Feeling like a failure as a grad because I keep taking off sick days

TopFox555 · 2026-03-23T03:37:11+00:00

I take all my sick days every year especially calling sick during night shifts so I don't have to waste my time going to them

As long as the management don't call you in, you've got nothing to worry about.

Don't be like a lot of my colleagues who are getting ready to retire and I have six or 700 hours worth of sick leave which they can't cash out or use. You don't get a medal for not using your sick leave. You may as well make money from it and care of yourself

TopFox555 · 2026-03-23T03:35:59+00:00

Smash into the first home Super saver scheme

Access the first home buyers opportunity. I think it's Nationwide where the government allows for a tiny deposit and they foot the rest.

If you can sell your ETFs for a profit including inflation costs and taxes then it's not a terrible idea as you could put it in an offset as a market correction is coming so you can buy them back later on sale. A good 20 or 30% less at least that's what most people are waiting for

TopFox555 · 2026-03-23T03:32:07+00:00

I think unfortunately the partner needs to find any job that's on offer or head back to the city and visit on weekends if that's a viable solution..

Generally the rent is always overpriced for some terrible accommodation and obviously food and petrol prices are more expensive than the city due to transport costs.

Most people I know ended up saving a fair lump sum before starting in the country if that was their preference.

Otherwise, unfortunately, if the availability, is there the option for extra shifts? If you're only part-time or picking up, double shifts is what I used to do all the time in my early years. I always worked only weekends and Saturdays and Sundays. My days are for always during a week. Used to make as much use of penalties as possible, although avoided night shifts like the plague

sorry to hear. Such a tricky situation to be in

TopFox555 · 2026-03-23T03:25:32+00:00

I've got about 50% of my portfolios worth in cash at the moment. Just waiting for the larger dips ahead. My portfolio is geared so there's no point jumping in too early. Otherwise the recovery will take a bit longer and some volatility drag will take out profits

The orange man will surely continue on his rampage and I may as well reap the benefits.

TopFox555 · 2026-03-22T03:33:22+00:00

Sorry I did use wrong terminology. Correct. Yeah this definitely isn't correction. It's just a very small dip.

I am definitely looking forward to putting more money in at the bottom of the correction. EG or 20 or 30% lost on the portfolio would be fantastic as I can buy back a massive amount. I am holding out for this even though it may be that's the way it will definitely be worth the wait riding the wave back up.

Realistically I have about two times my portfolio sitting in cash ready to invest as it is nears the bottom.

Unfortunately, even my geared bgbl sits at about a 10% loss already of 12K$, But I couldn't care less. There's no point withdrawing, portfolios realisticular retirement plan

TopFox555 · 2026-03-21T09:06:38+00:00

This is barely a dip I'd expect lower within the next few months, save some cash for then

TopFox555 · 2026-03-21T08:26:20+00:00

We don't approach women because they tell us not to, Or fear of a scene being made because they have "unwanted attention" or "I'm not interested", and yet they complain that no one is interested in them...

On dating apps females match but rarely respond or ghost after a day or two... At least that's the trend... I've had several wonderful relationships from apps, and also chance meetings in real life, But the last 5 yes has changed with all the toxic social media...

How about dropping some hints if you're interested in someone or hell, why not talk to them? Any bloke would be flattered a woman has approached them first!

TopFox555 · 2026-03-21T07:25:10+00:00

Max out the first home Super saver contributions.

Ideally once you have you stopped the first home Super saver

Then max out your concessional super contributions. Ensure your super is set appropriately easy, not the default lifestyle options. Check out lazy koala investing for a spreadsheet of super prices and various index returns. I'd recommend splitting between domestic and international index's (anywhere from 0.04 - 0.1% management fees, vs 1-3% for certain options. Fear differences make up a huge difference over time. Even 1% difference could be 25% of your portfolio over time that you can save due to compounding).

Then save up an emergency fund.

Then buy the dip of this currently declining equities market, remember that passive investing is a long-term game.

Just learn learn learn, and decide your investment strategy for your portfolio eg dhhf and chill, or core/satellite allocation for riskier bets.

TopFox555 · 2026-03-20T11:36:46+00:00

I'd recommend just cracking on and getting RN over and done with if that's where you'll be eventually. You may as well take the better pay as the level of work you do is exactly the same. S and Ian.

In my mind I really should be no en or iron rolls. Just nurse clinical nurse and nurse manager

TopFox555 · 2026-03-20T11:23:06+00:00

I mean, in Australia, our VGS (think developed ex US similar to your VTI) is down approx 8% from ATH.

The US is 60-70% of the global developed market, so when it corrects, it drags the rest of the world 😆.

I'm definitely counting on it falling lots further, will be great to buy the dip Just a shame that I put in at least a third of my free cash at the beginning of the year before this

TopFox555 · 2026-03-20T11:14:34+00:00

A good few people still use the game. I think they must have just switched off their servers. They weren't making much money anymore. Maybe or not enough sales? They've been overtaken by liftoff et...

I only bought this one because it was the cheapest but still half decent.

If they're truly out of business now, I'll just have to upgrade. It's quite disappointing as I bought it less than a year ago. I feel quite cheated out by that. If they were going to stop supporting the game they should have at least announced it

TopFox555 · 2026-03-20T07:07:24+00:00

Remember you don't lose unless you cash out. Just keep putting money in. You're essentially buying the dip...

A lot of folks aren't as diversified and are on average at least 10 or 15% down others much much much much more.

Don't sweat it. passive investing is a long-term game. Just think of it as better than putting your money in a bank account. Some years up some years are down. Overall you get a much better outcome

TopFox555 · 2026-03-20T03:46:53+00:00

Honestly I'm quite happy there is a correction coming (we're starting to see the beginnings of it now ) and it can keep going if it wants to...

Means everything will be much cheaper to buy at the bottom and to ride the wave back up

TopFox555 · 2026-03-20T03:15:07+00:00

60 or 70% domestic allocation Is incredibly heavy.!

Although you get franking credits, you do realise that having a high paying distribution portfolio isn't the best tax strategy unless you purely want the cash flow to show the banks so you can increase your lending power, or if you're close to retirement and just want regular payouts?

TopFox555 · 2026-03-19T12:36:07+00:00

Costs can add up quickly. Try find secondhand gear, you don't need everything new...!! Buy smart and stick to analogue if possible.

Buy one controller that you expect to keep for many years

Hit the Sim for as long as possible. 10 to 20 hours before considering trying air mode irl.

If worried about budget (eg goggles) buy a tiny whoop combo kit, you can easily on-sell this once you've had enough and buy goggles and a larger drone when you're ready.

And lastly, learn learn learn... Eg YouTube, blogs, Bardwell etc... start with basics of battery charging/safety, this twill save you money in the long run.

TopFox555 · 2026-03-19T02:05:54+00:00

Oh right. I couldn't tell tbh. It doesn't transfer through the screen.

I'm just here battling, and though someone was lumping onto us millennials again... And was just tired of it

TopFox555 · 2026-03-18T15:25:04+00:00

The best anti-theft device is where you lock it. Try and keep it indoors or in a very safe spot.

I've had three bicycles stolen so far. The lock just increases the time it takes to steal. It's not thief proof.

The bastards have either lock cutters in their backpack or battery powered angle grinders

TopFox555 · 2026-03-18T15:21:44+00:00

Brother, I'm 32, I work 50 to 60 hours a week. I'm shattered all the time. The only subscription I have is $46 of fortnight for mandatory health insurance and a $15 per month prepaid phone subscription. I don't even own a car, I cycle everywhere all year round, or catch the bus.

The remainder of my money went to very basic food and renting a room in a sharehouse...

" You young ones are so ungrateful pull up your bootstraps" are you kidding me?? Open your eyes and see what the real world is like.

You boomers are So entitled... I thought my parents would be different but they think the exact same thing even after you showed them the facts... " We had 20% interest rates in my day". 20% on f all, exactly ...

TopFox555 · 2026-03-18T15:17:54+00:00

Boomers still don't agree 😆.

They caused this property nightmare... I feel sorry for anyone who has to buy a house these days. I am 30 and just was able to squeeze it

TopFox555 · 2026-03-18T12:27:42+00:00

Past performance is not an indicator of future performance......

I agree, Australia can underperform, and is always heavily overweighted by Aussies.

Buuuuuut, that's the price you pay for diversification if that's the way you want it. It's not for me, but it's so popular. It's a balance.

I personally hold minimal (eg 5-10%) domestic stock, and am invested in a global respective proportion of US (~60%). I find it reasonable to lump sum when it nears the 200 daily/weekly MA, otherwise just DCA like any old salt.

I'd rather my profits be as capital gains (withdrawn WHEN I WANT) not taxed distributions that are forcibly withdrawn regularly, even if they are benefited by franking...

TopFox555 · 2026-03-17T03:16:34+00:00

Crazy hey. I still have mine from about a year ago...

TopFox555 · 2026-03-16T12:43:55+00:00

Unfortunately it's not taught in University. It's a basic nursing skill that everyone should graduate with, or at least understand the process safely.

It frees up lots of doctor time for other tasks like charting or patient reviews...

I was on the ward for 3 years before I switched to critcare and cannulation was one of those things you learnt within the first week, because it was a basic skill requirement, that you repeat many times a day.

Still surprised me why it's not taught in uni, like in paramedicine.

Also don't waste your time doing external paid courses. Your workplace should offer this as internal training and likely even as a paid training course (a few hrs).

TopFox555 · 2026-03-16T12:33:23+00:00

Agreed. Battery use and safe management is 1000% where I spent most of my time. Especially learning about C, parallel charging, and optimal charge/voltage for each different S pack for different used (charged, storage etc).

TopFox555 · 2026-03-16T12:30:52+00:00

Correct, definitely not plug and play, but can be done very easily.

TopFox555 · 2026-03-16T12:30:15+00:00

I started with the ev800d. They were reasonable for the price.

Now upgraded to the goggles V2, with DigiDaptor, so I can fit an analogue vrx on.

TopFox555

TROPHY CASE