Search found 188 matches
- Thu Nov 19, 2020 6:30 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Logistics of buying new car with cash
- Replies: 55
- Views: 3885
Re: Logistics of buying new car with cash
Did they want to run a credit check in order to accept a personal check? I paid with a person check recently and they called a third party service (with me sitting there) who verified there was sufficient funds in the account. They did not even ask to check my credit, but did request several times ...
- Wed Oct 28, 2020 7:56 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Help...we're getting a dog!
- Replies: 157
- Views: 8810
Re: Help...we're getting a dog!
The first month you may feel like the dog is an intruder in your home and regret the decision. Acknowledge the thoughts, but DO NOT RETURN the dog! Hire a professional trainer (not Petsmart classes) and it will improve the lives of both you and the dog long term. After the first few weeks, you and t...
- Sun Nov 24, 2019 10:18 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Found hidden safe, should we crack?
- Replies: 353
- Views: 98820
Re: Found hidden safe, should we crack?
Duplicate.....
- Tue Jul 30, 2019 9:01 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Pay off Mortgage? Pay down Mortgage? Let it ride?
- Replies: 15
- Views: 2289
Re: Pay off Mortgage? Pay down Mortgage? Let it ride?
I am close to your situation, but my difference is that my mortgage is both at a lower rate (9 years at 2.625%) and is still tax-deductible. If I couldn't deduct the interest, I would pay it off as well, eating the capital gains on the necessary stock sales, Grabiner, what is the thought process fo...
- Sat Sep 15, 2018 5:50 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: [Wearing] Shorts in Egypt
- Replies: 71
- Views: 6485
Re: [Wearing] Shorts in Egypt
This board cracks me up. I bet everyone looks elegant in their fancy pants getting out of their 26 year old multi-colored Camry with missing hub caps.
- Mon Jul 02, 2018 5:58 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Building a Pool
- Replies: 64
- Views: 9471
Re: Building a Pool
I do have an update, but not the one you're probably expecting. We did not build the pool, but only because ~30 days after we decided to move forward I accepted a ~3 year rotation for my job and moved to Iowa. Life changes fast. However, we still own the house in the Carolina's and will build the po...
- Wed May 16, 2018 6:49 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: New motorcycle rider
- Replies: 125
- Views: 8680
Re: New motorcycle rider
[/quote] My experience has been that riding is an excercise in risk mitigation, or this is how I look at it. [/quote] Of all the things you've read this is what you need to focus on and ignore all the cliche responses from people who have never ridden. Lots of activities are extremely dangerous and ...
- Tue May 15, 2018 8:39 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: New motorcycle rider
- Replies: 125
- Views: 8680
Re: New motorcycle rider
1.Take a beginner course even though you already know the basics. You will still learn something and you will be a better rider at the end. Many many motorcycle accidents are 50 year old guys getting back into riding after the kids are gone. They're not all 22 year old's on sport bikes. 2. For a bik...
- Fri May 04, 2018 2:53 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Ed. Jones rep didn't like our plan, now we're locked out
- Replies: 152
- Views: 22921
Re: Ed. Jones rep didn't like our plan, now we're locked out
2. I would not hesitate to use the phrase 'elder fraud'' when communicating w/ Ed Jones. Best of luck This is exactly what you need to do in complaints to EJ and FINRA. Elder abuse is serious business in the industry and heads will roll. There are way too many cases of crooked advisors taking advan...
- Sun Apr 29, 2018 6:42 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Ally Vs CIT- Seeking advice
- Replies: 14
- Views: 3985
Re: Ally Vs CIT- Seeking advice
CIT does not automatically adjust your rate as their rate increases. If you open an account and receive 1.05% they keep you at that even as they raise the rates for others. This has been my experience as well and it's annoying to say the least. When they raised the rate to 1.55% a few months ago I ...
- Thu Apr 26, 2018 12:51 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: New car pickup today.
- Replies: 48
- Views: 4752
Re: New car pickup today.
Question for Dottie57 that is slightly off topic, but did you consider the new Honda Accord? If so, what made you choose the Camry over the Accord? I only ask as I'm considering purchasing one and am torn between the two.
- Mon Apr 23, 2018 11:56 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Shrub removal - Village/HOA permits needed?
- Replies: 11
- Views: 1885
Re: Shrub removal - Village/HOA permits needed?
Just pull it out and plant a new smaller shrub. Likely nobody will ever know and if you do get a nasty letter, then write back saying "huh, what shrub". Alternatively, a few doses of round up will do the trick. Then you have a dead shrub that nobody will object to removing.
- Wed Jan 31, 2018 7:30 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: shall I buy Toyota prepaid maintenance service for 2018 Camry
- Replies: 37
- Views: 6273
Re: shall I buy Toyota prepaid maintenance service for 2018 Camry
It is a monstrous ripoff. Your new Camry probably would only need ~3 oil changes during that 30k extension and no other maintenance. You're paying $400 per oil change. Look at the owners manual and see what the manufacturer requires. I guarantee you it's not much if anything.
- Thu Nov 02, 2017 6:10 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Warning Buffet Indicator?!?
- Replies: 31
- Views: 3630
- Sun Aug 20, 2017 7:06 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Weightlifting Equipment for Home Gym
- Replies: 54
- Views: 12130
Re: Weightlifting Equipment for Home Gym
I agree with the Titan Fitness recommendation. You get essentially the same rack as Rogue for 1/2 the price. I've had a T-3 for several years and love it. You will however need to bolt it to the floor or plywood to keep it from shifting. You can build a simple 8x8 platform with 4 sheets of OSB board...
- Mon Aug 07, 2017 6:12 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Love your family car? Under $16,000 Used? Please share!
- Replies: 57
- Views: 8592
Re: Love your family car? Under $16,000? Please share!
Is there a quick/easy way to look at what cars are available locally? Is there a way to see what cars are available in the near by states? Someone mentioned the California state tax of 7.5-10%....maybe I can avoid that if I decide on the car and then look at neighboring states? Autotrader is a grea...
- Sun Aug 06, 2017 2:35 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Love your family car? Under $16,000 Used? Please share!
- Replies: 57
- Views: 8592
Re: Love your family car? Under $16,000? Please share!
You need at a minimum a CRV or Rav4, but realistically with another child on the horizon (potentially 2 more) you should go ahead and buy a minivan. If you buy a sedan you will be sorry when Thing #2 arrives. Yes you can squeeze everyone into a Camry, but that double stroller, cooler, groceries, pac...
- Thu Aug 03, 2017 1:45 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Wells Fargo - what the kittens?
- Replies: 36
- Views: 4106
- Fri Jun 23, 2017 5:53 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Bogleheads: Please help me pick a new car
- Replies: 81
- Views: 12056
Re: Bogleheads: Please help me pick a new car
I wouldn't worry too much about reliability ratings. Within reason, these days they are all excellent. It's like saying the Olympic runner who came in last can't run. Personally, I wouldn't get a Lexus, Acura, or similar for a car to hand to a teenager in 4 years. However, since you have to drive it...
- Thu Jun 15, 2017 5:46 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: To buy or not to buy and move?
- Replies: 19
- Views: 2656
Re: To buy or not to buy and move?
Tread carefully when moving anywhere to be closer to family. What if you move and then 6 months later your son/DIL's job gets transferred to another city and they relocate? Nothing is forever and now you are alone in a place you may not enjoy. Most LCOL areas have plenty of Residence Inn's. Can you ...
- Tue Jun 13, 2017 5:31 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Ok reasons for a 37 year old to have a 60/40 mix?
- Replies: 66
- Views: 13570
Re: Ok reasons for a 37 year old to have a 60/40 mix?
I think your allocation is perfectly fine and only part of the picture. You need to choose the allocation that is most likely to get you where you need to be at the end of the day. Your savings rate and expense management is far more important. If you make $100k/yr and save $50k/yr at a 60/40 alloca...
- Sun Jun 11, 2017 6:09 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Fence Dilemma
- Replies: 31
- Views: 4724
Re: Fence Dilemma
Nicely tell the neighbor that the fence is rotten and you are going to replace it. You pay for it and make sure it's 6" on your property. Then it's your fence and you can do what you like going forward and won't be in this situation again for repairs and replacement. You never know who will mov...
- Fri Apr 21, 2017 8:17 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Building your own fence
- Replies: 35
- Views: 4659
Re: Building your own fence
As said earlier, with the help you have it's most definitely a do it yourself job and likely cost less than 50% of quoted prices. It will be tough work, but as with most things it will make you appreciate it more. Every time you go out back you'll look at the fence and have some sense if internal pr...
- Sat Apr 01, 2017 5:30 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: An Edward Jones Financial Advisor stopped by my house and spoke with my wife
- Replies: 111
- Views: 17334
Re: An Edward Jones Financial Advisor stopped by my house and spoke with my wife
It won't change a thing. The guy is trying to make a living. Most people have to. Just so happens he is in sales. Move on :happy +1 as always, Toons is right on the money! :beer Agree completely. Not everyone loves their job and for all you know this guy hates EJ and is a boglehead. I'd try to sell...
- Tue Mar 28, 2017 5:45 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: After market car backup camera and stereo system
- Replies: 8
- Views: 2281
Re: After market car backup camera and stereo system
I'd recommend a system from rearviewsafety dot com. I bought one that goes in the mirror for my wife's car (through Costco at the time) and it is very clear and works great. It even had the lines in the mirror that you could adjust via remote to show sides of the car and depth of the objects behind ...
- Tue Feb 28, 2017 8:03 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Ugh, why is buying a new car so painful?
- Replies: 75
- Views: 12076
Re: Ugh, why is buying a new car so painful?
Use Carvana. I bought a car from them a couple weeks ago and holy hell was it fantastic. I bought a $500 off referral coupon on eBay to further reduce the price. They delivered the car to my door and we did the paperwork in my driveway. The car was in better condition than described and looks almost...
- Tue Feb 14, 2017 7:57 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: New cars or Pool?
- Replies: 71
- Views: 7808
Re: New cars or Pool?
We built a pool last year. It's still new to us, but it has already created great memories for our family. I'd ignore "pools kill" and all the other generic statements you'll hear on here. They are all made by people who have never owned a pool and watch too much TV. If you're on track for...
- Sun Feb 05, 2017 9:28 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Craigslist vehicle sale worth the risk?
- Replies: 30
- Views: 4051
Re: Craigslist vehicle sale worth the risk?
Question for those selling vehicles on Craigslist that requires buyers to come to your house. I've sold vehicles on Craigslist before that were <$10k without issue. However, would you sell a more expensive car on Craigslist? I am not as worried about getting scammed because that is easily avoidable...
- Sun Feb 05, 2017 8:51 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Craigslist vehicle sale worth the risk?
- Replies: 30
- Views: 4051
Craigslist vehicle sale worth the risk?
Question for those selling vehicles on Craigslist that requires buyers to come to your house. I've sold vehicles on Craigslist before that were <$10k without issue. However, would you sell a more expensive car on Craigslist? I am not as worried about getting scammed because that is easily avoidable,...
- Fri Jan 20, 2017 10:09 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: East Coast And Work/Life Balance
- Replies: 68
- Views: 9595
Re: East Coast And Work/Life Balance
I'm glad I spent some time in the area, but I wouldn't move back for double my salary. I live in Texas now. I agree 100%. I've spent extensive time in NY/NJ as well as Washington D.C. I now live in North Carolina and wouldn't move back for double salary. I never understood why people (who are indep...
- Fri Jan 13, 2017 9:02 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: How much do you typically spend in a restaurant?
- Replies: 171
- Views: 16578
Re: How much do you typically spend in a restaurant?
I can hardly believe what I'm reading from this group! $150 for a family of 4 (w/kids) to go out to dinner! For a community that goes to great lengths to reduce expense ratios by 1 basis point it is shocking how much many of you spend at restaurants. I certainly understand that people spend their mo...
- Fri Jan 06, 2017 3:44 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Where to in March?
- Replies: 21
- Views: 2588
Re: Where to in March?
I second Moab. I spent a week mountain biking and hiking there a few years ago and with the hobbies you list it would be paradise. Arches National Park and Canyonlands are wonderful as are the world famous mountain biking trails. There are endless bike shops to rent from so it's very easy to plan. I...
- Mon Dec 19, 2016 12:22 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Netflix Question
- Replies: 30
- Views: 5494
Re: Netflix Question
Get her a pre-paid annual subscription every year for Christmas. It's not worth the hassle of sharing an account and worrying about it for $100. Plus you will never again have to think about what to get her for Christmas.
- Wed Nov 23, 2016 7:51 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Company truck - Nissan Frontier vs. F-150
- Replies: 19
- Views: 4388
Re: Company truck - Nissan Frontier vs. F-150
The only advantage the Frontier would have is maneuverability and parking in tight spaces. If you have a lot of city garages and small lots that you routinely need to park in, then the Frontier would be better. However, as you've previously driven the Ram you'll know if that's an issue or not as the...
- Mon Nov 14, 2016 5:21 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: which pickup truck
- Replies: 67
- Views: 12885
Re: which pickup truck
I was considering downgrading my Ram 1500 for a car, but changed my mind this weekend. Now reading these posts I consistently see comments about Ram being poor quality compared to the others. What is the basis for these comments? Are they all "my brother's boss had friend who's Ram fell apart,...
- Sun Nov 13, 2016 6:35 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: which pickup truck
- Replies: 67
- Views: 12885
Re: which pickup truck
I was considering downgrading my Ram 1500 for a car, but changed my mind this weekend. Now reading these posts I consistently see comments about Ram being poor quality compared to the others. What is the basis for these comments? Are they all "my brother's boss had friend who's Ram fell apart,&...
- Sun Nov 13, 2016 5:00 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: For ease of TLH, divide taxable & tax-advantaged between Fidelity and Vanguard?
- Replies: 19
- Views: 2311
Re: For ease of TLH, divide taxable & tax-advantaged between Fidelity and Vanguard?
It doesn't matter which brokerage firm holds your securities. For example, a S&P 500 index fund at Fidelity is the substantially the same (or maybe exactly the same) as a S&P 500 index at Vanguard. You would trigger a wash sale using these two funds as it's based on the underlying securities...
- Sat Nov 12, 2016 1:33 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Does a car downgrade make sense for me?
- Replies: 19
- Views: 3555
Re: Does a car downgrade make sense for me?
I've been reading too much Mr. Money Mustache where using anything beyond an e-bike will leave you homeless and responsible for the demise of polar bears. Cooler heads prevail here. I'll stick with the Ram.
- Fri Nov 11, 2016 2:54 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Does a car downgrade make sense for me?
- Replies: 19
- Views: 3555
Re: Does a car downgrade make sense for me?
Thanks for the responses so far. I am married and my wife has a CRV (great car) so I'd rather not add a 3rd vehicle simply due to the hassle of another to maintain. If I would sell the truck I would pay cash for a commuter and have money left over that would be invested in my taxable account. I woul...
- Fri Nov 11, 2016 6:36 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Does a car downgrade make sense for me?
- Replies: 19
- Views: 3555
Does a car downgrade make sense for me?
I currently have a wonderful full size Ram 1500 that I purchased used a few years ago. It met all my family's needs at the time as I'm a big DIY'er around the house and enjoy wilderness activities. However, my glorious work from home part time situation has changed and I'm now required to commute to...
- Sat Nov 05, 2016 5:44 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Gaming system for kids?
- Replies: 53
- Views: 11535
Re: Gaming system for kids?
I'd definitely recommend buying a gaming system. For that age I'd recommend a Playstation 3 since it's got a lot of kid friendly games and you can get them cheap now that the PS4 is out. Don't go the PC route right away because he/she will want to play with you not solo. We are looking at a wii U fo...
- Wed Aug 17, 2016 6:09 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Anyone else getting nervous and converting to cash as a short-term move?
- Replies: 116
- Views: 16197
Re: Anyone else getting nervous and converting to cash as a short-term move?
I did. I sold a chunk of investments on Monday. However, based on the advice I received in another thread in 60 days I'll be converting that cash to pool surrounded by a paver patio! Woot woot!
- Mon Aug 15, 2016 6:18 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Building a Pool
- Replies: 64
- Views: 9471
Re: Building a Pool
Thank you for all the very diversified replies. It's interesting to see that most with a pool, recommend the pool and those without suggest avoiding one. It was so hot in the Carolinas this weekend. We packed 30lbs of water guns and food and made our weekly trip to the neighborhood pool. It was not ...
- Sat Aug 13, 2016 7:25 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Building a Pool
- Replies: 64
- Views: 9471
Re: Building a Pool
Thank you for all the replies. To the cost question I came up with the $200k "15 year cost" based on $45,000 initial outlay and $3,000 yearly maintenance related to the pool. If I earned 7% on that money it's like 199k. Maybe $3,000 is too high, but even if it's $0/yr maintenance it's stil...
- Sat Aug 13, 2016 6:53 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Building a Pool
- Replies: 64
- Views: 9471
Building a Pool
I'm seeking feedback on building a pool in our backyard. We are in the SE USA where we'd get 5-6 months of use. The pool was quoted at around 40k, but I know it'll be 45k by the time they're done and I have the landscaping, irrigation, and fence fixed. The design looks fantastic and I think my famil...
- Sun Jul 31, 2016 8:24 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: 15 year 2.75% refinance mortgage
- Replies: 34
- Views: 6704
Re: 15 year 2.75% refinance mortgage
NWFCU is awful. After you submit paperwork expect weeks/months without any contact from the originator. They won't return emails, phone calls, etc. 3-4 months to close a basic refinance is absolutely horrid. They also service the loans they make, so this is likely not a one time service issue you wi...
- Sun Jul 17, 2016 8:28 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Experience with FINRA License?
- Replies: 7
- Views: 1369
Re: Experience with FINRA License?
As with most tests, if you study hard you will easily pass.....if you don't study, then you will likely fail. Most do very well with professional exams paid for by employers as failing would cause quite the embarrassment at work and in the securities industry can cost you your job. Failing these exa...
- Sun Jul 10, 2016 6:27 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Refinance cancellation fees?
- Replies: 1
- Views: 441
Refinance cancellation fees?
I recently refinanced my mortgage and referred my lender to a relative. She has completed the application and started to submit documentation to the lender. On Friday she received her loan estimate and was not happy at all with the closing costs and feels as though while she's getting a big credit, ...
- Fri Jul 08, 2016 2:53 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Home Rebuilding Cost Estimate
- Replies: 24
- Views: 4795
Re: Home Rebuilding Cost Estimate
I recently had the same question. I was shopping for insurance and found widely varying replacement costs from insurers. Some of them were ~25% higher than others. In speaking with my agent he basically said everything already stated in the threads. It changes from building costs, demo can be expens...
- Fri Jul 08, 2016 10:02 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Refinance Rates
- Replies: 20
- Views: 3001
Re: Refinance Rates
I am locked at 2.75% with a $2,000 credit on closing costs. They also offered 2.625% with $1,100 credit. I don't owe millions on my mortgage so opted to pocket the $900 difference and take the higher rate. My payment goes down like $8/month (pays for Netflix) and I'll save about $900 in interest a y...