Search found 181 matches

by Beezthree
Mon May 22, 2023 4:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What video games are you currently playing?
Replies: 528
Views: 86728

Re: What video games are you currently playing?

Slay the Spire!

It's my first card building, roguelike game and oh my is it incredible. I can't stop. The involved math just flows through my head all day now.
by Beezthree
Fri Jun 12, 2020 12:10 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: I almost sold at the bottom.
Replies: 13
Views: 2172

Re: I almost sold at the bottom.

hopefully you are wise enough this time around to realize that might not have been the bottom (and that's ok).

tune out the noise.
by Beezthree
Fri Mar 20, 2020 6:05 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Unprepared for Potential Great Depression Part 2
Replies: 257
Views: 32054

Re: Unprepared for Potential Great Depression Part 2

willthrill81 wrote: Thu Mar 19, 2020 10:31 am

And a vaccine may never come. We have no vaccine for many viruses, including other Coronaviruses.
that's only because the four endemic coronaviruses are so mild that there is no financial incentive to go after vaccines.

this is something that is unprecedented in history in the scope of the world's scientific research community. i would guess there will absolutely be an effective vaccine created. just a matter of when.
by Beezthree
Thu Mar 12, 2020 3:36 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: [Archived] Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus
Replies: 4963
Views: 298432

Re: Bogleheads community discussion - Coronavirus

some positive news out of China, from harvard business review. sorry if already posted.
https://hbr.org/2020/03/how-chinese-co ... oronavirus
by Beezthree
Thu Feb 27, 2020 8:18 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Well, I am market timing due to coronavirus... Wish me luck.
Replies: 1439
Views: 157462

Re: Well, I am market timing... Wish me luck.

Devil's advocate: We know a worldwide pandemic would (and has) hurt the market. We know that Harvard epidemiologists have said its too late to contain Co-ViD-19, and have estimated it will infect 40-70% of the world within a year. It is more virulent than the flu, its mortality rate is 2-3% vs 0.1% for the flu, it can be transmitted without showing symptoms so is near impossible to contain, ~20% of infections result in serious symptoms that require medical intervention (10x higher than the flu), symptoms can persist over a month (vs. average of 5 days for the flu), there is no vaccine, and there is no herd immunity. All of these point to it affecting the economy significantly in the coming year. The question is how much. can you provide so...
by Beezthree
Fri Jan 10, 2020 4:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: selling taxable stock: 401k or Roth investing smarter?
Replies: 7
Views: 508

Re: selling taxable stock: 401k or Roth investing smarter?

they do match, up to 7%. i currently am not quite at that match due to various reasons.

i have good index funds with a good, low cost 401k admin. (fidelity)
by Beezthree
Fri Jan 10, 2020 4:15 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: selling taxable stock: 401k or Roth investing smarter?
Replies: 7
Views: 508

selling taxable stock: 401k or Roth investing smarter?

I have been told I have a small amount (~5k) of a single stock that was more or less forgotten by my parents. I obviously would like to sell that single stock (MSFT) and either:

1) up my 401k contributions at work, enough so as to just live on the sale of that stock for a month or two and then go back to "normal" contributions after that time. (minus the taxes on the stock sale, of course)

2) sell the stock and contribute to my Roth for the year.

as it stands, i don't contribute enough to max out my 401k or Roth for the year. what would you do?

income is ~75k
by Beezthree
Fri Nov 29, 2019 4:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best Albums of 2019
Replies: 41
Views: 4753

Re: Best Albums of 2019

Sturgill Simpson - Sound and Fury.

It's NOT what you think and it's incredible. Yet another curveball from a pioneer in new country. This album isn't country in the least.
by Beezthree
Fri Nov 29, 2019 4:26 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: QDRO/Divorce/Market Timing Question
Replies: 25
Views: 2222

Re: QDRO/Divorce/Market Timing Question

truenorth418 wrote: Fri Nov 29, 2019 4:21 pm
2) don’t get married again without an enforceable pre-nuptial agreement.
damn straight!
by Beezthree
Fri Nov 29, 2019 4:24 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: QDRO/Divorce/Market Timing Question
Replies: 25
Views: 2222

Re: QDRO/Divorce/Market Timing Question

HomeStretch wrote: Fri Nov 29, 2019 1:39 am It seems cleanest to complete the settlement as soon as possible. Will you be required to allocate earnings since settlement date to ex-spouse’s 20% share?
i will not. it was a set amount tied to the value of the 401k at the time of divorce.
by Beezthree
Fri Nov 29, 2019 4:21 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: QDRO/Divorce/Market Timing Question
Replies: 25
Views: 2222

Re: QDRO/Divorce/Market Timing Question

dbr wrote: Fri Nov 29, 2019 9:53 am What you don't want is that her next boyfriend is a sharp lawyer who sues you for failing to follow the terms of the QDRO. It is not a good idea to leave loose legal ends hanging around.
she re-married to a person even more financially illiterate than she is (and certainly no lawyer), but point taken.
by Beezthree
Fri Nov 29, 2019 4:11 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: QDRO/Divorce/Market Timing Question
Replies: 25
Views: 2222

Re: QDRO/Divorce/Market Timing Question

phxjcc wrote: Fri Nov 29, 2019 2:13 pm Been there.

I don't understand "additional admin fees".
Ca. 1997 there were no additional fees from either Fidelity nor Vanguard for this process.

Do it,and move on.
the QDRO attorney fee, which i believe is around $500. in our decree she is to pay that fee. it's probably a reason why she has not wanted to do it yet.
by Beezthree
Fri Nov 29, 2019 4:10 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: QDRO/Divorce/Market Timing Question
Replies: 25
Views: 2222

Re: QDRO/Divorce/Market Timing Question

Katietsu wrote: Fri Nov 29, 2019 2:19 pm I know nothing on the topic. My question is this: If a long enough time passes with Fidelity still honor the QDRO without question or will you end up with more hassle and possibly additional legal fees to get it done later?
good question. anyone know the answer to this? thanks for all the responses. i'll look into getting it transferred soon.
by Beezthree
Fri Nov 29, 2019 12:58 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: QDRO/Divorce/Market Timing Question
Replies: 25
Views: 2222

Re: QDRO/Divorce/Market Timing Question

fair enough, but that honestly isn't a concern. the last thing she wants is to go back to court, for various reasons. also, it's obviously already been delayed by years.
by Beezthree
Fri Nov 29, 2019 12:34 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: QDRO/Divorce/Market Timing Question
Replies: 25
Views: 2222

QDRO/Divorce/Market Timing Question

Hello BH - I have been divorced for over 2 years now. As part of my divorce decree, I agreed to a QDRO of my 401k (20% total value at the time of divorce). Amicable all the way around. She has yet to ask for it and, even upon my request over a year ago, wasn't interested in exploring receiving it - probably because it would've entailed her paying additional admin fees and because, frankly, she's financially illiterate and probably views me continuing to "own" it as safer from her implulses. She trusts I'll always be there to give it to her, and I will. My question is: should I, considering where the indices are right now, possibly sell her share of the 401k now and ask for the $$ for the QDRO admin fee or is this a buy and hold sc...
by Beezthree
Tue Apr 09, 2019 9:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Smartphones with Least Bloatware
Replies: 29
Views: 17546

Re: Smartphones with Least Bloatware

One plus brand - very good camera and least bloatware plus decent priced than samsung or apple i second this recommendation. i've owned basically every elite/flagship phone from all the major companies and my One Plus is easily my favorite and without a doubt the best bang for the buck as well. don't get an essential - research their history. it's fraught with issues from the top down and i'm not even sure they are continuing to manufacture phones anymore. i had one for a few months last fall and while it was gorgeous and had a great feel, it was constantly having issues. the One Plus has a very very light skin on top of stock android - it actually adds some worthwhile options - but it's always updated quickly and doesn't really have any b...
by Beezthree
Wed Dec 20, 2017 3:33 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Any Instant Pot users here?
Replies: 165
Views: 22994

Re: Any Instant Pot users here?

baconavocado wrote: Tue Dec 19, 2017 10:19 pm We won't be buying one because we like good food, we have respect for food, and we like to cook.

If you're on the fence about buying one, ask yourself this question: how many high quality restaurants will be preparing their food in an instant pot? The answer is none.
what an odd answer, especially the part about respecting food.

thanks to everyone else. it should be here in two days. i'm very excited.
by Beezthree
Mon Dec 18, 2017 5:02 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Favorite small Colorado towns near great fishing?
Replies: 18
Views: 3493

Re: Favorite small Colorado towns near great fishing?

Copper John wrote: Mon Sep 25, 2017 9:22 pm In the front range Lyons would provide you access to all the waters of RMNP without the mass of tourists in Estes Park. You would have the St.Vrain right there with easy access to Boulder Creek and South Boulder Creek 15-30 miles away. An hour and 1/2 drive would get you to the Poudre River near Ft. Collins.

I strongly considered Basalt/ Glenwood Springs/Carborndale at one time for my retirement destination, but in the end as much as I liked the Frying Pan I found it too crowded for my tastes in the middle of the summer and now even during late September and October. The Roaring Fork would provide more solitude.
John Gierach, is that you? :D
by Beezthree
Mon Dec 18, 2017 4:57 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Any Instant Pot users here?
Replies: 165
Views: 22994

Any Instant Pot users here?

I have been thinking of purchasing an Instant Pot for a few different reasons. Mostly ease of use/cleanup and time saving qualities. BUT, I can't quite pull the trigger and was hoping Bogleheads could help me out. Namely two questions:

1)how does the majority of food turn out? The low price has me a bit worried there is a downside to it and I'm half-guessing it comes in the form of bland food. (I've never used a pressure cooker, so this may be a silly question)

2)are they built to last? Again, the price has me worried the electronics are cheaply made and I'd have to buy a new one every year or so.

Any recommendations or complaints about it?

Any EASY recipes anyone wanting to share? :sharebeer

Thanks!
by Beezthree
Tue Oct 10, 2017 4:52 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 401k Loan and Employer Match
Replies: 6
Views: 1035

Re: 401k Loan and Employer Match

Not in my experience.
by Beezthree
Sat Sep 23, 2017 11:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Favorite small Colorado towns near great fishing?
Replies: 18
Views: 3493

Favorite small Colorado towns near great fishing?

I'm recently divorced and in need of some "me time". I want to get back into my passion that has been neglected for far too long: fly fishing.

I also want to make fairly regular trips to Colorado for this fishing. (I learned to fish in my early youth in Colorado and want to revisit the state as much as possible in the near future.) Additionally, I'd like to stay in some smaller/quaint towns as my home base for each fishing trip to scope out great fishing spots and to possibly scope out towns for retirement in the somewhat distant future. Anyone have any ideas?
by Beezthree
Wed Jun 21, 2017 5:13 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tripped on this this morning - pros and cons? [HELOC as emergency fund]
Replies: 22
Views: 7606

Re: Tripped on this this morning - pros and cons?

neurosphere wrote:Cons of relying on a HELOC for your emergency money: economy goes south and home values drop and the bank cancels your HELOC around the time you lose your job, which is why you needed the emergency fund in the first place.
which begs the question, why not just take out the entire amount of the HELOC loan and stash it in CDs or high interest checking or savings account? if said person has the discipline to not spend that money, what's the downside then?
by Beezthree
Tue May 30, 2017 4:27 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HELOC, HEL or Cash-Out Refinance for credit consolidation? Please help!
Replies: 4
Views: 1062

Re: HELOC, HEL or Cash-Out Refinance for credit consolidation? Please help!

Does anyone know of any banks/credit unions/lenders that don't require an appraisal or could include that cost in the loan amount?

Also, which of the HELOC/HELoan or Cash-out Refinance options has a faster application/approval process? I'm not looking to get caught up in months of approval.


Thank you!
by Beezthree
Sat May 27, 2017 4:50 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HELOC, HEL or Cash-Out Refinance for credit consolidation? Please help!
Replies: 4
Views: 1062

Re: HELOC, HEL or Cash-Out Refinance for credit consolidation? Please help!

I looked into the credit transfer but because my cards are near maxed out, I wasn't able to get enough of a loan to transfer much. I am able to make just above the credit minimums, what with paying out Child Support now.

So that leaves me with one recommending a HELOC and one recommending a HEL. Back to where I started, confused! :shock:

(Thank you two, though. It always helps to think through these situations as much as possible.)
by Beezthree
Tue May 23, 2017 6:30 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: HELOC, HEL or Cash-Out Refinance for credit consolidation? Please help!
Replies: 4
Views: 1062

HELOC, HEL or Cash-Out Refinance for credit consolidation? Please help!

Hi- Scenario is that I am wanting to consolidate debt to a lower rate and I have decided to go the Home Equity route. I am within a few weeks of having my divorce finalized and it's time to get my debt in order. Part of my settlement was receiving my house, free and clear, while also taking on most of our shared debt. My house is completely paid off and valued at ~$150k. My CC debt is a total of 20k at around 17% and I also have an outstanding 401k loan of 8k at 4.5% (scheduled to be paid off in twenty six months). My other debt is the rest of my car note, which is down to 2.5k at around 2.5% which is scheduled to be paid in full next April. Due to the impending divorce, I will now have to pay child support, which will severely inhibit my a...
by Beezthree
Mon May 22, 2017 12:02 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: I think I found Rick Ferri
Replies: 64
Views: 25695

Re: I think I found Rick Ferri

simply put, this is one of the best threads - on a board FILLED with great threads - i've read in a long time.

so happy for rick and taylor.
by Beezthree
Sat Mar 04, 2017 4:09 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Credit Card Debt Question (Separation)
Replies: 36
Views: 4669

Re: Credit Card Debt Question (Separation)

If you are on the hook for all $32k of the debt, and she'll get half of the Roth, I absolutely agree with the idea to take the tax hit on the Roth growth, and liquidate it now. Then pay off the credit card debt. Ask your attorney if this is legit - if you haven't filed a formal separation agreement yet with the courts, it probably is. Also, I agree with selling the house. Anything you can do to disentangle yourselves will be a great move in the long term. A close friend of ours ended up on the hook for the ex's mortgage, because she refused to refinance when they split, and it wasn't required as part of their DIY divorce. As a result, he lived in sub-par digs for YEARS because he couldn't qualify for a new house. It was only when she inher...
by Beezthree
Sat Feb 25, 2017 2:58 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Credit Card Debt Question (Separation)
Replies: 36
Views: 4669

Re: Credit Card Debt Question (Separation)

i would work from the assumption that she will not pay a dime toward any credit card, and consider it my problem alone to solve. this is probably not what most bogleheads would recommend, but if your income is $60k (pretax?) and your debt load is 50% of that at a combined interest rate of ~17.5% you will have a very tough time paying them off AND building your life back up. i would liquidate the roth up to contributions, then try to get the full remaining balance onto a 0% / $0 fee balance transfer card like Chase Slate. you would have to be able to pay it off within 15 months, or at least beat the balance down in that time before considering the 401k raid. do the math and if that is still insurmountable, then maybe raid the 401k but only ...
by Beezthree
Sat Feb 25, 2017 2:53 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Credit Card Debt Question (Separation)
Replies: 36
Views: 4669

Re: Credit Card Debt Question (Separation)

mptfan wrote:
Beezthree wrote:I know credit cards are assumed debt for each of us...
This is not necessarily true. It depends on whether the cards are joint or individual. You can have an individual card with your spouse as an authorized user, in which case your spouse is not legallly responsible for the debt. Or you can have a joint credit card that is issued in both names, in which case both of you are jointly responsible.

uh, oh. looks like the cards are in my name with her as an authorized user.

not. good. so she'll get half my retirement $ and none of our debt? lovely.
by Beezthree
Thu Feb 23, 2017 10:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Credit Card Debt Question (Separation)
Replies: 36
Views: 4669

Re: Credit Card Debt Question (Separation)

Sorry to hear about the seperation, been there done that lost my tshirt! Are they joint cards? Are you a home owner? yes, they are joint cards. and yes, i'm a home owner. paid off entirely (~$120k value). thanks for the replies. it really means a lot in this completely anxiety-ridden process. i feel lost most of the time, even when i know what i should be doing when i am ever able to step back and actually think clearly. those moments seem fleeting lately. added info: looks like we will be going the divorce route after she wouldn't agree to a provision i wanted to put in the separation agreement didn't....agree with her, to put it mildly. (i want her unemployed, uneducated internet fling with a history of serious family trauma to have no a...
by Beezthree
Sat Feb 18, 2017 1:45 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Credit Card Debt Question (Separation)
Replies: 36
Views: 4669

Credit Card Debt Question (Separation)

Hi all- Was wondering if anyone could help with some tricky Credit Card debt questions I have. Background: My wife and I are separated and she's about to move out of our house in a couple of weeks. We had a household income of about $100k but that will now be cut nearly in half with her leaving. I know credit cards are assumed debt for each of us but I'm really worried she won't pay (and I don't particularly want to hound her for the money each month, as we're still trying to work things out). We both agreed that having separate checking/savings accounts would probably be for the best at this time, so my question becomes...is there ever a time to cash out a 401k ($100k value, all from my work) or ROTH ($30k, again all from my own investing/...
by Beezthree
Wed May 18, 2016 11:40 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Acquaintance asking about recession
Replies: 30
Views: 4443

Re: Any signs we AREN'T headed for a recession?

randomguy wrote:And if a recession happens does it matter from an investment point of view? We had 2 recessions in the 1980-1982 time period and the markets returned 7% real. 1990-1991 returned 9%. 1970 had a whooping 2% loss. 1960-1961 had a 11% gain. Obviously I skipped the bad ones. The point is the market is only loosely linked the short term economy. If everyone thinks a recession is coming, stocks aren't moving much. People weren't talking about recessions in 1929,2000 or 2007.

good evidence for a buy and hold strategy.
by Beezthree
Wed May 18, 2016 9:51 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Acquaintance asking about recession
Replies: 30
Views: 4443

Re: Any signs we AREN'T headed for a recession?

Absolutely spot on and I agree wholeheartedly (hence, my buy and hold statement).
by Beezthree
Wed May 18, 2016 9:40 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Acquaintance asking about recession
Replies: 30
Views: 4443

Acquaintance asking about recession

I keep getting hitting hard with paranoid friends about how this is inevitable.

A recent message from an aquaintance:

"Sales to inventory ratios, consumer sentiment, a 9% decline in S&P earnings in 1Q16 and measly GDP growth even after redefining the meaning to "double seasonally adjust" first quarter GDP due to "residual seasonality".

You also should note the Fed has NEVER seen a recession coming and they are NEVER officially announced until after the final GDP is announced 6 months later. "

Anyone care to respond? I personally tune most of this stuff out as I'm a tried and true buy and hold person but I'd also like to read about any tangible reasons that dispute this supposed inevitability.
by Beezthree
Thu Mar 10, 2016 2:51 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Amazon Echo (Alexa)
Replies: 91
Views: 27562

Re: Amazon Echo (Alexa)

Also, I'm not really understanding what the difference is between the Echo and the Dot, other than size. Is there a difference?
by Beezthree
Thu Mar 10, 2016 2:45 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Amazon Echo (Alexa)
Replies: 91
Views: 27562

Re: Amazon Echo (Alexa)

Toons wrote:Pre ordered it last year for 99.00.
Owned it about a year now.
"Alexa" is part of the family. :happy :happy
Rely on the device for so many uses.
like what?

(love gadgets but can't think of anything it does that my smartphone can't. i also hate that it isn't wireless)
by Beezthree
Fri Feb 19, 2016 2:27 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5973
Views: 690055

Re: Netflix, Your Current Favorite Show

Qtman wrote:Twilight Zone classics, they don't make em like that anymore.
IMO, you're correct. with the exception of...
The529guy wrote:Black Mirror
21st century tech-inspired show in the vein of the twilight zone. each episode is it's own mini-movie. one of the best produced and unique TV shows i've seen in a long time.
by Beezthree
Sun Dec 06, 2015 4:06 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: TV show recommendations?
Replies: 606
Views: 247671

Re: TV show recommendations?

The Man in the High Castle - Amazon Prime

based on the Philip K. Dick book, speculative historical fiction about post WWII America if Japan and Germany had won the war. love it so far.
by Beezthree
Sat Nov 21, 2015 4:22 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11037
Views: 2066674

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

jginseattle wrote:Sicario is a brilliant, brutal drug-war thriller from director Denis Villeneuve (Prisoners, Enemy). Excellent cinematography by Roger Deakins.

my favorite movie of the year.
by Beezthree
Wed Nov 11, 2015 4:03 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best albums of 2015
Replies: 124
Views: 34627

Re: Best albums of 2015

just listened to this for the first time and i'm a bit blown away.

sounds somewhat like early tool, mixed with late 60s/early 70s floyd with a touch of....something. great album.

All Them Witches - "Dying Surfer Meets His Maker"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vc6boofkkM8
by Beezthree
Tue Nov 10, 2015 5:37 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best albums of 2015
Replies: 124
Views: 34627

Re: Best albums of 2015

Big Mig wrote:Saw Sufjan and his band in Atlanta last week. Carrie & Lowell fans really should try to catch one of the few shows left in this tour. The main set is mostly the 11 songs of C&L, and they are somehow more remarkable and more heartbreaking live. We're all gonna die, you know. Carrie & Lowell is definitely on my 2015 list.
saw this show as well. great venue for those songs. it was one of the best concerts i've ever seen and i've seen hundreds. crowd as quiet as any i've ever encountered at a rock show. lots of heavy eyes in the crowd. mine included.

edit: that droned out space he did at the end of the set was so unique and deep. loved every second of it.
by Beezthree
Sat Oct 31, 2015 2:28 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Saving a Down Payment
Replies: 13
Views: 2510

Re: Saving a Down Payment

I'm in an extremely similar situation to the OP. Looking forward to reading more replies.
by Beezthree
Fri Oct 16, 2015 4:20 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Consumer items that are worth the initial investment?
Replies: 110
Views: 19683

Re: Consumer items that are worth the initial investment?

the best underwear possible (smartwool boxer briefs are the best i've found)
the best mattress possible (tempurpedic is my choice but this is highly subjective)
by Beezthree
Tue Oct 06, 2015 10:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Which android phone to buy?
Replies: 52
Views: 8766

Re: Which android phone to buy?

I'm in straight talk wireless (AT&T network), and looking to purchase an Android phone. Unfortunately, none of the budget phones look good right now since they all have a "deal breaker" missing feature. For instance, the MotoX pure does not have a fingerprint reader, the Nexus 6P does not have expandable storage, and the OnePlus two has a huge heating issue. Can someone suggest me a god android phone with a minimum of: 1) Snapdragon 808 or 810 v2 w/ 3+ gb RAM 2) fingerprint scanner 3) expandable storage i would absolutely get the sony z5. it meets all of these qualifications and also has the best camera and batter life of any other phone in this category. also, it's dust and waterproof. huge plus for me. i've had flagship sma...
by Beezthree
Wed Sep 30, 2015 4:14 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Consumer items that are worth the initial investment?
Replies: 110
Views: 19683

Re: Consumer items that are worth the initial investment?

William4u wrote:
TomatoTomahto wrote:Expensive thread here. I bought a Saddleback wallet and a cast iron pizza tray based on the recommendations here. :sharebeer
The cast iron pizza tray beats a pizza stone in a home oven any day!

is cast iron better than steel? if so, why?

i'm really interested in getting into perfecting the homeade pizza but i'm just starting out.
by Beezthree
Wed Sep 30, 2015 3:30 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Consumer items that are worth the initial investment?
Replies: 110
Views: 19683

Re: Consumer items that are worth the initial investment?

livesoft wrote:Solar-powered, waterproof, wind-up LED flashlight. It just works plus you know it will always just work no matter what. Even better is one with a USB port to charge your smartphone.

whoa. where can i find something like this? any link handy? i am somewhat obsessed with flashlights. have always loved them for some reason.
by Beezthree
Tue Sep 29, 2015 5:20 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Visiting New York in early November
Replies: 58
Views: 7641

Re: Visiting New York in early November

great thread!

i'm going to NYC for NYE (not times square). this thread will be very helpful.
by Beezthree
Thu Jun 04, 2015 3:44 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Heads up on a great CC promotion (Chase Freedom)
Replies: 51
Views: 22230

Re: Heads up on a great CC promotion (Chase Freedom)

My credit score is worth more than chasing offers. The impact on your credit score is very close to zero. Your score would likely drop by about 4 points for about 60 days and then return to 833. I base this on my own credit score of 827 despite having signed up for over a dozen cards in the last 18 months. For my trouble, I've pocketed 800,000 frequent flier miles, another few hundred thousand hotel points and over a thousand dollars in cash. Having said all that, I don't really disagree with anyone who thinks the practice of signing up for cards regularly is a little stupid. It's been worth it for me up until now, but I'm getting close to calling it quits. i'm not sure i understand what makes your story "stupid" at all. sounds s...
by Beezthree
Thu Apr 16, 2015 1:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Proof vinyl has higher music ceiling than mp3?
Replies: 36
Views: 4887

Re: Proof vinyl has higher music ceiling than mp3?

the technical specs of an mp3 file are better than vinyl capabilities? i can't seem to find anything stating that. only about CD/44k playback, which far exceeds an mp3 file.
by Beezthree
Thu Apr 16, 2015 1:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Proof vinyl has higher music ceiling than mp3?
Replies: 36
Views: 4887

Proof vinyl has higher music ceiling than mp3?

I seem to remember some good articles posted here a while back discussing vinyl's sounds when compared to mp3. can someone point me in the right direction concerning that? anyone here a mastering engineer or otherwise know the "proof" concerning this subject? a friend is insisting vinyl has no inherent sound advantages to mp3(320, i presume) and all sorts of alarm bells went off in my head. the dynamic range can't compare, correct? are there other technological advantages to vinyl? (i realize there are also disadvantages, such as wear and tear, but that's not what this discussion between friends is about). many albums are actually separately mastered for vinyl, which can also create a (subjectively) better sound as well. does this...