We rented a U-haul last Sunday, so we could get some furniture that would not fit into either of our vehicles from Costco to our house. The truck worked fine, was mechanically better than in most U-haul experiences I've come across, but the experience of dealing with the rental was very unpleasant ( Read more... )

After feasting on delicious Smitten ice cream and stopping in to Miette on a recommendation of several chefs (no small recommendation, but we have yet to try our yield) across the street, and before stopping in to Fatted Calf Charcuterie (which we just happened to park right outside -- and, well, charcuterie! How could we not stop in?), I dragged ( Read more... )

Today, we drove to San Francisco, met up with some folks from Grubly and tried Smitten ice cream from their brand new store (? stand? kiosk?) in Hayes Valley where they make ice cream to order using liquid nitrogen and pretty spiffy machinery of their own design.


( Read more... )

This year, for various reasons, I opted for the HDHP (High Deductible Health Plan) health insurance, which is to say a plan which pays nothing until you've satisfied a hefty deductible but (1) I pay no employee contribution for, (2) makes me eligible to have and make contributions to an HSA (Health Savings Account) and (3) in addition to my being ( Read more... )

Lest it seem like I never post unless I'm complaining about something, look, a post which isn't complaining about anything ( Read more... )

I should begin this by saying that in the past I have had an overwhelmingly positive experience with Chase credit card services and checking/deposit accounts, so this experience is in stark contrast to my expectations...I called with odd issue with my Chase on-line account (related to adding an extant but not yet listed card to it) to Chase ( Read more... )

Sears Portrait Studio offers variations on a coupon that offers some form of FREE 8x10 print, with no sitting fee. It turns out that this is a blatant bait and switch, and that if you waste your time on it you will end up screwed by them.

( For all the details, click here for the story behind the cut... )

I woke up at 5:30am today and couldn't sleep, so I made a bunch of calls to Ireland, since it was well within the business day in Ireland still.

• Canceled an Irish credit card (Bank of Ireland) that I haven't used in years.
  
  
• Discussed my Irish taxes with someone from the Revenue Commissioners. Result: Confirmed that I don't actually have to pay them ( Read more... )

Facebook has a history of disregard for users' privacy, and a history of making BS claims about caring about it.

I use Facebook because, in spite of their bad business practises, it is too useful to me for keeping in touch with friends and family, hearing about their lives and sharing things about my own with them.

Today, an executive from ( Read more... )

It all began with some bad advice. We were advised by an administrator at NICU put our daughter on both our medical insurance plans so that our out of pocket amount for NICU[1] would not be huge[2].

It turns out that that is not how double coverage works[3]. Secondary typically only pays - , so if primary paid as much as or more than the ( Read more... )