Search found 208 matches
- Tue Aug 30, 2016 5:00 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Anyone going to the US Open tennis in NY?
- Replies: 9
- Views: 1362
Re: Anyone going to the US Open tennis in NY?
We would consider it if Jimmy Connors was still playing.
- Sun Aug 28, 2016 7:55 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Who is ready for iphone 7?
- Replies: 149
- Views: 20249
Re: Who is ready for iphone 7?
The lack of a headphone jack, if true, may be a deal breaker for many folks.
- Sat Aug 27, 2016 5:06 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Favorite Restaurant Stop on Road Trips
- Replies: 142
- Views: 18164
Re: Favorite Restaurant Stop on Road Trips
Chick-Fil-A. We always offer words of support and encouragement to their workers/managers.
- Sat Aug 13, 2016 1:43 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Advice about a stop in Chicago
- Replies: 52
- Views: 7776
Re: Advice about a stop in Chicago
You'll need a lot of money for the tolls.
- Sat Aug 13, 2016 7:43 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Building a Pool
- Replies: 64
- Views: 10563
Re: Building a Pool
Pools are a major headache.
- Fri Aug 12, 2016 11:00 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Anyone else noticing the economy improving?
- Replies: 78
- Views: 8622
Re: Anyone else noticing the economy improving?
The average family is experiencing job losses and/or negative salary growth. In addition, basic living costs such as food continue to soar. It's a mess.
- Wed Aug 10, 2016 8:14 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
- Replies: 7638
- Views: 1712635
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Crisis of Character. Should be required reading prior to the election.
- Wed Aug 10, 2016 7:53 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Visiting Washington, DC
- Replies: 27
- Views: 3617
Re: Visiting Washington, DC
It's worth the trip to DC to watch a Redskins game.
- Wed Aug 10, 2016 11:17 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
- Replies: 11037
- Views: 2066426
Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
13 Hours. Should be required viewing prior to the election.
- Wed Aug 10, 2016 10:27 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Talked myself out of buying a new car. What do you think
- Replies: 30
- Views: 4365
Re: Talked myself out of buying a new car. What do you think
We prefer vehicles with V8 engines.
- Wed Aug 10, 2016 7:15 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Websites - CNBC & Fox Business
- Replies: 13
- Views: 2084
Re: Websites - CNBC & Fox Business
We only watch Fox News.
- Mon Aug 08, 2016 8:15 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Do you have a handyman?
- Replies: 32
- Views: 6385
Re: Do you have a handyman?
A toolbox containing a hammer, screw driver, pliers, wd-40 and duct tape can fix most things.
- Mon Aug 08, 2016 8:00 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: How dangerous is Kids Gymnastics?
- Replies: 38
- Views: 8351
Re: How dangerous is Kids Gymnastics?
We only allowed our boys to participate in football, basketball and baseball.
- Mon Aug 08, 2016 7:32 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Travel for a Year with Family - Career Impact?
- Replies: 35
- Views: 5252
Re: Travel for a Year with Family - Career Impact?
Travel, other than to sporting events in the U.S., is not fun.
- Sun Aug 07, 2016 2:03 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Family Europe Trip
- Replies: 31
- Views: 3563
Re: Family Europe Trip
We prefer state parks or taking the family to sporting events. These are much more fun, less stressful and affirdable. Plus, we don't have passports.
- Sun Aug 07, 2016 1:59 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: What is a modest retirement (definition)?
- Replies: 66
- Views: 10277
Re: What is a modest retirement (definition)?
Most people would be happy and content with $25k per year. This would be more than adequate to cover the cost of living. Greater than $30k per year is a lavish retirement.
- Tue Aug 02, 2016 11:42 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Stats on Americans 'cutting the cable' ?
- Replies: 98
- Views: 20081
Re: Stats on Americans 'cutting the cable' ?
If Fox News is not included, then it's a no go.
- Mon Aug 01, 2016 10:58 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Stats on Americans 'cutting the cable' ?
- Replies: 98
- Views: 20081
Re: Stats on Americans 'cutting the cable' ?
We considered it, but realized that we would not get fair and balanced news via FoxNews without cable.
- Sat Jul 30, 2016 1:02 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Another can we retire...
- Replies: 51
- Views: 9104
Re: Another can we retire...
You're rich. You should already be retired.
- Sat Jul 30, 2016 12:57 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: What does a real estate oil bust look like
- Replies: 26
- Views: 5233
Re: What does a real estate oil bust look like
The real estate bubble is bursting due to the stagnant economy (negligible GDP growth). A reset in housing prices is very much needed. This will be good news for the average family who are experiencing job losses and/or negative salary growth.
- Sat Jul 30, 2016 12:53 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Should I do ROTC?
- Replies: 44
- Views: 5736
Re: Should I do ROTC?
ROTC is a great idea. It will provide you with excellent leadership training and experience. Defense contractors are very happy to hire former officers.
- Tue Jul 26, 2016 7:57 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Buying a House as an Investment?
- Replies: 33
- Views: 4066
Re: Buying a House as an Investment?
Don't do it. It's a major headache. Houses are horrible investments.
- Tue Jul 26, 2016 7:43 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: What did/does/will your high schooler do during summer vacation?
- Replies: 26
- Views: 3678
Re: What did/does/will your high schooler do during summer vacation?
Ours worked construction or ROTC training until football practices started.
- Tue Jul 26, 2016 10:54 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: First house purchase advice
- Replies: 14
- Views: 1924
Re: First house purchase advice
Tennessee is a great state filled with family values oriented and patriotic people. Consider renting until the housing market crashes.
- Mon Jul 25, 2016 5:52 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Any retirees here who have been life-long renters?
- Replies: 140
- Views: 17901
Re: Any retirees here who have been life-long renters?
Don't be fooled by the homeowner zealots who conveniently ignore the massive hidden costs associated with home ownership. Houses are horrible investments for the average person. If you insist on home buying, do so if and only if the price per sq ft < $100 OR the purchase price < 30% of your net worth.
- Mon Jul 25, 2016 5:41 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: House value vs Net worth %?
- Replies: 21
- Views: 5197
Re: House value vs Net worth %?
Houses are horrible investments for the average person. If you insist on home ownership buy if and only if the price per sq ft < $100 OR purchase price < 30% of your net worth.
- Sun Jul 24, 2016 1:40 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Retirement, House, Kids - How to afford all three?
- Replies: 61
- Views: 8399
Re: Retirement, House, Kids - How to afford all three?
Kids are not very expensive:
Daycare costs = $0 (shouldn't have kids if you aren't going to take care of them)
Activity costs = $100 per child per activity (only allowed football, basketball or baseball participation)
K-12 education costs (lunch money) = $250 per child per year (no need for private schools)
Clothing/food costs = $1000 per child per year
College costs = $600 per child per year ($50/month gas money; they pay for everything else via scholarships or ROTC)
Daycare costs = $0 (shouldn't have kids if you aren't going to take care of them)
Activity costs = $100 per child per activity (only allowed football, basketball or baseball participation)
K-12 education costs (lunch money) = $250 per child per year (no need for private schools)
Clothing/food costs = $1000 per child per year
College costs = $600 per child per year ($50/month gas money; they pay for everything else via scholarships or ROTC)
- Sun Jul 24, 2016 12:42 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How many folks choose to give inheritance to their children in unequal portions?
- Replies: 202
- Views: 30839
Re: How many folks choose to give inheritance to their children in unequal portions?
Fortunately, our kids are extremely patriotic and family values oriented. If they were not, we would consider changing the plan.
- Sun Jul 24, 2016 11:29 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Rules of Thumb: Max House Value as % of Net Worth?
- Replies: 114
- Views: 46211
Re: Rules of Thumb: Max House Value as % of Net Worth?
Consider home ownership if and only if the price per sq ft < $100 OR the purchase price < 30% of your net worth.
- Mon Jul 18, 2016 1:32 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: The Savings Gap Between Women and Men: What Is Your Plan?
- Replies: 46
- Views: 6050
Re: The Savings Gap Between Women and Men: What Is Your Plan?
Ironclad prenup
- Mon Jul 18, 2016 1:05 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How to calculate Emergency fund
- Replies: 44
- Views: 6245
Re: How to calculate Emergency fund
~20% of net worth in cash is the typical amount.
- Sat Jul 16, 2016 1:51 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Appropriate tip amount for river rafting guides?
- Replies: 50
- Views: 10261
Re: Appropriate tip amount for river rafting guides?
Walmart gift card.
- Sat Jul 16, 2016 1:45 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: How do you find a tenant for rental house?
- Replies: 38
- Views: 5004
Re: How do you find a tenant for rental house?
We sold ours - too many headaches to deal with.
- Sat Jul 16, 2016 1:44 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Sell Condo to pay off Student Loans?
- Replies: 117
- Views: 9562
Re: Sell Condo to pay off Student Loans?
Sell. You want to get out of real estate while you still can.
- Sat Jul 16, 2016 11:53 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Traits of Happiest Retirees
- Replies: 82
- Views: 17488
Re: Traits of Happiest Retirees
Patriotic and family values oriented are the most common traits.
- Fri Jul 15, 2016 12:34 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What do you spend your money on???
- Replies: 149
- Views: 26144
Re: What do you spend your money on???
Power bars
- Fri Jul 15, 2016 12:32 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Relationship between interest rates and real estate prices?
- Replies: 16
- Views: 2891
Re: Relationship between interest rates and real estate prices?
Houses are bad investments (massive hidden costs) for the average person. If you insist on buying, do so if and only if the price per sq ft < $100 (yes, this is doable) OR the purchase price < 30% of your net worth.
- Thu Jul 14, 2016 6:01 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: First time homebuyer - need guidance
- Replies: 12
- Views: 1839
Re: First time homebuyer - need guidance
Recommend buying if and only if the price per sq ft < $100 OR the purchase price < 30% of your net worth.
- Tue Jul 12, 2016 8:15 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: How much cash to give when invited to a wedding?
- Replies: 81
- Views: 19349
Re: How much cash to give when invited to a wedding?
A gift card to Walmart is more than adequate.
- Tue Jul 12, 2016 6:31 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Private vs State School?
- Replies: 116
- Views: 14413
Re: Private vs State School?
The only private school we allowed for consideration was Liberty University.
- Tue Jul 12, 2016 5:56 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How are we doing?
- Replies: 21
- Views: 3500
Re: How are we doing?
Divide your expected social security payment by 2.
- Sun Jul 10, 2016 2:51 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Work or stay at home mom or change careers
- Replies: 64
- Views: 8930
Re: Work or stay at home mom or change careers
Shouldn't have kids if you aren't going to take care of them.
- Sun Jul 10, 2016 2:35 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Costco Tires - Anyone ever frustrated?
- Replies: 86
- Views: 39004
Re: Costco Tires - Anyone ever frustrated?
Had a similar experience at Costco. We stormed out when they stopped stocking the popcorn we like.
- Sun Jul 10, 2016 2:27 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Can I get a little house or townhouse for under $400K in Maryland or Virginia?
- Replies: 112
- Views: 15031
Re: Can I get a little house or townhouse for under $400K in Maryland or Virginia?
$400k should get you around 4000 sq ft.
- Sun Jul 10, 2016 2:10 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Should I sell my rental and pay down primary mortgage
- Replies: 17
- Views: 2485
Re: Should I sell my rental and pay down primary mortgage
Yes. You want to get out of real estate while you still can.
- Sun Jul 10, 2016 1:54 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Three Days in Colorado Springs (August)
- Replies: 28
- Views: 3671
Re: Three Days in Colorado Springs (August)
An abundance of things to do in Colorado Springs. It's a great place filled with patriotic and family values oriented people.
- Sun Jul 10, 2016 8:34 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
- Replies: 11037
- Views: 2066426
Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
No Escape. It's an accurate reminder of the realities of foreign travel. It confirmed that our decision to not renew our passports was the correct one.
- Fri Jul 08, 2016 1:40 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Trip to Oregon
- Replies: 43
- Views: 5571
Re: Trip to Oregon
Did you tour Nike?
- Fri Jul 08, 2016 1:37 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Question about adding new wife to my credit cards
- Replies: 16
- Views: 2407
Re: Question about adding new wife to my credit cards
Do you have an ironclad prenup? If so, proceed with caution.
- Fri Jul 08, 2016 12:30 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: A nice wrist watch under $1500
- Replies: 42
- Views: 10418
Re: A nice wrist watch under $1500
Wouldn't even consider paying > $150 for a watch.