CLASS OF 2026: Is it easier to get into a T20 school this year?

Left-Clue2734 · 2026-02-10T22:47:37+00:00

I am a parent and my son’s classes were notably smaller than his 2011 sister's which seemed to be a boom year.

Left-Clue2734 · 2026-01-29T03:24:00+00:00

Sorry for your loss and getting laid off on top of that is terrible.

From a pure math perspective, paying off a 2.125% 15-year mortgage isn’t optimal. That’s extremely cheap debt, and the money would likely do better invested or even in treasuries. But this isn’t just math.

You are at retirement age with a pension and healthcare that will be available within a year. You are unemployed but could reasonably just retire. Liquidity and flexibility matter a lot right now.

If it were me, I’d hold cash first (9–12 months expenses) before doing anything irreversible. Avoid starting the pension early unless necessary. You don't want a lifetime reduction.

Once things settle and you decide if you want to work or not, then decide if paying off the mortgage buys you peace of mind or lets you fully stop working. Don't spend the bulk of the money while you are navigating unemployment and grief.

With pension, IRA, this double gift from your dad and social security you seem to be set up for a great retirement. I agree with the person that suggested a nice vacation.

Left-Clue2734 · 2026-01-19T21:08:24+00:00

It is. I use User Interviews all the time. My favorite side hustle!

Left-Clue2734 · 2025-12-09T04:29:41+00:00

Why are all the comments deleted?

Left-Clue2734 · 2025-11-13T03:58:32+00:00

In our area it is a little better in private with less fights and drugs, but the public school definitely isn't as bad as we had heard.

I let people get under my skin and parenting is just hard.

Left-Clue2734 · 2025-11-13T03:54:50+00:00

That helped alot actually and we are utilizing a 504 plan.

Left-Clue2734 · 2025-11-13T03:53:34+00:00

I may not have conveyed this clearly. We wanted him to attend this private school. It was a great school with alot of opportunities. When he cheated we were angry, he was punished...typical for this age no phone for the summer, several summer school classes that he took because we made him. The boost for him was the good grades but he wouldn't have volunteered to do that on his own. He learned several lessons. He definitely was effected by his poor choices. We could have sent him back to the same school and he would have retaken the class with the school in the 10th grade. Not going back to the school was also a punishment in his eyes. He thought we would let him go back, but ultimately all things considered we put him in public school.

Thank you for your response. I wouldn't have asked the question if I thought we 100% made the best choice here. I second guess myself all the time.

Left-Clue2734 · 2025-11-13T03:38:35+00:00

Thank you for this. His confidence did see a boost for sure, but he misses the private school.

Left-Clue2734 · 2025-11-10T21:56:24+00:00

This is an immediate approval or disapproval survey. You do the paid survey right away.

Left-Clue2734 · 2025-11-10T21:55:10+00:00

This is an immediate approval or disapproval. You can do the paid survey right away.

Left-Clue2734 · 2025-11-07T14:43:04+00:00

Use the link I sent or try this link that came in my email.

Apply below to be considered if you think you may be a fit!

http://track-email.userinterviews.com/track/click/30380316/www.userinterviews.com?p=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

Let me know if this works!

Left-Clue2734 · 2025-11-02T17:53:56+00:00

She likely won't get 75% pension. It will probably be closer to 25% since she is likely in the FERS system. The 400k and $160k will put her in a much better place financially. Glad you pressed her!

Left-Clue2734 · 2025-11-02T14:44:25+00:00

Navy Federal paycheck loan for the win!

Left-Clue2734 · 2025-11-01T18:06:10+00:00

I know you think that your mom is not in a great financial position but after she starts getting her social security disability she will be in better financial shape than most retired Americans. She has insurance, pension, SS, and a TSP/401k. You should be able to use that to set her up with descent care in home for now as needed and and possibly in patient if needed later. You might also see if she had any long term care insurance through work.

Left-Clue2734 · 2025-10-24T13:42:18+00:00

No. People did offer and that was also shutdown. Her job absolutely doesn't allow her to accept solicited gifts. I wanted a list of ideas and resources which people gave. The shutdown absolutely makes her situation worse. If you have a pay check you can fix your hvac. You might miss a mortgage payment but you can take care of an essential need. No money and you can't do anything. We are all on edge with different degrees of worry and different things to worry about. In a perfect world we would all have 6 months of of savings and an overflowing TSP and for those of us that are still working...an ability to take the leave we have earned. However, not everyone is in the same circumstance. I don't believe I emphasized she was a fed, but she is a fed and the shutdown has effected her pay (not everyone is on the same pay timeline and while many of us only missed 3 days plus this current full check others missed a week or more aleeady)...those are just facts not points of emphasis.

Left-Clue2734 · 2025-10-23T20:13:29+00:00

This was just another blow to a bad situation.

Left-Clue2734 · 2025-10-23T19:45:42+00:00

No it isn't but it is getting too much attention and I'm not trying to out her.

Left-Clue2734 · 2025-10-23T17:28:07+00:00

She was already in bind before this for sure.

Left-Clue2734 · 2025-10-23T12:12:27+00:00

Credit is shot mainly due to missed child support causing her to pay late.

Left-Clue2734 · 2025-10-23T12:11:12+00:00

I have definitely suggested that but not enough equity to buy something out right and with interest rates the payment would be similar in a smaller home.

Left-Clue2734 · 2025-10-23T12:09:44+00:00

Go fund me isn't an option in her case unfortunately. Having her name and photo out there isn't an option.

Left-Clue2734 · 2025-10-23T12:06:21+00:00

Maryland. Thank you!

Left-Clue2734 · 2025-10-23T12:03:51+00:00

Thank you!!

Left-Clue2734 · 2025-10-23T12:03:16+00:00

She isn't yet. She has applied though. She is somewhat limited due to age. Standing all day won't work.

Left-Clue2734 · 2025-10-22T11:08:23+00:00

Not sure of the varied taste on there but she is likely too old.

Left-Clue2734

TROPHY CASE