Search found 5723 matches

by adamthesmythe
Tue Mar 26, 2024 2:19 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What is an easement worth?
Replies: 20
Views: 1981

Re: What is an easement worth?

OP will want to investigate whether he is entitled to an easement by necessity.

An easement that he is NOT entitled to is worth whatever the parties involved agree. It is impossible to say.

Working with the HOA is likely to be very time-consuming. OP will be asking amateurs on the board to do something that they know nothing about. At minimum lawyerS will be involved.
by adamthesmythe
Tue Mar 26, 2024 12:55 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What percentage should I negotiate to sell my house?
Replies: 18
Views: 1236

Re: What percentage should I negotiate to sell my house?

OP should be able to get 5% just by asking. Watch out for any extra fees.

I'm surprised that an agent that you have already done business with is still asking 6%. Maybe his brokerage tells him to do that.

Unless OP was troublesome in past transactions.
by adamthesmythe
Mon Mar 25, 2024 3:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Hospital not following up with my insurance for large claim
Replies: 24
Views: 2260

Re: Hospital not following up with my insurance for large claim

OnTrack2020 wrote: Mon Mar 25, 2024 2:55 pm I hope this was an in-network provider. I could see where the hospital doesn't provide the info needed, and eventually the time clock will run out for filing (timely filing).
How is it not timely filing when it has already been in process for months?
by adamthesmythe
Sun Mar 24, 2024 8:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Two questions re: hiring of buyer’s agent in view of new NAR settlement
Replies: 4
Views: 654

Re: Two questions re: hiring of buyer’s agent in view of new policy re: buyer's agent compensation

We don't know how things will change in July.

I suppose buyer's agents could insist on a dollar payment per showing, with a further payment for negotiation, and a final payment for closing.

OR they could require X% from somewhere upon closing, either from the buyer or the seller. I don't see why the seller's agent can't agree to pay commission in the course of negotiations. My understanding is that it just can't be required upfront.
by adamthesmythe
Sun Mar 24, 2024 8:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: To buy or not to buy a big SUV
Replies: 42
Views: 3484

Re: To buy or not to buy a big SUV

When renting the car you reserve is not necessarily the car you actually get. How flexible are you?
by adamthesmythe
Sun Mar 24, 2024 1:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: refrigerator water filter cap
Replies: 12
Views: 641

Re: refrigerator water filter cap

You need the cap to keep the filter from leaking.

You don't NEED a new filter. You can push the button to reset the timer. Tap water is safe virtually everywhere in the US.
by adamthesmythe
Sat Mar 23, 2024 7:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to avoid getting ripped off on urgent home repairs?
Replies: 47
Views: 3561

Re: How to avoid getting ripped off on urgent home repairs?

By "ripped off" do you mean "paying extra to get the job done right now?"

(I once had an AC failure during the AZ summer. The guy quoted one price to do it right now and another waiting for Monday. I spend the weekend in a hotel touring).
by adamthesmythe
Fri Mar 22, 2024 3:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do you assume legislative cuts in Social Security and other federal benefits?
Replies: 49
Views: 2123

Re: Do you assume legislative cuts in Social Security and other federal benefits?

I wouldn't want to retire counting on SS for most of my income. Not because I think cuts in SS are likely, because that isn't very much money.

Seems to me counting on ACA remaining the same during early retirement is far more scary.
by adamthesmythe
Fri Mar 22, 2024 3:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Unwanted Real Estate - can I transfer it to a Trust?
Replies: 8
Views: 1121

Re: Unwanted Real Estate - can I transfer it to a Trust?

Let's see, you own a mess, and you want your kids to have a bigger mess? Do you not like your kids?

If you want out just quit-claim the property to your mother.
by adamthesmythe
Thu Mar 21, 2024 7:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Seeking a Math Formula - buying wood for project
Replies: 8
Views: 629

Re: Seeking a Math Formula - buying wood for project

For small angles tan(angle) = sin(angle) = angle(degrees)*pi/180
by adamthesmythe
Thu Mar 21, 2024 7:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do you tip hotel staff when checking out?
Replies: 145
Views: 6916

Re: Do you tip hotel staff when checking out?

Either way, it goes to someone who needs it a lot more than I do. And some places pool tips (at least in theory). The class of people who "need it" more than I do is pretty large. Even if we limit it to those who do something for me. Having said that, I have concluded that hotel cleaning staff warrant a few bucks. I do not intend to broaden it much beyond that, and there are a fair number of services I do not use because they seem to involve tipping. For example, I would rather park my car and walk than tip a valet. By the way, by that reasoning, shouldn't I get a tip from those much better off than me? Maybe we should leave an envelope with a QR code for our boss, or for the CEwhatever next time he comes by for a pep talk.
by adamthesmythe
Thu Mar 21, 2024 3:25 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Calling All Academics - What's Next
Replies: 35
Views: 3858

Re: Calling All Academics - What's Next

I do not regret my 30+ years in academia, after a short time in industry in what was then Silicon Valley.

There is definitely a possible grass greener syndrome here. I suggest that OP take a sabbatical year in industry (which I expect he is eligible for now, or soon).

You have to know, or find out, who you are. Some really want the academic job, some really hate the idea, and some can be happy enough in either.
by adamthesmythe
Thu Mar 21, 2024 1:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Flash drives vs external HDs?
Replies: 63
Views: 3904

Re: Flash drives vs external HDs?

A flash drive stores bits as a few hundred electrons on a chunk of silicon. One data loss mechanism is the leakage of electrons.

Magnetic storage stores bits as tiny magnetic domains. I believe these are unlikely to spontaneously flip polarization. Of course, the entire drive can suffer a mechanical failure.

I believe that magnetic hard drives are better for long-term storage. Of course for any type of storage multiple copies are advisable.
by adamthesmythe
Fri Mar 15, 2024 3:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: I will need a new car or repair one
Replies: 46
Views: 2205

Re: I will need a new car or repair one

Most people who buy German cars do it because they value the experience enough to risk the high costs of maintenance and repair. (The others realize they have made a mistake and move on to something else).

Word on the street is that Teslas can run high for insurance, tires, and body work if ever needed.

OP needs to decide what he values most (and what he can afford).
by adamthesmythe
Fri Mar 15, 2024 12:34 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Great news! No more [fixed real estate] agent commission
Replies: 238
Views: 22576

Re: Great news! No more agent commission

The Washington Post says "the new rules will take effect in July" and "the settlement still has to be approved by a federal court."
by adamthesmythe
Fri Mar 15, 2024 12:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Advice re London Neighborhoods, Hotels?
Replies: 21
Views: 1771

Re: Advice re London Neighborhoods, Hotels?

When I went I used the map of available hotels on Expedia to find a hotel near the British Museum.
by adamthesmythe
Fri Mar 15, 2024 12:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Compassion (refund) vs. Compromise vs. Upholding Contract
Replies: 5
Views: 577

Re: Compassion (refund) vs. Compromise vs. Upholding Contract

The loss to the company is very likely not as large as 2/3 of the contract value. It seems to me that a degree of compromise is warranted.
by adamthesmythe
Fri Mar 15, 2024 12:10 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Great news! No more [fixed real estate] agent commission
Replies: 238
Views: 22576

Re: Great news! No more agent commission

RJC wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2024 10:15 am “You’ll see some new pricing models
Future tense. I think we know absolutely nothing right now.
by adamthesmythe
Fri Mar 15, 2024 12:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Signing Listing Agreement Sunday. Any actionable steps with NAR lawsuit?
Replies: 16
Views: 1966

Re: Signing Listing Agreement Sunday. Any actionable steps with NAR lawsuit?

I thought the going rate was no more than 5% everywhere.

And as far as I can tell we have no idea what the implications of this settlement will be.
by adamthesmythe
Thu Mar 14, 2024 10:28 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do you need to carry your health insurance card?
Replies: 75
Views: 7469

Re: Do you need to carry your health insurance card?

stan1 wrote: Sat Sep 16, 2023 8:57 am I think we are at peak Boglehead and are about ready to recommend people tattoo their choice of hospital, insurance info, health care directive, POLST, DNR, and contact info for power of attorney onto their forearm so that first responders know what to do.
Nope. Peak Boglehead is a complaint about how the tattoo removal upon changing health plan allowed the provider to make much more per hour than the poster finds reasonable.
by adamthesmythe
Wed Mar 13, 2024 5:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Cost of roofing and siding as a percent of house value
Replies: 25
Views: 2038

Re: Cost of roofing and siding as a percent of house value

newbie003 wrote: Wed Mar 13, 2024 3:43 pm Do Bogleheads ever consider the cost in this manner?
I don't.

I suppose I might reflect on the fact that not fixing the roof will result in the value declining toward 0%.
by adamthesmythe
Sun Mar 10, 2024 8:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: new mid/upper range hotels
Replies: 7
Views: 1061

Re: new mid/upper range hotels

papiper wrote: Sat Mar 09, 2024 7:56 am There are many new hotel names from the big chains like Tru, Moxy and Aloft -
Used to like Aloft but a few years ago they done me wrong on a reservation. I will be trying them again soon and I am hoping for the best.

Others- no experience. The thing is to figure out what their concept is and whether it works for you. I have rarely (Aloft my one exception) been dissatisfied with a newer hotel.
by adamthesmythe
Sun Mar 10, 2024 4:05 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: [Should I buy this Samuelson economics textbook?]
Replies: 16
Views: 1299

Re: [Should I buy this Samuelson economics textbook?]

Let's say I would find that textbook familiar. It was used in one of those into econ courses that was required and had hundreds of students.

By the way, the problem with NEWER editions of textbooks is that material gets added and rarely removed. As a result coherence is often sacrificed. And the additions are often not made by the original author, who usually had a coherent vision. So old is not necessarily a problem.

Given that there were so many copies of this book you can probably get it even cheaper if you look around some.
by adamthesmythe
Fri Mar 08, 2024 7:33 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Chase Sapphire or Private Client Banking?
Replies: 24
Views: 6266

Re: Chase Sapphire or Private Client Banking?

evancox10 wrote: Thu Sep 14, 2023 12:26 am I would not do Private Client, it is just an opportunity to extract AUM fees.
There are no AUM fees unless you choose to have money managed.

I don't, and they don't bother me.
by adamthesmythe
Thu Mar 07, 2024 11:59 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Another Medicare Advantage Discussion - Let's have some facts
Replies: 22
Views: 1378

Re: Another Medicare Advantage Discussion - Let's have some facts

CloseEnough wrote: Thu Mar 07, 2024 11:34 am I think an important consideration is whether you are generally healthy and rarely use health insurance or if you have more involved health issues that require more frequent use, more specialists etc. That would be a fact each person could consider, and the healthy profile person might gravitate toward MA.
Nope.

I am "healthier." So I travel some and value the broader network. I am "financially comfortable" and can afford the higher priced spread. I am willing to pay for more flexibility and the ability to make more of my own decisions.

Other people have different priorities.
by adamthesmythe
Thu Mar 07, 2024 11:33 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Another Medicare Advantage Discussion - Let's have some facts
Replies: 22
Views: 1378

Re: Another Medicare Advantage Discussion - Let's have some facts

I'm about to sign up for a medigap plan.

The summary of the survey results does not lead me to reconsider.
by adamthesmythe
Wed Mar 06, 2024 7:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Negotiating Full Size SUV
Replies: 23
Views: 3647

Re: Negotiating Full Size SUV

It still may be possible to negotiate by phone or email once you have made the initial visit.

Beware, my experience was in 2020.
by adamthesmythe
Tue Mar 05, 2024 9:30 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Ticket is only available as an award ticket, should I change my rewards strategy?
Replies: 16
Views: 1176

Re: Ticket is only available as an award ticket, should I change my rewards strategy?

It takes a lot of miles to get one flight, let alone several at the same time. Availability is usually poor and they keep moving the goal posts.

OP can probably get the flights he wants by calling.

When calling- there is a difference between direct and non-stop. Don't be fooled.
by adamthesmythe
Tue Mar 05, 2024 9:25 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Flying to London - Delta or British Airways
Replies: 58
Views: 5595

Re: Flying to London - Delta or British Airways

Direct means same flight number the entire way, with a stop. I suspect OP means nonstop.

BA is OK in my experience- not notably worse and not notably better than the competition. BA requires you to pay to select seats in advance, not sure about Delta. Other than that a no-brainer I agree.

(whose planes, not who's planes)
by adamthesmythe
Mon Mar 04, 2024 10:54 am
Forum: Forum Issues and Administration
Topic: Long quotes?
Replies: 28
Views: 7226

Re: Long quotes?

Anybody who reads other posts knows that long quotes waste time getting to the point of a reply.

So anybody who includes a long quote just doesn't care.

It's not possible to get people who don't care to voluntarily change their behavior.
by adamthesmythe
Sun Mar 03, 2024 9:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Cut 401k for housing purchase
Replies: 8
Views: 1211

Re: Cut 401k for housing purchase

Never forgo the match unless you have a major disaster.

Deferring contributions beyond the match can be a reasonable strategy if used carefully for a limited time. As explained, OP loses investment gains during the time between decreasing the contributions and replacing the $ when his old house eventually sells.

Some people around here are way too dogmatic. Maybe they are the ones who will eventually post about how they might have over-saved for retirement.
by adamthesmythe
Fri Mar 01, 2024 1:40 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Which pizza shop should I invest in?
Replies: 19
Views: 1504

Re: Which pizza shop should I invest in?

You should not entangle yourself financially with family.
by adamthesmythe
Fri Mar 01, 2024 1:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Safe to Travel to Egypt in 2024?
Replies: 17
Views: 2262

Re: Safe to Travel to Egypt in 2024?

I canceled a trip to Egypt late last year. I was able to recover most of the pre-paid cost of my trip which helped me make the decision. Is it safe? The state department advises reconsidering travel. There have been no recent reported terrorist acts against tourists (although I believe such have happened in the past). You will find plenty of posts from people who have been to Egypt recently without problem. Nevertheless I chose to take a pass. I didn't feel that I would enjoy looking over my shoulder all the time. While I am not extremely paranoid (not like some posts around here wondering whether it is safe to visit a US city) I have decided to avoid the middle east for the near future. And probably the far future given the intractability ...
by adamthesmythe
Thu Feb 29, 2024 1:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sending foreign currency (Chinese Yuan) intra-US?
Replies: 14
Views: 1607

Re: Sending foreign currency (Chinese Yuan) intra-US?

It's not that much money. If I did mail it I would use regular mail.

Word on the street is that smartphone-based applications are used for payment by most merchants. Hotels and such will be happy with credit cards. I'm not sure you would spend as much as $300 worth.
by adamthesmythe
Wed Feb 28, 2024 5:07 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Contract shall survive the closing, Home purchase FL
Replies: 17
Views: 1676

Re: Contract shall survive the closing, Home purchase FL

Jack FFR1846 wrote: Wed Feb 28, 2024 4:17 pm Since you have an attorney, why not have him draft the contract? While I have not done that, the contract for the home I'm in, the sellers did exactly that. We had our attorney review it.
That's a certain way to gum up the works, as then the seller might want to have to have the entire contract reviewed instead of a single clause. There's a good reason some states use standard contracts.

Another case where experience in a different state can be...useless. I hear that in NY each side has an attorney. In some states (notably the western state where I live) it is unusual to have any involved in a real estate transaction.
by adamthesmythe
Wed Feb 28, 2024 4:42 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Land vs Improvement Property Value
Replies: 7
Views: 611

Re: Land vs Improvement Property Value

mander75 wrote: Wed Feb 28, 2024 2:09 pm Hello All - property tax statements have "Land" and "Improvement" values for a property. I see that "Land" values go up yearly, but I am trying to understand why the "Improvement" value goes up. Is not "Improvement" value a depreciable asset, i.e., does it lose value as the house ages?
I have seen people around here claim this but it is not consistent with my experience in places that I have lived.

Find a house for sale and try offering a discount from its value ten years ago. See how far that gets you.
by adamthesmythe
Wed Feb 28, 2024 1:47 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Contract shall survive the closing, Home purchase FL
Replies: 17
Views: 1676

Re: Contract shall survive the closing, Home purchase FL

I have handwritten additions to contracts so I believe you "can" do it.

However such a change might make it necessary for the seller to also consult an attorney.

I will be interested to hear the outcome. Procedures vary between states so something absolutely necessary in one state may not be so in another, and may even be implicitly covered under state law.

(I once tried to write contingencies into a purchase contract in the west, as we would in the northeast. I learned that the contingencies would be covered under the broad inspection clause we have in this state).
by adamthesmythe
Mon Feb 26, 2024 4:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Good time to buy airline tickets to Australia for December
Replies: 5
Views: 1194

Re: Good time to buy airline tickets to Australia for December

I have read that about 6 months is often best for international. I can say from experience that ~11 months is probably too much.

It's best to buy a good fare when it is available unless willing to miss the trip if you don't get a great fare.

You probably can't judge a "good" fare based on experience from a few years ago.
by adamthesmythe
Sun Feb 25, 2024 3:27 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How important is management team when trying to value a company?
Replies: 24
Views: 2313

Re: How important is management team when trying to value a company?

Just as with stock-picking, CEOs can be lucky rather than smart. I'm sure there is a role for expertise, but that is certainly not the whole story.

And then there are CEOs that are initially an asset and then stop being so. Looking at you, Elon.

I'm just going to stick to index funds.
by adamthesmythe
Sun Feb 25, 2024 3:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How do people go bankrupt?
Replies: 39
Views: 3231

Re: How do people go bankrupt?

1. Not actionable, will probably get closed down.

2. I remember the Hemingway quote.
by adamthesmythe
Sun Feb 25, 2024 1:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: tipping shuttle driver ?
Replies: 34
Views: 4021

Re: tipping shuttle driver ?

There are many services I avoid so I don't need to think about tipping.

Can't really avoid the hotel shuttle. Although when traveling I am more likely to not have small bills, or not small bills in the right currency.

So the answer is: sometimes. If I have the bills, depends on the amount of assistance and distance.
by adamthesmythe
Sun Feb 25, 2024 12:19 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 0% 60 month Car loan in todays 5% Savings Environment
Replies: 43
Views: 4526

Re: 0% 60 month Car loan in todays 5% Savings Environment

An economically rational car dealer would either offer a lower price for cash or charge a higher price for 0% financing.
by adamthesmythe
Fri Feb 23, 2024 1:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: London + Scotland end of March or summer?
Replies: 3
Views: 508

Re: London + Scotland end of March or summer?

You can consult the usual websites about weather in Skye in March. My guess (and it's only a guess) is that it will be pretty chilly and not much will be open (that is, lodging).
by adamthesmythe
Fri Feb 23, 2024 10:21 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: College cheating, what would you do?
Replies: 64
Views: 4450

Re: College cheating, what would you do?

Even before ChatGPT, faculty were allowed (and at my former institution, actually required) to define the allowable use of outside resources for assignments. It is at least possible that the use of ChatGPT is not forbidden in some of roomate's courses.

By the way, I have been reading that the use of automatic tools to detect ChatGPT is unreliable.
by adamthesmythe
Thu Feb 22, 2024 5:47 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sugar Chest
Replies: 6
Views: 1147

Re: Sugar Chest

There are probably speciality auction houses that deal with this sort of thing. I was aware of one some years ago when I was interested in arts and crafts period things.

I can't say whether auction houses or specialist websites get a better price these days.
by adamthesmythe
Wed Feb 21, 2024 7:51 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Meredith Whitney makes a bold prediction regarding the housing market
Replies: 19
Views: 3969

Re: Meredith Whitney makes a bold prediction regarding the housing market

fredflinstone wrote: Tue Feb 20, 2024 4:55 am So, basically, she is predicting that some housing markets will perform better than others. Bold.
In other news, some stocks will go up while others will go down.
by adamthesmythe
Mon Feb 19, 2024 12:24 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How to Plan for Health Expenses With Retirement Far Away?
Replies: 17
Views: 1602

Re: How to Plan for Health Expenses With Retirement Far Away?

25 years out you can only make a wild guess about health care expenses. You can also only make a wild guess about how much you need to save for living expenses. Deal with it. Seriously- think about it as a system. We have a health care system that delivers decent care to most of the population. Barring disasters or scifi-ish events most people will still be able to access health care. Otherwise the people employed in the medical industrial complex get laid off, go on welfare, etc. etc. and the economy collapses. The thing is to just stay on the right side of the bell curve for retirement savings. Then your outcome is likely to be better than most and most will do OK. This will not require living in privation and saving 80% of take home pay....
by adamthesmythe
Mon Feb 19, 2024 12:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Annuity quote doesn't make sense
Replies: 12
Views: 1139

Re: Annuity quote doesn't make sense

The difference is negligible, a rounding error, might be from different companies, and may not exist when a person requests an actual formal quote.
by adamthesmythe
Mon Feb 19, 2024 9:55 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Yellowstone trip - Advice
Replies: 37
Views: 3816

Re: Yellow Stone trip - Advice

A few general things OP needs to know:

1. The US and US parks are huge. Plan on driving. A lot.

2. Popular parks are challenging to visit. Lodging is limited, expensive, and sells out early. Some parks have controlled entry.

3. Things have gotten worse (in terms of numbers) in the last few years. Past experiences may not be a useful guide.

4. The less well known parks are much easier to visit and may offer a greater drive time + wait time to enjoyment balance.
by adamthesmythe
Mon Feb 19, 2024 9:48 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Need advice about real estate investment
Replies: 18
Views: 1991

Re: Need advice about real estate investment

The right answer is "no thanks I don't know how to do that."

With 100K to work with you can either invest in a REIT or become a slumlord.