Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

28firefighter · August 2022

so, about those washing machines...

dino001 · August 2022

28firefighter said:
so, about those washing machines...

LOL. I may need a new one some time....

qbrozen · August 2022

dino001 said:
Unless you're for abolishing local and state governments and federal government running every service, local and state matters should be funded and run by local and state taxes. Federal matters are funded and run by federal taxes. It's not double taxation at all.

Well, that's not true. Federal money is in the schools, for one thing.

And it is double taxation. According to Cornell Law School, "Double taxation refers to the imposition of taxes on the same income, assets or financial transaction at two different points of time."
So I pay $18k in real estate taxes. The feds say I'm only permitted to deduct $10k. That means I'm paying tax on $8k of tax.

snakeweasel · August 2022

stickguy said:
yes, I still have to pay it. having them escrow is like having a christmas club account. good for people that can't budget! The only downside is not knowing if they got paid. One time the bank forgot and I did not realize until I got a delinquent notice from the town. That was not fun.

the good part, mortgage payment is a lot lower!

That's the reason I go onto the county treasurer's website yearly to see if the property taxes were paid.

dino001 · August 2022

I guess strictly speaking local/state income may be called double taxation, but only if you lump federal and state governments into a single entity. Otherwise, each does not need to care what the other takes in taxes. Also, real estate tax is not levied on income, but value of the property, so that's not really double taxation.

If you want a real double taxation, Social Security and Medicare taxes are much more glowing examples, since Federal Income tax's base is paid from overlapping bases. Another double taxation example would be tax on dividends or capital gains. The profits were already taxed at corporation level, but somehow by transferring them to an individual made them "new" income. That's basically a transaction between individual and the government trading separation of the liability for double tax. Another one would be inheritance taxes - money and property taxed multiple times in the process, but transfer to a new owner makes it somehow a taxable even (but rejoice, first million or so is free, so only midsize farms need to be sold to pay the taxes). So your perceived injustice from local taxes not being eligible for deduction is not particularly unique - get in a double tax victim line

.

snakeweasel · August 2022

bwia said:

@explorerx4 said:

Considering the inflation rate, a low fixed mortgage rate and rising savings rates, I would have gone in a different direction than paying off my mortgage.

That would be true in the past, but recent tax law changes have limited property taxes and other itemized deductions to $10,000 per year.

It doesn't limit itemized deductions to $10,000 just the deduction for taxes paid.

oldfarmer50 · August 2022

dino001 said:
My estimate of "perfect credit":

- 25+ years length
- 30 grand of available revolving with zero or nearly zero taken
- very specific number of current revolving accounts (probably between 5 and 8)
- lifetime of installment payments, including at least one right now (between $300 and $1000 per month)
- of course, no late payments, judgments, collections (that's a given).

A few years ago one month my Bank of America credit card showed me a perfect score. For one month, then it dropped 2 points. Parameters above were more-less met. It was pretty much hovering within single digits from perfect until I paid off all loans, then it dropped about 10 points. I guess now that I have more disposable money, I'm a little higher risk, makes sense, right?

Same thing happened to me. When I bought the car I went up to 850. When I paid the car off early I dropped to 812.

Like I said, witches.

jmonroe1 · August 2022

qbrozen said:

dino001 said:

Not to get overly political, but why should anybody get any deduction for that? You want to live in highly taxed place promising all these great services (and perhaps even delivering them), why somebody living on the other side of the country should subsidize that system? I'm not saying one is better than the other, there are big benefits of having good infrastructure, education or social services, but the people who elect the local government to provide that should pay for it. There is no inherent or acquired right to get a discount on your federal tax just because you paid high local/state tax.

Everybody in this country believes they're paying "too much" in taxes, but the same people expect quick arrival of ambulance, top education for children, great roads and whatever else. And it's always somebody else, who should pay for it.
1. It is double taxation.
2. You make the mistake of thinking the higher taxes result in greater benefit.

Look at it this way: you can choose to itemize and deduct sales tax on large purchases. Someone in one state buys a new car, but pays 0 sales tax. Someone in another state buys that exact same car and pays 10% sales tax. Person 2 gets to deduct that sales tax, while person 1 has nothing to deduct. How does that factor into your system of fairness? They are both getting the same service from the same vehicle. The only difference is how the state taxed it.

Same thing with my property tax. I get nothing extra from it. It is the corrupt and broken system in my state. We vote people out and in all the time, but the next regime just perpetuates the problem, despite all their promises to the contrary. My kids don't get a better education than places with lower taxes. I don't get any services. We have no police force in our town, no public trash, no public water or sewer.

Heck, I feel like I must be paying for others' services. The guy in the next state is paying 1/3rd the taxes but getting the same services. Who is paying for that? They must be getting more federal help, no? So why shouldn't they pay more federal tax? If all the services for my family cost (just throwing out random numbers) $25k, and I pay $18k of that through property tax, the feds cough up the remaining $7k (through income tax of course). Take my same homestead and move it somewhere else where $7k property tax pays a portion and the feds must be coughing up $18k for the difference. hmmm. I honestly have no clue if that's how it works, but how else would it? The money has to come from somewhere.

Do I CHOOSE to live here? Well, kind of. Not much of a choice. Am I supposed to let absurd taxes divide me from my family?

————————————————-
When we were getting started on flip #2 a young guy in his early thirties was helping the master plumber who was installing a new sewer line. This young guy was going to plumbing school to try to better himself.

I got to talking to him and he said he moved here about 5 years earlier from NJ and couldn’t believe how much lower the taxes were here compared to Jersey. Was even able to buy a house a year earlier that he said would be impossible if he was still in Jersey. So I asked him if the services were better in Jersey compared to here in the Burgh area and he said, “not one bit. In fact they were better here.” He liked it so much he convinced his parents and younger married sister to move here. He was still working on his older sister and said he appeared to be making some progress.

The only thing he liked better about Jersey was that the beach was only 10 miles away but he couldn’t talk that into coming here so he goes back there every Summer.

jmonroe

oldfarmer50 · August 2022

“ . I don't get any services. We have no police force in our town, no public trash, no public water or sewer.”

Yikes! And you’re paying $18k for that?

I selected the lowest taxed town around but I still get police and water (sewer too if I wanted to pay for connection). The town landfill let’s me fill the cargo van for $5.

I pay under $6k while municipalities a few miles on either side of me charge double or triple that.

snakeweasel · August 2022

dino001 said:

bwia said:

Considering the inflation rate, a low fixed mortgage rate and rising savings rates, I would have gone in a different direction than paying off my mortgage.

That would be true in the past, but recent tax law changes have limited property taxes and other itemized deductions to $10,000 per year.

This was probably biggest thing I liked about that new tax law - it exposed true cost of the real estate and state/local taxation. That old and tired "tax deductible" pitch from real estate agents was probably one of the most poisonous things that existed in the market, because it allowed people to lie to themselves about how much money their house really cost them. People would be paying huge mortgage and real estate tax bills, but you'd hear "it's OK, I get it all back in taxes", which was patently not true, but you couldn't convince them that when you spend $1000 to "save" $250, you still lost $750, it just didn't register.

I don't know about that. Our monthly mortgage payment (principal, interest, insurance and property taxes) runs just over $2K/month. Deducting the property tax and interest from my taxes can reduce that by a couple of hundred a month. But let us presume the $2K a month. That is the upper end for a 2-bedroom 2 bath approximately 1000 square foot apartment. So I can save a few bucks a month in a modest apartment but I lose more than half the square footage, one bedroom and some land. And I don't have to worry about maintenance. But with the apartment the rent is gone and when I move out I have nothing to show for all the rent payments. With the house every time I make a mortgage payment I am increasing my equity in the house. So the true cost of owning a home can often be less than paying rent.

Plus I don't have to share a wall with my neighbors.

qbrozen · August 2022

@dino001 said:
Also, real estate tax is not levied on income, but value of the property, so that's not really double taxation.

Fair point. But, then again, deducting full real estate taxes should certainly be permitted before any mortgage interest, and several other deductions.

@dino001 said:
So your perceived injustice from local taxes not being eligible for deduction is not particularly unique

Oh, I would NEVER claim such a thing.

snakeweasel · August 2022

oldfarmer50 said:

dino001 said:

bwia said:

Considering the inflation rate, a low fixed mortgage rate and rising savings rates, I would have gone in a different direction than paying off my mortgage.

That would be true in the past, but recent tax law changes have limited property taxes and other itemized deductions to $10,000 per year.

This was probably biggest thing I liked about that new tax law - it exposed true cost of the real estate and state/local taxation. That old and tired "tax deductible" pitch from real estate agents was probably one of the most poisonous things that existed in the market, because it allowed people to lie to themselves about how much money their house really cost them. People would be paying huge mortgage and real estate tax bills, but you'd hear "it's OK, I get it all back in taxes", which was patently not true, but you couldn't convince them that when you spend $1000 to "save" $250, you still lost $750, it just didn't register.

True. It’s also very regressive, giving more benefit to the highest income homeowners and nothing to people who don’t itemize.

In reality it is progressive. The higher income earners have higher taxable income and have a higher marginal tax rate. Even with the ability to enjoy itemization and tax benefits higher income tax payers pay more in taxes both in actual dollar amount and in percentage of income.

qbrozen · August 2022

you made me curious, so I looked it up. Our fed income tax was 13.48% of our gross and NJ was 4.565% of the gross. Of course, state gross and fed gross differ, so it isn't as easy as adding the percentages, but figure that's ABOUT 17.5% ... I think ... in income tax. Add in real estate tax and sales tax .... and now I'm depressed.

ab348 · August 2022

qbrozen said:

Same thing with my property tax. I get nothing extra from it. It is the corrupt and broken system in my state. We vote people out and in all the time, but the next regime just perpetuates the problem, despite all their promises to the contrary. My kids don't get a better education than places with lower taxes. I don't get any services. We have no police force in our town, no public trash, no public water or sewer.

Hesitating to wade into this since I have no dog in this fight, being that I live in Canada and we are overtaxed on everything. But have you ever tried to figure out what they do with all that money that they aren't spending on services?

jmonroe1 · August 2022

ab348 said:

qbrozen said:

Same thing with my property tax. I get nothing extra from it. It is the corrupt and broken system in my state. We vote people out and in all the time, but the next regime just perpetuates the problem, despite all their promises to the contrary. My kids don't get a better education than places with lower taxes. I don't get any services. We have no police force in our town, no public trash, no public water or sewer.
Hesitating to wade into this since I have no dog in this fight, being that I live in Canada and we are overtaxed on everything. But have you ever tried to figure out what they do with all that money that they aren't spending on services?

————————————————
Your such a nice guy. He’s already said he’s depressed.

jmonroe

roadburner · August 2022

qbrozen said:
you made me curious, so I looked it up. Our fed income tax was 13.48% of our gross and NJ was 4.565% of the gross. Of course, state gross and fed gross differ, so it isn't as easy as adding the percentages, but figure that's ABOUT 17.5% ... I think ... in income tax. Add in real estate tax and sales tax .... and now I'm depressed.

My federal tax was 10.33% of gross. Haven't looked up the state numbers but I believe it's around 3%.

mjfloyd1 · August 2022

@qbrozen said:
you made me curious, so I looked it up. Our fed income tax was 13.48% of our gross and NJ was 4.565% of the gross. Of course, state gross and fed gross differ, so it isn't as easy as adding the percentages, but figure that's ABOUT 17.5% ... I think ... in income tax. Add in real estate tax and sales tax .... and now I'm depressed.

I’m much more depressed than that🤣

28firefighter · August 2022

so, about those washing machines...

mjfloyd1 said:

@qbrozen said:

you made me curious, so I looked it up. Our fed income tax was 13.48% of our gross and NJ was 4.565% of the gross. Of course, state gross and fed gross differ, so it isn't as easy as adding the percentages, but figure that's ABOUT 17.5% ... I think ... in income tax. Add in real estate tax and sales tax .... and now I'm depressed.

I’m much more depressed than that🤣

Me too…and I don’t have state income tax.

qbrozen · August 2022

@ab348 said:
Hesitating to wade into this since I have no dog in this fight, being that I live in Canada and we are overtaxed on everything. But have you ever tried to figure out what they do with all that money that they aren't spending on services?

Mostly school. And we don’t even have a high school in our district, nor full-day kindergarten. Maybe high school is the issue. Possibly we pay our home district plus the district our high school is in. Hmmmm

cdnpinhead · August 2022

ab348 said:
But have you ever tried to figure out what they do with all that money that they aren't spending on services?

A big (and growing) chunk of it goes to egregious public sector pensions. It's an interesting house of cards, at least in CA, but it'll take several more years before it caves in.

[Deleted User] · August 2022

Not sure if you guys saw this or not, wonder how soon others will follow:

https://thedetroitbureau.com/2022/07/gm-sends-a-message-to-dealers-flippers-with-warranty-threat/

Also read a story where Toyota declined to warranty an engine in a GR86 after they found an online photo of the car drifting

qbrozen · August 2022

The article states my first thought: The primary person who gets impacted by these deals is the second buyer of the vehicle, when they discover their car or truck is no longer under warranty. Not exactly the ideal ownership experience.

The action of voiding the warranty doesn't hurt the flipper at all. Really dumb move on their part, and I wonder how the first lawsuit will turn out.

[Deleted User] · August 2022

Exactly, unless those potential buyers are aware, that buying experience could sour pretty quickly.

roadburner · August 2022

dad23 said:
Not sure if you guys saw this or not, wonder how soon others will follow:

https://thedetroitbureau.com/2022/07/gm-sends-a-message-to-dealers-flippers-with-warranty-threat/

Also read a story where Toyota declined to warranty an engine in a GR86 after they found an online photo of the car drifting

At one point Subaru was giving away 1 year SCCA memberships with the purchase of a WRX. Then some of their dealers denied warranty coverage if they found out the cars was used for autocrossing or HPDEs.

jmonroe1 · August 2022

dad23 said:
Not sure if you guys saw this or not, wonder how soon others will follow:

https://thedetroitbureau.com/2022/07/gm-sends-a-message-to-dealers-flippers-with-warranty-threat/

Also read a story where Toyota declined to warranty an engine in a GR86 after they found an online photo of the car drifting

————————————————
Once again a large company is going after the little guy. We live in a free market society so you should be able to sell your product for whatever price you want. Completion is what limits a manufacturer from over charging for their product. An individual has the same restrictions but hot pants buyers help them out when supply is low and they don’t want to wait.

This comes across as the manufacturers being upset that they can’t get more for their product and are striking back with petty refusals of honoring warranties, like they don’t do that anyway.

Like I said it’s car companies going after the little guy. If they cared so much they’d go after their dealerships for slapping on ADM’s of any kind. It’s easy to kick around the little guy that found a way to make a buck but they want no part of a fair fight.

jmonroe

dino001 · August 2022

qbrozen said:
you made me curious, so I looked it up. Our fed income tax was 13.48% of our gross and NJ was 4.565% of the gross. Of course, state gross and fed gross differ, so it isn't as easy as adding the percentages, but figure that's ABOUT 17.5% ... I think ... in income tax. Add in real estate tax and sales tax .... and now I'm depressed.

My 2021 federal tax was approximately 18% of gross income, depending what's counted in, so you have nothing on me in terms of income taxes, sir. No, I'm not "ultra rich", I just use standard deduction, I'm single and put my savings into Roth 401k, rather than regular, so I don't get any current deduction, because
I assume we're headed for higher taxed in the future, as some day the bill for all the military spending and social security/medicare (especially the latter) will finally come due and we won't be able to pretend. The numbers caught up to all other nations in similar level of development, we were able to defer it thanks to reserve currency status and immigration, but judging from American voter's inability to connect basic economic dots (i.e. electing economically illiterate politicians), the markets will eventually refuse to finance us at these low rates - probably not tomorrow, but likely some time around when I'll be ready to retire.

Yes, my real estate tax is very low (about $1000), but it's at partially because my property value is still fairly low, too (part is of course low millage and homestead discount). I think real estate tax is the place where you could take your local politicians on. However, it also means taking on local government labor unions and other powerful interests. That's probably where the biggest problems lie. Your 18 grand on property tax is truly bonkers (but it's based on $760K property value vs. my taxable part is well below $100K). But with all the sympathy, I'll repeat my somewhat insolent (I know) point, making it a little more personal - why my high federal tax should subsidize your lower federal tax because your community decided to self-organize in such inefficient way? Florida is a net payer to the system and yet we still manage somehow. I'm sure it won't last forever, as part of that budget is based on y/y population growth that will stop, but not just yet.

qbrozen · August 2022

dino001 said:
so you have nothing on me in terms of income taxes, sir.

Never claimed I did.

dino001 · August 2022

qbrozen said:

dino001 said:
so you have nothing on me in terms of income taxes, sir.
Never claimed I did.

Of course, a small rhetoric figure. Stay friends...

bwia · August 2022

@snakeweasel said:
It doesn't limit itemized deductions to $10,000 just the deduction for taxes paid.

@snakeweasel, you are correct. The $10,000 limitation is on SALT (state and local taxes) not on all itemized deductions. Thanks for the clarification.

explorerx4 · August 2022

Last post for a few days.
Not everything fit on the truck, so I think we need to rent some storage and pick up the rest of the stuff some time in the future.
Here's what a couple of the movers showed up in today.
Yes there also was a moving van.

tjc78 · August 2022

Safe travels and best of luck with everything!!

oldfarmer50 · August 2022

dad23 said:
Not sure if you guys saw this or not, wonder how soon others will follow:

https://thedetroitbureau.com/2022/07/gm-sends-a-message-to-dealers-flippers-with-warranty-threat/

Also read a story where Toyota declined to warranty an engine in a GR86 after they found an online photo of the car drifting

I can see them putting pressure on dealers but what right do they have to put the screws to individual owners? There could be all sorts of reasons why a person would sell a car within the first year. Why, is none of the manufacturer’s business. I paid for it, I can sell it, race it in a demo derby or light it on fire.

Sounds like a restraint of trade lawsuit in the making.

Michaell · August 2022

oldfarmer50 said:

dad23 said:
Not sure if you guys saw this or not, wonder how soon others will follow:

https://thedetroitbureau.com/2022/07/gm-sends-a-message-to-dealers-flippers-with-warranty-threat/

Also read a story where Toyota declined to warranty an engine in a GR86 after they found an online photo of the car drifting
I can see them putting pressure on dealers but what right do they have to put the screws to individual owners? There could be all sorts of reasons why a person would sell a car within the first year. Why, is none of the manufacturer’s business. I paid for it, I can sell it, race it in a demo derby or light it on fire.

Sounds like a restraint of trade lawsuit in the making.

Didn't Ford try this with the new GT40? And, attempted to sue a celebrity for selling the car before they were allowed to?

Once I sign the paperwork and the title is in my name, it's mine to do with as I see fit.

oldfarmer50 · August 2022

dino001 said:

qbrozen said:
you made me curious, so I looked it up. Our fed income tax was 13.48% of our gross and NJ was 4.565% of the gross. Of course, state gross and fed gross differ, so it isn't as easy as adding the percentages, but figure that's ABOUT 17.5% ... I think ... in income tax. Add in real estate tax and sales tax .... and now I'm depressed.
My 2021 federal tax was approximately 18% of gross income, depending what's counted in, so you have nothing on me in terms of income taxes, sir. No, I'm not "ultra rich", I just use standard deduction, I'm single and put my savings into Roth 401k, rather than regular, so I don't get any current deduction, because
I assume we're headed for higher taxed in the future, as some day the bill for all the military spending and social security/medicare (especially the latter) will finally come due and we won't be able to pretend. The numbers caught up to all other nations in similar level of development, we were able to defer it thanks to reserve currency status and immigration, but judging from American voter's inability to connect basic economic dots (i.e. electing economically illiterate politicians), the markets will eventually refuse to finance us at these low rates - probably not tomorrow, but likely some time around when I'll be ready to retire.

Yes, my real estate tax is very low (about $1000), but it's at partially because my property value is still fairly low, too (part is of course low millage and homestead discount). I think real estate tax is the place where you could take your local politicians on. However, it also means taking on local government labor unions and other powerful interests. That's probably where the biggest problems lie. Your 18 grand on property tax is truly bonkers (but it's based on $760K property value vs. my taxable part is well below $100K). But with all the sympathy, I'll repeat my somewhat insolent (I know) point, making it a little more personal - why my high federal tax should subsidize your lower federal tax because your community decided to self-organize in such inefficient way? Florida is a net payer to the system and yet we still manage somehow. I'm sure it won't last forever, as part of that budget is based on y/y population growth that will stop, but not just yet.

Stop making so much sense.

If it makes anyone feel better, back when I was just starting my business my all-in tax bill (federal, state, property, social security and sales) came to just about 40% of my gross income.

oldfarmer50 · August 2022

cdnpinhead said:

ab348 said:
But have you ever tried to figure out what they do with all that money that they aren't spending on services?
A big (and growing) chunk of it goes to egregious public sector pensions. It's an interesting house of cards, at least in CA, but it'll take several more years before it caves in.

And us retired gov’mint workers thank you. I just got a $21.70 raise in my already generous pension.

As a taxpayer I hate myself.

qbrozen · August 2022

Michaell said:

Didn't Ford try this with the new GT40? And, attempted to sue a celebrity for selling the car before they were allowed to?

He paid them off, so they were successful.

snakeweasel · August 2022

qbrozen said:
The article states my first thought: The primary person who gets impacted by these deals is the second buyer of the vehicle, when they discover their car or truck is no longer under warranty. Not exactly the ideal ownership experience.

The action of voiding the warranty doesn't hurt the flipper at all. Really dumb move on their part, and I wonder how the first lawsuit will turn out.

I wonder how the warrantee is worded. There are some warrantees that limit or reduce the term of the warrantee to subsequent owners. Like Hyundai's 10 year 100K warrantee is limited to the original owner.

snakeweasel · August 2022

Michaell said:

oldfarmer50 said:

dad23 said:
Not sure if you guys saw this or not, wonder how soon others will follow:

https://thedetroitbureau.com/2022/07/gm-sends-a-message-to-dealers-flippers-with-warranty-threat/

Also read a story where Toyota declined to warranty an engine in a GR86 after they found an online photo of the car drifting
I can see them putting pressure on dealers but what right do they have to put the screws to individual owners? There could be all sorts of reasons why a person would sell a car within the first year. Why, is none of the manufacturer’s business. I paid for it, I can sell it, race it in a demo derby or light it on fire.

Sounds like a restraint of trade lawsuit in the making.
Didn't Ford try this with the new GT40? And, attempted to sue a celebrity for selling the car before they were allowed to?

Once I sign the paperwork and the title is in my name, it's mine to do with as I see fit.

Buying a Ford GT is a process and part of that process is signing a contract stating that you will not sell it for a set time period. To sell it within that time period is a breach of contract and Ford can sue and will most likely win.

I know that the wrestler John Cena was sued by Ford for breach of contract and it was settled out of court with Cena paying an undisclosed amount of money to a charity of Fords choosing.

snakeweasel · August 2022

Man, you have to admire this man's patience.

https://youtu.be/LHla9d2jbko

dino001 · August 2022

I like this guy, he gives me hope for the lawyer kind

oldfarmer50 · August 2022

28firefighter said:
so, about those washing machines...

On a related note: can one of you home renovation specialists tell me how much does it cost per sq. ft. for carpet these days. Wife wants the living room done carpet, pad and installation. What am I looking at?

Also can you give me the name of a good quality high end bourbon under $100 a bottle? Planning ahead for gifts.

snakeweasel · August 2022

oldfarmer50 said:

28firefighter said:
so, about those washing machines...
On a related note: can one of you home renovation specialists tell me how much does it cost per sq. ft. for carpet these days. Wife wants the living room done carpet, pad and installation. What am I looking at?

Also can you give me the name of a good quality high end bourbon under $100 a bottle? Planning ahead for gifts.

Oh you don't have to spend that much on me, $75 would be enough.

tjc78 · August 2022

@oldfarmer50

Angel’s Envy
Old Forester 1920
Whistle Pig (all varieties)
Barrell (most varieties, skip sea grass)
Knob Creek 12
Weller Antique 107 (very hard to find)
Eagle Rare (also hard to find especially at retail)
Makers’ 46 Cask strength

All of these should be under $100 with the exception of the Weller since they mark it up so much.

oldfarmer50 · August 2022

snakeweasel said:

oldfarmer50 said:

28firefighter said:
so, about those washing machines...
On a related note: can one of you home renovation specialists tell me how much does it cost per sq. ft. for carpet these days. Wife wants the living room done carpet, pad and installation. What am I looking at?

Also can you give me the name of a good quality high end bourbon under $100 a bottle? Planning ahead for gifts.
Oh you don't have to spend that much on me, $75 would be enough.

You want me to give you carpet?😎

andres3 · August 2022

oldfarmer50 said:

imidazol97 said:
Has @snakeweasel been on here? Someone in a Chicago suburb won the Mega Millions 1.xx billion lottery last night. Did everyone check their tickets?

Biggest amount won in Ohio was $10,000 x 5 people. I didn't have a single number on my strip. Not
a single number out of the 6 numbers appeared on my ticket.
My record of not getting even a single number right in either Mega or Power Ball remains unblemished.

They ought to make hitting zero numbers a winning $2 ticket!

andres3 · August 2022

Regarding Taxes:

I'm cool with it going to repaving roads.

I'm not cool with it going to Chrysler and GM.

Or AIG. Or any bank for that matter.

kyfdx · August 2022

oldfarmer50 said:

28firefighter said:
so, about those washing machines...
On a related note: can one of you home renovation specialists tell me how much does it cost per sq. ft. for carpet these days. Wife wants the living room done carpet, pad and installation. What am I looking at?

Also can you give me the name of a good quality high end bourbon under $100 a bottle? Planning ahead for gifts.

Carpet is so expensive, they now quote it by the square foot, instead of square yard.

jmonroe1 · August 2022

oldfarmer50 said:

28firefighter said:
so, about those washing machines...
On a related note: can one of you home renovation specialists tell me how much does it cost per sq. ft. for carpet these days. Wife wants the living room done carpet, pad and installation. What am I looking at?

Also can you give me the name of a good quality high end bourbon under $100 a bottle? Planning ahead for gifts.

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When we put carpet on the steps, hall and 4 bedrooms about four years ago we paid over $32 per square yard with my 10% veterans discount but that included the best padding upgrade over the standard 6 pound padding including free installation at Lowes.

When we’ve done the flips, Home Depot offers contractors a pretty good deal of $2 per square foot with 6 pound padding and free installation. My Son was told that if he didn’t get the contractor price that carpet/pad/installation package would be almost $3 per square foot which is supposedly a notch above builders grade quality.

jmonroe

driver100 · August 2022

kyfdx said:

oldfarmer50 said:

28firefighter said:
so, about those washing machines...
On a related note: can one of you home renovation specialists tell me how much does it cost per sq. ft. for carpet these days. Wife wants the living room done carpet, pad and installation. What am I looking at?

Also can you give me the name of a good quality high end bourbon under $100 a bottle? Planning ahead for gifts.
Carpet is so expensive, they now quote it by the square foot, instead of square yard.

lol.............I think that is why Canada switched gasoline from gallons to liters. $!.80 a liter sounds cheaper than $6 a gallon.

fintail · August 2022

FL is a net payer? Did that recently change?

dino001 said:

qbrozen said:
you made me curious, so I looked it up. Our fed income tax was 13.48% of our gross and NJ was 4.565% of the gross. Of course, state gross and fed gross differ, so it isn't as easy as adding the percentages, but figure that's ABOUT 17.5% ... I think ... in income tax. Add in real estate tax and sales tax .... and now I'm depressed.
My 2021 federal tax was approximately 18% of gross income, depending what's counted in, so you have nothing on me in terms of income taxes, sir. No, I'm not "ultra rich", I just use standard deduction, I'm single and put my savings into Roth 401k, rather than regular, so I don't get any current deduction, because
I assume we're headed for higher taxed in the future, as some day the bill for all the military spending and social security/medicare (especially the latter) will finally come due and we won't be able to pretend. The numbers caught up to all other nations in similar level of development, we were able to defer it thanks to reserve currency status and immigration, but judging from American voter's inability to connect basic economic dots (i.e. electing economically illiterate politicians), the markets will eventually refuse to finance us at these low rates - probably not tomorrow, but likely some time around when I'll be ready to retire.

Yes, my real estate tax is very low (about $1000), but it's at partially because my property value is still fairly low, too (part is of course low millage and homestead discount). I think real estate tax is the place where you could take your local politicians on. However, it also means taking on local government labor unions and other powerful interests. That's probably where the biggest problems lie. Your 18 grand on property tax is truly bonkers (but it's based on $760K property value vs. my taxable part is well below $100K). But with all the sympathy, I'll repeat my somewhat insolent (I know) point, making it a little more personal - why my high federal tax should subsidize your lower federal tax because your community decided to self-organize in such inefficient way? Florida is a net payer to the system and yet we still manage somehow. I'm sure it won't last forever, as part of that budget is based on y/y population growth that will stop, but not just yet.

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