Recent Posts

41

Throw Down the Gauntlet / Re: Bike 2 Ski Day 2024

« Last post by MoneyManJack on Today at 12:23:38 AM »

So now I'm curious, who's idea was this? 

Google search doesn't seem to be finding any reference to this, even by image.

My wife made the graphic. It was kind of a joint idea amongst friends. A few of us bike to ski often so we tried to make it a thing. We had a whopping 7 riders head to Park City together. Maybe more next time

42

Welcome and General Discussion / Re: $10m dollars--more than enough?

« Last post by NorthernIkigai on Today at 12:18:14 AM »

I think casinos are fundamentally different from the lottery. Casinos are all about entertainment and spending money and hopefully doing it together with friends and having a day out or a vacation. Playing the lottery is very boring but still gives that tiny little excitement once a week, without any sense of entertainment.

My investments are very boring and sensible, so it’s fun to allow myself to be silly with about 50 € / year.

I'm not sure what kind of casinos you've been to, but the ones I've seen are a lot of sad, solo people sitting endlessly at slot machines hoping to win money, not dissimilar to the sad, solo folks playing video gambling machines at dive bars and motels.

Yeah, I'm aware of the reality but was referring more to the image they are trying to project (and thus why people go there).

43

Off Topic / Re: Does Anyone Regret Voting Republican?

« Last post by PKFFW on Today at 12:11:13 AM »

All the two of you have done is prove to all concerned that you haven't yet read the Cass Report.

For the record, I freely admit I have not yet completed reading the report.

However, even when I do, I will not know if all evidence was assessed.  I will not know if the Cass report is the "most up to date review of that evidence that is in existence" as I literally have no way of knowing all the evidence that has been done and if the Cass report considered all of it.

But as you point out, the Cass report itself admits it utilised two meta-analysis overviews of the evidence and did not actually review the evidence directly. At least for the 103 studies you mention.

Not really seeing the problem in pointing out these issues with the report methodology and conclusions. Surely even Dr Cass would be keen to have her work and methods reviewed, critiqued, considered, and discussed? I mean we are talking about the medical care of actual people, even if we don't believe their medical condition exits and the NHS and Politicians are supposed to have the best interests of the patient as the priority right?

44

Welcome and General Discussion / Re: SIM Card for Europe

« Last post by elaine amj on April 15, 2024, 11:51:58 PM »

I’d look for a cheap esim plan in Germany. That way u can still receive texts for free from the US.

Other option is to go to one of the mobile phone booths selling plans to tourists at the airport when u arrive and an agent will likely be happy to help to get u set up (not usually the cheapest option).

Airalo is a more expensive esim plan than local plans but very easy interface. I use it when convenience is important.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

45

Share Your Badassity / Re: Sold my house to live with my parents

« Last post by elaine amj on April 15, 2024, 11:45:39 PM »

I am rooting for this to work out for you.

My mother moved in with us a few years ago and mostly it has gone well. I would love more noise separation from her (a lot of noise travels from the basement where she has her room and office) but have learned to play my music louder when necessary. We’re still working out norms for together time and alone times.

DS21 also still lives with me and that’s working fine. I had gently suggested DD23 move out when she was 19 and it was the best thing in the world for her (and us!) as she learned to be independent. Plus it’s given me some freedom from her and her life as she reverts to a child when she’s with me.

My friend has a problem with her DD27 who insists she set aside time every night to listen to her unload all the small and big problems of her day. When she’s too busy/tired, her DD says she “doesn’t care” and “doesn’t make time for her”.

Eek - that’s way too much time and energy to spend on an adult child. But DD is a time suck when she is home too. So I’ve told her not to expect to move back in lol! Just not good for either of us. Frequent visits are awesome. And maybe when she’s older and we don’t revert to my spending all my time solving all her problems it will work better.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

46

Meetups and Social Events / Re: 2024 Magical MOAB Meetup October 4 - 11

« Last post by Dicey on April 15, 2024, 11:32:03 PM »

Hey @Chaplin, we saw something while traveling yesterday that made us think of you. I couldn't snap a picture fast enough, so I figured I'd google it. Turns out, the set-up must have been super custom.

The Tesla had a long horizontal cargo box, something like this:

https://www.thule.com/en-us/cargo-carrier/hitch-cargo-carriers/thule-arcos-basic-bundle-_-906201b1

Above that was a horizontal ski rack, mounted separately, above and clear of the cargo box. It was slick, but I can't find pictures of anything like it.

I suspect there's quite a cottage industry for unique ways to kit out Teslas.

We also had fun watching loads of transporters laden with shiny new Teslas en route from the factory, on their way to new homes.

I think that if I start to think I need that I'm just trying to bring too much. If I make it this year it will be by bike (and plane) as I hope to be in New Mexico at the beginning of October. I would fly to Grand Junction and ride the Kokopelli Trail to Moab. TBD.

Badass!

47

Off Topic / Re: Electric Cars: Can they finally become popular in the United States?

« Last post by Just Joe on April 15, 2024, 10:21:19 PM »

I've been running trip scenarios using ABTP and travel by Kona is not bad. A couple of charges over several hundred miles.

And the charge stops aren't even always that long as EV owners know well. 20 minutes here, 30 minutes there. Sometimes not even 20 minutes if the trip ends at our house and we're not that far away.

Is the Tesla and the Tesla network the superior tool compared to a Kona or Leaf? Surely.

First there is Elon. Nope. Not at this time. Then there's the fact that I'm not prepared to go that financially deep into buying a new or used EV right now.  I could delay another year but then I can't gift our ancient Honda to our eldest who wants it and kind of needs it now.

So the contest remains between a low mileage Leaf Plus or a Kona. I think for the money, a used Kona (or a Niro) gets us into a low mile capable EV at around $20K. Then we can cash flow our youngest through college w/o college loans. 

Doesn't matter which one we choose. As a second car it will seldom leave the county. When it does, it won't likely go more than one fast charge in any direction. Unless the novelty of EV travel really captures our hearts. 

TLDR:Kona vs Leaf Plus vs nothing at all for reasons of cost and utility. And nope on Elon for the foreseeable future.

48

Throw Down the Gauntlet / Re: Healthy lifestyle goals - April pact

« Last post by okits on April 15, 2024, 09:51:48 PM »

In April I have 19 days where I need to be awake much earlier than I want to be.

My goal for the month is to be in bed 7 hours before those early wake up times at least 10 times.  (50% of the time is ambitious, I think in March I achieved 0% of the time!)

As a reward I'll let myself buy a book I should probably get from the library (but it's good to support authors!)

Week 1: 2/6

Getting into bed seven hours before I need to wake is doable but also takes a Herculean effort.  My schedule has changed so that now there are 22 days like this in the month.  I am still sticking to my goal of 10 nights.  Tonight will be #3.  Admittedly some nights are easier because I have a slightly later (but still hours earlier than I want) wake up.  But I've decided those count, this is already harder than I want it to be.

Applause and cheerleading for everyone working to make a healthy change!

Week 2: 3/7 nights

On track, have accumulated 5/10 nights (goal).

49

Throw Down the Gauntlet / Re: Do one thing today to improve your privacy and security, online or off

« Last post by crocheted_stache on April 15, 2024, 09:43:21 PM »

Today's thing: Updated one two old passwords and enabled 2FA on one of the sites.

50

Investor Alley / Re: Bonds !!!

« Last post by ChpBstrd on April 15, 2024, 09:28:25 PM »

CPI is still lower than it was in September 2023 (3.5% in March vs. 3.7% in Sept.), and so is PCE (4.9% in Feb. vs. 5.55% in Sept.). What has changed is the speed of disinflation and the mood around it.

These inflation metrics suggest we are a lot closer to rate cuts now than we were in September, and yet rates are rising instead of falling. However, it took half a year to drop inflation as far as we did, and at such a pace we won't reach 2% for a while. However, JPow has reminded us in recent months that rates will drop before Core PCE hits 2%. It's only 2.8% now.

Have we made enough progress to move the S&P500's earnings yield from 4.18% to 3.64%? Traders seem to be saying no.

So as in November 2023, we're watching treasury yields rise, even though rate cuts are thought to be 6 months away. This is intriguing because we could see another opportunity to buy bond duration (e.g. EDV, TLT, ZROZ, individual treasuries) by later this month. I bought duration between late November and early December 2023 and it worked out great for me when bonds rallied in late December. Looking forward to repeating the process if the opportunity presents itself.