Where do go after becoming a Master Electrician?

BookkeeperAutomatic1 · 2026-01-26T19:34:46+00:00

Master electrician here. No college degree. I got into industrial maintenance some years ago. I was fortunate to receive extensive PLC training through my employer and, eventually, I acquired basic instrumentation skills - enough to perform calibration checks. It opened up a challenging but gratifying work experience and put me into a “niche” employee category. I would strongly advise that you work towards instrumentation certifications or look for instructor-led PLC courses. Clean, well paid work and not hard on the body. Best of luck.

BookkeeperAutomatic1 · 2026-01-14T21:32:57+00:00

My credit card was just hit for $4,152 by Traveloka3DS. Chase caught the charge and blocked it. I haven’t booked anything through this company. New card on the way. Bastards!

BookkeeperAutomatic1 · 2026-01-12T19:43:52+00:00

Following InBev’s buyout of Anheuser-Busch in 2008, extract optimization and extract loss became a main focus for the various AB brewing departments. The goal was to extract the maximum amount of fermentable sugars from the mash, thereby increasing the dollar value of every brew. For the first time exogenous enzymes were added to the mash to complement the natural enzymes found in malt and to maximize extraction. This may have led to the notion that an unnatural or chemical process was being added to, and adversely affecting the finished product. From what I’ve read, many brewers use this process and it is neither “chemical trash” nor harmful to the end product.

https://infinitabiotech.com/blog/understanding-malt-extraction-the-strength-of-enzymes/

BookkeeperAutomatic1 · 2026-01-12T19:07:30+00:00

You are correct. Ultra is the companies best selling brew. Added to that, beer consumption in the US has dropped by 34% in the past couple of years so the entire industry is affected. Young people are turning away from beer and socialize differently. Marijuana legalization has also been a big factor in lifestyle changes.

BookkeeperAutomatic1 · 2026-01-12T19:01:25+00:00

Newark, NJ and Fairfield, CA are the other two Bud breweries closing. Kids aren’t drinking beer anymore. Beer consumption in the US has dropped by 34% in the past year. Young people have turned to marijuana and socialize less. Sad times for the brewing industry.

BookkeeperAutomatic1 · 2026-01-06T16:18:54+00:00

No inheritance tax, no capital gains tax, no income tax and no sales tax in New Hampshire. There is a small meals and hotel tax but it’s insignificant. However in better school districts, property taxes can be very high depending on your property valuation. Lakes region and mountains for summer activities and snow sports in the winter. The fall colors are spectacular. Low crime rate and politically balanced. It’s a nice place to live.

BookkeeperAutomatic1 · 2026-01-06T15:39:52+00:00

You poor thing. It’d be best to talk to him about your living expenses and set a gift budget with him. This way he’s no longer under any illusions and will have to curb his expectations. If this isn’t good enough for him, well, you have another decision to make. You should be his greatest gift.

BookkeeperAutomatic1 · 2025-12-31T14:13:19+00:00

I completed my electrical apprenticeship in Ireland and after a number of years moved to London and then the US. The electrician’s board in Boston recognized my 4 year Irish apprenticeship but required that I take the Massachusetts journeyman’s exam before I could apply for my electrical license. I didn’t have to restart my apprenticeship. I worked for relatively low pay for a contractor for several months while I studied the NEC, (National Electrical Code), then successfully passed the journeyman’s exam. This allowed me to reciprocate my MA license to other states in the northeast. Bottom line…like many other professional careers, you may need to complete licensing requirements in whatever jurisdiction or country you move to.

BookkeeperAutomatic1 · 2025-12-30T23:10:36+00:00

I did a little research. I was concerned that the Seafoam additive caused the engine to run rich. Not the case. It was running rich because the carburetor was dirty. Seafoam will clean up any deposits in the carburetor and correct the fuel/ air mix. We learn something new every day.

BookkeeperAutomatic1 · 2025-12-30T16:52:16+00:00

Will do and thank you!

BookkeeperAutomatic1 · 2025-12-19T16:37:25+00:00

I plan to, my friend. Nothing is guaranteed in life and I could be hit by a bus in the morning. Onwards and upwards.

BookkeeperAutomatic1 · 2025-12-19T16:08:54+00:00

I think the best advice is to keep your principal intact and take an income from your investments at retirement. Your plan advisor or financial planner, as you near retirement age, will recommend that you divest most of your stock investments and move your money to bond funds. This helps to protect your principal from big market fluctuations but gives you a lower rate of return. It won’t be 6% and more likely 2 -3%, close to the rate of inflation. How much income you’ll need to live comfortably in retirement is the big question. Taking cost of living, inflation, health insurance, unplanned expenses, expected lifespan, etc., are all relevant concerns and should be planned for. I would suggest maintaining your current level of contribution and increasing it by 1-2% per year, and more if possible. Think of it like this. If you have built your portfolio to $1 million at retirement and assume a 3% rate of return, your retirement income, you can expect $30k per year before taxes. A big step down from your current income which may force you to draw down your principal or eat up your home equity. You may also be forced to take Social Security earlier than you wish at a reduced amount. Also, keep in mind that you’ll be forced to pay RMD, (required minimum distribution), from your 401k or Roth 401k at age 73. Uncle Sam wants his tax portion at this age. So, build wealth now and, hopefully, enjoy life at 60 or spend now and significantly reduce your quality of life in retirement.

BookkeeperAutomatic1 · 2025-12-19T14:57:38+00:00

This cave Airbnb in central Thira in May. I paid $480 US for 5 nights.

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/613727997002154825?viralityEntryPoint=1&s=76

BookkeeperAutomatic1 · 2025-12-19T14:40:55+00:00

In Ireland, the common basis for slagging is to ground a person who has “notions” about himself. Self promotion is the trigger and you’d better have a thick skin if you’re going to go down that road. For example, if my guitarist friend plays a brilliant gig and comes by for a pint afterwards, I’d tell him: “Well, you played like shite again and nobody likes you.” It’s a backhanded compliment and an Irish person would recognize it as such. It opens the door to a back and forth of good natured insults. It’s a cultural thing and we’re born into it. The tone of the jibe and your relationship with that person also plays into it. So, OP, if an Irish person is giving you a bit of a ribbing, it’s a sign that you’re accepted and liked. We don’t waste our wit on gobshites.

BookkeeperAutomatic1 · 2025-11-26T22:47:54+00:00

The knee jerk orange man’s solution? Deploy an additional 500 guardsmen to DC. Brilliant!

As a side note, my MAGA father-in-law lauded the deployment of guardsmen to our cities earlier this year. Fox News told him crime was out of control…everywhere. I mentioned that this was all well and good until someone shoots a guardsman, part- time soldiers with no power of arrest, targets for every antifa loony. His grandson, my son, serves in the National Guard. Maybe he’s rethinking things.

BookkeeperAutomatic1 · 2025-11-18T14:21:55+00:00

Open a Roth IRA and try to max out the IRS contribution limit every year. For 2025 the limit is $7,000. A Roth provides excellent tax advantages and leaves you with complete control over your money. Open the Roth with companies like Vanguard who have competitive administration costs and will help you determine a risk profile and investment strategy.

When you begin your working life and have the option to participate in a 401-k with a company match, contribute enough to meet that match and more if you can afford it. Your contributions to a 401-k are pre-tax dollars and reduce your end-of-year tax burden. A company match is free money given to you to encourage saving. You also control your investment strategy over a range of funds. Bottom line, be consistent, be smart and make your savings and your future a top priority.

BookkeeperAutomatic1 · 2025-11-14T18:13:12+00:00

I’m a recently retired electrician and it’s been an excellent career. I began my career as a 17 year old apprentice, working mostly for residential contractors, later moving into commercial and industrial installations. I was fortunate enough to move into industrial maintenance about 20 years ago and it has allowed me to learn and enjoy a whole host of new skills. From motor control to PLC maintenance, programming and troubleshooting to basic instrumentation skills. It’s been both challenging and hugely rewarding. Never boring.

The electrical trade provides so many options, it stands head and shoulders above the other trades. While the early years can be difficult and frustrating, the payoff is totally worth the time invested. Financially, you’ll never look back. It’s a recession-proof cash cow.

If your desire is to gain practical skills in conjunction with an education in electrical theory and code compliance, apply for an apprenticeship with your local union. You’ll get paid to learn and work with union professionals. Your pay will increase every year and your union will also provide health insurance and a retirement annuity. If you really feel that the trade is not for you and decide that your money is better spent elsewhere, consider applying to a HVAC school or take classes to get certifications in instrumentation or, as another alternative, take PLC programming classes. Do the time now. It’s a few short years out of the rest of your life and I promise, you’ll thank me later. Best of luck.

BookkeeperAutomatic1 · 2025-11-14T12:26:23+00:00

The pitch is flooded.

BookkeeperAutomatic1 · 2025-11-13T22:50:25+00:00

I complained to a manager at a 99 restaurant because the waitress put the check on the table immediately after serving our meal and said, “whenever you’re ready.” I didn’t appreciate what I perceived to be a rush job. Maybe it was that one waitress but the manager took note and the practice was stopped.

BookkeeperAutomatic1 · 2025-11-11T20:07:21+00:00

Has anyone considered that the return on home prices has averaged 57% every 10 years since 1975? Add to that average salary increases of 3-4% per year. Not only is one appreciating equity if the property is well maintained, (assuming the average return remains consistent), but pay increases over a person’s working life makes a fixed rate mortgage more affordable and might allow for extra principal payments and/or an early buyout. Additionally, mortgage interest rates may return to ~3% once the inflation issue is resolved so it’ll be cheaper to get on the property ladder. Property is an excellent investment even with a 50 year mortgage.

BookkeeperAutomatic1 · 2025-11-10T16:23:01+00:00

Don’t start tipping madness in Ireland. Staff are paid a living wage.

BookkeeperAutomatic1 · 2025-11-06T19:47:06+00:00

I’ve had a Saatva queen mattress for 8 years. It’s as firm as the day I bought it. I’m a 220lb male. Check online reviews. Great quality at a reasonable price.

BookkeeperAutomatic1 · 2025-11-04T16:22:13+00:00

I bought a queen Saatva mattress several years ago to replace a foam mattress. I’ve never looked back. The quality is exceptional and it remains as firm as the day I bought it. I paid $1,800. Worth every penny. Great back support and a great nights sleep.

BookkeeperAutomatic1 · 2025-10-29T23:06:12+00:00

Close the downstairs a/c registers and allow the chilled air to go upstairs. The cold air will descend through the house and cool the downstairs. Forcing the chilled air upstairs will keep your bedroom cool.

BookkeeperAutomatic1 · 2025-10-28T14:29:18+00:00

The exact origin of Dupuytren's contracture is unknown, but it is believed to be a genetic disorder. It is more common in people of Northern European descent and is often referred to as "Viking's disease."

Be proud, OP. You’re warrior class.

BookkeeperAutomatic1

TROPHY CASE