Recent content by Grainiac

I'm sure the prenup and marital property laws vary from state to state, but I have understood that here in MN everything you owned prior to the wedding date is considered non-marital property and everything earned after the wedding date is marital property, except for inheritances and gifts to...

Of course it is not "legal" to require it formally, but he can ask and people can respond or not. His rationale for this time is to make sure that the succession planning is well in place for the senior management team. Why this amuses me is that it just did not dawn to my boss that any one of...

+2 I was fine without a tablet until I got one. Now I would never try living without one. I was fine without a smart phone until I got one. Now I could not dare living without one. I fret the day I acquire my first personal space shuttle...

My boss some time ago sent out an email stating that any direct reports of his who are past 50 are expected to give him a two year notice for the planned retirement date. My planned date is exactly my 50th birthday in August 2014, so I guess all I need to do is to give a 5 minute notice then...

To me it seems that mentioning any US restaurant here just proves you are really spoiled. I had several experiences with the late soviet era Russian and Polish railway station restaurants in early 80's and the culinary experiences were "remarkable". The items on the plate were named such as...

I have used local SIM cards for half dozen northern and central European countries. They all have the same one year to-off rule. I have always used the operator web sites and USA visa cards for the charge without a fail.

I appreciate all the feedback. While I must admit Michael B's experience is what I wish for myself, I was also happy to hear about several successful returns to better jobs after the sabbatical.

I initially joined the Class of 2014, but over the past months I have been processing and reprocessing the whole idea of FIRE and as a result I have come to consider a sabbatical of 1-2 years and potentially returning to work force for another 5 or so years after that. I would be curious to...

+1 In my case, getting water at all would be my primary concern. I pump my potable water from a private well from the depth of 400 feet. Takes a pretty large generator just dedicated to the well pump to get it going. Cold shower is still much better than no water at all.

I carry it in my shoulder bag or in a coat pocket when in climate where I wear a coat.

I have a Nexus 7 16GB and a 1st gen Kindle. I still prefer Kindle for reading books for hours at the time because of its matte glare free screen. Not that reading Nexus is much worse just slight preference for Kindle and since they are so compact and light I take both when I travel. Overall...

My power co offers a special rate 5.2 cents per kWh for water heater that operates during night hours only. Mine is a 18 years old 60 gal tank, which is more than enough for our two person family's needs. I know exactly what we pay for heating water since it has a dedicated power meter. The...

Hmm. I'm able but not willing. Ether to meet or post a picture.

Wow that is the most strict policy I have ever heard of. I take that includes commodities as well? No hobby farmers selling cattle or corn with forward contracts work for your megacorp?