Search found 1330 matches

by Luke Duke
Wed Mar 27, 2024 10:04 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Favorite protein powder for shakes at home?
Replies: 75
Views: 3225

Re: Favorite protein powder for shakes at home?

Optimum Nutrition Banana Creme. Tastes great. I may branch out and try a different flavor next time.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015R3AOA/
by Luke Duke
Tue Mar 26, 2024 9:08 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cellphone plans for international roaming
Replies: 35
Views: 3163

Re: Cellphone plans for international roaming

My daughter is going to be travelling to Thailand later this year. She has an iPhone 14 with AT&T (locked). What are the best options for data and to allow her to call home? I'm not sure yet how much wifi access she'll have. $10 dollar per day AT&T international day pass for the first 10 days within the current billing cycle (not calendar month). Just used it in New Zealand. My wife and I are on the same account and her charge was $5 per day. It worked extremely well for us. 17 day trip for $150 plus a few bucks in taxes. It is available in Thailand but would want to check on coverage regardless of where traveling. https://www.att.com/international/day-pass/?source=EC1N250000000000P&tfn=homesolutions&WT.srch=1&wtExtndSo...
by Luke Duke
Mon Mar 25, 2024 1:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cellphone plans for international roaming
Replies: 35
Views: 3163

Re: Cellphone plans for international roaming

My daughter is going to be travelling to Thailand later this year. She has an iPhone 14 with AT&T (locked). What are the best options for data and to allow her to call home? I'm not sure yet how much wifi access she'll have.
by Luke Duke
Wed Mar 13, 2024 9:11 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Help me choose: Garmin watch or Apple Watch Ultra 2?
Replies: 23
Views: 2628

Re: Help me choose: Apple Watch 9?

Thanks everyone for the help. I am now looking at an Apple Watch 9. I tried on the Ultra 2 and it's just massive. Won't fit under a dress shirt sleeve and is probably a bit more than I need. I'm not training for an ultra-marathon, and a lot of data Garmin tracks is more than I need. I'm really just trying to stay in shape, keep myself motivated to move, make my runs/bikes a bit faster. Does anyone have experience with the AW9 from a sports and fitness perspective? DC Rainmaker seems to like them, but they also get mixed reviews from people saying they are gimmicky. One thing I do like about the Apple Watch is being able to get a cellular model so I can leave my phone at home. I'm trying to cut down on screen time in general, but I tend to ...
by Luke Duke
Tue Mar 12, 2024 10:57 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cox Voice Preferred vs OOMA-type services
Replies: 4
Views: 623

Re: Cox Voice Preferred vs OOMA-type services

I switched from phone via my cable internet provider to Ooma a few years ago and never noticed a difference. I still use my old answering machine, which only picks up calls from the library and pharmacy. When my youngest kid gets a cell phone, I'll probably drop the landline.
by Luke Duke
Tue Mar 05, 2024 3:37 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: If/how/how much to financially assist kids that choose not to go to college
Replies: 48
Views: 3862

Re: If/how/how much to financially assist kids that choose not to go to college

The one that has recently graduated went straight to the workforce, and has a full time job with a trade skill. What kind of trade skill does one get straight out of high school? Is he a laborer on a construction site, changing oil/rotating tires or is he in an apprenticeship program? If he isn't in a program that will lead to a license, I would strongly encourage him to go that route. If he finishes that program, there will be significant startup costs for a truck/van and tools. As I mentioned I believe vocational training - including programs leading to licensing - is commonly integrated with the final year(s) of public high school education. In some trades there is an expectation for employees to supply some amount of equipment, but the...
by Luke Duke
Tue Mar 05, 2024 11:59 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: If/how/how much to financially assist kids that choose not to go to college
Replies: 48
Views: 3862

Re: If/how/how much to financially assist kids that choose not to go to college

Radical Dreamer wrote: Mon Mar 04, 2024 11:51 am The one that has recently graduated went straight to the workforce, and has a full time job with a trade skill.
What kind of trade skill does one get straight out of high school? Is he a laborer on a construction site, changing oil/rotating tires or is he in an apprenticeship program? If he isn't in a program that will lead to a license, I would strongly encourage him to go that route. If he finishes that program, there will be significant startup costs for a truck/van and tools.
by Luke Duke
Fri Mar 01, 2024 12:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: When do electric cars stop making sense?
Replies: 210
Views: 16584

Re: When do electric cars stop making sense?

fortunefavored wrote: Wed Feb 28, 2024 7:37 pmWith current PG&E rates up to .40 to .50/kwh
What is your off-peak rate? The majority of your at-home charging should be occurring during off-peak hours.
by Luke Duke
Tue Feb 20, 2024 2:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do you use a second refrigerator/freezer?
Replies: 74
Views: 4800

Re: Do you use a second refrigerator/freezer?

Family of 5
We have an extra fridge/freezer and an upright freezer.
I had an extra chest freezer when I was single.
by Luke Duke
Thu Feb 15, 2024 12:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Managing your affairs when you live alone and have no family or true friends
Replies: 133
Views: 21853

Re: Managing your affairs when you live alone and have no family or true friends

exodusing wrote: Thu Feb 01, 2024 8:23 am You can set up a google home, alexa, etc. to make phone calls, so you just have to say "hey google, call 911". These devices tend to be good at hearing you even if you're not close.
My friend's mother did this with Alexa. Unfortunately, it worked too well. Unbeknownst to my friend, his mother was calling the fire department several times a day to assist her. Once he found out what has happening he moved her into a care facility. She had been hiding all of the calls because she wanted to remain at home.
by Luke Duke
Mon Feb 12, 2024 9:52 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is it worth the risk to install thermostats myself, or should I pay to have them installed? Homeowners insurance
Replies: 39
Views: 3936

Re: Is it worth the risk to install thermostats myself, or should I pay to have them installed? Homeowners insurance

BradleyB wrote: Mon Feb 12, 2024 8:46 am Probably very simple, but one Caveat:

I was going to replace my old, large rectangular thermostat with a new, small, circular Nest. Problem is, the Nest didn't completely cover the spot on the wall leaving exposed wall and missing wallpaper. I didn't want a very small project to turn into a whole home remodel so I put the old one back.
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=nest+wall+plate
by Luke Duke
Mon Feb 12, 2024 9:38 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Supermarket pizza - any good ones? Any great ones?
Replies: 174
Views: 16177

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

nisiprius wrote: Sun Feb 11, 2024 12:00 pm No, it was not the same as a pizzeria pizza. Among other things I haven't figured out how to stretch the dough and it was a little more like "French bread pizza." But it was definitely better than frozen or prepackaged. And not much work to prepare.
Pizza dough needs to be closer to room temperature to properly stretch.
by Luke Duke
Wed Feb 07, 2024 3:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buying a Property from Parent’s Estate, Subtracting my Share of the Value from the Payment
Replies: 6
Views: 946

Re: Buying a Property from Parent’s Estate, Subtracting my Share of the Value from the Payment

CAsage wrote: Wed Feb 07, 2024 12:18 pm Some siblings have issues over determining the "fair market value" of an asset someone else wants (I hear).
Have the executor (or your other two siblings if you're the executor) hire an appraiser. You might even talk them into deducting realtor fees from the sales price.
by Luke Duke
Mon Feb 05, 2024 10:30 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dimmer Switches
Replies: 16
Views: 1738

Re: Dimmer Switches

Sounds like one of these will solve your problem.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01E9F084E/
by Luke Duke
Fri Feb 02, 2024 10:49 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Anyone wished they had worked a few more years before retiring?
Replies: 89
Views: 14723

Re: Anyone wished they had worked a few more years before retiring?

Sounds like you've won the game. I think that if I were in your shoes, the only reason that I'd keep working is if I had something specific that I wanted to pay for...like college for grandchildren or a down payment for children/grandchildren. Unfortunately, the younger generations are pretty screwed when it comes to college and housing. Giving them a leg up (which you are under no obligation to do) could quite literally have a profound impact on the rest of their lives.
by Luke Duke
Wed Jan 24, 2024 3:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Aftermarket tow hitches?
Replies: 21
Views: 1559

Re: Aftermarket tow hitches?

Anyway, I was looking at Curt but found a number of less expensive no-name brand hitches on Amazon. Has anyone here used a no-name aftermarket brand tow hitch for the purposes described above? I have installed a number of hitches on various vehicles over the years, the last one a year ago on my Toyota Sienna. Are your concerns quality or fit? Quality wise, I haven't had any issues with any of the hitches. They are are welded pipe and would hold a lot more weight than any of my vehicles are rated for. Fit however can be a concern. I generally read the reviews and/or do a YouTube search for installation videos onto the particular model of car I'm going to install it on. I've never had an issue doing my due diligence before buying. Make sure ...
by Luke Duke
Sat Dec 23, 2023 12:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: High school graduation gift amount?
Replies: 43
Views: 4593

Re: High school graduation gift amount?

I give $100.
by Luke Duke
Sat Dec 23, 2023 12:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Roof replacement in DFW area after hail damage
Replies: 10
Views: 1616

Re: Roof replacement in DFW area after hail damage

Find a reputable roofer that you trust and show them the insurance paperwork. You'll get the most for your money that way.
by Luke Duke
Mon Dec 11, 2023 12:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Private High School - worth it?
Replies: 164
Views: 28785

Re: Private High School - worth it?

If the child's home is an intellectual wasteland, will it make any difference in what school he or she attends? If you browse the shelves of stately homes in Greenwich and Scarsdale, you'll probably find the works of Plato, Shakespeare, Goethe, Schiller, Molliere, and probably Matthew Arnold's 'Culture and Anarchy'...among many others. But those books are not read. Most affluent parents hand their kids over to elite schools to "educate" them because they're too lazy to do it themselves. And if you're an affluent parent who's not intellectually lazy, school choice is unlikely to make a difference. You seem bitter. Read Allan Bloom's 'The Closing of the American Mind: How Higher Education Has Failed Democracy and Impoverished the S...
by Luke Duke
Mon Dec 11, 2023 12:07 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Improving cooking skills
Replies: 49
Views: 5069

Re: Improving cooking skills

I received a gift card to Hello Fresh several years ago. I really liked their food, but it wasn't something that I was going to pay for. I dug around on their website and the publish all of their recipes. I occasionally visit for ideas.

https://www.hellofresh.com/recipes
by Luke Duke
Fri Dec 08, 2023 12:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I take job offer? Commute concerns
Replies: 50
Views: 7307

Re: Should I take job offer? Commute concerns

I was in a very similar position several years ago, except that it was not a pay cut. I took the job and left the house very early so I could be home at the same time that I was with my previous job. So my wife got the kids out the door and I got them home and started dinner. I sucked it up (I'm not an early riser) and it worked for us.

A little over a year later I took another job 10 minutes from my house for less money. It was a great move.
by Luke Duke
Fri Dec 08, 2023 12:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Which Mesh Router To Buy
Replies: 61
Views: 7116

Re: Which Mesh Router To Buy

I've been happy with my Deco X55 mesh system.

Do a search with a year and you'll get a relevant article.
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=best+mesh+wifi+2023
by Luke Duke
Fri Dec 08, 2023 12:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Private High School - worth it?
Replies: 164
Views: 28785

Re: Private High School - worth it?

oldlongbeard wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2023 8:16 am TLDR; The comments about putting twins down different paths crack me up. Twins are individuals, no different than any other siblings, one may be a go-getter, the other laid back and chill. One may get lucky, while the other doesn't. SMH.
I have twin sisters. They are basically a single, two-headed organism.
by Luke Duke
Thu Dec 07, 2023 1:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Private High School - worth it?
Replies: 164
Views: 28785

Re: Private High School - worth it?

David76 wrote: Tue Dec 05, 2023 11:54 pm If the child's home is an intellectual wasteland, will it make any difference in what school he or she attends? If you browse the shelves of stately homes in Greenwich and Scarsdale, you'll probably find the works of Plato, Shakespeare, Goethe, Schiller, Molliere, and probably Matthew Arnold's 'Culture and Anarchy'...among many others. But those books are not read. Most affluent parents hand their kids over to elite schools to "educate" them because they're too lazy to do it themselves. And if you're an affluent parent who's not intellectually lazy, school choice is unlikely to make a difference.
You seem bitter.
by Luke Duke
Fri Dec 01, 2023 10:33 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Purchase home (~$375k) or continue renting ($500/mo)
Replies: 40
Views: 2912

Re: Purchase home (~$375k) or continue renting ($500/mo)

lazydavid wrote: Fri Dec 01, 2023 10:23 am If you're reasonably happy with the current apartment, I'd stay there and make a $2600/mo "mortgage payment" to yourself.
This is the way.
by Luke Duke
Fri Dec 01, 2023 8:38 am
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: 7757

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

I haven't read the responses above, so I'm probably repeating things that have already been said. Get a couple of good pieces of luggage. - Pick either Marriott or Hilton and get their branded card. There may be a $100 annual fee for this. This will probably include a free night, status at the lowest tier and a 6-10x multiplier on points. There will probably be a signup bonus if you hit a minimum spend in the first 3 months. - Figure out what the main airline is out of your closest airport and make sure that they fly to your most common destinations. Airline credit cards aren't typically worth it except for the signup bonus. - Get a Sapphire Reserve card and use it for rental cars and flights. It might even offer better points on hotels tha...
by Luke Duke
Mon Nov 27, 2023 8:45 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: (Purchase) Two tires or four?
Replies: 65
Views: 6566

Re: (Purchase) Two tires or four?

For a FWD vehicle. I replace two at a time and never rotate. Rear ones get moved up front and new ones go on the rear. Buy two more when the front tires need it. Repeat.

I don't waste two hours a year sitting at the tire shop and I spread out the cost of tires.

RWD vehicles get rotated and all 4 replaced at once.
by Luke Duke
Wed Nov 15, 2023 11:11 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Inheritance for kids [planning stage]
Replies: 13
Views: 3227

Re: Inheritance for kids [planning stage]

Once you get old enough and comfortable enough with your finances to feel that you will have plenty left over and your kids are well launched, then I recommend making some gifts while you are alive. When our kids were in their early 30's and well launched on their careers, we started making gifts up to the gift exclusion $17K in 2023 per donor/donee pair, so together we could give each child $34k. If there were spouses and we really wanted to, each of us could give each of them $17K, so $68K per child+spouse. This is where my wife and I are with my in-laws. I believe that they plan to leave a chunk of money to my wife after the last of them passes. The money would be more impactful to us now while our kids are still young. I am not countin...
by Luke Duke
Tue Nov 14, 2023 10:35 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Seeking advice regarding Adult child WFH Job and Finances
Replies: 101
Views: 9149

Re: Seeking advice regarding Adult child WFH Job and Finances

Did you pay for college and living expenses while DD was in school? If so, then now's the time to welcome DD to the real world. I may hold an unpopular "tough love" viewpoint, but I think charging rent will teach the needed discipline in a hurry. As for all other expenses, they belong to her. Car insurance, cell phone, healthcare, etc. Regards, Yes we did pay for all college and living expenses and she is graduating debt free. We are perfectly happy with her living rent free. Our only intent is for her to not treat her entire income as "discretionary" and have a false sense of security. The best way for you to guarantee this is to charge her market rent. You can gift it back to her after she moves out or even put it in ...
by Luke Duke
Tue Nov 14, 2023 9:05 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: We Don't Want to Pay for Phone Landline Anymore, but need to keep the Number
Replies: 50
Views: 6731

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

I had no problem porting my land line to Spectrum and then to Ooma.
by Luke Duke
Tue Nov 14, 2023 8:36 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Grandparent 529/Gift to Grandchildren Questions
Replies: 6
Views: 1491

Re: Grandparent 529/Gift to Grandchildren Questions

VTS3X wrote: Sun Nov 12, 2023 11:10 pm [Topic is now in Personal Finance (Not Investiong) - tax question. mod mkc]

2. Is it correct that in Kansas you don’t have to be the owner of the 529 to get the state tax deduction? As in, they could contribute to the MO 529 I already have set up and my parents could claim a deduction on their KS taxes?
There are benefits to grandparent-owned 529 accounts. They are worth looking up.
by Luke Duke
Mon Nov 13, 2023 2:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How much does your employer sponsered health insurance cost you?
Replies: 85
Views: 8155

Re: How much does your employer sponsered health insurance cost you?

I pay $4082/yr for me+spouse+kids. The company claims to pay $22,415/yr.

This is for a HDHP with a $1000 company contribution to my HSA.
by Luke Duke
Thu Oct 26, 2023 3:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Safeco Right Track Drive Monitoring App - Anyone Tried?
Replies: 17
Views: 2708

Re: Safeco Right Track Drive Monitoring App - Anyone Tried?

Hello, we are insured with Safeco and our insurance broker suggested my wife and I consider signing up for Safeco's Right Track drive monitoring app that works by loading Safeco's app on your phone to see your driving habits. Has anyone tried and recommend or not recommend? Here is what insurance broker said are the parameters: - Must install app on your phone and use for 90 days. After 90 days, you can delete the app from your phone. Is this true? Yes. I set a calendar entry to delete the app after 90 days. Safeco also sent me a reminder to delete the app. - The app doesn't have to be open on your phone each time you drive, to me sounds like it is just running in the background on your phone, can you please confirm if I am correct that yo...
by Luke Duke
Wed Oct 18, 2023 2:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 529 - paying off a student loan for my daughter's husband? Pro / Con?
Replies: 58
Views: 5869

Re: 529 - paying off a student loan for my daughter's husband? Pro / Con?

List SIL as a beneficiary and pay the $10K. The balance is absurdly high. $10K won't put a dent in it. I'd keep ownership of the account until you/your wife pass away. You don't want it to get split in the event of a divorce, you don't want your daughter to cash it out and there are major benefits to grandparents owning the account.
by Luke Duke
Tue Oct 10, 2023 3:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Thermostat - Ecobee vs. Nest vs. Others?
Replies: 49
Views: 5749

Re: Thermostat - Ecobee vs. Nest vs. Others?

Go to IFTTT.com and search for both Nest and Ecobee and see what applets are available for your thermostat of choice. I used to be on a variable rate electric plan (Griddy in Texas) and I could change my thermostat settings based on the price of electricity.

https://ifttt.com/explore
by Luke Duke
Wed Sep 27, 2023 9:49 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: WARN and severance clarification
Replies: 14
Views: 2719

Re: WARN and severance clarification

I don't know the answer to your question, but I went through the same thing (pay in-lieu of notification). For some reason I thought that I couldn't file for unemployment until the 60 days was up. That wasn't the case since I was paid in a lump sum. I cost myself a couple of months of unemployment pay that I was entitled to. Don't do that.
by Luke Duke
Tue Sep 26, 2023 9:28 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: My Elderly Parents Can't Resist Answering the Phone
Replies: 127
Views: 39192

Re: My Elderly Parents Can't Resist Answering the Phone

rebellovw wrote: Tue Sep 26, 2023 9:19 am
Luke Duke wrote: Tue Sep 26, 2023 8:34 am
ram wrote: Sun Sep 24, 2023 6:23 pm I have an Ooma land line phone (VOIP).
It costs $7/mo basic plan.
I add the premium plan for an extra 120/year. This means they block all phone numbers known to them of nuisance value. Only about 1 to 2 calls per week slip through and if I want I can block them manually.
I was going to recommend this as well.
My AT&T phone does this w/o a monthly fee.
AT&T provides you a landline without a monthly fee?
by Luke Duke
Tue Sep 26, 2023 8:34 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: My Elderly Parents Can't Resist Answering the Phone
Replies: 127
Views: 39192

Re: My Elderly Parents Can't Resist Answering the Phone

ram wrote: Sun Sep 24, 2023 6:23 pm I have an Ooma land line phone (VOIP).
It costs $7/mo basic plan.
I add the premium plan for an extra 120/year. This means they block all phone numbers known to them of nuisance value. Only about 1 to 2 calls per week slip through and if I want I can block them manually.
I was going to recommend this as well.
by Luke Duke
Tue Sep 19, 2023 10:37 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Attic Insulation ? Is the cost worth it?
Replies: 30
Views: 3713

Re: Attic Insulation ? Is the cost worth it?

sjt wrote: Mon Sep 18, 2023 2:01 pm
Nebraska_Drought wrote: Mon Sep 18, 2023 1:52 pm Will we even recoup that on our energy bills?
Probably not - we have a 1978 built home with original blown in insulation that has sunk to a fraction of it's original volume. I priced out removing the existing insulation and replacing - there's no way we'd recoup that cost.
The cost to remove the old stuff was probably more than the cost to blow in the new insulation.

Blowing in insulation is not a hard DIY project. My father an I doubled the attic insulation in a 2,000 sqft house on a Saturday morning in less than 4hrs. He was feeding the bags of insulation into the machine outside while I was in the attic.
by Luke Duke
Mon Sep 18, 2023 2:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Leaving inheritance to grandchildren-Will you?
Replies: 57
Views: 7129

Re: Leaving inheritance to grandchildren-Will you?

Robdac wrote: Mon Sep 18, 2023 12:05 pm A six figure inheritance in your 20's can be life changing. A seven figure inheritance in your 60's sometimes won't move the needle at all. Food for thought.
Yep. My wife's grandparents passed away and left their estate to their 4 kids in their 60's. It didn't move the needle for 3 of them. The 4th has had no trouble spending his share.
by Luke Duke
Tue Sep 12, 2023 10:38 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mortgage broker says to not pay a larger downpayment?
Replies: 134
Views: 13325

Re: Mortgage broker says to not pay a larger downpayment?

Yes the broker gets a larger commission for a larger mortgage… so the broker wants you have a larger mortgage. This is also something I was considering. I know they don't have a fiduciary duty to me but it seems unreasonable for them to suggest for me to hold back on a larger down payment just for a couple extra thousand (or actually, that may be a reasonable position for some people). I assume it's about 1% of the mortgage amount that they collect in commissions. At that point, if they shop around and I don't like the rates they've provided, or the terms they've found, couldn't I just go directly to a lender like a bank and see what they can do? That way, I'd probably be able to skip out on any commissions. Not only do they get to sell yo...
by Luke Duke
Mon Aug 21, 2023 1:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: ISO Club Car golf cart Litium battery.
Replies: 11
Views: 1385

Re: ISO Club Car golf cart Litium battery.

I would suggest EcoBattery. It comes as a completed drop in kit. Battery, onboard charger, 48v-12v convertor,and new charging port. I converted my 2015 Precedent Club Car 2 years ago, and couldn't be happier. No maintenance, I can get 4 rounds of golf on one charge. 8 Year warranty. Best customer service out there. Here is a link to their website. I went with the 51v-105 AH bundle https://ecobattery.com/s/ We've converted 5 carts at our club with these batteries. I bought mine from a local dealer. The others bought theirs from online dealers, saving a couple hundred on sales taxes. Thanks so much. I am looking at Eco and RoyPow. I probably will go with 50 AH to save a few bucks. I've been happy with my Eco batteries in my Precedent.
by Luke Duke
Tue Aug 15, 2023 4:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Simple iwatch for 12 year old?
Replies: 20
Views: 1873

Re: Simple iwatch for 12 year old?

I JUST got my 11 year old this very thing. Purchased this from WalMart https://www.walmart.com/ip/seort/166559805 $149 for the 1st Gen Apple Watch SE. I did lots of research and the 1st gen is still plenty up to date / fast / supported. You're in good shape there. I then spent untold hours calling / walking into stores / etc with Verizon, XFinity, Apple. Tried a bunch of others. LOTS of misinformation out there. Finally ended up at TMobile, $10/month for standalone line / service. Works great for him. https://www.t-mobile.com/cell-phone-plans/affordable-data-plans/smartwatches I do suggest going into a TMobile store to set up - the phone support couldn't sort me out, while in store the guy had me in good shape in < 5 mins. Good luck! Were ...
by Luke Duke
Tue Aug 15, 2023 1:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Simple iwatch for 12 year old?
Replies: 20
Views: 1873

Re: Simple iwatch for 12 year old?

I would get a cellular enabled Apple Watch, assuming that you have an iPhone. They work great and will integrate in to your current ecosystem. It will only cost you ~$10/mo to make cellular calls. Years ago I tried a couple of different cheaper options for my kids, but none of them worked very well.
by Luke Duke
Tue Aug 08, 2023 8:58 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: House generators 101 - Mid-Atlantic Neighborhood Above Ground Power Lines
Replies: 20
Views: 2054

Re: House generators 101 - Mid-Atlantic Neighborhood Above Ground Power Lines

crefwatch wrote: Mon Aug 07, 2023 10:13 pm I think the gas company has to assess that all the executive generators on the street will not blow out the water heater pilots at the moment they come on together. The Tragedy of The Commons.
How many modern water heaters still use a pilot?
by Luke Duke
Tue Aug 01, 2023 10:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sports with the least commitments for kids?
Replies: 149
Views: 11472

Re: Sports with the least commitments for kids?

Stick with YMCA sports. They all usually have one practice and one game per week.
by Luke Duke
Wed Jul 26, 2023 11:09 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: New Windshield repair + Camera Calibration - Out of Pocket vs Insurance?
Replies: 15
Views: 2037

Re: New Windshield repair + Camera Calibration - Out of Pocket vs Insurance?

Lee_WSP wrote: Tue Jul 25, 2023 6:08 pm Comp claims don't raise your rates, but they do show up on your report, so you won't be able to shop your insurance until it falls off.
You can always shop your insurance.
by Luke Duke
Fri Jul 21, 2023 12:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Bluetooth TV headphones in addtion to speakers
Replies: 36
Views: 2380

Re: Bluetooth TV headphones in addtion to speakers

Get a bluetooth transmitter.

This one advertises pass-through which would allow your stereo to work while using bluetooth headphones. There may be cheaper options that allow the same thing. Search Amazon for "TV Bluetooth Transmitter"
https://www.amazon.com/Avantree-Bluetoo ... B08DHSJMK6

Another one
https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Transm ... B0C1RS7HHF
by Luke Duke
Fri Jul 21, 2023 11:20 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: bugdet pc: mini pc or refurbished old desktop
Replies: 15
Views: 1469

Re: bugdet pc: mini pc or refurbished old desktop

I'm a big fan of mini-PCs. I have one connected to my main TV. I'm eyeing another one to replace my older desktop. I'll probably get a 3rd to run my security cameras and separate that from my desktop.