Search found 331 matches

by Wings5
Sat Feb 17, 2024 1:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to watch live European Soccer matches without spending too much?
Replies: 21
Views: 2475

Re: How to watch live European Soccer matches without spending too much?

Thread revival.

Are there any new deals or best packages for 2024? We’re interested in the EPL, Champions League, Bundesliga, and others. Really just trying to increase our options without breaking the bank.

Thanks!
by Wings5
Sun Feb 11, 2024 2:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: TSP Match When Requesting a Refund of Excess Deferrals
Replies: 4
Views: 475

Re: TSP Match When Requesting a Refund of Excess Deferrals

Yes, a colleague was telling us that this was his technique. He said he didn’t want to lose out on the TSP match, so he contributes to both and then asks for a refund of his contribution.

I was and remain skeptical, although just paying the over contribution is something I haven’t looked into quite yet.
by Wings5
Thu Feb 01, 2024 2:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: TSP Match When Requesting a Refund of Excess Deferrals
Replies: 4
Views: 475

TSP Match When Requesting a Refund of Excess Deferrals

Hello Everyone. I work a civilian and federal job in the reserve component of the military. I’m in the Blended Retirement System and contribute to the TSP and a 401k. What happens to my TSP agency match if I request a refund of excess deferrals? Private company: I contribute $22k to a traditional 401k and get a $22k match. Government job: I contribute $5k to the Roth TSP and get a $5k match. For 2024, I’ve contributed $27k and I’m over by $4k. I request a refund from the TSP. According to https://www.tsp.gov/publications/tspfs07.pdf A federal employee can request a refund of any excess deferrals from one or more of the retirement plans in which he or she participates. Each plan then has the option of returning the employee’s excess deferral...
by Wings5
Fri Jan 05, 2024 1:39 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: London Tube (subway) strikes
Replies: 16
Views: 2462

Re: London Tube (subway) strikes

This is timely info!
by Wings5
Fri Dec 29, 2023 11:25 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: End of Year Backdoor Roth
Replies: 21
Views: 2300

Re: End of Year Backdoor Roth

Bump . . .
by Wings5
Tue Dec 26, 2023 10:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to lead a team that is older and more experienced that me
Replies: 40
Views: 5792

Re: How to lead a team that is older and more experienced that me

Humility goes a long way.

Don’t be afraid to say, “I don’t know, but I’ll figure it out.”

There are plenty of ways to be smart and they don’t all look the same. I lead a pretty large team, and I always tell them that the answers are all in the room, we just have to figure out the right questions to ask.
by Wings5
Tue Dec 26, 2023 1:33 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: End of Year Backdoor Roth
Replies: 21
Views: 2300

Re: End of Year Backdoor Roth

Can someone please sanity-check me? We both opened traditional and Roth IRA accounts at Schwab. We sold brokerage funds to move cash directly into our IRAs. Here's my late, poorly planned recovery for both 2023 and 2024 contributions. Due to poor planning on my part, we won't be able to fund and convert to a back door Roth in 2023. We'll fully fund both of our non-deductible traditional IRAs on December 29, 2023. $6500 per account On January 2, 2024, we'll fully fund both non-deductible traditional IRAs for 2024. $7000 per account On January 3, we'll convert $13,500 in each account (the full balance) to a Roth IRA. We'll report those conversions on a combined 8606 (one for him, one for her). That will be filed with our 2024 taxes in 2025. W...
by Wings5
Tue Dec 26, 2023 11:26 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: End of Year Backdoor Roth
Replies: 21
Views: 2300

Re: End of Year Backdoor Roth

Edit: If opening Trad and Roth IRAs in both names at Schwab is quicker, I would definitely explore that option. Also, wiring $13000 from Schwab to Vanguard will make the money available within hours, it will incur $40 fee, though depending on your assets at Schwab you may get free wires. Get the proper domestic wire instructions from Vanguard, and execute from Schwab. This seems like the easiest since it would make the full amount available in hours. Wire $13k from Schwab taxable to a joint brokerage account at Vanguard. Pay the $40 fee. Fund both his and hers traditional IRAs at Vanguard from the joint brokerage. Convert the traditional to Roth. For the wire, will the shares transfer in kind? Or will shares be sold at Schwab, cash sent to...
by Wings5
Tue Dec 26, 2023 12:17 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: End of Year Backdoor Roth
Replies: 21
Views: 2300

End of Year Backdoor Roth

Hello, We're trying to fund 2023 his and her backdoor Roth IRAs at Vanguard from funds in Schwab and Fidelity that are in his name only. A direct cash contribution isn't possible this year. What's the best way to sell taxable funds in his name and send them to separate IRA accounts in his and her name? Would it be easier to open his and her IRAs at Schwab or Fidelity, then fund? With only four business days left this year, it seems like it may take too many days to open, add names, contribute, and then convert via backdoor. Current Outlay: Vanguard - His and Hers Roth IRAs, the only ones we've ever used Vanguard - His and Hers taxable, but only $3500 in it Schwab - taxable (his name only) Fidelity - taxable (his name only) Thank you!
by Wings5
Sun Dec 10, 2023 7:54 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What is the Worst Financial Decision/Mistake You Have Made?
Replies: 657
Views: 133052

Re: What is the Worst Financial Decision/Mistake You Have Made?

Taking out a car lease right after graduation. Parent told me the car I thought was mine was mine no longer, and I had no backup.
by Wings5
Fri Nov 24, 2023 10:13 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Toyota Sienna - Another New or Used Vehicle Decision Point
Replies: 22
Views: 3088

Re: Toyota Sienna - Another New or Used Vehicle Decision Point

cadzan wrote: Thu Nov 23, 2023 5:34 pm I agree, if the damage isn't too bad, I'd consider repairing it and driving it into the ground.

Did the buck survive?
It staggered around for a while but didn’t die. Not sure where it’s at now.

Can a salvage title be insured, especially if the insurance company totaled it?

Buying new sounds smarter. I hate spending that much money though. I guess it’s definitely a case of buy nice or buy twice.
by Wings5
Thu Nov 23, 2023 2:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Toyota Sienna - Another New or Used Vehicle Decision Point
Replies: 22
Views: 3088

Re: Toyota Sienna - Another New or Used Vehicle Decision Point

er999 wrote: Thu Nov 23, 2023 2:13 pm Personally I’d buy new for the extra $6k. I bought a new Sienna last year and my wife loves it. Happy to get a brand new one and we paid around $46k for the mid tier trim.
Thank you. Mind if I ask how many years you expect to own it?
by Wings5
Thu Nov 23, 2023 1:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Toyota Sienna - Another New or Used Vehicle Decision Point
Replies: 22
Views: 3088

Toyota Sienna - Another New or Used Vehicle Decision Point

Would you buy a new or used Toyota Sienna in our situation? Kids are currently 15, 13, and 9. The current minivan (another Sienna) is 9 years old, but we may not keep this one until my 9-year-old is 18. We're use-it-up or wear-it-out people, so we're not ruling it out. We drive about 20,000 miles per year in it. We rent a large truck or SUV for road trips. Our current high-mileage minivan (might have) met a sad end when it hit an 8-point buck on our local county road. That's TBD with the insurance adjuster. The plan was to buy a new Sienna in February 2024 and keep the high-mileage Sienna for hauling sweaty teens. We need something sooner. A new van would likely run $43,000 all in. I’ve found a few dealers with inventory available. A used v...
by Wings5
Wed Oct 25, 2023 7:10 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: WSJ: Your 'Set It and Forget It' 401(k) Made You Rich. No More.
Replies: 121
Views: 23197

Re: WSJ: Your 'Set It and Forget It' 401(k) Made You Rich. No More.

How common was investing for a toddler's education in 1965? Strawman argument here:
The result: A family setting aside $1,000 for their toddler’s education at the end of 1965 in a 60/40 portfolio ended up with $785 in real terms by her senior year of high school in January 1982.
The median household income in 1965 was $6,900, so this family was setting aside 1/7th of their income--a 14% savings rate just for education.

The real lesson is to live below your means. As others have mentioned, the market is going to do what it does. Having some pad will always help. If this hypothetical family was saving for education on top of retirement, they'd still wind up ahead of people who didn't save at all.
by Wings5
Sun Oct 08, 2023 10:27 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Have You Ever Purchased a High-End (or at least expensive) Art Replica (Las Meninas)?
Replies: 10
Views: 1004

Re: Have You Ever Purchased a High-End (or at least expensive) Art Replica (Las Meninas)?

Adding a useless data point that Las Meninas is one of my Top 5 works of art.

I’d go with a very high quality print, vice an artist’s rendition of it.
by Wings5
Fri Sep 01, 2023 8:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Weller Special Reserve Bourbon - A Bubble?
Replies: 13
Views: 1520

Re: Weller Special Reserve Bourbon - A Bubble?

dukeblue219 wrote: Fri Sep 01, 2023 8:08 pm Buffalo Trace makes other bourbons beyond WSR that are quite good - WSR is not one of their high-end products.

Is this the only bourbon you enjoy?
I like the wheated bourbon much better than the rye. What else would you recommend from BT?
by Wings5
Fri Sep 01, 2023 8:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Weller Special Reserve Bourbon - A Bubble?
Replies: 13
Views: 1520

Re: Weller Special Reserve Bourbon - A Bubble?

quantAndHold wrote: Fri Sep 01, 2023 8:07 pm When I googled “Weller Special Reserve near me” I found 7 places that can deliver to me within an hour, but prices were like $80, not $24. If you’re taking 2 years to get through a bottle, $80 might still be okay…
I called a few of the places that came up. They said, “That’s Google’s website, not ours. We haven’t had any in months.”

I guess I’d never considered that.
by Wings5
Fri Sep 01, 2023 7:59 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Weller Special Reserve Bourbon - A Bubble?
Replies: 13
Views: 1520

Weller Special Reserve Bourbon - A Bubble?

I last purchased a bottle of Weller Special Reserve for $24 in 2020. It lasted three years…I drink it incredibly slow when we sit and read in the evening sometimes. It’s great and the occasional treat. It’s down to about 2 months left and I went to look for a new bottle. Wow…nobody has it, I called one or two places and got scoffed at.

Is this stuff rare now? The larger stores in DFW say they haven’t had it in months. The mom and pop shops say to check in on the first/third Wednesday every other month.

If this is your go-to, where are you finding it? I don’t want to hunt down a $24 unicorn, but I’m genuinely curious if this goes on forever or if it’s a passing fad.
by Wings5
Wed Aug 09, 2023 9:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Homeowner’s Insurance - Cost to Rebuild
Replies: 10
Views: 1378

Homeowner’s Insurance - Cost to Rebuild

Hello Everyone,

Searched but didn’t find much on the subject. I’ll also add that my company is supporting relief efforts in Maui with ongoing wildfires, and home insurance is top of mind at the moment.

Our homeowners is roughly $3,200 per year. The cost to replace comes out to $191/square foot on a 2,100 square foot home. We live in DFW, and we couldn’t build what we have, where we are, for that price. That’s not even assuming the mortgage balance or buying the land to rebuild in, should something happen.

Should we have a conversation with our insurer? The home is pretty simple and we won’t want to over insure, but we also want to make sure we don’t have a gap should a calamity happen.

Thank you all for the help!
by Wings5
Sun Aug 06, 2023 1:10 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What are you listening to now
Replies: 5802
Views: 574773

Re: What are you listening to now

Ben Rector

Old Friends, Live in Atlanta
by Wings5
Tue Jul 11, 2023 9:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Minivan for Sweaty Teens
Replies: 13
Views: 1584

Re: Minivan for Sweaty Teens

OP here. The AC is going out, it’s a few grand to replace it. Needs a few other routine services but nothing else outrageous. We live in Texas. It’s about ten years old with 190,000 miles on it.

Wouldn’t be the worst thing to keep it as a sports hauler for game and practice runs, I kind of like the idea. Looking at getting the inside sprayed with Line-X, and the full weather tech setup may be a cheaper and better idea…

Might get some weird looks from other team parents, but we’re just not into spending $75k on an SUV to squeeze half our kids smelly gear inside.
by Wings5
Tue Jul 11, 2023 8:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Minivan for Sweaty Teens
Replies: 13
Views: 1584

Minivan for Sweaty Teens

What’s the best van interior for sweaty teens in sports?

We have three kids—two teens and one preteen. They’re all playin sports 5-6 days a week. The current swagger wagon is a Toyota Sienna with fabric interior, and the vehicle needs to be replaced.

We’re looking at a new minivan, but none of them offer a 1980s-style school bus interior option that’s easy to wash off and doesn’t absorb stink like a sponge. Obviously they shower after when able, sit on towels, pull sweatshirts over, etc. We’re just looking for something that can take a little more of a beating. Still don’t understand why minivans have carpet, but I’m just a crazy dad.

Has anyone found certain minivan interiors that are functionally durable against teens?
by Wings5
Thu Jul 06, 2023 3:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Flying to Hawaii with an overnight or two on the West Coast
Replies: 51
Views: 4981

Re: Flying to Hawaii with an overnight or two on the West Coast

OP, This sounds like an excellent idea. I’m surprised the idea isn’t more popular, especially coming from the east coast out to the islands. We have done a similar itinerary, although we live in Texas. We stopped in San Jose. The airport is less prone to delays than SFO, and closer to a few sights we wanted to see. We rented a car and visited the Golden Gate Bridge, Half Moon Bay, and a few other sights around San Francisco. We’ve also done it through San Diego. There is plenty to see there, including Coronado, Mission Bay, and La Jolla. if your boys are adventurous, kayaking in La Jolla would be an awesome experience. Obviously there are several cost factors across airlines, also depending on your frequent flyer program if you have one. Yo...
by Wings5
Fri Mar 03, 2023 11:14 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Streamlining IRA and Taxable Accounts
Replies: 2
Views: 520

Re: Streamlining IRA and Taxable Accounts

I don’t have one.

Speaking with VG, I’m planning to do an in-kind transfer between taxable accounts, then contribute to the IRAs from the VG taxable.

Thank you!
by Wings5
Thu Mar 02, 2023 8:09 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Streamlining IRA and Taxable Accounts
Replies: 2
Views: 520

Streamlining IRA and Taxable Accounts

Hello Everyone, We have accounts split between Fidelity, Schwab, and Vanguard. Our goal is to fund 2023 backdoor Roths for my spouse and me with funds already in my taxable accounts. We have Roths at Vanguard but taxable accounts (in my name only) at Schwab and Fidelity (we have a joint taxable at Vanguard with only $1k). Is there a way to transfer funds from my Fidelity/Schwab taxables to the Vanguard joint taxable, then fund the two backdoor Roths? We're trying to figure out the easiest way to streamline this. Yes, we'll change future taxable contributions to avoid this moving forward. Vanguard was opened as a new Boglehead. Schwab was opened for Coverdells, and Fidelity is my employer's selection for RSUs, which we sell, then index. Vang...
by Wings5
Sat Feb 04, 2023 8:49 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do Airports Count
Replies: 58
Views: 3340

Re: Do Airports Count

We use a restaurant/bathroom rule. If you’ve been to either of those in a location, it counts.

But yeah, any debate with a brother should be settled by wrestling.
by Wings5
Thu Feb 02, 2023 10:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Newly widowed - last year to file MFJ
Replies: 7
Views: 1250

Re: Newly widowed - last year to file MFJ

I’m sorry for your loss, both of you.

This simple thread makes me thankful for this forum and the kindness it engenders. It really is a lifeline for so many people, especially in stressful times, my family included.

😊
by Wings5
Tue Jan 31, 2023 10:24 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Personal Investment Clean Up Advice
Replies: 23
Views: 2487

Re: Personal Investment Clean Up Advice

Questions: 1. Would greatly appreciate guidance on selecting funds and adjusting my allocations for the Fidelity 401(k). Based on what I have read here, it looks like a safe bet would be 20% FXNAX, 20% VTSNX, and 60% Vanguard Target 2065 VLXVX? There is no perfect answer, and ultimately your saving/investing rate will go much further than slicing and dicing a portfolio. Having said that, you should figure out what your risk tolerance is and what your desired asset allocation (AA) is. But overall, simplicity is key and it makes it easy to see what you own. You could just put everything in the VLXVX, or the 2070, or 2075 fund. You get the idea. 2. I can afford to max my contribution to my Fidelity 401(k). Should I do this? Yes, absolutely. Yo...
by Wings5
Thu Dec 22, 2022 1:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Bogglehead Advice for Expecting Parents?
Replies: 38
Views: 3383

Re: Bogglehead Advice for Expecting Parents?

Congratulations! That’s a lot of joy and happiness heading your way.

-Update policy beneficiaries
-College savings: define a goal early, which it sounds like you’ve done. That may keep you from getting off pace, saving too much or too little. We’ve gone all over the place with how much we’d like to cover. Ron Lieber’s The Price You Pay for College was a good barometer that helped us define our goals.

Honest regrets we wish we’d done before our (awesome) kids joined us?

-Go on more dates
-Walks on the beach
-More movies together
by Wings5
Tue Dec 20, 2022 1:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What are your LEAST favorite vacation destinations
Replies: 399
Views: 43305

Re: What are your LEAST favorite vacation destinations

I would not travel to New Orleans for a vacation, but we visit to go see the National World War II Museum. I've taken my teenager on a morning jog through the French Quarter. Told him to remember the stench when his buddies want to road trip there in college :D
by Wings5
Sat Dec 10, 2022 12:20 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What frugal thing did you do today?
Replies: 4524
Views: 617257

Re: What frugal thing did you do today?

VictoriaF wrote: Sat Dec 03, 2022 9:24 am I was thinking of subscribing to The Economist but decided first to check its availability in my library. Low and behold, the library provides free online access via OverDrive to the latest issue.

Victoria
There are so many great benefits to local libraries. We pay a small fee to our neighboring town’s library, which doubles our book and magazine access, both paper and digital.

Libraries will often buy suggested books—another great money saver.

All that to say, I visited the library to read a magazine in person. It’s a good reason to get out on a dreary day, say hello to people, and enjoy some intellectual stimulation!
by Wings5
Tue Dec 06, 2022 4:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Text to Speech Apps
Replies: 0
Views: 216

Text to Speech Apps

Hello Everyone,

Does anyone recommend a good text-to-speech app, like Speechify or Voice Aloud Reader? I'm looking for a way to upload lengthy PDF articles from sources and essentially, be able to listen to them on long walks or rides.

Thank you!
by Wings5
Sat Dec 03, 2022 12:50 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Boglehead Beer
Replies: 1071
Views: 202974

Re: Boglehead Beer

Trader Joe’s Hefeweizen
by Wings5
Thu Nov 24, 2022 8:09 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Thanksgiving
Replies: 27
Views: 2152

Re: Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving! Plenty to be thankful for, and one thing in particular is this great group of people.
by Wings5
Mon Nov 14, 2022 11:25 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Civilian HSA and TriCare Reserve Select
Replies: 7
Views: 703

Re: Civilian HSA and TriCare Reserve Select

renegade06 wrote: Wed Nov 09, 2022 9:06 pm Are you planning to be mobilized/activated? if so, then I probably wouldn’t mess with the HSA. If you’re just doing drill weekends, you don’t have to be enrolled in TRS.
My career field goes on and off activation orders with some frequency, well beyond drill weekends.

Another reason we decided to keep it simple and headache free.
chalet wrote: Thu Nov 10, 2022 3:32 am what would you do if insurance coverage was the prime consideration?
Not sure I understand completely. The actual coverage difference between the HDHP and regular health insurance is not substantially different in coverage. Same network, etc.

Instead of an HSA we’ll use an FSA, but increase tax-sheltered money into 529s. Not apples to apples, but I saving towards something.
by Wings5
Mon Nov 14, 2022 11:19 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How did you find your risk profile and AA ?
Replies: 75
Views: 4989

Re: How did you find your risk profile and AA ?

We developed our AA using the online AA tool at Vanguard a few years ago. We took it for an emotional test drive that started in March 2020 and lasted for a year or two.

We wrote down several possible changes, but didn’t implement them, and we saw how they played out. We’re still comfortable with where we are and we can sleep well at night.
by Wings5
Tue Nov 08, 2022 5:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Civilian HSA and TriCare Reserve Select
Replies: 7
Views: 703

Re: Civilian HSA and TriCare Reserve Select

Thank you for the response.

I can avoid being on Tricare Reserve Select, but when we're activated it's not optional and we're automatically enrolled (well . . in theory. Those who've served know there are usually hiccups :oops: )

I'll probably just steer clear and channel money toward college savings.
by Wings5
Tue Nov 08, 2022 12:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Civilian HSA and TriCare Reserve Select
Replies: 7
Views: 703

Civilian HSA and TriCare Reserve Select

Hello Everyone,

Am I ineligible for an HDHP and associated HSA?

I work two jobs - civilian and the reserves. A colleague at my civilian job was pitching me on our HDHP at work and the associated HSA. I'm automatically enrolled in Tricare Prime when activated, and we're eligible for Tricare Reserve Select the rest of the time. I think that makes me ineligible, correct?

Thanks for the sanity check!
by Wings5
Tue Nov 08, 2022 8:39 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: High Earners - What's Your Profession?
Replies: 1217
Views: 222969

Re: High Earners - What's Your Profession?

There’s good perspective in knowing what salary you can command 1) where you are and 2) anywhere else.
by Wings5
Sun Oct 23, 2022 7:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What's the 80-20 of cheap travel?
Replies: 65
Views: 9883

Re: What's the 80-20 of cheap travel?

A tropical trip sounds great.

We find that we get the most juice for the squeeze by eating in. We don’t sit on an airplane for 2-12 hours just to eat something different. Sure, we’ll eat out a few times, but as someone else mentioned above, we’ll take a backpack with day meals and snacks and hit a local grocery early.

Saves money, saves time, and saves my waistline 😎

Edit to add…if it’s tropical Hawaii, we bring our soft-sided Yeti in our luggage, and go to Safeway and ABC.
by Wings5
Fri Oct 21, 2022 3:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Austin things to do
Replies: 27
Views: 2271

Re: Austin things to do

Paddleboarding on Lady Bird Lake is pretty fun. You can rent a board at Texas Rowing Center, paddle down to Alta's Cafe, go upstairs for a bite to eat or a drink, and paddle back. It's a pretty good outdoor experience.

A Longhorns baseball game at Disch-Falk field is pretty awesome, too.
by Wings5
Fri Oct 21, 2022 2:31 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: submit ?s on college planning
Replies: 18
Views: 2951

Re: submit ?s on college planning

In your experience, what are some of the most often overlooked avenues for bringing down the total net cost of a four-year degree? What stones do students and parents leave unturned, either during high school or while in college, that could help defray the costs of living and attendance?

Thank you! Always enjoy your insight.
by Wings5
Mon Oct 17, 2022 9:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best bike touring locations?
Replies: 25
Views: 2687

Re: Best bike touring locations?

There are some awesome places to ride long distances out there. @Wilderness Librarian, thanks for sharing the story of your adventures in England. It was great to hear you went back and did Land's End to John O Groats. I've been fortunate enough to ride in a few very random places with my job. Germany has a fair number of long-distance cycling paths. I've ridden very short parts around a few of them, and they've all been beautiful. Stateside, Rhode Island has a very good network of bike paths. Between the Blackstone Valley, East Bay, and South County bike paths, there are plenty of trails around. Has anyone ridden the Greater Allegheny Passage (GAP)? We've talked about doing it with younger kids. It seems like pretty scenery and very well-p...
by Wings5
Mon Oct 17, 2022 12:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best bike touring locations?
Replies: 25
Views: 2687

Re: Best bike touring locations?

Wilderness Librarian wrote: Mon Oct 17, 2022 10:16 am Many years since I have done these but: San Juan Islands (Washington State) by ferry. Rural England.
Can you elaborate on the trip in rural England?
by Wings5
Sun Oct 16, 2022 10:23 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Financial Tools
Replies: 21
Views: 1913

Re: Financial Tools

For investments, we use a Google spreadsheet. I’ve tweaked it over the years and it can be manually updated in about 5-10 minutes. It can track and log daily values but I only check out of random curiosity.

We’re accumulating, and I try not to update it more than once every two months. Part of our IPS includes how often we update. That really helped get us through the first 6-12 months of the pandemic without doing anything.

For spending, we’ve used You Need a Budget (YNAB). The price went up and one of our accounts always struggled to connect. It’s been helpful though.
by Wings5
Sat Oct 15, 2022 9:07 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Home Gym / Peloton? - Ditch Gym Membership
Replies: 44
Views: 3949

Re: Home Gym / Peloton? - Ditch Gym Membership

The best home exercise is the one that you’ll actually do.

We have free weights, bands, a bike, and a tower. The Concept2 rower is great because 20-30 minutes is all you need and it’s very low impact.

The bike is nice because we can watch sports or a TV show, or just listen to music.

Overall it’s not about the specific product, it’s about “behavior matching” and finding something you will stick with. Set your clothes out the night before and make your morning goal to just get dressed for a workout. The rest will follow.
by Wings5
Fri Oct 14, 2022 10:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Favorite Caribbean vacation destinations?
Replies: 25
Views: 3913

Re: Favorite Caribbean vacation destinations?

The Buccaneer on St. Croix is a sweet but understated resort.
by Wings5
Fri Oct 14, 2022 10:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What frugal thing did you do today?
Replies: 4524
Views: 617257

Re: What frugal thing did you do today?

I’ve been using the free gym at work ($75/month savings over what I was paying). Also been taking advantage of a free healthy breakfast option at the office.
by Wings5
Fri Oct 14, 2022 10:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What brand and model of typewriter do you have and how much did you pay for it?
Replies: 111
Views: 10317

Re: Anyone use a manual typewriter for fun?

One of my kids has a restored typewriter that he loves to use. From what we’ve seen it really encourages his creativity. He writes well but there’s just something artful about banging away at the typewriter.
by Wings5
Fri Oct 14, 2022 10:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Maui, Hawaii Trip: Need Restaurants recommendations
Replies: 64
Views: 6614

Re: Maui, Hawaii Trip: Need Restaurants recommendations

kiwi123 wrote: Wed Oct 12, 2022 1:37 pm
Wings5 wrote: Wed Apr 20, 2022 7:28 pm Flatbread Company in Paia is a small road trip but worth it.
I was just about to ask if anyone had been to Flatbread... they're one of my favorite pizza places in Central California wine country and I was curious about the other franchises. The pizzas look good :-)
Interesting, I didn’t realize it was a franchise. Really good either way!