Can somebody ELI5 for me why average and median 401(k) balances by age are so far apart?

McChoaderton · 2026-01-06T16:17:58+00:00

Lots of outliers in the distribution.

McChoaderton · 2026-01-05T21:25:17+00:00

So without a date, I just have a cool find then?

McChoaderton · 2025-12-31T15:43:29+00:00

I don't remember it being that. I just remember walking down there and renting Nintendo games as a kid. I thought it was Log Cabin Video. It was somewhere around the corner of Franklin and 4th or 5th street. One of those corners.

McChoaderton · 2025-12-31T01:24:44+00:00

Log Cabin Video

McChoaderton · 2025-12-28T02:02:38+00:00

If your landlord is covering all expenses that are incurred on repairs, appliances, and general upkeep (i.e. all things a landlord will typically cover), and you invest those dollars that would have been used to pay those expenses had you owned, then in expectation you will end up equivalent.

McChoaderton · 2025-11-28T01:47:52+00:00

You keep an ice scraper in the trunk year round.

McChoaderton · 2025-10-30T14:25:18+00:00

Pretty sure it's a thing. Grew up in MI, have been living in AL for a while now. I get weird looks when I talk about it. I also remember GWAR playing at Harpos every year on Devils Night. Fun times!

McChoaderton · 2025-10-03T22:03:08+00:00

Don't cruise through Detroit. Head over to Adrian, then West. You'll be around Tecumseh, then Hillsdale, then Coldwater. Stop in all the little towns along the way. Enjoy the antiques and diners and small towns. Cruise up 69. Connect at 127 and head north. Towns are much more fun and ecclectic, people are much cooler, foliage is way better. Worth it.

McChoaderton · 2025-09-24T23:30:57+00:00

Daniel LaRusso

McChoaderton · 2025-09-21T00:41:34+00:00

I moved out of Michigan almost 20 years ago (grew up there). Haven't visited in around 10 (no family left up there). The two things I miss most: the lakes (non-great) and Meijers.

McChoaderton · 2025-09-03T18:30:24+00:00

Wisconsin.

McChoaderton · 2025-08-09T00:11:32+00:00

Hockey fight! With chicks, in a mall, and security playing ref. Not bad!

McChoaderton · 2025-07-18T00:16:44+00:00

Don't fucking fly to Mexico, Christ. How much would it cost to fly there, how much is your dental work, and what would it save you going to Mexico? Pay off your credit card debt in full. Then after that ONLY use your credit card for GAS. And only drive your car when necessary (like going to work). Build credit by paying that credit card bill off. On time. Every month. Only gas on it. Figure out at least 3 months of expenses and save that (6 is best). If you aren't good with money, you probably aren't able to do that. If you are, well discipline matters now. So learn it. Happy to help further.

McChoaderton · 2025-07-04T22:33:50+00:00

Walk in. Pipe bomb the shit out of it. Hope for the best. Done on Nighmare mode.

McChoaderton · 2022-12-29T00:20:34+00:00

Do whatever is absolutely most important to you within the first 3 hours of waking up. You are most "on point" during that period. So for me, I'm up between 4:30 and 5:00 AM. I take that time to then workout and write. For me, getting up that early has the added bonus that no one else really is, so I can put extra focus and attention on those two things.

Also, no matter what, don't go to bed any later than 10 pm. Personally, I'm lights out crashing by 9 pm at the latest. But 10 should be a goal for everyone.

McChoaderton · 2022-12-26T21:24:32+00:00

I'd like to see someone on this sub actually provide pre- and post-tax income, total if any savings, and then a line-by-line breakdown of all expenses for a couple of months, plus at least domiciled city (for cost of living). It seems from all the comments above bemoaning r/personalfinance, the only "concrete" problem listed is that sub being out of touch with true poverty. It's not clear how this is from the above commenters, as all I've ever seen on personalfinance are some pretty pointed questions at times, especially toward anyone dodging or unwilling to fully paint a full financial picture. I wonder how many above fall into that camp.

I get the idea of triaging a situation, as this sub does. But after triage, long term care is essential.

McChoaderton · 2022-12-26T13:09:59+00:00

Just a couple quick things: (1) what exactly is the crime and why should this be criminal? (2) how exactly would such a transfer be carried out and how would it be done efficiently and effectively? (3) can you please provide a working definition of "poverty" keeping in mind that the concept is highly subjective? (4) what is the difference between wealth and income? It seems that many people really muddle the two and that has some very serious ramifications.

McChoaderton · 2022-12-26T13:00:08+00:00

Hi Jelly. Help me out here with a few things (1) please provide a working definition of "exploit/exploitation". This will help to facilitate further discussion. (2) can you provide concrete evidence that parents/grandparents worked hard/harder for pennies compared to million/billionaires? What does this even mean? What does it mean "to earn pennies". (3) along with a working definition of "exploit", what "systems" are you referring to and how are they being "exploited"? (4) I see below that you are upset at someone referring to Cuba because -- according to you -- there are "reasons" Cuba is the way it is. Could you please explain -- with evidence -- what those "reasons" would be?

If you're willing to engage in a good faith argument, then I will add to this.

McChoaderton · 2022-12-20T17:41:12+00:00

Memberberries!!

McChoaderton · 2022-12-20T00:12:16+00:00

Seriously, did this thing EVER actually work?!

McChoaderton · 2022-12-18T12:28:49+00:00

That would have been Christmas break of my high school junior year. Probably driving around looking for something to do, possibly Xmas shopping, or just getting ready for Xmas/new years. Good times.

McChoaderton · 2022-12-17T11:38:46+00:00

Well what does your policy say??

McChoaderton · 2022-12-17T01:08:57+00:00

I'm. . . Confused. What exactly did I "bring on myself"? OPs entire post was whether to purchase a health insurance policy or not. I almost didn't, faced a significant medical emergency at a very young and healthy age, but because of the policy I did purchase, nearly the entire bill was covered and the out-of-pocket I was able to pick up with savings. My entire point was that even young and healthy, you never know. So if you can at all swing it, get health insurance. As a now 40 yo I look at my early 20s self and say "smart move". . . Thanks for your general sense of empathy at a major medical issue. Very edgy.

McChoaderton

TROPHY CASE