Author: Dave Farquhar

Are stocks safe to invest in?

Dave Farquhar Investing
Are stocks safe to invest in?

Are stocks safe to invest in? All the disclaimers that you see at the bottom of stockbroker web pages sure makes it sound like they’re not. But the alternatives aren’t necessarily completely safe either. Here’s how to understand how stocks work, and whether you should put your money in them, or elsewhere.

Fear of stocks generally comes from not understanding what they are or how they work. There are ways to make them safe, and with reasonable precautions, their higher yield makes them safer in some ways than traditional “safe” investments.

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What are keywords for SEO?

Dave Farquhar Writing
What are keywords for SEO?

What are keywords for SEO? They’re absolutely fundamental for understanding SEO, but I think many people overcomplicate them. Here’s an explanation for the rest of us.

Keywords are phrases that people type into search engines. Search engines use them to figure out what a web page is about, and then try to match readers with web pages.

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How big is 1:43 scale?

Dave Farquhar Toys
How big is 1:43 scale?

1:43 scale is a popular size for diecast vehicles. It matches the size of O scale trains in the UK. It doesn’t match the size of US O scale trains. But how big is 1:43 scale? And should you care about the difference?

A 1:43 vehicle is about 4.5 inches long, which is about 10% oversize compared to 1:48. You’ll notice the difference if the two are side by side, but there are ways to compensate for the difference too.

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How much does a blogger make?

Dave Farquhar Writing
How much does a blogger make?

How much does a blogger make? It depends on how much traffic you get. But it’s certainly possible to estimate how much you can make as a blogger and plan accordingly. Some people even manage to make a full-time living off it, though that’s certainly not a guarantee. Nor is it a necessity, in some cases.

A blog that gets 3,300 pageviews per day should generate $30/day in revenue, if not a bit more. A blog that gets less traffic than that only makes a few dollars a day. Over the years I’ve devised a formula that can get you into the $10 per 1,000 pageviews territory.

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Coffee maker leaks? Try this.

Dave Farquhar DIY
Coffee maker leaks? Try this.

I fixed a strange problem with my coffee maker this week. If your coffee maker leaks and nothing anyone else says helps, try this.

In my case, it was my filter. Yes, my filter.

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Should I roll over my 401(K)?

Dave Farquhar Investing
Should I roll over my 401(K)?

Should I roll over my 401(K)? Good question. While there may be reason not to do so, in most cases, you would be better off if you did. Here’s how to decide if you should, and where you should roll it over to.

Rolling over your 401(K) helps you keep all your retirement money in one place and can offer you additional control. In some cases, it also saves you money.

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401(K) asset allocation

Dave Farquhar Investing, Saving money
401(K) asset allocation

When you’re enrolling in your employer’s 401(K) plan, one of the most difficult questions is your 401(K) asset allocation. They’re limited in what advice they can give you, so I’ll share what’s worked for me.

The key to 401(K) asset allocation is to get a good mix of stocks of large companies, medium-sized companies, growth stocks, international stocks, and bonds. This helps you to do well over the long term, even when the market has bad years.

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What can damage a Lionel train?

Dave Farquhar Toy trains
What can damage a Lionel train?

What can damage a Lionel train? Neglect and abuse, basically. When well cared for, they’re pretty bulletproof.

There’s not a lot that can damage a Lionel train, as long as you store it in conditions that wouldn’t make you terribly uncomfortable, run it within spec and maintain it occasionally.

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How to disassemble an Atari 2600 VCS

Dave Farquhar Retro Gaming
How to disassemble an Atari 2600 VCS

Whether you’re looking to clean it or service it, sometimes it’s necessary to take apart an Atari 2600 console. The iconic older models can be a little tricky to open up or take apart and put back together, but they aren’t super difficult. Here’s how to disassemble an Atari 2600 VCS.

An Atari 2600 or VCS is held together by 4-6 screws on the underside. The two screws at the front of the console sit at a conventional 90-degree angle, while the rear screws sit at a tricky 60-degree angle.

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Titebond 2 vs 3

Dave Farquhar DIY
Titebond 2 vs 3

When you need wood glue, there are a lot of good choices you can use. Maybe too many. Titebond is a popular choice, but there are three different kinds at three different price points. What’s the difference? Why buy the original vs Titebond 2? Why buy Titebond 2 vs 3?

Both Titebond 2 and Titebond 3 are for outdoor use. The differences you’re most likely to notice are that Titebond 3 dries about half as fast and can work at a minimum temperature of 45 degrees vs 55 degrees.

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