@nyccarguy, I just wait for the yard to dry out before I mow it. Do remove the snow on the deck away from the house every storm. May not clear the whole deck, but don't want to risk it getting overloaded. Composite material decks still need to be power washed a time or tow per year, although not painted/stained.
Your deck should be able to handle the snow load better than your roof. So I wouldn't worry about your deck until your roof collapses.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis Ultimate just like jmonroe's. '18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
@nyccarguy,
I just wait for the yard to dry out before I mow it.
Do remove the snow on the deck away from the house every storm.
May not clear the whole deck, but don't want to risk it getting overloaded.
Composite material decks still need to be power washed a time or tow per year, although not painted/stained.
Your deck should be able to handle the snow load better than your roof. So I wouldn't worry about your deck until your roof collapses.
jmonroe
Ive got solar panels on the roof that stay warm and keep the snow off the roof.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
@nyccarguy, I just wait for the yard to dry out before I mow it. Do remove the snow on the deck away from the house every storm. May not clear the whole deck, but don't want to risk it getting overloaded. Composite material decks still need to be power washed a time or tow per year, although not painted/stained.
Your deck should be able to handle the snow load better than your roof. So I wouldn't worry about your deck until your roof collapses.
jmonroe
Ive got solar panels on the roof that stay warm and keep the snow off the roof.
I'm sure you have neighbor's that have decks still standing that don't have solar panels on their roofs. So I'm not sure what point you are trying to make. But maybe you should install solar panels on your deck during the snow season just to be sure it is still there come Spring time.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis Ultimate just like jmonroe's. '18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
No more bitter than those (of similar demographics around here) complaining about people getting things for free in terms of the social safety net. You and others definitely sound "bitter" about that. Everyone gets something for free, in their own way. That was kind of my point. It might relate to glass houses or something like that
IMO, if there is a benefit not remotely attainable by other investors/savers, one supported by another party, it is subsidized. If a fund is not solvent with member contributions, it is subsidized by the someone (the employer, or in more base terms, public funds). I can't think that public sector pensions, which generally provide benefits far better than those available to private sector workers who would make the same contribution, aren't subsidized. How much harder is it for a 25 year old public sector worker saving, vs a private sector worker? When I was 25 and still starting out, I couldn't afford to save as much as I do now, and job security was much less.
Maybe it was different in prior generations. I think now, public sector is often 90% of the pay (at the very worst) with 100% of real-time benefits, 200% of the job security (especially after 5-10 years) and 300% of future benefits. This isn't going to end well. In my anecdotal experience, I have no public sector friends who are starving to support a future pension.
Actually, you still do sound bitter.
A well-managed pension is a good thing to look for when making decisions about a career. It is one of several factors that need to be considered. I don't need to tell you that. BTW your characterization of employer participation in funding a pension is at odds with the very definition of the term. Without employee participation, it is not a pension, it is a retirement savings account. Just like taking vacation time without it being allowed by the employer is being AWOL from work.
I can only speak to what happens where I live. I have read about police chiefs in certain US cities making $1 million annually which if so is lunacy. But here the public sector was not paid well for a very long time. Until about 15 years ago a Deputy Minister (think CEO) of a government agency didn't make $100K a year. That has now changed but most of them here still don't make $200K a year in worthless Canadian dollars. There has been some creep upward in the levels below that but still nothing too spectacular. My former boss who is the CEO of a $600 million a year retailer makes $230K. In Ontario that same job (on a scale several times as large) makes 3 times that. In Alberta the private sector guy who is most equivalent in terms of business size makes over a million a year. But he may not have a pension and can get fired at any time by a vote of the Board of Directors. You pays your money and makes your choice.
A fund to help cushion the landing of someone who loses their job unexpectedly is a good thing. I think we can agree on that. A career choice that depends upon receiving that benefit every year for months at a time for 35 years may test the patience of even the most "progressive" of taxpayers. It's like going to the ice cream shop and demanding samples of all 31 flavors because the sign said free.
wife if she wants to change from her Android smartphone which doesn't have much storage. Another reason I upgraded was to get more storage, had 32 gigs but wanted 64, which I now have. So I'm set for another couple of years. Have no problem getting a year old unit and paying a fraction of the price for brand new. Works for me.
My Androids have a slot for a small memory card to slide in. Does your wife's Android have a slot. A cheap memory addition and move all of certain files to it and direct other files to be written there when generated, and memory works fine. I have all my pictures go to the MicroSD card in my phone. I think it's a 4 (MB?).
. Have no problem getting a year old unit and paying a fraction of the price for brand new. Works for me.
Sounds like a very practical way to handle phones. Similar to what I do for my wife and myself. My son bought a pricier S7 Samsung something or other. His S6 died due to heat problems, likely from being in the glovebox in summer.
Another factor is the rising increase in executive compensation ratio compared to the worker's pay. I hope Mr. Fintail also notices the executives are well taken care of in companies while the workers who actually do the jobs as compensated without defined pension plans when possible and are told they can contribute to 401k plans as their retirement plans, sometimes with a setup to match may 3-5% of their pay if the employee contributes appropriate amounts.
The same executive pay ratios compared to the workers in the same company have gone higher and higher since I started noticing in the 70s when I started investing. That excess compensation could be used to improve workers pension security.
American wages, adjusted for inflation, have been stagnant for a looooonnng time, and still are, despite the alleged "good" economy. Somebody's makin' money, but it sure isn't the working stiff.
Just as bitter as you And we aren't the only bitter ones, either
If a given employer (usually in a certain sector) supports a pension fund far more than the matching given by a private sector firm (and many do little or nothing), it is a subsidy, made more glaring via it being propped up by people who themselves will never be able to have such a jackpot when it comes time to retire - if they are even able to do so to begin with. There's not much chance of anyone I know in the private sector being able to have 80%+++ of their highest salary for the rest of their lives, with COLAs, along with other bennies, with such a contribution.
I know public sector compensation issues only from a few friends and family, so it is quite anecdotal. But none of them I know are having issues making ends meet, and virtually all of them are relatively unfireable after a certain amount of time on the job, usually no more than a decade. Some of those public sector vs private sector leadership titles are also a bit different in terms of responsibility - there's not a lot of bottom line to deal with when you're presiding over a virtual monopoly. It may be the equivalent of a CEO on an org chart, but maybe not in terms of accountability, or what it to get there (and this is coming from someone who also thinks private sector execs are grossly overcompensated - and the historic worker to CEO pay ratios in the US supports that, compared to places with less of a chasm).
Regarding the difference in UI vs careers, maybe the idea of certain careers contributing more for such insurance would help, just as it costs more for an 18 year old to insure a Corvette than it does for a 70 year old to insure an Avalon.
A well-managed pension is a good thing to look for when making decisions about a career. It is one of several factors that need to be considered. I don't need to tell you that. BTW your characterization of employer participation in funding a pension is at odds with the very definition of the term. Without employee participation, it is not a pension, it is a retirement savings account. Just like taking vacation time without it being allowed by the employer is being AWOL from work.
A fund to help cushion the landing of someone who loses their job unexpectedly is a good thing. I think we can agree on that. A career choice that depends upon receiving that benefit every year for months at a time for 35 years may test the patience of even the most "progressive" of taxpayers. It's like going to the ice cream shop and demanding samples of all 31 flavors because the sign said free.
Executive rewards are even more insane than the craziest public sector windfalls - I won't disagree with you there.
My employer matches 5%, and I feel lucky to have that. Many aren't so lucky, if they get any matching at all. And then some have impressively generous guaranteed bennies with no worries about running out of funds, in part subsidized by those who couldn't dream of such security. This can't end well.
I find it amusing that exec to worker pay ratios are not uniform across developed economies.
Another factor is the rising increase in executive compensation ratio compared to the worker's pay. I hope Mr. Fintail also notices the executives are well taken care of in companies while the workers who actually do the jobs as compensated without defined pension plans when possible and are told they can contribute to 401k plans as their retirement plans, sometimes with a setup to match may 3-5% of their pay if the employee contributes appropriate amounts.
The same executive pay ratios compared to the workers in the same company have gone higher and higher since I started noticing in the 70s when I started investing. That excess compensation could be used to improve workers pension security.
If a given employer (usually in a certain sector) supports a pension fund far more than the matching given by a private sector firm (and many do little or nothing), it is a subsidy, made more glaring via it being propped up by people who themselves will never be able to have such a jackpot when it comes time to retire - if they are even able to do so to begin with. There's not much chance of anyone I know in the private sector being able to have 80%+++ of their highest salary for the rest of their lives, with COLAs, along with other bennies, with such a contribution.
You seem to be making this into a similar sort of discussion as those on here regarding speeding.
You either do not understand the word subsidy or you are deliberately misusing it. A pension is simply another employee benefit. Typically public sector wages were lower, often far lower, than equivalents in the private sector and so some of those other things you mention were instituted to offset that to an extent although to younger workers they didn't mean much. When the tech boom really hit 20 years ago it became almost impossible for govts here to hire IT people because of the wage disparity. Some private sector employees have their country club memberships subsidized. Some get cars to use. Some can expense a great deal. The list goes on. None of those things would be true for most public sector employees. The grass always seems greener, I suppose. In terms of what the specific terms of the pension may be, those are typically limited by law in terms of eligible amounts of annual salary, % included in the calculation, years of service and the like. If they get too rich the fund becomes insolvent. That's why it is important to have good fund management.
I know public sector compensation issues only from a few friends and family, so it is quite anecdotal. But none of them I know are having issues making ends meet, and virtually all of them are relatively unfireable after a certain amount of time on the job, usually no more than a decade. Some of those public sector vs private sector leadership titles are also a bit different in terms of responsibility - there's not a lot of bottom line to deal with when you're presiding over a virtual monopoly. It may be the equivalent of a CEO on an org chart, but maybe not in terms of accountability, or what it to get there (and this is coming from someone who also thinks private sector execs are grossly overcompensated - and the historic worker to CEO pay ratios in the US supports that, compared to places with less of a chasm).
Public sector management is indeed quite different from private sector. When I worked in govt it was virtually impossible to fire someone, especially when they were in the union. While there were some good performers and hard workers, the majority were just OK, and there were some who had no business being there but you could not get rid of them, so they kept getting shuffled around until they could retire. Performance reviews were a useless exercise and accountability was only a word that had little actual meaning. The same symptoms affected top management, some of whom were appointed because of their skill at manipulating the political decision makers, not their management skills. Others made their name at coming up with policy initiatives or being technocrats but never had to manage more than a handful of folks and also lacked financial skills. When the inevitable disasters happened on their watch it was no surprise. This is in large part why Canada, which loves big government and has a seeming majority who want even more government services provided, cannot effectively deliver the public services currently in place. The mismanagement, inefficiency and waste is a sight to behold, and the bureaucracy effectively prevents any meaningful reform.
Exactly. Not to mention if you adjust minimum wage to any measure of CPI from say 1968 to today, the wage would need to be significantly higher to keep up with virtually any cost of living factor.
And housing costs, don't get me started - houses that cost 3x salary back when those with fortunate timing were starting out are 8x or more equivalent salary today, at least in my area. Rents can be commensurate. And then there's healthcare, education, etc to deal with.
My prior line about bootstrapping and working three jobs was snark.
< I did that too — oh wait, that was in 1979. Gas was less than a dollar a gallon, you could get a decent used car for a few hundred $$, and my first house cost less than my car today. What you could do back then can’t be done for the same amount as now. The working poor do all the things you say. They just have to have more $ to make ends meet because everything costs more. That’s why the poverty line is higher.
In 1968 I was making $1.65/hr. and you could buy about 4.7 gallons of gas for one hour of work. Today I make $10.40/hr. and you can only get 3.7 gallons for that. However, the cars today get 30 mpg vs 15 so your relative cost per mile is less.
As to used cars, I paid $1500 for my 69 Plymouth and $2k for my 2000 Chrysler. The 69 was newer at the time but the Chrysler will probably outlast the Plymouth in terms of trouble free miles.
College on the other hand has really gone up. The private undergrad school I attended went from under $3000 a year to over $40k now. A house in my area went from $20k in 68 to about $200k but now comes with central air, granite counters, fireplaces etc. things that were not common back in the 60s.
Sounds like the smart money would have been to buy a college in 68.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Thank-you all for your kind words. As @jmonroe1 pointed out, the deck flooring is made of southern, yellow, pine. It has not yet been treated or stained because it is still “wet.” Most likely I will have it stained or treated this Spring.
The railings and spindles (anything White) is a product called Azec. It is recycled plastic that is very durable and virtually maintenance free.
Amazing though. The permits, drawings, & various other things required by the city of Stamford cost 1/3 of the price of the deck.
That's a beautiful deck but regulatory costs totaling 1/3 of the total is obscene.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
You hit the pension jackpot though, right? So maybe it all evens out
In my area anyway, there's no way a normal person would get the same ROI (other than maybe the lucky generations who were able to dabble in real estate) as the contributions of public sector pension collectors.
If by "jackpot" you mean paying 19% of every paycheck into the pension fund then I guess so.
Tax levels here in the USA are often higher in actuality than what people believe. As a self-employed contractor, I pay 5.6% social security, plus another 5.6% (the part your employer usually pays), plus 2.6% for medicare. That's 15.2% BEFORE you even get into FICA (income tax). I hold back 36% of every dollar earned and send it to the government quarterly.
I wouldn't mind living in a country with higher taxation who actually does more for it's citizens (Canada, for example).
All in all, though, I'm happy with where I'm at, and how I'm doing. I could be a heck of a lot worse off.
I take the same hit on the farm. Even though I'm collecting social security I'm still paying into it from both jobs. Most people don't appreciate how expensive it is to run a small business.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Another factor is the rising increase in executive compensation ratio compared to the worker's pay. I hope Mr. Fintail also notices the executives are well taken care of in companies while the workers who actually do the jobs as compensated without defined pension plans when possible and are told they can contribute to 401k plans as their retirement plans, sometimes with a setup to match may 3-5% of their pay if the employee contributes appropriate amounts.
The same executive pay ratios compared to the workers in the same company have gone higher and higher since I started noticing in the 70s when I started investing. That excess compensation could be used to improve workers pension security.
I remember reading criticism of Walmart CEO making $20 million. It was suggested that the employees should get all his money to be fair. I actually looked up how many employees Walmart has and if you gave the CEO's entire pay to the workers they would each get 20 bucks. While i think executive compensation is excessive, the redistribution of that wealth wouldn't amount to much.
Makes good headlines though.
I much prefer a profit sharing plan like we have at Enterprise. Gives employees a stake in the company. I think at my level it co es to a few hundred bucks a year. That, plus the company 3% 401k match will make me rich some day...
If I live to be 500.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I appreciate it...a LOT. And my overhead is way less than yours I think. It's not so bad when your business is more of a hobby, but if you start getting successful, it gets a bit harder to convince yourself that it is all "worthwhile". My friend's repair shop is a good example. When his shop was small, with just 2 employees, it was all manageable.
But then his business grew and then he needed a book keeper, and then he needed a shop manager/phone guy, meet n' greet, bill-writer. (You can't be dropping your tools in the middle of a Porsche engine rebuild to answer the phone!) Then he started selling used cars, so he needed some nearby storage and display space. Then he needed someone to sell the used cars. Now he's wondering if he was just as well off income-wise (or close enough) before he got so ambitious. And then there's coping with all the regulations for small businesses.
Another factor is the rising increase in executive compensation ratio compared to the worker's pay. I hope Mr. Fintail also notices the executives are well taken care of in companies while the workers who actually do the jobs as compensated without defined pension plans when possible and are told they can contribute to 401k plans as their retirement plans, sometimes with a setup to match may 3-5% of their pay if the employee contributes appropriate amounts.
The same executive pay ratios compared to the workers in the same company have gone higher and higher since I started noticing in the 70s when I started investing. That excess compensation could be used to improve workers pension security.
American wages, adjusted for inflation, have been stagnant for a looooonnng time, and still are, despite the alleged "good" economy. Somebody's makin' money, but it sure isn't the working stiff.
Target or Macy's (can't remember which) is hiring 100,000 seasonal employees for about 10% more than last year. Labor shortage are causing upward wage pressure.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Not all apps will move over to an sd card in an android phone, found that out when I had my android phone. Was kind of dumb actually. So, now on my iPhone 8 Plus, I've got 64 gigs which should be plenty. Many years ago, I got a chance to join the US Postal Service and decided to do it. Was told I'd make a living but never get rich. That's exactly what happened. And after 31 years, I now get a decent pension which is I think 56% of my high 3 years. I'm sure other professions get a much higher percentage in their pensions but I'm content with mine. And next year, hoping to start getting s s, even though it'll only be a fraction of what I should get. But that's another story!!
Executive rewards are even more insane than the craziest public sector windfalls - I won't disagree with you there.
My employer matches 5%, and I feel lucky to have that. Many aren't so lucky, if they get any matching at all. And then some have impressively generous guaranteed bennies with no worries about running out of funds, in part subsidized by those who couldn't dream of such security. This can't end well.
I find it amusing that exec to worker pay ratios are not uniform across developed economies.
Another factor is the rising increase in executive compensation ratio compared to the worker's pay. I hope Mr. Fintail also notices the executives are well taken care of in companies while the workers who actually do the jobs as compensated without defined pension plans when possible and are told they can contribute to 401k plans as their retirement plans, sometimes with a setup to match may 3-5% of their pay if the employee contributes appropriate amounts.
The same executive pay ratios compared to the workers in the same company have gone higher and higher since I started noticing in the 70s when I started investing. That excess compensation could be used to improve workers pension security.
I agree that public sector pensions are overly generous especially since, at least in my state, public employees are making substantially more than private.
But it's not all roses. The school I worked at had such a Byzantine set of retirement rules that I was denied exit bonuses, health insurance and other benefits that were supposedly due me. If a private employer pulled that the state AG would sue them.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
You'll never solve the public private argument. I think it has gone on for years. If you look close, the pro gov tend to not fully price in the benefits, while the anti gov tend to ignore things like private side bonuses and stock plans. If I had to guess, I'd think the private side compensates better for professionals and executives, while the public may be a better deal for admin types. I also think it is hard to use total workforce comparisons because I don't think the gov side has as big a proportion of blue collar as the private in many cases. Bottom line, neither side will ever win this debate.
Running your own business or farm; I think it is ridiculous that those people often have to hire a tax accountant on top of everything else.
Private sector or public performance - most workplaces, and most anything else, tend to reflect the bell curve. When it is skewed, it is probably a reflection of brown nosing.
Another factor is the rising increase in executive compensation ratio compared to the worker's pay. I hope Mr. Fintail also notices the executives are well taken care of in companies while the workers who actually do the jobs as compensated without defined pension plans when possible and are told they can contribute to 401k plans as their retirement plans, sometimes with a setup to match may 3-5% of their pay if the employee contributes appropriate amounts.
The same executive pay ratios compared to the workers in the same company have gone higher and higher since I started noticing in the 70s when I started investing. That excess compensation could be used to improve workers pension security.
American wages, adjusted for inflation, have been stagnant for a looooonnng time, and still are, despite the alleged "good" economy. Somebody's makin' money, but it sure isn't the working stiff.
Target or Macy's (can't remember which) is hiring 100,000 seasonal employees for about 10% more than last year. Labor shortage are causing upward wage pressure.
Not really if you adjust for inflation and include the often longer working hours. Also productivity rate is stagnant. And then there are benefit cuts (or no benefits). It's a struggle for many Americans and economists are not sure why the wages remain stagnant. In reality, this economy is nothing more than a "return to trend" and compared to past recoveries, rather tepid.
I was extremely lucky for a long while and had a company that matched our 401Ks @ 50 cents on the dollar up to a 10% employee contribution. This really helped mine build up quickly.
Now that we bought a larger company and have all converted to their benefits the new match is no where near that and if you make a decent amount of money, you end up capped (I think at $2000 or so)
We used to get 100% match up to 8%, but it got cut back significantly after 2008. Many things got much worse at Honeywell over the past five years, which is why I'm now retired. Lots of outsourcing to India for analysis and computer work, with manufacturing moved from Phoenix to 'Chihuahua and the Czech Republic. Either way, my 401K benefitted greatly from the matching policy, and my 38 years of continuous service netted me a defined benefit pension as well. Things are significantly more challenging today at the entry level, no doubt -- timing (luck) is everything. I started at AiResearch in 1968, so had 50 years with the company, albeit with an 8-year hiatus to do teaching, truck driving and electronic sales. This retirement thing is a definite adjustment, but a good one.
Indeed, I would like to see credible independent numbers about real upward wage pressure.
I am grateful I usually get a yearly increase, but the cost of living likes to chip away as much of that as possible. That I live in an area where the lucky ones were able to buy houses for 75K in 1983 that can now be worth 1MM or more doesn't help, as salaries definitely haven't nearly paced housing (or education, or medical) costs.
Not really if you adjust for inflation and include the often longer working hours. Also productivity rate is stagnant. And then there are benefit cuts (or no benefits). It's a struggle for many Americans and economists are not sure why the wages remain stagnant. In reality, this economy is nothing more than a "return to trend" and compared to past recoveries, rather tepid.
That was barely over minimum wage too, I assume you were young and didn't have as many obligations as you would later, or even now. $1.60 in 1968 adjusts to over $11 today, while the federal minimum wage is far below that - fortunately, many states have taken matters into their own hands, without the economic catastrophe predicted by some.
School costs more than double now than it did when I was a student in the late 90s. Most wages haven't followed.
Around here, the smart money would have been in housing. It would have been very easy to buy a 30K (not the cheapest but not a mansion) house in some areas around Seattle in 1968 and have a healthy 7 figures now.
Regarding the public sector stuff, I bet some of the seventy-leven levels of management and archaic organizations are amazing in NY, especially NYC.
In 1968 I was making $1.65/hr. and you could buy about 4.7 gallons of gas for one hour of work. Today I make $10.40/hr. and you can only get 3.7 gallons for that. However, the cars today get 30 mpg vs 15 so your relative cost per mile is less.
As to used cars, I paid $1500 for my 69 Plymouth and $2k for my 2000 Chrysler. The 69 was newer at the time but the Chrysler will probably outlast the Plymouth in terms of trouble free miles.
College on the other hand has really gone up. The private undergrad school I attended went from under $3000 a year to over $40k now. A house in my area went from $20k in 68 to about $200k but now comes with central air, granite counters, fireplaces etc. things that were not common back in the 60s.
Sounds like the smart money would have been to buy a college in 68.
If a benefit is being kept afloat by massive distant party inputs, especially those far in excess of most of those technically providing the funding, I will call it subsidized. When there's no way nearly any private sector employee would be able to earn the return gained by a public sector pensioner, I will call it subsidized. It doesn't seem to disagree with any definition I can find.
I have friends who are in non-union (as far as I know) public sector management roles, and are still virtually unfireable, simply due to policies around tenure. That's a hell of a perk that I can easily counter with if one mentions a minor salary difference. I won't judge their performance - they aren't lazy or inept, but oftentimes private sector cuts just don't target bad workers either. I am generally a fan of social goods, but not so much a fan of two tier or two class systems.
Speaking of Canada, I know BC has a gigantic and not terribly efficient public sector, it'll be interesting to see what happens with taxes there to keep it going, or when a large group from that sector retires. Going to have to tax the money laundering in local real estate even more.
You seem to be making this into a similar sort of discussion as those on here regarding speeding.
You either do not understand the word subsidy or you are deliberately misusing it. A pension is simply another employee benefit. Typically public sector wages were lower, often far lower, than equivalents in the private sector and so some of those other things you mention were instituted to offset that to an extent although to younger workers they didn't mean much. That's why it is important to have good fund management.
Public sector management is indeed quite different from private sector. When I worked in govt it was virtually impossible to fire someone, especially when they were in the union. While there were some good performers and hard workers, the majority were just OK, and there were some who had no business being there but you could not get rid of them, so they kept getting shuffled around until they could retire. Performance reviews were a useless exercise and accountability was only a word that had little actual meaning. The mismanagement, inefficiency and waste is a sight to behold, and the bureaucracy effectively prevents any meaningful reform.
I was extremely lucky for a long while and had a company that matched our 401Ks @ 50 cents on the dollar up to a 10% employee contribution. This really helped mine build up quickly.
Now that we bought a larger company and have all converted to their benefits the new match is no where near that and if you make a decent amount of money, you end up capped (I think at $2000 or so)
For the bigger shots at my company they match 3% up to $5600 which would be a salary of about $185,000. Some of my fellow peons put $5600 into the 401k as a tax strategy.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Over the entire constellation of cars which paint color weathers the best. From my experience red is the worst. I've seen serious fade on many red cars. Black is next worst as the clear coat tends to blow out. I think silver looks the best after many years in the sun because it looks the same even when worn. White is the same with the exception of peeling off in sheets sometimes.
I know that no one here has any opinions on anything but I'll ask anyway.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
OK car question.
Over the entire constellation of cars which paint color weathers the best. From my experience red is the worst. I've seen serious fade on many red cars. Black is next worst as the clear coat tends to blow out. I think silver looks the best after many years in the sun because it looks the same even when worn. White is the same with the exception of peeling off in sheets sometimes.
I know that no one here has any opinions on anything but I'll ask anyway.
Bare stainless steel. ;b
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Years ago I had read the story mentioned in that piece about the stamping dies being damaged by the process of punching out stainless steel body panels. I guess that kinda put an end to that dream. Nice to read that both cars are still with us.
An automotive reporter wrote that the 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham is the most elegantly designed and technology avant garde American car, ever. Don't know if they will ever make cars like these again but in its day it was a tour de force. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9L_E03ejvBA
An automotive reporter wrote that the 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham is the most elegantly designed and technology avant garde American car, ever. Don't know if they will ever make cars like these again but in its day it was a tour de force.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9L_E03ejvBA
Cars in the mid to late 50’s were a major departure in design and comfort from the late 30’s to early 50’s. The 1956-1957 Cadillac was one that will remain in my “heart” as the epitome of style, grace, comfort and luxury.
I would add the 1956-1957 Buick Roadmaster Coupe and convertible to that list as well as the Oldsmobile 98.
GM had the most beautiful cars in that era. My Dad had a ‘56 Buick Roadmaster convertible in white with red leather interior and black top. It was the most gorgeous car I had ever been in. It was smooth riding with amazing power and comfort. Ahhh, the good old days.
According to wiki---"The four-door hardtop with rear-hinged rear doors was an ultra-luxury car that cost an astonishing $13,074—twice the price of any other 1957 Eldorado and more than the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud of the same year.
It featured a stainless steel roof, self leveling air suspension, the first automatic two-position "memory" power seats, a dual four-barrel V-8, low-profile tires with thin white-walls, automatic trunk opener, cruise control, high-pressure cooling system, polarized sun visors, electric antenna, automatic-release parking brake, electric door locks, dual heating system..
...silver magnetized glovebox, drink tumblers, cigarette and tissue dispensers, lipstick and cologne, ladies' compact with powder puff, mirror and matching leather notebook, comb and mirror, Arpège atomizer with Lanvin perfume, automatic starter with restart function, Autronic Eye, drum-type electric clock, power windows, forged aluminum wheels and air conditioning."
speaking of iPhones, my daughter texted Friday night that hers took a short bath in the toilet. It was a well used 6, that she was only nursing along because she was too cheap to buy a new one. after some time in rice, it sorta worked but no sound. which makes phone calls, kinda tough. so, off to the Verizon store. after some looking, ended up with a new 8. The latest version was quite whiz bang features wise, but also quite a bit more money. So for $25/month, the 8 was more than fine for her. Works a whole lot better too!
speaking of iPhones, my daughter texted Friday night that hers took a short bath in the toilet. It was a well used 6, that she was only nursing along because she was too cheap to buy a new one. after some time in rice, it sorta worked but no sound. which makes phone calls, kinda tough. so, off to the Verizon store. after some looking, ended up with a new 8. The latest version was quite whiz bang features wise, but also quite a bit more money. So for $25/month, the 8 was more than fine for her. Works a whole lot better too!
As long as you weren't asked to be the fisherman that wasn't so bad.
Someone told me a while back that the price of rice went up due to the discovery of it's secondary use. I don't really believe this but it kinda sounds possible.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis Ultimate just like jmonroe's. '18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
GM did have some fine looking cars in 55/56. As for 57/58, opinion probably reflects one's love for chrome. Mopars were outstanding looking too, but generally not clad in near as much chrome garnish. For that matter, I thought Fomoco had some nice lookers those years as well.
My activity for the day was repairing a chain link fence. One of the posts has rusted away at the base so I needed to figure a fix. A neighbor told me he had the same thing happen and the fix was to sleeve it with a piece of pipe going into the below grade concrete base and sliding the remains of the existing post over it.
I found the appropriate pipe on Friday and tackled it today. Fixing the post was easy but reattaching the chain-link part was a bear. It seemed to shrink or something when released and I couldn’t get the connectors to bolt back up. Had to use a rope with the post acting as a pulley to get enough leverage to stretch it back. Proud of the fix though, nice and solid.
My activity for the day was repairing a chain link fence. One of the posts has rusted away at the base so I needed to figure a fix. A neighbor told me he had the same thing happen and the fix was to sleeve it with a piece of pipe going into the below grade concrete base and sliding the remains of the existing post over it.
I found the appropriate pipe on Friday and tackled it today. Fixing the post was easy but reattaching the chain-link part was a bear. It seemed to shrink or something when released and I couldn’t get the connectors to bolt back up. Had to use a rope with the post acting as a pulley to get enough leverage to stretch it back. Proud of the fix though, nice and solid.
It would have been a lot easier with one of these:
FWIW, Son #2 has to replace a piece of his chain link fence due to a hole. I told him I'd help but he has to get a Come-along since I don't have one of these. Probably only one of 5 or 6 tools I don't have.
It must be the season for fence work.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis Ultimate just like jmonroe's. '18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
Not too many cars nicer than a 57 Eldorado, and if it half the price that is even better! 1957 was a great year for styling, Fords were low and actually beat Chev in sales (though the Chevies became the great classic), the T-Bird looked good, and Chrysler had those magnificent fins.
So is mine and for the life of me I can't see any reason to upgrade it! It does anything I need it to do and much more. Unlike others, I think 750.00 for a phone is NUTS! But...that's me!
So is mine and for the life of me I can't see any reason to upgrade it! It does anything I need it to do and much more. Unlike others, I think 750.00 for a phone is NUTS! But...that's me!
I think the trick for me has been NOT updating the OS on my 6+
my wife had the same exact phone, and we got them at the same time, yet she continually updated hers and wound up with all kinds of battery and processing slowdown issues, so she got an X several months ago. I find her phone annoying, which just makes me all the more intent on keeping mine for as long as I can.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
I wouldn't update an iPhone because I'm pretty sure Apple got caught slowing down the phones and/or degrading battery life during an update. Apple's aggressive tactics and pricing means whenever I replace mine, I'm going to switch to a cheaper Android model. I really don't see the big deal about an iPhone and I think Apple has become arrogant. Kids have switched away from Apple and have no regrets, so I don't think it is much of a risk changing. They tell me once I get used to the Android I'll be happy I did while saving money as well.
Comments
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
I'm sure you have neighbor's that have decks still standing that don't have solar panels on their roofs. So I'm not sure what point you are trying to make. But maybe you should install solar panels on your deck during the snow season just to be sure it is still there come Spring time.
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
A well-managed pension is a good thing to look for when making decisions about a career. It is one of several factors that need to be considered. I don't need to tell you that. BTW your characterization of employer participation in funding a pension is at odds with the very definition of the term. Without employee participation, it is not a pension, it is a retirement savings account. Just like taking vacation time without it being allowed by the employer is being AWOL from work.
I can only speak to what happens where I live. I have read about police chiefs in certain US cities making $1 million annually which if so is lunacy. But here the public sector was not paid well for a very long time. Until about 15 years ago a Deputy Minister (think CEO) of a government agency didn't make $100K a year. That has now changed but most of them here still don't make $200K a year in worthless Canadian dollars. There has been some creep upward in the levels below that but still nothing too spectacular. My former boss who is the CEO of a $600 million a year retailer makes $230K. In Ontario that same job (on a scale several times as large) makes 3 times that. In Alberta the private sector guy who is most equivalent in terms of business size makes over a million a year. But he may not have a pension and can get fired at any time by a vote of the Board of Directors. You pays your money and makes your choice.
A fund to help cushion the landing of someone who loses their job unexpectedly is a good thing. I think we can agree on that. A career choice that depends upon receiving that benefit every year for months at a time for 35 years may test the patience of even the most "progressive" of taxpayers. It's like going to the ice cream shop and demanding samples of all 31 flavors because the sign said free.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
Do Apple phones have slots for additional memory? Sounds like a very practical way to handle phones. Similar to what I do for my wife and myself. My son bought a pricier S7 Samsung something or other. His S6 died due to heat problems, likely from being in the glovebox in summer.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
If a given employer (usually in a certain sector) supports a pension fund far more than the matching given by a private sector firm (and many do little or nothing), it is a subsidy, made more glaring via it being propped up by people who themselves will never be able to have such a jackpot when it comes time to retire - if they are even able to do so to begin with. There's not much chance of anyone I know in the private sector being able to have 80%+++ of their highest salary for the rest of their lives, with COLAs, along with other bennies, with such a contribution.
I know public sector compensation issues only from a few friends and family, so it is quite anecdotal. But none of them I know are having issues making ends meet, and virtually all of them are relatively unfireable after a certain amount of time on the job, usually no more than a decade. Some of those public sector vs private sector leadership titles are also a bit different in terms of responsibility - there's not a lot of bottom line to deal with when you're presiding over a virtual monopoly. It may be the equivalent of a CEO on an org chart, but maybe not in terms of accountability, or what it to get there (and this is coming from someone who also thinks private sector execs are grossly overcompensated - and the historic worker to CEO pay ratios in the US supports that, compared to places with less of a chasm).
Regarding the difference in UI vs careers, maybe the idea of certain careers contributing more for such insurance would help, just as it costs more for an 18 year old to insure a Corvette than it does for a 70 year old to insure an Avalon.
My employer matches 5%, and I feel lucky to have that. Many aren't so lucky, if they get any matching at all. And then some have impressively generous guaranteed bennies with no worries about running out of funds, in part subsidized by those who couldn't dream of such security. This can't end well.
I find it amusing that exec to worker pay ratios are not uniform across developed economies.
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
You either do not understand the word subsidy or you are deliberately misusing it. A pension is simply another employee benefit. Typically public sector wages were lower, often far lower, than equivalents in the private sector and so some of those other things you mention were instituted to offset that to an extent although to younger workers they didn't mean much. When the tech boom really hit 20 years ago it became almost impossible for govts here to hire IT people because of the wage disparity. Some private sector employees have their country club memberships subsidized. Some get cars to use. Some can expense a great deal. The list goes on. None of those things would be true for most public sector employees. The grass always seems greener, I suppose. In terms of what the specific terms of the pension may be, those are typically limited by law in terms of eligible amounts of annual salary, % included in the calculation, years of service and the like. If they get too rich the fund becomes insolvent. That's why it is important to have good fund management.
Public sector management is indeed quite different from private sector. When I worked in govt it was virtually impossible to fire someone, especially when they were in the union. While there were some good performers and hard workers, the majority were just OK, and there were some who had no business being there but you could not get rid of them, so they kept getting shuffled around until they could retire. Performance reviews were a useless exercise and accountability was only a word that had little actual meaning. The same symptoms affected top management, some of whom were appointed because of their skill at manipulating the political decision makers, not their management skills. Others made their name at coming up with policy initiatives or being technocrats but never had to manage more than a handful of folks and also lacked financial skills. When the inevitable disasters happened on their watch it was no surprise. This is in large part why Canada, which loves big government and has a seeming majority who want even more government services provided, cannot effectively deliver the public services currently in place. The mismanagement, inefficiency and waste is a sight to behold, and the bureaucracy effectively prevents any meaningful reform.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
As to used cars, I paid $1500 for my 69 Plymouth and $2k for my 2000 Chrysler. The 69 was newer at the time but the Chrysler will probably outlast the Plymouth in terms of trouble free miles.
College on the other hand has really gone up. The private undergrad school I attended went from under $3000 a year to over $40k now. A house in my area went from $20k in 68 to about $200k but now comes with central air, granite counters, fireplaces etc. things that were not common back in the 60s.
Sounds like the smart money would have been to buy a college in 68.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Makes good headlines though.
I much prefer a profit sharing plan like we have at Enterprise. Gives employees a stake in the company. I think at my level it co es to a few hundred bucks a year. That, plus the company 3% 401k match will make me rich some day...
If I live to be 500.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
But then his business grew and then he needed a book keeper, and then he needed a shop manager/phone guy, meet n' greet, bill-writer. (You can't be dropping your tools in the middle of a Porsche engine rebuild to answer the phone!) Then he started selling used cars, so he needed some nearby storage and display space. Then he needed someone to sell the used cars. Now he's wondering if he was just as well off income-wise (or close enough) before he got so ambitious. And then there's coping with all the regulations for small businesses.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Many years ago, I got a chance to join the US Postal Service and decided to do it. Was told I'd make a living but never get rich. That's exactly what happened. And after 31 years, I now get a decent pension which is I think 56% of my high 3 years. I'm sure other professions get a much higher percentage in their pensions but I'm content with mine. And next year, hoping to start getting s s, even though it'll only be a fraction of what I should get. But that's another story!!
But it's not all roses. The school I worked at had such a Byzantine set of retirement rules that I was denied exit bonuses, health insurance and other benefits that were supposedly due me. If a private employer pulled that the state AG would sue them.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Running your own business or farm; I think it is ridiculous that those people often have to hire a tax accountant on top of everything else.
Private sector or public performance - most workplaces, and most anything else, tend to reflect the bell curve. When it is skewed, it is probably a reflection of brown nosing.
Here is a picture of the bottom of the deck stairs.
Now that we bought a larger company and have all converted to their benefits the new match is no where near that and if you make a decent amount of money, you end up capped (I think at $2000 or so)
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
I am grateful I usually get a yearly increase, but the cost of living likes to chip away as much of that as possible. That I live in an area where the lucky ones were able to buy houses for 75K in 1983 that can now be worth 1MM or more doesn't help, as salaries definitely haven't nearly paced housing (or education, or medical) costs.
School costs more than double now than it did when I was a student in the late 90s. Most wages haven't followed.
Around here, the smart money would have been in housing. It would have been very easy to buy a 30K (not the cheapest but not a mansion) house in some areas around Seattle in 1968 and have a healthy 7 figures now.
Regarding the public sector stuff, I bet some of the seventy-leven levels of management and archaic organizations are amazing in NY, especially NYC.
If a benefit is being kept afloat by massive distant party inputs, especially those far in excess of most of those technically providing the funding, I will call it subsidized. When there's no way nearly any private sector employee would be able to earn the return gained by a public sector pensioner, I will call it subsidized. It doesn't seem to disagree with any definition I can find.
I have friends who are in non-union (as far as I know) public sector management roles, and are still virtually unfireable, simply due to policies around tenure. That's a hell of a perk that I can easily counter with if one mentions a minor salary difference. I won't judge their performance - they aren't lazy or inept, but oftentimes private sector cuts just don't target bad workers either. I am generally a fan of social goods, but not so much a fan of two tier or two class systems.
Speaking of Canada, I know BC has a gigantic and not terribly efficient public sector, it'll be interesting to see what happens with taxes there to keep it going, or when a large group from that sector retires. Going to have to tax the money laundering in local real estate even more.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Over the entire constellation of cars which paint color weathers the best. From my experience red is the worst. I've seen serious fade on many red cars. Black is next worst as the clear coat tends to blow out. I think silver looks the best after many years in the sun because it looks the same even when worn. White is the same with the exception of peeling off in sheets sometimes.
I know that no one here has any opinions on anything but I'll ask anyway.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
http://automotivemileposts.com/tbird1960stainlesssteel.html
Regarding the public vs private sector chatter, I will drop it now, not worth arguing about
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
I would add the 1956-1957 Buick Roadmaster Coupe and convertible to that list as well as the Oldsmobile 98.
GM had the most beautiful cars in that era. My Dad had a ‘56 Buick Roadmaster convertible in white with red leather interior and black top. It was the most gorgeous car I had ever been in. It was smooth riding with amazing power and comfort. Ahhh, the good old days.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
It featured a stainless steel roof, self leveling air suspension, the first automatic two-position "memory" power seats, a dual four-barrel V-8, low-profile tires with thin white-walls, automatic trunk opener, cruise control, high-pressure cooling system, polarized sun visors, electric antenna, automatic-release parking brake, electric door locks, dual heating system..
...silver magnetized glovebox, drink tumblers, cigarette and tissue dispensers, lipstick and cologne, ladies' compact with powder puff, mirror and matching leather notebook, comb and mirror, Arpège atomizer with Lanvin perfume, automatic starter with restart function, Autronic Eye, drum-type electric clock, power windows, forged aluminum wheels and air conditioning."
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Someone told me a while back that the price of rice went up due to the discovery of it's secondary use. I don't really believe this but it kinda sounds possible.
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
I found the appropriate pipe on Friday and tackled it today. Fixing the post was easy but reattaching the chain-link part was a bear. It seemed to shrink or something when released and I couldn’t get the connectors to bolt back up. Had to use a rope with the post acting as a pulley to get enough leverage to stretch it back. Proud of the fix though, nice and solid.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
FWIW, Son #2 has to replace a piece of his chain link fence due to a hole. I told him I'd help but he has to get a Come-along since I don't have one of these. Probably only one of 5 or 6 tools I don't have.
It must be the season for fence work.
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
1957 was a great year for styling, Fords were low and actually beat Chev in sales (though the Chevies became the great classic), the T-Bird looked good, and Chrysler had those magnificent fins.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
my wife had the same exact phone, and we got them at the same time, yet she continually updated hers and wound up with all kinds of battery and processing slowdown issues, so she got an X several months ago. I find her phone annoying, which just makes me all the more intent on keeping mine for as long as I can.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S