Search found 5357 matches

by Doom&Gloom
Sun Mar 17, 2024 9:19 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Nervous about giving out information
Replies: 29
Views: 2091

Re: Nervous about giving out information

Give yourself permission to be deceitful about any detail of yourself/location/situation that won't alter the applicability of the responses you will receive.

Just for this site. It'll be ok. :beer
by Doom&Gloom
Sun Mar 17, 2024 9:56 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Am I Only One Who Hates Having Left Over Pennies
Replies: 53
Views: 4123

Re: Am I Only One Who Hates Having Left Over Pennies

UpperNwGuy wrote: Sat Mar 16, 2024 9:59 pm It does not bother me in the least to have loose change in my settlement fund. The amount is nearly always less than $100, and that's an insignificant amount compared to my overall portfolio.

The fact that so many people seem bothered by loose change in their settlement funds actually worries me, because it tells me that many of the members of our forum have irrational obsessions.
We're all human.
:sharebeer
by Doom&Gloom
Sat Mar 16, 2024 6:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is this a termite?
Replies: 19
Views: 2426

Re: Is this a termite?

Theseus wrote: Sat Mar 16, 2024 5:32 pm
quattro73 wrote: Sat Mar 16, 2024 5:00 pm I believe that is an ant.

Please see this link for a good comparison (pictures):

https://westernext.com/carpenter-ants-vs-termites/
Thank you. This looks like an ant. If it’s a carpenter ant should I worry ?
You can, but that won't kill them.

IME carpenter ants generally travel in large packs. You won't see just one. Also, IME carpenter ants are very black--but perhaps that one is at a different state of development or a different variety. I've used typical insecticides with good results with the ones I've encountered.
by Doom&Gloom
Fri Mar 15, 2024 9:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Am I Only One Who Hates Having Left Over Pennies
Replies: 53
Views: 4123

Re: Am I Only One Who Hates Having Left Over Pennies

tetractys wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2024 9:26 pm
Doom&Gloom wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2024 8:39 pm I've had 4c in a Vanguard MM account for several years now.
I keep waiting to see how long it takes to grow to 5c.
So much for dry powder :oops:
¢ <—
So much work for such little gain :beer
by Doom&Gloom
Fri Mar 15, 2024 8:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Am I Only One Who Hates Having Left Over Pennies
Replies: 53
Views: 4123

Re: Am I Only One Who Hates Having Left Over Pennies

I've had 4c in a Vanguard MM account for several years now.
I keep waiting to see how long it takes to grow to 5c.
So much for dry powder :oops:
by Doom&Gloom
Fri Mar 15, 2024 2:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Identity theft or something to ignore?
Replies: 18
Views: 1155

Re: Identity theft or something to ignore?

If there is no account number in the email to use for them to search, I would forget about it.

I definitely would not give them my name or any identifying information lest some eager beaver employee attach it/them to the account they are trying to collect. This can definitely happen. Ask me how I know. I thought I would never get my issue untangled, but I did have the same name as their patient.
by Doom&Gloom
Thu Mar 14, 2024 5:39 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Election spam texts
Replies: 41
Views: 2465

Re: Election spam texts

Fwiw, political calls are exempt from the Do Not Call lists. Funny how that happened! ;) https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/topics/do-not-call-registry#:~:text=Because%20of%20the%20limits%20to,calling%20on%20behalf%20of%20charities). It is a First Amendment issue because they aren't asking for money, they are asking for your vote. Another actionable suggestion is to call the campaign and demand to be taken off their list. https://www.texastribune.org/2018/07/27/texas-voters-text-message-email-spam-november-election/ Perhaps theoretically, but the ones I have been getting on my phone daily for the past several months are asking for cold hard cash. Thankfully, most of them are going directly to my spam folder and most are intended for someone e...
by Doom&Gloom
Wed Mar 13, 2024 9:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Navigating Speakers for in home theater
Replies: 41
Views: 2648

Re: Navigating Speakers for in home theater

+1 to AVS Forums

I strongly recommend considering internet direct companies if you are looking for bang-for-the-buck speakers.
by Doom&Gloom
Wed Mar 13, 2024 9:47 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Election spam texts
Replies: 41
Views: 2465

Re: Election spam texts

Phone provider with a more effective spam filter?
by Doom&Gloom
Mon Mar 11, 2024 12:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How Much Cash Do You Keep In Your Home?
Replies: 207
Views: 14899

Re: How Much Cash Do You Keep In Your Home?

Cash always seemed messy from a budgeting perspective because transactions are not being tracked for you automatically, it's up to you to document where the cash was spent and keep receipts. I'm too lazy to do that, I like that electronic payments will do that for me automatically. If I didn't track cash I spent, how would I know how much I should have at any given time vs how much I've spent? How would I know if cash was missing? Cash is also more expensive to use for buying anything, unless the cash discount exceeds my credit card reward. For people that store large amounts of cash at home, are you not worried about potentially losing it all in a fire or theft? I don't think home owners Insurance will cover cash losses, but I could be wr...
by Doom&Gloom
Sun Mar 10, 2024 9:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How Much Cash Do You Keep In Your Home?
Replies: 207
Views: 14899

Re: How Much Cash Do You Keep In Your Home?

ralph124cf wrote: Sun Mar 10, 2024 8:49 pm It sounds like nobody here is serious about poker.
I've been in games with friends where the running joke was that IOUs written on pieces of paper napkins were better than US currency :moneybag

The problem is that exchange rate only applied to about a dozen people. Restaurants and gas stations were no-goes.
by Doom&Gloom
Sun Mar 10, 2024 5:27 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How Much Cash Do You Keep In Your Home?
Replies: 207
Views: 14899

Re: How Much Cash Do You Keep In Your Home?

Four figures in currency, but I'm on a mission to get my coins down to 0c as they have become little more than a nuisance.
by Doom&Gloom
Sat Mar 09, 2024 2:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: NJ “unsafe lane change” law
Replies: 14
Views: 1325

Re: NJ “unsafe lane change” law

I'm not saying that I've never done that, but I'd never be shocked if I were stopped and ticketed afterward.

It looks to me like that statute is written vaguely enough that you'll have an uphill battle if the cop shows up to testify in court.
Good luck!
by Doom&Gloom
Thu Mar 07, 2024 8:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Alaska trip without taking a cruise - help
Replies: 53
Views: 4570

Re: Alaska trip without taking a cruise - help

I'm not sure sea sickness would be an issue sailing the Inside Passage from Vancouver, so I would not rule it out completely without further investigation.

Having said that, cruising the Inside Passage is the only way I have seen Alaska. We planned a driving trip to Denali that bumped into COVID. I would still like to give that a go. I don't think you can go wrong either way. Perhaps consider doing both on this one trip since you seem to have adequate time.
by Doom&Gloom
Tue Mar 05, 2024 6:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: When to switch from dealer to independent for service
Replies: 52
Views: 4108

Re: When to switch from dealer to independent for service

Like most things, the time to switch is when better value can be found elsewhere.

I'm not sure there are any reliable rules of thumb for vehicles today. I used to switch as soon as the warranty expired--or even before. With my current vehicle I've been prepared for ten years to switch at the first opportunity. I'm still going to the dealership.

Perhaps the current independent shops in my area are atypical. YMMV of course.
by Doom&Gloom
Sat Mar 02, 2024 8:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Pinot Noir on the lower end?
Replies: 96
Views: 10210

Re: Pinot Noir on the lower end?

Thesaints wrote: Sat Mar 02, 2024 7:23 pm How many bottles do you people drink ?
Unless it is a large number, $40/50, or $15, makes no financial difference.
I go through ~3 bottles/week. Perhaps I should go cheaper :beer
by Doom&Gloom
Sat Mar 02, 2024 10:07 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Neighbor Got Burglarized, How To Prevent
Replies: 74
Views: 8327

Re: Neighbor Got Burglarized, How To Prevent

bradinsky wrote: Sat Mar 02, 2024 6:08 am Where lived 25 years ago, the neighborhood was ringed by a treed area. Burglars would hide in there & throw a rock to break a window or a patio door’s glass. If no one appeared to see what happened, that house was burglarized. Very disconcerting!
If that happened in my area there would be a waiting list of volunteers to house sit and gladly wait in the dark for a rock to be followed by a thief or two. Just sayin'.
by Doom&Gloom
Fri Mar 01, 2024 5:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Father died and I'm totally overwhelmed on what to do
Replies: 58
Views: 10970

Re: Father died and I'm totally overwhelmed on what to do

OP, sorry for your loss. Re: death certificates--In my state there is a pretty steep fee for the first certified copy, then a much reduced rate for addtitional copies. I got a dozen due to all I had heard about needing several. Every place local that I walked into simply took the one I brought with me, copied it, and handed mine back to me. Many of the non-local places only wanted a fax or email of the certified copy. IIRC there were only two places that required me to mail a certified copy; one of those returned the certified copy to me. YMMV, of course. Social Security did not require a death certificate from me as they said they had other methods of verifying deaths that they often used. However, they did require a certified copy of a ma...
by Doom&Gloom
Thu Feb 29, 2024 8:49 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Privacy and security aspects of death certificates
Replies: 12
Views: 2205

Re: Privacy and security aspects of death certificates

Given the number of nom-traditional families out there, along with women who do not change their name, and kids who share their mother's surname, mother's maiden name is no longer a reliable security data point. In my experience most places have stopped using it or asking for it. The reason I asked the question is because I myself was asked my mother's maiden name by an institution. (And yes, they were asking for the real MMN.) My mind went blank for a second and I stumbled around trying to think of it. I too had thought institutions had stopped using it, which is why I hadn't bothered to think about it for awhile. If I had failed to come up with the name, it could have had bad consequences. Social Security Administration recently asked me...
by Doom&Gloom
Thu Feb 29, 2024 6:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best & Worst "Mid-Life Crisis" expenditures
Replies: 129
Views: 24357

Re: Best & Worst "Mid-Life Crisis" expenditures

stargazerlily03 wrote: Thu Feb 29, 2024 3:34 pm I have always wanted a lovely white colored home/furniture. Never was able to do it due to children with exception of white walls. Well, now they're young adults but still living at home. YAY! I bought 6 WHITE dining room chairs. I LOVE THEM. Eyeing a white colored sofa for months now. We do have a doggy who we have spoiled. He loves the sofa. Now what.
Room (and decor) permitting, a non-white loveseat in the same room that the pooch is allowed on rather than the sofa.

Most amazing detail of your story is that your young adult children haven't ruined the white furniture. I know mine would have! *sigh*
by Doom&Gloom
Thu Feb 29, 2024 6:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Things to do in Minnesota
Replies: 43
Views: 3176

Re: Things to do in Minnesota

One time visitor to MN here, so I'll defer to others' expertise and opinions. But what we did, and thoroughly enjoyed, several years ago:

Spent one night in Bayview WI and went on a boat tour of the Apostle Islands.

Drove to Duluth and spent one night. Fun place.

Drove up the North Shore and spent two (IIRC) nights near Grand Marais. Lots of time driving around the area and the Gunflint Trail.

Drove back roads to Lake Itasca and the headwaters of the Mississippi.

Drove from there to Fargo ND. Only spent one night there but we probably would have enjoyed one more.

IIRC we drove up the North Shore at the end of a holiday weekend. The traffic was maddening, but at least we were going against most of it.
by Doom&Gloom
Mon Feb 26, 2024 5:41 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Spousal Inherited 401k Advice
Replies: 3
Views: 870

Re: Spousal Inherited 401k Advice

Wow! What a lot to be going through for all of you. I've recently been through similar, and I'm going to share some of what I learned through the process about what to do and what not to do. First off, I'm not going to be able to help with your 401k questions. I learned just enough about Spousal Inherited tIRAs for my circumstances to be dangerous in trying to extrapolate that to a 401k for your situation. First of all, don't get so tied up with trying to figure out all the financial angles that you neglect your personal relationship. That is time that you'll never be able to get back. I would suggest that you educate yourself generally as to the framework of everything and not get bogged down in the weeds of the details until you have to a...
by Doom&Gloom
Mon Feb 26, 2024 4:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Hearing aids: Costco or audiologist?
Replies: 44
Views: 5181

Re: Hearing aids: Costco or audiologist?

No one has mentioned the personal issue with vanity. For me, on the brink of presbycusis, it’s a thing. Now a friend with a hearing issue has a novel approach. He currently uses one aid. He told me by using just the one it’s easy to explain to friends. “I recently had ear damage (virus, trauma, what not) I just need the one.” First, thx for teaching me a new word--had to look up meaning of "presbycusis"! Hearing aids have gotten so small, virtually NO ONE even notices that I have hearing aids. Additionally, ear buds are nearly ubiquitous (especially among the younger generation), so even if they notice, seeing an electronic device in a person's ears these days doesn't garner the reaction it once did. Regardless, I have learned th...
by Doom&Gloom
Mon Feb 26, 2024 4:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Hearing aids: Costco or audiologist?
Replies: 44
Views: 5181

Re: Hearing aids: Costco or audiologist?

I could write a long essay in reply to your question OP, as last year I went to 4 different audiologist in an effort to find an audiologist patient enough to work w/ elderly father w/ dementia; one suggested I get my hearing tested as well...turnes out I had 80% hearing loss in my left ear & had no idea! Costco's trial period was 3x longer than trial offered from local hearing aid places, and their warranty was (I think) 3x as long as well. As I have profound loss in one ear I needed very strong high end aids regardless of the manufacturer. Prices from hearing aid places ranged from $5K-$7K, I ended up buying top of the line model from Costco for $1,800. Lost one aid when traveling (left in hotel?) and they replaced for free. My advice...
by Doom&Gloom
Sun Feb 25, 2024 2:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: In the event of an untimely death, what is the best way for family members to have immediate access to funds?
Replies: 53
Views: 5156

Re: In the event of an untimely death, what is the best way for family members to have immediate access to funds?

123 wrote: Sat Feb 24, 2024 2:49 pm Make prepaid funeral/disposal arrangements. Most everything else can wait.
+1
If you have not done this, you may be severely underestimating the amount that you need to make available. That will depend upon your wishes for how you are to be handled, of course.
by Doom&Gloom
Fri Feb 23, 2024 10:39 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: College cheating, what would you do?
Replies: 64
Views: 4354

Re: College cheating, what would you do?

investingdad wrote: Fri Feb 23, 2024 9:48 am She already recognizes that reporting her could come back and bite her. But she’s brought it up several times to me because it really irritates her, which I completely understand. She’s having her eyes opened to the reality of lying and cheating for the purpose of self advancement, something I’m happy to say she has not learned or seen from my wife or I.
At this point in her life I would simply tell her to do what she believes to be the right thing--both regarding the cheating and her irritation about it.

It seems that you are confident in her ability to figure it out for herself but may be tempted to deny her that opportunity.
by Doom&Gloom
Wed Feb 21, 2024 9:22 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Advice for birthday trip in fall to San Antonio/ possibly adding Austin
Replies: 7
Views: 831

Re: Advice for birthday trip in fall to San Antonio/ possibly adding Austin

Some good ideas above. My two cents: --to me, the must see in San Antonio is the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. Start at the Alamo and then head out to the four missions in the park. Pretty and fascinating. --to me, the must sees in Austin are Town Lake (or Lady Bird Lake) and Zilker Park. Lots of good trails and views by the lake. If you go to Austin, rent a car. I second the recommendations for the LBJ and Bullock Museums. If you're a museum person, the Blanton Museum, Ransom Center, and Mexic-Arte Museum may also be worth checking out. Sixth Street is inevitable; don't fight it, but don't let it define your trip either. --an alternative to Austin is the Hill Country, which would also require a rental car. LBJ's Ranch and...
by Doom&Gloom
Sun Feb 18, 2024 7:00 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Have you ever replaced a perfectly fine car just because?
Replies: 111
Views: 8483

Re: Have you ever replaced a perfectly fine car just because?

vnatale wrote: Sun Feb 18, 2024 6:53 pm
Doom&Gloom wrote: Sun Feb 18, 2024 6:38 pm
Braqum wrote: Sun Feb 18, 2024 5:52 pm Surprised bogleheads recommend spending 65k+ on a car that has almost the same functionality as another but for half the price
You really can not take it with you.
For certain.

But you can for certain pass it on to others who may not have our good fortune $$$-wise.
If you read enough threads here, it appears the consensus may well be that will only make the recipients shiftless and lazy. You'd be doing them a grand favor by buying one lousy car that you can easily afford and is nicer than required to get you from Point A to Point B. And the car does have some residual value; it won't depreciate to $0 faster than another car :moneybag
by Doom&Gloom
Sun Feb 18, 2024 6:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Issues from Helping a Family Member Invest
Replies: 17
Views: 1409

Re: Issues from Helping a Family Member Invest

mhadden1 wrote: Sun Feb 18, 2024 5:55 pm
alpenglow wrote: Sun Feb 18, 2024 5:17 pm
livesoft wrote: Sun Feb 18, 2024 5:03 pm Reminds of a situation that I won't go into except to say that the account was divided in 2 and managed separately. So divide in two and each of you go at it even to the point of using different financial institutions. It should become apparent if one of you doesn't "keep up" with the other from the same starting point.
Very intriguing idea!
Worst case though: sister becomes a hero by making a few lucky rolls of the dice on crypto.
That's the worst case? For whom? A presumably aging family member? A beneficiary? Which one?

Roll the dice! Baby needs a new pair of shoes!
by Doom&Gloom
Sun Feb 18, 2024 6:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Have you ever replaced a perfectly fine car just because?
Replies: 111
Views: 8483

Re: Have you ever replaced a perfectly fine car just because?

Braqum wrote: Sun Feb 18, 2024 5:52 pm Surprised bogleheads recommend spending 65k+ on a car that has almost the same functionality as another but for half the price
You really can not take it with you.
by Doom&Gloom
Sun Feb 18, 2024 5:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Issues from Helping a Family Member Invest
Replies: 17
Views: 1409

Re: Issues from Helping a Family Member Invest

I'm afraid I would tell the family member that this is a one person job.
The first runner-up may choose to fulfill Ms Fiduciary's duties if they are unable to complete their term of service.

Then: I'll be happy to serve. I will be equally happy to walk away and leave you two to it.
by Doom&Gloom
Sat Feb 17, 2024 12:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Can't Log On to Vanguard / Stop running script msg
Replies: 129
Views: 12972

Re: Can't Log On to Vanguard / Stop running script msg

Vague theory: a: Vanguard, for security reasons, requires manual entry of ID/PW fields. b. Some password managers are clever enough to mask that they are auto-entering these fields. I think your vague theory has merit. I just tried logging in using the autofill feature of KeePass (shift-ctrl-V) and I got the now-infamous error. I was able to log in doing separate copy/paste commands from KeePass, and hitting enter on my own. Less convenient, not happy about it, but it could be so much worse if they decided I had to manually type my long random weird password (I have to do 2FA as well of course). I've sent VGD a note expressing my hope that their efforts could be refined in such a way as to not make password managers less handy. Weird. I ha...
by Doom&Gloom
Fri Feb 16, 2024 7:49 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Manipulate the value of gifted stocks in Vanguard? Theft
Replies: 29
Views: 2682

Re: Manipulate the value of gifted stocks in Vanguard? Theft

toddthebod wrote: Fri Feb 16, 2024 6:50 pm
delamer wrote: Fri Feb 16, 2024 6:44 pm Again, though, the OP seems hung up on the value reported by Vanguard versus the stock price s/he is finding at the transfer time. My thought is that the number of shares transferred should be the emphasis.
Well, then the question is, if I steal a share of stock from you in 2022 when it's worth $100, and it shoots up to $200, how much did I steal from you?
Does it matter if you don't have the means to pay it back? A tax loss, I suppose.
I am assuming (big jump) that is the case here.

The bigger question is what OP's parents intend to do about it?
Are they willing to press charges?
Even if it means a possible prison sentence?
by Doom&Gloom
Thu Feb 15, 2024 9:18 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Family member has one million in one stock , doesn't want to cash out
Replies: 314
Views: 45563

Re: Family member has one million in one stock , doesn't want to cash out

Capster1 wrote: Thu Feb 15, 2024 9:11 pm
Money_Badger wrote: Thu Feb 15, 2024 2:56 pm
BuyandHold37 wrote: Thu Feb 15, 2024 2:44 pm
Capster1 wrote: Thu Feb 15, 2024 2:24 pm Found this thread somehow through a search. Is he still holding all of the TSLA?
Hopefully he didnt sell any of them, especially AAPL, NVDA, and AMD.
NVDA up well over 400% since the original post.
AMD 200+%
AAPL 50%
TSLA 35%
GE 250%

"Hey son, remember that time you tried to talk me into selling my individual stocks ..."
I think he needs to open up his own fund 🔥
Looks like OP hasn't been around since September. Perhaps he's gone over to the dark side :wink:
by Doom&Gloom
Thu Feb 15, 2024 7:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What do you eat?
Replies: 54
Views: 4917

Re: What do you eat?

Pizza and beer :wink: A wife talked her husband into eating healthy when they were in their 50s. Vegan, no alcohol, no fast food, no treats. They lived long and healthy lives into their 90s. They died at 96, old and feeble, but long-lived, during the same week. They found themselves in Heaven, 25 years old again, free of all pain, boundless energy, able to eat anything they wanted at a sumptuous feast table, and able to do whatever they wanted, full of joy, forever. The man reached over, and gave his wife a small slap on the back of her head... "We could have been here 30 years ago!" :sharebeer LOL! As for me: Primarily pork and beef, usually presented in the form of steaks, burgers, and bbq. Potatoes, occasionally other vegetabl...
by Doom&Gloom
Thu Feb 15, 2024 6:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Trouble with Vanguard systems [Problem refreshing web page]
Replies: 19
Views: 778

Re: Vanguard Login Broken

I've logged into two different Vanguard personal accounts several times during the past few weeks. Not a single blip.

Win 11. Chrome.
by Doom&Gloom
Wed Feb 14, 2024 4:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Furniture - It's glued, right?
Replies: 91
Views: 7539

Re: Furniture - It's glued, right?

Random Poster wrote: Wed Feb 14, 2024 3:03 pm
sureshoe wrote: Wed Feb 14, 2024 11:13 am
Doom&Gloom wrote: Wed Feb 14, 2024 11:01 am It's refreshing that you kept your sense of humor about this and have adapted to an alternate solution for your guest room. Good luck with the sale of the larger dresser.

I won't bother trying to post a link of it, but this thread reminded me of the much overplayed recent TV commercial with the woman who is an expert at assessing by eyesight whether something will fit in its intended space.
Ok, now you're killing me, I googled and can't find the commercial.
The commercial is probably this one:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=d0HK4NIqJQI
That's the one! There may be another similar version or two. I couldn't have told what the ad was for if my life, or portfolio, depended upon it.
by Doom&Gloom
Wed Feb 14, 2024 11:01 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Furniture - It's glued, right?
Replies: 91
Views: 7539

Re: Furniture - It's glued, right?

This thread makes me weep for reading comprehension. Standing it up would work if it was 36" tall upright, but it's 59! IT ONLY GETS 7 INCHES NARROWER STANDING ON END! A lot of folks only read the first post and then fill in with assumptions - it seems to happen a lot on Bogleheads - I suggested on page 1 that the OP update the original post with the dimensions so that the "just stand it up on end" posts wouldn't continue. Giving myself a pat on the back for calling that one. Even now that the OP has thrown in the towel the suggestions will continue. And he may have the same problem of turning the corner with the smaller dresser. I gotta believe measurements were taken in great detail this time after what might amount to a $...
by Doom&Gloom
Sun Feb 11, 2024 11:30 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Have you ever replaced a perfectly fine car just because?
Replies: 111
Views: 8483

Re: Have you ever replaced a perfectly fine car just because?

I have not.

But if I had had a $500k income (and adequate retirement funding, of course), I would have if I had wanted to. Without giving it a second thought.
by Doom&Gloom
Fri Feb 09, 2024 4:47 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Parent requesting to have assets transferred out of their name
Replies: 46
Views: 3521

Re: Parent requesting to have assets transferred out of their name

OP, Your story is very similar to what DW went through in her family. About ten years ago MIL was being pressured by her unemployed and criminally inclined but never arrested son (~10 years older than his two siblings) to give him money to buy back a home she had paid to have built for him years earlier that he subsequently sold. She said "no" a hundred times and complained about his begging to her daughters numerous times, but he was able to be relentless as he was temporarily living with her so she eventually gave in. DW and her sister were already aggravated because MIL had bought him several houses and a few sports cars. MIL had low-mid six figures in investments, but she has always been a true miser. DW already had MIL's POAs...
by Doom&Gloom
Fri Feb 09, 2024 11:51 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How do diagnose a router issue
Replies: 69
Views: 9501

Re: How do diagnose a router issue

bertilak wrote: Fri Feb 09, 2024 11:16 am
gavinsiu wrote: Fri Feb 09, 2024 10:18 am ASUS RT-AC68P Firmware version 3.0.0.4.386_51668.

I can't seemed to find an ASUS forum for routers.
See snbforums.com

Small network builder forums. They have Asus forums. Asus is one of the best router brands available.
+1

That seems to be a fairly old model and may well be approaching "end of life" status as far as future support and firmware is concerned.

I would suggest considering a newer router if you are still having issues.
by Doom&Gloom
Thu Feb 08, 2024 9:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How do you buy a mattress?
Replies: 47
Views: 3746

Re: How do you buy a mattress?

WhitePuma wrote: Thu Feb 08, 2024 9:06 pm Read up at The Mattress Underground website. Then get an all-latex mattress.
That's how I made my last purchase several years ago. Bought from a semi-local manufacturer.

Unless there's some new mattress invention, I'll never buy anything but all-latex again although I don't plan to replace this one. YMMV.
by Doom&Gloom
Wed Feb 07, 2024 9:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What frugal thing did you do today?
Replies: 4521
Views: 616988

Re: What frugal thing did you do today?

DS and I cleaned my gutters today. It took the two of us two hours to finish the job including clean up and I doubt anybody else could have done a better job.

I don't know how much I saved, but I also don't know anybody who would be willing to pay me what it would take to get me to do that to their gutters.
by Doom&Gloom
Sun Feb 04, 2024 3:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Neighbor irrigation flooding into my property
Replies: 37
Views: 3559

Re: Neighbor irrigation flooding into my property

popoki wrote: Sun Feb 04, 2024 10:49 am It’s not OP’s water to take.
It's pretty difficult to give it back once it's in their yard.
As long as OP isn't circumventing the wall to take it, it's his.
I think that is the crux of the problem. OP does not want it, but someone is buying it and tossing some of it into OP's yard.
by Doom&Gloom
Sat Feb 03, 2024 8:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Neighbor irrigation flooding into my property
Replies: 37
Views: 3559

Re: Neighbor irrigation flooding into my property

Kobinator wrote: Sat Feb 03, 2024 7:47 pm Any chance you can design your landscape to take advantage of the free water?
That's what I was wondering. Make the guy on the other side of the wall figure out how to stop it.
by Doom&Gloom
Sat Feb 03, 2024 6:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Decent Pinot Noir < $20 possible?
Replies: 31
Views: 3659

Re: Decent Pinot Noir < $20 possible?

There is a wine liquidation sale going on right now at undergroundcellar.com, which declared bankruptcy last year. You can get a wide variety of wines (including Pinot Noirs) at steep discounts (up to 85% off). The wine is sold by case, and you have to pay for shipping. It may take a couple months before the wine is shipped to you, but at these prices it's a bargain. Link to the sale: https://lastcallcapital.shop/apps/shop Well, reading Boggleheads just cost me $248. Two cases shipped, a case of 2017 Vino Arrigo Etna Rosso Nerello Mascalese and a case of 2019 Piedra Creek Lagrein Paso Robles Rosé. Couldn't find much on the Etna wine, but I've always liked reds from the Etna wineries. And I found the Lagein Rosé was double gold at the 2020 ...
by Doom&Gloom
Fri Feb 02, 2024 10:05 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I gained 21% this year so far in my IRA. What should I do?
Replies: 49
Views: 6168

Re: I gained 21% this year so far in my IRA. What should I do?

MoonOrb wrote: Fri Feb 02, 2024 8:53 pm You're asking the wrong crowd. Gambling with our retirement accounts is sort of diametrically opposed to what we're doing here.

But, if I were you, I'd just ask: Am I feeling lucky?

If yes, keep it in!
If no, take it out!


Or flip a coin, or roll a die or something.
Sounds like the Hokey Pokey.
That's what it's all about!
by Doom&Gloom
Mon Jan 29, 2024 9:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Managing your affairs when you live alone and have no family or true friends
Replies: 133
Views: 21637

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

My wife is the sole prop of a,dog walking business. She has several customers who are single with some family and friends but not necessarily people who want to take care of their dog should something happen to them. Two of them have asked her if we would take their dog if they die before the dog or become incapacitated. I was wary at first because we have always worked really hard with training the dogs we have had so they are well behaved and many people have dogs that bark alot, tear things up, are dog aggressive, etc. Anyway, I've gotten to know the dogs and we have agreed to take the dogs if necessary. It is a big decision to commit to that. So, like someone said, hire a dog walker or get to know the people who watch your dog when you...
by Doom&Gloom
Mon Jan 29, 2024 11:43 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Managing your affairs when you live alone and have no family or true friends
Replies: 133
Views: 21637

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

1. Spend as much time with your wife as you can while you can. 2. Re: the dogs: Contact rescue organizations in your area and ask if they are willing and able to take your dogs when you can no longer do so, for whatever reason. If that is even a possibility, get the name of a contact person and keep in touch with them. If the dogs are a specific breed, contact the rescue organizations for those breeds. In my limited experience those organizations will go even an extra mile beyond the extra mile that generic rescue organizations will go. It's going to be a long and tough road. Do not place unreasonable deadlines on yourself to accomplish your goals. Try to get at least a little done each day, but not everything today. It's going to feel like...