure the tread on my pickup tires. They have about 55,000 miles and have never been rotated. Turns out the tread depth is the same on all of them - 7/32. Of course I don't go around doing a lot of hard accelerations, if so obviously the rear tires are going to wear down faster.
by tacster
Mon Jun 27, 2016 6:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Car talk: sonata MPG dropped a lot
Replies: 43
Views: 6911

Re: Car talk: sonata MPG dropped a lot

Does the car have a locking gas cap?
by tacster
Thu Jun 23, 2016 11:05 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Replacing rotten stud in wall
Replies: 32
Views: 15597

Re: Replacing rotten stud in wall

rgarling wrote:Contractors have a way of expanding the work to fit the size of your wallet. In my world your problem could be patched in about 2 hours of carpentry and be stronger than original.
Yep. I recently did a similar repair job on my own house. Cost a couple hundred dollars in materials and some of my time.
by tacster
Wed Jun 22, 2016 9:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: best wristwatch for the price
Replies: 196
Views: 23130

Re: best wristwatch for the price

How about Momentum? They have a number of models <$200 with optional sapphire crystal if desired.

Example: http://www.momentumwatch.com/product/ba ... r-leather/
by tacster
Mon May 09, 2016 5:56 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: liquid cash in retirement: keep 2-3 years of expenses?!
Replies: 17
Views: 4837

Re: liquid cash in retirement: keep 2-3 years of expenses?!

The Wizard wrote:No need for Emergency Fund in retirement. Main use for it in working years is for job loss, which is moot in retirement.

Also no need for large cash buffer, based on my three years of retirement thus far.
I keep $3000 to $5000 in my checking account and reinvest the rest.

What is helpful is to have extra income beyond your basic expenses in retirement. That can be helpful when problems arise...
^This right here. If unexpected expenses crop up, redeem investments as needed to cover them.