Recent content by FreeBear

Wow! Just have to ask, how much was the yearly "oil change"/PM?? My old boss complained about the $800 Porche oil changes a decade ago. This has to be in another league... Where did you have the opportunity to really drive such a beast? Was it fun as a grocery getter? Another buddy loves...

Yikes! I heard Jeeps were bad, this only confirms. Sounds just as bad as my motorhome. :facepalm:

Wow! Costs have gone up since I had a top of the line furnace (Trane) and basic AC installed in big city mid-west a decade ago. Back then I "only" spent 5 grand for both heat & air. I was shocked how much "basic" systems cost here in SE AZ. HVAC inflation may have beat my investment returns...

Nicely stated. We do the same as "total return" investors. Picked a withdrawal rate based on on our assets and porfolio survivability (including odds of death), then just sell funds once or twice yearly to cover expenses. We don't have to leave an estate, so that gives a higher annual...

If you DIY, you may want to get a basin wrench to help loosen the nut. If the basin nut is metal, it may be rusted tight. I end up cutting off my last 2 kitchen faucets with a Saws-all and Dremel with a mini cutoff wheel, working from above the countertop. Not recommeded for most folks. What...

Good to know! Sound like my motorhome, a 35ft diesel pusher, aka the "Money Pit". Poorly built house on an expensive to repair truck/schoolbus chassis. What could go wrong?? Forget the $500 oil changes, what really kills are the seemingly endless repairs on the chassis. Last year eas $1600...

Did you replace the AC too or just the furnace? Is the furnace a fancy variable speed or just basic. I just replaced my AC and furnace with a nice Lennox for 16K, 15K after Lennox and gov'mint rebates. Very nice, huge variable speed AC to deal with SE AZ summer, mid-level furnace. I looked...

What year?? Have you otherwise had much trouble with it??

Yep, that’s pretty much why I retired. Now I just do “my stuff” all the time, not stuff other people think I should be doing. INFJ, Fire Class of 2015. Wild horses couldn’t drag me back…

Beautifully expressed! Captured our sentiments well too. We left the midwest, where we spent most of our lives and all of our careers, and left most of our friends for the desert of SE Arizona. DW explain to someone that life was getting to easy and we were growing complacent. Like you, I...

Wow, just wow, 28 yrs Fired! We used to run our spreadsheets out 40 yrs, complete with actuarial life expectancy tables. Now we only go out about 30 yrs. Now, “time passes much too quickly”…

I hear you. Pork loin and chicken breast seem to suffer from the same issues. Not enough flavor and easy to overcook. We season and spice both heavily, although not much salt, and use a temp probes to avoid overcooking. I like Traeger pellets since they seem to cook "gently", at least at...

Thanks, we're having a blast! Our rig has been in the shop for weeks, but we still visit our favorite local state park campground at the base of the mountains. We walk around and meet someone nice to chat with almost weekly. We've found that we really enjoy meeting folks who camp in state...

I also enjoy the light smoke flavor with mild flavored meats like lean pork and chicken. Pellet grill works great for this. I also have smoke chips, but haven't gotten around to using them. Hmm, never tried a whole pork loin. Never really thought about it. Why do you prefer it over smoking...

Wow! That looks great! Boneless chicken beast and boneless pork loin chops from Costco have been our staples. Have been experimenting with lemon juice. Slather meat in olive oil and fresh-squeezed lemon juice. Dust as desired. Last time it was dried rosemary, powdered garlic, black...