Search found 22 matches

by Philliesfan
Sun Feb 20, 2022 9:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How do YOU cook your steak?
Replies: 149
Views: 15768

Re: How do YOU cook your steak?

I use the reverse sear method.

Salt steak for 24-48 hours, using kosher salt. Closer to 48 hours is better.
Cook at low temperature (~220 degrees) with temperature probe in place. I use my gas grill for indirect heat, as my gas oven can not keep a consistent low temperature.
Place a tiny amount of cooking oil on both sides of the steak.
Get cast iron pan as hot as possible and sear for 45 seconds on each side. Try to also get the sides of the steak.
by Philliesfan
Tue Apr 27, 2021 10:50 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buying a new laptop
Replies: 94
Views: 9726

Re: Buying a new laptop

Lenovo is always the answer Lenovo is not always the answer. I have an Ideapad that was purchased a few years ago. Not a cheap laptop. The computer began shutting down within ten minutes of start-up. Not a big deal. I contacted lenovo and sent the computer in for repair. The contractor fixed the shut down problem. Unfortunately, they scratched up the case and stripped most of the screws. I contacted lenovo again and they directed me to fill out another ticket. At this point I had been without my computer for weeks, which I needed for work, and I decided to just keep it as it was. I've lost a couple of screw that have since backed out. I've also had the screen flickering frequently for the past few months. Very annoying. So, looking to get ...
by Philliesfan
Tue Aug 18, 2020 11:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Thinking of moving Seattle or Vancouver, WA
Replies: 88
Views: 8341

Re: Thinking of moving Seattle or Vancouver, WA

I currently live in Seattle and would love to move out. There is a lot to love about the area. There are great bike paths with some beautiful views. It's a great area for water sports. There are many places to go hiking. Unfortunately, the city politics are an absolute mess. Housing is extremely expensive, if you can even find a property you like. There has been decriminalization of petty crime and drug use. There is a huge homeless population and a massive methamphetamine problem. It is not uncommon to walk down the street in my neighborhood and have to cross the street because there is someone actively psychotic yelling expletives (yes, this happens often). My car has been broken into. My neighbors cars on my street have been broken into....
by Philliesfan
Sun Aug 25, 2019 10:40 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Another car affordability question, YOLO vs. extreme FI
Replies: 64
Views: 4575

Re: Another car affordability question, YOLO vs. extreme FI

You should hurry up and make a decision. The golf R has officially ended production.

https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/f ... roduction/
by Philliesfan
Sat Mar 23, 2019 3:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Family man who misses driving a fun car
Replies: 181
Views: 18151

Re: Family man who misses driving a fun car

I feel your pain. I sold a Porsche Boxster Spyder a few years ago before moving cross country with the family. Originally traded in a miata to purchase the spyder. I miss driving stick shift. I scratch my itch by perusing bring a trailer, autotrader and hemmings, dreaming about my next sports car. I'm also placing money into a special car fund. We just had a second child and it is not a great time to purchase a third car for enjoyment. So, every one to two months I place some money into the car fund. I figure the longer I'm able to put off gratification, the nicer car I'll be able to purchase. It works for me.
by Philliesfan
Wed Feb 27, 2019 1:14 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: HSA Bank and TD Ameritrade
Replies: 18
Views: 4476

Re: HSA Bank and TD Ameritrade

I have not done exhaustive research, but I use SPTM (SPDR Portfolio Total Stock Market ETF). Expense ratio is 0.03% and it a commission-free ETF on TD Ameritrade. I don't keep much cash within TDA (there was a recent thread about this, however; I think folks were suggesting PCOXX as a place to put cash?). I keep the minimum cash balance required at HSA bank to avoid monthly fees as part of my plan for two reasons: avoid the monthly charge (even though it is less than $2/month) and because this is also equivalent to my family deductible for the year. I sleep better knowing I can grab that cash at any moment. It's possible that if my balance grows over time, I will forgo the cash holding altogether, but for now it works for me. I use this sa...
by Philliesfan
Mon Apr 16, 2018 12:41 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Where to put TV in living room?
Replies: 12
Views: 1850

Re: Where to put TV in living room?

We had this issue with an awkward room. Eventually settled on using a mantelmount https://www.mantelmount.com/ to mount the television above our gas fireplace. The mount allows the television to be viewed at a normal level. The only downside is that you can't use the gas fireplace while the television is swung down.
by Philliesfan
Tue Jan 09, 2018 6:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Financial Beginnings literacy project is going national
Replies: 5
Views: 1098

Re: Financial Beginnings literacy project is going national

GerryL wrote: Sun Jan 07, 2018 6:38 pm The national org is looking for partners to launch affiliates in different states (or maybe counties or regions?). From the Financial Beginnings USA web page (https://www.financialbeginnings.org/):

I currently live in Seattle and am interested in volunteering for an organization like this. It doesn't appear there are any orientation classes scheduled in my area. How much training/support did you have prior to providing lectures?
by Philliesfan
Sun Jun 11, 2017 10:55 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Bought Seattle Home, Req advice regarding repairs
Replies: 6
Views: 1823

Re: Bought Seattle Home, Req advice regarding repairs

What makes you think you need a structural specialist? Hiring a structural specialist would mostly be for peace of mind. The house itself is set above the street. The basement is at street level and connected to a concrete, two car garage that extends to the front sidewalk. The post that is supporting the front corner of the house is supported by a concrete footing that is cracked. My main concern is this concrete footing is sitting right in the middle of the garage (the top of the garage). Internally, the garage consist of concrete walls and a flat concrete roof. There are two I-beams extending transversely across the ceiling of the garage. The ends of the I-beams are bolted directly into the concrete walls and don't have any support unde...
by Philliesfan
Fri Jun 09, 2017 4:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Bought Seattle Home, Req advice regarding repairs
Replies: 6
Views: 1823

Bought Seattle Home, Req advice regarding repairs

Hello Bogleheads, My DW and I just had an offer accepted on a house in Seattle. There was a seller's pre-inspection that brought up some issues. The HVAC ducting to the second floor only goes to the front and rear bedrooms. It does not extend to the middle bedroom or bathroom. In addition the electrical on the second floor had outlets with reverse polarity. The electrical box also needs some work to bring it up to code. I am concerned that the HVAC and electrical may have been worked on by the owners, or at least a non-professional. In addition, we noticed that a concrete footing that supports a post on the front corner of the house has a crack through it and the footing may need to be re-poured. We're not closing on the house for another m...
by Philliesfan
Mon Jul 25, 2016 9:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: MEI Voyageur - custom features
Replies: 15
Views: 2113

Re: MEI Voyageur - custom features

When I ran the numbers, I figured the Porter 30 had about 75% of the volume of a standard-size Voyageur. Does that sound about right in your experience?
[/quote]

75% sounds about right. I would load a picture of both bags side by side, but it doesn't appear I can add pics.
by Philliesfan
Mon Jul 25, 2016 8:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: MEI Voyageur - custom features
Replies: 15
Views: 2113

Re: MEI Voyageur - custom features

I own both the MEI Voyageur and the Osprey Porter 30. I like both packs. I have found that the Osprey Porter 30 is enough bag for most of my trips. The MEI Voyageur is a great pack with a lot of space. But, it is probably overkill for most of my travelling. The parallel stay frame and full hip belts are great for walking long distances. However, I have had issues storing the hip belt into its zippered compartment when the bag is packed. This has become a problem when I'm in line at the airport to check my bag. I've heard the people at MEI are very flexible with customizations and will work with you to make you happy. I'm glad I own both and don't regret either purchase.
by Philliesfan
Fri Apr 08, 2016 8:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Help with cleaning glass shower doors
Replies: 32
Views: 4445

Re: Help with cleaning glass shower doors

I use the vinegar+ baking soda paste. We also have a squeegee to wipe down the doors after every shower. I considered using the rain-x, but have not made the purchase yet.
by Philliesfan
Mon Aug 17, 2015 11:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Carry on luggage
Replies: 99
Views: 19688

Re: Carry on luggage

I should be receiving my MEI Voyageur by UPS this week. It is an old design, but offers some advantages over more modern conversion packs. For example, it has a parallel stay internal aluminum frame with a real hip belt. I wanted a pack that would be comfortable being carried over long distances and rough terrain. And it's made in the USA. Hopefully, it works out for me.

http://www.onebag.com/leisure-bags.html

http://meipacks.com/
by Philliesfan
Tue Aug 11, 2015 11:28 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: My 2013 Subaru Foresting is getting only 15 MPG around city. Is this low?
Replies: 55
Views: 12128

Re: My 2013 Subaru Foresting is getting only 15 MPG around city. Is this low?

I own a 2008 forester. 15mpg is on the low side of normal for city driving. A large part of the poor fuel economy is the AWD system. The other problem is the ancient four speed transmission the forester used prior to introduction of the CVT. Unless it is stick the 2013 Forester that the OP owns has a CVT. [/quote] According to edmunds, the 2013 forester had a four speed automatic. http://www.edmunds.com/subaru/forester/2013/?tab-id=specs-tab&sub=suv&ps=used I would agree with all of the posters who have cited your driving style as a main factor in your low-normal mpg. As a forester owner I can tell you that 15 mpg is not crazy for city driving with the A/C on. However, you should see improvement if you go lighter on the accelerator...
by Philliesfan
Mon Aug 10, 2015 9:39 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: My 2013 Subaru Foresting is getting only 15 MPG around city. Is this low?
Replies: 55
Views: 12128

Re: My 2013 Subaru Foresting is getting only 15 MPG around city. Is this low?

I own a 2008 forester. 15mpg is on the low side of normal for city driving. A large part of the poor fuel economy is the AWD system. The other problem is the ancient four speed transmission the forester used prior to introduction of the CVT.
by Philliesfan
Thu Nov 06, 2014 11:04 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: PenFed Visa card for Gas program changing, now with a fee.
Replies: 132
Views: 143258

Re: PenFed Visa card for Gas program changing, now with a fe

I am a little confused as to why everyone is referring to the Penfed rewards gas program as 5%. I receive 5 "points" on my gas purchases. Unlike my chase card, 5 "points' does not equal $0.05. The rebate is less than 5% of my gas purchases.
by Philliesfan
Tue Jan 21, 2014 2:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What's your dream car?
Replies: 197
Views: 22518

Re: What's your dream car?

I currently own a Porsche Boxster Spyder with a short throw six speed and A/C delete. But if I had to pick a dream car within the parameters, I would also have to go with the Ford GT.
by Philliesfan
Sun Jul 14, 2013 5:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Road trip ideas
Replies: 30
Views: 3397

Re: Road trip ideas

This is an excellent website for finding different attractions:

https://roadtrippers.com/welcome?mode=explore

I highly recommend it.
by Philliesfan
Mon Feb 04, 2013 8:40 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: The perfect Boglehead car
Replies: 92
Views: 17187

Re: The perfect Boglehead car

Based on most of your criteria, I would vote for the Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen TDI.
by Philliesfan
Wed Nov 07, 2012 8:07 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Investment Advice - limited/bad 401K options
Replies: 8
Views: 1068

Re: Investment Advice - limited/bad 401K options

I was so stuck on opening a taxable account to complement my 401K, that I did not even consider opening up an IRA. I assume placing the total bond market fund within a traditional IRA would give me tax free grown until I begin withrawal of those funds? It certainly makes sense to pay off the car loan, given the higher interest rate. As for my school loans, the interest rates are fixed.

Thank you for all of the help. I find this information invaluable and appreciate the tips from people who are more experienced than myself.
by Philliesfan
Tue Nov 06, 2012 3:51 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Investment Advice - limited/bad 401K options
Replies: 8
Views: 1068

Investment Advice - limited/bad 401K options

Hello Bogleheads, I have been reading this website over the past six months and have read many books recommended on this website. I graduated from residency a few years ago and have been spending time saving money and slowly paying down my school debt. I did get a late start on financing my 401K this past year, which is currently valued at about $12,000. I am currently investing the maximum amount from each paycheck into my 401K, without any company match. My assets, investments, and options are as followed. I have intentionally left my wife’s investments out of this plan. Emergency Fund: >6 months Debt: School Loans- 1. $58,356 @ 3.5% 2. $185,000 @ 3.25% Car Loan- 13,000 @ 4.29% Tax Filing Status: Married, Filing Jointly Tax Rate: 25% Fede...