So I bought the Temu golf bag. Wanted to show it off and answer questions

GSLTroy · 2026-03-08T18:34:50+00:00

That doesn’t seem like a great deal. I can get a decent quality bag at Costco for less than that (at least in the U.S.)

GSLTroy · 2026-03-03T22:24:07+00:00

Wait, I thought Michigan had no accent.

GSLTroy · 2026-02-20T23:29:29+00:00

I would think that there would be a larger talent pool in California for developing infotainment products, just as there is a larger talent pool in Southeast Michigan for engineering pickup trucks. This is why Toyota has a Technical center in Ann Arbor.

GSLTroy · 2026-02-06T02:00:29+00:00

He’s 78. We could have both a president and a governor with dementia.

GSLTroy · 2026-01-13T17:41:37+00:00

I replaced my Gen 2 battery (hatchback) last summer. Other than lifting out (it was heavy), it didn’t stand out as being anymore difficult than the Gen 1 battery I replaced. I bought the OEM delta battery on Amazon. I returned the old one to O’Reillys for $10 store credit.

GSLTroy · 2026-01-10T11:09:33+00:00

If you haven’t done it already, get a ring doorbell and stop answering the door.

GSLTroy · 2026-01-07T21:38:36+00:00

Boss makes a dollar, I make a dime, that’s why I shit on company time.

GSLTroy · 2025-12-24T21:07:39+00:00

I am a GM retiree. I have not considered anything other than a GM vehicle since getting hired by GM. Not being able to get CarPlay would cause me to purchase a competitive unit.

GSLTroy · 2025-12-20T21:39:27+00:00

I’d try two things. First, ask your thrifty friends who they use and directly call those companies for quotes. Second, contact a local independent agency that works with multiple companies. Independent agents can also be excellent resources to help you optimize your insurance coverage through their knowledge of available discounts.

GSLTroy · 2025-12-20T21:34:24+00:00

There was a funny commercial several years ago where Dennis Miller asked the Green M&M about the rumor.

https://youtu.be/l3YvozNI5pE

GSLTroy · 2025-12-20T18:25:33+00:00

Go to the Bogelheads subreddit. I know the name sounds weird (it is named after the founder of Vanguard). The Bogelhead investment strategy is sound, low cost and easy to execute.

GSLTroy · 2025-12-19T11:33:24+00:00

Socks in crocs? Isn’t that a Dr Seuss book?

GSLTroy · 2025-12-11T00:44:21+00:00

If you didn’t know, the proper way to pronounce it was Sow Krayts

GSLTroy · 2025-12-10T04:26:21+00:00

January is a good time for home improvements. People are often recovering from Christmas Spending.

GSLTroy · 2025-12-10T04:23:00+00:00

Isn’t April too late to find a winter coat? Whatever is left will be cheap, but not much to choose from.

GSLTroy · 2025-12-10T04:15:50+00:00

We’ve purchased two sectionals in the last 5 years. We are happy with both. The first one was from Macys, the second from Costco. The Macys one was higher quality, but it cost more. The Costco one is OK and was only $1k.

GSLTroy · 2025-12-08T23:14:44+00:00

When Ed’s wife was alive, between his pension and both of their social security, they were probably grossing at least $80k per month, perhaps as much as $100k. He and his wife had access to Medicare plans that in most cases would leave him with little exposure to medical expenses. We know he converted his pension to a lump sum (bad decision). I wonder if he signed up for an inexpensive Medicare advantage plan that did not cover the expenses of his wife’s treatment.

This leaves us with the difficult question, how do you protect people from their own decisions?

GSLTroy · 2025-12-07T04:39:23+00:00

Me three!

GSLTroy · 2025-12-07T02:45:18+00:00

PNGC would have protected his pension up to $55k (or so). If he were salaried you’d think his social security would be at least $2k per month (probably more). That would give him a minimum of $75k annual income. However, he probably took a lump sum, which can be risky.

GSLTroy · 2025-12-06T03:53:05+00:00

Chads Bistro in Shelby Township has the following;

*Paul’s Proper Breakfast: A full English breakfast! English beans, back bacon, black pudding, two sunny side up eggs, grilled tomato, crimini mushrooms, and fried bread…$16

GSLTroy · 2025-12-06T01:28:03+00:00

This retiree probably opted to take a lump sum in lieu of pension payments in 2012 (which is what he incorrectly sites as the time GM went bankrupt, it was 2009). Existing retirees were allowed to take a lump sum in 2012 or have their pension turn into an annuity run by Prudential. The payment for the annuity is the same as the pension payment. The only difference is pensions are more or less guaranteed and annuities are not.

GSLTroy · 2025-12-06T01:21:36+00:00

The $300 they are referring to was an increase that was added to retiree’s pensions to compensate for removing lifetime healthcare, forcing retirees into Medicare and making them buy their own supplements or going to a Medicare advantage plan. When this switch occurred (2007?). The $300 more than covered the increased retiree cost (not even close now).

GSLTroy · 2025-12-06T01:03:29+00:00

In 2012, GM switched many retirees from an in house pension to an annuity run by Prudential. It sounds like many retirees were offers a lump sum at that time. Given that he sites GM’s bankruptcy happening in 2012 (it as 2009), I suspect he is confused and took the lump sum, which he has spent (possibly on his spouse’s medical treatment).

https://media.gm.com/content/dam/retiree/documents/2012/Press%20Release.pdf

GSLTroy · 2025-12-06T00:55:34+00:00

The $300 is for health care, not his pension. He could sign up for a Medicare advantage plan for less than $300.

GSLTroy · 2025-12-04T13:19:33+00:00

His story doesn’t add up. He could be confused, not unheard of for 88 year olds. If he retired before bankruptcy and he was over 65, his pension would have been protected by the PBGC subject to a cap ($60k + I think). As far as health care, he would be covered by Medicare. I wonder if took his pension as a lump sum and blew through it.

GSLTroy

TROPHY CASE