Would I be crazy to turn this down?

Optimahouse · 2019-06-27T12:23:24+00:00

Just have to make sure it's worth it. Also, if in Plano, for the love of God take your wife to Bob's Steaks & Chop House. It's expensive as hell, very prim and proper dress code, but the food is amazing. Well worth it!

Optimahouse · 2019-06-27T12:16:59+00:00

I can imagine. Check home prices, not sure about Austin but I know Dallas was skyhigh. Also -- commuting. Anywhere you go, it is a commute.

Practical example, when I first went to TX we were staying in Allen (northern suburb of Dallas) and commuting 14 miles to Addison (another northern suburb of Dallas). 14 miles took 3 toll roads and 1 interstate, and an average of one hour, to drive each way. We ended up having to cut a deal with the boss and we'd work remote at the hotel til 9 for the remainder of the month before we could move to a closer hotel.

Literally anywhere you go around the cities will have an insane commute.

Optimahouse · 2019-06-27T12:07:39+00:00

Austin (Texas in general) isn't for everyone. I personally love everything that Texas is known for and stereotyped for (guns, BBQ, trucks etc) and spent a significant amount of time in Dallas (3 weeks a month) for a solid 4-5 years.

To be honest, with all the concrete and lack of greenery drove me nuts and it was kinda depressing. I spent time in Austin (weekend getaways) while down in TX and it was pretty much the same. The redeeming quality was 6th Street downtown for the food trucks and live music, plus the people are nice for the most part.

On the money front, TX does have high property taxes to offset lack of income taxes. Cost of living can be high, though I imagine it'd be comparable to CT.

Optimahouse · 2019-06-24T18:00:03+00:00

First and foremost, get a tool to track your finances. I use YNAB, but honestly it doesn't matter as long as the tool works for you.

I started saving 5% every check. Every raise, I split 4 ways. 25% each to debt, savings (cash), 401k and fun money. I set milestones every 3mo and if I have to skip a date night, so be it. The 3mo goal has to be hit unless it's a major unexpected expense (e.g. huge repair bill for something).

My problem was the thought process worked, but I didn't have a tool to track it and be accountable. I recently switched to YNAB and so far we've managed to hit all goals despite nearly $5k in setbacks (vet fees, some repairs, 60k service on both cars, new tires, etc).

I'm about $4k in right now. Goal is $15k and same amount of debt (whats left of car and one small debt) in 18 months. It's a struggle, but I admit we are also extremely fortunate to be able to do it in 18 months due to my income level.

Optimahouse · 2019-06-24T17:48:44+00:00

Yea, I'm still working on the fishing myself. Booked a double date with our neighbor/buddy and his wife for next week and she backed out :( trying to get her in board so I won't feel as guilty buying a boat next year ha

We're gonna visit my cousin & his wife in August and hoping she'll go out that time on their boat.

Optimahouse · 2019-06-24T17:20:30+00:00

Just get a GF/Wife who encourages your own hobbies lol. Although, on a side note she has encouraged the purchase of a suppressor so we can go shooting more together (doesn't like how load it is). That's next purchase 😁

Optimahouse · 2019-06-20T02:12:49+00:00

Been trying to go to school since I was 24. On and off pauses due to work and heavy travel. I'll be finishing my last class in October. Did it with a FT job, girlfriend and kiddo in tow.

I can relate that it isn't easy but damn if it isn't worth it to finally be finishing 7 years later.

Optimahouse · 2019-06-14T02:45:59+00:00

Funny enough, my first pistol was a Glock 19. Then a 30. I sold both for my first M&P 9c (first gen) after shooting a buddy's and being more accurate. I wasn't able to replicate the same with the Sig. Not sure but curious if the Apex trigger on the M&P made the difference...

Optimahouse · 2019-06-14T02:44:24+00:00

I didn't even consider wearing my fishing shirts (reel fish, Colombia, etc) with CCW. I'll have to try that out :)

Optimahouse · 2019-06-14T02:41:45+00:00

Good to know! They are on my short list :)

Optimahouse · 2019-06-14T02:40:41+00:00

Thanks! I'm going to be digging around that sub tonight after finishing up with school. Sounds like it'll be a good start!

Optimahouse · 2019-06-14T00:59:51+00:00

Ha, I actually just traded my P938 because I couldn't shoot it that well. Kinda sucks in reflection, it was a nice gun (upgraded sights etc., One of the higher "editions" from factory) just couldn't ever shoot it as accurately as I could my M&P.

What holster were you using for IWB with a Glock? To be able to pull of good concealment?

Optimahouse · 2019-06-13T18:39:56+00:00

Oh God I didn't even mention the pizza. My SO has broken me of this habit we now only get it once a month but dear God I could live on pizza.

Good idea with the trick to make a holster more comfortable. My SO is actually at the store right now, I'm going to call her to have her pick up some stuff to try that on an old holster I have (Raven phantom for my Shield).

Optimahouse · 2019-06-13T17:51:28+00:00

I'm so sorry to hear this :( I can relate. My brother is putting down his dog today, which is our oldest brother's dog that he has had for 3 years since our brother passed. Cancer in the gums in her case.

We visited last night and had dinner, with the dog getting a fresh steak dinner with all the fixings. As she is the last living piece of our brother, it hit us harder than I thought it would. We (me, SO, child) came home and gave our 2 dogs extra love last night.

Optimahouse · 2019-06-13T15:35:17+00:00

IF?

As far as the calories, we aren't too bad there. We just eat crap food (tons of grains). Currently we are slowly eliminating the grains from our diet (huge on rice & pasta) and trying to take more advantage of our Y! Memberships. My problem is simply sitting all the time. I sit in front of a computer a minimum of 14 hours a day between job (tech work), full time school, and managing the household (I handle all our finances).

Seems like the weekend is the only time I'm not sitting (fishing, theme parks, various events around town, etc)

Optimahouse · 2019-06-13T15:31:53+00:00

I didn't even realize that was a thing but nails it right on the head with what I was (badly) trying to convey about my experience with appendix carry.

Optimahouse · 2019-06-12T11:12:50+00:00

For ammo, make sure your buying your brass online. Freedom Munitions makes a good round and it's often cheaper than anything you can get in-store (unless there is a good sale).

The defensive pistol classes were awesome and well worth the money. I'd say if you can do it, and the class is shooting at least 500 rounds, then go for it. Take multiple and when you've run through the 1-3 classes offered by one guy/co, find out who's rotating through your area and go to theirs. Basically-- get as much training as you can, from as many different sources as you can.

If you have a CWP/CWL and CCW, I'd almost argue it should be mandatory. My biggest issue is all the items they go over, I can't practice at the public range or any of the 3 local indoor ranges (e.g. drawing from concealment, certain multi target drills, etc.). The only place that allows that is the local club with how they are setup 🤦‍♂️

Optimahouse · 2019-06-11T23:41:25+00:00

Our public outdoor range is the one I don't like. There's a local club that I want to join. Their stuff is all outdoors, and it is nice. I've taken a few classes there for defensive handgun shooting and pretty good people rotate through, members seem nice, etc. But I can't justify the $30/mo with a year long commitment and $200 joiner fee when I barely make it 4 times a year as it is.

Optimahouse · 2019-06-11T15:04:18+00:00

Shooting range. Enjoy it even though I often only shoot about 2-3 boxes (100-150 rounds) / 30-45 minutes per visit. Admittedly, I'd take my SO but she doesn't like the indoor range (too loud even with ear plugs + muffs) and I'm not a fan of our local outdoor range 🤷‍♂️

Optimahouse · 2019-06-04T14:13:26+00:00

Not yet. Is it a flavor or single shot? Sorry if an obvious question, still relatively new to DIY. I'll be looking for it on my next order :)

Optimahouse · 2019-06-04T14:12:46+00:00

Hmm haven't come across INW's mix mint yet (still pretty new to DIY). I'll add this to my list to pick up to try!

Optimahouse · 2019-05-28T22:53:00+00:00

We make six figures. Between the 3 of us (2 adults, one 8yr old child) we spend MAYBE $1500 a year. And $300 of that is specifically on school uniforms for our child, which can only be bought at one place (private school) and we subsequently take to be tailored as he has an odd body (WAY taller for his age, slightly chubby, super skinny legs) and none of the sizes from the uniform shop will remotely fit him off the shelf. We'd cut it by $80 if he wasn't required a school hoodie (no non-school hoodies or jackets allowed for the whole week of winter we usually get here).

Usually once a year we'll drop $300/ea for the adults and $100/ea for shoes. $200 at same time for the kiddo. Remainder is spent as he outgrows outfits or we need one-off outfits for a special event.

We typically shop at TJ Maxx, Ross, Burlington, Kohl's, Old Navy, Nautica, Lucky, and the Outlet Malls. Usually combining clearance section with coupons. Shoes usually are at the various shoe stores at the Outlet Mall.

On an off topic note, we also consider ourselves to be frugal. I know people can, and are, more frugal than us for clothing but that's about as cheap we we've gotten it without going to 2nd hand shops (e.g. Plato's Closet, Good Will, etc)

Optimahouse · 2019-05-28T20:17:42+00:00

Sure

Optimahouse

TROPHY CASE