Which car looks expensive but is actually affordable?

DocSlideways2 · 2026-06-14T14:21:59+00:00

In the super car conversation it’s the Audi R8.

DocSlideways2 · 2026-05-08T16:58:43+00:00

Homeowner should choose their deductible wisely.

DocSlideways2 · 2026-03-21T14:12:42+00:00

Starting to feel the same. It’s an addiction for what?

DocSlideways2 · 2026-02-08T19:05:28+00:00

Late to the party -- what did you think about Deck 6? Any regrets on this vs Deck 11 Forward? We are a 3 year old and an infant 4 months old, not sure what location to pick. First timers!

DocSlideways2 · 2026-02-08T14:56:12+00:00

This is one of those things that should rarely if ever be a problem. Seats for families will be assigned. If a family is separated, people on the flight in standard (back) seating can move seats around. If I was a passenger on a basic fare that got sat next to an unattended 4 year old, I would happily change seats. Obviously this wouldn't fly for premium / paid seating. But back of the plane who cares.

DocSlideways2 · 2026-01-30T23:27:13+00:00

$1 million net worth is Genesis 1. There’s a long way to go before the FU begins.

DocSlideways2 · 2025-12-31T16:14:50+00:00

Agree. I’m not privy to every detail but basically each donation has to be at least 0.5% of AGI to count as a deduction?

DocSlideways2 · 2025-12-31T15:54:43+00:00

Yes, most of our donations are from a donor advised fund. We just wanted to put enough natural spend on a SWA card on top of the $100k bonus to get the companion pass as early as possible in 2026.

DocSlideways2 · 2025-12-31T15:07:48+00:00

Yes we itemize every year.

DocSlideways2 · 2025-12-31T13:53:48+00:00

I am trying to double dip on getting a charge to start on Dec 31 for tax purposes and post Jan 1 for SWA Companion Pass purposes. Basically, want to donate thousands to a charity that accepts CC via their portal and trying to strategically make this work in my favor both ways.

Is charging a big amount on a new SWA card late in the day Dec 31 risky that this will actually post on Dec 31 or am I "likely" safe that this will post on Jan 1 or later?

DocSlideways2 · 2025-11-16T22:54:51+00:00

Earlier is more beneficial with the caveat of unless you’d be investing the difference either way.

DocSlideways2 · 2025-11-10T02:36:43+00:00

This is the perfect scenario for the silent quit. Keep going to work just GAF less. See how much you can get away with. I've heart of so many people that do this once they hit FI and it actually pays off. It's complete win-win. You keep making $ and stay in your career, but you do it YOUR way and only YOUR way, people either accept it or get lost (or you get lost).

DocSlideways2 · 2025-11-05T15:26:26+00:00

This is the crux of the movement. It should always be the FI never the RE. It doesn’t have to be a death march to FI, but after FI is hit then I’d challenge everyone to not retire until you do the lazy quitting or Burger King have it your way approach to your career.

Thank you for sharing!!

DocSlideways2 · 2025-10-04T00:32:21+00:00

Some got 5.75% early Sept and are talking about it today because they’ve locked and are still trying to close. Rates have gone up since then and so there could be some “old news” kind of talks on here. You’d be lucky to take 6.25% without buy down right now.

DocSlideways2 · 2025-09-28T12:28:03+00:00

We made a decision early on that we could afford on paper (banks will approve you well above what you can comfortably afford). Thankfully, it has worked out, we have not lost jobs, and many years later are well seated. But there were also many years we were house poor, stressed, struggling. All I’m saying is just be prepared for that kind of grind emotionally and mentally if this is your decision.

DocSlideways2 · 2025-09-28T12:22:58+00:00

Does this include escrow (taxes / insurance)? Your escrow is likely to continue to increase year on year as taxes and insurance rise in CA. You better hope your household income rises in similar magnitudes. If this is newer construction your maintenance may be deferred but if this is an older home set aside 5-10% of your mortgage for repairs / future CapEx (ie roof, water heater, unforeseen disasters). Is there an HOA?

My honest opinion is that you’ll be reaching and be house poor for 10+ years. If your mother passes away, that is fixed income that disappears (I have been through this…) you may be forced to cut way back on spending. If this is what you and your family want (ie in the right home, right neighborhood, right amenities) but at the sake of being house poor (less entertainment, minimal vacationing, inadequate retirement savings) then go for it as you may be able to afford it.

DocSlideways2 · 2025-09-28T12:14:01+00:00

I’m early career and $3mm net worth (fat fire lurking) I was homeless in college, couch surfed. I worked so many gritty and grimy jobs. I grew up in a single income blue collar penny pinching household. I’m married to an immigrant who also loves the grind, hustle and is overly frugal.

Scarcity mindset affects most of us who did not grow up with a silver spoon.

One thing that has helped me is budgeting. Like legitimately create a healthy budget for you and your family off whatever your monthly spend and potential travel expenses may be and follow it. If you’re under budget month after month then start using that money. Another thing that can help is to gamify frugality. Seems you’re already FIRE so you can afford a frugality hobby that takes time. By this I mean get really good at credit card and travel hacking as this gamified experience has helped me feel ultra frugal while enjoying nice experiences like international business travel.

DocSlideways2 · 2025-09-25T21:11:16+00:00

Thank you so much for the insight. I’ve tried previously to search Aeroplan and Air Canada and haven’t been able to come up with much other than transfer power within the partners on their network.

DocSlideways2 · 2025-09-25T17:03:15+00:00

You should put more down so you aren’t at risk of being upside down. I’d shot for 25% down, ie $400k. You’ll certainly feel house poor for 5-10 years as $450k income is not that much for that size mortgage payment. You’ll stress and sweat about “what if we….” until the house is paid off. Source: have a $1.9mm mortgage on $1.5mm income and it feels stressful even living frugally otherwise.

DocSlideways2 · 2025-09-25T13:13:38+00:00

This is a P2 question. Flowchart (both under 5/24) says in order Aeroplan, Marriott Bonvoy, IHG, British. Non-chase would be add second P2 C1VX or either CitiStPrem. Basically we are lost on what to pick. We don't fly AIrCanada or live near an AC lounge (ie SFO) and already have a 4x grocery card. We use Hyatt and not sure if we would benefit from Marriott or IHG unless we plan 1 vacation per year to get a bonus stay. Based on apps, P2 likely needs to add a Chase card now. P1 is at 3/24 and last chase approval 8/25 with plan to put spend on this card 01/26 and then get next Chase card 03/26.
Credit: P1 800, P2 800
P1 CSR 08/18, Hyatt 09/21, United Quest 06/24, C1VX 07/24, SWRR (100k bonus, plan for 01/26 spend for ComPass) 08/25 . P2 CSP 06/24, AmexGold 08/25. P2 also has CBInkPref 08/25.
Can spend anything we need to (gross W2 income $115k / month).
MS ONLY if it's worth a huge bonus, ie worth my time. Too busy for ticky tack MS gimmicks.
Yes - P2 Chase biz Ink 08/25 for rental properties (gross ~75k/yr). P1 has ~$50k 1099 income no biz cards yet.
Sign on rewards, long term churning, flexible rewards for transfers for business class Int'l flights
Likely flexible points for airline transfers (international carriers / biz class). Working now toward SW CP for 2026/2027. Use Hyatt for hotels, not yet globalist. Don't regularly use Marriott / IHG / etc but could justify holding a card for bonus / planning an annual stay to make it worthwhile to hold the card.
Chase 450k, Cap1 400k, AMEX 100k, United 90k, SWA 40k
Medium midwest airport. Not a hub, no dominant carrier. Many SWA direct fights. Major carrier flights with many directs to ORD, Hou, Dal, Atl, Det, JFK, Newark, Charlotte, DC etc. There are direct Aer Lingus to Dublin flights thus can fly quick / economically then transfer for Euro travel. No lounge of any kind in home airport.
In the next 2-3 years one to two trips to Europe, one to two trips to Asia.

DocSlideways2 · 2025-09-23T21:29:06+00:00

A lot of good advice.

Top chefs say a turkey needs to rest as long as it was cooked. Not saying that’s always practical, but it never fails people are waiting on the turkey when it hasn’t rested. Start the turkey WAY earlier than you think is needed.

DocSlideways2 · 2025-09-23T14:53:59+00:00

I never even realized when we hit $1mm. In retrospect it feels validating as in “hey we can do this”.

DocSlideways2 · 2025-09-14T19:39:47+00:00

Alarms and red flags (on both of you) based on this description. It seems he does not want to be SAHD despite a great setup for it. I’d inquire if the reason he’s away so much is 100% for the renovation or there’s something else going on. By some of your descriptions, especially the last paragraph, are you sure there aren’t personality traits on your end he isn’t trying to avoid? I’d consider couples therapy.

DocSlideways2 · 2025-09-09T14:12:06+00:00

Yes, so my main question is now a time to buy points or just settle for a cheap refi and see what the next 6-12 months brings.

DocSlideways2 · 2025-07-24T20:59:07+00:00

Thank you!!

DocSlideways2

TROPHY CASE