I was in the market a couple months ago for a HD tuner for my home theater PC (HTPC). I searched around and found a couple different options- most were either cards that went inside the computer or were external devices that attached via USB. The SiliconDust HDHomeRun has the advantage of having two built-in tuners and streams across ethernet. This seemed perfect for my setup.
Once again, I have posted the updated Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) prices for import into Quicken. If you have not read the howto that explains how to set Quicken up, it is located here: Howto: TSP prices for Quicken. The most current csv file that contains prices for all TSP funds from 2003 until the present is also located there. The file is current as of 11 March, 2007.
Enjoy,
-Allen
I went on a cruise back in 2003. It was an OK time, although I felt like I was herded around like cattle frequently. Standing in line to get off the boat, to get on the boat, to see a show, etc… It was a good way to see the Caribbean though- cheap and the accommodations were pretty decent.
Probably the most disturbing part of the whole experience was the blow-out buffet they had the last night. It was quite a sight- everything was made out of food. I think I recall seeing a montage of the Last Supper made out of cheeses (too bad the picture didn’t come out).
One picture that did come out was the cactus made out of bacon. Who would have ever thought? Not sure what the base was made of, but the bacon was “glued” to it with cream cheese. I like bacon as much as the next guy, but that just does not look appetizing…
The National Museum of Health and Medicine at Walter Reed Army Hospital is one of the more interesting museums I have been to in Washington. It features everything from skeletons to pickled organs to one of the largest hairballs I have ever seen (it came from an 11-year old girl!). It also has an extensive section on combat medicine through the years and (thankfully) how it has improved. My favorite part of the museum was the vast array of pickled fetuses and skeletons. I know it sounds gross (and it is), but it was quite interesting to see how humans develop while still in the womb. I recommend going- but maybe you shouldn’t go on a full stomach…
Once again, I have updated the historical prices for all TSP funds from inception to 16 February 2007. The file is located below. The HOWTO that explains how to set this up in Quicken is located here. Note: you cannot use this file without changing the ticker symbols in Quicken to the ones I use in the .csv file (details are in the link above). Enjoy!
There was a very good article in the Wall Street Journal on January 24, 2007 by Jonathan Clements. He throws out a couple facts:
- Home-price appreciation has been up 6.2% over the last 30 years. This is in contrast to inflation which has been 4.3% during the same period of time. Real Estate has only beaten inflation by 1.9%. Not a very good investment!
- Home ownership is not cheap. It is comparable to a mutual fund that has a 3% annual maintenance fee and a 5% to 6% back-end load. The maintenance fees are attributable to property taxes, homeowners insurance and maintenance costs. The 5-6% back-end load is the sale of the house (mostly the commission to a real estate agent).
The bottom line is that even with the tax deduction in mortgage interest, you are probably breaking-even or maybe even losing money from buying a house. The one thing these facts do not address is the piece-of-mind that owning your own house can give you. Knowing that if everything else goes wrong, you will still have a place to live can mean a lot. That being said- I am renting and am happy with it!
I have updated the historical prices for all TSP funds from inception to 22 December, 2006. The file is located below. The HOWTO that explains how to set this up in Quicken is located here. Note, you cannot use this file without changing the ticker symbols in Quicken to the ones I use in the .csv file (details are in the link above). Enjoy and have a great Holidays!
This is pretty stupid, but I find it unbelievably funny…
I’ve been pretty good about posting updated quotes for the TSP funds. I pulled these quotes today so they are updated as of November 11, 2006. They go all the way back to 2003 for all TSP funds. If you need instructions on how to import into Quicken, see this post. If you just want the csv file, it is here: TSP- updated 11 NOV 2006.zip. Enjoy!
When I see soldiers in uniform, I expect a certain amount of… professionalism from them. I was up at the Inner Harbor in Baltimore last weekend to see the Aquarium (which is increadible, by the way). After the aquarium, we walked around the waterfront area and I ran into this joker- walking his cat. I figured that he must have sort of super-cat that he had trained to walk on a leash. Not so, this cat was acting like you would expect any cat to act on a leash- it was refusing to go anywhere. This guy was basically dragging the cat around. Couldn’t believe it. Still can’t believe it. I’m absolutely speachless…
Click on the picture to see the true horror.
