Search found 8583 matches

by Broken Man 1999
Sun Mar 17, 2024 6:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11037
Views: 2066243

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

ruralavalon wrote: Sat Mar 02, 2024 9:09 am Mr. Holmes, on Amazon Prime.

This is a mystery set in rural Sussex in 1947. Sherlock Holmes has been retired 30 years and lives in a farmhouse with a housekeeper and her young son. Holmes keeps bees to occupy his time. He struggles to reconstruct his last case (shown in flashbacks). His mind is deteriorating.

Recommended.
Thanks for the recommendation!

Just finished watching it and I enjoyed it immensely!

:sharebeer

Broken Man 1999
by Broken Man 1999
Sun Mar 17, 2024 12:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11037
Views: 2066243

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

jjunk wrote: Wed Mar 13, 2024 9:48 pm Damsel on Netflix. Star Millie Bobbie Brown of Stranger Things as a princess to be in a wealthy kingdom. Turns out, she's dragon food. I typically like movies like this but this one was actually boring to me. It was super predictable and the dragon CGI was all over the place (with some of it excellent). Not recommended.
I have to agree with your opinion. Once and done. I won't be repeating a watch for this movie!

Broken Man 1999
by Broken Man 1999
Sun Mar 17, 2024 12:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11037
Views: 2066243

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

Yesterday a DD and I watched Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour movie that is streaming on Disney+. Both DDs and granddaughters are "Swifties", and attended Taylor's concerts both times when she stopped in Tampa plus the movie when it was released in the theaters. One DD and granddaughter will be attending Taylor's concert in Germany, also. Since the granddaughters spend so much time with us I am very familiar with Taylor's music. I haven't seen her in a concert, yet. But I certainly will if able the next time she stops by Tampa. I like her music, but admire her business sense even more. She is either very savvy, or has surrounded herself with good people. There are many other female entertainers who wouldn't be as good of role model fo...
by Broken Man 1999
Sat Mar 16, 2024 5:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: funeral preparations
Replies: 16
Views: 1572

Re: funeral preparations

Direct cremation, removal from my home. I hope to fall off my perch at home. No services. DW and DDs are aware of my desires and I believe they will respect my wishes. MegaCorp gives retirees $10,000 of life insurance, I have encouraged DW and DDs to give me the best so-long tour that the 10K can cover. One last party at our home. Ashes to be spread at my favorite haunts, and some put in my parents graves, where some of my siblings ashes have also been added. For the record DW wants the same activities for her going away. Up until my generation our family has been the burying kind. But DW and I left our hometown after HS, as did my siblings. So, no desire to be buried 150 miles away on the East Coast of Florida, as all our children and gran...
by Broken Man 1999
Sat Mar 16, 2024 3:10 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Age and probability of needing long term care?
Replies: 221
Views: 22366

Re: Age and probability of needing long term care?

So here is what I get for the "absolute values" from the data above; 52% of people 65+ will need some LTC 25% of people 65+ will need LTC for less than 1 year 10% of people 65+ will need LTC for 1 to 2 years 11% of people 65+ will need LTC for 2 to 5 years 7% of people 65+ will need LTC for 5 or more years In which group will you be? I am in the 7% group. I have had LTC for 25 years, starting when I was 45. For around 10 years or so I used an LTC policy, benefits were capped at $275,000. After the benefits were exhausted, I started self-pay. I was hospitalized several months, and when I finally returned home, I needed more hours of care than I do now. At the present I pay for 14 hours of service ( 2hrs/day) 365 days/year at $24/h...
by Broken Man 1999
Thu Mar 14, 2024 3:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Charles Schwab cannot overnight a replacement debit card
Replies: 87
Views: 6099

Re: Charles Schwab cannot overnight a replacement debit card

I remember the days when I would go to the hotel front desk early in the morning and cash enough travelers checks for the planned activities of the day.

At that time using a credit card wasn't as easy as it is today. All places didn't welcome them, much like today, though for a different reason, today it is the swipe fees.

Seems as though American Express still sells travelers checks.

Broken Man 1999
,
by Broken Man 1999
Thu Mar 14, 2024 8:43 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: College degree worthwhile for marketing?
Replies: 112
Views: 7095

Re: College degree worthwhile for marketing?

... without making her feel pressured or like I'm trying to force my "antiquated" view on her. That's what's so challenging: I've never felt my age quite like this. Where the young person says, "The world is different! That's what all my friends say!" Gee, but how old are you - 10,999? It sounds like you're sort of "parenting" your niece but you're not a parent yourself? Maybe talk to some parents to see how they react/think/feel when their kids roll their eyes at them? Because I am not a parent myself but I hear it happens all the time and often starts when the kids are around 5! All young people say the world is different. It is different. But the eternal verities remain the same. Learning to not quit so clo...
by Broken Man 1999
Thu Mar 14, 2024 7:57 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Cost of roofing and siding as a percent of house value
Replies: 25
Views: 1912

Re: Cost of roofing and siding as a percent of house value

I just had the roof replaced on our casa, as our old roof was 20+ years old. I couldn't get anyone to even quote a policy for the last couple of years. Farmer's Ins. kept renewing our policy, but they are leaving the state so I knew I had to get a new roof. I went with Owens Corning Duration shingles, highest rated shingle in it's class by Consumer Reports. With normal shingle wear this reroof should be our last. Our home is two story, steep with dormers. There was a crew of 8 on our roof at times, roof was finished in one day. Price was $14,510. Bids ranged from $13,195 to $17,278. IIRC the job took 15 squares. Part of my house has a metal roof, no replacement required. As I was chatting with the owner of the company I discovered he was a ...
by Broken Man 1999
Wed Mar 13, 2024 12:47 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cox Voice Preferred vs OOMA-type services
Replies: 4
Views: 592

Re: Cox Voice Preferred vs OOMA-type services

Can't comment on Cox, but I have had ooma since 2010. Very satisfied.

The voice quality is excellent; if our 'net is up, ooma is up. I use Panasonic base stations with handsets scattered throughout our home.

Fees and taxes run $6.33/month. Seems every level of government has figured out a way to lard up our services!

Broken Man 1999
by Broken Man 1999
Tue Mar 12, 2024 8:13 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How Much Cash Do You Keep In Your Home?
Replies: 207
Views: 14895

Re: How Much Cash Do You Keep In Your Home?

snowday2022 wrote: Tue Mar 12, 2024 7:50 am
Murdock7591 wrote: Mon Mar 11, 2024 10:26 am I believe it's a good idea to have some cash on hand in one's home.
I have $5K in various bills wrapped in aluminum foil in my freezer.
Why the freezer rather than room temperature? Hiding spot?
In the freezer it becomes cold, hard, cash!

Broken Man 1999
by Broken Man 1999
Mon Mar 11, 2024 6:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How Much Cash Do You Keep In Your Home?
Replies: 207
Views: 14895

Re: How Much Cash Do You Keep In Your Home?

Last December a DD gave me $300 to repay me for some reason or the other. So I quickly gave two family members $100 each for their birthdays in January. It seems I still have $27 left from last year, plus my Costco rebate of $112.00. So I have $139 cash + some coins I have thrown in a cup on my desk.

I have two more family birthdays in April, so that will reduce my cash to $39 after the first birthday. I'll give a $100 gift card to the other birthday person and keep the $39 for tips or maybe breakfast one day with DW.

I really don't like carrying cash.

Broken Man 1999
by Broken Man 1999
Mon Mar 11, 2024 3:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges
Replies: 111
Views: 7172

Re: Dual majors and non big 50 colleges

Fair comments. But, things have changed since we went to college. Examples: grads from top uni’s (Berkeley) not finding jobs, cost regardless of private or public being in the low to mid 6 figures. The ‘cost’ of choosing the wrong major/path is exponentially higher than when we went to college. Why do you think this? The unemployment rate for 20-24 year olds with a bachelors is….wait for it…less than 5% https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/CGBD2024 If Berkeley grads aren’t finding jobs it cause they aren’t trying either very hard or for very long Although your figure concerning unemployment is a measurement, it isn't the best measurement IMHO. A better indication of the strength of a major, or even a particular college would be the employmen...
by Broken Man 1999
Mon Mar 11, 2024 8:38 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Ooma Phone Service
Replies: 40
Views: 3418

Re: Ooma Phone Service

We have used ooma since 2010.

If the 'net is up, ooma is up. Great voice quality. No issues with the service. I pay 6.33/month.

Broken Man 1999
by Broken Man 1999
Sun Mar 10, 2024 6:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Any unusual medicare advantage benefits - I get $10 a month to exercise
Replies: 39
Views: 3571

Re: Any unusual medicare advantage benefits - I get $10 a month to exercise

I'm thinking that an employer-sponsored MA plan may be a completely different animal from the individual plans. The acid test here is how many of these "happy camper" stories are coming from those on an employer-sponsored plan? Is there data on this? Probably some truth to that. DW and I receive retiree insurance based on our selection from 4 different Aetna PPOs, 1 Humana Medicare Employer HMO, and 1 Humana Medicare Employer PPO. The Humana HMO and PPO are zero premium options. The four Aetna MA PPO's have premiums ranging from $291/month to $369/month. All plans are inclusive of spouses and/or dependents. All retiree insurances also have a separate provider for dental, currently Aetna, no extra charge. We also have vision cover...
by Broken Man 1999
Sun Mar 10, 2024 1:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Concierge Medicine
Replies: 79
Views: 12087

Re: Concierge Medicine

It's highly dependent on the practice and physician from what I observe. I don't need it since I get the same care that a friend gets with one exception: he can get his doctor on the phone, whereas I talk to a nurse - though mine responds to emails within 24 hours. More said would delve into medical issues. If my physician were to move to concierge medicine, I would follow him, but money wise it's not worth it. Both my physician and my friend's both send us to specialists, both have the same level of skill managing our conditions and frankly, I think mine is better. Though I would follow my PCP should their practice change to a concierge plan, I can't think of anything missing from what I currently have. I have the cell phone numbers of th...
by Broken Man 1999
Fri Mar 08, 2024 5:42 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: "When" do you sell equities during Retirement?
Replies: 29
Views: 4399

Re: "When" do you sell equities during Retirement?

retired@50 wrote: Fri Mar 08, 2024 5:19 pm I would sell equity when I need some money, and my equity is over my target percentage in my asset allocation.

If I needed money and my equity wasn't over its target percentage, then I'd sell some of my bond fund shares.

Since one of the two of them is typically over its target percentage, I just let my portfolio tell me what to sell.

It's really just as simple as answering the question "What do I have too much of?" - then sell some of that.

Regards,
Simple it is!
Determine which of my two types of holdings is overweighted in comparison to my desired AA. Sell enough to cover cash needs.
That is the way I convert our investments into spendable cash.

Broken Man 1999
by Broken Man 1999
Fri Mar 08, 2024 11:30 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Home phone (copper) solution for parents
Replies: 26
Views: 2491

Re: Home phone (copper) solution for parents

Fax works fine with ooma. We have used ooma since 2010, no issues. If the 'net is up, ooma is up.

It is possible that their current service is already VoIP, around the Tampa Bay area a lot of copper cable has been decommissioned and fiber feeds Fios.

Currently I pay $6.32/month.

Broken Man 1999
by Broken Man 1999
Fri Mar 08, 2024 7:44 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Can Brokerage and robo-advisory firms use phone number with 2FA as a login mechanism against email and MFA
Replies: 6
Views: 606

Re: Can Brokerage and robo-advisory firms use phone number with 2FA as a login mechanism against email and MFA

OP, at Vanguard you can use a telephone call as a 2FA. I use my VoIP service from ooma for my 2FA.

Not sure what other brokerages offer.

However, sometimes posters report they are unable to use google voice at some companies for 2FA.

Broken Man 1999
by Broken Man 1999
Mon Mar 04, 2024 2:39 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What are you up YTD? [Year To Date]
Replies: 5249
Views: 899753

Re: What are you up YTD? [Year To Date]

Assets held at Vanguard:
Overall: 3.93%.
Best performances (definitely goosed my returns):
GE 25.75%
GEHC 21%
MSFT 10.37%

Assets held in Transamerica VA (Total Stock Mkt. Index, Total Bond Mkt. Index): 4.29%

A good start to the year. Hope the rest of the year is also good.

Broken Man 1999
by Broken Man 1999
Sun Mar 03, 2024 1:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Getting new car
Replies: 53
Views: 6231

Re: Getting new car

It just so happens we are helping look for an appropriate new car for oldest granddaughter. Fun times!

Earlier this week I received the print edition of Consumer Reports auto issue. I would definitely check out Consumer Reports for a quick sorting of the cars, or drill down on the options until you fine your best match. The issue is probably available at any library. The info is also online.

Also, I might have missed where you hail from, but you might need to consider the Colorado weather, if it is different than you have experienced already.

Good luck in your search!

Broken Man 1999
by Broken Man 1999
Sun Mar 03, 2024 11:36 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard Announces CEO Retirement and Appointment of President
Replies: 359
Views: 34088

Re: Vanguard Announces CEO Retirement and Appointment of President

bertilak wrote: Sun Mar 03, 2024 11:30 am
nisiprius wrote: Sun Mar 03, 2024 11:25 am
Cocoa Beach Bum wrote: Sun Mar 03, 2024 10:41 am I think you can read an archived version of the entire Bloomberg article here.
For some reason, none of these archive.today article ever open for me. Safari's loading progress bar stalls on a blank screen and never progresses. With Firefox and Chrome, too. I'd be mildly interested in knowing why.
Same for me. I use MS Edge, which is essentially the same as Chrome. It does time out and say it can't connect:
  • Hmmm… can't reach this page
    archive.today took too long to respond
I tried the link right after posting above, no delay, connected as usual. Windows 11 with Microsoft Edge.

Broken Man 1999
by Broken Man 1999
Sun Mar 03, 2024 11:32 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard Announces CEO Retirement and Appointment of President
Replies: 359
Views: 34088

Re: Vanguard Announces CEO Retirement and Appointment of President

I’d take it a step further, give me real reasons in features and capabilities to use your platform. Not fluffy reasons like I’m an owner with smiling people on the website but tell me what your platform does which makes it better than the other guys. Low costs isn’t enough anymore. You can get that practically anywhere. Back to this again. They don't really want you to use their platform, their first preference would be that you hold Vanguard ETFs at another brokerage. I'm not sure that will change under a different CEO. Vanguard is owned by the funds, not by "investors". The funds are represented by their fund managers not by investor votes. The fund managers don't really want to pay the costs to operate a website with extensive...
by Broken Man 1999
Fri Mar 01, 2024 5:26 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard Announces CEO Retirement and Appointment of President
Replies: 359
Views: 34088

Re: Vanguard Announces CEO Retirement and Appointment of President

I can’t help but see a similarity here with Boeing hiring bean counters as CEO instead of engineers. And this thread is a message itself: not one post that’s sorry to see him go. Add in the demise of GE after the fawning over Jack Welch and his disciples for decades. Prior Boeing CEO McNerny (who led 737 Max) was one such disciple. He left GE when he was passed over to replace Welch. I can’t help but see a similarity here with Boeing hiring bean counters as CEO instead of engineers. And this thread is a message itself: not one post that’s sorry to see him go. Add in the demise of GE after the fawning over Jack Welch and his disciples for decades. Prior Boeing CEO McNerny (who led 737 Max) was one such disciple. He left GE when he was passe...
by Broken Man 1999
Fri Mar 01, 2024 5:17 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard Announces CEO Retirement and Appointment of President
Replies: 359
Views: 34088

Re: Vanguard Announces CEO Retirement and Appointment of President

I can’t help but see a similarity here with Boeing hiring bean counters as CEO instead of engineers. And this thread is a message itself: not one post that’s sorry to see him go. Add in the demise of GE after the fawning over Jack Welch and his disciples for decades. Prior Boeing CEO McNerny (who led 737 Max) was one such disciple. He left GE when he was passed over to replace Welch. I can’t help but see a similarity here with Boeing hiring bean counters as CEO instead of engineers. And this thread is a message itself: not one post that’s sorry to see him go. Add in the demise of GE after the fawning over Jack Welch and his disciples for decades. Prior Boeing CEO McNerny (who led 737 Max) was one such disciple. He left GE when he was passe...
by Broken Man 1999
Thu Feb 29, 2024 7:16 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Heatpump tax credit - qualifying equipment?
Replies: 11
Views: 1734

Re: Heatpump tax credit - qualifying equipment?

Does anyone know how do I find out the units I am interested in will be eligible for tax credits in 2024? I am looking at York YZT48 4 ton 17.45 SEER 2 stage heat pump and York AE60C air handler. While expense it comes with 10 years of part AND labor warranty and lifetime on the compressor (and is more quiet which is critical for us due to its location). Does this HVAC contractor only install Yorks? York is a new construction brand. It is uncommon to install a York as a replacement unit. Yes. He exclusively works with York for over 20 years. He started out doing new construction but got fed up with that and has been doing this now for years. Very honest and reliable. From what I have read it is the installer that makes a difference more th...
by Broken Man 1999
Wed Feb 28, 2024 8:35 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medicare: 64 Year Old Eyeing 2025 Medicare
Replies: 168
Views: 11404

Re: Medicare: 64 Year Old Eyeing 2025 Medicare

robphoto wrote: Wed Feb 28, 2024 8:07 am It depends on the particular Advantage plan whether or not they work in other regions. Ours is through Blue Cross, and covers us when we're elsewhere in the country.
My company has a large footprint in the North East, and offered me retiree insurance choices of four extended area Medicare Advantage PPO options, along with plan I'm on, a Humana PPO. While my plan comes with a zero premium, the extended area PPOs have a premium ranging from $3,490/yr. to $4426/yr. If DW and I were snowbirds we could keep our retiree insurance, though a different plan and premium.

Broken Man 1999
by Broken Man 1999
Tue Feb 20, 2024 8:05 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do you use a second refrigerator/freezer?
Replies: 74
Views: 4559

Re: Do you use a second refrigerator/freezer?

We have our old refrigerator in the garage. Additional cold space is useful if you entertain often. The freezer part holds the overflow from bulk buying, the refrigerator part keeps our adult beverages nice and frosty.

Broken Man 1999
by Broken Man 1999
Thu Feb 15, 2024 4:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What inferior good do you love?
Replies: 232
Views: 25523

Re: What inferior good do you love?

EdNorton wrote: Thu Feb 15, 2024 3:11 pm Pabst Blue Ribbon, not inferior, just lower priced.
:sharebeer
Ah, PBR. I'll add Old Milwaukee.

DW has moved upmarket and won't buy it for me. Oh well, I'm happy to drink Yuengling, especially since they have a brewery here in Tampa.

Broken Man 1999
by Broken Man 1999
Thu Feb 15, 2024 3:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What inferior good do you love?
Replies: 232
Views: 25523

Re: What inferior good do you love?

-Krystal burgers. Seriously, who hasn't downed several in one session.

-Publix house brand Mac & Cheese with the cheese* part being who knows what is in the cheese seasoning packet in the box. Actually I had to know what was in the seasoning packet. I'm kinda sorry I checked.

* Cheddar Cheese Seasoning (Dairy Solids, Salt, Modified Cornstarch, Natural Flavors, Cheddar Cheese [Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes], Maltodextrin, Annatto Extract [Color], Paprika Extract [Color], Soybean Oil, Mono- And Diglycerides, Citric Acid, Sodium Caseinate, Sodium Citrate).

-Arby's roast beef sandwiches, especially with Horsey Sauce.

Broken Man 1999
by Broken Man 1999
Wed Feb 14, 2024 10:39 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Bid/ask/spread on new vanguard bond ETFS
Replies: 3
Views: 613

Re: Bid/ask/spread on new vanguard bond ETFS

Bid / Ask / Spread
Bid / Ask / Spread
BitTooAggressive wrote: Wed Feb 14, 2024 7:29 am Can these be correct?

https://www.morningstar.com/etfs/xnas/vcrb/quote
Bid / Ask / Spread
75.67 / 75.70 / 0.04%


https://www.morningstar.com/etfs/xnas/vpls/quote
Bid / Ask / Spread
75.83 / 75.87 / 0.05%


Are the spreads correct for VCRB and VPLS at 45.5 % and 120% respectively?

Do I even understand what a spread is? Who would buy these with such a large spread?
Not sure what you are seeing, from your two links I have highlighted bid/ask in red. It will vary during trading hours.

Broken Man 1999
by Broken Man 1999
Tue Feb 13, 2024 3:55 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Fidelity Zero Funds
Replies: 64
Views: 6073

Re: Fidelity Zero Funds

If you had changed out your Ira's $1 mil in Vanguard total stock mutual funds (60% VTSAX / 40% VTIAX) for the corresponding Fidelity zero funds (FZROX/FZILX) when they became available, you would have an additional $11,574 in your account over the 5 years. I wouldn't call that 11 thousand more dollars a gimmick. Sure it's a gimmick. Any small random departure from an index will create small random departures in return. You're talking about a difference of 0.23%. The difference in expense ratio is only 60% of 0.04% + 40% of 0.11% = 0.07%. So 0.07% can be attributed to the expense ratio, and 0.16% is due to the difference in indexes and sampling error. The only sure-thing here is the lower cost of the ZERO funds, which would put an additiona...
by Broken Man 1999
Tue Feb 13, 2024 8:28 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is it foolish to keep driving my old car?
Replies: 138
Views: 12248

Re: Is it foolish to keep driving my old car?

TheRoundHeadedKid wrote: Sun Feb 11, 2024 11:09 pm Keep driving your old car until the repair costs are greater than a few monthly payments on a new car. You can easily compensate for missing out on the latest safety tech by driving more defensively.
Driving defensively is all well and good. It is difficult, sometimes impossible, to compensate for the foolishness/carelessness of some drivers.

Broken Man 1999
by Broken Man 1999
Sat Feb 10, 2024 11:59 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Advice sought on replacing my Condenser
Replies: 3
Views: 498

Re: Advice sought on replacing my Condenser

Consumer Reports Predicted Reliability & Owners Satisfaction: Predicted Reliability & Owner Satisfaction Consumer Reports’ 2021 and 2023 Summer Surveys of 10,158 heat pumps, owned by members who purchased a new unit between 2007 and 2023. OP, of the three brands you listed (Carrier, Lennox, American Standard) Lennox and American Standard scored the highest 5/5 for Predicted Reliablity. Carrier scored 4/5, Lennox scored 3/5. For Owner Satisfaction only American Standard scored 5/5. FWIW, Trane heat pumps also scored 5/5 in both catagories, since they are basically identical, both owned by Ingersoll Rand. My home came with Trane heat pumps, I now have American Standard. The only difference was Trane heat pumps were green, and my Ameri...
by Broken Man 1999
Sat Feb 10, 2024 9:11 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Time for a new roof and it’s the first one I’m replacing - help!
Replies: 20
Views: 2724

Re: Time for a new roof and it’s the first one I’m replacing - help!

I would not rule out a metal roof which may stand up better to your conditions. You aren't going to get standing seam at a price on par with shingles, but here in NY, standard metal roofing is everywhere, on houses at every price point. I have a standing seam metal roof on the part of my house that is one story, in the back. We have scads of mature oak trees on our lot, and I had a branch punch a hole in my roof. So a metal roof seemed the solution. At the time I had the metal roof put on the back part, to do the rest of our roof would have cost $25,000. So, I passed. Other than cost, I didn't want to have a metal roof and change the character of our 17 home community. The metal roof on the back doesn't show from the curb. My oldest daught...
by Broken Man 1999
Fri Feb 09, 2024 9:29 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Time for a new roof and it’s the first one I’m replacing - help!
Replies: 20
Views: 2724

Re: Time for a new roof and it’s the first one I’m replacing - help!

OP, getting numerous is the way to approach the project. I started by selecting the shingle first, Consumer Reports led me to Owens Corning. I had 6 estimates ranging from $13,125 to $17,278. The winner came in at $14,350. We are using Owens Corning Duration line of architectural shingles. If you use a preferred roofer off their list they warrantee some things longer. One roofing company on the preferred list I had used before, I had no complaints with them. They put on my current roof. However, the company had changed hands from the people I knew. Will I get a better roofing job by using a preferred roofer? Yes, maybe, who knows? At any rate the last two roofing companies standing were both preferred roofers. And both were competitive. The...
by Broken Man 1999
Tue Feb 06, 2024 5:57 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What's your allocation for International Stocks?
Replies: 101
Views: 6944

Re: What's your allocation for International Stocks?

Currently our international equity holdings are 17% of our equity holdings, all invested in VEA, Vanguard Developed Markets ETF.

My preferred AA for equities is 80% US/20% International. I need to trim equities as a whole to get back to my desired AA for overall portfolio, given the growth in equities. I will only be selling VT, not VEA. That effort will bring the desired equity mix closer.

Broken Man 1999
by Broken Man 1999
Tue Feb 06, 2024 5:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Virtual Credit Cards : Yes/No?
Replies: 11
Views: 1730

Re: Virtual Credit Cards : Yes/No?

My citibank card that has a 2% rebate has this feature. But it’s a manual process that I do online, it’s not automatic. I love this hack and use it regularly and my VN has never been rejected by any merchant so far, What do you think? I too have used Citi virtual card number. I prefer when possible to use Apple Pay or Paypal for online payments, so the vendor does not get ANY credit card number at all from me. Apple Pay and Paypal already have this info, but why give it to additional websites ? I realize some do not take these intermediaries, so Citi Virtual Card number is a good alternative. That and the 2% cash back make it a good card to have. That said, privacy.com seems a similar idea to have yet another central place to store info, b...
by Broken Man 1999
Tue Feb 06, 2024 2:56 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Florida Prepaid College Plans Costs Reduced Again..
Replies: 4
Views: 1145

Re: Florida Prepaid College Plans Costs Reduced Again..

Sunshine213 wrote: Thu Feb 01, 2024 3:36 am I am receiving a refund too for my 2010 plan. So now I’ll be paying around $13k for tuition and fees. However, I also have a 2006 plan and they won’t refund any plans from 2006/07. My 2006 plan is $22k for tuition and fees. It’s not right!!
Be on the lookout for your refund, if you are getting a refund check vs reduction of the payments if still paying.

I just received my refund in the mail today. Refund in 2020 consisted of eight checks, this time refunds for all four plans were in one large check. PDQ delivery of refund. Refunds announced on January 29, check in hand February 6.

Broken Man 1999
by Broken Man 1999
Tue Feb 06, 2024 1:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Anyway to get equity from my home without selling?
Replies: 25
Views: 2055

Re: Anyway to get equity from my home without selling?

OP, if you could sell 25% of your business to a partner, run, don't walk to that option.

You are in a very deep hole. Your previous methods of financing your business have bankrupted your wife, and likely closed off most any traditional source of funding. An individual putting some dollars into the business seems the best option.

A question: Have you had your business valued by anyone, or has anyone sought you out to buy a part of it? On what do you base your idea that you would have to give up 25% of your equity in the business?

Good luck!

Broken Man 1999
by Broken Man 1999
Sun Feb 04, 2024 11:49 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Potentially selling a great house
Replies: 101
Views: 11716

Re: Potentially selling a great house

You can afford to move if you want to, but I think it's a bad idea. The only way you think this new neighborhood might be more to your taste is if there are a lot of kids running around. Kids don't run around any more, they're scheduled with activities. I think you're trying to find something that doesn't really exist any more. Places like the OP is yearning for do exist. A daughter lives in relatively new development, her family moved into their new house in 2018. Adjacent to the development is an elementary school, very new as well. Her home is on a cul de sac, which serves is a gathering point for adults to enjoy socializing while the children play. My grandchildren (age 14 and 10) participate in extracurricular sports and the teams are...
by Broken Man 1999
Sat Feb 03, 2024 12:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Are there any reliable refrigirators with water dispenser on door?
Replies: 58
Views: 4707

Re: Are there any reliable refrigirators with water dispenser on door?

A BESPOKE refrigerator being sold by Best Buy...... interesting!

https://www.merriam-webster.com/wordpla ... of-bespoke

"...Cynics have opined that the spread of bespoke is driven by the idea that goods which are modified by this adjective tend to cost more money. This may in fact be true, but even if so, does not change the fact that the new meaning of the word ("custom made") is not very new at all. We're just extending it beyond clothing, which was not its sole province to begin with..."

FWIW, our Samsung refrigerator has worked flawlessly since it was installed in 2019 during our kitchen remodel.

Broken Man 1999
by Broken Man 1999
Sat Feb 03, 2024 9:27 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Investments in 529 account ?
Replies: 13
Views: 1073

Re: Investments in 529 account ?

How aggressive are you with 529 accounts ? Are you 100 percent in stocks ? By default I am invested in the equivalent of target funds ? Is that reasonable? Is 100% stocks allocation reasonable? It depends. A market correction could be devastating if it happened just as the funds were needed. So, keep that in mind. How would you adapt to such an event? If you expect the 529 plans to do the heavy lifting, then you should probably use your current allocation. During the pandemic I switched the 529 plans for my grandchildren to 100% Vanguard Total Stock Index. I also started buying I-bonds with them as beneficiaries, derisking the 529 plans a bit. If those funds are needed, I can cash them out for them. They don't need to rely totally on their...
by Broken Man 1999
Thu Feb 01, 2024 5:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Florida Prepaid College Plans Costs Reduced Again..
Replies: 4
Views: 1145

Re: Florida Prepaid College Plans Costs Reduced Again..

I am receiving a refund too for my 2010 plan. So now I’ll be paying around $13k for tuition and fees. However, I also have a 2006 plan and they won’t refund any plans from 2006/07. My 2006 plan is $22k for tuition and fees. It’s not right!! Ouch! I understand your pain. This is the third round of reductions for the plans I hold. First one was in March 2017, a modest reduction. Another refund came in January 2020, and it was a substantial one. Now this one in 2024, nice enough. Tuition does come down, occasionally. I used the plans when they first came out in 1989 for our three daughters. One earned a scholarship to a small private university, another earned a Bright Future scholarship and went to my alma mater, USF. The $$$ from the tuitio...
by Broken Man 1999
Wed Jan 31, 2024 8:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tilcare oral syringes (Not medical question)
Replies: 12
Views: 896

Re: Tilcare oral syringes (Not medical question)

What are you paying for 100 now?
by Broken Man 1999
Wed Jan 31, 2024 8:14 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Re-evaluate your subscription services (to save money)
Replies: 35
Views: 3292

Re: Re-evaluate your subscription services (to save money)

When I first signed up for Prime a LONG time ago, it was useful because "free 2-day shipping" really meant something. I know I was getting my $99 worth. Over time, that crept up to $139 and then 2020 happened... I still don't get anything in 2-days which really killed that value, plus there's other ways to get free shipping. I guess we all have different experiences. For a family with kids and working parents, Amazon Prime is a life-saver. We do get most items in 2 days. Very often it is next day. We are lucky to have a porch that never gets porch-pirated. Since we rarely use Amazon Video except Spongebob, the new commercials don't affect us. We'll be keeping Prime. I'd pay twice the price. It is worth it just not having to drive...
by Broken Man 1999
Tue Jan 30, 2024 5:28 pm
Forum: US Chapters
Topic: Searching for Lost Contributors
Replies: 537
Views: 138151

Re: Searching for Lost Contributors

miamivice seems to have left the building.
by Broken Man 1999
Tue Jan 30, 2024 2:35 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I think I found someone to ask about retirement plans....
Replies: 43
Views: 9794

Re: I think I found someone to ask about retirement plans....

Update…for those of you who want a "life" and sailing update, including some soft financial stuff. Sold practice for twice what I hopped for on 7/10/2020. Socially, I was looking for a mate, focusing on LoveSail.com connection, so sailing would remain an option. However, I met a gal who reached out to me from Match.com on 8/10/2020. Moved in (sort of) w/said gal 5 days later. Four months later we committed to her home, and I rented my condo, then subsequently sold it. Currently, trying to pay my fare share toward the house owned by GF. Content, but feel a bit like a sponge not sharing ownership. Together we have 10 grand kids, and 4 living children (hers are normal). October ’20, We found a 2005 Island Packet owned by a lovely ol...
by Broken Man 1999
Tue Jan 30, 2024 1:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
Replies: 1372
Views: 165332

Re: [On-going Scams - Post them here]

I have had calls for two different scams from people purporting to be from Spectrum.

I have received multiple calls for an opportunity to save 50% on my Spectrum internet service. I am a Spectrum internet subscriber, and I have complained bitterly about a price increase. I declined, and checked out Spectrum and there were no such opportunities.

The second one was a call stating that if my router was older than some period of time, it needed updating. I said if it needed updating, Spectrum would have done it as they had the ability to do so. True, the caller said, but the current call was to ask for my permission to do so, then they would update it. Right.......

Broken Man 1999
by Broken Man 1999
Tue Jan 30, 2024 12:22 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Sharing Index Investing with Loved ones
Replies: 11
Views: 2014

Re: Sharing Index Investing with Loved ones

My experience with discussing indexing with my siblings was a total bust. My father had made a partial, though sizable early inheritance to us, and my siblings did ask for my help. I told them to not be in hurry, and I sent them each a copy of The Coffeehouse Investor: How to Build Wealth, Ignore Wall Street, and Get On with Your Life by Bill Schultheis. IMHO, the book is an excellent book for a non-investor to be introduced to investing. It is a simple read, but introduces investing such that it prepares novices very thoroughly. I followed up with them after a few weeks and asked them what they thought about the books. Surprise: My sister worked at a bank and a nice man at the bank helped her and my brother buy some mutual funds with high ...
by Broken Man 1999
Tue Jan 30, 2024 10:04 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Amazon Prime - watching (renting) videos
Replies: 8
Views: 741

Re: Amazon Prime - watching (renting) videos

Sounds like you are part of your family member's "Amazon Household". This does allow you to watch and rent videos. Not all videos are free, even if you are a prime member which is why you can access those for "a few bucks" while "some videos are free". Last fall, Amazon also reintroduced adds to their cheaper plans. It isn't in every video but a lot of them. For more money, you can have an ad free plan. Thanks, yes, part of my relative's "Amazon Household" sounds right. If I paid for an Amazon Prime membership on my own, presumably I would be able to access that video that required Prime membership to view, but I guess from what you wrote I may still need to pay something (beyond Prime membership) to...