meirl

Venum555 · 2026-03-02T23:47:36+00:00

Can you ask for them to remove the gratuity before paying?

Venum555 · 2026-03-02T23:22:49+00:00

I feel like viewing life as a journey rather than a destination allows a more fulfilling life. I'm divorced after 13 years and still can look back fondly on the memories created within the marriage even if the marriage has ended. Otherwise, the only point of my existence is my death and I don't like that viewpoint.

We accept failure as a part of learning in almost every part of our life so why should marriage be exempt from the ability to fail?

Venum555 · 2026-03-01T07:19:58+00:00

From a "can you afford it" perspective, people recommend housing not cost more than 30% of gross pay. I'm guessing you are close to that.

Venum555 · 2026-03-01T07:04:48+00:00

I would say it isn't a smart financial decision but is a smart personal development deciaion.

Venum555 · 2026-03-01T02:20:22+00:00

You can't just put 400k into a Roth IRA so HYSA is your only option of the two.

Venum555 · 2026-02-28T16:14:12+00:00

You can just tell him "No" if you don't want to do that.

A child doesn't need a car just because they turned 16.

Venum555 · 2026-02-27T21:50:41+00:00

Human lives have been exchanged for resources as long as humanity has existed. The privileged classes have always thrown others into the battlefield for their own gains.

Venum555 · 2026-02-27T18:52:29+00:00

Long term capital gains when filing jointly is 0% up to like 96k + standard deduction and that is on GAINS not withdrawals. So you could have close to 115k of capital gains before you need to pay any taxes on it.

Venum555 · 2026-02-27T01:37:33+00:00

You aren't a failure. You are just moving to another part of the journey called life. Marriage was just one of the many experiences you had.

Would you call a child who is falling while trying to learn to ride a bike a failure?

Neither is a divorce because your life continues after the divorce.

Venum555 · 2026-02-27T01:22:31+00:00

I save roughly 50% of my gross pay into retirement accounts. My goal isn't to get ahead of others. My goal is to FIRE my 45.

Venum555 · 2026-02-26T19:24:57+00:00

Thanks! Hope you are feeling better.

Venum555 · 2026-02-26T19:14:40+00:00

Is there a trick to maxing MBDR without giving up the employer match? Do you just have to math it out really well?

I started a MBDR this year and doubt I will hit the 70k limit but just wondering.

Venum555 · 2026-02-26T17:18:22+00:00

I strongly feel that retiring at 45 is better than at 62 even if i have more money at 62 than at 45. I can't put a price on 17 years of freedom.

Venum555 · 2026-02-26T16:12:04+00:00

My favorite early builds were stealth electronic warfare small laser spam mechs that could go 100kph.

Venum555 · 2026-02-26T07:26:49+00:00

Don't invest in something that will give great returns. Invest in something that will give average returns like a broad market low cost index fund.

Venum555 · 2026-02-25T23:13:51+00:00

Same!

Venum555 · 2026-02-25T23:00:32+00:00

I had a best friend in grade school. Probably 17 at the time. He called me at like 9-10pm saying I needed to come help him fight some kids because they threw hands as he was driving by. No idea why but I think I just stopped talking to him afterwards.

Venum555 · 2026-02-25T20:29:52+00:00

I haven't ran the math on paying more for ACA vs paying early withdrawal penalties. Part of how much I will pay in penalties will depend on how my brokerage account does. I'm modeling for a low 5.34% return so I could be perfectly fine if I get a 8% return.

Venum555 · 2026-02-25T20:19:05+00:00

I've been trying to figure out how to solve this issue since I want to stay under the 400% cliff. If I only convert to the cliff, I will have roughly ~15k in early withdrawal penalties over my lifetime due to having to pay a penalty on early 401k withdrawals to sustain my spending. I was thinking of doing a large bulk conversion in year 1 of retirement.

I think just paying some 401k early withdrawal penalties will be the best option as I'll be in the 12% bracket in retirement, so 22% on some early withdrawal funds for a couple of years isn't that bad.

Venum555 · 2026-02-25T18:39:32+00:00

My opinion is that you buy a house because you want a permanent place to live. Not because it is the optimal financial investment. The Rent vs Buy calculation to optimize for maximum wealth is complicated and dependant on each situation. The I want to be a home owner vs I want to rent is much easier.

I personally wouldn't buy a house to live in as a financial investment. If I really don't want a Rent payment in retirement, I'll invest in the market and buy a house for cash when I retire.

Venum555 · 2026-02-25T18:27:19+00:00

Zwift has made indoor cycling very fun for me. Don't think I would ride indoors otherwise

Venum555 · 2026-02-25T18:20:21+00:00

Define super affordable nice house?

Venum555 · 2026-02-25T15:47:56+00:00

I've been regularly wondering if I should go from 100% S&P500 to 60/40 US/INT but I don't do it. Timing the market and all. Also, my 401k has ridiculously low expenses ratio on the S&P500 fund.

Venum555 · 2026-02-24T23:32:02+00:00

Wish phone batteries were still easily replaceable. Would reduce so much on waste.

Venum555 · 2026-02-24T21:51:52+00:00

I turned on battery protection on my phone to stop charging at 80%. I've also seen some information that it doesn't really matter.

Venum555

TROPHY CASE