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RE: Propane Generator?
One point not mentioned is the service/winterizing. If your LP generator runs off the gas (ONAN 3600LP for example) you dont need to winterize or worry about leaving fuel in it. No gas to varnish, no expired diesel sitting in the tank because you did not run the tank dry the previous season.
We use ours very little and that was what sold us on the LP. Little to no maintenance and no worries about old fuel. We run it once or twice a season and some seasons it sits. Never had a problem starting it right up.
Mark
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snocrossmechanic
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07/20/08 08:10pm |
Beginning RVing
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RE: How do people with kids do it?
We have two kids, 2.5 years and 3 months. We took our 36 foot toy hauler and converted the garage into a bedroom. My 2.5 year old gets to play in there and at night his bed comes down from the roof and he sleeps in his own room. The baby still sleeps in the main area where we are able to take care of his needs.
As they grow older we will bunk the rear area and they can still make it their own. Hopefully we can get a super C (toter home) in the next few years and design it so they have their own area also.
As someone posted earlier, " you have to like each other". I fully agree.
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snocrossmechanic
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07/11/08 11:20pm |
Truck Campers
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RE: What to do with 401k
AMAZING !!! You all are giving this person recommendations without knowing anything about his portfolio, goals, needs, and most important risk tolerance.
NONE OF YOU have any idea what he needs be it an annuity, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or sticking it in a tin can.
Not sure about the other responders but I am a financial advisor and all I would tell you now is to seek out an advisor who understands your goals. If they understand your goals and can help you achieve them then what does it matter if the charge by the product or a flat fee or a percentage. If they dont understand where you need to be then fees mean nothing. Meet a few advisors. Ask them what their philosophy is. Let a couple run with your info and see what they recomend. NEVER pay for a financial plan unless you have a complicated need. There are many firms that will provide one for free. If the advisor trys to sell you a plan first then move on.
As for some of the posts I would say that each product has its own M&E charges and 12B-1 fees. Expense ratios mean nothing. One important thing to understand is there is no such thing as a "no load" fund. Within the 3 types of share classes you have fees. The "no loads" may not have a sales charge but has much higher 12B-1 fees (ongoing mgmt fees for simple explanation). If you intend on keeping a mutual fund for a long period of time then no loads cost you more. There is no free lunch. The article on annuities has percentages that are in error and the document was written in 1996. The capitol gains tax is currently 15% and the amounts you can invest are significantly higher. That document is worthless for todays discussions. It also adresses dollars to be invested after retirement funds have be fullfiled. It does not address a rollover from a qualified plan. Diversification is the key. Rebalancing is the second task that needs to be done with some frequency. Understanding taxes can save you more than your rate of return.
Be involved with your accounts. Meet with your advisor at least once a year, if not more. Most important is to not use a public forum to discuss a very presonal retirement matter. Each person is different and this is not the place for the discussion.
CONGRATS on retirement. Many never get the option. Now is the time to enjoy life to the max.
Mark
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snocrossmechanic
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05/08/08 10:42pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Toll Roads
I am from the twin cities and drove through Chicago just this past weekend with a 5th wheel. I was bringing it to the Mfg for some upgrades and warr. work.
We drove through about 4:00 am on Saturday morning and traffic was fine. The roads seem OK and overall the trip was uneventful. My GPS tried to route us without using the tolls but for me it took too long. One thing no one has mentioned is the cost of the tolls. My rig has 2 axels and so does my truck. It cost me over $30.00 one way !!!!. I think that is nuts. But at 10 MPG the cost of driving around the tolls was prob. the same.
I would go through Chicago unless you have plenty of time on your hands. Good luck
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snocrossmechanic
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02/27/08 10:36pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: Letting strangers use your bathroom
I guess I will buck the trend and say YES!!!. There is nothing in the 5th wheel that is that important. I have plenty of insurance and I would keep my family in the truck while they use the restroom.
In relations to the OP it was in regards to being stuck somewhere. I don't think I would open it up at a campsite or where there are bathrooms within a short walking distance.
I have a current pregnant wife nad a 2 year old. I would feel real bad telling my wife to pee on the side of the car or explain to my son why he needs to pee off the side of a bridge because someone would not let them use the restroom in their rig.
But as it has been said before...its your rig and you paid for it...do as you wish. I belive in karma.
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snocrossmechanic
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01/25/08 09:17pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Camping with MS
What a great post to read. I enjoy the positive responses. My wife has MS also. You would not know it by looking at her. The heat effects her most and she gets extremly tired when its hot. We did not camp for years until we bought our RV.
We don't use the HC sites and don't have any lic plates or placards. We feel that there are people that need those spaces far more than we do. On the other hand we get harrased for being young (wife is 30) and having an RV. They tell us that, "that is not camping" and blah blah blah. We just explain to them why we need the RV and the air conditioning while camping and more often than not we get the "i don't get it" stare. Our friends all have thier tents and we all dont camp much together.
we just take our time and relax a bit more than other campers, but is'nt that what its all about?
Mark
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snocrossmechanic
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01/15/08 10:22pm |
RVing with Disabilities and General Health Issues
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RE: How much liability insurance is enough?
I think there is one little point that has been missed that creates a HUGE issue. The owner of the rig that was hit uses it FOR WORK (COMMERCIAL) and the personal policy they have on it does not apply. There is loss of income and property coverage in a commercial policy if requested.
I am sure it is another simple deal where the owner did not want to spend the extra dollars on the commercial policy and saved a few bucks. Guess that will come back to bite them.
Its funny to hear all the talk about reducing coverages and buying an umbrella. You may want to consider that umbrellas can, and do have, minimum underlying limits. They can change on the umbrella and if you dont keep up you get to pay for the difference before the unbrella kicks in.
Liability is cheap. 100/300/100 is a joke. 500,000 combined single limits should be the minimum purchased. Then add your umbrella.
In the legal happy society we live in I would get all the coverage I can.
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snocrossmechanic
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12/07/07 10:20pm |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Family Friendly Campgrounds in MN
I would encourage you to try a state park also. I recommend Kathio State Park near Mille Lacs if you want a relaxed quiet time. The offer peace and quiet (and a few deer that hag out near the road) and thats about it.
I have to agree with the post about the RV length and the SP's. We had a 27 foot 5er and had no problems. Now a 36 foot toy hauler does limit the spots a bit but we seem to find one when we need to.
One bit of advice. The MN state parks take reservations 90 days in advance. To get a nice spot, or a busy weekend, you need to book on that 90th day. It seems there are other around that like the SP too.
Best of luck and choose to camp where YOU want to. We have found many places our "camping buddies" like we don't and they say the same. Everyone else .....keep disliking the SP's that way I can have more sites available...lol
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snocrossmechanic
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08/28/07 10:31pm |
Family Camping
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