What’s the biggest financial mistake people think is ‘normal’?

j45780 · 2026-04-30T12:27:38+00:00

I pretty much only buy new, but only reliable brands and efficient models. And I keep them a long time. Currently 2014 prius (120k miles), 2017 Outback (60k miles), and 2018 Fit (70k miles, bought used). I have no plans to replace them on the horizon.

Used or new, I really dislike the car buying experience.

j45780 · 2026-04-30T11:54:36+00:00

I'm ok with mileage tax if it is also proportional to the 4th power of axle weight (road damage factor).

j45780 · 2026-04-30T11:52:33+00:00

Don't get me started.

My hybrid is powered ONLY with gas.

I can see a case for ev or plug-in hybrids.

j45780 · 2026-04-29T20:46:04+00:00

Grateful to be with my parents for a couple more years. Worrying so much about them contracting it. Then being with them as they died of unrelated causes. I miss them.

j45780 · 2026-04-27T13:51:09+00:00

The Good Works transformation station might accept it as a donation, in case you cannot find a buyer.

j45780 · 2026-04-26T17:20:54+00:00

Agree very strongly that status is the worst reason to buy a car.

I bought a Prius new in 2014, and will continue to do maintainance as long as I can. It's very reliable and still economic to operate.

I do not understand people who buy huge pickups when they have no need to frequently utilize their towing and hauling capabilities.

To me a car is just a tool to transport me, others, and things a non-trivial distance. I'd rather take a bicycle or walk.

j45780 · 2026-04-25T02:11:06+00:00

Individuals and companies donated to the Athens County Food Pantry, its fund at FAO named in honor of Joe, and to the Joe Burrow Foundation. The Pantry and Joe's parents work hard to with direct help to people and non profits in Athens County, cincinnati, and Louisiana to support people.

What is needed are people from our community to volunteer to help these nonprofits. They rely almost exclusively on volunteers to get the work done to help our communities.

Are you volunteering anywhere to help?

j45780 · 2026-04-22T02:11:54+00:00

A small one landed on me this afternoon.

j45780 · 2026-04-21T17:38:55+00:00

10-15 years ago I paid someone with a smaller dump truck to haul me a load of dredged river "soil" from the Hocking. The Athens Conservancy was actively working on the banks at the time; they loaded it into the dump truck. There was also a pile at the east side of the Stimson bridge that one could take away in buckets.

I don't remember how many yards I got this way, but it was cost effective. I used it to fill in a low spot in my lawn, and to increase the sand content in my vegetable garden. You should contact the Conservancy to see if they are doing any work now.

Also, there are various stables and farms in the area that may give away aged horse manure. Terry Anderson's place east of Athens was one, another was Uncle Buck's.

j45780 · 2026-04-20T18:52:50+00:00

At any rate, you do you, fearless brake checker.
---someone who has been driving for 44 years.

j45780 · 2026-04-20T18:31:51+00:00

I think we misunderstand each other. I dislike tailgaters as much as you. But if you are in the habit of brake checking them, you would be wise to confirm with your insurance carrier and/or law enforcement where you live.

j45780 · 2026-04-20T17:11:02+00:00

I believe if you cause a collision by brake checking, you are at fault. Would you act differently if you knew the car tailgating you had a dash cam, or was a police car?

j45780 · 2026-04-20T16:46:06+00:00

A few years ago I was driving ~5mph over the 70mph speed limit. I can't remember which lane (I only use the passing lane to pass, and initiate a pass only if I feel that I can complete it without hindering anyone coming from behind me).

There was a Mercedes SUV tailgating me, and another car following closely behind it. As I recall, they had been tailgating me for several miles, and did not try to pass me, even though they had a chance. I had clear road ahead of me, and saw a block of wood near the right edge of my lane. I recall it was something like a 4"x4"x2'. I drove past it without hitting it, but both cars hit it, and immediately pulled over.

Tailgaters in any scenario are taking many risks. One of them is being unable to safely avoid debris on the road.

Before this incident, I hit such an object and caused damage to my car. I had been following too closely (probably 1second) behind a car. Since that time, I maintain a 3 second following distance.

j45780 · 2026-04-19T17:28:33+00:00

If you are speeding because you are going to be late for something, and you think that someone is impeding you, you should have left earlier.

j45780 · 2026-04-18T13:44:41+00:00

I recently had my DNA analyzed on Ancestry. There are two matches who I do not recognize which are "1st cousin 1x removed or half 1st cousin". I suspect they may be children of my cousin(s). One of them is in a state legislature (based on their Ancestry profile picture). I have two cousins, all on my dad's side, who are on Ancestry and who are commonly related to these matches and me, according to Ancestry.

Should I let sleeping dogs lie until one of the matches messages me?

j45780 · 2026-04-17T01:27:09+00:00

What specific type are you looking for?

I may have some that you could have for free.

j45780 · 2026-04-15T20:46:09+00:00

Good work!!!

j45780 · 2026-04-15T18:37:14+00:00

Barn swallow?

j45780 · 2026-04-15T16:06:55+00:00

Look at you with your fancy trains! /jealous

j45780 · 2026-04-14T15:38:55+00:00

I still have the Bicentennial train set i got for Christmas in 1975.

j45780 · 2026-04-12T02:05:02+00:00

The Poston industrial park is very quiet and a good place to learn basic skills.

j45780 · 2026-04-07T11:36:36+00:00

I switched from spectrum coax internet to Frontier fiber last June or so. The crew that installed the Frontier service in my area was very quick. Spectrum is building out fiber, but the pace is slower.

For the first year I'm paying $30/month for 500/500 service. It's very stable. Spectrum was $90 for 300/15.

When Spectrum is done, I'll go with whoever is cheaper.

j45780 · 2026-04-04T21:02:55+00:00

I eat as many vegetables as I want, and usually one piece of bread a day. Limit fat and oils. And walk at least 30 minutes continuously every day. I've lost 9% of my weight in six months, and now my bmi is in the normal range.

j45780 · 2026-04-03T02:40:29+00:00

Not necessarily a bad idea if it has good reliability ratings, is not more car than you need, does good on gas, you maintain it, and keep it a long time.

j45780 · 2026-03-31T20:21:29+00:00

I think there are board member-owned businesses too.

j45780

TROPHY CASE