Search found 214 matches

by Jim85
Tue Nov 14, 2023 7:52 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: We Don't Want to Pay for Phone Landline Anymore, but need to keep the Number
Replies: 50
Views: 6495

Re: We Don't Want to Pay for Phone Landline Anymore, but need to keep the Number

I also ported to Google voice but you do need to initially port the number to a cell phone. With Google voice I forward any calls to the old number to my cell and my wifes as well. It's been years now and we still get an ocassional legit call to the old number. Some people just don't update their contacts.
by Jim85
Wed Aug 02, 2023 7:25 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard Customer Service Mega-thread
Replies: 1512
Views: 167348

Re: Vanguard Customer Service Mega-thread

I've had virtually no customer service issues with Vanguard. Yesterday called to have some MF's converted to ETF's and, after going through the menu choices, had someone pickup immediately who was very helpful. On the other hand, I was doing this conversion to transfer an account to Fidelity mostly because of the website tools that are better than Vanguard's. After this, I will be 50/50 Vanguard, Fidelity.
by Jim85
Tue Aug 01, 2023 7:14 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5973
Views: 689640

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

cranberrycrash wrote: Sat Jul 29, 2023 6:38 pm Just started

The Bear, Season 2

Hulu

I really liked Season 1, which had a lovely Finale episode.
Hope this lives up....
It's really good and season 2 is even better than 1. 6th episode of season 2 is really something.

Jury Duty on Amazon Prime is pretty good. Comedy. A slight bit of toilet humor, which I didn't think necessary. Don't watch much comedy but this was pretty funny.
by Jim85
Tue Jun 13, 2023 9:38 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5973
Views: 689640

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

I then stumbled on Black Mirror on Netflix. I've heard about the series for years but never watched. I watched the s1e1 titled The National Anthem (2011). Very bizarre and edgy. Twilight Zone on drugs? The s1e1 may not be for many viewers and certainly not for children, or watching with your mother. It involves the ransom demand for a princess and beastiality by the British PM. I haven't caught up to the most recent season but I'd say not to judge the whole series by that first episode. I personally found it way too "bizarre and edgy", almost didn't go further. Honestly the worst introductory episode choice I've ever seen. However, I tried a couple more and then continued. As always, some better than others but I generally found ...
by Jim85
Fri Jun 02, 2023 5:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Defense against the dark arts - Pickpockets!
Replies: 123
Views: 12924

Re: Defense against the dark arts - Pickpockets!

Just back from Italy. I usually took the minimum with me and left the rest in hotel safe or hidden in Airbnb if it didn’t have a safe. Usually just had some bills wrapped around a credit card in front pocket. Nothing obvious protruding from my pants. Biggest issue would be phone. While it can be rendered useless to the thief, encryption/password/etc, would be problematic to lose for the traveler, and hard to hide. My wife was concerned credit card chip or something could be scanned from my pocket somehow so I put in a shielded envelope initially. That became a headache getting it in/out and I wasn’t sure what we were even concerned with. That lasted just a couple days. While there’s likely tech out there to do this, I think it’s just intern...
by Jim85
Sun May 21, 2023 8:43 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Home Insurance 2023 Rate Increases
Replies: 38
Views: 4010

Re: Home Insurance 2023 Rate Increases

I'm in PA. Rate just went up 49% after 6 years of being relatively stable. I'm shopping around.
by Jim85
Tue Apr 18, 2023 6:06 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Ideas for 3 days in Dublin and 3 days in Galway Ireland
Replies: 13
Views: 1378

Re: Ideas for 3 days in Dublin and 3 days in Galway Ireland

On the Aran islands you can do a hop on/hop off tour bus or rent bikes. I'd recommend a hike up to Dun Aonghasa there. Also fairly near to Galway, the Cliffs or Moher is quite a sight but without a car you'd need to take a tour there. In Dublin the Temple bar area is great for pubs, also the Guinness Storehouse and at Trinity Colllge see the Book of Kells.
by Jim85
Fri Mar 17, 2023 7:10 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity as a one stop shop
Replies: 5973
Views: 1007689

Re: Fidelity as a one stop shop

crg11 - I just did this. Called Vangaurd to have several mutual funds converted to equivalent ETFs (VTSAX to VTI was one). They did it close of business that day. Told me the cost basis data would take a couple days to post. Very easy then to move the ETFs to Fidelity. No fees to buy/sell any of the ETFs. It's the way to go in my opinion.
by Jim85
Fri Dec 31, 2021 2:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cost of a COVID Test
Replies: 45
Views: 5835

Re: Cost of a COVID Test

I've had the PCR done at RiteAid. Signed up online, never asked for insurance info.
by Jim85
Fri Mar 05, 2021 8:21 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to make strong coffee equivalent to Starbucks for cheaper?
Replies: 149
Views: 20339

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

I recommend Eight O'Clock Dark Italian Espresso. Even though it says espresso I use it to make coffee. Very similar to some Starbucks coffees I've had. Much less expensive and my wife frequently finds it on sale and we stock up.
by Jim85
Wed Dec 30, 2020 8:18 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cord cutting 2020 - Youtube TV
Replies: 151
Views: 17444

Re: Cord cutting 2020 - Youtube TV

Have had YTTV for several years. It's really good. With the latest price increase I decided to check out Sling and Hulu TV with their free trials. They're just not as good, so I stuck with YTTV. Just got the new Chromecast with the Google TV remote, it's great. I pay $40 month to Verizon (50/50 plan) plus the YTTV $65. I have 2 phones, a tablet, a desktop plus the Chromecast on our wifi and never had a problem. Don't get more internet than you need. I think higher speeds are only useful for serious gamers.
by Jim85
Sat Oct 17, 2020 6:53 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Verizon Fios internet
Replies: 28
Views: 6983

Re: Verizon Fios internet

I went from the FIOS triple play (phone, internet and cable) to internet only. Prior to this I had disabled the wifi function on the FIOS modem/router and hooked up my own wifi router to the modem to get better performance. When I changed to just internet, I had to send back the cable boxes, dvr, etc. but they didn't ask for the verizon modem/router. Now I am only charged for the internet service, 54.99 for 75 Mbps, with no additional fees, taxes or rental charges. Not sure if I just got lucky or if that's just how it works.
by Jim85
Tue Sep 01, 2020 5:58 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cheapest place to get subscription to Wall Street Journal
Replies: 36
Views: 6069

Re: Cheapest place to get subscription to Wall Street Journal

You can sign up for a 3 month trial (All Access digital, WSJ.com and tablet/phone app) for $1 a month. Call and cancel before the 3 months are up. Wait a couple days and sign up for it again. I've done this numerous times. I imagine at some point they'll prevent this but so far have not.
by Jim85
Sat Aug 01, 2020 8:16 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What are you up YTD? [Year To Date]
Replies: 5249
Views: 899757

Re: What are you up YTD? [Year To Date]

Up 3.8%. Allocation 47 stock,47 bonds, 6 cash. Re-balanced several times.
by Jim85
Sat Aug 01, 2020 8:07 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Oddly Difficult to Find Items During the Pandemic
Replies: 572
Views: 75925

Re: Oddly Difficult to Find Items During the Pandemic

Not sure what's up with Claussen pickles but ShopRite has been out for weeks (months?) but another supermarket (Redners) had plenty and all varieties.
by Jim85
Wed Jul 15, 2020 5:44 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Coffee bean grinder
Replies: 65
Views: 5326

Re: Coffee bean grinder

I have a Krups blade grinder almost identical to the 17.99 one that is linked. It's been 35 years and still going strong but don't use it as much as I used to. Never had an issue using the grounds in a electric drip coffee maker. Some people think I'm a coffee snob but based on the other recommendations here I'm not even close!
by Jim85
Mon Jun 08, 2020 8:17 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Re-balancing
Replies: 18
Views: 1727

Re: Re-balancing

I have a 47/47/6 (cash) AA and have re-balanced 3 times during the pandemic. First when my AA was off 5%, mid/late March, into stocks. Later when off by 3% in the other direction. And recently when off almost 5% into bonds again. My total portfolio is higher now than it was back in February. At least as of now. I have rarely re-balanced in the past as I won't unless my AA is off 4-5%.
by Jim85
Sun Jun 07, 2020 9:49 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Retirees: what is your AA?
Replies: 80
Views: 6050

Re: Retirees: what is your AA?

47/47/6(cash). Early 60s, retired a couple years, no pension. Wife will probably take SS at 66, me at 70. Annual expenses probably about 1.5% of portfolio. We're not big spenders but not extreme frugality either.
by Jim85
Sat May 16, 2020 7:49 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Heating Oil prices
Replies: 13
Views: 1281

Re: Heating Oil prices

We look at codoil.com and shop their price around. Usually a local supplier we deal with beats the codoil.com price. About a month ago we ordered through codoil.com since no one beat their price this time around. The current price is $1.24/gal.
by Jim85
Thu Apr 30, 2020 6:46 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Anyone wish they would have invested more during recent downturn?
Replies: 124
Views: 13083

Re: Anyone wish they would have invested more during recent downturn?

My allocation was off 5-6% around the low point, so re-balanced bonds into stock. This week was off 5% again and re-balanced in the other direction. Also did some TLH a few weeks ago. Can't remember the last time I had re-balanced and certainly never did twice in the span of 6 weeks or even twice in a year.
by Jim85
Mon Apr 20, 2020 4:28 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I'm out [of the market]
Replies: 109
Views: 13892

Re: I'm out [of the market]

First post, only post by Talyho.....
by Jim85
Fri Apr 17, 2020 6:35 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Budget Coffee
Replies: 107
Views: 10403

Re: Budget Coffee

Eight O'Clock Dark Italian Espresso. I use it for coffee not espresso. Love it.
by Jim85
Wed Apr 15, 2020 6:41 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Boglehead Beer
Replies: 1071
Views: 202954

Re: Boglehead Beer

Current favorite Victory Cloud Walker (like a new England IPA). Others I like that are pretty widely available - Goose Island IPA, Sierra Nevada Torpedo IPA, Dogfish 60 min,Yuengling in a pinch. Many years ago Sierra Nevada Pale Ale was the one that got me hooked on Pale Ales. Still good.
by Jim85
Mon Mar 23, 2020 10:08 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Account restricted question
Replies: 7
Views: 737

Re: Account restricted question

I guess I wasn't clear. I tried to put in a order to exchange 100% of my shares in VFWAX for VTIAX today and it would not allow it. Said the account is restricted. I think I'll have to call because this doesn't seem right.
by Jim85
Mon Mar 23, 2020 9:25 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Account restricted question
Replies: 7
Views: 737

Re: Account restricted question

The sale was a loss. Although the shares I bought earlier that day had gains. Violation was trading with unsettled funds, actually I think it was that I was using the gains from the purchase earlier that day.
by Jim85
Mon Mar 23, 2020 8:11 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Account restricted question
Replies: 7
Views: 737

Account restricted question

Vanguard put my account on a 90 restricted status. I guess I know why. I had bought some additional shares of VTI early in the day and later decided I should sell all the shares (new and old) in order to TLH and exchanged for VFIAX (would not allow me to buy VOO). Don't think I ever done a same day thing like this so wasn't aware of the rule. I talked to them and got the explanation of about unsettled funds...etc. That last transaction was using the balance available to trade figure which was obviously wrong since it let me do something that put me in this restricted status. I wasn't too bothered cause I figured I could stay away from trading using unsettled funds again soon. But now I see I can't even do a 100% mutual fund exchange (again ...
by Jim85
Tue Mar 17, 2020 5:56 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How much you lost/gain since Feb 20,2020 ?
Replies: 366
Views: 38577

Re: How much you lost/gain since Feb 20,2020 ?

Down 14% and rebalancing.
by Jim85
Sat Feb 08, 2020 8:16 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What is the best concert you ever witnessed?
Replies: 434
Views: 39237

Re: What is the best concert you ever witnessed?

I've seen a lot of live shows dating back to the early 70s. Springsteen 17 times, Lucinda Williams 10 times and a lot of the big acts - the Who, Eagles, ELO, Yes. But easily the best show was Jesse Winchester at the Sellersville theater (Sellersville PA) just a few years ago. I think he died within a year of that show. 2nd best was probably the Talking Heads at the Mann Music center in Philly (Stop Making Sense tour) and 3rd surprisingly was Coldplay at the Wells Fargo Center in Philly. Went with my kids and was surprised how much I enjoyed it.
by Jim85
Wed Jan 29, 2020 8:44 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: I have a question for those in early FIRE or planning on early FIRE
Replies: 81
Views: 9151

Re: I have a question for those in early FIRE or planning on early FIRE

I phased into retirement. Went to 3 days a week, for a couple years, than about 1 day a week, now fully retired since last spring. This is a typical week when not traveling, at least for 8-9 months of the year. 1. Run errands with wife, shop, maybe have lunch out 2. Play golf 3. Go to an event – concert, sporting event 4. Play golf 5. Visit children/grandchildren 6. Visit my mother, help her with chores, financial things 7. Do stuff around house, annoy my wife Can't golf all year where i live but probably get out 1-2 times a month in winter. Was concerned I'd be bored come January and that's kind of the case. But we went on a cruise and will go to Florida for a couple weeks next month. Took about 5 trips over the last 12 months. 2 cruises, ...
by Jim85
Thu Jan 23, 2020 7:07 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What did you do cool with your money today?
Replies: 125
Views: 12226

Re: What did you do cool with your money today?

Splurged and bought a beautiful red bell pepper for about $2.50. Decided it wasn't worth stopping somewhere else (Aldi, Walmart...) where I probably could have saved $1.
by Jim85
Wed Jan 22, 2020 9:33 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Azamara Cruises
Replies: 13
Views: 1835

Re: Azamara Cruises

curmudgeon - suggest you give HAL another try for the music options. After many cruises on all the other major lines, we finally tried HAL this summer to Alaska. Celebrity had been our favorite (7 times) now HAL might have the edge. Similar food and service quality but the focus on music on HAL was surprising. BB King Blues club, Lincoln Center stage (chamber music), billboard onboard (dueling pianos) and their newer ships have additional venues (Rolling Stone Rock Room for one). We were on the Westerdam. I spent a lot of time at the BB King club. I didn't notice any difference in the demographics having heard HAL skewed older than the others. (or maybe we just caught up - early 60s)
by Jim85
Sun Nov 17, 2019 7:35 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Disney plus streaming deal
Replies: 56
Views: 8332

Re: Disney plus streaming deal

If you have a Verizon cell phone plan with unlimited data, you can get Disney+ free for a year. Also if you have their 5G internet plan.
by Jim85
Wed Jul 31, 2019 6:53 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Early retirees - what's your spending like?
Replies: 36
Views: 5080

Re: Early retirees - what's your spending like?

This topic got me curious since I've been retired now for a little over a year. Looks like we spent about $70K over the last 12 months. The only significant change to our spending is I now am paying a Cobra rate for Medical insurance (about 12K/yr). There will be an additional spike there when Cobra runs out until I can go on Medicare. That will be for 1.5 years. Play golf twice a week instead of once. (35+beer/food per week). I imagine the heating/cooling bills are higher since we're home more during the day. My commute expenses are about the same, just going to the golf course or little day trips instead of to the office. We took 2 or 3 trips but we always did. I suspect that will be increasing soon.
by Jim85
Tue Jul 02, 2019 1:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buy new home before putting current home on the market?
Replies: 25
Views: 2021

Re: Buy new home before putting current home on the market?

My wife is very similar to yours. She wants veto power over throwing anything out. I bring her a small bin for her to approve of throwing out and it takes literally a year for her to completely go through it and even then, toys from when the kids were 3 aren't approved because "somebody could use these". I'd estimate we have about one million bins worth to be gone through, so we will NEVER leave our house. I've accepted that. You should too. Jack your wife may be identical. I go from accepting it to pants on fire, we got to get out of here and then back. With grandchildren, I thought I might have a shot. My wife is also very frugal, as you might expect, and some have suggested there is a financial case to be made to downsize. I'v...
by Jim85
Tue Jul 02, 2019 11:11 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buy new home before putting current home on the market?
Replies: 25
Views: 2021

Re: Buy new home before putting current home on the market?

Thanks for all the advice. My wife has been to a therapist. Didn't help. I could go on about the psychological aspects of this but this isn't the forum for that. Not sure she'd be open to those types of services mentioned but maybe she'd surprise me. Seems like I just may need to face the risk that I end up with 2 homes for quite while. Financially I could survive but not sure I want to end up in that situation.

Maybe I need to look into those storage units. Another avenue to explore.
by Jim85
Tue Jul 02, 2019 9:01 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buy new home before putting current home on the market?
Replies: 25
Views: 2021

Re: Buy new home before putting current home on the market?

Great responses here. I knew I came to the right place. A few of you (fittan, declamer) understand the psychology of this. And thanks watty for some of the financial mechanics. I would not do this unless she concurred and after showing her various houses I think this house was eye opening to her. I am afraid that she'd view this as taking the pressure off her for immediate action (opposite of the urgency) and that 3 years from now I'd still have 2 homes with little progress made. My current home is a pretty distinctive older home (100+ yrs) on a nice lot in a good neighborhood. Should not have a problem selling when ready, might need some updates for code or whatever. The other home, I'm not as familiar with the market yet there. Sandtrappe...
by Jim85
Tue Jul 02, 2019 7:21 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buy new home before putting current home on the market?
Replies: 25
Views: 2021

Buy new home before putting current home on the market?

Maybe someone here has been in my dilemma so I thought I’d post this. Some background - I really need to down size. I’m in a large 5 bedroom home with an acre lot and it’s just me and my wife. Kids are grown and gone. We are retired except for a little consulting (a few hours a month) that we each do with former employers. Besides downsizing I want to move 35-45 minutes away to a neighboring state where we have many family and friends, and a grandchild, more coming. We spend a lot of time there. The dilemma: my wife mostly agrees but she has lots of “stuff” that she has a difficult time parting with. A lot. For that reason alone, she has her head in the sand about this. We can’t even get to step 1 and this has been years in discussion. I’ve...
by Jim85
Mon May 20, 2019 8:22 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Yellowstone Family Resort/Glamping Rec's
Replies: 11
Views: 2211

Re: Yellowstone Family Resort/Glamping Rec's

Not sure what falls into non-hotel and non-rustic category. In Yellowstone park there are the Lake Hotel, Mammoth Hotel and some Inns/lodges in the Old Faithful area. You should look at these to see what might fit your needs. Outside the park we stayed once at the Elephant head lodge (outside the East entrance to Yellowstone). Nice cabins, horseback riding, good food. But this was quite a few years ago. Could have undergone ownership changes since then.
by Jim85
Sat Apr 13, 2019 7:17 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Are my 401k fees ridiculously high?
Replies: 32
Views: 3301

Re: Are my 401k fees ridiculously high?

My 401k (with Prudential) charges .45% annual record keeping fee charged quarterly. There are some decent Vanguard Target funds in the plan which I used. Just got hit with this fee which is getting significant now. I'm in my 60s and very part time now, but still "employed". Found out I could do an "in-service" rollover to my Vanguard IRA. Awesome. Done.
by Jim85
Sat Apr 13, 2019 6:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Are Airport Lounges Worth the Money?
Replies: 95
Views: 10699

Re: Are Airport Lounges Worth the Money?

I have CSR and have visited various lounges with the Priority Pass. Some good, some just OK.

FYI - just got the Hilton Honors Ascend AMEX (with 150K bonus points), annual fee $95. This also comes with Priority Pass but I think limited to 10 visits a year. That's enough for me. I don't think I'll renew the CSR this year. Not sure I was getting enough out of the net $150 per year cost.
by Jim85
Sat Mar 30, 2019 7:16 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What to see in Philly?
Replies: 87
Views: 8457

Re: What to see in Philly?

I'm from the Philly suburbs. Almost anything I'd think of has been mentioned. If you like Italian food head to South Philly. I could eat there every day. Victor Cafe, FrancoLuigis (might be closed for remodel now), Villa DiRoma (no frills, mom and pop). Plenty others see Yelp or Google. If you're a baseball fan, Citizens Bank park is very nice and the Phillies might be good this year. With 5 days you might want to venture out of town. Besides what's been mentioned, Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton NJ near Trenton NJ is pretty cool. You could get most of the way there on mass transit (Septa), then maybe an Uber or taxi. Hard to describe, its like an outdoor museum. Great place to stroll on a on a nice spring day.
by Jim85
Fri Jan 18, 2019 6:51 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What shelf liquor and your favorite cocktails?
Replies: 45
Views: 4665

Re: What shelf liquor and your favorite cocktails?

Mostly a bourbon guy. Four Roses small batch and single barrel both excellent. Buffalo Trace and Makers Mark also good. On the budget side, Jim Beam Black (extra aged) is not bad and fine for a Manhattan.
by Jim85
Tue Jan 15, 2019 6:38 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Funniest movies of all time? Name five of your favorites...
Replies: 338
Views: 50083

Re: Funniest movies of all time? Name five of your favorites...

Annie Hall
Airplane
Being There
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Sleeper

I guess I haven't seen a comedy in a long while.
by Jim85
Sun Jan 06, 2019 8:29 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: best cheap printer
Replies: 80
Views: 7696

Re: best cheap printer

I have a Canon imageClass B&W laser that copies and scans as well. A great move after years of awful inkjets. The "starter" toner cartridge may have lasted a year and I'm now on my first full cartridge which I've had at least 2 years. I only ever used color on the inkjets for occasional photos. Now I just print photos at Walmart or a drugstore on the rare occasion I need to.
by Jim85
Tue Jan 01, 2019 7:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11037
Views: 2066245

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

The Mule - Always liked Eastwood but this was OK, not great.

Bird Box - terrible. Can't believe I watched the whole thing but was curious about the ending. The ending was as bad as the rest.

Roma - Much better than the above 2 but I thought it would be even better. From the start, I was afraid it was going to be technique over story but I guess that wasn't quite the case. Something was lacking, not sure what. Plus I have a problem reading subtitles - distracts me from absorbing what's on screen but that's just me.
by Jim85
Fri Dec 28, 2018 6:41 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Economy car vs Luxury - confirmation of a good decision
Replies: 29
Views: 2165

Re: Economy car vs Luxury - confirmation of a good decision

Also bought a 2018 Accord a couple months ago. Sprung for the EX-L model. Love it. A relative had bought an Acura at almost double the price I paid for the Accord. I like my car better and has some features the Acura lacks. Apple CarPlay for one. Not sure what more I'd want in a car. It's terrific.

The dealership offers 6 free oil changes. Although there's a surcharge for synthetic oil (which it came with and is recommended). We'll see what that ends up costing. I think there's some other perks as well.
by Jim85
Thu Dec 20, 2018 5:58 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How much do you pay for internet only?
Replies: 79
Views: 7398

Re: How much do you pay for internet only?

Verizon FIOS in Philly area. $49.99 total for 50/50. Stream YouTube TV, Netflix. 2 TVs, multiple phones, laptops, iPad. Never had an issue. Did the research and 50/50 is plenty for us, although all devices are probably rarely used simultaneously.
by Jim85
Sun Dec 16, 2018 7:02 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Favorite Purchase of 2018?
Replies: 265
Views: 28470

Re: Favorite Purchase of 2018?

Bought a 2018 Honda Accord EX-L after a couple of years pondering a new car purchase. Splurged with the upgraded trim (leather, moon roof, etc.) for the first time. Has everything I could imagine wanting in a car and drives great. I'm in my 60s and can say this may be the first car I've actually been thrilled with. Can't imagine what people get in a Lexus, Acura, BMW, etc. but I guess there's more bells and whistles out there that I don't even know of.
by Jim85
Sun Dec 09, 2018 8:37 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11037
Views: 2066245

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

Children of Men on Netflix. Might require viewing twice.
by Jim85
Tue Nov 13, 2018 8:09 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Point and shoot camera
Replies: 130
Views: 9324

Re: Point and shoot camera

Bought the original RX100 a few months ago on B&H. $368. It's very nice. One thing it lacks is any kind of wifi or connection to view pictures on a larger screen, like an iPad or laptop. I like to do this when traveling to get a better idea of how the photos turned out (vs the tiny camera screen) after a day of taking a lot of photos. I ended up buying an adapter that allows me to plug the memory card into an iPad. Works great.