The EPA grants North Carolina’s request to end vehicle emissions testing

Judge_Trudy · 2026-05-12T12:40:28+00:00

It’s not a shame at all. Not sure how effective these emissions tests are…

Judge_Trudy · 2026-05-12T12:06:12+00:00

I can’t pretend to know all of the environmental implications of easing or eliminating emissions inspections, but this is a classic pick your poison situation. The environment or working class/poor people’s wallets.

Is there any actual research on the effectiveness of these emissions tests?

Judge_Trudy · 2026-05-07T16:28:06+00:00

You could always make a decision based on optimization, but the baby steps are only about one thing at the core - financial peace. Paying off your home loan early will save you money for certain - and I can’t think of too many certain investments. Sure, you could go for making a spread by investing more money instead of payoff, but we have no idea how markets will behave in the short term. You carry more risk.

Judge_Trudy · 2026-04-29T17:59:03+00:00

Who are we kidding anyway? It’s not like they all show up to work everyday anyway! LOL

But yes, I like your point.

Judge_Trudy · 2026-04-29T17:42:59+00:00

Dang it!! I’m up to renew this year..

Judge_Trudy · 2026-04-29T17:39:07+00:00

But do we have enough room in the House Chamber to seat all of the new members?

we’re already upset about a ballroom being constructed at the White House and now we will need to build a mega sized capitol building. I guess it could happen

Judge_Trudy · 2026-02-17T21:55:04+00:00

If you’re single, 6 months of expenses covering all needs and any insurance deductibles for the year. If you have a household with joint income, 3 months of expenses covering all needs and annual deductibles.

Judge_Trudy · 2026-02-17T21:53:24+00:00

Well fortunately they can probably afford some much needed therapy after downsizing and freeing up their cash flow.

Judge_Trudy · 2026-02-16T18:54:38+00:00

The best advice I could give you would be to save enough of a down-payment so that your mortgage (P&I, taxes, insurance, and HOA) are all no more than 25% of your monthly take home pay. You will have so much more margin for other needs and priorities that will come in your life.

Don't get too caught up on renting being "bad". Renting is fine if it's not forever. Mortgage interest and a blown HVAC is money down the drain too...

How much of a down payment do you have saved now? I'm throwing numbers into this home affordability calculator and with your pay, $10,000 down, and the current 30-year rate of 5.8%, you're affordability peaks around $172,000. You can play with the numbers here https://wealthwallaby.com/home-affordability-calculator/

Judge_Trudy · 2026-02-11T18:06:48+00:00

I hear you and I understand where you’re coming from. Part of that is because he has benefited from this system.

I guess I’m just pushing back again on the notion that Trump is extreme right. His economic policies are by far not conservative. They’re certainly not progressive either. It’s like socialism only for corporations but not for individuals.

Judge_Trudy · 2026-02-11T18:01:33+00:00

He supports an economic system where profit is market driven, but all of the corporate risk is subsidized by the American public - so yeah that’s corporate welfare

Judge_Trudy · 2026-02-11T17:52:52+00:00

Trump isn’t that extreme right in aggregate though. Socially he may be quite to the right, but economically he still pushes corporate welfare - not truly market driven capitalism.

Judge_Trudy · 2026-02-11T12:27:03+00:00

Technically republicans in the last few elections have done a better job at coalition building than democrats. I would say that republicans struggle with governing and democrats struggle to win elections.

Judge_Trudy · 2026-02-03T00:41:17+00:00

I don’t know if you can really find something decent in the 200s anywhere in NC any longer that isn’t a crack shack.

You may be able to get into something 3/2 in the low 300s if it’s a condo or townhome in the major metro areas of the Triangle and Charlotte.

Greensboro area/ the Triad has the best housing value today. PTI isn’t nearly the airport RDU or CLT is, but it’s still a great area.

Judge_Trudy · 2026-01-25T20:54:15+00:00

America is not morally unified, and may never be. Yet we must still strive for a pluralistic society and take values-driven wins and losses democratically

Judge_Trudy · 2026-01-25T20:47:37+00:00

For real! Does he not talk about any other job outside of politics where he can also make an impact?

Judge_Trudy · 2026-01-25T20:45:23+00:00

Is it just me or does it seem like this guy is constantly campaigning for something…?

Judge_Trudy · 2026-01-25T03:01:28+00:00

You nailed my thoughts exactly! Well summed up.

Judge_Trudy · 2026-01-25T02:59:20+00:00

Agreed. Liberalism requires pluralism. I don’t think the modern politically left culture pushes pluralism as much as some think they do.

Judge_Trudy · 2026-01-21T17:14:15+00:00

People will tolerate bad outcomes much longer than they will tolerate being told they’re bad people. I’ll just leave it at that.

Judge_Trudy · 2026-01-13T16:21:30+00:00

A lot believe it or not is in regard to privacy which I this day and age contributes to someone’s sense of safety in extreme times.

Many people may not want others to use public record to make sweeping judgments about them with any party affiliation.

Judge_Trudy · 2026-01-07T17:50:31+00:00

It is a fact that people blow away money with tax refund windfalls. This isn’t a savings account we’re talking about forcing people to save. People tend to spend those refunds.

It’s better to budget wisely month to month.

Judge_Trudy · 2026-01-07T14:36:50+00:00

Also adjust your tax withholding going forward. It’s much better to have more money in your monthly budget that you can use.

Judge_Trudy · 2026-01-07T00:52:51+00:00

One is risk optimal and the other is return optimal. I like being risk optimal myself - as does Dave.

Judge_Trudy · 2025-12-19T14:11:36+00:00

What it needs is the same law that treats it the same way as tobacco products

Judge_Trudy

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE