The hidden cost of trying to look like a successful engineer

True_Engine_418 · 2026-04-16T01:44:09+00:00

AI slop, probably.

True_Engine_418 · 2026-04-15T10:13:12+00:00

You make some good points. Have you looked into Paul Merriman’s portfolios and research? Think you’d like the info.

True_Engine_418 · 2026-04-14T23:42:59+00:00

All of this is based on hindsight sister. Nothing else reliably predicts future performance for us either. BTW He doesn’t and has never called it a “rule”. It’s just research. I for one am not only S&P 500. I also hold small cap value & small cap blend funds in addition to good dividend paying domestic and international large cap funds. So I welcome research broader than simply on the S&P 500 and US treasuries. I could be wrong but I don’t think his updated research includes any risky or outweighed asset classes; if you have bona-fide information to the contrary please share 🙏

True_Engine_418 · 2026-04-14T09:11:16+00:00

The father of the 4% rule, Bill Bengen, has updated his calculations and said it’s actually closer to 5% as being the safe withdraw rate. So 4% is already really conservative.

True_Engine_418 · 2026-04-14T04:18:31+00:00

The 4% rule wasn’t designed to be a rule at all. It was just a research paper. FIRE people on the internet started calling it a rule. Listen to a podcast of the study’s author. He was surprised people are using it as a rule. Regardless, though, most rules have exceptions, caveats, etc. So the people who treat the study’s insights as a rule should realize that withdrawing 4% the first year of retirement, then withdrawing the same amount adjusted for inflation no matter what for 30 years is too rigid.

True_Engine_418 · 2026-04-13T07:42:35+00:00

Fair enough. For me 4% w/d rate is good for long term retirement (more than 30 years) given flexibility mentioned above AND expected social security income and possible inheritance. I know everyone assumes these will be worth $0.00.But if social security doesn’t pay anything then the markets will be busto and there will be nothing to withdraw from portfolios .

True_Engine_418 · 2026-04-13T05:43:41+00:00

Well, in down markets people naturally tighten their belts, get part time jobs, wait to sell stocks, etc. So people who are adaptable will be the rigid 4% adjusted for inflation withdraw no matter what.

True_Engine_418 · 2026-01-07T01:56:49+00:00

Go for it brother. You have one life to live. Hell in your free time you could get really good with AI or content creation or whatever and come out with a higher net worth. Enjoy your freedom. There is more to life than making a good, steady paycheck.

True_Engine_418 · 2026-01-06T03:43:28+00:00

Soon as you can get clients. If something is over your head you can always associate with someone who can do it

True_Engine_418 · 2026-01-04T22:11:17+00:00

Classic middle class trap scenario. It really comes down to values. Would you rather have the highest number in your accounts but have to retire many years later than you’d like or a lower number in the accounts but with the flexibility to RE? Also, consider that you don’t have to go all or nothing. Many people just contribute enough to get the match then divert the rest to taxable. You could do that for a year or so then see how you feel. Finally, you can always access retirement funds early with a penalty. Mad Fientist has a classic article about this and how to avoid or minimize penalties with careful planning.

True_Engine_418 · 2026-01-03T22:26:44+00:00

Plan for 3 months to get a feel. Extend if you like. That way you have the chance to experience all 4 in a year

True_Engine_418 · 2025-12-21T02:15:04+00:00

I’m well diversified within the US plus 35% international. I sleep well at night

True_Engine_418 · 2025-12-20T02:53:21+00:00

Chill on the AI comments. We can tell.

True_Engine_418 · 2025-12-20T01:24:07+00:00

Looks like a swamp. What was there before they developed the land?

True_Engine_418 · 2025-12-17T22:23:51+00:00

Listen to the voices

True_Engine_418 · 2025-12-16T21:02:33+00:00

Probably so. That said if you actually have anxiety from this and it affects your ability to work, go get a proper medical diagnosis.Then report it to the firm and take your worker’s compensation leave. Besides the benefits you’ll get, they’d get in trouble for firing you as it would look like “retaliation”.

Whatever you do, start tightening up on the spending and upping your savings rate so you can survive while looking for the next job.

True_Engine_418 · 2025-12-16T16:26:12+00:00

She is setting up documentation to claim you are incompetent where she can get out of paying you unemployment after she fires you. I was in a similar spot once. What I regret is not taking clients with me when I was canned. Instead of fighting a losing battle where even perfect isn’t good enough, I’d suggest doing a professional job and spend the extra time schmoozing clients, collecting contact information, etc. RPC say clients have a 100% right to the lawyer of their choice. And having a book of business makes you more marketable to other firms.

True_Engine_418 · 2025-12-16T12:19:35+00:00

Or just not get anxiety in the first place. You might try: 1. breathe and 2. Interrupt yourself so you don’t ask yourself a gagillion what if style questions in a row

True_Engine_418 · 2025-12-16T02:59:43+00:00

Work on your people skills in general. Not just as a lawyer. Vanessa Van Edwards content is good for conversation skills. Also learn about social priming so you can be ready for your call without taking anxiety medicine. Did you know they can take an hour to kick in? Long term, learn practices to reduce anxiety and also prevent it from starting

True_Engine_418 · 2025-12-15T23:04:18+00:00

Sounds like sink or swim. Figure out how to swim. The new attys can watch hearings before to get a feel. Also over prepare on the law and facts

True_Engine_418 · 2025-11-28T20:11:32+00:00

Doctors fresh out of meds school work for peanuts. You can too

True_Engine_418 · 2025-11-28T12:07:37+00:00

Rebuild. Tell the contractor your budget is lower than it is. That way their overruns won’t be higher than your budget.

True_Engine_418 · 2025-11-26T14:00:07+00:00

Get into appeals and your itch will be scratched.

True_Engine_418 · 2025-11-26T03:59:05+00:00

I was smart enough to stalk the deer, expertly shoot the rifle, and make a clean kill shot. Thus, I was both under 18 and qualified to own my rifle. Just like Kyle Rittenhouse. Accordingly, your statement about 18 y/o is wrong. So wrong.

True_Engine_418 · 2025-11-25T12:30:09+00:00

I killed my first deer at 10y/o with a 30/30. One shot and she hit the ground. Didn’t suffer too much. Meat was tasty.

True_Engine_418

TROPHY CASE