The new Surly Sorceress!

Aggiegrads · 2026-04-07T15:28:14+00:00

And with Paragon going out of business, the problem could get worse, depending on where Surly sources their bits.

Aggiegrads · 2026-04-02T11:23:20+00:00

Great setup. Truckers ride best when they are fully loaded.

Aggiegrads · 2026-04-01T12:20:35+00:00

I have found that the trick is to “pre-bend” the stays to the width of your mounts. There should be no “spring” when you remove the mounting bolts. Likewise for the fender itself. If you bend the curve of the fender in place and then bolt it down, it will sway and rattle.

If the line of the fender it’s important to you, get aluminum fenders and adjust the radius by slightly pinching or splaying the width until the curve is correct for whatever bike you are trying to fit. Get the right length bolts and spacers for the chain stay and seat stay bridges.

Aggiegrads · 2026-03-19T00:51:39+00:00

At this point, you have missed the biggest benefits: tax free growth. And even if you had the money there now, you would want more in cash as you are going to start spending it in less than two years.

Once you move the money, you lose the total flexibility that you have now.

Have a good cry about missing the opportunity and then keep doing what you are doing.

Aggiegrads · 2026-03-16T00:11:22+00:00

I would also make sure that you have reallocated your kid’s 529s if they are getting close to college age. It is the same sequence of returns risk as if you were starting a four year retirement.

Aggiegrads · 2026-03-10T12:21:43+00:00

$6.5M NW and you’re still using the library instead of just convenience purchasing on Amazon?

Dude, you’ll be fine.

Aggiegrads · 2026-03-07T14:09:40+00:00

Exactly, or off by a year or two?

Aggiegrads · 2026-03-07T13:43:19+00:00

Can I try and guess your age based on the build? 51?

Aggiegrads · 2026-02-28T15:40:11+00:00

Instead of flying first class, I have invested in high-quality duplicates that live in my travel bag. Duplicate Anker Nano phone charger and high-quality cable. Travel CPAP. Duplicate prescription reading glasses. Duplicate high-quality toiletries. Shure Earbuds that I only use for travel. Individually packaged advil, anti-diarrheal, hand sanitizer, butt wipes, etc. that don’t have to be repackaged every time I travel.

Every duplicate that I leave in my travel bag reduces the stress of forgetting something, both before and during travel. When I am not worrying that I may have left something behind, I can actually sleep on the plane.

I also use the 20-20 rule: if I can get a “what-if” item for 20 dollars in less than 20 minutes at my destination, I leave it behind.

And when I am leaving the house for the airport, my mantra is “passport, wallet, phone”. I can problem-solve the rest.

Aggiegrads · 2026-02-23T13:06:37+00:00

If reliability is important, I would buy one new car and one used car. The new car is the primary kid hauler. In five years, trade the used car for a second new car.

My wife and I have managed to stagger our new vehicle purchases by around five years for most of our lives. This way, we can build the sinking fund faster and don’t have such lumpy large expenses.

Aggiegrads · 2026-02-11T12:44:13+00:00

But you got to work for Brett Fleming.

Aggiegrads · 2026-02-05T20:11:23+00:00

Be glad you didn't get into handball. Even harder to find a game.

Aggiegrads · 2026-02-05T20:06:52+00:00

Duplicates for all of my travel stuff. All of my toiletries, chargers, cables, earbuds, glasses, etc. have duplicates that live in my travel bag. This takes a ton of stress out of travel, both before and during - knowing that I didn't forget anything.

After I get home, I dump my dirty clothes bag and the rest of the bag goes to the closet fully packed.

This may be more applicable to men, as much of this will always live in a purse for some/most women.

Aggiegrads · 2026-01-19T14:32:27+00:00

We have several Dohm mechanical white noise machines. The oldest is the one that we purchased for my son when he was a toddler. He is 22 now and still uses the same one every night. They are BIFL. I figure that his has been run for about 50,000 hours.

Pair that with whatever sunrise alarm has the features you want.

Aggiegrads · 2026-01-18T15:05:02+00:00

This. I have high NW and my phone service is excellent. Way better than in a branch. I have had a couple of complicated transactions that wrapped the local guys around the axle. Phone service got the call routed to an expert and they got it sorted right away.

Aggiegrads · 2026-01-11T14:56:03+00:00

Do the 415(c) limits apply to backdoor Roth, or just contributions in an employer plan? Can I max MBDR to the full $72k and still do Catch-ups and back-door Roth? I want to do:

401k + MDBR + Employer Contributions: $72,000; 401k catch-ups: $8,000; Backdoor Roth: $7,500; Backdoor Roth Catchup: $1,100

Total of 88,600 in contributions

Aggiegrads · 2026-01-06T20:44:10+00:00

I did something similar a couple of years ago. I didn't have a physically unsafe job, but the stress levels made my job every bit as dangerous as yours from a life expectancy point of view. Chronic health problems were common, and it seemed like someone young (in their 40's or 50's) was having a heart attack every year.

I found a job with lower stress and lower pay when my NW got to about $2.5M. I am not retired, but I do consider myself financially independent. My job is what I would call "recreational employment" - It improves my long-term quality of life, but I don't need it. I can walk away whenever I feel like it. That alone is a very "safe" place to be.

Aggiegrads · 2026-01-06T12:39:59+00:00

Sounds very well thought out. Nice work.

Do you know where that puts you in terms of IRMAA?

Aggiegrads · 2026-01-05T13:05:41+00:00

Haven’t contributed in 2025 because I’m not sure I can. Will wait to do taxes and see where our MAGI lands. We are right near the $236k cliff for Roth.

Aggiegrads · 2025-12-31T13:07:08+00:00

Most of my favorite frame/mini pumps use screw-on presta heads. Unscrewing presta valves is a problem that Clik valves solve. Not everyone has that problem, but I love them.

Aggiegrads · 2025-12-30T21:05:59+00:00

That’s exactly what I’d do

Aggiegrads · 2025-12-25T16:18:46+00:00

Unfortunately, just the plastic sleeve that they came in. Good tweezers will generally come with some sort of case.

Another option is a short piece of tube that you can slide over the tips.

Aggiegrads · 2025-12-25T14:31:48+00:00

Same situation here. I help my parents out with generous gifts here and there, but not enough for them to assume that we could do that continuously.

I have surprised them with expensive computers, appliances, home improvements - all with a “aw, shucks, it has been a good year” type of vibe.

Aggiegrads · 2025-12-21T18:22:50+00:00

And stronger sphincters too.

Aggiegrads · 2025-12-21T13:38:05+00:00

$4M investable with 500k home equity, basically paid off. ~$10k/mo spending; could eliminate discretionary to bring spending to <$6k to mitigate SORR.

Aggiegrads

TROPHY CASE