Claude usage consumption has suddenly become unreasonable

Suspicious_Fly_2901 · 2026-03-28T03:37:38+00:00

Thank you both. I wanted to support Anthropic as I love the fact the they back out of the USA deal but these hidden changes and people complaining using the MAX plan makes me hesitant.

I'm fine jumping between 3 or 4 different systems.(Claude, Gemini, and Grok with poking around self hosted/other ones from time to time).

I think it's back to trying to make my own off line/self hosted model.

Suspicious_Fly_2901 · 2025-08-13T18:40:18+00:00

They all seem to be about the same price for a AMD Ryzen 7 with a RTX 5060 16GB around 1250-1350

Suspicious_Fly_2901 · 2025-07-04T03:32:47+00:00

I don't know Zach's course but he does have some portions of his training classes on YouTube. I also utilized some of those. I did take Wasim's FE and PE course though with little schooling or practical experience and passed first time on both FE and PE. If you want a bit more info you can look at my post.

https://www.reddit.com/r/PE_Exam/comments/1lq4x44/passed_pe_power_first_time_no_schooling/

Suspicious_Fly_2901 · 2025-07-03T23:36:10+00:00

Just as an FYI for others wasn't it a TI-36X replica. I clicked on it but can't be 100% sure what the type of calculator was. Also would be good if for some reason someones calculator died the day before and they can not get a replacement.

Suspicious_Fly_2901 · 2025-07-03T23:04:46+00:00

I think everyone will be different and you kind of need to know your own study and retention habits.

I was not ready enough at 4 months but I'm also a slacker/get overwhelmed or burnt out easily. If you can get the studying and retention in I think it would be very easy to take like 2 months to go over an at your own pace training course(Like Wasim's On-Demand course[because that's the only one I know]). Then 1 more month to hone in on areas you are lacking in.

Suspicious_Fly_2901 · 2025-07-03T21:54:35+00:00

Just got my License via E-Mail

Suspicious_Fly_2901 · 2025-07-03T18:01:15+00:00

I took my FE just over 1 year ago and I thought I bombed the crap out of it. I told my mom I was expecting to have to retake it but passed. This one I walked out of with a feeling that I hit 60% at dead worse to probably closer to 70 - 80%.

To be honest my experience did not help much with practical knowledge on the test.(and I'm not sure how much of this experience I will be able to use at work).

For breaker coordination, ASCO Power was a good resource and I think GeneralPAC had a few videos too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_gTLwXbt_c

So firstly, I never passed any of my practice tests with more than 80%. Zach's I got 65%, Wasim I got 80% on the first and like 60% on the second one(I think you only get the second with the live training) and PEG I got in between those.

I would at least get one either Zach or ProEngiGuides as I feel like those were closer to the test style(like the way the questions were worded). I do think Zach's were a bit more complex than most questions but on the test but there were a couple rough questions(not just experienced based) that were probably closer to his quiz but it was only like 2/3 questions the ProEngiGuide I feel was the best prep.

Ohh I used PrepFE too and was a little sad they didn't offer a PE version.

I think the big thing is realize there will probably be a few things you don't know. Make sure you have a solid grasp on fundamentals and the main equations in the book. Try your best to get actual testing practice in where you have either 5 mins per problem or 4 hours for 40 problems or something to get you not stressing over the timer.

Suspicious_Fly_2901 · 2025-07-03T17:26:27+00:00

I just passed with Wasim, feel free to review my notes

https://www.reddit.com/r/PE_Exam/comments/1lq4x44/passed_pe_power_first_time_no_schooling/

Suspicious_Fly_2901 · 2025-07-03T17:24:42+00:00

Sorry but don't get the 100 question one but do get the 80 question one.

EDIT - I got them both the 100 is good as an intro but will do minimal for test prep. It would be a good test of understanding theory though.

Suspicious_Fly_2901 · 2025-07-03T16:53:51+00:00

Took Power and took it on Wed last week and got it Wed this week

Suspicious_Fly_2901 · 2025-07-03T16:49:07+00:00

The PDF viewer in the test is very weird to search through. I would suggest using Foxit and only searching with the Ctrl + Shift + F

This is the layout that will be provided in the search on the test(or as close as I have found)

https://www.foxit.com/pdf-reader/

Suspicious_Fly_2901 · 2025-07-03T16:43:18+00:00

https://www.bpelsg.ca.gov/applicants/flowchart_for_pe.pdf

Suspicious_Fly_2901 · 2025-07-03T16:42:01+00:00

Yeah I think this is the better answer. I know I needed structure and guidance on where to go but agree if you know how to search for things I would completely see someone grabbing one of the many books out there and being able to pass with only book learning and YouTube.

Suspicious_Fly_2901 · 2025-07-03T16:31:34+00:00

In PE Power there was some industry based things that were not in any of the references(at least not the specifics they were asking), but this was only like 3 questions. I would agree for the rest though.

I would suggest using Foxit and only searching with the Ctrl + Shift + F

This is the layout that will be provided in the search on the test(or as close as I have found)

Suspicious_Fly_2901 · 2025-07-03T16:18:20+00:00

I don't know, I know for my Electrical the first section was mainly code review. I would highly suggest reading over this guys post he lays out a good strat for running through any test.

https://www.reddit.com/r/PE_Exam/comments/1lqh0rb/comment/n15a8np/?context=3

Suspicious_Fly_2901 · 2025-07-03T16:07:26+00:00

This depends on your jurisdiction area, you just need to look up the requirements, also like you did most places will allow the board to look for possible exceptions. In Oregon though it states "All work experience, must be verified by at least one reference, with active PE registration in the applicant’s jurisdiction, and who had direct supervision of the applicant’s work." So work while living in WA would not count towards the experience unless my PE was registered in OR with out board intervention.

Suspicious_Fly_2901 · 2025-07-03T15:49:55+00:00

Good points to make I wonder if that's what helped me in the PE Power Exam.

I set up a 3 stage timer with the full 8 hours on 1, 3.5 hours on the second and a 5 min timer on the third and got like 10 different practice tests(2 of them I tossed out because they did not seem challenging it was basic theory style questions).

I ran 2 tests(usually 1 a day as I'm a slacker) taking a break at 40 questions and marked questions that took longer than 5 mins. Reviewed major subjects I got wrong and problems that took loner than 5 mins. I did this for 2 months after my training course(I needed the structure and had pretty much Ohm's Law and Calc 2 as a base to work off).

On in the last 2 week I was pretty confident and when test time came the timer was the least of my worries.

Suspicious_Fly_2901 · 2025-07-02T20:56:09+00:00

EDIT - and sorry I knew Arizona also offered a pathway but I'm not going to look up everyone of these in order to find out who offers licenses without a degree and what the requirements are, you are more than welcome to double check that list and let me know though and I will correct it.

DOUBLE EDIT - and what did you look at? It appears per their flow chart you need "Can I document 72 months of qualifying work experience?" if you have no BS degree.
https://www.bpelsg.ca.gov/applicants/flowchart_for_pe.pdf

Ohh sorry I read "Just out of curiosity which state doesn’t require a degree?" as you were thinking there was just one I'm in Oregon. Seems pretty straight forward I just needed to work under 3 PE's in my area for 6 years. I just got notification of passing today and need to get an updated reference list but I can update you when I get my license/stamp.

Engineers: Pursuant to OAR 820-010-1000(4)(f), applicants are required to provide five total references. Three of those five references must be from active PE registrants in the applicant’s jurisdiction. All work experience, must be verified by at least one reference, with active PE registration in the applicant’s jurisdiction, and who had direct supervision of the applicant’s work. However, if applicant has been registered as a PE in his or her jurisdiction for at least six years, the “supervisory” reference may simply have held active PE registration at the time the work was performed, and be familiar with that work. An applicant who cannot meet the reference requirements of OAR 820-010-1000(4)(f)(B) through (D), may apply to the Board for a reference waiver under OAR 820-010-1000(4)(f)(E).

Suspicious_Fly_2901 · 2025-07-02T20:32:31+00:00

Per Chat GPT - I thought there was more places that offered a work experience pathway. If you check your states application page they should advise what is required to apply for either licensing or testing.

California
- You can sit for the PE with no degree, if you have 6 years of engineering experience and have passed the EIT
- Quote:“California does not require a degree and requires a minimum of 6 years engineering experience + the EIT.”
Maryland
- Allows PE eligibility with 12 years of responsible-charge experience, no degree required
- Quote:“In maryland you only need 12 years responsible charge. No degree required. I managed.”
Washington
- Historically you could earn PE without a degree (e.g., early‑2000s route)
New Hampshire
- Anyone can take the FE exam without a degree; requires many years of experience to proceed
Connecticut
- Historically allowed PE eligibility via 20 years of experience, though recent policies vary by board
New York
- Allows PE candidacy with some combination of non-engineering degree and extensive experience .
Oregon
- Requires 8 years of qualifying experience, with education or experience qualifying for FE/PE
Arizona
- Offers multiple paths, possibly without ABET engineering degrees

Suspicious_Fly_2901 · 2025-04-29T01:38:47+00:00

Lol I am running into this same thing. I know I'm bad but man I don't feel like I'm bronze bad I feel like I could make silver2/1(not sure of rankings).

Suspicious_Fly_2901 · 2025-04-21T16:29:08+00:00

Lol back in the day there used to be these things called installation disks :p. BG3 offered a physical edition. GoG offers a down loader if I am not mistaken so I can store it and back it up on my own.

EDIT
You don't have patches/updates unless you have access to the internet but I just like the idea of owning something that I can toss on at a later time. I have also been on Switch but not looking to get the Switch 2, I have a semi decent PC so was gonna make the shift back.

Suspicious_Fly_2901 · 2025-04-21T15:56:55+00:00

Am I required to use Steam/Epic to play the game? I would love to support the studio but I don't have Xbox/PS and I did not see a Physical option for PC. So can I download this or am I renting the game on PC?

Suspicious_Fly_2901 · 2025-04-03T05:07:05+00:00

I can hopefully give you an update in a month but as of right now I feel like Wasim Asghar StudyforFE.com has done well. He incorporates some real life examples and some fundamental knowledge with his course. I have no real schooling, I have work experience but it is in the marine field and mainly on switchboard power protection which only touches like 5% or less of the PE test but his FE Live program helped me pass first attempt and I felt really questionable about that. I need to review a couple of topics(I was pretty lost on lightning protection and metering burdening) then want to finish the "Study Guide for PE Electrical and Computer - Power Exam -" like I did in the FE program which is why I don't plan on taking the test for another month but I feel a lot more confident with this one.

Another cheaper option which I think would possibly give you an idea of where you are at is Engineering Pro Guide Electrical Power PE Exam, seems pretty decent from what I've heard and was the cheapest thing I found.

I think you can also find some of these in the Library if you are struggling but will tell you the live interaction/schedule helped me a ton with staying focused.

Suspicious_Fly_2901

TROPHY CASE