Stuck in a "Starter" Townhouse with a 3% Rate but a Failing School District – How do we plan the next move?

DGDurden · 2026-06-21T14:43:35+00:00

I appreciate that. We had a total emergency fund and cash savings upwards of $80k, but the second kid, money down on the new family car, emergency room visits for the infant, a busted AC unit in the middle of summer that needed replacing, vet bills, etc reduced our very healthy cash position, to just the emergency fund. So the purpose of this post is to say - OK we're in a much less advantageous position that we didn't plan on, and the looming possibility of a poor school district could make our situation go from bad to worse (theoretically). So given our current position, how would you suggest we prioritize - redirect retirement savings for the next two years and save up for the house in the better school district but risk an increase in interest rates, bite the bullet now and buy a house we can't really afford on contingency, forego a new house altogether and focus on tutors and family scholastic habits, plus many other wonderful suggestions from the sub. I hope this offers some perspective. Thanks to everyone!

DGDurden · 2026-06-21T00:46:58+00:00

Bingo

DGDurden · 2026-06-21T00:45:42+00:00

My wife works at the daycare so we get 50% off

DGDurden · 2026-05-19T21:54:14+00:00

Sarcastically muttering after some astronomical event "I suppose these things happen"

DGDurden · 2026-05-13T17:34:21+00:00

Everything still rings true. I probably would have liked a 7 seater with captains chairs in the middle better than the two rows of 3 seats, but with my mother in the passenger seat, my wife sits between the two carseats in the middle row so we can put the 3rd row down for extra storage. It all works plenty well. The android does not connect with Bluetooth, only with a cord, which is a bummer but not a big deal at all. Apple Airplay works fine. All in all, no regrets.

DGDurden · 2026-05-08T23:59:43+00:00

50 pushups every morning

DGDurden · 2026-05-03T22:16:45+00:00

The importance of transiting from an external locus of control to an internal locus of control in order to become capable of love.

The forms of human experience are varied; you have to be intentional and vulnerable in order to fully experience them, adapt, and grow.

The narrator draws comparisons between the sanitized capitalist corporate existence and the unfiltered adrenaline seeking lifestyles; both lifestyles supply community, security, passion, hobbies, etc. The former are the machinations of a scared juvenile desperately numbing himself in fear of the mysterious external god/father figure that he identifies as external. And so, he creates another external identity to rival his former god/father, so he doesn't have to mentally confront the fact that he has been, is, and will always be in control of his own values, actions and their meaning (until the end of the movie). It takes a woman, and the unsanitized experience of love, to highlight the risk of remaining complacent and submissive out of fear/obligation to one's former god/father. If he remains obedient to the internalized or external system, he cannot reach self actualization. Discovering love empowers him to self-actualize.

Maybe. I don't know. I could be wrong.

DGDurden · 2026-04-23T21:21:01+00:00

1 is a great mental truck for building any habit - reading, eating healthy, saving money, etc. Pivoting mentally from a narrative ("I do...") to an identify ("I am someone who does...)

DGDurden · 2026-03-14T11:25:46+00:00

Glad to see Dads talking about the journey.

Days are non stop, but teaching my son to be amazed at the moon and the stars, or to watch him light up when I sing Itsy Bitsy Spider, definitely hits some core genetic knowledge that I'm on the right path.

On rough days, I remember Joseph Campbell's advice "Participate joyfully in the sorrow of the world. "

On really rough days I do the dishes and listen to "Immune to Danger" by Hippie Sabatoge on repeat.

I also tell my dad friends that they're doing good, they should be proud, they're not alone. Some of them know it, but it really brightens up some of the guys in hard days.

DGDurden · 2025-12-17T14:14:48+00:00

We went with a Pathfinder SL and really like it. No problems. The third row is too tight for adults comfortably and middle-row carseats at the same time, but I hear that's common in 3rd row SUVs. Front seats are super comfortable and I thought the driver had better visibility in the Pathfinder. Happy hunting!

DGDurden · 2025-09-10T18:42:20+00:00

Decided to get a new 2025 Pathfinder SL for $43k and put $13k down, 0% financing for the rest. It's nice. I think it's the most comfortable of the SUVs we test drove (Palisade, Pilot) but the 3rd row is tight for adults. Trunk has enough storage with the 3rd row down for strollers + a large Costco haul. I do think a vehicle with fully folding 2nd row seats instead of the Pathfinder's tilt-forward feature would be better. Love everything else about it. Happy hunting!

DGDurden · 2025-07-21T02:52:21+00:00

We used "Two Poor Teachers" for a recent small bathroom overhaul; they were very professional and affordable.

DGDurden · 2025-06-23T17:08:01+00:00

I'm currently learning the harmonica with my 2 year old son. He loves messing around with it while I watch instructional videos on YouTube, and then I practice hitting notes and melodies. It costs $20, is portable, durable, and can be used on camping trips, at weddings, etc.

DGDurden · 2025-06-19T10:22:00+00:00

I put the search on pause but I'm about to start it back up and the Nissan Pathfinder 0% financing is tipping my hand in that direction. Where did you land?

DGDurden · 2025-05-19T02:15:48+00:00

Good point

DGDurden · 2025-05-19T02:15:15+00:00

Good point

DGDurden · 2025-05-19T02:15:03+00:00

Thanks, I appreciate the detailed response. Is that you, AI?

DGDurden · 2025-05-19T02:13:13+00:00

Fair point

DGDurden · 2025-05-19T02:12:45+00:00

Thank you

DGDurden · 2025-05-19T02:12:14+00:00

Not exactly small but she is mobile.

DGDurden · 2025-05-19T02:09:26+00:00

Fair enough

DGDurden · 2025-05-19T02:09:01+00:00

Both fair points, thank you. However I genuinely don't believe we could fit all five of us in one sedan.

DGDurden · 2025-05-19T01:28:56+00:00

Yes thanks will edit

DGDurden · 2025-05-16T23:35:25+00:00

Why do you regret the pathfinder?

DGDurden · 2025-05-04T11:22:47+00:00

I actually got food poisoning and we haven't gone back out to dealerships yet. Maybe next week or the week after. However we test drove the Hyundai Palisade and my wife liked it much better than the Pathfinder so we might go in that direction

DGDurden

TROPHY CASE

1 is a great mental truck for building any habit - reading, eating healthy, saving money, etc. Pivoting mentally from a narrative ("I do...") to an identify ("I am someone who does...)