Search found 1294 matches

by serbeer
Mon Nov 06, 2023 12:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Beach Umbrella for Windy Days
Replies: 24
Views: 2651

Re: Beach Umbrella for Windy Days

This is not as much about the kind of beach umbrella, as about the stand for it that drills into the sand to hold it down. There are hundreds that do not work, like the one linked above--I tried about a dozen before I stumbled upon the one that actually does. Have been using it for the past 20 years with quite large 10 ft beach umbrella with a single row wind slot in its canopy, and the only times wind wins are when I am on the beach where there is very shallow layer of sand that does not allow to anchor the stand well. Called "The Sand Anchor". Not easy to find on the web among hundreds of crappy stands, but here is one seller: https://uv-blocker.com/products/long-sand-anchor Btw, there were two versions, long and short, and you ...
by serbeer
Thu Jul 27, 2023 10:13 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Rick Ferri: Asset Location Doesn't Matter
Replies: 50
Views: 8734

Re: Rick Ferri: Asset Location Doesn't Matter

rob wrote: Thu Jul 27, 2023 10:07 pm
serbeer wrote: Thu Jul 27, 2023 12:26 am
Ricola wrote: Wed Jul 26, 2023 10:41 am I believe I get his point. There are taxable and tax-deferred accounts but no tax-free accounts.
HSA is one
Depends right... Payroll deductions to HSA are pretax but I don't believe that employee direct are. You also need to have past or present medical costs to remove tax free.
Manual contributions are tax deductible too when filing taxes each year. Need medical costs? True. But who is not going to have them, eventually if not at this time?
by serbeer
Thu Jul 27, 2023 12:26 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Rick Ferri: Asset Location Doesn't Matter
Replies: 50
Views: 8734

Re: Rick Ferri: Asset Location Doesn't Matter

Ricola wrote: Wed Jul 26, 2023 10:41 am I believe I get his point. There are taxable and tax-deferred accounts but no tax-free accounts.
HSA is one
by serbeer
Thu Mar 16, 2023 10:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should we put stay off the grass sign?
Replies: 29
Views: 2996

Re: Should we put stay off the grass sign?

SmileyFace wrote: Thu Mar 16, 2023 8:13 pm Sensor triggered water cannons should do it.
Great minds think alike :)
by serbeer
Thu Mar 16, 2023 10:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should we put stay off the grass sign?
Replies: 29
Views: 2996

Re: Should we put stay off the grass sign?

Simple: motion-activated sprinkler
by serbeer
Sat Mar 11, 2023 11:11 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Market Timing Bond Index Investment?
Replies: 13
Views: 1669

Re: Market Timing Bond Index Investment?

livesoft wrote: Sat Mar 11, 2023 6:58 pm ... I will probably buy back some BND shares around 2 pm on March 22, 2023.
Curious why do you plan to buy it at that specific time, Livesoft?
by serbeer
Tue Jan 10, 2023 1:02 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: With blood in the streets, do BHs buy? [Market downturn]
Replies: 102
Views: 12351

Re: With blood in the streets, do BHs buy? [Market downturn]

My 75/25 portfolio was only 15% down last year. That's after 12 years of mostly double-digit gains. Blood in the streets? Really?
by serbeer
Fri Sep 30, 2022 1:01 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Which is the best pizza in a chain store?
Replies: 110
Views: 9929

Re: Which is the best pizza in a chain store?

Quirkz wrote: Thu Sep 29, 2022 5:35 pm Honestly, I like Domino's. For a long time it was pretty bad, but they retooled a while back, and it's generally been better than the other chains I've tried.
+1
by serbeer
Fri Jul 29, 2022 12:22 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Leaving for a week: shut off main water supply?
Replies: 174
Views: 19522

Re: Leaving for a week: shut off main water supply?

finite_difference wrote: Fri Jul 29, 2022 12:20 am
59Gibson wrote: Tue Jul 26, 2022 7:43 am Not sure if this has been mentioned, but if turning water off remember to turn off water heater or at least dial down to vacation mode. In some areas of the country in the winter I've heard of folks draining water htr and pipes.
Is simply turning it down safe, or do you need a “vacation mode”?
Just turn the dial into "Pilot" position, I've been doing it for year, zero problems
by serbeer
Wed Jul 27, 2022 1:28 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Leaving for a week: shut off main water supply?
Replies: 174
Views: 19522

Re: Leaving for a week: shut off main water supply?

What about fire sprinklers system? Would shutting off water eliminate the chance of water damage at the expense of increasing chances of fire damage?
by serbeer
Wed Jun 29, 2022 5:39 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cedar roof: treatment/preservation
Replies: 15
Views: 1481

Re: Cedar roof: treatment/preservation

Probably the biggest factor in cedar longevity is what kind of cedar it is. The known superior cedar for shake roofs is edge grain western red cedar or Alaskan yellow cedar. If they are flat grain or of other cedar types, they will degrade much faster. I work with wood quite often and use a lot of cedar. Although it doesn't rot out like other woods, it will bleach and become brittle as the oil in it dissipates so regular application of oil will most definitely help lengthen its lifetime and preserve the good looks longer. Whether or not it is worth it or will add a significant amount of time depends on the pricing. Assuming a 25 year lifetime, you are essentially depreciating out your roof to the tune of $2200/year. I would get a quote on ...
by serbeer
Tue Jun 28, 2022 11:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cedar roof: treatment/preservation
Replies: 15
Views: 1481

Re: Cedar roof: treatment/preservation

Watty wrote: Tue Jun 28, 2022 11:03 pm With it being that long ago my recollection is a bit hazy but as I recall the roofer I used did not like the cedar roof treatments because the people walking on the roof every year to spray the treatments tended to damage the cedar roof by walking around on it. I never used any roof treatments.
Interesting! Thank you.
by serbeer
Tue Jun 28, 2022 10:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cedar roof: treatment/preservation
Replies: 15
Views: 1481

Re: Cedar roof: treatment/preservation

Cedar roofs are not uncommon in New England. Mostly on historic and high end buildings. They need to breathe which is why solid wood sheathing under a cedar roof is not a good idea; most use "nailers" (1X4 boards) spaced on centers equal to the shingle exposure. And cedar shingles usually require at least an 1/8" gap between shingles as they expand when wet. I've noticed driving around that copper flashing on a chimney usually creates a lighter color shingle when the flashing gets wet and drips on it. I've also seen roofs with zinc strips running across the roof on either side of the ridge which has a similar effect. Don't know if that prolongs shingle life. (I should probably be watching the road more and not admiring roofs...
by serbeer
Tue Jun 28, 2022 10:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cedar roof: treatment/preservation
Replies: 15
Views: 1481

Re: Cedar roof: treatment/preservation

Cedar roofs generally aren't what they used to be because the large 'old growth' trees are not as available (and probably shouldn't be). Cedar taken from younger and smaller 'second growth' trees doesn't contain nearly as much of the natural preservatives. For this reason most cedar shingles and shakes purchased today won't last as long without man-made preservatives being applied, and maybe not even then. This may be an opportune time for you to petition your HOA to change your CC&Rs. Thank you for the link! Yes, I heard the same thing about young trees being used, one cannot count on more than 20 year with cedar roofs now, 25 if they are lucky. But perhaps treatment makes a difference. And unfortunately they installed only 1/2'' thic...
by serbeer
Tue Jun 28, 2022 10:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cedar roof: treatment/preservation
Replies: 15
Views: 1481

Re: Cedar roof: treatment/preservation

Normchad wrote: Tue Jun 28, 2022 7:24 pm You’ve stumped the bogleheads. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen that. There should be a term or a prize for such a thing.

I’m sure it’s a regional thing. I’ve honestly never seen a cedar roof that I can recall. Certainly seen cedar siding, but never a roof.
Yes, the "stumped the bogleheads" prize would be nice! You should drive through our subdivision, there are so many cedar roofs, they would leave lifetime of impressions on you :)
by serbeer
Tue Jun 28, 2022 6:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cedar roof: treatment/preservation
Replies: 15
Views: 1481

Re: Cedar roof: treatment/preservation

No one had to deal with it, folks? Surprising, cedar roofs are not that rare.
by serbeer
Mon Jun 27, 2022 5:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cedar roof: treatment/preservation
Replies: 15
Views: 1481

Cedar roof: treatment/preservation

4 years ago I had the original (22 yo) cedar roof on the house I moved into replaced with a new cedar shakes roof. It was very expensive $55K job but the association does not allow asphalt shingles (which would be my 1st choice) and the seller paid most of the cost. Would be even pricier job now--in fact, the cost of cedar has gone up so much that other houses in the neighborhood appear to install DaVinci system artificial "cedar" roofs. I am getting the ads for roof treatment/preservation from both the original installer and other parties and wondering if it is a good idea to have the roof treated. Does it truly prolong the life of the cedar roof? Is it a good investment? I am sure it is not cheap, as the ad from original install...
by serbeer
Sun Nov 28, 2021 12:08 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Home security video camera
Replies: 20
Views: 2753

Re: Home security video camera

I have both Blink and Ring cameras, total of 6. Blink sucks (constant disconnects, etc) while Ring cameras are very good in addition to being inexpensive. Wish Ring offered 4K cameras, but even current 1K elite kind is quite nice. Also, do not get battery powered ones if your winters have snow. Batteries do not function well in freezing temperatures (I have one and take it inside for the winter).

Now Ring starts offering unusual kinds of cameras, eg flying ones. And they added module that allows camera to move being controlled from Ring app.
by serbeer
Wed Nov 17, 2021 10:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Aetna Select vs UHC Select hard choice
Replies: 2
Views: 435

Re: Aetna Select vs UHC Select hard choice

Thank you Alto. For both plans, the Tiers are described in Summary of Benefits and Coverage as Tier 1: $20/$40 copay Tier 2: 20% copay Out of Network: not covered These Select plans are a merge of HMO and PPO: one can self-refer to specialists and no deductible, but subject to fees for testing/imaging and drugs are covered through 20% coinsurance instead of fixed copay, which may get pricy. Out of pocket maximums are also 2x of HMO but only 1/2 of PPO. I think it is a better type of plan than either HMO or PPO for an average person that is not using medical services a lot but who wants some flexibility. They control the costs through only covering in-network providers, but allow self-referrals and do not charge deductibles. Our HR tells us ...
by serbeer
Wed Nov 17, 2021 6:14 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Aetna Select vs UHC Select hard choice
Replies: 2
Views: 435

Aetna Select vs UHC Select hard choice

My employer is giving us rather large menu of medical plan choices during open enrollment period for the next year, and among them are two plans I am interesting in. One is called Aetna Select and another is UHC (United Healthcare) Select . I have hard time picking between them as they cost exactly the same amount per paycheck and all the benefits and conditions seem to be completely identical. I confirmed with my doctors that all of them accept either plan. The only thing, it appears that UHC Select has Tier 1 and Tier 2 providers, while Aetna Select may or may not have it, since while Summary of Benefits and Coverage mentions it (and in fact nearly identical in all respects between the two plans), when I look for doctors it only has Tier ...
by serbeer
Tue Oct 26, 2021 12:13 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Vacation – Turn off water main?
Replies: 112
Views: 9631

Re: Vacation – Turn off water main?

Popular Mechanics says Yes:
https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/i ... checklist/

I guess one notable exception is if your backup sump pump is powered by municipal water supply.
by serbeer
Sun Oct 24, 2021 12:18 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: XFinity issues?
Replies: 11
Views: 1147

Re: XFinity issues?

XFinity went down more than once on me. But no more than 3 or 4 times in the last 1.5+ years I've been working from home. Of course now that I said it...
by serbeer
Mon Oct 04, 2021 8:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tips on cell phone shopping?
Replies: 11
Views: 1604

Re: Tips on cell phone shopping?

skis4hire wrote: Mon Oct 04, 2021 7:05 pm ...
I'll never not own a pixel due to call screening and wait on hold.
What is wrong with either one--since both can be turned off if you don't like them?
by serbeer
Sun Oct 03, 2021 1:49 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Verizon up to $1,000 per phone trade-in promotion experience
Replies: 51
Views: 9606

Re: Verizon up to $1,000 per phone trade-in promotion experience

texasfight wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 9:27 am
hoofaman wrote: Tue Sep 21, 2021 5:15 pm
texasfight wrote: Tue Sep 21, 2021 4:39 pm Also FYI the verizon visa card is a must have IMO for the autopay discount applied to each line.

Saves me $40 a month. Not to mention 4% on gas and grocery and the $100 bonus
Thanks for the heads up on this, We have 3 lines, soon to be 4, so the card could be compelling even if only used for the monthly subscription discount of $10 per line

Right now we get $5 discount per line for autopay for ACH, does this Verizon card discount of $10 per line stack with this for a total of $15 off per line if you use it for autopay?
No.

Card earns you 2% cash back on said verizon bill at least.
But so does Citi Doublecash -- 2% on everything
by serbeer
Sat Sep 18, 2021 11:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Car battery replacement interval advice
Replies: 271
Views: 28707

Re: Car battery replacement interval advice

I've been replacing my car batteries every 5 years, and never had an issue as a result. I like Everlast from Walmart and they replace for free too if you buy from them, usually under $100, not worth getting stuck over--usually in very cold weather.
by serbeer
Sun Sep 12, 2021 12:55 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Do you factor in taxes owed as part of your net worth?
Replies: 84
Views: 8032

Re: Do you factor in taxes owed as part of your net worth?

Yes, I think it is important to adjust your AA based on expected taxes. Because most people--even on this rather well versed in financial matters board--don't realize that expected over-the-years tax hit on after-tax accounts retirement savings is actually more than that on IRA savings for younger investors time horizon: over 30%! This is extremely complicated topic I once discussed with other board members interested in this topic:
viewtopic.php?t=12720
by serbeer
Fri Sep 10, 2021 11:36 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: FAFSA seriously? My kids see it?
Replies: 136
Views: 12292

Re: FAFSA seriously? My kids see it?

I found this but can't vouch for the info: https://www.quora.com/How-do-I-fill-out-FAFSA-without-my-kid-seeing-all-my-financial-information. It's surprising how hard it is to find anything about this online. Good info. Looks like if you fill out the FASFA and PROFILE form on behalf of your child (whether it is officially kosher or not) and use IRS Data Retrieval Tool to transfer the tax and income information from your federal income tax return to the FAFSA, it will block your income information (but not asset info) from viewing except on SAR, and if do not provide email address for them to send you SAR back as per https://studentaid.gov/help/view-sar, they will send you your SAR by postal mail and then your kid will not have an opportunit...
by serbeer
Sun Jul 18, 2021 11:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: PPP second draw forgiveness timeframe
Replies: 4
Views: 689

Re: PPP second draw forgiveness timeframe

Yes, I applied for PPP2 as soon as all funds were used up and before 24 weeks passed. I'd say after ~15 weeks.
Got the loan forgiven within a week after submitting the application (well, SBA approved the application and funds expected to be delivered within 30 days).
by serbeer
Mon Jun 07, 2021 1:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best insurer? Allstate vs chubb vs AAA or others
Replies: 53
Views: 10145

Re: Best insurer? Allstate vs chubb vs AAA or others

saber wrote: Mon Jun 07, 2021 8:45 am Just called Amica and they do not offer landlord insurance and in such their Umbrella insurance would not work.
I have HO coverage with Amica for condo we own and have been renting out for the past 15+ years.
They simply put
HO 17 33 05 11 UNIT-OWNERS RENTAL TO OTHERS
rider on the policy, of course could be that it is no longer offered and I am grandfathered
by serbeer
Mon May 17, 2021 5:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should I Give Up My Earnest Money
Replies: 146
Views: 19674

Re: Should I Give Up My Earnest Money

Goal33 wrote: Mon May 17, 2021 10:11 am They can’t just take your 50k and then turnaround and sell the house for more. That’s not reality.

Find a RE with a clue.
Why not? They keep earnest money if buyer changed mind, and house is their to relist at the price they want. These are two independent events, they are not at all connected legally.
by serbeer
Sun May 16, 2021 9:42 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should I Give Up My Earnest Money
Replies: 146
Views: 19674

Re: Should I Give Up My Earnest Money

The fact that the listed square footage and the actual square footage is discrepant could offer you a reason to back out of the deal and get your earnest money back. These erroneous details could constitute a material difference that factored in your decision. Again, this type of error may allow you to get out of the deal and get your earnest money back. Talk to your attorney immediately! This is the best advice! Lawyer up if needed! Agree with both of these posts. OTOH, the appraisal came in $80k less than you expected so you are willing to forfeit $50k? That math don't make sense to me. The poor school district and other concerns you have posted are much bigger issues --- Real Estate is all about Location, Location, Location -- as those ...
by serbeer
Fri Apr 23, 2021 7:14 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Amazon Echo Skills/Uses
Replies: 49
Views: 3464

Re: Amazon Echo Skills/Uses

JPH wrote: Fri Apr 23, 2021 7:08 am Alexa, "Ask me the question of the day."

A problem I have is that whenever my Wi-Fi connection is lost, Alexa cannot reconnect. It will reboot only if I manually unplug/re-plug the power. This makes it practically useless for any ongoing tasks.
This is strange. All 3 of mine reconnect without a problem. Sometimes with a small (minutes) delay but they all do. Perhaps yours needs to be replaced. Also, if you set alarm, and it loses connection, the alarm still sounds on time.
by serbeer
Thu Apr 22, 2021 11:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Amazon Echo Skills/Uses
Replies: 49
Views: 3464

Re: Amazon Echo Skills/Uses

Aside from many things already mentioned, to arm my Ring alarm system as I am getting ready to leave the house. "Alexa, I am leaving" (I have one located in Echo in garage for that reason mostly and one in the kitchen next to garage door exit). This is way simpler and more convenient then typing in code and hitting Arm Away button, especially as I may be leaving with stuff in my hands. I do not use it to disarm since it will require to verbalize the security code, instead I use Ring-connected Z-wave lock on house entrance door from garage that disarms Ring automatically when I enter the code into it. Also recorded a routine to automatically arm Ring alarm in stay mode for the night at midnight. "Alexa, arm" Alexa Show 8 ...
by serbeer
Wed Apr 07, 2021 1:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: The $2000-$4000 Car :) This made me wealthy so jump on board
Replies: 282
Views: 26794

Re: The $2000-$4000 Car :) This made me wealthy so jump on board

I'm in shock someone would waste $500 on a round of golf and $200 on a dinner. I'm guessing most folks who will drop $500 on a round of golf have enough income and/or wealth that a $700 car payment won't be the difference between accumulating wealth or not. I did the cheap car thing until my late 20s, but once I had small kids, I decided it was worth it to spend more on something newer and with new car safety features. I hit a point in income/wealth where new cars wouldn't take a big bite out of my finances. And yet the OP still buys beater cars... OP, I play the opposite game with my cars. Instead of buying beaters that need to be replaced every year, I buy brand new cars that can be flipped a year or two later for the same price that I b...
by serbeer
Sun Apr 04, 2021 7:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Nest Cam IQ Outdoor, cords keep dying
Replies: 5
Views: 641

Re: Nest Cam IQ Outdoor, cords keep dying

Temperatures in garage, unless both garage and attic are well insulated, can fluctuate widely through the year. It can affect the cable unless designed for it. No way to be sure about it, but as good of a guess as any.
by serbeer
Fri Mar 12, 2021 1:27 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Does it feel bubbly to you?
Replies: 214
Views: 21224

Re: Does it feel bubbly to you?

Per BUBBLE INVESTING: LEARNING FROM HISTORY by William N. Goetzmann
https://www.nber.org/system/files/worki ... w21693.pdf
Past studies of the mean reversion of stock markets suggests that what goes up must come
down and thus a large boom should increase the probability of a future decline. However, focusing
on the rejection of the null of no association between past and future multi-year market returns can
be misleading for economic decision-making. The fact that probabilities of a decline increase from
6% to 10% following a three year boom may not be as relevant to investor choice as the fact that
the chance of doubling in value is twice the chance of halving in value over that same horizon.
by serbeer
Mon Mar 08, 2021 11:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Home radon detectors - which is best
Replies: 21
Views: 2816

Re: Home radon detectors - which is best

fourwheelcycle wrote: Sat Feb 09, 2019 2:50 pm I have used this one since 2012 and it has worked consistently. Seems to have the same short term and long term measures as the Airthings, but it plugs into the wall, so no batteries.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000C ... UTF8&psc=1
I used the same device for the past 12+ years. No problems. Most of family members borrowed it a one point or another to check their houses for radon :)
by serbeer
Tue Feb 23, 2021 11:39 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: which snow blower ?
Replies: 169
Views: 18652

Re: which snow blower ?

Get Toro 2 stage. The only consumer brand that does not require you to deal with shear bolts breaking in bad weather. It has strong enough build to be able to just shut down the engine without damaging itself if it hits something it cannot break apart, but that has not happen to me in the past 3 years I've been using my Toro Powermax 28''. This single feature made me pick Toro. I also do not regret splurging on model with handle-warmers and installing poly skids and cab kit (that has to be installed with extra weights for balance). Hand warmers and cab kit makes 1-1.5 hour to clear my driveway in heavy snow very comfortable and poly skids protect garage epoxy coating. I also installed Drift Cutters, but, in retrospect, should not have spent...
by serbeer
Sat Feb 06, 2021 12:14 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Does it make sense to buy houses worth $3M and pay almost $50K each year in property taxes
Replies: 61
Views: 9080

Re: Does it make sense to buy houses worth $3M and pay almost $50K each year in property taxes

It would not be a bad deal from my viewpoint: here in Lake County, IL, I am paying over $20K/year in property taxes on a house I purchased for less than $650K. And homeowner insurance (Amica Platinum) is over $3K/year. Sigh.
by serbeer
Sat Jan 30, 2021 11:18 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: [Yahoo Finance no longer works - Alternatives to download securities quotes]
Replies: 294
Views: 76188

Re: [Yahoo Finance no longer works - Alternatives to download securities quotes]

What is the problem? RCH_Stock_Market_Functions add-in mentioned above still works fine for me--and had for many years now.
by serbeer
Mon Jan 18, 2021 2:13 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Simba's backtesting spreadsheet [a Bogleheads community project]
Replies: 1367
Views: 821384

Re: Simba's backtesting spreadsheet [a Bogleheads community project]

A note to all: I started reading this thread from the beginning, and noticed that BH member Gummy (Peter Ponzo) was instrumental in the early formation of this spreadsheet. I googled him and saw that he passed away in July 2020. Here is a link to the University of Waterloo remembrance: We remember Professor Emeritus Peter Ponzo . Here is a link to his obituary: Peter J. Ponzo (1934 - 2020) . I just thought that people would want to know. -B Thank you Barsoom. Yes, Peter was instrumental -- and also very smart, helpful and sharing. One can still benefit greatly from his excellent and detailed hands-on tutorials on Excel, statistics, and math. They can be found at: https://www.financialwisdomforum.org/gummy-stuff/gummy_stuff.htm I noticed th...
by serbeer
Fri Jan 15, 2021 12:21 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Home comfort mystery
Replies: 33
Views: 4038

Re: Home comfort mystery

Because your outside walls temperature is affected by outside weather. You warm body radiates heat to the colder walls losing it more rapidly on cold days even if thermometer in the room shows the same inside temperature. Put your face close to the outside wall on colder day without touching it and you will feel the cold on your face as your body will radiate the heat at higher rate. The fact that wall area is large, and especially that there are a lot of windows, which are always colder than walls not insulated as much, magnifies the effect. You can use inexpensive consumer infrared phone attachment, eg Seek Thermal, so see a thermal map of your loft, the windows will stand out quite a bit. The heat radiation effect will be minimized if yo...
by serbeer
Fri Jan 08, 2021 1:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Gaming Console for 12 yo
Replies: 82
Views: 5386

Re: Gaming Console for 12 yo

Thank you for very helpful comments folks. It is interesting to see how recommendations come in groups: mixed, then XBox ones, then a wave of Switch ones, with a few PS sprinkled throughout. One more question for Switch users please: if I buy Switch, do I need to get 2nd controller separately for TV-based mode play for my 2nd kid? People said so above, but then I went to official FAQ at https://www.nintendo.com/switch/faq/ and it says: Do I need to buy anything extra to play with my friends and family? You’ll be able to play select games for up to two players with the included Joy-Con (one controller per person). You’ll also be able to purchase extra controllers for multiplayer games for 3+ players. So that sounds like Joy-Con pieces are us...
by serbeer
Fri Jan 08, 2021 12:58 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Gaming Console for 12 yo
Replies: 82
Views: 5386

Re: Gaming Console for 12 yo

As noted, the lack of a DVD drive is a major consideration for any "digital" versions (for either Xbox or Playstation). It will lock you into digital only games. Personally, I'm completely OK with that, especially with great (relatively low cost for what you get) options like Game Pass on Xbox. But for kids, I'd still recommend purchasing a version that let's you play physical games. A few reasons why: Cost arbitrage - Invariably there will be some "must have" game your kid will want. Having the flexibility to purchase digital, physical, even used (physical) gives you more options to shop around. Friends may want to bring over "their games" to play, and if those are physical you are out of luck. It's easier to...
by serbeer
Thu Jan 07, 2021 6:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Gaming Console for 12 yo
Replies: 82
Views: 5386

Re: Gaming Console for 12 yo

... Just to add, for the Xbox - digital games can be "shared" very easily, even across 2 Xbox's (with two different users). Most of our games are digital and we have 2 xbox setup this way (and candidly most are "included" games with Game Pass/Games for Gold, we rarely buy "new" games anymore). The setup is basically this: Create a user account "A" (could be for a parent, or for the oldest or youngest child as you see fit) Purchase them Xbox Live and/or Game Pass (you can essentially "share" this on an Xbox) On the Xbox they don't normally use have them set it up as their "home" Xbox (this "shares" any games/services - like Xbox Live) with any other users that use this Xb...
by serbeer
Thu Jan 07, 2021 1:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Gaming Console for 12 yo
Replies: 82
Views: 5386

Re: Gaming Console for 12 yo

Short answer: I would probably get the Switch. Thank you. He will, of course, want to play the most adult games I let him. I said no to Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto, for example. On Android, I have 14 set as age limit to download games... +1. Unless you are ok with Rated M games for children, I would lean heavily toward Switch. Yes, games are insanely expensive but likely infrequent purchases. Kids usually want the latest but selection is limited for age appropriate quality content. I would expect to shell out 59.99 for each one unless you catch an old sale. Yes, you will have to get one for each kid if you want to avoid whining especially if age gap is small. By the way, if I will have to get two, eventually, does it mean I will have...
by serbeer
Thu Jan 07, 2021 1:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Gaming Console for 12 yo
Replies: 82
Views: 5386

Re: Gaming Console for 12 yo

Short answer: I would probably get the Switch. Thank you. He will, of course, want to play the most adult games I let him. I said no to Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto, for example. On Android, I have 14 set as age limit to download games... +1. Unless you are ok with Rated M games for children, I would lean heavily toward Switch. Yes, games are insanely expensive but likely infrequent purchases. Kids usually want the latest but selection is limited for age appropriate quality content. I would expect to shell out 59.99 for each one unless you catch an old sale. Yes, you will have to get one for each kid if you want to avoid whining especially if age gap is small. By the way, if I will have to get two, eventually, does it mean I will have...
by serbeer
Thu Jan 07, 2021 1:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Gaming Console for 12 yo
Replies: 82
Views: 5386

Re: Gaming Console for 12 yo

My son gravitated to PC around that age with the neighborhood kids, League of Legends mainly. Your laptop would run that and it's a free to play, very intense, teamwork/strategy oriented game, not so much graphic blood and guts. Worldwide, it's the pinnacle of ESports. The only downside, there can be some toxicity in the chat, if he takes that personally and doesn't shrug it off, not the right game. My son was mature enough at that age to handle it. Really, any PC/console game with coms is going to have that problem as well, so that should factor in your decision. This is an excellent point. I heard voice chats in games tend to be quite toxic. I told my kids to stay off game voice chats with their tablet games, though there is no good way ...
by serbeer
Thu Jan 07, 2021 11:39 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Gaming Console for 12 yo
Replies: 82
Views: 5386

Re: Gaming Console for 12 yo

I have a 12 year old, and formerly played a lot of games in my youth as well. Given your post, my initial thought was a Switch. As you note, it has its own screen, is portable and if you get the original Switch (not the "lite" version) it has a docking station so [when you let them] they can play on the TV. The downside to the Switch is that your 10.5 year old will definitely want their own. Personally, I also think Nintendo has more age appropriate content exclusive to the Switch. Though it should be noted since Switch games are in a unique form factor, they tend to cost more than their Xbox/Playstation alternatives, but they might retain a higher resale value (if they'll trade/sell games when done) so that might be a wash. I th...