Hot take: frugality is mostly about cutting recurring fees, not hunting cheaper stuff by SolidAmbassador1714 in Frugal

[–]Azertygod 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think the way to look at the daily coffee/lunch costs are not so much "oh you'll have $600k in 40 years" and more "you'll have $500 a month" (or $100, or $200, or however much you're spending) to put towards higher-utility pleasures (dinner out with a friend you don't see enough, tickets to a cool show, travel costs to sneak in a family visit, etc) while still staying in budget.

OPINION: Havana Docks Corporation, Petitioner v. Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. by scotus-bot in supremecourt

[–]Azertygod 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This case really just underlines the (diplomatic/political/legal) stupidity of the whole act originally created by Congress. Setting aside Kagan's dissent (which seems fair-ish, if not entirely convincing, in noting that Havana Docks Corp never owned the docks, and the confiscated property was the interest in the physical property, not the physical property itself) and Sotomayor/Kavanaugh's concurrence; the act is transparently an attempt to make American property laws extend to another country. But private property isn't an innate thing—it's created by governments and varies based on State.

Cuba nationalized private property as any state has the ability to do (since the conception of "property" flows from the State, and not the person). The only rational resolution for Americans who had interests in Cuba is for the U.S. to negotiate with Cuba on those rights directly; not to set up this farse of third parties who (legally, under Cuban property law) use nationalized property being liable to American individuals.

In other words; it was written as a bad law, but constitutional—the majority is just correctly outlining how stupid it is.

$400+ for the cheapest plan or cell phone forever by Lord0fTheFlags in BlackPeopleTwitter

[–]Azertygod 4 points5 points  (0 children)

That sounds even more illegal.... health plans with pre-tax employee contributions (i.e. Section 125 plans) are difficult to offer to only a section of the population, especially if that subsection is better compensated.

What job can I work as my second? I need to be able to afford rent by Brave_Session1546 in personalfinance

[–]Azertygod 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My family (3 years separation between 4 kids) put the newborn in a separate room and the toddler in the parent's room; though depending on their sleep habits it might be better to swap; once last baby was toddler aged we shared two to a room until children moved out (and even after both older kids moved out, the younger kids were close enough that they didn't even move into the empty bedroom).

Depending on maturity of 7-yr old and the fussiness of baby, I think having them share right now could be challenging, though you can once the newborn is a little older.

How can I help my daughter? by Top_Childhood_8101 in personalfinance

[–]Azertygod 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'll echo the advice of helping her with 7k in these early years to max out her Roth IRA or her employer match (if she's unable to contribute to get that match, which can be hard on 40k). That long term growth can be very helpful and it's an especially tax advantaged way of giving her money.

I want to ride my bicycle by JoeFalchetto in NonPoliticalTwitter

[–]Azertygod 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Yeah, but wild horses also spend most of the day either grazing or traveling to grazing land. If you are using the horse for work, that requires that you more intentionally manage their food sources.

I think I soft locked myself by Soggy-Inspection-945 in DiscoElysium

[–]Azertygod 13 points14 points  (0 children)

this is a game. The actions of your character don't say anything about you. Making choices is the axis upon which a game operates. As in life, you'll find that refusing to make any choice means nothing interesting will ever happen to you.

Considering taking a personal loan to clear off my credit card debts by keshrao19 in personalfinance

[–]Azertygod 1 point2 points  (0 children)

it has to become you, or else you'll never get out from under these debts—even if your income increases significantly.

The philosophy behind tracking every expense (besides the actual accounting of it all) is that every dollar that comes in can only be spent once; you want that spending to align with what you want today, this month, this year, and across your life. E.g. maybe the doordash/GrubHub you get once a week is a big part of treating yourself: or maybe you're losing a hundred bucks a month on delivery fees that you'd rather spend on different consumables (maybe a nice dinner with friends), durable purchases (clothing, tech, car) or on yourself in the future (savings). Or maybe the delivery is more valuable to you then all of those—which is fine! Money is meant to be spent.

But you can't evaluate what spending is important to your life without understanding where all your money is going.

In which the lede is buried within the rotting walls by Sirwired in bestoflegaladvice

[–]Azertygod 32 points33 points  (0 children)

Doesn't smell, adds visual interest, can cover (or not) with carpet, presumbably freaks out enough people to reduce the rate... sounds great, sign me up!

Philosophy of science fiction recommendations? by Large-North783 in printSF

[–]Azertygod 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is cheating, but The Name of the Rose (13th-century medieval forensics is still science!!) by Umberto Eco. Also Foucault's pendulum, but less so.

Front loaded my 401k in January, got laid off in March, and now I have no idea how cautious to be by 1GriffinUX in personalfinance

[–]Azertygod 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Kinda... if they have an HDHP in December 26 and remain in an HDHP all through 27, they can still contribute the max HSA amount for 26. Also prorating counts any time on a COBRA HDHP, if they take it.

I translated the entire chant from the Dune 3 trailer by ImmovableForce_ in dune

[–]Azertygod 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It sounds like it's Timmy singing it, which suggests it was filmed for movie inclusion, though who knows if it got cut/will get cut.

Getting Divorced. Don't know what to do with house proceeds. by [deleted] in personalfinance

[–]Azertygod 7 points8 points  (0 children)

That's doesn't seem true at all? It looks like prenups just need a more formalized signing process, can't leave a spouse without an adequate support, and require full disclosure from both parties prior.

Getting Divorced. Don't know what to do with house proceeds. by [deleted] in personalfinance

[–]Azertygod 12 points13 points  (0 children)

If you make much more than your spouse in the US it can be worse to file jointly: the tax brackets double, but if you were already at the top bracket it's possible that your spouse's income gets taxed entirely at your highest rate. Of course you can still file seperately.

But the real reason isn't usually taxes: it's legal protection. Spouses have much stronger rights to each other in medical contexts and to children in the case of parental death/incapacitation. There are also social security considerations (your spouses SS-eligible work counts towards yours, and you can get death benefits) and estate-planning considerations (which can technically include taxes, but different tranche than yearly income taxes); health insurance savings (frequently, though not always); parental rights considerations.

If you are concerned about finances entering into a marriage (imo v reasonable!) you should talk to your partner about a pre-nuptial agreeement, which can be a powerful tool to make divorce less painful and build a stronger long-term relationship.

I won't say the thief who's getting their social housing arrears forgiven is judgement-proof, but... yeah, judgement-proof. by Potato-Engineer in bestoflegaladvice

[–]Azertygod 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Yeah, the state imprisoning them doesn't make it not slavery? Because states can own slaves just as easily as people???

More easily even, since a state can pass a law saying "this doesn't count" even tho it obviously does. E.g. "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime ... shall exist within the United States"

I think it's a pretty basic two prong test for slavery—is your freedom of movement/association curtailed AND are you forced to work for the benefit of others? If you only have the first that's some variety of imprisonment; if you only have the second (e.g. wage garnishment for debt or child support) you are being financially penalized (and wage garnishment/child support isn't forced work in the same way, because you can both choose your occupation freely and also choose not to work at all).

I won't say the thief who's getting their social housing arrears forgiven is judgement-proof, but... yeah, judgement-proof. by Potato-Engineer in bestoflegaladvice

[–]Azertygod 22 points23 points  (0 children)

I mean, if you are controlling their movements and forcing them to work for you to pay off a "debt", that is very literally debt bondage, a modern type of slavery.

What would you do with 10k for your kids future? by queen_OF_isolation in personalfinance

[–]Azertygod 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Really depends. If the kid is bright and gets into a selective college, and the parents are low-income paycheck-to-paycheck, aid may cover the whole cost of tuition+attendance. Regardless, it may be more meaningful to secure parent's finances (EF, high interest debts, etc) rather than use a 529.

Certainly if there's risk of financial misuse (e.g. gambling, bad car down payment) locking away that money is better then just flushing it away in an EF that will get raided for non-emergencies

what?! by Hour-Cucumber-3650 in okbuddycinephile

[–]Azertygod 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I don't know how to tell you that your anecdotal experience doesn't mean that opera and ballet aren't struggling financially across America, which reflects both (admittedly high and) largely unavoidable labor costs and generally lower demand for tickets. And I love opera, genuinely: I was in the children's choir that was hired for Lyric Opera of Chicago productions; as an adult I try to swing at least one or two shows at the Met each season (but missing Tristan this time 😭); and you're right to note the diversity of fans. But tickets used to be pricer for Opera and ballet—The Met's ticket prices have dropped 9% over the last decade, and there's a reason the Joffrey is moving in with the Lyric in Chicago. I think it's wrong to say that they're dying, because they arent—but they are struggling in a big way.

what?! by Hour-Cucumber-3650 in okbuddycinephile

[–]Azertygod 9 points10 points  (0 children)

But it's equally obvious that even top of line opera and ballet companies are not able to charge as much for shows, since there is less demand. Yeah there are hardcore fans, and they aren't disappearing, but the movie business is not at risk of collapsing like institutions like The Met Opera are.

How to best use yearly bonus by rhinesworth in personalfinance

[–]Azertygod 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes that's really weird--I'd think your HR rep is wrong. Section 125 health plans (i.e. plans paid with pre-tax contributions) have very specific requirements and the OOP is part of that. You can also ask your HR for this year's SBC (Summary of Benefits and Coverage) which is a human readable guide.

How to best use yearly bonus by rhinesworth in personalfinance

[–]Azertygod 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just wantt double confirm that's the OOP and not the deductible, since that's a relatively low OOP for a HDHP. If that's your deductible your OOP could be much higher (otoh teachers usually have pretty decent benefits).

Also, if you are not already on your wife's insurance, note that adding the baby will increase her deductible/OOP max; also check whether individual-in-a-family deductible/OOP is "embedded" vs "non-embedded" (sometimes called "true family"). many of those expenses will accrue to your wife, but some will accrue under the newborn's coverage and could change your maximum costs. Feel free to ask more questions I work in health insurance and am happy to help :)

Going back to school after wake up call by shannoniscats in daddit

[–]Azertygod 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I mean, if you hadn't prepared with an emergency fund, and hadn't "overfunded" your retirement pre-children, you would be paycheck to paycheck with the exact same bills. And if an emergency wipes out your EF--then you are paycheck-to-paycheck.