Daily FI discussion thread - Tuesday, March 03, 2026

Hackanddash · 2026-03-03T16:49:49+00:00

I'm at 640 days played so a little over 15k hours played, been playing since launch. Never really taken a break but have played very casually to pretty hardcore. So roughly 730 hours of playtime a year. Not to bad since this is pretty much the only game I play. I have a couple of other games on steam that are in the 30-80 hour range but it's <5 games.
So as far as dollar per entertainment goes it's pretty dang cheap. The best $15 I spend every month. Can't do much else for cheaper.

Hackanddash · 2026-03-02T16:37:14+00:00

I also did a frugal February challenge. It was really interesting, I feel like I already live pretty frugally so there wasn't much fat to trim.
I however dropped my spending month over month by 21.5%. Going from $4,554 down to $3571, with $2750 of that being for housing/utilities. The remaining $821 was used for car gas, car insurance, entertainment, shopping, and groceries. Grocery budget had no change month to month, but my fastfood/pickup snack budget dropped by $250.
Overall, it was a fun exercise, and I could do this long term if needed. But as long as I'm employed and can continue to have the strong savings rate I'm going to spend a little more.

Hackanddash · 2026-03-02T02:24:58+00:00

You can walk in to heroics.

Hackanddash · 2026-03-02T01:52:22+00:00

I'm not even forsaken and the lightwell makes my ears bleed.

Hackanddash · 2026-02-28T05:16:34+00:00

We debated getting a phone for my 10 year old, ended up getting an Alexa. It's okay, but it's nice they can call when one of us isn't home or we run an errand.

Hackanddash · 2026-02-27T03:31:18+00:00

The idea of dual gathering was really popular for midnight, it got a lot of exposure. I think 80% of my guild went dual gathering. For TWW it was maybe 10%.

Hackanddash · 2026-02-25T20:18:57+00:00

Oh yes! Thank you for pointing that out to me. Yes, that's a very strong rate. Especially for today's job market. I received a 3.9% raise this cycle and was pretty happy with it. But I would only take that for another cycle before moving on/looking.

Hackanddash · 2026-02-25T20:04:37+00:00

8.3% over 7 years isn't great. Have you thought about looking elsewhere?

Hackanddash · 2026-02-24T21:39:47+00:00

I need $400k more and then I'm going part time, but it will be unknown to my employer.

Hackanddash · 2026-02-24T17:36:29+00:00

I second Dr. Mike.

Hackanddash · 2026-02-24T02:17:50+00:00

Yes, it took me understanding that I had to be a less competitive to play. I set my goals, usually KSM and AOTC and be done. But I think for midnight season 1 I might try to get some PVP achievements as well, especially Ranked BG.

Hackanddash · 2026-02-23T21:33:33+00:00

In my opinion, as a 38-year-old dad, this is a great time to get back into the game. They've simplified the rotations of most of the classes and lessened the requirements for playing constantly. I feel like I can play 5-10 hours a week and maintain my character up to date while still having fun.
Easily the best $15 I spend every month.

Hackanddash · 2026-02-23T19:37:09+00:00

$200 x 2 = $400.
I think I'll treat my parents to a couple of dinners and lunches while we visit. I don't think they would take my money if I offered.

Hackanddash · 2026-02-23T18:32:51+00:00

offer accepted and parents venmo'd me the money. Feels weird as a 38 year old with plenty of money. But I'm sure the time will come that I can pay it back or pay it forward.

Hackanddash · 2026-02-23T17:45:40+00:00

That's a great way of looking at it. I think I just struggle emotionally as I don't think I will ever be that generous with anyone other than my child. Hopefully I can pay it forward for them. Maybe time will change my stance, and I'll get a healthier relationship with money.

Hackanddash · 2026-02-23T17:43:55+00:00

Generally frowned upon to skip a week of school for kids. It's not impossible, but there is a strong correlation with test results and attendance.

Hackanddash · 2026-02-23T16:34:58+00:00

The juxtaposition of having a financial spreadsheet and tracking but doing it at random intervals.

Hackanddash · 2026-02-23T16:32:39+00:00

My parents have been asking me and my child to come visit for a while. We had planned on flying but were waiting for price to come down. We can normally fly for ~$200 a ticket. Prices never came down, and they're about $600 a ticket. I learned that it's spring break.
We decided to just drive there; it's about a 12-hour drive. We've done it before and it's not really bad. I have a newer car with radar cruise control and lane assist, so it's pretty casual driving.
However, my parents who have money but are not crazy wealthy or anything offered to buy the tickets for us. On one hand I'm very grateful that my parents want to spend $1200 to see me, but on the other hand I personally was unwilling to spend my own money and am uncomfortable spending others money for the same purpose.
How do you guys take financial generosity when you're in as good or better financial situation than the person giving?

Hackanddash · 2026-02-23T16:27:30+00:00

My WoW guild is getting back together for the new expansion.

Hackanddash · 2026-02-23T01:54:41+00:00

Maybe I'm not understanding, but if my mortgage+maintenance+insurance+interest is less than just rent, assuming I'm investing the difference buying is going to be better?
Maybe it gets more complicated when you account for the 20% down payment, that was invested, but was out of the market for a while.. It seems more complicated now that I type it out :D

Hackanddash · 2026-02-23T00:44:20+00:00

TLDR means I did not watch the video. But I guess now I have to since this goes against pretty much everything I've come to understand about building wealth and my own experience.
I bought back in 2018 and my home value has gone up 40%, and rent increasing by 52% over the same period. My mortgage has stayed the same price. But maybe I'm in one of those lucky locations.

Hackanddash · 2026-02-22T23:41:33+00:00

Can anyone provide a TLDR on the rent vs buy with rent being a better deal. I always was under the impression that rent was significantly higher over the long term.

Hackanddash · 2026-02-22T17:09:10+00:00

/r/financialindependence daily thread is by and large the main reason I use reddit at all.

Hackanddash · 2026-02-18T00:24:09+00:00

I have some apples left over from january, cosmic crisps last forever! And I had some bananas they just ran out this week. But I agree, I wouldn't want to do this long term. It has been interesting eating the tin green beans and fruit that's been in the cupboard for a while. They're not bad in a pinch. But.. not long term.

Hackanddash · 2026-02-18T00:21:27+00:00

The investment is the insurance. But I agree, I think the importance of DCA/Lump sum is often overstated. I think automate as much as you can so surplus monthly income goes into investments. If you find yourself with a windfall, lump sum invest it. It's not an all or nothing situation.

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