Search found 2359 matches

by fishnskiguy
Thu Jun 22, 2023 12:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Luxury car opinions needed - New BMW warranty worth it?
Replies: 43
Views: 4746

Re: Luxury car opinions needed - New BMW warranty worth it?

We have a 2019 BMW X-3 and love it. I had the ceramic coating done but would not do it again. Turtle Wax Ceramic Spray Coating can be applied in 15 minutes and will last a year if your car is garaged, six months if not. Do not get any dealer warranties. They are high profit items for the dealer. I took my car to the dealer last month to have the navigation system updated and the dealer had to replace the head unit as he could not do the update. Even though the car is well past warranty, BMW picked up the tab (about a $5000 item). I had the first out of warranty oil change done last week by an independent mechanic. Oil change (full synthetic), check all fluids, complimentary very thorough vehicle inspection $150. The standard run flat tires ...
by fishnskiguy
Mon May 01, 2023 11:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Where do you buy your steak from these days?
Replies: 52
Views: 5682

Re: Where do you buy your steak from these days?

Snake River Farms Waygu. No place else in the U.S. comes close. Expensive as hell but worth every penny. One good steak a month beats one mediocre steak a week hands down. I have found their gold grade sirloin better than Coscto's filet mignon. I make about two $350-$400 purchases a year which provides all our beef needs except hamburger which we get at the local Safeway or King Soopers. We are never going back to local filets/rib eye/NY strip/ porterhouse again. We never buy larger than 6OZ steaks as the intense marbeling makes them very rich and plenty for one serving. Their cheapest cuts like skirt, flat iron, and sirloin are superior to anybody else's top cuts.

Chris
by fishnskiguy
Fri Mar 10, 2023 11:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: $3000 mattress worth it?
Replies: 97
Views: 10693

Re: $3000 mattress worth it?

Six years ago, after a ton of research, my wife and I bought a Satva latex mattress online for around $2500. It has proven to be worth every penny. One side is supposed to be firm and the other side softer. Satva recommended the softer side for older folks. Quite honestly, we could hardly feel the difference. We use the softer side, and after six years there isn't any sign of so much as a dent in the surface. The only drawback is that it is ungodly heavy. A few weeks ago, we had to slide the mattress off the frame to permanently and properly fasten the headboard to the frame which had not been correctly done when we moved into our new house last year. It took me, age 79 and wife, age 76 fifteen minutes to horse the mattress back onto the fr...
by fishnskiguy
Tue Jan 17, 2023 6:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Colorado National Park Vacation in Summer
Replies: 56
Views: 5883

Re: Colorado National Park Vacation in Summer

All of the above posts are good suggestions. I especially second Breckenridge and Boreas Pass. Not a white-knuckle drive at all.

Also, I recommend taking I-25 south to Colorado Springs and then taking US 24 West to either US 9 at Hartsel to Breck or continue on 24 to US 285 at Buena Vista. The scenery on US 24 beats US 285 and the traffic is way less. Hit the Sand Dunes in the early morning.

Chris
by fishnskiguy
Mon Feb 21, 2022 9:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What are you not purchasing due to inflation?
Replies: 284
Views: 25590

Re: What are you not purchasing due to inflation?

King crab.

At fifty bucks a pound I'm saying, "No mas."

Chris
by fishnskiguy
Mon Feb 14, 2022 9:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Is it foolish for us to purchase a $1.5M house?
Replies: 37
Views: 5925

Re: Is it foolish for us to purchase a $1.5M house?

Your wife loves her job. With the right house you could retire there.

You would still have $1.5M savings and $200K income. This is a no brainer. You can't take it with you. Go for it.

Chris
by fishnskiguy
Sun Nov 21, 2021 8:14 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What prices have noticeably changed for you? (Coffee inflation)
Replies: 89
Views: 6679

Re: What prices have noticeably changed for you? (Coffee inflation)

simpleman357357 wrote: Sun Nov 21, 2021 6:23 pm Snow crab legs at Kroger 12.99 a pound now 26.99. king crab was 19.99 now 39.99.
I wish. King crab here in Arizona is $59.99 a pound!

Chris
by fishnskiguy
Thu Nov 18, 2021 4:28 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: VTSAX or VTWAX over the next 35 years?
Replies: 269
Views: 86022

Re: VTSAX or VTWAX over the next 35 years?

VTSAX or VTWAX over the next 35 years? That's Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund or the Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund. What do you think? guyesmith: I have considered simplifying The Three Fund Portfolio to a Two Fund Portfolio (Total World + Total Bond Market). However, keeping Total U.S. Stock Market and Total International Stock Market separate has several advantages: Lower (combined) Expense Ratios (Admiral Shares): Total Stock Market (VTSAX) = 0.04%; Total International (VTIAX) = 0.11%; Total World (VTWAX) = 0.10%. Lower Turnover (hidden costs): Total Stock Market = 3.4%; Total International = 3.4%; Total World Admiral 8.9%. Better diversification (lower risk) : Total U.S. Stock Market and Total International (combined) ho...
by fishnskiguy
Sun Aug 22, 2021 1:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Under Construction Home: Leak in pre-pour foundation stage
Replies: 15
Views: 2152

Re: Under Construction Home: Leak in pre-pour foundation stage

I think he is talking about a pre -pour plumbing leak. After the plumbing is all installed, it is pressurized and put on a drop test, usually for about 24 hours. Any pressure drop indicates a leak which has to be located and repaired. It is all done according to building code and inspected by the town/county etc. I don't think you have anything to worry about.

We are on a post tension slab also and like it a lot.

Chris
by fishnskiguy
Thu Aug 19, 2021 4:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What premium does good view and end-unit add to a condos price?
Replies: 42
Views: 4082

Re: What premium does good view and end-unit add to a condos price?

I don't know if this helps, but here in Sedona, AZ a half acre lot with a nice red rocks view will sell for three times what the same sized lot with no view will fetch.

Chris
by fishnskiguy
Sat Aug 07, 2021 11:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Semi-Retiring in Less than 6 months at 39 years old..Thoughts?
Replies: 42
Views: 7588

Re: Semi-Retiring in Less than 6 months at 39 years old..Thoughts?

From one military retiree to another:

Please understand that if you are awarded a VA disability, that tax free disability is deducted from your military retirement pay. The net effect is you get your regular military retirement pay with a portion of it (the VA part) tax free. Nice, but not a huge deal by any means.

I know. I have modest VA disability.

Chris
by fishnskiguy
Mon Jun 28, 2021 10:22 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Did dividend stock funds provide "downside protection" in 2020?
Replies: 237
Views: 20252

Re: Did dividend stock funds provide "downside protection" in 2020?

Reminder that the entire concept of owning stock - that is, in acquiring fractional ownership shares in a company - makes fundamentally no sense without dividends. A stock which never pays a dividend is like a rental property that generates no rental income. In each case you are relying entirely on some greater fool to take the asset off your hands in the future for more than you paid for it. That is literally the only way you can make money from it. There is an entire generation of investors who are blind to this fact, probably due to relentless Wall Street and corporate propaganda promoting an anti-dividend message that benefits those interests at the expense of the average shareholder. Shareholders are entitled to a portion of the profi...
by fishnskiguy
Mon Jun 28, 2021 6:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Explain to me - All Cash Offers on homes! how does one have so much cash?
Replies: 89
Views: 12386

Re: Explain to me - All Cash Offers on homes! how does one have so much cash?

We are by no means a wealthy couple, but the last four house purchases we made were all cash purchases. Step one- pay off mortgage. Step two- sell house. Step three- buy new house with proceedings from previous house sale. Step four- rinse and repeat.

Most reasonably frugal folks should be able to take step one by their mid to late forties.

Chris
by fishnskiguy
Sat Jun 19, 2021 10:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Advice Wanted: Dream Home Dilemma
Replies: 14
Views: 2703

Re: Advice Wanted: Dream Home Dilemma

For the fourth freaking time, do it.
by fishnskiguy
Thu May 20, 2021 10:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cars -- When and Why Did You Switch from Economy/Practicality to Luxury?
Replies: 333
Views: 34919

Re: Cars -- When and Why Did You Switch from Economy/Practicality to Luxury?

Two years ago. Because we could.

At age 75, with no mortgage or other debts, and a CPI adjusted pension, which allows us to live below our means, we splurged and bought a new BMW X-3.

It was special ordered with photonic blue exterior and oyster interior, with all available driver assists and safety aids. Absolutely gorgeous car. Paid cash. No regrets. Zero problems so far. It is still on warranty, but when it goes off, we are lucky to have a very good independent repair shop that does excellent work for half of what the Penske stealarship in Scottsdale charges.

I expect this to be the last car I ever buy.

Chris
by fishnskiguy
Sun May 16, 2021 3:20 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Inflation could be 20% in the next three years [Sell bonds?]
Replies: 307
Views: 49189

Re: Inflation could be 20% in the next three years: Wharton's Jeremy Siegel

Mel Lindauer wrote: Sun May 16, 2021 2:30 pm As part of a diversified portfolio, I invested heavily in I Bonds when they first came out, and over the years got them at fixed rates of 3.0, 3.3, 3.4 and 3.6%. Those have proven to be great all-weather investments in both up and down stock markets and some of them are now yielding over 7% with the new inflation adjustment. While the inflation part gets eaten away, the fixed rates are what provides a positive REAL return, and that's what really matters.

And, yes, I'm the one who recommended backing up the truck and loading up on I Bonds back then. I've seem recent posts poking fun at that recommendation, but the folks who listened and acted are very pleased that they followed that recommendation.
They are indeed. :D

Chris
by fishnskiguy
Sun May 16, 2021 2:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What products do you use to clean and maintain a car "ceramic coating" or "other coating"?
Replies: 25
Views: 2784

Re: What products do you use to clean and maintain a car "ceramic coating" or "other coating"?

I did a ton of investigating ceramic coatings and car finish care on You Tube before I had my new BMW X-3 professionally ceramic coated one day after I took delivery. Here are the major points I learned: Wash car with a pH neutral soap. Avoid high pH soaps. There are many reputable low pH soaps out there. I use Wolfgang Concours Series Uber Rinseless Wash. Have a grit guard in the bottom of your soap bucket. Use a very soft microfiber towel or mitt for washing. Wash only in straight lines. Use very light pressure. Do not wash with a circular motion. Dry car in similar fashion with a long nap soft microfiber towel in straight lines. Use light to no pressure. Twice a year, immediately after washing, I apply one coat of Turtle Wax's Hybrid Ce...
by fishnskiguy
Sun May 16, 2021 2:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What products do you use to clean and maintain a car "ceramic coating" or "other coating"?
Replies: 25
Views: 2784

Re: What products do you use to clean and maintain a car "ceramic coating" or "other coating"?

I did a ton of investigating ceramic coatings and car finish care on You Tube before I had my new BMW X-3 professionally ceramic coated one day after I took delivery. Here are the major points I learned: Wash car with a pH neutral soap. Avoid high pH soaps. There are many reputable low pH soaps out there. I use Wolfgang Concours Series Uber Rinseless Wash. Have a grit guard in the bottom of your soap bucket. Use a very soft microfiber towel or mitt for washing. Wash only in straight lines. Use very light pressure. Do not wash with a circular motion. Dry car in similar fashion with a long nap soft microfiber towel in straight lines. Use light to no pressure. Twice a year, immediately after washing, I apply one coat of Turtle Wax's Hybrid Ce...
by fishnskiguy
Thu May 13, 2021 4:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What products do you use to clean and maintain a car "ceramic coating" or "other coating"?
Replies: 25
Views: 2784

Re: What products do you use to clean and maintain a car "ceramic coating" or "other coating"?

I did a ton of investigating ceramic coatings and car finish care on You Tube before I had my new BMW X-3 professionally ceramic coated one day after I took delivery. Here are the major points I learned: Wash car with a pH neutral soap. Avoid high pH soaps. There are many reputable low pH soaps out there. I use Wolfgang Concours Series Uber Rinseless Wash. Have a grit guard in the bottom of your soap bucket. Use a very soft microfiber towel or mitt for washing. Wash only in straight lines. Use very light pressure. Do not wash with a circular motion. Dry car in similar fashion with a long nap soft microfiber towel in straight lines. Use light to no pressure. Twice a year, immediately after washing, I apply one coat of Turtle Wax's Hybrid Cer...
by fishnskiguy
Tue May 11, 2021 10:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Phoenix, AZ as an early retirement location? Advice please
Replies: 156
Views: 17393

Re: Phoenix, AZ as an early retirement location? Advice please

I beg to disagree with some posters. If you go to Phoenix in mid June, you will know in three to five days by staying at a nice motel with an outdoor pool if you can tolerate that level of heat for five months a year. Some can, some can't.

Chris
by fishnskiguy
Thu May 06, 2021 8:10 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: RIP David Swensen
Replies: 57
Views: 10504

Re: RIP David Swensen

So sad. He was too young. What a titan in the financial world.

Of all the quotes Taylor listed above my favorite is, "The behavioral benefits of diversification loom larger than the financial benefits." That is why our 7-8% allocation to VG's old Precious Metals and Mining fund, and now GLD and a small bit of SLV have helped us stay the course through thick and thin.

Chris
by fishnskiguy
Thu May 06, 2021 4:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone hate where they live primarily because of the weather?
Replies: 155
Views: 15659

Re: Anyone hate where they live primarily because of the weather?

We spent the last four years of my Navy career just west of Seattle, with the previous two years in Western Scotland. The weather didn't bother me in the least in either place, once you learned to scrub the moss off your butt every few months :happy. But then, I'm a former freckled redhead, and like the cooler weather. My wife, on the other hand, developed bigtime light deprivation depression the last two years we were in Washington and absolutely had to get out. So after I retired, we moved to the Denver area for three years and loved it. Wife absolutely blossomed in the sunshine, and our skiing skill improved dramatically. However I soon discovered that making nuclear weapons for a living was not my thing, so we chucked the good paycheck ...
by fishnskiguy
Mon Apr 26, 2021 10:24 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Market correction
Replies: 36
Views: 6075

Re: Market correction

Harry Dent has four more days to fulfill his prediction of a 40% crash in the month of April 2021.

He said he would quit if he was wrong :shock:

I guess the only question for him is "Quit what?"

Chris
by fishnskiguy
Sat Apr 10, 2021 11:21 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: For those retired or FI, how much do you spend annually?
Replies: 499
Views: 79485

Re: For those retired or FI, how much do you spend annually?

kelway wrote: Sat Apr 10, 2021 10:51 am
BigLaw Survivor wrote: Sat Apr 10, 2021 10:41 am
Cable/internet: 4k

As you can see, there's a lot to think about.
I'm thinking how can you spend 4k/year on cable/internet? YouTubeTV and unlimited 1Gbps internet costs me about 120/month.
For some of us, that's not unreasonable. Dish TV (no cable available) with Showtime and Stars bundled with internet at a paltry 7-8 MPS plus landline phone runs us $3500 per year.

Chris
by fishnskiguy
Thu Dec 31, 2020 4:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: A fantastic alternative to a Peloton (at least for me)
Replies: 25
Views: 4432

Re: A fantastic alternative to a Peloton (at least for me)

So how realistic and immersive is FulGas on my 42" flat screen? Well, the first ride I did after the upgrade was on a rural English road. Ten minutes into the ride as I was biking down a very narrow road with ten foot high hedges right up to the asphalt on both sides, I go into a fairly fast left hand bend just as a car appears coming toward me. I literally leaned and swerved the handlebars to the left to avoid a head on collision. :shock: That's when it dawned on me that I can ride this thing forever and never get hurt. :D

Chris
by fishnskiguy
Wed Dec 30, 2020 1:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: A fantastic alternative to a Peloton (at least for me)
Replies: 25
Views: 4432

A fantastic alternative to a Peloton (at least for me)

First, a little background. I'm 77 years old and have seven marathons and maybe 40 or 50 10K's to half marathons under my belt. However, I am by no means a good athlete as my best marathon time was a crappy 3:03:30, which at the time was too slow to qualify for Boston. At age 50, after pounding all the cartilage out of my right knee I switched to biking. I have 64,522 miles on my current bike, a 21 year old Specialized Stump Jumper hard tail mountain bike. I've done a couple dozen century rides, including Colorado's Triple Bypass as well as Iowa's famous RAGBRAI, the across the state, week long ride. As I said, I'm not much of an athlete but I think I throw off a ton of endorphins when I exercise. Two years ago I decided it was time to only...
by fishnskiguy
Mon Dec 28, 2020 4:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Attn: All Floridians & Arizonans! [Where to Retire in FL/AZ]
Replies: 73
Views: 7489

Re: Attn: All Floridians & Arizonans! [Where to Retire in FL/AZ]

The reason you see so many exotic cars in Scottsdale is because Roger Penske owns a half mile long string of auto dealerships in North Scottsdale. From south to north it goes Audi, Porsche, BMW, Land Rover, Jaguar, Ferrari, then the Penske racing museum, then Lamborghini, Bentley, Rolls Royce, and Mercedes- Benz. He also has an Aston-Martin and Bugatti dealership in another part of North Scottsdale.

I bought my lowly BMW X-3 from his dealership. While driving it home to Sedona on Scottsdale Blvd. toward Cave Creek I was passed by a lime green Lambo Huracan followed by a bright yellow Porsche 911 GT-3. Cool!

Chris
by fishnskiguy
Fri Dec 25, 2020 11:02 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: "The Hills of Bastogne"
Replies: 93
Views: 9058

Re: "The Hills of Bastogne"

Taylor,

My wife and I saw Band of Brothers a few years ago and could not get over it. Yesterday it was on cable TV with subtitles which made it much easier to understand and follow. My wife taped it twice to make sure we got it all correctly.

Anybody want to know what The Bulge was like? Check out Band of Brothers.

Chris
by fishnskiguy
Wed Dec 23, 2020 6:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Favorite youtube channels?
Replies: 111
Views: 15434

Re: Favorite youtube channels?

I've used YouTube to get into woodworking. It's amazing what is out there, how much I've learned, and how much it's encouraged me to build new things. I've found a number of good channels over the past few years. I've subscribed to most and just watch when a video looks interesting. Woodworking: (not necessarily in any order) Stumpy Nubs (some of the most useful content, IMO) Mike Farrington (some of the best videos) April Wilkerson Woodworkers Guild of America Jay Bates Jon Peters Paul Sellers The Wood Whisperer Dan Pattison THISisCarpentry GuysWoodshop Matthias Wandel Izzy Swan Make Something Search "Simple Cabinet Construction with Gary Striegler". I've watched it several times, taught me a number of other good tricks. A great...
by fishnskiguy
Tue Dec 01, 2020 5:41 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tricare Prime vs Tricare Select for Retiree
Replies: 7
Views: 1363

Re: Tricare Prime vs Tricare Select for Retiree

I've been retired from the Navy for 28 years and have always had Tricare Select. We have never had to pay a dime for anything. Tricare pays for everything after Medicare pays. The only medical facility we have ever encountered that does not take Tricare is the Mayo Clinic down in Phoenix, but they are currently not taking any federal program at all. When we lived in rural western Colorado I did have to educate a couple providers by telling them that if they take any federal program they must take all federal programs. When I told them that they looked into it and found out I was correct, and immediately took us. Here in Arizona, there are enough retired military around the state that all the providers are familiar with Tricare. No annual fe...
by fishnskiguy
Tue Sep 08, 2020 8:37 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Are we being too conservative for our retirement?
Replies: 39
Views: 5977

Re: Are we being too conservative for our retirement?

We are in about the same position as you only on a much smaller scale. No debt, $7000 per month inflation adjusted pension, $40000 per month living/ life style expenses. We have been 20/80 stock/bond since 2000 with absolutely no regret. Portfolio growth has significantly outpaced inflation. I think Larry Swedroe has it right.

Chris
by fishnskiguy
Tue Aug 04, 2020 12:41 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Critique Our Bond Portfolio, Please!
Replies: 6
Views: 1041

Re: Critique Our Bond Portfolio, Please!

It looks good to me. I think you can leave it as it is. I am of the opinion that there are thousands of good portfolios for each of us and probably no perfect portfolio for any of us. At one time we held Total Stock Market, Small Cap Value Index, Large Cap Value Index , Emerging Market Index, Total Bond Index, Intermediate Bond Index and Short Term Bond Index, Inflation Protected Securities Fund ,and Precious Metals and Mining at Vanguard. It was kind of fun to fuss around with those holding, checking in frequently and rebalance as necessary according to our plan. After a number of years with that plan I came to realize that my wife would be lost if I was not around. My wife is plenty bright but finance is not her strong suit. She has seen ...
by fishnskiguy
Sun Jun 07, 2020 2:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Water Heater: Rheem vs AO Smith
Replies: 37
Views: 27126

Re: Water Heater: Rheem vs AO Smith

AO Smith has outstanding customer support. Our 5 year old AO Smith water heater developed a leak about a month ago. One phone call from our plumber to AO Smith got us a brand new water heater in three days, no charge.

Chris
by fishnskiguy
Tue Mar 31, 2020 10:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Did you move for better weather? Did you regret it?
Replies: 246
Views: 32657

Re: Did you move for better weather? Did you regret it?

We moved from a small town in western Colorado (Eagle) to a slightly larger town on Arizona (Sedona) solely for a warmer climate. We still love western Colorado, but now in our mid 70's we appreciate the change with no regrets. Yea, it gets hotter in the summer than we would like, but the humidity is usually very low, and when the humidity does get above 30 percent, the powerful thunderstorms provide a welcome relief, whereas in Colorado an afternoon thunderstorm could easily induce hyperthermia to guy out on a bike ride.

So a move to a better climate surely worked out for us.

Chris
by fishnskiguy
Sun Mar 22, 2020 10:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: So what are you cooking
Replies: 945
Views: 107627

Re: So what are you cooking

We have been cooking salmon, trout, and shrimp, chicken, steak, and burgers for several weeks now. Tonight we ordered out for calamari, two calzones and tiramisu just to throw one of our favorite restaurants some much needed business. Left a nice tip too.

Chris
by fishnskiguy
Sun Mar 08, 2020 7:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Retirement in AZ-suggestions please
Replies: 104
Views: 9695

Re: Retirement in AZ-suggestions please

We live in west Sedona and love it, but it's not everybody's cup of tea. Population 10,000 and you can't buy a pair of socks in this town :shock:

The descriptions of Prescott in this thread are pretty much on target. We shop there frequently and like the town a lot.

I'm surprised nobody has suggested Wickenburg. It has several adult communities and while hot in summer is not quite Phoenix hot. "Close enough to get away from it all" is the motto of one active adult community.

Chris
by fishnskiguy
Sat Apr 27, 2019 7:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: weber grills
Replies: 34
Views: 3995

Re: weber grills

I bought our three burner Webber Genesis Silver in 1999. I grill at least twice a week year round even when we lived in Colorado at 6600' elevation. Coldest I ever used it was -14 F. :shock: I have replaced the flavorizer bars once and the grill grates three times. The last time I replaced the grates I put Grill Grates (brand name) on one half and Webber stainless grates on the other half. The Grill Grates get super hot for searing, but totally prevent flare ups (important when cooking chicken with the skin on). In the last five or six years I have gotten a lot more into low and slow grilling using a smoke pouch for pork ribs and pork shoulder and beef brisket. I'm really glad I got the three burner model as the two burner won't cook low en...
by fishnskiguy
Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Which Compact SUV Should I Buy?
Replies: 217
Views: 21562

Re: Which Compact SUV Should I Buy?

Meg, After reading through three pages of postings I'd have to say that the very first reply you got was just about the best. Car manufacturers do a major model upgrade about every 5-8 years. It just so happens that Volvo did its most recent redesign in 2018, and they absolutely hit the ball out of the park. The XC-60 Inscription has the most beautiful interior of any car this side of a Rolls Royce. I would caution you to not go the dealer and look at one as you might be tempted to buy new. A 2018 XC-60 base engine (called T-5) in Inscription trim with a few options will sell new for around $50,000. The base engine is a very nice 2.0 liter turbo with plenty of power. Two years from now, three year lease returns should start coming to market...
by fishnskiguy
Wed Oct 31, 2018 7:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 2019 Subaru Outback 2.5 vs 3.6
Replies: 56
Views: 17515

Re: 2019 Subaru Outback 2.5 vs 3.6

Do not buy a Subaru with a CVT. Go over to You Tube and search on Scotty Kilmer Subaru CVT. Scotty is a straight shooter and knows what he is talking about. Yea, Subaru extended the CVT warranty to 100K miles but that's because they had to. The word is getting out on that tranny. Expect that CVT to die shortly after warranty. I drive a 2007 Outback with the 2.5 turbo and a five speed stick. Best car I've ever owned. Got 126K miles on it and it's just getting broken in. Sadly, Subaru engineering is losing its mojo. The absolute sweet spot in automotive engineering these days is a 2.0 liter four cylinder turbo with direct injection matted to an eight to ten speed automatic transmission. Good power (most are in the 240-280 HP range), great tor...
by fishnskiguy
Tue Aug 21, 2018 1:37 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Military career/college options (engineering - nukes?)
Replies: 45
Views: 3889

Re: Military career/college options (engineering - nukes?)

Lot's of good advice here so far, and no bum dope, except Valuethinker's quip about nukes being quirky and introverted. :happy I'm a Naval Academy graduate and spent 28 years in nuclear powered submarines and wound up being captain of two of them. The first half of my career was on attack submarines (SSN's) and the second half on ballistic missile submarines (SSBN's). I'm old enough to have had the dubious distiction of being thrown out of Admiral Rickover's office three times in one day before being accepted into the Nuclear Power Program. As other folks have suggested, any good STEM degree will work just fine. One of my classmates had an economics degree from Princeton and he did very well. I don't recall a single officer who had a nuclea...
by fishnskiguy
Mon May 21, 2018 10:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Time For New Car?
Replies: 34
Views: 3565

Re: Time For New Car?

That strikes me as a LOT of corrective maintenance for a brand that has a reputation for good reliability. In addition to the repairs you mentioned you have also replaced the tires twice, replace the spark plugs once, the timing belt and water pump once, the windshield wipers at least three times, and done two dozen oil changes. Time for a new car. As for the dude who poo-poos the latest safety upgrades, I submit that they are nothing short of breathtaking. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety agrees. In the approximate order of importance they are: Autonomous emergency braking Backup camera Rear collision mitigation Lane keeping assist Adaptive cruise control Blind spot warning Road departure mitigation (only a few brands) Electronic...
by fishnskiguy
Thu May 17, 2018 10:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Lexus RX 350, Audi Q5, or Volvo XC 60 (update)
Replies: 121
Views: 19889

Re: Lexus RX 350, Audi Q5, or Volvo XC 60

Some masochist from Toyota beat the living s**t out of all Lexi with an ugly stick. Gawd they look awful. So sad. Five years ago they were gorgeous.

I love Audi's but their market guys are dumber than ten boxes of rocks. In order to get all the advanced safety features you have to upgrade to the top of the line Prestige model. At age 74 and deaf as a post in one ear, having to buy a $3000 sound system to get adaptive cruise control is nuts. Audi has lost me forever. For crying out loud, Honda offers all The latest safety tech on ALL models of the CR-V and Accord.

I will be buying a new crossover SUV in late 2019. The Volvo XC-60 T5 and the new Acura RDX are on the top of my list.

Chris
by fishnskiguy
Wed Apr 11, 2018 10:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What UN-frugal thing do you do? What do you splurge on?]
Replies: 785
Views: 82931

Re: Name something you bought that wasn't cheap and glad you did

A 12 gage Charles Daley single select trigger with selective ejection over and under shotgun bored improved cylinder and modified purchased with a months pay in 1966. $350.00.

One year later an R.L. Winston 7.5 ft. two piece, two tipped four weight bamboo fly rod also purchased for a months pay. $400.00.

I still have both 53 years later. I shoot the Daley occasionally and fish the rod 5-6 days each year.

Chris
by fishnskiguy
Thu Mar 22, 2018 10:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: FB
Replies: 356
Views: 43001

Re: Anyone Deleting Facebook?

Don't have a smart phone, my flip phone and $100.00 per year plan works fine.

Don't use Twitter
Don't use Instagram.
Don't know what Pandora does.
Don't know what Ah Ha is.
Same for Spotify.
Hulu is a dance.
Don't know a haptic screen from a spastic screen.
Have never sent a text in my life.
What does LinkedIn do?
Don't have a Facebook page, and have never visited one.

We talk to people on the phone or face to face. OK, we occasionally use e-mail :sharebeer

Chris
by fishnskiguy
Mon Mar 19, 2018 12:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Need for Medicare supplemental plan?
Replies: 155
Views: 18065

Re: Need for Medicare supplemental plan?

My 89 year old mother in law opted for a Medicare Advantage plan with no monthly premium when she retired at age 65 . It worked great for her until last September when she was hospitalized for ten days for stage four chronic kidney failure, then discharged for a week and then readmitted for another ten days. She was told that she should no longer live alone, so she moved in with her other daughter and SIL who lived nearby in Philadelphia. In January the family decided it would be best for her to live with my wife and I here in Arizona. As she was preparing to come out here I did my homework and found out that when permanently relocating, she could shift to a Medicare Supplement Plan F and would not have to answer any medical questions. Wit...
by fishnskiguy
Sun Mar 18, 2018 6:47 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Need for Medicare supplemental plan?
Replies: 155
Views: 18065

Re: Need for Medicare supplemental plan?

My 89 year old mother in law opted for a Medicare Advantage plan with no monthly premium when she retired at age 65. It worked great for her until last September when she was hospitalized for ten days for stage four chronic kidney failure, then discharged for a week and then readmitted for another ten days. She was told that she should no longer live alone, so she moved in with her other daughter and SIL who lived nearby in Philadelphia. In January the family decided it would be best for her to live with my wife and I here in Arizona. As she was preparing to come out here I did my homework and found out that when permanently relocating, she could shift to a Medicare Supplement Plan F and would not have to answer any medical questions. With ...
by fishnskiguy
Sun Feb 18, 2018 8:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What frugal thing did you do today?
Replies: 4525
Views: 617538

Re: What frugal thing did you do today?

I made an open face turkey sandwich for lunch using the two heels from the bread loaf. Waste not, want not.

Chris
by fishnskiguy
Tue Jan 16, 2018 4:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Vanguard Tax Forms Now Online
Replies: 40
Views: 9837

Re: Vanguard Tax Forms Now Online

Interesting. The tax forms are available online but TurboTax tells me they are not available for downloading into TT until Jan 25. I wonder why that is so. :confused

Chris
by fishnskiguy
Tue Jan 02, 2018 12:42 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: RMD First-Timer needs help
Replies: 33
Views: 4411

Re: RMD First-Timer needs help

I have been taking RMDs for a few years now and it is really quite simple.

Step 1: Use that RMD calculator you linked to determine the RMD amount. For example, if the value of the 401K on I January 2018 (yesterday) is $800,000, the first year RMD will be $29197.08. Call Fidelity or go online and pull $29197.08 out of the 401K and put it the fund of your choice in a Fidelity taxable account. I use a money market fund.

Step 2: Call your tax guy and tell him you just took an RMD of $29197.08 for 2018. Ask him how much you should withhold for the 2018 tax year, and prepay that amount of tax from whatever source you want.

Repeat every January thereafter.

Chris
by fishnskiguy
Tue Dec 05, 2017 9:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: working in the oil fields as a mechanic.
Replies: 21
Views: 3080

Re: working in the oil fields as a mechanic.

I have never worked in the oil patch, but from what I've read here it seems a lot like being in the military, but at ten times the pay. :sharebeer

Chris