Search found 182 matches

by othermike27
Fri Feb 16, 2024 7:28 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Chase Sapphire Preferred Not Allowing Downloads
Replies: 16
Views: 1436

Re: Chase Sapphire Preferred Not Allowing Downloads

Chase definitely has a few snags with their online reporting. I like to receive a text each time anything is charged on my account and Chase insists that I can only receive texts for one CC. DW and I hold five Chase-issued cards: three are Chase branded and two are co-branded. The primary holder receives a text with every charge, usually at the moment of purchase (timing seems to depend on the seller's procedures or their card processor's). IIRC, only one number can be set up for each card's texts. Other holders can elect to receive an email. View the alert options to see all the choices you have available, and note that your choices are specific to each card . So if you hold more than one card, you must set up alerts for each separately. ...
by othermike27
Thu Feb 15, 2024 11:04 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Chase Sapphire Preferred Not Allowing Downloads
Replies: 16
Views: 1436

Re: Chase Sapphire Preferred Not Allowing Downloads

Chase definitely has a few snags with their online reporting. I like to receive a text each time anything is charged on my account and Chase insists that I can only receive texts for one CC. DW and I hold five Chase-issued cards: three are Chase branded and two are co-branded. The primary holder receives a text with every charge, usually at the moment of purchase (timing seems to depend on the seller's procedures or their card processor's). IIRC, only one number can be set up for each card's texts. Other holders can elect to receive an email. View the alert options to see all the choices you have available, and note that your choices are specific to each card . So if you hold more than one card, you must set up alerts for each separately. ...
by othermike27
Wed Feb 14, 2024 5:04 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Chase Sapphire Preferred Not Allowing Downloads
Replies: 16
Views: 1436

Re: Chase Sapphire Preferred Not Allowing Downloads

Chase definitely has a few snags with their online reporting. I like to receive a text each time anything is charged on my account and Chase insists that I can only receive texts for one CC. DW and I hold five Chase-issued cards: three are Chase branded and two are co-branded. The primary holder receives a text with every charge, usually at the moment of purchase (timing seems to depend on the seller's procedures or their card processor's). IIRC, only one number can be set up for each card's texts. Other holders can elect to receive an email. View the alert options to see all the choices you have available, and note that your choices are specific to each card . So if you hold more than one card, you must set up alerts for each separately.
by othermike27
Mon Dec 25, 2023 6:09 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Men's travel pants recommendation.
Replies: 76
Views: 8913

Re: Men's travel pants recommendation.

For cheap pants suitable for travel, etc., I started with UB Tech pants from Costco, as noted upthread. But they aren't always available. Also not sure whether the same pants are still being made and sold at Costco. But here is another brand to consider: 5.11 Tactical. In particular, I like their Apex pant in black for $90 for a cargo option that doesn't scream cargo pants. I wear these often for everyday when I'm not wearing Lee/Wrangler jeans. They are comfortable, seem very durable over the last 5 years and have more pockets than you can shake a stick at. No, they don't have a neatly pressed look with a crease, but they are presentable and can be washed in a hotel room sink if needed. Again, keep in mind that I'm talking about the black ...
by othermike27
Fri Nov 24, 2023 10:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Black Friday/Cyber Monday Deals on Luggage/Duffles?
Replies: 11
Views: 2249

Re: Black Friday/Cyber Monday Deals on Luggage/Duffles?

We have gone through several generations of luggage from cheapie to Briggs & Riley. I keep coming back to TravelPro as my favorite. If you get a spinner (4 wheeler) I especially recommend getting one with the wheels that align magnetically to make pushing much easier. Happy travels.
by othermike27
Thu Oct 26, 2023 5:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: closing credit card myself vs company
Replies: 18
Views: 1883

Re: closing credit card myself vs company

One thing I have heard is your credit rating gets hurt when you close a credit card down. Can anyone verify this? If nothing else your available credit will be reduced. This will increase your credit use ratio, which will lower your credit score. 0/X = 0/Y Doesn’t matter unless you run a balance. Wrong calculation. Credit Utilization = total outstanding charges / total credit available where "total" means all of your open credit lines. So, if you close a credit card your total credit available goes down (unless you can increase credit limit on other accounts to make up the difference). If the outstanding charges remain the same, the amount of available credit used goes up and your credit score may go down. Credit utilization is a...
by othermike27
Tue Oct 24, 2023 7:27 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to get credit card interest waived
Replies: 26
Views: 2968

Re: How to get credit card interest waived

I made a mistake on the payment for my last credit card bill (missed a digit as I was about to rush out of the house) and received a pretty big interest bill ($75!) for what was otherwise a small amount of spend. Are there any effective ways of getting this waived? When I call in, should I provide a reason, or just request to get it waived without explaining why? If a reason should be provided to increase my odds of success, what are reasons that are more likely to work? Does it make a difference in terms of whether I pay off the entire balance prior to calling? Was curious if they'd be less likely to reverse the fees if I paid everything off prior to making the request. Used to be that you might get this resolved in your favor by giving t...
by othermike27
Thu Oct 12, 2023 7:43 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Arithmetic error in credit card statement
Replies: 33
Views: 4057

Re: Arithmetic error in credit card statement

Dear Bogleheads, I think I've found an arithmetic error in my credit card transaction history. Several times per month, I pay my credit card down to exactly 0. Before I do, I add up all the posted transactions since my last payment. These have always summed to the "current balance," as they must . Well, maybe not always... OP doesn't say what institution issued the card. I recall I had a card a few years ago that had a very annoying "now you see it, now you don't" feature that triggered when a transaction moved from pending status to posted. For example, a charge of $100 would appear as pending for a couple days, then disappear for a day or two, then show up as posted. The charge always counted against current balance a...
by othermike27
Fri Sep 08, 2023 1:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Generator to back up Sump Pump
Replies: 40
Views: 3323

Re: Generator to back up Sump Pump

smitcat wrote: Fri Sep 08, 2023 1:17 pm
If that is all you want to back up (not lights, chargers, etc) I would suggest looking into a Honda 1,000 inverter generator.
+1 for Honda portable line. I have had a Honda EU2000 for over 20 years. Only wrinkle is that if you have a recoil start, you must follow the priming/start sequence exactly per the manual, otherwise you're in for a hearty arm workout before the engine will turn over. Every other Honda engine I own starts on first pull but that one is touchy. And yes, I am a Honda fanboy. If they made toasters I would probably own one.
by othermike27
Tue Jul 11, 2023 7:14 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Germany travel recs – Black Forest? Road trip? Alps?
Replies: 26
Views: 2552

Re: Germany travel recs – Black Forest? Road trip? Alps?

Thanks for the tips, everyone! Super helpful. After much deliberation we've settled on a road trip looping south through the Black Forest and then back north through Alsace. It was hard choosing between this option and something more Alpine; we ended up deciding that we'll probably do another visit someday to spend more dedicated time in the Alps. Rothenburg ODT might fit your routing, and I'll disagree with the naysayers on this one. We thoroughly enjoyed the place and would go back in a heartbeat. The trick though is to spend the night . If you just stop for a few hours during the day, it is indeed uber touristisch . But later in the evening, when all the tour busses pull out, and in the morning before they come back, it's a whole differ...
by othermike27
Tue Jun 27, 2023 9:16 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Viking vs. Tauck River Cruise
Replies: 16
Views: 4430

Re: Viking vs. Tauck River Cruise

We haven't done a Tauck trip but have done 4 Viking River cruises and 1 Viking ship cruise. We really enjoy Viking. Every member of staff is courteous and helpful. There are no kids and no casinos. The food is excellent and a fully stocked bar. Free wine and beer at lunch and dinner. There's an included shore excursion at each stop. And many optional excursions offered at additional cost . Plus, there are lots of interesting people to meet. This (highlight above) might be a differentiator in some cases. We have done 16 Tauck trips including 8 European river cruises (just came back from France last week). We have never encountered additional cost items with Tauck. Have not done Viking or others. Be sure to research what European river cruis...
by othermike27
Sun May 14, 2023 4:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What's Your Opinion of Menard's?
Replies: 101
Views: 9630

Re: What's Your Opinion of Menard's?

Menard's has a sizeable selection of food items, which always struck me as odd; but, that does make it easy to use a small rebate "check". I might be wrong, but this seems to be a practice that works; e.g. Walmart, Target etc. Maybe if Sears had also sold groceries, they would still be in business. :D Sears did sell groceries - at least at the Sears we went to when I was growing up. They were collocated with a Hillman's grocery store - full line supermarket that was mobbed on weekends and shopping nights. And Allstate sold insurance from a booth on the Sears floor, and I don't know what all else. You could walk inside from Sears to Hillmans and back but I think you had to pay for groceries separately.That was back when "Sear...
by othermike27
Mon Apr 24, 2023 2:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Transitioning to part time Consultant - How much should I charge?
Replies: 24
Views: 2119

Re: Transitioning to part time Consultant - How much should I charge?

OP, If you are an executive with several years tenure with your company, that sounds like an ideal spot from which to collect useful information about whether/how your part of the company handles consultants now. What types of people do they engage and for what purposes? Length of engagements, what kinds of work, availability expectations, hourly rates, retainers, who pays for travel and expenses, etc.? Who interfaces with consultants, beyond the line manager who wants the work done? And finally, how do you and your talents fit into all that? Use your current situation - executive with a set of contacts, openly known to be retiring soon - to do some research. The rate-setting advice up-thread is very good, but it is most applicable to someo...
by othermike27
Fri Feb 24, 2023 4:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I install a french drain here?
Replies: 25
Views: 2989

Re: Should I install a french drain here?

OP - here is a different kind of answer for you to consider. Check out the Apple Drains YouTube channel

https://www.youtube.com/@appledrains/featured

for some ideas that might apply to your situation. I found this guy when searching for solutions to drainage issues. A little quirky, but his ideas worked well for my situation.
by othermike27
Wed Feb 01, 2023 11:51 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Pro tips for hiding ordinary valuables "in plain sight" ...
Replies: 77
Views: 6577

Re: Pro tips for hiding ordinary valuables "in plain sight" ...

livesoft wrote: Wed Feb 01, 2023 9:51 am My previous neighbor had to have a submachine gun at home because of her job. That was valuable. She had a gun safe for the gun which she had to take to work daily and a separate safe for the ammunition. It was fun to read about her in the news from time to time usually associated with a cocaine bust.
May we assume that she was the "bust-er" and not the "bust-ee"? I would think both lines of work would require arming oneself. :D
by othermike27
Sun Jan 15, 2023 4:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Password Safe Experience/Opinions
Replies: 11
Views: 1120

Re: Password Safe Experience/Opinions

tarheel91 wrote: Sun Jan 15, 2023 3:46 pm I used Password Safe for a long time before migrating to Keepass(xc). It was a really good password manager.

The only reason I migrated to Keepass was because it was maintained by an opensource team, not just an individual, as good as Bruce is.
Schneier designed it but per their website pwsafe.org it was open-sourced some time ago.

Thanks to all for your prompt on-topic responses! :beer
by othermike27
Sun Jan 15, 2023 12:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Password Safe Experience/Opinions
Replies: 11
Views: 1120

Password Safe Experience/Opinions

Has anyone used or seriously evaluated Password Safe by Bruce Schneier?

I am looking for informed user experience and opinions on this solution only.

I am not looking for alternate recommendations, hearsay, digressions, etc.

Thanks in advance.
by othermike27
Fri Jan 06, 2023 1:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: PSA: recent Schwab Bank bill pay difficulties
Replies: 24
Views: 3380

Re: PSA: recent Schwab Bank bill pay difficulties

...it's generally best practice to have funds pulled from your account by each of the payees instead of using bill pay. Well, that's the first time I've seen payee-pull described as "best practice." :shock: I've always seen payer-push described as the way to avoid nightmare scenarios like a mindless utility bureaucracy continuing to hit your account well after you have moved, or a health club relentlessly drawing its monthly membership fee from your checking a year or two after you gave up on ever getting back into shape. That said, payee-pull is what I use for all electronic payments. I wouldn't go so far as to call it a best practice, but it's my practice and I have had no issues in over 20 years of paying bills this way. I sta...
by othermike27
Fri Dec 16, 2022 7:48 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Portable Pour Over?
Replies: 44
Views: 3643

Re: Portable Pour Over?

Leesbro63 wrote: Mon Dec 12, 2022 8:06 am And to think I was expecting this to be about portability of one's estate tax exemption with a pour over will (into a revocable living trust).
Different pours for different people. :D
by othermike27
Tue Sep 27, 2022 6:30 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Amsterdam hotel recommendations
Replies: 22
Views: 2056

Re: Amsterdam hotel recommendations

LifeIsGood wrote: Tue Sep 27, 2022 5:25 am We really enjoyed our stay at the Pulitzer Hotel - https://www.pulitzeramsterdam.com/?gcli ... 2IQAvD_BwE. It was fairly convenient to everything so only had to Uber a few times.
+1 for Pulitzer, couple blocks away from Anne Frank House and easy walk to lots of other things including the Rijksmuseum. Stayed there 1 year ago. But be advised - this is a rated as a 4/5-star hotel, so if that puts you off you may want to consider others.
by othermike27
Thu Jul 28, 2022 10:07 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Missed a quarter for estimated tax payments
Replies: 18
Views: 1377

Re: Missed a quarter for estimated tax payments

It may also help to use an online source to estimate your taxes. I use the tax calculator from this page:

https://www.dinkytown.net/taxes.html
by othermike27
Thu Jul 28, 2022 7:35 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: How Quickly do CD Rates React to FED rate Increases?
Replies: 15
Views: 2991

Re: How Quickly do CD Rates React to FED rate Increases?

As expected, the FED raised interested rates by .75% today, I think similar to what they did a few months ago. I am interested in CD rates ... 1 year to 5 year terms... Has anyone tracked how much, and how quickly, NEW CD rates reacted to the last FED .75% raise? OP, I can't answer your question directly, but I can add some perspective that may be of interest to you. I have a "substantial" 12-month CD maturing in a month and another one not long after that, so I share your interest. I have been tracking CD rates (24, 36, 60 month terms) from 8 well-known banks and FCUs that are usually near the top of any best rate list. In June and July there have been rate increases at least once a month at each of these institutions; some of t...
by othermike27
Sun Jul 24, 2022 3:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best travel razor
Replies: 11
Views: 908

Re: Best travel razor

I use a Philips OneBlade. I like the convenience of it, not the closest shave, but acceptable for travel. Truth be told I really don’t love any electric razor, I wouldn’t say it’s better or worse than any of the ones I’ve had over the years. The size is very convenient. Realize you wanted AA or AAA, this might not work for you. I will say a single charge gets me 8-10 uses w/o issue. For me the AA or AAA is probably the most important feature. Closeness is a secondary consideration. i use braun m90. 2 AA batteries. there are others like braun m60 but they seem identical to me. Works good for me, but i do have to go over it with a straight razor A couple years ago I went looking for the smoothest shave ever from an electric; a shave that wou...
by othermike27
Tue Jul 19, 2022 2:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Frustrated car buyer
Replies: 77
Views: 9212

Re: Frustrated car buyer

snackdog wrote: Mon Jul 18, 2022 4:29 am Carmax has late model cars for sale. No sales tricks. No commission.
FYI: Out of curiosity, last time I brought a car to CarMax for a quote to buy it from me, I asked the rep about that. She said they certainly do get a commission - both on sales and purchases.
by othermike27
Tue Jul 12, 2022 8:23 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: I'm 100% equities... but I'm considering I-Bonds
Replies: 82
Views: 9388

Re: I'm 100% equities... but I'm considering I-Bonds

Comparing a risk-free asset (I bond) investment to a risky asset (equities) is comparing apples and oranges and makes absolutely no sense. ... +1 And this statement prompts me to offer a view of i-bonds that differs from many posted upthread. I started off fully invested in equities and most of that was in the stock of the company I worked for. When i-bonds were introduced, I was only just beginning to think about asset allocation and risk management. Up to that time my attitude had been "put it all on double-zero and let 'er rip!" And my company was employee-owned. They made a market for stock sales once a quarter, priced according to a formula with one or two coefficients set by the board of directors advised by an outside pane...
by othermike27
Wed Jun 22, 2022 5:50 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: CD discussion thread
Replies: 1214
Views: 188409

Re: CD discussion thread

Pentagon FCU is offering "Fourth of July special promotion" CD rates: 2.75% for 24 months, 3.5% for 60 months.

Per the site, these rates are good through July 7. Prior to this offer, their rates were 2.3% and 2.85% respectively.
by othermike27
Thu Jun 16, 2022 5:02 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Cash Back Credit Card That Still Offers "perks"
Replies: 8
Views: 1175

Re: Cash Back Credit Card That Still Offers "perks"

Check out the Alliant FCU cash back VISA signature card. They offer rental car CDW and travel purchase protections. When you open a checking account with them and meet certain pretty easy criteria, you get 2.5% cash back on the first $10K per billing period and 1.5% over that. I didn't see any mention of extended warranty but I didn't look that hard either. You also need to check the CDW to see whether it's primary or (like most) secondary coverage.
by othermike27
Fri Jun 10, 2022 8:33 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Chipmunk in basement
Replies: 12
Views: 1747

Re: Chipmunk in basement

punkinhead wrote: Fri Jun 10, 2022 7:01 am I've caught dozens of chipmunks using a 5 gallon bucket trap. Youtube shows how they work.
+12 ... +21 mice Tried humane traps with very limited success. No more Mr Nice Guy.

See here for simple setup: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJAXD99ESUY

Buy the bait - black oil sunflower seeds - at Walmart. Only drawback is that the seeds come in 40 pound bags.
by othermike27
Wed May 18, 2022 7:37 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: People who backed up the truck on I bonds in 2001
Replies: 55
Views: 9145

Re: People who backed up the truck on I bonds in 2001

Dealing with those i Bonds maturing and RMDs and IRMAA and NIIT, etc. is going to be messy. Are those with these bonds just keeping them to maturity and paying IRMAA and the additional taxes triggered the year they mature? Or are you redeeming some early to try to maximize net proceeds after tax over several years? Yes, it is going to be messy. But if I had to choose which problem to deal with, ... DW and I started buying I-bonds around 2000. IIRC, there was a period of time just after Treasury Direct introduced electronic bonds that each account could purchase $30K in paper bonds and $30K in electronic bonds each year. Yes - confirmed: "Series I bonds are sold at face value; individuals can purchase a maximum of $60,000 face value pe...
by othermike27
Sat May 07, 2022 3:09 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Citibank Savings Account Closed
Replies: 102
Views: 17473

Re: Citibank Savings Account Closed

But it's not 6 transactions per period - it's 6 outgoing transactions per period. Limiting to 6 transaction of any kind would make the account pretty much unusable. :shock:
by othermike27
Sat Apr 30, 2022 7:38 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Cost Tripwire for you to file a Homeowners Claim
Replies: 54
Views: 4332

Re: Cost Tripwire for you to file a Homeowners Claim

In 40+ years of home ownership we have never filed a claim, so can't help on that question. I set my deductible at the max allowable; it's now over $10,000. So yes, if a repair estimate went over that I would file a claim. Like the previous poster I would be more concerned with loss of coverage than a rate increase. I doubt that I am the sort of customer at risk of being dropped by any insurance company but I've read too many accounts of others who thought the same, and I have no idea what the criteria are for such decisions. I sweat the small stuff and only look to insurance for the big stuff. (Of course, the line between small and big depends on individual circumstances.) You say you have already filed but can choose to terminate the clai...
by othermike27
Thu Apr 21, 2022 7:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [On-going Scams - Post them here]
Replies: 1372
Views: 165352

Re: Fell victim to scam of thieves splattering BBQ sauce on me

halfnine wrote: Thu Apr 07, 2022 12:32 am There are many scams similar to this. Personally, I think the best approach is whenever your personal space is encroached upon whether its crowds, someone bumps into you, trips in front of you, etc. it is to develop the reaction of putting your hand over your wallet. In the USA this should theoretically not be as difficult to adapt to because culturally there is a personal space. In most other countries personal space isn't so much of a thing so it is easier to become complacent.
I wouldn't do that. It tells the pickpocket behind you exactly where to go.

If you're traveling in crowded places nothing beats a money belt a la Rick Steves.
by othermike27
Wed Apr 20, 2022 8:02 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: "Senior" Computers
Replies: 50
Views: 4457

Re: "Senior" Computers

Bogle7 wrote: Tue Apr 19, 2022 11:52 pm I would go with an IBM 1401.
Now, that is senior.
Auto Coder is easy to learn.
Zero worries about viruses.
Ah yes, the venerable 1401. I remember the day we upgraded to a pair of 1401's from a pair of Univac 1005's (2nd generation vacuum tube equipment, 4K wire core memory, 80-col punch cards and all that ancillary equipment...) Brings a tear to the eye. Uh oh, better stop, don't want to hijack the thread.
by othermike27
Thu Apr 14, 2022 5:17 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What can't I do with an ATM card?
Replies: 49
Views: 4230

Re: What can't I do with an ATM card?

... I have all my credit cards configured to send me a text message when a transaction is logged, which makes them very secure. ... But - (there's always a but) I do the same with all cards. I also do a weekly review of my charges pending and posted on the bank's website. During one of these reviews I spotted an unauthorized charge that had already posted. Contacted the bank and got the card cancelled/replaced immediately. Then I realized I had never seen a text notifying me of that charge. I went back through my text messages to see if I had overlooked it, but there was no message. Somehow, the transaction had gone through without triggering a text alert. (I had the limit at $0 so I got a message for every transaction as soon as it went p...
by othermike27
Sun Apr 10, 2022 9:06 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Recent Experience with Costco Auto Program?
Replies: 40
Views: 7446

Re: Recent Experience with Costco Auto Program?

Be careful buying a car in a different state. It can be done, but do not pay any local sales tax at the point of sale if you do not live in that state , (even if the dealer tells you they are collecting for your specific state). Ask the dealer for transport/travel permit paperwork instead. You tape this paper notice to your rear window or to the rear tag plate and it allows you to drive the car back to your home state. Once back in home state you will have to go get tags, register the title, and pay local sales tax on your out of state purchase. Your state DOT/DMV will calculate the sales tax that you owe when you register the title and you pay them there. That is why you should avoid paying sales tax at an out of state dealer. Even if you...
by othermike27
Sun Apr 10, 2022 8:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Recent Experience with Costco Auto Program?
Replies: 40
Views: 7446

Re: Recent Experience with Costco Auto Program?

I am in Wisconsin. The dealer is actually located in Illinois. I am not sure if buying across state lines would add any complication. John Doe 123, Buying is not the problem. You have to pay some fees to re-register your car in Wisconsin. What do you mean "re-register"? Would not OP just pay the total price plus sales tax in Illinois at the point of sale without registering the vehicle in Illinois, and then register it in his state of residence Wisconsin (and maybe pay a difference in sales tax if it is higher in Wisconsin)? Just asking, I never bought a car from another state. I live in Illinois (Chicago area) and have purchased cars in Wisconsin (Milwaukee area) because that's where I got the best price. The dealers are familia...
by othermike27
Mon Apr 04, 2022 5:16 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Can't Believe Vanguard Downgraded Me!
Replies: 13
Views: 2399

Re: Can't Believe Vanguard Downgraded Me!

GoldenFinch wrote: Mon Apr 04, 2022 4:45 am When you read what it really entails it is kind of like getting a sticker with a silver star and a smiley face.
Instead of a smiley, could I get one of these? :twisted:

Like the regular posters say, In Before the Lock
by othermike27
Sat Mar 19, 2022 7:04 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: William Bernstein - A Day To Remember (article)
Replies: 109
Views: 15679

Re: William Bernstein - A Day To Remember (article)

Bill Bernstein wrote: Sat Jan 15, 2022 7:03 pm Re "to spreadsheet," I'm not a grammatical stickler. My go-to for common usage is JSTOR, which I think is even more authoritative than, say, the Chicago Style Manual or a standard dictionary.

So you made me look! I can't find the the infinitive form but there are plenty of past participle and gerund entries on JSTOR...
OK, but take care with the past tense. :D
by othermike27
Mon Feb 07, 2022 5:53 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: CD discussion thread
Replies: 1214
Views: 188409

Re: Best CD rates thread

Vanguard Ultra-Short ETF VUSB now .81%. With that, I don't need to lock my money up with pathetic CD rates. I agree. Have not bought a CD in probably 18 months. Having said that, VUSB doesn’t have enough upside for me above Marcus bank’s 0.60% rate on their online savings account (with AARP bump) to make it a compelling alternative given we are heading into a rising rate environment, which almost assuredly will pressure the NAV of this ETF. By point of fact, the price of VUSB is down 38bps YTD. Thanks for mentioning the AARP bump at Marcus - missed that one. For others, note that this bump is for 24 months from start date. With current online savings rates up to 0.65%, I'm not excited about buying CDs until their rates improve. I am consid...
by othermike27
Sun Feb 06, 2022 7:28 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: CD discussion thread
Replies: 1214
Views: 188409

Re: Best CD rates thread

And Alliant FCU has just nudged CD rates up across the board by 0.05 - 0.20%, depending on the term. For example, their 1 year CD increased from 0.55% to 0.65%. Not much in the broader view of return on your money, but at least a step in the right direction.
by othermike27
Wed Feb 02, 2022 10:32 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can banks charge/withdraw from closed checking accounts?
Replies: 5
Views: 784

Re: Can banks charge/withdraw from closed checking accounts?

A few years ago I set up a transfer from Bank C to Bank D (probably not the same as your Banks A and B :D ), and Bank C sent a trial $0.05 deposit. When the $0.05 was still in my Bank D account after the next monthly close, I contacted Bank C and asked: Hey! Don't you want your money back? Their reply was the email equivalent of "Why don't you just go out in the back yard and play and we'll handle the numbers stuff."

Since then I don't worry about trial transactions...
by othermike27
Sat Jan 22, 2022 5:22 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Trade in car v sell to Carmax math
Replies: 22
Views: 5455

Re: Trade in car v sell to Carmax math

Seems to me that no one but you will have all the historical data from which a capital gain could be calculated: original purchase price and sale price of old car.
by othermike27
Wed Jan 05, 2022 6:26 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestions for Europe Trip in July 2022- Iceland, Amsterdam, Brussels
Replies: 31
Views: 2620

Re: Suggestions for Europe Trip in July 2022- Iceland, Amsterdam, Brussels

Another item to consider for your Amsterdam activity is the Floriade - a once every ten years international horticultural exposition. It's running in 2022 from April to October. Theme is "green living" or something like that - much more than just flowers and plants. It's in Almere just outside of Amsterdam.

https://floriade.com/en/
by othermike27
Sun Dec 26, 2021 2:30 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Recommendations for handheld mini-vacuum?
Replies: 34
Views: 2999

Re: Recommendations for handheld mini-vacuum?

I am very pleased with the Bissell "Multi Auto Cordless Handheld Car Vacuum." https://www.bissell.com/multi-auto-cordless-handheld-car-vacuum-19851.html Had it for 2.5 years and use it regularly to clean up cat litter crumbs, regular crumbs, hair, dust bunnies, etc. The motorized head unit has a rotating brush like a traditional vacuum that I use on carpeted stairs - does a good job and sure beats dragging a full-sized vac up and down. Head detaches so you can clean up small spots with just suction from the base unit. Oh yeah - you can also use it in your car if you want. No problem with lifetime of 22V Li-ion battery. Website shows price is $185. (I bought this together with the Bissell Air Ram on Amazon for under $350 in May 201...
by othermike27
Fri Dec 24, 2021 2:04 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: X1 credit card - too good to be true?
Replies: 31
Views: 7659

Re: X1 credit card - too good to be true?

FoolishJumper wrote: Fri Dec 24, 2021 1:42 pm Seems too good to be true, so probably is.
Doctor of Credit seems to agree: "I don’t see how this is sustainable long term..."

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/x1-smart ... purchases/
by othermike27
Mon Dec 20, 2021 2:07 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Current Travel to Europe Questions
Replies: 18
Views: 1699

Re: Current Travel to Europe Questions

kaudrey wrote: Mon Dec 20, 2021 1:35 pm The OP asked for a resource to keep up to date. One person provided one for Europe.

The State Department also keeps a list by country:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel ... ation.html
And here is one more general (but not official) resource that I found very helpful prior to travel to Europe last September:

https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/news/

Happy travels
by othermike27
Sat Nov 13, 2021 3:28 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: COVID Tests for International Travel - Insurance and Logistics?
Replies: 43
Views: 4237

Re: COVID Tests for International Travel - Insurance and Logistics?

I am assuming that OP has, actually, verified that he really needs a PCR test. Yes this for interational travel so has to be a PCR test. Given ticket cost $1.5K I don't mind paying $100 for a test but it needs to get here within 72 hours. Regards. We had appointments for PCR tests at a CVS pharmacy (MinuteClinic) at 10:00 AM on a Thusday for flight to Europe departing 6:00 PM Saturday. Could not do full 72 hours before because of pharmacy's appointment scheduling limitation of 10AM - 4PM. Results (negative) came back at 5:45 AM Saturday morning. So off we went. This was a free service to us; we were warned in advance that although they try to report within 24 hours, the lab was very busy (mid-September). And yes, we did need PCR tests for ...
by othermike27
Sun Nov 07, 2021 4:51 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Edward Jones and my in law
Replies: 39
Views: 5804

Re: Edward Jones and my in law

When I get these kinds of questions, which isn't often, I try to make sure that my advice really is wanted. Then I frame the response as "Well, if I had $200K, here is what I would do with it. I would <fill in with your suggestion>." And I would also take time to work out for him in dollars exactly what EJ would cost based only on known information. 1.35% of $200K would be $2,700 annually. Does this in-law know of any service he values that highly? "Only 1.35%" sounds small, but $2,700 puts the advisor's fee into terms more familiar to most people. Good luck.
by othermike27
Tue Nov 02, 2021 11:31 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Pinwheel Portfolio - A Different kind of "All-Weather"?
Replies: 27
Views: 4709

Re: Pinwheel Portfolio - A Different kind of "All-Weather"?

Craig Israelsen has developed a variation on the pinwheel that he calls the 7Twelve portfolio: 7 asset classes held 12 ETFs or funds: https://7twelveportfolio.com/

I don't stray far from the 3-fund approach but his rationale is interesting for anyone looking for something more distributed that also considers return and risk.
by othermike27
Tue Oct 26, 2021 8:13 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: PC Build Thread - 2020... and beyond!!!
Replies: 1358
Views: 140198

Re: PC Build Thread - 2020... and beyond!!!

Yeah, it's really difficult to go wrong with anything Noctua. I wish they produced 230mm case fans. The larger the fan, the lower the RPM you need, and the quieter your PC. My large boxes (PC and NAS) with nearly maxed out PCIe slots and drive bays are actually extremely quiet for that reason. But I have had several Cooler Master 230mm case fans fail over the years in my two Cooler Master HAF cases, HAF 932 Advanced and HAF XM. The fans didn't actually stop working, they just started getting louder as time passed. Fortunately, the 200mm Noctua fans have worked as replacements, and are very quiet. It's a real shame that case manufacturers are not producing this kind of case anymore. New cases, many of which have zero front drive bays, 3.5in...