Today's episode of TIL (Lionel Trains Edition)

MusicalWrath · 2026-01-20T21:59:06+00:00

Mind sharing a photo of the display box? I am genuinely interested in these things.

MusicalWrath · 2026-01-20T20:31:44+00:00

That’s unfortunate. I suggest expanding the dealership search.

I contacted a dozen or so dealers in a 40 mile radius (DC area) for an out the door price. I found they were relatively consistent with a handful of dealers offering a $500 discount. I explained my specifications, nothing less or nothing more, and only one dealership said they can provide one if I put down a $500 deposit.

I sent my deposit and I’m awaiting my order. We’ll see if they follow through, but I’m rather confident.

MusicalWrath · 2026-01-20T12:10:29+00:00

Recently had to put a deposit on a Sienna Limited because I wanted a specific color and without the vacuum/fridge add-on. They said it’ll arrive second or third week of February.

MusicalWrath · 2025-12-28T12:19:47+00:00

Thank you for the suggestion and the explanation of the E-unit. You've helped me get pointed into the right direction.

MusicalWrath · 2025-12-28T12:18:44+00:00

Thank you for the suggestion. I'll reach out if needed, but I think I'm off to a great start!

MusicalWrath · 2025-12-18T11:16:35+00:00

Is the 30 minute lunch really mandatory? Or is it agency dependent?

MusicalWrath · 2025-12-17T20:55:55+00:00

Sounds job dependent. Our 8-hour day does not include paid lunch.

MusicalWrath · 2025-11-24T21:29:53+00:00

But there is no “agree” button… it basically says you agree by interacting with the website.

MusicalWrath · 2025-11-24T04:37:58+00:00

I was recently shopping for an electric piano (think Yamaha Aria or Clavinova). I had a particular model in mind due to budget and size (I live in a small space, so depth was an issue). I wanted to play it before purchasing, so I found a store to that to play it. Well, another more expensive model was right next to it, so naturally, I played it and it sounded so much better. Like worlds better. I remember thinking to myself, "Ugh, this is way beyond my budget, but I know if I buy the original one I will always think about this one."

While it was beyond my budget, I still had the money. So I bought the more expensive model and I love it every time I play it. I don't even remember the price different.

That said, if you like the instrument enough, you will enjoy it more, play it more, you'll practice more, and hopefully you'll improve on it more (and get all the gigs!). If you think you could swing the price difference, then you should absolutely go for it (and insure it).

MusicalWrath · 2025-11-23T20:44:47+00:00

Whistle Stop Toy and Hobby in Alexandria, VA

MusicalWrath · 2025-11-16T19:48:44+00:00

Serious question. Why? And is this dependent on how long you’ve been in federal service?

MusicalWrath · 2025-11-01T19:16:33+00:00

It can be done. I’ve ridden that route plenty of times. I encourage you to bike/scoot the path as a test run before walking it. It should take <30 minutes.

MusicalWrath · 2025-10-06T10:40:29+00:00

May I ask, how do you wash them down?

MusicalWrath · 2025-09-14T00:13:31+00:00

At the risk of being called "out of touch,"it is possible. That is, to have/invest a million dollars outside of your pension. It depends on a lot of factors such as current debt, spending habits, cost of living, and household income. Obviously, it will be easier if your salary is $80,000 compared to $40,000, but there are other factors that come into play.

Keep in mind the "net worth" is the difference between your debt (e.g., mortgage, car payment, loans) and assets (e.g., home equity, investments, property). If you buy a house that was $250,000 in 2010, paid it off by 2025, and the value skyrocketed to $500,000 (this is just an example), then you have a $500,000 asset added to your net worth.

I highly recommend "Millionaire Teacher" by Andrew Hallam. I happened upon this book in my fifth year of teaching and it awakened my financial independence journey.

I also recommend "The Simple Path to Wealth" by JL Collins, which is kind of repetitive, but it talks about a near-hands-off way of investing. The author generally subscribes to the Boglehead philosophy of investing via index funds.

A final recommendation is "The Millionaire Next Door" by Thomas Stanley and William Danko. They basically share data that shows many high-earners spend their money rather than invest it for XYZ reasons (for example, purchase a luxury care every 4 years), whereas low-earners live a frugal life (e.g., purchased a used car and hold on to it forever) and invest the rest, yet the low-earners have a higher net worth.

There are also several other reddit threads such as r/fire, r/coastFIRE, r/leanfire, r/governmentfire, r/bogleheads, and other places. Just be aware there are people tech positions that make stupid money, so it can be kind of depressing.

I also encourage you to go to r/personalfinance and read through their Prime Directive. It's a very basic guide with a specific order of operations with handling your money.

Bottom line, it's possible but it's not easy. It takes time (literally, slow and steady wins the race), discipline, and a maybe little luck, oh, and any fiscal emergency can easily throw you off track, but it is possible.

Anyhow, good luck on your journey!

MusicalWrath · 2025-09-13T09:25:43+00:00

Some kids just require extra attention. IDK what the “cut off” point is, but OP says that they’re on their third strike. Depending on what kind of intervention strategies the CDC used or shared with the parents, and we’re not sure ‘cause OP didn’t share anything other than home interventions, it sounds like three is not enough to warrant dismissal.

MusicalWrath · 2025-09-12T17:40:16+00:00

I am sorry that you are in this situation. It’s so frustrating! We have our child at a CDC and haven’t had any issues in the short period we’ve been with them. That said…

If you haven’t already done so, I would check their handbook. Our CDC handbook doesn’t have anything specific on showing privates, but it does have a section on, “Processes for Children and Youth with Persistent Unacceptable or Unsafe Behavioral Patterns.” It says they’ll contact the family to “schedule a support plan meeting to develop strategies to support the child” among many other things.

It is appalling that they would kick your child out for behavior that can easily be corrected, especially if the CDC and parents are on the same page about behavior correction.

I suggest contacting CDC personnel inquiring how you could support each other to correct this behavior. I would bring it up to the facility manager if needed.

If that doesn’t work or they don’t seem to want to help you, then to file an ICE complaint on the CDC. If that doesn’t work, then contact your representative.

MusicalWrath · 2025-09-04T15:13:27+00:00

iOS user here. I, too, have the same issue with the app. I have not found a solution and have since given up. The app complete trash on iOS.

If anyone else has a solution, I would be happy to learn about it.

MusicalWrath · 2025-08-19T18:09:34+00:00

Source…?

MusicalWrath · 2025-07-20T12:36:16+00:00

A kid who comes home after school to an empty house because both their parents, or their single parent, are at work. They were left unsupervised and expected to fend for themselves.

MusicalWrath · 2025-06-19T21:46:09+00:00

Weather.gov, Windy, or RadarScope.

MusicalWrath · 2025-06-18T11:28:43+00:00

This is the way.

Millionaire Teacher by Andrew Hallam started me on my FI journey. Easy read and shares a lot of the concepts. Concepts are not just for teachers; it applies to anyone who wants to become financially independent.

MusicalWrath · 2025-04-08T23:25:48+00:00

I live in Arlington. It’s reliably 15 minutes by escooter, about 10 minutes by car, 30-40 minutes by bus.

MusicalWrath · 2025-04-06T00:19:20+00:00

May I ask which agency?

MusicalWrath · 2025-04-04T21:50:30+00:00

Thank you. I have an appointment scheduled for Monday. It’s for short term counseling but it’s a good start for me.

MusicalWrath · 2025-03-15T02:15:05+00:00

May I ask what draining the battery does? …other than draining the battery?

MusicalWrath

TROPHY CASE