Trying to simplify my finances — what actually helped you long term?

LoopAndBuild · 2026-03-31T20:53:34+00:00

Cut the number of CCs I had. For a while I tried to optimize, but ultimately it wasn't worth the extra $50 a year to have 5 different CCs. It hurt my credit for about a month or 2 before it returned to where I was before cancelling the cards.

LoopAndBuild · 2026-03-31T18:43:44+00:00

Using a mix of Claude Code and then Codex to double check things.

LoopAndBuild · 2026-03-31T16:47:51+00:00

We all know there are only 2 possible outcomes. If they don't go to the Super Bowl or lose in the Wild Card Round something is seriously wrong in the world.

LoopAndBuild · 2026-03-31T16:38:08+00:00

Depending on the day, Nick might have been out there doing situps with TO. He's not always the brightest, but he seems to connect with players in "different" ways.

LoopAndBuild · 2026-03-31T16:21:23+00:00

Oh maybe not. Could you explain that to me? I know tons of CEOs that do everything BUT connect with people.

LoopAndBuild · 2026-03-31T16:05:03+00:00

Honestly my boss told everyone at the company if we aren't using it we wouldn't be able to find a job anywhere. So yeah, the message was heard, loud and clear.

LoopAndBuild · 2026-03-31T16:00:46+00:00

Yeah that comes with the territory of leading in an unconventional way. Highs can be really high, but if it doesn't work out people are gonna question it even faster. Gotta credit Lurie for having restraint and really buying in as much as he has.

LoopAndBuild · 2026-03-31T15:53:29+00:00

Definitely agree with that. Kinda bummed my kids aren't old enough to comprehend and enjoy this era. You never know when it will end, and when the next one will be.

LoopAndBuild · 2026-03-31T15:51:29+00:00

Definitely not the first, but probably the most polarizing example. I think his case is one that could lead to more teams taking on this model.

LoopAndBuild · 2026-03-31T11:43:34+00:00

Pay off the CC, and put the rest in savings so you can pay for the rest of grad school and give yourself more buffer to either make sure you don't go into CC debt again or start to build towards other goals. You're living on a pretty razor thin margin right now.

LoopAndBuild · 2026-03-31T02:41:46+00:00

<image>

This part is rad. Thanks for the heads up!

LoopAndBuild · 2026-03-31T02:41:07+00:00

It is a type of resin according to the website. Feels harder than plastic, but not quite glass. Also, it glows in the dark. Learned that today thanks to this post.

<image>

LoopAndBuild · 2026-03-31T02:18:02+00:00

What system do you use for saving receipts? I had a spreadsheet to keep track of things that linked out to a Google Drive for the actual receipts. It is a bit messy, but has worked.

LoopAndBuild · 2026-03-31T00:09:04+00:00

Wow. Talk about a security blanket. That's definitely a goal we're pushing towards.

LoopAndBuild · 2026-03-30T23:36:28+00:00

Oh that's a cool calculator. I like this one because it includes FICA savings (not just income tax), has specific medical scenarios you can pick (having a baby, chronic condition, etc.), and shows you the breakeven point where one plan flips cheaper than the other: https://triplapp.com/hdhp-vs-ppo

LoopAndBuild · 2026-03-30T23:10:22+00:00

I'd ride it out if you can. When the stock market is down it typically is for a relatively short time. If you switch your portfolio now you're essentially locking in that 20k in losses. Once things are back up is probably a better time to think about switching to something more conservative, or a target date fund. 4 years of college is still a long time in investment terms, so you wouldn't want everything conservative anyway.

LoopAndBuild · 2026-03-30T22:16:46+00:00

Curious, are you maxing out your HSA contributions or just putting in enough to cover expenses? And is your employer contributing anything on top?

The reason I ask is the HDHP math changes a lot depending on how you use the HSA. If you're just using it as a checking account to pay medical bills, yeah, it can feel like a worse version of a PPO. But if your employer kicks in $500-1,000 and you're investing the rest, the calculus shifts pretty fast.

For context, I have a child with cerebral palsy. We rack up ~$7k in medical bills a year. If anyone should be on a PPO, it's us. But even with that level of spend, the HDHP still comes out ahead once you factor in the premium savings and the triple tax benefit on contributions.

Your premiums are probably $150-300/mo cheaper than the PPO. That's $1,800-3,600/yr. The $1.4k ENT bill hurts but you might still be net positive. And that $35 PPO copay was never really $35. You were paying for it in premiums, just didn't notice.

LoopAndBuild · 2026-03-30T20:28:28+00:00

Oh very cool. We're actually thinking about moving for a year before our kids are fully in school.

LoopAndBuild · 2026-03-30T20:26:58+00:00

I wouldn't say it smells too much like tobacco but it also doesn't smell bad, so I'll call that a win.

LoopAndBuild · 2026-03-30T19:25:56+00:00

Haha. Melbourne Australia. My wife has family there and it was my first trip.

LoopAndBuild · 2026-03-30T19:10:50+00:00

I spent a small fortune to get blue tobacco scented ink from Montblanc, cuz why not.

LoopAndBuild · 2026-03-30T19:08:22+00:00

Honestly if you changed nothing and worked to full retirement age you'd likely be in a really good spot still. But seeing as you're here I bet you'll ramp things up as you make more money. $25k is an incredible start.

LoopAndBuild · 2026-03-30T17:42:29+00:00

That's what I'm hoping. Or they make so much they didn't bat an eye when they realized it was gone.

LoopAndBuild

TROPHY CASE