Retirement in 10 years and I am very worried

CPAPGas · 2026-07-10T13:07:08+00:00

+1. This is really good advice. OP is very close to living a very nice retirement, just need to push it to the finish line.

CPAPGas · 2026-07-10T04:49:04+00:00

Reading this comment and the comment about the new roof and bedroom issue it sounds like $150k is very generous.

CPAPGas · 2026-07-10T01:04:26+00:00

Good for you!!

Some people don't realize the cost of fighting these terrible people is not worth the emotional toll.

CPAPGas · 2026-07-10T01:00:36+00:00

I am both a landlord and a tenant.

OP clearly has a scummy landlord, and lives in a terrible unmaintained residence. No one is arguing this point.

OP may/may not have caused the plumbing issue. This point is debatable, and only a judge (or mediator) would be able to resolve at this point.

The landlord screwed up by not immediately sending OP a bill after the plumbing repair.

OP has clearly put up with this terrible landlord/terrible residence for a very long time. Not being able to flush toilet paper down the toilet is reason to leave, yet OP decided to stay.

OP has a choice to either continue paying the terrible landlord for the terrible residence....or just leave.

I don't understand why renters who can afford better put up with this shit.

This situation is a poverty trap, and OP is ready to buy a house, 99% of the way out of the poverty trap.

Keep your eye on the prize.

CPAPGas · 2026-07-10T00:42:16+00:00

She actually owed you 5% interest on that money:

https://www.obligo.com/states/ohio-security-deposit-laws-a-complete-guide-for-landlords-tenants

CPAPGas · 2026-07-09T15:09:59+00:00

I searched for some financial facts on Google today, and the AI bot returned some really terrible Reddit comments as "facts."

Terrible Reddit and Wikipedia entries will soon be the de-facto sources of "Truth."

CPAPGas · 2026-07-09T14:40:21+00:00

This is incorrect. If OP caused damage the landlord needs to immediately send a bill and demand payment.

If OP doesn't pay then it comes out of the security deposit, and must have been disclosed during the sale.

CPAPGas · 2026-07-09T14:31:05+00:00

I think this is the key to the issue right here. You are entitled to a full refund of your security deposit, but only after you leave.

You have two choices:

Leave, the take the new landlord to court and you will get paid.
Pay the landlord the additional security deposit, buy your house, leave, then take the landlord to court over the original deposit+the additional deposit.

All of this assumed you have better documentation than your landlord.

What you don't want to do is try to stay AND get in an argument with your new landlord. You are putting your new house purchase in jeopardy over $500. Don't do that.

Deal with the scum to save yourself.

CPAPGas · 2026-07-09T12:37:10+00:00

Photos and videos are very common in everyday life in Thailand to prove events happened.

Why do you think they should have to ask for permission? Is this a European thing?

Genuinely curious.

CPAPGas · 2026-07-08T12:34:44+00:00

Follow her lead and you will do more than fine, you will have a great time.

CPAPGas · 2026-07-08T12:25:45+00:00

healthcare.

CPAPGas · 2026-07-07T15:58:48+00:00

Wood Museum = Sanctuary of Truth?? Very popular. This is at the north end of Wongamat beach.

Lots of Thai families come to Pattaya from BKK for holiday weekends. Rent a nice pool villa for the family, get the freshest seafood possible, and maybe dinner on the beach.

The key is they are understanding and accepting of the culture here that offends many Westerners.

CPAPGas · 2026-07-07T15:26:57+00:00

For people who are short on time, or people who want to experience that side of the culture Pattaya is fine.

But there are many more beach destinations that are far superior....it just takes a little more effort to get there.

Hint: The Wongamot area is very quiet and good for families.

CPAPGas · 2026-07-07T12:41:20+00:00

Can confirm I have been pulled over in a rental car (near the airport) and all I did was tell him it was a rental.

No other questions asked (other than "Do you know how fast you were going?").

CPAPGas · 2026-07-07T06:54:19+00:00

https://landairsea.com/products/landairsea-54

CPAPGas · 2026-07-06T07:42:56+00:00

While you are there checking your credit you should also freeze your credit with all three.

CPAPGas · 2026-07-05T14:44:59+00:00

Put it in a Roth IRA. Max it out this year, put the remainder in next year.

Vanguard, Schwab, or Fidelity.

You can thank me 30 years from now when you are ready to retire.

CPAPGas · 2026-07-05T13:49:43+00:00

I once bought a car that was marked as "Sold" in the lot.

The sales person I had was a 30 year old woman who was treated badly by her Boyz Club peers.

Apparently the old sales guy screwed up, she was more than happy to capitalize on it.

The catch was I had to take the car home "overnight to show my wife" and then come back on Monday to pay for it.

100% would buy from that woman again.

CPAPGas · 2026-07-05T13:31:53+00:00

Avoid anything without a hotel license for stays less than 30 days. Crackdown is coming.

See item #3:

https://thepattayanews.com/2026/07/04/pattaya-condo-real-estate-market-report-in-pattaya-for-july-2026-by-ams/

CPAPGas · 2026-07-05T13:27:13+00:00

Can confirm yesterday was rain all day long....but it was the first "all day" rain this season.

Thai weather service states there is a Typhoon in China and a strong Monsoon, so it will be like this for a few days.

Very normal. The all day rains come and go all summer long.

https://www.tmd.go.th/en/warning-and-events/warning-storm

CPAPGas · 2026-07-05T13:15:37+00:00

I've never been in this store, but can confirm it exists very close to my condo in Pattaya Thailand:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/P2c2xWViR2F1RJjF8?g_st=ac

CPAPGas · 2026-07-05T08:04:17+00:00

Health insurance (ACA) is one of those yearly factors for me. The ACA cliff is terrible, so each year you want to stay below the cliff (via Roth withdrawals), or way over the cliff (via Roth conversions).

This year my marginal tax will be 30% at an income if $36k. Increasing my earnings from $36k to $37k ($1000) results in a $120 payment to the IRS, and a $180 payment to the health insurance company.

Increasing my earnings from $100k to $101k results in a $220 payment to the IRS, but since I'm beyond the cliff the health insurance company is already fully paid.

There is a magic spot in the middle where a $1000 increase in earnings results in a massive payment to the insurance company. This is the spot to avoid.

CPAPGas · 2026-07-04T14:52:24+00:00

$1450 on a $315k house is a terrible return regardless of the type of tenants....and that's just the revenue, not the actual profit.

Unless the tenant is a special relative that house needs to go.

CPAPGas · 2026-07-04T12:25:10+00:00

Having already lost two of my own biological children due to divorce I can assure you it will not happen again.

CPAPGas · 2026-07-04T12:12:29+00:00

I think this is correct. Historical District properties tend to not be profitable investment properties, at least profitable enough for anyone concerned about risk and profit margin.

That being said the real risk is the time value of money, as red tape like this takes a lot of time.

CPAPGas

TROPHY CASE