Search found 1287 matches

by miles monroe
Wed Oct 18, 2023 6:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do you "Roomba"? or other robot vacuums? Which is the best? Roomba Tips?
Replies: 117
Views: 14771

Re: Do you "Roomba"? or other robot vacuums? Which is the best?

Sandtrap wrote: Tue Oct 17, 2023 6:08 am
I notice that the earlier models have spinning "brushes" whereas later models of the Roomba, IE: i4, and up, have spinning rubber or synthetic rubber patterned rollers without the "brushes".
Why?
Perhaps the later "rollers" are less damaging and easier to clean?
My first Roomba had a brush. My second Roomba had rubber. I'll never go back to the brush. As you suspected, the rubber is MUCH easier to clean. The brush will never get totally clean.

I don't think the Amazon replacement batteries last as long as OEM, but given the price differece they are still a better value.
by miles monroe
Fri Aug 04, 2023 11:56 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Music Subscription - which do you prefer?
Replies: 58
Views: 5733

Re: Music Subscription - which do you prefer?

Spotify (paid version) at home and when exercising; Sirius/XM when in the car. I listen to more talk shows on Sirius/XM than music.
by miles monroe
Wed Jul 26, 2023 7:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Prepaid Funerals- what do you think of them?
Replies: 42
Views: 4741

Re: Prepaid Funerals- what do you think of them?

When Mom died Dad had to make all the arrangements while I traveled cross country. He didn't want me to to go thru all that, so he decided to make his arrangements and prepay for everything.

The good: He made all the decisions so I didn't have to go thru all that. The prepayment is actually a life insurance policy which is paid to the funeral home that provides the service. If they go bankrupt -- not an issue.

The bad: The only decision I had to make was what day to hold the graveside service. His best friends were out of town, not able to return until Friday. So I had the service on Saturday. Extra charge for "overtime" for having the service on a weekend -- $1,400.

Will I prepay and make my own arrangements? Absolutely.
by miles monroe
Thu Jul 13, 2023 10:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Suit for a wedding “on the cheap”?
Replies: 64
Views: 5119

Re: Suit for a wedding “on the cheap”?

When I needed a suit in a very tight time frame 15 years ago I bought one from JC Penny at a good price. They were sold as separates, pants and jacket separately, so no alterations were needed. Wore it for that occasion and just one other time since. Eventually gave it to Goodwill.
by miles monroe
Wed Jul 12, 2023 10:37 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: T-Mobile, Xfinity, AT&T now requiring bank accounts to retain auto-pay discount
Replies: 177
Views: 21580

Re: T-Mobile cancelling credit card payment asking for banking information instead !

I have T-Mobile Internet and get a $5 discount for being on autopay. I can either continue to use the credit card and lose the discount, or give them my bank info and continue to receive the discount. No way am I giving them my banking info. The cost of Internet just went up from $50 to $55. Still better than Comcast.
by miles monroe
Wed Jul 12, 2023 2:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Incompetent "Full Service" Brokerage -- Who to Complaint to?
Replies: 4
Views: 735

Re: Incompetent "Full Service" Brokerage -- Who to Complaint to?

stan1 wrote: Wed Jul 12, 2023 2:07 pm
My experience is that this can take several weeks (more than two).
Really? I'm shocked. Thanks for the info.
by miles monroe
Wed Jul 12, 2023 2:01 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Incompetent "Full Service" Brokerage -- Who to Complaint to?
Replies: 4
Views: 735

Incompetent "Full Service" Brokerage -- Who to Complaint to?

I have accounts with Schwab and Vanguard so this "service" is new to me.

My late father had an IRA with JP Morgan on which I am the beneficiary. 2 weeks ago I initiated the process (in person) to transfer the account to me. The money disappeared after a couple days; I have a new account number with a zero balance. I've actually had to make 3 trips thus far to the brokerage to sign stuff. My "advisor" keeps coming up with excuses as to the delay. The back ofice is obviously not doing their job.

This is unacceptable. Who do I complain to get this simple clerical task completed? I want to complain both internally and externally.

I'm out of patience.
by miles monroe
Sun Jul 09, 2023 12:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: someone with my name keeps using my email address
Replies: 137
Views: 9249

Re: someone with my name keeps using my email address

I have the exact same situation and I just ignore it.

My address is first.last and they don't use the dot, which means of course their mail comes to me. I honestly think that most of the time this is their their throwaway address when they don't want to give out their real address. A few look important but that's their problem not mine. It's just an annoyance.
by miles monroe
Wed Jul 05, 2023 2:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What short code does Vanguard use?
Replies: 9
Views: 1746

Re: What short code does Vanguard use?

Cheez-It Guy wrote: Tue Jul 04, 2023 8:19 pm What number did it come from?
It was actually from one that you also received; 70786
by miles monroe
Tue Jul 04, 2023 8:05 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What short code does Vanguard use?
Replies: 9
Views: 1746

Re: What short code does Vanguard use?

OP here.

Thanks everyone. It was a 2FA message that came from a new number; coincidentally used for the first time right after I got a message from Google that my email may have been compromised. Thought I should double check.

How come every time I have an important question to me that it is on a weekend, holiday, or after closing hours? :)

Got my answer. Thanks again.
by miles monroe
Tue Jul 04, 2023 7:10 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What short code does Vanguard use?
Replies: 9
Views: 1746

What short code does Vanguard use?

I got a text from Vanguard and it is from a different short code that I'm used to seeing. I want to make sure it's legit and Vanguard is closed today so I can't call and ask.(A short code is the "from" number when you get a text.) Anybody know what short code they are using?

Thanks in advance.
by miles monroe
Tue Sep 10, 2019 9:25 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: I'm gonna need a bigger TV...
Replies: 36
Views: 5376

Re: I'm gonna need a bigger TV...

i'd get the biggest samsung that's in your budget from costco.

and check costco online -- it's a lot easier to have it delivered than bringing it home yourself.

and if you want to splurge go for white glove delivery -- not only do they deliver but they set it up while they are there.
by miles monroe
Mon Aug 26, 2019 5:14 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: No Vanguard Customer Support on weekends
Replies: 76
Views: 13966

Re: No Vanguard Customer Support on weekends

miles monroe wrote: Sat Aug 24, 2019 1:33 pm today (saturday) i got a snail mail letter from vanguard thanking me for "restoring access" on sunday. i wasn't aware that my access was ever unrestored.
update: called vanguard today. "restoring access" means i changed my password. if they had said that in the letter it would have saved me (and them) a phone call. the text i got after i changed my password said "changed password".

i have checking with schwab and i closed that account. i contacted medicare to find out how to pay my premium before the automatic debit is set up on the new account and was surprised to see that medicare has 24/7 customer service. i used online chat which worked perfectly.
by miles monroe
Mon Aug 26, 2019 5:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Coffee becomes cold too soon
Replies: 171
Views: 22383

Re: Coffee becomes cold too soon

i have an uncle that solves this problem by only pouring a half a cup at a time. :)

i have the same issue -- only like coffee that is HOT. while i have coffee cups in the house for others, i only drink coffee out of a stainless steel insulated bubba mug i got from bed bath and beyond. i think it holds 12 ounces; i have the coffee maker set at 8 ounces and it gets the job done.
by miles monroe
Sat Aug 24, 2019 1:33 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: No Vanguard Customer Support on weekends
Replies: 76
Views: 13966

Re: No Vanguard Customer Support on weekends

first let me say that i logged on to my account and everything is fine; the balances are correct and no account details have been changed. however -- my house was robbed a week ago last saturday night/sunday morning. today (saturday) i got a snail mail letter from vanguard thanking me for "restoring access" on sunday. i wasn't aware that my access was ever unrestored. i was shocked to learn that you cannot talk to vanguard by either phone or website on the weekends. when i first attempted to logon i got an error message saying i had entered an incorrect user name or password. i gotta say my heart stopped for a moment! anyway 2nd attempt worked; guess i fat fingered the keyboard the first time. so i'll give em a call monday morning...
by miles monroe
Fri Aug 23, 2019 10:23 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5993
Views: 699700

Re: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]

i'm watching "dead to me" on netflix right now and i think it's great. seems like there is a plot twist every episode.
by miles monroe
Tue Aug 20, 2019 4:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Ponder this, BH's... is Ben & Jerry's worth it?
Replies: 142
Views: 14844

Re: Ponder this, BH's... is Ben & Jerry's worth it?

i rarely buy store ice cream as it is unhealthy, but when i do i almost always get B&J cherry garcia.

(i feel the need to say i hate the music of jerry garcia and the grateful dead.)

when i thru hiked the appalachian trail years ago there was a B&J store in manchester center, vermont. in addition to the normal offerings, they also sold "seconds" for an unbelievably low price. we ate so much while we were in town...
by miles monroe
Sat Aug 17, 2019 9:07 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Taking a break in your 50s: Is it the kiss of death? (Updated Original Post))
Replies: 95
Views: 16226

Re: Taking a break in your 50s: Is it the kiss of death?

i took a year off at 35 to hike.

no way i would take a year off at 55 if my intention was to find employment at the end of that year.
by miles monroe
Tue Aug 13, 2019 11:46 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: [Vanguard ongoing glitches, August 12-13, 2019]
Replies: 256
Views: 24848

Re: [Vanguard ongoing glitches, August 12-13, 2019]

i don't mind that vanguard had a pricing issue -- stuff happens.

i do mind that vanguard totally mismanaged this whole event.
by miles monroe
Tue Jul 30, 2019 10:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: is there best time to book for a hotel to achieve lowest rate
Replies: 6
Views: 988

Re: is there best time to book for a hotel to achieve lowest rate

the hotel i normally stay on at the beach lists their prices per day on a calendar on their website.

if you don't mind waiting til the last minute, the Hotel Tonight app usually has good prices -- cheaper than their participating hotels charge. (you can book nights in the future; you don't have to wait til "tonight". but waiting gets you the best deals.)
by miles monroe
Thu Jul 25, 2019 11:22 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: First Home Purchase - Disagreement on Appraisal Contingency
Replies: 81
Views: 5658

Re: First Home Purchase - Disagreement on Appraisal Contingency

would you pay $25,000 for a pack of gum?

if not, why would you overpay $25,000 on a house? same thing when you get right down to it.

i'd walk away. and if you do, it wouldn't surprise me if the seller decided he didn't really need that 25k clause -- it'd be in his best interest for you to get the appraisal and see what it says. and if it does in fact come in low you guys just might decide to meet in the middle.

good luck.
by miles monroe
Wed Jul 17, 2019 11:51 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Low Cost Burner Phone?
Replies: 16
Views: 3105

Re: Low Cost Burner Phone?

a little over a year ago i bought a tracphone smart phone second phone from QVC. it cost $85 and came with a years service, 1000 minutes, 1000 texts, and 1GB of data. runs on verizon. after the first year i had virtually all of the minutes and texts left so i really only needed to extend the service time. this they don't offer. but.. if you buy 1 month of service (with texts and minutes) for $15 you are then given the option to add on a years service (with the same 1000 texts etc as it originally came with) for $49. so after the initial purchase $65 for 13 months of service and more texts and minutes that i'll ever use. it actually came in handy when my nexxus 5x died midway in a cross country car trip and became my only phone for close to ...
by miles monroe
Thu Jul 11, 2019 7:55 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Grill Mat
Replies: 29
Views: 3861

Re: Grill Mat

i use a metal veggie basket.
by miles monroe
Tue Jul 09, 2019 4:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: my best new travel tip only $2 per day more [airport parking]
Replies: 60
Views: 8613

Re: my best new travel tip only $2 per day more

police have issued a warning...

if you use uber/lyft to get to the airport -- and the driver picks you up at your home with luggage in hand and takes you to the airport -- you've just told a stranger that you are going to be out of town. there have been several robberies that they have tied back to uber/lyft drivers using this info.

for what it's worth.
by miles monroe
Tue Jul 09, 2019 4:41 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Google fi users - happy with it and recs?
Replies: 32
Views: 5471

Re: Google fi users - happy with it and recs?

when i'm at home my bill is $30.

when i visit dad (no wi-fi) my bill is $85.

so i "usually" like it...
by miles monroe
Sun Jul 07, 2019 2:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Pre Cruise Ft Lauderdale Hotel
Replies: 36
Views: 3049

Re: Pre Cruise Ft Lauderdale Hotel

TravelforFun wrote: Fri Dec 28, 2018 7:18 pm On our first couple of cruises out of Fort Lauderdale, we would arrive a day early but found it too much of a hassle. Load and unload luggage twice, shuttle from airport to hotel, shuttle from hotel to cruise port, taxi to restaurant for dinner, and crowded hotel. So now we just catch an early flight to Fort Lauderdale since ships don't leave until 4 pm. This would save us a day and some cash. Early flights have less chance of being delayed because you wouldn't have to wait for a flight to come in to have a plane.

TravelforFun
for what it's worth, clark howard vehemently disagrees with this. always arrive the day before -- if something happens that ship ain't gonna wait on ya.
by miles monroe
Sun Jul 07, 2019 8:35 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buy a refrigerator at Sears?
Replies: 37
Views: 4038

Re: Buy a refrigerator at Sears?

i used to buy all my appliances from sears, but over the last 10 years or so i've switched to lowes or home depot as i've found their prices to be better.
by miles monroe
Sat Jul 06, 2019 2:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: No more print Money magazine
Replies: 109
Views: 18955

Re: No more print Money magazine

i recieved the august kiplingers today and it shows the revised "last issue" date on the mailing label.
by miles monroe
Sat Jul 06, 2019 2:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Job Promotion - How to Show on Resume
Replies: 40
Views: 4971

Re: Job Promotion - How to Show on Resume

personally, i wouldn't put it on my resume but would bring it up at an interview.
by miles monroe
Sun Jun 30, 2019 3:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?
Replies: 11151
Views: 2085846

Re: What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

yesterday which i thot was worth the investment in time and money seeing it at the theater.

yesterday is the story of an unsuccessful musician who wakes up after a 12 second global power outage -- and is the only person in the world who has ever heard of the beatles.
by miles monroe
Sun Jun 30, 2019 3:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Windows Defender and Malwarebytes
Replies: 17
Views: 2180

Re: Windows Defender and Malwarebytes

rich126 wrote: Sun Jun 30, 2019 1:23 pm Personally I would use the free version of malwarebytes to run a periodic scan and then use defender or whatever as your real time scanner.
me too. periodically i get a notification that defender has been turned off (i didn't do it!) so i have to go in and turn it back on. i have no idea why that happens.

i spend the vast majority of my time on the chromebook rather than the windows machine. chromebook is sooo easy to update -- turn if off and turn it on. :)
by miles monroe
Sat Jun 29, 2019 4:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: .
Replies: 88
Views: 6868

Re: Tire Pressure Monitoring System failed: Replace or Ignore?

my dear grandmother used to say that people who don't fix their TPMS are "penny wise and pound foolish".
by miles monroe
Tue Jun 25, 2019 5:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5993
Views: 699700

Re: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]

mr iglesias on netflix.

comedian gabriel iglisias plays a high school teacher.

kinda dumb family friendly sit com.
but i like dumb. :)
by miles monroe
Tue Jun 25, 2019 4:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: what was your worst major purchase? mine is a 2019 mazda3
Replies: 182
Views: 21489

Re: what was your worst major purchase? mine is a 2019 mazda3

bubbadog wrote: Sat Jun 22, 2019 12:02 pm The lighthouse is super cool (google it and you will see).
sorry about your financial loss -- but i agree -- that is super cool!

even has it's own facebook page. :)

here's an article i found interesting.

thanks for your post!

https://fox8.com/2017/07/04/woman-calls ... a-pioneer/
by miles monroe
Thu Jun 20, 2019 12:12 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Don't pay full price for SiriusXM radio
Replies: 649
Views: 113117

Re: Don't pay full price for SiriusXM radio

ponyboy wrote: Wed Jun 19, 2019 5:56 am I cant believe people still listen to sirius radio. Podcasts are free, you actually learn stuff, and it makes whatever drive or commute you have much more enjoyable.
exactly! i listened to a podcast that said how great satellite radio was so i gave it a try. they were right!
by miles monroe
Wed Jun 19, 2019 1:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Where to Live? N. Orange County, CA or Vancouver, WA or Atlanta
Replies: 82
Views: 8978

Re: Where to Live? N. Orange County, CA or Vancouver, WA or Atlanta

lol, i know what clark howard would say if you asked him about moving to the left coast and renting out your atlanta house...

good luck with your decision.
by miles monroe
Mon Jun 17, 2019 7:54 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: anyone heard of or use forevercar.com?
Replies: 3
Views: 987

Re: anyone heard of or use forevercar.com?

mhalley wrote: Mon Jun 17, 2019 7:27 pm I follow a lot of Clark Howard’s advice, and one of his recommendations is to only get auto manufacturers repair plans from the actual co, ie Toyota, Ford, etc, if you can’t afford the repairs. This looks to NOT be a manufacturer plan, so hard pass for me.
BBB complaint page
https://www.bbb.org/us/il/chicago/profi ... complaints
can't say it any better than that.
by miles monroe
Mon Jun 10, 2019 4:07 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Costco Visa credit limit
Replies: 48
Views: 9139

Re: Costco Visa credit limit

i had the costco amex which was transferred to costco visa.

my credit limit is 15,200. i've never asked for an increase.

this is the only account i have with citi; that may be the reason it is higher than some of the others mentioned.
by miles monroe
Mon Jun 10, 2019 11:25 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sports classes in Universities
Replies: 60
Views: 5158

Re: Sports classes in Universities

jebmke wrote: Fri Jun 07, 2019 5:47 pm

I ended up doing golf and badminton. I was in a badminton class with some guys from Pakistan. I learned that competitive badminton is nothing like "summer picnic" badminton.
i was on my high school badminton team. quite an eye opener -- you're right -- it's nothing like we played in the back yard!
by miles monroe
Sat Jun 08, 2019 10:18 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Do you carry Umbrella Insurance?
Replies: 142
Views: 13735

Re: Do you carry Umbrella Insurance?

a couple hundred bucks to protect a million dollars is the best value you can get in the insurance game.

crazy not to have it.
by miles monroe
Thu Jun 06, 2019 11:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: No more print Money magazine
Replies: 109
Views: 18955

Re: No more print Money magazine

i just read the june issue -- what a horrible job of explaining they did -- starting with the fact the info was hidden in the "editors note" page with nothing to indicate the magazine was going away.

but we get the FREE! facebook group. :)
by miles monroe
Thu Jun 06, 2019 7:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Costco or Sam's Club?
Replies: 134
Views: 13497

Re: Costco or Sam's Club?

elainet7 wrote: Wed Jun 05, 2019 4:30 pm 50-60M americans paying 50-60 bucks membership fees?????
lol, i pay $120.

(of course, that's the upfront cost. costco actually pays me to shop there.)
by miles monroe
Thu Jun 06, 2019 4:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Value of Zillow house price estimate
Replies: 44
Views: 7675

Re: Value of Zillow house price estimate

if zillow would buy my house for what they say it's worth, i'd sell to em in a heartbeat!
by miles monroe
Thu Jun 06, 2019 2:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to buy a mattress
Replies: 62
Views: 9482

Re: How to buy a mattress

i was at costco yesterday and noticed that they now have the casper mattress for sale in the warehouse.
by miles monroe
Wed Jun 05, 2019 8:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Costco or Sam's Club?
Replies: 134
Views: 13497

Re: Costco or Sam's Club?

sams is owned by wal-mart and it shows.
by miles monroe
Mon May 20, 2019 1:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anybody try the Blue Apron or the like?
Replies: 77
Views: 8711

Re: Anybody try the Blue Apron or the like?

hard pass; doesn't make economic sense and is an environmental disaster.
by miles monroe
Mon May 20, 2019 11:24 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Car repairs: what to do next time
Replies: 49
Views: 4738

Re: Car repairs: what to do next time

Calico wrote: Mon May 20, 2019 9:58 am They say you should never pay more than half of what your car is worth in repairs.
depends on who "they" is.

AAA says 50%. clark howard used to say 50% -- but when he read what consumer reports said he said he may need to change his advice.

consumer reports and edmunds both say repair up to 100% the value of the car.
by miles monroe
Wed May 08, 2019 11:52 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: The 4% rule
Replies: 94
Views: 9654

Re: The 4% rule

i call it the "4% suggestion".
by miles monroe
Sat Apr 27, 2019 10:10 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How Much to Tip Wedding Officiant
Replies: 38
Views: 3396

Re: How Much to Tip Wedding Officiant

i wouldn't "tip" a friend.

i agree that one should adequately tip their preacher/priest.
by miles monroe
Wed Apr 24, 2019 2:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5993
Views: 699700

Re: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]

killing eve on amc.