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[JRS]

What can I say ? - "When it rains, it pours.."...

What a wild March-April timeframe:

Since November 2003, I delayed getting new shocks and springs only to have the driver's side rear shock mount pop-off and the 'clankety, clank' sound started happening. So, off I went and got my hands on some used KYB shocks and new shock mounts. That set me back $100.

Then the ML430 needed the 10K mile maintenance plan. That set me back another $375. Luckily it wasn't the "Plan A" package or it would've been $550.

Then my oldest child goes into the dentist for the usual 6-month teeth cleaning. Only to come out with a $275 bill because he had a cavity and my spouse decided to have his teeth coated with some resin to prevent cavities.

And then yesterday: My 1/3hp Sears-brand Lift Master garage door opener sheared the teeth off the main gear. It's chain driven and the motor winds but the door remains shut. I dropped by Lowe's last night and found a nice Chamberlain-brand belt-driven garage opener - and the usual Genie ones.

I could save money by fixing the opener myself but I ask: "what would cause the gear teeth to be sheared off ?" And bringing in a garage door specialist would cost be $50 for the visit and $50/hr thereafter.

So, I ask this forum:

What garage door opener is "best" ? Genie ? Chamberlain ? Lift-Master ? Stanley ?

And should I go chain (again), screw-drive, or belt-drive ?

Cost is anywhere between $135 and $200.

The one that broke lasted 7.5 years. I would say that is a decent life-span.

I really wanted the E30 seats from RLD777 but I am currently facing unexpected expenses. I want the seats but I "need" these other items.

JRS

[BD325ic]

I replaced my opener about 6 years ago when I replaced the garage door. I have a Genie, screw-drive.

It's quiet, smooth and has worked flawlessly and they've probably improved on the systems since that time.

I wouldn't be surprised if some of the openers are manufactured by the same company just under different brand names. Either way, I believe you get what you pay for.

Hopefully April will be a banner month for you in the markets and all of these additional costs will be insignificant!

[JRS]

quote:

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Originally posted by BD325ic:
..Hopefully April will be a banner month for you in the markets and all of these additional costs will be insignificant!

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Thanks for the uplifting words. My portfolios are still ahead by 45-85% (depending on which portfolio is discussed).

But I never, ever dip into the portfolios for cash. Once I put cash into a portfolio it's in there for long-term. So far, I've taken out $0.00 from any of my portfolios.

I purposely keep my finances tight. The amount of money 'at hand' can sometimes lead to trouble. I think I'll open up a new Topic on the Lounge about "Smart finances".

On this topic, I dropped by Lowes (again) this evening and purchased the Chamberlain Whisper Deluxe belt-driven garage door opener. Lifetime warranty on the motor and belt, ultra-quiet when opening/closing, dual lightbulbs, Mercedes integrated remotes work with it, comes with three (3) remotes (one is an outside pad), took me 1 hour and 15 minutes to assemble and install, and cost $215 (tax included).

I think it's a great garage door opener. The Genie's are nice but I worry about the screwdrive technology. Anything with metal-to-metal contact isn't good unless it's constantly oiled. My neighbor also had to reinforce his garage door because his Genie opened the door faster than normal (which it was made to do). It literally jerked the garage door as it went up.

JRS

[BD325ic]

My wife and I have a different angle on the margin account.

Once we were convinced that consistent profits on Futures was possible, we decided to remove every cent above a certain dollar amount. It's how we paid off our house, it also keeps us from being leveraged to much.

These profits now go to short-term CD's, we will untimately roll over to long-term investment tools once certain goals have been acheived. Everything has been focused on getting our money to work for us. Not the other way around.

Here's to successful trading!

[JRS]

You're lucky. My wife doesn't even know what a Margin Account is.

I recently hired an American Express Financial Adviser (as I am tired of trying to obtain the yearly 20-28% avg. returns) primarily to help better positon the nest egg. A second itinerary was to get my wife educated with regards to financial freedom and smart investing.

He gave us the current outlook book and here's the 'bad-case' scenarios:

1. If I die and life expenses continued the way they are: Her and the kids would live comfortably for 5.5 years and then she would start to see "red".

2. If she dies and life expenses continued the way they are: The kids and I would see a minor 'road bump' for the first month and then live comfortably for 25 years before I start seeing 'red'.

The good part is that we're ahead of the retirement game. The sad part is that we'd be more ahead if she started her retirement savings 5-7 years ago.

The name of the game is "Tomorrow". Tomorrow will never be here unless you plan on it happening. Today will help determine how well Tomorrow becomes.

Investing in Today and Tomorrow will define your Future.

Happy Investing!

JRS

[Arizona 85-318i]

I've been to the Chamberlain garage door plant in Nogales Mexico. They make everything for their garage doors from scratch- including motors, circuit boards, metal panels, etc. That says a lot about how they are able to control their quality. Also, they are an excellent employer and provide subsidized housing, ten cent lunches for all shop labor (white collars have to pay $1.00), and health care to all employees. Chamberlain is a US owned company.

I unfortunately do not have a garage, but if I did I would buy the Chamberlain based on how they run their business (the lifetime warranty isn't bad either).