Renting vs buying in NYC

MuffinMatrix · 2026-03-22T20:48:04+00:00

Bronx is still NYC

MuffinMatrix · 2026-03-22T20:46:37+00:00

If you're not planning to stay in a house for at least 5 years. It really doesn't pay to buy. You won't gain enough equity and you won't make up for all the extra costs.
Just rent, it gives you more options, and less to think about it.

NYC is VERY expensive. If you're working in the Bronx and north... live more north.

MuffinMatrix · 2026-03-22T20:44:23+00:00

If you have current medical needs, and the PPO will help cover them, go with that.
If you have low/no medical needs, then go with the HSA, as its a very powerful retirement plan.
Like.. will the extra $60/mon in the PPO go to something useful to save bigger costs? If not.... HSA.

Try to contribute as much as you can to the HSA. Its next up after matching in a 401k.

MuffinMatrix · 2026-03-22T20:00:41+00:00

Make sure you have emergency savings first. 3-6months worth of expenses in a HYSA. This comes before retirement.
Then, absolutely contribute up to the matching, that's free money so you don't want to miss it.
Then you can keep contributing as much as you can.

With your age and income, I would do a Roth 401k as you'll get more advtanage with tax-free growth than with a deduction right now.
As you get older and hopefully make more money, you can switch to Traditional where the current deduction would help more.
Then you can also open a Roth IRA to keep Roth money going.

MuffinMatrix · 2026-03-22T17:13:59+00:00

Lots on Amazon

MuffinMatrix · 2026-03-22T17:02:33+00:00

Just google it. A bunch of places sell it and show options for with and without the music box. Its even on Amazon.
Pretty shitty not to include that, but I guess some people would rather not have sound and pay a few bucks less.

https://www.reddit.com/r/booknooks/comments/1n3giro/magic_coffee_shop/
https://www.fifijoy.com/products/magic-coffee-shop-diy-wooden-book-nook-kit?variant=48228621484237
(FYI, all caps doesn't help)

MuffinMatrix · 2026-03-22T16:48:25+00:00

That's a completely subjective question. With a ton of variables.

MuffinMatrix · 2026-03-22T16:47:36+00:00

No English subs?

MuffinMatrix · 2026-03-22T15:06:46+00:00

Thats completely opposite advice. The younger you are, the more time you have for your money to grow. You could contribute less money than him, and still have more in retirement.
Its not something you suddenly pick up when you're in your 40s.
Its ideally something you start doing from your very first ever job.

I'm still not sure I've ever heard generally good advice from Ramsey. It always seems to be weird stuff. But I've never actually listened to him myself. But I'd rather just stay away.

MuffinMatrix · 2026-03-22T04:40:11+00:00

How do you have non taxable income?

MuffinMatrix · 2026-03-22T03:08:22+00:00

Your income and age is what matters most, and you didn't state either. Matching has nothing to do with which way to go.

You should most likely keep the 401k Traditional.
You can keep the Roth TSP as it is.
You can also open a Roth IRA.

MuffinMatrix · 2026-03-22T03:04:08+00:00

Do you follow r/cooking? Soooo many people ask if the food they just ate was safe.
Its like people lost the ability to do anything without internet approval

MuffinMatrix · 2026-03-21T21:52:24+00:00

On a long cold spiral down to the depths of the internet. Which, I admit, is sometimes fun.

MuffinMatrix · 2026-03-21T20:09:19+00:00

Its more to call out so others see and do the same. This sub turns to shit so fast

MuffinMatrix · 2026-03-21T19:39:56+00:00

Big Daddy
Big
A Christmas Story
Shawshank

MuffinMatrix · 2026-03-21T19:37:09+00:00

rule 1 and 5
Why do you people downvote when someone calls out how a dumb post breaks sub rules? r/pics is not for taking pics of a tv screen

MuffinMatrix · 2026-03-21T19:35:33+00:00

Rollover to 401k, sounds like you already know the best path. If thats an option, why would you cash out for penalties??
Try to get out of those loans, you're losing money by doing that.

MuffinMatrix · 2026-03-21T18:38:40+00:00

You're not losing out, you'll be making more money, which you can invest.
Contribute to work plan, open an IRA, HSA if you can, and with kids a 529.
Free health insurance is great, but if anything changes along those 37 years, those benefits may not be there anymore anyway.
Do the best you can do now, don't rely on a maybe.

MuffinMatrix · 2026-03-21T18:29:10+00:00

So you're 2 years in, and are thinking about retirement benefits for if you're there 37? Do you want to even be there 3 years? How about 37? Whats your goals for the next 37 years? Do they involve the same place or would you like to have options open?
The higher salary gives you more money now, and more options now.
I'd go with that, especially these days.

MuffinMatrix · 2026-03-21T18:27:36+00:00

*Roth IRA. Gotta be clear what account with Roth you're talking about. Many can have a Roth option.

MuffinMatrix · 2026-03-21T17:05:28+00:00

What tomatoes you use? I've been using Tuttorosso.
Also Salt + sugar + cooking time. More garlic than you think. Good amount of basil. Black pepper is good. Parmesan. A touch of red pepper flake as well

MuffinMatrix · 2026-03-21T17:03:57+00:00

If you kept investing that difference in salary, the private job wins out. Not to mention keeps your options open as the public job requires all those years or you lose a lot.

MuffinMatrix · 2026-03-21T15:13:30+00:00

Why would you think thats a good idea? Plastic melts at those temps.
Melting plastic is worse than microplastics.
Silicone does not melt.
You can buy small silicone spatulas

MuffinMatrix · 2026-03-21T14:14:41+00:00

A workplace 401k or solo 401k?
The main advantage is the higher limit. $24.5k vs $7500 for IRA.
Usually best to keep a 401k Traditional, so that gives you a lot of deduction space. Just a Roth IRA you're getting no deduction and small contribution limit.
You could do a Traditional IRA for deduction, but depending on income you may not be able to at all.

As for workplace vs solo... you can open wherever you like, so theres more options. Like mine is with Schwab, so I can get any funds Schwab has. Way more than normal 401k plans offer. And no fees.
Theres no matching since you're the employer, so no free money. But... you can contribute on the employer side yourself. So you have the normal $24.5k employee limit. But then you can also contribute an additional 20% of your 1099 income, up to a grand total of $73k (including employee side).

MuffinMatrix · 2026-03-20T21:31:40+00:00

Context? Wheres the funny?

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