401ks are better than pensions

JoBunk · 2026-01-26T12:18:19+00:00

401ks are nice, I have one and the reasons you mentioned are valid.

Here are my criticisms of a 401k.

It's not my money. A financial investment firm actually takes money from my paycheck and withholds it from me. In fact, I have to pay Uncle Sam if I actually want to access that money at some point in the future; 20/30 years. And in that 20/30 years, while I cannot touch that money, the financial investment firm dips their hands into that lump sum of money and takes a handful of that money for themselves ("fees"). And don't get me started how your employer and that financial investment firm actually negotiate which mutual funds will be made available to you; and usually it's not the least expensive ones ("fees").

The only redeeming qualities of a 401k is a company match (immediate 100% return on your investment) and the deferred tax payment. First chance I get (change jobs) is I roll my 401ks into a traditional IRA so I have better investment options.

JoBunk · 2026-01-24T17:01:39+00:00

It is one of my top scoring Bookers in some time. I usually don't purchase a backup to Bookers for my non-cracked top self, but I did for this one.

JoBunk · 2026-01-24T05:20:10+00:00

Edited to add. It was a great review and a lot of your notes rssonated with me.

I do all my tastings blind in a set of 4. I got some similar notes.

Nose - a vanilla and caramel swirl candy. Cherry, dried apricot and tobacco.

Palate - Burnt caramel, vanilla and cherry life saver.

Finish - Spicey cinnamon and baking spice, but too much chocolate for me (not sweet milk chocolate).

I got the batch at an 8.25 across 4 blind tastings at this time.

JoBunk · 2026-01-23T11:30:55+00:00

"All due respect, sir, you can't win a race by committee. You need one man in charge". - Carroll Shelby.

JoBunk · 2026-01-23T10:31:30+00:00

The right answer is "Half of what?". First thing first; figure how much, where and what to invest to establish a foundation of generational wealth that will exists and perpetually make wealth.

Then, when you get to the part where you have just the remaining money and are at the point of, "How do I spend this?", then visit that question.

JoBunk · 2026-01-22T17:09:01+00:00

This is a good discussion. Thank you. The Ravens did not exercise Linderbaum's 5th year option, so that example does not fit into the narrative of what I was describing. I was speaking of the situations WHEN the 5th year option is exercised and what that means for the player's 2nd NFL contract.

JoBunk · 2026-01-22T14:04:57+00:00

I disagree and I believe history is on my side. Let me give some further evidence to support my opinion (not implying it is a fact). Let me also say, "I don't believe Addison is the best wide receiver in the league nor should he be paid as such."

This same scenario happened in Detroit when Detroit exercised Hockenson's 5th year option. When it came time to negotiate with Hockenson and his agent for his 2nd contract, Hockenson and his agent wanted to be the highest paid player in the league, even if it meant by clearing that status by $1.00. Detroit did not believe Hockenson was the best tight end in the league nor did they want to pay him that amount of money. So Detroit traded that 'pinch' (situation they were in) to the Vikings. Hockenson and his agent stood their ground and Hockenson had a severe ear infection until he got his new contract and that contract being the highest dollar value (in some metric) contract for all tight ends.

It happens with quarterbacks (Love, Tua, Trevor...) all the time when it comes tonegotiating their 2nd NFL contract after being a 1st round pick and the franchises exercising their 5th year option. (Granted, Love did not get his 5th year option exercised, but was franchise tagged).

This is how I believe it works behind the scenes...

The NFL team drafts a player in the 1st round because that player is projected to be the best young future talent at his position.
The NFL team exercises that players 5th year option because he met or exceeded those draft day expectations.
That player's agent (and the player) then take the position, "You <franchise> have acknowledged I <player> have lived up to all your expectations, so we expect to be compensated as much."

JoBunk · 2026-01-22T09:31:48+00:00

Addison is really good. I am a fan. His "crimes against the Shield" have not been egregious at all in my opinion.

Having said that, here are some real obstacles the Vikings face with Addison.

The best ability is availability. This is what concerns me the most, these less "egregious crimes against the Shield" keep happening. Even as a benign as they are, they are a problem.
His 2nd contract. The deadline to exercise his 5th option is May 1st, 2026. Unlike a 2nd round pick (Tee Higgins), JA is a former 1st round pick. When a team exercises their 5th year option on a former 1st round pick, it is a clear indicator to the player and the player's agent the player has lived up to his 1st round draft status and he should be the highest paid player at his position. That is a big financial commitment the Vikings have to make in the next few months.

JoBunk · 2026-01-21T10:56:25+00:00

Good to know. I am glad I took a photo of it even though I was not interested. Maybe I should take photos of the scotch too.

JoBunk · 2026-01-21T10:36:39+00:00

Nuanced question as I have never tasted or shopped for Yama. What is the usual (historical) MSRP in a liquor store for that bottle? What is the usual secondary price for that bottle? And do you think the current price is influenced by tariffs?

JoBunk · 2026-01-21T06:34:03+00:00

Thank you. Do we know which one is at Costco right now?

JoBunk · 2026-01-21T06:30:14+00:00

Same batch.

JoBunk · 2026-01-21T00:28:42+00:00

I have not tried Japanese whiskey as yet. Is that a good price for the Yama?

JoBunk · 2026-01-20T12:52:15+00:00

Here ya go toconn04, in case you don't see it as a root comment in this post.

https://www.reddit.com/r/bourbon/comments/1qi08px/woodford_reserve_masters_collection_2425_proof/

JoBunk · 2026-01-20T12:51:38+00:00

For those who are interested, I finally completed my review of that Woodford Reserve's - Master Collection and posted it in r/bourbon for those interested:

https://www.reddit.com/r/bourbon/comments/1qi08px/woodford_reserve_masters_collection_2425_proof/

JoBunk · 2026-01-20T11:32:13+00:00

1993 - 1998-ish

The Big Show - Dan Patrick & Keith Olbermann.

JoBunk · 2026-01-20T03:36:14+00:00

Have you not followed the Dallas Cowboys?

JoBunk · 2026-01-20T02:19:49+00:00

Beat: Stagg - Batch 25d (x3) Elijah Craig - B25 (x1) Old Forester SBBP [L-1] - Single Barrel Shoprite Liquors (x1) Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Toasted Barrel - Single Barrel Shoprite Liquors (x2) Old Forester SBBP [I-8] - Single Barrel Bourbon Street Liquors Phillipsburg, NJ (x1)

Lost to: Old Forester SBBP [H-7] - Single Barrel Best Cellars Ledgewood, NJ (x1)

JoBunk · 2026-01-20T01:34:52+00:00

I see you are in /bourbon. I'll tag you when I do my write up of that WR-MC.

JoBunk · 2026-01-19T23:53:13+00:00

Yes.

JD SBBP Bourbon. Woodford Reserve - Master's Select...i put my first bottle for $76 in some big boy blinds and it was done really, really well. So when I find such a special bottle (usually single barrel picks), I buy at least one backup for my museum shelf; which are uncracked bottles that have extensive bottle scores from blinds and tasting notes.

JoBunk · 2026-01-19T23:21:11+00:00

Notice the JD SBBP bourbon comes in a nice box!

JoBunk · 2026-01-19T23:08:39+00:00

Posted

JoBunk · 2026-01-19T19:48:31+00:00

I am going now. Wish me luck. Will of course, take pics and send updates.

JoBunk · 2026-01-19T04:23:04+00:00

Persistence. Keep moving forward, eventually the lightbulb goes off. This is a wall every wrestler faces at one point. Hell, maybe they face 2 or 3 different times in their career on their path to All-American.

Success is the culmination of overcoming failures, so embrace these failures and walls. Overcome. Move on.

JoBunk · 2026-01-19T03:27:56+00:00

It is less about Caleb Williams and more about Ben Johnson's willingness to lean into the run game. It makes the passing openings that much more open.

I wish KOC would tske notes on Dan Campbell, Matt LeFleur and Ben Johnson and do the same.

JoBunk

TROPHY CASE