Search found 863 matches
- Sat Nov 23, 2019 6:31 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Contractor who billed for unrequested services - will not discuss invoice with me
- Replies: 33
- Views: 4027
Re: Contractor who billed for unrequested services - will not discuss invoice with me
Have you tried having a conversation with the guy when he's in your yard? Our guy is pretty good, but he NEVER responds to email or phone. I learned long ago that if I want him to do something additional (or not do something), I have to have to talk with him face to face. It's not my preferred mode ...
- Wed Nov 06, 2019 9:23 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Your Fantasy Kitchen (Cookware-wise)
- Replies: 65
- Views: 5379
Re: Your Fantasy Kitchen (Cookware-wise)
Get a carbon steel wok and make yourself some wonderful Chinese dishes. A ginger/bok choy stir fry makes a super fast and delicious vegetable dish. Throw in some leftover meat and make some rice for a lovely cooked lunch. We use our sous vide and Instapot ALL THE TIME. (I echo getting a non-stick pa...
- Wed Oct 16, 2019 5:42 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: How do I store a boat this winter?
- Replies: 20
- Views: 1505
Re: How do I store a boat this winter?
I live on a lake and have a 16' pontoon boat. We have neighbors who store their boats on their property, most using that blue shrink-wrap to protect it from the elements. I find that ugly, and we don't have the room in the yard anyway, so we pay to have it picked up and stored. There's a choice betw...
- Mon Oct 14, 2019 5:58 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: [Vanguard glitch] Your brokerage Consolidated Form 1099 is now available
- Replies: 40
- Views: 2074
Re: Your brokerage Consolidated Form 1099 is now available
I got it, too. Assume it's just a glitch, because the 1099 has not changed.
- Sat Jul 27, 2019 6:52 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: What to do in a crash
- Replies: 65
- Views: 7328
- Sun Feb 24, 2019 8:24 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Robocall from someone in my phone contacts?
- Replies: 24
- Views: 2023
Re: Robocall from someone in my phone contacts?
I tried the apps but they worked imperfectly, so I finally just put my mobile phone on Do Not Disturb, with the exception that it rings if the caller is in my contacts list. Interestingly, over the months since implementing this, the robo calls have mostly stopped altogether, as if they know they've...
- Sat Dec 29, 2018 8:34 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Spam calls to cell phone...
- Replies: 123
- Views: 15414
Re: Spam calls to cell phone...
The apps I've tried weren't all that effective. Better, I put my iPhone on Do Not Disturb, EXCEPT Contact List. So now if I know the caller, it rings, and if I don't, it remains silent. Not ideal, but it's satisfactory.
- Thu Nov 08, 2018 9:04 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Favorite "free stuff"?
- Replies: 137
- Views: 11830
Re: Favorite "free stuff"?
My monthly gym membership ($39) is free via silversneakers.com.
- Tue Oct 23, 2018 7:15 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What do you spend your money on outside of expenses and investments?
- Replies: 23
- Views: 2031
Re: What do you spend your money on outside of expenses and investments?
Services (housekeeping, yard, handyman)
Personal trainer
International travel
Personal trainer
International travel
- Sun Jul 08, 2018 7:15 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What time do you get up in the morning?
- Replies: 160
- Views: 13911
Re: What time do you get up in the morning?
I get up when I wake up, which is around 5:30a. Key to my quality of life is having a fresh pot of coffee ready to go. (We prepare the coffeemaker the night before and set the timer.) I read the news and catch up on email until breakfast at 8:00a, with a nice, long dog walk afterward. I prefer going...
- Sat Jun 23, 2018 6:32 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: When did you start flying business class?
- Replies: 155
- Views: 14246
Re: When did you start flying business class?
I have been flying biz class for longer haul flights for about 15 years. I pay cash for an economy fare and upgrade using miles mostly earned via the Chase Mileage Plus Visa. (If an upgrade isn't available, I find another flight.)
[OT comment removed by admin LadyGeek]
[OT comment removed by admin LadyGeek]
- Fri Jun 01, 2018 10:35 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Streaming TV and repeal of net neutrality
- Replies: 15
- Views: 1394
Re: Streaming TV and repeal of net neutrality
It will be less about throttling and more about positioning decent streaming as superior quality that is available to discerning customers for a premium.
- Thu May 17, 2018 6:28 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Hot food flavoring (sauces, spices and peppers)
- Replies: 51
- Views: 4453
Re: Hot food flavoring (sauces, spices and peppers)
Our favorite HOT hot sauce is Sambal Oelek, a Thai chili paste. It packs a wallop and is flavorful, too.
- Tue May 08, 2018 5:48 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Which City to spend 4-6 weeks?
- Replies: 48
- Views: 6207
Re: Which City to spend 4-6 weeks?
I've stayed in Brighton for extended periods and really like it. It's bustling but also laid back, with good restaurants/coffee houses, galleries, historical locations, etc. And it's less than an hour by train to London, half that to Gatwick for hops to other European cities.
- Tue Apr 24, 2018 10:15 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: John Oliver- All you have to know about planning for retirement
- Replies: 8
- Views: 4404
Re: John Oliver- All you have to know about planning for retirement
Back when this link was first posted (June 2016), someone wondered if Oliver's message was really reaching anybody, and HurdyGurdy posted these stats: 2,235,972 views, almost 48,000 thumbs up and 624 thumbs down, 3,800+ comments. Since then, the stats are: 8,463,180 views 93K likes 4800+ comments .....
- Fri Apr 20, 2018 11:27 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Do you buy new or used cars?
- Replies: 183
- Views: 20152
Re: Do you buy new or used cars?
I buy "gently used" cars with as few miles as possible and are still under warranty. Other than that, I don't really care about model or color or options as long as my basic needs are met, which is to transport two dogs and two people, plus 4wd or AWD for snow days. I go for what I like the most amo...
- Fri Apr 06, 2018 7:47 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Who uses the 3 fund portfolio ?
- Replies: 113
- Views: 25290
Re: Who uses the 3 fund portfolio ?
I went to 3 funds in 2015 when I retired and rolled over my 401K to a Vanguard IRA. The simplicity appealed to me then and still does, so I'm not especially open to complicating things. I do hold sector ETFs in taxable and Roth (e.g. tech, small cap, emerging markets, etc.), for no better reason tha...
- Wed Mar 21, 2018 7:45 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: "Demographics and equity returns: A far-fetched horror story" by Joe Davis of Vanguard
- Replies: 30
- Views: 5954
Re: "Demographics and equity returns: A far-fetched horror story" by Joe Davis of Vanguard
The healthcare sector grew faster than any other from 2006-2016 (3.8 million new jobs) and is projected to continue that trend from 2016-2026 (4 million new jobs) by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It's not just a cost; it's a source of income for about 19 million people. I mean when 1 in every 5 d...
- Sun Mar 18, 2018 6:55 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Suggestions or remedy for a fire on our apartment complex...
- Replies: 13
- Views: 1903
Re: Suggestions or remedy for a fire on our apartment complex...
There's a nice gym in walking distance, but they charge $70 per month plus signup fees to join. Otherwise, there's a budget gym - 15 minute car ride - that charges $10-20 per month plus signup fees. Thoughts? If you're older, have you looked at Silver Sneakers to see if they might cover the cost of...
- Sun Mar 04, 2018 8:44 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: What is your investment strength?
- Replies: 70
- Views: 6676
Re: What is your investment strength?
Staying the course; not being fearful and/or tempted to make changes based on what the markets are doing.
- Tue Feb 27, 2018 6:22 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Physical cash
- Replies: 121
- Views: 10060
Re: Physical cash
When I go to the ATM, I usually withdraw $200. It usually lasts 2-3 months, sometimes longer.
We also keep about $500 stashed away at home, just in case it's needed. It rarely is.
We also keep about $500 stashed away at home, just in case it's needed. It rarely is.
- Sun Feb 25, 2018 7:15 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Blasphemy... DO PEEK!
- Replies: 100
- Views: 11334
Re: Blasphemy... DO PEEK!
I look just about every day and always have. I know what the markets are doing and how they should affect my portfolio, then at the end of the day I check. It only takes a few minutes and seems like the responsible thing to do with my life savings. Happily, I have never been tempted to alter my plan...
- Fri Feb 23, 2018 6:44 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What vacations or weekend getaways are you taking this summer?
- Replies: 24
- Views: 2386
Re: What vacations or weekend getaways are you taking this summer?
I'll be spending a month in England visiting a friend. We're planning two 3-day side trips, one to Ireland and one to the French/Swiss border area. Day trips to London.
- Sat Feb 03, 2018 8:55 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Do you live on a budget?
- Replies: 65
- Views: 4808
Re: Do you live on a budget?
Yes and no. I start the year with my planned year's expenses in my checking account and hope that covers me to December 31st. It usually does. Otherwise I don't track.
- Mon Jan 22, 2018 7:32 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Work-out schedule for those in 60s
- Replies: 78
- Views: 8144
Re: Work-out schedule for those in 60s
65 and retired here. I have a heart condition, so I have to avoid strain lest my aorta explode. I see a personal trainer M, W and F for an hour each time. Basically, I do lower weights than I can actually lift, with a higher number of repetitions, usually 15-20 each set for 3 sets. I warm up, stretc...
- Thu Jan 11, 2018 7:35 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How do you define middle class? Which class do you consider yourself in?
- Replies: 23
- Views: 2884
Re: How do you define middle class? Which class do you consider yourself in?
Using this CNN article's definition, I am both wealthy (net worth) and middle class (annual income).
http://money.cnn.com/infographic/econom ... index.html
http://money.cnn.com/infographic/econom ... index.html
- Thu Jan 11, 2018 7:09 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: anyone else enjoying an afternoon nap in retirement?
- Replies: 19
- Views: 2405
Re: anyone else enjoying an afternoon nap in retirement?
For a while after I retired, I took naps whenever the whim struck, and it was lovely. But I sleep better at night when I haven't napped that day, so I stopped.
- Wed Jan 10, 2018 6:52 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Computers Suck
- Replies: 18
- Views: 1860
Re: Computers Suck
I'm 65 and like computers a lot. Sure they could be more stable and intuitive, but I don't mind troubleshooting from time to time. I have a straightforward rig, though, nothing complicated. I do like Windows 10 better than 7.
- Mon Jan 08, 2018 6:43 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Anyone disenchanted with retirement?
- Replies: 306
- Views: 45715
Re: Anyone disenchanted with retirement?
I'm closing in on three years and have zero inclination to do paid work of any kind.
- Sun Jan 07, 2018 8:01 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Can you please help me find a good concierge service?
- Replies: 6
- Views: 1026
- Fri Jan 05, 2018 6:42 pm
- Forum: Forum Issues and Administration
- Topic: Misuse of adverse when averse was meant
- Replies: 160
- Views: 18980
Re: Misuse of adverse when averse was meant
Yes, doing it right is better then doing it wrong, than people will know!
- Sun Dec 31, 2017 8:14 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Seeking a good read
- Replies: 5
- Views: 712
Re: Seeking a good read
After bogleheads, of course, as I approached retirement, consistently the most pertinent and interesting read for me was Darrow Kirkpatrick's https://www.caniretireyet.com
I did not meet with a financial planner when I retired in 2015. I didn't see the need/benefit and still don't.
I did not meet with a financial planner when I retired in 2015. I didn't see the need/benefit and still don't.
- Thu Dec 28, 2017 8:03 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Keeping a checkbook register
- Replies: 122
- Views: 10855
Re: Keeping a checkbook register
I can literally look up an entry for any check I've ever written... I worry about the ease of finding information quickly... Maybe I'm just lucky, but I've never needed or wanted to look up a check from years ago. Is this something people do? I only write a check or two a year and don't bother reco...
- Sat Dec 23, 2017 6:52 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: The extended bull market
- Replies: 53
- Views: 5209
Re: The extended bull market
Nope.tennisplyr wrote: ↑Sat Dec 23, 2017 8:17 amIs there anything you are doing more/less of or have changed what you were doing in the past?
I'm 65 and have been retired 2.5 years.
- Fri Dec 22, 2017 7:35 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Sell taxable while in 0% capital gains bracket (to help cost basis)?
- Replies: 16
- Views: 1809
- Sun Dec 17, 2017 6:54 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Overnight guests
- Replies: 15
- Views: 2140
Re: Overnight guests
What would you do? You're probably doing even more work to facilitate this arrangement than you outline. Who's making up the bed, washing linens and towels, doing extra dishes, cleaning the bedroom afterwards? Does the cousin make himself scarce in the evening or hang with you and your husband, thu...
- Sun Dec 17, 2017 5:56 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Do you have bonds in Roths as a retiree?
- Replies: 35
- Views: 3663
Re: Do you have bonds in Roths as a retiree?
I'm retired with no bonds in Roth and no plans to put any there for the standard reason.
- Sat Dec 16, 2017 7:45 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: How much do you spend on food per month, per person?
- Replies: 190
- Views: 16333
Re: How much do you spend on food per month, per person?
Household of two, generally about $400 each per month, which includes household items like cleaning supplies, paper products and pet food (2 dogs and a parrot), but not alcohol or eating out.
- Mon Dec 04, 2017 7:33 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: VPN user -- can Vanguard remember my computer?
- Replies: 4
- Views: 740
Re: VPN user -- can Vanguard remember my computer?
Confirming what ZinCo said. I use VPN and the Vanguard site remembers me just fine with no additional prompts.
- Sun Dec 03, 2017 7:14 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: moved to another state in 2017 -- best tax software?
- Replies: 6
- Views: 1015
Re: moved to another state in 2017 -- best tax software?
In case you are not already aware, some states have reciprocal agreements with other states so that you don't have to file two state returns. For example, in 2015 I moved from Illinois to Wisconsin; I had to file only a Wisconsin state return. Turbo Tax handles this easily. Here's the list: https://...
- Thu Nov 30, 2017 7:41 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: To sell or not
- Replies: 3
- Views: 704
- Wed Nov 29, 2017 7:43 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Best Home Blood-Pressure Monitor for Accuracy?
- Replies: 6
- Views: 1126
Re: Best Home Blood-Pressure Monitor for Accuracy?
I've been happy with the monitor linked below. While it is automatic, you'll note in the top review that a medical person says its results compare well with those taken manually.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KP ... UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KP ... UTF8&psc=1
- Mon Nov 27, 2017 12:10 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Cyber Monday - Best Deals?
- Replies: 6
- Views: 1232
Re: Cyber Monday - Best Deals?
The other day I nearly dropped a hot dish using my clumsy old hot pads, so when I saw these oven gloves at 70% off I spent a whopping $11.95 on them.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01ET ... UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01ET ... UTF8&psc=1
- Sun Nov 19, 2017 6:07 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Dave Ramsey says don't use credit cards, even if you pay them off
- Replies: 221
- Views: 22127
Re: Dave Ramsey says don't use credit cards, even if you pay them off
Isn't a spender going to run out of cash and think, "No problem, there's lots more of that at the ATM"?
- Tue Nov 07, 2017 6:30 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: "I took all my money out of the stock market and it feels amazing"
- Replies: 69
- Views: 11211
Re: "I took all my money out of the stock market and it feels amazing"
Wow, that seems wildly imprudent to disclose so much about her finances using her real name when she is so easily located on social media.
- Sat Nov 04, 2017 6:21 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: 2017 Bogleheads Conference
- Replies: 8
- Views: 1035
Re: 2017 Bogelheads Conference
There are two so far: https://vimeo.com/channels/bogleheads/videos
- Sat Nov 04, 2017 6:05 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: What are your thoughts on buying a car wash? Good investment or is there a catch?
- Replies: 46
- Views: 6236
Re: What are your thoughts on buying a car wash? Good investment or is there a catch?
You could likely get some good info by joining the International Carwash Association for $200:
http://www.carwash.org
http://www.carwash.org
- Tue Oct 31, 2017 5:25 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Lets take about the adjustment
- Replies: 13
- Views: 2076
Re: Lets take about the adjustment
I like the Economist's Global Forecasting Service free monthly summary report for a "view from 35,000 feet." http://gfs.eiu.comTheQuestionGuy wrote: ↑Mon Oct 30, 2017 8:39 pmwhat indicators are you watching for the next adjustment?
I also like this graph:

- Mon Oct 30, 2017 7:00 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: My 401k is almost all cash now. 1/2 Mil
- Replies: 89
- Views: 11310
Re: My 401k is almost all cash now. 1/2 Mil
What would you do? First, I would adjust my views as to when I might be able to retire. Second, I'd explore the wiki here, along with the forum discussions, to understand that my views and current position are inconducive to investing success. Finally, I wouldn't beat myself up about past mistakes,...
- Mon Oct 30, 2017 6:42 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Portugal Trip, any suggestions?
- Replies: 38
- Views: 3420
Re: Portugal Trip, any suggestions?
+1Higman wrote: ↑Mon Oct 30, 2017 6:40 pmDefinitely Sintra:
http://www.sintra-portugal.com/guides/S ... isbon.html