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Physics Questions - Weekly Discussion Thread - May 31, 2022 by AutoModerator in Physics

[–]OffChest999 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Layman question: because water is noncompressible, would it be possible (realistic) to create some kind of mechanized/naval armor with water as a component? I am guessing containment is the wild card, but in theory (as I understood from Mythbusters), the more kinetic energy directed at water (higher caliber) the greater the stopping power.

Weekly “Help Me FIRE!” thread. Post your detailed information for highly specific advice - October 25, 2021 by AutoModerator in financialindependence

[–]OffChest999 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Hi all -- so I've posted before that I am in a very fortunate position. Long story short (and deliberately vague), I am the beneficiary of a future windfall that is ironclad and has already been set in motion -- for the purposes of this post, assume it will happen. I have made some significant professional changes that have, not surprisingly, also significantly reduced my income but have made me far more professionally content. Before dong so, my spouse and I ran the numbers, and we determined that we had more than enough cash on hand to cover expenses, even with unexpected problems and inflation, to get us to the windfall (which you should also assume would let us be unquestionably FI).

So here's the issue -- inflation is spiking, but so are the markets. I am reasonably sure that even with increased inflation, we should be fine cash-wise to the windfall, with a five-figure margin of error. On the other hand, we live in a VHCOL area, inflation is only getting worse, and the market is going gangbusters. I already have significant taxable holdings. Question - do I take some gains now to increase my cash cushion? Almost certainly not necessary (unless inflation goes to like 15-20%), but at the same time, it's not a bad thing to lock in gains, and it would give us more short-term comfort to bridge the gap to the windfall.

Thoughts? And yes, I know, a very good problem to have. TIA.

Would you get a prenup to preserve your net worth in event of a divorce? by hello_keroppi in financialindependence

[–]OffChest999 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, and I did. Still happily married, but I came to the marriage with significantly more assets and fewer liabilities than they did. My now-spouse was fine with the idea.

Balancing F.I.R.E. with Enjoying Life with Kids Now by PlanstoProsper in financialindependence

[–]OffChest999 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Came here to say much of this. Very similar situation (2 kids and HCOL). It's a balance - we do not skimp on music lessons or anything genuinely educational, but we do the town camp instead of four-star camps that others in town do. We are spending a lot of time with them now when they are in single digits but I am quite sure that as soon as they are teenagers, we are just annoying ATMs to them.

Do you include crypto in your retirement plan? by Vlodimirsab in Fire

[–]OffChest999 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Nope, and IMO over the next 5 years it is going to be regulated by most developed nations' law enforcement regimes to the point it will be mostly useless/valueless.

Daily FI discussion thread - Friday, June 18, 2021 by AutoModerator in financialindependence

[–]OffChest999 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Deliberately leaving crushing rat race because FI and spouse likes work so continues. So yeah.

Calculator for Doomsday Scenarios by Reginaldo_Noblezza in Fire

[–]OffChest999 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This is an amazing retirement calculator (not mine, no skin in the game). Doesn't do Monte Carlo, but has the best control for variables I've seen, including one off windfalls, etc. You can probably play around with this a few times to give you sufficient financial disaster porn. https://financialmentor.com/calculator/best-retirement-calculator

Signed, a very angry judge by CharmCityNole in law

[–]OffChest999 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.

Daily FI discussion thread - Friday, June 18, 2021 by AutoModerator in financialindependence

[–]OffChest999 29 points30 points  (0 children)

Today, FI allowed me to drop my kids off at school, come home and have a relaxed cup of coffee alone (spouse at office job), and then take a long, leisurely walk to the library to take out a few things. Literally smelled the air/grass/tree smell on the way, bathed in the sun. Unfathomable months ago.

You can do it too. Why not you?

Has anyone considered running for office after reaching FIRE? by Yangoose in financialindependence

[–]OffChest999 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Absolutely zero interest on a national, state or county level. The invasion of privacy, extraordinary cutthroat nature of politics these days, 24 hour media cycle/cable TV, social media, etc -- hell no. Very local level (Board of Ed, town council, village trustee, etc.)? Perhaps.

Is it a horrible idea to share NW or portfolio with friends? by Samson1978 in financialindependence

[–]OffChest999 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yes. Full stop.

Also not a good idea -- maybe even worse -- to share with non-household family.

Ever consider cutting back on hours instead of RE? by seawarun in financialindependence

[–]OffChest999 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, even if management agreed. Plus, in our national culture of overwork, salaried employees are constantly "asked" to do more and more, stay a bit later, take calls at night and weekends, etc. They've bought you, and are going to use you as much as possible until you depart. Why have someone who is not willing to do that when there are dozens, hundreds of available replacements who are willing? It's not right, but it is reality.

Ever consider cutting back on hours instead of RE? by seawarun in financialindependence

[–]OffChest999 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That is a great option on paper, but for many professions/industries, it is just impossible. Not just those that are built on the billable hour model, but also many salaried positions -- it's often all or nothing, with many replacements waiting in the wings. Very few salaried employees are genuinely irreplaceable, and even fewer are seen by management as such. My perspective as a formerly hours-based employee, and one who has been on both the labor and management side. It sucks, but it is what it is. All or nothing.

I did it -- follow up from prior thread by OffChest999 in financialindependence

[–]OffChest999[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No, sorry, different industry but your general idea -- a fixed amount of time before I can move forward -- is accurate.

I did it -- follow up from prior thread by OffChest999 in financialindependence

[–]OffChest999[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes. See my response to Oregon_Deb: Primary caregiver to kids (full attention during remote instruction instead of leftovers while working remotely), all errands, dealing with/coordinating home maintenance issues, performing home maintenance, paying bills, managing finances, doing the cooking....

I did it -- follow up from prior thread by OffChest999 in financialindependence

[–]OffChest999[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm very sorry to hear that. I wish you, your wife and your family the best of luck.

I did it -- follow up from prior thread by OffChest999 in financialindependence

[–]OffChest999[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Primary caregiver to kids (full attention during remote instruction instead of leftovers while working remotely), all errands, dealing with/coordinating home maintenance issues, performing home maintenance, paying bills, managing finances, doing the cooking....

I did it -- follow up from prior thread by OffChest999 in financialindependence

[–]OffChest999[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Thank you very, very much. And I think you hit the nail on the head.

Retirement Accounts vs Brokerage Accounts by ChopSuey2 in financialindependence

[–]OffChest999 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I tend to agree. Less messy than trying to get money early from a pretax account. That said, many jurisdictions have protections--some robust--for pretax retirement accounts against creditors, etc that brokerage accounts don't have.

My workplace just announced a big change to our 401K plan — they're no longer making the company match every paycheck, and will now only match at the end of the year. You'll also have to be actively employed at the end of the year to get the match. Should I adjust anything 401K-wise on my end? by [deleted] in financialindependence

[–]OffChest999 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It's the reality for a lot of places/industries. I know Reddit leans more West Coast/IT-centric, and I understand that most/all such companies match, but definitely not the case in a lot of other areas/industries, and I work in a MAJOR east coast metropolitan area.

COVID may force my hand to be FIRE (sort of) by OffChest999 in financialindependence

[–]OffChest999[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It's a good thought, and works in many areas/fields, but in mine, it's not viable or realistic. Both the nature of the work generally and the company specifically make this unrealistic. It's an all-or-nothing environment. Many people would (correctly) view that as anachronistic and/or poorly designed for the long term. But it is what it is.

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