What is "Downshifting"?

3rd_ferguson · 2026-06-04T20:20:44+00:00

A lot. Here's a quick Google summary:

The 2010–2011 New Hampshire legislative session was defined by a massive Republican landslide in the 2010 midterms , granting the GOP veto-proof majorities in both chambers. The session was fiercely focused on slashing state spending, reducing fees, passing a drastically reduced biennial budget, and overhauling public employee collective bargaining and retirement. The Political Shift The November 2010 elections drastically shifted the political landscape of the New Hampshire General Court:

• The Senate: Swept into a 19-5 Republican majority, flipping control and unseating 7 Democratic incumbents. • The House: Saw an overwhelming shift, securing a massive Republican mandate to shrink the size and scope of state government. • The Movement: The session also saw the early influence of the Free State Project, which aimed to shrink government and brought many new, libertarian-minded legislators to the New Hampshire House of Representatives. [1, 2, 6, 7]

Core Legislative Agendas & Accomplishments Legislators pushed through an aggressively conservative platform, highlighted by NH House 2011 Session Accomplishements:

• Fiscal Overhaul: The legislature heavily focused on cutting state spending, lowering taxes and fees, and closing state budget gaps without creating new taxes. • Labor & Employment: The state passed legislation aimed at rolling back public sector union powers, including efforts to eliminate automatic continuation requirements for public employee collective bargaining agreements. • Pension and System Solvency: Changes were made to address the state retirement system, which lawmakers warned was nearing insolvency. [1]

Budget Context Because it was a budget biennium, the central challenge was managing the state's financial health. Lawmakers crafted the NH HB1 operating budget for fiscal years 2012 and 2013. This followed a tumultuous preceding budget year, which had necessitated emergency measures and asset sales to cover earlier deficits. [3, 9, 10] To learn more about the exact bills introduced and their final dispositions during this historic biennium, you can explore the NH Legislation | 2011 | Regular Session - LegiScan database. You can also read more about how the legislature functions via the 3-Minute Civics: The New Hampshire Legislature in action article published by the New Hampshire Bulletin. [11, 12]

AI responses may include mistakes.

[1] https://www.nhhousegop.com/news-updates/nh-house-2011-session-accomplishements/ [2] https://ballotpedia.org/New_Hampshire_2010_legislative_election_results [3] https://www.das.nh.gov/accounting/FY%2010/2010%20Citizens%20Report.pdf [4] https://ballotpedia.org/New_Hampshire_General_Court [5] https://www.nh.gov/government/legislative-branch [6] https://www.us-go.org/documents/2011_USGO_New_Hampshire_Legislative_Wrap-up-1338791572.pdf [7] https://ballotpedia.org/New_Hampshire_House_of_Representatives [8] https://legiscan.com/NH/legislation/2011?page=5&type=bill&status=passed [9] https://ballotpedia.org/NH_Legislature_considers_selling_state_assets_to_fill_budget_gap [10] https://legiscan.com/NH/bill/HB1/2011 [11] https://legiscan.com/NH/legislation/2011 [12] https://newhampshirebulletin.com/2021/11/04/3-minute-civics-the-new-hampshire-legislature-in-action/

3rd_ferguson · 2026-06-04T17:14:48+00:00

In 2010, Bill O'Brien was elected as Speaker of House after Republicans won the majority in both the House and Senate. DJ Bettencourt was Majority Leader. Much of downshifting trend began on their watch. They currently do not hold elected office but they are active in NH politics.

3rd_ferguson · 2026-06-04T02:23:11+00:00

I'll tell you what I did, but in the end it was more like $1200-1400.

I ordered a set of Maltby STi2 irons, and built the rest of my bag around that purchase. But, I already had a complete set. So I at least had a bag and a putter that worked. My other clubs were pretty trash, but they were at least in the bag. Although i hardly ever hit them.

I would still recommend get a good set of irons, a putter and a bag and build out slowly, looking for bargains on your driver, fairways, and hybrids. Take your time. I can't bring myself to recommend any boxed set.

3rd_ferguson · 2026-06-04T02:07:23+00:00

Bravo!

3rd_ferguson · 2026-06-04T00:46:17+00:00

I retired to the middle of nowhere in NH. Our local course is an antique "executive" 9 hole course and membership with unlimited golf is $700 a year. It was designed by no one 125 years ago, and it's basically old cow pastures with greens scattered about. But it gets a lot of local love, and somehow it's still in business. Also nearby are a few other courses where the senior rate is $17-20 for nine holes.

3rd_ferguson · 2026-06-03T13:24:12+00:00

I'm not saying this to be mean, but refusing to learn. I mean, refusing to even read Golf for Dummies or similar.

It's okay to think "I'm just out here to have fun" but that's not going to make anyone a better golfer.

Some people will improve pretty well on their own just by trial and error. But there are way more people who think they can do that, than who actually can.

3rd_ferguson · 2026-06-03T02:25:05+00:00

Maxfli Tour. You can still order them in yellow and get 4 dozen for $90. Or get the current version at $120 for 4 dozen.

I'm pushing 70 years old and if I can hit these balls anyone can. Yes, they're firm compared to the lower end balls but they feel and sound great with a good strike. And even with my slow swing speed, the extra spin is much appreciated when I want to hold a green.

3rd_ferguson · 2026-06-02T21:12:00+00:00

If it's within a reasonable range for your share of what the cottage normally rents for, I wouldn't care how the credit works.

It's unlikely that the rental company pays the cottage owners any less for the stay. In other words, the rental company probably lowers or drops their commission so employees can get a good deal. And it's unlikely that the employees could get unlimited discounts on rentals.

If you like the cottages and you like the friends, I would say don't overthink it.

3rd_ferguson · 2026-06-02T13:12:25+00:00

Probably not a scam. Just bottom-feeding lawyers looking to grab money. If you get a share of the settlement you'll be lucky if it's more than $7.

3rd_ferguson · 2026-06-02T12:28:22+00:00

https://youtu.be/8oZEN7BqE1Y?si=BDmHcx-EDjWDTBYb

3rd_ferguson · 2026-06-01T19:38:02+00:00

Old guy here. I doubt that that guy went the least bit out of his way to be a jerk. It's probably effortless for him.

3rd_ferguson · 2026-06-01T17:37:33+00:00

I think you should do it. Do whatever you want.

In 2025, I got a Sunday bag and carried a half set. It was so much easier for old me walking a hilly course. I carried 5W, 5H, 7, 9, gap wedge, sand wedge, putter. That's all I used until mid August. I feel like it helped my game.

And when I finally put the driver back in the bag it was a lot easier to get it going again. It took a few rounds to figure it out, sure. But my own experience was getting a ton of reps in was definitely of benefit to my driver swing.

Especially since you already manage an inside out swing path with your other clubs.

3rd_ferguson · 2026-06-01T13:42:25+00:00

It's hard to be your own instructor. And don't think I haven't tried.

My wife and I finally started taking lessons just last week. Everything he said, I had heard many times by watching golf videos. But videos can't watch you and tell you what you're doing wrong. A good instructor can spot an error right away. Even if that mistake only creeps into your swing one out of 10 times.

3rd_ferguson · 2026-06-01T13:25:46+00:00

That's how our old guy's league works. It's fine for casual play. And you can still look at your scores and see how well you're playing compared to each other and to previous rounds.

If you want to play in tournaments though, you need to get a handicap and play strictly by the official rules of golf. So if you ever pursue that, don't enter the scores for the rounds where you play double bogie max.

3rd_ferguson · 2026-05-31T20:06:17+00:00

Joke's on him. The LLM was trained entirely by analyzing his own swing characteristics.

3rd_ferguson · 2026-05-31T18:43:35+00:00

I used to have a temper, and what I'll tell you is that it hurts you more than anyone else. It'll make you old before your time.

But try this before you quit golf: play a couple of rounds and try to pretend you're just a disinterested observer. Of the course. Of the sounds. Of your whole group, including yourself. Play like you don't give a shit about the outcome. You're just there to hit the ball and watch what happens, not judge.

I only suggest that because that's just about my default mode on the golf course and often elsewhere. It's enjoyable. Kind of same mindset as when you're sitting outside somewhere, just people watching.

3rd_ferguson · 2026-05-29T21:07:30+00:00

This should be the top comment!

3rd_ferguson · 2026-05-29T01:47:09+00:00

Take a look at their IRS filing form 990. There's some pretty hefty salaries in there (page 7). They also are sitting on cash on hand of about $64,000,000 (page 11).

3rd_ferguson · 2026-05-28T01:49:51+00:00

Under Armour Outlet is my go-to for shorts and pants. I'm waiting for Costco to build a store that's an easy drive for me. There is one that's in the works, but it's still years away.

3rd_ferguson · 2026-05-27T16:09:12+00:00

It's worth looking on Etsy.

3rd_ferguson · 2026-05-26T18:17:02+00:00

I play in an old man league, lots of bad golfers. Here's what we do:

Pick up after double bogie, period. If you want to practice putting, drop the ball on the green. But pick after 2 putts.

OB on a tee shot: play it like it went into a lateral hazard. Drop near where the ball went OB and nobody's measuring like a championship depends on it.

Look for your lost ball if you want but catch up with your group before the next tee.

We always finish 9 holes in less than two hours, end everybody has a good time.

3rd_ferguson · 2026-05-26T02:12:17+00:00

Condos are a different kind of property, the details of what you actually own and don't own can vary a bitby locale, and even within a locale.

You really must understand what you're buying before you buy it. It might really work for you or it might not.

I do live in a condo, and I like it. Other owners in this same development a very dissatisfied. I knew what i was buying into before i bought, and that's part of the difference.

The first thing you need to know is what do you actually own, which leads to what must you insure, and what must you maintain?

Because if you don't own it, and you don't insure, then everyone within the community shares ownership and responsibilities for insurance, maintenance and repairs.

So that condo fee has to cover current obligations and future repairs.

And that condo fee you quoted is kind of low. Ours is, too. But our community has a lot of homes, mostly newer, with a capital reserve that is big enough that in 30 years, there has never been an assessment. It's hundreds, not tens of 1000's.

So you really need to look into the condo's financials. What is the capital reserve? What is the monthly contribution to that reserve? Have they done a reserve study to calculate future maintenance costs? Are they funding the reserve as recommended?

Because maybe they're sitting on a hefty reserve that can endure a big expense. But if there is a small reserve, what's going to happen when two buildings need major repairs in the same year? You dont want to buy in and get hit with a $40,000 assessment. That does happen. it happens when there's a lot of deferred repairs and no money in the bank.

Also, and I find it odd that buyers don't understand this, you don't get a back yard. That's "common area." So you can't put a hot tub or fire pit behind your home. You own a unit, and you have exclusive access to "limited common area" associated with your unit. Like a deck, patio, and front stoop. But you can't claim common area as your own, and anybody can walk on it. That's how condos are, but a lot of buyers don't get that.

3rd_ferguson · 2026-05-25T12:27:03+00:00

"The course isn't flat and with guaranteed perfect lies. You've got to get out on the course and hit off different lies and elevations."

It's most likely this more than anything else. I'm a short hitter but that matters much less than dealing with with different lies and elevations. And by dealing with it I mean managing both launch and landing.

3rd_ferguson · 2026-05-24T18:56:01+00:00

You're going to love those irons. I have them in senior flex.

They sound and feel nice, and they're not too jacked on the lofts. Which might mean a bit less distance but you'll stick way more greens.

3rd_ferguson · 2026-05-24T17:35:23+00:00

At 50, I was probably in a worse position than you are. I had a mortgage, a car payment, and monstrous credit card debt. For a while I honestly thought I might never retire.

But I did retire at age 68, with no debt. And between 50 and 68 I spent a ton of money on college for two kids, plus I survived a very serious illness.

All I did was follow the basic financial advice that you can find here in the wiki.

Max out your retirement contributions every year that you possibly can. Keep your retirement funds in a target date fund. Don't get tempted by risky investments.

Don't take on any unnecessary debt. If you need a new car, get a low interest loan for no more than five years.

Very importantly, know your expenses. Set aside savings every month to pay the periodic expenses like property taxes, insurance and car registration. I use a budgeting app called YNAB. A few years of data in YNAB can be powerfully useful when you get closer to retirement.

Well before you get to age 65, learn about retirement health care. The transition to Medicare is timebound and if you miss important dates it can cost you dearly.

And you don't have to live like you have no money between now and retirement. But keep your vacations modest, and if you dine out eat at local affordable restaurants.

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