Search found 712 matches
- Thu Mar 14, 2024 8:09 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: "22 of the funniest novels since Catch-22" (acc. to the NYT)
- Replies: 29
- Views: 2916
Re: "22 of the funniest novels since Catch-22" (acc. to the NYT)
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams is very funny.
- Wed Mar 13, 2024 7:26 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Vanguard or Fidelity
- Replies: 73
- Views: 6496
Re: Vanguard or Fidelity
Both are fine. For in-person/face-to-face assistance, Fidelity is better-- however they may put in in actively managed funds with high expense ratios. If you insist on using passive index funds with low expense ratios, Fidelity will follow your instructions. I know someone that wanted face-to-face assistance and Fidelity followed her instructions to use only passive index funds.
- Fri Mar 08, 2024 7:33 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Need better sound for music enjoyment
- Replies: 20
- Views: 2897
Re: Need better sound for music enjoyment
I have the Sonos Era 100 speakers and I'm happy with them.
- Thu Mar 07, 2024 7:57 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Blackout shades for bedroom
- Replies: 30
- Views: 2153
Re: Blackout shades for bedroom
We have a both shades and black out curtains. The combo keeps it very dark in the bedroom. The black out curtains are from Lowe’s.
- Sat Mar 02, 2024 4:45 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Car Advice Needed
- Replies: 34
- Views: 3218
Re: Car Advice Needed
Try using Repair Pal to get estimates for the work
https://repairpal.com/estimator
https://repairpal.com/estimator
- Sun Feb 25, 2024 8:13 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Advice for buying a car in 2024
- Replies: 51
- Views: 8442
Re: Advice for buying a car in 2024
This is what I learned and have taught my daughters after buying cars for the last 40 years…. Car Buying First, before you negotiate you need to decide on a car, and when I mean decide, I mean make model, options and even the color and interior. You may have to flexible on color , but there's usually no difference on price for color. That means test-drive it and then leave the dealership without leaving your number, e-mail , or any contact info. The only way to get the very best deal is to deal with the internet sales department for two simple reasons. A. You can't shop around multiple dealers simultaneously when you are stuck in a showroom. B. They are always slow to respond to get "approval" from their manager for a price reque...
- Fri Feb 23, 2024 1:28 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What are some of the things that improved YOUR quality of life?
- Replies: 254
- Views: 41975
Re: What are some of the things that improved YOUR quality of life?
Retiring
Gym
Partner
Eating mostly a whole food plant based diet
This forum
Room darkening shades in the bedroom
Reading
Yoga
Running
Noise canceling headphones
Gym
Partner
Eating mostly a whole food plant based diet
This forum
Room darkening shades in the bedroom
Reading
Yoga
Running
Noise canceling headphones
- Thu Feb 22, 2024 12:22 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Realtor handling both sides
- Replies: 28
- Views: 2539
Re: Realtor handling both sides
Speaking from personal experience, if you’re a knowledgable buyer in a tight housing market, making an offer via the listing agent gives you an upper hand-against other buyers, which will almost all have their own buyer’s agent — meaning a split commission. The seller’s agent will want you to get the house so they get both sides of the deal. Most will do all they can to help tip the scales in your favor. Total conflict of interest, but you can use it to your advantage. They can also kick some of their commission to the seller as well. I beat out other buyers on my current house because I was the only one that made an offer via the listing agent. Has worked out very well. In the months leading up to it, and using a buyer’s agent, I had lost...
- Tue Feb 20, 2024 8:11 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Do you use a second refrigerator/freezer?
- Replies: 74
- Views: 4601
Re: Do you use a second refrigerator/freezer?
We have a chest freezer in the basement. It’s a time saver because we don’t have to make as many trips to the supermarket.
- Sun Feb 18, 2024 11:32 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Massachusetts taxation of US Government Securities
- Replies: 19
- Views: 1606
Re: Massachusetts taxation of US Government Securities
Get the U.S. government obligations income information from Vanguard or any other company you have investments with and simply multiply the total ordinary dividends by the percentage of eligible income from U.S. government securities. This will give you the percentage of total ordinary dividends that are state tax-exempt. In Turbotax there is a section that asks me if any of my dividends are from U.S government obligations ---I answer yes and just enter the entire amount for each company that I invest with.
- Sat Feb 17, 2024 2:04 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: When do winter/snow tires make sense? Do you have a second set of wheels?
- Replies: 80
- Views: 5142
Re: When do winter/snow tires make sense? Do you have a second set of wheels?
I use snow tires on my Prius. I got them after almost going into a fence one winter. I just have one set of rims and swap the tires at Costco. They make a huge difference in the snow.
- Mon Feb 12, 2024 7:04 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Should I say no to my first federal job?
- Replies: 65
- Views: 7485
Re: Should I say no to my first federal job?
With a PHD in Material Science you should be able to do much better than an entry level GS-9 position. With an entry level position, you are probably going to get stuck doing a lot paper work and supervising contractors — this was my experience when I worked as a mechanical engineer for the federal government thirty years ago. There must be some opportunities in Texas.
- Sun Feb 11, 2024 4:01 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
- Replies: 7638
- Views: 1713166
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
How Not to Age by Dr. Michael Greger
- Mon Jan 29, 2024 4:02 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: The Exercise Coach 2x weekly program
- Replies: 61
- Views: 26512
Re: The Exercise Coach 2x weekly program
They have an assisted pull-up machine at most gyms that can help you get started with pull-ups. It’s a good idea to use one of these machines if you haven’t done pull-ups in a long time.
I would join a gym for 50 or $75 a month rather than pay the $300. Most of the gym equipment is easy to use. Just take it slow if you haven’t worked out in a long time.
I would join a gym for 50 or $75 a month rather than pay the $300. Most of the gym equipment is easy to use. Just take it slow if you haven’t worked out in a long time.
- Mon Jan 29, 2024 3:25 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: How has your Health Changed after Retirement; What are you doing to Stay Healthy?
- Replies: 100
- Views: 10097
Re: How has your Health Changed after Retirement; What are you doing to Stay Healthy?
I go to the gym more often now that I am retired and we go for longer walks. I also prepare our meals more often and eat out less. It easier to eat healthier when you prepare your own meals — less salt, sugar and oil and more fruits and vegetables.
- Wed Jan 24, 2024 2:54 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Which Boston suburb to settle?
- Replies: 198
- Views: 18124
Re: Which Boston suburb to settle?
Winchester, Lexington, Newton, and Belmont have good schools.
- Wed Jan 24, 2024 2:47 am
- Forum: US Chapters
- Topic: 🎁 🎉Happy 100th Birthday to Taylor Larimore 🎊🎂
- Replies: 429
- Views: 41961
Re: 🎁 🎉Happy 100th Birthday to Taylor Larimore 🎊🎂
Happy Birthday Taylor! Thank you so much for all your great posts! You have been of great help to me and so many others.
- Tue Dec 19, 2023 2:03 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Buying a home w/o an agent.
- Replies: 63
- Views: 12209
Re: Buying a home w/o an agent.
I've purchased three houses without a buyer's agent and it worked out just fine. I just had my lawyer look over all the documents. I'm sure that the seller's agent was very happy to collect the full commission. In my last purchase the seller's agent gave me some hints as to what I should offer to get the property.
- Mon Dec 18, 2023 8:45 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Rental house what would you do
- Replies: 34
- Views: 4379
Re: Rental house what would you do
Hi All and thanks for looking. Wife and I own a rental house (duplex) in a decent neighborhood. House is old but has been renovated so electric, plumbing etc is in good shape . Might need a heating system on one side within the next 5 years , but other than that have kept it up pretty well. Purchased in 99 , have refinanced a couple of times and pulled money out so has a 190k mortgage at 5% with 20 years left on it . Has never been negative profit wise and has made money for the last ten years. Currently after all bills are paid it makes about $1200.00 a month. A 5 year snap shot shows it makes 50k in that period or roughly 1k a months. The duplex is currently worth about 450k . We are 59 years old and probably staying in the area for anot...
- Sun Dec 17, 2023 8:40 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Anyone Bored in Retirement ??
- Replies: 131
- Views: 30110
Re: Anyone Bored in Retirement ??
I retired this year, and I thought that I would be bored. The reality is that I often wish there were more hours in the day. I have a long list of things that didn't get done while I was working so that is keeping me busy. Plus, now I have more time to go to the gym, read and travel.
- Sun Dec 17, 2023 8:32 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Pros and Cons of "Do Not Resuscitate"
- Replies: 209
- Views: 49785
Re: Tatoo DNR on chest
It would be ignored.
- Sun Dec 17, 2023 8:30 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Camry 2016 - Tires and Seller / Installation Question
- Replies: 20
- Views: 2688
Re: Camry 2016 - Tires and Seller / Installation Question
I get my tires at Costco.
- Sun Jul 30, 2023 8:32 pm
- Forum: US Chapters
- Topic: Roll Call for the Retirement Class of 2023!
- Replies: 314
- Views: 86639
Re: Roll Call for the Retirement Class of 2023!
Retired this month. Age 64. I'm really enjoying the freedom. I thought that I might be bored but I'm not -- I'm catching up on all the things that didn't get done while I was working.
- Tue Jul 18, 2023 9:27 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: [RESOLVED] $250k lost in unauthorized wire fraud - experience/advice?
- Replies: 206
- Views: 28892
Re: $250k lost in unauthorized wire fraud - experience/advice?
When I saw this post I was curious to see if T-Mobile offered a similar service and they do! https://www.t-mobile.com/support/plans-features/account-takeover-protection I enabled it for my account, thanks for posting. Not for pre-paid accounts! Although the page you posted has a link to add the feature to T-Mobile Prepaid accounts, the link simply is to log in to your account, nothing more. There is nothing on the account page to turn on the account takeover protection. As usual, [(removed) --admin LadyGeek] stuff from T-Mobile. Is this takeover protection really effective? If someone took over your identity can't they simply call T-Mobile and remove the takeover protection. Then port your number? I saw the T-Mobile takeover protection for...
- Tue Jul 18, 2023 9:14 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: [RESOLVED] $250k lost in unauthorized wire fraud - experience/advice?
- Replies: 206
- Views: 28892
Re: $250k lost in unauthorized wire fraud - experience/advice?
When I saw this post I was curious to see if T-Mobile offered a similar service and they do! https://www.t-mobile.com/support/plans-features/account-takeover-protection I enabled it for my account, thanks for posting. Not for pre-paid accounts! Although the page you posted has a link to add the feature to T-Mobile Prepaid accounts, the link simply is to log in to your account, nothing more. There is nothing on the account page to turn on the account takeover protection. As usual, [(removed) --admin LadyGeek] stuff from T-Mobile. Is this takeover protection really effective? If someone took over your identity can't they simply call T-Mobile and remove the takeover protection. Then port your number? I saw the T-Mobile takeover protection for...
- Sat May 13, 2023 4:32 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Deferred Annuity to Cover Difference in SS Monthly Payment
- Replies: 11
- Views: 1332
Re: Deferred Annuity to Cover Difference in SS Monthly Payment
Thank you for your response. Do you mean that deferring Social Security until 70 is a better option because it will keep up with inflation?cvn74n2 wrote: ↑Sat May 13, 2023 1:15 pm Using your parameters, it would take ~$170,000 to buy a 4 year delayed DIA with 2% annual increases per Blueprint Income. Instead, if she were to withdraw ~$3500/mo ($170,000 / 48 months) from the IRA as a 4 year gap filler while deferring taking Social Security until 70, she would likely come out ahead.
- Sat May 13, 2023 9:52 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Deferred Annuity to Cover Difference in SS Monthly Payment
- Replies: 11
- Views: 1332
Deferred Annuity to Cover Difference in SS Monthly Payment
My cousin is retired and deciding when to start social security. She is debating whether to take it at age 66 (2023) or to defer to age 70. The difference in the monthly payout between the two start ages is $1000. Since she is no longer working, in order to defer SS to age 70, she would need to use funds from her traditional IRA to cover her expenses. She is thinking of using the same amount of money to purchase a single life only differed life income annuity (DIA) with a 2% annual COLA adjustment through Fidelity at age 65.5. The DIA would start paying out at age 70. The monthly payout of the annuity would cover the $1000 difference in SS. The same amount of money if invested in a fund with a 5% 10-year average return would be depleted by ...
- Sun Sep 05, 2021 2:01 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Paper: Does postponing retirement affect cognitive function? A counterfactual experiment
- Replies: 55
- Views: 4872
Re: Paper: Does postponing retirement affect cognitive function? A counterfactual experiment
I think that I will eat better, sleep better and get more exercise once I retire. These have shown to help brain function. You can always take courses to stay mentally engaged or volunteer.
- Sun Sep 05, 2021 1:45 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: I'm 70 Years Old and I Can't Spend My Savings
- Replies: 418
- Views: 68066
Re: I'm 70 Years Old and I Can't Spend My Savings
When you spend money you are helping the economy and keeping people employed. It helps the stock market and your investments grow.
- Sat Sep 04, 2021 7:57 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Aircondition Compressor dilema
- Replies: 60
- Views: 5763
Re: Aircondition Compressor dilema
I would call another Hvac company to look at it. We recently had two techs that couldn't fix our Carrier compressor and the third tech fixed it it in less than an hour.
- Fri Aug 27, 2021 1:01 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Nightmare Bathroom Remodel Experience
- Replies: 66
- Views: 12239
Re: Nightmare Bathroom Remodel Experience
That's what you get for contracting with Lowe's. Tsk, tsk, tsk. Where did this come from? I had seen no mention of Lowes. But to give Lowes credit, we had a shower install done by Lowes and there was a problem. I dealt with Lowes, not the contractor. They took care of it. They even suggested asking for compensation. So I asked, and they approved of it with no problems and I went to Lowes the next day and they gave me $2300 on cash back on a job that was about $7K. The job was completed to my satisfaction. I have used Lowes and Home Depot several times, simply for their service as a middleman and their power of scale and being able to go through them if problems with the contractor. Frequently you see posts here about not using Lowes or HD ...
- Fri Aug 20, 2021 2:06 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: May need to purchase new AC unit/furnace
- Replies: 64
- Views: 6361
Re: May need to purchase new AC unit/furnace
My compressor wasn't working. The first Hvac person said that he couldn't read the numbers on the unit because they were worn away so he didn't know what fan motor to get. The second guy said the same thing. The third Hvac guy said, " nothing special about the fan motor, I have one in my truck" he reaplaced the fan motor and everything works fine. You may just need a competent Hvac person.
- Fri Jul 23, 2021 7:14 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Trip to Southern Spain???
- Replies: 24
- Views: 3182
Re: Trip to Southern Spain???
I wouldn't go to southern Spain during the summer months because it's too hot. Also places like Torremolinos gets very crowded during the summer.
- Tue Jul 20, 2021 4:20 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Tips to stick to a weight loss diet?
- Replies: 415
- Views: 38337
Re: Tips to stick to a weight loss diet?
I haven't heard Dr. Greger say that you can eat as much as you want. I said that and for the most part I found it to be true as long as I stick to plant based, whole foods and stay away from oil which is obviously not a whole food. When I was strictly eating this way some people said that I was getting too skinny.
- Tue Jul 20, 2021 3:52 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Tips to stick to a weight loss diet?
- Replies: 415
- Views: 38337
Re: Tips to stick to a weight loss diet?
For me a whole food, plant based diet has been the best way to keep the weight off. I eat a lot of starch-- such as corn, rice, potatoes and oats. I also eat a small amount of fish ( I'm not 100 percent plant based) and stay away from processed foods as much as possible. Two good books on the topic are the Whole Foods Diet and The Starch Solution. It's a great diet because you can pretty much eat as much as you want.
- Sun Jul 04, 2021 7:10 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: How do you make healthy dietary choices?
- Replies: 66
- Views: 5230
Re: How do you make healthy dietary choices?
I eat mostly a whole foods plant based diet. So I eat a lot of Fruits, vegetables,nuts and seeds. But I find that starchy foods are the best for me to satisfy my hunger --- so basically, oats, potatoes, bread, corn, rice,... I know that some people think that starchy foods will lead to weight gain but that is only true if you put butter, cheese and oil into the potatoes, rice, corn, oats, etc.. I also think that it's important to make your own food as much as possible. When you buy prepared food there is always too much salt, sugar, or other stuff that companies put in to make it more appealing to the consumer. Two books that you can read are the Whole Foods Diet and The Starch Solution.
- Mon May 17, 2021 7:06 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Weight lifting question. Machine vs free weight
- Replies: 111
- Views: 11422
Re: Weight lifting question. Machine vs free weight
I agree some bodyweight exercises are not good for the back. But push-ups, pull-ups and dips have been great for me in terms of building upper body strength and not hurting my back.abuss368 wrote: ↑Sun May 16, 2021 2:04 pmEXACTLY! Sit-ups do not hit the target area as well as other exercises and place a lot of stress on lower back and hips.alfaspider wrote: ↑Sun May 16, 2021 1:05 pm
That’s not categorically true. Sit-ups or back bends can hurt your back.
Look at crunches with legs up at 45 degrees. THEN, as you crunch in, slightly raise your bottom for an intense extra benefit. I learned this from watching and listening to the master himself, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Over 25 years later, Arnold was right (as if there was any doubt)!
I never had any back issues with this exercise again.
Tony
- Sun May 16, 2021 7:35 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Weight lifting question. Machine vs free weight
- Replies: 111
- Views: 11422
Re: Weight lifting question. Machine vs free weight
I have had back problems so when I started working out at the gym ten years ago, I started out with body weight exercises-- push-ups, pull-ups, and dips. They have machines at the gym that will assist you with pull-ups and dips if you can't do them on your own. Body weight exercises will not hurt your back. I then gradually introduced free weights. So I can now use free weights at the gym. I will hurt my back if I over do it with free weights.
- Sun Apr 04, 2021 7:12 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Repair or Replace 2003 Toyota Corolla
- Replies: 69
- Views: 7776
Re: Repair or Replace 2003 Toyota Corolla
You may want to look at how much rust the car has. I had to get rid of a 2000 Toyota Corolla three years ago due to rust. The gas line had rusted and was leaking. The car ran well and only had 100000 miles but there was a lot of rust on the underbody.
- Sun Apr 04, 2021 7:08 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Any reason to file taxes before May 17?
- Replies: 34
- Views: 4171
Re: Any reason to file taxes before May 17?
If you are getting a refund.
- Sat Mar 27, 2021 5:45 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: "--Jack Bogle chose to make others richer"
- Replies: 25
- Views: 3625
Re: "--Jack Bogle chose to make others richer"
Taylor, Thanks for posting the article.
- Wed Dec 23, 2020 12:55 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: How to make ensure worker starts and finishes home project
- Replies: 34
- Views: 3307
Re: How to make ensure worker starts and finishes home project
You should Google , how much can a contractor ask for up front. In some states it is illegal to ask for more than 1/3 upfront.
- Sun Nov 15, 2020 7:26 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Taylor Sends His Best to Fellow Bogleheads
- Replies: 334
- Views: 34170
Re: Taylor Sends His Best to Fellow Bogleheads
Wishing you a speedy recovery. Thank you for all your great advice and guidance. Best wishes.
- Sun Jul 12, 2020 7:59 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Visiting dentist during pandemic (still under stay home orders)
- Replies: 30
- Views: 2861
Re: Visiting dentist during pandemic (still under stay home orders)
I went for a cleaning about two weeks ago. They had me wait in my car and called me when they were ready and no patients were in the office. They took my temperature and gave me hand sanitizer. They asked me if I had been sick recently, or been exposed to anyone with the virus. The hygenist wore a mask and face shield.
I went because this pandemic could go on for two or three years and I'm not going to go that long without a cleaning. Maybe I will just go once a year for a cleaning to minimize the risk.
I went because this pandemic could go on for two or three years and I'm not going to go that long without a cleaning. Maybe I will just go once a year for a cleaning to minimize the risk.
- Sat Jun 20, 2020 7:45 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Federal tax refund is late
- Replies: 102
- Views: 5330
Re: Federal tax refund is late
I e-filed in June. I owed money and it was taken out of my account within a few days.DiMAn0684 wrote: ↑Fri Jun 19, 2020 11:35 amSame here, ~$2k refund due to a new family member late in the year. Surprised it is taking this long, pretty simple return.bighatnohorse wrote: ↑Fri Jun 19, 2020 11:33 am I e-filed before April 15th and am still waiting. Refund is under $10K
I check the IRS wheres-my-refund and they say it's "processing".
- Thu Jun 18, 2020 8:14 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Susie Orman Says You are Crazy to be Investing in Bonds
- Replies: 176
- Views: 23618
Re: Susie Orman Says You are Crazy to be Investing in Bonds
I think that she says to go with a Roth vs a TIRA because taxes are currently low and will probably be higher in the future. I think that she is correct-- taxes will be higher in future years.anon_investor wrote: ↑Thu Jun 18, 2020 8:04 pm In the article she also says do 100% Roth no traditional...
- Sat Jun 13, 2020 8:01 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Recommend a mattress?
- Replies: 70
- Views: 10841
Re: Recommend a mattress?
We recently bought a Simmons beauty rest silver model BRS 900 from Costco and have been happy with it. It is a medium firm.
- Sat Apr 25, 2020 7:49 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Mother has only $85K to sustain her
- Replies: 81
- Views: 9519
Re: Mother has only $85K to sustain her
She may qualify for subsidized housing for the elderly.
- Tue Apr 14, 2020 6:56 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Flying in September, think it will be safe?
- Replies: 73
- Views: 5088
Re: Flying in September, think it will be safe?
It is going to be a nightmare if you get the virus and you have to self quarantine in a hotel for two weeks. That might be the case if your symptoms are not too severe. If you get really sick, you will be hospitalized in a strange city and then try to find someplace to stay for a while until it's safe to fly home.
- Thu Apr 09, 2020 7:47 pm
- Forum: US Chapters
- Topic: Livesoft reaches 70,000 posts!
- Replies: 31
- Views: 4075
Re: Livesoft reaches 70,000 posts!
Livesoft,
Congrats and thanks for the help!
Congrats and thanks for the help!