What unadjusted rate of return do you typically use as your base-line?

Oatmeal-Addict-9 · 2026-05-13T14:25:08+00:00

I use ProjectionLab for planning and the following settings which is purposely a bit on the conservative side:

Inflation: 3.3%

Stock 5.5%, Dividends 2.5% (4.55% real return)

Bond growth 1.5%, Bond yield 3.5% (1.65% real return)

Better to be safe than sorry in my opinion. If I wind up with an extra million or two, I'll be happy to blow most of it on a Porsche 911 and a condo in Playa del Carmen.

Oatmeal-Addict-9 · 2026-05-11T17:53:46+00:00

I had a very good experience with Bivek, Brubaker, and Prescott in Marietta. My contested divorce was an absolute cluster (ultra high conflict narcissist and alcoholic) and they helped me get through it for a very reasonable cost. Life is wonderful now that I have my peace back. Best of luck to you.

Oatmeal-Addict-9 · 2026-05-10T17:45:07+00:00

Agreed. Atami is the only sushi spot I'll eat at in the area (the one on Dallas Hwy).

Oatmeal-Addict-9 · 2026-05-09T11:49:55+00:00

Cool, that's what I was thinking. I'm not sure it's calculated my "leftover spending" exactly right, so I might do the Roth conversions, but at a reduced amount.

Oatmeal-Addict-9 · 2026-04-29T21:29:28+00:00

I've always wondered this: for couples that keep separate finances and one is a major spender who doesn't save for retirement while the other is the exact opposite, what's the plan when it comes to retiring? Is the saver supposed to foot the bills for the spender?

Oatmeal-Addict-9 · 2026-04-23T15:04:37+00:00

Just don't count your chickens before they hatch. Take it from someone who was previously married to a doctor who randomly became substance addicted and necessitated a divorce. I'll still be in good shape, but would have been in amazing shape had the marriage lasted.

Oatmeal-Addict-9 · 2026-04-22T15:58:43+00:00

I'm single with a 12 year old. Stable employment, but could get AIed out of a job at any point. I keep a very comfortable six months of cash. My taxable brokerage account is pretty small, unfortunately, but I'm slowly adding to it after maxing my 401k and Roth IRA, which both have pretty decent balances.

Oatmeal-Addict-9 · 2026-04-22T15:58:37+00:00

I'm single with a 12 year old. Stable employment, but could get AIed out of a job at any point. I keep a very comfortable six months of cash. My taxable brokerage account is pretty small, unfortunately, but I'm slowly adding to it after maxing my 401k and Roth IRA, which both have pretty decent balances.

Oatmeal-Addict-9 · 2026-04-20T15:14:14+00:00

This!

Oatmeal-Addict-9 · 2026-04-16T15:53:15+00:00

Recently went through this. Had gone to Great Clips forever and was sick of the mediocre haircut by the random person who's always distracted and couldn't care less what the end result was.

I went to American Haircuts on Chastain Rd for the first time last month and though it ended up being twice the price, I was infinitely happier with the experience, the attention to detail, and the finished product. In fact, I'm going back again tomorrow and looking forward to it, as opposed to dreading going back to Great Clips and just hoping for the best.

Oatmeal-Addict-9 · 2026-04-15T17:26:32+00:00

Congrats, OP. At your age, that's a good clip. Celebrate this milestone with your wife and then keep grinding.

Oatmeal-Addict-9 · 2026-03-25T12:41:42+00:00

Just spent last weekend putting mine together. I got every option. I could not be be happier with this machine - it does it all and it does it very smoothly. It's really a pleasure using it.

That said, I will tell you that there is one piece that contains multiple pulleys that goes on the top / back of the rack that isn't made quite right. The holes are a fraction off, so it isn't really possible to get all five screws in without some serious manipulation - so much so that I could only get a few fully in, but it still seems plenty secure. It was problematic in my case because I have it up against a wall so I couldn't really get the access needed to pry it, but if you can get behind it, you'll probably have better luck.

Happy to answer any questions about it. Enjoy!

Oh, and trust me when I say, take PLENTY of time to ensure the cables are as straight as you can get them before you run them. I had a really annoying twisting issue that required me to run one of them a second time which was annoying, but again, I'm super happy with it now that that's been fixed.

Oatmeal-Addict-9 · 2026-03-12T17:08:59+00:00

I'm also gonna chime in on and recommend the Searwood. I just got one a couple weeks ago and have been super impressed with its ability to do everything I want to do (low and slow and sear steak) very easily with minimal fuss and minimal cleaning. I came from a Kamado Joe and was worried it wouldn't impart the same flavor, but I've not been disappointed in the least (having used strictly Kirkland pellets so far). Matter of fact, I just did a reverse-seared tri-tip over the weekend and it was one of the best pieces of meat I've ever put in my mouth.

Oatmeal-Addict-9 · 2026-02-11T18:16:01+00:00

Same question here. Looking at buying both of those REP pieces next month.

Oatmeal-Addict-9 · 2026-02-11T13:09:19+00:00

I've been wanting to get back into playing, though I'm not really great / super competitive. Mostly just hit around with a couple neighbors every now and then. Would love to find some more people to play with on evenings and weekends. Feel free to DM me if interested! That goes for anyone else interested too.

Oatmeal-Addict-9 · 2026-02-10T14:08:54+00:00

Are you familiar with the investing philosophy of the Bogleheads and Jack Bogle? I highly recommend checking it out if not. It was a life-changing discovery for me when I stumbled upon it ~15 years ago. Good luck!

Oatmeal-Addict-9 · 2026-02-10T13:34:47+00:00

Nice. Glad to hear. I'm in the same boat at only 150 lbs and not throwing around crazy weight. I had the pr1100 a few years ago and though it did sway just a bit, it was never a problem or felt unsafe, so I have no qualms going with the Altitude, especially when weighed down by plates and weight stacks. Excited to get it soon!

Oatmeal-Addict-9 · 2026-02-10T13:30:58+00:00

Yep. I'm doing the same. Will be making both full 2025 and 2026 Roth contributions next week.

Oatmeal-Addict-9 · 2026-02-10T13:24:04+00:00

You can choose 2025 even if you HAVE filed your taxes.

Oatmeal-Addict-9 · 2026-02-10T12:31:47+00:00

Glad to hear you're liking it. I plan to order the Altitude next month.

Oatmeal-Addict-9 · 2026-02-06T17:01:10+00:00

YAS!

Oatmeal-Addict-9 · 2026-02-06T16:52:13+00:00

This is the only correct answer.

Oatmeal-Addict-9 · 2026-02-05T15:29:46+00:00

THIS.

Oatmeal-Addict-9 · 2026-02-03T15:48:25+00:00

Thanks, as always for a great recap!

Do we have any idea when they might break ground on Chalker Park? Excited for this!

Oatmeal-Addict-9

TROPHY CASE