Search found 784 matches

by WHL
Mon Mar 02, 2015 1:05 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Gold Coins for FUN, I mean.... investing
Replies: 53
Views: 7697

Re: Re:

tludwig23 wrote:
airahcaz wrote:
tludwig23 wrote:
airahcaz wrote:Even a fireproof safe at home is only fireproof for a set amount of hours. Then the gold melts and...

Begs the serious question, where does one keep their gold, bank safety deposit box?
Put the coins in a fireproof ceramic bowl in the safe. If they melt you'll have a bowl of gold soup.
lol, but seriously, if it does melt, it "would" contain all the gold, right?
Yes, but you'd have to pay someone to have it assayed in order to sell it.
Depending on the size of the current bars that may be a true statement anyways.

I've stayed away from hand poured / loaf bars for just that reason.
by WHL
Mon Mar 02, 2015 1:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Does my work vehicle allowance count as taxable income?
Replies: 12
Views: 14570

Re: Does my work vehicle allowance count as taxable income?

jfn111 wrote:This is from Turbo Tax:

Your employer may reimburse you for using your car at work, but, if the payments aren’t made pursuant to an accountable plan, your employer has to include them on your W-2. As a result, the reimbursements will be reported on your tax return in the same way as your wages. Although you will pay income tax on your reimbursements, you can deduct all mileage expenses despite receiving reimbursements.
This last paragraph sounds quite appropriate. The vehicle allowance I'm given is included in my standard W-2 salary with no distinction.

Even with the links that have been posted here and what I've read elsewhere, this is all still way over my head.
by WHL
Mon Mar 02, 2015 12:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Does my work vehicle allowance count as taxable income?
Replies: 12
Views: 14570

Re: Does my work vehicle allowance count as taxable income?

Thanks cycle, BL, and toons. I had found some similar information online prior to posting, but as everything seems to deal with depreciation and a standard mileage rate, I don't know how to calculate it. Work from home, no office, travel exclusively. 30k miles driven for business only purposes, miles logged w/ date, purposes, customers, etc. Company gives a 9k annual car allowance benefit Company pays for all fuel costs. I think that the company paying for fuel would negate my ability to claim the standard 56 cent deduction. It's funny that you posted the intuit link. I used turbotax and didn't see this information. I decided not to claim anything on my taxes since I couldn't find enough info! I guess I will need to consult a professional, ...
by WHL
Mon Mar 02, 2015 11:53 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: iPhone upgrade
Replies: 30
Views: 4948

Re: iPhone upgrade

If you end up getting new iPhones, spring for the 6. The 5s is already a generation behind, and in subsequent generations, will rapidly show its age. My moms 4s is still in very good condition but is unable to run some apps at acceptable speeds.
campy2010 wrote:Why would your monthly bill go up? You should be able to keep your old plan if you want to. I have been able to maintain a grandfathered unlimited iPhone dataplan with AT&T at the same rate even when upgrading to a new device.
Because he's on a plan that doesn't subsidize the phone price. In order to qualify for a subsidized phone, he would have to switch to a monthly plan that allows the carrier to recoup this cost. It doesn't happen by magic :happy
by WHL
Mon Mar 02, 2015 11:44 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Guns for hunting/defense
Replies: 159
Views: 53449

Re: Guns for hunting/defense

All of my firearms were lost in a tragic boating accident last year. Before they sank to the bottom of Lake Erie, however, I had the following:

Glock 19 (9mm compact) for HD / carry
Remington 870 - 18" barrel for HD, 28" barrel for clays / bird hunting
Savage 93 .17hmr bolt gun for varmint / plinking
Ruger 10/22 for plinking
Ruger buckmark .22lr pistol for plinking

I also had a really nice silencerco sparrow multi caliber can...that was a lot of fun! I always wanted a really nice over/under 12 gauge for hunting and clays but I am not a good enough shot to justify a $2000 shotgun. The 870 worked fine.
by WHL
Mon Mar 02, 2015 10:05 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 401k Loan - Bump it up, lump it, or ignore it?
Replies: 18
Views: 2023

Re: 401k Loan - Bump it up, lump it, or ignore it?

Max the 2014 IRA for sure. You'll never be able to access that space again. I would pay off the loan as quickly as possible after that. Actually, you don't mention the balance of your savings account / EF, but I would get that in place becore paying off the 401k loan.
by WHL
Mon Mar 02, 2015 10:02 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 401k is changing - need advise
Replies: 6
Views: 1036

Re: 401k is changing - need advise

Wow. I absolutely second the need for a loud complaint. Removing that S&P fund is a ridiculous fee grab.
by WHL
Mon Mar 02, 2015 9:59 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Gold Coins for FUN, I mean.... investing
Replies: 53
Views: 7697

Re: Gold Coins for FUN, I mean.... investing

Who bumps a four year old thread, seriously?

There are extensive reviews of fireproof safes online. Given the bogleheads dim view of precious metals, this is certainly not where I would look for advise.

Finally, purchasing metals is pure speculation, not investment. Call it a hedge or whatever you want, but it is not investing.
by WHL
Fri Feb 20, 2015 4:40 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: In our situation, how much would you put in your 2014 Roths?
Replies: 19
Views: 2126

Re: In our situation, how much would you put in your 2014 Ro

At your income level, is a Roth IRA even the right choice?
by WHL
Thu Feb 19, 2015 5:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What is the median 401K worth?
Replies: 8
Views: 3103

Re: What is the median 401K worth?

The Wizard wrote:My main thought is, it doesn't matter and I don't care.
Someone who's been working a few years might easily have a 401k worth $59k.
Then he starts a new job, rolls the 401k over to his IRA and starts a new 401k at zero.
Its all good...
Yep...i only have $41k in my 401k, but $132k in my tIRA. All rollover 401k's 8-)
by WHL
Thu Feb 19, 2015 5:42 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Business Credit Cards
Replies: 2
Views: 973

Re: Business Credit Cards

I have no idea about strictly cash back cards, but most of the personal travel rewards cards are available in business versions with the same sign up bonuses. Chase SW, Citi AA, Chase Ink, etc.

Plenty of ways to get the sign up bonuses, and you don't need to have a legitimate business, either.
by WHL
Wed Feb 18, 2015 3:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone have issues streaming Amazon Prime instant video???
Replies: 9
Views: 45725

Re: Anyone have issues streaming Amazon Prime instant video?

I stream Prime on my PS3, iPad, two different laptops and rarely my iPhone. Never had any issue on my good quality home wifi.

Currently having issues (as we speak) with it, but this is due to the crappy hotel wifi, not Amazon.
by WHL
Tue Feb 17, 2015 1:58 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: best credit card for hotel rewards
Replies: 13
Views: 1729

Re: best credit card for hotel rewards

I stay almost exclusively at hilton properties so I have Hilton cc's only for hotel expenses. I had the surpass, something like 13x points per dollar spent, but cancelled it to get rid of the annual fee. Now using a Hilton amex with no annual fee and something like 7x points per dollar spent.

I have a chase sapphire preferred that gives 2x points on all travel expenses that I use for non-hilton stays.
by WHL
Tue Feb 17, 2015 1:52 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: When would you retire money no object?
Replies: 64
Views: 6718

Re: When would you retire money no object?

If money was no issue, I would stand up and immediately walk off of the plane I just boarded, never to return to work again. I can think of much better ways to spend my time at the ripe old age of 33 than working!
by WHL
Tue Feb 17, 2015 1:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Does my work vehicle allowance count as taxable income?
Replies: 12
Views: 14570

Re: Does my work vehicle allowance count as taxable income?

didn't expect zero replies!

I filed my taxes yesterday and didn't worry about the miles driven. Hopefully I didn't leave excessive money on the table...
by WHL
Mon Feb 16, 2015 8:32 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Your car repair/parts expenses for 2014
Replies: 29
Views: 3925

Re: Your car repair/parts expenses for 2014

I have a question - not to change up this thread, but those who buy new cars do you do the maintenance schedule that the dealers recommend? For example - I have a 2012 Subaru forester - purchaes in July 12 - I use synthetic oil, I have about 21,000 miles on it and just did the 15,000 mile maintenance that they recommend - cost me almost $400 - this includes oil and filter changes - tire rotation and a bunch of other stuff - I had it done at the dealer - No, when my truck was new, I didn't follow their maintenance schedule. I did items as needed (brakes) and preventative maintenance when I felt it was necessary (coolant flush, rotors, calipers, etc.). I also have not had one piece of work done at a GM dealer that wasn't warranty work. Talk ...
by WHL
Mon Feb 16, 2015 8:30 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Your car repair/parts expenses for 2014
Replies: 29
Views: 3925

Re: Your car repair/parts expenses for 2014

mojave wrote:
WHL wrote:I did every maintenance item possible on my 2005 Chevy truck during the period April-June 2014. Total cost was somewhere around 3 grand, I'm not really sure and I don't really care. That's just parts and a few tools - labor is all on me.

I won't have another major expense on this truck during the remainder of its life.
How many miles does yours have? I know nothing about how long trucks should last with decent care. My husbands Ram has been pretty good so far, except last year but it was all normal stuff.
172k or so. Still runs great. Obviously doesn't have the creature comforts of a brand new truck but hey, it's paid for, and that's all I care about.

I still take it on cross country trips and have no reservations about doing so.
by WHL
Sun Feb 15, 2015 2:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Your car repair/parts expenses for 2014
Replies: 29
Views: 3925

Re: Your car repair/parts expenses for 2014

I did every maintenance item possible on my 2005 Chevy truck during the period April-June 2014. Total cost was somewhere around 3 grand, I'm not really sure and I don't really care. That's just parts and a few tools - labor is all on me.

I won't have another major expense on this truck during the remainder of its life.
by WHL
Sun Feb 15, 2015 1:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Does my work vehicle allowance count as taxable income?
Replies: 12
Views: 14570

Does my work vehicle allowance count as taxable income?

My W-2 income includes $9000 that I receive for a vehicle allowance. As I am using my personal vehicle for work purposes, is this deductible or non-taxable income? I'm sure I'm not using the right term, but I'm sure you catch my meaning. I drove ~30k miles for work in 2014. I don't have a true log of miles driven, but I have every receipt for the fuel that I expensed, and I record the miles driven on each fuel receipt. I also have a complete calendar of my work events, so I know where I was, and can guesstimate the miles I drove - if necessary.

Thanks,
by WHL
Sat Feb 07, 2015 3:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Keurig-cup coffee makers - why?
Replies: 139
Views: 32545

Re: Keurig-cup coffee makers - why?

It's the popular thing to do now. It may have some convenience factor, but anyone who actually enjoys coffee, like myself, won't drink keurig swill. Vile trash.
by WHL
Mon Feb 02, 2015 10:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Joining the free dinner circuit? Promises, promises.
Replies: 100
Views: 13573

Re: Joining the free dinner circuit? Promises, promises.

How do I get Put on these lists? Sounds like a fun way to kill some time :rofl:
by WHL
Mon Feb 02, 2015 7:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Deleted
Replies: 40
Views: 5238

Re: tipping by iPad

I read in the WSJ yesterday that a tall Americano coffee from Starbucks uses exactly 3 cents worth of coffee beans in it, the selling price is $2.95 - just look at the markup on that. Well, the store has to maintain the equipment for making the coffee, has to pay utilities for using the equipment, the room lights, heat, etc. They have to pay their staff. Etc. So they may use 3 cents worth of coffee beans, but that doesn't mean it costs them 3 cents to make it. Starbucks also pays their employees quite well, provides benefits, tuition reimbursement, etc. They are absolutely a for-profit company but this isn't walmart or McDonald's here. Regarding tipping - I hate it. Unless service is above average, I have really cut back on my tipping, eve...
by WHL
Mon Feb 02, 2015 7:41 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Replacing a reliable Toyota
Replies: 43
Views: 14354

Re: Replacing a reliable Toyota

One of my last rental cars was a Hyundai Santa Fe. I didn't take it off-roading or in the snow, but it was a surprisingly good ride and I liked the ease of use for the Bluetooth and other media options (a huge deal for me with rental cars). Plenty of space for myself and my two coworkers plus all of our cold weather gear. Dual zone climate control, heated seats, etc.

Maybe one to add to your list.
by WHL
Fri Jan 30, 2015 7:47 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Accidentally forgot a credit card for three months HELP!
Replies: 40
Views: 7519

Re: Accidentally forgot a credit card for three months HELP!

It might have been easier if you had NOT paid your bill off right a way. You could call the credit card company and negotiate a payoff and a deletion of the derogatory mark. They might not do it if it is paid off already. You might get lucky by speaking to an upper manager there. This does NOT sound to me anything like a well thought out strategy... Wrong. Not wrong. We're talking $70 total here. If the debt was $7000, it would be a different story... Yeah, you're still wrong. A delinquency is still a delinquency, regardless of the dollar amount. Once the bill is reported as being delinquent, the damage is done. Paying the bill, and ESPECIALLY paying a debt collection agency, does nothing to improve the credit score. The only real option i...
by WHL
Fri Jan 30, 2015 11:18 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Rental Car Prices - is this the new normal ?
Replies: 89
Views: 14699

Re: Rental Car Prices - is this the new normal ?

Regarding insurance on rental cars - your private insurance likely does not cover "loss of revenue," or the money that that rental car would have brought in had you not wrecked it.

If you're concerned about this, make sure you account for it.
by WHL
Fri Jan 30, 2015 11:10 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: POLL: Prepay car loan (1.75%)
Replies: 29
Views: 3083

Re: POLL: Prepay car loan (1.75%)

Pay it off
by WHL
Fri Jan 30, 2015 11:06 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to respond when someone asks how much money you make?
Replies: 107
Views: 39224

Re: How to respond when someone asks how much money you make

Gropes & Ray wrote:I think we should all be more open about our salaries and bonuses. I'm almost certain I make less that other attorneys with the same amount of experience, even though I'm sure I bring in more money, because my background isn't a top 10% of the class/editor of law review background. But it's hard to be the first person to break the taboo.
Meh. What I make is none of your business, nor that of my coworkers. I don't need any guilt or shame, real or perceived. I would guarantee that open access to salary information would create issues.
by WHL
Fri Jan 30, 2015 11:04 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to respond when someone asks how much money you make?
Replies: 107
Views: 39224

Re: How to respond when someone asks how much money you make

I recently had a girl who I used to be, uh, "intimate" with ask me this question. I was like umm, it's not any of anyone's business. She said what's the big deal, I made xxx in 2014. I just excused myself from the convo.
by WHL
Fri Jan 30, 2015 10:51 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Accidentally forgot a credit card for three months HELP!
Replies: 40
Views: 7519

Re: Accidentally forgot a credit card for three months HELP!

mptfan wrote:
The Wizard wrote:
IPer wrote:It might have been easier if you had NOT paid your bill off right a way. You could call the
credit card company and negotiate a payoff and a deletion of the derogatory mark. They might
not do it if it is paid off already. You might get lucky by speaking to an upper manager there.
This does NOT sound to me anything like a well thought out strategy...
I agree. That strategy only works to some extent after the debt has been charged off, which happens after 180 days. And then it shows up as a collection on your credit report.
And also wrong. As I said earlier, credit boards is the proper place for these questions.
by WHL
Fri Jan 30, 2015 10:50 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Accidentally forgot a credit card for three months HELP!
Replies: 40
Views: 7519

Re: Accidentally forgot a credit card for three months HELP!

The Wizard wrote:
IPer wrote:It might have been easier if you had NOT paid your bill off right a way. You could call the
credit card company and negotiate a payoff and a deletion of the derogatory mark. They might
not do it if it is paid off already. You might get lucky by speaking to an upper manager there.
This does NOT sound to me anything like a well thought out strategy...
Wrong.
by WHL
Fri Jan 30, 2015 10:10 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Accidentally forgot a credit card for three months HELP!
Replies: 40
Views: 7519

Re: Accidentally forgot a credit card for three months HELP!

You messed up by paying the bill.

www.creditboards.com is the place to look for this information.
by WHL
Fri Jan 30, 2015 9:59 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How do I balance debt v. investing in my situation
Replies: 28
Views: 3235

Re: How do I balance debt v. investing in my situation

95k is not a lot of money? :oops:

Don't go crazy trying to pay everything off immediately. Don't forego matches to your retirement plans. DO stop your frivolous spending and put it towards debt.
by WHL
Wed Jan 28, 2015 5:30 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: $50,000 to invest, want little to no risk. CDs? Silver? Etc?
Replies: 37
Views: 6348

Re: $50,000 to invest, want little to no risk. CDs? Silver?

Grt2bOutdoors wrote:
Dandy wrote:Forget Silver - Buy 5 CDs each with a 5yr term. That way you will get a higher rate (for now) and if you need some money you won't have to redeem the whole 50k - just the amount you need. You can get about 2.25% if you search. Make sure you know the early withdrawal penalty before you buy.
+1 - If you had purchased silver in 2011 - it would have cost about $47 an ounce, today it sells for $16 an ounce! Ouch!! :shock:
And if someone would have purchased silver at any time between 1981 and 2007, they'd still be in the black.

Isn't it wonderful how cherry picking your information works??? Image
by WHL
Wed Jan 28, 2015 5:21 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Need serious help regarding my company's retirement plan
Replies: 19
Views: 2651

Re: Need serious help regarding my company's retirement plan

If you're not making a maximum contributions n to your Roth IRA, then yes, I would cut back on the "401k" contribution. Ditto for a HSA, if you have access to that.
by WHL
Fri Jan 23, 2015 7:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: $7 gas - what would you do?
Replies: 125
Views: 23966

Re: $7 gas - what would you do?

Wheres the option for "wouldn't change anything.?"
by WHL
Sun Jan 18, 2015 7:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is this an unreasonable quote for interior home painting?
Replies: 56
Views: 10268

Re: Is this an unreasonable quote for interior home painting

Just to continue the thread, I went ahead and gave the go-ahead to this painter yesterday. Left the country today, and by the time i get back next weekend, he'll be done. I'll post again then :)
by WHL
Sun Jan 18, 2015 6:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: garbage disposals - are these still used?
Replies: 52
Views: 7458

Re: garbage disposals - are these still used?

cheese_breath wrote:
WHL wrote:... I've read articles of utility companies asking their customers to utilize the garbage disposal more frequently in order to get more organic material into the works...
:shock: Did they say why they want more organic materials into the works? Don't our toilets supply more than enough? :confused
IIRC, their bugs needed more work. I honestly can't remember but think it had to do with the efficiency of the treatment.
by WHL
Sun Jan 18, 2015 3:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: garbage disposals - are these still used?
Replies: 52
Views: 7458

Re: garbage disposals - are these still used?

I've never lived in a house or apartment without one and I immediately think "WTF" when I go to someone's house and see that they don't have one. I've read articles of utility companies asking their customers to utilize the garbage disposal more frequently in order to get more organic material into the works. Interesting to hear that some areas have bans.
by WHL
Sun Jan 18, 2015 3:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Need some financial advice after just purchasing a new home
Replies: 15
Views: 2926

Re: Need some financial advice after just purchasing a new h

That's a lot of debt :shock:

There's no way I would try to have a kid and lose that second income until the majority of that debt is paid off.
by WHL
Sun Jan 18, 2015 1:25 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Dave Ramsey's bad advice at an all time high!
Replies: 40
Views: 10769

Re: Dave Ramsey's bad advice at an all time high!

ObliviousInvestor wrote:
WHL wrote:DR is most likely going to be better than a random EJ "advisor."
What makes you say that?
Because by following DR, they will at least be trained to establish a fixed budget and practice proper financial fundamentals.

Yes, his investing side could be better, but from personal experiences with "advisors" employed at such firms as EJ, I stand by my statement.
by WHL
Sun Jan 18, 2015 1:23 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Dave Ramsey's bad advice at an all time high!
Replies: 40
Views: 10769

Re: Dave Ramsey's bad advice at an all time high!

Regarding DR, yes, his investment advise and support for "ELP's" is bad as we see it. However, for the other 99% of Americans who have no idea about bogleheads, DR is most likely going to be better than a random EJ "advisor." Which, of course, is not justification for not taking Dave Ramsey to task over his horrible advice. The "...likely going to be better off..." argument assumes a win-win for everybody involved. This is not a win-win. This is a loss for the investor, they'll just lose by ever so slightly less than they would have otherwise. Being above-average doesn't mean anything when the average is so bad, which is the same problem I have when HR argues, "well, our 401k is above-average so we aren't...
by WHL
Sun Jan 18, 2015 8:51 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Dave Ramsey's bad advice at an all time high!
Replies: 40
Views: 10769

Re: Dave Ramsey's bad advice at an all time high!

Regarding DR, yes, his investment advise and support for "ELP's" is bad as we see it. However, for the other 99% of Americans who have no idea about bogleheads, DR is most likely going to be better than a random EJ "advisor."
by WHL
Sun Jan 18, 2015 8:48 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Dave Ramsey's bad advice at an all time high!
Replies: 40
Views: 10769

Re: Dave Ramsey's bad advice at an all time high!

This may come as a surprise to you, but Dave is in it for the money. and Vanguard is not? I've got a bridge to sell you. It's true that Vanguard is the low-cost provider, so is Wal-Mart, you think Wal-Mart is in it to be nice? How about any other low-cost providers (insert here). We are a capitalistic society, the fellows over at Vanguard are making industry standard wages (let me clue you in.... :moneybag :moneybag :moneybag :moneybag ) and the reason why it's not disclosed to shareholders is if you really knew just how well they were compensated, you'd be screaming for even lower expense ratios......... I (like you, I assume) have no direct knowledge of the wages at vanguard, but from my findings online, the majority of their employees a...
by WHL
Sun Jan 18, 2015 8:34 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What is the international portion of your portfolio and why?
Replies: 140
Views: 22132

Re: What's Your International % and Why?

25% of my overall portfolio. No reason why, it sounded and felt good and I'm too lazy to change it.
by WHL
Sun Jan 18, 2015 8:32 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Does this retirement allocation make sense?
Replies: 9
Views: 1812

Re: Does this retirement allocation make sense?

Yeesh. As has been said, you are only adding complexity to a portfolio by holding so many funds. Sell everything, buy a total market fund for us, international, and bonds, and be done with it.
by WHL
Thu Jan 15, 2015 4:36 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Another Down Payment Math Problem
Replies: 14
Views: 3389

Re: Another Down Payment Math Problem

cheesepep wrote:I would put as much down as possible for the down payment without raiding any funds. You will have to pay PMI since you don't have the twenty percent, but just pay PMI for one to two years until you get to twenty percent. During this time, aggressively pay down your mortgage so you can get to the twenty percent asap. You might have to save less for retirement during this time.
I don't agree with this whatsoever. For me, coming in with less than 20% was never an option. I also made sure that regardless of how much i spent, continuing to max my retirement accounts (all of them) was priority #1.
by WHL
Thu Jan 15, 2015 4:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is this an unreasonable quote for interior home painting?
Replies: 56
Views: 10268

Re: Is this an unreasonable quote for interior home painting

Besides, unless your painter is either really really good, painting trim that's already fastened and not on the bench will never look as good as shop finished trim. I don't understand this. With trim painting, the thing that separates the pros from the hacks is usually the quality of the prep work. Nail holes have to get filled and sanded smooth and cracks and seams should be caulked so there are no visible 'black lines'. The cuts against the wall need to be clean and sharp. None of this can be done at the shop. Using preprimed or prefinished materials might save some time, but IMO it won't result in a better job compared to having a competent painter prep and paint trim on site. Agreed. Has to be prep'd and painted in place. In general th...
by WHL
Wed Jan 14, 2015 9:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is this an unreasonable quote for interior home painting?
Replies: 56
Views: 10268

Re: Is this an unreasonable quote for interior home painting

derosa wrote:Sherwin Williams is about the most expensive paint that you can buy. And they are in the same ballpark quality wise as the best paint at either lowes or home depot. So at least twice as much for the same result on the paint.

Don't take my word for it - check out consumer reports.

Dont know about sanding but i hope they bring tubes of quality paintable caulk.
He said with his discount, the SW paint is about 25/gallon. He also said he can get Rodda or Miller for roughly the same price, it's my choice. I have read nothing good about the quality of paint that HD and Lowes sells and only positives about the quality SW stuff.

Yes, they will be caulking all of the trim and moulding. This was discussed quite extensively.
by WHL
Wed Jan 14, 2015 9:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is this an unreasonable quote for interior home painting?
Replies: 56
Views: 10268

Re: Is this an unreasonable quote for interior home painting

First, I have zero interest in doing this job myself. I'm not a painter. It pains me to pay this much labor to someone, given that I can (and do) do almost anything to my vehicle, but...c'est la vie. I also don't have the time - I'm in NYC today, flying home to PDX tomorrow, then off to Toronto Sunday, etc. etc. This schedule won't change. There's a reason I've owned the place for six weeks and haven't moved in yet and it isn't laziness. Second, I am still up in the air on painting the trim, but once you see the pictures, I don't think you'll have an issue with it. It isn't high quality wood and the mix of half round, the existing base boards, and the decorative piece I'm going to add to the top need something . It just doesn't look right w...