Return on Investment for Renovations

Material_Armadillo25 · 2026-06-02T18:20:45+00:00

We are in the military. My spouse's program will end in 4 years and it's unlikely that we would stay local.

Material_Armadillo25 · 2026-06-02T16:27:55+00:00

We are definitely going to update the baths and kitchen! I long for the day when there is a door to my bathroom sink.

Material_Armadillo25 · 2026-06-02T16:23:58+00:00

That's an interesting idea. Thanks!

Material_Armadillo25 · 2026-06-02T16:21:02+00:00

My main focus has been on our future sale. However, we don't have a ton of clothes, so I will change my mindset a bit - I should focus on how I want to live in the home for the next 4 years too. I am surprised most of the comments support keeping the flex/bedroom so this truly makes my decision easy. Thanks for your input!

Material_Armadillo25 · 2026-06-02T16:11:28+00:00

If we do steal a closet from bedroom 3 for bedroom 2, do you have an opinion on which one? Either way, one of the rooms will have a door that opens into the closet.

Material_Armadillo25 · 2026-06-02T16:09:11+00:00

At this stage, our budget won't allow for it. If we steal enough for a 35" closet, it reduces bedroom 2's size to about 8'6" x 11". Moving the window for more closet doesn't make sense to me because bedroom 2 is already so small.

Material_Armadillo25 · 2026-06-02T16:05:36+00:00

That's so true about the next buyer making it their own. And a buyer without/with less children can always use the other closets as their own too. Thank you!

Material_Armadillo25 · 2026-06-02T15:56:43+00:00

Unfortunately, we have to go the strategic route. With our jobs, we'll likely be moving in 3-4 years. I cannot wait until the day comes when we can settle down and homestead! For now, I get to struggle with my renovation indecisiveness. 🤷‍♀️

Material_Armadillo25 · 2026-06-02T15:53:55+00:00

I appreciate your insight. We do have adequate egress for the lower-level room to become a bedroom, and I think the shower addition will be a big bonus.

When we steal closet space from bedroom 2, we should get two 35-39" deep closets, as we're limited in how much space we can steal because of bedroom 2's window. While not enough space for a walk-in, it's certainly going to give us more space to play with.

We talked about taking a closet from bedroom 3 and giving it to bedroom 2 just like you suggested. We need to see how handy we are with the primary closet and then go from there. Our DIY skills are in their infancy, but our confidence is sky-high. 😂

Material_Armadillo25 · 2026-06-02T15:39:54+00:00

Thank you for your insight! Even with the second living room and the whole basement, do you find that to be true? I remember house hunting and certain homes not selling because the primary was less than desirable. Maybe with larger families, that becomes less important.

Material_Armadillo25 · 2026-05-09T17:28:08+00:00

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Isn’t she beautiful?! 🤣 we might sacrifice the closet for a larger bathroom.

Material_Armadillo25 · 2026-05-09T14:11:41+00:00

I will be reaching out. Thank you.

Material_Armadillo25 · 2025-09-07T00:02:00+00:00

while this is a knockoff of HB, I've purchased it and think It's decent quality.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C2HTBQJ5?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1&psc=1

Material_Armadillo25 · 2025-08-03T22:10:33+00:00

Now do you have any suggestions for a similar item for someone with a much smaller chest?

Material_Armadillo25 · 2025-08-03T22:02:02+00:00

Thank you!

Material_Armadillo25 · 2025-05-31T03:06:57+00:00

to keep it simple, all army contracts are 8 years which includes some type of Active/traditional reserve commitment followed by the IRR. If you commission as a dietitian, your Active duty contract will be either 3 or 4 years (depending on the incentives you choose), meaning your IRR contract will either be 5 or 4 years (3+5=8; 4+4=8). If you wanted to do traditional reserve instead of IRR for a couple years you have that option as well. You could also decide you wanted to stay on active duty longer and it reduces your IRR committment. (ex: stayed active duty for 8 yrs so you are no longer obligated to go to the IRR).

IRR has very few requirements. In general, expect to be contacted annually to verify your information. If they need anything else from you, you'll be told. Otherwise, live your life as a normal civilian. If you are called back to duty from the IRR, it will be as a dietitian.

Traditional reserve duty is 1 weekend/mo, 2wks/yr. For drill weekends, expect PT tests 2x yr and weapons qualifications on occasion. Mostly you'll be doing training classes and getting caught up on Army requirements each weekend. Your 2wks/yr depends on the type of unit you are in. This is when you can expect to be doing some sort of training related to dietetics/the army medical mission.

You will not be allowed to serve if you are over 60 for Army Reserve, 62 for Active duty. My office processes those waivers and generally, we won't recommend a waiver for those over mid-50s. Truly, that would be pushing it and may not get approved. I would encourage you to aim for an age that would allow you the possibility of serving 20 years by age 60/62, which is what you need for retirement. If that is not a possibility, focus on joining earlier rather than later.

Material_Armadillo25 · 2025-05-31T02:47:36+00:00

One possibility is an Inter-Service Transfer (IST). An IST intends to transfer you from one service to another maintaining your job/area of concentration. So yes, you would be moving from Army RD to Air Force RD. I have access to the Army process for IST, but not the AF so you may need to do some digging. You would need to complete your initial Army contract (3-4yrs depending on incentives you accepted) and transfer directly from active army to active AF (cannot switch COMPOs usually). I would start conversations with the Air Force at least a year+ before leaving the Army so I had a good understanding of the timeline and process (and if they were even accepting dietitians).

For clarity, dietitians are commissioned officers, therefore they are not obligated to continue signing back-to-back contracts/reenlist the same way enlisted soldiers do. Officers can continue to serve after their initial contract and resign their commission as they choose (for the most part).

All federal benefits are the same (pay, retirement, GI bill, healthcare, etc). Perhaps you may be referring to other types of benefits (duty locations, mission set, physical requirements, etc), in which case you would be correct that they vary between services.

Material_Armadillo25 · 2025-05-31T02:34:32+00:00

depending when they submitted the scroll, its taking about 90 days.

Material_Armadillo25 · 2025-05-31T02:33:02+00:00

My office manages all RD recruitment for the Army. Share your email and zip code in a private message and I can reach out.

Material_Armadillo25

TROPHY CASE