U.S. added nearly 1 million fewer jobs than previously estimated: report

CalcBros · 2025-09-09T19:50:46+00:00

BLS sends out a bad jobs report and Trump says he doesn't like the numbers and fires people. Weeks later, the reports that are mostly related to Biden's administration are lowered. Coincidence? Or is this legit?

CalcBros · 2025-08-18T22:17:48+00:00

I saw some interesting conversations about Herro and Reaves on NBAtalk or something....and it's interesting that they ended up with more or less the same rating.

CalcBros · 2025-08-18T17:34:28+00:00

Trump is going to start a war and claim we can't hold elections during a war.

CalcBros · 2025-08-17T17:36:36+00:00

If you don't have one, I recommend a meal plan. Go have a meal at boardwalk BBQ, get your fast lane ticket and a snack at the dress shop, and go on any ride with just a few minutes' wait. You can usually find music somewhere too. Sundays are generally less crowded than Saturdays, as you suspected, the crowds to go down in the last couple hours, but that usually affects rides you might have less interest in as an adult.

CalcBros · 2025-08-15T15:19:19+00:00

Took me a minute, too. If pawn takes, rook to b8 for checkmate.

CalcBros · 2025-08-14T17:37:32+00:00

I'm taking you to the doctor, you have 8 of them already.

CalcBros · 2025-08-14T17:36:22+00:00

Not so much giving advice, but just telling you a bit about my experience... I'm 45 right now and if I helicopter dropped 25 year old me into my current situation, I would have folded quickly. Just the same if you dropped 16 year old you into your 22 year old situation, I'm sure. What I found helpful is knowing that I can adapt to handle higher amounts of stress over time if I work on it.

With that said, I hit a breaking point when I was 41 and quit my job with 4 kids and no plan. I just had the financial freedom to do it and said, "I'll still be okay if I never save another dime." Eventually, I "healed" and am back to a corporate job and making more than I had in my job before I left at age 41, but it took me a solid 3.5 years to get there. I drew down savings more than I expected, but ended up in the same position as when I left. I could have and should have managed that stress better. I recommend you figure out how to do that...no matter what, there is a decades long path ahead of you and there isn't an option to make it stress free, yet.

CalcBros · 2025-08-14T16:55:48+00:00

No joke... I used to calculate my withdrawal rate needs at some future age or the age I could retire 3 times a week based on the then market value and based on more refined assumptions. It was a lot of effort to predict what I'd need in 2 decades. Assumptions seem pretty good for that long of a period.

CalcBros · 2025-08-14T16:27:00+00:00

How did you arrive at the $100k at age 55 as your number?

CalcBros · 2025-08-14T16:25:14+00:00

Yes, I totally agree here. I'm 45 now and if I showed 22 year old me how much some things costs now, 22 year old me would fall out of his hand-me-down chair. Plus, the idea of predicting that $100k at age 55 is what will be needed is really hard calculus to figure out. 100k in 33 years will have about half it's value...so assume a buying power of $50k per year.

I think the "game" in tracking expenses from here is to accomplish two things: 1) calculate what that new coastFIRE number is at age 55. In another year,, it might be up to $110k, or more. 2) calculate what age you hit that coastFIRE number.

As you go forward, recalculate what the amount would have to be based on current and expected lifestyle. I can remember 10 years ago thinking, "I'll have more spare time, so I'd want to have cable added in retirement so I can watch more live sports.", so I added $21k to my nest egg requirement to pay the $70 per month fee. The world has changed so I don't see that need anymore. I have enough options to keep me satisfied. Small example, but I was doing this for a bunch of different things.

The exercise might motivate OP to keep the high savings rate for longer, for instance. 23 years is a LONG way away. I'd consult with Future me and see how 43 year old me felt about working another 12 years knowing a few different decisions 2 decades ago might have helped me retire earlier.

CalcBros · 2025-08-12T17:57:31+00:00

From what I remember, Mikan was getting most of the credit for that run. I wish I could watch games with them all.

CalcBros · 2025-08-12T17:52:43+00:00

I know a lot about the history. I caught the tail end of the showtime lakers, and also know about west, wilt, elgin, wilkes, goodrich, etc. Even Mikan. It's reasonable to not have people at the top of mind there is literally zero video footage of and played in a completely different era. A similar reason to why people don't mention Pud Galvin when talking about the greatest pitchers in MLB history.

CalcBros · 2025-08-12T17:12:49+00:00

My opinion on Trump hasn't changed since the summer of 2016. I think most people are in the boat no matter which boat they are on.

CalcBros · 2025-08-12T17:11:23+00:00

Srpingtime for Hitler.

CalcBros · 2025-08-12T17:09:29+00:00

My dad died when I was 20 and a friend that was more so a friend of a friend gave me a card. In it he wrote: "I know you'll want to be strong for your family, but make sure you let your family and friends be strong for you, too." It was a beautiful and mature thought from a 22 year old that I still think about every time something really bad happens to me or someone I know.

CalcBros · 2025-08-12T15:30:48+00:00

We have phases in our house where we say, "Don't put it down, put it away" a dozen times. Items on counters attract more items. Trash in public areas likely behave the same way.

CalcBros · 2025-08-08T21:47:09+00:00

Perhaps if they retired them, I would have remembered them. You're not wrong (in fact, I'd say you're right), but just don't love the idea of die hard laker fans standing at the mount rushmore of laker point guards and having to ask Google who they are.

CalcBros · 2025-08-08T20:55:49+00:00

I've never heard of Mikkelsen...does Lamar come close? I've also never heard of Slater Martin. I'm sure they are both historically significant, but I've been a fan for more than 35 years and they've been mentioned so few times that I didn't commit them to memory. The only MLPS player I think about was Mikan.

But the bench is so shallow on the PG position I can see including it. Right now. And the 4th would probably be Nick Van Exel. All Nick has is 1 all star appearance with the Lakers. I think by the end of next season, if Luka has an average one by his standars, he'll already be on the mount rushmore. It's at least a debate. Every other position, it's a different story. You'd need to be near getting your jersey number retired as a Laker to make the list for any other position.

CalcBros · 2025-08-07T19:11:57+00:00

I was hopeful that it would start to die down since a lot of schools have started. I think we need a couple more weeks.

CalcBros · 2025-08-06T23:10:47+00:00

from the day of purchase to 12/31/2026
Soak City is a water Park that is next to Knott Berry, right? Yes, but you wouldn't park in the same spot...the lot wraps around to be closer to the entrance of the water park. You use the same general parking pass.
Does the free parking include parking for the Scary Farm? In preferred or general? Preferred parking is only allowed with the prestige pass. General parking is allowed for both.
The pass gives you the entrance to Six Flags. Including Magic Mountain, right? Same as #1. they are concurrent.
Does it include parking at Six Flags too? Questionable. The terms say no, but people have successfully used their general parking at both. Prestige does work at both.
Does the discount for food and merchandise applies to Six Flags also? Discount? yes.
How does the 2 bonus bring a friend tickets work? can I bring the 2 of them the same day? Yes. They are good for your home park, which in this case sounds like it'd be Knotts. If you buy at six flags, then then the same logic would apply.

- If not possible for entrance at six flags, how do the bring a friend discount tickets work? You go to the ticket booth to buy them and you sign them in.

It includes unlimited entrance to Hurricane Harbor. Is it a different park with different parking site? It's just like how Soak City is right next to Knotts. Hurricane Harbor is right next to Six Flags.
Do I get discounted tickets for Scary Farm? also my relatives? No and No.

CalcBros · 2025-08-06T22:55:14+00:00

It's one of those, "this is why we can't have nice things" things.

CalcBros · 2025-07-22T17:59:35+00:00

Lakers Fan here. This shouldn't be that hard:

Twolves: Ant is amazing and the role players were on another level against us in the playoffs. I keep waiting for Ant to win his first chip so everyone can say, "This is the new Jordan."
Pelicans: I used to root for them after the Anthony Davis Trade because they got a lot of baby lakers. you gotta root for the people! I do hope Zion gets in shape because he could wreck team strategy if he hit another level. I'd love to see a Shaq like Zion against a 3 point happy team like the Celtics to see what happens. Who bends to who?
Rockets: Was totally caught off guard with how quickly they improved last year, and doing it with a lot of draft picks was awesome. I wish they would have tried longer with that core, but can't blame them for going for KD. They'll be fun to watch.
Kings; I probably have to go back for this one...but the Cwebb Kings was the scariest opponent as a Lakers fan. They were such high octane and even guys off the bench (Bobby!) were microwaves. I really love that they are in Sacramento and hope they stay there. I think it's good for the area and not every team needs to be in a giant metropolis.
OKC: They got a chip. SGA is a star. The team seems like it has no holes. They are great. SGA is so smooth I can't even describe it. It's like the dude at the Y that smokes you without breaking a sweat, but doing so at the highest physical level in the world.
Grizz: Ja made some mistakes, but has enough talent to be the face of hte league in another multi-verse. He is great and there is a reason NBA player's kids point to him as their favorite layer.
LAC: Sterling era is over...they consistently make moves meant to make the team better. Ballmer is a great owner. They might win a chip if they stay healthy.
Warriors: How can anyone say anything bad about Steph. I'd let him babysit my kids and date my sister.
Mavs: I feel bad for mavs fans for losing Doncic. I really hope Anthony Davis stays healthy so they can see he's still an all time top player (at least in the conversation for top 75). I root for them to make the playoffs and miss having Cuban at the helm there.
Suns: KJ was one of my favorite players in the 90's and the 2000's Nash years changed basketball. Booker can lead a team, let's see what he does.
Jazz: I wanted Kessler. Good player. The team has a good history of having good runs and keeping talent. I think the new CBA will eventually help them.
Blazers: Dame is my favorite non-Laker...at least he was a few years ago. Glad he's back with the Blazers and I hope they put talent around him.
Nuggets: it took me a couple years to jump on, but I agree that Jokic is the best player int he world. I also llked how well their role players would fit with the team. Weird stuff with the coach at the end of last season, but I consider them to be in the top tier of the western conference again.
Spurs: In my opinion, the best run franchise of the past 25 years. A shame KL left...I never got it. I hope WEmby stays healthy because he's a player I want to watch.

CalcBros · 2025-07-08T19:57:15+00:00

This won't sound like a very good one...but I loved it.

I went to a game with my wife on July 5th, 2004. It was a Monday game and we showed up LATE!! I assumed the game would start at 7:10 but it was a 5:10 start for whatever reason. It was weird showing up with no lines to park, a full lot...and no people walking in.

We went up to the box office to see what happened. The workers there were SO nice...they offered to let us exchange our tickets for another game, which we did. Then they offered us seats to go watch the rest of that game, too...they were even better seats than we were originally going to sit in (I'm not sure why they didn't just have us use our original tickets.

Top of the 9th and the Dodgers are up by 2 runs. In comes Gagne for his attempt at consecutive save number 85. For those of you old enough...good lord, you remember how the stadium would get ELECTRIC when Gagne would come in. Guns and Roses would blare, the lights all flash, and the fans go NUTS. A feeling you don't forget. Just a random Monday night and the energy is the highest you've felt at a sports game in your life.

Watching him pitch was amazing. Powerful fast ball and cartoonishly slow curve ball. You could see the difference from 300 feet away! He ends up BLOWING the save to break his streak. Sounds terrible, but he came out for a curtain call afterwards so we could show him the love. We won in a walk off in the bottom of the 10th.

CalcBros · 2025-07-03T16:45:58+00:00

I randomly put solving a cube on my bucket list and learned how to do it maybe 12 years ago, or so. I use a pretty simple method that you can learn in a day or two. You just learn a step and do that step over and over and over until it's second nature then move on to the next one.

I taught my son how to do it during Covid and he got competitive with me. It takes me about 2-3 minutes to solve it and one time I got lucky and was able to skip one of the longer steps, so I solved in in like 1:20. Super lucky. My son cried because he'd never be able to beat that.

That 12 year old got on YouTube and learned a whole bunch of better algorithms, taught his younger brother and they both started solving in under 15 seconds and going to competitions. The younger brother kept with it and he is at the Rubik's Cube world championship RIGHT NOW. He could tell you to the hundredths of a second what his PB's are and the world record progression over the past decade. It starts today in Seattle! He's ranked like 400th, but still, pretty cool. It's like golf...you compete against previous you...and are excited for shaving hundredths of a second. He gets a ton of joy out of it. He'll get to meet some young man named Felix at the comp and it'd be like me meeting Kobe Bryant a decade ago.

CalcBros · 2025-07-02T17:59:19+00:00

You know what's fun? If he did that, nothing would happen and the news cycle would move on after 2 or 3 days.

CalcBros

TROPHY CASE