Search found 58 matches

by JustBill
Sun Sep 24, 2023 7:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Recommendations for Orlando Resort?
Replies: 9
Views: 1236

Re: Recommendations for Orlando Resort?

Specifically Boardwalk Villas would suit your needs well. Epcot is an easy walk from the resort, there are plenty of dining, nightly entertainment on the Boardwalk, and of course multiple pools. Beach & Yacht clubs are across the lake from BWV and also within an easy walk to Epcot. Animal Kingdom is bus service (or automobile) from all of the WDW properties. I suggest you look at the option to rent DVC points from one of us owners, but beware that availability can be difficult to obtain even this far out from April at a DVC resort. Hope this helps.
by JustBill
Fri May 26, 2023 7:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: eBay Notification of New Seller Listings
Replies: 4
Views: 358

Re: eBay Notification of New Seller Listings

I did try this as much as probably ten years ago. I never received emails when a seller I followed listed new items. Perhaps things have changed.
by JustBill
Sat Mar 18, 2023 9:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Gas Furnance Replacement vs Other Options
Replies: 52
Views: 6316

Re: Gas Furnance Replacement vs Other Options

CMD1 wrote: Fri Mar 17, 2023 3:15 pm Has anyone gone through Costco for their furnace? The vendor Costco uses in our area wanted 100% paid before they get to the job site. They claim the funds are held by Costco until completion but have nothing to back that up. This was disclosed after the contract and the contract also didn't back this up. Seems like a non starter, but have any other Costco customers faced this?
My BIL sells a custom home storage product through Costco. Indeed all payments are withheld from the vendor until the install is complete even though the consumer pays 100% at time of agreement.
by JustBill
Thu Feb 24, 2022 7:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Ally offering $250 for opening brokerage acct with $500
Replies: 20
Views: 2957

Re: Ally offering $250 for opening brokerage acct with $500

cathyr wrote: Thu Feb 24, 2022 8:18 am Interesting - I received what looks like the same offer for opening with 500 deposit, but bonus was only $100. I actually thought that it was pretty good, although now I wish I got the $250 offer!!
Yes, same $100 offer received here as well.
by JustBill
Wed Dec 01, 2021 6:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Disney Cruise: Book ourselves, AAA or Disney Travel
Replies: 11
Views: 1860

Re: Disney Cruise: Book ourselves, AAA or Disney Travel

If you decide you wish to cruise DCL again, make certain to re-book while you are onboard the ship. You can book a "place holder" cruise, and later define the sailing date within certain time guidelines, or of course book a specific date. You can assign this cruise to the travel agent of your choice when you get home for possible additional benefits. Visit the cruise boards at disboards.com for an amazing amount of insight.
by JustBill
Mon Aug 30, 2021 7:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Start-Stop system - new cars
Replies: 106
Views: 9088

Re: Start-Stop system - new cars

DW's 2021 RX350 does not have this feature. Buying a car without this was near the top of my list. The RXL is the third row seat model. IIRC when we looked at the new MDX it provides the ability to permanently turn off this function.
by JustBill
Wed Aug 04, 2021 7:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best Keurig coffee pods for the money?
Replies: 24
Views: 4334

Re: Best Keurig coffee pods for the money?

Having tried many brands we have settled on Gevalia Dark Royal Roast. Results are always consistent and deliver a remarkably enjoyable cup of coffee. I just order a 24 pack for 14.64 from walmart.com. - Enjoy!
by JustBill
Sun Oct 13, 2019 8:01 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What’s the point of a taxable account?
Replies: 62
Views: 10083

Re: What’s the point of a taxable account?

Another reason to consider contributing to your 401k is the likely ERISA protection found there as opposed to taxable account investing. Check with the plan administrator to confirm.
by JustBill
Mon Jul 29, 2019 7:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: [Marcus Savings Account - Interest rate is now 0.5%]
Replies: 254
Views: 38378

Re: Marcus Bank 1% Bonus for New Funds up to $50k ($500 bonus)

student wrote: Mon Jul 29, 2019 1:16 pm I signed up on Friday. I am still waiting for the trial deposit.
Yes, I was surprised when it took two business days for the trial deposits here too. Marcus has yet to retract the total of 19 cents.
by JustBill
Thu Jan 31, 2019 8:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Really need help with new computer purchase!
Replies: 89
Views: 6072

Re: Really need help with new computer purchase!

summerof42 wrote: Thu Jan 31, 2019 7:13 pm To Klangfool:

I don’t have a COSTCO membership and would need to add that cost into purchase :(
Clark Howard has a COSTCO membership deal highlighted on his page whereas a new member can receive a $20 Costco Cash Card.
by JustBill
Fri Feb 23, 2018 7:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Favorite socks?
Replies: 83
Views: 10224

Re: Favorite socks?

Daneli. I usually buy them from footwearetc.com.
by JustBill
Wed Dec 20, 2017 9:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: A meal with friends yields a financial revelation
Replies: 95
Views: 15963

Re: A meal with friends yields a financial revelation

Rarely do I post on these boards, but I wanted to thank you for your expressions and congratulate you for arriving where you are. Moreover I wanted to convey to you that I intend to "copy" your words and forward them to our DD who is yet to begin her career as food-for-thought for her future self.
by JustBill
Sat Jun 17, 2017 8:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Paying for item on EBay - problem
Replies: 6
Views: 1077

Re: Paying for item on EBay - problem

If your paypal account remains linked to a checking account, the funds will come from there. You might review your checking account online for such a transaction.
by JustBill
Wed Feb 22, 2017 7:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Staying at Disneyworld
Replies: 30
Views: 7680

Re: Staying at Disneyworld

OP, I suggest you become familiar with the process of renting points from a DVC owner for accommodations of the type you have referenced. I suggest once you know what the concept is, you visit the rent/trade board at mouseowners.com to deal directly with an owner. There are also DVC point brokers who essentially tie the owner and the renter together for the transaction, for a fee. One of the oldest is dvcrequest.com. I just glanced at dvcrequest.com. This looks like it has potential. Have you used either mouseowners or dvcrequest before? Plan to check this out more later today. I plan to go first weekend of may. From my research, this looks like a good time between end of spring breakers and before the summer season. We are on the owner si...
by JustBill
Tue Feb 21, 2017 7:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Staying at Disneyworld
Replies: 30
Views: 7680

Re: Staying at Disneyworld

OP, I suggest you become familiar with the process of renting points from a DVC owner for accommodations of the type you have referenced. I suggest once you know what the concept is, you visit the rent/trade board at mouseowners.com to deal directly with an owner. There are also DVC point brokers who essentially tie the owner and the renter together for the transaction, for a fee. One of the oldest is dvcrequest.com.
by JustBill
Mon Jun 06, 2016 8:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Things to do in and around Tortola, BVI
Replies: 9
Views: 1118

Re: Things to do in and around Tortola, BVI

I have spent many weeks on Tortola for business matters, and usually stayed at Nanny Cay which isn't far from where you will be. The island was definitely blessed with a lot of natural beauty and there are many tours and excursions available. Often there are festivals of some sort going on, but I must say I never found anything amazing to see or do on that island. I might suggest you go to www.bvitourism.com for information on each of those islands and schedules of local events or festivals by island. Please do mind your safety while you are out and about during your visit.
by JustBill
Mon Apr 04, 2016 8:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone own DVC?
Replies: 10
Views: 2565

Re: Anyone own DVC?

We have owned DVC for about 15 years. As you'll hear frequently among owners, the only regret we have is we didn't purchase when first we became aware. It has provided an avenue for us to take family, friends, and the children's friends for an affordable, predictable vacation. One of the draws was the ability to have family friendly units with home away from home amenities, and not have to fit folks into hotel rooms, nor be concerned with finding "a deal" for lodging. Maintenance fees have increased at a surprisingly moderate rate. There is a lot to know about the ins and outs of the program. If you haven't yet I suggest you contact a guide [read salesperson] for in depth information to begin your evaluation process. 877-616-8687.
by JustBill
Tue Mar 22, 2016 8:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: .
Replies: 8
Views: 1492

Re: 1 Hotel Stay Every Week: How to get the best discounts?

During the many years when I traveled and had an average of 3 nights per week in a hotel, I always found bidding on Priceline.com provided the lowest cost option. A few years back they began a program called Express Deals. This too was a cost effective option. Never had an issue.
by JustBill
Thu Mar 05, 2015 8:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Trying to get out of debt, now that my wife is onboard
Replies: 22
Views: 4059

Re: Trying to get out of debt, now that my wife is onboard

If you have 70K in home equity, perhaps you should consider a refinance to get rid of that 5% APR first mortgage and also rid yourself of the HELOC that is stressing you.
by JustBill
Sun Dec 08, 2013 11:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Any way to protect parent from themselves?
Replies: 9
Views: 1551

Re: Any way to protect parent from themselves?

This reply doesn't address the bigger part of the issue, but to pass along something I ran across just this evening that may be an option for your mother's employment situation. UnitedHealth has posted positions on careerbuilder.com for work from home call center RNs. There was a physical radius guideline from their offices where they would accept candidates. Perhaps she isn't within this particular firm's geography, I suspect other companies would have a similar need.
by JustBill
Tue Nov 19, 2013 9:56 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Is It TIme to be Nervous About Municipal Bonds?
Replies: 25
Views: 3086

Re: Is It TIme to be Nervous About Municipal Bonds?

Odd. CNBC's Saturday night financial guru was just this past Saturday singing the praises of buying municipal bonds. To the extend that all her "new" investment money is going into municipal bonds. Go figure.
by JustBill
Tue Jul 30, 2013 10:42 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Building Credit -- Keep the loan?
Replies: 17
Views: 2114

Re: Building Credit -- Keep the loan?

Welcome to the boards. Part of your FICO evaluation considers the different types of credit experiences in one's history. So albeit the APR on the auto loan is somewhat high, the actual interest dollars is small, and I'd keep it in place for a while. Also, with a $500 Cl on a credit card, virtually any purchase/balance at all exceeds the commonly recommended 30% utilization rate. Most CCs report statement closing balances to the bureaus, so you could max the card multiple times during a month and make payments to maximize incentive earnings, but leave a smaller balance at the time your creditor reports to the bureaus. Also, consider visiting creditboards.com for much discussion by many credit score obsessed people on this whole FICO score m...
by JustBill
Tue Jul 30, 2013 10:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Seeking alternatives to hotels or extended stays
Replies: 20
Views: 2259

Re: Seeking alternatives to hotels or extended stays

bengal22 wrote:nothing to do with lodging but here are some recommendations:

Steak - any Jeff Ruby restaurant - Precient my favorite
Ice Cream - Graeters
Hamburger - Terry's Turf Club or Zips
Pizza: Deweys
Market : Findley Street Market
Best Baseball in US: Reds
Montgomery Inn will also be a must-do while staying in Cincy.
Great American Ball Park does provide a nice look at the great American pass time.
Bengals soon too during your time there.
Cincinnati has some fairly sketchy areas as many cities do, you'll want a hands-on look at where you select to stay.
by JustBill
Fri Jul 26, 2013 10:22 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Changing savings account in search for higher yield
Replies: 20
Views: 2603

Re: Changing savings account in search for higher yield

I came to Capital One 360 via their purchase of ING Direct since we were depositors there. Absolutely no complaints about account access, fund transfer efficiency, or ease of their website. This surprises me because I expected a bad experience. Now, if they'd just get rid of Alec Baldwin as a spokesperson.
by JustBill
Tue Jun 25, 2013 11:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Would you accept offer with 100% financing contingency?
Replies: 28
Views: 3512

Re: Would you accept offer with 100% financing contingency?

pshonore wrote:
inbox788 wrote:
dm200 wrote:3. Will these buyers give you earnest money? That should be in the contract.

There is certainly the possibility that these could be good buyers, but it seems to be a very one-sided deal, with almost all the advantages to them and very few to you.
See how much non-refundable earnest money they're willing to put up. At least 4 figures for your troubles for when the deal breaks up.
And OP should probably find a good real estate agent.
Yes, that.
by JustBill
Fri Jun 14, 2013 10:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Some questions about personal credit
Replies: 11
Views: 1799

Re: Some questions about personal credit

True that prior bad debt history should expire after X number of years, but the creditor certainly re-report the unpaid/settled debt to the bureaus forever, and likely will. The Fair Credit Reporting Act limits how old a delinquency can be reported by your credit bureau; it's based on the date of delinquency, not the date the delinquency was reported. Most delinquencies age off after 7 years. If the creditor wants to report to the credit bureau in 2016, "This debt was due in 2006 and paid in 2008", it can make the report but nothing will appear on your credit report, so most creditors won't bother. And if the creditor falsely reports, "This debt was due in 2015", you can sue. Thanks for correcting my comments. During a ...
by JustBill
Wed Jun 12, 2013 11:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Some questions about personal credit
Replies: 11
Views: 1799

Re: Some questions about personal credit

I like the way you're doing things and suggest you continue to resist being a slave to the fico score. But today's reality may prove that to be not in your best interest, even when it comes to insurance and employment crossroads.

True that prior bad debt history should expire after X number of years, but the creditor certainly re-report the unpaid/settled debt to the bureaus forever, and likely will.
by JustBill
Wed Apr 24, 2013 10:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is there any way to minimize loses in my situation?
Replies: 17
Views: 2662

Re: Is there any way to minimize loses in my situation?

Possibly you could find a friend from your social media contacts who is about to make a fine jewelry purchase and work a deal with them to utilize your credit for a reasonable discount from the 7K.
by JustBill
Fri Apr 05, 2013 12:12 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Orange Cash~ING style
Replies: 3
Views: 1001

Re: Orange Cash~ING style

OP I agree this is a great and simple concept that I wish more folk would view and learn from. In today's debit card, credit card, and online transfer world however, too many fail to equate any spending to either green or orange cash and don't "feel" or "register" the transaction at any level. More power to ING, they have an excellent point.
by JustBill
Fri Mar 08, 2013 10:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: grass trimmer?
Replies: 18
Views: 2791

Re: grass trimmer?

trudy wrote:Can anyone recommend a grass trimmer, preferably cordless? I've had a couple during the last ten years and in each case wound up throwing them out after many struggles with string jams. I did use the prewound spools.

Thanks.
The string thing was one of my absolute top priorities when evaluating which trimmer to purchase last year. Take a look at Shindaiwa and their "speed-feed" head! Marvelous, highly recommend. Plus the unit is truly professional grade and has impressive power.
by JustBill
Sun Feb 10, 2013 11:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Primer or Paint with Primer?
Replies: 24
Views: 5294

Re: Primer or Paint with Primer?

You seem to be referencing a walking surface. None of the previously noted products are well-suited candidates to provide suitable long-term service to this type of area. You should evaluate a porch and floor or floor and deck product and follow label directions for appropriate primer for your situation. Keep in mind that any painted or coated surface will be more slick than unpainted, particularly if damp, and more so to an extent the glossier finish you select. California Paints Allflor and Benjamin Moore's Latex Floor and Patio are both excellent performers to review.
by JustBill
Thu Jan 31, 2013 11:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: uses for old laptop?
Replies: 28
Views: 5747

Re: uses for old laptop?

investor wrote:
freebeer wrote:
investor wrote:Don't feel bad, I still have and use an DOS 3.2 Machine with a 40MB HD. I run LOTUS 123 on the beast. Also have two Apple machines.

investor
I think this is taking "Bogleheads frugal" way beyond the point of diminishing returns...

Who is frugal ?
I just bought my first Cell Phone and also have a working Rotary Dial telephone which I do use. .


investor
We knew that perhaps we were behind in technology when a friend of DS's needed to use our phone to call his parents, and upon lifting the handset off the wall literally didn't know how to "dial" the phone.
by JustBill
Sun Jan 20, 2013 10:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Low VOC cabinet paints
Replies: 6
Views: 1377

Re: Low VOC cabinet paints

I assume you plan to brush and/or roll this unit as apposed to spray applying the finish. And flat surfaces such as shelves often encounter complaints of the paint blocking or sticking. So I suggest you search a Ben Moore or California Paints dealer and look at either Advance from Moore or NexTech from California. Both products are dual dispersion alkyds that are water-reducible and are low VOC and low odor, yet provide much improved flow and leveling when brushed than the popularized low VOC Behr/Valspar/Olympic products sold at home centers. Plus a much tougher film resistant to staining and blocking.
by JustBill
Thu Jan 17, 2013 11:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HELOC woes
Replies: 14
Views: 2262

Re: HELOC woes

DualIncomeNoDebt wrote:
friar1610 wrote:I'm also one of these guys who pays cash for cars, pays off any credit card bills every month and does all those other financially responsible things. But that is going to bite me on the butt on the HELOC, meaning that I will have to liquidate some mutual fund assets I'd prefer not to.


To hell with all of them.

- I like that.
by JustBill
Mon Jan 07, 2013 10:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: switching auto insurance company
Replies: 23
Views: 3149

Re: switching auto insurance company

Any experiences with USAA for auto insurance that someone would care to share?
by JustBill
Mon Dec 31, 2012 12:49 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buying a new car without having dealer do credit check?
Replies: 64
Views: 7068

Re: Buying a new car without having dealer do credit check?

cliffedelgado wrote:I can confirm no SSN is required for the dealer to pull credit report. Dealer just did this to me, and it was a hard pull. Not happy
I can assure you that any business that would perform what turned out to be a hard pull without my signed permission would become my new full time hobby of causing them headache and lost sales.
by JustBill
Mon Dec 31, 2012 12:02 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: does it make sense to pass on the flex acct at work?
Replies: 64
Views: 6779

Re: does it make sense to pass on the flex acct at work?

Going forward we're only discussing the tax benefit on an annual maximum of $2,500 set-aside into the FSA. Yet still there's no reason not to pay for predictable and necessary medical expenses without the whack of taxation.
by JustBill
Thu Dec 27, 2012 9:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to purchase Grandmother's Leased Car
Replies: 13
Views: 2715

Re: How to purchase Grandmother's Leased Car

You need to read the lease agreement. It's quite possible the lease company will want notice a certain days from lease end that your grandmother intends to purchase the car. Likely the purchase transaction can/will take place without a dealer being involved. That's got to be worth something.
by JustBill
Sat Dec 22, 2012 11:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New car or used car?
Replies: 31
Views: 4162

Re: New car or used car?

Calm Man wrote:I will only buy new cars. I have locked into the Toyota Camry for the last 2. I keep them not until they are near wrecks but about 10-12 years and about 100K miles. I am 60 and my car is now 75,000 years old and 9 years of age. I don't drive that much so the 90K service might be the last if I get there. I anticipate one more new car in this lifetime unless I move to the city and then I shall never have another one. Cars are of no importance to me except to get around.
Wow! 75,000 years old! Unleaded fuel?

My gosh man, don't sell yourself short. I hope you live long enough to enjoy many more car buying experiences.
by JustBill
Sat Dec 22, 2012 11:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: PMI
Replies: 14
Views: 2852

Re: PMI

My dd and her husband are purchasing a new home. Navy Federal, when qualifying them for a mortgage as they started looking for a home, said they would qualify for a rate of about 3.8% because of the amount they would be putting down. that is 30 years fixed. I don't believe they would be paying PMI. Is it worth it to go to a different lender and get a better interest rate while paying PMI? Is it hard to get rid of PMI once your loan value is low enough not to need it? Who wants to pay a higher rate for 30 years (they don't plan on moving) ? Truly the 3.8% doesn't relate to the amount of down payment, rather reflects the borrower's perceived credit worthiness. PMI is only an element with conventional mortgages and will only be applicable to ...
by JustBill
Sat Dec 15, 2012 10:36 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buying a new car without having dealer do credit check?
Replies: 64
Views: 7068

Re: Buying a new car without having dealer do credit check?

windaar wrote:
Grasshopper wrote:If a dealer asks to see your drivers license for a test drive, they are pulling a report.
Don't they need SS# to pull a report?
Often information is readily available without SS#. DL# speeds the process and zeros-in on the correct "John Smith". These are soft pulls however and are used as qualification tools to manage time and product selling.
by JustBill
Wed Dec 05, 2012 11:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Too Much Insurance
Replies: 15
Views: 1738

Re: Too Much Insurance

Jerilynn wrote:
crowd79 wrote:If you are a single person and nobody depends on you for anything, Life Insurance is a waste of money. The only thing where costs are passed on to someone else is funeral expenses, but a lot of employers may already offer this as part of a benefit package. Check to see if yours does.
One thing to consider. 22 yr old college grad with $100k in student loans that were co-signed by a parent. That person needs to have $100k life insurance and probably DI, too.
I don't think this is the case on a federal insured student loan. Could be wrong.
by JustBill
Fri Nov 30, 2012 9:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: I need some help searching for a job.
Replies: 7
Views: 1727

Re: I need some help searching for a job.

In response to your assertion of being shy or introverted, I suggest you work on this particular area as fundamental to a successful career search. I personally am not at all an extravert but when I put the need to be forward or assertive in the category of work duties, it takes some of the personal aspect/fear out of the equation. In fact I can tell you that in all honesty I enjoy a b2b cold call as a highlight of managing a territory. Use a friend or family member to practice/develop/perfect the approach or initial contact methods that you intend to utilize with an unknown person. Practice via phone, face to face, and written correspondence. Approach those that you view as possessing the desired opportunity in an attentive manner, and con...
by JustBill
Thu Nov 08, 2012 8:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Net worth vs income.
Replies: 45
Views: 7664

Re: Net worth vs income.

richard wrote:
ResNullius wrote:I doubt anyone who earns $400K per year could ever save $200K per year. After state and federal taxes, they might have about $225K net from which they have to pay all of their family expenses, retirement contributions, health insurance, etc. I think it's more reasonably to expect to save about $100K from a $225K net, assuming someone in the family isn't a "keep up with the Jones" type.
Federal income tax on $400k is about $105,000 (taking the standard deduction). Add $45,000 (a very high estimate) for state and FICA and you have $350,000 after tax. Spend $150,000 and you can save $200,000.

Retirement contributions are savings.
I think you mean 250k after tax. Spend 150k, can save 100k.
by JustBill
Wed Oct 17, 2012 7:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Portable Drill / Screw Gun - battery replacements?
Replies: 13
Views: 1529

Re: Portable Drill / Screw Gun - battery replacements?

Oddly enough I received a promotional email from batteries.com today for 15% off power tool batteries. Use code VRM12
by JustBill
Tue Oct 16, 2012 8:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Portable Drill / Screw Gun - battery replacements?
Replies: 13
Views: 1529

Re: Portable Drill / Screw Gun - battery replacements?

Perhaps I've just been lucky, but batteries.com has proven a good, competitive source for replacement power cells for tools and laptops. They frequently send via email discount specials, free shipping..., and the like. When our children were younger and the need existed for what seemed like 1000's of alkaline batteries, I used the same firm for really quality product and sharp prices.
by JustBill
Wed Sep 19, 2012 8:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 401k to pay off mortgage?
Replies: 16
Views: 2643

Re: 401k to pay off mortgage?

Very good points indeed. I tried to rid of my PMI thinking I had paid down the 20 percent. Been in my home from 2001, made all of my payments ect...House was roughly 100k and I owe like 80k on it, give or take a little, but this is how I found out I was "under water". After paying up 100 dollars for the walk through to try and rid of the PMI, they denied me claiming my home was worth in my area and current economy around 80k. Apparantly bank thinks its worth some 23k less than what I bought it for. It's "under water". They said to rid of my PMI mortgage, I could elect to pay down some 18k. It blew me away. So considering what I've been reading here, is it worth borrowing that money to get rid of the PMI? I don't pay 150...
by JustBill
Tue Aug 21, 2012 11:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Need advice: aging relative with severe debt
Replies: 18
Views: 4096

Re: Need advice: aging relative with severe debt

Part of the decision regarding which path to take depends on how the relative is wired. Credit card collectors on this amount of debt will be rabid and aggressive in pursuit of payment. Can he tolerate collection agents contacting his every imaginable relative, known associate, and neighbor seeking to get in touch with him? For the duration of the statute of limitations? Even after they ultimately receive their default court judgement? BK will avoid this situation, and start the clock running for an eventual new beginning. Particularly important if his health situation improves such that he obtains new employment, or for that matter he finds employment suited to his limited mobility.
by JustBill
Tue Aug 21, 2012 11:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do You Haggle? If so: when, for what, how?
Replies: 94
Views: 13571

Re: Do You Haggle? If so: when, for what, how?

As it is that I travel constantly for my job, I will use that to my advantage during price discussions. Stating that I'm in "your" town on a temporary business trip, or traveling outside my normal territory on special assignment, and that if the deal isn't made "you" won't get another opportunity to make the sale. Done it multiple times on cars, electronics, sparkly gifts for spouse, luggage, etc.. Priceline is my first choice for hotel rooms, but another tip would be if one is traveling and departing a hotel, yet requires room accommodations in another city, ask the hotel manager to contact the facility in your destination town and arrange for best rates on your behalf. You would be surprised the internal concessions th...