Search found 153 matches

by jimmo
Sat Jan 27, 2024 8:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: how do you like living in Columbus, Ohio (and practicing as a hospitalist)
Replies: 40
Views: 4845

Re: how do you like living in Columbus, Ohio (and practicing as a hospitalist)

I live in the Columbus area. Here's my pro - con list on the fly. + Cost of living very reasonable. Housing costs have gone up disproportionately the last few years but still nothing like West and East Coast costs. + or - We have all 4 seasons here. I like Spring and Fall the best. Early summer (June/July) is nice. Winter is well what you make of winter. Least favorite months here are August and February. By August, heat and humidity are unpleasant. A good time for a trip up north. On the flip side, by February I'm long tired of clouds and cold...a good time for a trip south. Winters have gotten milder and wetter here, but still some snow and 0-20 degree days Jan/Feb. + Lots of outdoor recreation opportunities. Plenty of metro parks, state ...
by jimmo
Sat Jul 15, 2023 11:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 20 year old central a/c and furnace - should i proactively replace after summer or wait ?
Replies: 29
Views: 3215

Re: 20 year old central a/c and furnace - should i proactively replace after summer or wait ?

We moved into our house with 20 year old HVAC system - Lennox. Inspector told us we were on borrowed time given age. We replaced around year 27...prematurely replacing didn't make sense to me. Furnace probably could have gone awhile longer but freon (old R22) was getting expensive.
by jimmo
Fri Jul 14, 2023 9:16 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is pool ownership worth it?
Replies: 120
Views: 11615

Re: Is pool ownership worth it?

Your kids will soon be ending their regular pool phase, busy with activities and friends. Will you personally use the pool enough going forward to justify cost, maintenance, hassle, etc. Only you can answer that, but my hunch is probably not.
by jimmo
Wed Dec 14, 2022 8:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Large Auto Insurance Increases Coming
Replies: 152
Views: 26116

Re: Large Auto Insurance Increases Coming

Geico 6 month auto policy just renewed with 31% increase. No tickets, no claims, nothing different on my end. Geico had been notably below peers and now unfortunately have caught up to the pack on premium. Bummer.
by jimmo
Sun Nov 06, 2022 7:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) vs Refinishing Hardwood (HW)
Replies: 47
Views: 6617

Re: Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) vs Refinishing Hardwood (HW)

I would also stick with refinishing the hardwood floors. In character with the house, can likely be refinished again in the future, and honestly I just like them. Consider - there is a reason the marketing machine has come up with " L VP". Ever heard of LHW? I have not and do not see anything on line re LHW. Could you explain what it is please Exactly! What's in a name? I think s/he is just poking fun at LVP. LHW would presumably be luxury hardwood...which isn't a term people use. Calling vinyl "luxury" is just a rebranding of of the prior iteration of vinyl. Rolled vinyl was a thing in the 80s and 90s. Vinyl plank looks a lot better but let's just call it vinyl plank. Adding the "luxury" in front is just chee...
by jimmo
Sun Nov 06, 2022 7:23 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) vs Refinishing Hardwood (HW)
Replies: 47
Views: 6617

Re: Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) vs Refinishing Hardwood (HW)

Refinish the hardwoods. No comparison. Hardwood floors are timeless. Everything in between is a fad.

Vinyl plank is fine and lots of people using it, even on new builds to save money, but it too will go out of style.

Home listings in the area specifically highlight if there's hardwood floors throughout. Thats a selling point. They don't do that for carpet, tile, LVP, etc.
by jimmo
Wed Aug 10, 2022 7:40 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buyer of Our House Wants $5k "Credit" for Something That was Open and Obvious
Replies: 160
Views: 14360

Re: Buyer of Our House Wants $5k "Credit" for Something That was Open and Obvious

I'd offer to meet them halfway at $2500 while making clear this was a known cosmetic issue at the time the house was viewed. I'm not surprised they're doing it and if they are reasonable they'll take your halfway offer and everyone moves on.
by jimmo
Fri Aug 05, 2022 9:14 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Sold villa in Florida a few months early-the pain
Replies: 15
Views: 1661

Re: Sold villa in Florida a few months early-the pain

I know it's frustrating but it's small potatoes in the grand scheme of things. We've all got real estate shoulda, woulda, couldve stories. There was a really nice property near me that went up for sale in the fall of 2019. It was a unique property that checked all my boxes but I balked at the price. It sold, of course. And now 2-3 years later is worth at least $200K more than the price I balked at. I shake my head every time I drive by it. So it goes.
by jimmo
Thu Jun 09, 2022 7:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: TX electricity rates
Replies: 88
Views: 9665

Re: TX electricity rates

Texas energy grid is really something else. Prepare for rolling blackouts this summer. Another fortunate Ohio resident here at $0.0474 per kwh.
by jimmo
Sun Jun 05, 2022 12:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Lawn Experts: Which Mower is Right for Me?
Replies: 87
Views: 6223

Re: Lawn Experts: Which Mower is Right for Me?

For a 1/3 acre or less of lawn, I think electric (battery) is the way to go, and certainly the way things are moving. I've even seen some new HOAs requiring so. Significantly less noise, pollutants, and general maintenance. Also nice to collapse mower and hang on wall in offseason. Reliability of battery mowers has gotten better of late, but certainly some junk brands. Ego is good.

ETA: I agree that you should expect to mow once a week at least during spring. Battery mowers can't (at least haven't yet) match power of a gas mower, which is your key tradeoff to consider.
by jimmo
Mon Apr 04, 2022 2:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Promotion/Salary Negotiation - Bring up Inflation Woes?
Replies: 27
Views: 2443

Re: Promotion/Salary Negotiation - Bring up Inflation Woes?

I've never thought it was possible to negotiate a salary for a promotion. Salary negotiations happen when you get hired. That's it. Promotions are either accepted or rejected...where of course, a rejections hurts your career in the company. But that's my experience. To your question, why would you factor in inflation if the promotion would be an incremental pay increase? Meaning, if you would not get a promotion, what would you do to keep up with inflation? Coming from an country with high inflation history, when a new hire came in lets say...4 months before company " merit " increase in the offer it was stated that s/he would not receive any merit increase. But again, that was at hiring time. A lot of black and white here. Every...
by jimmo
Mon Apr 04, 2022 8:51 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Dependent Care FSA & TaxAct: Did I find a bug?
Replies: 4
Views: 559

Re: Dependent Care FSA & TaxAct: Did I find a bug?

Well, I went through all the work to upload all my data into H&R Block and it had no problem with handling the Dependent Care FSA for myself and spouse of $5K each. I think this was the final nudge to get me to drop TaxAct. I had used for years since it was historically very cheap and easy. They considerably bumped prices a couple years ago and I stuck with them for convenience. No more. Had I not caught their issue on this, it would have cost me an extra $1500 in taxes. It's two weeks before taxes are due and I can't believe they'd still have such a bug in the system.
by jimmo
Mon Apr 04, 2022 8:47 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Dependent Care FSA & TaxAct: Did I find a bug?
Replies: 4
Views: 559

Re: Dependent Care FSA & TaxAct: Did I find a bug?

Beachey wrote: Mon Apr 04, 2022 6:34 am I ran into a similar issue with Free Tax USA. For my wife and I the software asked if our employer increased the allowed withholding to $10.5K for $5K. In both cases, the actual answer is NO as we split the amount between us and neither employer let us withhold more than $5K. (Plus I changed employers so I was able to make up the $500 difference). The software then disallows the extra $5.5K. If you change that answer to YES, it will allow the full $10.5K.

And I am not a Tax Professional or Lawyer but I was comfortable that I was legally OK doing so.
Thanks, good to know.
by jimmo
Sun Apr 03, 2022 11:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Dependent Care FSA & TaxAct: Did I find a bug?
Replies: 4
Views: 559

Dependent Care FSA & TaxAct: Did I find a bug?

In 2021, the Dependent Care FSA limit was temporarily raised from $5,000 to $10,500 for Married Filing Jointly as a result of the American Rescue Plan. Both my wife and I contributed $5K to our respective employer-sponsored Dependent Care FSAs in 2021. Each of our W-2's shows $5K in box 10 reflective of that. TaxAct online is only giving me "credit" for $5K instead of the full $10K total. i.e. TaxAct is adding $5K to our Box 1 W2 income when I look at the 1040 preview. Just to test the software, I put the full $10K amount in my W2 Box 10 and zero'd out my spouses W2 Box 10. TaxAct liked that and provided the full $10K benefit. This results in roughly a $1,500 difference in taxes. What gives? I don't see anywhere that the Dependent...
by jimmo
Mon Feb 28, 2022 7:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: TaxAct price increase from March1
Replies: 6
Views: 1046

Re: TaxAct price increase from March1

DosCommas wrote: Mon Feb 28, 2022 5:20 pm For the web version, it is possible to buy it before getting to the payment step. The instructions are here: https://www.taxact.com/support/25210/20 ... yout=False

Chase was running $7 off rebate to the card through their My Offers section (you add the offer before you make the purchase). I enjoyed a free coffee on them.
I followed the steps and was given no option for pre-purchase. Said cost determined at time of filing.
by jimmo
Mon Feb 14, 2022 10:50 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe vs something else?
Replies: 62
Views: 8936

Re: 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe vs something else?

The people saying Hyundais are junk must still be living in 2005. They're on par with the other major brands and have been for the last decade. Yes, they all have their share of recalls and what not. The sweet spot to buy a Hyundai was actually about 5 years ago. It was clear at that point that they had caught up to the other major players, but did not yet have the brand respect so you got a nice value discount (and a superior warranty). I haven't looked recently but I suspect their pricing has caught up and not sure if their warranties are any better. We have a 2014 Elantra and 2016 Sante Fe. 0 issues with either one (knocks on wood). Elantra has over 100K miles with nothing but normal maintenance items, and still gets 40mpg on highway. Sa...
by jimmo
Thu Feb 10, 2022 9:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Repair or Replace Furnace
Replies: 8
Views: 863

Re: Repair or Replace Furnace

Watty wrote: Thu Feb 10, 2022 8:30 pm One thing I would look at is the cost per year of the system. If it costs you $8k for a new system and it lasts another 17 years then $470 a year. Paying for a repair would need to have a better cost when you also factor in that a newer system will likely have some energy savings.
I don't completely agree with this math. You're assuming maintenance free costs for 17 years when realistically repairs aren't uncommon, particularly starting right after warranty ends. If OP is otherwise happy with current system, I wouldn't think twice about repair. Now if you get repair costs like that 3 years in a row, then it becomes a different picture.
by jimmo
Thu Feb 10, 2022 9:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Repair or Replace Furnace
Replies: 8
Views: 863

Re: Repair or Replace Furnace

Given you've had inspections of both systems and no other known issues, I'd just repair. I've got a 28 year old system I'm now replacing (current thread about this); you could have a lot of good years left after repair on 17 year old system.
by jimmo
Thu Feb 10, 2022 5:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: HVAC Replacement Decision Help
Replies: 44
Views: 4537

Re: HVAC Replacement Decision Help

I’ve officially entered the paralysis by analysis phase of HVAC replacement and could use some insights from this community. Current A/C and gas furnace are original to the home and 28 years old. Well exceeded its expected lifetime and with the furnace quickly on the way out, it’s time for replacement. Every time a member comes on with one of these "My [xxxx] is beyond its lifetime" my first question is always Why do you think so? Is the system failing in some way? Have you had a lot of expensive repair calls lately? Have the bills skyrocketed lately, not explainable by weather or fuel price changes? If not then I wouldn't jump to replace things just because. Going from SEER12 to SEER16-20 isn't going to make that much of a diffe...
by jimmo
Thu Feb 10, 2022 12:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: HVAC Replacement Decision Help
Replies: 44
Views: 4537

Re: HVAC Replacement Decision Help

I thought it was interesting (depressing) to add that one of the guys giving me quotes mentioned the exact same setup would have been at least 15% cheaper if I had done it a year ago at this time. They usually only have one price increase a year and last year they had 3 and have already pushed one through for this year. Much of it due to the cost of shipping freight global and domestic.
by jimmo
Wed Feb 09, 2022 3:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: HVAC Replacement Decision Help
Replies: 44
Views: 4537

Re: HVAC Replacement Decision Help

Just something I went through was I went with a variable speed air handler from a single speed, and I couldn't believe how much louder air coming out of the ducts were. It's sounds counterintuitive, but the way it was explained to me that a variable speed air handler just keeps spinning faster if there's resistance in the ducts to hit a set rpm point whereas a single speed doesn't compensate in any way. They were able to take the variable speed air handler down a notch with some dip switches and it's better, but I preferred the old one. This is actually a very common complaint from looking around online, most ductwork is not optimized for the variable speed units. But they don't tell you that when they are selling a system. I replaced two ...
by jimmo
Wed Feb 09, 2022 2:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: HVAC Replacement Decision Help
Replies: 44
Views: 4537

Re: HVAC Replacement Decision Help

JDave wrote: Wed Feb 09, 2022 1:44 pm All of this analysis is largely a waste of time if you have lousy ductwork. Ducts should leak less than 5%, but many leak 25% or more. Another factor is duct resistance - the higher the resistance, the harder your system will work to supply the same amount of heating/cooling. I'd have your ductwork checked/leak tested and see if improving it would be cost effective before paying for a new system.
Given how (relatively) low my heating and cooling bills were with the 28 year old system, I don't have reason to believe I have serious duct leakage issues.
by jimmo
Wed Feb 09, 2022 2:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: HVAC Replacement Decision Help
Replies: 44
Views: 4537

Re: HVAC Replacement Decision Help

neowiser wrote: Wed Feb 09, 2022 1:18 pm We just ordered a Trane XV20i with variable speed air handler and wired thermostat, installation next week. In California, the rebates provided about 30% discount off of the list price, including some from the manufacturer, some from the state and some from our city. Total with installation will be about $11,000.
Wow, for going to a high efficiency furnace, the only rebate offered here (Ohio) was $300 from the gas company. Apparently a separate $500 federal rebate expired at the end of 2021 that I just missed.
by jimmo
Wed Feb 09, 2022 1:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: HVAC Replacement Decision Help
Replies: 44
Views: 4537

Re: HVAC Replacement Decision Help

tibbitts wrote: Wed Feb 09, 2022 1:41 pm
CRC301 wrote: Wed Feb 09, 2022 10:59 am For the technical differences between the systems, yet another great forum to post this same exact question would be over on the "Ask Our Pros" section of HVAC-Talk.
...as long as you don't mind being told what a worthless human being you are in the process of getting potentially useful replies.
Ha, I did spend a lot of time over there perusing different topics the last couple days and there definitely is some snark and very strong opinions.
by jimmo
Wed Feb 09, 2022 1:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: HVAC Replacement Decision Help
Replies: 44
Views: 4537

Re: HVAC Replacement Decision Help

snackdog wrote: Wed Feb 09, 2022 1:08 pm Do heat pumps work well in Ohio? I know some people have them but not sure if they need the supplementary heat strips. With a heat pump you can go all electric and stop burning fossil fuel at home, at least for furnace.
I poked around a little bit on this but didn't seem to be a good fit for my situation. And unfortunately, "going all electric" does not mean you stop burning fossil fuels. In Ohio, a lot of our electricity is produced by burning coal which is of course more polluting than natural gas. At some point, electric will be much cleaner in Ohio, but we're certainly nowhere close to that.
by jimmo
Wed Feb 09, 2022 11:49 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: HVAC Replacement Decision Help
Replies: 44
Views: 4537

Re: HVAC Replacement Decision Help

Thanks for the replies. I think what I'm struggling with the most is the single vs two stage furnace and variable speed vs constant torque blower. SEER ratings and furnace efficiency ratings are more of a math equation which I can handle. In a number of places and forums, I've seen the commentary that multi-staged units result in more frequent and costly repairs down the road. That certainly gives me pause. I'd assume the same about a variable speed vs constant torque blower. If you have a single stage furnace and a/c, what is the advantage of variable speed blower? If the furnace is at full bore, but you're blowing at a slower speed, doesn't that actually result in the warm air not making it to the far reaches of the house? Maybe I'm think...
by jimmo
Wed Feb 09, 2022 9:05 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: HVAC Replacement Decision Help
Replies: 44
Views: 4537

HVAC Replacement Decision Help

I’ve officially entered the paralysis by analysis phase of HVAC replacement and could use some insights from this community. Current A/C and gas furnace are original to the home and 28 years old. Well exceeded its expected lifetime and with the furnace quickly on the way out, it’s time for replacement. Current system is a Lennox probably builder grade base model at install in 1994, 80% efficiency single stage gas furnace single speed blower and 12 SEER 3 ton single stage A/C. Home is 2 story, 2250 sq ft in Central Ohio. Call it 6 heating months and 4 cooling months. Current heating bills range from $100-150 on average in winter. Electric bills in summer are also $100-150. i.e. even with our old system, we have below average gas/electric bil...
by jimmo
Fri Feb 26, 2021 8:30 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Dream garage/workshop, or college savings?
Replies: 43
Views: 4413

Re: Dream garage/workshop, or college savings?

Build it. You can definitely afford. Only regrets you'll have is waiting too long to build it and not going big enough. So, get started and go big.
by jimmo
Mon Feb 22, 2021 6:28 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buying vs. Renting Principles
Replies: 233
Views: 31577

Re: Buying vs. Renting Principles

Interesting discussion on this thread. What you are trying to do is no small task, and I think you have fodder for a very helpful document in this thread. (If you’re willing to give it a whirl, try to approach it in a non-denominational way other than a BH flavor...which might be inconsistent with the OPM (use other people’s money - get the most loan you can because of low interest rates) crowd... My 2 cents: 1. For rent vs buy, the trick is to set up one’s situation so that it works as favorably as possible, regardless of market ups and downs. I.e. if my scenario is dependent on the market going up by “x”, then I have a problem if it does not. And it is Highly 100% dependent on the individual situation - not just the numbers. 2. If your g...
by jimmo
Wed Feb 17, 2021 3:54 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 5 years from retirement (I hope!) portfolio review
Replies: 7
Views: 2103

Re: 5 years from retirement (I hope!) portfolio review

I would not roll the $1.6m into your new 401k plan just so you can do a few years of $7k backdoor roth contributions. Not worth the hassle, risk or time given your portfolio size.
by jimmo
Sat Jan 30, 2021 7:14 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Avoiding market timing is HARD
Replies: 58
Views: 5746

Re: Avoiding market timing is HARD

Automate as much as you can. The more money that is invested each month without me getting in the way of pulling the trigger, the better.

I struggle with the same issue when left to my own devices. Excess cash builds up in my checking account every couple months (yes a good problem to have) and that money is slowest to get invested as I have the same issue with holding too much dry powder waiting for that perfect buying opportunity. And then when that perfect buying opportunity happens (March 2020), I barely got the the truck backed up by the time the market recovered.

Once I have the money invested, I have no problem riding out volatility, it's just getting it in. For me, automating monthly transfers is best way deal with it.
by jimmo
Sun Nov 22, 2020 8:02 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What charity are you donating to this Christmas season?
Replies: 145
Views: 9012

Re: What charity are you donating to this Christmas season?

A couple not mentioned:

Doctors Without Borders
The Nature Conservancy
KIVA

I usually split mine about 50/50 between local / non-local organizations. To find those local to you, you may want to check with your local rotary club, Kiwanis, etc. to identify those meaningful to you.
by jimmo
Mon Nov 16, 2020 12:07 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Not sure TLH was worth it
Replies: 49
Views: 7848

Re: Not sure TLH was worth it

ivgrivchuck wrote: Mon Nov 16, 2020 11:28 am TLH provides too benefits:

1) It moves up to $3000 per year from income taxes into long-term capital gains taxes
2) It helps to defer taxation. Due to inflation, dollar paid tomorrow is less than dollar paid today.
1) No, not necessarily. If I've sold other investments in the same year at a gain, may just be offsetting LT capital gains taxes.
2) Yes, what we can all agree on is that TLH defers taxation. But whether you come out ahead in the long-term is based on the tax code and your tax rate when you ultimately sell.

I think the point being is that TLH isn't some slam-dunk that we should all be doing. It's specific to the individual scenario. There's no one size fits all.
by jimmo
Wed Sep 16, 2020 8:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Vastly different quotes for wallpaper removal and painting job
Replies: 39
Views: 3193

Re: Vastly different quotes for wallpaper removal and painting job

Removing wallpaper is not a fun job. Company A doesn't particularly want the gig, but for a juicy price will do it. Go with Company B and don't overthink it (assuming Company C doesn't come in lower).
by jimmo
Tue Sep 15, 2020 8:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best platform for selling used car?
Replies: 20
Views: 3153

Re: Best platform for selling used car?

I use Craiglist. Still the best place for buying/selling used cars in my area.
by jimmo
Mon Sep 07, 2020 9:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Replacing a 20-year-old central air conditioning
Replies: 66
Views: 7388

Re: Replacing a 20-year-old central air conditioning

My unit is 26 years old. Still rolling right along. I wouldn't be in any hurry on yours unless you have issues.
by jimmo
Wed Sep 02, 2020 9:28 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can I afford to intentionally go backward in compensation?
Replies: 69
Views: 6600

Re: Can I afford to intentionally go backward in compensation?

You have put yourself in a great position to take the leap. Go for it!

It seems some of the posters here want you to share in their misery of high stress / high paying jobs. Your finances are in order. You will still be more than covering your expenses and your existing nest egg will keep growing on autopilot. You should absolutely prioritize work that is meaningful to you.
by jimmo
Tue Jul 21, 2020 6:25 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mortgage Refinance - Owe under $200K - Best Rates
Replies: 12
Views: 1511

Re: Mortgage Refinance - Owe under $200K - Best Rates

Can confirm that there is no barrier at 200/250. I just refinanced about 150k at market rates and got a quote for another 300k at the same rate at the same time. My lenders just say as long as you are over 100k, it’s fine. It varies by lender. Generally speaking, I've found $100k, $200k, $250k, $300k and $500k to be boundary lines. However, for my local credit union, this doesn't apply. Any mortgage above their minimum to get a mortgage gets the same rate (as long as it is a conforming loan). So you really have to just keep an open mind about it and if you are close to a $50k boundary, ask to see if that would make a difference. Yes, this has been my experience as well. Obviously every bank and credit union is a little different, but best ...
by jimmo
Mon Jul 20, 2020 2:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mortgage Refinance - Owe under $200K - Best Rates
Replies: 12
Views: 1511

Mortgage Refinance - Owe under $200K - Best Rates

The Mega Refinance thread is largely filled with examples of people getting rates around 2.75% with no costs or even credits, but they owe above $200K/$250K which seems to be floor for the best rates. Would like to start a thread for those looking to refinance with loan amounts below $200K and what you are finding and where. I currently owe $154K and best option I have so far is for a 10 year 2.99% no cost (or $295 if I can't get them to waive appraisal) through Third Federal. They're offering that on balances above $110K. Would preferably be at a 15 year term and lower rate, but seems most of the lenders are in the 3.25 - 3.45% rate for my balance if I want to stick with no-cost. Some have suggested doing a cash-out refinance to get loan a...
by jimmo
Wed Jul 15, 2020 9:15 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Refinance Mega Thread
Replies: 12862
Views: 1276300

Re: Refinance Mega Thread

Any advice for those of us with lower loan amounts. I have $154,000 remaining on a 30 year mortgage. Would like to refinance to a 15 year. When I go through LenderFi website, to get to true no-cost it's a 3.375% rate on 15 year. However, just playing around with the inputs and increasing remaining mortgage amount to $250,000, I can get to true no-cost at a 2.75% rate on 15 year which is more consistent with what I see others sharing. Basically seems I'm being punished for having aggressively paid down my mortgage as I'm now below the preferred range.

Anyhow, curious if others with loan amounts below $200,000 have found favorable rates and through what means.
by jimmo
Thu May 21, 2020 8:52 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Secrets to a great lawn
Replies: 65
Views: 7104

Re: Secrets to a great lawn

If you have pets or children that regularly use your lawn, I'd strongly recommend against any herbicides and chemicals some are suggesting on this thread. Do your own research to verify risks.
by jimmo
Thu May 21, 2020 8:49 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Secrets to a great lawn
Replies: 65
Views: 7104

Re: Secrets to a great lawn

Lots of good advice here. Mow high at around 4 inches may be the most important piece. That height over time will help choke out weeds and shade your soil to retain moisture. Accept that some clover and dandelions is normal. At first that will feel a bit odd, but quickly you realize the neighbors that buzz their lawn and then have to dump loads of weed n feed and the like on their lawns to control weeds are the brainwashed oddballs. I like how the author said he wants to avoid chemicals and then a bunch of response say to use 'Weed-n-Feed' or this herbicide or that. What do people think are in those? It's like my neighbor who is forever dumping Scotts products on his lawn. We get a heavy rain and half of that runs down the storm drain, from...
by jimmo
Sun May 10, 2020 8:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Has Your Spending Changed Since The Shutdown?
Replies: 180
Views: 10494

Re: Has Your Spending Changed Since The Shutdown?

With our daycare closed we're now doing a nanny-share with another family which is $250 more a month. Saving $100/month on gas. Total food cost down somewhat - groceries up but restaurants down. Maybe $100/month less on entertainment. Most of our costs are fixed. I'd say total expenses about flat.

My company did 20% salary cuts so we're definitely worse off net on net.
by jimmo
Sun Feb 09, 2020 8:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Replace old working furnace in attic or wait
Replies: 26
Views: 2269

Re: Replace old working furnace in attic or wait

My furnace is 26 years old. Had I pre-emptively replaced at 15-20 years as some recommend, I would have thrown away a lot money. The notion of replacing just for higher efficiency has a terrible payoff, better off putting some money into increasing insulation in your attic and sealing air leaks in your house around doors, windows, fireplaces, etc. My furnace may die tomorrow or in 10 years. Whenever that is, I'll likely be inconvenienced for a couple days. So be it.
by jimmo
Tue Nov 19, 2019 10:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Toughest Purchase of my Life. Engagement Ring time
Replies: 229
Views: 21803

Re: Toughest Purchase of my Life. Engagement Ring time

I'm surprised in this day and age that the diamond engagement ring industry is still going strong. What a hoot. Yes, I bought one for my wife awhile back, and I could play along and say it was a great purchase and a rounding error on current NW, but let's be honest here a minute. It's a ridiculous tradition that the diamond industry manages to keep alive and healthy despite common sense and readily available information. I actually thought the movie "Blood Diamond" would put a dent in sales, and make people think twice, at least in the short-term. No, that $10K rock on your wife's finger was probably not sourced ethically regardless of what they told you, nor did the $10K price tag have any relationship to actual value. Try to sel...
by jimmo
Fri Nov 08, 2019 10:55 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should I buy the family cottage?
Replies: 99
Views: 11246

Re: Should I buy the family cottage?

Buy it. Absolutely, buy it. And purchase as sole owner to avoid sibling quarrels. Your kids love it. It's close by. You have a lifetime of memories there. Someday you can play with your grandkids there. You are financially in great shape. If for any reason you fell on hard times, you could always sell and sell for sizable profit given the discounted purchase price, but obviously that's not the intent. My grandpa's family "farm" was sold several years back and I still wish the timing had been right for me to purchase. The farmland itself was rented to a nearby farmer and there was no livestock, so there was no actual farming happening there. But beyond the farmland there was 5-10 acres on the homestead that included a pond, large w...
by jimmo
Fri Nov 08, 2019 7:51 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is selling trees for lumber Immoral?
Replies: 33
Views: 3198

Re: Is selling trees for lumber Immoral?

Do you use lumber? Or paper? How often do you consider the sourcing? The morality of forest products was determined by you long ago. Paper comes from fast growing softwood trees - mostly pines. It's a quickly renewable resource that I wouldn't consider the morality in question. Paper companies plant them in neat and tidy rows and regularly harvest. They're basically all nursery raised, hard to consider them a functioning forest. Going in and culling a virgin old growth forest is completely another thing. There are oak trees in a nearby state park that are over 300 years old. They were here before the founding of our country. Would I consider it immoral to cut them down for profit or development? Yes, absolutely. As most things are, it's no...
by jimmo
Fri Nov 08, 2019 7:25 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is selling trees for lumber Immoral?
Replies: 33
Views: 3198

Re: Is selling trees for lumber Immoral?

What is immoral is not maintaining the forest at all, and allowing the trees to grow old, die and rot. This is so far off base, I'm glad others have addressed this. To the OP, it is your land and your decision ultimately. If you choose to harvest some larger trees, do your research and work with experts and those reputable in the field. And not someone that came by and gave you an unsolicited quote; they're there for a quick buck. However, for just a 7 acre property, I would prefer to enjoy it as is. I love walking through a woods and finding those massive old white oak trees that have taken hundreds of years to get to that point. These massive oaks are like the town square in a forest, teeming with wildlife and activity. Once they are cut...
by jimmo
Sat Oct 05, 2019 12:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New Honda CR-V vs. 2-3 Year Old CR-V?
Replies: 68
Views: 7655

Re: New Honda CR-V vs. 2-3 Year Old CR-V?

^^^In that case, it's an apples to oranges comparison to the purchased $20k used car referenced.