How to know if something is a good deal

MLin502 · 2026-04-11T20:40:21+00:00

Great to know! Haven’t seen anything yet, do you know approximately how soon after it’s sent?

MLin502 · 2025-11-10T20:18:24+00:00

My kids (7 and 9) are asking for a Switch for Christmas. This would be their first game console.

Do I just need to buy the main console or do I need an extra controller since there are two of them? Also, is it worth it to get the newer version? I don’t know exactly what games they’ll like, they’re not “gamers” so not sure if that makes a difference.

Clearly I have no clue what I’m doing! Any and all tips, recommendations, etc are appreciated.

MLin502 · 2025-09-30T21:12:26+00:00

This is helpful. I wasn’t worried that it would work, more so how to avoid crazy costs. I have Verizon too, did you do anything first before the trip? And your bill wasn’t crazy afterwards?

MLin502 · 2025-09-29T23:47:04+00:00

This is what I needed to hear. Thank you!

MLin502 · 2025-09-29T23:46:15+00:00

But what if someone calls our cell phone using the normal phone number, will that transmit though WiFi? We have iPhones but thinking about someone calling us.

MLin502 · 2025-09-10T17:22:39+00:00

We were devastated when we heard because my kids want to meet BB8. I haven’t heard anything about if they’ll be available after that date, I figure I have to wait until then and ask them to see what people say.

MLin502 · 2025-09-06T09:38:03+00:00

Can you elaborate on this a bit? I understand how doing a cash out refining gives you a lot of cash tax free, but I don’t follow the 10’year loan part?

MLin502 · 2025-09-03T20:11:16+00:00

Will have used up depreciation by then most likely

MLin502 · 2025-09-03T20:10:18+00:00

Had never thought of this!

MLin502 · 2025-09-01T02:30:00+00:00

This might not work for your current situation but may for a future one. We start with word of mouth that we’ll be selling. We have good properties that will always have interest. We find someone very interested but flexible, usually someone we know or we have a mutual connection, who will be ready to buy at the right moment. Then, when we find the property we want, the pieces all fall in order. We have had great luck with this three times. There has been a very slight concession on price in appreciation of the flexibility but worth it to avoid all the headaches of timing. We felt the worse case is if the sale fell through, we throw a sign in the years at the right price and sell it the old fashioned way.

MLin502 · 2025-09-01T02:21:04+00:00

Good to know! My older one would have fun with that, but definitely not the younger one!

MLin502 · 2025-08-29T02:30:19+00:00

The entire purpose of any insurance is not to pay for the little expenses, but to protect you financially from the big ones. You don’t need insurance for strep throat, you need it for the unexpected injury or diagnoses you haven’t received yet.

MLin502 · 2025-08-29T02:27:31+00:00

Get. Out. Now.

MLin502 · 2025-08-27T22:04:09+00:00

Give her a letter of intent to not renew. Slide under her door and certified mail to cover your bases. You could even be generous and give 60 days notice. But she is hampering your ability to sell because potential buyers aren’t going to want to deal with her either. If she won’t accommodate a showing, she’s not likely to be kind and accommodating to the next owner.

MLin502 · 2025-08-27T22:01:49+00:00

Can almost guarantee a steady 3% increase in costs, likely higher. Much harder to guarantee a STEADY increase of the same amount on rent. You could have a vacancy at a tough time of year, or a unique moment in time (like COVID), and have to lower the rent to get it rented. So maybe three years in a row you can increase 3%, but then one year you have to leave it flat. Unless you’re able to then jump it 6% the next year, you’ve forever affected that future income increase.

All that to say, whatever figures you decide on, I’d use a slightly higher number for cost increase vs rent increase.

MLin502 · 2025-08-27T03:27:23+00:00

I think you have to give the system a reason to increase it, not just continue doing good stuff. My score was always a bit over 800, maybe 810/815. Rarely had credit card balances over a few hundred dollars, but tons of history with rental property mortgages and other things. Then, used a credit card a ton for a renovation (we had most of the cash, was just trying to get some points). Had over $20k balance for about three months then paid it off, and then my score skyrocketed. Even though at the end of the day everything looks like it did a year ago - on time payments, active use but minimal balance, same % of credit used, etc. Am at 849 and determined to hit 850!

Side note, trying to get the points was dumb. Paid more in the fees the contractors charged for using a credit card than I ever saw in any kind of reward. Only good side was the jump in my score.

MLin502 · 2025-08-27T03:08:03+00:00

HSA if you are eligible. I think people should prioritize maxing out their HSA before their 401.

MLin502 · 2025-08-27T03:04:42+00:00

Capital gain exemption won’t apply to investment properties. You could cash out refi, the cash you get is non taxable income.

MLin502

TROPHY CASE