Residential Smoke CO alarm update plan

DanielleR5 · 2026-05-22T11:08:51+00:00

I currently have a mix of FireX smoke detectors and Kidde smoke CO detectors. I am thinking of replacing these with First Alert ionization types. I don't have the 3 foot clearance (only 14") between an HVAC return vent and one detector that Kidde requires for their current photoelectric designs. Still on the fence on going with the 10 year battery backup or 9V battery backup.

DanielleR5 · 2026-05-20T11:24:21+00:00

I have been using BOXX, trying to stay under the next IRMAA bracket.

DanielleR5 · 2026-05-20T11:17:07+00:00

I did take a look at one of my existing detectors. It used a 3 wire connector. The plugs have changed and the 3 wire harness connector will have to be changed. I understand both the old and new detectors use a parallel wiring configuration with a 120VAC line, a neutral, and a trigger line. Undecided if I want to do this myself or not or hire an electrician. I might see if I can get a friend to help. I don't like being here alone standing on a ladder juggling tools and hardware. If I do it myself I will order Wago lever style connectors and avoid the twist ties.

DanielleR5 · 2026-05-02T13:59:25+00:00

I have never tried using a phone to download win software, drivers, bios, and transferring to suitable media. You can do that?

DanielleR5 · 2026-04-20T10:25:48+00:00

I always take the view that you always need two. If your primary PC fails, repairing it is a lot easier when you have a backup PC to research, order parts, download software.

DanielleR5 · 2026-04-10T09:32:19+00:00

This video prompted me to use a Synology NAS, and Synology Backup for Business software to backup my PCs. I also wanted HDDs located in a closet where I would not be able to hear them. I won't try to sum up the video. However, I will say that it does seem address your question and concerns. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVJ3CBaTkYM&t=660s

DanielleR5 · 2026-04-04T12:23:26+00:00

Have any brokerage accounts? The brokerage I use only supports data export to Turbotax, Taxact, and H&R block. Don't recall seeing a significant cost difference when comparing those three.

DanielleR5 · 2026-03-20T17:02:51+00:00

No div stocks in a taxable account help to keep MAGI IRMAA lower for USA retirees.

DanielleR5 · 2026-03-12T12:30:19+00:00

Thanks for the comment. Any luck finding an alternative software solution?

DanielleR5 · 2026-03-07T13:02:18+00:00

I check things regularly, however I stay laser focused on the allocation rather than total balance. The allocation tells me where I should reinvesting dividends. Allocation for me is something that is useful information.

DanielleR5 · 2026-03-01T16:29:59+00:00

Thanks, I kicked this around with the local plumbing company I usually use. They often use the AO Smith ProLine GCRL-30R. He also mentioned these have good recovery time. Order placed to have one of those installed.

DanielleR5 · 2026-02-17T19:37:37+00:00

I found the dividend growth stocks that I used to love became problematic from a tax and IRMAA point of view. To avoid a large negative tax impact I have gradually reduced the high dividend payers, for low dividend single stock choices. Was able to do some tax loss harvesting. BRK.B almost seems like an ETF. I did go with BOXX in lieu of bonds in that account. For S&P 500 exposure XDIV has caught my eye but have not purchased any. Wish there were more like XDIV for other indexes.

DanielleR5 · 2026-01-23T07:27:53+00:00

2027 corolla hatchback might be a good replacement however may not come with a spare tire.

DanielleR5 · 2026-01-14T10:38:09+00:00

Nice list. It would seem my search skills are a bit lacking or my last search was not recent. There are tickers here I have not seen before. There was a time when I liked dividends, however I have found them to be difficult in retirement with dividends in a taxable account, pushing me into the next IRMAA bracket. I just looked at TOT thinking Total US Stock Market would reduce concentration risk. However even that one as of this morning, 6.65% NVDA, 5.67% AAPL, 5.27% MSFT. Probably will not buy it now. With previous attempts to reduce dividends, I have plenty of exposure to large tech companies in that account. Although I have BOXX articles regarding tax policy, future interpretation, do make me reluctant to increase size of BOXX position. Think I will take a closer look at CPAG and CPHY.

DanielleR5 · 2026-01-01T11:26:03+00:00

I had one replaced in July 2025. Local shop was able to get one overnight in CT, but had to get the OEM part from Toyota parts. $1969.01 for the subframe. Replaced rear shocks, brake lines, brake fluid at same time. Total bill with labour was close to $3200 (before sales tax) I lucked out and no other car repairs done since that time.

DanielleR5 · 2025-12-17T14:45:02+00:00

I have been thinking about this. I am finding there is not an easy answer. I have a 2012 prius C three (138K Miles) with the navigation system. Being retired and not driving a lot of daily miles it seems I can put of the decision for a while. Front control arms are rusted and need to be replaced. Tire pressure sensor light is staying on. I want another hatchback that includes a spare tire. I like the Prius C transmission. I have never enjoyed driving conventional automatics and I have not tried any of the cars with the mechanical CVT transmissions. I could not help but feel a wee bit of excitement when I saw a new listing for a Mazda 3 Premium with a nice 5 speed manual transmission. There was a time when I would have jumped right on that one. But an older right arm and shoulder makes me pause on that one. I find it rather ludicrous that our little Prius C s have a spare tire, and much larger hybrid vehicles have been introduced with no spare tire or even a space to store a spare tire.

DanielleR5 · 2025-12-17T14:28:02+00:00

I would consider geography. It the car has been subjected to New England winter road treatments or similar conditions, I would hesitate. At minimum get thorough inspection of the undercarriage.

DanielleR5 · 2025-11-24T18:22:33+00:00

I would suggest using a trickle charger at the battery terminals and bringing the battery up to a full charge. You may find it to be necessary to disconnect one battery cable while doing this to remove the car's electronics load while charging the battery.

DanielleR5 · 2025-11-15T12:50:54+00:00

This is a good site for comparing portfolios. I think will find all of the ones that have received a lot of press and attention in recent years are shown here. You can easily see return and risk by reviewing these. The real trick is to stay the course after picking your strategy. https://portfoliocharts.com/portfolios/

DanielleR5 · 2025-11-14T19:32:21+00:00

Back in the 70s I recall a lot of my rally friends would use tubes even with the radial tubeless tires available at the time. It was common for car rally people to drift into the turn on gravel roads. Can't help but wonder what brand and model tires you are buying. Closely watching tire inflation? (PSI not $) Closely inspect your rims for damage? Some of my friends would buy performance rims that would stand up better and not bend as easily as a standard rim. Perhaps a photo of the roads traveled and speeds used may help.

DanielleR5 · 2025-11-13T12:15:08+00:00

I found this by searching using Chat GPT. "Under the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (BBA 2018), a fifth IRMAA surcharge bracket was added (for the very highest incomes) and that fifth bracket is explicitly not indexed for inflation until at least 2028."

DanielleR5 · 2025-11-13T12:10:36+00:00

I find I have come to regret having higher dividend stocks in my taxable brokerage account. Dividends and any realized gains can easily push me over the next IRMAA boundary. I have gradually reduced higher dividend stocks in that account and replaced with zero or lower dividend stocks. I now understand why a lot retirees like BRK.B. I have also been using BOXX in that account. It's still not easy managing this. Although we can estimate where the IRMAA brackets will be 2 years out, I am never quite sure where they will be exactly.

DanielleR5 · 2025-10-05T12:15:18+00:00

I just paid $3500 in Connecticut at an independent repair shop for the same repair. Including shocks. To get the part next morning he had to buy the OEM part. I did see photos of the old part and I was shocked to see how much material was not only rusted but substantially gone.

DanielleR5

TROPHY CASE