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Midpack

FOLLOW UP: I've been very pleased with Income Strategy, though it has taken a few weeks, and a one hour session for $125 to get a few questions answered that I could not figure out on my own. I'd say I'm middle savvy for this forum audience, not as savvy as many here (many I can name), but not a new...

Midpack

I just subscribed to the Income Strategy basic package, and the results have been fascinating. I didn’t find manually inputting my data to be difficult. The results were mostly self explanatory but not entirely, so I plan to sign up for a $125 one hour session - looking forward to it, we’ll see how ...

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Other options to consider: Tivo Roamio OTA and Channel Master DVR+. Why? Both these boxes are designed around free OTA TV, whereas the Roku box seems to support streaming-video only. My research (internet and YouTube reviews) has led me to these boxes (~$400 each, but can be found for less with res...

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With a new house, you get to choose everything (unless it's a spec home), that's a big plus. With a new home, there should be a warranty, typically a year where I've lived. If there are any gross issues, they should surface within a year. But it's imperative you choose your builder very carefully, t...

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I bought my home in 2011 and it has increased in value ~$150k. The home is in a sought after area in my city and real estate in the area is hot. Now, we have outgrown the house and are in what I see as a catch-22. Our home is up in value, but if we sell and move we will face buying a home in this m...

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Go to tirerack.com, pull up your vehicle, and then compare as many different tires as you want that fit on it. Consumer surveys on this website will rate each tire on multiple criteria, including the two that are most important to you. Tirerack.com is generally excellent, however since Goodyear sta...

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2. An external mic and a tripod seem to be consistent recommendations. Will do. A tripod might be a little awkward. As long as you use a camcorder with an external mic jack, you can buy a corded lapel mic starting as low as $20 with a 20-30 foot cord. Or if you want more freedom, a wireless lapel m...

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Reducing auto accidents is a primary goal with autonomous cars, not simply replacing humans. In today's level 0-1 cars, 90% of accidents are attributed to human error. Most if not all those accidents could be eliminated, but it's an extraordinarily complex problem. Like others have said, it will pro...

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Would a GoPro model of some kind work for the OP? They seem lightweight and not too expensive (at least some models). But maybe they wouldn't be able to handle audio adequately? Forget audio - GoPros are designed as action cameras, which is the opposite of what you want for the uses that Victoria i...

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I know more about cameras, many of them have considerable video capabilities, but not trying to sway you from a camcorder. In camera world: low light means faster lenses which cost more. If you have stage lighting, you may not need great low light capability unless you want to capture the audience t...

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Dropping cable turned out to be way better than we thought it would when we did it over a year ago. The only downside is some college and pro football games aren't available - but we can live with that. That's why they invented taverns with televisions. Roku 3 boxes with regular TVs; we pay for Hul...

Midpack

I don't know if this would help, but if you mainly watch TV shows which are provided by the major networks (NBC, CBS, ABC) and simply don't want to pay for cable, perhaps an antenna such as the Leaf by Mohu would suffice. It's less than $50, it is flat so you can hang it on your wall behind a pictu...

Midpack

That's incredible, ^^^, congrats. I thought I did well getting Dish Network from $82+/mo to $43+/mo. Could you elaborate on your TV package? How many channels? How many TV's? DVR? And what does it go to after 2 years, though I assume you'll move on anyway. Regardless you've done way better than most...

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Like others, we have two cars and stagger our purchases, we typically keep cars for 8-10 years. Most modern cars are good for 200K miles, some can go much longer if you're willing to absorb major maintenance. We're frugal, but I will NOT put my wife on the road with an older car, she drives the newe...

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10 Mbps is what I have and there is little to no issue streaming HD. As TSR said above, however, if you are streaming on the TV and someone else begins simultaneously steaming a video on the laptop you might experience buffering (e.g., pausing). +1. I've been streaming 1080p every day for more than...

Midpack

Followup question if I may: where does Roku fit on your listing? Just another box to add on? If you're talking to me, it was in post #2 above. But in summary: If you plan to stream to a television, you'll need: An internet connection of at least 10 Mbps. More devices or more than 1080p and you'll n...

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Here's an article I wrote re the topic. http://www.getinthegreen.com/blog/budget-series-2016-cable-internet Good summary, lots of good info. I am curious why you don't point out the distinction between streaming services that provide live streaming and on-demand (Sling, DirecTV Now, PlayStation Vue...

Midpack

Here's an article I wrote re the topic. http://www.getinthegreen.com/blog/budget-series-2016-cable-internet Good summary, lots of good info. I am curious why you don't point out the distinction between streaming services that provide live streaming and on-demand (Sling, DirecTV Now, PlayStation Vue...

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Most streaming services I've seen recommend a minimum of 10 mpbs to stream 1080p, plus an added 5 mpbs per additional device. However, at least in my area DSL isn't much faster than 4G mobile, so it might be just as good as you have if I understand your situation. I think most 4G is less than 10 mbp...

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+1. The Mohu Leaf antenna works well in our (very hilly) area. We attached it to a window (great asthetic, too!) We're 38 miles from the closest broadcast tower, and we get up to 49 channels with a cheap old Terk OTA (powered) antenna. But as you know, OTA is highly location dependent - we can only...

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I cut cord years ago, have a TiVO, broadcast channels (lots), and Netflix. Ditched landline and replaced with Ooma. Currently paying $35 for 50 megabit provided by RCN (will go up when intro offer expires). I own my modem and router too, so no ugly rental fees for me. Works very well for my family....

Midpack

Hulu, Amazon Prime and Netflix aren't cable cutting alternatives, they "re-run libraries." With essentially no live TV. The only cable cutting alternatives to cable & satellite with live TV, some with cloud DVR's, etc. are: OTA (FREE local channels, highly dependent on your location) S...

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We don't keep expenses separate, it's worked well for 37 years so far. As long as you're financially compatible, I'm not sure why it's necessary - my SO and I are both frugal. As a courtesy, we tell each other before any big expense (say anything over a couple hundred $) - she has never once told me...

Midpack

I have Bogleheads in my favorites, and I start with "New Posts" and just read those of interest, some new (so it all hinges on the title) some I've already participated in. If I start a thread, I'll usually check in whenever I'm online and there's a new post.

Midpack

Go look at Consumer Reports reliability ratings. I'm guessing they're not good. Poorly rated here too https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/fiat/500/reliability "Low mileage and very inexpensive" is almost always for good reason. I am in the market for an inexpensive used car (under 10k) and...

Midpack

Have recently replaced some big ticket items like the furnace, AC and several appliances. This is the spending category that many retirees forget or underestimate IME. Those major expenses that occur at 5-10-15 or greater year intervals, and you can't time them all exactly. In addition to HVAC and ...

Midpack

I do the day-to-day money management. If any sort of money issue comes up outside that arena, we talk it over. After all, it's her money too. I tell my SO everything I do financially as it is her money too, and she appreciates it, but she couldn't care less. I've told her our net worth dozens of ti...

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Test drive or do a rental for a newer Camry. Compared to a Prius, I find the driving so much more powerful and responsive. Also, gas mileage is amazing for what you get (30 mpg) -- better even than smaller cars. I don't think you can go wrong with a new Camry. Our 10 year old Camry Hybrid gets over...

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Just two of us, we're foodies, so higher than average and we could cut back (we could spend a lot more too). In 2016 we totaled $14.1K. * Food & liquor - $7.8K * Dining out - $6.3K (we dine out every Sat & Sun) We all have our individual hobbies, wants & desires - so I'm not sure what on...

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I wish we did, but she has zero interest. She does balance our checking account, pays most bills (online) and we've always kept a budget updated monthly, but everything else is my responsibility. I used to trade individual stocks with no fixed income, but fortunately our portfolio these days is pret...

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I don't have any alternative investments either, and often think I should. Real estate, collectibles, other? My BIL is a builder, and he buys, fixes and rents out homes, he has about 10 now. As a professional builder, it's a natural for him, unlike most of us. He can use his regular crew for any mai...

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Ocean view home in San Diego County short walking distance to a swimable beach that isn't surrounded by tourist or seasonal rentals. It doesn't exist so the rest of my dream home details don't matter. Anyone else care to share WHERE there dream home is located? What town(s), state(s)? +1. Where is ...

Midpack

At least on Honda hybrids, when the battery is not running efficiently as it should, it will trigger an engine light to be turned ON. If the engine light is ON, it will NOT pass annual state inspection. So on a perfectly good running car, you are forced to change the expensive hybrid battery. No us...

Midpack

We're going to downsize, our reasonable dream home: -Single story 1300-1800 sqft, single family most likely, we favor quality finishes/systems over size -Energy efficient, maybe even solar some day -Few if any built ins. -Small yard, in a suburb, not rural - with a major metro area within an hours d...

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I have iBooks and it's very nice, though virtually unreadable outdoors as noted above. But not surprisingly, Kindle books are almost always a few $ cheaper. So I have the free Kindle app on my iPad and buy Kindle eBooks more often than not. I know lots of people with the paperwhite Kindle readers, e...

Midpack

I'm always skittish about buying the first year of a redesign no matter what make and model, I'd wait if possible. There are two valid reasons people buy hybrids, high mpg is only one, the other is lower emissions (less often mentioned). An individual choice. Hybrid batteries are lasting longer than...

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Buy another copy of the book. Don't unintentionally create tension over $7-9. Let it go. +1. If it wasn't tied to work, might be no harm in persisting, but it IS work related. You've given her several opportunities to return the book. It's not worth confronting her over $7-9. Buy another, and you k...

Midpack

^^^ I had a different opinion. Subject: What Movie Have You Recently Watched? (Aug 02, 2015) Interstellar . The opinions in this thread run from "best" to "worst" movie ever. No doubt, it's the worst movie ever - at least for those above "B" grade production quality. T...

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Hi again all, OP here. Would 10 mbps internet be adequate? Our house is just my wife and me, with a baby on the way, so at any one time the most devices we'd have streaming is two. I think 10Mbps would be fine for you as long as you're not doing 4K. I once had 15Mbps service and was able to do two ...

Midpack

Wow. Other than my 401k, I was entirely individual stocks until my mid-40's with a 100% equity AA. It wasn't until then that I bought into an equity mutual fund in our own accounts and early 50's before I bought our first fixed income fund (in my 401k). By my mid-50's I'd sold off all our individual...

Midpack

It is area dependent. We pay $50/mo for internet and $40/mo for PS Vue (luckily we're in a metro area that includes all the local major networks live plus cable networks), where we were paying $82/mo for Dish satellite. Doesn't sound like much, but we save $509/year and we're not bound by a contrac...

Midpack

It is area dependent. We pay $50/mo for internet and $40/mo for PS Vue (luckily we're in a metro area that includes all the local major networks live plus cable networks), where we were paying $82/mo for Dish satellite. Doesn't sound like much, but we save $509/year and we're not bound by a contract...

Midpack

Like more and more people, I probably own my last desktop PC. When it dies, I'll get a laptop if anything.

https://www.wired.com/2015/07/death-pc- ... aggerated/

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What I was trying to illustrate is there are (at least) four levels of service & cost: 1) Conventional cable or satellite - the most channels, all live or DVR'd - highest cost ($80-$250/mo) 2) Full service streaming with DVR and on demand libraries, including local major networks like PS Vue in ...

Midpack

I am all for cord cutting. However. Most here know, but to be sure - Netflix, Amazon Prime and Hulu are not programming replacements for cable or satellite TV, they are libraries of past TV shows and past movies with ZERO live content. If you're happy with nothing but TV & movie reruns, you can ...

Midpack

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Midpack

Like others have said, no smart TV will be as capable as an external streaming device - just make sure you buy a TV with several HDMI ports and at least one (or more) with HDCP 2.2 to future proof yourself for 4K. Apple TV is more/overpriced but most streaming devices, Roku, Chromecast, Amazon Fire...

Midpack

Like others have said, no smart TV will be as capable as an external streaming device - just make sure you buy a TV with several HDMI ports and at least one (or more) with HDCP 2.2 to future proof yourself for 4K. Apple TV is more/overpriced but most streaming devices, Roku, Chromecast, Amazon Fire ...

Midpack

Several related threads, and some misinfo above, but I'd summarize as follows: If you want to completely replace cable or satellite, and you want live TV including local major channels you have two choices: PlayStation Vue ($40/mo and up) if you're in or close to New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Phil...

Midpack

For the folks who use Hulu, Netflix and similar, do you still have a Basic Cable for Internet service, for example Comcast internet only ? As I understand it, you get your subscriptions from the outside service but need a wifi feed inside your home. Or are you able to completely cut the cable also ...

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