Search found 3253 matches
- Wed Feb 15, 2023 6:03 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Why Do People Like Linux?
- Replies: 254
- Views: 19136
Re: Why Do People Like Linux?
if it hasn't already been written, if you just want to have a computer in the basement to use for hosting backups and movies and an ad-blocker, linux is much better suited to continuous uptime and remote maintenance (no monitor needed).
- Wed Feb 15, 2023 5:50 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Computer Build to Super-Rapidly Rip CDs
- Replies: 38
- Views: 3868
Re: Computer Build to Super-Rapidly Rip CDs
Find a case with a bunch of 5.25 bays. Honestly you may need to scrounge facebook marketplace, craigslist, offerup, for old tower cases that have many 5.25 bays. something like an antec 300. Or another tower case from the 2000's. Find a motherboard with lots of SATA ports. you could probably get an older board with 8 or 10 (especially if it's a few years old xeon). But newer consumer boards are probably limited to 6 or less. you could maybe get a pcie expansion card if you needed more SATAports. Find a bunch of DVD drives. Used ones can be had pretty cheap, often thrown away. I have four in a box at home. there is software clusters called "automatic ripping machine" meant for linux to automate the process, never used it but it mig...
- Thu Apr 14, 2022 9:04 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: TIPS - Did you give up?
- Replies: 493
- Views: 101541
Re: TIPS - Did you give up?
oh yikes, I figure shorter term would be better in a rising rate environment, but didn't know that short term treasuries had been hammered that hard.
- Thu Apr 14, 2022 7:02 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: TIPS - Did you give up?
- Replies: 493
- Views: 101541
Re: TIPS - Did you give up?
I have had short term TIPS fund in my HSA investment account for a while.
performance has been traditionally pitiable.
according to fidelity, the 1 year performance has been... 3.47%. Which is pre inflation, so I guess not that good either.
performance has been traditionally pitiable.
according to fidelity, the 1 year performance has been... 3.47%. Which is pre inflation, so I guess not that good either.
- Tue Feb 08, 2022 2:25 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards
- Replies: 7054
- Views: 890814
Re: Bank of America/Merrill Edge - Preferred Rewards
Discover and Chase Freedom sometimes have months where you can get 5% back on things like amazon, ebay, paypal, etc.
- Wed Mar 24, 2021 4:57 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Bank of America Preferred Rewards vs. Wealth Management
- Replies: 61
- Views: 29237
Re: Bank of America Preferred Rewards vs. Wealth Management
I just wanted to clarify that a bit earlier I implied that I was automatically bumped from platinum honors to wealth management tiers.
Nope! I hadn't read the old posts for enough context.
I'm still platinum honors tier and have not even attempted to upgrade to wealth management (no compelling reason for me for me to do so)
Nope! I hadn't read the old posts for enough context.
I'm still platinum honors tier and have not even attempted to upgrade to wealth management (no compelling reason for me for me to do so)
- Tue Mar 16, 2021 2:25 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Bank of America Preferred Rewards vs. Wealth Management
- Replies: 61
- Views: 29237
Re: Bank of America Preferred Rewards vs. Wealth Management
yeah it did happen automatically. After my average balance was over 250k for rolling three months (or whatever the specific requirement was) then I figured the auto bump happened a couple weeks or month after that.
- Tue Mar 16, 2021 8:24 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Bank of America Preferred Rewards vs. Wealth Management
- Replies: 61
- Views: 29237
Re: Bank of America Preferred Rewards vs. Wealth Management
The 75 percent. Which makes their premium rewards card one of the best cards in my wallet
- Mon Mar 15, 2021 11:24 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Bank of America Preferred Rewards vs. Wealth Management
- Replies: 61
- Views: 29237
Re: Bank of America Preferred Rewards vs. Wealth Management
Yes, I've had free trades and a bump in my credit card rewards for a few years now.
- Fri Mar 12, 2021 2:55 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Bank of America Preferred Rewards vs. Wealth Management
- Replies: 61
- Views: 29237
Re: Bank of America Preferred Rewards vs. Wealth Management
I think it took a while longer than I expected to get bumped it. Like a couple of weeks (it's been a while though)(.
EDIT: no I was not every automatically upgraded to the Wealth Management tier, I misread. Nor have I attempted to call and be upgrade. Just chilling at Platinum Honors level.
EDIT: no I was not every automatically upgraded to the Wealth Management tier, I misread. Nor have I attempted to call and be upgrade. Just chilling at Platinum Honors level.
- Tue Sep 01, 2020 9:22 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Bank of America Preferred Rewards vs. Wealth Management
- Replies: 61
- Views: 29237
Re: Bank of America Preferred Rewards vs. Wealth Management
weird, i'm over the 250k threshold but just at the regular platinum honors level.
is the wealth management thing an automatic upgrade or does one ask for it?
the benefits don't really seem like a big deal for my usage except perhaps waived foreign transaction fees on cards
is the wealth management thing an automatic upgrade or does one ask for it?
the benefits don't really seem like a big deal for my usage except perhaps waived foreign transaction fees on cards
- Mon Jun 25, 2018 3:49 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Sudden appearance of multiple buyers real or negotiation tactic?
- Replies: 61
- Views: 5977
Re: Sudden appearance of multiple buyers real or negotiation tactic?
I would recommend trying to ignore the baffling seller and evaluate carefully the house and how much you're willing to pay for the house. And then make your offer. It may be higher or lower than your original offer!
- Thu Jun 14, 2018 3:51 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Subaru infotainment issues -can people chime in?
- Replies: 44
- Views: 11742
Re: Subaru infotainment issues -can people chime in?
Wife's 2017 outback's system is mostly okay.
Just yesterday, notice radio spontaneously changing channel 0.2 to one side.
also, if I Bluetooth link my Samsung galaxy S8, and try "not" to link it as a media player, then the Bluetooth phone link blinks in and out
Just yesterday, notice radio spontaneously changing channel 0.2 to one side.
also, if I Bluetooth link my Samsung galaxy S8, and try "not" to link it as a media player, then the Bluetooth phone link blinks in and out
- Thu Jun 14, 2018 3:38 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Cheap, fuel efficient 2nd car commuting?
- Replies: 17
- Views: 3375
Re: Cheap, fuel efficient 2nd car commuting?
I vote used hybrid or compact car, or just keep using your truck.
- Thu Jun 14, 2018 3:36 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Drive from Phoenix to San Diego
- Replies: 42
- Views: 4238
Re: Drive from Phoenix to San Diego
We did the drive from grand canyon to San Diego and yeah, it's a solid 8 hours. so that's pretty much and entire day.
I live in San diego, it's fun. I've been to the Grand Canyon, it's fun too!
How old are the kids though? We went hiking down the trail a bit with a 4 year old. very excited and ran down the hill until we stopped to turn back up. Then she got hot and wanted to be carried. And was hot and sweaty and slippery. Me and my brother in law and cousin took turns carrying her back up the trail.
... i'm saying there's sort of a minimum age where a kid will be able to take advantage of it. My daughter's favorite thing of the ENTIRE TRIP was probably the s'mores over the campfire.
I live in San diego, it's fun. I've been to the Grand Canyon, it's fun too!
How old are the kids though? We went hiking down the trail a bit with a 4 year old. very excited and ran down the hill until we stopped to turn back up. Then she got hot and wanted to be carried. And was hot and sweaty and slippery. Me and my brother in law and cousin took turns carrying her back up the trail.
... i'm saying there's sort of a minimum age where a kid will be able to take advantage of it. My daughter's favorite thing of the ENTIRE TRIP was probably the s'mores over the campfire.
- Thu Jun 14, 2018 12:39 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Low inflation caused by e-commerce?
- Replies: 15
- Views: 2836
Re: Low inflation caused by e-commerce?
Here's a link to the NBER working paper, which costs $5 but lots of people can get it free:
http://www.nber.org/papers/w24649.pdf
Anyway, I only buy this theory if the CPI measurements don't take into account online merchants at all, compared with B&M merchants.
Because retail spending on "stuff" is still a smallish part of the CPI relative to food, energy, housing, healthcare, and services. And online purchases are only a percentage of stuff purchases.
http://www.nber.org/papers/w24649.pdf
Anyway, I only buy this theory if the CPI measurements don't take into account online merchants at all, compared with B&M merchants.
Because retail spending on "stuff" is still a smallish part of the CPI relative to food, energy, housing, healthcare, and services. And online purchases are only a percentage of stuff purchases.
- Mon Jun 11, 2018 5:59 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Respectfully Looking for Advice
- Replies: 20
- Views: 3125
Re: Respectfully Looking for Advice
As already mentioned, you should get an idea of what your desired retirement annual spending level, and compare it to your current annual spending.
How did you end up with so much in your savings account, and so little in retirement accounts? There may be some behavioral issues (like fear of investing?) that need to be addressed in order for you to sleep at night.
The cars feel expensive to me. I'm a pretty cheap guy. Would you be able to "downsize" one or both of them? Sell them and switch to a cheaper mode of transportation, even if just a cheaper car?
How did you end up with so much in your savings account, and so little in retirement accounts? There may be some behavioral issues (like fear of investing?) that need to be addressed in order for you to sleep at night.
The cars feel expensive to me. I'm a pretty cheap guy. Would you be able to "downsize" one or both of them? Sell them and switch to a cheaper mode of transportation, even if just a cheaper car?
- Thu Jun 07, 2018 4:06 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Large inheritance -- looking for advice
- Replies: 65
- Views: 11371
Re: Large inheritance -- looking for advice
I'm sorry for your loss!
i'd like to be the first to link the bogleheads wiki on managing a windfall:
https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Managing_a_windfall
As for individual stocks and funds, I believe you get a stepped up cost basis on both individual stocks and I think mutual funds, so at least there's not much capital gains hit from selling
i'd like to be the first to link the bogleheads wiki on managing a windfall:
https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Managing_a_windfall
As for individual stocks and funds, I believe you get a stepped up cost basis on both individual stocks and I think mutual funds, so at least there's not much capital gains hit from selling
- Thu Jun 07, 2018 11:34 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Mortgage Down Payment Help
- Replies: 16
- Views: 2200
Re: Mortgage Down Payment Help
Oh yeah, a conforming loan. you might get a lower rate if you pony up to keep it under that size limit ($464k?) you'll just have to look at the rate differential to see how long the payback is. Or... I'm not sure if this is shady or not, have your dad reduce the sale price even further, but then after the house closes each give him an unrelated cash gift to make him whole. Keep in mind, if you're only going to be in the house for a few years, then it's not going to be worth it to pay the realtor/relocation costs both ways to keep it and then sell it. And I hadn't noticed you guys weren't married. If I was in this situation it would make things complicated. If you both are liable for the house (on the loan) then you'd both should be titled o...
- Tue Jun 05, 2018 5:16 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Hole in Garage ceiling, possibly leaving upstairs bedroom hot?
- Replies: 35
- Views: 3990
Re: Hole in Garage ceiling, possibly leaving upstairs bedroom hot?
There's a chance the AC is working, but not "balanced". Either the air coming into your room isn't cold enough, or it's not high enough volume (duct too small or partially closed with a damper).
An HVAC tech could figure it out with an infrared thermoment and a little dealie to measure air pressure or velocity. (and knowledge of what to do with that info).
In general, a living space above a garage should be air-sealed and also have fire rated drywall to reduce the threat from gases or fire. And of course it should be insulated too, of course.
An HVAC tech could figure it out with an infrared thermoment and a little dealie to measure air pressure or velocity. (and knowledge of what to do with that info).
In general, a living space above a garage should be air-sealed and also have fire rated drywall to reduce the threat from gases or fire. And of course it should be insulated too, of course.
- Tue Jun 05, 2018 5:02 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Fitting three young kids in the car...
- Replies: 76
- Views: 8007
Re: Fitting three young kids in the car...
We have a couple of combi cocorro seats. Also small, also expensive like the diono. can't carry quite as huge of a kid.
Once they're older they can get a basic booster (we have evenflo amp, they are cheap) so there's gotta be a narrow verison.
Once they're older they can get a basic booster (we have evenflo amp, they are cheap) so there's gotta be a narrow verison.
- Tue Jun 05, 2018 4:44 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Mortgage Down Payment Help
- Replies: 16
- Views: 2200
Re: Mortgage Down Payment Help
huh, weirdly, the mortgage professor website had two articles explaining your question about the cost-benefit of larger down payments, and also paying points. https://www.mtgprofessor.com/A%20-%20Down%20Payment/Make-a-Larger-Down-Payment-or-Pay-Points.htm tl;dr version: getting a down payment large enough to eliminate PMI and get in the most favorible possible LTV ratio has a good payoff. After that, the payoff of a larger down payment is simply equal to the interest rate of the mortgage. Points are a good buy if your time horizon in the mortgage is fairly long. There's a calculator. Personally, we didn't pay points because estimating what's going on 8 years in the future seemed pretty unfeasible. But you know, 5% interest rate sounds like ...
- Mon Jun 04, 2018 7:57 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: 75% income into 401k?
- Replies: 5
- Views: 1733
Re: 75% income into 401k?
if you can live off the 25% (including some possible job uncertainty after the job ends) then sure, go for it. But if you're going to need the money sooner don't lock it away in a retirement account.
But as for the specific investment, I would invest according to your long term goals for your 401k and retirement savings in general.
But as for the specific investment, I would invest according to your long term goals for your 401k and retirement savings in general.
- Thu May 31, 2018 1:14 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Intra-family Mortgage Considerations
- Replies: 3
- Views: 773
Re: Intra-family Mortgage Considerations
We bought our house in 2013 and had a similar deal with my Dad. The main goal in the crazy home market was so that we could present ourselves as 'cash buyers'. The interest rate was 4%, which was the prevailing rate at that moment. We had a one page loan contract drawn up with the terms of the loan, and my parents had a lien on the house and everything (the escrow agent helped file the paperwork). Drew up a loan amortization table for the life of the loan of 360 payments. We paid my dad a mortgage payment every month, and we deducted the interest and he declared the income on his taxes (no 1098's were generated of course). We discussed some of the potential downsides to having a mortgage in the family for a long time: * he might need the ca...
- Thu May 31, 2018 1:02 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Where to invest
- Replies: 31
- Views: 1701
Re: Advice for bad advice
The dollar amount really doesn't matter in the scope of your overall portfolio.
You can sell it all if you want to simplify.
You can keep it if you want to see stock holdings fluctuate up and down for fun.
You can sell it all if you want to simplify.
You can keep it if you want to see stock holdings fluctuate up and down for fun.
- Thu May 24, 2018 12:54 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: If you suddenly became a millionaire [exceed FDIC insurance limit]
- Replies: 31
- Views: 6748
Re: If you suddenly became a millionaire [exceed FDIC insurance limit]
FDIC brochure on how accounts can be set up to have lots of insured funds, even at only one bank:
https://www.fdic.gov/deposit/deposits/b ... glish.html
But I'd probably say to get a taxable brokerage account to invest excess per your goals.
https://www.fdic.gov/deposit/deposits/b ... glish.html
But I'd probably say to get a taxable brokerage account to invest excess per your goals.
- Thu May 17, 2018 12:48 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Should I Pay Off My Mortgage When I Retire?
- Replies: 49
- Views: 5466
Re: Should I Pay Off My Mortgage When I Retire?
so, you'd be 'betting" that you can earn more money than the 2.5% interest rate costs you.
in theory, you'd need to determine if you're comfortable with that bet.
But in practice, it's a relatively small amount to you at a low interest rate.
I suspect the final decision truly won't matter, so either one is correct. congratulations!
in theory, you'd need to determine if you're comfortable with that bet.
But in practice, it's a relatively small amount to you at a low interest rate.
I suspect the final decision truly won't matter, so either one is correct. congratulations!
- Thu May 17, 2018 12:44 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Urgent: escrow situation in bay area
- Replies: 50
- Views: 4445
Re: Urgent: escrow situation in bay area
I can't advise you whether or not buying the house is a good idea. I mean, we're just in San Diego, but that still looks cheap in comparison. The house is a little over twice what ours cost when we bought it (mortgage is 3x), and your income is about 33-66% higher. i'm guessing this would pinch your finances hard, but you'll know your monthly numbers better than me. And you've got a kid to worry about with the move and a wife that needs to buy in also. I think the non financial considerations are actually going to be more difficult to navigate. Oh, and emotionally you need to figure if you're having justified or unjustified cold feet. For me, the cold feet was before making the offer and sending in the deposit. During the escrow process it ...
- Mon May 14, 2018 1:53 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: How to think about schools/homes (Greatschools/Niche)
- Replies: 70
- Views: 9118
Re: How to think about schools/homes (Greatschools/Niche)
you mention you can comfortably afford the new payment, but also that you'd miss the money, so there may be a bit of a disconnect there.
Is the idea of private school at all being considered? Because if so, the more expensive house is definitely cheaper than private school.
Is the idea of private school at all being considered? Because if so, the more expensive house is definitely cheaper than private school.
- Mon May 14, 2018 12:12 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Is there a boglehead muscle car?
- Replies: 140
- Views: 13775
Re: Is there a boglehead muscle car?
I remember reading about some guys putting drag racing engines into a geo metro.
Buy that car.
Buy that car.
- Tue May 08, 2018 6:29 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What have you baked recently?
- Replies: 538
- Views: 82892
Re: What have you baked recently?
My daughter and I made some neiman marcus recipe chocolate cookies, which are just the best.
https://www.neimanmarcus.com/NM/NM-Cook ... 0745/c.cat
https://www.neimanmarcus.com/NM/NM-Cook ... 0745/c.cat
- Tue May 08, 2018 6:27 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Whole house fan
- Replies: 16
- Views: 4934
Re: Whole house fan
Had one installed by a contractor about 3 years ago along with insulation work and stuff. I believe the fan is a panasonic. It has a high and low switch and is quite brawny. The fan is a bit removed from the ceiling via a large duct so it's a bit quieter.
It's really nice when the outside is at least 10 degrees cooler than the inside (preferably more). So good in spring/fall.
Biggest problem is my wife liking to turn it on if we make our kitchen stinky during the winter, which cools off the house way too fast.
It's really nice when the outside is at least 10 degrees cooler than the inside (preferably more). So good in spring/fall.
Biggest problem is my wife liking to turn it on if we make our kitchen stinky during the winter, which cools off the house way too fast.
- Tue May 08, 2018 6:12 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Alliant 3/2.5% card - any experience? [Now a "no annual fee" card]
- Replies: 147
- Views: 21388
Re: Alliant 3/2.5% card - any experience?
the back has the actual card number, expiration date, and CVV code, which is probably why he doesn't have a picture of it :) i've got the card, just hit my 1 year anniversary (and the fee). it's a good card. Only notes: 1) The card servicing is indeed outsource to a third party. Alliant does work with their website to integrate it and make it look like it's all the same, but it's still a little... separate. This rarely has a material impact on anything. 2) when you get your cash back, redeem back to your account. If you elect a statement credit you have to wait until your next statement cycle for it to pay. 3) One month the CC autopayment tried to withdraw twice. The second payment bounced, alliant worked for a day to fix it (without my pro...
- Mon May 07, 2018 6:11 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: When to buy new underwear?
- Replies: 86
- Views: 9178
Re: When to buy new underwear?
I must have purchased undies with better elastic, because instead of needing to throw them away when the elastic wore out, several pairs have actually had holes worn in themselves before that point.
- Thu May 03, 2018 6:23 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: To take or not to take delivery of Tesla 3
- Replies: 1326
- Views: 159858
Re: To take or not to take delivery of Tesla 3
niceguy7376 wrote: ↑Thu May 03, 2018 9:43 amwait, does this mean the Model S gets better mileage than the 3? That's not what I would expect.Jack FFR1846 wrote: ↑Thu May 03, 2018 7:52 am During my decision making to order or wait for base model, I did a savings estimate for a long trip.
From Atlanta to detroit, for a Model S 100D (Range of 335 miles), the savings given were $96 with 4 stops totaling 145 mins (2 hours 25 mins).
For Model 3 (330 miles), it is showing gas savings of $17 with 5 stops totaling 165 mins (2 hrs 45 mins)
- Thu May 03, 2018 6:09 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Pay $2500 in rent or continue living at home
- Replies: 91
- Views: 9697
Re: Pay $2500 in rent or continue living at home
well you distilled the question very simply, $2500 is a lot of money, but you love living alone.
I lived at home for almost a year when I was 30. I was eager to move out when I got a job (in another state, no less)!
Good job helping your aunt out, though!
I lived at home for almost a year when I was 30. I was eager to move out when I got a job (in another state, no less)!
Good job helping your aunt out, though!
- Thu May 03, 2018 6:00 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Tax Implications if Stop Reinvest Dividends
- Replies: 13
- Views: 2224
Re: Tax Implications if Stop Reinvest Dividends
Vanguard may be able to tell you the cost basis, even if it's non-covered.
For instance, about 20 years ago Charles Schwab was able to go back 10 years and provide me the cost basis for about 30 lots of an individual stock.
For instance, about 20 years ago Charles Schwab was able to go back 10 years and provide me the cost basis for about 30 lots of an individual stock.
- Wed May 02, 2018 7:44 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Separate wifi network for internet enabled devices?
- Replies: 9
- Views: 1533
Re: Separate wifi network for internet enabled devices?
ASUS firmware is generlly pretty robust. It will definitely support a guest network. But probably not two. Maybe, but probably not. Two probably wouldn't help you much anyway. either you want a client to chit-chat with other clients in your house... or you don't. A bigger router with more antenna (the current hotness from ASUS is the RT-86U) might get you a bit more useful range. Might. However, to fill in dead spots, you may need to add an access point or extender. (using wired or wireless connection back to the main router). smallnetbuilder.com has way more info than you would ever want on the subject. You could always set up the guest network and then just switch one device over to it to ensure it works. Doesn't have to be all rolled out...
- Wed May 02, 2018 5:52 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: 100%, 75%, 50% Joint & Survivor?
- Replies: 17
- Views: 2454
Re: Which PERS Benefit Option would be best?
I'm not smart enough for advice, but her are thoughts.
She has the bigger pension amount, but is younger. How is your health? All things equal, there's less chance her death benefit will be necessary.
Can she delay drawing on the pension to increase her benefit?
Can you delay your own Social Security to 70? that would increase both your benefit and her survivor benefit.
She has the bigger pension amount, but is younger. How is your health? All things equal, there's less chance her death benefit will be necessary.
Can she delay drawing on the pension to increase her benefit?
Can you delay your own Social Security to 70? that would increase both your benefit and her survivor benefit.
- Wed May 02, 2018 5:42 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Separate wifi network for internet enabled devices?
- Replies: 9
- Views: 1533
Re: Separate wifi network for internet enabled devices?
What's your current router? Lots of routers allow a guest network to be set up. This should allow access to the internet for those things, but not to other machines on your network. So for instance don't use it if you want to stream video from your phone to your TV. Wired ethernet connections don't use a guest network, they would use a VLAN. I don't know how to set those up and lots of consumer routers wouldn't support it. but generally, if you're plugging it in with ethernet it should be somewhat trustworthy, right? Things I have on my guest network (because they only talk to "the cloud"): * ecobee thermostat * samsung vacuum * solar panel monitoring * electric car charger monitoring I don't know how Echo's actually work, but the...
- Thu Apr 26, 2018 12:34 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: COMCAST - Modem / Router recommendation
- Replies: 28
- Views: 3380
Re: COMCAST - Modem / Router recommendation
okay, what's with comcast trying to scare off people with relatively slow internet service and telling them they need to upgrade to docsis 3.1? I hear that docsis 3.1 is supposed to have some efficiency benefits for the cable company, but that just seems unnecessary and rude. anyway, ideas for your setup, I looked at slickdeals and found: For an all in one, and ebay seller has an all-in-one item for around $140 that would be very similar to comcast's device. https://www.ebay.com/itm/ARRIS-SURFboard-SBG6900AC-RB-DOCSIS-3-0-Cable-Modem-AC1900-Wi-Fi-Router-NEW/323022156410?afepn=5337259887&rmvSB=true ...i know I warned against all in ones. Piecing it together separately, If you're on a budget I'd go with: For the modem, if you want to do a...
- Wed Apr 25, 2018 7:20 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: COMCAST - Modem / Router recommendation
- Replies: 28
- Views: 3380
Re: COMCAST - Modem / Router recommendation
Get a cable modem fast enough to support whatever you're paying for from Comcast. Get a router that can handle the speed from comcast, size of your house, and number and speed of your devices. Most flexibility if you get cable modem and router separately. DOCSIS 3.0 is the old/current standard. 8 channel will claim "up to 384mbps", but will work with 150mpbs or a bit higher server. 15, 24, and 32 channel modems increase speed linearly. 32 channel is needed for gigabit. DOCSIS 3.1 is the new standard, this is what's encouraged for gibabit service. Careful with modems if you're a gamer or very sensitive to VOIP/facetime usage. Modems with an Intel Puma 6 chipset (there are a lot of them) tend to have worse latency and jitter. I don'...
- Mon Apr 23, 2018 6:24 pm
- Forum: US Chapters
- Topic: Too much Bogleheads.org?
- Replies: 96
- Views: 27362
Re: Too much Bogleheads.org?
I was super duper active and thinking when I first joined. Two, actually 3, things have reduced the time I spend here.
1) Getting my portfolio and plan to a relatively set it and forget it phase.
2) Not having had a financial crisis for a while (knock wood)
3) Getting married and having a couple of kids I have to chase around all the time.
The last one was the biggest
1) Getting my portfolio and plan to a relatively set it and forget it phase.
2) Not having had a financial crisis for a while (knock wood)
3) Getting married and having a couple of kids I have to chase around all the time.
The last one was the biggest
- Mon Apr 09, 2018 7:39 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Parents have zero savings. What can I do?
- Replies: 168
- Views: 22579
- Thu Apr 05, 2018 6:21 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: What can we learn from secret millionaires.
- Replies: 93
- Views: 21580
Re: What can we learn from secret millionaires.
i just want to know how he got all the cars in the basement!Jack FFR1846 wrote: ↑Wed Apr 04, 2018 9:43 am Come to find out that the basement was a giant garage where he had numerous Ferraris, a Lotus and the Cobra stored. He dressed like a homeless guy.
- Tue Apr 03, 2018 3:38 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Big time home inspection issues
- Replies: 44
- Views: 7216
Re: Big time home inspection issues
I strongly suspect there were other problems with the house the inspector didn't find. They can only do so much in a few hours.
- Fri Mar 30, 2018 7:06 pm
- Forum: US Chapters
- Topic: A lot of heavy hitters this morning
- Replies: 244
- Views: 35083
Re: A lot of heavy hitters this morning
Oh boy mister, then let me tell you about the pair of Christmas boxer shorts I got on sale for 40 cents!Jack FFR1846 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 28, 2018 10:14 am On my lunchtime walk yesterday, I found a dime in the parking lot. When I got home, I showed my wife and told her all about it...
- Wed Mar 21, 2018 12:36 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: HSA family max contribution lowered to $6850 for 2018 [and changed to $6900 again]
- Replies: 128
- Views: 23429
Re: HSA family max contribution lowered to $6850 for 2018
Thanks for the heads up bogleheads! nothing yet from my employer's payroll department about this. so hopefully I'll just be able to adjust my withholding to fit the new limit.
the HSA custodian (UMB bank) has a little splash on their login screen... but I don't often log into that account for any reason.
the HSA custodian (UMB bank) has a little splash on their login screen... but I don't often log into that account for any reason.
- Wed Mar 21, 2018 12:04 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: H&R Block Deluxe: How to report HSA interest/capital gains in CA
- Replies: 4
- Views: 901
Re: H&R Block Deluxe: How to report HSA interest/capital gains in CA
I noticed this was missing as well in the HRB software.
Now... in my case, my HSA is invested in US treasuries, so I was able to ignore it (because I'd add in the interest and then subtract it again), but it did seem weird there was no data entry point.
can you use the 'view forms' feature and enter it in the right spot?
Now... in my case, my HSA is invested in US treasuries, so I was able to ignore it (because I'd add in the interest and then subtract it again), but it did seem weird there was no data entry point.
can you use the 'view forms' feature and enter it in the right spot?
- Wed Mar 21, 2018 12:01 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: H&R Block vs TurboTax (spoiler: HRB is awful)
- Replies: 88
- Views: 13524
Re: H&R Block vs TurboTax (spoiler: HRB is awful)
I used to use TaxAct, because it was super inexpensive. it was fine, but the price went up recently.
I switched to HRB, which is also fine. With the caveat that importing data from pretty much anywhere (brokerage or Quicken) just doesn't work right.
And it's super cheap, I got it for around $15/$17 from Amazon, I print out and mail my state taxes to save the extra 10 bucks, and I put a little bit in a Amazon gift card to get the 5% bonus (not too exciting... the bonus used to be 10%).
I switched to HRB, which is also fine. With the caveat that importing data from pretty much anywhere (brokerage or Quicken) just doesn't work right.
And it's super cheap, I got it for around $15/$17 from Amazon, I print out and mail my state taxes to save the extra 10 bucks, and I put a little bit in a Amazon gift card to get the 5% bonus (not too exciting... the bonus used to be 10%).