Search found 596 matches

by westie
Tue Jan 23, 2024 9:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Hot Water Dispenser
Replies: 8
Views: 1242

Re: Hot Water Dispenser

once you have one, you never want to not have one. Many sold today plug into an outlet under the sink. Yours may be hard wired. Between this, the garbage disposal, filters, assorted hoses and pipes, space creates challenges to install these sometimes.
by westie
Wed Nov 08, 2023 1:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: $20K cash in hand, now what?
Replies: 10
Views: 1728

Re: $20K cash in hand, now what?

everyday occurrence, just deposit it in your bank.
by westie
Wed Nov 08, 2023 1:39 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Wedding cost ettiquette
Replies: 106
Views: 12964

Re: Wedding cost ettiquette

Write them a check and let them decide. It's their wedding, not yours. Stay above the fray.
by westie
Fri Sep 01, 2023 2:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best mosquito repellents
Replies: 61
Views: 4888

Re: Best mosquito repellents

After the bite I put a Hydrocolloid Acne Pimple Patch on the bite for a day, it really helps with itching and the appearance of the bite. They sell them at drug stores or online.
by westie
Sat May 13, 2023 2:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Help/advice buying a car
Replies: 25
Views: 2587

Re: Help/advice buying a car

My son just bought a new car - a Honda Accord. He spent two weeks shopping, believed they were all too expensive. Here's how it went. Told the salesman what he was looking for and asked what was in stock. They had none in the lot that day but they had four new ones coming off the truck tomorrow morning and asked him if he'd like an appointment to look them over then. Son agreed, had an 11 am appt., when he arrived one was gone from an earlier appt, and the salesman had 3 more appts scheduled that day. Salesman told him he's not selling cars, he's taking orders. Not a great time to be buying a car.
by westie
Sat Apr 29, 2023 7:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Unnecessary Oil Change? Or Not?
Replies: 142
Views: 13085

Re: Unnecessary Oil Change? Or Not?

once a year is fine.
by westie
Thu Apr 20, 2023 2:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Gated community - too much hassle?
Replies: 68
Views: 8516

Re: Gated community - too much hassle?

just call me and I can open the gate from my phone. I don't see it as anything but a positive.
by westie
Sat Apr 01, 2023 1:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Athletics pathway to college
Replies: 110
Views: 10731

Re: Athletics pathway to college

Sounds like a worthwhile goal, encourage him to keep it up! The reality of the situation is unless your 8th grader is playing and beating high school tennis players, an athletic scholarship is unlikely. Best of luck!.
by westie
Tue Mar 07, 2023 6:18 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Turnpike Toll Transponder Questions - Mostly Resolved
Replies: 31
Views: 3327

Re: Turnpike Toll Transponder Questions - Mostly Resolved

I just went through this whole thing, a trip from DC to Boston with my transponder attached to a credit card that had expired. Got about 8 violation notices and $50 administrative fees for each. Call them, expect to wait at least an hour for them to answer and they can remove the admin fees right over the phone. It took more than a hour calling them 4 times because the notices trickled in over a month period.. I suspect that's the real punishment.
by westie
Mon Mar 06, 2023 4:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Car inspection question
Replies: 9
Views: 855

Re: Car inspection question

Exhaust leaks can be heard. He didn't identify where where the leak was specifically because he doesn't do those repairs. Find a shop that does those repairs. A 10 year old VW, wouldn't be unusual.
by westie
Mon Mar 06, 2023 4:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Hotel recommendation (or at least what area) in DC
Replies: 64
Views: 5097

Re: Hotel recommendation (or at least what area) in DC

newbie003 wrote: Mon Mar 06, 2023 1:59 pm Thanks for the recommendations!

One more question; is there any 'trick' these days to getting better rates once you've picked a hotel? Or just check the various sites (kayak, hotels.com, direct hotel website, etc...) and see what's best? I haven't traveled in a few years (and even then the last few times was for work so they paid), so I'm not sure if I should be doing anything in particular when booking.

Thanks again.
Seems as though you're getting some great recommendations for places to stay. Many of them mentioned will be $350-$600 a night.
Your last post indicates you're looking for better rates. Just an observation.
by westie
Mon Mar 06, 2023 4:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: please help me get started with TV streaming
Replies: 152
Views: 17993

Re: please help me get started with TV streaming

YouTube TV started as a cord cutter’s dream. It was only $35 when it first hit the market in 2018 with a huge selection of channels. However, the price has since jumped to $64.99, which is approaching double the launch price. YouTube TV will continue to raise their prices, before it's over they will be similarly priced to Comcast and Infinity,
by westie
Mon Jan 23, 2023 7:10 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How much are you helping your kids through college?
Replies: 144
Views: 16649

Re: How much are you helping your kids through college?

paid for my 3 kids, My parents sent me $65 a month for food and rent when I was in college, I paid for tuition, books and incidentals. Worked out fine.
by westie
Thu Dec 15, 2022 3:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: "Quality" LED bulbs
Replies: 114
Views: 13979

Re: "Quality" LED bulbs

I paid $236 to have two pot LED light bulbs replaced in the ceiling a couple weeks ago.
by westie
Mon Oct 10, 2022 9:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Any BH retirees with no pension?
Replies: 134
Views: 17450

Re: Any BH retirees with no pension?

I'm a retired federal employee under the old Civil Service Retirement System CSRS at 55. I just turned 70. They changed it to the FERS Federal Employee Retirement System for employees hired after 1984, because CSRS was a budget buster. I retired 15 years ago in 2007. I paid 8% of my salary into the plan for 34 years. Under the old CSRS plan I received 2.5% for my first 20 years (50%) and 2% for the remaining 14 years (28%) for a total of 78% of my high three average salary years. Today, FERS retirees only get 1% for each year they work (ugh). My position had a mandatory retirement age of 57. I had a decent salary (for a government LEO employee) when I retired. My pension check each month is over $10K. I've collected over 1.5M so far and if ...
by westie
Sun Oct 09, 2022 8:34 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to sell a used car?
Replies: 42
Views: 4102

Re: How to sell a used car?

Private party buyers need to be just as careful as sellers. Fake car titles are a problem too.
by westie
Sun Oct 02, 2022 9:58 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I get new iPhone?
Replies: 62
Views: 5626

Re: Should I get new iPhone?

Just looked up trade in value through Verizon for my Iphone XR ...$86. Pocket change.
by westie
Sun Oct 02, 2022 9:16 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Medical bills going to collection - insurance mess up
Replies: 45
Views: 4589

Re: Medical bills going to collection - insurance mess up

once it's turned over to the collection agency, the debt is owed to them. They bought it.
by westie
Sun Oct 02, 2022 8:46 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 2023 FEHB Premiums
Replies: 54
Views: 5100

Re: 2023 FEHB Premiums

Retired fed here. Hopefully everyone with BC/BS takes advantage of premium rebates ( I call them that) through Wage Works. It's actually a HRA, Health Reimbursement Account. It may apply to other insurance programs too, I'm not sure. I've gotten over $800 back this year and past years. Wife also get a check for more than $800 too.

check it out...https://www.wageworks.com/
by westie
Tue Sep 27, 2022 6:47 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cancelling a non-refundable hotel room?
Replies: 49
Views: 5560

Re: Cancelling a non-refundable hotel room?

I made a non refundable hotel reservation through hotels.com a few years ago. Within 2 minutes I realized I had the wrong week and called back immediately. I was told they wouldn't switch the reservation to the next week but to call the hotel and they would do it for me. I called the hotel directly explained the situation and asked for help. Lo and behold the hotel said that they couldn't do it but to call hotels.com and they would switch it for me. To make a long story shorter, neither would help me and I was charged for the room. I won't ever deal with any hotel consolidators ever again.
by westie
Sun Jul 24, 2022 8:39 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Airline promised hotel reimbursement, then rejected my claim
Replies: 34
Views: 4798

Re: Airline promised hotel reimbursement, then rejected my claim

you're out of luck, hope you'll learn from this experience You were given no voucher, this became a personal expense.
by westie
Fri Jul 22, 2022 2:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Masters Augusta National ticket
Replies: 48
Views: 7275

Re: Masters Augusta National ticket

I remember when I was a kid in the DC area there would be an advertisement in the Washington Star - A day at the Master's $195.00. Travel agency would fly you round trip from DC to Augusta to see a practice round. That was a while back. I too have been unsuccessful for many years in trying to secure tickets. :(
by westie
Mon Mar 14, 2022 8:46 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: $5k resort stay not charged to CC
Replies: 45
Views: 5331

Re: $5k resort stay not charged to CC

honest people treat others how they'd like to be treated. They'll get their money.
by westie
Mon Mar 14, 2022 8:42 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Airbnb vs. Hotel
Replies: 90
Views: 9777

Re: Airbnb vs. Hotel

Who wants to sit on hotel beds for days, prefer an AirBnb.
by westie
Sat Feb 19, 2022 9:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to stop flood of mail from charities?
Replies: 55
Views: 7113

Re: How to stop flood of mail from charities?

Give anonymously.
by westie
Sat Feb 19, 2022 8:59 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Electric bikes
Replies: 57
Views: 5943

Re: Electric bikes

I recommend looking at one of these electric bikes.

https://ride1up.com
by westie
Fri Jan 28, 2022 8:31 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Where should we move (east coast)
Replies: 48
Views: 5535

Re: Where should we move (east coast)

Fletch wrote: Fri Jan 28, 2022 5:11 am Delaware, reasonable tax situation, year around weather that usually is not extreme one way or the other. State and local government is not wacko to the left or right. Northern part of the state is busier, more things to do, and more expensive. Southern is less expensive and slower. Depends on what your priorities are.
Southern Delaware is where I'd look but it's filling up with retirees from VA,MD, NJ, NY and PA looking for tax relief and a life near the shore. No sales tax on anything, my property tax on a 5 BDR, 3 bath home, estimated worth of 850K, is less than $2,000 a year. I can hear the waves break from my back porch.
by westie
Sun Dec 12, 2021 11:25 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Will house prices go down soon?
Replies: 57
Views: 8291

Re: Will house prices go down soon?

my magic 8 ball tells me they'll level off in many areas, go down? - in some less desirable locations. As long as interest rates are low, there will be no drastic change.
by westie
Wed Dec 01, 2021 7:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: WSJ subscription rate is negotiable
Replies: 129
Views: 19828

Re: WSJ subscription rate is negotiable

Don't remember what I paid but I recall them continuing to send me the print edition for 8 months after I canceled. I wouldn't negotiate until after the papers stop.
by westie
Mon Nov 29, 2021 9:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Do You Pay Your Housekeeper/Cleaner?
Replies: 69
Views: 9481

Re: What Do You Pay Your Housekeeper/Cleaner?

$120 every 3 weeks, she only does 1 floor.
by westie
Mon Nov 22, 2021 10:51 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Volvo opinions?
Replies: 41
Views: 4868

Re: Volvo opinions?

they used to be nice cars with few problems, not so much from what I read anymore. Daughter bought a 4 year old Volvo and has spent $4,000 so far in repairs - $1200 for just a sunroof problem. Not for me.
by westie
Fri Nov 19, 2021 8:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Refrigerator: repair or replace?
Replies: 56
Views: 4106

Re: Refrigerator: repair or replace?

buy a new one and use this one for a beer box in the garage.
by westie
Fri Nov 19, 2021 8:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What are you listening to now
Replies: 5802
Views: 575203

Re: What are you listening to now

Eric Andersen - Blue River

Tom Rush - Wrong End of the Rainbow
by westie
Fri Nov 19, 2021 8:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What are you listening to now
Replies: 5802
Views: 575203

Re: What are you listening to now

dodecahedron wrote: Sat Oct 23, 2021 5:17 pm 60s soul music channel on Amazon, currently playing Ain't too proud to beg by the Temptations.

And now... it is playing the late great Aretha Franklin singing You make me feel like a natural woman.

This 60s soul music makes me feel like a teenager again, back in DC listening to my favorite radio station of the time, WOL. Sadly, WOL is now a talk station, no more music.
I liked that but chose to listen to Cerphe and the Weasel on WHFS 102.3 most of the time.
by westie
Fri Nov 19, 2021 8:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Experience with the restaurant scam
Replies: 49
Views: 7510

Re: Experience with the restaurant scam

[/quote]

I get it, but you have missed out on some amazing food. The Pine Club in Dayton, OH comes to mind, among others.
[/quote]

My first visit to the Pine Club was in 1973. Great place to eat.
by westie
Sun Oct 10, 2021 10:00 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What are you listening to now
Replies: 5802
Views: 575203

Re: What are you listening to now

Wrong End of the Rainbow - Tom Rush
by westie
Wed Sep 22, 2021 3:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Window privacy film advice requested
Replies: 30
Views: 3525

Re: Window privacy film advice requested

another recommendation to go to the 3M website.
by westie
Wed Sep 22, 2021 3:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How do you decide what to move?
Replies: 14
Views: 1845

Re: How do you decide what to move?

get rid of just about everything. Unless your furniture was from the Versailles Palace, craiglist or donate it.
by westie
Wed Aug 25, 2021 8:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New Audio receiver or sound bar?
Replies: 61
Views: 6291

Re: New Audio receiver or sound bar?

Congrats.

I'm listening to my old Advents I've had since the 70's and rebuilt 5 years ago but they're for music and in another room. I'd miss not having a receiver. For TV I have a mid priced soundbar.
by westie
Mon Jun 28, 2021 5:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Disposing Parent's Household Belongings
Replies: 40
Views: 5156

Re: Disposing Parent's Household Belongings

get a dumpster there Pronto. You got time to quibble with people over a few dollars?
by westie
Fri Jun 04, 2021 7:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Boat Sale - Liability?
Replies: 15
Views: 2161

Re: Boat Sale - Liability?

as they say ---"Break Out Another Thousand"
by westie
Fri Jun 04, 2021 9:58 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Paint or Stain Deck
Replies: 31
Views: 3749

Re: Paint or Stain Deck

Painting a deck is just creating a maintenance problem.
by westie
Tue May 25, 2021 10:28 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How do you justify family vacation costs?
Replies: 198
Views: 18082

Re: How do you justify family vacation costs?

Used to live on the Cape, been to Nantucket many times. I'd rather stay on the Cape, more to do, better restaurants, for half the price. A few days on Nantucket and I'm ready to leave but that's just me. Guess I'm not an islander. Enjoy your vacation!
by westie
Mon May 10, 2021 6:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Comparing HVAC replacement quotes
Replies: 18
Views: 3341

Re: Comparing HVAC replacement quotes

installation is more important than equipment
by westie
Mon May 10, 2021 6:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best options for squashing scammer phone calls?
Replies: 67
Views: 7725

Re: Best options for squashing scammer phone calls?

turn the ringer off, review your messages 2x a week.
by westie
Mon May 10, 2021 6:21 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The Unusual Retirement Math of Homeownership
Replies: 49
Views: 7856

Re: The Unusual Retirement Math of Homeownership

Life is so much simpler with a paid off house and a generous government pension. Threads like this make that abundantly clear to me. :sharebeer :sharebeer
by westie
Thu Apr 15, 2021 5:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Hoover Vacuum Problem (Mystery Solved)
Replies: 21
Views: 1987

Re: Hoover Vacuum Problem

Probably time to replace but you could look online through - Abby's Guide Vacuums - a forum for vacuums repair first.