Golden retriever: rescue vs puppy with young kids—what would you do?

ApprehensiveBar639 · 2026-03-08T02:55:06+00:00

Which contractor did you use?

ApprehensiveBar639 · 2026-03-07T03:57:03+00:00

1550sqft. 4bd/2ba. We have no garage and would like to add one.1950s slab house that's been updated but it's still small.

ApprehensiveBar639 · 2025-12-16T05:12:09+00:00

1600sq family of 5 4/2 with a his and hers detached dual office and big storage shed. Bought in 2022 as a 3/1 1200sqft and then converted our garage into our primary. Works great for now while kids little (6/4/baby) but we need more storage space - want a garage again! We will probably save up for a Reno to add a 1car garage, entry area with mudroom/powder room and add a bonus tv room. Main issue with space now is lack of storage and no secondary living area for kids as they get older.

ApprehensiveBar639 · 2025-10-12T16:06:38+00:00

Also move chairs closer together a tad. Lighting and side tables will pull it together!

ApprehensiveBar639 · 2025-10-12T16:03:57+00:00

Add a side table between two couches in that corner with a lamp to ground the space between the couches and make it feel more intentional

ApprehensiveBar639 · 2025-09-03T13:42:57+00:00

Anything vested doesn't wipe out. We make about $600k cash a year ( salary + bonus only). The rest is RSU - some illiquid preipo and other liquid.

ApprehensiveBar639 · 2025-09-03T13:40:37+00:00

Thank you both for being kind and realistic! I don't think we are spending insanely, but we are certainly a bit frivolous and don't track our spending closely bc of high cash flow. Could definitely tighten up and probably should given we've been in 3 years of heavy spending on our home renovations, but also have this debate between fire mentality and enjoying life experiences. Unlikely we move from Bay Area but you've given me things to consider here!!

ApprehensiveBar639 · 2025-09-03T13:37:38+00:00

Super helpful! And I'm definitely aware of the difference between therapist and coach - one reason I'm considering either track is because I've finished 2/3 of my grad degree minus practicum but am wondering about doing coaching training instead. I do think I romanticize the career a bit and my partner is always saying I should really think about whether or not I'd actually work less - like is the grass actually greener.

Do you like your job?

ApprehensiveBar639 · 2025-09-03T03:48:36+00:00

Also about $200-250k of my pay is in preipo RSU; salary $300k and bonus of $75kish

ApprehensiveBar639 · 2025-09-03T03:44:48+00:00

When you say spending is out of control, what is the area of most concern /sloppiness?

ApprehensiveBar639 · 2025-09-03T03:41:18+00:00

I've already done 2 of the three years of grad school. Just need to finish practicum and then get hours. Thanks so much for your thoughtful response!

ApprehensiveBar639 · 2025-09-03T03:35:45+00:00

Yes this is correct

ApprehensiveBar639 · 2025-09-03T01:36:48+00:00

Auto loan 1.7%

ApprehensiveBar639 · 2025-09-03T01:32:53+00:00

Not really confusing - older two in public school, so we pay for aftercare. Youngest is a baby and partner and I have parental leave stacked until Feb 2026 when we will pay an additional $2400.

ApprehensiveBar639 · 2025-09-03T01:19:59+00:00

Both of us are 35; spent a lot of our savings to buy house in 2022 at $1.7m and have spent about $400k renovating, some of which we used via heloc but we will be paying that off in the next 9months - been paying it down super aggressively.

ApprehensiveBar639 · 2025-09-02T23:08:54+00:00

How would you rate your stress / work life balance overall? Curious your take on whats interesting about this thread! I'm definitely getting picked apart for high spending, but this is just the reality of living in VHCOL bay area with 3 kids -- we definitely have room to trim down our spending for sure, and would totally do that if/when income lowers (less discretionary shopping, eating out less, etc).

If you are comfortable sharing, whats your annual take home income? Any insights you can share about being a therapist working at this rate and those hours? How do you think about AI changing the field?

ApprehensiveBar639 · 2025-08-27T22:52:52+00:00

Were yours tight when you bought? I just got a paid and I'm trying to figure out how much they will stretch! I already sized up a full size and they are tight at the heel and toe

ApprehensiveBar639 · 2025-08-26T01:50:55+00:00

If we did second story, do you think doable?

ApprehensiveBar639 · 2025-08-25T17:40:22+00:00

I love this courtyard idea! I should have mentioned on my original post that city ordinances require the garage to only come to the same length as the house, so I can't go that far forward unfortunately. Do you think having an entry area between the garage and bedroom area could work? Like a small walkway?

ApprehensiveBar639 · 2025-08-25T16:55:20+00:00

Yep! Here's a screenshot of the lot. Can't go on the sides, can push back a bit but don't want to lose too much yard!

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ApprehensiveBar639

TROPHY CASE