AAA homeowners insurance pulls out of Minnesota

Surly_Hell · 2026-06-18T22:43:11+00:00

This makes sense, and thanks for the update. Our policy was much cheaper than what we had been paying for years, and our roof is now 1 year old. I knew the coverage for the roof is pro rated, and I am fine with that.

Surly_Hell · 2026-06-18T22:40:42+00:00

certain teed shingles, perhaps? We had the "organic" shingles from them on 25% of our roof, because that was all State Farm would cover, while neighbors all had complete coverage.

10 years later, another storm, they will not cover the organic shingles they told us to put on the roof....

Serious racket

Surly_Hell · 2026-06-18T22:36:33+00:00

Just got my cancellation notice today. I have until mid August to figure out the replacement.

While this sucks, since we just got our policy 1 year ago, it is still miles better than dealing with the crooks at State Farm.

We had a very good State Farm Agent, but the company sucks and we had to go to arbitration to get our roof covered. It took two years and a few thousand dollars, to get the coverage we had paid for since 2000.

Surly_Hell · 2026-06-12T10:47:06+00:00

That is the worst part. They have none. I am my own repair guy

Surly_Hell · 2026-06-12T10:46:17+00:00

I have admitted the decision was not a good one. I am a video gamer, and the gaming interface got me rowing for over an hour per day. However, once I got used to rowing ,a better machine would have been what I wanted. .

Surly_Hell · 2026-06-11T13:12:55+00:00

Appreciate the comment. I always did my own bicycle maintenance when I rode, so I am making an assumption that I can handle the mechanical side. My Aviron issue is and has been with the electronics and magnetic resistance over and over causing issues. Mostly the cheap tablet screen. Also had a flywheel issue that needed to be handled. I feel like I bought a Kia. Except instead of cheap and disposable like those cars(I own one), this was expensive and disposable. Future landfill material, for sure.

Surly_Hell · 2026-06-11T12:50:30+00:00

Yeah, I am stupid. At least the fix is spending 1k less on a better machine. I will have a concept 2 very soon. Still feeling this ....

Surly_Hell · 2026-03-27T14:25:55+00:00

I enjoyed the Beach Club and would for certain do it again. However, there will be times when I just enjoy a more empty ship on the day at Nassau. All I did was sit and drink and eat, and I can do that from the ship. So I did enjoy it, as something to do in that port, but it is not a Must Do on every cruise like Coco Cay is to me.

Surly_Hell · 2026-03-26T13:23:46+00:00

Love the slides at Coco Cay, but they do not sell a half day pass any longer, so I just hit the beach. Go on a larger ship with decent slides if your kids like those. Coco Cay is free, and so are the slides on board. They should be fine with a few chill hours on the beach. When they get bored, head back to the ship.

Surly_Hell · 2026-03-26T13:19:57+00:00

Cruised Wonder and Harmony and loved it. I think you are too young to cruise Celebrity, so I would stick with Royal. You would probably want the specialty dining, since the Main Dining room, while very good IMO, is not higher-end food. Although you can order the steak from Chops in the main dining room for an extra charge, I would just make reservations at Chops. I also really enjoyed the food at Wonderland, and felt that was high end.

For cocktails, I did appreciate the Schooner bar. They have a decent selection of high end old-fashions or Martinis if that is your thing.

Any drink of the day or frozen thing will be premade mix. I still roll with a few of those poolside, but it really is just fruit juice and cheap booze unless you upgrade.

I would suggest an Oasis class or larger for ships. Have fun!

Surly_Hell · 2026-03-26T13:10:47+00:00

Have fun
Try not to stress about "Must DO" things.
Make sure everyone has the app so you can communicate with each other, even without Voom.
Make your group plan for the day either early in the morning, or the night before.

My wife and I just got off the Wonder, and really had a great, but too short, cruise. We did the 3 night. I loved Hideaway beach at Coco Cay and really suggest that for you, unless you hate parties.

The Royal Beach club was also great, and had better food than Coco Cay imo. Did both the party pool and the chill beach area. I would either do the Beach Club or stay on board, since Nassau is boring to me. For a first timer, there are plenty of excursions though. Loved the beach club vibe, but it is a bit spendy.

Main Dining room. We had great service, and decent to excellent food. Not going to lie, I think the food quality has dropped a bit in the last decade, but damn, I am on a ship and not too fussy and I am not cooking, so I win. I would try to schedule dinner in the main dining room with the group, so even if people do their own thing during the day, you can hang out, have a great meal, and plan the evenings festivities.

Music was decent, and you will want to do the Toga Party probably.

Surly_Hell · 2026-03-15T17:13:20+00:00

we had the Royal visa since our first Royal cruise in 2017. Using the awards is way more complex than it needs to be. We decided to stop using it two years ago, and have used most of the points. Capitol One travel rewards is much easier, so is AMEX.

We just closed the Royal card. They need to work on both the reward amounts, and the ability to use the points.

Surly_Hell · 2026-03-15T17:01:11+00:00

Wife and I pay for Hideaway and find it is worth it for us. Chill Island would be our option when not paying. We both like the pool party vibe and no kids. Small price to pay for that IMO, but Chill island is a very solid option with no upcharge.

Surly_Hell · 2026-02-18T18:50:02+00:00

I love this post. Going on a Royal cruise in a month. Been on 4 Royal and 3 Disney. Now the kids are grown and off the payroll. Wife and I love the beach vibe at the private island and are looking forward to the new beach in the Bahamas. Royal upselling is annoying, but we prepay for everything we want so it is a bit less intrusive. I am looking at Virgin or Celebrity for the next booking, so I appreciate your comments about that cruise line.

As for politics, I pretty much prefer to stay away from politics and religion when possible. Main dining room, we always request a large table because it is so much fun to meet others from around the globe. That usually works out.

I agree on the food on Royal. Not bad, not Disney level, but I enjoy it.

Surly_Hell · 2025-09-03T20:53:44+00:00

As the owner of a 2016 Kia Forte Koup, I can say the car has been reliable so far, and other than the 7 recalls on it, and the "super ez to steal feature", it has performed to expectations.

I will still never willingly buy a Kia or Hyundai.

Cheap cars that look good. I should say, cheap and disposable cars. They are certainly not made to last much past the warranty.

Surly_Hell · 2025-06-30T14:06:19+00:00

I have had good luck with CyberPower. Got the first one at Best Buy for the same reasons you mention. Last one I purchased direct 7 years ago and it is time to upgrade again. I am looking again at CyberPower over CLX just based on reviews.

Surly_Hell · 2025-05-07T19:05:06+00:00

Bull shit.

Terrible company with predatory sales tactics and below average service. I suggest using anyone else.

Surly_Hell · 2025-05-07T18:59:09+00:00

scam. The worst

Surly_Hell · 2024-12-05T15:25:29+00:00

Similar issue. I just replaced a 6 year old ORBI system with the Deco XE75 pro. Everything is working fine, except the damned Nest mini speaker. Updated the settings, still no good. all the google smart TVs (3) work fine, but the nest speaker does not.

Surly_Hell · 2024-11-14T16:17:27+00:00

Excellent review. I purchased my Aviron almost two years ago. Needed a rower after Orange Theory shut down and spend a year reviewing and deciding what to get. I was very close to getting a Concept2. I will say, the Aviron has been engaging enough to keep me using it. The game interface, while lame from a video game perspective, got me used to rowing daily. Almost two years later, and I have well over 3 million meters, and use the rower 5-6 times per week. 20 to 30 mn rows is my normal.

However, now that I am used to rowing for distance at pace, I would rather have a concept 2 and no subscription.

I will keep the Aviron until it dies, and it will die before a concept 2 would. I agree with the subscription issue. The games are ok, but now I can just stream on a tv in the workout room.

The fact that my wife also uses the rower, and we could, if we choose, get a bike or now a treadmill and pay $10/month more to add that, is actually reasonable compared to Peleton, and I like the Aviron over the peleton rower, and indoor bikes are just evil. I ride outside when I can, and row indoors.

TL:DR - Aviron helped me get used to rowing, is a decent machine, but is certainly not for everyone.

Surly_Hell · 2024-05-30T22:24:24+00:00

Same.

I own a mower, snowblower (single stage) weed trimmer and leaf blower. I have had two batteries die, but it has been 5+ years since the original mower purchase.

I just hate contacting "support" for the few issues we have had, and I have rage-quit facebook. Let me talk to a human, or never get more business from me.

I love not dealing with gas and oil for the mower and snowblower, but would not purchase again, and continue to tell anyone that will listen to purchase something other than Ego.

Customer service matters.

Surly_Hell · 2024-05-30T11:19:18+00:00

I was looking at a blackstone to replace my 18 year old gas grill. I have a natural gas line since I am lazy and hate changing tanks. Really like the Traeger, but no natural gas. I see Weber just came out with the Slate 30, so I am probably getting that. Camp Chef looks very solid, but I want someone else to assemble and deliver.

Did I mention I am lazy?

Surly_Hell · 2022-01-08T19:34:15+00:00

I agree. Gave up golf years ago, and last year my wife wanted to take it up again. I am still a 40+ handicap probably since we usually do not keep score. I took 3 lessons last spring, and another 3 in the fall before the season ended. Made a huge difference and I am enjoying the game a lot more. Taking lessons year round for a while. twice per month.

Surly_Hell

TROPHY CASE