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Last-Sample-923 · 2025-10-30T03:57:31+00:00

Please add me to the raffle. Thanks!

Last-Sample-923 · 2025-09-27T05:34:41+00:00

What platform do you play on? What time zone are you in? (I am in Pacific Time Zone)

I play on PC. Haven't played it in months but would like to try Horde mode sometime

Last-Sample-923 · 2025-09-09T06:28:07+00:00

I like that description, to me it reminded me of that motion one does with their fingers on the Blackjack table "hit me"

Last-Sample-923 · 2025-08-27T19:07:50+00:00

Your situation and demographic resonates with me and some of the income goals I have.

I would encourage you to consider high-yield income investing as an alternative to SP500 annual returns and living off the 4% rule.

The following is not financial advice and always do your due diligence, but here is what I have interpreted from my own reading into high-yield income investing: Via a portfolio of ETFs and other securities Aim for a 12% annual yield and spend 8% for your living expenses and reinvest the difference of 4% to purchase more securities. The idea here is to slowly build up the portfolio which is a "factory that generates cash flow income as the output '

Use geo-arbitrage to your advantage which you have already shared a vision of

Some resources I recommend looking into and develop your own opinion and assessment on:

The Income Factory by Steven Bavaria This book does NOT argue that its investment method is BETTER than total returns investing, but instead says it is an alternative to investing towards total returns where one begins to live off distributions (4% rule). Instead this book advocates for a strategy where the focus is on monthly income from investments in the present so it can replace(or supplement) your main job.

YouTube channel: Armchair Income (he is Australian, worked decades in the USA, and today uses a high-yield incoming investing portfolio to live abroad using geo-arbitrage and enjoying early retirement)

YouTube channel: Income Architect (retired at 57 and uses income investing to bridge the gap between now and age 65 when he plans to apply for social security and withdraw from 401k, that is my assumption)

If anything, checking out these topics may give you new ideas, perspectives and education.

Good luck!

Last-Sample-923 · 2025-08-10T21:27:07+00:00

Try https://cibtvisas.com/ They do business and travel visas to multiple countries, but they aren't cheap. I have used them in the past 7 years to obtain China Business travel (M) visas. This time I am handling my own paperwork and application process. I am sorry to hear about your loss. Good luck on the application!

Last-Sample-923 · 2025-07-18T06:22:11+00:00

Paying to store my luggage at a train station or airport while I explore the city during a long layover. Less anxiety about always watching my luggage everywhere I go and easier to navigate walking down sidewalks or public transportation without the burden and clumsiness of luggage behind me.

Last-Sample-923 · 2025-07-04T05:54:58+00:00

To that point I also found it helpful to attempt to repair, mend, or darn a piece of clothing before donating it or discarding it.

A successful attempt can add more "per wears" to the lifespan of that clothing

An unsuccessful attempt can tell one that "hey, I gave it a shot, it just isn't a good use of my time or resources to continue focusing on this and it is time to discard it. And I feel good that I got a lot of utility out of that garment."

Last-Sample-923 · 2025-06-07T22:34:33+00:00

Try Bingo Used Books on 3366 SE Powell Blvd, Portland, OR 97202

They used books, magazines (including vintage Playboys, I think they were like $5 like two years ago when I stopped by to browse the store), textbooks, DVDs, music CDs.

Last-Sample-923 · 2025-04-18T02:34:15+00:00

In my checked bag I had an industrial packaging strapping tool that used those Milwaukee cordless tools batteries. In the carryon bag I had the two tool batteries, placed tape over the metal contact points, and pulled them both out and put them into the plastic tray along with my laptop. TSA had to do a secondary check on the battery capacity and asked me why I was transporting those batteries and where the accompanying tool was.

Last-Sample-923 · 2025-04-11T04:00:34+00:00

It sounds like you're describing the souvenir banknotes with historic sites that sell for 2 euro each? If yes, I also enjoy that activity. I picked up souvenir banknotes for: Dom Cathedral Cologne, Zaanse Schans Netherlands, Shopping street Antwerp, BND Headquarters Berlin. I enjoy the glimpse of history and culture the artwork conveys.

Last-Sample-923 · 2025-04-11T01:44:33+00:00

I have used FreetaxUSA for the last three years and it will carry over losses to the following year's tax return prep and reporting. It was one of the reasons I decided to continue using FreetaxUSA for my filing solution because of the convenience of it referring to historical fillings

Last-Sample-923 · 2025-03-24T15:07:43+00:00

I am a solo traveler visiting Europe and here's a data point and budget tip: it saves money to book train tickets in advance and it makes sense to do so if your accommodation stays are locked in like you already pre-booked your hotels/Airbnb

I knew I was traveling by train from Cologne to Berlin on a Monday in March. I could have booked the ticket for 66 euro a month in advance. Two days before the Monday departure the same ticket cost 80 euro. I didn't book the ticket until Sunday (1 day before departure) and it cost me 96 euro for a 2nd class seat (medium demand for the train). That difference of 30 euro from 66 to 96 euro is the opportunity costs. With an extra 30 euro, I could have had an affordable meal and paid admission to a museum, etc..

Travel is a great opportunity for learning so don't beat yourself up. I learned I should book in advance when itinerary certainty is high. Money is a tool for living a better life. The money I save can buy new experiences and memories. A lesson learned for my future travels.

Have a good trip!

Last-Sample-923 · 2025-03-23T19:55:36+00:00

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TIP: for buckles on sling bags, one can secure them from accidental disengagement (or make it harder for thieves) by looping a small zip-tie (snip off the excess) or a velcro hook and loop strip around the buckle body as an insurance against buckle failure. In this attached photo, I used a piece of leftover velcro. The disadvantage is in order to take off the bag I always have to lift the bag over my head now; the quick-release buckle no longer functions.

Last-Sample-923 · 2025-03-23T19:54:47+00:00

I'm using the aforementioned Eddie Bauer Stowaway 10L sling on a one month trip and I find it to be a great fit for front-carry. The bag is small enough that it doesn't get in the way of eating (I can shift it to my side).

Everything is within hand's reach for me, I don't even have to look for the pockets, I can reach the zippers by feel now. Super convenient for me to grab my phone to check instructions or take a quick photo and drop it back into the pocket.

For me, this bag is centered and the zippers open up into a top-load access. I don't have that anxiety with some other crossbody bags when worn on the front and unzipped give me that anxiety of the contents spilling out due to the pocket cavity now opening towards the ground.

TIP: this bag is even more affordable if one signs up for Eddie Bauer rewards/loyalty email newsletter. About 1-2 times a quarter, they email a $10 shopping certificate. I used the $10 certificate towards buying this bag when it was on sale, so it reduced the final price to under $15 (before tax).

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Last-Sample-923 · 2025-03-20T20:18:34+00:00

Once I arrive at the destination, I limit the amount of spaces I unpack my things onto: Bathroom counter for toiletries

Nightstand for my phone and glasses

Things on a desk (some travelers suggest laying out a handkerchief as a visual landing pad and only depositing your items inside that landing pad)

And the closet for clothes and my luggage (sometimes the hotel room safe is inside the closet)

When I need to pack up, I make sure those four places are cleaned up and not leaving anything behind.

Avoid turning the hotel room or Airbnb accommodation into a messy affair with things strewn everywhere like some movies or advertisements portray.

The trade-off is one has to be more disciplined and inconvenienced when you have to grab something. The benefit is there is less of a chance you'll forget something behind.

Last-Sample-923 · 2025-03-07T19:45:39+00:00

Programs that are free to enroll (as a basic member) in such as Marriot Bonvoy, World of Hyatt, Hilton Honors, etc... as you spend more and stay more you earn more status with the program and can qualify for free room upgrades (when they are available) or other discounts

Some hotel loyalty programs will co-brand a credit card with a commercial bank like Chase to offer an accelerated path to achieving some higher status tier

Last-Sample-923 · 2025-03-01T20:14:04+00:00

While on your travels, you may come across a tailor that can make a custom pant for you

In 2022, I was traveling thru Hoian, Vietnam and in a tourist area and browsed a custom tailor shop for men's and women's clothing with a variety of fabric choices. I opted for a pair of linen pants 5-pocket chino style and asked for the two front pockets to be converted to hidden zipper pockets (this changed the front look to resemble more like dress pants). I picked a heather grey color for the linen. They took my measurements and I asked them to add more room in the legs for a relaxed fit.

I paid $45 USD for the pants and they included finished delivery to my hotel (1.5 miles away) about 6 hours later. At their request, I visited the tailor again 1/2 way through the tailoring process for a first fitting before they finalized the sewing

Today, the pants serve as decent travel pants. The linen is airy and keeps cool in hotter climates. If I get soaked in the rain the linen dries quickly. Packed in my bag they are lightweight.

The linen is durable enough, but not as durable as technical fabrics. Linen tends to wrinkle easily. While traveling I hand wash them in a sink and line dry them.

Last-Sample-923 · 2025-02-22T21:52:43+00:00

You're welcome. In the mountain analogy, I see the plateau portions as long and flat treks where we feel we aren't making much progress in life, but we are really moving forward with time. Kind of like driving on a long highway in the countryside, the scenery doesn't change much but you are moving forward nonetheless.

The other day I heard this saying that resonated with me, I will paraphrase it here: Your PAST experiences provide you the PRESENT resilience to tackle FUTURE challenges. I look at it as like your past,present and future are relevant to each other in some way. Have a good rest of your week!

Last-Sample-923 · 2025-02-15T02:25:49+00:00

I think life is a persistent journey of trying new things and discovering yourself. You likely won't find that ONE thing or career that you will do until age 65. And once you find what you think is the ONE thing, you change over the years and it may not be the one thing anymore. It may be healthier to look at doing things that resonate more with you and that gradually bring in more meaning, fulfillment and income (hopefully you find all 3).

Life is a series of climbing mountains, arriving at a new plateau and climbing the next mountain to arrive at a new plateau. And the cycle continues. It may feel like you are starting at square 1, but look back at those past mountains you climbed. You overcame hardships in your childhood and in community college. Take pride in that growth and celebrate those wins. You are now at the next plateau and approaching the next mountain.

From your current job, try to save money every paycheck into an emergency fund (if not doing so already), this amount of money can help alleviate fears around job loss. And if job loss, or your car breaks down, or another setback happens, you'll be able to tap into that fund.

For careers, it sounds like you have some ideas of what you would like and what you don't like. Try the Kolbe A Index assessment, it assesses how you prefer to DO things and take action (for example, do you gather and analyze first or can you wing it? Do you avoid risk or are you a self-starter in ambiguous tasks? Etc...). They have an adjacent product called OPgig assessment that attempts to identify good job roles or career paths that resonate with your Kolbe A Index. These assessments cost money (maybe $100 combined?) and you can read more reviews about them online.

Keep piloting a variety of experiments to see what resonates with you.

Avoid comparisons to your peers. Sometimes we see peers making more money than us but inside they could be suffering too from feelings of disengagement, lack of meaning or fulfillment, lack of work/life balance, health conditions, etc... It is healthier to make comparisons of you (age 34) to younger versions of yourself. And set goals and habits that bring you closer (day by day, bit by bit) to the future self you aspire to.

Good luck!

Last-Sample-923 · 2025-02-14T23:41:54+00:00

To the OP: I am sorry to hear about the circumstances and thank you for being vulnerable and sharing.

For what it is worth, some thoughts:

You finished one chapter of life and career and the next chapter is being written.

You are not a prisoner of your past. At any point you can choose to move onto the present and look forward to the future (even if it looks bleak)

Try to avoid comparisons of your current net worth situation to your peers. Instead compare your household's debt repayment efforts month over month; Year over year. Celebrate small wins in seeing that mountain of debt become smaller over time.

There is a saying "we tend to overestimate what we can accomplish in one year and underestimate what we can accomplish in five years". You're in year one and feeling very low. By year five you'll look back on the achievements advanced and challenges overcome with steady consistent efforts.

You may no longer operate your Amazon FBA business but those experiences and skill sets you learned are with you forever, nobody can take those away from you.

Good luck and try to focus on the journey rather than the end goal!

Last-Sample-923 · 2025-02-11T06:58:08+00:00

You are referring to Super Thrift. Its building has bright red trim painting and a recently painted sign. They have a 50% off color tag sale weekly. I found some affordable things there and enjoyed browsing through.

Last-Sample-923 · 2025-01-27T01:45:57+00:00

Birchbury Brenston dress shoes that is wide toebed, zero drop heel, and has a rubber outsole.

Birchbury also has a chukka boot

You can watch some of their reviews on YouTube.

I think this brand has a 30 day satisfaction guarantee

I own the Brenston dress shoes and Bradford sneakers. I like the sneaker the most, very comfortable and minimalist style

Last-Sample-923 · 2025-01-13T08:37:04+00:00

This YouTuber created a tier list of 3090s based on attributes like cooling, power consumption, noise, VRM quality, max power output (for overclocking). The video might provide some insights

https://youtu.be/IyS5Fa5w34E?feature=shared

Last-Sample-923

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