Search found 1740 matches

by jdb
Tue Nov 21, 2023 8:47 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Electric SUVs in the pipeline
Replies: 119
Views: 11626

Re: Electric SUVs in the pipeline

Just get the battery replaced every 10 years or so and today’s EVs should last indefinitely. Do you expect batteries in any other product to last indefinitely? I just paid nearly $200 for a new battery. How much does it cost to replace the batteries in an electric car? I'm afraid to ask. Something like $10k Once every ten years is $1k per year And no other maintenance like you would have on a gas car Just replaced battery in our 2012 Tesla Model S with 90,000 miles. Cost was $15K. Got a 4 year or 50,000 mile warranty on new battery. Car drives like new. And car still looks good. Of course the battery is by far the most important part of an EV. We plan to keep it for at least another 4 years, hopefully many more. Good luck. Nice. How much d...
by jdb
Tue Nov 21, 2023 8:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Electric SUVs in the pipeline
Replies: 119
Views: 11626

Re: Electric SUVs in the pipeline

Today's cars are overrated and costly. I am not impressed with any of them. The GDR built the Trabant -- a car with a service life of 25+ years. Why can't we buy a car with a 25-year service life today? Just get the battery replaced every 10 years or so and today’s EVs should last indefinitely. Do you expect batteries in any other product to last indefinitely? I just paid nearly $200 for a new battery. How much does it cost to replace the batteries in an electric car? I'm afraid to ask. Something like $10k Once every ten years is $1k per year And no other maintenance like you would have on a gas car Just replaced battery in our 2012 Tesla Model S with 90,000 miles. Cost was $15K. Got a 4 year or 50,000 mile warranty on new battery. Car dri...
by jdb
Tue May 02, 2023 10:57 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Where do you buy your steak from these days?
Replies: 52
Views: 5664

Re: Where do you buy your steak from these days?

Doom&Gloom wrote: Mon May 01, 2023 2:18 pm
heartwood wrote: Mon May 01, 2023 12:50 pm Either prime meat at Costco, but the packs are larger than we want for the 2 of us, or Trader Joe's, a bit pricey, but excellent meat, usually center cut filets.
Also prime at Costco. Not only are the packs larger than we want, but at this point in our lives the steaks are larger than we want.

We solve the first problem by freezing what we don't want to eat within a couple of days. For the second, we share one steak and eat proportionately more vegetables than in the past.
Another prime meat Costco customer here. Never know in advance if they will have prime but when they do we stock up and freeze what don’t need. Usually prime NY strip but other week they had prime ribeye which was also great. Good luck.
by jdb
Fri Sep 30, 2022 5:10 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Most Secure Method to use ATM
Replies: 26
Views: 2453

Re: Most Secure Method to use ATM

Not sure that I understand the problem. Is this a variant of staying away from using ATM cards that are also debit cards? My ATM card is not a debit card and I use it every week and never had an issue. Had lots of issues in past with credit cards being skimmed. And do not have any debit cards for that reason. But am not aware of anyone whose ATM only card was hacked since the thief would also need to know the ATM code. Plus ATM only cards typically have daily cash withdrawal limits which would also restrain a thief from access to monies in the account.
by jdb
Sun Aug 28, 2022 5:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: AGH! Yellowjackets! need Boglehead wisdom!
Replies: 59
Views: 5394

Re: AGH! Yellowjackets! need Boglehead wisdom!

Backyard beekeeper here, for many years, have used the bee suit monthly to check up on hives and collect honey. My advice to to spend the money to buy a book, Endless Forms, The Secret World of Wasps by Seiran Sumner, and leave the wasps alone. They are beneficial insects. Whatever you do please stay off extension ladders, I have had more than one fail on me over the years. PS. If you buy beesuits might as well start a backyard honey bee hive hobby. Good luck.
by jdb
Sat Aug 20, 2022 12:47 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dark Chocolate heads Rejoice !!!
Replies: 189
Views: 29402

Re: Dark chocolate addicts: how much do you eat?

FactualFran wrote: Tue Jan 11, 2022 8:48 pm
untouchablePORD wrote: Tue Jan 11, 2022 6:37 pm Interesting. What would you recommend?
Trader Joe's 85% Single Origin Uganda Bar. However, it is a matter of personal preference.
I am also a fan of Trader Joe’s 85% Uganda bar. I have two squares each day with afternoon coffee. Good luck.
by jdb
Sat Aug 20, 2022 8:00 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tesla for people that keep cars a long time
Replies: 202
Views: 25454

Re: Tesla for people that keep cars a long time

A couple additional thoughts: -People that bought Teslas tend to be early adopters. Will most want to keep a car that is 10 years old when battery range and the tech will obviously improve over that time? If they have the right sensors and a powerful enough CPU they might get a lot of the new features...and that feeds into my 2nd point. -Will Tesla keep updating older cars? AFAIK, they have been. If you look at smartphones and some other electronics they have set sunsets when updates will stop. Just got the upgrade for my 2012 Signature Model S with approx 100K miles at cost of $2500. It is the current generation computer, I believe the 4th generation, waited 6 months for parts availability since the parts also being used for the new vehic...
by jdb
Mon Apr 04, 2022 7:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Help Me Choose a New Electric Range
Replies: 123
Views: 9785

Re: Help Me Find a New Electric Range

Induction. Let me repeat, Induction. Makes all other ranges, whether electric or gas, seem quaint and very slow. Good luck.
by jdb
Fri Jan 14, 2022 6:01 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: RMD
Replies: 40
Views: 4333

Re: RMD

IMHO the best thing about RMDs, if you don’t need them, is the ability to donate money to charities through QCDs. I am in fortunate position of not needing the RMD so donate max $100K through QCDs every year. I do the donations last half of year to allow IRA additional time to earn tax deferred income. It is one of best things I do each year, giving monies to worthy organizations that need it far more than me, and saving on taxes. Highly recommend if you don’t need the RMD. Good luck.
by jdb
Sun Jan 02, 2022 3:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Premium Italian Dried Pasta $$$
Replies: 59
Views: 8974

Re: Premium Italian Dried Pasta $$$

Teague wrote: Sat Jan 01, 2022 9:29 am For spaghetti, I've found Costco's dried imported Italian pasta to be quite good and superior to grocery store offerings.
Yes, Rummo Spaghetti No. 3 at Costco is our go to pasta. And our friends enjoy. But I am not Italian and certainly not an expert. Good luck.
by jdb
Wed Dec 29, 2021 6:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Disney experience
Replies: 301
Views: 26010

Re: Disney experience

Scooter17 wrote: Wed Dec 29, 2021 4:50 pm Just got back from Disney land. It’s hell. It’s always crowded it doesn’t matter what time of year you go.
The more things change…. Over 30 years ago read Holidays In Hell by PJ O’Rourke. Good humorous non fiction book, dealing with his experiences as foreign correspondent in dangerous world conflict areas such as Beirut and Belfast during civil wars. But the first chapter dealt with his experience as parent at Disney World. As a parent going on then semiannual visits to DW I agreed with it then and sounds like if anything the experience has gotten worse. But recommend the book. Good luck.
by jdb
Mon Dec 13, 2021 4:47 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?
Replies: 362
Views: 53917

Re: What is your favorite reasonably priced bourbon?

UpperNwGuy wrote: Sun Dec 12, 2021 7:01 pm
dardeninvestor wrote: Sun Dec 12, 2021 6:57 pm Wild Turkey Rare Breed
Blanton’s
Buffalo Trace

Given bourbon’s mania now, not a bad idea to look at reasonably priced Scotch too.
Ahem.... there is no such thing as reasonably priced Scotch. There used to be, but that has all changed as Scotch prices have soared.
Kirkland Single Malt Islay Scotch Whisky from Costco. On the rocks with splash of branch water and orange peel. Made me switch from Bourbon to Scotch single malt. And good price point. Good luck.
by jdb
Sun Dec 12, 2021 4:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Why is Everyone Getting Irrevocable Trusts?
Replies: 37
Views: 6883

Re: Why is Everyone Getting Irrevocable Trusts?

If your children are adults and competent and you want to reduce estate with monetary contribution I can suggest simple way to avoid trusts. My wife wanted to engage an estate planning attorney to set up irrevocable trusts for our three adult children. She was worried about increases in estate taxes upon our demise. I asked how much she wanted to place in each trust. I suggested that we just give each of the adult children the money that would otherwise be placed in a trust. Which we did. They are happy. We have it out of our estate, will be filing appropriate IRS gift tax returns next year without payment of taxes since below our lifetime exemption. And never did need to meet with estate planning attorney. Good luck.
by jdb
Sat Dec 11, 2021 7:47 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7638
Views: 1712648

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

:mrgreen: I'm still plowing through Michener's "The Source." Four months in, I'm finally at the Crusades. Did you buy it as a bargain eBook? They seem to be doing through a regular cycle of bargain prices on his books. I keep buying them and not reading them. Even when it came out, I had a minor problem with The Source . I couldn't suspend disbelief at the idea of archaeologists not recognizing a menorah. (Kind of like my problem with Dan Brown's The DaVinci Code , of genius cryptologists not being able to decode mirror writing). I keep waiting for The Fires of Spring to come out as a bargain eBook. That was his first novel. It's just a "straight" novel, not one of his patented docudrama-novels, and it's lovely. I downlo...
by jdb
Sun Nov 21, 2021 4:01 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Green Bay Packers Stock
Replies: 86
Views: 9031

Re: Green Bay Packers Stock

For years my office wall at work in Miami contained framed diplomas and awards ad nauseum. No one ever looked twice. Then as a Wisconsin boy who has always followed the team I bought a Packers stock certificate as a lark 10 years ago, framed it and put it on my office wall. Guess what? Almost everyone who walked in, clients and colleagues, started talking pro football, it was best conversation starter ever. So definitely worth the investment. Now buying one share for adult daughter in Chicago who is ardent fan so she can flaunt it on her wall amongst her Bear fan colleagues. Plus I think it is good that there is one professional team owned by the fans. Good luck.
by jdb
Tue Nov 02, 2021 4:35 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: TSLA: What Changed?
Replies: 1158
Views: 137386

Re: TSLA: What Changed?

4nursebee wrote: Tue Nov 02, 2021 8:23 am Too negative for my participation further
Agree. Am going on to other pursuits with less negativity. Good luck.
by jdb
Wed Oct 27, 2021 8:34 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: TSLA: What Changed?
Replies: 1158
Views: 137386

Re: TSLA: What Changed?

Nowadays, you've got electric cars everywhere. Its not a thing people will come and talk to you about anymore, because they are so familiar and how much more educated people are. Tesla has gone mass market, rather than being a fringe non-luxury car at luxury car price company. I think people see where the wind's blowing. Tesla fanboy here. Both as to vehicles and stock. But I have been consistent since 2012, looking forward to trading my Chevy pickup for Tesla pickup in a year or two. And will probably never sell stock position to avoid 7 figure capital gains tax. The comments here remind me of refrain in the Peter Frampton song, “cause I can’t see which way the wind is blowing”. I think Callisto said it right 6 months ago as to the wind d...
by jdb
Tue Sep 14, 2021 1:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7638
Views: 1712648

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

Just finished Out Of Africa by Isak Dinesen whose real name of course was Karen Blixen. It was a first edition published in 1938 which I found languishing on dusty shelf in used book store. The inside page had a personal inscription from an earlier owner gifting the book to a friend and hoping that she enjoyed the book. I like these old hardcover books with personal inscriptions, imagining that they were part of a small cherished home library. The Modern Library lists the book as one of 100 all time best non fiction books. I certainly agree. I found it lyrical and enchanting, a fascinating glimpse of an intelligent and observant woman, who also turned out to be a great writer, attempting to run a coffee plantation in the long lost world of ...
by jdb
Thu Aug 26, 2021 11:24 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Media Now Covering Vanguard's Deteriorating Service
Replies: 102
Views: 11804

Re: Media Now Covering Vanguard's Deteriorating Service

I like Vanguard. It holds all of our investments. And has done excellent job answering all our questions, both simple and complex, past 15 years including two IRAs, three children’s trusts, an estate, 529 accounts, Uniform Gift to Minors account, and QCD distributions including an IRS audit of QCD distributions (IRS apparently failed to realize that a taxpayer can contribute $100K annually in QCD). No complaints. Good luck. Vanguard provided a CPA, EA or tax lawyer to represent you in IRS audit? I used my tax accountant to formally respond to IRS. The IRS QCD examination dragged on for almost a year and Vanguard very helpful. My tax accountant requested statement from Vanguard listing all QCDs (more than 30 totalling near $100K) showing de...
by jdb
Tue Aug 24, 2021 5:07 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Media Now Covering Vanguard's Deteriorating Service
Replies: 102
Views: 11804

Re: Media Now Covering Vanguard's Deteriorating Service

I like Vanguard. It holds all of our investments. And has done excellent job answering all our questions, both simple and complex, past 15 years including two IRAs, three children’s trusts, an estate, 529 accounts, Uniform Gift to Minors account, and QCD distributions including an IRS audit of QCD distributions (IRS apparently failed to realize that a taxpayer can contribute $100K annually in QCD). No complaints. Good luck.
by jdb
Sat Aug 21, 2021 8:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Books that changed your life!!
Replies: 159
Views: 24561

Re: Books that changed your life!!

Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S Grant and Commentaries by Julius Caesar. Two of all time best autobiographies. Both military leaders had confidence in their plans despite criticism from subordinates and political leaders. Grant’s decision to cross the Mississippi with 24,000 troops south of Vicksburg and cutting off their supply line was criticized by other generals including Sherman. I loved his self confidence in his careful planning, has been inspiration for me in various decisions including investments and non investments. Good luck.
by jdb
Wed Aug 11, 2021 7:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What all do you track on your spreadsheet?
Replies: 118
Views: 16920

Re: What all do you track on your spreadsheet?

furikake wrote: Sun Aug 08, 2021 2:35 pm I don't have an investment spreadsheet, am I in trouble?
If you’re in trouble so am I. All investments at Vanguard, plus some individual stocks. Once every few weeks I do a quick drive by Vanguard review, though do check individual stocks more often out of curiosity. End of each year I do a Vanguard rebalance and tax loss harvest, if applicable. And save a lot of time for things I enjoy more, like mowing my lawn. Good luck.
by jdb
Sun Aug 01, 2021 9:50 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7638
Views: 1712648

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

Just finished “Forget The Alamo, The Rise and Fall of An American Myth” by three authors, Bryan Burrough, Chris Tomlinson and Jason Stanford. A semi revisionist history of the Alamo. The main premise of the book is that the primary cause of the conflict between the Mexican government and the American settlers led by Stephen F. Austin was the adamant opposition by the newly independent Mexican Republic to slavery, and the equally adamant demands by the American settlers to preserve slavery in Texas, where the economy was based on cotton production which required slave labor. The book shed an unflattering light on the military leaders of the Alamo, Jim Bowie was reputedly a notorious land swindler and slave smuggler who would have been impris...
by jdb
Fri Jul 23, 2021 11:25 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7638
Views: 1712648

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

Just finished reading for first time The Plague by Albert Camus. The famous novel by the Nobel Prize winning French author about a North African modern city struck by an epidemic in which half the population dies. The author immersed himself in reading histories of the plague before writing the novel. I started to read on airplane flight, it was a little eerie seeing the similarities in the reactions of people to contagious epidemic between a novel published in 1947 to current pandemic, while wearing mask. In the novel the selfless medical doctor, Dr. Rieux, who is ultimate narrator, and supposedly a reflection of the author, says “It may be ridiculous, but the only way to fight the plague is with decency”. I like that thought. Highly recom...
by jdb
Mon Jun 28, 2021 7:28 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Did dividend stock funds provide "downside protection" in 2020?
Replies: 237
Views: 20251

Re: Did dividend stock funds provide "downside protection" in 2020?

whodidntante wrote: Wed Jun 23, 2021 9:55 pm A frequent dividend junkie standby is that with dividend stocks "you get paid to wait." Ironically, buying dividend stocks is more like paying for a subscription to taxes.
Very funny. And very true. Thanks nisiprius for your post. I have learned to stay with the Vanguard 500 fund and eschew dividend oriented funds. Good luck
by jdb
Wed Jun 09, 2021 7:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7638
Views: 1712648

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

Now re-reading one of my three all time favorite novels, Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. Already re-read the other two, War and Peace and The Odyssey. The novel is over 1200 pages in my book. Best way to read it is very slowly, enjoying the wit and writing of Victor Hugo. Probably will take me to end of summer. But will enjoy. Good luck.
by jdb
Wed Jun 09, 2021 6:52 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: My favorite authors are turning their backs on Bonds
Replies: 167
Views: 22311

Re: My favorite authors are turning their backs on Bonds

Yes. Reminds me of Groucho Marx. He lost lots of money in 1929 crash. Some years later at height of his fame was touring NYSE. A broker shouted “Groucho what are you invested in? Groucho answered “Only Bonds”. The broker said “they don’t give you good returns”. Groucho answered “Not if you have enough of them”. Groucho would not understand the angst that bonds engender on this site. Neither do I. It is source of predicable returns. Good luck. Yes, if you are rich enough not to care about returns then you don’t need to worry about them. Few Bogleheads are in that spot. In investments as in life moderation helps. If you have $10 in equities nothing wrong with $6 In fixed income in my opinion. Nothing to do with wealth. Groucho would agree. G...
by jdb
Wed Jun 09, 2021 6:17 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: My favorite authors are turning their backs on Bonds
Replies: 167
Views: 22311

Re: My favorite authors are turning their backs on Bonds

Purpose of bonds is to decrease volatility of the portfolio. This is especially important at the withdrawal phase as you do not want to sell stocks at the bottom. Alternatives are cash and gold I guess. I often see things like this repeated here, but it's (mostly) not true. Reducing portfolio volatility is not the purpose of bonds. The purpose of bonds (from the perspective of the investor, at least) is to obtain a predictable stream of income or cash flows. One effect of including bonds in the portfolio is that it USUALLY reduces portfolio volatility, but this is a byproduct and not generally the actual goal. Yes. Reminds me of Groucho Marx. He lost lots of money in 1929 crash. Some years later at height of his fame was touring NYSE. A br...
by jdb
Mon Jun 07, 2021 10:03 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: My favorite authors are turning their backs on Bonds
Replies: 167
Views: 22311

Re: My favorite authors are turning their backs on Bonds

Nicolas wrote: Mon Jun 07, 2021 8:57 am
snackdog wrote: Mon Jun 07, 2021 8:42 am My favorite authors have never mentioned bonds or stocks as far as I know,
Mine have. Mark Twain mentioned them. Gold and Silver mining stocks figured prominently in Roughing It, one of my favorite books by one of my favorite authors.
Anthony Trollope, one of my favorite authors, dealt with investments in The Way We Live Now. But they were fraudulent railroad stocks. Investors in 19th century London better off with gilts, government issued bonds denominated in sterling. None of my favorite authors knew about MPT. Good luck.
by jdb
Sat Jun 05, 2021 4:36 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: VanguardAdvantage: All-In-One Checking Account Return?
Replies: 71
Views: 7682

Re: VanguardAdvantage: All-In-One Checking Account Return?

Bama12 wrote: Sat Jun 05, 2021 4:24 pm I love Vanguard. I never have a need for customer service with them.
I like to do my banking at the local credit union.
Yes. As a Flagship Select customer I like to do my banking at a real bank, including mobile billpay and writing checks which I try to do infrequently. And very easy to do ACH transfer of funds from Vanguard to my banks. I like Vanguard to focus on low cost mutual funds and keep the annual expenses low. Good luck.
by jdb
Sat Jun 05, 2021 4:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dark Chocolate heads Rejoice !!!
Replies: 189
Views: 29402

Re: Dark chocolate addicts: how much do you eat?

Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate covered cherries. A few a day. Goes great with late afternoon happy hour Plymouth gin Martini. But not after 6pm due to concerns over caffeine content. Good luck.
by jdb
Wed May 26, 2021 8:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tesla for people that keep cars a long time
Replies: 202
Views: 25454

Re: Tesla for people that keep cars a long time

eyedrop wrote: Sat May 01, 2021 4:43 am
If you want proof, check out the state of the first generation roadster. Or the Signature 2012 Model S's.
I stopped responding to Tesla posts years ago because too many posters seemed to have never owned the actual
vehicles being discussed. I have owned a Signature 2012 Model S since produced in 2012, now with almost 100K miles. Around the 700th vehicle made by Tesla. Drives like new. My wife who is primary driver (I make do with 2016 Model X now with almost 40K miles that also drives like new), was talking with business colleague from LA who also owns Signature 2012 Model S and loves the car, so we are not the only ones. Despite posts on this forum. Good luck.
by jdb
Tue May 25, 2021 5:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7638
Views: 1712648

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

"The Motorcycle Diaries" by Che Guevara and "Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand. I'm not a radical but I think it's important to try to understand such philosophies as they've influenced many people around the world Welcome to the forum :) Yes. Welcome to forum. You brought back good memories. Read Atlas Shrugged 50 years ago. Interesting fiction with even more interesting backstory of author. You should read a biography. Read The Motorcycle Diaries 30 years ago. Fascinating true story of young wealthy Argentinian medical student traveling by motorcycle through western South America and being shocked by great wealth inequality and political impoverishment of indigenous peoples. Not to be political but I understood Che’s politi...
by jdb
Sat May 22, 2021 7:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: RMD calculator for a 40 year old
Replies: 16
Views: 2206

Re: RMD calculator for a 40 year old

You understand of course that the RMD requirements are merely a feature of current tax code. And that tax code can and probably will change each year that Congress in session. So to ask what RMD will be in 30 years is more than problematic. May not even be such a requirement. Or may require everything be taken over 10 year period. With all due respect suggest you get some hobby and not worry about tax code 30 years from now. Good luck.
by jdb
Sun May 09, 2021 6:56 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What does your bond portfolio look like in this low interest world?
Replies: 65
Views: 8295

Re: What does your bond portfolio look like in this low interest world?

50-50 equities and bonds. The bond portfolio in taxable is combination of Vanguard intermediate tax exempt fund and ladder of tax exempt individual bonds. In tax deferred a combination of BND and a TIPS ladder. No changes last 5 years. Plan to maintain this allocation next 10 years. Don’t pay attention to it. More concerned with my late season Florida tomato crop than bonds. Good luck.
by jdb
Fri May 07, 2021 7:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do you still read the print newspaper?
Replies: 84
Views: 5428

Re: Do you still read the print newspaper?

Daily print editions of NYT and WSJ and our local paper delivered in morning, read the WSJ and NYT cover to cover except opinion and editorial pages (just the facts please) while drinking morning cups of coffee. Local paper only to see obits and if anyone I know has been indicted. I do get digital of Washington Post but not as enjoyable to read online. I also buy and read print books every week. Good luck.
by jdb
Sun May 02, 2021 4:10 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What do you wish you knew before you retired you know now!
Replies: 155
Views: 37132

Re: What do you wish you knew before you retired you know now!

Not economic or financial. And didn’t need to know this before retirement. Now retired empty nesters with wife still working, finding out enjoyment in cooking great meals at home. Collecting and reading cookbooks. Especially enjoy inviting one or two other couples over on weekends for dinner, with good wine, so much more fun and actually better food than restaurants, especially when get to know best butcher shops, seafood markets and fresh food markets in town. And not playing golf more than two times per week. Good luck.
by jdb
Tue Apr 27, 2021 2:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: RMD coming.....
Replies: 153
Views: 20281

Re: RMD coming.....

With all due respect to the OP I fail to see a “problem”. If you don’t need the money and don’t want to increase tax burden then donate it to a charity. I think that QCD’s are one of the great provisions of tax code. I am in fortunate position that don’t need my RMD which now exceeds $100K per year. So will be donating the max $100K to charities this year. There are many local and state and national charities which need financial help, and the QCDs allow me to render valuable assistance. My wife when turns 70 1/2 will also begin donating max $100K from her TIRA even though could wait till she is 72. It is a great problem to have. So my advice is to think charitably. Good luck.
by jdb
Sun Apr 25, 2021 3:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7638
Views: 1712648

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

The River War, An Historical Account of the Reconquest of the Soudan by Winston Spencer Churchill. Two volumes, recently published by St. Augustine Press in association with International Churchill Society. Originally published in 1899, written by young Winston Churchill who had participated in final battle of the campaign, the Battle of Omdurman, as a subaltern in the 21st Lancers including the cavalry charge by 400 British soldiers armed primarily with lances and some pistols against about 2,700 Dervish warriors arrayed in a line 8 men deep armed with spears and swords. This book was reduced by Churchill in 1902 to one volume to make it less expensive, the original two volume set went out of print and has just been republished for first t...
by jdb
Tue Apr 06, 2021 8:10 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Anyone else see drastic increase in Zillow value today?
Replies: 140
Views: 19215

Re: Anyone else see drastic increase in Zillow value today?

Artful Dodger wrote: Tue Apr 06, 2021 1:21 pm I received an email this weekend from a service called Ownerly saying my value had gone up 16%. I don't plan to sell anytime soon and certainly hope my property taxes don't go up similarly. Who knows. A couple of neighbor's homes have sold recently, and prices are definitely up.
That’s the problem for those of us with no intention or desire to sell. Property taxes. I suspect that our County Property Appraiser is having good time recalculating the values of homes in our neighborhood, don’t look forward to the new tax appraisals and tax bills later this year. Good luck.
by jdb
Wed Mar 17, 2021 9:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7638
Views: 1712648

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

Let Us Now Praise Famous Men by James Agee and Walker Evans. Browsing in Chicago used bookstore last month found hard bound 1960 edition with the 60 black and white photographs by Walker Evans. Had never read but had heard of the famous book over the years. The classic 1936 history of the young poet-writer Agee and professional photographer Evans spending weeks in south Alabama living with white cotton tenants and their families, known as sharecroppers. I found it mesmerizing. The dichotomy between the almost poetic prose of Agee anguishing over the dire poverty of these families juxtaposed with the austere almost elegiac black and white photos of Evans showing their innate dignity. I kept flipping between the prose and the photographs. Thi...
by jdb
Tue Mar 16, 2021 7:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Parking RV In Driveway
Replies: 60
Views: 6584

Re: Parking RV In Driveway

On a side note, be mindful of your neighbors too. Is the RV hidden enough on your driveway that it’s not an eyesore for the neighborhood. Sorry to be blunt but I think an RV (especially an older model) or large boat looks awful in most neighborhoods. I would be very annoyed if my next door neighbor had one in his driveway Total digression. This takes me back many years. Bought house in Miami during 1980s drug craze. We were told that the house directly across street was owned by older South American couple and occupied by their son and his wife, but had not met them. These neighbors had weird habit of many visitors picking up large potted plants in enclosed vans at all hours. We figured they ran some type of plant business. Our family from...
by jdb
Tue Mar 16, 2021 12:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tesla for people that keep cars a long time
Replies: 202
Views: 25454

Re: Tesla for people that keep cars a long time

eye.surgeon wrote: Tue Mar 16, 2021 11:51 am A current model Camry or Accord or Lexus seems far better suited to long term ownership as the internal combustion engine has been perfected over 100 years.
They probably said that about the horse and buggy in 1900.
by jdb
Mon Mar 15, 2021 9:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tesla for people that keep cars a long time
Replies: 202
Views: 25454

Re: Tesla for people that keep cars a long time

We have the one of the first 1000 Tesla Model S produced, have owned since 2012. Now with almost 90,000 miles. Drives like new, also still looks great. No intention to sell or trade. We are also enjoying our 2016 Model X, also intend to hold for long term. Good luck.
by jdb
Sun Mar 14, 2021 6:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Resubscribe to The Economist or switch to something else?
Replies: 33
Views: 3965

Re: Resubscribe to The Economist or switch to something else?

Agree as to The New Yorker. Someday I will win their cartoon contest. I used to subscribe to print edition of The Economist. But never got around to to reading it much. Switched to the Guardian Weekly Observer. Not slanted to finance but love their world coverage. Now my favorite magazine. Still get print editions of NYT and WSJ along with The Atlantic and Vanity Fair. Good luck.
by jdb
Sat Mar 13, 2021 8:29 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Wife just crashed her car into mine. Tips on handling insurance?
Replies: 55
Views: 8214

Re: Wife just crashed her car into mine. Tips on handling insurance?

Good to know that I am not only guy whose wife damaged both our cars backing up in driveway. I reported to insurance company (State Farm), they got good laugh, paid claims and didn’t raise rates. But I told my wife she should get restricted drivers license allowing forward motion only. Good luck.
by jdb
Fri Mar 05, 2021 5:03 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Where is your fixed income invested?
Replies: 88
Views: 10389

Re: Where is your fixed income invested?

Taxable: Vanguard tax exempt muni bond funds, long term, intermediate term and short term. And individual muni bond ladder.
Tax Deferred: Vanguard Total Bond, TIPS ladder, and Wellesley Income Fund.
Good luck.
by jdb
Fri Mar 05, 2021 2:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to make strong coffee equivalent to Starbucks for cheaper?
Replies: 149
Views: 20345

Re: How to make strong coffee equivalent to Starbucks for cheaper?

Another interesting coffee thread. I like simplicity. Melitta ground coffee, classic blend, with boiling water in a Melitta filter pour over coffee pot of course. Rounded one-third cup ground coffee for 4 cups coffee. I add teaspoon of real cinnamon (Ceylon) to ground coffee. Works for me. Good luck.
by jdb
Sun Feb 28, 2021 7:36 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: When Credit Card Fraud Happens Stay on Top of It!
Replies: 52
Views: 6307

Re: When Credit Card Fraud Happens Stay on Top of It!

I have several cards and use them on rotating basis during year, typically for two months will primarily use one one card before switching to another. I used to experience credit card fraud every year often on more than one card. It was always a pain to resolve. But no fraud past three years. Every year within 12 months of receiving a card I report the card online as lost or stolen and receive new card with new numbers. I suspect this keeps me one step ahead of fraudsters. Good luck.
by jdb
Thu Feb 25, 2021 8:45 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What are subscriptions that add the most value in 2020?
Replies: 101
Views: 12138

Re: What are subscriptions that add the most value in 2020?

The local newspaper (print or digital, your choice) is perennially of high value. If you want good coverage of local issues to be available, I'd say it's a necessary investment. In-depth coverage of the local news is not really available elsewhere. A lot of topics are only locally important, so the number of people interested in reading about them is not enough to fund effective reporting on them solely through ads. I would have agreed with you until our local newspaper was bought by out of town private equity group. Now bereft of most journalists, few that remain seem to be free lancers, primary articles taken from NYT or WP or AP newswire. Only local news covered in depth are local sports. And of course paid obituaries. After many years ...