Search found 603 matches

by fire5soon
Sun Jun 13, 2021 11:29 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tire flat fixing for beginners
Replies: 160
Views: 12341

Re: Tire flat fixing for beginners

Keep in mind I'm a car guy, so my answer may be a bit biased... This is a skill anyone who drives should have period. You can't always count on AAA or anyone else to change a tire for you. If strength is an issue then keep a breaker bar in the trunk. Have your kids practice so that the first time they change a tire isn't when they have to on the side of the road. I'm the independent type, so I always try to make sure not only me, but the ones I care about also, can handle themselves if needed. In addition to the spare tire/jack, I'd carry the following at a minimum: - socket for lug nuts (including special sockets for security lugs) - breaker bar for leverage - portable air compressor w/ guage - tire repair kit (this has saved me in the pas...
by fire5soon
Mon Jun 07, 2021 5:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: plumber cost to "run snake to unclog pipes"
Replies: 66
Views: 5939

Re: plumber cost to "run snake to unclog pipes"

The main drain line away from my house was recently clogged. Couldn't run any sink or flush toilets. So I rented a 75' self feeding snake from Home Depot for $75 and had the drain unclogged in less than 10 minutes which fixed the problem. The job itself can be very quick and simple, but the tools needed to perform this job are not cheap. It does seem expensive, but it doesn't seem excessive, especially if they fixed the problem.
by fire5soon
Mon Feb 01, 2021 6:37 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Geico or Progressive auto insurance?
Replies: 37
Views: 5200

Re: Geico or Progressive auto insurance?

I had Geico for years, however after my wife was actually in an accident and Geico refused to acknowledge court documents, I decided it was time to switch. My wife was in a two vehicle accident and the highway patrol on scene said she was at fault based on an incorrect assumption he made. We disputed this from the very beginning. We hired an attorney, went to court to argue our side of the accident, and a judge agreed with us. We had court documents signed by a judge stating my wife was NOT at fault for the accident. During these proceedings the other driver filed a claim against us and Geico paid. They paid this file incorrectly even though we had court proceedings pending. Despite us having court documents confirming my wife was not at fa...
by fire5soon
Sat Nov 21, 2020 9:43 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sharkbite Fittings
Replies: 18
Views: 2279

Re: Sharkbite Fittings

They are fine as long as you have access to them. IOW do not seal them behind a wall as they can fail over time. I personally don't use them as I don't fully trust them. I've read some horror stories although some seem to love them.
by fire5soon
Thu Oct 29, 2020 6:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Harbor Freight Good Values?
Replies: 88
Views: 6982

Re: Harbor Freight Good Values?

I've beat my 4.5" $10 angle grinder and $20 reciprocating saw to death and they won't die. Used their power tile wet saw to install a new closet/bathroom floor and it worked flawlessly for 1/3 the price Home Depot wanted. Had really good luck with several types of pneumatic nailers too. But I did strip a pair of channel locks the first use and didn't bother to return them. However when I needed an impact driver I bought a Milwaukee, for a good router I bought a Mikita, and for an air impact I bought an Ingersoll Rand. These are tools I will use often and expect them to last longer than I will. The key with HF is to have realistic expectations and don't expect everything to last more than a couple of uses. If they last longer than that ...
by fire5soon
Thu Oct 29, 2020 11:52 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Harbor Freight Good Values?
Replies: 88
Views: 6982

Re: Harbor Freight Good Values?

I purchase a lot of misc hand tools there and have only had a few minor issues... But I can admit I was using the tool improperly and caused it to break... too much leverage or force on my part. I'm in need of a larger air compressor to power an air ratchet and other tools... I know they sell them. Anyone have an experience with theirs? Specific models, air cool vs liquid cooled, etc. I have a 15 year old smaller craftsman that has really done well for me in the past, but it is simply not capable of doing the work for the upcoming jobs I need to take care of on my Jeep. Thanks!! I've had their 21 gallon 125psi air compressor for about 3 years and it's served me well. I run air tools and.have painted quite a few things successfully with the...
by fire5soon
Wed Aug 05, 2020 5:48 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Another Toilet Question
Replies: 26
Views: 2931

Re: Another Toilet Question

If the toilet flange is too low in relation to the floor then there are flange spacers you can use that are 1/4" thick or more to raise the toilet rather than doubling up on wax rings. I also always use a flanged wax ring myself rather than a plain ring. Not sure it really helps but it makes me feel better anyway and I haven't had a leak in the nearly 10 toilets I've installed.
by fire5soon
Sun Aug 02, 2020 6:44 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Car Windshield Cracked [Insurance coverage]
Replies: 17
Views: 2090

Re: Car Windshield Cracked

In Florida you do not pay a deductible if you have comprehensive coverage, but it is considered a claim and will raise your premiums.and can also impact your umbrella policy if you have one. At least that was my experience. If I had it to do over again I would have paid for it out of pocket and not involved insurance.
by fire5soon
Sun Aug 02, 2020 8:38 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How long to keep a car
Replies: 110
Views: 11358

Re: How long to keep a car

My daily driver is 16 years old and my project car is over 20 years old. I'm a car guy though and enjoy maintaining/repairing the vehicles myself, so my thoughts on the matter may be skewed.

I personally don't like newer cars with all the extra features and prefer more simple models. In fact my favorite car to drive was a 1965 (which I never should have sold, but that's a story for another thread....)
by fire5soon
Sun Jul 05, 2020 2:43 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Am I crazy to do this? [Equity Allocation 50/50 TSM/NASDAQ]
Replies: 150
Views: 13496

Re: Am I crazy to do this?

I have worked in the finance industry for over 20 years and worked directly with clients who invested during the 90's tech mania. Long story short... it didn't end well for most of them. I learned a lot of lessons without having to pay the tuition myself. One particular client (who was blue collar and made less than $50k/yr) had a $12 million position in JDSU which was considered a safe company at the time. They had ridden that stock a long way up and refused to sell any of it because they thought it would go up forever. Unfortunately for them JDSU was not as invincible as they thought and that $12 million became dang near worthless. Over 20 years later and I still think about them and how sickening they must have felt. TSM and broad index ...
by fire5soon
Fri Jul 03, 2020 11:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Encryption for the cloud
Replies: 19
Views: 2087

Re: Encryption for the cloud

Thanks for everyone's thoughts. I'll research the options mentioned. I've heard really good things about Boxcryptor but I'm not crazy about giving them my Google password.

Thanks again!
by fire5soon
Fri Jul 03, 2020 7:30 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Encryption for the cloud
Replies: 19
Views: 2087

Encryption for the cloud

Hello, all. I know this is a well worn topic but I didn't see this issue while searching previous threads. I have a 10 year old laptop on its last legs which has been replaced with a Chromebook. The Chromebook will be my only computer so I will no longer be able to use traditional software like Backblaze to backup files, so I will need to utilize Google Drive more heavily. I have used Drive lightly in the past and I like it, but I want to encrypt more sensitive files prior to uploading. I've read many positive threads on Boxcryptor so I downloaded the app. However I didn't realize I had to supply my Google email and password to Boxcryptor in order to use it with Drive. For obvious reasons this is a concern. Are there any solid encryption ap...
by fire5soon
Thu Jun 04, 2020 4:29 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Shack or McMansion?
Replies: 28
Views: 4539

Re: Shack or McMansion?

The older I get the smaller I wish my house was. Less to maintain, less to fix, less to pay taxes on, less to insure.
by fire5soon
Wed Jun 03, 2020 7:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Annuity in IRA for 85yr old
Replies: 10
Views: 1236

Re: Annuity in IRA for 85yr old

Hi Bogleheads, I'm reaching out as I respect the input of this group more than any other. My father in law is 85 with Dementia at a facility. My mother in law, 82,has POA. Years back they got sold into an annuity and put in his IRA. Although I fell that's a horrible idea it was done before I met them. The death benefit is currently 129k with a current cash value of 35k. The plan had a 6% rollup to age 85. Now that he reached that threshold the annual ratchet to age 85 ends. So the fees on the account are now $5723 a year. Ridiculous! With no increases in the cash value the fees will wipe the account down to zero in likely 5-6 years. So then the death benefit will cease as no more funds will be available to pay the premium. Being in the IRA...
by fire5soon
Thu Apr 30, 2020 6:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Sibling inheritance of Traditional IRA - sharing with other siblings
Replies: 35
Views: 3263

Re: Sibling inheritance of Traditional IRA - sharing with other siblings

Depending on the state the brother lives in they can use a small estate affidavit. Some states have very low limits (like $10k) and some states have very high limits (six figures). If you don't qualify for an affidavit, and you don't want to probate, you may be able to obtain a court order to distribute the asset but not likely. Research the options/limits for his state.

I'm not an attorney or expert, but I do have some experience with estate distribution. Good luck and my condolences.
by fire5soon
Mon Apr 27, 2020 9:49 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Brighthouse Shield Annuity Pitched to Parents - check my work?
Replies: 23
Views: 2749

Re: Brighthouse Shield Annuity Pitched to Parents - check my work?

These are called structured annuities and they are 100% a bad idea. They are considered alternative products and are much, much more risky than people realize. Run away as fast as you can from these.
by fire5soon
Thu Apr 23, 2020 6:23 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: All the upside of the S&P with 10% downside protection "Free"?
Replies: 116
Views: 11296

Re: All the upside of the S&P with 10% downside protection "Free"?

I don't have a lot of time to respond so I'll keep it short: Run away as fast as you can. These are considered alternative structured products and have even more supervision and scrutiny over them than even the run of the mill bad idea annuities. There are many reasons not to buy them and several have already been mentioned. Another reason I'll mention briefly is their crediting strategies. If you try to withdraw any or some if the money within those first six years you not only pay penalties but they also withhold a percentage of the "earnings" you've made as well since you didn't hold to term. If you ask the advisor to explain the mechanics of this in detail to you they will either lie or stutter their way through it. It's been ...
by fire5soon
Wed Apr 22, 2020 9:03 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Your views on used car parts Industry
Replies: 31
Views: 1808

Re: Your views on used car parts Industry

As a car guy who does my own repairs, I never go to places like AutoZone or Advance unless I absolutely have to. A vast majority of the time, unless I'm buying a specific performance part, I buy from either Amazon or RockAuto. I've even hit the junk yard numerous times depending on what I need. Places like Advance are so expensive for typically inferior parts that I avoid them. My other "car guy" friends do to.
by fire5soon
Tue Mar 17, 2020 8:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: DIY CV axle replacement -any tips from BH who have done this?
Replies: 17
Views: 1532

Re: DIY CV axle replacement -any tips from BH who have done this?

I've done many of these and, other than an impact to get the axle nut off, the item that has helped me over the years is a good long pry bar to help separate the axle from the transmission. I got a cheap set like the link below years ago and it helps a great deal.

https://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece-h ... -1654.html
by fire5soon
Tue Feb 18, 2020 7:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Perform own oil change pros & cons?
Replies: 224
Views: 15545

Re: Perform own oil change pros & cons?

I've always done my own maintenance (engine oil, trans fluid, brake fluid, differential fluid, fuel filters, air filters, etc.) not always due to cost, but also because I can control the quality of the materials used. You couldn't pay me to use the cheap filters I'm sure jiffy lube uses to keep costs down. Instead I use WIX on all my vehicles for example. I use Mobil 1 oil. I'm not at the whim of what a quickie lube happen to get cheap at bulk that week. I reluctantly had the dealership change the oil on my wife's new car one time years ago because it was free. They barely finger tightened the drain plug and it leaked everywhere. Never again. That was a lesson that even free can turn very expensive. Do it yourself, do it right, and do it wi...
by fire5soon
Tue Feb 11, 2020 6:40 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Taken for a ride for Car maintenance [Can I dispute Credit card charge?]
Replies: 101
Views: 9696

Re: Taken for a ride for Car maintenance [Can I dispute Credit card charge?]

Never blindly trust what any shop tells you, dealership or otherwise. Take this with a grain of salt because I'm a car guy and I do all my own work. I mount and balance my own tires now, but a few years ago I took my car in to a shop for new tires and that's all. The tech looked my car over and suggested over $2k of "needed" maintenance. One item was new spark plugs. I had just changed the plugs myself less than 10k miles prior. When I asked why this was needed they said the tech just went off the vehicle mileage. They also said I needed new springs & struts for the same reason even though I had replaced those as well within the prior 12mths. Again, due to vehicle mileage. I respectfully decline and just went with the tires. I...
by fire5soon
Sun Feb 09, 2020 1:52 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Brighthouse Shield Annuities
Replies: 28
Views: 2779

Re: Brighthouse Shield Annuities

Without getting too far into the details, I work in the finance industry and as a result have experience with this product. It's a bad idea.

They are considered structured alternative investments and are under much higher suitability scrutiny than almost any other type of insurance product. You have a very limited capped upside with the possibility of losing 90% of your principal every year. Depending on when you access the funds you not only pay a penalty but may also only earn a portion of the "credit". They are so complicated that almost none of the advisors I work with understand how they actually work.

I understand what you're trying to accomplish, but based on my experience this is a poor vehicle to rely upon.
by fire5soon
Wed Feb 05, 2020 7:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Family man who misses driving a fun car
Replies: 181
Views: 18151

Re: Family man who misses driving a fun car

My fun/project car is a LS 4th gen F body. Looks good, handles well, tons of mod options for the LS platform, and I can fit the Rugrats in the back. Perfect family car :-). For me there's nothing quite like American V8 muscle.
by fire5soon
Wed Feb 05, 2020 6:14 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Those Who Want to Work Past 70
Replies: 25
Views: 2988

Re: Those Who Want to Work Past 70

Others may have said this but, even if you want to work past 70, I would plan to be FI much earlier. Your health or your employer may not have the same longevity that your desire to work has.
by fire5soon
Thu Jan 30, 2020 9:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should we keep our new car extended warranty?
Replies: 40
Views: 2876

Re: Should we keep our new car extended warranty?

As a reminder... I LIVE IN THE RUST BELT ....if I lived in say, Arizona, it would be a different matter. It seems extremely unlikely that I will not need to get significant suspension work done in the 100-150k mile range. An additional consideration: labor and parts costs will only rise over the next ten years...so there's that. . I've lived in the rust belt for all but 5 years of my life, and I've never had significant suspension work needed on any car I've ever owned. Impressive...do you keep your cars a long time? I just had to replace an axle on a car due to a rusted out tone ring...set me back $1500. This makes me glad I work on my own cars. I replaced the same part on my wife's car myself for about $80 in less than an hour. Sometimes...
by fire5soon
Wed Oct 02, 2019 8:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Classic car (~70s convertible)
Replies: 19
Views: 2452

Re: Classic car (~70s convertible)

The only comment I'll make is even though you say you don't know much about cars then you better be willing to learn. A 40+ year old car will have issues. Not if, but when. I am a car guy and I enjoy working on them. To me having a project car and learning new repair/mod skills is part of it. If you rely on someone else to do the work for you you'll quickly get tired of it.

Good luck no matter what you decide.
by fire5soon
Mon Sep 23, 2019 6:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Where do you buy parts for DIY Auto repairs
Replies: 46
Views: 4893

Re: Where do you buy parts for DIY Auto repairs

I price compare typically between rockauto and Amazon. I have purchased off eBay if I needed a hard to find used part. I've been known to hit a few junk yards in my day too (which I enjoy way more than I should).

I only go to a local parts store if I'm in a real bind or crunch due to the huge difference in price compared to the previously mentioned sources.
by fire5soon
Sun Sep 22, 2019 6:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Removing ceramic tile with hammerdrill+chisel bits
Replies: 18
Views: 3193

Re: Removing ceramic tile with hammerdrill+chisel bits

I used a cheap harbor freight air hammer with a wide bit to get 18" tile off of a concrete slab. Worked like a charm.
by fire5soon
Wed Sep 18, 2019 1:59 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Annuity question
Replies: 19
Views: 2304

Re: Annuity question

Anyone have the details on a similar annuity that they got the detailed paperwork on? So you put the money in up front and it magically grows to double in 10 years. Then they give you 6% of that final amount for the rest of your life. This is the headline. I'm looking for the gottchas for the investor and the investors heirs. Where is the commission paid to the broker? Where are the fees paid to the annuity? What if you die on year 11 (first year after you start getting payments)? Do your heirs get the cash value which is much less than double the original amount i'm sure. I'm going to guess the cash value grows at ~3% not 7.2%. At that 6% withdrawal rate you will, in theory, spend down the doubled amount in 16 years. Then you are living o...
by fire5soon
Tue Sep 17, 2019 4:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: $2k repairs on $12K car
Replies: 81
Views: 6692

Re: $2k repairs on $12K car

robphoto wrote: Tue Sep 17, 2019 4:41 pm (......)
If it were my car, I'd have the brakes done, and the battery, skip the fluids unless the owner's manual calls for it (seems kind of early in the car's life), get the cabin air filter from a parts store or amazon for 10. and put it in myself (usually very simple) (......)
This is good advice. I'm a car guy so I'd do all the work myself for less than $250 plus the cost of the battery. This all pretty easy stuff to do. Much of what they are proposing sounds complicated but it's very easy.
by fire5soon
Mon Sep 16, 2019 10:20 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Annuity question
Replies: 19
Views: 2304

Re: Annuity question

Your cash value doesn't double. The benefit base that they use to calculate the income the rider will provide will double. That variable contract probably has around 3.5% in annual fees (at least} which can increase as a percentage of the contract value.

VA's with an income Rider is a bad idea 99.998% of the time.
by fire5soon
Sat Sep 07, 2019 11:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Does anybody replace HVAC capacitors presumptively before they fail as part of maintenance?
Replies: 44
Views: 5889

Re: Does anybody replace HVAC capacitors presumptively before they fail as part of maintenance?

You can buy them on Amazon for around $25 - $50 depending on which one you need. I keep a spare in the garage ready to go for when the time comes. They are a simple dyi task for most folks. If you're unsure how to replace one there are tons of YouTube videos to show you how.

Good luck
by fire5soon
Sun Sep 01, 2019 9:33 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Did humanity ever make good Gas cans
Replies: 70
Views: 8306

Re: Did humanity ever make good Gas cans

I do just fine with cheap cans but the pour spouts are horrible due to law changes several years ago. I buy replacement pour spouts on Amazon pretty cheaply and have been satisfied.
by fire5soon
Fri Aug 23, 2019 11:11 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should I skip scheduled car maintenance?
Replies: 26
Views: 2341

Re: Should I skip scheduled car maintenance?

Here's essentially what I do:

Every 5k miles:
- oil & filter
- rotate tires

Every 25k miles:
- change fuel filter
- change trans fluid & filter (NOT flush)
- change cabin filter
- change air filter

Every 50k miles:
- change spark plugs
- change coolant
- typically will change belts (cheap & easy insurance)

Every two years:
- change brake fluid
- change clutch fluid (if a manual)

Some of this may be overkill but I do it myself and it's easy for me to remember the mileage increments. So, no pun intended, but YMMV :beer
by fire5soon
Sat Aug 10, 2019 8:03 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buy historic, walkable home or stay in blah subdivision with short commute?
Replies: 56
Views: 7222

Re: Buy historic, walkable home or stay in blah subdivision with short commute?

My apologies if I'm repeating something someone has already said. Historical homes often come with city restrictions to keep them period specific. For example you can't paint your house the color you want, it has to be on a city approved list of colors. Or you can't alter the exterior look of the home with additions or modifications. This may not be your situation but something to look in to.

Now I'm off to make weekend repairs to my own house...
by fire5soon
Fri Aug 02, 2019 10:49 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Extreme Anxiety with Time/Money
Replies: 95
Views: 11115

Re: Extreme Anxiety with Time/Money

I have a severe independent streak in me so I like doing everything myself. I also enjoy learning how things work and fixing things. Unfortunately I have a very difficult time trusting others to do a job correctly without ripping me off which is also a big reason I DIY. If a project arises that I don't know a lot about I see it as an opportunity to learn. I've been a homeowner for 20 years. I'm willing/able to take on projects now that I never could have back then. That comes with time and experience which you'll accumulate yourself. Don't beat yourself up over not instantly knowing how to do everything all at once. Prioritize your projects. A leaking roof obviously needs to be addressed before the weeds. Things aren't crumbling around you....
by fire5soon
Thu Aug 01, 2019 5:03 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Car Repair Question
Replies: 29
Views: 2769

Re: Car Repair Question

I replaced the a/c compressor on one of my vehicles recently. For the compressor, receiver/dryer, and refrigerant it was less than $250. I already have a set of gauges (can get from Harbor Freight for maybe $50) and I rented a vacuum pump from a parts store for free. So if you have a little knowledge on how the system works and some motivation you can do the repair fairly cheaply yourself.

Dealerships will usually be much more expensive. Take it to a shop that specializes in AC work and the price should be lower.
by fire5soon
Thu Jul 25, 2019 8:48 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Fidelity customer service declining?
Replies: 95
Views: 12155

Re: Fidelity customer service declining?

A letter to the CEO is considered a formal written 351 complaint and they are required to respond to you. They may not tell you what you want to hear, but they must respond.
by fire5soon
Thu Jul 25, 2019 5:59 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Update with Part 2: What would it take for you, the non-landlord, passive-investor, to become a landlord?
Replies: 57
Views: 5685

Re: What would it take for you, the non-landlord, passive-investor, to become a landlord?

I was/am that passive investor who became a landlord for nearly a decade. I hated every minute of it. I finally sold that property and vowed to never become a landlord again. Not to paint tenants with a broad brush, but you are working with someone who does not care about the property as much as you, can just walk away from the property at any time without much repercussion, and has a vast majority of the legal protections against you. I'm fairly handy so I was able to fix things whenever they broke. Things seemed to break more often when I had tenants living there versus when I lived there... :? I spent many weekends there fixing things when I could have been home doing other more pleasurable things. When the last tenant moved out it took ...
by fire5soon
Mon Jul 15, 2019 9:48 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Tenant turned off all utilities advice please!!
Replies: 85
Views: 9865

Re: Tenant turned off all utilities advice please!!

Back when I was a landlord (so happy to have sold it and am out of that business) I once had a tenant tell me the unit smelled fine, but when he put his nose right up against the carpet in certain areas of the living room that the carpet smelled, so he wanted it to be professionally cleaned. When I asked why he was putting his nose into the living room carpet he told me that's where he did yoga and some of the poses he did caused his face to go into the floor :oops:

Whether your brother can use the security deposit for this kind of thing is entirely dependent on your local (state/county/municipal) laws. He either needs to contact an attorney, read up on those laws, or return the deposit and move on with life.
by fire5soon
Fri Jul 12, 2019 6:19 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Car DIY, NYC.
Replies: 33
Views: 2174

Re: Car DIY, NYC.

Honestly if you're not willing to do an oil change I don't know why we're talking about spark plugs and brake jobs. An oil change is about as basic as it gets. Some folks just aren't meant to work on their vehicles which is a shame because I really enjoy it. However if you're not willing to change your oil then I wouldn't venture beyond topping off windshield washer fluid and checking tire pressure. Again, it’s really an issue of space constraint. They live in a co-op in Brooklyn NY with one parking spot. A small parking spot at that. What is required to change the oil? Besides the new oil and new filter; A wrench, a container for old oil, a jack and preferably a rolling mat to lie on under the car, jack stands if you want to be safe. Wher...
by fire5soon
Fri Jul 12, 2019 5:08 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Car DIY, NYC.
Replies: 33
Views: 2174

Re: Car DIY, NYC.

Honestly if you're not willing to do an oil change I don't know why we're talking about spark plugs and brake jobs. An oil change is about as basic as it gets. Some folks just aren't meant to work on their vehicles which is a shame because I really enjoy it. However if you're not willing to change your oil then I wouldn't venture beyond topping off windshield washer fluid and checking tire pressure.
by fire5soon
Tue Jul 09, 2019 5:08 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Keep or Sell Rental Real Estate
Replies: 18
Views: 1433

Re: Keep or Sell Rental Real Estate

Also consider depreciation recapture when you sell. The tax man gives you a benefit up front but takes his pound of flesh when you sell. Just something else to consider.
by fire5soon
Sat Jul 06, 2019 11:25 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: HVAC possibly damaged by lightening
Replies: 10
Views: 1034

Re: HVAC possibly damaged by lightening

If it were me I would only use my HOI to cover a catastrophic loss. If you do try to make a claim then expect your premium increases as a result of the claim to quickly eat away any money you received to cover the loss.
by fire5soon
Fri Jul 05, 2019 7:04 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do you share your net worth with family members?
Replies: 252
Views: 28904

Re: Do you share your net worth with family members?

I'm barely willing to admit what my light bill was last month, but I'm typically a very private person on details like this.
by fire5soon
Thu Jun 27, 2019 4:48 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Securing a "Private Pension"?
Replies: 18
Views: 3047

Re: Securing a "Private Pension"?

Based on the description it sounds like an indexed annuity with a joint life income rider. Couple of points: - Indexed annuities typically have a capped upside based on an equity index but the contract value does not fall based on that index. - The advisor may say there are no fees, but the income rider certainly does have a fee which is taken from the contract value. - Joint life income rider withdrawal rates are based on the younger spouses age. Typically the withdrawal rate on joint life riders is about 50bps lower than a single life rider. - Advisors like to call this type of contract a private pension because it offers a lifetime income stream based on the income rider. Anyone can buy these contracts, not just the top 1% or 2%. That wa...
by fire5soon
Sat Jun 22, 2019 11:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dealer 30K Service for 2017 RAV4--Unusual Items?
Replies: 52
Views: 6249

Re: Dealer 30K Service for 2017 RAV4--Unusual Items?

Get a couple of cans of Seafoam and add a can to your gas tank a couple of times a year. $7 or so a can and works well.
by fire5soon
Fri Jun 14, 2019 8:50 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buy Mini-Van Tomorrow or No?
Replies: 59
Views: 4728

Re: Buy Mini-Van Tomorrow or No?

I hope you're handy in the garage if you're buying a Dodge/Chrysler. My spouse purchased a Dodge new and within the first 50k miles I had to replace a front wheel bearing, alternator, new transmission (under warranty), rewire a cigarette lighter plug that had a break in the power wire, replace the throttle position sensor, ambient air temp sensor, abs pump, and some other stuff I'm sure I'm forgetting. All within the first 50k miles. Around 70k miles I had to replace a CV axle. It was not a reliable car. Luckily I was able to do all of this myself except for the transmission which was replaced free under warranty. If I had to pay a shop for all of this it would have been thousands. The ABS pump alone would have pushed $2k. (I got the parts ...
by fire5soon
Wed Jun 12, 2019 6:00 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Central Air Conditioning Troubleshooting
Replies: 18
Views: 1588

Re: Central Air Conditioning Troubleshooting

The most common reason for the problem you describe is a bad capacitor. If you have a multimeter you can determine if the capacitor is bad pretty easily (especially one that can test capacitance). YouTube is your friend here. If the capacitor is bad then it's a super easy fix.

If you do mess with the capacitor remember that it can still hold a charge and might need to be discharged. Most folks just use a screwdriver. Again, YouTube has all this info.

Good luck!