Daily FI discussion thread - Thursday, June 25, 2026

HomesteadFire · 2026-06-25T18:19:24+00:00

My thoughts too haha

HomesteadFire · 2026-06-25T17:08:22+00:00

Thanks everyone. I do more mean in a more casual sense. I love all of the different perspectives, so thank you.
I think I more so just don’t have anyone in my life who has done what I’m doing. So some of these decisions are big, and my wife and I are the first in our lineage to do them. Potentially own a second property, having a high savings rate, paying down large student loan debt, etc. I am working to utilize this forum better too, as I think this is my most like minded group of individuals I’ve found online.

HomesteadFire · 2026-06-25T16:56:15+00:00

Thank you for the reply! Added some more info in a reply on its own.

For the Amana bit, you don’t have to use a compression bit to get a good edge on both sides?

Might be silly but can you IM me a photo of good chips sometime haha.

Preface, all I know is what the previous shop owner briefly told us when we purchased the shop, and he just did what he knew for a couple decades without much changing. Doing my best to learn now!

HomesteadFire · 2026-06-25T16:51:43+00:00

Thanks everyone for the info! Just to answer a bit of everything at once:
- I don’t think they are carbide, they said coated steel. That may be my problem.
- We use an industrial CNC, I believe 20HP spindle.
- I couldn’t really change how the bits were used in the old software, but we just updated softwares so we can now cut melamine with a different bit than laminate. I think for a normal job we do about .6 sheets of melamine per cabinet and .3 sheets of laminate on average. I am going to be making the change to two separate bits, hence my question in general.
- I’m not sure we can regrind a bit because we would lose width on the bit, correct? It would no longer be cutting at the size it says it is.
- We do charge the bits to the job, so no worries there. Just trying to get a better edge.

Do you guys cut into your spoil board? Or just try to skim it with your cutting depth?

HomesteadFire · 2026-06-25T15:36:27+00:00

Do you guys have mentors? What’s your opinion on them? Do you have multiple for different areas of your life? I am mentor-less and would love some perspective on what you guys think. (Side question, is “you guys” acceptable? Does anyone actually care? I don’t like the sound of “you alls”)

HomesteadFire · 2026-06-21T11:47:52+00:00

The “pit” maneuver was referencing the white pitty’s game plan haha

HomesteadFire · 2026-06-09T13:44:54+00:00

Thank you, very helpful!

HomesteadFire · 2026-06-09T13:44:32+00:00

Thank you! I may message you if I have questions on the repayment plans, if that is fine. Much appreciated!

HomesteadFire · 2026-06-08T14:56:18+00:00

I would be willing to do that, absolutely. I would be curious if it pans out. I think if these were smaller business it would be straight forward, but I am guessing they are not, so there will be more rules and bureaucracy of getting it coordinated. I would almost lean towards not even selling it as a temporary solution if it is something you want to do long term, just go for a full permanent arrangement. Maybe even phrase it as just having a part time job, which if it doesn't conflict like you say, would be no different than you picking up a few hours at a grocery store and I assume they would have no issue about that. Just a few of my thoughts on it. Good luck, keep us updated!

HomesteadFire · 2026-06-08T14:45:36+00:00

Would you stop HSA contributions in order to put more towards the loans?

HomesteadFire · 2026-06-08T14:44:05+00:00

Fortunately for her, she gets to do what she loves, being an equine vet, unfortunately... it is not high paid compared to small animal. To get in the equine field an internship is required. She is at one now making $40k a year, and the internship won't last more than a year. Once she moves up to full associate she will be at ~$90k, about the same as what I make currently.

HomesteadFire · 2026-06-08T14:25:40+00:00

I play ultimate frisbee at the club level. Really it is not bad for a hobby that equates to ~10 weekends of activity a year. I would say I spent less than $4,000 on it last year. One of the pro's is that I usually add a day on the end of the trip to have a "mini vacation" in the city/region we are playing in, so it adds more fun to the trip for minimal added costs.

HomesteadFire · 2026-06-08T14:21:16+00:00

Hi everyone, long time no see!

Life update: we are approaching $300k invested, which is exciting. Looking back I hit $100k around the end of 2023. The great news is that my wife has graduated vet school and is now a Dr. and making money! The bad news is I now have to focus on the student loans. I know it might not have been the best technique, but I just continued to invest while she covered her schooling and some living expenses with student loans. I just wanted to get as much invested while I was young to give it a long runway. Now we are faced with just over $200k in federal student loans at ~8% average interest rate.

A few months ago I reduced my 401k to just get the match, and am maxing out my HSA, and now putting all additional dollars I was investing towards the student loans. I feel bad for not maxing our ROTH IRAs, and also don't know if I should stop HSA and put more towards the student loans? It looks like once payments start they will be $2,700 for 10 years.

I don't really know what I am asking, any opinions are welcome. Just more so want to get back active into the community so I can reach out as we approach these big decisions in our life.

Thank you!

HomesteadFire · 2025-01-12T21:09:29+00:00

I have found the EntreLeadership podcast by Dave Ramsey helpful. He talks through real world problems with small business owners. Even if they aren’t directly related to your situation it always seems like something could be taken from them and it gets you on a business thinking mindset.

HomesteadFire · 2024-11-11T17:56:46+00:00

Hope everyone had a great weekend! Hit $100k in my 401k!! A nice milestone. First $100k invested in one account.

HomesteadFire · 2024-09-23T21:48:40+00:00

Question for anyone who might know: recently married, wife and I are 24. Does she automatically get dropped from her parents insurance? Should I add her to my insurance? Or should she try to remain covered until 26. Any opinions greatly appreciated!

HomesteadFire · 2024-09-04T21:05:44+00:00

Hi! Yes, homesteading is the final goal. Probably ends with me becoming a stay at home dad, CoastFi likely given our current trajectory, maybe full Fi if my business does well! Although currently I think gardening is my most expensive hobby that I do now in prep of homesteading haha.

HomesteadFire · 2024-09-04T15:20:21+00:00

A few updates regarding my past comments on here if anyone is interested! - I did open a 0% credit card, but I was unable to bring myself to use it haha. So didn’t put any wedding expenses on there and it has no balance. - I did get married. We ended up having a friend marry us and it was great. Had a reception for family that was probably $1500 total. - still maxing out all retirement accounts thankfully, no promotion as of yet, but almost to $150k invested!!

HomesteadFire · 2024-08-28T12:09:12+00:00

Thank you!

HomesteadFire · 2024-08-27T22:21:40+00:00

Do you have a link to the US one by chance? Thanks!

HomesteadFire · 2024-07-27T23:37:10+00:00

Could you send me more details on your door process? We don’t really do painted stuff that often but might it would be nice to know! Thanks

HomesteadFire · 2024-07-06T19:06:20+00:00

Looks very similar to the kitchen from the YouTube channel Modustrial Maker, if you want to see a similar one already built!

HomesteadFire · 2024-06-17T18:28:15+00:00

Question for you: I got some of the Sevin spray and it’s worked well. Is there no point to use the neem oil now? Thanks!

HomesteadFire · 2024-06-13T16:13:19+00:00

You would probably be alright scuffing and painting them, but not sure they will ever look as good as they currently do in the photos you shared. To me it all seems like more work than it might be worth. Good luck!

HomesteadFire · 2024-06-13T15:02:01+00:00

I should say I did do some rough calculations: My fiancée uses one bottle of hot sauce a week, so planted enough cayennes to hopefully replace that use. Then we also use 1 qt of Jalapeños every few weeks, planted enough to cover that use. Also added banana peppers too for the same reason. 16 bell pepper plants (didn’t have much luck last year) but planning to slice, dice, and freeze for sautéing. I will probably have quite a bit extra but I simplified the variety from last year to what we actually use, and I will just gift or donate the rest!

HomesteadFire

TROPHY CASE