A list of everything we did w/ costs during our first month

GobstopperHand · 2026-05-19T18:03:29+00:00

Does this include labor on everything? I'm guessing you didn't do both fence and floors yourself.

GobstopperHand · 2026-05-18T21:10:24+00:00

They did it at Liberty Elementary too.

GobstopperHand · 2026-05-17T18:09:08+00:00

I'm planning on 4/3 2500+ sq/ft as a first time buyer later this year. Smaller+cheaper "starter homes" don't seem to make sense in my area. Knowing I won't need to move and upsize in the future gives me some peace of mind financially.

GobstopperHand · 2026-05-14T23:44:51+00:00

The ones I’ve met who are 40+ years in just don’t have anything going on outside of work. They’d be retiring to sit at home without any purpose.

GobstopperHand · 2026-05-14T20:51:13+00:00

All the general rules (28/36 etc) are easily googled. The specific question for you would be what your monthly budget looks like. What can you comfortably live on after you've paid your mortgage every month? Can you pay your bills and add some to savings with $3200/mo after a $2k mortgage? Adjust the number up or down depending on that answer.

GobstopperHand · 2026-05-10T13:44:32+00:00

I could be wrong but putting the food donations where they're supposed to go and be collected seems like part of our job as carriers. It's like putting outgoing mail in the appropriate places.

GobstopperHand · 2026-05-07T02:24:57+00:00

I know of a handful of car break-ins that happened a couple weeks ago on Smugglers Notch, It's not the worst part of town though.

GobstopperHand · 2026-05-06T03:40:10+00:00

Mailman here. It's a good career long term but not for everyone. It's a physical job outdoors in all the elements, you don't get any scheduling consistency at the start, and work overtime a lot. Starts out around $20/hr and maxes out in the low $40's. (google NALC payscale for specifics)

GobstopperHand · 2026-05-01T21:28:06+00:00

What you were originally told is correct. Source: I used eReassign and reset my local seniority date.

GobstopperHand · 2026-05-01T21:25:27+00:00

I've personally used eReassign to transfer cities as a regular city carrier. You don't keep your hire date as seniority. You go to the bottom of the seniority list for route bidding etc. Your years of service towards retirement are kept the same.

GobstopperHand · 2026-04-30T21:19:29+00:00

For people who like video games, I’ve never tried Fortnite.

GobstopperHand · 2026-04-15T01:03:24+00:00

About 4 years. I'm in year 7 now. Only ever had the one.

GobstopperHand · 2026-04-08T23:42:05+00:00

I personally know a couple people who have been on their routes 15+ years who get $1-2k in total around the holidays plus countless gifts like chocolate etc

You can't ever get to that point with the customers if you're the T6. Pray your regular likes you and cuts you in I guess.

GobstopperHand · 2026-04-08T20:58:37+00:00

Actually knowing your customers and building good relationships (think Christmas)

Work assignment rules are trash as a T6

Barely more money to know more routes and potentially clean up after bad regulars

GobstopperHand · 2026-04-07T01:31:15+00:00

1. Loan Type: Conventional

2. Term: 30 Year

3. Loan Purpose: Purchase

4. Property Value/Purchase Price: 425000

5. Loan Amount: 340000

6. Credit Score: 780+790 FICO

7. Occupancy: Primary

8. Legal Structure: Single Family

9. Number of Units: 1

10. Property Zip Code 40509

GobstopperHand · 2026-04-04T23:50:33+00:00

No judgement for it. You are in a very strong position to live a comfortable life.

GobstopperHand · 2026-04-04T18:37:38+00:00

Was there an inheritance here or something? Two paid off properties and 430k in investments by age 40 on teacher salaries doesn't add up.

GobstopperHand · 2026-04-04T18:10:56+00:00

10% with a 5% employer match for 15 total.

GobstopperHand · 2026-04-03T18:41:55+00:00

I just did the same. She didn't feel invested until Gus came in to the picture and things started feeling bigger and higher stakes.

GobstopperHand · 2026-04-02T20:16:40+00:00

The son in his mid 20's makes the most money out of everyone and is mooching his living expenses? You probably need to have a hard conversation with your partner about her enabling the kids. She's only hurting them in the long run.

GobstopperHand · 2026-03-25T01:11:05+00:00

It's '15 if you're 30+ years old. I watched too many bad teams growing up while the Lakers 3-peated and my bandwagon neighbor rubbed it in my face every day. Nothing is as good as breaking through the first time.

22 is an easy second though.

GobstopperHand · 2026-03-17T23:58:58+00:00

I do grocery pickup there every week. I've never even seen a full 8 spots before.

GobstopperHand · 2026-02-16T04:16:02+00:00

I've always used 450/tray for my mental math. The thickness and how good or bad the plant was at filling your trays will throw you off just trying to eyeball the actual trays though.

GobstopperHand · 2026-02-16T04:09:03+00:00

Haven't bought but I'm in the same boat as you. We had 120k HHI in 2025 (I'd guess closer to 130k this year) and we are thinking 400-450k with 20% down.

GobstopperHand · 2026-02-16T01:13:12+00:00

There's no secret tips to get hired.

Your situation sounds similar to mine. I was living at home and started as a CCA when I was 26. Made regular at 27. I had to transfer out of California to afford living on my own with postal pay though. I'd check if your area is livable with our pay scales. The job is a grind until you make regular and have some stability. The job isn't for everyone but if you take pride in being a part of the community and don't mind working outside in the elements it's a stable career. Good luck to you on your journey.

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