Search found 540 matches

by Kalo
Sat Sep 26, 2020 4:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Android 11 on Pixel 3A question
Replies: 8
Views: 837

Re: Android 11 on Pixel 3A question

Thanks all. Really appreciate the feedback. I'm going to try it and hope for the best.

Kalo
by Kalo
Fri Sep 25, 2020 10:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Android 11 on Pixel 3A question
Replies: 8
Views: 837

Re: Android 11 on Pixel 3A question

tibbitts wrote: Fri Sep 25, 2020 9:26 pm I've had my 3a for almost a year and I don't think it's ever asked about an update; I just assumed they were happening automatically without intervention... ?
It could be a setting. I'm not sure. Mine usually asks me. I know Windows has different setting for updates. Android could too.

Kalo
by Kalo
Fri Sep 25, 2020 10:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Android 11 on Pixel 3A question
Replies: 8
Views: 837

Re: Android 11 on Pixel 3A question

gtd98765 wrote: Fri Sep 25, 2020 9:19 pm I let my 3a install Android 11 several weeks ago and I have had no problems. There do not seem to be many differences between this version and version 10. Good luck!
Thanks, gtd98765! Appreciate the input.

Kalo
by Kalo
Fri Sep 25, 2020 9:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?
Replies: 157
Views: 17689

Re: What's your favorite reasonably priced gin?

I don't drink much any more and was never a connoisseur. But my go to was always Seagram's Extra Dry Gin. It has fairly strong juniper flavor, which I like. I only drink it as a mix in something sparkling. Diet Vernor's (a very effervescent ginger ale), or unsweetened sparkling water are my preferred mix.

I still drink occasionally but mostly have quit. Too hard to maintain my weight because alcohol makes me hungry. Fortunately, I don't miss the buzzed feeling. Maybe it's a sign of age. I think I might have had a lifetime's worth of alcohol between my 20's and 30's anyway.

Kalo
by Kalo
Fri Sep 25, 2020 9:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Android 11 on Pixel 3A question
Replies: 8
Views: 837

Android 11 on Pixel 3A question

I'm afraid to install the Android 11 that I'm being prompted to install, because my last phone became almost unusable after a new Android version downloaded onto it. Anyone else have any issues with Android 11? Phone slowing down or hesitating or generally becoming not as usable as before? If I download and install Android 11, will I be able to revert to my current state?

Thanks for any advice.

Kalo
by Kalo
Sat Aug 29, 2020 7:36 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How long could you live off your portfolio if the worst happened?
Replies: 152
Views: 21428

Re: How long could you live off your portfolio if the worst happened?

It occurs to me that there's a piece missing from the scenario outlined in the original post: Re-balancing. Stocks are not going to take a 50% haircut overnight. What do you do as it's happening? Re-balance from bonds to stocks as stock values fall? Or not? Bonds cannot be used for two different purposes (to re-balance with but also to use for income/living expenses in a bad scenario). They can in part of course, but not in total. So when calculating this scenario, you would have to determine what you are going to do with bonds while the stocks tank. You could always set a limit on how much you would re-balance into stocks; pick an absolute value of bonds that you will retain no matter how far down the equities drop. But to do the calculati...
by Kalo
Sun Aug 09, 2020 9:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Honda FIT
Replies: 50
Views: 3653

Re: Honda FIT

I test drove a Fit and eventually went with a CR-V. This would have been a 2014 model i'm pretty sure. I hated the drive. Loud and you felt the road come up through the wheels into the steering wheel like nothing I've ever driven before and the engine wound like I had it in the wrong gear (I had it in drive). Even the salesperson with me thought something seemed wrong about that, so maybe there was. I tend to discount what a salesperson says.

Everything I read about the Fit is very positive. I can't imagine driving one on a trip out of town.

I agree with whoever said consider a civic or corolla hatchback.

Kalo
by Kalo
Sat Aug 08, 2020 6:50 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: reentering the market
Replies: 11
Views: 1671

Re: reentering the market

You have to put your money somewhere. Think of cash as a zero duration bond that pays 0% interest. You're not out of the market. You're all in hyper short term bonds that pay nothing if you are in all cash. Figure out what you need your money for, and when you are going to need it. Everything you won't need for 10 years can be quite aggressively invested if you are confident you won't panic and sell out. Money you'll need in less than ten years should be duration matched to the extent you can do that. Doesn't have to be perfect, as long as the duration is less than the date you'll need the funds. So if you need the money in ten years but the duration is 7, good enough. If you need the money in 7 years but the duration is 10 years, then not ...
by Kalo
Fri Jul 10, 2020 11:56 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Were You Around During Dotcom Bubble?
Replies: 266
Views: 26693

Re: Were You Around During Dotcom Bubble?

I was. I had been investing for about 6 or 7 years by then. So I had a small but meaningful portfolio. I remember at one point my 401K had gained 50K I think. Something like that. I remember my dad telling me to sell it all in case something happened, but this was only because he was afraid of stocks, not because he knew anything about the current situation. I was heavily into tech funds when the dot bomb hit. I got hurt pretty badly. But I mostly hung in. The only changes I made were broadening my holdings into total market funds, etc. And moved everything from Invesco to Vanguard. My 401K at the time also happened to move to Vanguard. I learned a lot from it. I have a much more sensible and crash resistant portfolio now. 60/40 stock bond....
by Kalo
Sat Jul 04, 2020 6:39 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Have Bogleheads soured on TIPS due to performance or structure?
Replies: 41
Views: 3236

Re: Have Bogleheads soured on TIPS due to performance or structure?

I haven't soured. I think of it as diversification. I have short term tips fund (Vanguard), I bonds, Short Term and Intermediate Term nominals. 40% FI and 60% equities. I would guess my TIPS plus I bonds are close to 50% of my FI. I don't track performance on any of my assets. It's not important to me. Diversification and dampening volatility by holding a blend of stock segments and bond types is important to me. I look at the balance of my assets to estimate what kind of spending I can do in the event that I don't work. I'm almost 60 years old.

Hope this helps.

Kalo
by Kalo
Mon Apr 13, 2020 10:35 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What single individual stock would you buy?
Replies: 186
Views: 22035

Re: What single individual stock would you buy?

DIS Disney. I've always wanted to own a small position in this company. I just think that content is king and they've got it. I'm going to try to get some below $100 per share. People don't fight their kids when the kids want something. Theme parks, streaming services and movies. It's not going out of style. And the price that people will pay is high.

I currently own no individual issues. All mutual funds or ETFs. Thinking of putting .5% of my portfolio into Disney and Visa. It's everywhere you want to be. Just a flyer for me.

Kalo
by Kalo
Mon Apr 13, 2020 10:11 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: BOOK: Fully Grown, Why a Stagnant Economy is a Sign of Success
Replies: 55
Views: 4324

Re: BOOK: Fully Grown, Why a Stagnant Economy is a Sign of Success

Here is a simple question: why wouldn't supply adjust itself to demand, regardless of the size of population? Wipe out half the pop, or double it. The question remains the same. There are producers and consumers. Supply and demand will find equilibrium. I'm not selling a book though.

Kalo
by Kalo
Tue Mar 31, 2020 6:41 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: So bottom is probably behind us....right?
Replies: 709
Views: 76650

Re: So bottom is probably behind us....right?

As always I expect a range of outcomes and will react accordingly. We are told to buy low when there is blood in the streets and when others are fearful. But there is good reason for fear at those times. I find it best to not puzzle it out. Forget about why it's happening. If prices are down buy more. Have an AA and rebalance at a minimum. Tactical asset allocation at a maximum. Have a minimum dollar value in safe fixed income if your circumstances require it.

Keep calm and carry on. We shall overcome.

Kalo
by Kalo
Thu Mar 19, 2020 9:36 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: log in problems - Vanguard
Replies: 13
Views: 1103

Re: log in problems - Vanguard

McCharley wrote: Thu Mar 19, 2020 9:31 pm Broken for me, too.

They probably just don't want me to see the carnage. :(
I agree McCharley. Might be better not to look for now.

:O

Kalo
by Kalo
Thu Mar 19, 2020 9:32 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: log in problems - Vanguard
Replies: 13
Views: 1103

Re: log in problems - Vanguard

Looks like the website broke. I'm getting: We're sorry. The page you requested could not be found. If you used a bookmark or a favorite place to access this page, the link is no longer effective. Please go to the Vanguard homepage and navigate to the desired page. If you continue to experience difficulty accessing pages on our website, you may need to delete your temporary Internet files or adjust your browser settings. Please visit our Browser FAQs to learn more about the software and settings that work best with our website. The error message is one that's triggered when a link breaks. I'm betting they're scrambling to accommodate the mandated business shut down and they're moving resources around at a top level. So, hold-off on logins u...
by Kalo
Thu Mar 19, 2020 9:15 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: log in problems - Vanguard
Replies: 13
Views: 1103

Re: log in problems - Vanguard

I'm having the same issue on the web using Chrome browser. I can tell I'm logged in because I have an option to log out, but when I try to go to my account info I get: We're sorry. The page you requested could not be found. If you used a bookmark or a favorite place to access this page, the link is no longer effective. Please go to the Vanguard homepage and navigate to the desired page. If you continue to experience difficulty accessing pages on our website, you may need to delete your temporary Internet files or adjust your browser settings. Please visit our Browser FAQs to learn more about the software and settings that work best with our website. I love that whole delete temporary internet files or adjust your browser settings. I can't r...
by Kalo
Tue Jan 28, 2020 4:33 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Happy Birthday Taylor! 96 years young!
Replies: 139
Views: 8361

Re: Happy Birthday Taylor! 96 years young!

Happy birthday Taylor! You are an icon of Bogleheads and much appreciated!

Kalo
by Kalo
Tue Nov 05, 2019 9:37 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 2020 I Bonds: what's your plan?
Replies: 55
Views: 9696

Re: 2020 I Bonds: what's your plan?

Planning to buy but not sure when. Probably 5k before May and then another 5k after but maybe after Nov 2020.
by Kalo
Sat Aug 10, 2019 4:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Critique my exercise routine because it's not working for me
Replies: 160
Views: 13668

Re: Critique my exercise routine because it's not working for me

Cut down to 1,500 calories per day. Won't be as hard as you think and you will see results. Worked for me.

Kalo
by Kalo
Wed Aug 07, 2019 8:40 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: BND down 1.34% after-hours?
Replies: 4
Views: 1412

Re: BND down 1.34% after-hours?

After hours trading lacks liquidity. If buyers outnumber sellers or vice versa, it skews the price, and this is more likely to happen after hours. I think that's probably the explanation but there could be other factors.

Kalo
by Kalo
Wed Aug 07, 2019 6:51 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: The reasons dry powder and tactical asset allocation doesn't work
Replies: 26
Views: 3899

Re: The reasons dry powder and tactical asset allocation doesn't work

livesoft wrote: Wed Aug 07, 2019 6:39 pm Here is a deep thought:

Any money that you have in a bond fund misses a worst day in the market. So if you invest in equities some of your bond fund money after you observe (no predicting necessary at all!) that the day is going to turn out to be worst day AND there was no recent best day, then the money you invested has a chance to catch some up days.

Did you catch the recent up days after this most recent worst day?
I don't understand what you mean here. Wouldn't my equity investments have a chance to catch some up days no matter what? Not being funny, just don't understand your illustration.

Kalo
by Kalo
Sun Aug 04, 2019 8:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anybody purchase 2017-2019 Honda CRV?
Replies: 10
Views: 1718

Re: Anybody purchase 2017-2019 Honda CRV?

I own a 2014 CR-V and have had a problem with the heater core that I have not fixed yet. It's irritating to me as I believe the dealer is trying to take advantage of a situation caused by the manufacturer to gouge customers on repair. But also irritated that the manufacturer made a car that has heater core problems due to a manufacturing defect and is unwilling to fix it once out of warranty. It really never heated the cabin well from the get go but I didn't get it looked at while still under warranty. I've heard a lot of bad things about Honda not being the standard bearer of reliability it once was, and I'm believing it and so pretty skeptical of the brand at this point. It's not as if it's the only brand known for reliability. I don't th...
by Kalo
Sun Jul 14, 2019 1:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone buy the Nissan Rogue over the Honda CRV???
Replies: 86
Views: 8121

Re: Anyone buy the Nissan Rogue over the Honda CRV???

I have a 2014 Honda CR-V. Not a turbo. Only complaint is a problem with the heater core that can supposedly be fixed with a flush, but the dealer tried to rip me off on the price, so I didn't have it done and will need to find a non-dealer mechanic to do it before winter. Otherwise, it's been as reliable as I could have hoped and as I had expected given the reliability ratings. It has about 70K miles on it now and has only needed regularly scheduled maintenance so far and seems to be running as well as when it was new. I'm very happy with it but ticked off about the heater core because it's a known issue and while I don't expect Honda to pay for it, I'm disappointed that the dealer has decided to try to cheat people by charging 4 times the ...
by Kalo
Sun Jul 14, 2019 12:49 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard TD funds
Replies: 35
Views: 2987

Re: Vanguard TD funds

I would prefer the Life Strategy funds if I were to go that route. The reasons I haven't are: 1) higher expense ratios that, even though the amount is probably insignificant, still bugs me 2) the fact that bonds are split between US and International. I am happy to have exposure to international stocks, but do not understand or feel comfortable with the notion of holding even hedged international bonds 3) no TIPS allocation in the bond portion, which I do have in my current holdings So bottom line, very little bang (simplicity, from what, occasional effort to re-balance? I'm not even sure I believe in re-balancing. I might do it but prefer to be in control of it if I decide it's become necessary), for less bucks (higher expense ratio). The ...
by Kalo
Sat Jul 13, 2019 6:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Standard Car Key Battery Life for Late Model Vehicles
Replies: 40
Views: 4269

Re: Standard Car Key Battery Life for Late Model Vehicles

My 2014 Honda CR-V's first key (the one that I used all the time) quit working after about 3 or 4 years. I dug out the spare and have been using it since and it's holding up so far. I must admit that I have a bad habit of locking my doors multiple times when exiting the vehicle. It's an OCD thing and stupid because the car will lock itself if I forget. So I'm sure I used up the first battery faster than normal because of that and will probably do the same for the second fob I use now. I can manually lock and unlock the doors even if the battery fails. I will replace the batteries in the original one before too long just so I have a good spare on hand. Another thing that wore out so to speak is the markings on the buttons on the original fob...
by Kalo
Fri Jul 12, 2019 10:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can my brother afford his vacation?
Replies: 41
Views: 4488

Re: Can my brother afford his vacation?

Whenever anyone gives me specific details with a monetary amount, I always ask "American money?"

Because I think that's hilarious, but sadly, so far, I seem to be the only one who thinks so.

Kalo
by Kalo
Fri Jul 12, 2019 10:12 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Questions about unsettled funds and freeriding trade violations
Replies: 8
Views: 1581

Re: Questions about unsettled funds and freeriding trade violations

I believe traders avoid this by either margin or actually having more cash in their account than they trade. For example, say I have 50K in my brokerage account, but I never invest all of that, always keeping an amount sufficient to avoid the penalties you are describing. But margin should do the same thing except that you might have to pay interest on the margin because technically it is being used to avoid the penalties described.

I'm not an expert but this is my general understanding.

Kalo
by Kalo
Sat Jul 06, 2019 6:54 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: No More Posts Of Larry Swedroe Essays [by Random Walker]
Replies: 64
Views: 9435

Re: No More Posts Of Larry Swedroe Essays

I don't understand this at all. It's detrimental to the site's overall purpose and variety of content. I ask those behind this decision to reconsider please.

Kalo
by Kalo
Sat Jun 22, 2019 9:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: "Quitten" - Replacing Quicken with Google Sheets
Replies: 39
Views: 6306

Re: "Quitten" - Replacing Quicken with Google Sheets

I'm very happy with MS Money's sunset edition. Works great and does everything I need. Free to download and use. Just have to update it manually. Not a problem for me as I don't have that much to enter.

One might be able to import files but I haven't bothered to look into that. I know you can't automatically update securities prices as far as I know. But it's still well worth it to me to not have to write my own code in a spreadsheet. I do that kind of stuff for a living and no way I want to do that at home in my off time.

Great reporting capabilities and fair amount of customization available. And what I can't customize in the program I just export to Excel and do it there. Rarely find myself doing that though.

Kalo
by Kalo
Sat Jun 22, 2019 1:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do you Casino? What do you play? Have you won?
Replies: 82
Views: 8276

Re: Do you Casino? What do you play? Have you won?

When I was young I thought gambling was grand although confusing to me. I remember asking the croupier at a roulette table how the players (I was observing, not playing at the time) knew which numbers or colors to bet on. I can't remember her answer now. I was half kidding, although that really was the question in my mind. I had gone on a tour bus to the casinos in Tahoe. I remember on the bus ride back some players talking about their results. One guy was up about $4,000 early on but kept playing and ended down. I also observed a roulette player with a massive amount of chips who kept playing while the pile slowly disappeared. I'm pretty sure the chips were winnings and not just purchased, but it still seemed like a disappointment to me. I...
by Kalo
Sun Jun 16, 2019 8:11 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: VTAPX (VTIP) S/T Tips - Distribution Question
Replies: 3
Views: 650

Re: VTAPX (VTIP) S/T Tips - Distribution Question

Thanks Silk McCue and Dialectical Investor. I appreciate your replies. I get it now. Makes sense.

Kalo
by Kalo
Sun Jun 16, 2019 3:00 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: VTAPX (VTIP) S/T Tips - Distribution Question
Replies: 3
Views: 650

VTAPX (VTIP) S/T Tips - Distribution Question

VTAPX (VTIP ETF) Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities paid out distributions on the following record dates:

12/27/2017
06/19/2018
09/25/2018
12/14/2018
06/18/2019

My questions is, why does it pay out in quarters 2-4 but not in Q1? I'm basing this assumption on the limited history, but it did skip Q1 in both 2018 and 2019. Is there something about the underlying securities? Or is it a function of the fund?

Thanks in advance.

Kalo
by Kalo
Sat Apr 27, 2019 8:56 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Housing market bubble
Replies: 27
Views: 6831

Re: Housing market bubble

Creepy whisper: If they want homes, a builder will come. Over a long enough time yes supply will match demand for builders. However, my (albeit limited) observation is that much of the workforce in the trades were immigrants especially Hispanic (at least where I live). After the slowdown in 2008/2009 they moved on to something else. In the mean time as discussed ad-nauseum on this board and others, these are not jobs that young Americans want to do. And finally, increased border security and anti-immigrant rhetoric I suspect gives (illegal) immigrants pause in coming to the U.S. and working these trades. So over the short term, I suspect there will continue to be a decrease in the amount of new homes built in the U.S. Take this for what it...
by Kalo
Sat Apr 27, 2019 8:47 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard Lowers 21 ETF Expense Ratios
Replies: 76
Views: 9980

Re: Vanguard Lowers 21 ETF Expense Ratios

Does anyone have experience converting Vanguard mutual funds to the corresponding ETF using the tax free conversion feature available through Vanguard brokerage?

Is the process done at the closing price so that there is no spread gain or loss?

Also, can one request it via the web site? Or do you have to call them to initiate?

Thanks,

Kalo
by Kalo
Sun Apr 21, 2019 12:35 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why should stocks beat bonds in the long run?
Replies: 106
Views: 8210

Re: Why should stocks beat bonds in the long run?

good explanations. I think the risk story explains it mostly. also, if I buy a bond I enter into a contract to get my money back at the end of a stated period and agree to receive a stated interest over that time period. That's it. When the period ends, my relationship with the business ends and I get my principal back. All I earned were the interest payments. I do not share in the growth of the company or risk the failure of the company (other than default risk, which is why bonds pay a higher rate of interest than even safer assets like savings accounts or treasuries. Even then a default doesn't necessarily mean you won't get your principal back. You get in line with other creditors but are ahead of shareholders (common, not preferred). ...
by Kalo
Sat Apr 13, 2019 12:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buy Wholesale and Sell Retail (from home)
Replies: 13
Views: 1238

Re: Buy Wholesale and Sell Retail (from home)

I think it's possible to make some money buying wholesale and selling retail, but probably not as much as one could get from working a regular job in corporate America. There are websites that sell quantities that are being discontinued by big retailers. You bid on pallets or large containers (e.g. 100 items, often a variety). Here is a link that lists several such web sites: https://www.webretailer.com/lean-commerce/liquidation-clearance-websites/ I'm not vouching for any of this, just passing along some info. Personally it sounds like too much work to bother with, but if someone had time on their hands, and enjoyed doing all the things involved in running a small business, the world wide web has made it possible. Not sure how lucrative it...
by Kalo
Mon Apr 08, 2019 8:51 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Can an employer restrict 401k rollovers for terminated employees?
Replies: 19
Views: 2112

Re: Can an employer restrict 401k rollovers for terminated employees?

I had a friend who told me her 401-K was restricted after her company was purchased for a period such as the one you describe. I was surprised to hear it but she said they told her it was due to the merger and changing over the 401-K somehow (maybe to a new provider? Or new plan?).

At the time she was still employed so it didn't really affect her, but it's an example for you to know of. All second hand info to me. I didn't have direct experience with this. After the period was over she was notified that she could again make changes to her holdings.

Kalo
by Kalo
Mon Apr 08, 2019 8:44 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: ST TIPS
Replies: 8
Views: 1128

Re: ST TIPS

I have a little less than 25% of my fixed income in Vanguard ST Tips Fund. And another 20% of my fixed income is in I Bonds. The rest of my fixed income is in nominal ST Bond Funds (other than about 2% in intermediate term bond fund in my 401-K). No real solid reason why. I just like having the inflation protection and am willing to pay a price for it, the price being that the nominal funds may outperform the Tips/I bonds. I can live with that. My fixed income is not for growth, it's for protection of the portfolio. Whatever disappointment my portfolio gives me in the future is almost certainly going to come from the equity side. It's like the old saying goes, there's no way my fixed income can disappoint me, I don't expect very much from i...
by Kalo
Thu Mar 14, 2019 9:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 2014 CR-V Heater Core Flush cost
Replies: 15
Views: 3201

Re: 2014 CR-V Heater Core Flush cost

Thanks everyone for the replies. I appreciate all the info.

Thanks to German Expat for the links. I'll check them out.

I haven't fixed my issue yet because I decided to wait, since winter is over. Will have to do something before next winter.

Kalo
by Kalo
Sun Mar 03, 2019 2:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 2014 CR-V Heater Core Flush cost
Replies: 15
Views: 3201

2014 CR-V Heater Core Flush cost

I own a 2014 CR-V purchased new. 69K miles on it now. Heater was not blowing very hot in the sub zero temps we've had this winter, and dealer says heater core needs a special flush that takes a few hours. Quoted price $700. I looked it up online and it's a known issue with 2013 and 2014 CR-V's where the driver side of the heater core gets clogged and needs this flush. Honda sent a special pump to dealers to do the process and in the instructions to it that I found online it says the mechanic does not need to monitor the process once it's going. Just hook it up and walk away while it flushes. I declined the service at the time. Price seems to high to me. I feel it's a $200 to $300 job. I can check other dealers or mechanics but since Honda s...
by Kalo
Tue Feb 12, 2019 8:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Wages withholding question
Replies: 4
Views: 628

Re: Wages withholding question

Thanks for the replies all. That makes sense.

I did not make any changes to my W-4. Probably it's at least in part due to the new tax withholding tables, now that I think about it. I will just use my current withholding amounts and update my budget for those.

I appreciate the responses.

Kalo
by Kalo
Tue Feb 12, 2019 9:41 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Wages withholding question
Replies: 4
Views: 628

Wages withholding question

This question is not related to the recent tax changes, it's more general. If one starts a job late in the year, is the withholding calculation smart enough to adjust for the fact that one won't earn very much in total that year? Or does it consider a two week paycheck to be 1/26th of that year's earnings and withhold as if one is going to earn that much, even though it's already late in the year and there's no chance of that happening? (For simplicity, just consider one job. I know having multiple jobs can cause withholding issues since each job only withholds based on its own wages.) The reason I'm asking is that I had this situation last year, and I used my 2018 withholding to project my 2019 budget, but this year (2019), my withholding ...
by Kalo
Sat Feb 09, 2019 2:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Would you eat lab grown meat?
Replies: 64
Views: 2795

Re: Would you eat lab grown meat?

Sure. Why not? Time marches on. I never thought I'd need a cell phone, but now I can't live without it.

I don't eat a lot of meat as it is. I like Tofurky Deli slices on my sandwiches, or Field Roast Wild Mushroom Deli Slices, but if I don't have time to get to the health food store, I'll use lunch meat on occasion. Can't stand on ceremony. The sandwich must go on.

We've got the substitute meat... for sandwiches!

:D

Kalo
by Kalo
Fri Jan 11, 2019 4:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Disciplined with finances, but not so with diet
Replies: 242
Views: 18993

Re: Disciplined with finances, but not so with diet

I've lost weight for the first time in 25 years. Tried counting calories for the first time. Made a calorie budget and update it with a forecast just like finance. Big motivator is seeing where you will be at a future date at 2lbs lost per week. I record everything I eat but no other limits. I think I've averaged about 1600 calories per day and lost 2lbs per week. I also walk for exercise. Have lost over 60lbs in prior year. I do have days where I eat up to 3,000 calories but I record it just the same. You can find the calorie content of just about anything now. I think prior to this I was just eating too many calories and not knowing it. I can't go by intuition. Hoping to lose another 30lbs and then maintain. May have to continue recording...
by Kalo
Sun Dec 30, 2018 9:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Roth IRA Minimum Earnings Question (IRS Limit)
Replies: 4
Views: 531

Re: Roth IRA Minimum Earnings Question (IRS Limit)

Thanks all for your replies and advice. Waiting for the W-2 makes sense. I will do that.

Kalo
by Kalo
Sun Dec 30, 2018 11:26 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Roth IRA Minimum Earnings Question (IRS Limit)
Replies: 4
Views: 531

Roth IRA Minimum Earnings Question (IRS Limit)

Hi All, This year I will have gross earnings from wages of: 6,062.50 Regular Pay 594.88 Taxable cash stipend for medical insurance 6,657.38 Total Taxable Earnings I contributed 3,031.25 to Traditional 401-K (don't think that's relevant to my question). I also converted 14,000 Traditional IRA to Roth IRA (don't think that's relevant to my question either). I don't have any other unusual items or deductions. I think my AGI will be equal to my MAGI. I'm 58 years old so eligible for the catch-up Roth contribution. My understanding is that I can contribute up to 6,657.38 to my 2018 Roth. I guess the biggest question mark for me is the 594.88 cash stipend for medical insurance. But since it's taxable to me, I presume it's considered earnings for ...
by Kalo
Wed Dec 12, 2018 9:37 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: VTAPX Short Term TIPS down .79% today. Why?
Replies: 2
Views: 725

Re: VTAPX Short Term TIPS down .79% today. Why?

alex_686 wrote: Wed Dec 12, 2018 9:31 pm Fund went ex-div today. I think that explains 95%+ of the movement. So not really that volatile.
Thanks alex_686. I tried to look that up and then got side tracked and forgot. Appreciate the explanation.

:)

Kalo
by Kalo
Wed Dec 12, 2018 9:17 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: VTAPX Short Term TIPS down .79% today. Why?
Replies: 2
Views: 725

VTAPX Short Term TIPS down .79% today. Why?

Did anyone else notice that VTAPX Vanguard Short Term TIPS Admiral fund was down .79% today? My experience is that this fund is more volatile than nominal bonds, but this seems extreme based on my experience. Just wondering if anyone else noticed or has an explanation for such a large move today.

Thanks,

Kalo
by Kalo
Sat Sep 29, 2018 6:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Experience With No Car? (Uber/Lyft)
Replies: 47
Views: 5605

Re: Experience With No Car? (Uber/Lyft)

I would love to go without a car, but I won't be doing that for now. If and when things change due to self-driving cars, which I hope happens and works the way it could, I would definitely consider it. I think it would take getting used to any wait times involved and doing better self scheduling, but people do adapt. And I would love the more certain cost of just paying as I go as opposed to the periodic large investment when buying a car, and then all the periodic repairs and maintenance, and even insurance (although insurance is predictable, I don't really like bills that come less frequently than monthly, and I'm not willing to pay the charge to go monthly on it). My car is about four years old and for the next 6 to 8 years, I plan to ju...
by Kalo
Thu Sep 27, 2018 9:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Amazon Prime - Value?
Replies: 146
Views: 17653

Re: Amazon Prime - Value?

I've never tried Prime. I do order occasionally from Amazon, but really I don't buy a lot of stuff other than groceries, or service on my car or haircuts, which Amazon can't provide. I did order an external CD ROM/DVD drive last Saturday, from Amazon, and it arrived on Sunday, the next day, in the evening. It was so late before I noticed it was at the delivery locker that I didn't even go get it until Monday. It was over the $25 threshold for free shipping, which I took advantage of. The estimated delivery date was for something like 7 to 10 days after order I think. Maybe not quite that long. So I was very surprised it arrived so fast. I didn't need it urgently at all so I wouldn't have minded waiting. But it shows that at least on occasio...