Search found 1899 matches

by jlawrence01
Sat Mar 16, 2024 9:07 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Caribbean island in January/February
Replies: 19
Views: 1568

Re: Caribbean island in January/February

Another alternative would be to look at smaller islands that are only visited by small boutique cruise ships.
by jlawrence01
Wed Mar 13, 2024 1:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Given Haiti Situation, is Dominican Republic safe?
Replies: 49
Views: 25253

Re: Given Haiti Situation, is Dominican Republic safe?

My first trip to the DR was to visit an electronic manufacturing plant in the interior of the country. I was met at the airport with a large vehicle with a mounted gun on top. It was quite different from the usual situation at the various maquiladora plants that I visited in Mexico.

I think that any risk related to Haiti is extremely remote. I would be more concerned with street crime should your daughter leave the resort compound.

A far greater risk that fathers never want to consider in the immaturity and foolishness of their teenage and twenty something daughters. Too many of these young ladies head to these resorts, become totally inebriated, and are taken advantage by some of the wolves that are laying in wait.
by jlawrence01
Sat Mar 09, 2024 11:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How much do you spend a month on food?
Replies: 334
Views: 29211

Re: What's normal for grocery costs for a family?

Groceries are $300 per month for two of us. In addition, we provide 5-7 hot meals to two of our elderly neighbors. Non-food items are not included. Dining out is not included. However, increasingly, we ONLY eat out when we travel and when we have to head to the big city for health care. We benefit from the following: 1) Local produce rescue sells us 70# of produce for $15 at least once a month. We take what we can use and distribute the rest to our neighbors. 2) An elderly neighbor who does not consume dairy sends over her milk to us. 3) Another neighbor uses the food bank and gives us anything that he will not use. 4) Snowbirds drop off anything that they can't use before heading back home. 5) Unlike the OP, we shop at 5-7 different local ...
by jlawrence01
Thu Feb 29, 2024 11:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Neighbor Got Burglarized, How To Prevent
Replies: 74
Views: 8328

Re: Neighbor Got Burglarized, How To Prevent

When I lived in the city of St. Louis, my home was burglarized three times I suspect that it was an employee as they knew when I would be at work and when I would be out of town. Lessons learned: 1) Do not rely on the police department, they do not care and will tell you that. 2) Alarm systems are relatively expensive but get one with a very loud and audible alarm. The biggest weakness of alarm systems is the police department may or may not respond. 3) Physical barriers are the MOST effective way of preventing burglary. After the first break in, the city dropped my and installed bars. They were worthless as they were easy to pull out. After the second break-in, we ripped out the basement windows replacing them with glass blocks which were ...
by jlawrence01
Wed Feb 28, 2024 10:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: early morning Easter Sunday Uber at EWR - any actual experiences?
Replies: 5
Views: 1302

Re: early morning Easter Sunday Uber at EWR - any actual experiences?

We were going on a cruise out of Fort Lauderdale and decided to give Uber a try for the first time. We booked a couple days in advance and the best rate available was $24 for the two of us. That was cheaper than the per person rate on the hotel shuttle which would have set us back $34 total.

About 30 minutes prior to the ride, we fired up the app and found that the current rate was only $13. We had assumed that given that there were 4-5 other ships boarding that day, waiting until the last minute was a losing proposition.

YMMV.
by jlawrence01
Thu Feb 22, 2024 12:16 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What inferior good do you love?
Replies: 232
Views: 25534

Re: What inferior good do you love?

BuddyJet wrote: Sat Feb 17, 2024 8:26 pm Great Value rye bread.
When I read your comment, I went over to the Walmart.com website to check out their bread prices and selection. I was surprised when I saw that Walmart bread was priced LOWER than I am currently getting at the Oroweat (Bimbo) outlet. I will have to try out their rye bread, English muffins, and bagels to see what they taste like.

Thanks.
by jlawrence01
Mon Feb 19, 2024 4:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What inferior good do you love?
Replies: 232
Views: 25534

Re: What inferior good do you love?

DarthSage wrote: Thu Feb 15, 2024 7:21 am Most anything from Walmart's Great Value line. With a few exceptions (generic Cheerios is one I can think of off-hand, and I'm not a fan of their fresh meats), they are decent quality and value. I know a lot of people look down at Walmart, but I'm laughing all the way to the bank!
I have no problem with many of their products which I discovered during the pandemic as the other stores could not supply half of my orders.

Having said that, they are so inconsistent. Do they really need to use IMPORTED whole kernel canned corn from THAILAND for Great Value? I buy a lot of items from Thailand (coconut milk, jasmine rice, various noodles) but the corn tastes a lot like the feed corn we used to fees the cattle.
by jlawrence01
Mon Feb 12, 2024 2:23 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Supermarket pizza - any good ones? Any great ones?
Replies: 145
Views: 12479

Re: Supermarket pizza - any good ones? Any great ones?

Signature Select from Safeway/Albertsons/etc., to us, is the winner. We used to keep one or two of these in the freezer for those occasional nights when our culinary ambitions don't arise beyond frozen pizza. Their rising crust supreme was my favorite. At one point, I compared the Safeway frozen pizza to DiGiorno and Freschetta. I considered it on par with one of those, and better than the other (I don't remember which), and significantly cheaper than either. The Signature Select Pizzas at Safeway are occasionally offered at $0.99 or $1.99 on a Safeway for U special. At that price, I can add a few additional ingredients if I need to and still came out ahead. I think the "for U" coupons are based on things you have previously boug...
by jlawrence01
Sun Feb 11, 2024 11:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Supermarket pizza - any good ones? Any great ones?
Replies: 145
Views: 12479

Re: Supermarket pizza - any good ones? Any great ones?

iamlucky13 wrote: Sun Feb 11, 2024 7:35 pm
runner3081 wrote: Sun Feb 11, 2024 1:07 pm Signature Select from Safeway/Albertsons/etc., to us, is the winner.
We used to keep one or two of these in the freezer for those occasional nights when our culinary ambitions don't arise beyond frozen pizza. Their rising crust supreme was my favorite. At one point, I compared the Safeway frozen pizza to DiGiorno and Freschetta. I considered it on par with one of those, and better than the other (I don't remember which), and significantly cheaper than either.

The Signature Select Pizzas at Safeway are occasionally offered at $0.99 or $1.99 on a Safeway for U special. At that price, I can add a few additional ingredients if I need to and still came out ahead.
by jlawrence01
Sun Feb 11, 2024 5:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Supermarket pizza - any good ones? Any great ones?
Replies: 145
Views: 12479

Re: Supermarket pizza - any good ones? Any great ones?

ALDI refrigerated pizza is one of the best fresh pizzas.

Since I do not have an ALDI store around, I buy large boxes of Boboli Crusts at the Bimbo Bakery Outlet the weeks after Super Bowl (8 9" crusts for $4) and freeze them.

As for frozen pizzas, I am not sure. I like Safeway's Signature Select, Dr Oetker's, and California Pizza Kitchen.

As for selection, no supermarket has the selection that Woodman's (SE Wisconsin and Chicagoland) does.
by jlawrence01
Sun Feb 11, 2024 3:59 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Utah and Las Vegas for one night-best hotel/food?
Replies: 14
Views: 2280

Re: Utah and Las Vegas for one night-best hotel/food?

I have never stayed there overnight, but liked the Gold Coast for buffet, bowling, and location. If you've never been then the Strip may be worth it, but I'm very glad to avoid the crowds and hassle. (Guess I'm not a Vegas person.) I think the Gold Coast is affordable too. Besides Zion, Snow Canyon and Valley of Fire are worth it for hiking if you have time. My votes would be the Gold Coast or its sister property The Orleans. Both are fairly close to both the Strip and the airport. Other options would be the South Point, which is several miles south of the airport and the Virgin Las Vegas which is about two miles north of the airport. It has been a few years since I have stayed in them. All four have a good variety of good restaurants and ...
by jlawrence01
Sat Feb 10, 2024 11:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Utah and Las Vegas for one night-best hotel/food?
Replies: 14
Views: 2280

Re: Utah and Las Vegas for one night-best hotel/food?

I have never stayed there overnight, but liked the Gold Coast for buffet, bowling, and location. If you've never been then the Strip may be worth it, but I'm very glad to avoid the crowds and hassle. (Guess I'm not a Vegas person.) I think the Gold Coast is affordable too. Besides Zion, Snow Canyon and Valley of Fire are worth it for hiking if you have time. My votes would be the Gold Coast or its sister property The Orleans. Both are fairly close to both the Strip and the airport. Other options would be the South Point, which is several miles south of the airport and the Virgin Las Vegas which is about two miles north of the airport. It has been a few years since I have stayed in them. All four have a good variety of good restaurants and ...
by jlawrence01
Thu Feb 08, 2024 12:38 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Any YouTubers out there? What are your numbers?
Replies: 58
Views: 17230

Re: Any YouTubers out there? What are your numbers?

I do not produce YouTube videos as I lack the passion to get people very excited to watch me. However, I follow perhaps a thousand content producers and interact with several of them. If you are going to try to monetize your YouTube activity, you really need to produce regular content on an on-going basis. most people who I know are producing one to two videos daily. And that is whether you are on vacation or have other family commitments. It really becomes challenging and after a year or two, most people burn out. Also, should you decide to take a few weeks off, you will NOT pop up on the list of videos that your viewers get. Most of the content that I consume is international. A lot of those producers live in very low cost areas and the U...
by jlawrence01
Mon Jan 22, 2024 5:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Trip to Baltimore,Virginia and Delaware
Replies: 37
Views: 3177

Re: Trip to Baltimore,Virginia and Delaware

If you are heading to Richmond, visit the White House of the Confederacy.
https://acwm.org/white-house-of-the-confederacy/

Thirty miles south in Petersburg, VA, is Blandford Church, which has a collection of Tiffany windows.
http://www.historicpetersburg.org/bland ... sociation/

These places are "off the beaten path" and are often missed in tours of Virginia.
by jlawrence01
Sat Jan 20, 2024 12:32 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Are car washes necessary?
Replies: 116
Views: 12616

Re: Are car washes necessary?

I parked under a tree in airport parking in Phoenix. After 10 days, my car was totally trashed due to the birds and the tree. I ended up getting the car washed before leaving Phoenix as the car looked terrible and the burd dropping represented a biohazard.
by jlawrence01
Tue Jan 16, 2024 10:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to get rid of car
Replies: 50
Views: 4699

Re: How to get rid of car

A 2021 Toyota Corolla is perhaps one of the easiest vehicles to sell. I would take it to the local Toyota dealer as ,ost are looking for low mileage used cars.

By the way, MOST AAA drivers have a battery charger that they can carry into a garage. Also, they will sell and install a new battery in your garage at a slight premium to your local battery store.
by jlawrence01
Mon Jan 15, 2024 1:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Chicago Vacation
Replies: 56
Views: 4578

Re: Chicago Vacation

The issue with using the METRA trains is not safety, it is timing. It is meant for commuters and once you get past rush hours, especially on weekends, frequency on some lines is two hours. Miss the train by two minutes and you are waiting for two hours.

The METRA trains have conductors on each train and they do not put up with a lot of misbehavior.
by jlawrence01
Wed Jan 10, 2024 3:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Where Should We Travel & Vacation To?
Replies: 47
Views: 9650

Re: Where Should We Travel & Vacation To?

I was assaulted in Belize City yesterday which was a first in all my travels in the Caribbean. He grabbed me from behind, I pushed him off of me and took refuge in the National Library. The police seemed less than interested, honestly.

Do realize that as much as the travel vendors, bloggers and the various tourist authorities love to promote their locations as perfectly safe, tourists are generally easy targets and it does not matter if you are the size of an NFL linebacker.

Read the travel advisories from the US, Canada, UK, and Australia. While they are overly cautious, you will know that you have up to date information.
by jlawrence01
Thu Dec 28, 2023 1:53 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Asus, Acer, Lenovo, etc. Chromebooks
Replies: 20
Views: 2556

Re: Asus, Acer, Lenovo, etc. Chromebooks

I am using a Samsung Chromebook 2 that I have owned for seven years. It works pretty much as well as when I bought it. The battery has deteriorated a bit decreasing from 10 hours of charge to closer to four hours. That is irrelevant as I always have it plugged in. I paid $199 and bought it from Amazon. About four years ago, my neighbor gifted a Asus C434T Chromebook with a touchscreen. It has a larger screen. However, since I do not like it as much as the Samsung, I let my wife use it when she needs it. The touchscreen still works but the mouse pad does not. It is a $425 model. I cannot recommend it. I was going to replace the Samsung this year but probably will not. I rarely carry it anymore on trips as I can do everything that I need on m...
by jlawrence01
Thu Dec 28, 2023 1:31 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Aruba and Curacao day excursions
Replies: 13
Views: 1885

Re: Aruba and Curacao day excursions

We took a guided tour of Curacao that included a bus ride to Hato Caves and a guided tour through the historical downtown tour of Willemstad. Hato Caves was an interesting cave but honestly, it was not anything very spectacular and it was a steep hike to get there. In the downtown area, there were several markets that were interesting. The guided tour was a rush job so we left the tour and did our own walking tour. We found: Curacao Stamp Museum - a museum focused on the stamps of the Dutch Antilles. Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue, the oldest synagogue in continuous use in the Western Hemisphere. This beautifully restored synagogue dates back to 1732 and showcases the island’s Jewish heritage. They have a number of guided tours. And there w...
by jlawrence01
Sat Dec 23, 2023 2:06 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 2023 Retiree Healthcare in Albuquerque?
Replies: 24
Views: 2336

Re: 2023 Retiree Healthcare in Albuquerque?

tj wrote: Fri Dec 22, 2023 2:07 pm
Yeah AZ ACA was really bad circa 2017/2018ish. I think Ambetter was the only choice. There's more options nowadays, but still not great I don't think.
Do realize that the ACA plans that are offered are offered COUNTY-WIDE as opposed to STATE-WIDE. The last time that I talked to my favorite health care broker in Scottsdale in January 2020, he told me that there were four active plans in Maricopa County but only one in Pima, which I believe was Ambetter.
by jlawrence01
Fri Dec 22, 2023 11:06 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 2023 Retiree Healthcare in Albuquerque?
Replies: 24
Views: 2336

Re: 2023 Retiree Healthcare in Albuquerque?

Consider moving to Arizona with good access to the Mayo Medical Centers in Scottsdale Unless you have Blue Cross - who does not have a contract with Mayo for most patients residing in AZ - or Medicare Advantage which Mayo generally does not accept. You make a really good point that needs to be drummed into everyone's mind. The presence of a prestigious medical center like Mayo in a metropolitan area is only relevant if they accept your medical plan. From what many Phoenix brokers have told me, Mayo does NOT accept any advantage plans or ACA plans. I have had several of my Chicagoland friends move to various communities in New Mexico and nearly all of them have moved after a few years citing the state's lack of good healthcare options as a ...
by jlawrence01
Thu Dec 21, 2023 3:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: My car was stolen Saturday night!
Replies: 62
Views: 9375

Re: My car was stolen Saturday night!

It appears whoever stole it wanted free quick transportation to get down to the Denver bars saturday night (free uber? :annoyed ). I'm still amazed that someone was able to drive the manual transmission so perhaps they were a little older (I'm assuming nobody late teens/early 20's knows how to drive a manual) Glad to hear it was recovered undamaged! That's the best possible outcome. And while driving a manual transmission is a rare and potentially dying talent, but it's not quite yet a dead talent. My co-workers who drive manual transmission have taught it to their kids and some car enthusiasts also know how to drive manual transmission. I've even seen some social media posts from the younger generation looking to learn, so maybe it's a &q...
by jlawrence01
Thu Dec 21, 2023 12:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: did you get an inheritance / gift -- impact?
Replies: 52
Views: 5723

Re: did you get an inheritance / gift -- impact?

The most valuable inheritance that I have received to date are the following:

1) A father and grandparents who taught me the value of savings and the skill of budgeting and living below my means.
2) A father and in-laws who were aggressive savers and investors who had enough money to more than adequately meet their needs well into their 90s.

Enough said.
by jlawrence01
Thu Dec 21, 2023 11:28 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: High school graduation gift amount?
Replies: 43
Views: 4491

Re: High school graduation gift amount?

For my nephews and nieces, I gave each of them $500 for books in the first semester of their freshman year.

For more distant relatives, I have given $50-100 if my wife or I had a relationship with them.

I am putting aside $10k for two young guys who recently lost their father at age 12 and 8 as we have a moral responsibility to support widows and orphans.
by jlawrence01
Thu Dec 21, 2023 11:23 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: My car was stolen Saturday night!
Replies: 62
Views: 9375

Re: My car was stolen Saturday night!

I have seen a couple of people mention Apple Air tags as a solution.

There is a device called Lo-Jack that is common in SOCAL that is used to recover cars that is well hidden on a car and works in a similar manner.
https://www.lojack.com/

We started putting GPS trackers in all of our 57 ft trailers after we had a load of product "hijacked" by a rogue driver.

By the way, these devices tell you where to find the vehicle. It does not mean that you will recover it. A sheriff somewhere in SOCAL had his large SUV stolen. Lojack was able to track it to Mexico. When it was located, it had Mexican tags and was in front of a Mexican official's home.
by jlawrence01
Thu Dec 21, 2023 11:06 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Chef's Table Dining: Where Available?
Replies: 4
Views: 695

Re: Chef's Table Dining: Where Available?

Nearly every cruise line offers one in the $95-150 pp price range plus gratuity.
by jlawrence01
Thu Dec 21, 2023 11:03 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Value Buying: Estate Sales!
Replies: 11
Views: 1623

Re: Value Buying: Estate Sales!

We live in Southern Arizona in a 55+ community. I do not think that I have paid full price for anything in the past 10 years. Some of our buys included: Instapot $40 Microwave oven $25 Refrigerator/freezer $75 20 T-shirts $5 (great for the gym and rags) Bicycle $10 MOST of the sellers are children of decedents who want to get rid of their parents' "stuff" and are generally not there to maximize their return. You get given a lot of stuff if the decedent is someone you were helping out - "take whatever you want." One of the advantages of these estate sales is that often, you are buying top quality stuff and the prices are less than a third of what you would pay at Walmart for the low-end stuff. As for vehicles, yes, I have...
by jlawrence01
Wed Dec 20, 2023 1:04 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Attention Walmart Shoppers
Replies: 81
Views: 12081

Re: Attention Walmart Shoppers

Dickies Belts - $14

They last for a long time and do not fall apart like many of the belts that I have purchased at Macy's and JC Penney's.
by jlawrence01
Wed Dec 13, 2023 11:37 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Food related travel
Replies: 108
Views: 19681

Re: Food related travel

Ice cream at Utah State University and South Dakota State University. We hit up other Universities for their ice cream too, but those two places have been the best so far. Kansas State is very generous with their portions and has a hamburger offering too, so I guess it gets some points for that. Beware of Utah State. A two-dip cone is about a half gallon. I have never seen or eaten a larger 2-dip cone. BYU Creamery is my favorite. Yes, the servings at USU are outrageous. My relatives will often get 5 gallon tubs of BYU Creamery ice cream for family events; the flavors are pretty unique. Utah isn't necessarily known for food, but we do have some pretty unique ice cream shops; Founding Fathers, The Twisted Cow, Rockwell, Farr Better, Leather...
by jlawrence01
Wed Dec 13, 2023 2:04 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Food related travel
Replies: 108
Views: 19681

Re: Food related travel

4nursebee wrote: Sun Dec 10, 2023 8:34 am What food related experiences are you fond of and where and when can they be experienced?

On several occasions, I have spent a lot of time on the Southern Foodways Alliance and follow some of their trails through the backroads of Southwest Louisiana and other parts of the South.
https://www.southernfoodways.org/


In addition, I have taken the time to research a variety of food festivals like Festival Acadiens et Creoles in Lafayette, LA.
https://festivalsacadiens.com/

And if I can find some food producers that I can visit, that would also be great.
by jlawrence01
Wed Dec 13, 2023 1:52 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Food related travel
Replies: 108
Views: 19681

Re: Food related travel

Random Poster wrote: Mon Dec 11, 2023 11:03 am Ice cream at Utah State University and South Dakota State University.

We hit up other Universities for their ice cream too, but those two places have been the best so far.

Kansas State is very generous with their portions and has a hamburger offering too, so I guess it gets some points for that.

Beware of Utah State. A two-dip cone is about a half gallon. I have never seen or eaten a larger 2-dip cone.

BYU Creamery is my favorite.

Others that are excellent:

Babcock Dairy at the University of Wisconsin
Michigan State University
by jlawrence01
Wed Dec 13, 2023 1:40 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Attention Walmart Shoppers
Replies: 81
Views: 12081

Re: Attention Walmart Shoppers

Salad mix. Good quality at a very reasonable price. Their prepackaged Caesar salad is the best we've found. Many of their "Great Value" brand products are as good or better than national brands for half the cost. Some examples include their frozen breadsticks/garlic toast, pasta sauces (MUCH lower sugar than most brands--we can't stand sweet things that are supposed to be savory), tater tots, shredded cheese, frozen veggies. My wife oddly likes their frozen cooked shrimp better than just about anyone else's. Personally, while I have tried many of the Great Value products, we really prefer the Winco Foods brand and we find that it is generally cheaper than the Great Value brand. I do NOT buy any of their fish or seafood products a...
by jlawrence01
Mon Dec 11, 2023 11:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Attention Walmart Shoppers
Replies: 81
Views: 12081

Re: Attention Walmart Shoppers

Salad mix. Good quality at a very reasonable price.
by jlawrence01
Thu Dec 07, 2023 11:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Status of Death Valley NP
Replies: 7
Views: 2208

Re: Status of Death Valley NP

If you are heading out to Death Valley, one place that you should take a look at is the China Date Ranch in Tecopa Hot Springs, CA.

https://www.chinaranch.com/

In January, you will be able to watch them harvesting their dates.

From their retail store, there are five hiking trails, some of which are fairly easy.

Whichever one you take, make sure to carry water with you although the weather is pretty mild in January.
by jlawrence01
Thu Dec 07, 2023 3:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Inexpensive Chromebook or Similar?
Replies: 25
Views: 3264

Re: Inexpensive Chromebook or Similar?

You can buy a refurbished one at Walmart.com from $40-60. I would suggest you try one of those. If you like it, then move on to a better one.

I paid $199 for a Samsung Chromebook 2 and it is still doing well after eight years.
by jlawrence01
Thu Dec 07, 2023 1:52 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Private High School - worth it?
Replies: 164
Views: 27786

Re: Private High School - worth it?

Advantages of Private: 1. VASTLY superior guidance counselors who take a very hands-on role in the kids' college search and scholarships ---- this kind of service is virtually non-existent at the public school. This is perhaps the single biggest difference. The guidance counselors have personal relationships with admissions counselors at many top universities. They can and will pick up the phone and talk directly with certain universities and tell them the names of kids they think will be good fits. The HS guidance counselors have fostered decades long relationships with these schools as these universities have recruited the high school for years and have had great success with their graduates. Public schools? haha - take a look at the % o...
by jlawrence01
Wed Nov 29, 2023 11:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Getting first real "career" opportunity and will be traveling a lot for work. How should I prepare?
Replies: 69
Views: 7642

Re: Getting first real "career" opportunity and will be traveling a lot for work. How should I prepare?

I was on the road 200+ nights for four years and my wife 150+ nights for eight years. Several things: 1) If you are gone Monday - Friday each week, NEVER plan a personal event on the night you return as that will be the one day that your flight is delayed. It never fails. Come home a day early that week. 2) In the 80s and 90s, You could really do well on the various travel awards programs. However, over the years with the consolidation of the airlines and hotel chains, the benefits are NOT that great. I would suggest that you find a good mid-range hotel like Hampton or LaQuinta or Drury where you will get a hot breakfast and the like which will lower your costs on the road. While I am not recommending always looking for the cheapest options...
by jlawrence01
Tue Nov 28, 2023 11:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: LA/Vegas/Grand Canyon trip
Replies: 56
Views: 5723

Re: LA/Vegas/Grand Canyon trip

zie wrote: Tue Nov 28, 2023 4:00 pm
The Vegas area has almost everything. From legal prostitution to world class entertainers and ridiculous food of every kind.

Prostitution is illegal in Las Vegas and surrounding Clark County. It is also illegal in Reno and Washoe County.

I can't count the number of COPS and similar shows that show the LVMPD busting johns in the hotels around the Las Vegas area.
by jlawrence01
Sun Nov 26, 2023 4:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Returning food to the grocery store
Replies: 143
Views: 24410

Re: Returning food to the grocery store

Things I didn't know about ketchup, but now realize it is why some diners and restaurants have mediocre catsup. USDA ketchup grades Grade Specific gravity Total solids Fancy 1.15 33% Extra Standard 1.13 29% Standard 1.11 25% That's why I keep on coming back to this Board - for the arcane things I learn. Like about the specific gravity of ketchup. :D Oh dear. Yet another thing to discuss with the waitstaff when we place an order: " Could you please ask the Chef what the specific gravity of the ketchup is? If it's too low, we might prefer mustard or mayo. " RM All you need to do is to squirt a bit of the ketchup on a plate and then tilt it and you will be able to make a determination of the quality.
by jlawrence01
Sun Nov 26, 2023 4:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How much tip is appropriate at highly automated restaurants?
Replies: 103
Views: 10516

Re: How much tip is appropriate at highly automated restaurants?

I have resolved the issue in my mind. In Arizona, the tip credit is going away and the minimum wage of $14 or $15 will be for all workers. With the huge increases in restaurant bills for what has generally been fairly mediocre food, my wife and I have decided that while we are local, we will prepare our own meals from scratch. We have access to any number of suppliers including US Foodservice and Restaurant Depot to source any unusual items that we cannot get at the various groceries. We save out dining out to when we travel.Even then, we have started to purchase a good deal of the food at various grocery stores. Winco Foods has a great selection of food as does HEB, HyVee and Wegman's among others. We have replaced most of the fast food me...
by jlawrence01
Wed Nov 22, 2023 7:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Hey Men, what are you wearing to the gym?
Replies: 123
Views: 17398

Re: Hey Men, what are you wearing to the gym?

Tdubs wrote: Wed Nov 22, 2023 4:58 pm
bradinsky wrote: Wed Nov 22, 2023 7:40 am Any old junky tee shirt & shorts. Why do people feel the need to be stylish to get sweaty & smelly?
+1

T-shirts and shorts purchased in the 1990s. Still work fine.

Me too.

And that is consistent with most of the people in our 55+ community.

It was a real culture shock from the Chicago suburbs where everyone was wearing the ultra-expensive gym wear.
by jlawrence01
Sat Nov 18, 2023 1:02 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buying a new Toyota (2023)
Replies: 31
Views: 7228

Re: Buying a new Toyota (2023)

In May, i visited six Toyota dealerships in OH and AZ to see what new stock was available. In all six dealerships, they had less than 18 vehicles of ALL models in their new car lots. One dealership in Phoenix wanted me to make a deposit for a Corolla Cross to be delivered in December. I declined as i am not going to buy a vehicle as I think that pricing will be dropping significantly as we head into a serious recession. Then October arrived. I am getting at least six e-mails a week trying to sell me either a Corolla or a Corolla Cross indicating that the car was in stock and ready for delivery. However, in the last week, three dealerships are sending me the same offers at about $500 less than in October. I have heard from several different ...
by jlawrence01
Fri Nov 17, 2023 3:09 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: used car recommendations
Replies: 25
Views: 4112

Re: used car recommendations

Wwwdotcom wrote: Thu Nov 16, 2023 7:10 pm I'm fond of the Yaris sedan. Made in japan, so easy to work on, maintenance is as cheap as it gets, and more spacious than a corolla.
Yes, if you maintain the vehicle, 200k-250k is easily done in the Yaris.

However, no Yaris that I have ever driven is more spacious than the Corolla. I find that the Yaris was less comfortable.

I looked at the Yaris the last time I was in the market for a vehicle but the price was actually $1200 more than the Corolla that I purchased.
by jlawrence01
Fri Nov 17, 2023 3:02 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: (Purchase) Two tires or four?
Replies: 65
Views: 6484

Re: (Purchase) Two tires or four?

Personally, I replaced ALL four tires at the same time. The local Toyota dealership offers a "Buy 3, Get One Free" deal in March and October that make the prices more attractive than the local tire shops.

You might also look at replacing the donut spare as it is more than likely as old as the car. You do NOT want it to fail if you need it.
by jlawrence01
Wed Nov 15, 2023 11:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New/used car decision and impact of a state car tax
Replies: 23
Views: 2081

Re: New/used car decision and impact of a state car tax

I have a 17 year old car and have been looking to replace it. Here is AZ, I am paying $100 for a FIVE YEAR registration and I do not have to pay a personal property tax as it is so old.

If I bought a new $25k car, I would need to pay $420 in taxes and another $400 per years in increased auto insurance.
by jlawrence01
Mon Oct 30, 2023 12:31 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Are there important long-term benefits of parking a car in the garage?
Replies: 130
Views: 12666

Re: Are there important long-term benefits of parking a car in the garage?

1) Tires last a lot longer when they are out of the hot Arizona sun.
2) Even though my car in the carport, it is still exposed to the hail.
3) Less likelihood of theft and vandalism.
by jlawrence01
Fri Oct 20, 2023 6:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Quality men's leather belt?
Replies: 44
Views: 3693

Re: Quality men's leather belt?

Dickies belts from Walmart last nearly forever for under $20. Seriously.
by jlawrence01
Fri Oct 13, 2023 12:17 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Volunteering experiences
Replies: 50
Views: 5238

Re: Volunteering experiences

I retired at age 53 so I have been a volunteer for the past 10 years. I volunteered as the treasurer of the HOA during Covid for three years. A thankless job that was fraught with politics. After I completed my commitment, I was out of there. I helped to run a speaker series for about six years. We enjoyed it but got tired of doing all of the work and the lack of other club members to help out. I volunteered at a university admissions department. I enjoyed the work but got tired of the all WOKE nonsense like pronouns and the like. I worked with that organization for SIX years and only once did ANYONE thank me for the considerable time and effort to get to campus. I am not talking about gifts, just a "thank you" would have been gre...
by jlawrence01
Sun Oct 08, 2023 8:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Part D: are all "mail order pharmacies" the same price?
Replies: 38
Views: 3196

Re: Part D: are all "mail order pharmacies" the same price?

bradinsky wrote: Sun Oct 08, 2023 1:24 pm I’ve used CVS-Caremark mail order for the last 3 years & they have been excellent. It makes me sad that my current part D plan costs appear to have almost tripled, so it appears that a UHC Walgreens plan is in my future.
Ditto and I have been with Caremark for 12 years. I have never had problems with them and rarely even have to make a phone call.

I prefer NOT to use a retail pharmacy as you always have to wait in line and often, they do not carry an inventory of the less common medications that I take. Therefore, I end up making multiple trips

Of the retail pharmacies, I have had the best experiences with Walmart and the worst experiences with Costco and Sam's club.