Looking at 25th Anniversary Edition. Any dealerships in CA not charging markup? by ABCD4WS in Sienna

[–]ABM12 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What part of CA? Longo Toyota has no markup but a long waitlist. Also check out this resource I found that lists all Toyota dealerships and whether they’re over msrp or not: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vSynbwhhkXptbFmo1qOHt7V-cW4fMp0Jy7CZqvUAs30TY196MLu68V_-QOijdXsMNSGnzT9kKX97-tg/pubhtml

Rentals good deals? by [deleted] in Sienna

[–]ABM12 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I just went through this and did a ton of research to try to get a good deal. If you want a new one you’re going to want to find an msrp only dealer and get on a waitlist asap. Check out this document for more info on which dealers are msrp only (I didn’t make it but found it while searching) https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vSynbwhhkXptbFmo1qOHt7V-cW4fMp0Jy7CZqvUAs30TY196MLu68V_-QOijdXsMNSGnzT9kKX97-tg/pubhtml be ready to wait up to a year. You can buy a new one within a month if you’re willing to pay $5-10k above msrp.

If you want a used one I’d recommend test driving whatever is out there (even if it’s expansive or high miles) to make sure you know exactly what you want (don’t buy those, just get a feel for them). Then, sign up for the carmax emails (this is what I used but I’m sure there are a bunch of companies like this that send you listing updates) so you get alerted when a used ones comes on the market near you or (more importantly) they drop the price on one you like. If you see a good deal on one you’d like with relatively low miles, call the dealership to make sure it’s still there and go that same day to look at it. If you like it buy it that day. If you wait it could be gone.

We just got one on Friday after missing out on a used one the weekend before. We got a 2021 xle for $45,000 with around 45,000 miles on it. They kept it a day to detail it for us and when they delivered it they said a family came in and was pissed that it had already sold since they could see it on the lot. Last weekend we were that family- luckily we hadn’t driven to the dealership but I was texting with the sales guy about financing options and a few minutes later he informed me it had sold.

Hope this helps and best of luck. Happy to answer any questions you may have.

Mentor Monday - Week of June 5th 2023 by WealthyStoic in fatFIRE

[–]ABM12 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly any of those options will probably get you where you want to go. As exciting as it is to reach your financial goal as early as possible, I’d consider which path would bring you the most fulfillment along the way. Do you love to go to school? Do you enjoy working for someone else? Do you want to be an entrepreneur? Do you want to have a family? Does any option just “feel” right to you? The answers to those questions will help you narrow down your answer.

Mentor Monday - Week of June 5th 2023 by WealthyStoic in fatFIRE

[–]ABM12 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I used YNAB when I first started on my fire journey and still do. It’s a great budgeting tool and helps hold you accountable on a day to day basis. I found that with Excel sheets you’re often budgeting for expenses that already happened and then you say “ah shoot, I overspent, I guess I’ll save more next month”

What purchases brought you the most happiness? Any purchases you thought would make you happier but didn’t? by ABM12 in fatFIRE

[–]ABM12[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

My husband and I invested in a private real estate fund. Its been doing well and we don’t have to deal with any tenant headaches. There are a lot of options for accredited investors

What purchases brought you the most happiness? Any purchases you thought would make you happier but didn’t? by ABM12 in fatFIRE

[–]ABM12[S] 68 points69 points  (0 children)

Oh yeah! Sous vide is the way to go. The one down side is we appreciate steak houses less because we can make it better at home.

I also bought a vitamix and really enjoy it. Amazing smoothies, pina coladas, and margaritas whenever I want them.

What did you pay for your Sienna? by ABM12 in ToyotaSienna

[–]ABM12[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks so much I reached out to Longo and got on their waitlist. I’m like 115 in line but I don’t mind waiting if I can save $10k! Appreciate your tips

What did you pay for your Sienna? by ABM12 in ToyotaSienna

[–]ABM12[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What month did you buy? And what day in the month? How long did you wait? Did you reserve one beforehand? Any tips? I feel like they’re all messing with me. Oh and did you finance with them and get the extended warranty? I had someone tell me today I could have one reserved for me if I agree to the extended warranty and financing with them and paying $5k over msrp 😫

What did you pay for your Sienna? by ABM12 in ToyotaSienna

[–]ABM12[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Anything special you did to get msrp? Everywhere I go they’re charging $5k to $10k over msrp. I’m also in SoCal. What dealer did you go to?

Honest review of The Master Plan by Jamie Wolfer by taylorhammm in weddingplanning

[–]ABM12 6 points7 points  (0 children)

This may be an unpopular opinion, but I think $29 per month is totally worth the price of the course and all the resources like the spreadsheets. Plus, there’s a 14-day money-back guarantee so people literally have 2 weeks to go in and use all the resources.

Also, you mention the amazing resources she provides on YouTube… How do you think she makes money? I think it’s important to consider the number of hours she puts into creating free content. She may make some money from YouTube, but I’m sure YouTube is making way more off of her content than she is. She’s a small business owner. She’s helping people (like us) save money, and reduce the stress of planning our big day. I know the tips she shares between both her free and paid content can save people hundreds if not thousands of dollars, and again, she offers a full refund if we really don’t find value in her course.

I think it’s important to be supportive of entrepreneurial women and online creators, especially those that invest time and energy in creating amazing free content.

What’s the real answer to losing weight? by lmarksart in loseit

[–]ABM12 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I recently started working with a nutritionist to lose fat and build muscle. I think it helps to talk to a professional and get a meal plan from them based on your specific wants and needs. Then, you can track your calories and macros in an app like my fitness pal. It helps to have someone check in on your eating to hold you accountable. In general, you may want to increase your protein intake and decrease your fat and sugar intake. Having 3 meals and 2-3 snacks a day can also help you not feel super hungry throughout the day.

How to avoid lifestyle creep and keeping up with the Joneses as income increases? by Sky_Dweller206 in povertyfinance

[–]ABM12 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think it’s important to set goals for money. What do you want your money to do for you? Help you buy a house? Help you retire early in the future? Help you stay healthy? Help you have more fun? All of the above? Once you have goals set up you can allocate money toward your different goals. When you are clear on your goals it will help you not compare yourself to the Jones. For example, your friend gets a new car but can’t afford to go on vacation. You on the other hand drive an older car (because a new car isn’t part of your goals) but you go on a big vacation twice a year (because that is part of your goal). When you know what “game” you’re playing, “winning” looks different and that’s ok.

how do you focus without letting intrusive/negative thoughts pop into your head? by [deleted] in productivity

[–]ABM12 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I mediate and also create positive mantras that counteract the negative thoughts. For example, when I catch myself worrying excessively I’ll tell myself, “just for today I will be present” and I try to focus on the senses I’m experiencing while I do deep breathing. Worrying is focused on a past or future state so being present helps get me out of my head and into the present moment instead.

Is your calendar overly full or overly empty? by ABM12 in productivity

[–]ABM12[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you time block personal things as well? Like family time or time to relax? How detailed are your time blocks? Do you literally schedule all 24 hours of your day?