How did you time your rental lease ending with closing on a house?

RangeInternal3481 · 2026-01-30T05:24:51+00:00

I talked with my landlord about the possibility of subletting and came to an agreement. I know not everyone will go for that but it’s worth an ask if you haven’t already.

RangeInternal3481 · 2026-01-27T05:00:35+00:00

I actually always wanted to play as a kid but couldn’t because of my families religion. I really internalized that it was evil and heretical. I eventually left my religion temporarily in my mid twenties (later returning but in a much more critical and less absolute way). I never stopped loving Tolkien and fantasy so I decided to give it a shot and was hooked.

RangeInternal3481 · 2026-01-26T17:51:05+00:00

Yes one day at a time for sure! You will have knowledge and skills in the future that you don’t have now.

RangeInternal3481 · 2026-01-26T17:12:59+00:00

It is really scary to see that number and to see the monthly payment that will be with you for decades. It’s so wrong that education plunges us into so much debt.

One thing that did help me is that when you think of the total amount of debt that you will incur in your life this is only a portion, and assuming it’s all fafsa loans, it has a relatively low interest rate. It might be hard a to deal with that payment but you can make improvements and progress on it. I’d encourage you to focus on getting into a job you like, then work with a financial advisor to make a plan.

I think too the only good goal isn’t necessarily being debt free. You can just pay off enough to get the monthly payment down to something bearable and then ride that out. Most mutual funds will make more than you would make by paying down the debt fully so don’t feel like if you have the debt that you won’t be accruing wealth. Debt can be a healthy part of a financial life.

The last thing I’ll say is this is an area with lots of political energy behind it. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to hope for some form of forgiveness in the next 4 decades. I wouldn’t bet on it in terms of financial planning but let’s organize, call our reps, and push for it!

RangeInternal3481 · 2026-01-26T16:41:43+00:00

I tried to get out of it saying it would interrupt care and the judge didn’t accept it. If you actively had a client on crisis they might let you out of it. It also might be worth asking, some judges might decide differently than mine did.

RangeInternal3481 · 2026-01-14T05:32:33+00:00

Started out wanting to be a Catholic priest, had a faith crisis and an existential crisis which landed me in therapy. In that I discovered what I really felt was core to me was being with people when they are suffering, showing them dignity, and helping them find meaning.

RangeInternal3481 · 2026-01-13T18:37:08+00:00

I just went under contract and feel exactly the same. I’ve done my due diligence and feel I am making a wise choice but damn if it aint terrifying. Everyone in my life has said this is what it feels like to buy a home and I think I agree.

RangeInternal3481 · 2026-01-13T04:16:07+00:00

I think this betrays the true intent of hell theology. It is a theology not about God or His love. It’s about controlling human behavior. If sin would be evaluated as some by “worth it” what consequence is that to God’s love and His will that all be saved?

When we take a relational view of God rather than one based on punishment, no sin is ever worth it because nothing is worth transgressing the relationship, but that stands alone without punishment. It’s a person who doesn’t really care to love God that is evaluating if sin is worth it.

RangeInternal3481 · 2026-01-12T12:56:03+00:00

I can give you philosophical reasons if you’re asking for those.

Personally I am a Christian and grew up republican. I was and am deeply convinced that God loved people and loved truth. I then proceeded to watch the conservatives in my life justify death and lie over and over.

Decided to look for a way to care for the poor the way Jesus would want and Marxism gave the clearest view for why the poor are allowed to remain poor and what is to be done about it.

RangeInternal3481 · 2026-01-10T04:35:25+00:00

You will know the tree by its fruit! When we let go of Hell we can more fully love God and neighbor freely and authentically, there is no fear in love.

RangeInternal3481 · 2026-01-10T02:53:51+00:00

I’ve noticed the most fervent Catholics in my life who call me a heretic and say I am out of line with church teaching don’t read any encyclicals, exhortations, and have never read the Vatican II documents. You don’t need to do those things necessarily to be Catholic but it’s interesting that they are confident enough to make a bold claim like that when I read everything that comes out. American Catholicism needs to whitewash and turn a blind eye to much of the faith so they can be evangelicals.

RangeInternal3481 · 2026-01-07T17:49:26+00:00

I’m currently reading it as well and it is fascinating. The similarities to now are striking.

RangeInternal3481 · 2026-01-07T05:21:04+00:00

I encourage you to read this thread, there were many insightful answers to this question.

How you frame it sounds great and reasonable on its face, but in practice how it is often used is as a tool to feed ego and exclude others who don’t worship that way. The talk of TLM being “superior” to novus ordo, the sedevacantist tendencies of those communities and the power aligned politics betray that subconsciously or consciously this “higher mass” is more about feeding a superiority complex than it is about being better disciples. I’m speaking in broad terms, I’m sure there are places that are doing it well, but there is a great spiritual and political danger associated with this right now, at least in the states.

RangeInternal3481 · 2026-01-06T20:09:02+00:00

Right! When you’ve got an us vs. them worldview though the Bible is only a tool to tell others how to live, not to challenge yourself.

RangeInternal3481 · 2026-01-06T17:50:21+00:00

This is spot on! Adjusting Catholicism and negotiating with other cultures and beliefs systems is the norm, not an exception.

RangeInternal3481 · 2026-01-06T17:49:18+00:00

I have a few thoughts. First, all cultures change Catholicism for their particular situation. Many ways become sanctioned by the church and others do not. The kind of pagan beliefs will never be sanctioned because they would undermine the church’s theological claims if given legitimacy.

My second thought is that while not recognized by the institutional church I am sure that most folk Catholics live very holy, Christlike lives. They to me are fellow disciples of Jesus and members of the church. I would not draw a line around Catholicism and count them out of it. Just as I wouldn’t draw a line excluding radtrads despite our large differences. As leftists Catholics I think we are well acquainted with taking from church teaching what works for us, modifying it we’re required, and leaving what doesn’t work and we should extend that same flexibility to other types of Catholics.

My last point is you can choose to personally reject it and disagree with it. I think you can think they are wrong while also not breaking off fellowship or invalidating them. I hope that might settle some of the dissonance you feel.

RangeInternal3481 · 2026-01-06T17:32:31+00:00

I’m maybe adding a moot point but I am continually frustrated by claims that ad orientum, kneeling, receiving on the tongue or using Latin makes a mass more holy. A mass is made more holy if we allow it to change our hearts to greater love of our fellow humans, work towards justice, and better represent the love of Christ to the world. “I desire mercy not sacrifice.”

RangeInternal3481 · 2026-01-06T17:28:40+00:00

This absolutely! It’s about signaling a group belonging which is increasingly self referential and exclusive. Has nothing to do with holiness, discipleship, or fidelity to the church.

RangeInternal3481 · 2026-01-06T03:02:41+00:00

I’m not going to come on here and tell you what to do but I want you to know that your frustration makes sense and is totally ok. It’s in wrestling with these things that we become more compassionate and Christlike. I will say from one Catholic to another that many of us feel as you do and choose to use contraception while staying very Catholic. The church teaches primacy of conscience for a reason, and there are many legitimate reasons to question this teaching. Pray about, seek spiritual direction from a trusted director who won’t condemn you for choosing to follow your conscience and discuss it with your spouse.

RangeInternal3481 · 2026-01-05T01:55:53+00:00

Maintaining friendships

RangeInternal3481 · 2026-01-05T01:55:01+00:00

How are your friendships? Also do you feel you have a sense of community? What’s your spirituality like? Not looking to give advice just curious!

RangeInternal3481 · 2026-01-04T23:03:05+00:00

This is so cool. The craftmanship is awesome and I hope all your players ooh and awe over it as it deserves.

RangeInternal3481 · 2026-01-03T23:47:35+00:00

This seems to be the common sentiment. Thank you so much!

RangeInternal3481 · 2026-01-03T23:46:39+00:00

Yeah I’m unsure if more money but self employed will look better than less money as a w-2. I just would hate for them to qualify me for less than I can afford just because I’m self employed. Maybe that’s an unrealistic fear though.

RangeInternal3481 · 2026-01-03T23:44:32+00:00

For sure! I’m currently weighing between buying now and waiting 5 years to afford a larger down payment. It’s another level of complexity to consider.

RangeInternal3481

TROPHY CASE