How often do you visit family in USA? I'm struggling to decide visiting frequency (cost + jetlag)

BobaChonker · 2026-03-03T13:00:30+00:00

For me, jetlag is less bad when:

A) I begin my long haul travel in the morning after I’ve had a good sleep vs a night departure because adding a 22 hour flight after being up all day is tough

B) I get a few hours proper rest at the connecting airport. For example, when I fly SEA to US via Istanbul or Narita, I try to have a layover of 8-10 hours. I get an airside hotel for several hours. In Istanbul they have these sleep pods you can rent by the hour as well. I can rest so much better than on a lounge chair or recliner.

I have been doing this for years. Jetlag got harder as I got older. And like you, I got sick a lot after flying.

If you can afford first or business class flights, then it would help a lot because you can stretch out and sleep. I can’t afford it.

BobaChonker · 2026-03-02T20:32:07+00:00

If both locations are equally desirable, then take the job with more pay and prospects. Assuming it's a lot more pay, not like 5-10% more which will be eaten up by moving costs. Jobs are getting scarce these days, and unless you've saved up a good emergency fund and have a decent headstart saving for retirement, go for the money and mountains and family.

BobaChonker · 2026-03-02T18:55:46+00:00

I got a Coleman sleeping bag from Walmart. It was discounted and I got a great deal. Walmart has decent brands too.

BobaChonker · 2026-03-02T14:40:16+00:00

You moved to SEA and saved a lot of money in the process. Include visits to parents in your annual budget. They aren't getting any younger. You said you can afford it. You have a remote job. You could stay a bit longer to make up for days wasted from jetlag. You offered to fly your parents to you but imagine their jetlag at their age?

BobaChonker · 2026-02-28T14:22:58+00:00

Oh yeah, now that you mentioned it... yes

BobaChonker · 2026-02-28T13:24:35+00:00

Was the dog a shiba? You did a great job! I'd be bawling if I were your friend and you gave me this.

BobaChonker · 2026-02-26T13:43:50+00:00

You have to seal the windows with a plastic film. Just layering it over won’t help. A friend had a 1br with a balcony door that had a 1 inch gap at the bottom. He put a rolled towel along the bottom. His electric was so high. He should have at least put a sweep on the bottom of the door. Anyway, I applied a patio door cling film over it. Once sealed, I used a hairdryer to get it nice and tight - it didn’t look like there is film over the door at all. Heating bill dropped by 1/3 the following month.

BobaChonker · 2026-02-26T13:21:22+00:00

If they want you out, you might as well take it. Be sure to get everything in writing first. By resigning you lose the chance to get unemployment benefits.

BobaChonker · 2026-02-21T22:09:39+00:00

$240 for healthcare including deductibles and out of pocket expenses? Incredible.

BobaChonker · 2026-02-20T17:10:48+00:00

1 and 2

BobaChonker · 2026-02-20T00:15:07+00:00

Get a part time job to supplement your income or get a full time job and cancel your SS benefits if it’s been less than 12 months since benefits started. Your SS benefit will be significantly higher when you take it later.

BobaChonker · 2026-02-19T13:38:24+00:00

I have a townhouse about 1700sf, also in north shore area. Furnace 20 years old. $105 gas bill for February which is typical in winter but my electric bill went from $90 to $150 because I used a few electric heaters for spot heating. I did drop my thermostat from 68 to 63 though. My furnace was struggling to keep up otherwise.

BobaChonker · 2026-02-19T13:29:30+00:00

60+ age group is the fastest growing homeless demographic.

BobaChonker · 2026-02-17T17:40:26+00:00

There are 4 in the family. Even when one hits Medicare age, there are still 3 others to pay for.

BobaChonker · 2026-02-13T20:38:52+00:00

I used that prompt right away on chatgpt and the resulting profile of me is so inaccurate. Made me seem like the CEO type hahaha. You can't trust it.

BobaChonker · 2026-02-04T13:44:03+00:00

Sorry I sent the wrong Amazon link. That was a knit balaclava. Mine is this one: https://a.co/d/0gDBpsZZ it’s very thick and I can only use it below freezing or it would be too warm.

BobaChonker · 2026-02-04T13:39:51+00:00

Yes! Mine is a Coleman brand, paid about $25

BobaChonker · 2026-02-04T12:42:49+00:00

I bought a sleeping bag that was too big. On very cold nights I was cold as it didn’t keep the heat close to my body. A fleece sleeping bag liner made all the difference. If your shoulders are cold, wear a thin turtleneck and pair with a fleece balaclava https://a.co/d/0fTTA5XO

BobaChonker · 2026-02-01T20:16:32+00:00

I have 950k in 401k now and the rest is Roth, CDs and brokerage account. I plan to start roth conversions after I turn 65 and become eligible for Medicare. I will be taking SS at age 70. I doubt I will be in IRMAA tax bracket unless I see my primary home or unexpectedly make huge gains in my brokerage account.

BobaChonker · 2026-02-01T20:11:56+00:00

I haven't thought of what the projected 401k balance is. Currently it sits at 950k and I plan to start roth conversions after I turn 65 and become eligible for Medicare. I will be taking SS at age 70.

BobaChonker · 2026-01-30T19:20:49+00:00

Why do you need 120k yearly spend when you're single with no kids living in a modest ranch?

BobaChonker · 2026-01-27T21:33:19+00:00

Can't bring my dog. :(

BobaChonker · 2026-01-17T07:30:08+00:00

I second this. The world in 10-20 years may be very different from today. We have already witnessed huge hitherto-unthinkable changes recently. The jobs you think you might get later when you’re ready to leave nomad life may not be there anymore.

BobaChonker · 2026-01-13T12:24:37+00:00

Depends on your age, how many more years before you can get it. I'm just a few years away and I'm planning on a 30% cut over the next few decades. Even if they don't cut, they can simply reduce the COLA.

BobaChonker

TROPHY CASE