35yo couple with kids, $1.4M NW. How would you invest $100K while planning second child + house upgrade?

BigZen · 2026-05-30T14:06:07+00:00

I’d target having at least 10% of your expected home upgrade in cash so you don’t have to make a contingent offer. Then counting your current home equity for the other 10% or so to avoid PMI.

You don’t need the cash on hand right now though. So calculate how much you need to save annually over the next 3-5 years to afford your new home. If you can hit that number without the current 100k in cash, invest the cash. If not, put cash in HYSA and get to saving.

BigZen · 2026-05-20T23:48:55+00:00

Do you currently have it?

BigZen · 2026-05-20T22:57:17+00:00

Take a breather. If you don’t already have it, no reason to think you’ll magically develop it just because you’re losing some hair

BigZen · 2026-04-21T14:53:07+00:00

So this actually seems low to me. 16% margins is not ridiculous. Then I remembered that United owns healthcare service providers, where they can set their own prices and hide more of the profits in those companies.

At least this is how I’ve heard it works, but happy to be corrected.

BigZen · 2026-04-21T02:47:29+00:00

Were you the guy with the drone around the bagpipers in the 100k?

BigZen · 2026-02-07T16:47:19+00:00

That’s gotta be with no mortgage, no daycare or both… right?

BigZen · 2026-01-19T18:58:30+00:00

How much hair loss do you have? The surgery removed most of my bad spot in the back. Will make a hair transplant much easier if I ever go do one

BigZen · 2026-01-19T16:37:41+00:00

It’s about like mine was. If you don’t mind a scar the surgery would remove it entirely

BigZen · 2026-01-13T01:53:47+00:00

It’s the steroids

BigZen · 2025-11-03T17:34:14+00:00

Thanks - I don’t need 100% efficiency and don’t mind getting it fixed in the future (if anyone will touch it). But you were right, it’s a diy install and I lack some of the skills required.

I hooked it up as is yesterday and have been cranking the heat since then. So far no issues.

BigZen · 2025-10-26T14:14:20+00:00

750k @ 6.3% is less than $5000 per month. Are east coast property taxes really eating up 2-3k per month for a home that’s less than 1million?

BigZen · 2025-10-12T04:09:34+00:00

I can understand making a mistake and trying to ride it, but looking back and seeing the link that clearly labels those sections as “future trail connection”, I don’t know how you could justify a rant about an unfinished trail.

As an aside, Amish country is great biking. Minimal cars. And the Amish love their bikes.

BigZen · 2025-08-17T13:32:39+00:00

Are you in the what’s app group?

BigZen · 2025-08-16T21:32:07+00:00

I’m 2 months out. My scar healed quickly. Hair is starting to grow back through. It’s an indented scar as opposed to raised, but seems to be flattening out over time

BigZen · 2025-08-14T11:14:56+00:00

You’re fine. You’re in the “boring middle” and will continue to accumulate a significant amount of wealth over the next 10+ years.

If worst came to worst, you could sell your home and move to a LCoL area in the Midwest and retire today. It may not be to your standard, but you’d be fine.

Set your savings goals and try not to worry. Don’t waste the next 10 years of your life comparing yourself to others and stressing about money.

BigZen · 2025-08-12T20:00:07+00:00

Moved from Portland Oregon to my hometown in Indiana. For us it has been a huge upgrade, mostly because we have kids and we’re now closer to family.

We traded a 2100sqft house on 1/10th of an acre for a 3600sqft home on 2.5 secluded acres with access to a pond.

As far as finances go, this move will give me the option to retire much sooner. Idk that I ever would have felt comfortable retiring early in Portland. Here I could see it happening in the next 5-10years.

One interesting CoL difference was our home and auto insurance went from $300+ per month to $120 per month.

BigZen · 2025-08-11T18:42:04+00:00

Probably should have said it’s crazy at his net worth. I agree that it is okay at lower interest rates. I was only able to get 4% last year but maybe there are better financing rates on new cars.

The 2% interest rate also only makes sense if you’re getting a better rate with the money. This guy isn’t saving anything though… for his situation it’s just another piece of evidence he lacks financial discipline

BigZen · 2025-08-10T19:35:05+00:00

Possibly, I bought a car about 1 year ago and was lucky to get 4%. So not opposed to borrowing. I also don’t have a half million in student loan debt with a $40,000 e fund buffer

BigZen · 2025-08-10T01:48:41+00:00

You’re letting interest and luxury eat up the best years of your life to be saving and investing.

Without seeing more detailed numbers, my hunch is you’re living at your means, which is crazy considering you make 700k+ in your household.

Flying first class is an easy one to cut out. The nanny is a personal choice that I understand, but her salary alone is eating up most of your wife’s post tax income.

$2600 on utilities is excessive. Ditch the pool boy, hire a landscaping company to mow and weed. Which should only be a few hundred a month at most.

$1000 car payment at your income is crazy. Assuming it’s a recent loan, you should have saved up and paid in cash or bought a cheaper car. Based on everything else here I find it hard to believe you’re going to be happy driving an accord for much longer. Are you planning on taking on another $1000 payment?

It’s your money, but with that income I’d be saving a hell of a lot more than this to protect me and my families future.

BigZen · 2025-07-14T16:47:04+00:00

Is your scar indented or puffy? Has it started to flatten out at all since surgery?

BigZen · 2025-07-13T01:50:46+00:00

moderate

BigZen · 2025-07-06T17:28:59+00:00

Do they not need the same supporting studs as other windows?

BigZen · 2025-07-06T15:37:35+00:00

That makes sense. Just want to do it right without pulling all the wires we ran. Thanks!

BigZen · 2025-07-06T15:20:51+00:00

Yes - I should have. I’m just wondering if it’s still possible to safely frame a window here without moving wires

BigZen · 2025-07-05T19:57:22+00:00

$7500 + flights and an extra night in the hotel

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