Search found 2463 matches

by pennstater2005
Wed Jan 03, 2024 2:04 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 2024 BOGLEHEAD CONTEST REGISTRATION
Replies: 579
Views: 37929

Re: 2024 BOGLEHEAD CONTEST REGISTRATION

4716.12 (exact number currently as I write this)
by pennstater2005
Fri Oct 20, 2023 2:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Will Dog Food Prices Go Back Down?
Replies: 24
Views: 2135

Re: Will Dog Food Prices Go Back Down?

Glockenspiel wrote: Fri Oct 20, 2023 2:30 pm
Abe wrote: Fri Oct 20, 2023 2:13 pm In many cases, I think sellers jack prices up way more than inflation using the excuse that everybody knows we are having high inflation. I get it that inflation is high, but some are going up way more than the rate of inflation.
Agree. Lots of items in the grocery store went from $2.99 to $4.19 in less than 3 years, which is a 40% increase.
Correct, but in my area a lot of those have gone back down.
by pennstater2005
Fri Oct 20, 2023 2:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Will Dog Food Prices Go Back Down?
Replies: 24
Views: 2135

Re: Will Dog Food Prices Go Back Down?

stan1 wrote: Fri Oct 20, 2023 2:28 pm If everyone switches to basic Purina and Ol' Roy the price on the expensive stuff will come down.
Oh, I’ve considered that :D But my wife thinks it’ll run right through them especially the Ol’ Roy. It was good enough for Cousin Eddie in Christmas vacation.
by pennstater2005
Fri Oct 20, 2023 2:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Will Dog Food Prices Go Back Down?
Replies: 24
Views: 2135

Re: Will Dog Food Prices Go Back Down?

I’m still paying about 40% more than I was pre pandemic for my dog food. I’ve read articles here and there about pet food inflation beginning to decrease but I haven’t seen that yet. At least not in my area. Inflation decreasing doesn't mean prices will decrease. It just means they're not rising as quickly. Prices decreasing would be deflation. Periods of deflation are rare and have only occurred once in the past 75 years (2007-2009ish). Short story here is producers are incredibly hesitant to decrease the price of a good once consumers have gotten used to a higher price. So as long as folks are paying the higher prices and their sales aren’t hurting nothing will change. Makes sense, I guess. It’s just one of those items that has increased...
by pennstater2005
Fri Oct 20, 2023 2:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Will Dog Food Prices Go Back Down?
Replies: 24
Views: 2135

Re: Will Dog Food Prices Go Back Down?

Godot wrote: Fri Oct 20, 2023 2:00 pm
pennstater2005 wrote: Fri Oct 20, 2023 1:56 pm I’m still paying about 40% more than I was pre pandemic for my dog food. I’ve read articles here and there about pet food inflation beginning to decrease but I haven’t seen that yet. At least not in my area.
The rate of inflation might be decreasing, but that doesn't mean the price will go back down.
That’s what I suspect as well but I was hoping someone would have inside info and tell me different :)
by pennstater2005
Fri Oct 20, 2023 1:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Will Dog Food Prices Go Back Down?
Replies: 24
Views: 2135

Will Dog Food Prices Go Back Down?

I’m still paying about 40% more than I was pre pandemic for my dog food. I’ve read articles here and there about pet food inflation beginning to decrease but I haven’t seen that yet. At least not in my area.
by pennstater2005
Thu Aug 10, 2023 7:49 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Where do you buy your pet's food?
Replies: 111
Views: 9400

Re: Where do you buy your pet's food?

Diamond Premium Adult from Tractor Supply. 40# for $40
by pennstater2005
Fri Jun 09, 2023 8:59 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Chipmunks
Replies: 32
Views: 2440

Re: Chipmunks

My son has caught 5 in the last 2 weeks with a Havahart trap using peanut butter. We drive them a few miles away to the woods and release them. We did release them all in the same place so maybe they found one another. Probably not.

They were getting a pretty good system of holes/tunnels around my trees and in my landscaping.
by pennstater2005
Wed Mar 01, 2023 2:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to keep rabbits off lawn?
Replies: 61
Views: 4894

Re: How to keep rabbits off lawn?

tenkuky wrote: Wed Mar 01, 2023 10:48 am Count your blessings you don't have moles.
They have destroyed my yard and I have reached an uneasy peace with that.
Tunnels and mounds I just side-step with a silent curse.
We have rabbits too but I think they are cute and let them be.
Our dog did nothing to them either, peaceful coexistence.

May I ask why you need a perfect lawn? Is it worth the effort, cost and time?
Check out Trap Line mole traps. They come in a pair. Game changers. And out of the sight of dogs.
by pennstater2005
Wed Mar 01, 2023 1:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Photography Gear - Feedback Needed
Replies: 161
Views: 10302

Re: Photography Gear - Feedback Needed

I miss my old gear. Yeah, the Google Pixel takes very good photos but doesn’t feel like much in the hand. But, it was becoming a pain to haul everywhere and worry about it due to higher value so the Pixel wins. This old thread made me feel a little nostalgia. Started with a Nikon F100 and some good glass. Film was fun.
by pennstater2005
Thu Feb 09, 2023 12:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is ATSC 3.0 a factor in your TV purchase decision?
Replies: 73
Views: 5751

Re: Is ATSC 3.0 a factor in your TV purchase decision?

It was not. I thought it would be but the more I checked into the further out it looked to as far as good implementation. Is this hardware or could a tv have its software updated down the road to include?
by pennstater2005
Mon Jan 23, 2023 4:47 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: 🎊Happy 99th Birthday to Taylor Larimore🎉
Replies: 247
Views: 15706

Re: 🎊Happy 99th Birthday to Taylor Larimore🎉

Happy Birthday and may God continue to bless you Taylor!

I just watched a documentary on the Smithsonian Channel involving Biscayne Bay that made me think of you :happy
by pennstater2005
Tue Jan 10, 2023 9:59 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: REGISTRATION FOR THE 2023 BOGLEHEAD CONTEST
Replies: 672
Views: 40221

Re: REGISTRATION FOR THE 2023 BOGLEHEAD CONTEST

3,897.21 (the SP 500 at the moment I typed this)
by pennstater2005
Fri Dec 02, 2022 1:02 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Sad news - Sheepdog passed away
Replies: 135
Views: 25666

Re: Sad news - Sheepdog passed away

Miriam2 wrote: Thu Dec 01, 2022 11:11 pm Sheepdog's post from a forum thread last Dec. 3, 2021 -

Re: The risk of DEATH ---- under-discussed on this forum? viewtopic.php?t=363766&start=200#p6363273

"Well, nothing to discuss. I have reached 88, have money left over, have a great spouse. The kids like us. The dogs and cats appreciate us. When it comes it comes.

Talk to you later. We are going out shopping in a few minutes. then eat out. Tomorrow we will eat out again and attend a symphony. What more should I discuss?
8-)
Woof Woof"
:sharebeer
by pennstater2005
Thu Dec 01, 2022 8:45 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Sad news - Sheepdog passed away
Replies: 135
Views: 25666

Re: Sad news - Sheepdog passed away

Oh Sheepdog :( Never heard a negative word out of him here. Always humble and helpful in his responses. A rare quality to possess.
by pennstater2005
Sat Feb 26, 2022 10:51 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Ally Bank Not Reliable
Replies: 74
Views: 10419

Re: Ally Bank Not Reliable

Prudence wrote: Sat Feb 26, 2022 10:48 am I have a 7 year CD with AFCU ($290,000 to mature in December 2023). Last Wednesday, I called to request a close out. After waiting about 15 minutes to speak to a rep, she told me she would request a specialist to call me back with early withdrawal penalty amount and instructions on how to redeem the CD. There is no info on the web site regarding the process for early close outs. Anyway, there was no call back on Thursday or Friday. Seems like poor customer service is becoming the new normal.
I feel as though I've had to hound companies lately to get info I need that should be readily available.
by pennstater2005
Wed Jan 13, 2021 8:10 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Are plasma TV's gone forever?
Replies: 117
Views: 21451

Re: Are plasma TV's gone forever?

Panasonic to finally bring their OLED line up to the U.S.!

https://www.tomsguide.com/news/panasoni ... ound-sound
by pennstater2005
Fri Jan 08, 2021 10:06 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Are plasma TV's gone forever?
Replies: 117
Views: 21451

Re: Are plasma TV's gone forever?

IMO wrote: Wed Jan 06, 2021 10:22 pm Still have one plasma TV in the house. Had to bolt it down so it won't accidently tip over and kill someone.
Hilarious but also true.
by pennstater2005
Tue Jan 05, 2021 2:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Are plasma TV's gone forever?
Replies: 117
Views: 21451

Re: Are plasma TV's gone forever?

My 2008 Panasonic Viera 50" plasma is still going strong in the basement. Nice and dark down there. Never have fixed a thing on it. I want a 65" OLED. Saw a $1,500 price point for a 65" OLED during Christmas. Didn't jump on it. I assume plasma is gone. Too hard to make. New tech will leave it behind, but they still have a nice picture. I often see the high end plasma on Craigslist for $50 or $75. But at the age, you never know what kind of problems you might get. People wax poetic about plasma like it's some mythical golden age of picture quality. We have both a top-rated Panasonic plasma from around 2010 and an LG OLED from around 2015. There's just no comparison - the OLED is SO much better, and with even normal daytime in...
by pennstater2005
Tue Jan 05, 2021 9:46 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Are plasma TV's gone forever?
Replies: 117
Views: 21451

Re: Are plasma TV's gone forever?

Reviving an old thread for no good reason....

I still have my 2008 Panasonic plasma. It just started showing a blue line down the middle although it is translucent. Other than that no issues. Panasonic is making OLED televisions now but only sold overseas. I might be in the market soon.
by pennstater2005
Sat Nov 28, 2020 11:22 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Any bogleheadish black friday deals to look out for?
Replies: 105
Views: 21253

Re: Any bogleheadish black friday deals to look out for?

Lee_WSP wrote: Fri Nov 27, 2020 3:01 pm
pennstater2005 wrote: Fri Nov 27, 2020 2:24 pm I hear varying things on when to buy a TV. Now and right before the new models come out (after the Super Bowl). I’m leery of buying now because I don’t want a derivative television (the reason they’re so cheap). I’m looking for 75-85”. Not OLED. Too pricey for me.

Any links or thoughts on timing of purchase?

Edited to add: I’ve looked but there are so many right now!
Best quality for watching movies in that size (Hisense doesn't make their good model in 75") without going OLED is going to be Sony. Brightest is the QLED.

Both are on "sale" at Costco.
Thanks. Sony looks nice. I need to get into the store to actually see them.
by pennstater2005
Fri Nov 27, 2020 2:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Any bogleheadish black friday deals to look out for?
Replies: 105
Views: 21253

Re: Any bogleheadish black friday deals to look out for?

I hear varying things on when to buy a TV. Now and right before the new models come out (after the Super Bowl). I’m leery of buying now because I don’t want a derivative television (the reason they’re so cheap). I’m looking for 75-85”. Not OLED. Too pricey for me.

Any links or thoughts on timing of purchase?

Edited to add: I’ve looked but there are so many right now!
by pennstater2005
Thu Jul 16, 2020 6:59 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Can anyone identify this bird?
Replies: 12
Views: 1139

Re: Can anyone identify this bird?

Fuzzy picture. Skinny pigeon?
by pennstater2005
Fri Jun 26, 2020 9:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Face Masks
Replies: 23
Views: 4634

Re: Face Masks

Trader Joe wrote: Fri Jun 26, 2020 9:11 pm
sport wrote: Fri Jun 26, 2020 5:03 pm If anyone is looking for face masks, Costco is selling a package of 50 disposable masks for $19.99 in the store. The price is a few dollars more if you buy them from Costco.com.
No, I am not looking for face masks. I do not use them and they are not required where I am at.
Trying to get your post count up eh? The OP said "if" not "is". It wasn't a question.
by pennstater2005
Fri Jun 26, 2020 8:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Face Masks
Replies: 23
Views: 4634

Re: Face Masks

I got mine here....https://www.snowjoe.com/products/supply ... nt-3-layer

$12.99 for 50. That includes shipping. They also the KN95 in a five pack. I have those for work. It's the Chinese variant.
by pennstater2005
Sun May 10, 2020 7:46 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Scams that make me laugh -- what are you favorites?
Replies: 105
Views: 15392

Re: Scams that make me laugh -- what are you favorites?

Anything Kevin Trudeau was ever advertising. My Dad had something like 10 boxes of coral calcium. Cured colon cancer.
by pennstater2005
Tue May 05, 2020 8:20 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Build Browne Permanent Portfolio at M1; leverage it and hold the cash in a reward checking account.
Replies: 33
Views: 3296

Re: Build Browne Permanent Portfolio at M1; leverage it and hold the cash in a reward checking account.

I believe from Harry Browne's book "Fail safe investing" cash was assumed to be short term US treasuries.
by pennstater2005
Tue May 05, 2020 11:40 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Poor Publix employee seeking 401k investment advice
Replies: 170
Views: 29533

Re: Poor Publix employee seeking 401k investment advice

ralphboy wrote: Tue May 05, 2020 10:10 am There's a fidelity by me that is open. Maybe I should just go to them? Schwab is still temporarily closed.
If I wasn’t using Vanguard, Fidelity would be one of my next choices. Good luck.
by pennstater2005
Fri Mar 20, 2020 2:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How much cash to have during coronavirus panic?
Replies: 146
Views: 13805

Re: How much cash to have during coronavirus panic?

No cash. Unless you count my kids piggy banks. There might be like $50 in there altogether. I could sell some of my toilet paper as well.
by pennstater2005
Tue Mar 17, 2020 6:52 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: How Is Your Job Being Impacted By The Current Crisis?
Replies: 505
Views: 68872

Re: How Is Your Job Being Impacted By The Current Crisis?

Physical Therapy. Outpatient clinic. We see mostly elective surgeries. Elective surgeries are about to be put on hold at all hospitals near me. Hasn't affected me yet but our census will drop soon unless something changes.
by pennstater2005
Mon Mar 09, 2020 3:57 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Who here is buying stocks today and how much?
Replies: 315
Views: 34157

Re: Who here is buying stocks today and how much?

Had a bit of extra cash aside from automatic monthly withdrawals so bought $500 of VASGX. Did the same thing one day last week. I like buying stuff on sale.
by pennstater2005
Thu Oct 31, 2019 1:13 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I’m done with index funds
Replies: 239
Views: 40232

Re: I’m done with index funds

There is sort of a perverse logic here, that you win by losing. I think of "The Producers", one of my favorite movies of all time. A play within a movie where two conmen get investors to oversubscribe investing in a play, in other words they sold interest in the play several times over. The only way they could make money and yet hide their scam was to make certain their play flopped and flopped miserably. They got the worst script, the worst director, and the worst actors putting on a play called "Springtime with Hitler." Of course as we all know, "Springtime with Hitler" became a hit, the scam was exposed, and the 2 producers wound up in jail. So you are telling me, that you are going to "win" by pr...
by pennstater2005
Wed Oct 16, 2019 1:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
Replies: 7203
Views: 1413392

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

Does anyone know if you can re apply for Discover IT card to get bonus again? I want to do it for the $75 Amazon credit. I've had it and canceled it. Surely there are other cards you can apply for that give you more than a $75 payback ? Really not even $75, more like $30 if you already have an Amazon card. This is just for the Amazon credit. I’ve done a lot of cards with cash back ranging from $50-$500. I just want to know if it is a card you can re apply for and get the bonus again. Some let you some don’t. Oh, I thought you were talking about amazon being a 5% category this quarter in Discover IT, i.e. 5% back for $1500 max = $75. Oh, okay :D There’s a Leatherman Skeletool CX I want but would like to get it with the credit if possible.
by pennstater2005
Wed Oct 16, 2019 8:18 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
Replies: 7203
Views: 1413392

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

SlowMovingInvestor wrote: Wed Oct 16, 2019 7:21 am
pennstater2005 wrote: Sat Oct 12, 2019 1:57 pm Does anyone know if you can re apply for Discover IT card to get bonus again? I want to do it for the $75 Amazon credit. I've had it and canceled it.
Surely there are other cards you can apply for that give you more than a $75 payback ? Really not even $75, more like $30 if you already have an Amazon card.
This is just for the Amazon credit. I’ve done a lot of cards with cash back ranging from $50-$500. I just want to know if it is a card you can re apply for and get the bonus again. Some let you some don’t.
by pennstater2005
Sat Oct 12, 2019 1:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?
Replies: 7203
Views: 1413392

Re: What's Your Credit Card Rewards Strategy?

Does anyone know if you can re apply for Discover IT card to get bonus again? I want to do it for the $75 Amazon credit. I've had it and canceled it.
by pennstater2005
Thu Sep 05, 2019 10:20 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Career change at 36- Finance to Nursing/PA?
Replies: 40
Views: 5899

Re: Career change at 36- Finance to Nursing/PA?

Nursing doesn’t necessarily mean full time hospital either. You could be a nurse for an orthopedic surgeon who is at the hospital for surgery a few days a week and then back at the office for follow up and new patient visits. There are many different avenues in nursing.
by pennstater2005
Sat Aug 31, 2019 7:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What, besides dishes, do you run through your dishwasher?
Replies: 85
Views: 8258

Re: What, besides dishes, do you run through your dishwasher?

Colorado13 wrote: Fri Aug 30, 2019 1:35 pm
pennstater2005 wrote: Fri Aug 30, 2019 12:29 pm My hat and shoes. My kids think I’m weird.
Sometimes the kids are right. :D What kind of shoes are you washing? I thought that heat was a shoe killer, so I'm curious if your approach works. I'm not willing to try it myself, but am curious...
It works good. Top rack only. Cleans them really well without really disturbing them. I just let them air dry after. Just try it :sharebeer
by pennstater2005
Fri Aug 30, 2019 12:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What, besides dishes, do you run through your dishwasher?
Replies: 85
Views: 8258

Re: What, besides dishes, do you run through your dishwasher?

My hat and shoes. My kids think I’m weird.
by pennstater2005
Wed Aug 28, 2019 2:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone here on Verizon Prepaid? Deprioritization?
Replies: 23
Views: 3833

Re: Anyone here on Verizon Prepaid? Deprioritization?

I’ve been on Visible (owned by Verizon) for a month. Unlimited talk, text, and data (uncapped speed and unlimited) for $40 all in. The uncapped and unlimited data is a promotion so don’t know how long it will last. It’s all done through an app. Coverage is good and speeds are fast though that depends on tower.

At work I’m about 5 mbps but home is 40 mbps. I’ve had faster as well.
by pennstater2005
Tue Apr 16, 2019 7:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: seriously thinking about leaving S. CA but where to?
Replies: 177
Views: 15341

Re: seriously thinking about leaving S. CA but where to?

Travel a lot and each time return to southern California. Stay gone for long periods of time. Or not. You're retired!!!
by pennstater2005
Wed Mar 13, 2019 1:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Lawn care schedule
Replies: 83
Views: 10714

Re: Lawn care schedule

Beach wrote: Tue Mar 12, 2019 1:49 pm http://www.thelawnforum.com

TONS of info here
Yep!
by pennstater2005
Sun Jan 27, 2019 12:36 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What was your first Vanguard fund or ETF?
Replies: 72
Views: 6771

Re: What was your first Vanguard fund or ETF?

Target Date funds eventually settling into a Lifestrategy fund where I've been now for a few years.
by pennstater2005
Sat Jan 26, 2019 4:20 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Happy Birthday Taylor! 96 years young!
Replies: 77
Views: 9243

Re: Happy Birthday, Taylor!

Happy Birthday Taylor :sharebeer
by pennstater2005
Thu Jan 17, 2019 9:52 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: John Bogle has died at age 89
Replies: 856
Views: 81249

Re: John Bogle has died at age 89

Jack made a huge difference in the way I viewed investing. I always thought it was for the professionals but Jack simplified it somehow and made it seem doable.

God bless you Jack and condolences to your loved ones.
by pennstater2005
Tue Oct 16, 2018 9:11 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5973
Views: 689805

Re: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]

Letterkenny on Hulu.
by pennstater2005
Thu Oct 11, 2018 5:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone done a Hair Transplant?
Replies: 79
Views: 10148

Re: Anyone done a Hair Transplant?

LadyGeek wrote: Thu Oct 11, 2018 3:24 pm How about the obligatory "Please stay on-topic"? :wink:
Fair enough :sharebeer
by pennstater2005
Thu Oct 11, 2018 3:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone done a Hair Transplant?
Replies: 79
Views: 10148

Re: Anyone done a Hair Transplant?

TheRightKost87 wrote: Thu Oct 11, 2018 3:16 pm
pennstater2005 wrote: Thu Oct 11, 2018 2:54 pm Why is anyone surprised by good natured but off topic responses? That is Bogleheads.
I was surprised we didn't get the obligatory "Not enough information" posts.
It’s not too late :D
by pennstater2005
Thu Oct 11, 2018 2:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone done a Hair Transplant?
Replies: 79
Views: 10148

Re: Anyone done a Hair Transplant?

Why is anyone surprised by good natured but off topic responses? That is Bogleheads.