Search found 407 matches

by cutterinnj
Wed Mar 20, 2024 11:03 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: M43rds digital camera vs Iphone 13 pro max?
Replies: 101
Views: 4905

Re: M43rds digital camera vs Iphone 13 pro max?

The iPhone 13 Pro (and Max) have 3x zoom and are 12 MP
The iPhone 14 Pro (and Max) have 3x zoom and are 48 MP
The iPhone 15 Pro has 3x and 48 MP
The iPhone 15 Pro Max has 5x zoom and 48 MP

Unsure how much the change in megapixels make between the 13 Pro to 14 Pro, but it may make a difference to professionals
by cutterinnj
Wed Mar 20, 2024 9:50 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Replacing Xfinity (Comcast) modem
Replies: 39
Views: 3080

Re: Replacing Xfinity (Comcast) modem

That's an insane rental price; renting should be INCLUDED in the monthly fees if you're on a promotion.

I used to own my own modem with them. About a year or so ago, they had a promotion; $25 per month (tax included) for internet INCLUDING the modem.

They still have promotions like that.

This is what you should be paying for modem plus service included.
by cutterinnj
Thu Mar 07, 2024 9:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I buy this phone?
Replies: 24
Views: 2046

Re: Should I buy this phone?

A few weeks ago, I upgraded my iPhone 11 with a cracked screen to an iPhone 13 Pro 256gigs; it was $500 (less than 2 years ago it would've cost $1200 new.)
What a difference! Very nice screen, great camera, snappy performance.

The pro models are very nice, and they depreciate faster than the standard models. the 13 pro is the "sweet spot" now; can get them on Swappa.
by cutterinnj
Sun Feb 18, 2024 8:58 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I get a Lexus ES for its V6?
Replies: 96
Views: 8715

Re: Should I get a Lexus ES for its V6?

I've had 3 ES 350's since 2009; I always buy used (2 CPO, 1 just used) and they ride great- maybe a little boring, but comfortable and pretty reliable.

They also depreciate quickly; I bought the 2005 CPO for around 16K in 2009, the non-CPO 2007 in 2013 (after the 2005 was totaled) for 16k and then the 2014 CPO for $23k in 2017 with 38k miles on it, which I'm still driving with 131k miles

This is the true Boglehead car.
by cutterinnj
Fri Jan 19, 2024 6:04 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: VTMFX as a proxy savings account
Replies: 37
Views: 2830

Re: VTMFX as a proxy savings account

Did you mean VMFXX? (Not VTMFX)

VMFXX is probably a good option
by cutterinnj
Sat Sep 23, 2023 4:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Airport parking in Philly
Replies: 9
Views: 1078

Re: Airport parking in Philly

Use globalparking or a similar service- it finds hotels by the Philly airport that let you park for very cheap

Some hotels will also include 14 days of parking free if you stay there the night before- we’ve done that before for trips from Philly and it was much cheaper and just as convenient as airport parking
by cutterinnj
Sun Aug 21, 2022 9:07 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: AppleCare+ for new iPhone SE
Replies: 25
Views: 2631

Re: AppleCare+ for new iPhone SE

The only thing I buy AppleCare for now are my kids’ iPads, as they are klutzes and have broken things.

I don’t think it makes sense on the iPhone SE- it is a less expensive device. If you broke the screen, you can get it fixed third party for under $100. Even if you lost it, you’ll probably be able to rebuy it for a few hundred.
by cutterinnj
Thu Apr 07, 2022 2:57 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Stanford vs Brown vs Rice
Replies: 120
Views: 10486

Re: Stanford vs Brown vs Rice

I would like to hear your opinions on this. A friend's son got accepted to the above schools. They are pondering which school he should go to. His goal is to eventually get an MD. They live near Dallas, TX. Stanford is the son's first choice. Parents pay $14K/year. School pays the rest including room & board Rice is 2nd choice. School pays everything include room & board. Brown is 3rd. Parents pay $28K/year. Brown has Liberal Medical Education program, https://plme.med.brown.edu/ , in which he could get undergrad and MD in 8 years-no MCAT. He also got in Cornell, Georgetown, UT Austin, UT Dallas. For UT Dallas, everything is paid for + stipends. If he knows that he wants to be a doctor and he has already been accepted to the brown ...
by cutterinnj
Sat Apr 02, 2022 9:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Case Western or 'University of Pittsburgh Honors College' for Premed
Replies: 32
Views: 4739

Re: Case Western or 'University of Pittsburgh Honors College' for Premed

goru1 wrote: Sat Apr 02, 2022 4:17 pm We have visited 'University of Pittsburgh'. We will visit Case. We don't have any MD in our family.

Premed Ranking Source:
https://www.savvypremed.com/blog/introd ... earch-tool

As a physician who graduated “premed” from the school ranked number one in that survey, I’d recommend throwing that survey away and never looking at it again- I wouldn’t recommend my worst enemy to go to my alma mater as a “premed”.
by cutterinnj
Sat Apr 02, 2022 9:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Case Western or 'University of Pittsburgh Honors College' for Premed
Replies: 32
Views: 4739

Re: Case Western or 'University of Pittsburgh Honors College' for Premed

The little I’ve read on the doctor groups on Facebook say that case western is a pretty competitive premed school- very cutthroat.

For premed, go to the place where it’s easiest to get good grades, or get a major in something as a backup.

Example- case has a great engineering school- if the student is thinking engineering, it could work
by cutterinnj
Mon Mar 28, 2022 6:27 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Don't pay full price for SiriusXM radio
Replies: 649
Views: 113113

Re: Don't pay full price for SiriusXM radio

They currently have a promotion
$5 per month for a year, free upgrade to the platinum package, free Amazon echo.

At this point, I have 3 spare echos in my closet
by cutterinnj
Thu Jan 20, 2022 8:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Managing allowance for a 14 year old
Replies: 63
Views: 5389

Re: Managing allowance for a 14 year old

I use Bankaroo for my kids' allowance. It keeps track and adds weekly (for free.)

I also give them 5% interest per month to encourage them to save; Bankaroo takes care of that, as well.

As they use their allowance, I deduct it from their bankaroo "account" and it gives them a "receipt".
by cutterinnj
Fri Jan 07, 2022 7:25 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Disney experience
Replies: 301
Views: 26311

Re: Disney experience

Consider a Disney Cruise with kids.

We went on one a few years back; it was far more laid-back than the parks. The kids got to meet every character without waiting (including dance parties with them.)
Food was good for all, and activities were great for the kids (again, without waiting like you do at parks.)

There were also Marvel characters who put on an amazing show on the deck with fireworks.

Way more expensive than a normal cruise, but the kids absolutely had a blast.
by cutterinnj
Thu Dec 30, 2021 7:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Favorite Purchases of 2021?
Replies: 203
Views: 19287

Re: Favorite Purchases of 2021?

M1 MacBook Air. This is the best computer I've ever owned.
by cutterinnj
Wed Dec 01, 2021 6:15 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Introducing Kids To Investing
Replies: 19
Views: 1874

Re: Introducing Kids To Investing

Always looking for more advice on this.

I invest for my kids (8, 10) in VTSAX. They conceptually don't quite get it, so I also bought them a share in Roblox (a gaming company they love.)

I show them the balance of both, and explain that they have ownership in Roblox as a company, as well as virtually every company in the country, to give them some perspective.
by cutterinnj
Sat Nov 27, 2021 11:49 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: VOIP - what do you use?
Replies: 65
Views: 10656

Re: VOIP - what do you use?

Padlin wrote: Sat Nov 27, 2021 11:11 am Waking this thread... I need a home phone, our Verizon cell service requires us to stand out on the back deck, which in the winter is no fun.
Most modern phones and plans have wifi calling-
Meaning that it will use your router’s wifi when cell reception isn’t great to make your calls.
This is seamless, and the quality of the call in indistinguishable from any other call.

Would check to make sure you have this enabled- you should not need a landline to overcome this in 2021
by cutterinnj
Sun Oct 10, 2021 11:34 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: iPhone upgrade - suggestions
Replies: 50
Views: 4271

Re: iPhone upgrade - suggestions

Why not upgrade to the iPhone SE?

It's the form factor of the iPhone 8 (which still has a button) but with the innards of the IPhone 11 (very capable and fast.)
It's also much cheaper than the iPhone 13.

There is also strong evidence that there will be a new version of the iPhone SE coming by early next year with the innards of the iPhone 13 and 5g capabilities, which will likely have the same price as the current SE.
by cutterinnj
Thu Oct 07, 2021 5:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Things to do in San Antonio, TX
Replies: 58
Views: 5480

Re: Things to do in San Antonio, TX

If you do go to the Alamo, make sure you see the basement.
by cutterinnj
Thu Oct 07, 2021 10:20 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Using 529s to Avoid Estate Taxes
Replies: 5
Views: 638

Re: Using 529s to Avoid Estate Taxes

529s are a great way to set up an educational generational trust
by cutterinnj
Tue Sep 28, 2021 8:36 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Weekend in Philly
Replies: 15
Views: 1674

Re: Weekend in Philly

Dmslax45 wrote: Tue Sep 28, 2021 7:04 am I’ll be heading to Philadelphia this weekend with my wife and 3 kids (5,2,6mos) as a quick getaway. The focal points will be heading to the Zoo, aquarium, and Drexel museum, but wondering if anyone has recommendations for other things to do with the kids. We will also squeeze in the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall while we are there. Staying in Center City.

Any other fun things to do with the kids there? Good restaurants? We will have the in-laws with us, so might be able to sneak out with DW one night.

Need to do the kids museum there!

The Franklin Institute is fantastic, but they're a little young for that.
by cutterinnj
Sun Sep 12, 2021 8:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Easiest way to watch/convert VHS tape
Replies: 15
Views: 1805

Re: Easiest way to watch/convert VHS tape

Would send them to a service like everpresent.
They’ll convert to files for you. Then download them and see which (if any) are not appropriate
by cutterinnj
Tue Jul 20, 2021 1:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Need to Replace a Macbook Air. Recommendations?
Replies: 66
Views: 6527

Re: Need to Replace a Macbook Air. Recommendations?

Buy the new MacBook Air with the M1 chip.
Dramatically faster and better.
BestBuy has on on sale right now for $800 new.
by cutterinnj
Sat Jul 10, 2021 8:33 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is a vacation ownership/share for us?
Replies: 3
Views: 752

Re: Is a vacation ownership/share for us?

I prefer AirBNB/VRBO (or hotels.)

I go where I want, when I want, without getting locked into anything.

Then I take the fees I would've paid and put it into VTSAX.
by cutterinnj
Mon Jun 28, 2021 10:27 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Don't pay full price for SiriusXM radio
Replies: 649
Views: 113113

Re: Don't pay full price for SiriusXM radio

Just did my yearly call to threaten to cancel/renew.
I get the total package (I need Howard Stern) so it's always a bit more.

When I called, I got an automated response that said to renew for $99 for the year, press 1. I pressed 1. It read me the terms, asked me to approve, and charged me.

Easiest call yet. I'm sure this saves them money vs the normal charade most go through with reps.
by cutterinnj
Sat Jun 12, 2021 6:14 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Which MacBook Do I Want?
Replies: 43
Views: 4937

Re: Which MacBook Do I Want?

Go with the air.
It’s on sale at $900.

Make sure you get the new model, with the M1 chip.

The pro doesn’t have any real advantage at this point for normal use.
by cutterinnj
Thu Jun 03, 2021 9:12 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: First computer for kids 6-10: Mac? PC? Chrome OS?
Replies: 27
Views: 3954

Re: First computer for kids 6-10: Mac? PC? Chrome OS?

I just purchased a MacMini for my family to use.
Costco has it right now for $600, and sent a $50 coupon to many active members, making it $550.

It's the new Mac with the M1 chip, which is very fast and likely to last a long time.
Just attach a monitor, keyboard, and mouse, and you're set.

Kids can use it for Chrome for school and any mac (as well as iPad) apps as necessary.
by cutterinnj
Mon May 31, 2021 8:44 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: VTI vs VTSAX: Why are returns different?
Replies: 4
Views: 687

VTI vs VTSAX: Why are returns different?

Probably a really basic question;
my understanding was that VTSAX and VTI were essentially equal (mutual fund vs ETF)

I'm showing that the return from Friday for VTSAX was 0.08%, but the return for VTI was 0.17%.

How is this possible if they are both following the same index?
by cutterinnj
Tue May 25, 2021 11:59 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Car Values Rising Or Am I Losing My Mind ?
Replies: 26
Views: 4374

Re: Car Values Rising Or Am I Losing My Mind ?

You're not going crazy.
Bought my Lexus ES350 with 35k miles on it for 23k November 2017. Checked KBB, now with almost 90k miles on it, valued around 19k. Cheapest ownership I have seen!

Of course, I won't be selling for another 10 years, at which point I assume it will be work 2-3k.
by cutterinnj
Mon May 24, 2021 10:01 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cars -- When and Why Did You Switch from Economy/Practicality to Luxury?
Replies: 333
Views: 35066

Re: Cars -- When and Why Did You Switch from Economy/Practicality to Luxury?

I buy used Lexus ES350's (keep them until someone invariably totals it. Jersey Drivers...)

They are inexpensive (never paid more than low 20's), reliable, easy and cheap to maintain (basically Camry parts), comfortable, and semi-"luxurious"
by cutterinnj
Mon May 24, 2021 9:16 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: MacBook Pro replacement
Replies: 93
Views: 10242

Re: MacBook Pro replacement

Get the Macbook Air with M1 for $900 (often goes on sale or use the education discount.)
Don't bother getting more than 8 gigs; you won't know the difference.
by cutterinnj
Tue May 11, 2021 12:02 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How much do you target for a 529 plan?
Replies: 93
Views: 13629

Re: How much do you target for a 529 plan?

I superfunded my kids’ accounts for the first few years of their lives (I think even before they were born) and stopped a few years ago.

The 10 year old has around 350k, and the 8 year old has around 250k.
I have no intention on giving them another penny.
by cutterinnj
Mon May 03, 2021 7:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Lexus or Tesla?
Replies: 193
Views: 17206

Re: Lexus or Tesla?

I bought Lexus ES’s used. (Last 3 cars)

1- cheap! 2014 cost 23k certified 3.5 years ago
2- reliable! Minimal down time, should last many years, hundreds of thousands of miles (I generally replace if totaled)
3-non-proprietary parts- uses toyota parts and cheap to maintain
4- comfortable

It is a bogleheads car
by cutterinnj
Thu Apr 15, 2021 9:02 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Biggest expenses in life
Replies: 50
Views: 5331

Re: Biggest expenses in life

Divorce, by far. Sets retirement back some years.
Worth it, but wish I had the insight to get a pre-nup.
by cutterinnj
Thu Apr 15, 2021 7:21 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Physician Jobs: Private Equity or Industry?
Replies: 19
Views: 3663

Re: Physician Jobs: Private Equity or Industry?

Specialty surgeon here

I recommend against going to a practice involved with PE.

The advantage of PE (for the surgeons) is when they are bought by the PE firm and they get a big payout (often millions).

They then take a lower salary and decreased autonomy to make up for it.

You will be accepting a lower salary and decreased autonomy without the payout.

Lose/lose.
by cutterinnj
Sun Apr 11, 2021 6:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Seeking advice - College selection - Premed
Replies: 51
Views: 4289

Re: Seeking advice - College selection - Premed

Doctor here;

Undergrad school makes virtually no difference whatsoever.

Choose whichever is cheapest/gives the most merit $$$.

Focus on aceing your classes and doing something to be well rounded.
by cutterinnj
Tue Mar 30, 2021 7:35 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: High spenders what do you spend on?
Replies: 257
Views: 33052

Re: High spenders what do you spend on?

Alimony and Child Support eat up a considerable portion of my salary.
by cutterinnj
Sat Feb 20, 2021 7:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Amazon Firestick vs. Roku
Replies: 72
Views: 5944

Re: Amazon Firestick vs. Roku

I have both.

In general, I like the interface of roku more.

However, I’ve started using the voice activation on the fire sticks recently, and it is awesome.

I press a button, say “wandavision”, and it automatically loads up Disney plus and gets into the show.

Roku doesn’t have that (yet.)
by cutterinnj
Thu Jan 14, 2021 11:13 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone here have Xfinity Streaming....
Replies: 33
Views: 3061

Re: Anyone here have Xfinity Streaming....

lazydavid wrote: Thu Jan 14, 2021 8:03 am
scifilover wrote: Thu Jan 14, 2021 7:50 am In some locations Comcast (Xfinity) has begun metering data with a 1.2TB cap and then additional charges for each additional 50MB....Just be aware....
I would expect that they zero-rate their own streaming traffic, so this shouldn't be an issue.

Actually, it is; they've said that streaming WILL count towards the cap.
by cutterinnj
Mon Jan 04, 2021 2:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Any multimillionaire's (more than 2mm) out there still mow their own lawn?
Replies: 341
Views: 33733

Re: Any multimillionaire's (more than 2mm) out there still mow their own lawn?

No... And now this topic makes me feel like I'm a huge waster. LOL

I consider myself pretty thrifty. However, I do spend $150 every week for house cleaning as well as full lawn maintenance (mowing plus yearly seeding, clean-ups, etc...)
by cutterinnj
Thu Dec 31, 2020 11:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Bogleheads Cell Phone?
Replies: 81
Views: 7794

Re: Bogleheads Cell Phone?

iPhones for us. They are reliable and more secure than most.

They also last longer.

I had the 6S until last year when I upgraded to 11, and gifted the 6S to kids, who are still using it (over 5 years old)
by cutterinnj
Thu Dec 31, 2020 3:52 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The Case Against 529's
Replies: 219
Views: 18778

Re: The Case Against 529's

I superfunded my kids’ 529s when they were little and it was one of the smartest things I’ve ever done.
During my divorce last year, it was untouchable during equitable distribution- ex spouse couldn’t claim it, and lawyers couldn’t bill over it. Every penny is for my kids, and it should be enough for both of them to go to college and grad school in another 8 and 10 years.
by cutterinnj
Fri Dec 25, 2020 4:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What is the cheapest Android phone?
Replies: 22
Views: 1667

Re: What is the cheapest Android phone?

Buy a cheap tracfone for $50-$90 and just don’t activate it
by cutterinnj
Thu Dec 24, 2020 9:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How much to save for 529 plan?
Replies: 24
Views: 3095

Re: How much to save for 529 plan?

In the case of a divorce, 529 accounts are not part of the equitable distribution. Meaning- they will go to your child, and one less thing to worry about in dividing assets.

Also, if there is money left over, it can be used by future generations. I superfunded 529’s to serve as a family educations trust that will hopefully last generations, not just my children.
by cutterinnj
Fri Dec 18, 2020 9:07 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Where are you storing your emergency fund money?
Replies: 109
Views: 16692

Re: Where are you storing your emergency fund money?

I am keeping a bunch completely liquid in checking, making virtually nothing.

In this current market, it’s not worth the possible few hundred $$$ chasing rates.

I have significant fixed expenses for the next few years (Ie alimony, mortgage, nanny costs, etc...) and like having it available and visible at all times.
by cutterinnj
Thu Dec 17, 2020 9:25 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How do bogleheads optimize credit card rewards?
Replies: 70
Views: 13915

Re: How do bogleheads optimize credit card rewards?

I use the chase amazon card for just about everything.

Gives me 5% back on Amazon (get a lot of stuff from there), 2% on I think food, and 1% everything else.

I use the target card for 5% off at target.

Not worth chasing pennies otherwise
by cutterinnj
Thu Dec 17, 2020 9:07 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Who's keeping Netflix now? (price increased to $13.99)
Replies: 215
Views: 19983

Re: Who's keeping Netflix now? (price increased to $13.99)

Netflix is worth every penny. No cable (which some pay hundreds for???)
For $14, we can watch anywhere we are. Absolute bargain.
by cutterinnj
Thu Dec 17, 2020 9:03 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Apple Macbook Air 2020 discounted
Replies: 35
Views: 3775

Re: Apple Macbook Air 2020 discounted

Do not buy the older intel MacBook Air.
You can get the M1 for only $200 more, and is far more future proof.
It is also much, much faster, and the battery lasts much, much longer.

Apple is phasing out the older intel based macs quickly, and will have very limited support by 2023.
by cutterinnj
Mon Dec 14, 2020 2:01 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 529 or not?
Replies: 29
Views: 2772

Re: 529 or not?

529's would likely be protected in the case of divorce. Something to consider.
by cutterinnj
Sat Dec 12, 2020 10:00 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: BIG downloads (MacOS), slow internet. How to handle?
Replies: 17
Views: 10147

Re: BIG downloads (MacOS), slow internet. How to handle?

Has anyone downloaded Big Sur yet on an older MacBook Air? I have a mid-2013 version on Catalina now. A lot of websites makes it sound like a jet plane about to take off, and wondering if Big Sur is any worse or better.