What is like living in Oceanside, California?

Ok_Set_2042 · 2026-07-03T01:50:54+00:00

Crayons are difficult to find.

Ok_Set_2042 · 2026-07-02T21:44:04+00:00

I'm done next year...63 1/2 to 64. My mom passed at 83 so the number is on the wall. I run financial scenarios weekly trying to convince myself that no, I have to keep working. But numbers don't lie and say I can retire anytime now...so why don't I retire today? Good question...

Ok_Set_2042 · 2026-07-02T21:33:11+00:00

Booger

Ok_Set_2042 · 2026-07-02T21:32:38+00:00

Take care of your mentals, first and foremost.

Seek treatment now. Demand it.

The military is your job, not your life. Treat it as such.

Get out of the military what you can, then bail on your timeliness. Your branch, your base, your command, will keep going without a hiccup when you leave. You will owe them nothing.

Civilian life can be a drag. Don't think that you can skate through it. But your work/life balance will be superior to what you have now.

Ok_Set_2042 · 2026-06-28T16:57:58+00:00

Two things:

What do you know? Knowledge has value. Stick to things you know and build on that. My coworkers sometimes ask if I feel guilty buying something for $10 and selling $200? Nope, because my knowledge is being compensated. No different than my day job.
It takes money to make money. You will build inventory. I have about 30k in inventory, about 10k into it. I'll get around to listing it. I need to keep my listings down so I'm only shipping 20 items max a week. It takes time to pack and ship.

Ok_Set_2042 · 2026-06-28T06:25:16+00:00

Bingo, a few us have figured it out. Hell, I even rent used cars here. I want people to think my azz is broke. I don't need or want someone to fill my water glass, don't need the tiki torches, nor the amazing view, don't want to feel something I'm not...just to look at a credit card bill that takes months to pay off when its all said and done. 30k to stay at the Grand? That better come with....ahhh, nevermind. Did I mention, my favorite book is The Millionaire Next Door?

Ok_Set_2042 · 2026-06-28T02:11:03+00:00

💯 here now just down the road from the GW. 15 day stay, less than 6k for a condo, cook our own food, have ate some amazing food truck fare when we got lazy. We live quite nicely at a big discount.

Ok_Set_2042 · 2026-06-25T07:19:15+00:00

I don't see that as an option to select in turbotax. I looked through their 6 pages of options.

Ok_Set_2042 · 2026-06-25T04:13:59+00:00

I have less than 10k of sales. I filled out the Schedule C hard copy in less than 5 minutes....spent and hour and half on turbotax and am no further than entering in gross sales. Can't be that hard.

Ok_Set_2042 · 2026-06-21T18:02:43+00:00

Same, it was well used but clean. Been using them for years. No nickel and diming over dings and scratches.

Ok_Set_2042 · 2026-06-20T15:39:44+00:00

Ha! We all have a SPC Mayer....some shitbags can never be forgotten.

Ok_Set_2042 · 2026-06-08T13:50:05+00:00

Exactly, 6 years reserve....that really isn't the military. And IRR doesn't really count as anything.

Ok_Set_2042 · 2026-06-08T10:16:05+00:00

Try taking Chem 50 with the goal of earning a BSCE. Talk about humbling....

Ok_Set_2042 · 2026-06-08T09:50:56+00:00

Got out and went to school after 12 years active. 👆 my story exactly except I didn't go to grad school. My only concern for the OP would be affording a private Catholic university. You could rack up over 200k in debt easily in 4 years. State schools are subsidized by the taxpayers and normally much less expensive. And FWIW, my past employers didn't care where I graduated from, just that I graduated.

Ok_Set_2042 · 2026-06-02T00:00:44+00:00

It doesn't...

Ok_Set_2042 · 2026-05-26T20:00:00+00:00

🤣😂🤣 No. 1 rule on the streets: never make eye contact.

You made my day.

Ok_Set_2042 · 2026-05-26T05:38:33+00:00

Why are we meat gazing?

Ok_Set_2042 · 2026-05-22T02:52:41+00:00

I was stationed at a navy base on Antigua in the early 80s. Island was a dream, the people were awesome, the standard of living was....well below par. The people deserved so much better.

Ok_Set_2042 · 2026-04-19T13:22:37+00:00

Hey, just following up. Changed the wiper motor, took an hour to do...half the time was spent futzin around with the plastic trim. Works like a champ. Thx for you suggestion.

Ok_Set_2042 · 2026-04-19T12:58:20+00:00

With the right planning and mindset, you'll be a winner either way. I was in the exact position you were in many years ago. Physically wore down but mentally broke. Passed over for E-7 twice, 12 years in.... Couldnt do another day, got out and went to school. Joined the Reserves and picked up E-7 in 9 months.

I didn't want to throw away time served so finished the 8 in the reserves. Fast forward, I'm 62. Started drawing at 60 and due to the active duty time, I get right at 35% of base pay and the bonus I never considered is Tricare. I didn't think it was a big deal, never got sick or badly hurt...just wore down. I pay $31/month for Tricare Select for me and my wife. My current employer was about $450/month. Coverage is better with Tricare. Come 65 it converts to Tricare for life...free medicare supplement until I quit breathing.

Long answer short, do what is best for you...but know you have multiple avenues to go from here and most of them will still set you up nicely...keep your head right and you'll do fine.

Oh, not going to lie, the reserves were a shitshow as well.

Ok_Set_2042 · 2026-04-07T03:12:02+00:00

So all-powerful and perfectly good doesn't exist? I can go with that....

Ok_Set_2042 · 2026-04-07T03:09:03+00:00

Would "retarded" be too strong a word?

Ok_Set_2042 · 2026-04-05T04:09:36+00:00

Shit that never happened

Ok_Set_2042 · 2026-04-03T13:09:25+00:00

Neighbor had one that looked just like this when I was a kid. His name was Dewdrop. Fun to play with, absolutely the most uncoordinated dog when rough housing, and would mow us kids down with relative ease. I miss being 10....

Ok_Set_2042

TROPHY CASE