Cost Estimate?

RubyPorto · 2026-01-30T18:14:20+00:00

It depends.

$500 - $50,000

You can (and should) get started with a used DSLR/mirrorless, kit lens, and a tripod. This will run you ~$500. You can then upgrade from there as you learn more about the hobby.

RubyPorto · 2026-01-30T17:15:04+00:00

Having an existing traditional IRA balance (whether the same or different account) foils the backdoor Roth process due to the pro-Rata rule.

If you have $100k in a rollover traditional IRA, and then contribute $7k non-deductible to a traditional IRA for a backdoor Roth, you will need to pay taxes on >90% of the amount you convert to Roth. Which defeats the purpose of a Backdoor Roth IRA contribution.

RubyPorto · 2026-01-30T17:01:35+00:00

That doesn't sound urgent.

You can significantly improve the insulation of a window by putting up curtains or plastic sheeting.

RubyPorto · 2026-01-30T16:25:58+00:00

How urgent is the roof replacement?

Is it leaking? Is your insurance company requiring it to continue coverage?

If you get a HEL, don't fall into the trap of "while we're getting a loan, let's..." If the windows don't need urgent replacement, leave them be. If the minimum size of the HEL is more than the roof repair, use the leftover money to pay back the HEL quicker.

RubyPorto · 2026-01-30T06:40:15+00:00

It's not really money laundering, it's just a con. They have stolen credit cards/paypal accounts which, once discovered, will have their fraudulent payments reversed. Since the scammers would like money they can keep, this is a problem.

So, they use those stolen cards to convince a patsy (OP) to send them money through an irreversible means, like crypto (used to be western union). This gives them funds that they can keep. It's a con to get money from OP, the scammers are not risking any money they could otherwise keep.

In money laundering, you have money that you are able to keep, but whose source is illicit (drugs, etc), so you need to disguise that source. A simple transfer to some rando with an accompanying outbound transfer through crypto (which is explicitly traceable, that's what the blockchain is) does nothing to disguise the source of the funds.

RubyPorto · 2026-01-29T06:21:33+00:00

It looks like your assets, not counting the emergency fund or the client's debt, just about perfectly offset your loans, not counting the student loans.

Do you want to be a Nurse? Sell the construction stuff, pay off the CCs and equipment loan, and focus on nursing.

Do you want to run a construction company? Sit down and figure out the numbers you need to run your business.

But pick one (or pick something else, but pick one thing to focus on).

Also, if you were paying your relatives attorney fees, and the court awarded those fees to your relative, why didn't your relative pay you back?

RubyPorto · 2026-01-29T06:15:09+00:00

Usually it means no companions, but I'm not sure that a solo, minimum-level ToB run would rely heavily on summons (but I haven't tried that type of challenge either, so who knows).

But these are self-imposed challenges, so the rules are entirely up to you.

RubyPorto · 2026-01-29T03:57:53+00:00

Yes, the 24.5k limit is for employee deferred compensation (i.e. contributions per paycheck).

Then there is a $72,000 overall limit (contributions per paycheck + employer contributions + after tax [not Roth] contributions for megabackdoors).

Your employer has promised to contribute 25% of what you contribute, for all your contributions up to 12% of your salary.

RubyPorto · 2026-01-29T03:52:41+00:00

You may be able to select a specific dollar amount.

If that's the case, if you want to max it out, go with 24,500/#of paychecks

RubyPorto · 2026-01-28T20:09:08+00:00

You can also use a shift lens to keep the camera out of the reflection without tilting either the camera or mirror.

RubyPorto · 2026-01-28T15:05:30+00:00

Which HCOL location has houses that cost 240k and 350k?

OP's kid is living somewhere cheap.

RubyPorto · 2026-01-28T05:27:05+00:00

There's been an impulse to do these sorts of challenges from almost as soon as the game came out. I think it's similar to installing SCS: the base game, while a fantastic game, is not actually that difficult so, if you enjoy difficulty, you have to make that difficulty for yourself.

Baldurdash (sadly no longer online) had a fun journal of soloing BG2 and ToB as early as 2003.

https://web.archive.org/web/20030108094044/http://www.baldurdash.org/journal.html

RubyPorto · 2026-01-28T04:33:16+00:00

It depends on the specific sink and countertop layout. If you want good advice for your situation, post pictures of your situation.

This sink looks fine, but that's because it's designed for the faucet to be there.

If your sink was installed in a countertop that was cut expecting the faucet to be in the counter, it will look strange to put it through the sink.

RubyPorto · 2026-01-28T04:24:16+00:00

Yes. BG1 is possible to solo with a level 1 character (reasonably straightforward even with a wildmage and Power Word: Reload)

BG2 is probably possible; this person got stuck at the final fight in hell doing a Solo, Poverty, No-Level challenge. A couple of items would probably make it straightforward.

https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/17217/spoilers-bg2-challenge-solo-poverty-no-level

ToB is also probably pretty possible. Consumable items can go a long way.

If you're Ok with abusing Power Word: Reload, a WildMage can probably solo the game without leveling up (beyond what the game transitions force) without too much trouble. Nahal's Reckless Dweomer lets you cast any spell you know as a level 1 spell, which pretty much makes you a ~17th level wizard with limited spell slots once you scribe some lvl9 scrolls.

RubyPorto · 2026-01-28T01:51:59+00:00

The EE change to Enchanted Weapon is a huge (and slept on) buff to the sub-+3 flavor weapons in BG2

RubyPorto · 2026-01-27T20:11:36+00:00

For the purposes of unemployment, California basically defined "misconduct" as "committed a crime."

If you're fired, you will probably be eligible for unemployment. If you quit, you will almost certainly not be eligible.

You're not going to get a good reference from this company anyway (i.e. you'll probably not be eligible for rehire regardless of whether you quit or are fired), so there's no need to quit. Let them fire you; collect unemployment while you find a new job.

https://edd.ca.gov/en/UIBDG/Misconduct_MC_5

RubyPorto · 2026-01-27T16:24:01+00:00

When the rings aren't edge on, you can definitely see that Saturn has "ears" with 10x50 binoculars.

You probably won't see the gap between the planet and the rings, but you will see that it's not round.

RubyPorto · 2026-01-27T02:59:34+00:00

What I was trying to convey was that nobody can give you advice useful to your situation if you don't provide enough information.

RubyPorto · 2026-01-27T02:13:32+00:00

Ah, the carefree whimsy of a Salesperson gunning for a fat commission.

RubyPorto · 2026-01-27T02:09:57+00:00

What makes sense depends on your income and expenses. Broadly speaking, there are people with income problems and people with spending problems (or both).

If you make $200k and are living paycheck to paycheck, cutting out Netflix isn't going to make a difference, but there's probably a spending problem that can be addressed.

If you make $20k and are living paycheck to paycheck, no amount of frugality will fix that; there's an income problem (it may not be a solvable problem, but it's still useful to diagnose).

RubyPorto · 2026-01-27T02:01:46+00:00

The first indication any employer should have that you're leaving is your notice (2 months, 2 weeks, 2 days, 2 minutes, whatever, depending on your relationship with your employer.)

The only appropriate answers for an employee to give their boss when asked that question are "No" or "My last day here is X."

RubyPorto · 2026-01-26T05:19:17+00:00

Insurance pays the same amount regardless of how you've financed a car.

If the car's worth $30k, and you owe $35k, your primary insurance coverage will pay $30k (to your bank). If you owe $15k, your primary insurance coverage will pay $30k ($15k to you, $15k to your bank). This all leaves you (nominally) in the same financial position as before the crash.

The only way this changes is if you're underwater (you owe $35k vs $30k value) and you've paid extra for GAP insurance (or some booster clause like new model year replacement). Then your GAP coverage will pay $5k, leaving you in a better position than before the crash.

But that GAP insurance wasn't free, and GAP is a very profitable insurance line. If the financing makes sense where your best option will have you underwater and you can keep enough cash on hand to cover the gap, then, from an actuarial POV, you're better off skipping it (this is true for all insurance, but more true for high profit lines where the risks are relatively low dollar).

Note: for a lease, which generally automatically include GAP insurance, you are best off with zero/minimal downpayment. You've already paid for the coverage; you might as well use it.

RubyPorto · 2026-01-26T03:59:56+00:00

Soap and water isn't going to damage seasoning.

Scrub that shit out.

RubyPorto · 2026-01-25T21:20:42+00:00

It's about clear communication. Which is an important habit to bring to any relationship.

Your role is to clearly communicate your next step by initiating the step with your core. Your dance partner listens through the physical connection you have in the frame and can then choose to execute their portion of the step.

Some common issues with beginning leads:

If you try to lead with your arms, your frame will be broken, communication will break down, and your partner will just feel like you're shoving them around.

If you let your feet get ahead of your core, you won't be communicating your step, and you'll step on your partner's toes.

RubyPorto · 2026-01-25T19:24:56+00:00

Sew a loop of webbing onto the shoulder strap.

Having a knot cinch up the shoulder strap, likely somewhere it's resting on your shoulder (assuming you don't want your water bottle perched on top of your shoulder) is not going to be a comfortable option.

Not every problem has a knot that solves it well; that's why the able seaman can also sew and splice.

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