I have a bunch of questions!

Nov 7, 2000
16,403
3
81
To make it easier I will enumerate the questions and try to keep them short and sweet. Any input is appreciated!

1) Lower back pain... have had constant pain in the middle of the back, right below the waistline for about 6 months now. What bothers me is that it is highly aggravated by exercise, specifically exercise that involves up and down (soccer/running/racquetball). Swimming, biking and lifting do not aggravate at all. After exercise it will stiffen and be very sore, though I only feel discomfort when trying to bend forward. The question is, should I see a doctor or is this just normal back pain and I should be a man.

2) Any must-eat at restaurants in Aruba?

3) Hotel recommendations for Vegas? I've stayed at Barbary Coast, Monte Carlo, and Mandalay Bay. Like to try someplace new on the strip - mostly looking for bang for the buck accomodations.

4) I have a credit card that I opened in college but never used. Would it benefit my credit to just close it? I do not use it, or plan to (have cards with much better rewards), but it is the one have I had the longest.

5) What is the general timeline for buying a house? Im thinking in terms of finding a lender, going looking, closing, and moving in. I understand this is definitely YMMV but if I wanted to be in a place by June 1, when should I start doing the above things?

6) How would the mortgage be set up if you are buying a house with someone? One loan with two names on it, but legally binding docs to show each is responsible for half? Or one loan for each (would this affect closing costs and other fees?). Im looking for the cheapest solution overall - assume both are first time home buyers with excellent credit.

7) Almost all my dreams are epic pursuits or conflicts. Im always being hunted (terrorists, serial killers, monsters etc.), or I'm hunting for something (escape, treasure etc.) I love the dreams though, since they feel like they last all night! Though, I never really accomplish anything (I dont get caught either)

8) My left blinker in my car (98 Accord v6 Sedan) is acting weird... sometimes it blinks normally, sometimes it blinks super fast, sometimes it blinks superslow (by blinks I mean the sound of the clicking you can hear in the drivers seat). I have looked at the bulbs and neither have burnt out filaments. Should I try to replace them anyways or is this problem something bigger?

9) Anyone have any inside info on when Wii's will be available at B&M anytime soon? Any big sales or events? I have heard of BB Jan 15th and Target Jan 21st - any merit to these?

10) I just got Final Fantasy 3 on my DS. Im not very experienced in FF games in general. What jobs should I pick for my dudes?! Should I pick one and specialize? Or should I switch out and be jack of all trades?

Damn Im sure I had more but thats all I can think of right now.

No cliffs, just pick a question and answer if you so desire!
 

Sluggo

Lifer
Jun 12, 2000
15,488
5
81
6) How would the mortgage be set up if you are buying a house with someone? One loan with two names on it, but legally binding docs to show each is responsible for half? Or one loan for each (would this affect closing costs and other fees?). Im looking for the cheapest solution overall - assume both are first time home buyers with excellent credit.

I wouldnt buy a house with anyone I wasn't married to...no ifs, ands or buts.

Only 1 way for it to go right, thousands of ways for it to go wrong.

 

erub

Diamond Member
Jun 21, 2000
5,481
0
0
#4 Definitely keep it open, its the longeset link in your credit history.
 

crownjules

Diamond Member
Jul 7, 2005
4,858
0
76
Originally posted by: HardcoreRobot

4) I have a credit card that I opened in college but never used. Would it benefit my credit to just close it? I do not use it, or plan to (have cards with much better rewards), but it is the one have I had the longest.

Keep it, just don't use it. Your credit score is partially based upon how much credit you are actually using compared to how much total credit you can possibly use. It shows that, if you have a low credit balance despite having lots of credit available to use, you are responsible with credit.
 

49erinnc

Platinum Member
Feb 10, 2004
2,095
0
0
1) Lower back pain... have had constant pain in the middle of the back, right below the waistline for about 6 months now. What bothers me is that it is highly aggravated by exercise, specifically exercise that involves up and down (soccer/running/racquetball). Swimming, biking and lifting do not aggravate at all. After exercise it will stiffen and be very sore, though I only feel discomfort when trying to bend forward. The question is, should I see a doctor or is this just normal back pain and I should be a man.

Back pain can be tricky because it can stem from many different sources. When is the last time you bought a new mattress? If the one you're using is relatively new, how often do you flip/rotate it? Pillow situation? A lot of times, lower back pain can be solely attributed to your sleeping conditions. Amazing what a good mattress/pillow will do for back/neck pain.

Also, do you work out your abs? The majority of people with lower back pain have poor abdominal muscles. You may want to start targeting those muscles more than just back muscles.

Also, pay attention to your posture when you're sitting or driving. I used to get bad lower back pain simply from the way I sat while driving. Never realized that I was sitting mostly on my right side and instead of square. Made a huge difference once I corrected that tendency.

I would check the above suggestions before consulting a doctor. You may save yourself a lot of money just by making some lifestyle changes.
 

49erinnc

Platinum Member
Feb 10, 2004
2,095
0
0
8) My left blinker in my car (98 Accord v6 Sedan) is acting weird... sometimes it blinks normally, sometimes it blinks super fast, sometimes it blinks superslow (by blinks I mean the sound of the clicking you can hear in the drivers seat). I have looked at the bulbs and neither have burnt out filaments. Should I try to replace them anyways or is this problem something bigger?

A faster than normal blinker usually indicates a bad bulb. I know you said you checked them but you may want to make sure that's not the source of your problem. As cheap as bulbs are, it wouldn't hurt to just replace them to see if it fixes the problem.
 
Nov 7, 2000
16,403
3
81
Originally posted by: Sluggo
6) How would the mortgage be set up if you are buying a house with someone? One loan with two names on it, but legally binding docs to show each is responsible for half? Or one loan for each (would this affect closing costs and other fees?). Im looking for the cheapest solution overall - assume both are first time home buyers with excellent credit.

I wouldnt buy a house with anyone I wasn't married to...no ifs, ands or buts.

Only 1 way for it to go right, thousands of ways for it to go wrong.
At first, I was of this opinion too, but then I started to think about it... Some 45% of marriages end in divorce? That would cause even more headaches than me having a falling out with the co-buying in this situation since part of the process of setting up the arrangement will be what to do if someone wants to get out. Of course, like many people, I say to myself oh Im not the type to ever get divorced. By the same token, I also have faith that my current approach will work as well. Nothing is certain in this world, even marriage...
 
Nov 7, 2000
16,403
3
81
Originally posted by: crownjules
Originally posted by: HardcoreRobot

4) I have a credit card that I opened in college but never used. Would it benefit my credit to just close it? I do not use it, or plan to (have cards with much better rewards), but it is the one have I had the longest.

Keep it, just don't use it. Your credit score is partially based upon how much credit you are actually using compared to how much total credit you can possibly use. It shows that, if you have a low credit balance despite having lots of credit available to use, you are responsible with credit.

Yes it has been sitting there for 6 years, nothing ever charged to it (I think I threw the card away as soon as I received it). The credit line is still at the original $300
 
Nov 7, 2000
16,403
3
81
Originally posted by: 49erinnc
8) My left blinker in my car (98 Accord v6 Sedan) is acting weird... sometimes it blinks normally, sometimes it blinks super fast, sometimes it blinks superslow (by blinks I mean the sound of the clicking you can hear in the drivers seat). I have looked at the bulbs and neither have burnt out filaments. Should I try to replace them anyways or is this problem something bigger?

A faster than normal blinker usually indicates a bad bulb. I know you said you checked them but you may want to make sure that's not the source of your problem. As cheap as bulbs are, it wouldn't hurt to just replace them to see if it fixes the problem.

That does seem like the most logical approach, since a bulb problem would be the mostly likely culprit (even if the symptoms don't match exactly). Ill try today and post back.
 
Nov 7, 2000
16,403
3
81
Originally posted by: 49erinnc
1) Lower back pain... have had constant pain in the middle of the back, right below the waistline for about 6 months now. What bothers me is that it is highly aggravated by exercise, specifically exercise that involves up and down (soccer/running/racquetball). Swimming, biking and lifting do not aggravate at all. After exercise it will stiffen and be very sore, though I only feel discomfort when trying to bend forward. The question is, should I see a doctor or is this just normal back pain and I should be a man.

Back pain can be tricky because it can stem from many different sources. When is the last time you bought a new mattress? If the one you're using is relatively new, how often do you flip/rotate it? Pillow situation? A lot of times, lower back pain can be solely attributed to your sleeping conditions. Amazing what a good mattress/pillow will do for back/neck pain.

Also, do you work out your abs? The majority of people with lower back pain have poor abdominal muscles. You may want to start targeting those muscles more than just back muscles.

Also, pay attention to your posture when you're sitting or driving. I used to get bad lower back pain simply from the way I sat while driving. Never realized that I was sitting mostly on my right side and instead of square. Made a huge difference once I corrected that tendency.

I would check the above suggestions before consulting a doctor. You may save yourself a lot of money just by making some lifestyle changes.
How often should I flip my mattress? It was purchased new in July 2004. I don't think I have flipped it yet. I generally sleep with a variety of pillows (1 or 2, soft or firm). When I first noticed the pain it was after soccer. It felt just like a very sore muscle. Then I noticed it after basketball. Before the pain used to subside a few days after excercising, now it always lingers and flares up only after I do those kinds of activities (this is why I don't think it is caused by posture/sleeping arrangement)