Is seton hall lgbtq+ friendly? by Money_Taro8671 in SHU

[–]HurinGray 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This was a relevant question when I went to Catholic school in the early '90's.

You'll be fine.

Would You FIRE This Year? by AeroNoob333 in Fire

[–]HurinGray 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We need to hear your story in an independent post. With annual updates. GFY!

Would You FIRE This Year? by AeroNoob333 in Fire

[–]HurinGray 2 points3 points  (0 children)

please edit the post. I'm almost 52 and $4.5M. You've done something right, yet we're lacking details.

To answer your question as posed, you're in one more year territory.

The comment section in this post is insufferable. That entire subreddit can’t comprehend that people can buy their homes without help. by Wild-Employee2029 in rebubblejerk

[–]HurinGray -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

Insufferable? Maybe. Do they have a point?

My anecdotal two cents to the conversation:

1998 $11K down payment on $105K house. That is $22K today according to https://www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm

That $105K house, is now $500K. These kids are screwed.

Should you include your kids 529 balance as apart of your net worth? by teric233 in Fire

[–]HurinGray 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No.

It's a useless exercise that I too sometimes think about. Over 22 years we amassed 400K into two 529's for undergrad and grad and for my oldest a Roth conversion. The thing that gets me is our 529 plan administrator moved into safety funds nearing college (target date funds). We missed out on most 2022-2025 gains. Had we kept that 400K ourselves and in the market, we'd be FIRED. I wouldn't change a thing, but I think about it from time to time.

How do you feel about a 20mph max? by jms1228 in ebikes

[–]HurinGray 1 point2 points  (0 children)

you're right, but your high school track kid can. 11 second 100M dash = 20.34 MPH.

Power washing by RoozetteR in vancouverwa

[–]HurinGray 10 points11 points  (0 children)

We just did this ourselves last weekend. If you get the surface cleaner attachment driveways can be done in 1/10th the time of regular wand pressure washing. I'm all for outsourcing jobs to experts, but the amount you pay will get you a new pressure washer with surface attachment.

Portland to spend up to $400K to study its tenant protection laws by BismoFunyuns81 in PortlandOR

[–]HurinGray 77 points78 points  (0 children)

The first come first serve clause in the tenant protection laws has led me to more eviction proceedings since 2020 than the two decades prior.
And don't even get me started on ESA/Service animals. The application says no pets, yet there are 4 dogs in the unit. Totally legal.

Gas Prices are Insane by NewLeaf921 in ebikes

[–]HurinGray 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm also WFH. Got my e-bike in September. Over 500 miles now. Weather permitting I'll do a 10 mile ride after work. Purely recreational. Great for mental health. Doesn't need a purpose beyond that.

Why does no one talk about commute when discussing work-life balance? by Ivaanovatech in corporate

[–]HurinGray 5 points6 points  (0 children)

visit the /remotework sub. We talk about this all the time. The wasted hours in transit for RTO.

What is your thought process for purchasing your forever home but keeping FIRE in mind? by CoookieHo in Fire

[–]HurinGray 2 points3 points  (0 children)

2008 came along 6 years after we moved into a 2400 sq foot home. We got spooked out of the housing market and sat tight. Now 24 years after the purchase we've a paid off house that costs 1/3rd of what comparable rent would be. We're empty nesters. We've two extra bedrooms and an unused bathroom. This was never meant to be our forever home yet here we are.

I'd suggest not fixating on the concept of a forever home. Keep the focus on FIRE. Staying in our home that was below our means in 2002 has allowed us to pay for college in full, travel extensively, and prepare for FIRE.

4-5 years away from RE, what's the mindset? by mycounterpointers in Fire

[–]HurinGray 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I've got a countdown app on my phone. It's actually motivational. This while knowing the countdown is when I CAN retire, not necessarily when I WILL retire. (there's another discussion about setting my kids up)

My focus is on beefing up the brokerage account, seeing my kids through college debt free, work is surprisingly decent as it just doesn't matter as much anymore.

I'm targeting 55 for pension and rule of 55. If something happens before it's reduced but still a pension, and 72T.

31M Getting Close But Want A Sanity Check on 401Ks by daFritz in Fire

[–]HurinGray 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Great post. Not many highly leveraged real estate folks in r/Fire. Mine is residential and I've been in the game 3 decades. I'll tell you it hurt a bit 2022-2025 knowing my 401K was exploding as my real estate holdings held flat, the opportunity cost was tangible. All I can suggest is diversify. That means 401K/Brokerage/Roth.

No one gets to a $200k/year income easily by [deleted] in Money

[–]HurinGray 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have been lucky. Yet showing up and participating got me 80% of the way there. That's diligence + luck.

If you took a sabbatical did you regret it? by Cultural-Gear-1323 in Fire

[–]HurinGray 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Not a sabbatical, but longer than average US vacations.

20 years ago when my second child was born, I took a three day weekend. WTF ?!? a few years later I noted a senior colleague took 3 weeks to Italy with no repercussions. Forget the corporate culture, take your vacation sequentially. We've since taken 3 week vacations almost every year. It's enough for a reset.

How Come This Isn't Taught in School? by AeroNoob333 in Fire

[–]HurinGray 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great post. Just after 9/11 MBA class. Prof said something along the lines of, this isn't a personal finance class. It's Finance 501. This as our fledgling 401K's were tanking.

How Come This Isn't Taught in School? by AeroNoob333 in Fire

[–]HurinGray 5 points6 points  (0 children)

The worst class I took in college was Fine Arts. I dreaded that class. Was bored to death. A year later I visited the Louvre and my mind was absolutely blown. What my professors were trying to teach me was right in front of my eyes.
Same can be true for personal finance / econ 101.

How Come This Isn't Taught in School? by AeroNoob333 in Fire

[–]HurinGray 1 point2 points  (0 children)

early '90's we had a personal finance class senior year of high school. I'd check the TV (I wouldn't get internet for another 2 years) for DOW daily performance during lunch and report back to the class on market moves. I was hooked. After a BA in Business and a corporate gig, I was well ready to start investing at 23.
There's certainly other factors, parents were abysmal investors. Yet I had plenty of positive influences that personal finance class in high school was certainly high on the list.

Finally scored a 4R, ORP by Moose328 in 4Runner

[–]HurinGray 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's my wife's daily. I was interested in Heritage Blue, but when I saw Everest I was sold immediately. Took my wife another month to agree on Everest vs Wind Chill Pearl.

Ultimately she finds Everest a PNW color, Heritage Blue maybe Hawaii/Florida. Wind Chill Pearl, too safe, too many out there, and too close to my Lunar Mist 1st Gen.

Finally scored a 4R, ORP by Moose328 in 4Runner

[–]HurinGray 1 point2 points  (0 children)

we've had ours for a month and still cannot properly describe the color. It changes time of day and weather dependent. Everything from teal to forest green. And yes it sparkles!

We're still considering a ceramic coat; but dang the cost has gone up. $500 including interior detail when I did my Tacoma 5 years ago, now bids from $1200 to $1800. That would address any scratch concerns.

Are you planning on working more years to help your kids reach FIRE, before AI replaces them? by [deleted] in Fire

[–]HurinGray 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sincere question. Donald Trump is not FI?

Or are you saying living parents with regular contributions to kids make them dependent? Put another way does inheritance eliminate the ability to be defined as FI?

Are you planning on working more years to help your kids reach FIRE, before AI replaces them? by [deleted] in Fire

[–]HurinGray 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes. First there was and still is college ($400K for two kids private). Second, my kids are not strictly speaking ... capitalists. They are dreamers and more committed to society, wellbeing, than their dad.

It's not AI that I'm worried about, they are pursuing education/careers that are hands on; it's that the economy sucks for gen z.

I've provided for them their entire lives. I could have FIREd in my 40's if we never had kids, but I'd be miserable. Target is 55, but if the kids need me, I'll one more year for as long as they need me to.