Search found 1843 matches

by littlebird
Sun Sep 19, 2021 9:55 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 30 year retirement
Replies: 29
Views: 5814

Re: 30 year retirement

Thirty-three years for me. My spouse made it to thirty one years.
by littlebird
Wed Sep 15, 2021 8:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Will not using my dishwasher cause problems?
Replies: 110
Views: 59303

Re: Will not using my dishwasher cause problems?

walkabout wrote: Thu Jul 24, 2014 2:38 pm I have always wished for two dishwashers. One for dirty, one for clean.
That’s what I treated myself to when I baked a lot. Now I’m alone and only use one occasionally. My daughter wants me to sell her my house so she can have two dishwashers.
by littlebird
Wed Sep 15, 2021 6:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [Grill and garbage can cleaning services.] Are they worth it?
Replies: 85
Views: 7774

Re: Strange Homeowner's Splurges? Are they worth it?

PVW wrote: Wed Sep 15, 2021 3:40 pm At one time, only the rich had house cleaners and landscapers. Now I know a lot of people that have them.
No so. My working class mother had a cleaner/laundress who came weekly to our 3 room (not 3 bedroom. 3 room) Bronx apartment in the 1940’s. When they eventually bought a house, my father took care of the infinitesimal lawn himself. He reveled in it.
by littlebird
Sat Sep 11, 2021 1:28 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What ratio are you stocks/bonds and how old are you?
Replies: 449
Views: 95608

Re: What ratio are you stocks/bonds and how old are you?

About to become an octogenarian (how the heck did that happen?) 22 -23% stock. I was quite aggressive when younger, so now I have no need to be.
by littlebird
Sun Sep 05, 2021 12:07 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Low need to take risk - low allocation to stocks
Replies: 39
Views: 4546

Re: Low need to take risk - low allocation to stocks

The PhD's at Vanguard set the lowest stock allocation of their target date funds at 30% (I believe), at the end of the glide path, which happens 7 years after retirement (so the absolute most conservative portfolio). That leads me to assume 30% is the lowest risk one should ever assume? Note these target date funds are designed to be conservative, for the average uninvolved investor. Vanguard’s decisions about asset allocation are tinged with the need to compete with the market and show good returns. An individual’s decisions are, hopefully, untouched by that need. I am nowhere near the position if the OP, but at nearly 80, widowed, retired 33 years, living comfortably, and with “enough” to take care of my long term care needs, my interest...
by littlebird
Tue Aug 31, 2021 2:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Benefits of a Family Trust Worth the Effort To Move Assets Into It?
Replies: 27
Views: 3011

Re: Benefits of a Family Trust Worth the Effort To Move Assets Into It?

To make it even more complicated. My Fidelity retirement accounts (403b, 457b, Roth IRA) all allow the trust to be the beneficiary. I'm not sure why you would put your trust as the beneficiaries here. I had thought retirement accounts go directly to the beneficiaries and bypass probate. My trust is the beneficiary of my retirement accounts so that they can easily be collected by my successor trustee, added to all the other assets remaining in the trust after I die, and distributed according to the plan my late, second spouse and I agreed upon. There are as of today a total of 10 beneficiaries, taking in varying percentages depending on whose relation they are and whether they are taking as named beneficiaries, or as the children of decease...
by littlebird
Tue Aug 31, 2021 5:07 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: CD player/boombox?
Replies: 51
Views: 4608

Re: CD player/boombox?

Get a cd player and keep your cd’s! As a member of the “silent” or “lucky” generation, I have to report that recently Pandora has started substituting tracks from cover groups and tribute bands for the original 50’s doo wop ( we called it rock ‘n roll) tracks that I want to hear and that, until recently, they supplied.

The music of your teen years is hard-wired into your nervous system and imitations not only don’t satisfy; they affirmatively irritate. I resurrected my Sony changer and now I can come in exactly on the beat. Baby boomers, they’ll be coming for you next!
by littlebird
Sat Jul 31, 2021 9:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Home security - what do you do? Wyze Security System?
Replies: 33
Views: 3721

Re: Home security - what do you do? Wyze Security System?

Put security hinges on outward opening garage walk-in door. Put painted plywood inside a large garage window. Replaced glass windows in garage door with lexan. Installed a kill switch into garage door circuit for nights and weekends away. Installed brass shields over lock area of each door. Installed “Charley bars” into every sliding glass door. Installed metal mesh behind decorative “security” doors. Put an “ electronic alarm” sign or decal on every window and door.
by littlebird
Wed Jul 28, 2021 4:42 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medicare "excess charges"--should I worry?
Replies: 27
Views: 2664

Re: Medicare "excess charges"--should I worry?

In 29 years of Medicare coverage, we have had two ophthalmologists, but no other specialist (although we have not had need of many) who did not accept Medicare Assignment and charged 15% over. Their bills were a royal mess, with frequent re-billing and refund checks issued and additional payments requested. I can’t imagine that it actually paid for them to practice this way, but they did. Both are retired now.

My latest ophthalmologist recently tried to override the Medicare system by demanding the Medicare annual co-pay in-office from January patients, instead of awaiting Medicare directions to do so in the billing procedure. I have, as a result, down-shifted my optical care to optometrists. So far, so good.
by littlebird
Fri Jul 23, 2021 10:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: SSA Survivors Benefit Appeal in July 2021
Replies: 15
Views: 1739

Re: SSA Survivors Benefit Appeal in July 2021

If you hit a wall, your Congressperson’s office will help.
by littlebird
Sun Jul 04, 2021 12:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What is your only money regret?
Replies: 166
Views: 20402

Re: What is your only money regret?

Only that at nearly eighty, I no longer have the robust good health to continue spending the bounty the stock and real estate markets have showered on me. :annoyed
by littlebird
Sun Jun 20, 2021 11:23 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: What pitfalls do even smart people make when buying a home?
Replies: 211
Views: 25400

Re: What pitfalls do even smart people make when buying a home?

stoptothink wrote: Sun Jun 20, 2021 10:54 am Other than resale value, why should I want a large yard?
To put more space between you and multiple neighbors?
by littlebird
Fri Jun 11, 2021 10:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Move from Chicago to Phoenix?
Replies: 43
Views: 4653

Re: Move from Chicago to Phoenix?

You’re just trading one type of bad weather for another type of bad weather. With super high summer electric bills as an added bonus. While I’d be perfectly happy if not one more person moved to the already heavily populated PHX metro, I can’t resist pointing out that our “bad” weather involves looking out the window to usually bright sunshine when staying indoors; does not require bundling up and putting on galoshes to protect against the heat - in and out with the same light clothes; not needing to shovel the sunshine off the driveway, or to scrape the heat off the windshield; not risking sliding on the heat into a pile of heat on the side of the road. No lawns, little leaf blowing, As to a high month or two of electric bills: it’s about...
by littlebird
Fri Jun 11, 2021 6:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Move from Chicago to Phoenix?
Replies: 43
Views: 4653

Re: Move from Chicago to Phoenix?

HueyLD wrote: Fri Jun 11, 2021 3:58 pm
poker27 wrote: Fri Jun 11, 2021 3:50 pmI’m not expecting PHX to replace Chicago by any means. I can probably walk to 30+ bars, restaurants, coffee shops within a couple blocks. However I do that 1-2 times a week, so it has less of an appeal now. The idea of eating dinner on my patio year round, and explore a new area has me excited.”
You cannot eat dinner on the patio when it is 110+F almost every day for several months at a time. In order to do that, you have to enclose the patio and install a very powerful AC in the patio. Your AC bill will go thru the roof.
In the summer, I eat breakfast on the patio. You need 2 patios here, to give you access to outdoor space at some time of day in every season. Mine are east and west, but north and south work, too.
by littlebird
Thu Jun 03, 2021 10:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Hospital bed needed for Mom - any advice?
Replies: 24
Views: 2854

Re: Hospital bed needed for Mom - any advice?

I was advised by many not to try to obtain a hospital bed from Medicare, due to red tape and not being fully electric, at least at the time. I bought one for my spouse from Amazon. It was half the price of same product at the medical supply companies. It was a major brand, fully electric. That’s definitely the only kind to buy, or you may wind up buying two.
by littlebird
Tue Jun 01, 2021 11:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What frugal thing did you do today?
Replies: 4524
Views: 617266

Re: What frugal thing did you do today?

Decided against the oak roll top desk and will stick with the 2 grey metal HON office filing cabinets supporting a white laminate table top, which I use for a desk.

Now that I’ve moved it from my home office into my bedroom, it looks cheesy with my fruitwood bedroom furniture with brushed brass hardware. But I just couldn’t give up the commodious HON file drawers for the relatively tiny thick walled wood ones. Saved $1990, plus free shipping.
by littlebird
Tue May 25, 2021 2:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Used car for handicaped wife
Replies: 12
Views: 1388

Re: Used car for handicaped wife

LISD wrote: Tue May 25, 2021 2:05 pm I saw a car a few years ago that the seat electrically extended out the door, and rotated, so a handicapped person could enter and exit with ease. This was in Canada. Not sure they have them here in the states but I thought I'd make you aware that they do exist. Not sure of the cost or brand.
They do have them in the U.S., or at least did a few years ago when I was interested. I found the aftermarket company by searching on line. They knew which vehicles they could adapt. One was the Toyota Sienna. As you would expect, this was not inexpensive.
by littlebird
Mon May 24, 2021 12:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Help me resolve soil erosion/drainage isssue with neighbor
Replies: 16
Views: 2741

Re: Help me resolve soil erosion/drainage isssue with neighbor

Using berms and swales to control the water is a means of eliminating the water problem. If you build a berm you can separate your neighbor's property from yours, keep his water on his side, you handle your water. Trying to convince a neighbor to contribute to the cost may be difficult as some neighbors wear blinders and it's not their problem, even if the water starts on their property. If you control the building of the berm and swale, you can control the costs and construction. Replanting the lawn will be a constant job as it will wash out with every heavy rain. Definitely check with your local government before you do this. Where I live, it is not legal to impede the natural drainage of water onto and through your property. It can, how...
by littlebird
Sun May 23, 2021 2:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Quartz countertop brands
Replies: 43
Views: 5494

Re: Quartz countertop brands

Mine says LG Viaterra (installed by previous owner). It’s 9-12 years old and in perfect condition. Of course, I don’t put hot pots on it unprotected. And I never cared for bar stools in the kitchen. My only complaint is that it looks clean even when it isn’t. 😙 Dirt can usually only be detected by feel or sound when using a sponge on it.
by littlebird
Sat May 22, 2021 6:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Buying a house for parent?
Replies: 16
Views: 1946

Re: Buying a house for parent?

There is subsidized senior housing in Phoenix. Use google to search for it.
by littlebird
Tue May 18, 2021 8:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do You Know Anyone Who Went BK in Retirement - Why? [Bankrupt]
Replies: 100
Views: 14927

Re: Do You Know Anyone Who Went BK in Retirement - Why? [Bankrupt]

Yes. About 20 years ago here in AZ a ponzi-type scheme (don’t remember the mechanics) perpetrated by the Baptist Foundation of Arizona was uncovered. Many elderly people in my senior community were victims. Some had invested their entire “nest-egg” with this church affiliated organization. Some went to work at minimum wage jobs afterward. A few declared bankruptcy.
by littlebird
Sat May 15, 2021 12:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Phoenix, AZ as an early retirement location? Advice please
Replies: 156
Views: 17385

Re: Phoenix, AZ as an early retirement location? Advice please

HueyLD wrote: Sat May 15, 2021 11:19 am
devopscoder wrote: Fri May 14, 2021 9:13 pm People mention that the summer sun is brutal in AZ. What do landscapers & roofers do? Suck it up and still work? Work early in the morning and quit by noon?
Many of them start at the crack of dawn which could be before 5:30 a.m. and finish before 12 noon. The local codes have to allow outdoor workers to start very early even though their work can definitely wake you up earlier than you want. But it is understood.

The intensity of the sun can add 10 - 20 degrees to how human bodies feel about the temperature. That’s why desert rats are very tough for a reason.
My experience in the far western suburbs of Phoenix is that in summer they start work at ~7:30 and quit ~ 2:30. Peak temperature in summer usually occurs ~ 4:30.
by littlebird
Wed May 12, 2021 3:42 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How did you figure out what to Retire TO?
Replies: 51
Views: 4664

Re: How did you figure out what to Retire TO?

It was there in my mind since I was a child. I wanted to see the great national parks, western life, large animals, cacti, ride long-distance trains. (I was a child in the 40’s, before tv. Books stirred our imaginations!)
by littlebird
Sun May 09, 2021 2:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best options for squashing scammer phone calls?
Replies: 67
Views: 7725

Re: Best options for squashing scammer phone calls?

sport wrote: Thu May 06, 2021 4:36 pm Another possibility is an old-fashioned answering machine. With a machine, they do not have to answer any calls. They can return the calls that are real ones and ignore the rest. Many scammers do not even leave messages.
That’s how I deal with it. I have several extension landline phones. I turned off all the ringers, so now my first notice of an incoming call is hearing my own outgoing message from across the room, or wherever. Most scammers hang up during my outgoing message. The caregivers will learn to give you enough time to get to the phone. If not, you call back as soon as you spring free
by littlebird
Fri May 07, 2021 11:55 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Retirees: Monthly vs Quarterly vs Annual Distributions
Replies: 76
Views: 6422

Re: Retirees: Monthly vs Quarterly vs Annual Distributions

Obtained an annuity to relieve myself of this sleep-depriver as I approached late 70’s.
by littlebird
Mon Apr 26, 2021 12:41 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What Were Your Regrets after Retiring? (serious question)
Replies: 334
Views: 57023

Re: What Were Your Regrets after Retiring? (serious question)

My only regret is that I have but one life to be retired in.

(With apologies to Nathan Hale).
by littlebird
Fri Apr 16, 2021 4:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Hoover Vacuum Problem (Mystery Solved)
Replies: 21
Views: 1987

Re: Hoover Vacuum Problem (Mystery Solved)

sport wrote: Fri Apr 16, 2021 2:59 pm

1. The agitator belt broke. I replaced the belt and every thing is in working order. It may even last another 23 years. We even had an extra belt on hand, so the out-of-pocket cost was $0.
My grandmother’s early Hoover, a behemoth of chrome and black leather, lasted first her, then my mother, a total of 82 years.
by littlebird
Wed Mar 17, 2021 8:33 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Any long term early retirees here?
Replies: 41
Views: 7847

Re: Any long term early retirees here?

Retired in 1988 at age 46 (though my spouse was older) on what most Bogleheads would consider barely adequate means, although spouse did have a very modest pension, and I still had career potential. Did all the (fairly modest type of) things we wanted to do, in the beginning. Grew older. After many happy and eventful years, spouse died, easily and contentedly. Were able to afford excellent end-of- life care for him. I remain alone in a larger, more beautiful house than we had while working (in VHCoL area), in a mega active-senior community, with every imaginable activity and amenity and no winters. Assets have more than quintupled in the intervening years, but I no longer have the need, desire or ability to bring spending up to means. I bel...
by littlebird
Fri Mar 12, 2021 1:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Mail to IRS--Certified
Replies: 74
Views: 7205

Re: Mail to IRS--Certified

jhawktx wrote: Thu Mar 11, 2021 6:06 pm I've always used option 4...regular envelope with regular stamp. I've never had a problem in that multi-decade approach.
Me too. For 62 years.
by littlebird
Wed Feb 24, 2021 2:04 pm
Forum: Forum Issues and Administration
Topic: What is the deal with "DW"?
Replies: 104
Views: 11536

Re: What is the deal with "DW"?

I usually say “spouse”.
by littlebird
Thu Feb 18, 2021 9:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Where would you live in Phoenix if you could WFH
Replies: 126
Views: 11597

Re: Where would you live in Phoenix if you could WFH

“ This is what I call a common misperception. The longer you live here, the better you acclimate to the hear. I have been here for 27 years and have grown to the point where I far prefer July and August to December and January. Anything up to 106 can be downright pleasant as long as you wear a hat with a nice brim -- and everything is far less crowded and ofter much cheaper.”

Agree completely. Also here 27 years.
by littlebird
Wed Jan 13, 2021 11:36 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Power is Out - Do you Know How Long Food Lasts in Fridge?
Replies: 39
Views: 4664

Re: Power is Out - Do you Know How Long Food Lasts in Fridge?

No more than 4 hours above 40 degrees for foods requiring refrigeration. I have not died nor gotten sick from eating food left out for more than 4 hours. When we were kids and when we were adults we would take lunches to school with lots of refrigerated items and eat them after they were out more than 4 hours. I don't know how you could even make such a statement. I made that statement because that was the fda advice when my neighborhood lost power. And yes, that’s a cautious approach and most people will not die if they prolong the time. But most people on this board can afford to play it safe. As to foods brought to school: mothers generally knew not to send milk, eggs and egg-containing foods and uncured meats to school. At least when I...
by littlebird
Wed Jan 13, 2021 11:06 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Power is Out - Do you Know How Long Food Lasts in Fridge?
Replies: 39
Views: 4664

Re: Power is Out - Do you Know How Long Food Lasts in Fridge?

No more than 4 hours above 40 degrees for foods requiring refrigeration.
by littlebird
Mon Jan 11, 2021 7:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Someone Took Out an SBA Loan in My Name
Replies: 6
Views: 1317

Re: Someone Took Out an SBA Loan in My Name

I had an experience similar to Runner 3081’s. I was alerted by Experian, under the aegis of Discover Card. They advised that they were better positioned to notify the SBA and they would do so. I froze my credit and filed a report with my county Sheriff, which is my local police agency. Never heard another word, nor did I do anything further about it.
by littlebird
Sun Jan 10, 2021 3:33 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Any couples out there who retired at different times?
Replies: 26
Views: 2779

Re: Any couples out there who retired at different times?

It works fine if it’s what both of you want, and both stay alive until some reasonable number of years after the second one retires. But it can be very sad if one of the two dies suddenly during the half-retirement and there’s never a chance for the couple retirement that can cap a life together. It happened to my parents. It was tragic for my mother, who had continued working for good and sensible reasons after my father was forced to retire. She was only 59 when he died. She was angry and resentful for many of the 20 years that she continued on without him. After that, I gave up happily at 46 a profession I had come to only in my late 30’s to retire with my considerably older spouse as soon as we could manage it financially. It was a wond...
by littlebird
Fri Jan 01, 2021 8:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Where to register and insure RV if stored at our second home out of state?
Replies: 13
Views: 1057

Re: Where to register and insure RV if stored at our second home out of state?

MikeZ wrote: Fri Jan 01, 2021 8:03 pm So I might buy a used RV soon. We live in Florida and are Florida residences with Florida DL's. We have a second home in Alabama. When we are not traveling we will be parking our RV at pur Alabama house. Sould I try and register and insure the RV in Florida or Alabama?
I think if the the RV is present in Alabama for more time than in Florida or in transit, it should be registered in Alabama. That would be the case for a car, at least in the states I’ve lived in; I don’t see why it would be different for the RV.
by littlebird
Fri Dec 25, 2020 9:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Favorite Travel Experiences
Replies: 178
Views: 17849

Re: Favorite Travel Experiences

Seeing the Shalako dancing by lantern and torch light on a moonless night on the Zuni Reservation, a ritual closed to outsiders the next year.

Rafting down the Snake River, in Wyoming, watching an egret snatch a trout from the beak of a bald eagle not four feet in front of us.

Seeing a jagurandi cat, an animal not seen in the U.S. since 1964, run across the road in front of us at Saguaro Cactus National Monument, at the Mexican border.

Seeing a total eclipse of the sun on Prince Edward Island, Canada.

Circling the country with a private compartment and bath on Amtrak. One night sharing a chat with fellow passenger Pearl Bailey.

Mountain biking along the gentle slope of the 20-mule-team road in Death Valley.

And so many, many more.
by littlebird
Fri Dec 25, 2020 11:21 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to protect cash for final expenses?
Replies: 39
Views: 3201

Re: How to protect cash for final expenses?

pasadena wrote: Thu Dec 24, 2020 9:53 pm
Straitlover wrote: Thu Dec 24, 2020 9:46 pm
littlebird wrote: Thu Dec 24, 2020 9:11 pm Medicaid allows you to have funds set aside for burial/final disposition.
Yes, the irrevocable burial plan/trust discussed in the link by GAAP above. That could be a last resort option if it is not subject to the 5 year lookback thing. I wouldn't want to make it irrevocable until necessary,
If/when that happens, you could just give the money to your sister.
Money given away is subject to the 5-year lookback.
by littlebird
Thu Dec 24, 2020 9:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to protect cash for final expenses?
Replies: 39
Views: 3201

Re: How to protect cash for final expenses?

Medicaid allows you to have funds set aside for burial/final disposition.
by littlebird
Mon Dec 21, 2020 7:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Iphone/Ipad Security?
Replies: 4
Views: 619

Re: Iphone/Ipad Security?

One of you needed to push the disconnect button, which is red with an X across it. Just like you have to disconnect any phone call, landline or cell.
by littlebird
Mon Dec 21, 2020 7:09 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Vanguard info concerning annuity handoff..
Replies: 12
Views: 1365

Re: Vanguard info concerning annuity handoff..

GeraniumLover wrote: Mon Dec 21, 2020 6:56 pm
dflaher wrote: Thu Dec 03, 2020 4:04 pm I have a Vanguard Variable Annuity that Vanguard is moving to Transamerica. Has anyone heard whether the fees that Transamerica will charge are the same as Vanguard's? I sure hope so.
Did you ever receive an info packet from Transamerica?
Did they send an info packet? I received just a vague letter without many specifics.
by littlebird
Thu Dec 10, 2020 7:42 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard Annuity Transition to Transamerica
Replies: 266
Views: 33980

Re: Vanguard Annuity Transition to Transamerica

wesgreen wrote: Thu Dec 10, 2020 7:25 pm If that's an accurate copy and paste of their email response it rings an alarm with me. How can I expect them to be accurate with my account if they don't know about spelling, grammar or punctuation?
Agree. That writer’s command of the English language is not commensurate with her/his level of responsibility.
by littlebird
Tue Dec 08, 2020 5:39 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard Annuity Transition to Transamerica
Replies: 266
Views: 33980

Re: Vanguard Annuity Transition to Transamerica

I think I’ll wait ‘til everything calms down. I made a hard copy of my account last month.

Just as a reference point, I have another VVA that I’ve already annuitized, and Transamerica has been doing a very competent job of servicing it. If the first of the month is a Monday, the money is in my account on the previous Friday.
by littlebird
Mon Dec 07, 2020 11:02 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Which brokerages are providing excellent service now?
Replies: 32
Views: 2620

Re: Which brokerages are providing excellent service now?

You may not need much in the way of customer service when you are younger, but as you get older, your outlook changes. We’ve had a number of deaths in my family over the past two years. When my wife died two plus years ago, Vanguard was very good. I had one person to deal with, could always contact by email, prompt replies, etc. They’ve obviously made changes, and cut personnel. Trying lately to deal with account problems with deceased relatives means extremely long wait times, and a LOT of aggravation. This had been both my experience and that of my sister in law. I’ve always recommended vanguard to my friends. I’m rethinking that. Vanguard may be good in the account accumulation stage, but they are pretty threadbare and useless as you ag...
by littlebird
Mon Dec 07, 2020 2:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Have you reduced vacation travel if you move to a nice place in retirement?
Replies: 23
Views: 2073

Re: Have you reduced vacation travel if you move to a nice place in retirement?

We did, but neither of us had any desire for international travel, and our itch for RV travel around the west had been amply scratched. We did enjoy a second home in a scenic resort area nearby, and that, together with the amenities at our mega senior community main home, were enough to satisfy our needs.
by littlebird
Thu Dec 03, 2020 9:49 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Are 55+ Communities a Baby Boomer Thing Only? If so, who will buy when Boomers want to sell?
Replies: 237
Views: 30291

Re: Are 55+ Communities a Baby Boomer Thing Only? If so, who will buy when Boomers want to sell?

Came back to report that houses in my mega-senior community are now, it was reported in our local what-passes-for-a-newspaper, selling, sometimes sight-unseen, at prices 30% higher than last year. So that might answer your question.
by littlebird
Wed Dec 02, 2020 1:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: USPS Never Delivered/Package Returned to Sender
Replies: 13
Views: 1808

Re: USPS Never Delivered/Package Returned to Sender

MP123 wrote: Tue Dec 01, 2020 8:14 pm
CAsage wrote: Tue Dec 01, 2020 6:37 pm I had an ebay USPS package that was shipped, delayed, and then delivered it back to me! I took it to the post office, and the very helpful clerk immediately took it back and they resent it. No idea why. I have generally found the USPS to be reliable (some individual carriers vary, but my current lady is great). Just finished reading "How the Post Office Created America: A History" and found it fascinating, to see the growth over 300 years and the many challenges. No purely commercial carrier would take on their breadth of delivery.


Indeed. Who else would ship live chickens and bees! :happy

https://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c5_008.htm
Not to mention human cremains.
by littlebird
Mon Nov 30, 2020 1:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is Our Olive Oil Real?
Replies: 57
Views: 8098

Re: Is Our Olive Oil Real?

I react to soybean oil, but have had no trouble with California Olive Ranch, which I use exclusively. I do not react to nuts, however.