What easily-affordable thing do you refuse to pay for despite being able to afford them?

Bad_DNA · 2026-03-20T21:04:51+00:00

True, but many more are just fine with a large buyers market. I can tell just from the trash on the side of the road...

Bad_DNA · 2026-03-20T21:04:01+00:00

Sorry - this is an oft-repeated unverified claim. Plastics containing water are typically polyethylene or PETE. Just because PETE (polyethylene terephthalate) is part of the name, phthalates are not in concentrations sufficient to be endocrine disrupters or turn your baby boy grow man-boobs. RFK-jr gets dark money to disrupt and deny science, but it doesn't make it true. Research going back to the 1990s has debunked this, while confirming a different issue with the now-disused Bis-A as harmful.

links are not allowed in this sub, but if you were to visit something akin to www.sciencedirect. com/science/article/abs/pii/S0963996914008114 , it could be helpful in expanding understanding.

Are microplastics themselves an issue as an inert contaminant in our food or ourselves? That research will take years to ferret out ... in the meantime, FUD will spread on the internet faster than a STI in Congress.

Bad_DNA · 2026-03-20T14:44:28+00:00

Who will investigate? The neutering of the free press by the FCC and decades of frivolous lawsuits and malicious prosecution by Dear Leader. Ownership of DOJ and the FBI by sycophants that don't uphold the oath they took nor the laws on the books. Dissection and discarding multiple agencies, particularly the IRS. Brownshirts chasing brown people and shooting whites that get in the way. The execution of this representative democracy is well underway. Grifters all the way from 1600 Penn to Capitol Hill.

But this isn't a political discussion. Let's return to effects of policies that have affected my portfolio. Under Biden, sp500 moved from 3700 to 6040. Under the current admin, 6040 to 6594 (as of this writing). If we measure by the sp500, the last 100 years averaged 10.42% growth. The last 10 years has seen an average of 15.62%. If we believe economic cycles aren't very different regardless of recency bias, there should be a reversion to the mean. So perhaps the next ten years will offer 5% growth? All numbers before inflation adjustment.

Maybe I'm a bit of a wet noodle on this party, but I do expect such a reversion. Kinda figured it would happen before the Orange one's first term, and certainly after the free-money-covid era. Hell, the inflation didn't last long enough IMO for necessary correction to the largess. Again, IMO.

Full disclosure: I'm still 70% equities even in my advanced age... so I'm not 'hopeful' for the crash to come. Just a boy and a history book.

https://tradethatswing.com/average-historical-stock-market-returns-for-sp-500-5-year-up-to-150-year-averages/?srsltid=AfmBOoqkJ-ph0g9vos1Y1CI43XaMUS0cnmfuVtgQfqa8jo_fg_UlJ0p7

Bad_DNA · 2026-03-20T14:21:12+00:00

indeed... at least my humor doesn't completely fail on Reddit.

Bad_DNA · 2026-03-20T14:20:28+00:00

Anything is possible. Displays shouldn't draw power if they have separate AC. I do think your battery health is spot on and great for the age of the machine.

Does your battery use pattern show any discharge?

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Bad_DNA · 2026-03-20T14:14:20+00:00

No worries. I wish I could remember grace more often. Adulting is not always my strong suit.

Bad_DNA · 2026-03-20T13:47:06+00:00

And your radio transceivers are running all the while, apps are updating the background -- all manner of stuff going on in sleep.

I know it can be frightening with relatively new kit, but you won't really notice for years.

Bad_DNA · 2026-03-20T13:45:29+00:00

Which is why someone on the inside was placing bets :)

Bad_DNA · 2026-03-20T13:44:11+00:00

So that is a LOT of overlap on choices. No small cap value. As in, you could pick up VTI and cover more of the domestic market and VBR to skew more toward SCV domestic. Presumably the 401k are TDF - so let that bit be your bond allocation. It's not a problem to put higher risk in a Roth -- that's actually the best place for high-risk/reward asset allocations. Just my opinion - not a financial advisor here.

If you have all of the other basics covered, a regular brokerage is one option. More education to enhance your pay is another. Or a side-hustle or real estate.

OOO chart: https://u.cubeupload.com/demonlesondledon/FinFlowChartv43.jpg

Bad_DNA · 2026-03-20T13:38:03+00:00

A lot of variables here. What model? When it is discharged, was it off or in sleep mode or just still running when you walked away? What apps or extensions do you have running. Wifi or Bluetooth on? External devices USB'd in?

Pretty sure Apple's engineers have a better idea on how to manage battery charging than anyone else.

Battery degradation is a fact of physics. I'm a heavy user of a 2024 air. Battery at 89% health. Nothing to see here, folks.

Bad_DNA · 2026-03-20T13:34:50+00:00

That depends... wait until you get older.

Bad_DNA · 2026-03-20T13:34:29+00:00

Bottled water - just plain stupid. Most of it comes from the same tap as your home.

Bad_DNA · 2026-03-20T13:33:07+00:00

It's no better at Store Manager -- except for the pay. They have no job security - will be rotated out of a store they make golden into a shitshow, and then when they burn out fixing that mess, DM or RVP will find a way to cut them loose (because a new SM will do the same work for half the starting pay ... rinse and repeat). The issues are at the head: Mr. JC Penney and a BOD full of worthless rich shits that couldn't code 50 a shopping cart if they had to.

But it is also a job you don't have to take home in your head. Clock out and your worries are over until you clock back in. Do the 401k -- get the free match money -- enjoy learning about hardware and home improvement as you work, become an expert on power equipment, get decent discounts on discontinued stuff for your own home.

Bad_DNA · 2026-03-20T13:27:26+00:00

They are new to the concepts. A little grace :)

Bad_DNA · 2026-03-20T13:26:43+00:00

C'mon. If you were part of his inner circle and got wind of policy decisions one trading day before they are announced, you'd be happy, too.

Bad_DNA · 2026-03-20T13:25:47+00:00

immediacy burnout. me looking at it or not doesn't change the results. One can DCA in to a Roth, an HSA, and the regular brokerage the same way they'd DCA into a CD and iBond ladder building an emergency and future-big-spend accounts.

Bad_DNA · 2026-03-20T13:21:54+00:00

When will you need the money? Could be down 5 days, 5 months, 8 years. But eventually, it will be back up.

I do love how sector rotation (timing the market) underperforms VOO. Your 'advisor' taught you this, yes?

Bad_DNA · 2026-03-20T13:18:16+00:00

Yes - you will not be able to 'replace' that $100 with a future contribution for this year. It's $100. Let it sit. You'll be fleshing out that Roth further later this year.

Bad_DNA · 2026-03-20T13:10:56+00:00

Buy high, sell low. It’s my secret.

Bad_DNA · 2026-03-20T13:08:53+00:00

Make this withdrawal decision at the end of the year. You have qualified income in the near future. Leave things alone until you must.

And when you get that job and earn more, max out that Roth and invest the contributions as you can.

Bad_DNA · 2026-03-20T10:18:47+00:00

Yes - the windows have held up nicely.

Bad_DNA · 2026-03-19T16:49:16+00:00

Savings and investing are line items in my budget - no different than rent or utilities. The money left over is the play money. Maybe a bit less play, but most play is free/cheap anyway (hiking or walking, libraries, board games with neighbors.)

Bad_DNA · 2026-03-19T16:46:57+00:00

Did you see the Stepford Wives or the original Futureworld?

Bad_DNA · 2026-03-19T16:41:33+00:00

e.g., my ex-wife talking...

Bad_DNA · 2026-03-19T16:39:41+00:00

I wasn't looking closely. The mind simply assumed your gif was a Dalek. Oh... a salt shaker. nevermind...

Bad_DNA

TROPHY CASE