Search found 179 matches

by Rich in Michigan
Thu Apr 28, 2022 1:59 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Spreadsheet that can calculate 3 year HAS?
Replies: 9
Views: 1013

Re: Spreadsheet that can calculate 3 year HAS?

Are you talking about determining which stretch of 3 years are the highest over a long period of years? If so, it's very easy to create a moving average and then select the one with the highest 3 years. Simply enter the yearly incomes across a row. Let's call those cells A1 through M1. On the next row, in the 3rd cell (B3) create the formula to average the first three years =(A1:A3)/3. Then fill right from there across the B cells. You could enter the updated formula for each cell but the fill right will do that in 2 seconds. Then, take a look at the 3 year averages and select the highest one.
by Rich in Michigan
Sun Oct 27, 2019 10:18 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Do You Pay For Financial Advice?
Replies: 76
Views: 7600

Re: Do You Pay For Financial Advice?

Nope. I had a broker when I was young but at 26 but he switched me to a house account because I wasn't churning enough to generate commissions for him. Even then, I never paid for advice. For the past 42 years I have flown solo. I make all my own investment decisions and have never paid for advice.
by Rich in Michigan
Sat Aug 24, 2019 7:07 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Manager is Interviewing Candidates (External) before Job is posted
Replies: 57
Views: 6957

Re: Manager is Interviewing Candidates (External) before Job is posted

Not to beat a dead horse but approach your manager directly. I always welcomed being approached by direct reports for positions of advancement because it showed me that they had the "proactive/I want the job" quality that most managers admire. Show and tell them why you deserve the job. Desperately wanting a job is not a qualification; make them see that you are the right choice. Even if you don't get the job you are now on the radar for other potential things. I mean, they should already know about your career desires if they have done a proper annual discussion with you but that is another matter. The fact is that they have already likely considered everyone they currently have for the position and despite your viewpoint that yo...
by Rich in Michigan
Tue May 07, 2019 3:10 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I tried to fire my financial advisor of 12 years today...
Replies: 127
Views: 17001

Re: I tried to fire my financial advisor of 12 years today...

You mentioned that you "owed him a lot." No. You paid for whatever he did at the time, you don't owe him for it anymore than you owe the auto dealership for taking your money for a car. I understand feeling loyalty to someone who charged me a fair price and continued to excellently perform a task for me that I could not or didn't want to do myself. An example of that is my dentist. On the other hand, your salesman (and remember he is a salesman and not "advisor") is not charging you a fair price, is not excellently performing for you, and you CAN do it yourself. You do owe something to somebody; to yourself and your family. And what you owe yourself and them is not to simply give your money away. You put up all the $$$, ...
by Rich in Michigan
Wed Mar 27, 2019 8:19 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Need advice on refinishing furniture
Replies: 8
Views: 839

Re: Need advice on refinishing furniture

You could try reamalgamation, which is essentially dissolving and re-spreading the existing finish. Fairly easy process and on some pieces it can give you what you want.

Beyond that, stripping, prepping, and refinishing is the way to go. If you have never done it before, practice on a piece that you don't care as much about in order to hone your technique.
by Rich in Michigan
Sun Mar 24, 2019 3:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Europe conversion fee scam at hotel..what would you do?
Replies: 26
Views: 2545

Re: Europe conversion fee scam at hotel..what would you do?

If it is one of your company's preferred hotels, expense it and let your company know what one of their preferred hotels is doing to them.
by Rich in Michigan
Thu Nov 15, 2018 9:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: which snow blower ?
Replies: 169
Views: 18829

Re: which snow blower ?

I have had my second Ariens for 5 years and I love it. I had my first one for 33 years. It was still working when I gave it to a neighbor kid to make side money doing driveways. The only thing I ever did with that first one in 33 years was change the oil and plug annually and run the carb dry at the end of the season. I don't even run the carb dry on the current one but I do run it for about 10 minutes every 2 months in the off season.
by Rich in Michigan
Thu Nov 08, 2018 8:49 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How much money are you leaving your kids after you die?
Replies: 234
Views: 20382

Re: How much money are you leaving your kids after you die?

We plan on leaving all of our estate to our son. I have no concern whatsoever that our bequest will be spent frivolously. We are confident that we have instilled the correct values in our son and in fact he has already demonstrated exceptional wisdom in handling an estate he received from our late older son. When I read about posters saying they would be worried that their kids would stop working, be bums, buy hot cars, spend like a drunken sailor, etc I just shake my head. Perhaps they need to go back to the drawing board and consider what values they have instilled in their children. I do not have that to worry about and am quite happy to be able to do what we are planning. As for our charities, we will make a certain donation but we will...
by Rich in Michigan
Sat Oct 06, 2018 2:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Help identify vine in backyard
Replies: 26
Views: 2042

Re: Help identify vine in backyard

I'd bet a fair amount of money on it being a stinging nettle. It is most definitely NOT poison ivy.

You can pull it up but wear gloves. If you don't wear gloves, you will find out if it is indeed stinging nettle pretty quickly.

Or you can spray it with Roundup but be sure not to get any overspray on surrounding plants.

I have a fair amount of them in my yard and have to pull them up a few times a year
by Rich in Michigan
Mon Sep 03, 2018 9:28 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I want to pry my friend away from Edward Jones
Replies: 71
Views: 9298

Re: I want to pry my friend away from Edward Jones

Several years back I tried to convince a friend that she had better options than EJ. I gave her a Boglehead book, etc.

She went back to her EJ salesman...I mean "advisor"...and naturally he had cookbook counters to everything and of course she believed him. She even said to me "well, what your doing is fine if you don't want to do the things my advisor can do to beat the market."

I just smiled and kept my mouth shut. I am now actually happy that he is taking her $$$.

Giving financial advice to friends is usually a losing proposition.
by Rich in Michigan
Fri Aug 17, 2018 10:17 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tipping lawn service and trash pickup
Replies: 48
Views: 5151

Re: Tipping lawn service and trash pickup

It would never occur to me to tip the trash hauler. I am charged what the company demands and in my area they have something of a monopoly. I generally do my own lawn but when on vacation we hire a friend's son who has his own landscaping company. As I am not a regular and I appreciate him doing this for us, I do tip him. In general, I tip wait staff who make less than minimum wage and whose income is based upon also getting tips. Cabbies, concierge at a hotel, etc. etc., sure. Beyond that, there are few instances of tipping that would occur to me where I am already charged what the person or their company feels I should be paying in the first place. I don't feel that is being cheap. At any rate, I certainly don't consider trash hauling to ...
by Rich in Michigan
Sat Jul 07, 2018 2:40 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Trying to hit grand slam with small % portfolio?
Replies: 49
Views: 4347

Re: Trying to hit grand slam with small % portfolio?

The performance of biotech stocks is driven to a large extent by the performance of trials and subsequent regulatory approvals/actions. Unless you have actionable (legal) insider information, it's unlikely that you will have an advantage here. Investing in biotech and pharma is often more like playing the lotto. ...[/quote] Yes and no. Small biotechs, when they are public, generally have not yet achieved a lot of clinical success and their performance is based upon largely speculative parameters. Even the successful ones (and many fail) will never be the next Amgen because they will be acquired long before then. So the key is knowing which companies have outstanding management (many don't; small biotechs are often long on science, short on ...
by Rich in Michigan
Thu Jun 28, 2018 10:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Need opinion on buying a Lakewood guitar
Replies: 18
Views: 6248

Re: Need opinion on buying a Lakewood guitar

I have to say I've honestly never heard of them. I have played Martins exclusively for 45 years and for the kind of money that Lakewood is charging, I would look very closely at the instruments from Nazareth, PA. You can look at Taylor's as well but for me, once you get to the several thousand dollar range Martins are the way to go. Also, I personally would never buy an acoustic guitar that I haven't played. A real benefit of buying a guitar you have played yourself from a respected dealer is that they likely will have a good repair shop. Any new acoustic guitar still thinks it is a tree and as a result will take some time to settle in. A need for a setup after a certain time is not unusual. While I'm on the subject, is whatever setup that ...
by Rich in Michigan
Thu Jun 14, 2018 3:05 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard and Heirs, how was the transition?
Replies: 4
Views: 824

Re: Vanguard and Heirs, how was the transition?

It could not have gone more smoothly when our son passed. A person was assigned to us, the paperwork arrived by Fed-Ex, and the funds were transferred without incident. They even sent a sympathy card. Along with his life insurance company, Vanguard was the easiest financial institution to deal with.

The worst one we dealt with will never have "anything in my wallet".......
by Rich in Michigan
Tue Apr 24, 2018 9:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: [Vanguard account locked out due to deceased owner]
Replies: 73
Views: 11588

Re: [Vanguard account locked out due to deceased owner]

You should be transferred to someone who specializes in estates.

When my son passed two years ago, Vanguard was amazing. They were among the two easiest institutions to deal with. The day after I called I received a Fed-Ex with everything I needed to fill out. I also received a sympathy card from the person I had dealt with.
by Rich in Michigan
Thu Mar 29, 2018 6:32 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: FB
Replies: 356
Views: 43213

Re: Anyone Deleting Facebook?

I tried joining Facebook once but they rejected my face
by Rich in Michigan
Thu Dec 28, 2017 5:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Another should i buy my dream porsche thread...
Replies: 240
Views: 21087

Re: Another should i buy my dream porsche thread...

Alexa9 wrote: Wed Dec 27, 2017 1:07 pm Bogleheads Used vs. New Porsche Debate?
The only correct answer is a used Camry/Accord :mrgreen:
The used Camry/Accord seems awfully extravagant. I'm thinking more like a bicycle; but not one bought from a store. Maybe one that you find in a ditch by the side of the road.

That said, walking seems to be the cheapest way to go.
by Rich in Michigan
Thu Jun 15, 2017 7:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cataracts & reading glasses
Replies: 31
Views: 5224

Re: Cataracts & reading glasses

Your wife will have to speak with her surgeon to determine her options.

I had my cataracts done last month and the results have been awesome. I previously could see fine close up without correction but needed glasses or contacts for distance. When wearing contacts I wore drugstore reading glasses.

I chose to have distance correction during my surgery and now have 20/20 vision. On fact, my second eye was 20/20 the day after surgery.

I do have to wear reading glasses for computer, etc but am thrilled that I can now see like a hawk...or at least how a hawk would see if he were walking around instead of flying.
by Rich in Michigan
Fri Mar 17, 2017 1:58 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Endless Job Interviews (with same company)
Replies: 61
Views: 11101

Re: Endless Job Interviews (with same company)

How many of the four were face to face? If some of them were phone interviews, then it might not be too terrible. In general, I would say that a repeat face to face interview with the same people indicates a hiring manager that is indecisive. They might have two finalists that are close, but they should have been able to separate them on the previous round of interviewing. Again, indecision from the hiring manager. At any point in the process did you ask for the job outright? I always looked for that in my candidates....something like "The opportunity sounds great. I want the job and I want to work for your company. What is the next step?" At any point in the process did you ask "what is your timeframe for making a decision?&...
by Rich in Michigan
Thu Nov 17, 2016 9:29 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Gifting
Replies: 5
Views: 1080

Re: Gifting

Folks-

Thanks for the confirmation and for the additional advice
by Rich in Michigan
Thu Nov 17, 2016 9:01 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Verification on SS plan
Replies: 3
Views: 757

Re: Verification on SS plan

Thanks folks. I appreciate the responses and verification.
by Rich in Michigan
Thu Nov 17, 2016 8:46 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Gifting
Replies: 5
Views: 1080

Gifting

I want to make sure I understand the law on gifting. I think I am sure but am on meds for the next six months that make concentration a little difficult. I have another question as well that I will post separately.

Let's say I want to gift $100K (to use a round number) to a child in 2017. As my wife and I would each be allowed to gift $14K, the non-excluded amount would be $72K.

As I understand it, that amount is not immediately taxable but rather (after filing the appropriate form) would be subtracted from the lifetime allowance. Only after the lifetime allowance (less the $72K) was exceeded would any taxation be in effect.

Have I got that correct?

Thanks,
Rich
by Rich in Michigan
Thu Nov 17, 2016 8:39 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Verification on SS plan
Replies: 3
Views: 757

Verification on SS plan

I just want to get verification on our plans as they pertain to the new SS laws. I think I am sure but am on meds for the next six months that make concentration a little difficult. I have another question as well that I will post separately.

I was born in 1951 and will reach FRA next year. DW was born in 1952 and began collecting SS at age 62. I plan on delaying my own SS until age 70.

My plan has been to file a restricted application for spousal benefits at age 66 and then collect my full benefit at age 70.

I THINK we are grandfathered and can still do this with the new law but my fuzzy brain would appreciate confirmation.

Thanks,
Rich
by Rich in Michigan
Tue Nov 15, 2016 7:57 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Take SS at 62 or wait ?
Replies: 74
Views: 18012

Re: Take SS at 62 or wait ?

1) Why would I delay taking SS past 62 ? (anticipate receiving max and then spousal 50%) ? --I understand the 8% growth each year..... :happy Two quick points. First, I see people all the time refer to "8% growth on SS for each year you wait." In reality, the "payout" increases for each year you wait. A small point perhaps, but as SS is not an asset it is not growing. Depending upon how your spousal situation is with regard to survivor payout, you could die at 63 or 71 and the next month's payout would be zero in both cases. Second, you really need to run all of the numbers as they pertain to your specific situation. If you do it correctly, it will be a lot of work, it will involve a wide array of parameters, and your c...
by Rich in Michigan
Mon Sep 12, 2016 9:07 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Recommended Acoustic Guitars Under $1,000
Replies: 27
Views: 5427

Re: Recommended Acoustic Guitars Under $1,000

I am going to give you slightly different advice. I have played since 1964 and have played Martins exclusively since 1974. I would suggest not overlooking Martins and Taylors in their lower end models. Taylor in particular seems to make a guitar that shoppers in that price range like. Martin's niche is more the high end of the spectrum, but their sub-$1K models are very nice. Truthfully, Yamaha is OK but I think you can do better. I am not familiar with much in the sub-$1K arena but two that I have purchased for my sons (including a lower-priced Martin) are Seagull and Recording King. The latter is not well-known but can be outstanding instruments for the money. The Seagull is a nice instrument for the money although I strongly take issue t...
by Rich in Michigan
Tue Jul 19, 2016 4:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Why did the car salesman stop replying to my emails
Replies: 78
Views: 19572

Re: Why did the car salesman stop replying to my emails

Email the manager or better yet, pick up the phone. You could probably get more resolved in a 5 minute phone call than in several days of back and forth emailing.
by Rich in Michigan
Mon Jul 18, 2016 2:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Trading in an inherited vehicle
Replies: 9
Views: 1687

Re: Trading in an inherited vehicle

I read your post with interest because I am in a somewhat similar but even more messy situation. My 32 year old son passed suddenly two weeks ago. His estate will not go through probate and we have decided to keep his beloved car. Problem #1-he lived in CA. Problem #2-we live in MI. Problem #3- he had a temporary registration and the permanent one never showed up. Problem #4- we have not found the title. I have the bill of sale, the car payments are current, the insurance is current. Trying to deal with CA DMV long distance has been a nightmare because so far it has been impossible to talk to a live person. I think if I were willing to live at the DMV for a month I could probably get this resolved but that isn't going to happen. I consulted...
by Rich in Michigan
Thu May 26, 2016 10:24 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What was your first investment?
Replies: 117
Views: 12084

Re: What was your first investment?

Was introduced to a broker by a friend in the mid 70's. Bought some shares in Mohawk Data, which were later sold at a nice profit for down payment on a condo. The company later went bankrupt.

The other stock I bought at the same time was Combustion Equipment Associates. I still have the lovely certificates, which only have value as collectables, as that company too went toes up.

In a few years I left that broker and managed my own investments from age 30-ish onward. He did recommend a few more winners than losers though.
by Rich in Michigan
Mon Apr 25, 2016 3:25 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: RMD Taxation + state of Michigan
Replies: 4
Views: 921

Re: RMD Taxation + state of Michigan

Can't speak specifically for RMD and how our state views it, but when I take money out of my IRA I have Vanguard withhold both Federal and Michigan state tax.

Am a few years away from RMD age so not sure if there are any other peculiarities in withholding that are different from what I currently do.
by Rich in Michigan
Wed Apr 20, 2016 2:08 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: When to start Social Security. A different take
Replies: 107
Views: 15714

Re: When to start Social Security. A different take

Have you modeled what happens if one of you dies early, say at age 63, 65, 70, 75? I thought it was a common thing that SS benefits increase by about 8% for every year delayed, so I am trying to figure out how a 5% portfolio return can beat an 8% return. Not expressing an opinion on the OP's question but I frequently hear the "8% return" mantra. For the record, it is not an 8% return and in fact it is not a return at all. The 5% portfolio is a return on assets. SS is not an asset. There is no return. To be more correct, one would say "the payout increases by 8% per year" as you have said, and I am not sure that even that is correct across the board. There are many reasons to delay until 70 and in fact I am currently pla...
by Rich in Michigan
Sat Apr 16, 2016 9:22 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Where to buy part F Medicare?
Replies: 28
Views: 3080

Re: Where to buy part F Medicare?

There is no reason not to but before you make a final decision, do your legwork. Go to the government website. Compare the companies that offer that plan in your locale. As stated in this thread, all Plan F's are standardized so as a basic recommendation you can shop by price. However, each company sets their own annual price increases AND the methods of determining those increases can differ. Take those into account as well because once you pick a plan it might be harder for you to switch down the road. Contrast that with Part D plans where you can change annually with almost no hassle. In my case, I did a ton of research and penciled in an AARP F plan that cost the least amount for my area and would also cost the least amount in 10 years ...
by Rich in Michigan
Mon Apr 11, 2016 7:25 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Wifi Booster
Replies: 22
Views: 2920

Re: Wifi Booster

I have a small, inexpensive Netgear plug-in wireless extender. Got it from Best Buy. The problem is less our main router than my older iPad. My computer, iPhone, and wife's wireless devices work fine everywhere in the house. My iPad's wireless is slowly going toes-up and is sensitive to signal strength but that iPad has sentimental value so I am squeezing some more life out of it. Anyway, the wireless extender was pretty easy to set up and works just fine for my purposes.
by Rich in Michigan
Thu Apr 07, 2016 7:02 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: IRS cashed unsigned check
Replies: 40
Views: 8002

Re: IRS cashed unsigned check

I have an even better story. Last year I mixed up a property tax envelope with an estimated Federal tax envelope. Our township contacted me to tell me they had my estimated tax check. As I picked it up, I joked that even after sending the correct estimated tax check to the Feds, they would probably cash my property tax check too. The Town Clerk said "I would bet on it." Wait a minute....the Feds got a check that was not made out to them. Surely they wouldn't cash it? And even if they tried, they were not the payee....the bank wouldn't process it, right? They did. So I called my bank and demanded to know why they honored payment on a check of theirs that was cashed by an entity that it was not made out to. They clearly realized tha...
by Rich in Michigan
Thu Apr 07, 2016 11:56 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Concrete or Asphalt driveway?
Replies: 45
Views: 8742

Re: Concrete or Asphalt driveway?

We had asphalt when we lived in Upstate NY. I had to seal it every few years and it did crack a bit and settle in spots. I didn't know anyone who did not have asphalt.

In Michigan, everyone in our neighborhood has concrete. We have owned our home for 25 years and have never done an ounce of maintenance on the driveway. The slabs are not totally aligned in one spot anymore, i.e. one slab is about 1/2 inch lower where they come together. We will get that fixed; slab jacking or less likely the entire slab replaced. On balance I much prefer the concrete.

Two similar environments; more snow in Upstate NY but temps in the two locations are similar during the winter. Might be a hair colder in Michigan in January.
by Rich in Michigan
Sat Mar 19, 2016 1:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Removing mildew from vinyl siding
Replies: 25
Views: 6328

Re: Removing mildew from vinyl siding

There is a product you can get at Home Depot but the name escapes me. It is awesome. The bottle hooks up to a hose and you wet the area down, flip the lever and spray again so that the product is applied. You wait a bit and then hose it off with water. Totally hassle free and it gets the vinyl totally clean with not an ounce of physical effort on your part. Very reasonably priced too. No scrubbing, no using a power washer, nothing.
by Rich in Michigan
Sat Feb 20, 2016 11:47 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Engagement Ring Saving
Replies: 68
Views: 9548

Re: Engagement Ring Saving

tibbitts wrote:Let's face it, this is Bogleheads, and nobody is going to approve of a ring that wasn't once part of a Coca-Cola can pull-tab. Oh wait, I meant a generic store-brand version of a Coca-Cola can pull-tab.
....that had come from a can that had already been returned to the store for the deposit. The trip to the store had been made on a 1957 bicycle because why spend good money on a car? OK, the bike needs new tires, but those cost money too...better to just keep patching them with duct tape that had been pulled off of an old project.
by Rich in Michigan
Fri Jan 29, 2016 11:13 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: EJones Advisor wants to talk!
Replies: 84
Views: 9773

Re: EJones Advisor wants to talk!

I concur with everyone else (but since I don't post much I figured I need to keep my account active :happy The time for them to earn your business is not now, which is what they are trying to do. The time to have earned your business is in the past and they did not do so. They had their chance, they blew it, and you have made your decision. Think of it as though they are an employee and you have a position open that would be a promotion for them. Are you going to say "gee, they suck at their current job but maybe they will knock it out of the park during the interview"? Or would you say "their past performance has been lousy, they have not earned a promotion, they are not getting within 100 miles of this job opening, and I wi...
by Rich in Michigan
Sat Jan 23, 2016 8:16 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do you use the service of a CPA or you do your tax yourself?
Replies: 88
Views: 15421

Re: Do you use the service of a CPA or you do your tax yourself?

Early in our marriage, my wife and I each did our joint return and then compared notes afterwards to make sure we got the same results. Then one year I had a business conference to attend and my wife prepared the return on her own. She has continued to do it for the past 35 years and has gotten quite good. Our return has had reasonable complexity throughout much of that time. She uses Turbo Tax. The only time I ever used a CPA was when I was an executor for my mother-in-law's estate. I chose a CPA based on a referral from a friend and she was a trainwreck. The return was hammered by the IRS and it took me awhile to resolve everything. That isn't a blanket condemnation of CPA's but rather an observation I gained nothing in that particular in...
by Rich in Michigan
Thu Dec 31, 2015 10:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Taylor vs Martin Guitar
Replies: 19
Views: 5720

Re: Taylor vs Martin Guitar

I've played for over 50 years and have played Martins exclusively for the past 42. I vastly prefer them to Taylors although Bob Taylor makes a fine guitar. There is a reason why Martins are what they are and why so many boutique manufacturers try to make their version of a Martin. It is true that Taylors generally have fast necks but Martin offers a variety of necks and some are every bit as fast as Taylors. Note that this has no relation to the action and if the action is too high, that is a setup issue and not a neck issue or a brand issue. Play as many as you can and be aware of the strings. Taylors I believe still come standard with coated strings. Coated strings are tone robbers in the opinion of many, including me. However, they sound...
by Rich in Michigan
Fri Dec 11, 2015 12:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 10 Best Guitar Finger Style Tunes
Replies: 19
Views: 4834

Re: 10 Best Guitar Finger Style Tunes

I have played for over 50 years and played fingerstyle almost exclusively for the past 15 or so. To this day I am always expanding my repertoire and have delved into virtually every style. Every time you arrange something, you learn more about rock or jazz or even old big band music. 10 Best is so very subjective and totally in the ear of the beholder so I won't even try to offer a list. One name I will throw out is Laurence Juber. He has won two Grammy's, is a top session guitarist, and former lead guitarist of Paul McCartney's Wings. He is regarded by many to be the best fingerstyle guitarist in the world although much of that is subjective of course and Tommy Emmanuel fans might disagree. LJ is my personal favorite though. I have seen hi...
by Rich in Michigan
Tue Dec 08, 2015 8:28 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Holiday tipping: letter carriers
Replies: 120
Views: 14733

Re: Holiday tipping: letter carriers

In the late 60's/early 70's I worked 4 summers and 4 Christmases as a letter carrier while in college. They hired a couple of students as seasonal help and it was a great gig, largely. You got to work outdoors, you worked largely without someone looking over your shoulder every minute, the pay was great for a college kid, and you got to meet a lot of dogs whether you wanted to or not... Nobody ever tipped me but I believe the regulars got the odd gift. An old lady or two may have given me a cookie or a candy cane Our carrier has been with us for a long time and has gone out of her way to provide "above and beyond" service. We always give her something during the holidays. I also tip the gal who does my hair because at my age, my h...
by Rich in Michigan
Fri Oct 16, 2015 10:04 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: social security a bond allocation - how to calculate things
Replies: 9
Views: 1172

Re: social security a bond allocation - how to calculate things

I know that reasonable people can disagree on this but I take the view that SS and pensions are not assets, they are income streams. Therefore I do not include them in my AA in any fashion. They reduce the gap between expenses and amount needed from your nest egg.

Their existence, the gap between expenses and income streams, along with any desires to leave an estate, etc., plays a role in how I structure my AA but that's it. I realize that some will say that it doesn't matter whether or not you consider them to be an asset as long as your AA ends up the same in the end, and that may be true. However, I prefer to call SS and pensions what they really are and call actual assets what they really are.
by Rich in Michigan
Tue Sep 29, 2015 9:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Laid off today.. please advise
Replies: 35
Views: 7161

Re: Laid off today.. please advise

You don't mention your age but if you have a certain number of rings in your trunk...to make a tree metaphor...a lawyer could help. I worked at one of the largest companies and when layoffs came, there was nothing to negotiate. End of story. However, older employees could benefit from having their attorney write a letter in response to the offer, alluding to age discrimination, etc. It was an unwinnable case of course, however the default response of the company was to sweeten the offer. In some cases, severence doubled, people were allowed to retain company vehicles for a year, etc. Every single person I knew over age 55 whose attorney pushed back get a better package. As I say, it is probably an unwinnable case if the employer wants to di...
by Rich in Michigan
Sun Sep 20, 2015 7:55 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dslr recommendations for aurora borealis
Replies: 18
Views: 2281

Re: Dslr recommendations for aurora borealis

A couple of points; 1) you will want a wide angle zoom lens for aurora. Haven't checked the specs on that camera but if it has a cropped sensor then you will want a zoom with a low end in the range of 17. Prime lenses are great but your needs would dictate more flexibility, and besides zooms today are better than the zooms of a generation ago. 2) fast lens is optimal but in your price range might not be possible. Be sure to stop down at least one and preferably 2 stops from wide open to maximize your image quality. At your price point, this will be a necessity. 3) buy and use a good tripod. I have shot nature photos for over 40 years and probably 90% of what I do, I do on a good tripod 4) buy and use a cable release. Works better than delay...
by Rich in Michigan
Fri Sep 04, 2015 7:29 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Data Plan For An iPad
Replies: 13
Views: 1504

Re: Data Plan For An iPad

Speaking strictly for myself, I have never felt the need for data on my iPad when travelling. Most hotels generally offer WiFi for free and on those occasions when I need access to data during the day, my iPhone has me covered. I just returned from a 17 day trip and never once felt unconnected with my iPad.
by Rich in Michigan
Thu Aug 06, 2015 4:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Goose Grease Sandwiches
Replies: 15
Views: 2657

Re: Goose Grease Sandwiches

My Dad always told me "learn to love peanut butter. I had to live on it during The Depression." I think until the day he died, he always feared that someday it would return. The experience obviously left an impact on those who lived through it.
by Rich in Michigan
Wed Aug 05, 2015 9:05 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Aloha Shirt: Yes or No
Replies: 80
Views: 12926

Re: Aloha Shirt: Yes or No

The funny thing is that they are not nearly as commonly worn in Hawaii as they were decades ago. That aside, I have a few that I have purchased in Hawaii through the years and I wear them maybe once each summer. I have one that I refer to as "my wedding shirt" that was worn during our 30th anniversary wedding vow renewal on the islands.

I volunteer playing guitar for a hospice agency and once each winter when the Michigan weather is getting everybody down, I will show up wearing shorts, flip flops, my "wedding shirt" and sunglasses. I end my visit by playing Tiny Bubbles. Never fails to get smiles from my patients.

Truthfully, you should wear what you want to wear and if you want to buy an aloha shirt, I say go for it.
by Rich in Michigan
Sun Aug 02, 2015 5:18 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Is Is Wise Not To Factor Social Security/Medicare Into Your Retirement Plans?
Replies: 20
Views: 2745

Re: Is Is Wise Not To Factor Social Security/Medicare Into Your Retirement Plans?

I am retired but I must admit that throughout my investing life I planned as though SS would not be there. I didn't plan on my pensions either. Then, as I got to my late 50's I started including both of them in my calculations and got the "hey! I can retire early!" moment.

I think that, as a result of being conservative with my projections, I was able to overshoot on my targets. Not saying anyone else should do that but it worked out for me.
by Rich in Michigan
Tue Jul 21, 2015 2:19 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should I consider Social Security Benefits as Assets
Replies: 44
Views: 4803

Re: Should I consider Life Insurance Cash Value and Social Security Benefits as Assets

I do not consider SS or pensions as assets. I consider them income streams. After I deposit a check from one of those, then I consider that amount to be an asset. However I do not count any payments I have yet to receive as an asset.

Case value of insurance is trickier. I personally don't include it as an asset although in the back of my mind I include it in calculating what my estate would be. That would be important to my heirs but not so much for me. Others might disagree however.
by Rich in Michigan
Fri Jul 03, 2015 7:48 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Average raises for promotions
Replies: 32
Views: 61038

Re: Average raises for promotions

Retired from one of the 10 largest American companies and my experience was that 20% in base salary was the norm for a promotion. If the position included incentives as part of the compensation package, that part could also rise anywhere from 0-15% depending upon the position. More than that at higher levels.

At our company that was pretty much SOP. I once promoted an individual and scheduled him for a 10% base increase and HR overruled me. He got 20%.