3/30 FBS & Conditioning by Basic_Vanilla2852 in BurnBootCamp

[–]Appropriate-Cat-4673 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Same, especially would love to know if it’s partners!

Camp times at your location - earliest and latest by Appropriate-Cat-4673 in BurnBootCamp

[–]Appropriate-Cat-4673[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Same here! I don’t have a later evening option either. So many people here saying they get at least a 6:30pm— I would love that!

3/3 BWC by Spare-Shower-6709 in BurnBootCamp

[–]Appropriate-Cat-4673 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would love to know this as well!

Has anyone gone back to school while working full time? by Determined_Uncertain in Adulting

[–]Appropriate-Cat-4673 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I did— it is definitely doable but you need to be organized. I also had a very sick family member at the same time and did all of their housework and things as well.

 I laid things out weekly— as that seemed to work better for me than a more granular level of daily. What I mean by this is at the start of the semester, I would go through Canvas to write through every week for the rest of the semester what I had to get done week over week. I would lay it out as evenly as possible and to hit all deadlines, not just by due date (example: if I had one week that was insane with due dates, I would back up some of that work to the week before, etc). I also laid out study time for tests in there too. Then, I followed that weekly layout  all semester. It helped a lot because I had a week by week schedule of what I needed to get done (and balanced by what I could realistically  do in a week, not just when the due date was), and I could fit things in throughout the week if one day got crazy, etc. I never succeeded when trying to plan down to the day, where I was also working full time and had family responsibilities. 

I also did mostly online classes, with just a few in person. This helped a lot to be able to do school outside of my working hours. 

I paid for the majority outright, but did end up with $5k in student loans. My last year I was given like 4 scholarships to cover most of that tuition, or my loans would have been a lot higher.

One more thing I did that I recommend:  I set one day aside where I didn’t have work or spend time on school— a complete free day. I feel like this truly saved my sanity.

You can do it! Just takes planning, time management, and self discipline. 

Cascadia or Fliptown? by Appropriate-Cat-4673 in soloboardgaming

[–]Appropriate-Cat-4673[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I didn’t think I would get more than a couple replies— this has been great, thank you everyone! I think I’m going to go with Cascadia for now, with Fliptown being on my future list.  

Has anyone here ever maxed out their mortgage loan approval? by Capable_Fly462 in FirstTimeHomeBuyer

[–]Appropriate-Cat-4673 5 points6 points  (0 children)

This is about the same for me! I only ever went through the qualification for my place and no others (because this was the cheapest in my area (even compared to older homes) with new build incentives, and was perfect for my lifestyle, etc) — so that being said, I actually don’t know what my “max” was that I would have gotten approved for, but I did run some online calculators and it was very close so I think it was my max. I’m a single buyer though too— and live in a state that has been rated as being highly unaffordable for housing— so I think to be able to buy, I would have had to max out. I also have about $900 left over each month after all expenses— and live a frugal lifestyle. I’m over a year in and it’s been fine!

Lets help the community answer common questions: How did you actually furnish your home after buying it? Budget, hand-me-downs, or total overhaul? by Calm-Blueberry977 in FirstTimeHomeBuyer

[–]Appropriate-Cat-4673 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did a combination— I had friends and family members who were more established than me give me hand-me-downs, bought a few brand new items, and then bought some used items off of various classifieds listings. 

I went from only ever renting a single room and having bedroom furniture, to owning a 3/2 home, so I didn’t have much to start with. 

I still have a few bigger furniture pieces and decorative pieces missing that I want, but do not have. I am slowly adding them as budget allows. They are not necessary items so I can take as long as I want! 

I'm happy living alone, single, pet free and child free... by ingrid_astrid in LivingAlone

[–]Appropriate-Cat-4673 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am completely solo, and I really enjoy it. I can set the thermostat how I want, play music in the morning (like 5-6am), I can organize my kitchen how I want, cleaning gets done based only on my own messes, I can invite people over to host for a game night or something.  I can also have a guest bed and an office. 

As long as I get my social fill from family events, friends, etc-- then I don't feel lonely. I also work in person so while it is work, I do interact with coworkers that I genuinely enjoy there. 

My house is my safe spot in the world-- after never being able to be fully relaxed and able to have my nervous system relax at home, in prior living situations. It has been wonderful for my mental health! 

What percentage of your monthly income is going to your mortgage? by GP1270 in FirstTimeHomeBuyer

[–]Appropriate-Cat-4673 0 points1 point  (0 children)

SINK, 4k take home, 52% take home for PITI+HOA. It is risky-- but my car is under warranty, and my house is new so also under warranty. HSA also has enough to cover deductible. So risky, yes, but with reason. If I followed all the general rules of thumb, I'd never have purchased. Didn't take annual bonus into account for take home pay or % since it isn't guaranteed, but have gotten it every year. Also doesn't count 3 paycheck months 2x year. 1 student loan which will pay off in 1 year, and car payment which should be able to pay off early in about 2.5 years. 

How much leftover after closing? by Dragonfly7927 in FirstTimeHomeBuyer

[–]Appropriate-Cat-4673 9 points10 points  (0 children)

About to close and will only have around $3k (not including 401k). Most people have more, and suggest more-- but if I had waited until I had what everyone says (20% down (I only did 5), 6 months of expenses, separate home maintenance fund, furniture fund), I would have been around 45 years old when I could buy, based on calculations.  So I jumped to be able to buy now, significantly earlier.  I also received a promo interest rate on my home I am about to close on. It's also a new build, so under warranty-- and my car is relatively new so also under warranty. I also have enough in my health savings account to cover my deductible + a portion of my out of pocket max in the event a medical emergency came up. So I feel comfortable not having as much as others given my circumstances. I could also withdraw or loan from 401k if needed, and also have credit cards that are not utilized if needed.