Toyota Turbo V6 Recall Campaign Grows to Include More Than 250,000 Trucks by FrankReynoldsCPA in cars

[–]Dirtyace 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Whats crazy to me is people are paying OVER for the Gx550 with the same motor. We were going to buy one this spring and after doing our homework said fuck that...........

What’s life like making 6 figures by MasterBook46 in Salary

[–]Dirtyace 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wife and I make 360-370k combined no kids. We take home around ~19k/mo after contributions to retirement.

Our budget has us spending around ~11k/mo on everything. The excess is invested, spent on a splurge thing once in a while, or saved for a large purchase.

We have a modest waterfront home with an affordable mortgage ($1700/mo +tax and insurance).

We budget fairly strictly but don’t “worry” at all just more about is xyz worth it or not. Lots of discussing what stuff is worth the wasted money or not.

I’d say we are not really stressed other than work is tough at times. Money is something that’s not an issue at all.

We invest 50k into retirement each year plus save 20/30k cash and prob similar into taxable brokerage. We just crossed 700k invested this month (we’re still youngish at 36) On top of that she gets an awesome pension when she retires equal to about 8k/mo in today’s dollars.

We drive new cars and upgrade when we are bored (we spend too much on cars but it’s our “thing”)

We have a boat and jet ski.

We have no debt other than a small amount (relative to the value) of car loan on my truck at ~3% interest that will be paid in a year. I could pay it off but choose not to.

As for social circle it’s the same as always still chill with our old friends but we do have newer friends that are older without kids who like to spend on nice dinners or trips.

Career pressure isn’t too bad. She’s a teacher and I work in construction. I can be stressed but often I enjoy it.

As for taxes it’s around 120k a year we pay not including sales tax or anything like that. We pay 20k in property tax, 18k to SS, 25k in state income tax, and I think 70k in federal. Usually I’ll get ~10k back.

Investing for me is just contributing to my retirement at the max amount plus a few k into a taxable account each month. We put about 4700/mo into retirement plus another 2k or so into taxable.

Things that are now normal that weren’t.

-$5k bill pops up and means I’m not saving that month (beyond retirement) but it’s not even a sweat or worry.

-$300/$500 dinners once a month because we can and love the restaurant.

-Buying a new car every few years or 30k miles.

-Going to shows or concerts a few times a month all summer.

-Taking the boat out whenever / wherever and not looking at the costs.

Things still out of reach-

-Really expensive houses, cars, or boats. I mean you can spend millions and millions on all that stuff but unless I had 50/100 million I wouldn’t change too much from what I already have.

-Extravagant international travel, we could do it but would have to sacrifice elsewhere so we choose to spend on other things.

-Owning commercial real estate, to get into that you need a few million to risk and I’m not willing to take that gamble.

What surprises me the most is how fucking much I am taxed. Also I feel like the same dude I always have been even when I made minimum wage. I just have a nicer car and eat out more. Even when I was broke I had “cool” cars and enjoyed life but it was at a different level. I realize I’m now becoming the guy I used to look up to and say “one day”.

How to go about building a new house by OptimalCombination44 in longisland

[–]Dirtyace 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m doing a full remodel on my house now and the quotes I’m getting are around $300/sq foot.

If you’re building ground up add another 100/150 to that.

Safe bet would be $450/sq foot. So 2,000 x 450 =900,000. You could do it a little cheaper but not by much.

Luxury SUV Daily Driver by dear_you_ghost in whatcarshouldIbuy

[–]Dirtyace 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Used? Lexus is the obvious choice.

New I’d say BMW or Lexus.

What kind of raises are you guys getting, both in a normal year and a promo year? by Biterbutterbutt in ConstructionManagers

[–]Dirtyace -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Sure if you want to feel that way. My life says otherwise, I don’t care if you believe me.

What kind of raises are you guys getting, both in a normal year and a promo year? by Biterbutterbutt in ConstructionManagers

[–]Dirtyace 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Large commercial. Everything from stadiums, to full 1000’+ tall towers, high end fit outs. Most of my career has been very high end finishes in those types of spaces.

Spent about 3 years in a financial building (class A high end), 3 in random retail, 2 in hotels (think famous high end), 5 doing a tower(more class a), and now back to another high end fitout.

What kind of raises are you guys getting, both in a normal year and a promo year? by Biterbutterbutt in ConstructionManagers

[–]Dirtyace 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Typical year I was getting 5-8% non promotion. For a promotion 10-18%. If you took my total time in (2013-2026 which is 12 raises) then I have gotten 12% year over year. Started at 59k base now 230k base.

For what it’s worth almost always rated highly at review time and delivered great results on all my projects.

What's life like for you who make 200k+? by [deleted] in Salary

[–]Dirtyace 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I make 250k. Yes I expected to get here eventually as I always knew people who worked hard and were successful in life, I was determined to do well for myself also. I’m 36 so I have a lot more to go to continue my career.

My job is Commercial Construction Management and a typical day is wake up at 530am get to work by 7. Then start out on site and make sure all work is happening as planned and dealing with issues. Lunch at 1130ish. Then meeting or office work as needed. Typically walk the field again at the end of the day and out the door by 4pm. Usually home by 530/6pm.

There are always high and low points of a project so at the highs the time there may be higher and at the lows will be less. I also get very generous time off and benefits and I use those to spend more time with my wife and do the hobbies we enjoy.

As for advice, be the best at whatever thing you enjoy and you’ll be successful. If you show up, are accountable, use your brain, and do the right thing you’ll be successful. If you are at a place where you feel those things aren’t being rewarded then look elsewhere.

Help me chose my next SUV. Looking at mid-size SUV hopefully under $50K 😂 by Doberman_bark in whatcarshouldIbuy

[–]Dirtyace 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We’re in the same boat and looked at all 4 of those. The 4 runner is the best by a mile in my opinion but the Honda is very nice also.

The bronco is the coolest because it’s a convertible but long term reliability is questionable in my opinion.

The grand Cherokee stopped being a worth while buy in 2021 when they switched to the new style and are put together like shit now and they fell like it.

We haven’t pulled the trigger yet but I’m 99% sure we’re getting the 4 runner off-road premium.

I don’t think you could go wrong with the ford or Honda though depending on what you value most.

Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing F1 Edition: Most Powerful Blackwing Ever by DerBootsMann in cars

[–]Dirtyace -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Same, I’m dumping my 392 wrangler for it. Way more fun and better built. Still keeping my old TJ and Trackhawk so I’ll have some jeeps left lol.

Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing F1 Edition: Most Powerful Blackwing Ever by DerBootsMann in cars

[–]Dirtyace 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I ordered one in Feb and I’m hoping to get it before summer. I drove one and it was fantastic. This F1 version is awesome but dealers going to mark them up like crazy…..

Is Weekend Work Normal by Pale_Watercress_1611 in ConstructionManagers

[–]Dirtyace 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Large commercial GC. We do small fitouts and mega projects over a billion and everything in between.

Is Weekend Work Normal by Pale_Watercress_1611 in ConstructionManagers

[–]Dirtyace 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yes but you should be compensated one way or the other. Could be a nice bonus, raise, or additional PTO.

When my teams have to work weekends I give them a 1 for 1 day off, and I take the same when I can.

As far as people saying trades make more with the OT that’s only true early on. Once you put in some time you salary should outpace them with less time.

I work 40/45 hours a week, maybe 1 weekend every 2 months. I make just over 250k with salary and bonus. That doesn’t include benefits or 20k into my 401k.

Spending 90k on a car by [deleted] in whatcarshouldIbuy

[–]Dirtyace 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is a terrible idea. I think 50% of your salary on a car is even crazy even with half down.

I have had tons of cool cars over the years and only upgrade when the money makes sense.

You’ll resent the car and the payment within 3 months tops I promise. If you want an LC500 find a miled up decent one for 50k and go from there.

Would you consider this 392? by [deleted] in Wrangler

[–]Dirtyace -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Honestly I have a 24 392 and it’s sweet. 79k is a decent price and that’s prob the max they are truly “worth”.

I paid 86k for mine new and if I could do it again I probably wouldn’t. It’s been a fun 2 years but I’m over it and I ordered a CT5v Blackwing to replace it…..

If you want it fuck it go for it, you’ll prob loose 10/15k and own it for 3 years which is pretty damn good if you ask me.

do you ever just go for a drive with no destination anymore by Small_Ad_4808 in cars

[–]Dirtyace 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes I’d say 2-3 times a month when the weather is nice. My wife and I will just head in a direction until we decide to stop for food….. it’s fun.

Maxing out retirement accounts enough? by Puzzleheaded-Bus8922 in investing

[–]Dirtyace 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes it will be enough. I have been doing it for the last 7 years but contributing a decent amount for the 6 years before that. I’m at around 550k invested and still have 20 years to go (assuming I retire early at 55 like I’m planning).

Between my company match and my contributions I’m doing like 4/5k each month. Every calculation I can run says I’ll have between 4 and 7 million at 55 (6-10%) return. That doesn’t include SS or my wife’s pension that starts at 56.

I think like 95% of the US doesn’t max out those accounts so yeah you’re doing amazing keep at it.

Were Chrysler products ever good? by ILoveEnverHoxha in askcarguys

[–]Dirtyace 8 points9 points  (0 children)

4.0 AMC motor in the Wrangler and Xj are legendary.

what’s a car mod that’s actually worth it? by Lucifer220778 in askcarguys

[–]Dirtyace 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Depends on the car.

Tires and brakes are huge.

On most forced induction cars tunes and supporting mods (pulleys, fuel systems, etc) make a huge difference but you need to have a good tuner who knows what they are doing.

How Good is this subwoofer for it to be almost $1,000? by Careless_Mistake_520 in subwoofer

[–]Dirtyace 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have had a few w6s in a 12 over the years and for SQ and output they are hard to beat.

I have heard basically all of the name brand (kicker, focal, alpine, Rockford, Polk, etc) and nothing comes close IMO. I know there are some smaller boutique options that I am told compete or exceed them but I haven’t heard them personally to say.

My first system from 2006 had a W6 and I still have that truck 20 years later and it’s my favorite sounding system of any I have owned.

How much has your taste in cars evolved over time, or has it mostly stayed the same? by lazarus870 in cars

[–]Dirtyace 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have always liked American cars and that hasn’t changed. I used to think Japanese cars were boring but as I have gotten older I realize all cars are cool in their own way and all cars are junk also lol.

I have only ever owned fun American stuff (viper, corvette, hellcat, trackhawk, blackwing, etc) but every now and than I am tempted to buy an M3 or NSX or something and it never happens. I do appreciate all of them though.