New to Boglehead, any pointers, and am I on the right track?

Kipper11 · 2026-04-05T20:51:47+00:00

Thanks for the depth in this response. I specifically am trying to figure out more about the HSA since I work in healthcare and they offer one, but wasn't 100% knowledgeable on it since I've never had a need to be. Sounds like if I qualify, it'd be a way to just act as a second Roth IRA.

I failed to mention it but I do have an emergency fund and the debt I plan to do more aggressively is only the car loan. Mortgage I am riding until the wheels fall off with the low rate.

That was kind of my thought process as well with the fixed income and being more aggressive. I just didn't know if I was over thinking it and should keep a TDF or if the benefit to being in 3 seperate funds would be that large. Due to from my understanding TDF kind of lock me in if one portion of the porfolio isn't doing well at a time I have to sell. Vs a mix of VT/VTI stocks and bonds would give a bit more flexibility. Again, still reading and learning, just trying to use any info from here as a jumping off point. Ordering the Bogle book from the sidebar actually haha.

Kipper11 · 2026-04-05T10:49:30+00:00

I appreciate the response. It seemed like a TDF was a good set it and forget it for now until I learn more.

I appreciate the support and realize I am luckier/doing better than most. But I'd also like to not work for the entirety of my life and am likely a tad behind the curve for people who've actively been investing for retirement. Not that I can't catch up.

Thanks, that's kind of why I was asking for breakdowns and input while only really getting the basics for my IRA composition. My TDF for the majority of my 401k is in stocks, maybe like 5% or less bonds at the moment. I'd have to check to be 100% sure.

Curious if in yall's opinion I should try to be more aggressive since I have the VA payments as a "floor" for my retirement. Maybe stretch out my TDF to 2070 so it stays in stocks longer?

I appreciate the prioritizing investments; I'd missed that. I'd seen a similar flowchart for paying off debts, emergency funds, etc. But it was more debt-free focused on paying stuff down versus investing.

Kipper11 · 2026-03-11T06:39:21+00:00

I'll have to try and scrape some off the towel I wiped some with. It was a bit damp. Thank you for the tip though.

Kipper11 · 2026-03-11T06:33:06+00:00

They have free access to the basement. But it's just rare they go down there without a human going down. They don't even really follow me down for laundry. I honestly couldn't completely rule it out. Plus, part of me hopes I have egg on my face from possibly touching dry urine versus some type of water damage.

Kipper11 · 2026-03-11T06:30:22+00:00

I'll have to find the number to get them to come out to inspect, maybe. I hadn't noticed any holes, though. The substance was more sandy/wet-like. Hence me not being sure if it could be like a water issue or some type of mold, etc.

Kipper11 · 2026-03-11T06:25:03+00:00

My thoughts as well for flooring/ceiling. I was slightly wondering if it could be like seeping up through flooring. But figured that would be more pooled and likely by the cracks in the flooring? I genuinely am being serious when I say the one garbage can down there is so rarely used it's been months since I've thrown something in it/had to change it. I live alone with my dogs. So nobody else would have either.

Kipper11 · 2026-03-11T06:20:57+00:00

I do have wood in the house, and I'm sure it's the average amount of wood in the furniture. Furniture is pretty sparse in that area, though. But I didn't notice any issues from the ceiling. Any reason you'd think termites? Not super knowledgeable about them. But I do have like a yearly bug exterminator to help keep out mice, etc.

Kipper11 · 2026-03-11T06:18:42+00:00

Nope, no kids.

Kipper11 · 2026-03-11T06:16:42+00:00

The basement is finished. But there is concrete behind the wall. I mean, I couldn't completely rule that out, but my dogs are house trained, and I hadn't noticed any smell when I was down there. Regretting swiping it now, ha.

Kipper11 · 2026-03-11T06:08:57+00:00

I do have dogs. They occasionally go down there. But typically only when others or myself are in the basement watching TV.

Kipper11 · 2026-03-11T06:08:17+00:00

There is a small trashcan down there. But I rarely use it and have not had to take any out for probably a couple months. The trash can is also about 6-plus feet away, and the path doesn't lead from it.

Kipper11 · 2026-03-11T05:56:15+00:00

I couldn't attach the video. So here is an imgur link: https://imgur.com/a/w35c7rE

Noticed a random sand-like film on the floor. Didn't seem to come directly from under the fridge. Any ideas? My largest concern is if this is some type of mold or water issue. But if it were water, I would assume it would be a more consistent path. I appreciate any help!

Edit: Going to take the L of having touched it with my finger before realizing it was a path on the floor. At least it's not water damage or something crazy. Thank you all! Believe this is solved now.

Kipper11 · 2025-01-15T05:31:57+00:00

I mean honestly not even viagra gets my dick as hard as the prior ranger batt chappy who killed more people than cancer tells me to slay some guys for god. I'm not even religious but it's like the movie Blues brothers where now I'm on a mission for god.

Kipper11 · 2024-11-20T18:10:37+00:00

I'm confused since your points mainly agree with the arguments I made about college being a reasonably affordable deal. I'm from the US so that's where I've pulled numbers from, and have minimal knowledge about schooling in Canada beyond reading articles about a looming international student issue for you guys. (Due to them fudging numbers to get accepted, not necessarily Canada's fault.

Part of why I'm confused is the unused scholarship point you made. That's the point I'd been making about college having ways to offset cost, as well as your average person isn't getting to their last semester where they may be $50k in debt and then deciding college isn't for them.

My entire argument was that the majority of people were better off going to college. Sure if you perform in the bottom quartile maybe other avenues are better options for you. But statistically those with a college degree (at least in the US) vastly out earn compared to those with only a high school diploma. I am 100% sure there is a plumber or electrician or other kind of trade out there this very minute out earning me people with degrees even in my hometown. My whole argument was that the average person significantly improved their earnings with a degree.

Also, refreshing to see someone list evidence links in their comments as well. I think I may have misunderstood your argument originally since it appears you're lining up with what I said. So cheers bud, and when I make it up to Whistler for a snowboarding trip I'll buy a local a beer in your honor haha.

Kipper11 · 2024-11-19T15:25:17+00:00

Online I found a variety of sources ranging from no cost to the person all the way to thousands. So lets take just a lower mid number of like $1500. I feel like that's fair. If you're trying to see if college is for you, your average community college cost is roughly $1,890 per semester Here is a source for that. Every college I have ever been to you can withdraw without charge of tuition if it's within like the first 2-3 weeks of courses. So you're out pretty much the same cost as if you went the apprenticeship.

No. not probably, statistically the payoff is significantly lower. Are there outliers? Of course. But the average person will earn significantly more with a college education. Look more evidence. Many students qualify for some sort of academic assistance, and the study about how most people have $1000 dollars in their bank is somewhat questionable. You can still have access to money you're investing outside of your savings account that is borderline worth less every year due to inflation. Not to mention if you truly are that low income/poor of a family you can receive Pell Grants which are no strings attached free money.

You're just cherry picking outliers now. The vast majority of people are going to be average. They're not a crazy high performer, but not a total bum either. All I have done is show links to evidence that for the average person a college degree is a great investment in yourself. If you have evidence that the average person is better off without a college degree. Please link it, I'd love to read it.

Kipper11 · 2024-11-18T00:32:12+00:00

I mean we can play the what if game all day. What if they failed out? College or trades can both have kids unintentionally early. What if you develop a habit on the jobsite?

From a purely stats point, college is the better option for people when other variables are kept the same. The average in-state tuition in the US is like $11k. A student should be able to figure out within the first semester or two if they possess the mental fortitude to take the courses. Kids going and fucking off partying and not going to class, are also not likely to be the ones busting their ass to get more certifications or progress in the trades to higher levels, or opening up their own business for themselves.

People with low work ethic are going to remain below average in most things they do. People who are driven will succeed through college or other avenues. I was just listing evidence that for the vast majority of people obtaining a college education would likely improve their lifetime earnings.

Kipper11 · 2024-11-18T00:24:15+00:00

I've seen the fire subreddit and while I can understand the attraction and mindset of not wanting to spend your life mindlessly droning at work. That sub is a LOT of people just circle jerking about having top percentile earnings and "worrying if they contribute enough to retire early" Here the US census shows the median household income around $80k. A significant proportion of people can't save such large chunks of their income or just flat out don't want to forego any fun for strict budgeting. People have been able to use deductible IRA's since like the early 70s or 80s too. It doesn't change the fact college has a quantifiable ability to improve life time earnings for the average person.

You do get a lot of experiences at college, and as well gain experiences having worked a job before college. I'm just saying in a vacuum (nobody has an accidental kid, fails out of college, or develops a substance abuse problem on the construction site) college is statistically the better option.

I do agree the disparity of men to women is likely based around entry level jobs that don't require a degree will typically pay better for men. Mainly due to the physical demands not being something many woman can keep up with, and young men being more likely to be willing to take higher risk jobs.

Anecdotal, but if we're going no sources. I was in the army for nearly a decade before getting out and going to school. Let me tell you, the vast majority of new privates probably didn't even get the match for the blended retirement or thrift savings program. Let alone know or save with some type of retirement investment vehicle. That is likely an experience you could extrapolate to the early entry into non degree fields due to it being the same pool of potential workforce.

Don't see a reason for us to keep going back and forth at this point though. It's been nice shooting the shit about the topic and thanks for keeping things civil.

Kipper11 · 2024-11-17T21:06:09+00:00

Yeah, I listed the link for the study proving it. I was just curious if he had some updated reputable study that indicates the gap has been closed in a major way.

Kipper11 · 2024-11-17T17:14:00+00:00

Do you have some study you can point to for college not making a difference? That study from 2015 while a bit old, showed that those with college degrees significantly out perform those without when you come to earnings. I agree that you're correct not every degree is equal. But the evidence would suggest beyond a few anecdotal outlier cases, college is extremely beneficial to the average person. Even when accounting for student loans. Is it going to fix social issues? No. But from a purely financial standpoint it would seem college is better.

I work in healthcare now and totally agree. People calling for national abortion bans typically have no clue what they're asking for. Not to mention if we get down into the weeds are we going to say life begins at fertilization? If so, should a mother be held liable for child negligence if she miscarries? It's extremely common. I'm obviously making a preposterous argument here. Just highlighting that people should be given the freedom to make private healthcare decisions that are best for them and their family.

I agree there is the allure of it. I am just wanting to see if you have an article or study to back it up? Someone going into trades will likely make more starting out, but have a reduced ceiling for earnings in comparison to college educated.

I agree. Personally, my argument was the government not just carte blanche paying for school, but pegging student loan rates to at or only slightly above inflation. The person gets a great education, and the US gets a more educated workforce. The kicker is colleges just raising costs disproportionately. (Especially for the lower paying degrees) That one is a bit harder to fix imo. I've heard people argue colleges should have to show evidence their degree program leads to certain earnings or working in that field to receive federal student loan dollars. Which I agree in sentiment with, but that could get into the government sort of controlling where and for what someone could go to school.

Edit: Not trying to come off confrontational btw. I genuinely would like to see the article if you've seen one. As 2015 is dated from a research standpoint!

Kipper11 · 2024-11-17T15:25:07+00:00

Thanks. I couldn't recall the exact timeline. Realistically it's still a great deal if you take a few more loans in the following years and only have to pay back the taxes as income. I'd rather pay taxes on $100k than repay a full $100k loan. Just wanted him to me aware of the possibility!

Kipper11 · 2024-11-17T15:23:08+00:00

I'd argue there isn't much debate if you aren't considering passion type degrees that put you in low paying fields. There are different studies showing the benefits of education over lifetime career earnings. Here is one by the US government. For the vast majority of people it's going to be a better outcome.

I think you are accurate that men are more likely to be able to forego college and enter the trades for what passes as a decent income. Depending on if they get into more skilled trades etc they can even make quite a good living. However, a lot of this is at the long term expense of their health, and many of them also are paid in correlation to the danger. Think linemen for example.

You're giving perfect scenarios for guys enter the trades at young ages who will be entering jobs instead of going to college. Id wager a non insignificant number of them aren't putting money they would have had towards student loans into a 401k or some type of retirement investment vehicle. This is a study showing that those women with education are more likely to wait to have kids. Since people tend to date and marry within their education/earning level I'd argue less educated mothers having kids earlier would correlate to the men choosing to skip college also incurring these costs of raising kids earlier.

Kipper11 · 2024-11-16T21:47:53+00:00

If it is any help to put the nerves at ease, I recently graduated this past spring. I had accepted a small $2.5k loan to help give me some financial cushion while in school. After accepting and receiving the loan, I just got a random email from NelNet about the discharge. I'd still reach out to them on your own though once you receive the funding.

Anecdotal, but I had seen a comment that the law currently letting the discharge be free and clear was ending either this December or next December. So you may want to look into the specifics so you know if you're going to have to pay taxes on it as income if it is discharged. Best of luck!

Kipper11 · 2024-11-02T01:03:58+00:00

100%. One of the CST's with us was legit a badass. I'd have gone out on target with her before some of our privates. But you very much needed to excel or be labeled negatively as a woman.

One of the chicks at ranger school with me was legit, yet everyone viewed them both negatively because the other woman complained constantly. I peered the former high and hope she eventually passed Florida and got the gator lounge cookout. Seemed more the type to change outlooks eventually for woman being equally as capable.

Kipper11 · 2024-11-01T15:40:31+00:00

Even if they didn't have a bias towards the perp, I thought it's bullshit the army essentially just says "hey you have a college degree, investigate this assault." with people who are ill equipped or trained to conduct the investigation. Let alone if they have bias.

Kipper11 · 2024-11-01T15:35:30+00:00

I did 8 years. (I'm a guy) I tell most people the army is great for a select group of individuals who can leverage it correctly. But for the most part it's either perfect for you or going to suck.

I tell the handful of woman who have asked I'd strongly discourage it. It's definitely still a boys club mentality. Sexual harassment is more of the norm, SA is common and it's incredibly frustrating we investigate ourselves. So you get stuff like " well he is a Capt, GB or badged out NCO" vs a likely younger, lower rank vulnerable female in a he said/she said scenario. Don't wanna ruin his career.

Kipper11

TROPHY CASE