Search found 4994 matches

by neilpilot
Fri Mar 15, 2024 10:18 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Termite Quotes & Repair vs Damage warranty
Replies: 33
Views: 1888

Re: Termite Quotes & Repair vs Damage warranty

In which case one does not need Termidor... Flawed conclusion. Sort of like saying since I drive with care, never speed and wear my seat belt, it's OK to drive and text. Sorry, I do not understand this. The poster I quoted said the colony was eliminated and the treatment was extremely effective at doing so. Thus there are no termites to treat. Thus there is no need for additional termiticide. No termites = no termiticides. I have little/no training in logic, but this looks solid on my end. Where am I off? My comment may have been a bit extreme, and Sentricon alone could perform well without also applying a barrier treatment. However, there are advantages to using BOTH treatments rather than just Sentricon. Monitoring and maintenance of a S...
by neilpilot
Fri Mar 15, 2024 9:50 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Termite Quotes & Repair vs Damage warranty
Replies: 33
Views: 1888

Re: Termite Quotes & Repair vs Damage warranty

tldr: Put in modest effort to educate yourself and DIY or find someone you trust and have them handle things. I am a former national company sales person for termite and pest control, former commercial licensed to apply the same. Current restricted pesticide applicator for private use in my state. 1. There is a significant difference between subterranean termites and the kind that require fumigation. I have near zero understanding of the fumigation type other than having HIGH confidence that they are not what the OP is having issues with in NC. 2. Termidor can be DIY, certainly in NC. Read the label, do what it says. It is the law. You will end up doing exactly what the company does. 3. Termite bait stations are not something we used many ...
by neilpilot
Wed Mar 13, 2024 2:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Microsoft Office 2021 for Home
Replies: 47
Views: 3291

Re: Microsoft Office 2021 for Home

tibbitts wrote: Wed Mar 13, 2024 1:17 pm
That's an excellent point. It seems like I was still getting updates for Office 2013(?) as recently as last year, but going forward there can be different policies that might be aligned with the move to subscription models.
I'm using MS Office 2013. The updates ended last April.
by neilpilot
Sat Mar 09, 2024 5:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Electrical Outlet Covers
Replies: 48
Views: 3698

Re: Electrical Outlet Covers

Mike,

Why do all your posts appear twice?
by neilpilot
Sat Mar 09, 2024 12:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How do you decide air travel priorities? Flight to CDG
Replies: 38
Views: 2602

Re: How do you decide air travel priorities? Flight to CDG

mikejuss wrote: Sat Mar 09, 2024 11:46 am Legroom, legroom, legroom: book economy plus.
Bad advice for frugal Bogelheads. Yesterday I booked a September RT, Memphis to Shannon.

For the same flight, the pp airfare was $569 for Basic Economy, $749 for Economy and $1699 for Economy Plus.

We went with the lowest fare. So I'm saving $2260 by tolerating a bit less leg room on 7-8 hour flights.

ps - We typically travel without checked baggage, so won't face the additional checked bag fee with Basic Economy.
by neilpilot
Fri Mar 08, 2024 9:00 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Are white, red, blue and other bright colors safer [for cars] than other colors???
Replies: 45
Views: 3873

Re: Are white, red, blue and other bright colors safer than other colors???

My only speeding ticket was back in 2001, while driving my 928S in my neighborhood. The cop who ticketed me said that if my Porsche wasn't red, he probably wouldn't have stopped me.
by neilpilot
Wed Mar 06, 2024 12:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Lemon Law Question in Pennsylvania
Replies: 16
Views: 1069

Re: Lemon Law Question in Pennsylvania

Don't know about Subaru, but I'm aware of another manufacturer that will sometimes entertain a buyback if you tell them (Subaru, not the dealer) you are considering a Lemon Law claim. The customer typically gets their money back the same as if they initiated a claim, but it's quicker and easier. The manufacturer prefers a buy back since they can then fix & resell the car with a clear title.

PS - similar to what Valleyrock is saying.
by neilpilot
Tue Mar 05, 2024 12:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Flying to London - Delta or British Airways
Replies: 58
Views: 5434

Re: Flying to London - Delta or British Airways

I flew BA for the first and only time last year and the flight was cancelled the day before we were supposed to leave. No reason was given. Was given a choice of a refund or booking on a much later flight which really messed up our plan. When we checked in for the flight, the agent at the counter told us we were lucky because it was the only remaining flight and it was full so all of the others were just left stranded. This was Zurich to London so U.S. laws about compensating passengers didn't apply. Since your flight is originating in the U.S. I assume they will have to abide by U.S. laws but I have no idea about the return trip originating from London. When we were delayed leaving JFK we assumed EU laws didn't apply, but after our Britis...
by neilpilot
Tue Mar 05, 2024 9:48 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Flying to London - Delta or British Airways
Replies: 58
Views: 5434

Re: Flying to London - Delta or British Airways

EU regulations provide a set penalty if flight is significantly delayed or canceled. Applies to all carrier departures to USA from EU. Only applies to EU carriers from USA to EU. We picked up 1200£ for a delay out of JFK because we were on BA. Uncertain if the law still applies after UK's EU exit.

Ps - just checked and the UK version of this law no longer applies to flights from US, https://www.caa.co.uk/passengers/resolv ... ns/delays/
by neilpilot
Sun Mar 03, 2024 11:10 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Why am a getting a Lyft ad whenever I use Google Maps?
Replies: 17
Views: 9890

Re: Why am a getting a Lyft ad whenever I use Google Maps?

rhinopylon wrote: Tue Jun 05, 2018 8:10 pm
CULater wrote: Tue Jun 05, 2018 12:19 pm one of the primary reasons I preferred an android in the first place.
Just wanted to point out iPhones don't have this issue while using Google Maps. :twisted:
Neither does my Android.
by neilpilot
Sun Mar 03, 2024 11:09 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Why am a getting a Lyft ad whenever I use Google Maps?
Replies: 17
Views: 9890

Re: Why am a getting a Lyft ad whenever I use Google Maps?

rhinopylon wrote: Tue Jun 05, 2018 8:10 pm
CULater wrote: Tue Jun 05, 2018 12:19 pm one of the primary reasons I preferred an android in the first place.
Just wanted to point out iPhones don't have this issue while using Google Maps. :twisted:
Neither does my Android.
by neilpilot
Sat Mar 02, 2024 1:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: When do electric cars stop making sense?
Replies: 210
Views: 16108

Re: When do electric cars stop making sense?

I don't care about their carbon footprint. I care about the horrific accidents and death that some of these drivers cause. I've seen the same drivers that you have. I do not understand why the Federal Government has not stepped in to stop the use of "autopilot". The latest lunatic was caught wearing a Vision Pro while "driving" a Tesla. This is not an EV issue. Anyone can engage in reckless driving in any vehicle, whether it is an ICE or EV, and offers auto pilot or not. Reckless driving is already illegal. I'm not sure what more the federal government could do, but we're not allowed to discuss new legislation on bogleheads. It's very much an EV issue. Go look at the NHTSA statistics. I'm not bringing up new legislation...
by neilpilot
Sat Mar 02, 2024 9:18 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Products/Services with Automatic renewal
Replies: 22
Views: 944

Re: Products/Services with Automatic renewal

Many credit card issuers offer virtual card #s that you can set to vanish, so auto renewal will fail if you forget to cancel
by neilpilot
Fri Mar 01, 2024 3:07 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Want to leave timeshare.
Replies: 111
Views: 12039

Re: Want to leave timeshare.

It’s fun to theorize, but I’d like to hear about any real case where someone with otherwise good finances and credit has defaulted on their timeshare maintenance has been sued or had their wages garnished. In my case, if my credit rating is impacted it could result in increased insurance premiums. I think that’s about it. Based on the experience of others I consider it unlikely they will do anything other than foreclose on the deeded weeks. The foreclosure will stay on my credit report for seven year. Like I mentioned, it really depends on the dollar amount. If you default on a $1000 of maintenance fees, more than likely you are correct - it just goes to collection and ends up on your credit report. If you don't need or care about your cre...
by neilpilot
Fri Mar 01, 2024 9:05 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Want to leave timeshare.
Replies: 111
Views: 12039

Re: Want to leave timeshare.

Bought 2 Marriott branded timeshares in the resale market decades ago. Paid about 12 cents on the $. About 80% of the time we trade thru Interval Intl, which Marriott recently bought. Most trades in the past decade have been to a couple of properties in the south of Spain and the Balearic Islands, which we really enjoy. No problem completing tradings when we prefer to travel. Happy with this arrangement. When we decide to stop using these weeks, we plan to simply stop paying annual fee unless Marriott make buy back easy. If you stop paying the annual fee what occurs? Is there no contractual obligation to pay the “maintenance fees” ? Are the Marriott time shares different than the run of the mill time shares? Curious as to the difference No...
by neilpilot
Thu Feb 29, 2024 9:00 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Want to leave timeshare.
Replies: 111
Views: 12039

Re: Want to leave timeshare.

Bought 2 Marriott branded timeshares in the resale market decades ago. Paid about 12 cents on the $. About 80% of the time we trade thru Interval Intl, which Marriott recently bought.

Most trades in the past decade have been to a couple of properties in the south of Spain and the Balearic Islands, which we really enjoy. No problem completing tradings when we prefer to travel. Happy with this arrangement.

When we decide to stop using these weeks, we plan to simply stop paying annual fee unless Marriott make buy back easy.
by neilpilot
Thu Feb 29, 2024 8:44 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What frugal thing did you do today?
Replies: 4524
Views: 617459

Re: What frugal thing did you do today?

Enjoying free accommodations in SC low country, Charleston SC area. Free accommodations, as usual, in exchange for watching pets while the homeowners travel.
by neilpilot
Fri Feb 23, 2024 1:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best Value Portable GPS Navigator
Replies: 23
Views: 1657

Re: Best Value Portable GPS Navigator

Google maps can work offline, without a cell phone plan. I get the idea that Google doesn't have "Points of Interest" in offline data use. Do you type in a street address, or what? Obviously you can use My Current Location as the starting point. You download the maps every few months on Wi-Fi then use the GPS in the phone for navigation. No data required. It knows where you are and where everything is and how to get there. No live traffic but I don’t think the GPS units offer that either. Best part of the phone is you don’t add a second device, don’t worry about it getting stolen from your car, and always have it with you to navigate on foot, bike, airport, etc. stand-alone GPS is really no longer a viable thing. Plus you get the...
by neilpilot
Thu Feb 22, 2024 10:12 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Google 2FA, etc. while traveling
Replies: 11
Views: 1668

Re: Google 2FA, etc. while traveling

Of course you can drive using Google Maps with data off, so long as you've downloaded area maps first
by neilpilot
Mon Feb 19, 2024 2:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Brown spots on the inside bottom of the kettle
Replies: 24
Views: 1429

Re: Brown spots on the inside bottom of the kettle

Amazon says your kettle is 18/10 food grade, which should be equivalent in grade to 304SS. I wonder if it's really 18/10 food grade, since 304ss has a high nickel content and is relatively rustproof.
by neilpilot
Mon Feb 19, 2024 10:58 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Western Europe Traveling Apps?
Replies: 28
Views: 2206

Re: Western Europe Traveling Apps?

There used to be two Here apps, Here Maps and Here WeGo navigation app. The former is now not available in Google play store. <snip> Just a footnote: Audi, BMW and Daimler bought HERE from Nokia in 2015. Intel and Bosch bought minority stakes in 2018. (Don't know if anyone else might have bought in too) I think they dropped the app's original name and changed it to HERE WeGo to distinguish it's consumer app from the map products HERE licenses to its commercial clients. We typically rent cars in Europe every year, and since our Android phones are almost always in the Airplane mode or connected to WiFi, HERE WeGo was our favorite driving and walking navigator in Europe as well as in the USA. However, the app performance has significantly cha...
by neilpilot
Sat Feb 17, 2024 8:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What frugal thing did you do today?
Replies: 4524
Views: 617459

Re: What frugal thing did you do today?

vnatale wrote: Sat Feb 17, 2024 7:01 pm
neilpilot wrote: Thu Feb 15, 2024 5:00 am
TheRoundHeadedKid wrote: Wed Feb 14, 2024 11:16 pm

During the hot Arizona summers, I would turn off the hot water heater so that I can take a cold shower using the water from it. It was much cooler than the water coming out of the cold water faucet. Essentially the hot and cold-water faucet got switched.
I’m so frugal I don’t even heat my hot water. I do have a water heater, but not a hot water heater.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

While all the rest of us ARE heating our hot water!
I don't have a "hot water heater". I have 2 50-gallon "hot water tanks", aka "water heaters".
by neilpilot
Fri Feb 16, 2024 10:34 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Vacation in UK - using my US smart phone eSIM/SIM
Replies: 24
Views: 1800

Re: Vacation in UK - using my US smart phone eSIM/SIM

I travel to the UK several times a year to visit family. I have a prepaid US phone plan (Visible) which doesn’t have international roaming. When I travel I use an eSim from Maya mobile (www.maya.net) It’s a US based provider- you install the eSim into the second slot on your phone before you leave for your trip. Enable “cellular data switching” on your phone and when you land in the UK your US plan will work over the local network. Your US number will work just like at home- you will receive calls and texts just the same. Happy travels! Pete Pete, Does the Maya eSim provide only data or voice as well? TIA. The eSim itself is data only, but with the cellular data switching feature turned on I can make and receive phone calls using my US pho...
by neilpilot
Thu Feb 15, 2024 5:00 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What frugal thing did you do today?
Replies: 4524
Views: 617459

Re: What frugal thing did you do today?

TheRoundHeadedKid wrote: Wed Feb 14, 2024 11:16 pm

During the hot Arizona summers, I would turn off the hot water heater so that I can take a cold shower using the water from it. It was much cooler than the water coming out of the cold water faucet. Essentially the hot and cold-water faucet got switched.
I’m so frugal I don’t even heat my hot water. I do have a water heater, but not a hot water heater.
by neilpilot
Tue Feb 13, 2024 9:01 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Hertz customer service
Replies: 18
Views: 1533

Re: Hertz customer service

Many years ago, I had a business trip take me to Logansport Indiana via Ft. Wayne in the winter. Since I know all about lake effect snow, I specified snow tires on my Hertz rental in advance of the trip. When I arrived in Ft. Wayne and went to the Hertz counter, I asked if the car would have snow tires. I was told it would not. When I complained that I had specified snow tires in my reservation, the response was "do you want the car or not?" Since I needed the car at that time, I took it. Sure enough, I ended up driving in a blizzard with terrible driving conditions. I have avoided Hertz whenever possible since then. You honestly think a rental car company is going to replace the OEM tires on their fleet just because you requeste...
by neilpilot
Tue Feb 13, 2024 8:11 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What frugal thing did you do today?
Replies: 4524
Views: 617459

Re: What frugal thing did you do today?

I cancelled Sling TV that was costing $42/month and ordered a refurbished cable modem/wifi router for $50 so I won't have to rent one from Xfinity at $15/month. I'll still be streaming with ad-supported Netflix and Hulu (Black Friday deal for $.99/month), and I have an antenna for local broadcast channels, etc. The new router is on Xfinity's approved list, so it should work fine. Fingers crossed I won't have any installation issues. Nicely done. I love eliminating recurring monthly fees, and seeing other folks do so as well. Monthly fees/subscriptions seem to be the new way for corporations to bleed people dry without them realizing it...cell phones with the big carriers, cable, internet, grub hub, door dash, Netflix, Hulu, Peacock, HBO Ma...
by neilpilot
Sat Feb 10, 2024 8:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11037
Views: 2066866

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

bighatnohorse wrote: Sat Feb 10, 2024 5:08 pm "Reacher" fans will like the new series with Alan Ritchson on Prime.
If you've read the Reacher series of books, this gets the character right.
(Tom Cruise could play Reacher's baby sister. I never even bothered to watch the original Reacher with Cruise in it.)
Not a movie, so wrong thread. Thought the last Reacher season was weak.
by neilpilot
Fri Feb 09, 2024 3:47 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: EV Charging Station tax rebate with H&R Block tax software
Replies: 30
Views: 5156

Re: EV Charging Station tax rebate with H&R Block tax software

Blister wrote: Fri Feb 09, 2024 2:16 pm I called HR Block and apparently they still do not support form 8911. I was told I could manually download and fill out the form and manually enter it into my 1040 but then I cannot file electronically. Guess I'll be mailing in my tax forms this year. Going old school. I checked and I do live in a eligible area. Form 3800 is more for businesses.
As I posted above, I used the Form 3800 workaround for TY2021 and had no problems with my e-file.
by neilpilot
Thu Feb 08, 2024 9:51 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Turbo Tax on line asking me to upload our 1099-B
Replies: 20
Views: 1570

Re: Turbo Tax on line asking me to upload our 1099-B

lthenderson wrote: Thu Feb 08, 2024 8:32 am
Parkinglotracer wrote: Thu Feb 08, 2024 7:25 am Would turbo tax still ask for my 1099-B if I typed in the specific trade details of my stock sales or does it ask for me to upload the 1099-B because I chose to enter only the category totals?
I just entered category totals and wasn't asked to submit my 1099-B. FWIW - I used TurboTax Deluxe download.
Same here, using HRBlock download.
by neilpilot
Thu Feb 08, 2024 7:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What frugal thing did you do today?
Replies: 4524
Views: 617459

Re: What frugal thing did you do today?

Most frugal thing you can do is still find a line with a cashier rather than self checkout if you have more than a few items as my time is valuable to me. I had a person with two full carts of groceries in front of me in the only line with a cashier leave the line because of a delay with a customer in front of them only to go to the self checkout. Thought to myself that I might have walked out before attempting that torture. They had a mess and had a long way to go by the time I was leaving the store. While I don't enjoy self-check, lately it's something I've been forced to do when there are no cashier lines open. I've found that it can be more frugal using self-check, since I can more easily observe the price and coupon status of the purc...
by neilpilot
Wed Feb 07, 2024 3:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: EV Charging Station at Home
Replies: 48
Views: 3469

Re: EV Charging Station at Home

TomatoTomahto wrote: Wed Feb 07, 2024 2:54 pm
zlandar wrote: Wed Feb 07, 2024 10:44 am I just followed the OPs link and saw the charger was branded Clipper creek. I’ve never heard of Enphase. .
Enphase is a company well known in solar production and storage. They are especially known for their micro inverters, the newer ones of which can provide backup power during a grid outage in sunlight without relying on a battery.
...the OP's link does go to the Enphase site. That particular EVSE is an older model that hasn't been rebranded.
by neilpilot
Wed Feb 07, 2024 10:19 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: EV Charging Station at Home
Replies: 48
Views: 3469

Re: EV Charging Station at Home

zlandar wrote: Wed Feb 07, 2024 7:33 am I would not get a level 2 charger that is not UL listed. Maybe it's ok. Maybe not. The cost savings are not worth plugging in a non-UL device handling that much electricity.

I would either go B or D depending on how much you want to spend. ClipperCreek makes option B. My workplace uses ClipperCreek chargers with two charging plugs. They are exposed to the weather and always work. impressed with the reliability.
Might be useful to mention that I believe you are actually recommending Enphase EVSEs. Didn't they buy Clipper Creek in 2022 and rebrand the EVSE line?
by neilpilot
Mon Feb 05, 2024 2:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 2023 Tax Year - First Big Roth Conversion - Triage Summary
Replies: 165
Views: 11174

Re: 2023 Tax Year - First Big Roth Conversion - Triage Summary

ee_guy wrote: Sun Feb 04, 2024 5:22 pm OP- thanks for posting.

You can consider IRMAA as another tax bracket. For 2024 IRMAA the higher AGI tiers are $322K and $386K. Going above $322K will add $104.80 per month. For a couple that is 24*108.80=$2,611.20 in IRMAA premiums. You can converting an additional $64K = $386-322K and stay in the tier. This is an effective tax rate of 2,611.20/64,000 =4.08% filing MFJ.
Check your numbers. Have you overlooked the additional IRMAA increase for Part D? For example, going above $322K will add $125.20, not $104.80 per month.
by neilpilot
Sun Feb 04, 2024 4:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: GoodRX price just quadrupled. Is it normal?
Replies: 15
Views: 2649

Re: GoodRX price just quadrupled. Is it normal?

GoodRx price can vary by store & location. Here's it $33 at Kroger and $19 at Costco (0.4mg, 90 capsuls)
by neilpilot
Sun Feb 04, 2024 4:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Total Verizon
Replies: 6
Views: 888

Re: Total Verizon

There are only 3 or so MVNOs that get to use prioritized data: US Mobile if you have a 5G phone, Xfinity gives you an option to pay, and another cable company. Maybe Visible would offer it as well. Deprioritized data makes your phone basically unusable for anything except phone calls and SMS. It doesn't take all that much congestion before you get hit. Even something like a 5000 person concert venue would probably affect you negatively. I use US Mobile and have been happy with the service. I'm paying $33/mo for what was a $130/mo bill with Verizon. The only downside is lack of Canada coverage (which hasn't been a problem since before COVID) and lack of access to roaming partners in areas of marginal coverage. We have Xfinity, and don't use...
by neilpilot
Sun Feb 04, 2024 4:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: H&R Block 2023 incorrectly reporting taxable IRA distribution
Replies: 141
Views: 18654

Re: HR Block Tax issue - RMD has no effect on income

I suspect your leaving box 2A, taxable amount, blank.
by neilpilot
Fri Feb 02, 2024 12:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is Everyone's Info Really on the Dark Web?
Replies: 25
Views: 3359

Re: Is Everyone's Info Really on the Dark Web?

Doctor Rhythm wrote: Fri Feb 02, 2024 12:39 pm If you assume it’s already out there, you don’t have to pay extra for monitoring.
Realistically, wouldn't you take the same precautions (freeze credit report, safe computer practices, etc) irrespective of weather your name & SSN is out there?

Passwords are a different story.
by neilpilot
Fri Feb 02, 2024 9:30 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Mechanical Protection Plans - anyone ever benefit from them?
Replies: 16
Views: 1472

Re: Mechanical Protection Plans - anyone ever benefit from them?

Jeepguy wrote: Fri Feb 02, 2024 9:14 am Depends on the manufacturer. I would pass on Toyota and Honda. Domestic brands are another story and worth considering……
Curious - what do you consider a "domestic brand". A GM car could be assembled in Canada, Mexico or beyond. I own a VW ID.4, which was made n Germany but is now assembled in TN. Is Chrysler, part of the Stellantis NV conglomerate, domestic?
by neilpilot
Thu Feb 01, 2024 5:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Southern Spain in March
Replies: 47
Views: 4769

Re: Southern Spain in March

Looking like a bus may be the most practical from Malaga to Granada. In this case May just buy train tickets separately, maybe regular class except for Madrid to Malaga and Seville to Madrid in which case I could splurge on first. Any renfe experiences? Apparently their website can be a pain. From your schedule, looks like you plan to spend little or no time in Madrid. I've frequently traveled to/from Malaga via Madrid and Barcelona, but never by train. Interior flights, especially off season, can be very inexpensive. Our AirEuropa flight MAD-AGP this past March cost us only $45pp. Also realize that car rentals at Malaga can be really cheap in early March, with a drop off in Seville a possibility. Which rental company would you recommend f...
by neilpilot
Thu Feb 01, 2024 4:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Southern Spain in March
Replies: 47
Views: 4769

Re: Southern Spain in March

Looking like a bus may be the most practical from Malaga to Granada. In this case May just buy train tickets separately, maybe regular class except for Madrid to Malaga and Seville to Madrid in which case I could splurge on first. Any renfe experiences? Apparently their website can be a pain. From your schedule, looks like you plan to spend little or no time in Madrid. I've frequently traveled to/from Malaga via Madrid and Barcelona, but never by train. Interior flights, especially off season, can be very inexpensive. Our AirEuropa flight MAD-AGP this past March cost us only $45pp. Also realize that car rentals at Malaga can be really cheap in early March, with a drop off in Seville a possibility. Which rental company would you recommend f...
by neilpilot
Mon Jan 29, 2024 8:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Garage EV Charger Options - which way to go?
Replies: 58
Views: 5014

Re: Garage EV Charger Options - which way to go?

chemocean wrote: Mon Jan 29, 2024 8:23 pm
It took me a while to understand that the plugs on the outside of the front and back door were actually on the GFCI circuit controlled by GFCI plugs on two sides of the kitchen.
Was at a friend's house last summer and he complained that he'd been waiting weeks for an electrician to fix the lights in his pool. Later I used the downstairs bathroom sink, reset the GFCI while I was in there, and his pool lights were then working. He had no idea.
by neilpilot
Mon Jan 29, 2024 4:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Scan & Store Real ID License or be refused medical care?
Replies: 44
Views: 2768

Re: Scan & Store Real ID License or be refused medical care?

JoeNJ28 wrote: Mon Jan 29, 2024 4:25 pm As licenses renew and the states role out the system everyone gets it.
Not true, at least according the DHS info.
by neilpilot
Mon Jan 29, 2024 4:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Scan & Store Real ID License or be refused medical care?
Replies: 44
Views: 2768

Re: Scan & Store Real ID License or be refused medical care?

JoeNJ28 wrote: Mon Jan 29, 2024 4:25 pm As licenses renew and the states role out the system everyone gets it.
Not true, at least according the DHS info.
by neilpilot
Mon Jan 29, 2024 7:46 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dishwasher - repair or buy new?
Replies: 60
Views: 5515

Re: Dishwasher - repair or buy new?

Big Dog wrote: Sat Jan 27, 2024 11:23 am a DW leak is usually major surgery, so woudl not even spend the ~$75 for repair person to give a diagnosis. Time to replace.
Not my admittedly limited experience. Have repaired 3 dishwashers over the years, including 2 leaks. One leak was at a solenoid that was easy to replace and maybe $25. That was the expensive repair. The other was tightening a hose clamp that had lossened over the years.
by neilpilot
Sun Jan 28, 2024 4:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Garage EV Charger Options - which way to go?
Replies: 58
Views: 5014

Re: Garage EV Charger Options - which way to go?

MGBMartin wrote: Sun Jan 28, 2024 3:43 pm
bikesandbeers wrote: Sun Jan 28, 2024 3:04 pm You do not need at GFCI breaker for a 240v car charging circuit. EV Charging stations have built in GFCI. You do need to keep the outlet covered if outside.
If the EVSE is hardwired to the panel then a GFCI breaker is not required; however, code says an outlet like a 16-50 requires a GFCI breaker. That’s the way I understand it.
Do I need a GFCI on my electric dryer circuit? It's not hard wired.
by neilpilot
Sun Jan 28, 2024 2:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Garage EV Charger Options - which way to go?
Replies: 58
Views: 5014

Re: Garage EV Charger Options - which way to go?

Thanks for the many replies. The GFCI for the current circuit is indoors, in a bathroom outlet. The garage is attached. The GFCI is quite old, and it's cheap to replace, so many thanks to the folks suggesting to try that first. Whatever we do short or long term, we'll be keeping the 120V circuit to the garage, so it makes sense to try that first, which may let us delay getting a new circuit run out to the garage. not an electrician, but linking bathrooms to one GFCI is not uncommon. That is how our house is wired. That said, our GFCI linking all is actually in our garage, not a bathroom. Just throwing that out there should you have an electrician come by, and inquire if there is any advantage to have it in the bathroom When you place an in...
by neilpilot
Fri Jan 26, 2024 1:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Planes, trains, automobiles, boats- $$$ for hobbies
Replies: 51
Views: 5469

Re: Planes, trains, automobiles, boats- $$$ for hobbies

A good part of this particular problem, and why we need to wait to sell, is that for a large portion of ownership time, the joy has been absent for upgrades and maintenance. Everything continues to take longer to complete. So there is little joy at present. No more upgrades planned... After getting a pilot license in the early 70s, I quit for 13 years due to various life pressures. Then (as you already know) I owned a nice travelling plane from 1989-2018. With the exception of currency and charity flights, almost all of the 2400 hours flown over 29 years of ownership supported our love of travel. Following it's sale in 2018, we've kept up the usual frequent travel schedule. Trips that were previously in my aircraft were either via airline ...
by neilpilot
Tue Jan 23, 2024 7:59 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Need help deciding what to do with 2 teslas
Replies: 30
Views: 4439

Re: Need help deciding what to do with 2 teslas

YeahBuddy wrote: Tue Jan 23, 2024 6:00 am
JazboJenkins wrote: Mon Jan 22, 2024 9:41 pm Hello all,

I really appreciate your help and advice. And embarrassingly, we do have the problem I posted about. I will take your advice and get some help with our spending. Thank you Bogleheads.

Step 1: Realize you CAN pass up the Rivian.

Best of luck.
The OP had posted "we purchased the Rivian last week".
by neilpilot
Fri Jan 19, 2024 10:44 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Xfinity autopay: Gaming the system to get discount
Replies: 24
Views: 3369

Re: Xfinity autopay: Gaming the system to get discount

"Why not have Comcast charge a credit card and earn some cash back?" Comcast recently put the kibosh on that. I was using my Fidelity card to pay every month, in effect getting a 2% discount on cable. Comcast changed their fee structure, giving accounts that used a card less of a discount than those using autopay from checking, etc. The difference meant that only those who are arithmetic-challenged would continue to use cards. That maybe the cast for Comcast internet, but it's not for their phone service. I've used a card to pay for my Xfinity phone service monthly for years, and the billing still reflects the same autopay discount. Phone service (2 lines), including all fees constantly costs about $17.50/mo. It's for people that...