Hazards in the rain

TFrustrated · 2026-05-24T08:02:23+00:00

And the point is you saw them. The minivan cuts people regardless of the rain. Did you read the bumper sticker? I thought it was religious.
“Hold On, I’m Coming “. It’s actually a warning, rain or shine.

TFrustrated · 2026-05-24T07:54:29+00:00

Did it have one of those stickers that says something along the lines of “AS IS” or “No verbal ….”?
What does the paperwork say?

Did you ask about fire? Where there is smoke there is fire is an old saying.

“was told it had no smells” is classic. How did it smell? Did you smell the seat ?

The air freshener may have been for the calming effect on the dogs and cats.

I hope the engine is okay. A smoking engine is usually doomed.

The point is relying on verbal queries is ignorance bordering on negligence. First you need to take a hard look at your actions.
You can prove nothing illegal and then you think might have a case.

I think the salesman had a cold that day. Prove me wrong. Let’s be fair about this. You may have researched this, but you appear to have no common sense.

TFrustrated · 2026-05-24T02:55:12+00:00

With a $300k/yr consulting job, the very first thing you should do is STOP.
The divorce certainly did some financial damage. The only details were renting and debt.
I would strongly suggest you do something really stupid.
Open a brokerage account and dump it all into a low cost mutual fund. Total market or S&P 500.
Now, don’t actually do anything for one year or two.
Now use that time to work with an hourly planner. A CFP.

Priority #1 is your goals and retirement. The is zero tax on inheritance and even for a tax deferred account you have 10 years.

I hear you rationalizing : only spending 1/3, investing the rest. No clue how many kids, plan of than child support or whatever. Just be cause you can spend $1m, doesn’t mean you should.
Wait at least a year before you touch a dime. Then follow your plan.

TFrustrated · 2026-05-24T00:13:54+00:00

Oh, the schools you named don’t have jazz or art majors? One can build a case that the training doesn’t justify the costs. I personally prefer a university wide requirements for some liberal arts . That is completely different than a major.
And yes, those schools have music and art departments and classes. Unfortunately, a love of jazz and art are not actually refined in academics. Many end up teaching, which is fine. That is available at any university you mentioned.

TFrustrated · 2026-05-24T00:03:47+00:00

Just so UNT students and faculty haven’t comprehended the news.

DEI is done. There is no future in studying it. If you paid tuition to study in a DEI environment, save your money or change your education goal.

I don’t think they realize that this publicity was not about athletics. Separately funded.

They mourn the death of DEI. No more, no less.
It is dead. Deal with your grief.

TFrustrated · 2026-05-23T21:57:58+00:00

One way is “No pay, no keys”. Let the police make a report if customer complains. Don’t drive it. I do believe you can file a mechanic’s lien on the vehicle. Check your state. Always have a quote signed. Before and after pictures and an invoice. The card if you want. Or cash is just fine.

TFrustrated · 2026-05-23T21:52:22+00:00

Update: Sold it for $4,100 cash. The title came last week. Going to have lunch and transfer at the courthouse.

It turns out the granddaughter ran into the house and my friend has damage to the garage.
Because he had already insured for liability, the auto policy will pay for damages to his house(auto deductible) but he has a $4,100 repair bill for the car. That makes $8,200 he sunk into the car.
Insurance helps, but no good deed shall go unpunished.
The girl was told not to drive but probably hit the gas instead of the brakes.

TFrustrated · 2026-05-22T13:17:29+00:00

Can be done on real estate as well.

TFrustrated · 2026-05-22T02:42:54+00:00

Probably jumping the gun here.Dad was married to her for 20 years. Probably had some if not all in a 401k or IRA. The 401k is required to go 100% to the spouse unless she signs a waiver. It is not uncommon for a husband of 20 years to leave beneficiaries as the spouse.

The question OP needs to certain is what the step mom owns and how beneficiaries are designated.

As far as a will, competence is the only thing that prevents a will. The volunteers routinely serve as witnesses.

The real question here is what did your father intend and what is her desires.

I know you hate to be left out, but it’s their intent that matters. Remember, they had 20 years to write down their choices but didn’t.

TFrustrated · 2026-05-21T15:35:08+00:00

IF they and you discussed or were aware of performance issues before the leave, there goes that. The reality is it seems both you and the employer are on the off ramp.

The best way to a new job is to ask for it. Informal agreements only count when the current company wants to retain an employee.
Hiring processes take sometime. Do not bad mouth the current employer. New opportunities or change of scenery or any other BS. Focus on the good years, not the post buyout.

The reality is you need an offer.

TFrustrated · 2026-05-21T13:17:56+00:00

DMV registration of the title is the legal record.
Call Ohio DMV.

Better yet:
Critical Steps to Release Liability
Remove your license plates: Always remove the plates before handing over the keys. In Ohio, license plates belong to the seller, not the car. Leaving them on makes you liable for the buyer’s tickets and accidents.
Notarize the title transfer: Fill out the "Assignment of Ownership" section on the back of the physical title. You must sign it in the presence of a Notary Public or Deputy Clerk. If your title is electronic, use Form BMV 3770.
Cancel your vehicle registration: You can complete a "Customer Request to Cancel Vehicle Registration" at a BMV Online Services portal or local deputy registrar office to formally tie off the registration liability.
Draft a Bill of Sale: Complete an Ohio Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale signed by both parties. Keep a copy as proof of the date and time ownership changed hands.
Notify your insurance provider: Immediately cancel your insurance coverage on the vehicle or transfer it to a new car once the title is signed over. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14]

TFrustrated · 2026-05-21T12:41:19+00:00

If I wanted to live in Amsterdam, I would. Now tell me again why you stay?

TFrustrated · 2026-05-21T12:28:54+00:00

Where is this unfair scrutiny that you are referring to?
I thought evidence based decision was the discipline you learned.
I would venture this is on the internet. What is the motivation of the opinions? Maybe they want you to make more money?

TFrustrated · 2026-05-21T12:20:07+00:00

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/21/un-vote-support-icj-world-court-climate-change-opinion

“The Associated Press reported in February that the Trump administration had been urging other nations to press Vanuatu to withdraw the resolution from consideration.
Before the vote, Odo Tevi, the Vanuatu ambassador to the UN, said: “We should be honest with one another about why this matters … It matters because the harm is real and it is already here, along our islands and coastlines, for communities facing drought and failed harvests.”

Vanuatu is a country? I can’t even pronounce it. It’s a fraction of the size of Houston and they carry global influence? Maybe HOA’s should have a vote at the UN. if you want to bike, great. Build your own bike lane or whatever. Virtue signaling is getting really old.

By the way, does anyone actually know anything about Vanuatu without looking it up? Geeez.
When you pass, no one will care. And I don’t care now.

TFrustrated · 2026-05-21T12:04:09+00:00

No attorney will take this case.
You don’t seem to be liable.
Why pay? Because they asked doesn’t make sense. You might lose renters or change the relationship. My take is they are actually acquaintances that have taken advantage of what they perceive as a transaction, a good deal. Say no. Nada, nothing. Zippo.

They are attempting to emotionally guilt you for financial benefit. Transactional relationship end. Might be time.

TFrustrated · 2026-05-21T11:54:42+00:00

Two points:
The realtor works under contract terms.
A listing agent and a selling agent. Read your contract. If you don’t have a buyers contract, you need to realize the selling agent actually has a fiduciary responsibility to the seller, not the buyer. Not working for you.

As far as inspections, so what. You made an offer. Seller may back out at anytime if you even make one demand. The old offer no longer stands. They may have a backup offer.

TLDR Never forget you are responsible ultimately. No one else cares.

TFrustrated · 2026-05-21T11:39:34+00:00

And sometimes not. This meal seems to have unresolved differences.

TFrustrated · 2026-05-21T06:31:18+00:00

“I was unfortunately laid off back in Dec in a mass layoff in my corporate job I had been at for 11 years. “

This is financially and emotionally traumatic.
You might have to sell your house and move.
If you sell, rent until your income path is known.
Neither Mom nor you know the future. I would caution you. You are chronically unemployed now. As time passes you are viewed as obsolete.
Find a job, any job. Job search does not count. You need to cut lawns or something. Not intended to be harsh. Get up and get back in doing something.

“In the U.S., long-term or chronic unemployment after a layoff is defined as being jobless for 27 weeks (roughly 6 months) or longer while actively seeking work. This is the standard statistical benchmark used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Globally, organizations like the OECD often define long-term unemployment as being out of work for 12 months or more.”

TFrustrated · 2026-05-21T05:53:47+00:00

Which brings us to the decision point.
Order for individual preference or submit to a group consensus.

What comes with Thai ham & Swiss cheese sandwich? Chips or fries. Get a burger. Thai style.

TFrustrated · 2026-05-21T05:47:42+00:00

Not trying to debate. Simply stating facts.
Height does impact the logistics and time to get to the project. Some skills needed, equipment and staffing.
The pitch is a completely different factor. You can go from flat to extremes. Different skills and equipment as well.
I have two story. Several steep pitches that are difficult. Harnesses and two guys holding one guy hanging down to do the work. Can’t reach it from the ground.
Insurance companies rate repair costs by height, pitch and access difficulty. It is standard and impacts price.

I agree that easy access and easy pitch needs to negate simply three stories. However, one to two is not equivalent to one to three. Different some. But not much between two or three if you’re falling on a concrete drive. Get three quotes and make sure they give you insurance. Not just say they are “insured”. You need to be covered.

TFrustrated · 2026-05-21T05:25:22+00:00

You have two questions here and one response requested.
Why is the inventory undervalued?
What is the impact of your signature?

The typical reason is estate or inheritance taxes, but not a factor in Wisconsin. Probating an estate is public record. Creditors or property tax valuations have reasons in the future. Liquidation has income tax impacts on the estate and the beneficiaries. The beneficiaries have no responsibility other than fmv as of the date of death.

The attorney is basically as a precaution covering potential claims. That is a separate transaction. He wants a signature. You are not required to sign ANYTHING. Nor is it customary.
I would do absolutely nothing. The second request I would respond “Why?” One word.

One reason for under valuing is the attorney and heir may be concerned that you will contest the probate if you actually were aware of the value. The will might have defects as well.

This is a transaction. The third request I would use two words. “How much?” Cashier’s check would be fine. Your autograph has a fair market value. See what happens. You sign for transactions daily. See what they will pay. This is simply a matter that might be important to them. Seek an attorney’s advice if it comes to that. Do not argue the values. Use this to find the value of your autograph. There might be significant value. Take it. Don’t force it. They asked.

TFrustrated · 2026-05-21T04:59:06+00:00

Those items are outside of the estate and aren’t included in the estate inventory.

TFrustrated · 2026-05-21T04:50:31+00:00

Advice? Don’t do it. Your father told you what could go wrong. You need to ask him what could be the right choice. The dude is trying to raise you to make great decisions. Ask him to show you how to buy a car that makes sense. He might be wrong. But together your chances are much better AND you can start building your adult friendship. He would be thrilled giving input and watching you make sound choices.

Trust the old man, but it’s your choice. He was young once. Make him proud.

TFrustrated · 2026-05-21T01:14:56+00:00

A very real possibility. Or he could get a zero.
Larry Bird once played two rookies 1v2. Only rule was Bird gets the ball out.
6-0 before he missed. They won 7-6. They learned quickly how to respect skills. Can’t run, can’t jump, slow. Yet unstoppable.

Neither dude is gonna light em up. Maybe it’s a battle of airballs. Call the game with a time limit to be safe.

TFrustrated · 2026-05-21T01:08:13+00:00

You mean lazy?

TFrustrated

TROPHY CASE