DanZemke

On 10/17/2021 at 8:50 PM, docj said:

  I don't know where you got $6,000/yr from but my Plan F supplement now costs me about $3k/yr and, of course, it covers pretty much everything.  So your cost comparison should be more like $1,100/yr compared to $3k/yr.  My Part D AARP prescription plan is ~$350/yr but I don't think that was included in your comparison.

Until this 2021 I would have been ahead if I had used your approach, but this year my knee replacement and subsequent PT would have wiped out a lot of the accrued savings to date.  

Like any insurance policy it's all a matter of how much risk you are willing to handle on your own.  Since the chances are good that one's medical needs will increase with increasing age, I'm content to let Medicare take all the risk.  JMO.

docj,
 
Fair point about the $6000 /yr.  I sourced that $500 a month cost from a prior post in this thread.  My Plan D cost was included in my $1,100 a year.  I continue to buy the least expensive Plan D I can, and have never submitted a Plan D claim.  I currently subscribe solely to avoid penalties. Yes, I'm lucky, health-wise, but Glenn professes to also be lucky in this regard.
 
"Until this 2021 I would have been ahead if I had used your approach, but this year my knee replacement and subsequent PT would have wiped out a lot of the accrued savings to date."

I don't understand why, that would have been the case.  For 2021, the Plan F and Plan G High Deductibles were $2370 per year.  My cost for my HD Plan G was $594 for 2021. $2370 + 594 = $2964.  After paying the deductible, we have the exact same coverage.  It appears we would also have had about the same out of pocket cost too. 

I've had a HD plan for all of the 7 years that I've been eligible for Medicare.  My average out-of-pocket cost for medical expenses and a High Deductible Medicare Supplement plan has been about $800 a year.  When this year is over, I expect my 7 year savings, over a plan that costs $3000 a year, to be about $15K.

Here's a simple table from Connecticut.  I'm linking to it because it's concise, and I'm familiar with it.  I consider it to be a representative example of Medicare Supplement prices.

https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/CID/1_LifeHealth/Medicare_Supplement_Insurance_Rates.pdf

BTW, my former employer (IBM) also outsourced Medicare help/processing to Via Benefits.  Since I don't have any medical issues, or needs, I'm ambivalent about them.  That's not intended to disparage them, just citing that their current services are not useful to me.  Every year, I've signed up for a HD plan, that is much less expensive than any they offer.

Glenn,

Like you, I'm blessed with good-health/lucky.

I chose a high-deductible meda-gap plan for each of the 7 years I've been eligible for Medicare.  My average annual premium over those 7 years was about $600.  And my average annual out of pocket cost, for Medicare reimbursable expenses, was about $500.  Total = $1,100 per year.

For me, $1,100/year turned out to be much better than $6,000 a year.

Microsoft's latest attempt to explain why Intel Gen 7 CPUs will not be supported for Windows 11, appears in this 8/27/21 blog post:

https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2021/08/27/update-on-windows-11-minimum-system-requirements-and-the-pc-health-check-app/
 
Here's a quote from the blog:
 
"Reliability: Devices that do not meet the minimum system requirements had 52% more kernel mode crashes. Devices that do meet the minimum system requirements had a 99.8% crash free experience."
 
 ----------------------------
 
 VERY creative MS marketing 🙂
 
 Let's take a closer look at the reliability numbers MS provided.  99.8% crash-free and be restated as 0.2% crashes.  50% more crashes makes it 0.3% crashes..  The "reliable' chips are 99.8% crash-free and the unacceptable ones are 99.7% crash-free.  Intel Gen 7 CPU crash rates are clearly not the real reason for not supporting them.  
 
 And there's the fact, that MS is fully supporting Windows 10 thru, Oct 14, 2025.  Is Windows 10 projected to be more reliable than Windows 11, on Gen 7 Intel CPUs over the next 4 years?  Highly unlikely.  So why are they doing it?  Probably because there are many large organizations, that have contracts with MS for Windows 10 support services, thru 11/25/2025.  So their hands are tied.  Windows 11 provides an opportunity to renegotiate support service contracts.
 
 I suspect the most important reason is that, OEMs don't want to update old drivers that will inevitably be found to have security exposures.  And Microsoft does not want to be responsible for those either.  The OEMs would prefer that we buy a new system.  And MS does too, because they get a new Windows license fee from the OEM.  
 
 IMO, the decision to drop support for Gen 7 CPUs (and AMD's Zen 1 CPUs) is primarily based on profitability, not reliability, or security.
 
 P.S.  I have a Lenovo ThinkPad T470, with TPM 2.0, 16 GB memory, a 500 GB Samsung SSD and an Intel Gen 7 CPU (i5-7200U CPU @ 2.50GHz - 2.71 GHz).  It was purchased directly from Lenovo on 4/11/2017. The only thing that doesn't match Microsoft's stated minimum requirements is that it uses a Gen 7 CPU.    So far, moving to Windows 11 would not provide any compelling advantages to me.  Most of the visible changes are about a new interface.  For me, those changes are more likely to be disruptive, than helpful.  I suspect my change to Windows 11 will take place when my current laptop dies, or a very significant improvement emerges, that goes beyond cosmetics.

1 hour ago, onemanvan said:

Whether it's the generator junkies, parents with unruly misbehaved children, dog owners who allow their dogs to bark incessantly and 'do their business' wherever the dog desires or adults who believe it's a great place to have a tailgate party - the result is the same - the only people having fun are the ones who are ruining the experience for everyone around them! ...

Will you sign my petition and help me reach my goal?

No !

Public campgrounds are meant to be for everyone.

 gypsydan asked a simple and insightful question: "What does the “current ranking” mean at top of the profile page?"
 
 Is it solely based on the number of posts - No.
 How many forum user's consider the badge addition an improvement?  None, so far.
 Does the Escapees company gain anything from from the inclusion of these badges.  Not that I'm aware of.

"The state has become the new national epicenter for the virus, accounting for around a fifth of all new cases in the U.S. as the highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus continues to spread."

https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-health-business-arts-and-entertainment-florida-01fa89e1d9491ab075c5deb689af1ea8

IMO, the fundamental issue is the balance point between "don't tread on me" and "what's best for our community".  A major difficulty is disagreements about what are the trusted facts.  For example, are wearing KN-95 masks indoors beneficial to you and others?  Or are they harmful to you and useless in protecting others?  Unfortunately, opinions still seem to vary widely.

It's not clear to me what you are questioning. 

The context is:  Home\Site and Forum Operation\Test Posts

Some test posts don't work.

16 hours ago, agesilaus said:

How do you explain LA and Cali?

Similarly to the way you explain Miami and Floree

RV,

It appears congress is about to really do something about it, for the interstate highway system. And hopefully, the intrastate highways will follow.

Assuming this actually gets implemented, I'll be thankful.

"Which states have the best/worst roads" is an intriguing question as an invitation for discussion.

Some folks may find the information based on broader surveys more useful.

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/rankings/infrastructure/transportation

https://reason.org/policy-study/24th-annual-highway-report/

Rethinking this a bit, I think the key question is, how long have the rumbling been going on?  

If it's always been that way, then the vibration isolation approaches suggested, seem like a wise approach.  But if the rumblings emerged recently, they're probably band aids, trying to cover a deeper problem.

So gypsydan, how long have they been a bother?

RV - thanks. 

I'm familiar with many of the concepts (I have a BA in Econ).  However, it looks like it would be a good read for me.  I decided to purchase a Kindle edition, that appears to be a later version by the same author.  The later version part wasn't important to me, the digital version was.  The price was $9.99

https://www.amazon.com/Teachings-Worldly-Philosophy-Robert-Heilbroner-ebook/dp/B00CLN5Q0I

1 hour ago, gypsydan said:

I have a shurflow water pump. When it is operating the pipes from it to the back of the rig always rumble and shakes the walls.  Anyone know what the problem might be?

 

I'm guessing it's the plastic pump (which is replaceable), but a few more clues for folks that know more about this than I do?

From the image you posted, It appears your pump was manufactured  6/28/2011 and it looks like it's been installed for quite awhile.  Do you know how long it's been installed and approximately when the vibrations first started?  And are you a full-timer, or occasional user?

I you've been using it full-time for greater than 7 years, I suspect replacement is the best approach.

Barb,

I was not aware of your and RV's previous interactions about this.   I think I should bow out now 🙂

Best wishes to both of you.

28 minutes ago, Barbaraok said:

You do know that we get automatic alerts from Apple when there is a system update, right?  

Barb,  Android users get automatic alerts when there is system update to.  But many folks choose to not install them for awhile.  I suspect similar behavior from many iPhone users. 

RV could have been more clear about the reason for his post and perhaps you could have been a bit lest defensive 🙂

On 7/10/2021 at 3:40 PM, Lou Schneider said:

The real root cause of today's price increases are the government handouts over the past year that increased the money supply, making each dollar worth less.

Nonsense.

Government "handouts" don't increase the money supply.  Our money supply is controlled by the Fed, by buying/selling US debt in the open market.

Please look at the history of the 10 year Treasury rate; https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/^TNX?p=^TNX

Click on the last 5 years and/or the max.

The price increases from 2020 to the present, have almost nothing to do with "handouts".  Recent real estate, semiconductor, fuel and lumber shortages are all about supply constraints.

Lou, I respect your electrical knowledge, but you are just plain wrong about this assertion.

Brother Henry,

Alas, I fear your quest to go beyond, has gone too far. And your exposure is far worse, than the inclusion of a horny hare in your scriptorium work.  

I've spoken with Father Boniface about your dabbling in the dark arts, including your use of FEA in the design of your ET hitch.  He was appalled!  You need to back-off of any further promotion of FEA.  Father Boniface will be calling you about your Finite Excrement Analysis soon!

Bless you Henry

Henry,

Your Jackalopee pdfs are a work of art.  It must have taken you many hours to design and refine them.

Thank you!

And I'm pleased to learn that I'm the proud owner of a horny interface.

On 7/26/2021 at 9:30 AM, Chalkie said:

There are some things, however, that given a choice I will opt to buy made in the USA (even at a higher price), medical items comes under that category as I am simply not comfortable with the quality control. 

Thanks for the thoughtful reply.  We appear to agree.  I will often opt to buy made in the USA (even at a higher price) too.

Two nuances.  The masks I recommended did get FDA approval, which I verified last Spring when I first purchased them.  I've actually used them, and found them preferable to several others I tried. Shouldn't that make them the gold star standard? 🙂

Chalkie,

I respect your opinion and see nothing wrong with honest responses, like your's.  But I'm not a moderator 🙂

With my economist's hat on (yes I have a BA in economics), most economists, believe that world-trade is a win/win situation for consumers.  For example, about two thirds of the world's semiconductors are currently produced in Taiwan.  Not because they cheated.  They invested more, and with some luck, created superior manufacturing capabilities.  How do we in the US benefit from this?  We consumers get better, and less expensive devices, like cellular phones, than we would have without without the Taiwan' manufacturing capabilities.

Which companies, and their employees lost?  An obvious example is Intel.  But after I graduated, the only company I worked for, was IBM.   IBM lost too, as well as many others.  They all bet wrong.

To be clear, I'm not, pro-China.  I am - pro US-consumer.

 -------------------

This link provided a small bar graph when I first accessed it.  But it now results in a request for payment from me.  Hopefully it will work for you.  In any, the key point is Taiwan, 66%

https://www.statista.com/statistics/1037531/taiwan-global-semiconductor-market-share-by-operation/

I see nothing wrong with the KN-95 masks that Kirk linked to.  I'm suggesting an alternative KN-95 because I've had lots of satisfied experience with them.  

I sent packs of 10 to several folks last spring.  One, my ex-wife, who has a small head (not brain), said they didn't fit well.  She ended up having to buy "kid's" masks for an acceptable fit.  I also purchased a few 3M 1860 N-95 masks.  These are, or at least were, pretty much the de facto standard in US Hospitals.  They have two elastic straps that go on the upper and lower parts of the rear of your head.  And although the mask is also made of layers of blown polypropylene, it is much stiffer than the fold-flat versions, like the one I am suggesting.  The primary benefit of the 3M 1860's is that the stiffer mask and the two head straps seal much better than any mask I've seen with ear loops.  But I find them to be much less comfortable, and I'll confess, pretty dorky looking.  Mine remain in my closet and won't be used, unless I need to to do something like take a coast to coast flight.

I have no relationship with these folks, other than being a repeat customer. Here is the description of the masks from their website.  Personally, I prefer the black ones, especially for black-tie events 🙂

"We are the largest authorized Powecom's distributor in the United States and Canada for the Powecom KN95, which has been tested by the NPPTL and CDC repeatedly for its filtration efficiency of equal to or greater than 95%. Like the N95, the KN95 face mask is rated to provide 95% or greater filtration of particles larger than 0.3 µm (microns) in diameter such as bacteria, viruses, pollution particles, fine particles, smog, dust, pollen, etc. Made of multiple filtration layers of polypropylene and electrostatic cotton, they come in both ear loop and headband models. The 3D foldable design makes them comfortable and provides excellent ergonomic fitting and sealing."

https://bonafidemasks.com/face-masks/kn95-respirator-face-masks/

9 hours ago, Ranger Smith said:

Masks don't work . . . It's been proven to make people sicker.

I haven't seen that proof.  Please tell me where I can find it.

If you know someone that hasn't been fully vaccinated for Covid-19, and is hesitating,  please consider passing along this heart-breaking article.  It appears to be from an unbiased source:

https://www.al.com/news/2021/07/im-sorry-but-its-too-late-alabama-doctor-on-treating-unvaccinated-dying-covid-patients.html

The poll seems to have run its course.  So far, no one,  has indicated that they prefer the new "badges".  But only 23 people have "voted".  If you haven't "voted" yet, and have a preference, please register your opinion soon.  If the consensus, remains the same through Tuesday,   I've decided to take the lead on removing the "badges". 

My objective is, to make it as easy as possible, for the Escapees IT folks to implement the change.

I don't have paying-customer-level access to the  Invision Community website, that presumably provides some help file(s) on how to install the plug-in and disable the badges.  If anyone can provide me with the how-to content,  I'll take the ball and run with it.  If they would prefer to take the ball themselves, I'll actively support them.

I can be contacted at - email address removed by Dan

Dan

2 hours ago, Lou Schneider said:

I think he was referring to frequent posters who let their Escapees membership lapse 5 years ago.

Lou,

I get the fact, that some on this forum have paid for it, and others are free-riders.  But to me, any post that provides useful information is welcome.  Dutch_12078's post was very informative, IMO.