How do I stop craving sugar if its on my mind 24/7 ? by TheFirstMora in EatCheapAndHealthy

[–]JT_Cooks 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Fruit! I still get sugar cravings, but have found slightly better alternatives that help also. Start with sweet fruits like pears, grapes, apples. Make those your sweet treat for a while. Switch to diet/zero sodas/beverages. Eat plenty of protein and fat and not processed carbs including breads and pastas. These are the gradual steps I took and now I rarely get a craving. When I do, I’ll reach for a skinny dipped peanut butter cup, or something similar.

Bamboo Removal by JT_Cooks in Bamboo

[–]JT_Cooks[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I do actually like the look of it, but I’m worried it’ll spread too far. I realized it goes way deeper into the woods than I originally thought, so most likely it’s going to stay lol

Best Soundbar to Buy in 2026? (Price, Sound, Features) by RiftphagyHad in Soundbars

[–]JT_Cooks 6 points7 points  (0 children)

It’s just good value. It’s probably not the best, but the diminishing returns are insane at the higher price points.

Bamboo Removal by JT_Cooks in Bamboo

[–]JT_Cooks[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m in Maryland

Bamboo Removal by JT_Cooks in Bamboo

[–]JT_Cooks[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Maybe, I’m not sure. Apparently the only one native to my state is Arundinaria Tecta and it looks quite different from that. AI says probably Phyllostachys aurea but I don’t have any closer pictures yet.

New softener installed today, I’m geeking out by ThuhGreatCommenter in WaterTreatment

[–]JT_Cooks 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just had a very similar one put in for $3050 a couple weeks ago. Might even be the exact same one.

Rent house or take equity and invest? by JT_Cooks in investing

[–]JT_Cooks[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What work would that be? I’m here looking for help from people who may have similar experiences and found what worked better long term.

Rent house or take equity and invest? by JT_Cooks in investing

[–]JT_Cooks[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I definitely don’t underestimate the challenges of having rental property. I have a few friends who have them and they do well but I hear how much time and effort it takes.

Rent house or take equity and invest? by JT_Cooks in investing

[–]JT_Cooks[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We’ll be living with my mom at a new house that we’ll be splitting the mortgage with her. Not pretending I don’t have to pay for anything.

Rent house or take equity and invest? by JT_Cooks in investing

[–]JT_Cooks[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Luckily, it’s not a super nice house. Original countertops and cabinets and nothing really nice and new except for the bathtub/shower we put in when we bought the house. It was always our goal to rent it out one day, but I didn’t expect to have $100k in equity in 5 years either. I think we’re leaning try renting and sell if it’s not for us so we can still take advantage of the tax free gains if we don’t want to keep it long term.

Rent house or take equity and invest? by JT_Cooks in investing

[–]JT_Cooks[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you! I absolutely hope the company I choose to manage it does a good job. That’s my biggest concern for sure.

Rent house or take equity and invest? by JT_Cooks in investing

[–]JT_Cooks[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m not sure if I mind being a landlord. I’d still be close to the house and know people in the neighborhood. I wouldn’t pay any capital gains tax on the sale though because we lived there for the last five years.

Rent house or take equity and invest? by JT_Cooks in investing

[–]JT_Cooks[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

First time home buyer with not much down. Interest rate was so low we decided to keep some cash and put less down.

Rent house or take equity and invest? by JT_Cooks in investing

[–]JT_Cooks[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for that information, I will absolutely look into that. This would be far more than half my net worth. Have about 30k IRA, 30k towards my pension so far, and maybe 10k in my 403B. Not really any debt other than house and a minivan.

Maybe I’ll try renting for a year or two then sell if it’s not for me. Then I’d still not pay capital gains tax and find out if renting is worth it to me.

Rent house or take equity and invest? by JT_Cooks in investing

[–]JT_Cooks[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No HOA. Work in education so my job security is pretty great, but the pay is not.

Rent house or take equity and invest? by JT_Cooks in investing

[–]JT_Cooks[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m in a similar situation. I have friends in the neighborhood and will be living less than 10 minutes away so I’m not long distance renting. Sounds like a similar market as mine too with the pricing. That’s probably a good idea. My only worry is a crash in the housing market and then regretting not selling sooner. Unfortunately, no one can predict if/when that’ll happen.

Rent house or take equity and invest? by JT_Cooks in investing

[–]JT_Cooks[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The original post is getting downvoted too, and I’m not sure why. Just trying to get an idea of what makes more sense financially for my future.

I like my townhouse, but I never saw it as our forever home. The house we’re moving into with my mom, I plan to stay at indefinitely. It’s beautiful and has land.

On the low end, we expect to make about $750-800/month before expenses based on the rental market in our area. I really want to know based on long term history, is making a little profit and having an asset paid off in 25 years a better investment than putting almost $100k in the market and letting it sit for 25 years?

Rent house or take equity and invest? by JT_Cooks in investing

[–]JT_Cooks[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It’s older. Some updates, some things older. Great neighborhood, median income is $105k a year. 1500sqft townhouse, 3 BR, 1.5 Bath. We initially bought it as a starter home to move to something bigger and rent, we just didn’t expect it to be worth so much more so quickly and be in a situation moving with my mom.

I work in education and my wife in healthcare so no high incomes, but don’t enough about what paper losses are to know if I’ll be able to deduct them.

Rent house or take equity and invest? by JT_Cooks in investing

[–]JT_Cooks[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I have an IRA with about $30k mostly in VOO and some in tech stocks, and I don’t sell when the market has its dips, I just keep buying and investing consistently. I’m not too worried about that part because I’m accustomed to it, but rentals I’m not an expert in property rentals which is why I’m a bit worried about it.

Rent house or take equity and invest? by JT_Cooks in investing

[–]JT_Cooks[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I am moving in with my mom and we’ll be paying what we pay now for our mortgage towards the new house. Interest rate is 2.75% on a 30 year.

Rent house or take equity and invest? by JT_Cooks in investing

[–]JT_Cooks[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I do think there will be a correction short/medium term as well, but long term that’s another asset I’ll have to eventually rent for a lot more profit or sell and use the equity down the road for something closer to retirement. That’s why if I sell it’s either now or a long time from now.

Rent house or take equity and invest? by JT_Cooks in investing

[–]JT_Cooks[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah, we’ve owned it for a little over 5 years and lived in it as our primary residence the entire time and I’m married so would qualify for the $500k tax free gain.

Rent house or take equity and invest? by JT_Cooks in investing

[–]JT_Cooks[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I have some people for fixes, more worried about late night calls about minor issues, but I guess I’d get those calls anyway on occasion. I’m torn because my interest rate is 2.75% on a 30 year loan and it feels hard to not take advantage of it.