Search found 55 matches
- Fri Dec 30, 2022 5:00 am
- Forum: Forum Issues and Administration
- Topic: Time to thank those that keep this Forum going.
- Replies: 27
- Views: 8506
Re: Time to thank those that keep this Forum going.
Done, thank you for the timely reminder dwickenh, and thank you to all bogleheads for your help through the years.
- Thu Sep 01, 2022 11:16 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Azores Islands
- Replies: 5
- Views: 859
Re: Azores Islands
Three of us were in the Azores for almost two weeks in August - we returned home two weeks ago. A week of horseback riding on the north coast of Faial, two nights on Pico to climb Mt. Pico and the rest of the time on Sao Miguel hiking Lagoa do Fogo, Sete Cidades and walking around Ponta Delgada. Weather moved in and out but nothing that prevented us from doing any activities (although it got a bit touch and go on Mt. Pico for a bit). Great food and wine, very relaxed time there.
- Fri Dec 31, 2021 5:07 am
- Forum: Forum Issues and Administration
- Topic: Hohoho... tis the season to support this site
- Replies: 74
- Views: 7801
Re: Hohoho... tis the season to support this site
Done. Thank you for the reminder ApeAttack.
- Sat Dec 26, 2020 2:50 am
- Forum: Forum Issues and Administration
- Topic: Time to give to this website
- Replies: 91
- Views: 13487
Re: Time to give to this website
Done, thank you for the reminder and thank you to all of you who keep this site going.
- Mon Sep 10, 2018 11:44 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Go to Istanbul next week. Any suggestions
- Replies: 50
- Views: 5008
Re: Go to Istanbul next week. Any suggestions
Have a drink at the Pera Palace - www.perapalace.com. It is steeped in World War I spy atmosphere.
And if you are a fan of the author Orhan Pamuk, be sure to visit the Museum of Innocence en.masumiyetmuzesi.org, located in a interesting neighborhood for walking. Consider visiting even if you have never read his books (like me).
Enjoy!
And if you are a fan of the author Orhan Pamuk, be sure to visit the Museum of Innocence en.masumiyetmuzesi.org, located in a interesting neighborhood for walking. Consider visiting even if you have never read his books (like me).
Enjoy!
- Wed Aug 01, 2018 2:58 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Do You Purchase "Medical Evacuation Insurance" When You Travel?
- Replies: 185
- Views: 17206
Re: Do You Purchase "Medical Evacuation Insurance" When You Travel?
I am 65 years of age. DW and I have an annual policy with Bupa. A lot of trips we take require evacuation insurance, particularly horse back rides in remote locations. Until we started taking trips where the insurance was required we never gave it a thought.
- Sun Jan 22, 2017 5:19 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
- Replies: 11037
- Views: 2066600
Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Thanks to stumblebum for the recommendation of "Little Dieter Needs to Fly". Watched it today - excellent.
- Sat Dec 10, 2016 4:26 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: travel to Istanbul
- Replies: 41
- Views: 4674
Re: travel to Istanbul
If you are a fan of Roman ruins you might consider an overnight tour to Ephesus. Check the weather in the Cappadocia region for late December - flights there from Istanbul are quite cheap and it is a fairly short flight - two full days in that area would be a good side trip from Istanbul.
- Sat Dec 10, 2016 7:48 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: travel to Istanbul
- Replies: 41
- Views: 4674
Re: travel to Istanbul
My DW and I spent 4 days in Istanbul, 3 days in Cappadocia, 3 days in Izmir and 3 days in Azerbaijan about 6 weeks ago. We had a wonderful time, felt and were completely safe. In Istanbul we used the trams and metro system whenever possible. We were traveling with my sister and brother-in-law while in Turkey. Both had never been to Turkey and were very happy to have ignored their misgivings. There were no long lines anywhere and we were upgraded in some hotels (in Cappadocia to a suite because of the shortage of tourists). Besides the classic sites already named, consider taking some long walks thru some of the older neighborhoods that are now gentrifying such as Balat and Curcuma - plenty of things to see. The Great Palace Mosaic Museum ha...
- Fri Nov 18, 2016 8:38 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
- Replies: 7638
- Views: 1712815
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Just finished reading A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. Really, really good.
- Thu May 14, 2015 6:20 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Day trips from Berlin?
- Replies: 32
- Views: 11313
Re: Day trips from Berlin?
I second all the Potsdam recommendations - my wife and I did that via Fat Tire Bike Tours' Gardens and Palaces of Potsdam. I would absolutely recommend it. From their website it looks like they do the tour Fridays and Saturdays (among other days).
- Wed Jan 28, 2015 11:22 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What to see in Istanbul
- Replies: 35
- Views: 4318
Re: What to see in Istanbul
Please be sure to see the Basilica Cistern when you are in Istanbul.
- Mon Jan 26, 2015 5:18 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
- Replies: 11037
- Views: 2066600
Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Watched The Name of the Rose last night - an oldie but goodie featuring Sean Connery.
- Fri Jan 02, 2015 7:30 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Documentaries to recommend?
- Replies: 158
- Views: 30061
Re: Documentaries to recommend?
Post by gardemanger » Sat Nov 29, 2014 8:49 am
"One of my all-time favorite documentaries is a Chilean movie called "Nostalgia for the Light." It's set in the Atacama Desert, which is home both to an observatory probing the mysteries of the universe and to bereaved mothers combing the desert for traces of the "disappeared" from the Pinochet regime. The connections between these two searches are movingly painted."
gardemanger, thanks for recommending this - DW and I watched it last night - outstanding. We will actually be in Chile in March (although not near Atacama).
"One of my all-time favorite documentaries is a Chilean movie called "Nostalgia for the Light." It's set in the Atacama Desert, which is home both to an observatory probing the mysteries of the universe and to bereaved mothers combing the desert for traces of the "disappeared" from the Pinochet regime. The connections between these two searches are movingly painted."
gardemanger, thanks for recommending this - DW and I watched it last night - outstanding. We will actually be in Chile in March (although not near Atacama).
- Thu Jan 01, 2015 4:33 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
- Replies: 11037
- Views: 2066600
Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
'71 - British soldier is separated from his unit while on patrol in Belfast - tense and well done.
- Thu Jan 01, 2015 4:11 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
- Replies: 7638
- Views: 1712815
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Just finished "The Beautiful Struggle" - subtitled a father, two sons , and an unlikely road to manhood by Ta-Nehisi Coates. Really enjoyed it. Just started reading his article "The Case for Reparations" that was recently published in The Atlantic magazine. Mr. Coates will be discussing the article at The American Library in Paris later this month - hopefully I will be able to attend.
- Thu Dec 25, 2014 4:59 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
- Replies: 7638
- Views: 1712815
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
We Are Not Ourselves, a novel by Matthew Thomas.
A really good read - I looked forward to having time each day to read more.
A really good read - I looked forward to having time each day to read more.
- Mon Dec 15, 2014 10:30 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Seeking advice for NYC family trip.
- Replies: 6
- Views: 786
Re: Seeking advice for NYC family trip.
You might also consider parking in downtown Jersey City if you prefer not to drive in Manhattan and then taking the PATH train into NYC.
- Fri Oct 24, 2014 5:35 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Athens and London, what to do and where to stay?
- Replies: 36
- Views: 4007
Re: Athens and London, what to do and where to stay?
In London, I suggest going on as many walks as possible with London Walks - http://www.walks.com/. They really give you a behind the scenes look at the city and the guides are superb in my experience. They also do day trips - I have been on their day trip to the Cotswolds and really enjoyed it. I'd love to go back to the Cotswolds for a week but the day trip was a great introduction. They do day trips to Bath and Stonehenge on occasion too.
- Thu Aug 28, 2014 10:16 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Which bed should I buy?
- Replies: 21
- Views: 4843
Re: Which bed should I buy?
They might be a bit above your budget now but we bought a Shifman mattress and boxspring http://www.shifmanmattresses.com over 20 years ago and it is still like new - we flip it every month and sleep like logs. We had some extra money at the time and it was well spent.
- Fri Jun 27, 2014 7:53 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part V
- Replies: 3372
- Views: 1561107
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part V
The Orphan Master's Son by Adam Johnson. Fiction about the experiences of a young man in recent times in North Korea. A work of fiction but based on a good amount of research by the author. An interesting and enjoyable read.
- Fri Jun 20, 2014 6:05 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Suggestions for 1-2 Days in NYC?
- Replies: 51
- Views: 8487
Re: Suggestions for 1-2 Days in NYC?
Take a round-trip ride on the Staten Island ferry. You get a great view of the Statue of Liberty as part of the trip.
- Wed May 14, 2014 8:36 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: what had biggest impact on your financial success?
- Replies: 57
- Views: 7110
Re: what had biggest impact on your financial success?
First, maxing out IRA and 401K contributions - basically putting money where I couldn't touch it.
And, finding bogleheads.org, listening to the good advice given and self-managing our money.
And, finding bogleheads.org, listening to the good advice given and self-managing our money.
- Thu Feb 06, 2014 10:33 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: [Traveling to] Croatia
- Replies: 44
- Views: 14895
Re: Croatia
I would absolutely recommend Mostar - my wife and I drove there for a day trip will visiting Croatia - we toured the city with Alma, the guide mentioned here - https://community.ricksteves.com/travel ... tar-bosnia and now I see that it is possible to get picked up from and driven back to Dubrovnik. Our time with Alma was a highlight of our two week trip in the area.
- Thu Jan 30, 2014 6:35 am
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: Bonds - Throw it all on the table!
- Replies: 499
- Views: 92676
Re: Bonds - Throw it all on the table!!!
Married - average age of husband and wife is 55
We invest in two ETFs for fixed income - BND (Vanguard Total Bond Market) and TIP (ishares Barclays TIPS Bond Fund)
All fixed income is in our IRAs
BND is 62% of our fixed income - TIP is 38%
We are 45% in Bonds (average age minus 10%)
No plans to add more funds or consolidate.
We invest in two ETFs for fixed income - BND (Vanguard Total Bond Market) and TIP (ishares Barclays TIPS Bond Fund)
All fixed income is in our IRAs
BND is 62% of our fixed income - TIP is 38%
We are 45% in Bonds (average age minus 10%)
No plans to add more funds or consolidate.
- Mon Jan 27, 2014 11:22 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Monaco vacation without busting budget
- Replies: 36
- Views: 4052
Re: Monaco vacation without busting budget
I agree with others - stay in Nice and take the train over to Monaco for the late afternoon / evening and take the train back that same evening.
- Thu Feb 07, 2013 12:29 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What's your usual retirement day like ?
- Replies: 205
- Views: 55021
Re: What's your usual retirement day like ?
What happened initially was that it was very easy to fall in with the English speaking ex-pat community for social / volunteering activities hence not much conversational practice - I am trying to remedy that now by speaking French as much as possible (just about always) when I am out but I am still having problems with listening comprehension - I get the gist of the conversation but miss some details. I'll get there.VictoriaF wrote:Your location is "France," and still you are using books and radio for learning French?Exuberent wrote:An hour or so of internet / email, then an hour of French lessons (using a text book and the radio)
Victoria
- Wed Feb 06, 2013 1:19 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What's your usual retirement day like ?
- Replies: 205
- Views: 55021
Re: What's your usual retirement day like ?
Week days I wake up at 6 AM when my wife is getting ready to go to work, have breakfast with my wife then get dressed and head over to a nearby thoroughbred racing stable by 7:30 AM where I help muck out the stalls until about 11:30 AM - then I usually either get a riding lesson from one of the exercise riders in a enclosed ring up the street or ride out in the forest on a stable horse if any of exercise riders or the trainer wants some company when they take thoroughbreds out into the forest for some R & R. Then it is a 10 minute walk back home for some (more) exercise and stretching, a shower and lunch. An hour or so of internet / email, then an hour of French lessons (using a text book and the radio) and then time to think about what...
- Wed Feb 06, 2013 12:42 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part V
- Replies: 3372
- Views: 1561107
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part V
Just finished "Super Sad True Love Story" by Gary Shteyngart - had to push through it at some slow moments with some encouragement from my wife but thoroughly enjoyed it in retrospect.
Just started "Jerusalem" by Simon Sebag Montefiore - we have a walking trip in Israel and the West Bank planned for April that finishes in Jerusalem.
Just started "Jerusalem" by Simon Sebag Montefiore - we have a walking trip in Israel and the West Bank planned for April that finishes in Jerusalem.
- Mon Sep 03, 2012 8:29 am
- Forum: Forum Issues and Administration
- Topic: hijacker (PWM) - READ THIS
- Replies: 130
- Views: 15815
Re: hijacker (PWM) - READ THIS
I would be happy to contribute.
- Mon Apr 23, 2012 6:29 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Has anyone here had a good experience with Smith Barney?
- Replies: 39
- Views: 4121
Re: Has anyone here had a good experience with Smith Barney?
Hello pointyhead,
In 2008 I was in a similar situation as you but with a different financial adviser at a different firm. Livesoft and PiperWarrior gave me the best financial advice I ever received.
Once you make the decision to move ahead (and please let Vanguard handle the transfer) you will sleep much easier and that gnawing in your stomach will subside. Meeting with your SB person wastes your time and theirs. It you want to be cordial - call Vanguard and have them do the transfer. Today would be the perfect time to do it. Best of luck to you.
In 2008 I was in a similar situation as you but with a different financial adviser at a different firm. Livesoft and PiperWarrior gave me the best financial advice I ever received.
Once you make the decision to move ahead (and please let Vanguard handle the transfer) you will sleep much easier and that gnawing in your stomach will subside. Meeting with your SB person wastes your time and theirs. It you want to be cordial - call Vanguard and have them do the transfer. Today would be the perfect time to do it. Best of luck to you.
- Wed Apr 18, 2012 8:33 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Where do we bogleheads Splurge?!
- Replies: 138
- Views: 14510
Re: Where do we bogleheads Splurge?!
Travel with my wife.
Thoroughbred race horses (50% lease in one, 50% and 25% ownership respectively in two others). Gets me up and out in the morning to help out at the racing yard and last October at the ripe age of 50 and change I got to ride a thoroughbred at the training grounds in company with some other thoroughbreds and their riders out for morning work. I was like a kid in a candy shop. And I do know the saying - want to make a small fortune in racing? - start with a big fortune.
Thoroughbred race horses (50% lease in one, 50% and 25% ownership respectively in two others). Gets me up and out in the morning to help out at the racing yard and last October at the ripe age of 50 and change I got to ride a thoroughbred at the training grounds in company with some other thoroughbreds and their riders out for morning work. I was like a kid in a candy shop. And I do know the saying - want to make a small fortune in racing? - start with a big fortune.
- Mon Mar 12, 2012 9:39 am
- Forum: US Chapters
- Topic: Pat is coming home !
- Replies: 115
- Views: 15812
Re: Pat is coming home !
Hello Taylor, Hello Pat,
That is wonderful news for us to hear.
Enjoy!
Mark and Cynthia
That is wonderful news for us to hear.
Enjoy!
Mark and Cynthia
- Thu Mar 01, 2012 12:39 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part V
- Replies: 3372
- Views: 1561107
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part V
Just finished "Wolf Hall" by Hilary Mantel. Enjoyed it.
Just started "The Lemon Tree" by Sandy Tolan. Subtitle is "An Arab, a Jew, and the heart of the Middle East". 100 pages in and looking forward to discussing it at my wife's next book club meeting.
Just started "The Lemon Tree" by Sandy Tolan. Subtitle is "An Arab, a Jew, and the heart of the Middle East". 100 pages in and looking forward to discussing it at my wife's next book club meeting.
- Tue Dec 27, 2011 6:30 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: If you had to live somewhere beside USA, where would it be?
- Replies: 106
- Views: 9098
Re: If you had to live somewhere beside USA, where would it
My wife and I have lived in France now for five years. We have been living in Maisons-Laffitte for seven months at present and hope to stay. We enjoy the people, the food and the pace of life. And it is a great location for short trips to the rest of Europe and beyond.
- Thu Dec 15, 2011 12:00 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What Book Are YOU Currently Reading? Part IV. (07/04/2010)
- Replies: 1507
- Views: 401915
Re: What Book Are YOU Currently Reading? Part IV. (07/04/201
Tomorrow in the Battle Think on Me by Javier Marias
Halfway through and enjoying it.
Halfway through and enjoying it.
- Tue Jun 07, 2011 7:01 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Trip to Europe in September
- Replies: 36
- Views: 6151
From my wife (and I concur): You could fly into Nice or even Marseille.....most of the stereotypical beautiful villages in Provence are further west than Nice. Nice is magnificent, however, and just driving from Nice westward is lovely. Driving in Provence is a pleasure, and going along the coast from Nice is nice. You could end in Avignon and take the easy TGV back to Paris from there. Some really memorable markets were Vaison-La-Romaine, Lourmarin, Apt and L'isle-sur-la-Sorgue. Here is a list of Provencal market days http://www.provencelive.com/practical/daily/market/market.html All of those towns are charming enough to stay in. Depending on where you stay the hotels will nearly always recommend good places for dinner. Also check the &quo...
- Mon Jun 06, 2011 7:01 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Trip to Europe in September
- Replies: 36
- Views: 6151
My wife and I have lived in France for over 4 years now (originally from New Jersey) - all of that time except for the last week in Paris (now 20 minutes away by train). The Paris / Provence trip sounds great and a good time of year to go. (That is the first trip we did to France many years ago using Rick Steves' books (we still use him when we can). Loire Valley and the chateaux are pretty spectacular too. We have found the French to be very polite and helpful but like everyone else they have their habits / norms. Please - when you walk in a shop or sit down in a restaurant make the first word you say bonjour and when you leave merci, avoir. Waiters here do not work for tips so you will not find one saying Hi my name is Pierre and I'll be ...
- Thu May 26, 2011 3:46 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: My parents best advice ?
- Replies: 65
- Views: 8125
- Tue Apr 19, 2011 10:16 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Favorite Board Game?
- Replies: 66
- Views: 8714
- Mon Apr 18, 2011 3:29 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Tough Decision: Move or Stay???
- Replies: 18
- Views: 3670
- Sun Mar 13, 2011 5:08 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What Book Are YOU Currently Reading? Part IV. (07/04/2010)
- Replies: 1507
- Views: 401915
- Sun Mar 13, 2011 4:09 am
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: What is YOUR bond/equity ratio compared to your age/horizon?
- Replies: 80
- Views: 15474
- Fri Feb 25, 2011 4:06 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Would you consider traveling abroad?
- Replies: 67
- Views: 8212
I plan to go horseback riding in Albania in June and my wife and I plan to go horseback riding in Georgia in August. We were in Syria about a year and a half ago and were thrilled to see how happy and welcoming people were when they found out we were American. On the same trip we also visited Lebanon and Jordan - there are wonderful people everywhere if you take the time to look. I think one of the pleasures of traveling whether in the US or internationally is that meeting people face to face usually goes a long way to breaking down the stereotypes.
- Thu Feb 24, 2011 12:34 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What Other Forums Do Bogleheads Frequent?
- Replies: 39
- Views: 7952
www.gallopfrance.com
I'm in France and have a goal to become the "exercise rider of last resort"
for Madame Rarick.
I'm in France and have a goal to become the "exercise rider of last resort"
for Madame Rarick.
- Mon Feb 21, 2011 4:39 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: If you had a choice, would you still live in the USA?
- Replies: 153
- Views: 17520
My wife and I are US citizens and moved to France 4 years ago. We were very happy to live in the US and are very happy to be living in France now.
Just an addition for the poster above - we have found the health care here to be very good, public transportation top notch and there is mandatory vacation time for employees (and you are expected to take it from what I can see - none of this - what do you mean you want to take two weeks off in a row?).
Just an addition for the poster above - we have found the health care here to be very good, public transportation top notch and there is mandatory vacation time for employees (and you are expected to take it from what I can see - none of this - what do you mean you want to take two weeks off in a row?).
- Mon Feb 07, 2011 8:17 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: About to buy a suit, any deals right now?
- Replies: 25
- Views: 4309
- Tue Jan 25, 2011 12:42 am
- Forum: Non-US Investing
- Topic: Investing from France
- Replies: 44
- Views: 9402
- Mon Jan 24, 2011 7:18 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Non frugal vice
- Replies: 107
- Views: 16254
Non Frugal Vice
Race Horses - my wife and I moved to France several years ago and I started helping out at the yard of Gina Rarick, the only American woman licensed to train thoroughbreds in France. Since then I have bought ownership / leased interest in several race horses trained by Mme. Rarick. Statistically not the road to riches but what fun. Still shedding weight in quest to become the "exercise rider of last resort" for the stable.
- Tue Jun 08, 2010 10:49 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What Book Are YOU Currently Reading? PART III (12/11/2009)
- Replies: 424
- Views: 84395