Search found 20 matches

by Waywayafar
Mon Mar 06, 2023 11:20 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Austin for Formula 1 October 19-22
Replies: 19
Views: 1619

Re: Austin for Formula 1 October 19-22

Six or seven years ago we went to both the Montreal and COTA race. While Austin was fun, we enjoyed Montreal more. Traveling around on & off the track was easier and more fun in Montreal. Taking the Monrtreal subway is fun and does make it easier.

YMMV.
by Waywayafar
Tue Jun 28, 2022 7:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Mitsubishi mini-split vs the mice and the mice won
Replies: 26
Views: 5078

Re: Mitsubishi mini-split vs the mice and the mice won

I would stongly doubt you'd need a new line set unless you're changing the capacity of unit requiring a larger or smaller diameter tubing. I recently replaced my 12 y.o. mini-split with a different brand and reused the existing line set.

One option for mouse/rat proofing is hiring a reputable exterminating company to varmit-proof your equipment.
by Waywayafar
Mon Jun 27, 2022 4:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Portable travel routers
Replies: 22
Views: 3084

Re: Portable travel routers

I've used the Mango for a number of years. I use it for internet/streaming while in hotel rooms. Works well for my needs.

For carrying electronics/cables I've had great luck with the bags below. They're inexpensive, see-through, pack flat(ish) and hold up well. The smaller bag is used for the electonics/cables and I use the larger bag for each day's socks/tshirt/underwear. Makes packing and travel life simpler.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07SPYCZFP/
by Waywayafar
Fri Apr 22, 2022 9:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Jack Bogle Business Card
Replies: 17
Views: 2395

Re: Jack Bogle Business Card

Awesome, good fun. Thanks for answering my curiosity.
by Waywayafar
Fri Apr 22, 2022 3:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Jack Bogle Business Card
Replies: 17
Views: 2395

Re: Jack Bogle Business Card

LadyGeek wrote: Thu Apr 21, 2022 6:02 am I brought it back to the following year's conference and asked Mike Nolan (Jack's assistant at the time) if he could have Jack Bogle autograph it for me. He did.

I will never, ever part with that bobblehead.
This post is worthless with pics. :)
by Waywayafar
Wed Apr 13, 2022 1:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is an airlines pilot a good career prospect?
Replies: 59
Views: 7279

Re: Is an airlines pilot a good career prospect?

I'm biased. I'm retired from commercial aviation. I'll start by saying the training of US carriers, their equipment, and our national ATC system is the best in the world. Bar none. I enjoyed every minute, the whole process, but most get worn down. Many will not want to hear my version: Long hours and the pay is low initially. Few talk about the quality of the person you are spending many hours with right next to you. Many pilots are unable to carry a conversation and are filled with negativity. It gets old. I flew with new pilots who complained they didn't enjoy flying at cruise for hours on end with the only real change being a change of the radio frequency occasionally. And what were you expectations? Did you think any of this through? An...
by Waywayafar
Wed Oct 13, 2021 8:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Attic Fire Sprinklers
Replies: 45
Views: 4609

Re: Attic Fire Sprinklers

Regardless of reason, anytime you have the fire sprinkler water supply shutoff, please notify your home insurance company you have a fire sprinkler impairment. They will ask for dates/times of the impairment.

This will keep your coverage active during the impairment.
by Waywayafar
Tue Mar 30, 2021 10:48 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tankless Water Heater - Struggling to Justify
Replies: 71
Views: 7852

Re: Tankless Water Heater - Struggling to Justify

We've had a Tagkagi for eleven years now. Zero issues so far. The programming on the tank has been flawless and I can only imagine how much better the programming is eleven years later. I clean the interior coils/plumbing with a CLR/water solution once a year.

It's nice to not have to worry about having hot water. We can have multiple showers going or one after another with zero concern of having enough hot water.

It does require a larger gas line and stainless steel exhaust piping. Does it pay for itself? Probably not, but there are more upside factors involved in the equation, even on a financial forum.
by Waywayafar
Mon Jan 11, 2021 9:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dental Insurance
Replies: 30
Views: 4026

Re: Dental Insurance

Over the past few years, I know many people who have used the plan(s) below. I haven't needed any of them so I have little knowledge beyond that they exist. YMMV.

http://www.dentalandvisioncareplans.com/index.htm
by Waywayafar
Mon Sep 14, 2020 8:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Strategy for replacing faucet/toilet water shutoff valves?
Replies: 38
Views: 5517

Re: Strategy for replacing faucet/toilet water shutoff valves?

Below is tool I watched a plumber friend use while changing an angle stop. It has worked flawlessly for me over the last 10 years.

Compression sleeve puller:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00065DH2W/
by Waywayafar
Sat Sep 05, 2020 9:10 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to revive a dead deep cycle battery?
Replies: 20
Views: 6091

Re: How to revive a dead deep cycle battery?

It's probably too late to fix your current battery but look at using a desulphator in the future. It has really extended the life of my deep-cycle batteries.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battery_regenerator
by Waywayafar
Wed Jun 10, 2020 11:47 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New construction house - what to consider?
Replies: 163
Views: 14665

Re: New construction house - what to consider?

Drainage drainage drainage would be my number one focus. I would spend an extra few thousand on getting multiple plans for plans to get rain, melting snow, anything wet from near the house to the nearest ocean. Ninety percent of my house stress comes from worrying about water damage. If I was building my own place I’d have water removal stacked on water removal backed by water proofing. (I should retire to a very dry place and live at the top of a hill) Oh, floor drains in garage. And when you review the plans, grab a big thick sharpie and extend the depth of the garage by one stud. And then increase the size of the HVAC by a half size or more. Hang meat or cure jerky regardless of outside temperature should be the requirement. Good luck! ...
by Waywayafar
Wed Jun 10, 2020 11:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New construction house - what to consider?
Replies: 163
Views: 14665

Re: New construction house - what to consider?

1. Wire perimeter of the house for exterior LED flood lighting and install switch in master bedroom, reachable from the bed. Any noise or issue, then boom, the property is lit up. Also can add switches in kitchen, family room, etc., wherever needed.

2. Tankless water heater. Sized correctly, you'll never have a hot water shortage issue. It's wonderful.

3. Install a hot water circulating pump system that's motion-sensor activated. Taco pumps make an excellent kit (not the switched one but the motion-sensor one). I have installed in the kitchen and two bathrooms.
by Waywayafar
Mon Mar 23, 2020 6:58 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is living near power lines ok or bad?
Replies: 60
Views: 3930

Re: Is living near power lines ok or bad?

Ten years ago we looked at a house right next to a high voltage transmission line right-of-way in the middle of suburbia. We both really liked it.

I mentioned the property to a friend of mine, the city's chief inspector, and he said please don't buy it. Below the huge parallel towers is an underground super highway of piping.

I did some research and found multiple sets of 36"+ piping that included domestic water, sanitary sewer, natural gas, and (4) 48" Jet A fuel lines supplying fuel from the local refineries directly to LAX. All of the piping was installed in the 50's and 60's.

We passed on the property.

When looking at any property don't forget to also look down.
by Waywayafar
Wed Mar 11, 2020 7:41 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: A/C Unit for Office Above Garage
Replies: 12
Views: 1013

Re: A/C Unit for Office Above Garage

I would suggest a mini-split HVAC unit. Mitsubishi and Panasonic are both reputable units. You did not discuss your budget range so a mini-split may be on the expensive side.

Nine years ago I installed two units for two of my bedrooms. They've worked flawlessly and the rooms are never above 68 degrees. One of the best home improvements I've ever made.

The smallest unit by any of the manufacturers will suffice.

https://www.mitsubishicomfort.com/products
by Waywayafar
Sat Nov 24, 2018 9:04 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Tax Loss Harvesting Suggestions - Nov 1, 2018
Replies: 10
Views: 1293

Re: Tax Loss Harvesting Suggestions - Nov 1, 2018

Taylor Larimore wrote: Fri Nov 23, 2018 3:31 pm
After my fund has a loss of 5% or more, I exchange my losing shares into a money market fund; wait 30 days, then exchange back into my original desired fund. That's it.
Taylor:

Could you expand on your intent or rationale in temporarily exchanging the losing shares?

When I read this I see market timing. I'm a new guy and just trying to learn.

Thanks.
by Waywayafar
Tue Oct 23, 2018 8:13 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Suggestions for Lump Sum or Annuity Decision?
Replies: 2
Views: 528

Re: Suggestions for Lump Sum or Annuity Decision?

Does the 401k allow for partial distributions? Good question, I will have to find out.

What is the yield on the stable value fund? YTD +2.04% 1 Yr +2.51% 3 Yrs +2.32% 5 Yrs +2.28% 10 Yrs +2.84%

Rate of return. Check what they will pay vs what you would get from a diy annuity. Annuity is 6% vs. 5.65% from immediate annuities.

Health of company. Is the pension plan funded adequately? Company is large & strong. While the pension is no longer active, it's fully funded and hovers between 98% - 103% funding.
by Waywayafar
Mon Oct 22, 2018 10:03 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Suggestions for Lump Sum or Annuity Decision?
Replies: 2
Views: 528

Suggestions for Lump Sum or Annuity Decision?

Retiring from my current employer Jan 2019 and starting a new career Feb 2019 (for far less pay). The plan is stay in the new job 3 years or so. Health care will be covered by current employer. 1. Lump or annuity? I’m currently leaning towards the lump sum. 2. If I transfer to Vanguard what’s the best way to implement from a tax point of view? 3. Should I stay in my employers 401K or transfer to Vanguard 3-fund portfolio (VTSMX, VGTSX, VBMFX)? Strongly leaning towards transferring to Vanguard. 4. If I transfer to Vanguard what’s the best way to implement from a tax point of view? Background Emergency funds: Yes, six-month coverage Debt: Primary home paid for ($1.2M); rental property $60K @ 4%, $400/mth positive cash flow Tax Filing Status: ...