Miscellaneous Discussion Thread
Quote: lilredrooster____________
CarShield - an extended car warranty business - is all over the airwaves now spending huge bucks on advertising - using TV and movie stars as spokespersons
I believe it's a Ripoff
I researched it - their average monthly charge for a 4 year old car is $119 - not sure if they charge more as the car gets older - I would guess they do
that works out to be just over $5,700 for 4 years - if there is no yearly increase
what is the chance you will spend almost $6K in car repairs in the 4 years when your car is between 4 and 8 years old?
really slim - it does also include roadside assistance but AAA offers that for just $75 per year
I also believe that reverse mortgages are probably a gigantic Ripoff - ripping off the elderly - but I can't show it with figures
paying an elderly person a monthly stipend - and then getting their house worth maybe $700K when they pass
what a crush for the company if the person dies within a couple or a few years
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My understanding is that the reverse mortgage lenders have really been cleaned up. I think now the heirs have the opportunity to pay back the loan and keep the property. Obviously there are probably still some bad ones out there but I don't think the whole industry is crooked like it was many years ago.
The idea was you get the unit at a discount, collect the rent from the people and make up the difference in maintenance fees. The apartment might go for $100,000 on the open market but since it's occupied,it sells for $50,000. The maintenance would be $500, and the rent would be $300 so each month you would be $200 out of pocket. The occupants could stay as long as they lived or moved so the idea was to buy something occupied by old people. I'm not sure, but I think you had to be over 65 to be eligible. A bunch of my friends bought an apartment and then they combined to buy one together. One guy got lucky and was able to take full possession almost immediately, so he ended up getting his apartment for just over half its value. Most got their apartments within a few years and did well. One friend ran afoul , and the woman in the apartment he bought lived to be well over 100 so he subsidized her rent for thirty years and paid well over 200k for an apartment worth $125,000.
We were young at the time of the investments, so the ones who cashed in early all had their portfolios turbo charged while the one had an unexpected burden to carry and never got going. Where he thought owning an apartment like this would be seen in a favorable light, banks saw it as a negative, open ended liability and he had a hard time getting a mortgage for his own place. It didn't exactly ruin his life but it made it much more difficult. Not only did he subsidize her rent for all that time, but his initial investment earned zero for nearly thirty years at a time when he could have locked in double digit interest on treasury bonds.
with all the problems out there in the world right now the Vanguard 500 Index Fund (VFIAX) which is intended to track a good portion of the market as a whole is up 29.37% for the year
I benefit greatly because I own a closely related fund and didn't sell off
anyway - imho - this is insane - makes no sense at all to me
I'm sure there are some who put out some words showing that there is a sound logic to it - but sorry, I don't think I can buy it
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When things get back to normal, they will be much more profitable than their former bloated selves.
That is the theory. I've also read that workers at home turned out to be more productive.
It looks like she can cooperate and get a greatly reduced sentence by spilling the beans on who was on the island and what they did there or spend a couple of decades in prison. Tough choice. I don't think she owes those people anything and that she will sing like a canary.
People with some money they want to invest have to invest it somewhere, and an index fund like that is considered about as safe as it gets for a set it and forget it long term type of investor without settling for the lower returns of bonds.
my understanding of the market has always been that what it doesn't like is uncertainty or national confusion
I think there is greater uncertainty and confusion now then at any time in my life excecpt for the Cuban missle crisis
right now - the market looks to me more than ever before - like a gigantic Ponzi scheme
doesn't mean I'm going to pull out - just means that I now realize that everything I thought before was wrong
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Quote: billryanQuote: lilredrooster____________
CarShield - an extended car warranty business - is all over the airwaves now spending huge bucks on advertising - using TV and movie stars as spokespersons
I believe it's a Ripoff
I researched it - their average monthly charge for a 4 year old car is $119 - not sure if they charge more as the car gets older - I would guess they do
that works out to be just over $5,700 for 4 years - if there is no yearly increase
what is the chance you will spend almost $6K in car repairs in the 4 years when your car is between 4 and 8 years old?
really slim - it does also include roadside assistance but AAA offers that for just $75 per year
I also believe that reverse mortgages are probably a gigantic Ripoff - ripping off the elderly - but I can't show it with figures
paying an elderly person a monthly stipend - and then getting their house worth maybe $700K when they pass
what a crush for the company if the person dies within a couple or a few years
.
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As far as Car Shield goes, I'm uncertain. I drive a 2016 Mazda. It's out of warranty and will soon hit 50,000 miles. I called them last year for a quote and was told it was about $130 a month. By the time I got off the phone, it was down to about $110 and I got a couple of postcards offering me 10% off.
What are the chances something like a transmission or timing belt will bust in the next five years? If the belt snaps while driving, it can ruin the engine completely. I'd guess a tranny for the car would be a couple of grand.
There are better warranty companies out there. Ones that don't need to recoup millions in television ads outlays.
I'd say it isn't a ripoff but it isn't a great deal either. Somewhere in between.
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I’m pretty sure Mazda’s have a timing chain not a belt. So no worries on belt breaking.
Feels like you have a view on the question.Quote: charlis1221Is 2021 a good time to get a home loan with bad credit and low income?
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Quote: charlis1221Is 2021 a good time to get a home loan with bad credit and low income?
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Well you have one day to pull the trigger so don't delay.
Quote: JohnzimboQuote: charlis1221Is 2021 a good time to get a home loan with bad credit and low income?
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Well you have one day to pull the trigger so don't delay.
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The trigger was not delayed.
great new tech_________________________𝙉𝙊𝙏
Apple air tags are enabling stalkers
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https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-protect-yourself-against-airtag-and-tile-stalking
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I'm reallly enjoying the "Kroll" show from Comedy Central - although I'm sure many might think it's stupid or juvenile - I don't care if it is - it makes me laugh
in this clip the public relations firm PubLizity run by 2 gals, actually one is a man, and both are named Liz, is trying hard to get the new account for a new product - Cultured Yogurt Water
what a hoot - the show's been around for a while - I didn't know about it - I just happened onto it
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I love the line when the skinny Liz says "I think a lot of women want to drink something that's like medium thick"
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https://theweek.com/world/1008609/paraguayan-soldier-dies-after-being-gored-by-deer-on-grounds-of-presidential
poster for the 1973 film "Soylent Green" which was btw an excellent movie imo
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https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2022/01/09/soylent-green-2022-predictions/
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Quote: billryanA member of an elite unit guarding a South American Presidential estate was killed when he was attacked by one of the deer kept on the grounds. I've never heard of a fatal deer attack before. What a strange way to die. RIP.
https://theweek.com/world/1008609/paraguayan-soldier-dies-after-being-gored-by-deer-on-grounds-of-presidential
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I think most fatal deer attacks involve a deer rushing an automobile.
I just ventured out into a small enclosed mall near where I live
before Covid it was 90% occupied - it's now 80% unoccupied
the strip mall adjacent to it was 90% occupied before Covid - now it's only 50% occupied - stores are closing left and right
things seem to be really getting bad - at least from what I see in my little world
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Quote: lilredrooster_________
I just ventured out into a small enclosed mall near where I live
before Covid it was 90% occupied - it's now 80% unoccupied
the strip mall adjacent to it was 90% occupied before Covid - now it's only 50% occupied - stores are closing left and right
things seem to be really getting bad - at least from what I see in my little world
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My wife is the shopper who kept these stores in malls afloat. Now we get a package a day from an online competitor to those in mall stores. I agree with you on ‘bad’, but a young person might just use the word ‘different’.
Quote: SOOPOOQuote: lilredrooster_________
I just ventured out into a small enclosed mall near where I live
before Covid it was 90% occupied - it's now 80% unoccupied
the strip mall adjacent to it was 90% occupied before Covid - now it's only 50% occupied - stores are closing left and right
things seem to be really getting bad - at least from what I see in my little world
.
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My wife is the shopper who kept these stores in malls afloat. Now we get a package a day from an online competitor to those in mall stores. I agree with you on ‘bad’, but a young person might just use the word ‘different’.
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just today my amazon account said that we have ordered 86 items n the last 90 days. that is just amazon, my wife likes Wayfair and Overstock too.
Quote: SOOPOOQuote: lilredrooster_________
I just ventured out into a small enclosed mall near where I live
before Covid it was 90% occupied - it's now 80% unoccupied
the strip mall adjacent to it was 90% occupied before Covid - now it's only 50% occupied - stores are closing left and right
things seem to be really getting bad - at least from what I see in my little world
.
link to original post
My wife is the shopper who kept these stores in malls afloat. Now we get a package a day from an online competitor to those in mall stores. I agree with you on ‘bad’, but a young person might just use the word ‘different’.
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I have no idea what young people think about this
but to me - shopping in stores was never just about buying stuff - at its best it could be an entertaining and fun experience
if that is lost - well, to me anyway - we've lost a lot
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Quote: lilredrooster
I have no idea what young people think about this
but to me - shopping in stores was never just about buying stuff - at its best it could be an entertaining and fun experience
if that is lost - well, to me anyway - we've lost a lot
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I know for me, it's about getting the item.
I get irritated when a retailer tries to create an "exciting, engaging personal shopping experience".
I do value stores, as I recognize a benefit from getting an item in hand to address a specific problem in 35 minutes vs 35 hours.
My wife gets caught up in the experience. I may have coerced her into some shopping my way. She'd been hunting for something for a few months. I went along with her one day, took her straight to the store I thought would have what she wanted, straight to the rack with the item, and she loved it. 15 minutes, and I hadn't been in that store in the prior decade. (We did subsequently wander around the mall for an hour, to satisfy her craving to meander aimlessly. About 35% of the stores had closed.)
Accessorizing my look with a leather motorcycle jacket and a toddler has significantly reduced my need for the phrase "I don't work here, Lady", in case that's helpful to anyone.
Oh, and Radio Shack. And when they actually still had a pet store.
I'm not really into the mall experience - maybe I gave that impression
but I do like browsing in specialty grocery stores and seeing and reading the package of items I've never seen before - and sometimes trying something new
I don't believe I can get my curiosity aroused by a digitalized pic of the same product - wouldn't get my motor running
and the food court in the large mall near me is excellent - the competition is fierce - and the choices are amazing - it's big - I think at least 25 different restaurants in the mall - not all in the court - of course if the mall goes down - the food court goes down with it
I used to love browsing in Borders Books - it was a gigantic store - it's long gone
Barnes and Noble is still around but they've shrunken down close to nothingness
browsing in bookstores is basically now a thing of the past
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Quote: lilredrooster
I don't believe I can get my curiosity aroused by a digitalized pic of the same product - wouldn't get my motor running
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Very true. A can of these in the hand is a wildly different experience than a picture on a screen.
Standard disclaimer: I'm not a shill for mwPolar.
The reason I am making this announcement rather than just disappearing is that I didn't want people to think I had stormed off in response to my latest suspension last week. As I told Wizard at the time, I am fine with that suspension.
I also do want to take a moment to apologize to Alan for the events and things said that lead to that suspension. I honestly wasn't trying to be mean or hurt Alan or his feeling. I thought what I said was just sort of accepted among people, including him to some degree. Obviously, I was wrong about at least the second part. Either way, it wasn't really my place to say so.
On an unrelated note, in the football playoffs thread, I was 100% right about Carson Wentz when I said he would either get hurt or come up very small. I am right so infrequently; I want to make note. Based on his history, which as an Eagles fan I was all too familiar with there was zero reason to believe Wentz would lead anybody anywhere. Colts have a big problem since they are committed to him for at least another year.
Be well everyone.
I wish you success. Maybe there will be non-counting AP opportunities that you can take up. Like PokerGrinder transitioned. Sometimes when a door closes, a window opens.
Quote: kewlj
Be well everyone.
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You too, kewlj.
Hope to see you back when things calm down.
Quote: kewljSo returning from my most recent 7 day suspension, I want to announce that I won't be participating here or any other forum for a good long while. I don't know if it will be 6 months or a year or forever. This is due to events on other forums where I was doxxed, which at this point I don't know if it ends my career, but it has harmed me and my career and ability to play and make a living for now.
Sue the doxxer.
Ka-ching!
Keep us posted as the case progresses.
Quote: kewljSo returning from my most recent 7 day suspension, I want to announce that I won't be participating here or any other forum for a good long while. I don't know if it will be 6 months or a year or forever. This is due to events on other forums where I was doxxed, which at this point I don't know if it ends my career, but it has harmed me and my career and ability to play and make a living for now. It is best I just lay low for a while and that includes forums.
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Is this preemptive or has the doxing already caused you actual problems in a casino?
Quote: AlanMendelson
Is this preemptive or has the doxing already caused you actual problems in a casino?
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Quote: kewlj... I won't be participating here or any other forum for a good long while. ...... at this point I don't know if it ends my career, but it has harmed me and my career and ability to play and make a living for now. link to original post
Don't expect KJ to reply Alan. He's stopped posting.
Quote: MrVQuote: kewljSo returning from my most recent 7 day suspension, I want to announce that I won't be participating here or any other forum for a good long while. I don't know if it will be 6 months or a year or forever. This is due to events on other forums where I was doxxed, which at this point I don't know if it ends my career, but it has harmed me and my career and ability to play and make a living for now.
Sue the doxxer.
Ka-ching!
Keep us posted as the case progresses.
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Do some research.
Ka-Bong.
https://youtu.be/JASUsVY5YJ8?t=130
2 foot tidal wave.
They're giving out warnings. I think that means the water will roll ashore at possibly 2 feet high, not just seeing a 2 foot wave.
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this is the coolest college football vid I've ever seen - and it's not even a play on the field
the Auburn band reacts to beating Alabama in the Iron Bowl in 2013 with a kick return on the final play
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I don’t think I’m in terrible shape, I don’t have problems doing back to back days of 15 mile or so hikes, but I went to the natatorium today and felt like my lungs were going to explode after like two laps in the pool.
Quote: mcallister3200I don’t know why jump rope and swimming have to be so easy as kids and so hard as an adult.
I don’t think I’m in terrible shape, I don’t have problems doing back to back days of 15 mile or so hikes, but I went to the natatorium today and felt like my lungs were going to explode after like two laps in the pool.
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I remember when I was 45 and I was hoping maybe I could still play some basketball
I went to an outdoor court to shoot around - it had messed up nets
the ball got stuck in the net and I couldn't jump up and knock it out - I wasn't even close
I had to go get a stick from the nearby woods to knock the ball out of the net
it was really humiliating and pathetic
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Quote: lilredroosterQuote: mcallister3200I don’t know why jump rope and swimming have to be so easy as kids and so hard as an adult.
I don’t think I’m in terrible shape, I don’t have problems doing back to back days of 15 mile or so hikes, but I went to the natatorium today and felt like my lungs were going to explode after like two laps in the pool.
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I remember when I was 45 and I was hoping maybe I could still play some basketball
I went to an outdoor court to shoot around - it had messed up nets
the ball got stuck in the net and I couldn't jump up and knock it out - I wasn't even close
I had to go get a stick from the nearby woods to knock the ball out of the net
it was really humiliating and pathetic
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And Mike Tyson, at 55, appears to be getting ready to box internet sensation Jake Paul.
Quote: lilredroosterQuote: mcallister3200I don’t know why jump rope and swimming have to be so easy as kids and so hard as an adult.
I don’t think I’m in terrible shape, I don’t have problems doing back to back days of 15 mile or so hikes, but I went to the natatorium today and felt like my lungs were going to explode after like two laps in the pool.
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I remember when I was 45 and I was hoping maybe I could still play some basketball
I went to an outdoor court to shoot around - it had messed up nets
the ball got stuck in the net and I couldn't jump up and knock it out - I wasn't even close
I had to go get a stick from the nearby woods to knock the ball out of the net
it was really humiliating and pathetic
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I felt that. Got a ball wedged in the corner between rim and backboard a couple weeks ago, major fail on the jump attempt had to get my water bottle to knock it down. Woulda been easy in high school. Can still get the net for now....not quite 45 yet though.
Yeah yeah it’s the original English language, but if not then we dumped all that tea in the harbor and beat the redcoats and King Henry III for no good reason whatsoever. The Canadians keep rubbing it in our faces too.
Quote: mcallister3200I don’t know why jump rope and swimming have to be so easy as kids and so hard as an adult.
I don’t think I’m in terrible shape, I don’t have problems doing back to back days of 15 mile or so hikes, but I went to the natatorium today and felt like my lungs were going to explode after like two laps in the pool.
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You can switch it up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHNgn_ub6zU
I often have trouble sleeping
last night I used the over the counter sleep aid diphenhydramine - which is the same stuff that's in Nyquil
it worked great - I don't plan to use it often - just maybe once a week
it's amazing how much better you feel when you have slept really well
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Quote: DieterI know diphenhydramine is in Benadryl (and dozens of compare and save generics and store brands) as well. Maybe ZzzQuil has diphenhydramine.
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Diphenhydramine is the generic name for Benadryl. I use it once or twice a year and HATE that arid feeling it gives me.
I used it for patients in recovery room as it had a multitude of uses. Decreased nausea. Decreased rash/itching if having minor allergic reaction. Mild sedative to help sleep. Seemed to be a good adjunct to whatever pain killers patient was getting. I could give it IV so it was very fast acting, too.
In November and December I had 28 radiation treatments and injections of a drug to minimize my testosterone; apparently testosterone "fuels" this cancer.
Today I saw the doctor to see whether the treatments were effective.
They were; my PSA level is down to .89 and my testosterone is at a good level.
This is the best possible outcome up to this point.
I go back in three months to check the levels again, and to get another shot.
This will go on for two years, after which time if all is well the shots will stop and hopefully that will be it.
For now I seem cancer-free, but it could be dormant and needs careful watching.
Wow, just ... wow (so happy)
Note to all you aging "swinging dicks:" this stuff is serious; have your doc check your PSA regularly; this is beatable if caught and treated early.
Quote: MrVI posted last year that I was diagnosed with prostate cancer; this is an update.
In November and December I had 28 radiation treatments and injections of a drug to minimize my testosterone; apparently testosterone "fuels" this cancer.
Today I saw the doctor to see whether the treatments were effective.
They were; my PSA level is down to .89 and my testosterone is at a good level.
This is the best possible outcome up to this point.
I go back in three months to check the levels again, and to get another shot.
This will go on for two years, after which time if all is well the shots will stop and hopefully that will be it.
For now I seem cancer-free, but it could be dormant and needs careful watching.
Wow, just ... wow (so happy)
Note to all you aging "swinging dicks:" this stuff is serious; have your doc check your PSA regularly; this is beatable if caught and treated early.
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Outstanding!
It wasn't all that long ago that prostrate cancer was akin to a death sentence.
