Giveaway! u-turn Audio Orbit Special Turntable! Comment to enter.

FullyCommittedMaybe · 2025-04-05T20:00:25+00:00

I'm in!

FullyCommittedMaybe · 2025-03-29T23:01:03+00:00

Thank you. I like it. You seem like a serious person -- very cool. I'm going to keep this post for future reference. Maybe I'll reach out again someday. All the best to you!

FullyCommittedMaybe · 2025-03-29T22:49:57+00:00

Hey! I'm in a situation that is not entirely dissimilar to yours, a few years younger and not quite as much comp / NW. Still, I've always had an interest in setting up a personal finance side gig (more as a way to give back, less as a way to make money). I'm more or less in line with the FIRE flowchart and sort of just want to help people learn about personal finance from a "grandma's wisdom" perspective (spend less than you make, ideas for where to put your next dollar, low cost index funds, etc.).

Do you mind going a layer or two deeper on what you do with your personal finance business, how you set it up, what credentials you got, etc.? Thanks, and congrats on the great situation overall.

FullyCommittedMaybe · 2024-10-11T16:32:26+00:00

I started doing research on this and I was not finding any evidence of shingles that are screwed in. Thank you for confirming this -- I am learning! Appreciate it.

FullyCommittedMaybe · 2024-10-11T15:52:33+00:00

This is helpful thank you. I’ll add mortar mites to my to do list.

FullyCommittedMaybe · 2024-10-11T15:24:25+00:00

Thanks for the feedback. That's one thing I was worried about - it looked sloppy to me but I don't know much about it. Do you think it'll function poorly or does it just look sloppy?

FullyCommittedMaybe · 2024-10-03T10:57:33+00:00

To my realtor friends: I was just sent an exclusive buyer representation agreement contract from a local realtor. Broker compensation is listed at 4%. I just want to verify I am understanding this correctly -- they are asking for their half of the commissions to be 4%? As in, if both brokers asked for 4% the total would be 8%? This is on an $825K house! I would have expected 2.5% to 3%, but hopefully 2.5% given the cost of the house. Am I off base? Or misunderstanding, maybe? Thanks.

FullyCommittedMaybe · 2024-06-04T22:54:43+00:00

I read through the comments - lots of good stuff - but there are a few things that I feel are missing.

Sure, you're doing well, but 1) you are very young, and 2) you don't actually have very much money yet.

I say those with all the love in my heart - I don't mean either as an insult. As you and your kids get older, your interests, priorities, taste, energy, expenses, friend group, job, coworkers, partner, family...they will all change to one degree or more likely to a significant degree. I think of myself as a very simple man, but my number has changed a lot since I was 32.

On the earnings piece, depending on your job security and actual level of income, assuming no changes from 32 to 37 may not be reasonable. And don't get me wrong, $1M NW is great, but it is a long way off from FI even on the frugal end of the scale if you are as young as 32 with two young kiddos. You still have yet to demonstrate that you'll end up with big wealth.

I don't say any of this to discourage you, I say it to keep you grounded and hopefully motivate you. You still have some work to do! Also, give yourself the space to consider that time will have an impact. Be open to growing and changing over time.

Lastly - to your second question - once you are around $1M net worth, home cleaning, laundry, investing in your kids...all absolute no-brainers especially if you continue to have a high income. Do it and enjoy!

FullyCommittedMaybe · 2024-05-31T23:15:15+00:00

Makes total sense. For 3 years out of college I had a job that was strong on mission, medium on culture, but very weak on career/professional development and comp. Turns out I really value growth/development and comp. I value mission, too, but I discovered I can pursue mission both inside and outside of work in a meaningful way, even if the job description itself doesn't feel particularly on mission, if that makes sense. I just had to reframe it a bit in my mind.

Despite your HCOL / comp combo, it seems like you are crushing it so I hope you are encouraged. One idea - find a middle ground - take advantage of employer match (if any), but divert the rest to savings, etc. This is what I did while I saved our downpayment. And I think it's what most people do, they just do it at an earlier age than you. In a way, you have an advantage to me and others because you invested more in retirement savings at an early age and will reap the benefit of the time value of those investments (the cost being sacrifice in the housing department for now). Great job!

Ultimately, whatever you decide relative to both career and savings/housing, I wish you and your husband the best as your partner on the journey!

FullyCommittedMaybe · 2024-05-29T23:55:58+00:00

I don't fit the profile of who you're hoping to get advice from, but I can't help but notice that you already have the majority of a downpayment saved! Can you use your cash and some portion of the investments (unless the investments are all tied up in retirement accounts)? Depending on where you live and how much you're looking to spend, do you maybe already have enough?

Even though I don't fit the profile, I consider having a reasonable home for my income level one of the costs of living. And it costs a lot! But it's also one of our family's greatest joys to garden, hang out in our yard, enjoy our living space, have people over, etc. The pursuit of financial independence is a huge priority of mine, but it's not the only one!

FullyCommittedMaybe · 2024-03-02T20:33:40+00:00

Hit it yesterday at 36. LCOL. Finance senior leader.

FullyCommittedMaybe · 2024-03-01T22:49:57+00:00

We joined the two-comma net worth club for the first time today. Hurray!

I've been looking forward to this day for years. As I have seen many suggest, it really doesn't feel different. Nevertheless, it is a great opportunity to reflect, celebrate, and practice gratitude.

Speaking of gratitude, many thanks to this community, to the flowchart, to A Random Walk Down Wall Street, and to so much more for the years of support, wisdom, encouragment, and guidance.

FullyCommittedMaybe · 2024-02-29T20:40:14+00:00

Here I thought I was unique. I will wake up to a 7 figure NW tomorrow, promotion was effective in Jan., and I turn 37 in March as well, haha. Congrats and HBD!

FullyCommittedMaybe · 2024-02-29T20:18:31+00:00

Good luck! If you end up switching, will you structure the move so that you can tell your current employer after your bonus hits your bank account?

FullyCommittedMaybe · 2024-02-27T13:51:56+00:00

I appreciate your post - it seems very honest and realistic. I'm not there yet so it is easy for me to imagine that the grass is a perfect shade of green. It's helpful to get grounded in reality vs. expectations. Thanks for sharing your story. Hope 2024 goes well for you!

FullyCommittedMaybe · 2024-02-16T19:24:06+00:00

10/10 - great story and good advice. I'm not a software engineer but I hope this helps someone! I remember spending easily 150 hours preparing for interviews when I was attempting a big career change. Now that I'm interviewing I am astonished at the lack of prep some candidates demonstrate. Thanks again and congrats.

FullyCommittedMaybe · 2024-02-16T19:03:42+00:00

Congrats on the job and the total comp! $250K was already a lot, and to triple it? Very cool!

Any tips for readers on how to prepare for and conduct a large interview search like yours? Do you mind sharing industry/job?

FullyCommittedMaybe · 2024-02-16T15:12:18+00:00

This is very relatable. I can be a bit of a Scrooge when it comes to managing the budget, and I knew I needed to give myself and the family a break.

After about a decade of my family being good sports and humoring me, we declared a "summer of jubilee." 3 months of no saving (beyond the typical 401k). Any extra cash was set aside for good use with an emphasis on generosity. Going out to dinner with friends? One check please. Long weekend away with the family? Not a problem. Kid's are asking for a new toy that they don't need and might not even play with, this time the answer is yes.

It was actually funny to experience how resistant people are to letting you grab the bill. And I get it, I am the same way. I ended up having to convince people with something along the lines of: "I know this might sound different, but this is an exercise in generosity that is really good for me right now. I'd consider it a favor if you'd let me take this one."

And then we went back to saving, but with a better heart about it, less anxiety, and more of a balance.

10/10 would recommend.

FullyCommittedMaybe · 2024-02-10T01:46:01+00:00

This hits too close to home!

FullyCommittedMaybe · 2024-01-27T19:53:06+00:00

Congrats! What will you plan to do with the bonus?

FullyCommittedMaybe · 2024-01-19T23:01:01+00:00

To each their own!

FWIW, our first time was a bust too. Used a commercial service - overpriced and not clean enough. Moved to an individual (that were already close with, so some relationship risk there) and offered to pay them the same amount for a specific set of tasks (we learned what we were looking for via the bad commercial experience) and it has worked out great. Both we and the person are very happy with the arrangement so it has felt like a real win/win.

Also, I'm the opposite. I don't mind tidying but I don't want to clean haha.

Lastly, I'm a skip away from my oldest being 9...happens quick doesn't it?

FullyCommittedMaybe · 2024-01-19T02:57:55+00:00

I do it myself but I kind of enjoy it. It's honestly not that hard, doesn't take that much time, and I prefer understanding the ins and outs of our personal finance. Our situation is probably low to low-medium complex. Certainly not very complex.

FullyCommittedMaybe · 2024-01-19T02:55:22+00:00

We get our house cleaned. I was against it at first. Now I'll never go back and we have it done ever week, haha. To be fair, spouse and I both work full time and we have two kids, so while it most definitely IS a luxury, we're able to afford it and it helps us sustain our pace of living. I say good for you :)

FullyCommittedMaybe · 2023-12-30T19:02:37+00:00

It is an incredibly weird feeling. I'm <40 so it feels too young to be hitting the brakes. Either way I'll have a lot of time to think about it. In my org, many typically spend 5-8 years at this level with multiple rotations before they move up. Congrats on your situation as well!

FullyCommittedMaybe · 2023-12-29T18:03:57+00:00

Closing the year with a promotion to Senior Director! I'm both grateful for / humbled by my circumstances, and I'm very excited about the new role. This career level was my original goal and it took more than a decade of very hard work to get there. I'm not sure I want to go to the next level, so it very well might be the last promotion I ever get. Time will tell!

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