Years ago, we had a 160 pound Bull Mastiff, and he was the sweetest, most gentle dog we ever owned! I'd take him for walks on the sidewalk, street, trails, etc, and people would jump out of the way in fear, or move across the street when we were walking. I had to explain to them that he wouldn't hurt a flea or ant! He hardly ever barked, only if we told him to 'speak'---then he'd let out a quick, single 'woof'. When someone knocked on our door or rang the doorbell, he would happily join me or whoever was answering the door, and push his face right up to the door window. The person at the door would jump backwards at the sight of him---he didn't bark--just showed his awesome face and brawn!! He was wonderful, but a real 'bodyguard' if we were out walking or driving. I'd be afraid to have a dog breed with a bad reputation (because of bad people who don't train them), because some people in today's society will sue if you glance at them the wrong way! I'd say get a nice dog, but again, I'd be afraid of a stupid lawsuit---especially in a highly litigious state!
Richard, I totally agree with you! You frugalized and saved/invested for years, and now you can enjoy the benefits. The MB vehicle lineup is awesome, and I think we'd enjoy one, mainly for the structural and safety aspects. Plus, as noted by other HD commenters, the prices aren't that much different from a large SUV or pickup truck, or other comparable vehicles, e.g., Cadillac, Audi, etc. Good luck and health to you while enjoying your new ride!
What scares me about Mercedes Benz vehicles--read some of Scotty Kilmer's articles on Youtube. The multiple number of mechanical and electrical systems are so complex and interconnected that he indicates even Mercedes technicians are having problems trouble shooting and repairing them--especially after operating 3 or 4 years. And the cost to repair them is really high. Otherwise, they look like awesome vehicles and from the comments I read on HD, most people are happy with them. But I'm just overwhelmed about all the technology in all the vehicles today--maybe because I keep operating vehicles for almost 20 years or more, as long as they're safe and roadworthy. I go on manufacturers web sites and review all the things on the computer on the dashboard, steering wheel, doors, etc, and my head starts to spin.
It's been used for moving kids back and forth to college, packing for seashore trips, moving furniture and things for relatives and friends, transporting landscaping shrubs, flowers, topsoil, mulch, etc. It's large but practical and we love it. But, like, you Richard, we are keeping our eyes open and evaluating newer vehicles. It is getting a little difficult climbing in and out for us people in our mid seventies, so we're considering a 'smaller' SUV, like a Subaru Ascent, Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot for the forthcoming replacement--should be easier on our knees to enter/exit! But I'm apprehensive about all the bells and whistles!
Love my 15 year old Ford Expedition! Nice smooth running 5.4L V-8 engine, plenty of power, a safe 3 ton tank! Don't care about gas mileage--it gets about 14mpg in city driving and about 20mpg on the highway--we only drive less than 5,000 miles/year. So paying an additional $400/yr in gasoline is cheap life insurance. Has great comfy seats, plenty of leg and headroom, A/C, heater, AM/FM-CD player--all we need to be comfy and distraction free! I can't stand all the technology on newer cars...very complicated and distracting, and expensive to maintain when it goes bad. I have navigation on my Android phone if I need it, but most times I just review Google maps before any trip and I know in my mind how to get where I'm going.
Another great book is "A Random Walk Down Wall Street" by Burton G. Malkiel. He recommends low cost investing through simple, total market index funds (stock and bond; domestic and international), and provides long term data to support his findings. He also provides 'down to earth' asset allocations for different age brackets.
Hello Jeff. We had the same problem with our gutters. We had new gutters installed with leaf guards, and all worked fine here in southeastern PA for about two years or so. Then I noticed that the gutters were overflowing at the downspout locations. Small leaf debris got into the gutters and accumulated right over the downspout connection. I then noticed that the gutter opening to the 3x4 downspout was only about 2 inches in diameter, and this was the cause of the plugging. I found the perfect solution online--there's a very inexpensive device called a funnel drain connection that is mounted to the gutter, after an approximate 4x6 inch opening is cut from the bottom of the gutter. It's called a "Wide Mouth High Backed Downspout Gutter Funnel", or "Aquabarrel". I got several of them on Amazon, and they work like a charm!! Any small debris that gets through the gutter guards gets flushed right out of the downspout--no more clogging!! It's relatively inexpensive, less than $30 each. I don't like going up on the ladder anymore, so I had a local maintenance guy install them for us, at a very reasonable cost! I think these will solve your problem!!
Hi again Ken and Richard. I just looked up the literature that was presented to me with the early retirement package. To summarize: "Your Special Payment will be made from the Service Annuity Plan-the pension plan- to the extent possible in accordance with rules established under Section 415 of the Internal Revenue Code." We were offered four options for receiving this payout (in my case 15 months salary): 1) One time cash payment-with taxes withheld); 2) Monthly annuity with a 50% Joint and Survivor Benefit; 3) Monthly Single Life Annuity; or 4) Direct Rollover to an IRA or other qualified retirement plan---this is the option I selected. The whole lump sum I received was rolled (tax free!!) into my IRA. It was a fantastic deal and has been growing for over 24 years!!
Comments
The name of the firm he worked for: " Dowe, Cheatum, and How"
Post: Is Remembered for…..
Link to comment from May 23, 2025
Years ago, we had a 160 pound Bull Mastiff, and he was the sweetest, most gentle dog we ever owned! I'd take him for walks on the sidewalk, street, trails, etc, and people would jump out of the way in fear, or move across the street when we were walking. I had to explain to them that he wouldn't hurt a flea or ant! He hardly ever barked, only if we told him to 'speak'---then he'd let out a quick, single 'woof'. When someone knocked on our door or rang the doorbell, he would happily join me or whoever was answering the door, and push his face right up to the door window. The person at the door would jump backwards at the sight of him---he didn't bark--just showed his awesome face and brawn!! He was wonderful, but a real 'bodyguard' if we were out walking or driving. I'd be afraid to have a dog breed with a bad reputation (because of bad people who don't train them), because some people in today's society will sue if you glance at them the wrong way! I'd say get a nice dog, but again, I'd be afraid of a stupid lawsuit---especially in a highly litigious state!
Post: The Wrong-Sided Man
Link to comment from May 9, 2025
Richard, I totally agree with you! You frugalized and saved/invested for years, and now you can enjoy the benefits. The MB vehicle lineup is awesome, and I think we'd enjoy one, mainly for the structural and safety aspects. Plus, as noted by other HD commenters, the prices aren't that much different from a large SUV or pickup truck, or other comparable vehicles, e.g., Cadillac, Audi, etc. Good luck and health to you while enjoying your new ride!
Post: Car talk- Quinn likes friendliness
Link to comment from April 22, 2025
What scares me about Mercedes Benz vehicles--read some of Scotty Kilmer's articles on Youtube. The multiple number of mechanical and electrical systems are so complex and interconnected that he indicates even Mercedes technicians are having problems trouble shooting and repairing them--especially after operating 3 or 4 years. And the cost to repair them is really high. Otherwise, they look like awesome vehicles and from the comments I read on HD, most people are happy with them. But I'm just overwhelmed about all the technology in all the vehicles today--maybe because I keep operating vehicles for almost 20 years or more, as long as they're safe and roadworthy. I go on manufacturers web sites and review all the things on the computer on the dashboard, steering wheel, doors, etc, and my head starts to spin.
Post: Car talk- Quinn likes friendliness
Link to comment from April 20, 2025
It's been used for moving kids back and forth to college, packing for seashore trips, moving furniture and things for relatives and friends, transporting landscaping shrubs, flowers, topsoil, mulch, etc. It's large but practical and we love it. But, like, you Richard, we are keeping our eyes open and evaluating newer vehicles. It is getting a little difficult climbing in and out for us people in our mid seventies, so we're considering a 'smaller' SUV, like a Subaru Ascent, Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot for the forthcoming replacement--should be easier on our knees to enter/exit! But I'm apprehensive about all the bells and whistles!
Post: Car talk- Quinn likes friendliness
Link to comment from April 17, 2025
Love my 15 year old Ford Expedition! Nice smooth running 5.4L V-8 engine, plenty of power, a safe 3 ton tank! Don't care about gas mileage--it gets about 14mpg in city driving and about 20mpg on the highway--we only drive less than 5,000 miles/year. So paying an additional $400/yr in gasoline is cheap life insurance. Has great comfy seats, plenty of leg and headroom, A/C, heater, AM/FM-CD player--all we need to be comfy and distraction free! I can't stand all the technology on newer cars...very complicated and distracting, and expensive to maintain when it goes bad. I have navigation on my Android phone if I need it, but most times I just review Google maps before any trip and I know in my mind how to get where I'm going.
Post: Car talk- Quinn likes friendliness
Link to comment from April 17, 2025
Congratulations Marjorie! I always liked the old Pennsylvania Dutch saying: " Kissing wears out--cooking don't"!
Post: A Diamond Wedding Anniversary
Link to comment from April 10, 2025
Another great book is "A Random Walk Down Wall Street" by Burton G. Malkiel. He recommends low cost investing through simple, total market index funds (stock and bond; domestic and international), and provides long term data to support his findings. He also provides 'down to earth' asset allocations for different age brackets.
Post: Paying Your Tuition
Link to comment from March 30, 2025
Hello Jeff. We had the same problem with our gutters. We had new gutters installed with leaf guards, and all worked fine here in southeastern PA for about two years or so. Then I noticed that the gutters were overflowing at the downspout locations. Small leaf debris got into the gutters and accumulated right over the downspout connection. I then noticed that the gutter opening to the 3x4 downspout was only about 2 inches in diameter, and this was the cause of the plugging. I found the perfect solution online--there's a very inexpensive device called a funnel drain connection that is mounted to the gutter, after an approximate 4x6 inch opening is cut from the bottom of the gutter. It's called a "Wide Mouth High Backed Downspout Gutter Funnel", or "Aquabarrel". I got several of them on Amazon, and they work like a charm!! Any small debris that gets through the gutter guards gets flushed right out of the downspout--no more clogging!! It's relatively inexpensive, less than $30 each. I don't like going up on the ladder anymore, so I had a local maintenance guy install them for us, at a very reasonable cost! I think these will solve your problem!!
Post: Home Maintenance Choices, Options, & Decisions
Link to comment from November 7, 2024
Hi again Ken and Richard. I just looked up the literature that was presented to me with the early retirement package. To summarize: "Your Special Payment will be made from the Service Annuity Plan-the pension plan- to the extent possible in accordance with rules established under Section 415 of the Internal Revenue Code." We were offered four options for receiving this payout (in my case 15 months salary): 1) One time cash payment-with taxes withheld); 2) Monthly annuity with a 50% Joint and Survivor Benefit; 3) Monthly Single Life Annuity; or 4) Direct Rollover to an IRA or other qualified retirement plan---this is the option I selected. The whole lump sum I received was rolled (tax free!!) into my IRA. It was a fantastic deal and has been growing for over 24 years!!
Post: Living My Beliefs
Link to comment from May 4, 2024