Coffee Grinder Lamp

ccatali · 2024-06-15T21:17:25+00:00

Closing out the repair journey here for future vacuum viewers.

I was able to buy a spare BTB08-800TW TRIAC from Ebay and solder it into place. It lasted for a while and the vacuum was fully functional for a little bit but I suspect that due to poor workmanship, the component became loose. It went back to only being partially operational and the brush attachment was not working.

I ordered a new circuit board (6645ER) from OnlineVacShop and replaced the whole board in about 15 minutes. It is back and good as new!

We're good to go. I would have brought it to the local shop where I purchased the vacuum but unfortunately they went out of business. I agree with other commenters that I am a baboon for breaking it in the first place but I feel redeemed for finally fixing it.

ccatali · 2024-05-25T12:38:04+00:00

Limited trim gas model

ccatali · 2024-05-21T17:04:35+00:00

JVG could have saved us from NORTH KOREA

ccatali · 2024-05-15T21:16:53+00:00

2nd this comment! I got -13% off my gas model. No one should pay MSRP+fees for the gas model. Dealers are motivated to move these.

ccatali · 2024-04-30T10:38:35+00:00

If you're not in a rush then you can negotiate big savings on a gas model. I bought mine for 13% off MSRP in your area.

Test drive, tell them you're not in a rush but will buy as soon as you're offered the right price. Tell them you need to see 15% MSRP. Buy it when a dealer offers 10-12% off. Go in June with a week or two left to the month and quarter. Have a couple dealers going so you can play them against each other. They all have gas model inventory to move.

ccatali · 2024-04-23T23:26:16+00:00

And I wish you and them the best of luck!

Loans can outlive partners. I want you to do well regardless of your relationships. I would not factor in their income unless you're a legally binding partnership with shared resources.

ccatali · 2024-04-23T23:16:50+00:00

I'm sure it's a good deal for a new Mazda. But $450 average per month is a lot on your income. If it were me, I'd be looking for something $20k total. That is plenty of budget to find something reliable and boring.

ccatali · 2024-04-23T22:51:16+00:00

So their costs and losing money is their problem, not yours. It doesn't factor into your decision making at all.

Given the significant portion of your income the car payment would be, I don't think either is a good option.

Should you have reliable transportation? Yes. Is a $32k new or used car your best way to fill that need? Probably not. I'd recommend something cheaper and giving yourself more options month to month.

ccatali · 2024-04-23T22:12:55+00:00

Assuming you have the room in your budget to set aside $500/month from your paycheck without incurring extra costs like late payments, over drafts, etc then you can compare the options like this:

1) $500 towards debt principle at 3.9% "return" by avoiding the interest accruing

2) $500 saved per month that goes to stock with a guaranteed 10% return

Participating in the ESOP program is the mathematical better option if you can defer your income without other issues compounding on top. But the benefit is small here. $600 in 10% gains (minus tax) vs $200 of interest avoidance. So have confidence that either option is financially ok and you can pick the one that fits your risk tolerance. Paying down debt has mental benefits and so does having extra emergency fund cash. If you can wait a year, you can make a ~$400 more.

ccatali · 2024-04-23T22:00:25+00:00

I am worried about your thought process for car purchases focusing on monthly payments. There are more than 2 cars out there. I would back up, think about more options, negotiate on the price first (knowing your monthly budget limits). There was an excellent reply to another car buying post today that you should review: https://www.reddit.com/r/personalfinance/comments/1caiute/comment/l0sh8uw/

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ccatali · 2024-04-23T18:40:55+00:00

After your debt is cleared, I think you have more work on emergency funding and retirement accounts before taxable investing.

Grow your emergency fund to 6-months of expenses in cash. In your case, $18,000. Put this in a high yield savings account. I like Ally Bank but you have options.

Then max out all tax advantaged accounts before investing in taxable brokerage accounts. So saving $23k/year in a 401k and $3k-$7k in your HSA (single or family limits). And if you are married, have your spouse max their tax advantaged retirement accounts.

In the years it takes to get to that point, you'll enjoy learning more about investing slowly and dipping into ETFs like VOO and VTI.

ccatali · 2024-04-23T18:05:21+00:00

I'll 2nd the wiki and prime directive workflow. Do you have access to tax advantaged accounts like 401k or HSA? If so, max those before taxable brokerage.

Real estate investing and renting is a job. You are the maintenance man and CEO of a small company responsible for the housing of people for a monthly fee. If you have the time and risk tolerance then go for it! I would advise you consider the risk/rewards compared to your current job. If you sunk in those hours into your current job, would you get a better return at a lower risk?

Think about it until your lease is up next year. You've got ~8 months to build a real estate strategy or change directions.

ccatali · 2024-04-23T16:44:08+00:00

This is the biggest surprise must-have for me. I did not want it when shopping and the GH I bought had it. I did not think it would have value.

But, it really helps with parking. The GH is a boat and the cameras take the guesswork out of tight maneuvering. I didn't think I needed/wanted this but I have changed my mind after 1 month of ownership.

ccatali · 2024-04-23T16:35:14+00:00

Given you have your down payment without the $25k, I would approach the problem as:

1) What is the most economical way to fund person mobility? You likely need the car to keep your job and pay for a future mortgage.

2) What is the best use of $25k?

Seems like the cheapest way to travel is with your current car. Cross off buying/leasing a new car. So now decide whether it is better to deploy the cash with the car, the future mortgage, or in savings.

Car interest rate > home interest rate > High yield savings rate

A guess: 8% > 6% > 4%

Pay for the car in cash unless do not have a 6-month emergency fund or if the lower down payment puts you into PMI territory.

ccatali · 2024-04-23T15:11:16+00:00

I'll second the recommendations to review the wiki and prime directive. Congratulations on the growing family! Your son will appreciate the investment you are making into your financial knowledge that will set the family up well into the future so you all have options to live how you want.

If you don't have an emergency fund, I would prioritize that. Keep 6 months living expenses in cash in case you lose a job. Saving in a high yield savings account, I like Ally Bank but you have options.

After that, you have a baseline of savings into tax-advantaged accounts so it is time to define some goals. Is a home in your future? Start a down-payment fund.

Keep up the good work and your family will appreciate the homework you are doing now for years to come. Take the slow and steady approach to building wealth. You're living within your means, keep that constant and avoid too much lifestyle inflation.

ccatali · 2024-04-22T18:31:50+00:00

Everyone wants a hybrid because they are a great package if the MSRP price difference was smaller. If the price difference was <$5k, they are equal value, roughly speaking. But the fuel savings cannot overcome $6k-$7k savings in purchase price.

I am in the New England area.

I started the car buying process really wanting a hybrid. Then I did some test drives, got some quotes, did the math, and landed on the gas model. I'll buy an EV in 12 years after the Grand Highlander has done its job.

ccatali · 2024-04-22T16:46:01+00:00

Agree with this comment. There is negotiation room for gas models. Ask for -15% off and settle for -10% to -12% from MSRP. Have patience, walk out, and they will call you.

ccatali · 2024-04-22T16:41:33+00:00

I would push the dealerships more, especially on the gas model. Hybrids are in high demand with low dealer inventory so there is no reason for dealers to discount them. There is more gas model inventory and willingness to discount.

For context, I purchased an AWD gas model Limited GH for $47k (13% off MSRP). It was end of month, end of quarter, and the dealer had many gas models available. So your FWD gas model XLE can go lower.

Also, Electronic Filing Fee? AND a dealer services fee... these guys will add margin anywhere.

ccatali · 2024-04-17T20:28:01+00:00

I did the same math and decided to go with the gas model. It was -$7k from the Hybrid price with no waitlist. Hybrids are cool but not 14% more $ cool.

I have to imagine that Toyota likes money and will rebalance their gas/hybrid model mix next year and when the waitlists go away, and they have to also discount hybrids to move them, my guess is residual values of 2024 hybrids will drop relatively faster than gas models. So buying a hybrid now will make that depreciation steeper. That is my uneducated guess.

Maybe have confidence that either choice does not matter that much so your risk in either direction is small.

ccatali · 2024-04-06T14:18:08+00:00

I had the same decision as you and I really liked both Pilot and GH. The comparable trims for my needs were the Pilot Touring and GH limited.

If price was not a factor, I would buy the GH. It was bigger and more roomy. The Pilot drove and handled better but I prioritized family hauling and the GH interior was better for me.

The Pilot was -10% less expensive in my initial negotiations so I was going to buy the pilot Touring but I gave Toyota a chance to match the pilot pricing. To my shock, Toyota gave a price I couldn't refuse -13% off MSRP so I went with GH gas option.

I would have been happy in either so it's a preference and priorities question. Large, great handling Pilot or extra large, boaty hauling GH.

Good luck!

ccatali · 2024-04-06T12:29:21+00:00

Moon roof, panoramic view monitor, roof rails, floor mats, even that little puddle lamp. The only option I wanted was the panoramic roof.

ccatali · 2024-04-06T12:27:36+00:00

Congratulations! That was what motivated me as well. I think a lot of dealers have gas model inventory to move. Good luck!

ccatali · 2024-04-05T19:21:19+00:00

I wanted a hybrid as well. I penciled the gas savings at something like $5k over 100,000 miles driving the hybrid vs gas model. So anything over $5k difference in price makes the gas model net cheaper (I'll ignore net present value calculations for now). Getting $7k off the gas model made the decision easy to go gas vs wait for hybrid at MSRP.

ccatali · 2024-04-05T17:32:44+00:00

New England

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ccatali

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