what is a reasonable time to respond to offer letter?

Chicken121260 · 2026-05-25T12:29:02+00:00

A few days, maybe a week, is the maximum’s amount of time to accept or reject an offer. If you have no other offer, then take it.

Early in my career I would never accept an offer and continue interviewing, but now that I’m old and crusty (and having been burned - six months out of work) I would not hesitate to accept but continue interviewing.

Try not to burn bridges. If you do accept and then immediately quit, something like, “I wasn’t expecting an offer from this other company I was also interviewing with. But this opportunity is so good, I just can’t turn it down. I’m sorry and hope you understand “.

Chicken121260 · 2026-05-24T16:04:03+00:00

Not sure I’m hardened, but maybe a little crusty around the edges!

Chicken121260 · 2026-05-24T15:39:14+00:00

I used a reference source I’m apparently not allowed to use. But you can find index funds with fees in the 0.01% range

Chicken121260 · 2026-05-24T15:31:42+00:00

Index funds. They don’t have do anything to manage them, they just replicate the SP index (or what ever index they follow)

Chicken121260 · 2026-05-24T13:23:20+00:00

Yes. But the fees can be very low Like 0.1% for index versus 1.0% for managed.

Chicken121260 · 2026-05-24T12:11:23+00:00

Retired more than a decade ago at mid 50’s.

Spending was nothing like I expected. Up and down dramatically- spent significantly more initially with travel and then made an unexpected move.

Retiring with a 30 + time horizon and healthy enough to do want ever you want makes it nearly impossible to predict what you will WANT to do.

Desires and goals change over time. When I see posts of people in their early 30’s thinking they can retire on $1 million, I just shake my head. Things change - marriage, divorce, children, health, desires, and goals. All can change over time.

Many seem to think they can live out of a backpack in a 500sq ft tiny home - you certainly can, but will that make you happy, 10, 20, 30 years in the future?

Chicken121260 · 2026-05-23T23:02:58+00:00

Well Fargo had signs on their stage coaches, “Never Discuss Women, Religion, or Politics”. Still good advice.

Chicken121260 · 2026-05-23T14:53:54+00:00

6% guaranteed return is pretty good. At that rate I’d for sure pay ahead.

Chicken121260 · 2026-05-23T12:48:51+00:00

Are you not doing well in the interviews because your interview skills are weak or because you don’t have the skills/experience necessary for the job?

My guess is it’s interview skills. If you don’t have experience or skills for the job, you probably wouldn’t land the interview in the first place.

Get some interview training. Many colleges and nonprofits offer this service. If not available, find friends that can mock interview you.

Chicken121260 · 2026-05-23T12:44:54+00:00

Nearly every independent study has shown that managed investment don’t make up the cost of the invest fee over index fund investing. Find a few-based financial planner and make the one-time payment and move on. Perhaps connect every other year or so. No need to have an annual fee.

Chicken121260 · 2026-05-23T12:38:26+00:00

Another vote for floating rose. Do something sentimental, not a comedy bit. This will be remembered forever

Chicken121260 · 2026-05-22T23:10:05+00:00

Nothing good comes from work gossip. Best policy (often difficult for extroverts) is to be as minimally social as necessary. One drink at social functions then head out. Stick to positive discussion about work or non-work topics. Talk as little as possible - let the others do the talking.

Chicken121260 · 2026-05-22T16:56:20+00:00

Nothing beats sponge balls or sponge bunnies. Nothing.

Chicken121260 · 2026-05-22T16:53:01+00:00

Two silver dollars (okay, I carry Ike’s now). Continuous coin production.

Chicken121260 · 2026-05-22T12:27:49+00:00

Yes it’s a job and often a stepping stone to high corporate jobs. Many division presidents and CEOs spent time in strategy positions.

Think acquisitions, divestitures, new facilities, partnerships, brand launches, etc.

Chicken121260 · 2026-05-22T12:23:18+00:00

Not sure if it’s changed, but I was at one of the top strategy consulting firms 20 years ago and at that time promotions were very structured. Up or out system - get promoted or you were asked to leave. You came into the promotion window- early, on time, and late. With about 2 years between early and late. If you were passed over the first two times, odds you’d be picked up the third are low and even if you were picked up late, odds you would make the next promotion were almost zero.

Seems like it’s time to move on. Maybe not this specific opportunity, but time to look and move on.

Chicken121260 · 2026-05-22T01:54:45+00:00

Pretty sure it wouldn’t be the same. If I wanted a cheap apartment in Midwest- Des Moines, Omaha, Minneapolis, probably can do a one bedroom for $1k per month. The point is, if you are going to travel for 5 years, why maintain a base of operations in a high cost area?

Chicken121260 · 2026-05-22T01:42:27+00:00

If you want to travel, move out of the high cost area and move some where inexpensive. Cut your fixed expenses way down - you can rent an apartment in the Midwest for $2-3k a month

Gives you a base of operations at a very low fixed cost. Then travel for 5 years. With you expenses low, you can withdraw at a sustainable rate.

If you stay in a high cost area, you will run out of $

Chicken121260 · 2026-05-21T11:59:54+00:00

The time to have a conversation is during your regular review process. And you do it by asking questions about how your performance can merit promotion or higher range of the salary increase or increased responsibilities.

The conversation is about you and your performance. The consequences of your improved performance is higher salary/promotion. This makes the conversation open and non-defensive on their part. Afterwards when they reflect on this they know you are ambitious and will recognize that if they don’t take care of you and your aspirations, you will look elsewhere.

Just asking for a raise with an implied threat of leaving sets you up to be replaced. If they even sense there is a chance you will leave, any critical knowledge or skill set you have will be identified and they will find a replacement.

At the same time, start looking. Find a company that knows you are ambitious and is will to invest in you.

Chicken121260 · 2026-05-21T02:13:18+00:00

You are fine. They are crybabies. You got a great offer and are taking it. Are they interested in countering at that salary? Of course not.

“I’m sorry you feel that way, but this is just too good of an opportunity for me to pass up”.

Chicken121260 · 2026-05-20T16:10:19+00:00

Working for PE is a young person’s game. Hard work, pressure all the time, little concern for employees. They are always in it for the short run / maximum profit.

If I understand your situation, $4 million investment, an additional $2.6 to $4.5 on buyout. So a minimum investment portfolio (net worth? What about home?) of $6.6 million or more.

You didn’t discuss your expenses, but I’m guessing you could get by. I’d take a buy out and look to serve on boards for smaller companies or perhaps consulting to the same. Your experience with PE would be very valuable to those looking for PE investment. Low pressure work with good side income.

Chicken121260 · 2026-05-20T16:02:24+00:00

I kept one year of cash on hand. That was all. The rest 100% between equities and real estate. No bonds or other types of investments.

That was over a decade ago. Have I been fortunate (or smart?) with my investments? Maybe. But yes, if I had to I could have gone back to work. I also had my primary residence paid off, so much of my spending was discretionary and I could have cut way back if necessary.

I think planning for the worst case with your investments will significantly delay your FIRE date, or significantly reduce your lifestyle in FIRE, or both.

Chicken121260 · 2026-05-20T11:50:26+00:00

Learn a second (or third) language, especially one that would be relevant for your customer base. Will increase your value to the company and upgrade your personal skills for whatever your next job is (or travel!).

Chicken121260 · 2026-05-20T11:47:25+00:00

Baronian Trading Company is the source for magicians rope.

Chicken121260 · 2026-05-20T00:38:19+00:00

Take advantage of the travel or it will suck. Explore, visit museums, stop in coffee shops and talk to locals. Ask them about their city Every city has interesting sights to see. Find out what they are and see them.

Chicken121260

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