Search found 1089 matches

by Imperabo
Sat Dec 30, 2017 5:42 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Individual Stocks That Went Bust
Replies: 110
Views: 12415

Re: Individual Stocks That Went Bust

Excite@Home was my Waterloo. It should have become a combination of what Google is now along with controlling the internet pipe. It seemed like the only thing the could slow it down was becoming so successful that it would be broken up by regulators. Instead it was run into the ground by a CEO who didn't understand the potential and/or had his own conflicting agenda. The lesson I learned is you can be right about just about everything with regard to a stock and it can still bust. Now it's the index life for me, which has been very good to me.
by Imperabo
Thu Dec 28, 2017 2:52 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to financially assist DD to help continue her Obamacare
Replies: 54
Views: 5657

Re: How to financially assist DD to help continue her Obamacare

c1over8 wrote: Thu Dec 28, 2017 11:55 am. Or better yet gift her those amounts in appreciated stock so she can trigger the gains as needed and the parents avoid the gains entirely.
I want to make sure this doesn't get overlooked. Unless all of your investments are in retirement accounts this is the best answer. Your family gets to clear capital gains at 0% rate, and she gets to record the income in the eyes of ACA.
by Imperabo
Sun Dec 17, 2017 8:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New Honda CRV is MotorTrend's SUV of the year
Replies: 87
Views: 11151

Re: New Honda CRV is MotorTrend's SUV of the year

I agree that a front wheel drive with winter tires is generally better in winter conditions than an all-wheel drive with all-seasons, but there is a legitimate reason why you might choose the later. Caltrans (and I assume other states) frequently has a control level where 4WD/AWD with all-season tires (mud and snow rated, which all the all-season tires I've ever had are) are allowed without chains, but 2WD require chains regardless of tires. The stopping ability of winter tires doesn't really come into play when you are in 5mph traffic going over I-80.

http://www.dot.ca.gov/cttravel/chain-controls.html
by Imperabo
Sat Sep 30, 2017 1:48 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Smart Home: Google, Apple, or Amazon?
Replies: 45
Views: 5755

Re: Smart Home: Google, Apple, or Amazon?

If you happen to be in the market for a Fire Stick right now Amazon will throw in an Echo Dot for $20 ($60 total). You can buy a smart plug for as little as $13 and play around with controlling different devices in your house. That's what I'm trying, and I figure even if i only use it for a certain lamp and playing music off prime it will be worth the cost. I also plan to get a switch so I can turn on the gas fireplace. Google home costs $130, so that's harder to justify.
by Imperabo
Fri Sep 15, 2017 10:12 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Wondering if solar is worth it - does my utility bill seem high? (Arizona)
Replies: 40
Views: 4879

Re: Wondering if solar is worth it - does my utility bill seem high? (Arizona)

AC could easily be your biggest electric cost. In your climate you can get an evaporative (swamp) cooler and drop you cooling cost to almost nothing. I have about the same summers where I live and I figure I pay about $150 per year for cooling.
by Imperabo
Fri Mar 31, 2017 7:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Spring Break Trip to Disney World
Replies: 68
Views: 7739

Re: Spring Break Trip to Disney World

I took my family to Orlando last October, and have a couple of tips. 1) Universal Studios has pulled ahead of Disney in surprising ways. Diagon Alley is the best themed area in the United States, and the two main rides are the best rides in the US aside from Radiator Springs in California Adventures. Disney might catch up with Avatar and Star Wars lands, but right now Disney World feels dated (but still a great time) by comparison. So, don't skimp on Universal, even if it means skipping Epcot and/or Hollywood Studios (I don't think there is enough currently in either of them for your age groups, and they will be expanded in future years.) Also, Universal has much better and more play areas, which are great to keep smaller kids happy and let...
by Imperabo
Tue Mar 14, 2017 10:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Utah, besides the national parks?
Replies: 21
Views: 3217

Re: Utah, besides the national parks?

ponyboy wrote:Heck just standing on top of the grand canyon blew all of zion away.
All it took was the best view on the planet? ;)
by Imperabo
Thu Dec 15, 2016 5:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 4runner vs. Highlander?
Replies: 109
Views: 27750

Re: 4runner vs. Highlander?

TRC wrote:4runner is an awesome vehicle, but it's getting a bit "long in the tooth" and is long overdue for a makeover.
That also means its legendary reliability can be counted upon. You're always rolling the dice with revamped models.
by Imperabo
Thu Dec 15, 2016 5:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 4runner vs. Highlander?
Replies: 109
Views: 27750

Re: 4runner vs. Highlander?

I have both though they are not close to the same model years. The 4runner is a 2000 with 235k on it and the highlander is a 2015 with 20k on it. Like others have mentioned the highlander drives like a car and is great on road trips. The 4runner drives like a truck and will punish you all the way to your destination. I would hate to drive it on a 1000 mile road trip . Really? I have a 2013 Tacoma and have taken it on roadtrips of 1500, 1800 and 3000 miles. No issues at all, comfortable for the most part. I gotta think the 4Runner is even more comfortable, though maybe not since it's an older model? Confirmed, my 2015 4Runner is very comfortable on long drives. I suppose it's missing amenities found on other new vehicles but whatever they a...
by Imperabo
Thu Dec 15, 2016 5:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 4runner vs. Highlander?
Replies: 109
Views: 27750

Re: 4runner vs. Highlander?

I have a 2015 4Runner Trail Edition and I'm very happy with it. I'd still recommend the Highlander over the 4Runner unless you know for sure you are going to be doing significant off-roading and understand and accept that you are making large compromises in your vehicle so you can do that. I agree with others that you're kidding yourself if you think the rugged looks and big tires translate to better driving in bad weather. The true 4WD only gives you advantages in real off road conditions over AWD, and I bet you never need it. One thing I strongly recommend to anyone looking a 4Runner is to get one with KDSS. It's a suspension system that makes a huge difference in body lean going around corners, and also has benefits off-road. I tested a ...
by Imperabo
Wed Nov 02, 2016 4:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Did you retire in your 30s?
Replies: 93
Views: 16320

Re: Did you retire in your 30s?

staythecourse wrote:
The thread title needs to be reworded and original post as something more in the lines of: "What do you say to folks when you drop out of the rat race in your 30's and become a real estate investor". That would be accurate.
You've got you OPs mixed up.
by Imperabo
Fri Oct 21, 2016 7:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medicaid or Obamacare
Replies: 21
Views: 3539

Re: Medicaid or Obamacare

discman017 wrote:My experience as a Colorado resident:

In Colorado, a family of 4 with up to $63K income is eligible for CHP (Medicaid for kids). . .
My experience in Nevada is exactly the same as yours. None of my kids health care providers take it. I make sure to stay over 200% of poverty in my income, which means I can't benefit from cost sharing. It's such an absurd situation. Another reason I've learned to avoid dipping into CHIP or Medicaid is that you enter bureaucratic hell like you've never imagined once you have to start submitting documents to justify your income and dealing with broken systems and officials who barely pretend to have a clue. I hope they've gotten better over time, but my experience that first year scarred me for life.
by Imperabo
Tue Oct 18, 2016 2:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Hotmail (Outlook) Inbox puzzle?
Replies: 10
Views: 1410

Re: Hotmail (Outlook) Inbox puzzle?

If the "focused email" doesn't solve it then look at the "clutter" feature. Here is a link to what it is and how to turn in on/off.

https://support.office.com/en-US/client ... S&fromAR=1
by Imperabo
Tue Oct 18, 2016 1:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Hotmail (Outlook) Inbox puzzle?
Replies: 10
Views: 1410

Re: Hotmail (Outlook) Inbox puzzle?

Are you using desktop or mobile? On desktop I don't find what you're seeing. On mobile (android) there is a separation of email like this. I found you can rid of it as follows:

1) Click on the gear icon in the upper right corner.
2) Scroll down to "Focused Inbox" and flip the switch to turn it off.
by Imperabo
Mon Oct 10, 2016 12:00 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Active vs Passive
Replies: 30
Views: 4275

Re: Active vs Passive

If you're going to beat the market you have to believe you know more than the market about the stocks you pick (and don't pick, because how else do you know the good ones are good without knowing the bad?). How much time do you think you need to spend on research? I remember Jim Cramer saying you need to spend an hour per week per stock, which I think is low by 10x, but let's go with that (btw, I'm assuming you already have an advanced degree in finance or business and work in such a field, otherwise the idea that you're going to out-compete the people that do is crazy from the start). So for 30 companies that's 30 hours per week in research. Say you have a million dollars in total investments, and 100k in your individual stocks. Let's say ...
by Imperabo
Fri Oct 07, 2016 2:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Hurricane Matthew: Evacuation advice
Replies: 40
Views: 6196

Re: Hurricane Matthew: Evacuation advice

moneywise3 wrote: Now looking forward to tomorrow morning's flight.
I and my family we're scheduled to fly out at 6:00 PM tomorrow from Orlando, but we managed to get on the last non-cancelled flight headed to the West coast on Southwest yesterday at 4:00PM. Now I see our original flight has already been cancelled. Sorry to say I don't think you'll be making your scheduled departure.
by Imperabo
Wed Sep 07, 2016 9:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Ransomware alert
Replies: 54
Views: 7630

Re: Ransomware alert

JoinToday wrote:What is the best protection? Backup data on portable hard drive that you only plug in periodically?
That's a good way. Another is to let Google photos have its way with all of your pictures and videos. You'll get near perfect permanent backups of all of it for free (plus amazing searching ability). The rest of your files shouldn't take up much space, and should fit in the free space provided by Google or by Microsoft though Onedrive. You can automatically keep it synced up so all of your files are always available everywhere.
by Imperabo
Mon Aug 15, 2016 3:26 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: You have $10 Million and 10 years to live. What would you do?
Replies: 55
Views: 9354

Re: You have $10 Million and 10 years to live. What would you do?

1) So much heli skiing.
2) Have myself cryonically frozen in 9 years, 364 days.
by Imperabo
Wed Jun 29, 2016 8:39 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Why is everyone up in arms about Costco's credit transition?
Replies: 65
Views: 9266

Re: Why is everyone up in arms about Costco's credit transition?

CABob wrote:I'm not up in arms, just wondering how and where to pay my final bill from Amex. :confused
I believe your balance should be transferred to the new card.
by Imperabo
Tue May 03, 2016 3:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sunscreen
Replies: 51
Views: 6580

Re: Sunscreen

Rodc wrote:
But for those of us with an abundance of testosterone clear spray-on sure works much easier than lotion.
Curious, is this in reference to body hair?
by Imperabo
Tue May 03, 2016 1:13 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sunscreen
Replies: 51
Views: 6580

Re: Sunscreen

I enjoy using spray-on in my lungs at the water park when a mother sprays it in my face while attempting to apply it to her child, which results in a pleasing speckled burn on the child since the mother didn't rub it in thinking it must not be necessary to rub it in as that need would obviate the only assumed value of the product form factor.
by Imperabo
Wed Apr 20, 2016 12:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Better than amazon??
Replies: 86
Views: 18485

Re: Better than amazon??

protagonist wrote:
For consumers concerned about business practices, you might want to listen to this podcast expose re: Amazon: http://www.radiolab.org/story/brown-box/
OK, I listened to it. It's mostly about one girl who worked in a non-Amazon warehouse, and even she admits that there are people who work there who like it. The couple of people who they talked to who worked at an Amazon warehouse liked the job. One lady was happy about the fact that she lost weight doing it.
by Imperabo
Mon Apr 18, 2016 10:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Better than amazon??
Replies: 86
Views: 18485

Re: Better than amazon??

GKSD wrote: it does feel like the prices on Amazon vary frequently. I don't know if it is accurate or not, but it seems if you visit and revisit a product page multiple times over sometime, may be an algorithm is making a decision that you want this product and slowly ups the price to pressure you to click the Buy button.
I don't think they target the price to individuals like that. If you're suspicious you might try checking the price from a different browser or an incognito tab to see if it's different. The particular product you are looking at has gone up in price, and fluctuates madly like nothing I've ever seen. No idea why.

Image
by Imperabo
Sun Apr 17, 2016 11:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Better than amazon??
Replies: 86
Views: 18485

Re: Better than amazon??

jjface wrote: The rise of the 3rd party sellers on amazon happens to be my biggest complaint. I would like to see more shipped and sold by amazon and less sold by whoever wants to sell on amazon. I've had very few issues with amazon items compared with 3rd parties on amazon. The prices are also better controlled and prime shipping or super saver shipping available.
Yeah, it's always fun when you don't pay attention and end up buying something 3rd party that has a shipping date a month or more away. Takes away from the worry free one stop shop experience that Amazon is so close to otherwise.

In the case of the toothpaste, the price I saw was actually for Prime Pantry, which is a whole other deal I wasn't familiar with.
by Imperabo
Sun Apr 17, 2016 10:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Better than amazon??
Replies: 86
Views: 18485

Re: Better than amazon??

jjface wrote:Here is another example since I was looking to buy some...
Pronamel toothpaste 4oz gentle whitening 2 pack

walmart $14.45
amazon $15.58
target $9.49
jet $10.42 .
I see that for 9.47 on Amazon.

Edit: Oops, that price seems to have an additional shipping fee.
by Imperabo
Sun Apr 17, 2016 10:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Better than amazon??
Replies: 86
Views: 18485

Re: Better than amazon??

jjface wrote: Electronics and books happen to be amazon's specialities.
Perhaps my experience is biased toward the items I am likely buy online, as anything like detergent or toilette paper I would buy at Costco, as it will always be cheaper to buy something like that locally than to a have them shipped, where the shipping cost could be greater than the value of the item (though that cost may be hidden from you as "free" shipping, it is always rolled into the price.) Of course if you want something unusual you may need to buy it online regardless.
by Imperabo
Sun Apr 17, 2016 10:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Better than amazon??
Replies: 86
Views: 18485

Re: Better than amazon??

jdilla1107 wrote:Amazon makes sure to have the best prices on popular products with high price perception. They then make up their margins on the things that people don't comparison shop as much on.
I welcome some proof of this theory. I keep hearing people saying Amazon raised their prices, but literally every time I've compared something either they were cheaper or the difference was negligible. So far I'm the only one here who has actually attempted to test in a systematic way. I choose the items I did in this case because I expected each vendor to carry them. But I've tested less common items before.
jdilla1107 wrote:Amazon prime is a huge profit center.
Just because a company makes a profit on something doesn't mean it isn't a good deal for the consumer.
by Imperabo
Sun Apr 17, 2016 7:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Better than amazon??
Replies: 86
Views: 18485

Re: Better than amazon??

So I decided to do little shopping comparison using items that I thought people might commonly shop for online. I didn't cherry pic items or discard anything that didn't fit my preconceptions. I didn't include shipping cost, as all of these vendors offer some sort of free shipping deal, although Walmart requires you spend $50 to get it, which is more than the others, and Amazon Prime is a good deal for many people which I think gives them the edge. http://i64.tinypic.com/2hoh34h.png Observations: Amazon is king of price, selection, and interface.. The Jet website is unacceptable to me. When I searched for "ti 83" the item I wanted was the 11th item on the list rather than the first like the others. Also they provide almost no info...
by Imperabo
Sun Apr 17, 2016 4:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Better than amazon??
Replies: 86
Views: 18485

Re: Better than amazon??

I'm surprised that people have not noticed amazon increasing prices. I bought one item last week and had to return it as it was the wrong size - they wouldn't offer me an exchange but just a refund but I thought okay I will just order it again. I go to order it and the price is already 15% higher in the space of 3 days. Prices are always changing. You can even refresh the page on some items and the price will change! If you're concerned about getting a raw deal due to price fluctuations I suggest installing Camelizer in your browser. It allows to see the price history and tell if you're buying at a bad time, and also to test your theory that prices are increasing. Here is a price history for a product I chose basically at random that I tho...
by Imperabo
Sat Apr 16, 2016 9:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Better than amazon??
Replies: 86
Views: 18485

Re: Better than amazon??

daveatca wrote:Amazon has a much larger selection.
The inventory size is about 82.37% of the reason I shop there.
Tried Jet. Lower prices on the 2 items that I found.
Saving 10¢ here and there does interest me.
Especially since you can get an Amazon store card giving you 5% off everything you buy there. And honestly I haven't found it to be the case that Amazon has raised their prices.
by Imperabo
Fri Apr 15, 2016 9:51 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: If wall street is rigged and corrupt , why invest in it?
Replies: 64
Views: 8407

Re: If wall street is rigged and corrupt , why invest in it?

I don't personally think the 2008 crash was primarily caused by corruption. I think it was caused by blind faith in the axiom that real-estate never declines year over year in the US, and financial instruments built and priced around that faith.

In any case, I don't think anyone can argue that corruption wasn't far worse in the past (look up the Crédit Mobilier of America scandal), and historic returns have been excellent regardless.
by Imperabo
Tue Jan 19, 2016 2:57 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Tomorrows Market Open?
Replies: 37
Views: 7024

Re: Tomorrows Market Open?

Quark wrote:The direction of futures in the morning is not a good predictor of the direction of the market later in the trading day.
If that were true you could easily make infinite money trading futures. Just sell when they up and buy when they are down. You'd come out ahead most of the time.
by Imperabo
Thu Dec 31, 2015 11:56 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 529 for Second Child
Replies: 5
Views: 960

Re: 529 for Second Child

My understanding is that you need to have separate accounts or the kids won't both be able to draw during the same year. Since you can switch the beneficiary once per year you don't have to worry much about having extra money left on one account while running out in the other.
by Imperabo
Fri Dec 18, 2015 8:01 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Large Stock Market Decline Today - What's going on?
Replies: 46
Views: 6343

Re: Large Stock Market Decline Today - What's going on?

livesoft wrote:
Conclusion: You have to look every day and lots more often.
I actually like this answer, though it's probably sarcastic. Usually we recommend people not pay attention to the daily tribulations. But then someone is liable to freak out when they do happen to look, because they won't have perspective. My approach is to pay so much attention that I become numb and jaded. I still don't do anything in any case.
by Imperabo
Sun Dec 13, 2015 1:03 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: New Investor with Very Large Losses
Replies: 14
Views: 3240

Re: New Investor with Very Large Losses

kaneohe wrote:
+1 http://fairmark.com/investment-taxation ... ted-stock/

It is conceivable that you might even have a gain instead of the large losses you think you have.
That links says the stepped-up cost basis is an election of the executor. So I guess you can choose to keep the loss?
by Imperabo
Wed Nov 25, 2015 10:51 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New car vs used car
Replies: 26
Views: 3825

Re: New car vs used car

fishmonger wrote:Toyota guy here. They hold their value to such an extent that I would never buy one that's 2-4 years old. In most cases, they've only depreciated 10-15%. I'd rather pay the extra few thousand and buy new. To get real value, you have to buy one that's probably 2007 or older
And if you go pre-2007 you're probably sacrificing critical safety tech like stability control (which transformed SUVs from moderately dangerous to the safest vehicles on the road) and side airbags. So you really have to wonder if you're getting a value at all.
by Imperabo
Sun Nov 22, 2015 8:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best TV to buy
Replies: 96
Views: 13970

Re: Best TV to buy

CountryBoy wrote:Well our Toshiba tv screen is 27" on the diagonal and it is in our den. Since our house is small and the den where it is placed is small, we can't really have too big a screen. We could maybe go to 30" but that is pushing it.
Unless you can literally reach out and touch your TV from where you're sitting you're in danger of going way too small. Measure the distance from your eyes to the screen and try plugging that into a calculator like this: http://www.rtings.com/tv/learn/size-to- ... lationship. I have a 42" that's six feet from my eyes and it's perfect.

Going with the wrong size will affect your enjoyment more than the choice of brand or model. They're all good these days.
by Imperabo
Sat Nov 21, 2015 4:42 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Recommended Snow Tires
Replies: 42
Views: 5445

Re: Recommended Snow Tires

crumbgrabber wrote:I've had Michelin X-Ice and Dunlop winter sports on my Acura sedan--the Michelins were actually terrible. So bad that I no longer trust Consumer Reports.
I have to agree with this. I had a set of Michelin X-Ice Xi3 on my ski car, and I'm not sure they were any better than all-seasons. Apparently CR tested them on an ice skating rink, not on compacted snow, which is what I and I think most drivers are more likely to encounter.
Sidesummy wrote:Tires that perform well in the ice will have skinnier groves and more siping (small slits in the tread blocks) as they are attempting to add more biting edges in the footprint of the tire to improve ice traction.
This explains it. The X-Ice seem to have very narrow groves.
by Imperabo
Wed Oct 21, 2015 2:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New sofa recommendation : Sofa that lasts long
Replies: 24
Views: 5435

Re: New sofa recommendation : Sofa that lasts long

Microfiber. Our microfiber couch and love seat are in good condition after 10 years with kids and pets. Among other things the couch had a full glass of red wine spilled on it and a nail polish dumped on it. I think we paid about $700 for the set at RC Willey. You do not have to pay a lot for durable furniture.

Example
by Imperabo
Wed Oct 07, 2015 4:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Reading Out Loud Issues
Replies: 29
Views: 4071

Re: Reading Out Loud Issues

For example, read to yourself out-loud: "The perpetrator slid past the cops in such an amazing fashion that it was as if he was water rushing down the rocks. Then he thought, should he even be running?" The first sentence should be read with some emotion of excitement, AMAZING, RUSHING, etc. The last sentence should be slow "then he thought... should he even be running <question mark!!>" as a question. She would read this where she would per-pa-tra-tor slowly to basically sound it out even though your brain should recognize the word and spit it out instantly and she would say that word with a question mark, as if guessing whether or not she even said it right. She would say the last sentence not as a question but more a...
by Imperabo
Fri Aug 21, 2015 3:38 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Anyone Notice How Much Less Bad Russell 2K Did Today?
Replies: 11
Views: 1862

Re: Anyone Notice How Much Less Bad Russell 2K Did Today?

I would assume it's because small caps generally do a higher percentage of their business in their home country, and therefore may be relatively insulated from international problems (i.e., China).
by Imperabo
Fri Aug 21, 2015 6:57 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Pascal's Wager and prudent investment decisions
Replies: 29
Views: 4431

Re: Pascal's Wager and prudent investment decisions

happyisland wrote: Interesting article, but Pascal's Wager might not be the best story to refer to when trying to build a logical case for something. I say that because Pascal's Wager has numerous well-known logical flaws. For a quick refresher check out this wiki: http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Pascal's_wager#Criticism
Can you name a philosophical position that has never been criticized?
by Imperabo
Wed Jul 29, 2015 5:59 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Mandatory vehicle collision avoidance systems are coming
Replies: 43
Views: 4566

Re: Mandatory vehicle collision avoidance systems are coming

One piece of tech I've come to personally dislike is the emergency brake assist on my 2015 4runner. A technique I've ingraned in myself over the years is to instantly move my foot to the brake and partially press it whenever something unexpected happens in front of me. This lights up my brake lights as soon as possible to give the guy behind me maximum time to react, and begins slowing me down a bit and I'm ready to slow down further if needed. The system interprets the speed of this action as me trying to panic stop, but figures I'm too much of a girly man to firmly press the brake. So it helpfully applies full braking power and slams me to a halt. That crap is going to get me rear ended. Wow, this is a problem. After years of motorcycles...
by Imperabo
Wed Jul 29, 2015 5:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Mandatory vehicle collision avoidance systems are coming
Replies: 43
Views: 4566

Re: Mandatory vehicle collision avoidance systems are coming

One piece of tech I've come to personally dislike is the emergency brake assist on my 2015 4runner. A technique I've ingraned in myself over the years is to instantly move my foot to the brake and partially press it whenever something unexpected happens in front of me. This lights up my brake lights as soon as possible to give the guy behind me maximum time to react, and begins slowing me down a bit and I'm ready to slow down further if needed. The system interprets the speed of this action as me trying to panic stop, but figures I'm too much of a girly man to firmly press the brake. So it helpfully applies full braking power and slams me to a halt. That crap is going to get me rear ended. Wow! I'd have that looked into by the dealer. We h...
by Imperabo
Wed Jul 29, 2015 3:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Mandatory vehicle collision avoidance systems are coming
Replies: 43
Views: 4566

Re: Mandatory vehicle collision avoidance systems are coming

One piece of tech I've come to personally dislike is the emergency brake assist on my 2015 4runner. A technique I've ingraned in myself over the years is to instantly move my foot to the brake and partially press it whenever something unexpected happens in front of me. This lights up my brake lights as soon as possible to give the guy behind me maximum time to react, and begins slowing me down a bit and I'm ready to slow down further if needed. The system interprets the speed of this action as me trying to panic stop, but figures I'm too much of a girly man to firmly press the brake. So it helpfully applies full braking power and slams me to a halt. That crap is going to get me rear ended.
by Imperabo
Thu Apr 09, 2015 12:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I buy extended warranty for our new Toyota Sienna
Replies: 50
Views: 37031

Re: Should I buy extended warranty for our new Toyota Sienna

Selling extended warranties is a money making deal for them. That means on average they take in more revenue from selling them than they pay out in warranty claims. Not a good buy in general. This is the most common reasoning we see on extended warranties: the belief that if the seller is making a profit then the buyer must be losing in equal proportion. But this is only true if the repair shop charges their cost when you get your car worked on. Do you think the Toyota service departments pay their mechanics $100+ per hour? Do you think they charge you their cost for parts? I think not, so I think there is room the warranty to be beneficial to both the buyer and the seller if the price is right. If you buy a warranty from Toyota then they ...
by Imperabo
Sun Jan 25, 2015 5:37 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Hawaii Visit (Maui). Need advice
Replies: 31
Views: 5210

Re: Hawaii Visit (Maui). Need advice

For a special occasion eat at Mama's Fish House in Paia. It's pricey, but legendary. Fantastic atmosphere on the beach and best seafood I've ever had. It's not close to where you're staying but could be incorporated into day up Haleakala.
by Imperabo
Thu Aug 07, 2014 9:47 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Affording a 1.3 million home?
Replies: 122
Views: 33202

Re: Affording a 1.3 million home?

awval999 wrote:When I read these threads I am truly thankful I do not live in northern California.
If I lived in Silicon Valley I would probably be making double what I am now. My house would cost triple, but I think it would still be a net positive financially because everything other than housing would only be a little more expensive.
by Imperabo
Tue Aug 05, 2014 12:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Drought Management
Replies: 60
Views: 5278

Re: Drought Management

The drip irrigation we installed for said plants watered but the top four inches of soil (I measured), even when mulched. Accordingly, much of that water was wasted. We capped those emitters. I deep water (by hand) once a month instead. Drives the roots even further down and uses a fraction of the water. Sorry, but I can't imagine a scenario where hand watering will allow deeper watering than a drip system. If you were only getting 4 inches deep then you weren't watering long enough, or your soil was impermeable. Hand watering would be worse in any case. It's far more prone to just spreading out on the surface. If you want to maximize the depth of your drip watering then use low flow emitters, widely spaced, and water for a long period (bu...
by Imperabo
Mon Aug 04, 2014 11:13 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What is your most memorable 1 week vacation?
Replies: 91
Views: 13129

Re: What is your most memorable 1 week vacation?

Early 80's. I was working a 10-day tour as the sole inhabitant island relief ranger on Santa Barbara Island, located about 45 miles off the coast of Los Angeles. It's a lonely, windswept dot in the Pacific, just one square mile around - the southernmost island in Channel Islands National Park. Because it was Winter, and around Dec 21-31, there were no boats around, no visitors, or anyone else. I felt like the little Prince as I patrolled around, watching over the sea lions, seals, and sea birds. I had a small boat that I could also circumnavigate the island and nearby rock outcrops. In the middle of this tour, I had Christmas Day off as a Holiday. ("Have a fun day off!") I hiked down to the landing cove dock, put on my dive gear ...