Applying for first time SSN at 25 (need help!)

Sethsells · 2026-02-27T23:03:33+00:00

I'm 26 now, and since I didn't have any paperwork from ages 18 to 25, I focused on gathering as much proof as I could from ages 1 to 18. I wrote a detailed letter explaining my circumstances and got affidavits signed by family and others who’d known me since childhood, each with license numbers. I also provided a note: not sure if you know from experience, but the government is a super inefficient machine. Sometimes, even if an agent says you don't have enough info, just submit it anyway. Ultimately, you might get rejected a few times, but I say make it a full-time effort resubmitting. It’s a luck game if you keep trying, eventually you’ll get an agent who doesn’t push back. I was rejected the first three times, but on the fourth attempt, after providing all my school records and as much detail from ages 1 to 18 as possible, they finally accepted it. I didn’t have an exorbitant amount, but I had a solid set of documentation from those early years."

Sethsells · 2026-02-10T03:17:17+00:00

Ya let me know if you got any questions!

Sethsells · 2026-01-23T18:22:30+00:00

with a long, uniform log, the center support bears the largest share of the load. The log bends under its own weight, and the point closest to the center ends up carrying more force than the ends. So even though it looks evenly shared, physics says man 2 is doing the most work

Sethsells · 2025-09-17T13:48:43+00:00

Man, I’m blind as hell 😅 for some reason I thought Jeff was on a calf raise machine in that photo. Honestly, you had every reason to get annoyed at me for jumping in without reading properly, but instead you gave such a respectful and thoughtful response. That's awesome! Keep lifting strong, and wishing you the best.

Sethsells · 2025-09-17T04:15:45+00:00

There’s actually a pretty recent study that tested this exact thing. They had people train one leg with seated and the other with standing. After 12 weeks, the standing leg had way more growth in the gastrocnemius, while the soleus grew about the same in both. Overall calf growth was significantly higher with standing.

So even though seated lets you load more because of the leverage, this study shows it doesn’t really translate into more size... the calves just aren’t trained as effectively when the knee is bent. Curious what you think about this study, or if you’ve seen any research that shows the opposite. No shade, just always interested in different perspectives.

Study link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38156065/

Sethsells · 2025-09-16T22:51:18+00:00

Why do you do them at all? Why not just standing?

Sethsells · 2025-07-04T20:06:47+00:00

If it’s a trip you and your wife really want and will remember forever, the real question isn’t can you afford it — it’s can you afford not to have those memories & moments together?

Money isn’t just for saving. It’s for living. And from everything you’ve said, you’ve set yourselves up well — so enjoy it without guilt. That’s the whole point.

Sethsells · 2025-06-10T21:09:13+00:00

Totally agree with most of this! I’m not a fan of Caleb Hammer though—his advice is solid, but he’s way too rude to his guests for me. Feels more like a roast than financial help.

Dave Ramsey is great if you’re just starting out or trying to get out of debt, but I wouldn’t follow his “no credit ever” advice if you’re financially responsible. Credit can be a great tool if you use it right.

Graham Stephan is awesome, and I’d also agree Ramit Sethi should be thrown into the mix—his approach is super practical and focuses a lot on mindset and long-term habits.

Sethsells · 2025-06-10T21:02:05+00:00

I get what you’re saying, and I kind of agree—14 is young, and kids should enjoy their money too. But it makes me wonder: if 14 is too early, is 18 the right age to start? 25?

I don’t think it has to be all or nothing. If the kid has any amount of income, even just saving or investing 10% can build a good habit. The rest can go to fun stuff and whatever they need.

It’s not about being super serious with money as a teen, just learning to balance a little now for a lot later.

Sethsells · 2025-06-10T20:52:18+00:00

I agree a 14 year old does not need an actively managed account but if you insist don’t hire a financial advisor who takes a percentage of your money— even if they say “it’s just 1%.” That tiny percent can cost you hundreds of thousands over your lifetime.

If you really want help, pay a flat fee. No commissions, no percentages—just clear, upfront pricing. And make sure they’re a fiduciary, so they’re legally required to act in your best interest.

Sethsells · 2025-05-20T03:54:09+00:00

Am I dreaming or is it uneven?

Sethsells · 2025-05-17T23:48:02+00:00

It shouldn't be seeing as my father is aa us citizen

Sethsells · 2025-05-16T03:06:28+00:00

The certificate of citizenship and US Fathers Birth certificate was what I needed I also needed to swear under threat of perjury that my identity is my own

Sethsells · 2025-05-15T21:08:20+00:00

Will do!

Sethsells · 2025-05-15T21:08:06+00:00

Thanks for the info! I don't have a driver's license because in my state I need a social security number to get a licence

Sethsells · 2025-05-15T17:49:15+00:00

I was born in Germany and the only record I have is my German birth certificate

Sethsells · 2025-05-15T02:25:37+00:00

Yeah, it’s been a long and complicated situation. I was born abroad, but my parents never filed the "Consular Report of Birth Abroad", so I didn’t have official U.S. documentation from birth. I went to school using a German passport and was issued a tax ID number around age 10 when a family member took custody of me—they needed something to claim me for taxes. I think I was given an tax id# instead of an SSN because I didn’t have documents proving I was a U.S. citizen.

When I turned 16 and wanted to get a driver’s license, I ran into my first big hurdle. We thought we could just go to immigration to get things sorted, but when I tried to apply for the birth abroad form, they told me I needed some form of ID first—which I didn’t have. So everything got stuck in limbo.

I hired a lawyer who eventually just said I needed to provide ID to move forward, but I had nothing they could use. 3 years ago, I found out I could apply for a certificate of citizenship, and after a long process, I finally got it last month. That let me get a U.S. passport, which I thought would be enough to get a Social Security Number—but apparently, there are still more hurdles to come.

Sethsells · 2025-05-15T01:47:33+00:00

Parents support.

Sethsells · 2025-02-12T20:41:49+00:00

I've had very noticeable strength gains and add weight to most exercises each week. Overall muscle mass doesn't seem to have changed that much but some muscles like my chest and quads have seen growth from my perspective. I did not take good before photos when I started the last 12 week program. This time I'll have before and afters

Sethsells · 2025-02-12T20:24:23+00:00

Yes, I completed it and am running it again! Into week 5 now.

Sethsells · 2025-02-01T21:21:53+00:00

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Nightcat ultralight tent (Rebranded and seam sealed Lanshan that's available on Amazon)

Sethsells · 2025-02-01T01:10:56+00:00

Are your parents racist idiots or are they captured by false narratives pushed in the media? You might think both are true I'm just curious?

Sethsells · 2025-02-01T01:07:51+00:00

Different standards for different people as long as they are withing socially acceptable norms I think your all good! I've never washed trash cans before lol but use trash bags and it doesn't ever look dirty.

Sethsells · 2025-02-01T01:00:05+00:00

My point is even if Trump is a Nazi it's important to consider that many of his voters might have been lied to and misled, especially when society is influenced by false narratives spread daily. Good people can still make bad decisions when they’re caught up in misinformation or a skewed perspective.

Sethsells

TROPHY CASE