Search found 2208 matches

by Raybo
Sat Mar 23, 2024 10:22 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Medical Alert ID, link to medical records .......Please do NOT use this thread to ask or give medical advice.
Replies: 19
Views: 1129

Re: Medical Alert ID, link to medical records .......Please do NOT use this thread to ask or give medical advice.

I have a two-sided dogtag that I wear when I ride a bike that has room for about a dozen lines. I would wear it all the time if I had a condition that warranted it. I list my name, person to contact ICE, to donate my organs, that I have no known allergies, and the list of medications and dosages I take. When I start/stop a medication, I update the dogtag. Costs are less than $10 and take about a week to arrive.
by Raybo
Mon Mar 18, 2024 10:40 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Which industry will benefit from new real estate commission fee structure?
Replies: 120
Views: 9454

Re: Which industry will benefit from new real estate commission fee structure?

I sold a house in 2003 in California for a 4.5% commission. I didn't negotiate hard. It was just what the agent offered me to get the sale. Granted, this was during the RE bubble. And, the agent did a ton of work as the house was under contract 3 times before it was eventually sold.

It will be interesting to see how this all shakes out. With the monopoly broke(r)n, disintermediation might kick into high gear and the idea of the on-line RE agent might really take off.
by Raybo
Sun Mar 17, 2024 10:15 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: RMDs On A Combined IRA With RMD/Non-RMD Age Gap
Replies: 6
Views: 468

Re: RMDs On A Combined IRA With RMD/Non-RMD Age Gap

IRAs must be owned by a single person and cannot be "combined." Her RMD is her RMD; your RMD is your RMD. And, never the twain shall meet.
by Raybo
Thu Mar 14, 2024 7:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: "22 of the funniest novels since Catch-22" (acc. to the NYT)
Replies: 35
Views: 4056

Re: "22 of the funniest novels since Catch-22" (acc. to the NYT)

I listened to Slaughterhouse 5 and then Catch-22; one after the other. Catch-22 wasn’t in the same class as Slaughterhouse 5. Catch-22 is redundant, not all that funny, and definitely not as insightful or impactful.
by Raybo
Wed Mar 13, 2024 1:43 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Is Raymond James beating the SP500? That's what they are claiming.
Replies: 59
Views: 4786

Re: Is Raymond James beating the SP500? That's what they are claiming.

I've seen these comparisons from other firms, as well. They use the S&P500 but often this benchmark doesn't include dividends. If it doesn't, then it is meaningless (misleadingless?)

Another thing is that the stocks/portfolio they recommend doesn't have all the same characteristics of the S&P500.

Add in the customized time frame and it is exactly what one would expect from an investment house like Raymond James.

It is interesting that people who choose Raymond James barely understand what the S&P500 is, let alone what it means to beat it.
by Raybo
Sat Mar 09, 2024 9:55 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Switching from Medicare Advantage back to original Medicare
Replies: 18
Views: 2911

Re: Switching from Medicare Advantage back to original Medicare

I have been a Kaiser patient for decades. When I qualified for Medicare, I went with Medicare Advantage at Kaiser. After a year, I decided to try regular Medicare. The "underwriting" was asking if I had Kidney Failure and was on Dialysis. Since I wasn't, I switched and got Medicare supplement F (when it was still offered) that covered all my medical costs. To find a PC, I had to enroll in a concierge medical practice and was assigned a brand new doctor. On my first visit, he said he wanted his patients to get labs before seeing him. I wasn't told this and when I did get labs, I couldn't get a second appointment. I only ever met with him that one time. Luckily, I didn't need to see him, but it was a real eye-opener. Then, I had to ...
by Raybo
Thu Mar 07, 2024 10:23 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Has Anyone Had This Scenario/Situation With The IRS
Replies: 21
Views: 3057

Re: Has Anyone Had This Scenario/Situation With The IRS

Contact your senator or member of Congress. That will help get to the bottom of things.
by Raybo
Tue Mar 05, 2024 9:56 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tips for Language Learning (2024)
Replies: 18
Views: 1441

Re: Tips for Language Learning (2024)

Check out https://conversationexchange.com where you can find native language speakers who want to learn English and then set up your own language exchange with them over skype or whatsapp or conversationexchange.com.

I have found several Italian speakers and currently have weekly conversations with 3. It is very helpful to talk with native speakers. These men have now become friends and I have been hosted by one of them and would like to visit the others.
by Raybo
Sun Feb 25, 2024 10:32 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What kind of bonds to hold with TIPS ladder?
Replies: 0
Views: 913

What kind of bonds to hold with TIPS ladder?

A few months ago, I exchanged my TIPs fund for a 10 year ladder of actual TIPS. Prior to buying the tips, I had an even mixture short-term, intermediate term, and TIPS funds. I still have the same mix, albeit with actual TIPS. I am wondering if I should extend the duration of my remaining bond funds, which now make up about 25% of the Risk Portfolio (the non-TIPS part of my pile)?

Since I won't need the funds from the RP for several years, I can see that extending the duration of the bond portion matches the time when I will need such funds. On the other hand, if the purpose of the bonds is "dry powder" for a market downturn, then it would be best to keep the bond duration short-term.

I'd appreciate any guidance on this.
by Raybo
Sat Feb 24, 2024 9:46 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: SS benefits - apply online, BUT still must go in to office [UPDATE]
Replies: 23
Views: 2505

Re: SS benefits - apply online, BUT still must go in to office

I applied for SS during the Covid pandemic and all SS offices were closed. I was told I had to go in and show ID. I called the listed numbers and no one would answer them.

For me, the main problem was that my cellphone number is registered in my name, so the automatic verification system wouldn't verify me. Thus, the need to show an ID in person.

It took me a long time to solve this problem and it required the help of my congressperson. Once her office got involved, things moved with alacrity.
by Raybo
Mon Feb 19, 2024 8:34 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Should I exclude LMP/TIPS ladder from portfolio tracking?
Replies: 43
Views: 2641

Re: Should I exclude LMP/TIPS ladder from portfolio tracking?

I have a 10 year ladder (up to the gap). At present, I consider the ladder my allocation to TIPS. In fact,I cashed my TIPS funds to buy the ladder. I am treating the ladder as part of my bond allocation and marking it to market whenever I update my portfolio, usually once a month (after monthly dividends). I have to add up all my other fund totals and then subtract that from the portfolio total (easier than summing 10 TIPS values) to get the current ladder value. Since I will (hopefully) liquidate the ladder in 10 years, I am treating it as part of my bond allocation. Assuming the rungs supply my cash needs and satisfy my RMDs, it might make more sense for me to simply remove it from my allocation entirely. Though, if I did that, my risk po...
by Raybo
Wed Feb 07, 2024 11:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Calling All Bicycle Tourists
Replies: 21
Views: 2149

Re: Calling All Bicycle Tourists

I've done several 1 month bike tours in the US and Europe. I've not done a 2-3 month ride, though, I'd like to someday. First, are you aware of the Adventure Cycling Association ( adventurecycling.org )? They have created several US cross-country routes. I have ridden some of these and they are always well thought out and their route maps provide both good directions and lots of useful information. The one route I recommend to people was one of theirs: the Great Parks North route from Missoula, Montana to Jasper, AB. It goes through 4 national parks: Glacier, Kootenay, Banff, and Jasper NPs. The section through the Icefields Parkway is the most spectacular 120 miles I've ever ridden on a bicycle. Here is the detailed daily journal from my t...
by Raybo
Sat Jan 27, 2024 10:46 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Anonymous gift tax questions
Replies: 9
Views: 630

Re: Anonymous gift tax questions

Since nothing is filed with the IRS (i.e. 1099) when the gift is made, the IRS wouldn't even know about it to ask.
by Raybo
Thu Jan 11, 2024 6:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best method to learn basic conversational Spanish
Replies: 21
Views: 2884

Re: Best method to learn basic conversational Spanish

You might consider conversationexchange.com. It is a site that offers listings of people interested in talking with others in different languages. Normally, people want to converse with those whose native language is the one they want to learn. Many people want to talk with native English speakers, so there is a long list of people to talk with whose native language is the one you want to learn.

I've met a number of very nice Italian speakers using the site and recommend it unequivocally.
by Raybo
Fri Jan 05, 2024 9:29 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Italian/Switzerland Lakes District
Replies: 10
Views: 1403

Re: Italian/Switzerland Lakes District

Interlaken is a cute little town in an amazing area, though late March will be cold and snowy. The access to stunning mountain areas is impressive.

Lindau is another cute small town on the Bodensee (in Germany). It is worth a day or two but with ferries on the lake, there are many places to visit.

Iseo, on a lake of the same name, is a good sized town. The lake contains the largest lake island in Europe.
by Raybo
Mon Dec 18, 2023 2:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Inheriting a spouse's IRA as a beneficiary
Replies: 14
Views: 1702

Re: Inheriting a spouse's IRA as a beneficiary

Taking a discretionary distribution in a year prior to RMDs beginning would not constitute an election to use the 10-year rule. If I understand this sentence correctly, when the surviving spouse "inherits" the IRA, she makes an election to start the IRA's RMDs based on the age of the decedent. Then, the surviving spouse can withdraw money from the IRA at any time without changing the RMD election. Is this election written and/or part of creating the inherited IRA? Probably not. Probably just demonstrated by the beneficiary's actions, in accordance with the facts and the allowable options. How does the IRS (does it even know?) distinguish between "empty in 10 years" and "take money out when you want but RMDs kick in...
by Raybo
Mon Dec 18, 2023 1:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Inheriting a spouse's IRA as a beneficiary
Replies: 14
Views: 1702

Re: Inheriting a spouse's IRA as a beneficiary

Taking a discretionary distribution in a year prior to RMDs beginning would not constitute an election to use the 10-year rule.
If I understand this sentence correctly, when the surviving spouse "inherits" the IRA, she makes an election to start the IRA's RMDs based on the age of the decedent. Then, the surviving spouse can withdraw money from the IRA at any time without changing the RMD election. Is this election written and/or part of creating the inherited IRA?
by Raybo
Mon Dec 18, 2023 11:20 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Inheriting a spouse's IRA as a beneficiary
Replies: 14
Views: 1702

Re: Inheriting a spouse's IRA as a beneficiary

I found this at the IRS website:

Spousal beneficiary options

If the account holder's death occurred prior to the required beginning date, the spouse beneficiary may:

Keep as an inherited account
Delay beginning distributions until the employee would have turned 72
Take distributions based on their own life expectancy
Follow the 10-year rule
Roll over the account into their own IRA

It seems to say that the choice is 1) wait until deceased would have to take RMDs (possibly 75 in this case) to withdraw any funds or 2) follow the 10 year rule. So, if money is withdrawn from the deceased IRA before RMDs are required, then the 10 year rule has to be followed?

This is the part I'm confused about.
by Raybo
Mon Dec 18, 2023 10:25 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Inheriting a spouse's IRA as a beneficiary
Replies: 14
Views: 1702

Inheriting a spouse's IRA as a beneficiary

I am unclear on what happens when a surviving spouse inherits her deceased spouse's IRA and keeps the IRA in the deceased spouse's name and themselves as a beneficiary. The situation I'm confused about is this: The surviving spouse is the older of the two by 10 years. The surviving spouse is already required to take RMDs. The deceased spouse would not have had to take RMDs for another 10 years. Let's say both IRAs are $1,000,000. In my mind, it makes no sense for the surviving spouse to either rollover the IRA or put it in her name. As this would require her to take RMDs on the entire $2,000,000. But, leaving herself as the beneficiary on the deceased IRA would mean RMDs on her $1,000,000 IRA only and waiting for another 10 years for RMDs o...
by Raybo
Tue Dec 05, 2023 11:29 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Selling House After Death of Spouse. Basis Question
Replies: 32
Views: 4058

Re: Selling House After Death of Spouse. Basis Question

I maybe need to be a bit more specific. The house and trust are in California. My question doesn't concern beneficiaries of the trust. I am asking about the surviving spouse. As an example. Say the house was bought for $200K but is now worth $1mm. What is the basis of the house to the surviving spouse when the first spouse dies if the house is in a revocable living trust? To further (muddy) the example. Say, after the first spouse dies, the surviving spouse sells the house in the future (after 2 years have passed), removing it from the trust to do so. The sales price is $1.4mm. What is the basis of the house in this sale? Is it $500k (step-up basis for deceased spouse) $100k (basis for surviving spouse) $600K or $1mm (double step-up in basi...
by Raybo
Tue Dec 05, 2023 11:19 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Selling House After Death of Spouse. Basis Question
Replies: 32
Views: 4058

Re: Selling House After Death of Spouse. Basis Question

I have a similar question. My wife and I have a living trust that now owns our house. What happens to the basis when one of us dies? Would this qualify for a step-up in basis of either half (the spouse's half who died) or double?
by Raybo
Tue Nov 14, 2023 8:49 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Retirement withdrawals done evenly or avoid selling stocks when market is down?
Replies: 54
Views: 6908

Re: Retirement withdrawals done evenly or avoid selling stocks when market is down?

It seems to me it depends on how big your portfolio is compared to your expenses. If you need to careful versus you have plenty. If I remember McClurg correctly, one of the withdrawal methods he modeled (of several) was keeping to a set AA. Prime Harvesting did best and maintaining a set AA was an also-ran. So, if someone is trying to stretch their retirement pile as long as possible, Prime Harvesting might be a better methodology, if you trust McClung’s analysis. Yes, it is a bit complicated and likely means a rising AA with a higher percentage of stocks as time goes on. But, it was the best at providing cash longer than keeping an set AA. As for was it means for stocks to be “down,” it is like SWR studies. You base this on where your stoc...
by Raybo
Sat Nov 11, 2023 9:06 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Accident with uninsured driver
Replies: 100
Views: 11154

Re: Accident with uninsured driver

It doesn't sound like you've seen any medical personal except ER doctors. ER doctors are trauma specialists. They aren't orthopedists. If you are concerned about long-term joint damage, you should go to a joint specialist.

I wonder how you'd think about someone who asked you for technical advice and then ignored it?
by Raybo
Thu Nov 09, 2023 9:04 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone have or tried to get Elective Resident visa from Italy?
Replies: 0
Views: 964

Anyone have or tried to get Elective Resident visa from Italy?

I recently learned that Italy has Elective Resident visas that allow for staying in the country for longer than allowed under a tourist visa (90 of 180 days). The visa and its requirements are explained here: https://arlettipartners.com/italian-ele ... ence-visa/ (commercial website).

Does any here have such a visa for Italy? If so, what did it take to get it and how did it turn out?
by Raybo
Fri Nov 03, 2023 11:04 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Charlie Munger interview in WSJ
Replies: 9
Views: 1724

Re: Charlie Munger interview in WSJ

Stinky wrote: Fri Nov 03, 2023 10:53 am Charlie Munger was interviewed in today's WSJ. Link follows: https://www.wsj.com/finance/investing/c ... _lead_pos8

A notable quote from the interview:
Most people probably shouldn’t do anything other than have index funds…. That is a perfectly rational thing to do for somebody who just doesn’t want to think much about it and has no reason to think he has any advantage as a stock picker. Why should he try and pick his own stocks? He doesn’t design his own electric motors and his egg beater.
Does anybody still use an egg beater?
by Raybo
Thu Nov 02, 2023 10:37 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: "Winter" Questions - How you do keep your house / car warm?
Replies: 65
Views: 7123

Re: "Winter" Questions - How you do keep your house / car warm?

Winters in San Francisco aren't "too bad." But, I like a cold house and wearing sweaters, so we keep our thermostat at 62 during the day (6am to 10pm) and 50 otherwise. When my wife can no longer stand it, she puts the heater up a couple of degrees.
by Raybo
Thu Nov 02, 2023 10:31 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Any love for EE bonds @2.7%?
Replies: 16
Views: 2481

Re: Any love for EE bonds @2.7%?

I don’t have any insight to your question, but I do want to celebrate that today, Nov. 1, two-thirds of my EE Bonds doubled in value. The last third will double in a month on Dec, 1. That bond is currently worth 50% more than it was purchased for, so the doubling is a real gain on these bonds. I don't understand. When did you buy these bonds and what interest rate were they earning? I decided to put some money I received after selling my house into tax-deferred investments. I bought I-Bonds with a high fixed rate back in the early 2000s. There was a limit then (lower now) on I-Bond purchases, so after the I-Bonds limit, EE Bonds were purchased as part of that strategy. According to Treasury Direct (https://treasurydirect.gov/savings-bonds/...
by Raybo
Thu Nov 02, 2023 9:15 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Any love for EE bonds @2.7%?
Replies: 16
Views: 2481

Re: Any love for EE bonds @2.7%?

tibbitts wrote: Wed Nov 01, 2023 7:30 pm
Raybo wrote: Wed Nov 01, 2023 6:17 pm I don’t have any insight to your question, but I do want to celebrate that today, Nov. 1, two-thirds of my EE Bonds doubled in value.

The last third will double in a month on Dec, 1. That bond is currently worth 50% more than it was purchased for, so the doubling is a real gain on these bonds.
Are you keeping them (I assume they pay a variable rate based on the recent 5yr Treasury yield)?
For tax purposes, I plan to liquidate them in 2024 or beyond, depending on when I need the cash.
by Raybo
Wed Nov 01, 2023 6:29 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Yet Another IUL Question - Help Me Before I Commit
Replies: 17
Views: 1710

Re: Yet Another IUL Question - Help Me Before I Commit

The “tax free withdrawals” are actually your money being loaned backed to you at interest. In a direct investment, you pay capital gains taxes (lower than income taxes) only on the gain. In the IUL, you “save taxes” by paying interest on all the money you borrow, most of which is your principal.

Imagine having a bank account and paying interest on the money you take out of that account. Call it a universal bank account.
by Raybo
Wed Nov 01, 2023 6:17 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Any love for EE bonds @2.7%?
Replies: 16
Views: 2481

Re: Any love for EE bonds @2.7%?

I don’t have any insight to your question, but I do want to celebrate that today, Nov. 1, two-thirds of my EE Bonds doubled in value.

The last third will double in a month on Dec, 1. That bond is currently worth 50% more than it was purchased for, so the doubling is a real gain on these bonds.
by Raybo
Thu Oct 19, 2023 10:59 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Buying longer-term TIPS fund after creating a TIPS ladder?
Replies: 1
Views: 414

Buying longer-term TIPS fund after creating a TIPS ladder?

A few months ago (too early, as it turns out), I bought a 10 year tips ladder (up to the "gap") to cover my expected expenses going forward until them. I used the money I had in TIPS funds to pay for the ladder. I now have no money in TIPS funds. I only have TIPS in the ladder. I have other money in nominal Bond funds and 20-year old IBonds (I'm currently 60 stocks/40 bonds - Total Bond and Short-Term bonds) but none in TIPS. Would it make sense to move some money from nominal Total Bond funds (duration shorter than my TIPS ladder) to a Longer Term TIPS or Longer Term nominal funds given interest rates on longer term bonds? On the one hand, it seems like market timing. On the other, it seems like a redeployment of bonds given the ...
by Raybo
Tue Oct 17, 2023 9:48 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What is your favorite non fiction book?
Replies: 152
Views: 13678

Re: Your Favorite Non-Fiction Books/Audiobooks?

I listen to audio books when I walk and ride my bike. I've listened to hundreds of audio books. I've created a list of non-fiction audio books that, over the years, I've found engrossing, meaningful, impactful, or just entertaining. There are about 85 books on the list. Some are on serious topics, others are a bit more frivolous. There is a short description of each one in the list.

As a note, I check these out of my library using Hoopla and Libby. As I live in California, I am able to get a library card from any public library in the state. The audio book selection from the SF and LA libraries is in the thousands for non-fiction. I don't use Audible, so don't know if these titles are available from them.
by Raybo
Thu Oct 12, 2023 10:18 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Volunteering experiences
Replies: 52
Views: 5642

Re: Volunteering experiences

I was a docent at Alcatraz Island for over 15 years (part of the 1000 hour club). I stopped when Covid started and haven't been back since as I feel the risk is too high for the benefits I got. My main interest was in public speaking (I did it for a living and missed it) and Alcatraz offered this on a grand scale. I enjoyed learning little tidbits about the prison (and fort) and loved sharing them with visitors, who were always grateful for them. Best of all, the same tidbit could be shared over and over as everyday there was a fresh set of visitors. But, Alcatraz is part of the National Parks Service. It has a long list of rules and people who enforce (or don't enforce) them. It is easy to transgress and have to "counseled." Also...
by Raybo
Wed Oct 11, 2023 7:50 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Retirement Anxiety w/ Vanguard 50:50 Bond allocation
Replies: 34
Views: 6023

Re: Retirement Anxiety w/ Vanguard 50:50 Bond allocation

I'm about 50/50, though a (losing value) TIPS ladder is part of that. Year-to-date, I'm up 4.39%. A disaster? Not in my book.
by Raybo
Mon Oct 09, 2023 4:55 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Does a 71 year old need his birth certificate?
Replies: 43
Views: 4366

Does a 71 year old need his birth certificate?

My paper birth certificate sits in a rented safety deposit at a local bank. I could being it home and keep it in my files and save the yearly rental fee. My concern is a fire could destroy it at home or something else could happen to it.

But, does a 71 year old with a passport, drivers license, social security number, and receiving social security payments really need to worry about his paper birth certificate (other than the cute foot print it has)?
by Raybo
Thu Oct 05, 2023 9:51 am
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Sad News - LadyGeek's Mom has passed
Replies: 158
Views: 38174

Re: Sad News - LadyGeek's Mom has passed

My condolences.

May her memory be a blessing.
by Raybo
Wed Oct 04, 2023 3:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: For those who retired <50 years old, how did you spend your days?
Replies: 22
Views: 5397

Re: For those who retired <50 years old, how did you spend your days?

I made a list of things I would do if time and money weren’t an issue (they weren’t) and slowly worked through them.

I read all 14 volumes of the Story of Civilization (10,000 pages), I learned to play the saxophone, I tried watercolors, I ran and biked more and lifted weights. I took on some house projects like bolting the house to the foundation. I started bike touring. I wrote more programs.

Finding friends to spend time with was a challenge.
by Raybo
Fri Sep 29, 2023 3:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Is owning a condo worth the risk?
Replies: 55
Views: 7781

Re: Is owning a condo worth the risk?

Maintenance and updates are hedges against earthquake damage (up to a point). Instead of insurance, making sure your building is well maintained might be a good alternative.
by Raybo
Thu Sep 28, 2023 9:37 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: One Week In Calgary and Banff
Replies: 31
Views: 2890

Re: One Week In Calgary and Banff

If you don't mind a bit of a drive, I'd highly suggest driving (riding a bike would be my highest recommendation!) up to the Icefields Parkway to see/experience the Columbia Glacier.
by Raybo
Sat Sep 23, 2023 5:36 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Minimums for QCD?
Replies: 14
Views: 1629

Minimums for QCD?

This is the first year I am able to do QCDs from an IRA at Vanguard. Is there some minimum donation size required by Vanguard? Is there a limit to the number of QCDs I can order from a single IRA account? I know there is a $100k yearly upper limit.
by Raybo
Fri Sep 22, 2023 11:02 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Almost half of internet traffic is bots
Replies: 2
Views: 922

Almost half of internet traffic is bots

I have noticed that my website has been getting more traffic of late. Much of it is from bots trying to break into my database.

This got me wondering about how much of the traffic on the internet was non-human. According to this article (https://www.securitymagazine.com/articl ... ts-in-2022), over 47% of internet traffic came from bots. I assume it will only get worse.

Be careful when surfing on the web. Machines are watching!
by Raybo
Thu Sep 21, 2023 3:24 pm
Forum: Forum Issues and Administration
Topic: Open Links in New Tab/Window
Replies: 23
Views: 8038

Re: Possible to have links open in a new tab/window?

livesoft wrote: Thu Sep 21, 2023 3:18 pm On a Mac: Command-click opens in a new window. Maybe on Windows Alt-Click does the same? I'm using a touchpad / keyboard on a Mac, so my fingers /hands/wrists do not have to move.

I usually open several tabs/windows in quick succession, then starting to view them while others are still being loaded. Then of course close read windows with Command-w.
Thanks, livesoft.

Yes, I could (and often) do this. Depends on the browser. On my browser, right click on the link and then click on Open in New Tab. But is all this extra clicking really necessary? It is a simple thing to do in html and most sites do this automatically. Hard to believe the forum software doesn't already offer this functionality that simply needs to be turned on.
by Raybo
Thu Sep 21, 2023 3:15 pm
Forum: Forum Issues and Administration
Topic: Open Links in New Tab/Window
Replies: 23
Views: 8038

Possible to have links open in a new tab/window?

[Thread merged into here --admin LadyGeek]

Whenever I click on a link when reading forum threads, the link opens in the same window as the forum. This means that in order to refer back to the forum, I have to use the back arrow on my browser. It also means that I lose the forum tab/window if I forget and close the link's tab/window when I am done reading it.

Some users might like this. If so, could it be made a setting option? I much prefer that the forum open a new tab/window for every link encapsulated in a forum post.
by Raybo
Thu Sep 21, 2023 3:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 2023 San Francisco, 1 day stay
Replies: 78
Views: 8268

Re: 2023 San Francisco, 1 day stay

Wait a minute! You weren’t robbed by homeless dope addicts or accosted by drug-addled panhandlers or got sucked into the downtown death spiral? Are you sure you were in San Francisco? Maybe it was all a dream? Nope. Not a dream. Very real indeed. WSJ journalist arrives in SF. Within 3 hours of arrival, car window smashed- personal property stolen. https://www.wsj.com/articles/i-left-my-ipad-in-san-francisco-crime-theft-california-bay-area-fba5913c?st=7s7kvyqp9ku4te1&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink There are signs in every parking lot telling people not to leave things in their car. Many have photos of smashed windows. I wonder if Mr. Wall Street Journal was looking for a story to tell? The good news is that since this only happens in...
by Raybo
Thu Sep 07, 2023 10:09 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Retiring into a recession
Replies: 20
Views: 4021

Re: Retiring into a recession

Depending on the size of your pile and your willingness/ability to buy when stocks fall, a recession-caused stock market fall can be a great way to bolster your retirement prospects. While it is hard to maintain your AA when stocks go down, it can greatly improve your assets when the recession ends and the market goes back up (while this is an assumption, it doesn't seem unwarranted). I was able to do this during the GFC and while it was gut-wrenching and I had to stop at the very bottom (cost me a fair amount of money), I was able to double our retirement monies by doing so. Also, keep in mind that money that is invested goes up and down but its value is only important when you sell it. Worrying about the value of things you aren't going t...
by Raybo
Mon Sep 04, 2023 11:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Making chocolate bars at home
Replies: 12
Views: 2051

Re: Making chocolate bars at home

I make chocolate covered almonds all the time. I know how to melt chocolate and that tempering is important to create a smooth finished bar.

I like to make my own salad dressings, breads, and sauces. I find it hard to locate bars that are just to my liking (very dark), so I started wondering if it was possible to make bars with the flavor I want.

I found this link: https://www.theroastedroot.net/how-to-m ... late-bars/ that suggests all one needs is cocoa butter, cacao powder and sweetener. I’m tempted to try this, though as someone suggested, it isn’t a money saver.

If I go down this road, I’ll post my results.
by Raybo
Mon Sep 04, 2023 7:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Making chocolate bars at home
Replies: 12
Views: 2051

Making chocolate bars at home

[Topic is now in Personal Consumer Issues - mod mkc

Has anyone here made their own chocolate bars? There is a local class on doing this, but is it something that can be done at home? Is there special equipment necessary? Is it unreasonably expensive?

I’m not considering doing this from beans. I’m assuming one can buy bulk chocolate and blend it as one sees fit. Maybe this whole thing is a fantasy. Thus, my question.
by Raybo
Sat Sep 02, 2023 4:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 2023 San Francisco, 1 day stay
Replies: 78
Views: 8268

Re: 2023 San Francisco, 1 day stay

Thanks everyone for the advice and suggestions. I didn't book a car in SF instead we relied on Uber. We had an amazing time. We were in SF a few years ago staying in Pacific Heights and we had a fantastic time. We also avoided renting a car and used Uber. We enjoyed some great dining, walked the Golden Gate bridge, spent part of a day in Golden Gate park where we visited the art museum and the Japanese Garden and had tea there, walked down to Japan Town, roamed around the Presidio, went to the Palace of Fine Arts where there were all kinds of activities happening, including some Asian traditional dance festival. Wait a minute! You weren’t robbed by homeless dope addicts or accosted by drug-addled panhandlers or got sucked into the downtown...