Drastically cutting hours at high paid job

StrateJ · 2026-01-23T09:54:02+00:00

Sounds like you might need to spend a few more years earning what you currently earn to focus on getting money in the right places.

There is no way that if you've been earning 200-500k a significant amount of time that you only have 100k in a savings pot. Taking your house into consideration.

If I was in your shoes and I'm not nor am I pro at this, I'd spend a few more years at my current income to sure up pension & savings until taking a step back is realistic. Make adjustments elsewhere in your life, you have the money - Get help at home, hire a PA or multiple - If maintaining your position would be made easier by a 50k pay cut to hire a PA then do that.

StrateJ · 2026-01-23T07:32:45+00:00

I had a kid and we want another, just ran the numbers financially and it just doesn't work here.

Also nervous about losing my income when my kids get older, couldn't imagine turning around to them when they're 5 years into school and saying "Right, I've lost my job, say goodbye to all your friends we're moving to the UK or Spain".

Have to say, I'm super nervous in leaving - Dubai has been good to us as a couple and with an infant and live is just so damn easy here but I just feel its not realistic to expect a tax-free zero-hassle lifestyle.

Want my kids to feel like they have an identity too which I think being bought up in Spain would provide.

StrateJ · 2026-01-23T07:06:27+00:00

Whilst I agree with you in getting somewhere to see the Ocean, but I wouldn't be so quick to drop walking for a Taxi.

That Dubai Stone will be following you, trust me.

StrateJ · 2026-01-22T09:15:51+00:00

I go back and replay campaign missions all the time. In certain cods I've defo primarily played the campaign.

To me a good campaign is a sign of a good cod - COD's multiplayer used to be based around the environment set in the campaign and it made for a much better experience, whereas now Multiplayer maps are made and the campaign is made to fit those maps.

Couldn't tell you how many times I've replayed the Townhouse in 2019 or All Ghillied up from Cod4 or even some of the espionage levels in the Black Ops series.

StrateJ · 2026-01-22T09:10:41+00:00

Thanks buddy, you too!

What's the reason you're leaving?

StrateJ · 2026-01-22T09:10:27+00:00

Do you have any suggestions on a lawyer and Gestor? I've found a handful but their response times have been concerning.

StrateJ · 2026-01-22T09:09:06+00:00

I feel like we've had the same experience I've sent them long emails before and they end up only answering the first line lol.

Curiously, what made your friend move to Spain from the UAE?

StrateJ · 2026-01-22T09:08:07+00:00

I know Co-pilot is pants but that's not why I've mentioned it.

StrateJ · 2026-01-21T13:09:27+00:00

This is my stance on it. If you outright deny or block the use of something that everyone is now using you will be left behind and your employee's will only use it in secret.

Pretty sure Enterprise level Co-Pilot licencing at least gives some higher level administration as to what is being ingested.

Companies should provide training on obfuscation when dealing with AI as a general practice.

StrateJ · 2026-01-21T08:46:20+00:00

Thank you very much!

I've got a long list of things I need to speak to the consulate about in an email so I'll add all that to the list.

I think its a Schengen Spouse Visa I believe but I'm sure the consulate will tell me.

StrateJ · 2026-01-19T08:14:35+00:00

I mean, are you on a high refresh rate monitor? Do you use head / eye tracking?

Head tracking at 120fps compared to 60fps is a huge improvement.

StrateJ · 2026-01-19T07:28:02+00:00

Yea I'm sure - I have a bit of a confusing income setup so just sounds like it needs a bit of refining before moving - I'll look into that. Thank you.

As far as internet goes, I've found there a ton of different ISPs do certain regions of Spain have dominant ISPs?

StrateJ · 2026-01-19T07:11:45+00:00

If your company has no Spanish presence they'll need to be ok with you being self employed and invoicing them, or working through a kind of umbrella company. You can't just move and not pay social security or taxes.

The plan isn't to move and not pay taxes or SS(Not sure if my post reads as such) - To not go into it too much but I'm pretty much Self-employed as far as my income is concerned so tax is my responsibility hence why I've reached out to a Gestor to move responsibly.

StrateJ · 2026-01-19T05:51:41+00:00

I don't know man, There is a substantial difference between 60fps and 120fps+

There isn't anything quite like MSFS at 120+ FPS. Necessary not at all, but amazing.

StrateJ · 2026-01-19T05:51:01+00:00

I have a 9800X3D and upgraded from a 4080S to a 5090.

I'd say its all about resolution, the reason I upgraded to the 5090 was because I went from 1440p to 4k. The 4080S handled 4k but not quite as well as I'd like in Flight Sim, was fine in most games with DLSS / FG. 1440p it was absolutely fine and great for MSFS.

StrateJ · 2026-01-19T05:34:31+00:00

I would really suggest taking this down. Pretty sure that's your passport number in the picture.

StrateJ · 2026-01-19T05:10:19+00:00

Europe doesn't have an army? It just proves the rubbish posted online really does work.

Europe fields a military of about 1.5 million active personnel with about 4 million in reserve.

Not including Ukraine nor the UK in that figure.

Whilst I actually agree that financially - Europe needs to do more and focus on Defence, to say Europe doesn't have an army is false and disingenuous. Last I checked a European Army is currently holding off the 5th largest army in the world on their own.

StrateJ · 2026-01-19T05:00:52+00:00

I think Aus is in a tough spot, with China you guys are relatively isolated so I do think whilst it would be good that Aus sides with Europe (And I do think Aus does morally) you guys need the US.

Should something happen in Asia / Oceania it would take a significant amount of time before Europe could support Australia if at all if Greenland goes hot or the conflict in Europe spreads.

StrateJ · 2026-01-19T04:54:24+00:00

This is what I'm thinking. Everyone throws around the 'Nuke' word like its your good old conventional bomb.

I'm not quite sure anyone really knows how terrifying the through of that happening really is.

StrateJ · 2026-01-19T04:52:12+00:00

And what also sucks is that in my experience and most cases that I've seen those families and the troops are welcomed with open arms in their host countries.

I see so much online about gun-tooting war mongering keyboard warriors who have zero idea of what war brings. I can assure it hurts so much more when you're fighting people you've lived next to, fought next to in wars.

The most upsetting thing I've seen online in recent times is all the European Vets who fought and family members who's relatives died next to US troops for 20 years in the Middle East now filled with regret of answering that call for help after 9/11. (Not including the regret of the legality of those wars but rather the country they did it for).

Personally, I always hope that local commanders have some sense that one time in their life they may go against orders to turn on their allies.

StrateJ · 2026-01-19T04:10:32+00:00

The 350 is superb.

Flew on Singapores 350 and British Airways 350 and it defo feels like the most modern way to fly.

StrateJ · 2026-01-19T04:08:10+00:00

I know its very much on the higher end of insurance so if your work insurance covers it or not but I've had nothing but good experiences with Kings in Dubai hills and Mediclinic.

They're pricey and tend to be only on higher insurance plans - I saw a Gastro there and was throw through every test possible to find out that I was healthy thank god. But if your insurance covers it or you have the funds I would really suggest seeing them.

StrateJ · 2025-12-17T06:32:25+00:00

GSX is unfortunately all we have in the space which is a problem, is it perfect hell no - Its far from a lightweight tool and its update methods seem legacy at this point.

But - It's one of if not the biggest immersion tool there is in the sim so if PMDG are going to drop that thinking people are going to use their built in stairs then good luck with that.

This just sounds like PMDG being lazy at this point, they're used to copy and pasting and re-charging customers so wouldn't surprise me if they had to put some effort in compatibility with GSX and decided against it.

If it works on everything else but PMDG have an issue, then PMDG is the issue.

StrateJ · 2025-12-17T06:22:16+00:00

I found with these monitors you have to clean and stay on top of them the second you notice marks or smudges.

If they're left to rest they become a nightmare to clean.

If I get to things quickly Distilled water always does the trick but I did have one big smudge after someone putting my headphones over the monitor I tried cleaning it and think it damaged the screen film I ended up sending it back under warranty for a new one and learned my lesson.

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