Search found 3718 matches

by hicabob
Mon Nov 07, 2022 10:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to incorporate rising sea levels into house purchase
Replies: 62
Views: 5257

Re: How to incorporate rising sea levels into house purchase

JoMoney wrote: Sun Nov 06, 2022 7:24 pm I've lived near the Pacific ocean for most of my life. Haven't seen anything to indicate a "rising sea level" on this coast. If I was buying near the shore I would be more worried about erosion of both the shoreline and of the salt water rusting everything.
There has been some very significant bluff erosion in Pacifica over the last few years. Exacerbated by climate change or not? - hard to tell.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZdQ--9_tj4
by hicabob
Sun Nov 06, 2022 10:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Help me select a new phone. Need larger screen android.
Replies: 7
Views: 566

Re: Help me select a new phone. Need larger screen android.

Ron wrote: Sun Nov 06, 2022 10:43 am A bit expensive, but here you go:

https://www.samsung.com/global/galaxy/galaxy-z-fold4/

I've had the Fold3 for almost two years and it's been outstanding for me - an old codger that needs a larger screen. It's also good for viewing streaming apps.

- Ron
Those are nice. Apparently very rugged too according to someone who was showing me theirs and said they beat on it. You can see a slight perturbation where it folds if you look for it but it's quite the phone.
by hicabob
Fri Nov 04, 2022 5:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Renting a car - Do I need to buy extra insurance and coverage?
Replies: 22
Views: 3841

Re: Renting a car - Do I need to buy extra insurance and coverage?

A few credit cards have "primary" coverage. Car rental is one of the few things I use my amex card for since it provides primary for $19.95 for the complete rental period. Most cards are secondary to your personal car insurance which probably covers rentals too.
by hicabob
Sun Oct 30, 2022 6:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyone an expert mouse catcher?
Replies: 68
Views: 7083

Re: Anyone an expert mouse catcher?

Yup, cats excel at mousing. My daughter rescued a large Maine Coon cat then dumped him on me. At first we had a tenuous relationship. A few weeks later I had a mouse in my separate office building. I took the cat up there , showed him whereabouts the mouse was and within a few minutes I had a proud cat and a dead mouse. It was our bonding moment.
by hicabob
Thu Oct 27, 2022 5:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Europecar Mexico forced me purchase overpriced insurance
Replies: 15
Views: 1422

Re: Europecar Mexico forced me purchase overpriced insurance

$10/day for any car would be below cost. I expect they do that to all customers.
by hicabob
Sat Oct 15, 2022 8:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Real vs engineered hardwood in the first floor?
Replies: 34
Views: 4307

Re: Real vs engineered hardwood in the first floor?

HereToLearn wrote: Sat Oct 15, 2022 8:28 am
Do you know what has been holding the strips in place all these years?
The boards are nailed from the side during install at a 50 degree or so angle so that the nails are hidden in the completed floor
by hicabob
Fri Oct 14, 2022 6:39 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Plasma donations tax free income?
Replies: 38
Views: 3563

Re: Plasma donations tax free income?

I did that a few times as a broke student. Some particular people, like pregnant women get way more $$ than most folk. The cold blood cells/saline coming back in is unpleasant and the time my vein started blowing up like a balloon during that part was the last time for me. Not worth it. I used to get so hungry afterwards I usually ate my pittance earnings up really quickly. It was not reportable income 45 years ago.
by hicabob
Fri Oct 14, 2022 10:45 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Charge to Clean Rental Car
Replies: 6
Views: 731

Re: Charge to Clean Rental Car

When I started renting cars a few decades ago I let my trusty, not super hairy, dog ride shotgun once. Rental people said either pay $50 for cleaning (it was a long time ago) or clean it up. I took it home and gave it a good vacuuming and all was good. The rental woman told me that if someone in a suit was sitting there and got dog hair on them it would be a problem. Ever since I have been more considerate to future renters.
by hicabob
Mon Oct 10, 2022 1:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: buying into bungalow colony with no price history
Replies: 47
Views: 5721

Re: buying into bungalow colony with no price history

Perhaps a trip to the county recorders office would get you the info?
by hicabob
Sun Oct 09, 2022 12:53 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Any BH retirees with no pension?
Replies: 134
Views: 17610

Re: Any BH retirees with no pension?

Many of us did, perhaps even the majority of Bogleheads? I ended up with about 3M in retirement accounts since I realized early in my career than saving for retirement would be up to me. I was in a pension plan for a couple years before megacorp discontinued it and gave me a few hundred bucks for the experience.
by hicabob
Sat Oct 08, 2022 11:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: auto tire pressure
Replies: 68
Views: 6050

Re: auto tire pressure

here you go ...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_inflation_pressure

86 degrees is about 5 lbs more pressure than 32 degrees with the same amount of air.
by hicabob
Wed Oct 05, 2022 10:41 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Propane vs Gas New house purchase decision
Replies: 37
Views: 3055

Re: Propane vs Gas New house purchase decision

Natural gas is nicer and cheaper. Propane tends to do a nasty "pop" when it ignites. I suppose it's harder to get started?
by hicabob
Wed Oct 05, 2022 8:45 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: If you buy a classic car in Europe and aim to keep to drive it daily for 50 years
Replies: 36
Views: 3516

Re: If you buy a classic car in Europe and aim to keep to drive it daily for 50 years

My brother, who was an excellent shade tree mechanic, used to daily 60's Triumph TR's and 50's pickup trucks. His motto was "reliability is overrated" and he learned how many times AAA will tow you before cutting you off. Now in his late 60's he prefers more reliable transportation. If you enjoy wrenching as a hobby, don't mind occasional breakdowns, and are a good mechanic go for it ... otherwise probably not.
by hicabob
Mon Oct 03, 2022 7:05 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: If things are so bad, how come the market is up 900 points today?
Replies: 141
Views: 15442

Re: If things are so bad, how come the market is up 900 points today?

Funnily enough bearish sentiment is considered a bullish indicator.
by hicabob
Mon Oct 03, 2022 6:28 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: EGIFX - Edgewood Growth Fund - What's with the huge drop?
Replies: 2
Views: 262

Re: EGIFX - Edgewood Growth Fund - What's with the huge drop?

Looks like they were not as well diversified as VOO or similar.
https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/EGFIX?p=EGFIX
They have taken a beating but they did have very good years prior.
1% ER though!!!!
by hicabob
Sun Oct 02, 2022 10:36 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: hardwood floors
Replies: 10
Views: 860

Re: Cost of hardwood floors --- first time home buyers

kumjan wrote: Sun Oct 02, 2022 10:13 am
On the type of wood, we would like to match it with the existing solid oak wood (not engineered). Are there different types of oak wood floor quality? (We are clueless about home ownership etc.)
There are definitely different grades of the classic 3/4" oak strip flooring. Better quality has much longer planks and fewer knots than the lesser. You would probably want to match with the existing and if it's an old house get the existing oak redone too so color is consistent.
by hicabob
Sat Oct 01, 2022 10:28 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: option for getting rid of garbage
Replies: 17
Views: 2053

Re: option for getting rid of garbage

gavinsiu wrote: Sat Oct 01, 2022 9:52 am Do munipical typically have garbage dump that you can dump stuff in for a fee?
Of course they do. Generally they are called "transfer stations" in metro areas where the garbage is collected and shipped off to a landfill somewhere.
by hicabob
Thu Sep 29, 2022 8:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: learn basic welding on your own
Replies: 22
Views: 2174

Re: learn basic welding on your own

Depending where you live a class like below might be a good start vs a community college.
https://www.metalwoodsalvage.com/welding

Welding a new panel on a vehicle and have it look good probably takes a bit of practice!
by hicabob
Thu Sep 29, 2022 2:42 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Is "Stay The Course" dead?
Replies: 416
Views: 48483

Re: Is "Stay The Course" dead?

TomatoTomahto wrote: Thu Sep 29, 2022 2:39 pm
Youngblood wrote: Thu Sep 29, 2022 2:28 pm
ebeb wrote: Thu Sep 29, 2022 1:39 pm Is moving to cash really possible in taxable accounts since you will need to pay 30-40% taxes on all your capital gains. And if the market doesn't go down your portfolio would be much smaller due to taxes paid and future smaller asset gains. It might be doable in a tax-deferred account though with good foresight.
Pretty sure cap gains tax maxes out at 20% (long term).
It can get pricier than 20% for some, depending on state of residence and such. MA has something on the ballot to [incorrect description removed by moderator prudent]
Total cap gain taxes (fed + state) can get up to 33.3% in California
by hicabob
Mon Sep 26, 2022 7:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Lowes - Return extra building supplies for deck?
Replies: 27
Views: 3805

Re: Lowes - Return extra building supplies for deck?

andypanda wrote: Mon Sep 26, 2022 3:02 pm
My favorite new exercise tool so far this year - B'ROOT BAR - Root Cutting Tool, Digging Tool, Vertical Axe, 72- Inch. It's a 6' steel bar with a vertical ax head welded on the bottom. It makes short work of roots and rock hard clay. And it only weighs 20#. I got mine from Amazon with free Prime delivery.
Cool tool indeed! Clever concept but I was a little surprised at the $150 price point though.
by hicabob
Fri Sep 23, 2022 9:44 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Well paying non-desk based career fields
Replies: 83
Views: 8192

Re: Well paying non-desk based career fields

Watty wrote: Fri Sep 23, 2022 9:18 pm
whodidntante wrote: Wed Sep 21, 2022 6:13 pm Professional athlete. Televangelist. Right-hand woman at a 94-person company. Lobbyist. Senator, bookmaker (where legal, of course).
Senators make $174,000 year which is just less than half what the OP makes.
[Political comment removed by admin LadyGeek]
by hicabob
Fri Sep 23, 2022 5:59 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Those pesky rodents
Replies: 59
Views: 3769

Re: Those pesky rodents

A rat poisoned bobcat is a sad sight indeed. My ex-wife's dog ate some rat poison that was hidden away in a house she bought. It was horrible - the poor things belly (which had minimal hair so you could see the effect) looked all bruised and she barely survived. After extensive care she ended up fine but that stuff is NASTY! Spring traps should be try#1, even more so if you live in a semi-rural area with useful rodent eating critters.
by hicabob
Fri Sep 23, 2022 8:40 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Those pesky rodents
Replies: 59
Views: 3769

Re: Those pesky rodents

I know a professional pest control person who swears by slim-jim type beef sticks for mouse/rat traps
by hicabob
Thu Sep 22, 2022 10:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Class A motorhomes - aerodynamics of a brick
Replies: 66
Views: 5358

Re: Class A motorhomes - aerodynamics of a brick

Sprucebark wrote: Thu Sep 22, 2022 12:42 pm
If you go to Europe nearly 100% of the heavy trucks on the road are cab overs. It’s easier to get around tight spots without that big nose sticking out.
A truck driver told me that "you always get to the scene of an accident first if you are in a cabover".
by hicabob
Wed Sep 21, 2022 7:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Mini vacation to Albany, NY
Replies: 15
Views: 1424

Re: Mini vacation to Albany, NY

Beachey wrote: Wed Sep 21, 2022 9:01 am I have never actually been to the State Capital in Albany even though I live nearby
Capitol buildings are always interesting architecturally and are worth a visit. I did a few jobs in state and country capitols and found they tend to be quite magnificent in the hallways and chambers, but back in the offices where folk actually work very plain and "governmenty". Most capitol buildings like visitors and let you self guide so it's an interesting and easy day-trip if you find yourself in a capital city. Watching the proceedings from the gallery is educational and occasionally super-interesting. Question-time in a parliamentary system takes the cake.
by hicabob
Mon Sep 19, 2022 7:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tips to improve executive presence.
Replies: 41
Views: 5875

Re: Tips to improve executive presence.

I was a tech nerd who started his own biz. Once on my first big sales call I ended up in a cab chatting to an experienced salesperson. We talked about the job and she said "be confident and know your product". It works.
by hicabob
Wed Sep 14, 2022 4:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: suggestions on road trip in Washington / Oregon?
Replies: 13
Views: 1169

Re: suggestions on road trip in Washington / Oregon?

If you take 26 instead of 5 after Portland to get to Crater Lake you pass Timberline Lodge which is an impressive place to stay on Mt Hood.
26 is a much more interesting road than 5 and I think the distance would be similar.
by hicabob
Fri Sep 09, 2022 4:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tent fumigation - help!
Replies: 12
Views: 1162

Re: Tent fumigation - help!

I'm in So Cal and have dealt with termites in my past (first) home. In So Cal they do not come up from the ground into a house the way they do elsewhere in the US. Instead, termites set off winged members to create a new colony every spring and fall at the first rain. The vast majority of those winged termites are eaten by birds, but some do find a place for a new colony. The primary places where termites enter homes (in So Cal) are vents -usually, attic vents at the base of the roof. Confirm with the previous termite inspector that they went into your attic and checked all the way to the vents. If they say that they couldn't get into the attic, then find out how to get into the attic and ask them to come back to check it. If they say they...
by hicabob
Tue Sep 06, 2022 8:24 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: ‘Frogs in boiling water’: Urgent warning for 50% market drop
Replies: 188
Views: 36132

Re: ‘Frogs in boiling water’: Urgent warning for 50% market drop

Ultimately, there aren't enough people in good enough health to produce products and provide services that the citizens need. It also jeopardizes programs like the US' Social Security system that only work when there are enough younger people contributing. The result has been dramatic. In 1940, there were 42 workers per retiree. Today the ratio is 3-to-1; by 2050 it will be 2-to-1. The burden on each individual worker will increase substantially and we will no longer be able to keep out promises to retirees at current payroll tax levels. If the US life expectancy keeps dropping at the current rate that should help SS and Medicare dramatically. Score one for the US healthcare system! "Many of the deaths occurred in people in the prime ...
by hicabob
Mon Sep 05, 2022 12:25 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Which Mac machine for a college student (BS in computer science)?
Replies: 62
Views: 5200

Re: Which Mac machine for a college student (BS in computer science)?

If your kid plans to be a CS major they should probably pick the 'pooter.
by hicabob
Mon Sep 05, 2022 12:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tesla self driving car
Replies: 63
Views: 3086

Re: Tesla self driving car

andypanda wrote: Mon Sep 05, 2022 9:17 am How do all of the safety features work for a hard of hearing or hearing impaired person? Now that I'm 72 I notice more and more of my friends having hearing problems.
Some of the feedbacks are visual and some tactical such as steering wheel vibrating but beeps are common too. Uber driving is a common occupation for deaf folk so I don't think being deaf is much of a hinderance in driving.
by hicabob
Mon Sep 05, 2022 10:44 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Oil Change Place Left Cap Off!
Replies: 52
Views: 7190

Re: Oil Change Place Left Cap Off!

Decades ago I had an old car I had changed the oil and filter on - after 20 miles or so car sounded terrible and oil light was on - It was nasty and dark out so I drove the last couple miles home. Upon examination when removing the old filter the o-ring had stayed on so there were 2 o rings and the oil had leaked out. I always check that the o-ring comes off with the filter since! (which it always has). The poor old V-8 survived for years after despite the abuse.
by hicabob
Sun Sep 04, 2022 2:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tesla self driving car
Replies: 63
Views: 3086

Re: Tesla self driving car for older driver

duplicate post deleted
by hicabob
Sun Sep 04, 2022 2:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tesla self driving car
Replies: 63
Views: 3086

Re: Tesla self driving car for older driver

It seems when a person is in their 60's they are safest at driving ... 80's not so good ....
" Drivers ages 16-17 continue to have the highest rates of crash involvement, injuries to themselves and others and deaths of others in crashes in which they are involved. Drivers age 80 and older have the highest rates of driver deaths. Drivers ages 60-69 were the safest drivers by most measures examined."
https://aaafoundation.org/rates-motor-v ... 20examined.
by hicabob
Fri Sep 02, 2022 6:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Airfares Etc.
Replies: 11
Views: 1523

Re: Airfares Etc.

Recently I've seen airfares cheapest a couple days prior to departure. If you book a refundable, which seem to have exploded in reasonable price recently, then you can look for cheap fares without concern since you have a backup.
by hicabob
Fri Sep 02, 2022 5:12 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: long term history of real estate as an asset class?
Replies: 54
Views: 4248

Re: long term history of real estate as an asset class?

The Herengracht index, which is residential housing price on a canal in Amsterdam, NV is the classic long term look at residential RE in a desirable area. The houses along the canal are a few million euro's each nowadays so SF bay area and then some pricing.


https://hotelivory.wordpress.com/2010/0 ... se-prices/
by hicabob
Wed Aug 31, 2022 7:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Seller disclosure of a house on a flight path
Replies: 91
Views: 8911

Re: Seller disclosure of a house on a flight path

adestefan wrote: Wed Aug 31, 2022 7:09 pm
I also lived next to a major set of train tracks while in college. While that was a lot louder it was another thing that just disappeared into the background. And that was in an otherwise quiet, rural area.
I had an airbnb once that was about 60 feet from a freight train track. It was horrifying! You heard a rumble about 30 seconds before it would build up into a crescendo with the little house vibrating and rattling every couple of hours. Other than that it was a nice place. The listing did mention it but made it sound not so bad.
by hicabob
Tue Aug 30, 2022 8:22 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Where would you move to?
Replies: 233
Views: 26779

Re: Where would you move to?

manlymatt83 wrote: Tue Aug 30, 2022 3:38 pm I need to go visit it soon to see if I feel like I'd like it there, but I'm an East Coast person at heart (Love New England especially!). I hear NorCal is similar except maybe not as much seafood.
Eureka, which is very North California is very different than the SF Bay Area which is still considered North California,
by hicabob
Mon Aug 29, 2022 8:49 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Exercise w/o sweating. Any ideas?
Replies: 27
Views: 3340

Re: Exercise w/o sweating. Any ideas?

Pool based exercising would seem the obvious solution.
by hicabob
Mon Aug 29, 2022 11:22 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Retirees aren't spending their nestegg - how can we do better?
Replies: 148
Views: 13088

Re: Retirees aren't spending their nestegg - how can we do better?

I'm a bit of a piker in spite of having way more $$ than I need. Many years ago I read a seemingly trite yet deep quote on Bogleheads ...
"The only thing you can do with money is spend it or give it to someone else to spend" which helped encourage me to crowbar the old wallet open more frequently. My excess spending nowadays is mostly based on "better to give with a warm hand than a cold one".
by hicabob
Fri Aug 26, 2022 6:09 pm
Forum: Non-US Chapters
Topic: Chance to meet Irish Bogleheads (second trip update)
Replies: 9
Views: 7085

Re: First trip update

Raybo wrote: Fri Aug 26, 2022 4:37 pm One fairly long bit was a 20% grade on a narrow road full of mostly patient traffic. Though, the 16% climb later in the day seemed harder.
20% grade - that's impressive! Must be an old road - way steeper than max for even a legal driveway where I live. What's the steepest road in the US you've encountered?
by hicabob
Thu Aug 25, 2022 4:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Las Vegas--recommended activities?
Replies: 40
Views: 3903

Re: Las Vegas--recommended activities?

The coupon books most casinos give out to guests are a good boglehead way to "sample" gambling. Get them from your gambling averse co-workers too and have the odds hugely in your favor while the coupons last. I second that the Atomic testing museum is very interesting. I going to disagree. I did this on several trips, but the amount of time it takes to find the loyalty desk, get sign up for the players club, then play your $10 match play with its EV of $4.80 just isnt worth it. I might also add that with staffing shortages, the lines at the players clubs is only getting longer. My experience has been they give guests a coupon book at check-in to the hotel. Agree with the Ellis Island recommendation above too! Excellent BBQ, beer ...
by hicabob
Thu Aug 25, 2022 1:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Las Vegas--recommended activities?
Replies: 40
Views: 3903

Re: Las Vegas--recommended activities?

The coupon books most casinos give out to guests are a good boglehead way to "sample" gambling. Get them from your gambling averse co-workers too and have the odds hugely in your favor while the coupons last. I second that the Atomic testing museum is very interesting.
by hicabob
Mon Aug 22, 2022 4:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: catalytic converter theft, what to expect from insurance
Replies: 15
Views: 2101

Re: catalytic converter theft, what to expect from insurance

Cats for old cars are only a few hundred bucks. If your Honda is only worth 3k it's an old car.
by hicabob
Wed Aug 17, 2022 7:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Has anyone found voice command to be useful?
Replies: 47
Views: 2783

Re: Has anyone found voice command to be useful?

Google voice to text seems to be about as good voice recognition as it gets as observed in google voice messages etc. I use google maps voice to text all the time and think it's great. Setting timers and alarms via voice to text works well for me too.
by hicabob
Wed Aug 17, 2022 1:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Services to guide the elderly at the aiport
Replies: 32
Views: 2850

Re: Services to guide the elderly at the aiport

ScubaHogg wrote: Wed Aug 17, 2022 1:15 pm You can simply request a wheelchair. They will take her right to her gate and, if she has a connection, between flights at the connecting airport
You don't have to ride in the wheelchair. The assistant is happy to walk with the person - That's how blind folk do it from what I've observed.
by hicabob
Wed Aug 17, 2022 1:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Services to guide the elderly at the aiport
Replies: 32
Views: 2850

Re: Services to guide the elderly at the aiport

If she says she is handicapped, which it sounds like she is, the airline will provide her with assistance. My deaf Mom used to use that service. It's nice to tip the assistant when they have done their job.
by hicabob
Thu Aug 11, 2022 8:59 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Boglehead EV (Electric Vehicle) ?
Replies: 63
Views: 6348

Re: Boglehead EV (Electric Vehicle) ?

I drove an ElecctroMeccanica Solo for 30 miles on a test drive. It was a blast! For 50% of the price I might buy one. Just need a good fed and state credit.
by hicabob
Sun Aug 07, 2022 10:18 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: “Never take financial advice from Jim Cramer“
Replies: 35
Views: 4519

Re: “Never take financial advice from Jim Cramer“

In defense of Jim (since everyone loves to bash him) he really seems to be a nice person. I did some work in his studio back when Cramer/Kudlow was a thing and the staff seemed to universally love Jim. Kudlow on the other hand ... not so much to put it nicely.