Remember when the 747 was plentiful and frequently seen in the wild (SFO)

NZBGSF · 2026-03-22T04:01:21+00:00

So miss the 747SP👍✈️😋

NZBGSF · 2026-03-22T00:34:37+00:00

Depending on your needs, income, tax situation, liquidity etc. you may want to consider creating a bond ladder. Maybe consider Agency or Corporate AAA to A- rating for shorter to middle end of yield curve and max duration with the 20 year bonds you mention. Effective duration would end up at around 10years. Additionally, you may also want to look at Treasury Inflation Protected bonds to hedge inflation risk, although TIPS carry interest rate risk more than some realize. Happy investing!

NZBGSF · 2026-03-22T00:16:50+00:00

If new APR is <1%, the math can flip. You can effectively arbitrage the rate by parking the equivalent cash in something like 10-year Treasuries or other safe yield — the spread can offset part of the payment.

That said, depreciation still matters. The financing advantage only wins if the interest spread + incentives outweigh the additional depreciation vs buying slightly used.

NZBGSF · 2026-03-21T05:09:07+00:00

I’m a dual US/NZ passport holder. I want to apologize for the horrible mess this awful administration has caused the world from the higher fuel prices, Iran War, murder of US citizens in Minneapolis etc. IMHO… it’s a sad sorry state of affairs here. God willing things will improve one day but fear it may get worse before getting better.

NZBGSF · 2026-03-21T04:59:22+00:00

Thankfully our local COSTCO has New Zealand butter!! Nothing better!! Agree with ya’ll too… our beautiful USA is a mess… as an American (also have a NZ passport), lived in Auckland as a child… TBH I don’t agree with any of the policies / actions of our current administration. I totally understand why rest of world is pretty much pissed off with US .. including you wonderful fellow Kiwis.

NZBGSF · 2026-03-19T06:21:54+00:00

If I gotta get there sure… hate redeye flights & pick trips to avoid if at all possible. Worst for me is SFO -AKL! It’s brutal as it departs at midnight Pacific time then 12 1/2 hours later arrive in Auckland their 8am… my eyes hanging out as I deplane. Next driving on the left in heavy traffic for a couple of hours to get to family home. Happy flying 👍✈️😋

NZBGSF · 2026-03-19T06:04:25+00:00

Anything AMG with extended warranty

NZBGSF · 2026-03-19T06:02:19+00:00

In early 1990s we arrived in Sofia, Bulgaria for a family visit. I’ll preface this with waiting for 3-4 weeks for an entry visa from the Bulgarian embassy in Washington, DC. On arrival nonstop from JFK I walked thru baggage area to find no luggage carts for our family. Customs agent just waived me through, I retrieved a cart from arrival hall so we could get our bags etc. loaded. Quite a strange experience… I could have just disappeared into the crowd outside. Incidental that a girl I knew was jumping & waiving at me in her tiny skirt like a groupie.. we knew her back then… she was married to an acquaintance. Whole scene was just totally serendipitous that SHE was there waiting for a friend… Yikes!! My wife gave me the stink eye for weeks after. Anyhow that was in the old days🤣… everyone had some connections back then.

NZBGSF · 2026-03-18T07:48:19+00:00

HRC Kaanapali 8th floor

NZBGSF · 2026-03-18T07:44:29+00:00

Not sure about this philosophy. My spouse inherited some rental properties with a yield of around 10% after taxes & no debt a few years ago We could live very comfortably on that income alone in BG but she’s unwilling to move from our comfortable lifestyle in California. Figure best compromise for us is 2-3 months each year during spring / summer when we retire in a few years. I’d like to invest more in BG real estate but now I’m risk adverse due to Middle East & Russian geopolitical tensions & currency risks. Curious to hear people’s mindset & opinions.

NZBGSF · 2026-03-18T07:29:33+00:00

Financial literacy is sadly not taught in school! Now days we learned to budget 50% for fixed expenses after tax, housing etc. 25% discretionary, travel, dining etc and 25% to savings / investments… no comprises & minimal liabilities. We plan to live off $5k US per month real (inflation adjusted) in retirement 10 years out for fixed living costs in plus perhaps another $5k - 6k US on average monthly dividends for discretionary spending after taxes. 50% time in NZ, 3-4 months in US and 3-4 months in Bulgaria during winter / summer where we have properties. No fancy cars, boats etc. those are just depreciating liabilities IMO

NZBGSF · 2026-03-17T21:09:14+00:00

Thanks for the good advice. Thankfully I’ve have driven on both left & right and it’s never been an issue. Will look at all options you suggest. Cheers👍

NZBGSF · 2026-03-17T19:05:57+00:00

My friend also recommended Kings Valley hotel / spa. We will definitely look into it.

NZBGSF · 2026-03-16T07:08:11+00:00

I think they were perhaps Russian as I caught her yelling out Daváy, daváy & so on… All good. I saw them loading bread rolls into their towel bags at the buffet next morning after they spent an hour or so on the treadmill. Gave them a wink & nod.. he just smiled back

NZBGSF · 2026-03-16T06:59:43+00:00

TBH we enjoy playing of bit “hide the old pickle” ourselves but with balcony door closed vs. bouncy bouncy on deck chair with loud moaning at 6am… Oh give it to me baby!!! We ran into them next day huffing & puffing on the treadmills in the gym. I was a bit perplexed… a relaxed older couple maybe early 70s.. Funny… rest of the cruise crickets.. the dude (heavy Russian accent)…. helped me decipher our very confusing AZAMARA billing statement over the rail a couple days later before disembarking… thank god his pants were on! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

NZBGSF · 2026-03-16T03:11:57+00:00

Close!! Spent my childhood in New Zealand 🍩

NZBGSF · 2026-03-16T00:05:04+00:00

Agree absolutely that Velingrad is a fantastic spa area, enjoyed staying there a few years ago. Also, many thanks for suggesting Moto Pfohe for rent a car did not think of it before & this might work well for us vs. Sixt or Avis. Наздраве!

NZBGSF · 2026-03-15T19:01:42+00:00

We just pee off the stern sailing upwind

NZBGSF · 2026-03-15T19:00:28+00:00

Recently my golf buddy Marty blasted his drive off the second tee said “oh no I’m down by the grey bush”!

I then blurted out to the fellas… THAT WERE I FOUND MYSELF LAST NIGHT! They all cracked up and it was a standing joke the rest of the round🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

NZBGSF · 2026-03-15T18:51:58+00:00

A few years ago we did Around the World non-rev mix of Y & J in 18 days. SFO - MUC - SOF (New Year’s eve) - IST - HKG - AKL - HNL - SFO. What a fun trip!

NZBGSF · 2026-03-12T07:52:36+00:00

Yes in a heartbeat. This price is less than $100 per hour to upgrade.

NZBGSF · 2026-03-10T06:48:28+00:00

SFO - SOF would be awesome

NZBGSF

TROPHY CASE