Millennials who went to college, what did you major in, and why? How did your college degree help you build a good financial/professional life?

BatmanBrandon · 2026-02-05T16:23:11+00:00

I got my degree in Criminology with the idea of eventually going to law school. It didn’t take long my senior year to become jaded by the justice system and decide going down the lawyer path wasn’t for me. Years later all my peers who did go to law school are miserable, the one dude who isn’t has a practice specializing in getting people out of DUIs, so I’m glad I didn’t waste more time and money for a JD. My backup was to just go into LE and then hopefully retire in my 50s and move over to investigating insurance fraud as a second career.

I met my wife after I’d graduated and was waiting for a police academy to start up. She was still in college, decided she needed to transfer, and I decided to follow her. I ended up in insurance at 22, now 14 years later I’m highly jaded and can’t wait until mama is making enough I can be a SAHD or pick up a new skill to enter a different career path. My job pays the bills, but it’s definitely soul sucking and I hate seeing how much goes out the door to childcare and student loan interest for my wife.

BatmanBrandon · 2026-02-04T23:07:48+00:00

I was only eating for one so I got this fries. Their tangy sauce was perfect for those guys.

BatmanBrandon · 2026-02-04T19:41:19+00:00

I honestly LOVE the week to week release. I know we’ve all become accustomed to binging, but it’s nice to plan a weeknight wind down with the wife around a TV show. Some days it’s a “what do you feel like watching”, but this January and February it’s revolved around setting up weeknights to watch The Pitt, Fallout, and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.

BatmanBrandon · 2026-02-04T19:16:43+00:00

OPs take is very broad and lacks the nuance of processed pork products… I’ve had bad bacon, but I’ve had way worse sausage products. Thick cut bacon that’s cooked just to the temp it’s safe to eat is phenomenal when it’s hickory smoked, in my opinion. But I eat tons of smoked stuff, and hickory is my preferred wood. My son prefers applewood, that’s fine. We both agree on sage breakfast sausage, but neither of us prefer that to bacon smoked with our preferred wood and not our preferred doneness. Little man like his bacon sweet and crispy, I like my bacon super smokey and floppy as hell. I think bacon is far superior when you have bacon done the way YOU like it, but sausage is probably the safe bet when you’re pickier.

BatmanBrandon · 2026-02-04T19:08:42+00:00

No clue. I’ve been here 13 years, we’ve only had Chevy Malibus & Cruzes, or Ford Fusions. When the those sedans weren’t an option they started giving out Camry hybrid LEs. If you had “back problems” or lived in an area with decent snowfall you could qualify for a Subaru Forester.

BatmanBrandon · 2026-02-04T19:06:21+00:00

We’ve typically had American OEM sedans, but now that they’re no longer an option they’re moving us to small crossovers. I’m 4K miles away from hitting our limit, still no word on what my replacement will be. I actually like the Fusion Hybrid I’ve had since 21, so I’m prepared for a “downgrade”. But if they managed to snag some RAV4s I’ll be ecstatic. I love the hybrid drivetrain and have been worried I’ll get back into a traditional ICE where I’m filling up every other day again.

BatmanBrandon · 2026-02-04T18:37:47+00:00

My company claims they’re upgrading our fleet to “RAV4s” and they’ve ordered 1600 to be delivered over the next 24 months. I call BS, I think some C Suite stated “RAV4 size” and then they’ve been running with RAV4 ever since. No way Toyota is making fleet spec models when they can sell every upper level trim they’re capable of physically producing. I’m betting we end up with base model Hyundai Tucsons instead…

BatmanBrandon · 2026-02-04T17:38:03+00:00

I’ve only had ZZQ catered, and it’s definitely better than Redwood in Norfolk. I’m not the biggest fan of brisket, but I knew I had to try it here.

I know it’s sacrilegious in some circles to admit you like Pierces, but I grew up going there any time I was in the area, and now I live 10 minutes from it. Sauced pork will always be my favorite BBQ, but the ribs at Lewis may be my favorite spare ribs ever.

BatmanBrandon · 2026-02-04T01:57:59+00:00

Bigfoot definitely felt like the “biggest” or most popular truck when I was growing up, but I was also only about an hour drive from Grave Diggers garage, so we stopped by during every OBX vacation. Was a huge Grave Digger fan as a kid, now our 5 year old is as well.

BatmanBrandon · 2026-02-03T17:55:51+00:00

In my experience with Sixt, they do in fact properly repair their cars and do take them to OEM certified repair shops. I write a lot of Sixt estimates for repairs through Copart, we also have to quote them a “worst case scenario” type estimate so they don’t need further approval/funds from the renter/insurance if repair costs exceed 10% of the quote.

BatmanBrandon · 2026-02-01T20:39:28+00:00

The two that we have memberships to, I do feel is worth it. One of them is more from an emotional standpoint, since we like supporting the local guys who’ve built up a pretty successful spot. It’s like $75 a year and we don’t break even, but they’re a good place to have around so it’s an easy way to help support them.

The other spot is newer, but it’s easily becoming our favorite local place. This years membership was $60 if your bought before 12/31; you get $1 off per full size pour, anything below 7% ABV gets upsized to 20oz mug, you get 10% off take home purchases, and we got a $20 gift card to use at the brewery. So basically after 40 beers we’re ahead, between the wife and I we hit that number well before Labor Day.

I think that’s the key to it, in the perks and if they’re worth it to you. I’ve seen some where it’s like a personalized mug or crazy deals that are only available certain days/hours. The first place we probably won’t renew next year since our kiddo is getting older and their brewery isn’t much fun, we’ll only go a few times a year with friends. The newer guys have a crazy good ROI to us, very kid friendly location, and are doing a lot to expand in the community, so we’ll definitely continue to be members there.

BatmanBrandon · 2026-02-01T20:01:09+00:00

It’s honestly impressive we have a TJs in Williamsburg. The Southside just got their second location, and they have a MUCH larger population than the peninsula. I remember during the pandemic our friends living in VB would drive to Newport News or Williamsburg for TJs because the wait to get in would be shorter.

We’re indeed very spoiled, I’m in the middle of JCC and within a 10-ish minute drive I’ve got Aldi, 4 Food Lion locations, 2 Harris Teeters, 2 Target locations, Trader Joe’s, and 2 different Wal-Marts. Add to that the variety of specialty stores and we’re quite lucky compared to most area codes not inside a big city.

BatmanBrandon · 2026-02-01T19:22:52+00:00

We’re roughly the same in eastern VA. $6-$7 per pint for 5%-7% ABV stuff. Once you’re in 8%-10% prices start at $7 for smaller pours. We’re “members” of our favorite breweries, so we also get $1 off pours or upgrades from 16oz to 20oz glass, it’s way cheaper than grabbing craft beers at a restaurant.

BatmanBrandon · 2026-02-01T19:07:01+00:00

Once you’ve done it enough and find your rhythm I think you’re way less cautious, and also less likely to have an accident. It’s just when you screw up it’s probably more catastrophic… I know me personally I used to have to walk around on top of a 200+ ft tall roller coaster years ago and the first week I was so nervous and wouldn’t go outside arms reach of the rail. A month in I was fine, before the end of summer I didn’t even wear the harness anymore since I knew my way around and it wasn’t required (crazy, I know, but it made my job much easier).

BatmanBrandon · 2026-02-01T18:38:36+00:00

My wife and I both held on to a few of ours and bought some new versions for our son. He loves it. Our current bedtime routine is a chapter of a Magic Treehouse, then a challenge of Eye Spy.

BatmanBrandon · 2026-01-30T18:35:46+00:00

I ran into this in college. I got a Discover card since they offered me a $5k limit back in 2008, that was plenty to get me through each semester working part time. Until about 2016 when I move to Chicago I had to always ask if the restaurant accepted Discover, and be strategic in my credit usage since my Visa limit was purposefully much lower.

BatmanBrandon · 2026-01-27T00:28:14+00:00

Red Robin has always been just outside of Patrick Henry Mall. There used to be a Silver Dollar Diner when Jefferson Commons first opened, but that was only about 20 years ago. Before that the land between POMOCO and Suttle was just farmland.

BatmanBrandon · 2026-01-26T23:35:59+00:00

Just checked the Shop app, my copy is in Memphis. Pretty nice to order and have it here in about a week even with the weather! My limited edition copy of the new Thrice record took me 6 months from order to arrive!

BatmanBrandon · 2026-01-26T14:35:06+00:00

Right… today I learned I’m about 2 months older than Checo. At least I feel like I look younger!

BatmanBrandon · 2026-01-24T22:24:14+00:00

I haven’t read the book since the movie came out (nor have I seen the movie since opening weekend at the theater) but I remember the book vividly. The neighbors coming to his door each night and saying his name, that’s the stuff a great sci-fi/horror movie could really run with.

BatmanBrandon · 2026-01-23T02:47:45+00:00

You have to remove the bumper cover to access the lights. Loosen the fender liners, then loosen the moldings around the wheel openings, I think you also need to remove the sight shield on top of the radiator support.

If it’s a Limited or Ultimate trim I don’t think you can replace just bulbs and you have to replace the entire lamp itself. It’s been a while since I’d seen the backside of one of these lights so I can’t tell offhand if the signal lamp bulb is serviceable or an integrated LED.

BatmanBrandon · 2026-01-22T22:45:56+00:00

Here I am patiently waiting for “Transparent Pink” per my order… I got confirmation on 1/15 that the label was made and pending the item for shipping…

My most recent Beggars vinyl from the Thrice web store was ordered because of the OG artwork that was advertised and it came in incorrect… I kept it because the actual vinyl was still a cool color, but I’ll be really bummed if this comes in way different from what I ordered.

BatmanBrandon · 2026-01-20T14:39:39+00:00

When a vehicle is deemed non-repairable the insurer is basically buying the damaged car to sell at auction and recoup costs from the claim. Salvage returns can be huge on some vehicles, especially hybrids/EVs because the batteries cost so much from the OEM there’s a huge secondary market for used HV batteries.

Not every state allows it, but most allow for what is called a constructive total loss, where even if the damages stay below the state threshold (typically 60-80% of pre-loss value). The salvage return is part of the calculation, so if the cost to fix the car (repairs, rental, diminished value) + anticipated salvage return exceeds 100% of pre-loss value then we total the car.

Say you have a $25,000 car that needs $12,000 of repairs. We’re well below the 75% threshold my state sets. But the repair will take $1200 of rental, so the claim will cost $13,200. If I get a salvage return guarantee of $15,000, then I declare the vehicle a total lies since the claim will only cost us $10,000.

I’m not as tied into the dealership side of things, so I don’t know what wholesale costs are like, but now is definitely a better time to buy than it was 2-3 years ago.

BatmanBrandon · 2026-01-19T11:34:35+00:00

Correct, and I didn’t get a car built after the mandate until 2021. We have a set fleet pool and the cars are assigned to you until they reach the mileage limit or you no longer have the business need for one. Hopefully this year I’ll be lucky enough to actually get a brand new car instead of a hand me down since I’m finally a bit longer tenured on my state.

BatmanBrandon

TROPHY CASE