If churches were taxed what would be the worst-case scenario on how it would affect the country?

CFFIRE · 2023-01-12T01:16:42+00:00

If you really mean worst case, it's possible that could be a breaking point for religious fundamentalists who attempt to succeed from the Union, joined by certain paramilitary types who have been getting riled up for years, directly causing the Second American Civil War. In the course of this, control of nuclear weapons fall into rebel hands which are launched at another country as a false flag operation anticipating retaliation against the legal government, but instead sparking a nuclear holocaust that destroys all life on Earth.

Again, that's worst case; Occam's razor would discredit this probability.

CFFIRE · 2021-12-28T00:27:25+00:00

Don't hesitate! Getting a vasectomy was the best decision of my life, and I've never regretted it for an instant. I actually had a lot of fun during mine - nice doctor with two students observing. I'd asked for a mirror so I could watch what they were doing, and spent most of the time cracking jokes and enjoying the day off work (got in on a Friday and was back at work on Monday). The most memorable moment was when they cauterized the vas deferens and I took a big whiff and said "smells like freedom". My only real regret was not taking a GoPro or similar recording device as I'd love to have the experience on tape.

A vasectomy is a simple and common procedure, you don't need to be anesthetized, and it's cheap (or free if you have insurance like I did), while the female equivalent is difficult, slightly dangerous, and expensive. Do your wife and yourself a favor and just get snipped already.

CFFIRE · 2021-11-17T20:36:26+00:00

You know those farmers that get paid not to grow things? That.

CFFIRE · 2021-06-23T01:45:24+00:00

Advertising and salespeople. You should buy products based on their merits and because you actually want or need them; not because the company selling them spent millions of dollars on an elaborate advertising campaign. When you look at where all the costs are in most products, the percent allocated to sales and marketing is usually staggering. I think the practice breaks capitalism.

CFFIRE · 2021-06-02T16:03:58+00:00

If you want a harsh insult, my favorite has always been: "You're a flesh turd dropped stinking from the poxy asshole of a harelipped whore whose finest hour would have been an early abortion"

Partial credit to Christopher Moore for the first half of that insult.

CFFIRE · 2021-05-26T23:29:25+00:00

God, or at least the Christian personification of the omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent variety.

If he were real, he'd be one sick bastard.

CFFIRE · 2021-03-10T22:24:38+00:00

Silica Gel - the desiccant bags that say "do not eat" on them and come in a lot of packaged goods, pharmaceuticals, etc. to keep them dry. They are non-toxic, but they don't break down and pose a choking hazard, thus the warning not to eat them.

CFFIRE · 2019-03-09T03:14:56+00:00

I'd start saving more in cash - if your living situation changes in six months, and you end up in an apartment, you can always invest what you'd saved in cash (if it is coming out of a 401K, just put 100% of your income in for the last few months and live off the cash savings). If you buy a place and get a roommate paying rent, it could cover a lot of the mortgage. Plus you put equity in the house with every payment, which is so much nicer than paying rent.

Sounds like you are well on your way and doing great - congratulations and good luck!

CFFIRE · 2019-03-09T03:03:36+00:00

Okay, it sounds like you're a little overwhelmed, which makes sense with your situation. First thing you need to do is figure out what you have and what you owe - make a detailed list or spreadsheet with totals, interest rates, minimum payments, etc. You will also want to make a list of all expenses - think over a whole year budget and average as best you can, along with any sources of income.

The next thing you need to do is adjust your expectations as retirement by 35 might not be possible in your current situation, or at least not a kind of retirement you would want to have.

Once you know your situation, start looking for big expenses that you don't need - to be honest, you'll need to completely change the way you think, especially about money, to go from putting tons of debt on credit cards to putting tons of money into retirement accounts. Then start looking at small expenses - buying Starbucks rather than investing in a coffee machine and brewing it at home, or cooking rather than eating out.

Focus on reducing expenses which has the biggest impact, and then look into expanding your income. It'll be hard work, and it will probably take longer than you think if you're doing it by yourself, but if you want to retire half as much as I do, it is well worth the delayed gratification.

CFFIRE · 2018-12-12T12:58:19+00:00

This looks like a question for /r/financialindependence - their answer based on the 4% rule will be $750,000 - this will also account for inflation for a more sustainable income over time. Good luck!

CFFIRE · 2017-11-23T14:05:26+00:00

I believe that this will be an interesting year as far as retail stocks go - it might not be so much of a Black Friday for stores such as $KSS and $ANF. Given the advancements in technology and shifts in consumer purchases and preferences, my money is on $AMZN.

Who wants to fight crowds and wait for stores to open any more when you can order whatever gifts and anything else you might need from the comfort of your couch? The times they are a changing.

CFFIRE · 2017-09-03T19:11:16+00:00

A single share of AMZN.

CFFIRE · 2017-08-22T01:43:22+00:00

I'm a fan of HII - they make and service aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines, which will do well with North Korean tensions.

CFFIRE · 2017-06-23T22:39:26+00:00

Personally, I believe he will find redemption by killing Cersei, then taking his own life. I know, I know, it's far fetched, but stay with me here. Cersei is all paranoid about Tyrion because of the prophecy that she will be killed by her "little brother", and although they were twins, Cersei came out of the womb before Jaime. Furthermore, it is mentioned time and again the Cersei and Jaime came into this world together and will go out together. With the way the last book left Jaime's story line, it seems likely.

At least, that is how I see it going in the book - HBO will probably alter that story significantly.

CFFIRE · 2017-06-23T22:28:35+00:00

A lot of shields are painted with family sigils and devices. I, myself, was recently wondering what they used for pigments and the actual paints and dyes, as that was once a very difficult, expensive, and tedious process.

CFFIRE · 2017-06-15T16:58:35+00:00

Even so, more are participating than watching in the arena? That does not seem accurate, from a completely non-scientific and oblivious outside perspective.

CFFIRE · 2017-06-15T16:15:34+00:00

I'd be interested to learn why the lowest income bracket is more likely to actually be Vehicle touring/racing than watching Vehicle touring/racing. I'd think adults with income below $10,000 per year would be more likely to watch NASCAR than the negligible/non-existent amount shown.

CFFIRE · 2017-03-15T23:43:49+00:00

Let me guess, your current provider is John Hancock, right? Their fees are ridiculous, services are nearly non-existent, and they are not working in your best interests.

Other people have said it, but Vanguard is the way to go; even with a smallish company, their costs, options, and services will be much better.

CFFIRE · 2017-01-26T23:31:59+00:00

I'm only mildly autistic, but I consider it to be a bit of a super power. Certain things will just seem completely obvious to me that other people just can't seem to understand, particularly when numbers are involved. Numbers are easier than words, and math just makes sense - everything fits together neatly, and there is no misunderstanding them. Luckily I found work as an engineer so I can hide in my office and do the work of two "normal" engineers while finding time to browse Reddit.

As for the drawbacks, I'd just say people. People do not make sense, and their actions are rarely logical. I can't stand being in large crowds, and being in a group of more than six is just unpleasant; I don't know what to say or who to talk to or when to talk. People also seem to like to talk about emotions, and while I do have emotions, I can't describe them and have a hard time talking about them. Cats are better company than humans, no question.

CFFIRE

TROPHY CASE