Search found 5505 matches

by barnaclebob
Wed Mar 27, 2024 5:23 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Boeing (BA) stock: at some point it has to be a bargain
Replies: 196
Views: 19355

Re: Boeing (BA) stock: at some point it has to be a bargain

This should likely be taken offline and likely will get the thread locked, but what anagram said is technically correct based on what was disclosed to airlines and the faa. Secondly, having a system that could put the aircraft into an unrecoverable state based on a single sensor is brain dead for any form of reliability engineering. You may also note that Boeing test pilots were unable to recover the aircraft within the stated 10 seconds in a simulator and this fact came out in the congressional enquiry. So it was the combo of crazy hardware specification (reliance on a single angle of attack sensor) and crazy software that made mcas the "feature" it was. But as I said earlier: VFIAX! There are many single failures on an airplane...
by barnaclebob
Wed Mar 27, 2024 5:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Terrible experiences with Express Scripts
Replies: 12
Views: 1592

Re: Terrible experiences with Express Scripts

When my wife was having issues getting extremely time critical prescriptions and we were down to the last day, she learned (with the help of our company liaison) that the magic words were to ask for something like an "operations specialist". Thats someone who actually knows how to use the system, overcome barriers, and will give you their personal contact info vs the low level employees just following the prompts on the computer that send you in circles

Maybe the magic words were a little different but nearly all customer service systems have them.

But also if you're talking less than a couple hundred dollars, might just be good to let it go.
by barnaclebob
Wed Mar 27, 2024 4:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Why does a discussion of Financial Planning almost always turns into buying Whole life insurance?
Replies: 42
Views: 2158

Re: Why does a discussion of Financial Planning almost always turns into buying Whole life insurance?

These lawyers/salesmen are garbage, find a new one that only does will's/trusts but has knowledge of how their recommendations affect taxes. Tell them up front if they try to sell you whole life or any variant you are walking out the door. One reason whole life is purchased by so many people is that these salesmen rattle off a dozen simple sounding reasons why its the best thing since sliced bread: tax free, loans, it pays for itself after 25 years, risk free, it will make your love life better. But if you run the numbers, term life + investing will nearly always beat whole life. Do you really think everyone can just pay an insurance company 2 million dollars and then their heirs will get 5 million? That seems like it would be a terrible bu...
by barnaclebob
Wed Mar 27, 2024 10:06 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Boeing (BA) stock: at some point it has to be a bargain
Replies: 196
Views: 19355

Re: Boeing (BA) stock: at some point it has to be a bargain

anagram wrote: Wed Mar 27, 2024 12:07 am
barnaclebob wrote: Tue Mar 26, 2024 11:26 pm
anagram wrote: Tue Mar 26, 2024 8:44 pm
madbrain wrote: Tue Mar 26, 2024 8:01 pm
Rex66 wrote: Tue Mar 26, 2024 7:49 pm Funny how airbus doesn’t have maintenance problems
They do, but the problems have not been as serious or made the news.
When did a wheel and tire fall off an Airbus aircraft?
You can find multiple videos of A320s landing with their nose gear sideways...
Sure JetBlue 292. That is a little different to 266 pounds of wheel falling from a height of 300 feet.
Agreed, its much worse.
by barnaclebob
Tue Mar 26, 2024 11:26 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Boeing (BA) stock: at some point it has to be a bargain
Replies: 196
Views: 19355

Re: Boeing (BA) stock: at some point it has to be a bargain

anagram wrote: Tue Mar 26, 2024 8:44 pm
madbrain wrote: Tue Mar 26, 2024 8:01 pm
Rex66 wrote: Tue Mar 26, 2024 7:49 pm Funny how airbus doesn’t have maintenance problems
They do, but the problems have not been as serious or made the news.
When did a wheel and tire fall off an Airbus aircraft?
You can find multiple videos of A320s landing with their nose gear sideways...
by barnaclebob
Tue Mar 26, 2024 2:31 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Surprise contractor bill
Replies: 21
Views: 2339

Re: Surprise contractor bill

Caliscotsman wrote: Tue Mar 26, 2024 12:49 pm 'In any case I think contractors might need to have a written contract in order to put a lien on your property, or at least it will be very easy to defend against a lien with no written contract'

Nope. Incorrect.
A contractor can place a lien with no burden of proof in the slightest.
There's no way to defend against a lien without going to court.

I could place a lien on your property. You'd have to take me to court to remove it.
And no penalties.
Going to court isn't necessarily a big deal. The burden of proof is on the contractor and at least in my state the loser pays legal fees.
by barnaclebob
Tue Mar 26, 2024 10:38 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Surprise contractor bill
Replies: 21
Views: 2339

Re: Surprise contractor bill

Nate79 wrote: Mon Mar 25, 2024 2:50 pm I guess if you don't want to pay for the panel then they should remove it.
Yeah right before they put the old one back?
by barnaclebob
Tue Mar 26, 2024 10:32 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Surprise contractor bill
Replies: 21
Views: 2339

Re: Surprise contractor bill

Immediately, the contractor stopped paying for materials already used in the project and gave my phone number and address to their billing departments for collection. They of course contacted me seeking payment and I sent them copies of my contract with pertinent information highlighted. Eventually they stopped contacting me. I was worried about a lien on the property and consulted a lawyer friend (free advice) but didn't take any action other than wait for a lien or to be sued. The lien never happened and I haven't been sued. I learned through others that the contractor eventually paid the other suppliers what was due, minus all the late fees he accumulated and they just wrote those late fees off. Lol the contractor way overplayed his han...
by barnaclebob
Tue Mar 26, 2024 9:50 am
Forum: Non-US Investing
Topic: Career break to maximise time with kids?
Replies: 43
Views: 3095

Re: Career break to maximise time with kids?

I have a 2 year old at home and If I were in your situation I wouldn't be typing this post from work.

The SAHD life would be glorious, especially with kids in school.
by barnaclebob
Fri Mar 22, 2024 3:26 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Dividend warning when buying
Replies: 19
Views: 2340

Re: Dividend warning when buying

I wouldn't care for a normal contribution from paycheck leftovers but if you are lump summing a significant amount then maybe a good idea to wait a few days.
by barnaclebob
Thu Mar 21, 2024 10:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: When brand names matter and when they don't
Replies: 193
Views: 11733

Re: When brand names matter and when they don't

Good cream on top milk is absolutely better than the mega dairies.

Also darigold definitely adds something to the small single serving 12oz bottles to make it taste better.
by barnaclebob
Thu Mar 21, 2024 5:35 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: In-laws 529 for grandkids, bite my lip or say something?
Replies: 58
Views: 5893

Re: In-laws 529 for grandkids, bite my lip or say something?

one_speed wrote: Thu Mar 21, 2024 5:25 pm Why all the conflict avoidant responses?
I thought old folks loved to hear about how to get a good deal! :confused
lol, people will go to great lengths to not feel stupid and its much easier to do that if you rationalize that your current mindset/course of actoin is correct.
by barnaclebob
Thu Mar 21, 2024 5:12 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: In-laws 529 for grandkids, bite my lip or say something?
Replies: 58
Views: 5893

Re: In-laws 529 for grandkids, bite my lip or say something?

If the inlaws are the kind of people who say "I want to pick up the phone and have someone else tell me whats best" then your not going to get anywhere.
by barnaclebob
Thu Mar 21, 2024 4:15 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Sold all my original Mutual Funds today
Replies: 23
Views: 2944

Re: Sold all my original Mutual Funds today

But for mutual funds youll be charged an ER or Expense Ratio. For Edward Jones most ER's will be .5% to 1.5% it looks like you had them listed in your other post. To calculate the yearly dollar amount its: $ amount owned x ER. when does that charge occur? I've done the work to move everything out of EJ to Fidelity. So I can't login to EJ and see what I was charged in the past. And, yes, many of them had the front-end loads. I guess that number could be calculated by looking at each fund and multiplying the purchase amount by that %? ER's are charged ongoing, it just comes out of your account daily. I'm not sure for AUM's i don't know if they siphon a little of daily or if it gets itemized. for a rough estimate, your balance x AUM% should b...
by barnaclebob
Thu Mar 21, 2024 3:50 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Sold all my original Mutual Funds today
Replies: 23
Views: 2944

Re: Sold all my original Mutual Funds today

Individual stocks wont have any fees by themselves. But for mutual funds youll be charged an ER or Expense Ratio. For Edward Jones most ER's will be .5% to 1.5% it looks like you had them listed in your other post. To calculate the yearly dollar amount its: $ amount owned x ER. Then you probably also have an Assets Under Management (AUM) fee if you are still under professional management. Thats charged for all of the money under management. So total $ amount x AUM fee. This is probably in the neighborhood of 1%. Finally you may or may not have been paying front end load, usually around 5% wherever they exist. Its dependent on the fund and share class. Thats a one time fee on incoming money. The cost of a 3 fund portfolio is usually sub .1%,...
by barnaclebob
Thu Mar 21, 2024 11:26 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Gifting cash to my Registered Domestic Partner
Replies: 8
Views: 774

Re: Gifting cash to my Registered Domestic Partner

Do IRS gift rules apply to registered domestic partners? Any reason why you cant gift 18k this year and then the max again next year? Youll be close to halfway there then. Does it need to be shared now? I'd also think you are ok paying for certain joint expenses yourself. The IRS isn't coming after people who take their girl/boyfriends on expensive vacations... Also, as the person below me implies, you dont actually pay anymore taxes if you gift more than 18k a year. Amounts in excess of 18k a year eat up your estate tax exclusion. Once your federal estate tax exclusion (currently over 13 million for an individual) is eaten up then you'd have to pay taxes on any further gifts. This law is so wealthy people cant just give away all of their m...
by barnaclebob
Thu Mar 21, 2024 10:59 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Used Tesla shoppers: Quality?
Replies: 48
Views: 3787

Re: Used Tesla shoppers: Quality?

hunoraut wrote: Thu Mar 21, 2024 7:45 am
happyisland wrote: Thu Mar 21, 2024 6:52 am The interesting stuff is the aggregate data on quality, repairability, etc...
If anyone in the public has access to detailed insurance data, manufacturer data, large repair servicer's data... which nobody does. (and CR and JD Powers of the world are a terrible proxy...)
Everyone has access to insurance quotes which is a proxy for insurance data...
by barnaclebob
Wed Mar 20, 2024 5:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Due diligence in buying used low mileage CPO car
Replies: 16
Views: 1288

Re: Due diligence in buying used low mileage CPO car

You'll be very much more than likely be fine without a mechanic inspecting it.
by barnaclebob
Wed Mar 20, 2024 5:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Best way to find a house as soon as it is listed (or before)
Replies: 8
Views: 928

Re: Best way to find a house as soon as it is listed (or before)

Keep scouring zillow, when you see a house you want to look at tell the realtor and go see it that same day. If your realtor seems to be having trouble getting you in right away, find another one. They are a dime a dozen. Then make a quick decision to put in a strong offer or not.
by barnaclebob
Wed Mar 20, 2024 12:36 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Backdoor Roth Educational Material
Replies: 6
Views: 301

Re: Backdoor Roth Educational Material

I dont think what you are looking for exists and I've certainly never seen a calculator that will tell you yes or no. There are many personal decisions and assumptions that are at play but none of them are very complicated IMO. Its clear that roth money is better than after tax IRA money in every circumstance that I can think of (and if not im sure someone will quickly correct me) Are you trying to maximize tax advantaged funds or are you trying to decide between pretax 401k or Roth IRA money? Are you trying to decide on a balance between taxable money and retirement money? If you have an excess of money to live your desired and predicted future lifestyle and fill all of your available tax advantaged space then backdoor roth is a no brainer...
by barnaclebob
Wed Mar 20, 2024 11:30 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Restaurant / takeout food orders - "mechanics"
Replies: 16
Views: 1253

Re: Restaurant / takeout food orders - "mechanics"

When you checkout via grubhub or uber eats youll see significant fees tacked on and be asked to put in a tip for the driver. The delivery service takes those fees, and possibly a % of the food sales and then pays the driver along with your tip.

If you dont put in a tip many times no driver will take your order.
by barnaclebob
Tue Mar 19, 2024 1:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Hybrid Pillows exist?
Replies: 13
Views: 1848

Re: Hybrid Pillows exist?

You could try Pluto Pillow. Mine has a medium foam insert and some soft filling around that. They customize the pillow based on a survey and you can leave comments. If it doesn't come back how you want they can send you different foam I think.
by barnaclebob
Mon Mar 18, 2024 1:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Lawn care for first time home buyer
Replies: 56
Views: 3724

Re: Lawn care for first time home buyer

BorqaZ wrote: Mon Mar 18, 2024 12:54 pm
London wrote: Mon Mar 18, 2024 12:45 pm How big is the yard? Driveway? What region?
Zillow says 0.4 acres. We have a two story 3.2k sqft home. I don't know if that is included in the 0.4 acres.

Three car side garage, so relatively longer driveway compared to front driveway.

Trees in the back of the yard.

Midwest IN/OH region.
Zillow should be quoting lot size. Thats not a big yard so you can probably do fine with an electric mower if you don't want to deal with gas.
by barnaclebob
Mon Mar 18, 2024 12:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Lawn care for first time home buyer
Replies: 56
Views: 3724

Re: Lawn care for first time home buyer

This is highly dependent on your yard and your physical condition.

For long handled hand tools however, I recommend the Bully Tools brand. They are much more beefy than other brands. I find them at my local dunn lumber but don't know if its my individual store.
by barnaclebob
Fri Mar 15, 2024 5:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to find reasonably priced contractors?
Replies: 31
Views: 3516

Re: How to find reasonably priced contractors?

A cheap contractor can make you wish you picked the most expensive one...
by barnaclebob
Fri Mar 15, 2024 4:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Older jobless sibling with a daughter and an inheritance - thoughts on managing it
Replies: 31
Views: 2867

Re: Older jobless sibling with a daughter and an inheritance - thoughts on managing it

I mean the only thing they can do is reduce expenses or increase income. Unless they shove it into an annuity theres no real "management" to be done other than basic personal finance.
by barnaclebob
Fri Mar 15, 2024 1:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suggestions for mobile phone plans for a high schooler
Replies: 24
Views: 2058

Re: Suggestions for mobile phone plans for a high schooler

123 wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2024 11:40 am
worthit wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2024 10:53 am ...Would like to have parental controls and sort of have the ability to monitor the usage (websites accessed, texts etc.)...
By the time a kid is in high school you have to realize that its past the age for a phone with parental controls. Parental controls can be circumvented. A good option for service is Mint Mobile prepaid. Unlimited talk and text and 5GB of data for $15 monthly if you prepay a year at a time.
This. If kids want to do something they will. Age 15 is too old to be monitoring websites and communication unless you suspect something dangerous.

Be sure to take their bedroom door off its hinges too.
by barnaclebob
Fri Mar 15, 2024 10:02 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Great news! No more [fixed real estate] agent commission
Replies: 238
Views: 22588

Re: Great news! No more agent commission

RJC wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2024 9:59 am Got this from another article:
4. About one million real estate agents could leave the profession.
Are there even 1 million real estate agents? 1 in 300 people?
by barnaclebob
Fri Mar 15, 2024 10:00 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Anybody have issues with Vanguard Minimum Tax cost basis?t
Replies: 8
Views: 2233

Re: Anybody have issues with Vanguard Minimum Tax cost basis?t

rkhusky wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2024 8:55 am
Used to be that it took a few days for a new cost basis method to take effect. Can you now do it on the fly?
I thought it was just switching to spec ID that took time but could be wrong. Now that I think about it I'm not sure if you can actually change on the fly.
by barnaclebob
Fri Mar 15, 2024 9:58 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Deck choices for new build?
Replies: 9
Views: 948

Re: Deck choices for new build?

IMO anyone building a deck today would be crazy to get a wood deck when good composite choices are available unless you want the real wood look and are going to pay to have it refinished often.
by barnaclebob
Thu Mar 14, 2024 5:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How good is the level of preventive care in the US at detecting serious issues?
Replies: 3
Views: 577

Re: How good is the level of preventive care in the US at detecting serious issues?

How often did your friends parents go to the doctor prior to this event? Some people don't get their recommended physicals and screenings until they have a scare.

In any case this thread will almost certainly be locked as its going to lead into healthcare advice and isn't really actionable aside from "go see your doctor and ask them what tests they recommend"
by barnaclebob
Thu Mar 14, 2024 5:07 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Navigating Speakers for in home theater
Replies: 44
Views: 3343

Re: Navigating Speakers for in home theater

This will make the audiophiles go nuts but if you don't want to think about it and want a quality product get whatever speakers Klipsch sells in your price range. Will you be getting the absolute best value? Probably not. Is some of the cost going to the name? Probably. But you for sure wont be getting a turd.
by barnaclebob
Thu Mar 14, 2024 1:59 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What's your primary credit card?
Replies: 117
Views: 10614

Re: What's your primary credit card?

I'll be in the minority but we put everything on the an Alaska Airlines card. We probably spend 50k a year and get maybe 70k miles through various bonuses. That gives me a shot at MVP gold most years with 20k extra EQMs which is worth at least $600 a year in savings on not having to pay for Prem Econ out of pocket. The miles are probably worth about $750+ in airfare.

Then the non spend related perks are free checked bags ~$200 and companion fare ~$700 savings. Subract off the $100 a year fee

Seems like the normal amount of non category cash back is 2% which is worth $1000. I'll keep things simple and have one just one primary card.
by barnaclebob
Thu Mar 14, 2024 1:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Need Help Finding a Hobby
Replies: 76
Views: 6392

Re: Need Help Finding a Hobby

My favorite home hobby is woodworking. It needs space and tools. People will say you can do it cheaply but anyone who's telling the truth will say you need a few grand in tools to make life easy.
by barnaclebob
Thu Mar 14, 2024 1:44 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Anybody have issues with Vanguard Minimum Tax cost basis?t
Replies: 8
Views: 2233

Re: Anybody have issues with Vanguard Minimum Tax cost basis?t

4ransom wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 1:14 pm Where is this MiniTax easy button?
At the top of the screen there is a drop down for "Portfolio". Select "Cost Basis". Then when that screen loads under the heading for each account there is a "view/change cost basis method" link. I haven't checked if it also allows you to change when you go through the transaction process.

Also added since the last time I looked was Highest in/First Out or HIFO. Id think this would give a similar result as MinTax if you have mostly/only long term gains but might incur more short term gains because your most recent purchases are more likely to be higher priced?
by barnaclebob
Thu Mar 14, 2024 1:36 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Anybody have issues with Vanguard Minimum Tax cost basis?t
Replies: 8
Views: 2233

Re: Anybody have issues with Vanguard Minimum Tax cost basis?t

increment wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 1:25 pm
rerod wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 12:02 pm kicking the can down the road until the lowest basis shares are all that's left..
Sure, but maybe

(1) you will be in a lower tax bracket in the future, or

(2) you will leave these shares to your heirs (in which case no one will have to pay tax on those capital gains), or

(3) you will give those shares to charity (in which case no one will have to pay tax on those capital gains).
(4) the money you didn't pay in taxes will continue to grow
by barnaclebob
Thu Mar 14, 2024 12:28 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Cost of roofing and siding as a percent of house value
Replies: 25
Views: 2038

Re: Cost of roofing and siding as a percent of house value

Kagord wrote: Wed Mar 13, 2024 7:40 pm I try to plan and accumulate, mentally, 1-1.5% of the current house market value annually for future repairs. This is kept in a contra account in my head.

But that doesn't mean I enjoy writing checks for 10's of thousands of dollars.
That number might be reasonable for a 200k house in the middle of Missouri but for 1mil+ in a HCOL area (i.e. no a Texas McMansion), definitely too much money to save for house repairs. If you want to do a 200k worth of kitchen and bath reno's in 10 years then yeah.

FWIW, the roof on my current house was 20k/1.4mil = 1.4%. Previous house was 14k/500k = 2.8%.
by barnaclebob
Thu Mar 14, 2024 11:11 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Parents' Financial Situation/Crisis [Heir to estate with more debt than assets]
Replies: 29
Views: 3510

Re: Parents' Financial Situation/Crisis [Heir to estate with more debt than assets]

Lil' Chubbs wrote: Wed Mar 13, 2024 8:41 pm My younger, upper 30s brother also lives with my parents, and he hasn't worked in approximately 20 years. My parents fund his existence, as well. I assume any foreclosure/probate process would flush him out and compel him to work (he isn't handicapped, to my knowledge, just comfortable and lazy).
Sounds like the brother will take care of it, hes the one with a vested interest here. And if he doesn't, he'll get to figure out a new chapter of his life.
by barnaclebob
Wed Mar 13, 2024 3:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Parents' Financial Situation/Crisis [Heir to estate with more debt than assets]
Replies: 29
Views: 3510

Re: Parents' Financial Situation/Crisis [Heir to estate with more debt than assets]

So they are significantly underwater on their house? Or is their other debt significantly more than their equity? What is the other debt?
by barnaclebob
Wed Mar 13, 2024 10:11 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Furniture prices... is this normal?
Replies: 60
Views: 10058

Re: Furniture prices... is this normal?

unclescrooge wrote: Tue Mar 12, 2024 8:38 pm
barnaclebob wrote: Mon Mar 11, 2024 5:29 pm
unclescrooge wrote: Sat Jun 24, 2023 10:37 am
But I returned it and choose a full grain leather sectional from Scandinavian designs. Apparently no one ever chooses full grain leather so it has to be custom ordered from Italy with a seven month wait. It is being delivered next week.

It was 3 times the cost of the Costco sectional.
Ive still got my dads full grain leather overstuffed couches that are probably 25 years old at this point and get daily use. Aside from the areas where the dog scratched at it to make a nest, They are in near new condition.
Unfortunately, the 6 month old couch has not held up well.

I have two dogs - 8 and 15 lbs each, and just their walking on it has left scratches. I'm not happy. 🤬
I guess dogs and leather furniture don't mix...
by barnaclebob
Tue Mar 12, 2024 2:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Layoff/regisn offer but employer won't share terms
Replies: 20
Views: 2890

Re: Layoff/regisn offer but employer won't share terms

For some additional context: 1 this is a large sophisticated employer and there’s no question that it’s in conjunction with the larger HR org 2 firm is generally paranoid about everything 3 offer on the table is worth significantly more than any unemployment benefits 4 insurance also not a major concern since I can move to my spouse’s coverage 5 HR is open to having a call about questions about the package. As a start I can get questions and confirm afterwards with a recap email, but agree not to sign/submit anything with out the text of the terms Have reached out to my network for employment lawyers in my area NDA to see the terms seems like a reasonable offer Can you reach out to a manager or anyone else you trust to get info on the pack...
by barnaclebob
Tue Mar 12, 2024 2:04 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Layoff/regisn offer but employer won't share terms
Replies: 20
Views: 2890

Re: Layoff/regisn offer but employer won't share terms

KlangFool wrote: Tue Mar 12, 2024 10:21 am
barnaclebob wrote: Tue Mar 12, 2024 10:19 am So if you say you are going to resign then dont like the terms you get nothing? That is very shady.
I disagreed. The shady part is on the employer. Employer is supposedly offer n months of severance if someone voluntary resign but refuse to disclose terms.

KlangFool
Yes, I was referring to the employer too but can see how it was confusing.
by barnaclebob
Tue Mar 12, 2024 10:19 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Layoff/regisn offer but employer won't share terms
Replies: 20
Views: 2890

Re: Layoff/regisn offer but employer won't share terms

So if you say you are going to resign then dont like the terms you get nothing? That is very shady.
by barnaclebob
Mon Mar 11, 2024 5:42 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Sell Home or Keep and Rent It
Replies: 11
Views: 1065

Re: Sell Home or Keep and Rent It

1.1mil gets $4500 a month with zero risk these days...
by barnaclebob
Mon Mar 11, 2024 5:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Furniture prices... is this normal?
Replies: 60
Views: 10058

Re: Furniture prices... is this normal?

unclescrooge wrote: Sat Jun 24, 2023 10:37 am
But I returned it and choose a full grain leather sectional from Scandinavian designs. Apparently no one ever chooses full grain leather so it has to be custom ordered from Italy with a seven month wait. It is being delivered next week.

It was 3 times the cost of the Costco sectional.
Ive still got my dads full grain leather overstuffed couches that are probably 25 years old at this point and get daily use. Aside from the areas where the dog scratched at it to make a nest, They are in near new condition.
by barnaclebob
Mon Mar 11, 2024 1:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Paying cash for a house?
Replies: 49
Views: 4827

Re: Paying cash for a house?

Given you can earn 5% on your money just sitting in a money market account, your "effective" mortgage rate would really only be about 2%. So its not that expensive for you to hold a mortgage for awhile if you need to.
by barnaclebob
Fri Mar 08, 2024 4:48 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Drop Homeowner Ins- Self Insure
Replies: 63
Views: 4720

Re: Drop Homeowner Ins- Self Insure

On the other hand, some how they have my personal property limit set at close to $1/4 million. There's no way we own that much stuff, even including our cars. Mine is set to over $1 million, and there is no way to reduce it. It's a percentage of dwelling value. We don't own anywhere near that much stuff either. Maybe 15% of that, mostly my piano. It doesnt really matter what everything is worth right now, what matters is how much it would cost to get your life back together to reasonably near how it was before pretty quickly. I'm not going to want to spend another decade building up my tool and outdoor equipment collection waiting for sales if my house burns down. 10 pairs of banana republic khakis that I purchased with the tags still on a...
by barnaclebob
Fri Mar 08, 2024 9:45 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Drop Homeowner Ins- Self Insure
Replies: 63
Views: 4720

Re: Drop Homeowner Ins- Self Insure

Mr. Potter wrote: Fri Mar 08, 2024 8:51 am I appreciate all the responses but what I haven’t heard is has anyone actually dropped their insurance and self insured their home.
Even though I live in a state where car insurance is required there’s a healthy percentage of people who self insure (aka- no insurance)
I doubt you are going to find anyone who has self insured and more importantly, had to cover a significant event where liability came into play.
by barnaclebob
Fri Mar 08, 2024 9:37 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Gas dryer - safe to tinker?
Replies: 10
Views: 783

Re: Gas dryer - safe to tinker?

Gas is honestly pretty safe if a few basic precautions are taken because its at such a low PSI when it comes to your house. You can stop the flow easily with your thumb. The danger is a large undetected leak but extremely small amounts of gas are detectable by our noses. If you do mess with it, check anything you touched with soapy water and smell around the appliance in the mornings or after nobody's been in the room for awhile. When we had a new gas stove installed, the tech over torqued the valve and cracked it. I could smell a faint gas smell in the mornings around the stove and when we got home from work. When I put some soapy water on the fitting it was barely bubbling. I'd be surprised if it was more than a gallon of gas a day. This ...