Search found 396 matches
- Sun Mar 17, 2024 9:32 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Moving in retirement.
- Replies: 25
- Views: 2757
Re: Moving in retirement.
Lived in rural NJ, with few restaurants and entertainment for 30 years. 3500 sq. ft. home on 2 acres, raised our 2 daughters. We had flower gardens around the home, apple and pear trees, grapes, a 100’ x 100’ vegetable garden, all installed by us over the years. We retired at 58 in 2015 and moved to the Philadelphia suburbs to a 50’ x 150’ lot with one floor living, house was constructed in 1928 and fully updated, we love it. People are very friendly, the town has a community spirit, downtown is alive with always something going on, tons of places to explore, live theater, 75 plus restaurants and many shops. The Halloween and Christmas parades are amazing and not to be missed. It seems they always have something going on downtown where they...
- Sun Mar 17, 2024 9:18 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Moving in retirement.
- Replies: 25
- Views: 2757
Re: Moving in retirement.
duplicate post
- Sun Feb 25, 2024 7:40 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Advice for buying a car in 2024
- Replies: 51
- Views: 8429
Re: Advice for buying a car in 2024
This is what I learned and have taught my daughters after buying cars for the last 40 years…. Car Buying First, before you negotiate you need to decide on a car, and when I mean decide, I mean make model, options and even the color and interior. You may have to flexible on color , but there's usually no difference on price for color. That means test-drive it and then leave the dealership without leaving your number, e-mail , or any contact info. The only way to get the very best deal is to deal with the internet sales department for two simple reasons. A. You can't shop around multiple dealers simultaneously when you are stuck in a showroom. B. They are always slow to respond to get "approval" from their manager for a price reques...
- Fri Feb 16, 2024 1:31 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Hose end sprayer to reach tall trees (over 2 stories tall)
- Replies: 36
- Views: 2191
Re: Hose end sprayer to reach tall trees (over 2 stories tall)
I had low pressure on our recent home purchase, I did the following:
1. Purchased a pressure gauge to connect to the hose bib. Found out we only had 30 psi.
2. Located the pressure reducing valve on the water meter and increased psi to 70 psi…
3. Located the hose bib and found a shut off valve mostly closed, opened the valve to 100%
Problem solved….
1. Purchased a pressure gauge to connect to the hose bib. Found out we only had 30 psi.
2. Located the pressure reducing valve on the water meter and increased psi to 70 psi…
3. Located the hose bib and found a shut off valve mostly closed, opened the valve to 100%
Problem solved….
- Wed Jan 24, 2024 7:48 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Is having insulation blown into the walls of an old house worth it?
- Replies: 35
- Views: 4230
Re: Is having insulation blown into the walls of an old house worth it?
When the attic was insulated they removed the existing insulation, R11, and did the following as per the job description before blowing in the new R49 insulation. The existing insulation was installed wrong with the vapor barrier installed up instead of facing down on the ceiling.
Home Air Sealing
Home air sealing service. Install single component foam to seal rim joists, wall top-plates, HVAC boots, around any electrical and lighting, and any other protrusion from the living space to the attic.
Home Air Sealing
Home air sealing service. Install single component foam to seal rim joists, wall top-plates, HVAC boots, around any electrical and lighting, and any other protrusion from the living space to the attic.
- Wed Jan 24, 2024 7:07 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Is having insulation blown into the walls of an old house worth it?
- Replies: 35
- Views: 4230
Re: Is having insulation blown into the walls of an old house worth it?
I have a 1928 home with solid brick walls and plaster on lath. When I had an energy audit they suggested insulation in the attic NOT in the walls. As said heat rises and by installing insulation, R49 in the Philadelphia area, was the best solution. The reasons they said not to do the walls was very difficult to get all areas and many homes of this era used furring strips to hang the plaster on lath leaving about 1inch to insulate. They pulled several plugs covers and could see the brick.
Get an energy audit my local utility company provides the service and see what they say.
Get an energy audit my local utility company provides the service and see what they say.
- Mon Jan 08, 2024 8:07 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Where Should We Travel & Vacation To?
- Replies: 47
- Views: 9632
Re: Where Should We Travel & Vacation To?
Prince Edward Island in Atlantic Canada. PEI is a beautiful place we have been visiting since 1985. We have been to all 50 states, most of Canada, Italy, Ireland, and Scotland, but still find time to get back to PEI we love it. Why….friendly locals, amazing seafood ie lobster, muscles, oysters, cod, not crowded even in the summer. Endless red sand beaches and cliffs, amazing folk music, green potato fields, bike and walking trails the entire length of the island, warm water via the Gulf Steam to swim in the ocean. Anne of Green Gables if you have kids. Best time to visit is June to September. You can get onto the island via a 8 mile long bridge or a 2 hour ferry from Nova Scotia. The largest city is Charlottetown about 50 k population with ...
- Mon Dec 11, 2023 7:03 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Food related travel
- Replies: 108
- Views: 19666
Re: Food related travel
Prince Edward Island in Atlantic Canada. PEI is a beautiful place we have been visiting since 1985. We have been to all 50 states, most of Canada, Italy, Ireland, and Scotland, but still find time to get back to PEI we love it. Why….friendly locals, amazing seafood ie lobster, muscles, oysters, cod, not crowded even in the summer. Endless red sand beaches and cliffs, amazing folk music, green potato fields, bike and walking trails the entire length of the island, warm water via the Gulf Steam to swim in the ocean. Anne of Green Gables if you have kids. Best time to visit is June to September. You can get onto the island via a 8 mile long bridge or a 2 hour ferry from Nova Scotia. The largest city is Charlottetown about 50 k population with ...
- Sun Nov 26, 2023 7:19 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Reverse Osmosis vs. Ultrafiltration
- Replies: 24
- Views: 3257
Re: Reverse Osmosis vs. Ultrafiltration
This site has a great overview of the various RO systems. https://primereviews.org/best-reverse-osmosis-water-filter-system-reviews/ We have the Home Master TMAFC RO for the past 3 years and we think it’s great. The review as per the website is below. The water wasted is 1 to 1 so for every gallon you only waste 1 gallon some systems are 4 to 1. It’s manufacturer in Arizona they do respond to questions. Home Master TMAFC In some respects, the Home Master TMAFC could be the ultimate under sink Reverse Osmosis system. Though if you’re going for the full package which includes a non-electric permeate pump, it’s going to become quite expensive. Then again, if you want the best of the best, you have to be prepared to pay for this. The 7 stage re...
- Sat Nov 18, 2023 1:01 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Smoke Detectors
- Replies: 56
- Views: 6236
Re: Smoke Detectors
Consumer Reports take on smoke detectors https://www.consumerreports.org/home-garden/smoke-carbon-monoxide-detectors/best-smoke-and-carbon-monoxide-detectors-of-the-year-a9237799621/ “CR’s take: Another top performer in our tests is the Kidde PI2010, which receives the highest scores possible in our flaming fire and smoldering fire tests. This hardwired, dual-sensor alarm features a battery backup, a hush button, and the ability to interconnect with other compatible detectors. To determine which other models are compatible with this one, check with Kidde.” I know some here do not think much on ionization smoke detectors but above is Consumer Reports take on the detector Kidde PI2010. I have used this detector in 3 different homes in the las...
- Sun Nov 12, 2023 3:00 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Smoke Detectors
- Replies: 56
- Views: 6236
Re: Smoke Detectors
Smoke Alarm The information below is from NFPA the organization has been writing building and fire prevention code for 125 years. Your local code officials have adopted NFPA. They say your smoke detector should have both Ionization and photoelectric technologies to provide the best chance of detecting a fire and living. I provide this information as a fire safety professional for 36 years and a firefighter. The two most commonly recognized smoke detection technologies are ionization smoke detection and photoelectric smoke detection. Ionization smoke alarms are generally more responsive to flaming fires. How they work: Ionization-type smoke alarms have a small amount of radioactive material between two electrically charged plates, which ioni...
- Tue Nov 07, 2023 6:59 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Beach Umbrella for Windy Days
- Replies: 24
- Views: 2650
Re: Beach Umbrella for Windy Days
Have you considered the beachbub umbrella system? Certified for up to 44 mph wind. The umbrella is very well made. We NEVER had a problem with the umbrella. Between the Jersey shore and PEI winds it has held up. Easy to carry and set up, check the video below. Only downside is people will stop by and want to know where did you get the umbrella…lol.
https://beachbub.com/pages/tips-tricks
https://beachbub.com/pages/tips-tricks
- Sun Nov 05, 2023 3:53 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Beach Umbrella for Windy Days
- Replies: 24
- Views: 2650
Re: Beach Umbrella for Windy Days
We have been using this umbrella for about 5 years on the windy beaches of Prince Edward Island, Canada. Has held up well, easy to set up and transport.
https://beachbub.com
This All-In-One Beach Umbrella System, tested in winds up to 44mph, sits on the beach sand like a Patio Umbrella placed on the deck. No deep holes to dig or screws to twist. Lay the beachBUB tarp flat on the beach and make a small hole. Insert the bottom pole through the base, connect 2 sides to form a pouch, fill the base halfway with sand, attach the 3rd wing and finishing completely filling the base. Finally, fill the 3 sides with compact sand.
https://beachbub.com
This All-In-One Beach Umbrella System, tested in winds up to 44mph, sits on the beach sand like a Patio Umbrella placed on the deck. No deep holes to dig or screws to twist. Lay the beachBUB tarp flat on the beach and make a small hole. Insert the bottom pole through the base, connect 2 sides to form a pouch, fill the base halfway with sand, attach the 3rd wing and finishing completely filling the base. Finally, fill the 3 sides with compact sand.
- Wed Nov 01, 2023 3:57 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Sewer and water line thru Home Serve
- Replies: 7
- Views: 988
Re: Sewer and water line thru Home Serve
Contact your property insurance carrier and or your agent to inquire if they provide water and sewer line coverage. I have a $15K of water and sewer line coverage for $45 a year.
Our neighbor had the coverage via Aqua and had a water leak in the water pipe to the home. The company that did the repair dug a hole next to a 100 year old tree and as a result they killed the tree. We told the company to dig 3’ away from the root but refused to do it because of the extra pipe needed. They were the low bidder on the job as per the company and could not use more pipe! It cost my neighbor $3K to have the tree removed at his cost!
Our neighbor had the coverage via Aqua and had a water leak in the water pipe to the home. The company that did the repair dug a hole next to a 100 year old tree and as a result they killed the tree. We told the company to dig 3’ away from the root but refused to do it because of the extra pipe needed. They were the low bidder on the job as per the company and could not use more pipe! It cost my neighbor $3K to have the tree removed at his cost!
- Thu Oct 19, 2023 9:51 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Least acidic coffee beans
- Replies: 86
- Views: 8516
Re: Least acidic coffee beans
Try
https://www.coffeebeandirect.com/produc ... mandheling
I too have a problem with acid in coffee with terrible acid reflux. I had been using
https://www.greenwellfarms.com/ Peaberry after visiting the facility while on vacation.
I switched because the price kept going up. We have been using Sumatra for about 3 years now no problem with acid reflex. Great service too ships the same day, no charge for shipping.
Tom
https://www.coffeebeandirect.com/produc ... mandheling
I too have a problem with acid in coffee with terrible acid reflux. I had been using
https://www.greenwellfarms.com/ Peaberry after visiting the facility while on vacation.
I switched because the price kept going up. We have been using Sumatra for about 3 years now no problem with acid reflex. Great service too ships the same day, no charge for shipping.
Tom
- Mon Sep 04, 2023 10:56 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Jersey shore or DE beach town for Empty Nesters??
- Replies: 70
- Views: 7385
Re: Jersey shore or DE beach town for Empty Nesters??
Move to West Chester Borough you will not be bored always something going on if not at the University ie concerts, plays, speakers, etc. Also downtown is alive with 75 plus restaurants if you like to eat out. We retired to West Chester and love it. Check out this blog always something happening. https://hellowestchesterpa.com/ Where were you before West Chester? Washington in Warren County in the same home for 30 years. We knew we wanted out of NJ $13k in property taxes when we retired in 2015. We checked out several towns in the Philly area and DE and settled on West Chester glad we did. Where ever you end up check the area out on both weekends and during the week. Some places were very busy on weekends and dead during the week. We spent ...
- Mon Sep 04, 2023 6:24 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Jersey shore or DE beach town for Empty Nesters??
- Replies: 70
- Views: 7385
Re: Jersey shore or DE beach town for Empty Nesters??
Move to West Chester Borough you will not be bored always something going on if not at the University ie concerts, plays, speakers, etc. Also downtown is alive with 75 plus restaurants if you like to eat out. We retired to West Chester and love it.
Check out this blog always something happening.
https://hellowestchesterpa.com/
Check out this blog always something happening.
https://hellowestchesterpa.com/
- Mon Aug 07, 2023 1:49 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Fire Blanket
- Replies: 13
- Views: 2322
Re: Fire Blanket
From the National Fire Protection Association the folks who are responsible for US building and fire codes. www.nfpa.org
Cooking was the leading cause of reported home fires and home fire injuries in 2015-2019 and the second leading cause of home fire deaths. Cooking caused 49 percent of reported home fires, 20 percent of reported home fire deaths, and 42 percent of home fire injuries. In 2019, Thanksgiving was the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by Christmas Day and Christmas Eve.
Cooking was the leading cause of reported home fires and home fire injuries in 2015-2019 and the second leading cause of home fire deaths. Cooking caused 49 percent of reported home fires, 20 percent of reported home fire deaths, and 42 percent of home fire injuries. In 2019, Thanksgiving was the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by Christmas Day and Christmas Eve.
- Sun Aug 06, 2023 8:15 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Fire Blanket
- Replies: 13
- Views: 2322
Ya Re: Fire Blanket
As a firefighter who has been to many kitchen fires. Do this… FIRST. Call 911 or whatever your emergency number is. 2nd Call 911 3rd Call 911 4th Get everyone out of the home before trying to put out the fire. This will be the 1st question the FD will ask you ie is everyone out or where are they? Remember the FD duty is find everyone and then fight the fire. Telling them you do not know will significantly delay fire operations and expose firefighters to unnecessary risk. 5th make sure your exit is not blocked before using the extinguisher or fire blanket. If so leave the area and exit the home let the FD take care of it. 6th Start using the extinguisher from a distance NOT into a pan of burning oil. Too close you spread the fire quickly. 7t...
- Tue Jul 25, 2023 4:51 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Maui or Scotland trip with kids?
- Replies: 72
- Views: 6117
Re: Maui or Scotland trip with kids?
My wife and I vacationed in Scotland and Ireland mid May until mid June, 2019, some things we learned from our 31 day trip. 1. Do Scotland first IF you plan to rent a car. Why ??? the roads are better ie wider then in Ireland. You will get used to driving on the wrong side of the road. If you rent a car with a stick shift you will get used to changing gears with your left hand very weird experience had not driven a stick shift in 30 years. They do have automatic transmission but you will pay a premium for it may want to consider it. 2. Make sure you bring your GPS with you, using google maps was not as helpful as our gps particularly at the MANY roundabouts you will encounter. The Garmin gps indicated which turn to make when entering a roun...
- Mon Jul 24, 2023 2:02 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Maui or Scotland trip with kids?
- Replies: 72
- Views: 6117
Re: Maui or Scotland trip with kids?
Just another idea if your kids have watched Anne of Green Gables. Try Prince Edward Island in Atlantic Canada. PEI is a beautiful place we have been visiting since 1985. We have been to all 50 states and 8 of the 13 Provinces, Italy, Ireland, and Scotland, but still find time to get back to PEI we love it. Why….friendly locals, amazing seafood ie lobster, muscles, oysters, cod, not crowded even in the summer. Endless red sand beaches and cliffs, amazing folk music, green potato fields, bike and walking trails the entire length of the island, warm water via the Gulf Steam to swim in the ocean. Best time to visit is June to September. You can get onto the island via a 8 mile long bridge or a 2 hour ferry from Nova Scotia. The largest city is ...
- Sun Jul 16, 2023 11:46 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Ireland Tour Recommendations?
- Replies: 20
- Views: 2039
Re: Ireland Tour Recommendations?
Ireland My wife and I vacationed in Scotland and Ireland mid May until mid June, 2019, some things we learned from our 31 day trip. 1. Do Scotland first IF you plan to rent a car. Why ??? the roads are better ie wider then in Ireland. You will get used to driving on the wrong side of the road. If you rent a car with a stick shift you will get used to changing gears with your left hand very weird experience had not driven a stick shift in 30 years. They do have automatic transmission but you will pay a premium for it may want to consider it. 2. Make sure you bring your GPS with you, using google maps was not as helpful as our gps particularly at the MANY roundabouts you will encounter. The Garmin gps indicated which turn to make when enterin...
- Fri Jun 30, 2023 2:24 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Jersey Shore recommendations
- Replies: 23
- Views: 2217
Re: Jersey Shore recommendations
OC, NJ agree the place if you have kids and want a great beach and something to do during the day and night.
- Thu Jun 22, 2023 7:54 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Family vacation ideas (kids 3, 6yo)?
- Replies: 38
- Views: 3523
Re: Family vacation ideas (kids 3, 6yo)?
Perhaps not now but in the future…. Prince Edward Island in Atlantic Canada. PEI is a beautiful place we have been visiting since 1985. We have been to all 50 states and 8 of the 13 Provinces, Italy, Ireland, and Scotland, but still find time to get back to PEI we love it. Why….friendly locals, amazing seafood ie lobster, muscles, oysters, cod, not crowded even in the summer. Endless red sand beaches and cliffs, amazing folk music, green potato fields, bike and walking trails the entire length of the island, warm water via the Gulf Steam to swim in the ocean. Anne of Green Gables for the kids. Best time to visit is June to September. You can get onto the island via a 8 mile long bridge or a 2 hour ferry from Nova Scotia. The largest city is...
- Sun Jun 18, 2023 2:03 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Leaving job with pension for job without - how to value?
- Replies: 22
- Views: 3222
Re: Leaving job with pension for job without - how to value?
Not sure if this applies, but make sure that you are aware of health insurance benefits in retirement from your current employer versus those from your new employer. They may be substantially different. That's a good point. They would be substantially different. If I were to retire from my current company, I would get retirement health insurance through the company for life - at whatever the retiree premium is for that year. If I retire early at age 55, I would still get health insurance in retirement, but I would have a reduced pension (55% or something for early retirement). So, lots of variables. The new company provides health insurance, but not a retirement option for continued coverage. I believe my current job does pay into social s...
- Fri Jun 02, 2023 7:34 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Possible gas leaks? (Update and new questions)
- Replies: 55
- Views: 3692
Re: Possible gas leaks?
My experience as a firefighter regarding a gas leak…
You call the utility company …..they come when they can send someone….
You call the Fire Department they are at your door in 5 minutes…they locate the gas leak and secure the building….If we ie the fire department calls the utility company they respond immediately.
Your choice….
So what do you do when you smell smoke in your home???
You call the utility company …..they come when they can send someone….
You call the Fire Department they are at your door in 5 minutes…they locate the gas leak and secure the building….If we ie the fire department calls the utility company they respond immediately.
Your choice….
So what do you do when you smell smoke in your home???
- Fri Jun 02, 2023 3:41 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Possible gas leaks? (Update and new questions)
- Replies: 55
- Views: 3692
Re: Possible gas leaks?
Call the fire department! I am a volunteer firefighter we have gas meters and will respond significantly faster than the utility company. You never want to wait to call if you smell natural gas. The gas explosions are significant events and result in deaths and destruction.
- Sat Apr 22, 2023 6:48 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Old Photo Album to iCloud??
- Replies: 26
- Views: 2809
Re: Old Photo Album to iCloud??
The problem is we have three storage cabinets each 7’ high by 3.5” wide By any chance did you do set design for Spinal Tap's Stonehenge tour? :wink: You've received some useful feedback here. Mine echoes many of those above. FWIW I scanned in nearly 8000 photos via prints and slides using, primarily, an Epson Perfection flatbed scanner - for a long time I had their model 3490 (a workhorse!) then I finally replaced it with their V600. Having slide and negative trays is helpful, and their standard software (for Windows/Mac) was good at separating pictures so you could do 3-4 at a time on the platen. [I'm now 100% on Linux, and to their credit, Epson does offer a Linux driver, though the functionality is a bit simplified. I finished this proj...
- Sat Apr 22, 2023 3:42 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Replacing Netflix's DVD Service
- Replies: 64
- Views: 7197
Re: Replacing Netflix's DVD Service
Try your local public library ours has a FREE on line movie service Kanopy with many movies to choose from. Sign in with your library number and start watching the movie online very easy, did mention it’s FREE. I wasn't aware of this, but will check it out. It appears my library offers it. Do be aware that while this is free up front, it will show up in your taxes in a difficult to quantify way. Our family utilizes our library heavily, but I also try to be sensitive to their costs, so I went looking for some information on this service. Just like with ebooks, where libraries are often charged significantly higher prices than with physical books, it appears Kanopy charges libraries significantly more for streaming rights than it costs them ...
- Wed Apr 19, 2023 6:38 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Replacing Netflix's DVD Service
- Replies: 64
- Views: 7197
Re: Replacing Netflix's DVD Service
Try your local public library ours has a FREE on line movie service Kanopy with many movies to choose from. Sign in with your library number and start watching the movie online very easy, did mention it’s FREE.
- Mon Apr 10, 2023 6:48 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Water filter
- Replies: 43
- Views: 2629
Re: Water filter
Take a look at this website if you have a municipal/public water. Eye opening to say the least. This is why we went with a RO system from a Brita water filter. Some may question who funds this organization but just an FYI. https://www.ewg.org/tapwater/ https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news-release/2023/03/epa-proposes-bold-new-limits-tackling-forever-chemicals-drinking BREAKING: March 14, 2023 – The Environmental Protection Agency recently proposed new limits to tackle drinking water contamination from the toxic "forever chemicals" known as PFAS. The proposal targets six notorious PFAS: PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS and GenX. The limits, known as maximum contaminant levels, or MCLs, are the highest level of a contaminant allowed ...
- Sun Apr 09, 2023 3:22 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Water filter
- Replies: 43
- Views: 2629
Re: Water filter
Nice review of RO systems
https://primereviews.org/best-reverse-o ... m-reviews/
We went with #5 Home Master TMAFC because it can filter 2000 gallons of water before filters need changed. We are on a municipal water supply after 28 years of well water. Notice the difference after the 1st glass….went with a brita filter, it was OK. But after further research on our water supply the Home Master TMAFC was a significant improvement.
https://primereviews.org/best-reverse-o ... m-reviews/
We went with #5 Home Master TMAFC because it can filter 2000 gallons of water before filters need changed. We are on a municipal water supply after 28 years of well water. Notice the difference after the 1st glass….went with a brita filter, it was OK. But after further research on our water supply the Home Master TMAFC was a significant improvement.
- Fri Apr 07, 2023 7:22 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Coffee On The 'Net?
- Replies: 49
- Views: 4962
Re: Coffee On The 'Net?
You say less than $20, but you should be more specific. Per pound? I don't like that most online roasters provide coffee is less than 1lb bags..one of my pet peeves online or in store. Personally, I buy 5lb bags which are roasted on the day of shipment. Some offer coupons and all are below $20 a pound. www.northboundcoffee.com www.compasscoffee.com www.paradiseroasters.com Some will also offer discounts on subscriptions. Make sure to include shipping prices in your comparisons. As I indicated we use this coffee company. https://www.coffeebeandirect.com/ We have been ordering from them for several years, great service they respond to emails and calls! This is what we buy. https://www.coffeebeandirect.com/products/sumatra-mandheling They sel...
- Thu Apr 06, 2023 2:00 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Coffee On The 'Net?
- Replies: 49
- Views: 4962
Re: Coffee On The 'Net?
We have been using these folks for several years. They roast their coffee and will ship the beans, ground etc., free shipping.
https://www.coffeebeandirect.com/
We order Sumatra Mandheling since high acid coffee and I do not agree. 4 cups a day no problem!
https://www.coffeebeandirect.com/
We order Sumatra Mandheling since high acid coffee and I do not agree. 4 cups a day no problem!
- Fri Mar 31, 2023 12:47 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Safeco Auto Insurance
- Replies: 15
- Views: 2338
Re: Safeco Auto Insurance
Old thread but getting home, auto, umbrella quotes and Safeco is the cheapest. Quotes from AAA, Travelers, Progressive, American Family ( Costco), and NJM.
We have no home or auto claims in 10 plus years. I worked for Chubb for 36 years in loss prevention so I know a bit about insurance. I have done several searches and claims handling on Safeco is not rated well.
Your experience? I am in Pa.
Thanks
Tom
We have no home or auto claims in 10 plus years. I worked for Chubb for 36 years in loss prevention so I know a bit about insurance. I have done several searches and claims handling on Safeco is not rated well.
Your experience? I am in Pa.
Thanks
Tom
- Sun Mar 26, 2023 6:44 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Old Photo Album to iCloud??
- Replies: 26
- Views: 2809
Re: Old Photo Album to iCloud??
I recently completed a 2-year project - organizing and putting 34 years worth of photos into albums. I identified the events and individuals involved (though not in great detail). It was a Proustian experience, a form of time travel. Worthwhile in a way I didn’t expect. I thought about digitizing the photos but decided against it. Digitizing can be worthwhile, but whatever method you choose, it’s bound to be superseded by a newer technology. If stored properly, the hard copies are accessible across, well, many decades. So if you choose to digitize, OP, you might want to consider hanging onto the hard copies. In general, I’m a minimalist, but I make an exception for books and photos. The problem is we have three storage cabinets each 7’ hig...
- Fri Mar 24, 2023 1:45 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Old Photo Album to iCloud??
- Replies: 26
- Views: 2809
Re: Old Photo Album to iCloud??
Thanks folks for providing your experience. I am a bit concerned sending the photos to a service to scan. What happens if they “loose” your original photos, yea they are gone! Also I have perhaps 2000+ 35mm color slides my Dad took when I was a kid…66 years ago. Been a very long time since I looked at the slides We are retired but it seems we always have something going on…lol.. setting priorities…
- Fri Mar 24, 2023 10:30 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Old Photo Album to iCloud??
- Replies: 26
- Views: 2809
Old Photo Album to iCloud??
We have 45 years of photos in many photo albums my wife put together over the years from our many family vacations and special events. I do not want to use a scanner to digitize each photo, I think it will take too much time and be frustrating. I was considering using my IPhone 13 to take photos of the photos and then upload the files to our joint iCloud account with a lot of space we are paying for but not using. We have about 8 years of photos in the iCloud since we purchased our iPhones. The plan is to toss the old albums and share the digital photos with my daughters. Questions 1. What if any is the downside of taking a photo of a photo with an iPhone? 2. I have not researched yet but is a stand available to place the iPhone on and plac...
- Mon Mar 06, 2023 2:39 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Which Size Berkey Water Filter to Get?
- Replies: 8
- Views: 986
Re: Which Size Berkey Water Filter to Get?
You may want to review this thread on Reverse Osmosis Filter or get your water tested if on a well.
viewtopic.php?t=398599
viewtopic.php?t=398599
- Sat Feb 25, 2023 9:06 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Reverse Osmosis vs. Bottled Water: Which is Healthier?
- Replies: 82
- Views: 7223
Re: Reverse Osmosis vs. Bottled Water: Which is Healthier?
We have city water which is terrible after living on well water for 30 years. A few years ago we purchased a RO system for our kitchen sink. Amazing difference in taste.
Great overview of RO systems here
https://primereviews.org/best-reverse-o ... m-reviews/
We went with #5 system listed. 1 to 1 for waste water to filter water it has a pump that makes the difference. The filters are good for 2000 gallons of water, about $100 to replace.
Check out your public water supply here, very eye opening!
https://www.ewg.org/tapwater
Great overview of RO systems here
https://primereviews.org/best-reverse-o ... m-reviews/
We went with #5 system listed. 1 to 1 for waste water to filter water it has a pump that makes the difference. The filters are good for 2000 gallons of water, about $100 to replace.
Check out your public water supply here, very eye opening!
https://www.ewg.org/tapwater
- Sun Feb 19, 2023 7:31 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Replace 30 year old boiler or add mini split
- Replies: 50
- Views: 3965
Re: Replace 30 year old boiler or add mini split
Is carpet blocking the baseboards? I had new carpet installed and they cut the carpet too long and did not tuck it below the baseboard. I had HomeDepot come back and reinstall the edges along the baseboard the heat was significantly better. Air needs to move across the fins of the baseboard for the heat to get into the room.
- Sun Feb 19, 2023 1:58 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Replace 30 year old boiler or add mini split
- Replies: 50
- Views: 3965
Re: Replace 30 year old boiler or add mini split
Lived in 2 homes with gas fired boiler with baseboard heaters for 40 years in New Jersey, 1house constructed in 1935 the other in 1987. During cold weather when the boiler did not keep up I would turn the boiler temperature from 180f to 200f solved the problem. If your baseboard has air in it, use a digital thermometer to record the return line temperature to the boiler if low temperature it maybe a problem have your contractor bleed the air. I now live in a home with forced hot air hate it!
- Tue Feb 07, 2023 10:21 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Merchants adding surcharges to pay with a credit card
- Replies: 184
- Views: 12353
Businesses Adding 3% if CC Used Did You Pay Cash Now?
[Thread merged into here --admin LadyGeek]
I am in the USA in the Philadelphia suburbs. I am starting to see some business adding 3% to the bill if a CC is used. We only use cash back CC for our purchases so just about everything is on a CC. Have you changed your use of a CC to cash not to be charged the 3%?
In Canada they pasted a law that businesses can do this automatically.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-e ... -1.6613958
I am in the USA in the Philadelphia suburbs. I am starting to see some business adding 3% to the bill if a CC is used. We only use cash back CC for our purchases so just about everything is on a CC. Have you changed your use of a CC to cash not to be charged the 3%?
In Canada they pasted a law that businesses can do this automatically.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-e ... -1.6613958
- Tue Feb 07, 2023 9:57 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Septic System Train Wreck
- Replies: 229
- Views: 19590
Re: Septic System Train Wreck
Lived with a septic system for 30 years in a home we constructed. Hopefully your property has enough space for a new septic field. You will need to install a field meeting current health/building code requirements. I lived in NJ, a new septic field was about $25k. I pumped my tank every 2 years, I had no problems when I sold my home. My neighbors on either side did not and had to replace the field 1 at sale the other when it failed. Our homes were on 2 acre lots so not a problem from a space point of view.
- Sun Feb 05, 2023 5:21 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Safe / Safe Box Recommendations?
- Replies: 27
- Views: 3036
Re: Safe / Safe Box Recommendations?
My wife and I have access to the box, both of us have signed the agreement and sometimes she goes or I will go depending on who is free, so no problem getting in…lol
- Sun Feb 05, 2023 4:43 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Safe / Safe Box Recommendations?
- Replies: 27
- Views: 3036
Re: Safe / Safe Box Recommendations?
While I use a bank safety deposit box, I also have a supposedly fireproof and waterproof safe for stuff I need accessible at home. Figure this might survive a small fire but if whole building burns down, I guess I'm screwed. Banks.can catch fire. I've heard this and realize it's a small chance but the story below made me see how it is possible. This is in my area: https://abc7chicago.com/chase-bank-in-bloomingdale-illinois-fire-car-crash/12770145/ We actually had a fire in the bank where my safety deposit box is located!! The bank was on the 1st floor the fire on the 3rd &4th floors. Water in the vault was minimal believe me I checked while on the site as a firefighter. They moved our safety deposit box to another bank for 1 year while...
- Sun Feb 05, 2023 4:37 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Safe / Safe Box Recommendations?
- Replies: 27
- Views: 3036
- Sun Feb 05, 2023 8:16 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Safe / Safe Box Recommendations?
- Replies: 27
- Views: 3036
Re: Safe / Safe Box Recommendations?
https://www.stbank.com/locations/
We are in the Philadelphia suburbs.
We went with S&T since it is walking distance from our home. You need an account with the bank to have a box so we have $200 in a savings account. Our bank is Ally Bank.
Definitely call around to other banks the price does vary depending on the bank.
- Sun Feb 05, 2023 6:57 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Safe / Safe Box Recommendations?
- Replies: 27
- Views: 3036
Re: Safe / Safe Box Recommendations?
Why not a bank safety deposit box? In our area, Philadelphia, about $40 a year. As a firefighter I do not place my valuable papers or items in my home. I have been to too many fires where the home is heavily damaged with feet of water in the basement. If you live in a rural area with no fire hydrants the FD has to bring water to the site in tanker trucks. It is a long process to set up and have adjacent FD send tankers to the fire. This results in additional damage to the home.
If you go with the bank safety deposit box choose 1 midway off the floor, say 3’or 4’ banks have water damage too from broken pipes or fire sprinkler water during a fire.
If you go with the bank safety deposit box choose 1 midway off the floor, say 3’or 4’ banks have water damage too from broken pipes or fire sprinkler water during a fire.
- Thu Jan 26, 2023 6:40 am
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What are your favorite vacation destinations/spots in the U.S.?
- Replies: 47
- Views: 6054
Re: What are your favorite vacation destinations/spots in the U.S.?
The next time you go to Nova Scotia make your way over to Prince Edward Island if LOVE lobster and golf. Many golf courses with an ocean view!Cruise wrote: ↑Thu Jan 26, 2023 12:32 am Coastal Maine drive that ends in Digby, Nova Scotia. (Love those lobsters and scallops!)
Island of Lanai, Hawaii. (Even though Larry Ellison does make me rent a room.)
Alaska (by small boat cruise, of course).
Zion National Park (off season, no crowds)
Anyplace where there is a golf course by the sea.
https://golfpei.ca/