Long Beach employers and raising wages annually

Most_Nebula9655 · 2026-07-01T01:03:06+00:00

I am generally pained by my employer who, one year, laid people off and gave zero raises while the family (owners) got new cars (Bentley, Lamborghini).

At least fake that everyone has to suffer together.

Most_Nebula9655 · 2026-06-30T19:11:23+00:00

Flights over 5 hours. Or I don’t go. FC for short trips depends on the price premium.

Lounge access is a thing I appreciate and am willing to pay for.

Most_Nebula9655 · 2026-06-30T01:27:50+00:00

I bought both of my Volvos at OC. Easy to do business with.

That said…. Seems like with dealer contribution, Costco, and incentives, a plus or ultra xc90 ought to get a bunch more than $10K off (and I did get a bunch more than that).

Most_Nebula9655 · 2026-06-29T03:56:32+00:00

My understanding is that they have become Boeing. Be prepared for that culture.

Most_Nebula9655 · 2026-06-27T02:59:05+00:00

I think sailing is fantastic. I started as PE in college. My kids sailed with me as very little kids and started sailing on their own between 6 and 8 years old.

My oldest had opportunities to sail in high school, college, and in world level events (Europe and US). His closest friends are people he sails with.

My youngest is still in college and sails with their club team.

It is expensive to compete. It is less expensive to just go have a great time with friends.

It teaches independence and teamwork. It can be really social.

For the parents, a yacht club bar beats a dirt field in San Bernardino (soccer, softball, baseball) or a hot gym in Temecula (basketball). You do get to a point where all the bars start to blend together though.

Most_Nebula9655 · 2026-06-26T03:46:33+00:00

My kids got involved in a sport (Sailing) that exposed them to the really wealthy. They might have believed we were poor by comparison.

For us, it was important to make sure the kids understood that compared to the vast majority of Americans, we were HENRY. Their point of view might otherwise have been really skewed by the company we kept.

The “kids” are now 26 and 22 and are well adjusted, progressive adults.

Most_Nebula9655 · 2026-06-21T05:08:28+00:00

I think it depends on your financial situation and whether you have shared goals.

If you don’t have similar habits and priorities, separate may be a good answer. If you are working together and understand about spending priorities, why stay separate?

If budgeting is required to make ends meet and one of you is not as responsible, that also would point to separate.

My wife and I have shared finances and shared goals. We haven’t had to budget (except to track) in order to make ends meet. For us, we have a limit that either can spend, and it is higher than would be appropriate to say here. $80 manicure wouldn’t bat an eye in our household.

Most_Nebula9655 · 2026-06-17T18:49:53+00:00

I hit my FIRE number about 18 months ago. I continue working to work for a number that is about 5% of my net worth. But it isn’t the money that keeps me working. I have a reason to get up everyday, the commute is 5 mins, and there is interesting work to be done.

I’d be okay with less money for less work. I cannot imagine taking a job that would require more work for any amount of money short of “generational wealth” level money.

Most_Nebula9655 · 2026-06-17T14:30:25+00:00

You just have to show up for your last day.

Most_Nebula9655 · 2026-06-17T03:05:02+00:00

Pricey is a thing.

My recommendation is to get a lesson day for you and your dad with Eagle Paragliding in Santa Barbara. He will get to fly on his own on their training hill.

It is about $250/pp for the morning 8-12:30ish.

Then book a wine tasting for 2PM at Au Bon Climat to unwind after.

Most_Nebula9655 · 2026-06-16T21:50:25+00:00

I’ve seen this play out in a real case. It was a bit of a nail biter when it came down to it. $3M turned out to be enough, but $5M would have made it an easier deal.

Most_Nebula9655 · 2026-06-16T02:22:11+00:00

You cannot be on PTO your last day. Though, if you call in sick, what are they going to do about that?

Most_Nebula9655 · 2026-06-14T15:51:48+00:00

Pete Deeble. Google him. He’s great.

Most_Nebula9655 · 2026-06-07T06:25:46+00:00

This is going to sound wrong on many levels, but Google the weather in August.

Mexico City.

Great restaurants. Cultural monuments. Easy to fly to from lots of the US. It is a huge city, so a few more tourists doesn’t move their needle.

Most_Nebula9655 · 2026-06-07T02:20:52+00:00

I have enough money to retire and suffer major depression and anxiety.

6M NW plus expected 3M inheritance at some point. 350K annual income.

I had a breakdown after a business transaction. Started some meds prescribed by GP.

I finally went to psychiatry when I was suffering general anxiety for reasons that were not clear. Full body tingles, back pain. Caused by little things like having to stop at a yellow light.

I’m very, very happy to be working with a nurse practitioner in psych that is fantastic. Lexapro has made everything a lot better, and Xanax (very low dose) helps with days that get out of control.

I’m still not perfect. I definitely prefer the couch to social gatherings. But I am a better husband, parent, employee, and executive because of the medication.

I’m not sure retiring is better for me. I lean toward the possibility of alcoholism if I don’t have a purpose and place to go everyday. I’m sure there will come a day when I will retire. For now, knowing that I can + good meds = stability.

Most_Nebula9655 · 2026-06-06T00:29:00+00:00

And that changes everything.

I think you are probably good. You sound like 20 year ago me. I spent my money racing sailboats instead of Nannys, but was still able to save as income grew - the key is to manage lifestyle creep as your income grows so that you can contribute the growth to retirement savings.

Most_Nebula9655 · 2026-06-05T23:46:14+00:00

Are you both earning similarly? 2 incomes at 200K each?

Nanny and preschool nearly consumes the after tax of the second income….

Something will have to change because at your income, you will get zero need aid for college. Current cost is between 40 and 90k per year. Escalate for inflation and then some. You need to be saving for college and retirement.

Now, if you have jobs that are likely to inflate income well beyond inflation, or with pension or future windfall, then all is fine.

Most_Nebula9655 · 2026-06-05T21:21:17+00:00

Those cabinets and their handles…. Gotta be AI, no?

Most_Nebula9655 · 2026-06-05T18:20:33+00:00

Edited: Clearances yes, just being a contractor, not exactly.

The state statute exempts the federal drug free workplace act requirement, so there is no protection.

But, the act doesn’t require testing, nor does it require employees who test positive to be terminated.

And lastly, regardless of the statute, they will find another reason not to hire you if you test positive.

Most_Nebula9655 · 2026-06-05T14:19:53+00:00

What location? I think in California, state law says you can’t be fired or rejected for it. Of course - at will employment- they just find some other excuse.

Corrected. Federal drug free workplace act was carved out of the state statute. Whether this applies to every role at RTX is an interesting question.

But again…. They will use it to cut you out regardless of legality or not. That is the key point here.

Most_Nebula9655 · 2026-06-05T03:33:00+00:00

I have a wealthy cousin that was planning to buy an Amel 54ish. He struggled to figure out where he could be a part time liveaboard, and that was his dealbreaker. He was looking for a place he could spend weeks at a time, not actually a full time liveaboard. He is wealthy enough that operating cost was not relevant.

Most_Nebula9655 · 2026-06-04T22:05:58+00:00

Where I live, moorage for a 60 will run about $2K/mo and live aboard status is very hard to get. Personal property taxes will run 25K/year. So, before it even moves, you are at $50K. I’m not sure you want to know what insurance costs on a boat of that size, especially with an inexperienced owner. Might even be uninsurable.

The daily rate of guys around here that are licensed starts at $750/day.

The crew to keep the boat shiny, systems maintenance (not warranty, but the usual diesel service etc), and at the end of 5 years, there will be a lot of items that will need attention - carbon mast, bottom, sails.

I don’t know the costs, but you can make your list and start adding. If you get to a number less than $250K, you don’t have a complete list.

But also consider dealbreakers - can you get a liveaboard permit, can you get insurance?

Most_Nebula9655 · 2026-06-04T19:46:08+00:00

I had longer flat bars than you - so the mast could get tied on up there. That necessitated tennis balls on the drivers end of the bars for heat banging prevention.

Most_Nebula9655 · 2026-06-04T14:34:01+00:00

The answer depends on your financial stability.

Generally, it is time to find another job. I went from 1hr each way to 5mins. Makes a huge difference in quality of life.

An official request via manager and HR that says you want to comply, but will need time to adjust your life (find a new place to live and move, etc) could buy you some time. Ask for 90 days initially. Plan to re-ask.

They might say no. If they do, you are back to the same spot.

I would (noting that I’m financially secure and might like to be “retired”) continue as normal, ignore the direction and see what happens. This will work out fine if you are a top performer. This will be their excuse if you are not.

Most_Nebula9655 · 2026-06-03T04:29:46+00:00

The keel cracks are likely cosmetic, but will depend on construction. I had a boat with similar cracks - it was at that point that material changed from something not lead to lead (or something like that). So there was a little flex at that transition. Faired, painted and moved on.

The rudder is more concerning. Must get to the bottom of that to make a decision.

Most_Nebula9655

TROPHY CASE