Search found 166 matches

by ychuck46
Mon Dec 18, 2023 2:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Telling our children about your net worth - pros and cons?
Replies: 181
Views: 27872

Re: Telling our children about your net worth - pros and cons?

You don't need to show her your net worth and what it consists of to help her learn how to invest. The two are separate. Start by giving her as much as possible on your approach and encourage her to do her own research from there.
by ychuck46
Sun Apr 09, 2023 12:39 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Living in 55+ Communities?
Replies: 120
Views: 18721

Re: Living in 55+ Communities?

During one winter recently that we spent in SC, we visited a nice 55+ community nearby. We currently live in a very large home in another state that only has the two of us in it, so someday we'll have to make a change; thought that a community like these might be an option. Beautiful place that had very nice manufactured homes on every lot, and great amenities like clubhouses, gyms, and so forth. Unfortunately many/most of the 55+ communities in the country are land rental situations that I would never touch. Rather than explain why that is a bad thing, watch the attached John Oliver video segment that he did on such situations. Bottom line - run away if you cannot own the land under your home in these communities. https://www.youtube.com/w...
by ychuck46
Fri Feb 24, 2023 4:52 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Getting Rid of Financial Advisor
Replies: 21
Views: 2149

Re: Getting Rid of Financial Advisor

I may have missed the expense % this financial "advisor" has been clipping you for, but get rid of him, particularly if you are just keeping your monies in a collection of funds/ETFs. He is doing absolutely nothing for you and getting a free ride on your dime. Move on and make your own decisions in the future.
by ychuck46
Wed Jan 25, 2023 12:39 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Small Pickup - Ford Maverick perhaps
Replies: 43
Views: 3898

Re: Small Pickup - Ford Maverick perhaps

We have had a hybrid Ford Maverick since April 2022. Luckily we got our order in early, before they even started building the hybrid version, and did not have a markup. The truck is phenomenal and has exceeded our expectations. On our drives into town (10 miles away) and around the area, basically non-highway, we routinely average 55-60 mpg. If on the highway going 70 or more it will drop down to 37 mpg or so, especially with the hills we have here in TN. Even for a lower cost vehicle (all in with taxes, etc we were about $24K) it has a lot of nice touches like heated steering wheel and seats, something my 2012 F-150 Supercrew never had. Personally I would place an order and wait for delivery before I would ever pay some dealer an obscene m...
by ychuck46
Wed Jan 25, 2023 12:26 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: International Stocks return will be superior to US
Replies: 480
Views: 42676

Re: International Stocks return will be superior to US

While I love Vanguard, their continual touting of International funds and ETFs versus domestic strikes me of the broken clock analogy. Some of it might also be due to international choices generally having a higher fee structure than domestic that benefits Vanguard directly.
by ychuck46
Mon Sep 05, 2022 4:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Net worth needed to drop LTC insurance?
Replies: 81
Views: 7169

Re: Net worth needed to drop LTC insurance?

The problem with LTC insurance is two fold: the premiums increase dramatically when you age, and will the insurer stay in business or weasel out of its LTC obligations somehow if they become too onerous. Do not discount the second point; it has happened to some and will likely escalate as the Boomers continue to age out. The insurer has outs such as moving the liabilities from its LTC area to a separate company, then limiting its exposure, or worst case declaring bankruptcy. And don't think the regulators will help you; most are ill equipped to take on the legions of lawyers employed by the LTC insurers. Personally, I wouldn't go near this type of insurance, but to each their own.
by ychuck46
Mon Aug 29, 2022 5:25 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Retirees aren't spending their nestegg - how can we do better?
Replies: 148
Views: 13092

Re: Retirees aren't spending their nestegg - how can we do better?

These articles always make it seem like we are somehow depriving ourselves by not spending down our assets. Now if someone is living on the streets and eating thrown out food from a dumpster just so they don't spend anything, okay, that is an issue (but who am I to really criticize such a person's choice to be free as a bird). For many of us that have no debts, that have all the "stuff" we need, donate well to charities of our choice, and still live life immensely, the bottom line is that we have more coming in than we are spending. [Political comment removed by admin LadyGeek]
by ychuck46
Sun Jul 31, 2022 5:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Leaving for a week: shut off main water supply?
Replies: 174
Views: 19683

Re: Leaving for a week: shut off main water supply?

[/quote]Or you can just turn off the valve manually before you leave. :D[/quote]

Sometimes technology can make things more complicated than they need to be.
by ychuck46
Sun Jul 31, 2022 5:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Leaving for a week: shut off main water supply?
Replies: 174
Views: 19683

Re: Leaving for a week: shut off main water supply?

We travel during the winter for 3+ months so we always turn off the main near the road, so no leak occurs where it travel through our lawn and into our house. We never did that for shorter trips but recently we came home from about 10 days away and the cold water line leading to the jacuzzi had split in the master bath. I estimated from the bills that about 2-2500 gallons of water had sprayed out under the jacuzzi, inundating a good portion of the bathroom floor underlayment and leaking into the crawlspace. I took care of it all and surprisingly there was little harm to the floor, whether the bathroom or in the crawlspace, but I won't take that chance again. Short or long trips the water main is getting turned off.
by ychuck46
Sun Apr 17, 2022 7:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: cheap, but effective, sunglasses?
Replies: 39
Views: 4213

Re: cheap, by effective, sunglasses?

The Ironman sunglasses are usually sold for the lowest price at Walmart. Good for everyday wearing but especially good for running and the like. They look good and depending on which one you choose I am sure you can find them to fit your needs.
by ychuck46
Thu Apr 07, 2022 1:23 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Why hasn’t Ally raised its Online Savings Rates
Replies: 94
Views: 14260

Re: Why hasn’t Ally raised its Online Savings Rates

Chuck wrote: Thu Apr 07, 2022 9:27 am Because they don't have to?
As good a reason as anything.
by ychuck46
Sat Jan 01, 2022 12:42 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: New 401k options for 2022 - Fidelity REIT?
Replies: 5
Views: 563

Re: New 401k options for 2022 - Fidelity REIT?

I assume they are offering the Fidelity Real Estate Income Fund (FRIFX). Not a good offering in my view. Only 3 stars out of 5 in Morningstar's rating, below similar offerings from Vanguard and others, with a higher expense ratio to add insult to injury. Should you have REITs as an alternative investment? Sure, but there are plenty of individual issues to own that pay very good dividends and are better performing.
by ychuck46
Fri Dec 31, 2021 9:55 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Looking for golf destination 50-60 degree temps
Replies: 17
Views: 2226

Re: Looking for golf destination 50-60 degree temps

We live in the Crossville/Lake Tansi area of TN, the "Golf Capital of TN". Plenty of courses for all levels. You could do a lot worse than here for golfing at this time of the year. Yesterday it was 68 and sunny. It will get colder at times during the winter but we get very little in the way of snow, and you will always be able to golf throughout the winter months. Another area we know well is Myrtle Beach, SC. This time of the year it is much quieter and more amenable for golfing. Stay away during the summer months; it is a madhouse then and too hot. This week it is hitting about 70 but will fall back into the upper 50s next week. Lots of sunshine, though. Sorry for the delayed reply to all your comments. We live in a rural area...
by ychuck46
Mon Dec 27, 2021 10:52 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Looking for golf destination 50-60 degree temps
Replies: 17
Views: 2226

Re: Looking for golf destination 50-60 degree temps

We live in the Crossville/Lake Tansi area of TN, the "Golf Capital of TN". Plenty of courses for all levels. You could do a lot worse than here for golfing at this time of the year. Yesterday it was 68 and sunny. It will get colder at times during the winter but we get very little in the way of snow, and you will always be able to golf throughout the winter months.

Another area we know well is Myrtle Beach, SC. This time of the year it is much quieter and more amenable for golfing. Stay away during the summer months; it is a madhouse then and too hot. This week it is hitting about 70 but will fall back into the upper 50s next week. Lots of sunshine, though.
by ychuck46
Sun Nov 28, 2021 6:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Unresponsive Estate executors
Replies: 108
Views: 9228

Re: Unresponsive Estate executors

They have refused to give any information for five years now, on what appears to be a relatively simple estate? In my opinion your wife's part of the estate, your estimated $13K, is long gone. There is zero reason to string out a simple estate that long unless you were spending it down. I was an executor and wouldn't want the hassle of prolonging the process. Then again I had nothing to hide, nor was I attempting to steal the assets.
by ychuck46
Mon Nov 08, 2021 6:28 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Did I get burned - furnace part
Replies: 37
Views: 3567

Re: Did I get burned - furnace part

Doesn't sound like a bad price at all, frankly. As others have said, there is an alternative, but you get what you pay for (especially if you are doing it yourself and you aren't mechanically inclined.
by ychuck46
Mon Oct 11, 2021 7:29 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Treasury Direct
Replies: 6
Views: 1869

Re: Treasury Direct

If you have questions about the Treasury Direct site, call them. Their software is not the greatest and certainly not very intuitive (probably runs on an old IBM mainframe) but I have found the people to be helpful
by ychuck46
Mon Oct 11, 2021 7:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Does a condo ever make more sense than a house?
Replies: 81
Views: 9475

Re: Does a condo ever make more sense than a house?

Grt2bOutdoors wrote: Sun Oct 10, 2021 11:17 pm If you buy a condo you will be subject to association by-laws and charter on what you can and can not do on your own property. You will be subject to constant maintenance charges and depending on how well run the association is, you might find yourself subject to special assessments. Finally, you may find yourself captive to multiple "egos" who sit on the board of the association - that's always fun, especially if you don't get along with them or vice versa. Renting might make more sense, but you'd have to do the math.
You can find yourself in the same situation in a single family home if your development has an HOA.
by ychuck46
Sun Jul 18, 2021 6:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 2022 Ford Maverick Megathread...;-)
Replies: 179
Views: 25187

Re: 2022 Ford Maverick Megathread...;-)

We usually don't buy first model year vehicles but we made an exception in the case of the 2022 Maverick. Put our order in for the XLT with the hybrid engine on June 23rd; initial feedback from Ford to the dealership was November delivery. The first Mavericks are scheduled to go into production next month and they have many thousands of orders in the que.

BTW, my first new car was a 1976 Maverick. That thing took me everywhere, from coast to coast, from sun to snow. Put over 100K miles on it and then let it go. It was a 3-speed on the column; not sure if any Millennials have ever had the pleasure of driving with that setup.
by ychuck46
Tue Jun 29, 2021 11:30 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Why are you invested (mainly) in US stocks when all long term forecasts are in favour of ex-US?
Replies: 221
Views: 22520

Re: Why are you invested (mainly) in US stocks when all long term forecasts are in favour of ex-US?

The so-called "experts" have been touting ex-US for years, to the detriment of those that have followed that advice. The current problem/issue with that direction is that the US markets ARE the tail wagging the dog. Anymore the foreign markets follow the lead of the US markets on the downturn, but very seldom do as well during an up market, generally lagging US returns. Because of this I have pulled back from an ex-US ETF exposure, preferring instead to trade individual issues if I find compelling situations outside our borders.
by ychuck46
Tue Jun 22, 2021 12:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: ***Cincy!***Looking at Retirement Area Indianapolis->Cincinnati->Lexington->Knoxville-> Ashville
Replies: 205
Views: 36066

Re: Looking at Retirement Area Indianapolis->Cincinnati->Lexington->Knoxville-> Ashville->Outerbanks

I live in Syracuse NY, love it, especially the people, the affordability, the excellent medical care (3 major hospitals with world-class cardio & cancer care), many parks and lakes, and fabulous spring/summer/falls. But the winters are snowy, so wouldn't work for you. I lived in Syracuse for over 30 years, finally escaping the winters and costs there 11 years ago. I don't think I would minimize the winters there by saying they are merely "snowy"; it is the snowiest city in the country, year after year, and winters can be six months long! The winters are bitter, and when the snow comes it sometimes doesn't melt completely until May in a bad year (I remember the city snow pile up in Oswego very well, just to the north of Syracu...
by ychuck46
Tue Jun 22, 2021 11:51 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do you refill k-cups?
Replies: 29
Views: 2720

Re: Do you refill k-cups?

The wife has the Keurig with dual options - can do individual k-cups or you can do a pot of coffee using a filter and ground coffee. She does the former and I do the latter. I like how my usage negates all the k-cups I would have used from going to the landfill, and I compost both the grounds and the filter each time.
by ychuck46
Sun May 23, 2021 6:10 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cars -- When and Why Did You Switch from Economy/Practicality to Luxury?
Replies: 333
Views: 35074

Re: Cars -- When and Why Did You Switch from Economy/Practicality to Luxury?

When did I switch? I never did. I can afford to buy most anything on the market without issue but I still drive my Ford F-150 that I bought new in 2012. Probably will always drive a truck; very practical for what I need.
by ychuck46
Sun May 23, 2021 6:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Why ibonds?
Replies: 110
Views: 12966

Re: Why ibonds?

The annual dollar limit and hassle doesn’t seem worth it for a few hundred dollars interest in a large portfolio. I agree. Add to that the hassle of using the Treasury's site (give it a shot and see what you think) make it a no-go for me. I'd personally pay $100 a year not to have to use that site. I don't even want to look at it. Who knows: maybe the clunky design is a feature, not a bug. Doesn't matter: I'll pass. P.S. Don't hit that back button! LOL. Thought the same thing initially but if you get in a fix, their support line people are pretty good. Once they explained to me the nuances of some of the sections, I can do pretty much anything on the system. I suspect they are still using old IBM mainframes on the Treasury Direct site, hen...
by ychuck46
Mon May 10, 2021 12:36 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: 10-20% Bonds? What’s the point?
Replies: 251
Views: 21275

Re: 10-20% Bonds? What’s the point?

I have been retired for seven years now and have gotten rid of almost all my bond holdings, keeping some in the Vanguard Intermediate-Term Tax Exempt fund. Prefer to have my bond money in good dividend paying stocks that don't have much in the way of price swings, and REITs. To each their own.
by ychuck46
Mon May 10, 2021 12:29 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What prompted you to pull the plug and retire?
Replies: 249
Views: 46008

Re: What prompted you to pull the plug and retire?

Stepped out of bed one day and the ankle gave out after decades of sports usage and injuries. Surgery to rebuild my ankle would require me to be non-weight bearing for three months. Wife said it was God telling me to stop and join her in retirement, that she had already been in for six years. Finances were not the issue; we had enough. I had just been working since I was about 7 yo and it was hard to wrap my head around that this was it for not collecting a paycheck. That thought didn't take very long to be dispelled, though. Retirement has been great.
by ychuck46
Sat May 01, 2021 7:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Would you retire?
Replies: 36
Views: 7127

Re: Would you retire?

Been retired for seven years now. My all in expenses, minus SS, equal about 1% of liquid assets. Life is good, my friend. Retire.
by ychuck46
Sat Apr 24, 2021 11:35 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is Mobil 1 extended performance full synthetic oil really good for 20k miles?
Replies: 97
Views: 18896

Re: Is Mobil 1 extended performance full synthetic oil really good for 20k miles?

Sorry for the non answer, but it depends. Are you hard on the vehicle - lots of stop and go driving, dusty conditions, towing, jackrabbit starts and stops, etc. If yes then the answer would be no. Would I take any synthetic oil to 20K? Not personally but I know others who do with no problem.
by ychuck46
Sun Jan 24, 2021 10:40 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Does this retired couple need a trust?
Replies: 26
Views: 3281

Re: Does this retired couple need a trust?

I think we're getting at the main source of my confusion. What exactly is so bad about probate? Also don't trusts have some costs that come with them. Does the cost of probate vs trust so obviously favor the trust route? What is so bad about probate? Many states, such as TN where I live, have a probate process that appears to have been designed to enrich the lawyers and the municipal governments that charge for the myriad of paperwork to actually go through probate. My wife's mother died a TN resident with a fairly small and simple estate, but a good % of it got bled off by the system. Leaving assets from one spouse to another is not the issue since those situations are generally straight-forward and protected by spousal laws. It is when b...
by ychuck46
Thu Jan 21, 2021 12:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Kind of Generator Do you Use for your Home Backup?
Replies: 139
Views: 13221

Re: What Kind of Generator Do you Use for your Home Backup?

We have a whole house 20Kw Generac. Have it tied into the natural gas line so we don't have to worry about refueling. At the time that was the biggest we could get but because we have a large house as well as a lot of outdoor security lights, we weren't able to tie both electrical boxes into a single generator. Kinda sucks because who would ever have every single light, etc on at the same time, but codes are codes. I believe at this point they are making at least 25Kw models if not bigger. Bottom line - great to have the peace of mind. The longest we were ever without was 2-1/2 days, btw.
by ychuck46
Thu Jan 07, 2021 10:22 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Why do car salesman want to talk to me?
Replies: 63
Views: 8614

Re: Why do car salesman want to talk to me?

When I bought my 2012 F-150 new I handled everything over the internet. Seemed to go very well. We showed up to finalize the sale and they said I couldn't have the truck we agreed upon, but to pick another. In hindsight they probably felt they were taking advantage of me somehow (or found a better buyer for the original truck we agreed upon) but I chose a truck that gave me more than I had asked for on the first one, a better color, and for the same price. Very pleased and the truck is running well eight years later.
by ychuck46
Thu Dec 10, 2020 12:26 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Hit our Number - Change Allocation?
Replies: 61
Views: 6225

Re: Hit our Number - Change Allocation?

No, have not gone more conservative. If anything I have moved more into the markets, particularly using options. Because of a phenomenal 2020 and hitting the options hard during the Mar-Apr low point, we are currently up >40% for 2020, including any bond and cash holdings. Hard to get those kinds of returns in fixed investments, my friend. BTW, we are 67 yo and I am six years into retirement, and the wife is twelve years now.
by ychuck46
Thu Dec 10, 2020 12:23 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Thinking about a 2nd Home in Florida
Replies: 37
Views: 6029

Re: Thinking about a 2nd Home in Florida

Why not just rent for the few months you plan on being there, rather than take on the burden of a second home? Little chance of a hurricane when you go during the winter, since the JASON months are when they are most likely (July-November). But if you own a home you are on the hook for any hurricane damage.
by ychuck46
Sun Nov 22, 2020 5:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What charity are you donating to this Christmas season?
Replies: 145
Views: 9025

Re: What charity are you donating to this Christmas season?

I no longer give to any national charities. My cash contributions go strictly to two local charities, a mens shelter and the equivalent on the womens side. Too many funky situations with national charities, particularly the ones that pay outrageous executive salaries.
by ychuck46
Sun Nov 15, 2020 7:29 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should Your 401(k) be Managed by Vanguard?
Replies: 4
Views: 669

Should Your 401(k) be Managed by Vanguard?

A good article from Investopedia on how Vanguard ranks in this area compared to others: https://www.investopedia.com/articles/p ... m=referral
by ychuck46
Sun Nov 08, 2020 5:33 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Can My Friend Retire?
Replies: 29
Views: 2870

Re: Can My Friend Retire?

In a nutshell? No, she will have to work until she dies. Or until she gets her spending in relation to her income under control.
by ychuck46
Wed Oct 28, 2020 1:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Yet another pay down my mortgage thread....
Replies: 37
Views: 2595

Re: Yet another pay down my mortgage thread....

Usually any discussion of debt, especially high interest rate debt like credit cards, is a no brainer - pay it down. But when it comes to low interest mortgage debt it is not so simple. It actually comes down to your comfort level with or without a high debt hanging over you. In our case we owned three primary homes over the years, paying down each as quickly as possible. Our current home was paid off within six months of buying it, as soon as the proceeds from the sale of our prior home were supplied to us. Could I have invested the money? Sure, but I just enjoy having do debt, period. If you are that type of personality then by all means try to pay your mortgage early.
by ychuck46
Mon Sep 28, 2020 12:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: DIY life style. Typical Boglehead?
Replies: 91
Views: 8195

Re: DIY life style. Typical Boglehead?

1. Pretty good at doing all my own electrical work. Self taught as with all the other points below. It is actually easier for me than, say, sweating copper plumbing because you know pretty quickly when you turn that breaker back on if you were right or wrong (although I suppose you would know the same when you turn the water back on, but it is easier nonetheless with the electrical). 2. Will do all the routine maintenance on our trucks and motorcycles. 3. All the yard work. With a four acre lawn and gardens there is much to do. 4. All the investing for the wife and I; I am active as well in the options market. She has no desire to learn even though I try; she just says I better not predecease her. 5. All the repairs around and inside the ho...
by ychuck46
Mon Sep 28, 2020 12:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Relocating from SEPA to Buffalo Area - Seeking Input
Replies: 1
Views: 267

Re: Relocating from SEPA to Buffalo Area - Seeking Input

We left Upstate NY ten years ago (Syracuse area, not Buffalo). Couple of observations:
-The home prices you quote seem high particularly for Buffalo, considered one of the more reasonably priced home markets in the country.
-Be prepared for lots of fees and lot of regulations on top of the high taxes you will be paying (income, property, etc). NY never has seen a fee they didn't like.
-The winters are not as bad there as the Syracuse area for a simple reason; Lake Erie freezes over and stops lake effect snows from continuing after the early winter weeks. Lake Ontario does not being a deep water lake, which is why Syracuse take the Golden Snowfall trophy ever year.
by ychuck46
Mon Sep 28, 2020 12:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Does anyone recommend this $350 laptop?
Replies: 51
Views: 5031

Re: Does anyone recommend this $350 laptop?

Have had great success with fully reconditioned units you can find in a variety of areas on the web. They last as long as new and give you much better specs for the money.
by ychuck46
Mon Sep 28, 2020 12:07 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Retirees spending question
Replies: 41
Views: 4130

Re: Retirees spending question

Retired for six years now. We spend less. You'll be amazed how much living you can fit in (traveling, entertainment, eating out, etc) at a lower cost than when you were working and perhaps less inclined to look for the absolute best deals. Plus we have zero debt now that a home equity line we took out is paid off. Bottom line - our expenses are lower and our financial assets are growing, even with all our travels during the year.
by ychuck46
Sun Sep 13, 2020 11:00 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: what do others pay for umbrella insurance, and is it needed?
Replies: 58
Views: 5706

Re: what do others pay for umbrella insurance, and is it needed?

I also have a $2M umbrella policy that costs $414/year. It depends upon a lot of factors. Where you live, crime rates, animals you own, propensity of people to sue, property you own, etc. Bottom line is one size does not fit all.
by ychuck46
Thu Sep 10, 2020 11:21 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Replacing a 20-year-old central air conditioning
Replies: 66
Views: 7388

Re: Replacing a 20-year-old central air conditioning

When we moved to the South ten years ago we decided to change/replace both large AC units (we have a large, long house). The company suggested Amana units which have been working great. Amana bought out a lot of AC companies over the years which I did not know at the time, but it has worked out.
by ychuck46
Sat Jul 25, 2020 6:58 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Re-Retiring Financially (SWR) After Good Year
Replies: 63
Views: 6116

Re: Re-Retiring Financially (SWR) After Good Year

Personally I only ever used the % rule, whether 4% or less, for modeling purposes. When I retired I have kept it well under that figure as far as any withdrawals and it still allows us to live a very nice life, since we prepared well in advance. No debt, moved to a low COL state, etc. We spend what we need to spend but also have insured that with our SS payments we stay somewhere around 1-2% of assets being spent in any given year, at most (barring any unforseen costs such as a major repair to the home and so forth).
by ychuck46
Sun Jun 21, 2020 6:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Restaurants recommendations
Replies: 73
Views: 6197

Re: Restaurants recommendations

Not sure of the price points you are trying to hit. Even though the wife and I are fairly well off we still enjoy deals most of the time. As far as chains:

1. Burgers - I still like Hardee's better than anyone. And they do a great Charbroiled Chicken as well (get it without mayo and it is pretty healthy).
2. Italian - Fazoli's has better spaghetti and meatballs than most, and their sauce is good.
3. Seafood - Captain D's for grilled fish. Get it with the broccoli side and it is also fairly healthy.
4. Meat/Steak - Logan's, Longhorn and Outback. Had one of the best filets ever recently at Outback. Very surprised.
by ychuck46
Sun May 24, 2020 5:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: If Jeep has such poor reliability, how come they are everywhere?
Replies: 174
Views: 18347

Re: If Jeep has such poor reliability, how come they are everywhere?

tetractys wrote: Sun May 24, 2020 4:35 pm
CULater wrote: Sun May 24, 2020 8:05 am It seems that Jeep vehicles are nearly legendary for their poor reliability ratings, and yet I see them everywhere like dandelions. Why are they so popular when they have such a poor reputation? I'm wondering if I should consider buying one. The Grand Cherokee would be my choice. What do Bogleheads think?
This is nothing unusual, just look at Ford! Whatever trips your trigger, go fo it.
I'm over 110K miles on my F-150 and it has only ever needed routine maintenance and a new set of tires. BTW, first time I ever bought Michelin tires in my long life, and I am sold on them. Incredible handling and durability compared to Goodyear, for example.
by ychuck46
Sun May 24, 2020 5:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: If Jeep has such poor reliability, how come they are everywhere?
Replies: 174
Views: 18347

Re: If Jeep has such poor reliability, how come they are everywhere?

Every Jeep owner we have ever known has had constant trouble with their vehicles. Take it out offroading and I guarantee it will be in the shop, just like theirs. We have had a Hummer/H3 that we bought new in 2007 and it still runs great with no major issues to speak of, knock on wood. And see if a Jeep can keep up with it offroading. I also guarantee the Jeep will roll over where the H3 will not. Save your money and aggravation and let the Millennials and others trying to make some sort of impression buying the Jeeps (although the only impression they make on at least half the population is likely that they cannot read Consumer Reports or the Blue Book or other pubs that would advise them to walk away from that product.
by ychuck46
Thu Apr 23, 2020 1:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Parents want me to pay off their mortgage in exchange for title
Replies: 102
Views: 11294

Re: Parents want me to pay off their mortgage in exchange for title

[/quote] Hehehehe, oh is he going to pay for this "deal". Until you've dealt with financially dysfunctional parents there's no such thing as a "deal" with them. It's a black hole with no return other than heartache. And it's always your fault. BTDT. [/quote] You are spot on. As others have stated there are a myriad of considerations here - siblings, the age of the parents, etc. But regardless the parents are stretched to the maximum and have only one asset, the house, which will no longer be theirs. How are they going to live? My guess is that they will have to have their hands out many more times with this son. Better they take whatever equity is left from the sale of the house and rent a small place until they can get ...
by ychuck46
Thu Apr 23, 2020 1:36 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Retirees: Walk me thru your portfolio drawdown process
Replies: 39
Views: 4890

Re: Retirees: Walk me thru your portfolio drawdown process

So far I have been retired for six years, the last three of which I have been collecting SS. I tend to keep a couple of years worth of cash needs in a MMF or short term bond ETF at Vanguard, and I transfer $ to my checking account just about every January. So far I have not needed to pull any more cash out throughout each of the years particularly since the SS payments, along with an interest-free mortgage I floated for my daughter that she pays monthly, provide enough of a cushion. Since we are only drawing down about 1.5% of assets, and those are oftentimes replenished by dividends and capital gains, our liquid assets have not decreased at all in the six years since I checked out from work. This allows my portfolio, which is probably more...