Search found 549 matches

by armeliusc
Fri Mar 22, 2024 8:44 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: When brand names matter and when they don't
Replies: 193
Views: 11760

Re: When brand names matter and when they don't

Leesbro63 wrote: Fri Mar 22, 2024 8:29 am
armeliusc wrote: Fri Mar 22, 2024 8:15 am Paper Towel. As someone who does most of the clean up for the family, the cheap thin stuff just irritates me. So much so that I bring my own rolls of paper towel if we are traveling & staying at AirBNB or cabin-type places.
For what it's worth, I've found the Sam's Club paper towels to be 95% as good as Bounty.
Kirkland for me is good (enough).
by armeliusc
Fri Mar 22, 2024 8:38 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do you tip hotel staff when checking out?
Replies: 145
Views: 6928

Re: Do you tip hotel staff when checking out?

I leave cash with a note so that it's obvious whom it is for when I have my room cleaned, which may be every other day for longer stay, and on the last day. $5 - $10 for the "daily" cleaning, likely $10 when I travel with my family since likely with young kids we make more messes. I usually leave more on checkout day, e.g. $15-$20. I now purposely carries fives and tens when I'm staying at a hotel for this purpose (in general I don't carry much cash with me). The housekeeping staff are most of then the "forgotten" staff of the hotel. They're unseen and un-tipped. Commonly people tip the bell person, the vallet parking attendants, the room-service attendants, because they're there and expect tips. The housekeeping staff w...
by armeliusc
Fri Mar 22, 2024 8:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: When brand names matter and when they don't
Replies: 193
Views: 11760

Re: When brand names matter and when they don't

Paper Towel. As someone who does most of the clean up for the family, the cheap thin stuff just irritates me. So much so that I bring my own rolls of paper towel if we are traveling & staying at AirBNB or cabin-type places.
by armeliusc
Tue Mar 19, 2024 1:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Pointers for Buying 2024 Honda Odyssey EX-L
Replies: 16
Views: 1549

Re: Pointers for Buying 2024 Honda Odyssey EX-L

Q1: I am not keen on Dealer Installed Equipment, $995. Is there a value in keeping it? Don't get hang up on this, or whatever they list on their "itemize" price. Concentrate on Out of the Door price. Let them put whatever they want to make them / you feel better, etc. But the point is "OTD price". Also, you probably should specify something like "as it comes from manufacturer, no additional pin stripe, mud guards, etc", if you care about the final "look" of the car. You probably don't, so that may not matter. And in that case, just ignore the item on the list. As others have said, this is something that the dealer likely have done and cannot easily remove (nor would they want to ... ). The nice thing...
by armeliusc
Tue Mar 19, 2024 11:41 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Intuit's Mint App Shutting Down...Replacement Recommendations?
Replies: 773
Views: 146555

Re: Intuit's Mint App Shutting Down...Replacement Recommendations?

Onlineid3089 wrote: Mon Mar 18, 2024 5:26 pm Is there a Mint alternative that is best for if you just want to track expenses? I don't care about net worth and never even linked any brokerage accounts to Mint. I just like to have all our expenses pulled into one place for easy review and tracking/comparing by category and year.
This is what I am doing: just tracking expenses from my CCs and checking accounts. As I said above, I moved to Monarch. It's really close to Mint and I am sticking to it, happy with it so far. It's not perfect, there are some missing functionalities, but good enough. Note that I've not tried all the other options previously mentioned.
by armeliusc
Fri Mar 08, 2024 7:06 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Checkup: I'm way behind. Hope for late bloomers?
Replies: 42
Views: 5510

Re: Checkup: I'm way behind. Hope for late bloomers?

Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 is definitely good enough, and even "very good", you can't really go wrong with it. As other have said, I would prioritize 401K. Contribute it to the max before contributing to the Roth to deferred as much tax as possible.
by armeliusc
Fri Mar 08, 2024 7:49 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: feeling stuck with kid expenses and this phase of life
Replies: 61
Views: 7547

Re: feeling stuck with kid expenses and this phase of life

I don't have any more to contribute except to commiserate. The above responses are all well and I'm reading those as they apply to us as well. DW was just told that she's getting laid off at the end of the month since the company decided to close the branch office in our town. So we will down to one income, with one kid in daycare and other expenses for the older kids. Saving will unfortunately have to take a massive hit, and we'll just have to try to reduce other spending. Technically, the toddler doesn't need to be in daycare if Mom is at home, but with current childcare situation I don't know if we can find another childcare if DW gets another job (she intends to start looking), and plus I worry it would "de-stabilize" the esta...
by armeliusc
Wed Mar 06, 2024 2:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: When to switch from dealer to independent for service
Replies: 52
Views: 4333

Re: When to switch from dealer to independent for service

I only have Honda cars. But I go to my trusted independent mechanic as soon as I leave the dealership, even with a brand new car. The only time I go to a dealership is for a recall or warranty item. There have been time that my mechanic even told me: "this is a warranty item, go to the dealer" instead of they fixing it and charging me.
by armeliusc
Thu Feb 29, 2024 3:29 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Intuit's Mint App Shutting Down...Replacement Recommendations?
Replies: 773
Views: 146555

Re: Intuit's Mint App Shutting Down...Replacement Recommendations?

dani0100 wrote: Thu Feb 29, 2024 3:21 pm For those using Monarch, can you tell me if they only use Plaid for connecting with accounts? If so, that's a severe limitation because Plaid pretty much works only with banks, and usually only large and regional ones. I have Coinbase, 401K, IRAs and many other accounts at non-banks and I'll just flush Monarch down the drain if they don't support anyone but Plaid-connected banks.
Do the free trial and see if you can connect to those.
by armeliusc
Thu Feb 29, 2024 3:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Intuit's Mint App Shutting Down...Replacement Recommendations?
Replies: 773
Views: 146555

Re: Intuit's Mint App Shutting Down...Replacement Recommendations?

I was a heavy Mint user. I decided to move to Monarch. I did the 30 days trial and so far am pretty happy with it. There are few things I wish they had, and few things I wish they did differently, but no major blocker and I could workaround them to get what I need so far.

I am not moving my Mint account to CK. I plan to just download my historical data and keep it as SS on my local machine. I am not planning to import them to Monarch either, just to make a clean break. (One of the reason is that Mint last year broke one of my account with their Chase migration; they somehow deleted all the transactions beyond the 30 days or something prior to migration; numerous tickets and chats and still couldn't get them back ... )
by armeliusc
Thu Feb 29, 2024 3:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Neighbor Got Burglarized, How To Prevent
Replies: 74
Views: 8520

Re: Neighbor Got Burglarized, How To Prevent

I agree with the posts above and basically think that deterrent would be the best option. Our house always looks like someone is in there which hopefully deter opportunistic robber. - Our outside lights (porch light, garage door, decorative spot lights) are fully automated (smart plugs + Alexa routine + Hue light for porch spot light + Dust-dawn light sensor light). - floor light by window with smart plugs scheduled to turn on and off at certain time - smart speaker that plays radio every morning (which also serve as our alarm). Don't know how audible this is from outside though. - I put extra sirens with my alarm system. I want as loud as sirens as possible if there's a break in to scare the them rather than having to confront them - Visib...
by armeliusc
Thu Feb 29, 2024 2:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best & Worst "Mid-Life Crisis" expenditures
Replies: 129
Views: 24661

Re: Best & Worst "Mid-Life Crisis" expenditures

Not 50 yet, but I sort of floated my early 40 as my "mid-life crisis" to justify buying an expensive-to-me, quality acoustic guitar (Taylor). This also happened during the pandemic. Thankfully my DW not only did not object, she encouraged me to go for it. I only wished I had done it much sooner. Since then I've been playing a lot more, and enjoying playing a lot more. Before I only had $500 guitar that I bought in college. I also got some gears with the purchase, and a GS Mini Taylor (it was a "buy one get a GS Mini at $X price" deal). I'd consider those to be my best "mid-life crisis" expenditures.
by armeliusc
Fri Feb 09, 2024 11:40 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [Don't use Google Voice for two-factor authentication]
Replies: 81
Views: 6440

Re: Google Voice for 2FA verification can be easily hacked

First the attacker compromises the user e-mail. The email is compromised mostly via phishing or by stealing the cookie using a malicious browser extension. That first sentence is doing a LOT of heavy lifting. If I can convince you to install a malicious browser extension that you’ve given enough permissions to read session cookies I don’t need your email. I can just steal your passwords and the session cookies for the sites I want access to directly. You’ve already lost the game, getting access to Google Voice at that point is just kicking a dead horse. This. That is a long stretch. Might as well change those two first sentence with: "First, the attacker get access to your Google Account." Come on .. ! The Google voice thing is a...
by armeliusc
Thu Feb 08, 2024 7:42 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Are any BH's not wealthy?
Replies: 165
Views: 26459

Re: Are any BH's not wealthy?

Something else to remember is that "we" tend to over-emphasize things that are easily measured. A larger (or smaller) net worth is easy to measure. Time spent with family is not ... we don't total it up and people don't join the "10,000 hour club" of time spent with a child (or spouse). Time spent caring for an ailing relative (or friend) doesn't get totaled up, either, but it matters. You might be "doing okay" financially (which is ... fine, actually!) but I'll note the "we" in your post and consider that you might be married. Possibly successfully. If some of the money was spent doing things that made you or your spouse happier then that was money well spent as long as you (pl) weren't mortgaging y...
by armeliusc
Tue Feb 06, 2024 9:04 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mortgage quick refinance after purchase
Replies: 22
Views: 2029

Re: Mortgage quick refinance after purchase

We had similar situation with some differences: when we bought a new construction home we decided to use builder's recommended (local) realtor for the certainty of timely closing. Their rate was not the worst, but not the best either. We promptly refinance within several months after some mortgage shopping with online lender. 6 months is not too bad in the grand scheme of thing. If it gives you the piece of mind to close the deal, then just do it for now. You can always mortgage shop and refinance later, after the fact. Just minimize the closing cost as much as you can, i.e. don't buy mortgage point and all that.
by armeliusc
Tue Feb 06, 2024 8:24 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Exact amount of Tax Withholding
Replies: 8
Views: 1069

Re: Exact amount of Tax Withholding

I am trying to figure out what's the best way to get the exact amount of tax withheld from my paycheck. I can pretty much figure out already what my tax burden will be for 2024 (W2 jobs, no mid-year increase, no bonuses). However, because of 401K and after tax contribution, my withholding will change at least 3 times during the year: (1) When all of my deduction is contributed to 401K (2). When part of it is contributed to 401K and after-tax (3). When the whole thing is contributed to after tax. Publication 15-T describes how the withholding calculation works. If you can match year-to-date withholding, and can then predict what your taxable income will be on future paychecks, you could figure out what W-4 entries would get you the desired ...
by armeliusc
Tue Feb 06, 2024 8:21 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Exact amount of Tax Withholding
Replies: 8
Views: 1069

Re: Exact amount of Tax Withholding

Spring garden wrote: Mon Feb 05, 2024 8:12 pm Add up your planned pretax and after tax total contributions for the year, then divide each by # of pay periods and contribute the same amount throughout the year. For example, $865 pretax and $1,000 posttax for each paycheck or whatever the numbers work out to be for you. Then compare what you are withholding to what you need to and dial it in via the w4 for whatever withholding amount you want to target.
I wish I could do that. The problem is my employer only allow percentage contribution, not absolute amount. So I'll have to set "25% of paycheck" or whatever. They'll put everything in 401K up to the year limit, then the rest to after tax. Hence the 3 different phase of withholding I have.
by armeliusc
Mon Feb 05, 2024 7:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Exact amount of Tax Withholding
Replies: 8
Views: 1069

Exact amount of Tax Withholding

I am trying to figure out what's the best way to get the exact amount of tax withheld from my paycheck. I can pretty much figure out already what my tax burden will be for 2024 (W2 jobs, no mid-year increase, no bonuses). However, because of 401K and after tax contribution, my withholding will change at least 3 times during the year: (1) When all of my deduction is contributed to 401K (2). When part of it is contributed to 401K and after-tax (3). When the whole thing is contributed to after tax. This makes it hard try to catch up and adjust the withholding, especially since (2) and (3) would happen at the late part of the year (usually around October), making it too late to adjust enough for the year to get minimum owe / refund. Plus I usua...
by armeliusc
Sun Feb 04, 2024 9:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Differences between After-Tax 401k >> Roth IRA vs After-Tax 401k >> Roth 401k (IRR) >> Roth IRA?
Replies: 2
Views: 370

Re: Differences between After-Tax 401k >> Roth IRA vs After-Tax 401k >> Roth 401k (IRR) >> Roth IRA?

If your employer allows in service withdrawal -- which it seems your does so -- I think the difference is just convenience. With in service withdrawal to rollover to Roth IRA you may be limited in how many times a year you can make the withdrawal. And you'll also have to pay taxes for any gain. And as you said it's a pain to set up.

With automatic in service rollover to Roth 401K it's all .. well, automatic :). And likely they'll do it immediately after the contribution so there shouldn't be any gain involved. You can either do in service withdrawal to rollover to Roth IRA or wait until you're separated from the employer. This is what I would do.
by armeliusc
Tue Jan 23, 2024 8:56 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: U.S. Naturalization application: DIY or hire a lawyer?
Replies: 10
Views: 984

Re: U.S. Naturalization application: DIY or hire a lawyer?

DIY. We just recently did this. I just used the online application and paid the fee. About couple months later I got the appointment for an interview. It turned out that we got to do a mini ceremony right then and there right after the interview and I walked out with my naturalization certificate.
by armeliusc
Thu Jan 18, 2024 9:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to get rid of car
Replies: 50
Views: 4750

Re: How to get rid of car

I can't believe how many suggest calling AAA for thing as simple jumping a battery. OP has AAA membership, so that could be the easy way out for OP. But .. for posterity, if one were to DIY, this is what I would do 1. Get a battery booster. Order it from Amazon, wait until it arrives. Here's an example: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015TKUPIC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 In fact, I have that in each car we have. 2. Jump the car with it to star the engine. 3. Perhaps also need an compressor to inflate the tires if it's been sitting there for a while. Here's one (I also put this in every car we have): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CTGM2LD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 And BTW, having t...
by armeliusc
Wed Jan 17, 2024 8:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to get rid of car
Replies: 50
Views: 4750

Re: How to get rid of car

I can't believe how many suggest calling AAA for thing as simple jumping a battery. OP has AAA membership, so that could be the easy way out for OP. But .. for posterity, if one were to DIY, this is what I would do 1. Get a battery booster. Order it from Amazon, wait until it arrives. Here's an example: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015TKUPIC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 In fact, I have that in each car we have. 2. Jump the car with it to star the engine. 3. Perhaps also need an compressor to inflate the tires if it's been sitting there for a while. Here's one (I also put this in every car we have): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CTGM2LD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 And BTW, having th...
by armeliusc
Wed Jan 03, 2024 2:43 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Emergency fund while balancing other goals
Replies: 18
Views: 1261

Re: Emergency fund while balancing other goals

I'd offer slightly different perspective than what have been said above. For reference, we have similar HH income (ours is a bit lower actually) but no bonus. I didn't look at your spending carefully but I'd assume fairly similar. Our EF is about the same the level as what you have in Ally, maybe a few thousands more but not much more. All in I-bonds. We also always max out Roth IRAs and HSA. Here are my rationale: HSA is there if we need anything for medical emergency. Roth IRA contribution is there for another level of emergency fund. In a real "emergency" situation, we could cut our budget by about 40%, e.g. no daycare, no extracurricular, cut grocery / eating out, etc at varying level. So that level of EF could stretch to abou...
by armeliusc
Thu Dec 07, 2023 1:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: People In The Car Sales Business: Question About Transportation Cost
Replies: 19
Views: 3108

Re: People In The Car Sales Business: Question About Transportation Cost

Agree to an "Out of the Door" (OTD) price. Then it doesn't matter how dealer want to itemize the price; they can charge me Doc Fee, Transportation Cost, whatever. As long as I am paying the agreed upon OTD price. That's how I have always negotiated car buying: give me your OTD, I don't care what you name each item and how to get to the OTD.
by armeliusc
Wed Dec 06, 2023 5:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is 2 hours enough to clear customs and make flight in Atlanta?
Replies: 39
Views: 6984

Re: Is 2 hours enough to clear customs and make flight in Atlanta?

trustquestioner wrote: Wed Dec 06, 2023 3:36 pm Thanks all. When I booked it was 3 hours then delta did a schedule change.

Can I check the bags for the delta flight in the international terminal or do I have to schlep them all the way to the domestic terminal? I’ll see if we can do no checked bags but seems unlikely without severely irritating my spouse.
Usually there's a place to check your bags back right after you pass custom. So you don't need to bring them all the way to domestic.
by armeliusc
Fri Dec 01, 2023 11:18 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Work trip hotel options (and points)
Replies: 17
Views: 1198

Re: Work trip hotel options (and points)

Three night stay is almost negligible point wise, especially at lower tier hotel. I would stay with the team. The team bonding benefit would be much more important.
by armeliusc
Wed Nov 15, 2023 1:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: (Purchase) Two tires or four?
Replies: 65
Views: 6566

Re: (Purchase) Two tires or four?

Replace all four now, and moving forward make sure the tires are rotated periodically so that you don't get uneven wear like now.
by armeliusc
Tue Oct 10, 2023 1:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Feasible to fly with 2.5 and 1.5 year olds?
Replies: 64
Views: 5274

Re: Feasible to fly with 2.5 and 1.5 year olds?

I can’t believe the OP is even contemplating any international or domestic air travel with 2.5 and 1.5 ye old children. This is, put bluntly, an insane idea. Everyone involved including passengers seated near you will be miserable…guaranteed. Save this kind of travel until the children are much older, better behaved, and will learn something from the experience. Seriously? "insane idea", "everyone ... including passengers will be miserable.. guaranteed"? Hyperbole much? Kids are not, by default, nor guaranteed, miserable. Most well adjusted kids are happy, curious, and even enthralled by the novelty of travel. We've done similar trips multiple times with young kids and always have fond memories about them. I am somewhat...
by armeliusc
Tue Oct 10, 2023 1:14 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Health insurance for child born in December - delay until Jan?
Replies: 39
Views: 3892

Re: Health insurance for child born in December - delay until Jan?

OK so, let say for the sake of argument you plan to do this. Potential issues: 1. ~3 days after the birth you go to the pediatrician, which would be billed to the child. Then what? they'll find out that your child has no coverage for that period, so you have to pay everything out-of-pocket, possibly at the non-negioated price. The same is true for the next visit ~1 week later (if it's still in December). 2. When is your open enrollment? Assuming it is near the end of the year (October - November), how are you going to add the unborn child to the coverage for 2024? You cant, really. So the only way to really add the child is via qualified life event, i.e. birth date. The coverage starts then; I don't think you can choose when coverage starts...
by armeliusc
Tue Oct 10, 2023 11:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Feasible to fly with 2.5 and 1.5 year olds?
Replies: 64
Views: 5274

Re: Feasible to fly with 2.5 and 1.5 year olds?

Of course you know your kids best. My only recommendation is to make sure every one has their own seats, including the 1.5 yrs old. I'd also recommend bringing car seats to install on the plane since they'd fit much better for the kids than the airplane seats. Our kids sleep much better in their car seats. It's a big of a hassle but certainly doable. We've done something similar multiple times (three legs of ~8 hrs, ~13 hrs, and 2 hrs flight) when our kids around that age, and brought two car seats with us.

If possible, consider having a longer layover after your longest leg that you can stay in an airport hotel. Just a good nap even if you're jetlagged where you can lay flat does surprisingly good for the morale :)
by armeliusc
Tue Oct 10, 2023 11:33 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Flat tires while on road trip
Replies: 70
Views: 6472

Re: Flat tires while on road trip

quantAndHold wrote: Tue Oct 10, 2023 10:07 am The last time I had a flat was 2002, and that one was because I had been nursing a slow leak for weeks. I’ve driven 280k miles since then, including 30k in a motorhome, often on questionable roads.

I have a cell phone and credit cards. Beyond that, I just don’t worry about it.
This, mostly. I think it's just a low-enough occurrence to worry about too much. I've driven over 300K miles and I can probably still count on one hand the number of times I had flat tire. Twice it was bad enough to need the spare (non-full size). Other times I could fill it enough with a portable compressor to drive it to the tire shop for repair. So the only extra preparation I have is that portable compressor that I keep in the trunk.
by armeliusc
Wed Oct 04, 2023 10:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: All-in-one Color laser printer recommendation?
Replies: 15
Views: 2243

Re: All-in-one Color laser printer recommendation?

One caution. I still like HP printers and have had good luck with them (just recently retired a HP 4p when I could not get it to work with a 'new' Windows 10 computer even though it worked on the old windows 10 computer it had always been attached to. Could not figure out a way to compatible drivers loaded but had been able to upgrade along the way. But heck is was almost 30 yrs old.) What I do NOT like about new HP is the way they attempt to lock you into ink subscriptions and how even if you have cartridges with ink in them (subscription ones) you cannot print w/o network access or at least a subscription active on the printer. That alone would not be so bad but if you are not careful, the default is to sign up for this and they make you...
by armeliusc
Wed Oct 04, 2023 10:38 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Vehicle wheel shake
Replies: 15
Views: 999

Re: Vehicle wheel shake

As others have said, most likely would be the wheels out of balance. This is an easy & cheap fix:
Go to a credible tire-service place. Ask them to do wheel balancing of all four wheel (road-force balance if available) and check for excessive and/or uneven wear.

If that fails then you can start looking further into the suspensions, wheel bearings, etc.
by armeliusc
Thu Sep 28, 2023 3:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: All-in-one Color laser printer recommendation?
Replies: 15
Views: 2243

Re: All-in-one Color laser printer recommendation?

I have a "HP LaserJet Pro M477fdn Multifunction Color Laser Printer" that's been working well for ~6 year. One major reason I picked that one is to plug it to my LAN so we can print to it from any computer in the house. It also scans to a network storage.
by armeliusc
Fri Sep 15, 2023 8:30 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Unexpected insurance rate hike
Replies: 32
Views: 4047

Re: Unexpected insurance rate hike

Being not at fault in a car crash is still correlated with higher risk of future claims. Some people are just unlucky, but other people are driving in a way that causes other people to crash into them. The insurance company doesn't know which one you are, so you get priced based on the average increase in risk. I like to watch dashcam videos people post on the internet. Why? Because it is really instructive. You and I both ! So many posts by people who are "not at fault" show pretty much how bad people are at defensive driving. Recent example: person in right lane notices car in left lane is acting erratically. They notice this while being in the danger zone of the other car's blind spot. They decide to speed up to get by other c...
by armeliusc
Thu Sep 14, 2023 12:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mobile Phone Plans
Replies: 80
Views: 7151

Re: Mobile Phone Plans

bloom2708 wrote: Thu Sep 14, 2023 11:27 am Buy the phone from Apple. Unlocked.

The Mint Mobile $20 plan with 15GB of data meets all my needs. $240+ tax paid for the full year (after the initial 90 days). Unlimited is $30/month + taxes.

Even when I had Unlimited Data, I never used more than 15GB.

Locking to a big 3 carrier will almost always result in a higher total bill.
This. I don't use Apple hardware, but the principle remains: buy the phone unlock, whatever phone you want. Get no-contract plan. I am also on Mint Mobile on their lowest tier: $15/mo - 5GB plan but paid for the full year. My DW is on the $20/mo - 15GB plan. Keep it simple.
by armeliusc
Wed Aug 30, 2023 8:09 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Question for glasses and contact lens wearers... lenses, sunglasses, etc.
Replies: 23
Views: 1829

Re: Question for glasses and contact lens wearers... lenses, sunglasses, etc.

I wear glasses full-time since I was a kid. Glasses are just part of me. I also have astigmatism and a some nearsightedness. I don't wear contact lens (never tried, can't imagine trying them / can't stand them. I very sensitive with things on my eyes for some reason). With that in mind, for your question [Question seeking off-topic medical advice removed by moderator ClaycordJCA.] No idea. 2. for full-time glasses wearers, do you carry around a set of Rx sunglasses all the time? Does that get annoying, and how much did you pay for the sunglasses? I have a prescription sunglasses in each car we own. The car I mostly drive I'd have the most updated sunglasses, and put my older one in DW's car in case I need to driver hers and forgot to move m...
by armeliusc
Tue Aug 22, 2023 7:44 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Smart Plug Outlets
Replies: 11
Views: 1126

Re: Smart Plug Outlets

jebmke wrote: Tue Aug 22, 2023 7:31 am
mw1739 wrote: Tue Aug 22, 2023 7:30 am Kasa smart plugs work great with Alexa
I use them with Homekit as well - and their app. Pretty easy to set up.
Same. I use several Kasa smartplugs with Alexa Routine. They work great.
by armeliusc
Mon Aug 21, 2023 6:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Device speaker control on Zoom - iPad v. Lenovo Chomebook Duet 3
Replies: 2
Views: 239

Re: Device speaker control on Zoom - iPad v. Lenovo Chomebook Duet 3

You can disconnect audio completely from any Zoom meeting. On the computer, there is a small up arrow beside the mute / unmute button to "Leave Audio". On the app, under "More ... " there is a "Disconnect Audio" option.

Here's from Zoom support site:
https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articl ... -a-meeting
by armeliusc
Mon Aug 21, 2023 7:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Upcoming international travel with an infant, any advice?
Replies: 46
Views: 3634

Re: Upcoming international travel with an infant, any advice?

Any advice on 3 economy seats vs 2 business seats with infant sharing seat with one of the parents. DW is petite:) We've done this before, with multiple kids at different stages (started from 1 kid when he was an infant). My number one advice: always bring a car seat. In your case, I would rather have 3 economy seat that 2 business seats. i.e.: I always make sure to buy everyone (including kids and infants) their own seat. The kids sleep and sit much more comfortably in their car seat than on / with us. Even if you end up holding them some, it's nice to have an option of putting them back to the car seat to sleep. The ideal situation for an infant would be: a separate seat for car seat and at a bulkhead to have the bassinet option. None of...
by armeliusc
Wed Aug 16, 2023 3:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Electronic Door Locks / Smart Locks
Replies: 48
Views: 7030

Re: Electronic Door Locks / Smart Locks

I also use Schlage. We use both the deadbolt version and the one with lever version (for different doors). It's electronic but not "smart", i.e. no WiFi or remote access. I don't have a use case for the latter, and it seems to just add complexity and vulnerability.

If I wanted to let someone in once, I'd just program in a new code to the lock, then delete it after it's no longer needed. A bit of a hassle perhaps, but the reality is we never even needed this so far.
by armeliusc
Thu Aug 03, 2023 7:33 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: WWYD - Car situation
Replies: 59
Views: 5079

Re: WWYD - Car situation

How about a kind of low-tech solution if you want to keep the car?

I assume when talking about issue with your phone and infotainment you are using it to connect your phone either with bluetooth, or Android Auto, or Apple carplay.

Does your phone have a headphone jack, and your car have an Aux input (most cars do, I've not been in one that doesn't)? Then just use a cable. You can then play music from your phone.
If your phone doesn't have a headphone jack, you can get a small bluetooth adapter that you can plug in to the Aux in of the car (your phone will connect to the bluetooth adapter instead).
by armeliusc
Fri Jul 07, 2023 7:12 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Car upgrade dilemma
Replies: 25
Views: 3848

Re: Car upgrade dilemma

doobiedoo wrote: Wed Jul 05, 2023 8:20 pm Sell your dad's car. You don't like it. Save the money until you find the car you want.
If that means waiting for the 2025 Outback redesign, do that.
This. Sell and wait until you can decide or happier with a decision.
by armeliusc
Thu Jul 06, 2023 11:50 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Phone Answering Bot - Worthwhile?
Replies: 28
Views: 2043

Re: Phone Answering Bot - Worthwhile?

hotajax wrote: Thu Jul 06, 2023 10:23 am Well I can see the value of simply not answering the phone. But I have MAJOR problems staying asleep at night without medication, and I frequently nap during the day. I don't want the phone to ring at all.
What is the point? It's not solving the problem you mentioned. You can just turn the phone off. Or set it to not ringing at all.

Also in Android at least you can set the phone to only ever ring from contact in your "Favorite", so you can really limit the number on people who can really make your phone ring.
by armeliusc
Thu Jul 06, 2023 11:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Taxi vs Uber/Lyft for Airport
Replies: 45
Views: 3790

Re: Taxi vs Uber/Lyft for Airport

A friend who needs airport transport has been stiffed by cabs in the past - mostly showing up late and risking making their flight. I would recommend Uber XL as well, seems to work great and you get to track their arrival. In a big city, that's the new standard. My friend... she now reserves a limo or private car, but I'm too cheap for that! Get Uber now and try it. The 5-yo is more of an issue, are you taking a booster that they can just sit on with a regular seatbelt? Otherwise, problem. Find a friend. Oh my. I wonder how people travel with Kids if they have to now also plan/pack for booster/car seats? I thought in Texas Uber/Lyft are exempt from the car seat requirement. I was planning to secure the 5 year old in a seat belt. :confused ...
by armeliusc
Mon Jun 12, 2023 2:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Bought A Refurbished PC--Next Steps?
Replies: 33
Views: 2840

Re: Bought A Refurbished PC--Next Steps?

tallguy3891 wrote: Mon Jun 12, 2023 2:29 pm So my questions are, having never had a refurb before, 1) is there anything else I need to do, and 2) should I go ahead and replace the RAM and the SSD for security reasons and do a clean install or is this safe and secure as is?

Other comments welcome too.
(1). No. Enjoy the system.
(2). No. It's safe to use. It is very very very unlikely any security issue would arise from previously used / refurbished items (and it's not that replacing them would guarantee anything anyway ... ). Reformat and use. Enjoy the system.
by armeliusc
Wed Jun 07, 2023 10:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cleaning Hard Surface Flooring?
Replies: 21
Views: 2828

Re: Cleaning Hard Surface Flooring?

Mostly I just vacuum with Dyson cordless vacuum stick. Once in a while, or when there's sticky spot, I'd mop it. In the past we just do it "manually", using a mop and a spray floor cleaner. Recently we got Bissl SpinWave to mop with.
by armeliusc
Wed May 17, 2023 11:16 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Is paying debt a saving?
Replies: 243
Views: 12243

Re: Is paying debt a saving?

No. I think of debt as negative saving. Paying it off just move your "saving" back to zero. So you still have not really saved anything.
by armeliusc
Wed May 17, 2023 11:07 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: "IRS moves forward with free e-filing system in pilot program to launch in 2024"
Replies: 119
Views: 11894

Re: "IRS moves forward with free e-filing system in pilot program to launch in 2024"

I would definitely use it if it's available. I have been so far using FreeFillableForm anyway, so it's very close to doing it "manually" and I have a decent understanding of our taxes. And FFF is "third-party" so I would rather using IRS's directly if it's available.
by armeliusc
Mon May 08, 2023 8:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Disneyland villa rental - worth it/better options?
Replies: 30
Views: 3127

Re: Disneyland villa rental - worth it/better options?

Thanks for the perspective, which I appreciate. I am not a fancy hotel guy either. Under normal circumstances, a Hilton Garden Inn is more than fancy enough for me. In this case, the value proposition of the villa would be: (1) as close to the park as possible, which is both cool on its own (feels like you're staying in the park) and gets us into the park as early as possible with minimal hassle, (2) I like the idea of all of us staying together in a single property, with separate bedrooms and a shared kitchen, and (3) it "Disneys-up" the experience by staying in a Disney property (which has value to my wife, not as much to me but I'm thinking this would be a gift to her). Still, $5-8k+ seems very steep and I'm thinking I would r...