Search found 612 matches

by badger42
Wed Mar 20, 2024 8:36 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: M43rds digital camera vs Iphone 13 pro max?
Replies: 101
Views: 4976

Re: M43rds digital camera vs Iphone 13 pro max?

I was a long time "real camera" hold-out, and recently sold off my M43 gear because I looked at the photos from a recent national parks trip - the best photos were consistently the phone pics, we've hit the point where software and processing eat hardware for lunch.

Unless you are doing something very specialized (like long range wildlife photography with zooms as long as your arm), I would stick with the phone.
by badger42
Sun Nov 26, 2023 6:55 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: UNC System Fidleity to TIAA Conversion
Replies: 25
Views: 2746

Re: UNC System Fidleity to TIAA Conversion

Ugh, you have my condolences.

I've dealt with both companies. Fidelity is fine - they have decent customer service and do what they say on the label (admittedly this was a 401k not 403b). I still have an account with them, and would be totally fine using them in the future.

TIAA is awful. Huge push towards variable annuities, ridiculous fees for basic funds (I remember paying 50bps+ for a S&P index), web site has functionality from the dark ages with a truly awful fisher-price interface glued on top. Processes are baroque and antiquated. Until recently, I'd say they were the worst, but then I rolled a 401(k) out of Vanguard - their inability to do basic things correctly makes TIAA look good.
by badger42
Fri Mar 31, 2023 8:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is Costco meat worth it?
Replies: 79
Views: 16359

Re: Is Costco meat worth it?

Costco needle tenderizes almost all of their beef. This is a potential hazard if you cook it less than "medium well" - there is even a warning on the packaging.

See https://www.thedailymeal.com/1138657/th ... co-steaks/ or https://www.mashed.com/164331/the-one-r ... tcos-beef/ for more info
by badger42
Tue Feb 07, 2023 5:47 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is ATSC 3.0 a factor in your TV purchase decision?
Replies: 73
Views: 5828

Re: Is ATSC 3.0 a factor in your TV purchase decision?

I don't watch OTA or cable, they have commercials. Streaming only for our household, couldn't care less about a tuner at all.

Right now our TVs have a built-in Roku, plus HDMI ports for game systems, etc. What more do you need?

If the built-in Roku becomes too dated but the panel is fine I will plug in a newer Roku stick / box. If the panel dies I will buy whatever Roku TV I can get for a good price at the local warehouse club.
by badger42
Thu Feb 02, 2023 5:59 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Fly or Drive from NJ to NC?
Replies: 88
Views: 5774

Re: Fly or Drive from NJ to NC?

The fact that you do not regularly do 8+ hour drives tells me you should fly. A work trip is not the time to learn what you need to make that successful (in terms of caffeine, entertainment, car adjustments, etc)

Personally, for a personal trip, particularly with 2+ people, I would probably drive.

For work, I would fly. Costs of delays, re-routes, etc are work's problem, and flying means I can be productive in the airport / on the plane.
by badger42
Tue Jan 31, 2023 3:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Lowest cost of ownership car for 20k per year driver
Replies: 79
Views: 7867

Re: Lowest cost of ownership car for 20k per year driver

If you have or can reasonably easily install home charging, the Bolt or Bolt EUV is far and away the best deal in a car right now.

If not, whatever flavor of Prius you like... 4 million Uber drivers probably aren't wrong here.
by badger42
Mon Jan 23, 2023 5:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Linux Desktop today how is it as a daily driver?
Replies: 145
Views: 11940

Re: Linux Desktop today how is it as a daily driver?

As an old school Unix / Linux hack, I run Windows on my personal hardware and would not go back to Linux.

Linux still fails hard at, say, actual good support for my scanner. Multimedia support is also lacking, eg more complex audio and video hardware. Hardware support on modern laptops is always hit or miss.

If I want a decent command line, WSL2 does not suck, and can even run GUI apps now. This is the best of both worlds - all of my hardware works, my scanner works, and I can run any app from either ecosystem. Microsoft makes the best desktop Linux out there, it's called WSL2.
by badger42
Tue Jan 17, 2023 1:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is my gas water heater about to explode?--Update, it's safe!
Replies: 40
Views: 4854

Re: Is my gas water heater about to explode?

Given the bulging seam, yes, I would call this an emergency.

Shut off gas and water to the heater. Open a hot water tap (any!) to depressurize.

Once you have removed fuel/water inputs and depressurized, it's less of an emergency, but I'd still want to get a plumber to look at it today.
by badger42
Wed Jan 11, 2023 5:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Are cheapest cruises worth it? $11/night?
Replies: 71
Views: 10002

Re: Are cheapest cruises worth it? $11/night?

You would have to pay me a lot more than $11/night to get me on a cruise ship. No thanks. Because …? Fear of water? Because... being trapped on a giant floating petri dish / hotel with four thousand people who think it sounds like fun. We've done 3 cruises in our life. One with our kids when they were teenagers (Carnival , one right after 9/11 when it was dirt cheap, and one last September for our 30th (Rome, Athens, Greek Islands on Royal Caribbean). We had great times on all 3 and we all survived the "floating petri dish." Not even a sniffle at the end. It was a lot of fun for us and we've seen some great places, especially in the Mediterranean. We've also done plenty of non-cruise vacations and they were all fantastic in a dif...
by badger42
Wed Jan 11, 2023 3:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Are cheapest cruises worth it? $11/night?
Replies: 71
Views: 10002

Re: Are cheapest cruises worth it? $11/night?

snackdog wrote: Wed Jan 11, 2023 1:21 pm
badger42 wrote: Wed Jan 11, 2023 11:53 am You would have to pay me a lot more than $11/night to get me on a cruise ship. No thanks.
Because …? Fear of water?
Because... being trapped on a giant floating petri dish / hotel with four thousand people who think it sounds like fun.
by badger42
Wed Jan 11, 2023 11:53 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Are cheapest cruises worth it? $11/night?
Replies: 71
Views: 10002

Re: Are cheapest cruises worth it? $11/night?

You would have to pay me a lot more than $11/night to get me on a cruise ship. No thanks.
by badger42
Mon Jan 09, 2023 3:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Grilling Issue - Flavorizer Bars and Heat
Replies: 30
Views: 3132

Re: Grilling Issue - Flavorizer Bars and Heat

It's already been covered a bit, but...

the Weber gas grills are designed to be used with the lid down, period. If you really want to cook burgers with the lid up, I'd put a griddle on the grill, get the griddle good and hot, and then cook burgers on the griddle.

With the lid down, they make a solid burger. For thin (smashburger) type burgers I still prefer a skillet or griddle.
by badger42
Wed Nov 16, 2022 12:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sleep on mattress on the floor
Replies: 40
Views: 5951

Re: Sleep on mattress on the floor

Just get a cheap slat frame. A mattress on the floor can't breathe and will mold, also will pick up a lot more bugs and dirt.

https://kdframes.com/ are really wood, don't suck, and on the order of 200 bucks shipped. Some assembly required.
by badger42
Wed Nov 02, 2022 10:34 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Gift Worthy Coffee
Replies: 116
Views: 10585

Re: Gift Worthy Coffee

How about getting him a gift card / certificate to somewhere that sells coffee and/or coffee gear?

I drink coffee, and have respectable coffee equipment (Baratza grinder. Technivorm Moccamaster brewer). I enjoy a variety of different coffees, though lately I'm particularly enjoying medium roast Latin American beans. One local shop has a very nice Brazilian peaberry, for example.

At least 80% of what's been suggested here is something I would re-gift or donate rather than drink. In particular, I would not let flavored cr@p near my grinder, you never totally get rid of the oils, and I find the "aerobic / lactic / fruitbomb" (fka "natural") coffees to be undrinkable.
by badger42
Sun Oct 16, 2022 7:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Home water line pressure 100-110 PSI, PRV failed?
Replies: 9
Views: 1267

Re: Home water line pressure 100-110 PSI, PRV failed?

I'd suggest you check your water heater before deciding, at 100-110 you're probably triggering the pressure relief valve, at least intermittently.

When we had a PRV fail we left the water on because we mistook it for a water heater issue (intermittent leakage through the pressure relief valve, wasn't clear it was through the PRV). If I had known it was a pressure issue I would have shut the water heater and water off if I could not have gotten a plumber the same day.
by badger42
Fri Sep 09, 2022 3:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Why are so many people obsessed with reaching FIRE?
Replies: 20
Views: 2031

Re: Why are so many people obsessed with reaching FIRE?

As a member of GenX who is approaching FI, it's not a question of "either/or" but one of balance and priorities. I have no intention of having to work when I'm 60. I'm also okay with working a bit longer to have a nice house with enough space for everybody (including a dedicated home office) as a 'forever home', drive decent but not extravagant cars (think recent Outback, not a Benz but also not a 20 year old beater), be able to make sure kids graduate college debt free, etc. At the same time, you don't have to have or do everything - you pick and choose what's important to you and don't worry about the rest. Even after the recent downturn, I'll hit FI around age 45, RE might wait a year or two after that. I'm not hitting FIRE at ...
by badger42
Mon Aug 29, 2022 12:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Which Grill size is better for a family of five: Weber 22-inch Or 26-inch?
Replies: 44
Views: 5213

Re: Which Grill size is better for a family of five: Weber 22-inch Or 26-inch?

I used to have a 22" Weber (now just have a gas grill, don't judge)

It was plenty of grill for feeding 6-8 people. It was really too large for our family of three (at the time).

I would buy the 22" and, if you want more space, add an 18".

The 18" is great for a quick burger night, a big grill basket or two of veggies, having a 2nd grill at a totally different temperature (maybe you want one setup to sear and one rigged for low and slow), etc. I'd much rather (for the same price) have a 22" and an 18" than a 26".
by badger42
Fri Aug 12, 2022 6:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dealing with a power disconnect/reconnect possibly spanning 24+ hours
Replies: 68
Views: 5120

Re: Dealing with a power disconnect/reconnect possibly spanning 24+ hours

Since nobody has suggested the obvious -

For freezers: Buy some dry ice the day before. It will hold your freezers COLD COLD for a few days (or longer) if you stick it on top. Probably 10lb for the chest freezer and 10lb for the regular kitchen freezer (less well insulated) as a ballpark. Maybe a small chunk in the fridge too, or just eat the fridge down.

No need for extension cords, generators, etc.
by badger42
Wed Jul 20, 2022 8:01 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: More "Conservative Asset Allocation"--yet bond funds down nearly as much?
Replies: 90
Views: 7684

Re: More "Conservative Asset Allocation"--yet bond funds down nearly as much?

Weighting to bonds without a view of interest rates and inflation is overly simplistic and in fact creates a lot of long-term risks.

At a minimum, you need to match your bond allocation to what risk you are trying to balance out / what goal you are trying to achieve.

Blindly saying "I'm 60% TBM so my portfolio is low risk" is foolish and always has been.
by badger42
Tue Jun 21, 2022 10:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Recommend a Hand Truck?
Replies: 31
Views: 3215

Re: Recommend a Hand Truck?

obgraham wrote: Tue Jun 21, 2022 9:59 am Another vote for the red one at Horror Fright.
Sturdy and works well.
Pneumatic tires are a lot easier to roll over sills and edges, though mine regularly need airing up. So then you need a Compressor!
A $20 bicycle pump works fine if you aren't looking for an excuse for a compressor.
by badger42
Mon Apr 11, 2022 5:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Kitchen Oven Dilemma
Replies: 27
Views: 2143

Re: Kitchen Oven Dilemma

Depending how much you are going to miss the oven... If you will miss it a LOT, and $$ aren't really the issue - get a BIG countertop oven like https://www.breville.com/us/en/products/ovens/bov900.html?sku=BOV900BSSUSC (be warned, once you discover air frying, you will not go back) Otherwise, work your way down the hierarchy of countertop / toaster ovens to find something acceptable. Cuisinart seems to do a fairly good job in the mid-range. We have https://www.homedepot.com/p/Cuisinart-1800-W-6-Slice-Brushed-Silver-Toaster-Oven-and-Air-Fryer-TOA-60/302560682 (in addition to a working full size gas oven) and it works great as long as you are using convection (we only use air fry or air bake, regular bake or toast are worthless, but air bake ...
by badger42
Fri Apr 08, 2022 7:01 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Money and Moral Dilemma
Replies: 45
Views: 5567

Re: Money and Moral Dilemma

Take the new job and don't look back.

If the old company needs to let somebody go, you will be first to be laid off because you are clearly not loyal to them.

Also don't be surprised if they're offer is only good for long enough for you to train your replacement and then they let you go anyway.

The only time I would even consider a counter offer would be one with a massive guaranteed payment, and I would not treat anything as guaranteed without a proper legal review.
by badger42
Tue Mar 01, 2022 10:49 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Popcorn Mastery
Replies: 155
Views: 15676

Re: Popcorn Mastery

Shaka wrote: Thu Feb 24, 2022 8:46 pm The best popcorn topping almost no one knows about is "Brewer's yeast" also know as "nutritional yeast". It's a yellow flake with a nutty/buttery/cheesy flavor.

Just toss the popcorn with the Brewer's Yeast and something to make it stick like a little butter or oil.

https://www.amazon.com/Anthonys-Premium ... ast_sto_dp
Nutritional yeast tastes good because it's full of free glutamate.

Just cut out the middleman and use MSG. A pound of Aji-No-Moto will run you about 3 bucks at any Asian grocer and last years.
by badger42
Thu Feb 24, 2022 6:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Popcorn Mastery
Replies: 155
Views: 15676

Re: Popcorn Mastery

54 posts and nobody brought up either of my secret ingredients!

Stovetop popping in an appropriate pot for the batch

Two parts popcorn kernels (good old Orville Redenbacher works great)
One part ghee (no need to add butter afterwards!)
Plenty of fine salt (maybe a half teaspoon per quarter cup popcorn, I don't measure)
Good sized dash MSG (maybe a quarter teaspoon per quarter cup popcorn, I don't measure)

Add the ghee, salt, and MSG to the pot, plus a few test kernels
When the test kernels start to pop, add the rest of the popcorn. Do the standard cover and shake thing.
by badger42
Thu Jan 20, 2022 4:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do people still wear ties and belts?
Replies: 222
Views: 18759

Re: Do people still wear ties and belts?

I wear a belt just about every day. Goes well with the jeans (winter) or cargo shorts (summer).

I wear ties for funerals. I haven't worn a tie for a job interview in at least 10 years, and the weddings I actually want to go to are informal and fun, not 'tie and tails'.
by badger42
Thu Dec 09, 2021 1:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best luggage for navigating public transit and streets?
Replies: 83
Views: 6419

Re: Best luggage for navigating public transit and streets?

Osprey Farpoint 40. 40 liter backpack, meets US and international carry-on restrictions, very comfortable for long walks if adjusted properly, even when fully loaded (pay attention to the waist and chest straps, load lifters, etc). Also doubles as a daypack when you get to your destination.

I've used it for a week in London in the winter with no issues, it held everything I actually needed (travel light!)

Looks like you can get the S/M (right size for most women) on sale for about a hundred bucks if you look around online.
by badger42
Fri Dec 03, 2021 7:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Instant Coffee?
Replies: 107
Views: 10061

Re: Instant Coffee?

AnnetteLouisan wrote: Fri Dec 03, 2021 5:13 pm
badger42 wrote: Fri Dec 03, 2021 1:18 pm
sport wrote: Tue May 14, 2019 4:52 pm I am not a coffee drinker, but occasionally I want to serve it to others. Is there such a thing as instant coffee that is any good? All I have heard are negative comments.
No. Even canned coffee is better.
La Colombe has wonderful canned lattes. Not for every day but in a 5 hour meeting they can be a godsend.
Even Kirkland canned cold-brew is better than anything I've had that's instant. Not that I wouldn't drink Via if it was a choice of Via or no coffee, but... if I'm visiting, warn me you don't have drinkable coffee and I'll bring a cup, or jug of cold brew, or similar.
by badger42
Fri Dec 03, 2021 1:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Instant Coffee?
Replies: 107
Views: 10061

Re: Instant Coffee?

sport wrote: Tue May 14, 2019 4:52 pm I am not a coffee drinker, but occasionally I want to serve it to others. Is there such a thing as instant coffee that is any good? All I have heard are negative comments.
No. Even canned coffee is better.
by badger42
Fri Nov 19, 2021 10:23 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Homes with no printer - minimalism
Replies: 141
Views: 11423

Re: Homes with no printer - minimalism

We have a printer, but it has no use for what you describe. It's mostly for schoolwork, or things like signs or tickets (where you might want a paper ticket, not just show it on your phone), or similar. Business transactions happen online. Electronic signing (eg DocuSign) has been a thing for many years. Record keeping happens online, with local and cloud backups. The printer does get used occasionally for printing forms for backwards government agencies that can't take things online, but it's infrequent enough that if that was all it was for, I could print that at the local FedEx Office or similar. (Having sad that, I peronsally wouldn't go printer-less, because a basic B&W laser is dirt cheap and means you have it when you need it, bu...
by badger42
Mon Nov 15, 2021 2:42 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Selling house and moving to Memory Care
Replies: 7
Views: 1363

Re: Selling house and moving to Memory Care

89 year old in memory care? I'd probably go with a TIPS ladder or even a short term TIPS fund (VTAPX or equivalent)

Inflation protection (hopefully keep up with cost of care), protected principal, minimal yield.
by badger42
Mon Nov 15, 2021 2:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best tires for Subaru Outback
Replies: 31
Views: 5332

Re: Best tires for Subaru Outback

I've owned at least one Subaru for 20+ years. If you're staying in SC, nix the Blizzaks or any other dedicated winter tire - they don't do well in the heat, and you'll just wear straight through them. Some basics - tires come with a UTQG (uniform tire quality grading) that shows a traction, temperature, and treadwear number. Wikipedia has a write-up at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uniform_Tire_Quality_Grading but for SC: Traction - this is wet traction, VERY important in SC weather. You want an A or AA. Temperature - this is also fairly important for sustained travel at speed in hot weather. You really want A here unless you're just tooling around town, then B is fine. Treadwear - tradeoffs here! Higher number is longer tire life, but ofte...
by badger42
Tue Nov 02, 2021 5:32 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Zillow Shutting Down Home-Buying Arm
Replies: 104
Views: 11970

Re: Zillow Shutting Down Home-Buying Arm

Beyond being out of their core competencies, I suspect there was some fairly significant adverse selection happening.

Got a house that's got some issues, but the algorithm thinks it's worth a bunch? Sell it to Zillow.

Got a house with a bad location, but Zillow thinks it's worth a silly amount? Sell it to them.

Got a house with major issues that won't show up in an ordinary inspection, but you don't want to screw over a random buyer (or worse, end up with a buyer who gets a structural engineer to take a look)? Sell it to Zillow.
by badger42
Tue Oct 26, 2021 1:36 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Donor Advised Fund, Vanguard or Schwab
Replies: 39
Views: 5193

Re: Donor Advised Fund, Vanguard or Schwab

Schwab has been great for us. Easy online interface, paperwork is 100% done right, investment management 'just works', and it does what it says on the label.
by badger42
Thu Oct 21, 2021 9:06 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Luggage performance
Replies: 90
Views: 8047

Re: Luggage performance

Osprey Farpoint 40 backpack. No wheels, meets domestic and international carry-on sizes, fits in CRJ/ERJ overhead bins, super comfortable (waist and chest straps, load lifters, etc). Then unload / compress down and you have an office bag / day pack wherever you're going. If something doesn't fit, you probably didn't need it anyway.
by badger42
Mon Sep 27, 2021 4:57 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Will I be in trouble retiring early?
Replies: 111
Views: 21568

Re: Will I be in trouble retiring early?

What I'd actually suggest is paying off the mortgage ASAP, then you are good to go with a substantial margin of safety.

Instead of $1.7m you have $1.5m investments

Instead of $5250/mo your expenses become $2500/mo

That gives you a withdrawal rate of 2%. You could increase your spending (after paying off the mortgage) by 50% and still have a very safe perpetual withdrawal rate.

Your remaining mortgage is too small to have any meaningful value as shared risk, and the small amount of arbitrage is not worth the large amount of mitigated sequence of returns risk.
by badger42
Tue Sep 07, 2021 7:00 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: How have you allocated your bond percentage?
Replies: 67
Views: 9105

Re: How have you allocated your bond percentage?

15% overall in bonds

1/3 high yield (VWEAX), all in pre-tax
1/3 TIPS (mix of a short-term and intermediate-term fund), all in pre-tax
1/3 Treasuries (short term, individual bonds, in taxable)
by badger42
Sat Aug 28, 2021 3:48 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Can you ignore social security in your calculations?
Replies: 256
Views: 28525

Re: Can you ignore social security in your calculations?

Current planning is for FIRE at 45, social security at 70 as inflation adjusted longevity insurance / spousal income insurance.

Even at 76% of currently projected benefits (per the trustees' report, and assuming current law), this is a fairly significant cushion against tail risk.

Are we explicitly planning on social security as "takes over cash flow needs after 70"? Nope. Does it make us more comfortable that a 4% or even 4.5% SWR (for planning - current investable assets vs current moving average of expenses) is sufficient? Absolutely.
by badger42
Wed Aug 11, 2021 11:03 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Outdoor furniture recommendations
Replies: 15
Views: 5855

Re: Outdoor furniture recommendations

I've been quite happy with patio furniture from Ikea. It won't last forever, but it's cheap / sturdy / works well.

We have some Applaro, some Sjalland, etc.
by badger42
Tue Aug 10, 2021 7:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Aaargh.. retroactive permit for HVAC changes!
Replies: 49
Views: 5383

Re: Aaargh.. retroactive permit for HVAC changes!

At this point, why bother?

Nobody is going to come looking. Even if you're selling, chances are nobody will look or care.

Enjoy the new systems. The next time you have to have a replacement done, make sure the contractor pulls permits.
by badger42
Sat Aug 07, 2021 6:05 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How are people saving for new vehicles? / Do old guidelines apply?
Replies: 176
Views: 19654

Re: How are people saving for new vehicles? / Do old guidelines apply?

Early career: put down whatever, pay it off within a year or so.

Now: we keep a slush fund for planned and unplanned capex (car, roof, etc) and pay cash from there.
by badger42
Thu Aug 05, 2021 8:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: RAM 1500 - Model Year 2019 or newer, Thoughts
Replies: 56
Views: 4221

Re: RAM 1500 - Model Year 2019 or newer, Thoughts

If you're set on a full sized truck, how about the new electric Ford F-150 Lightning? Looks like a really sweet truck - if I actually wanted/needed a truck, that's what I would buy right now. Tons of power, solid range, and you can power your house with it in a pinch. I'd also think of it as future-proof since trucks tend to stick around for a LONG time.
by badger42
Wed Aug 04, 2021 11:40 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: RAM 1500 - Model Year 2019 or newer, Thoughts
Replies: 56
Views: 4221

Re: RAM 1500 - Model Year 2019 or newer, Thoughts

tibbitts wrote: Wed Aug 04, 2021 11:04 am
badger42 wrote: Wed Aug 04, 2021 10:30 am The reliability is likely to stink.

If you want a truck to have a truck, consider one of the unibody trucks like the Honda Ridgeline - your wife will appreciate that it's more like a car with a bed, the reliability is as expected for a Honda, and unless you're pushing the limits of truck usage, it will do anything you ask of it
"Like" a Ridgeline? What are the other unibody trucks? Maybe look for a pristine Rampage or Scamp? Surprisingly the cargo capacity came within a few hundred pounds of a Ridgeline.
They're older, but a Subaru Baja comes to mind - you might be able to find one in good condition.

The upcoming Ford Maverick is also a unibody truck, likely to be cheap and reasonably reliable.
by badger42
Wed Aug 04, 2021 11:39 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: RAM 1500 - Model Year 2019 or newer, Thoughts
Replies: 56
Views: 4221

Re: RAM 1500 - Model Year 2019 or newer, Thoughts

The reliability is likely to stink. If you want a truck to have a truck, consider one of the unibody trucks like the Honda Ridgeline - your wife will appreciate that it's more like a car with a bed, the reliability is as expected for a Honda, and unless you're pushing the limits of truck usage, it will do anything you ask of it With all due respect, I think those Honda Ridgelines looks awful. If you have one, I apologize, and it's definitely utilitarian and function over looks. But i'd rather go for a Tacoma or new ranger over the Ridgeline. I do want full size to tow a boat and load up mulch and do some of that type of thing... Nope, I don't have or need a truck, I have a Subaru. For the roughly once every two years I need to something yo...
by badger42
Wed Aug 04, 2021 10:30 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: RAM 1500 - Model Year 2019 or newer, Thoughts
Replies: 56
Views: 4221

Re: RAM 1500 - Model Year 2019 or newer, Thoughts

The reliability is likely to stink.

If you want a truck to have a truck, consider one of the unibody trucks like the Honda Ridgeline - your wife will appreciate that it's more like a car with a bed, the reliability is as expected for a Honda, and unless you're pushing the limits of truck usage, it will do anything you ask of it
by badger42
Wed Aug 04, 2021 9:46 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Finding and hiring lawyer in another state (NC)
Replies: 3
Views: 314

Re: Finding and hiring lawyer in another state (NC)

If you're using a real estate agent, ask them who they recommend.

If you are buying in the western part of NC, DM me.
by badger42
Wed Aug 04, 2021 9:07 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Purpose of Bonds in an 18 Year Old's Portfolio
Replies: 43
Views: 2953

Re: Purpose of Bonds in an 18 Year Old's Portfolio

I manage a a small portfolio (UTMA account, 4 digits) for my 17-year-old. It's 100% in stocks, 2/3 total US and 1/3 total international. I don't really see bonds having a place here.
by badger42
Sat Jul 31, 2021 2:58 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Battery powered lawn mower recommendation
Replies: 93
Views: 7483

Re: Battery powered lawn mower recommendation

We have a small yard (1/8ac) and have no trouble mowing it with a Ryobi 40V be brushless electric (push, not self propelled) on half a battery or less. The Ryobi automatically detects if it's working hard and applies extra power.

There is no gas (my shed doesn't smell like gasoline), no oil changes, no spark plugs to clean, and starting it is a push of a button.

I've also used the eGo - it's a step up (very nice system) but not worth the cost delta for our small yard.
by badger42
Sat Jul 31, 2021 2:58 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Battery powered lawn mower recommendation
Replies: 93
Views: 7483

Re: Battery powered lawn mower recommendation

We have a small yard (1/8ac) and have no trouble mowing it with a Ryobi 40V be brushless electric (push, not self propelled) on half a battery or less. The Ryobi automatically detects if it's working hard and applies extra power.

There is no gas (my shed doesn't smell like gasoline), no oil changes, no spark plugs to clean, and starting it is a push of a button.

I've also used the eGo - it's a step up (very nice system) but not worth the cost delta for our small yard.
by badger42
Thu Jul 29, 2021 9:17 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Haier Appliances- Your Thoughts?
Replies: 14
Views: 2097

Re: Haier Appliances- Your Thoughts?

Haier owns and manufactures GE appliances. The quality levels should be pretty close.
by badger42
Mon Jul 26, 2021 7:11 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Home Printer?
Replies: 37
Views: 3221

Re: Home Printer?

If no kids, I would totally agree that a cheap black and white laser is a great option. Brother makes a solid printer, as does HP. Your basic black and white laser is a really simple device, 20+ year old technology that really doesn't have much to go wrong. If you have school printing in your future, consider biting the bullet and get a color laser. They are quite a bit more expensive than a color inkjet, and way more mechanically complex than a black and white laser, but the toner doesn't go bad and the overall costs are much lower. I do not recommend getting a combined printer/scanner/copier. You are generally better off with a standalone scanner for scan quality and better software, and it means your printer and scanner don't have to bot...