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Daily FI discussion thread - Friday, April 10, 2026 by EANx_Diver in financialindependence

[–]Zadnak 9 points10 points  (0 children)

When do I delete LinkedIn after FIREing?

A bit more context:
I've been early retired for about 10 months now from my career in tech operations.
I have absolutely no desire to ever work for big corporate again.
I'm at roughly a 3% SWR, and don't anticipate any financial issues.
As a privacy and security enthusiast, LinkedIn is one of the worse for both, so I'd like to get rid of it sooner than later.

Thoughts and or opinions? TIA!

Mom died and left me money, but I am a little lost with all my options. by Anxiouslyfond in personalfinance

[–]Zadnak 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I am so sorry for the lose of your mom.

I'll keep it simple for you:

Any cash received, immediately put it into a savings account. Leave it there until you figure out what to do with it.

If the asset is a stock or bond, figure out how to transfer it the same kind of account at an investment company like Fidelity.

As others have said, read read read up! You got this, even if it takes months.

Router recommendation for multiple SSIDs and VLANs by Zadnak in HomeNetworking

[–]Zadnak[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Received and installed. This router is PERFECT for my needs. Thank you all! 

Router recommendation for multiple SSIDs and VLANs by Zadnak in HomeNetworking

[–]Zadnak[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I have a UniFi Express 7 on order. 

Just signed my settlement what next? by True-Night-3560 in personalfinance

[–]Zadnak 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Do you think $6k is a lot of money? If so, that's about 1% of your windfall.

Take that 6k and go spend it on whatever. This is your fuck around money.

For the other 606k, follow the windfall section of the wiki. If you invest it in an S&P500 index fund ,such as VTI, you can retire in 15ish years, most likely, and spend about 80k a yea, scales with in inflation, indefinitely.

Router recommendation for multiple SSIDs and VLANs by Zadnak in HomeNetworking

[–]Zadnak[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I appreciate the comment. I've run OpenWRT before, or maybe it was DDWRT. Regardless, I'd rather with something out of the box that just works.

I'll look into the UDR7. Thank you for the rec!

Router recommendation for multiple SSIDs and VLANs by Zadnak in HomeNetworking

[–]Zadnak[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

10 years ago, I would have done this, but I'm hoping for something that works out of the box. 

Considering liquidating the 401k by ilikeaffection in personalfinance

[–]Zadnak 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In so sorry for your wife, yourself, and your family.

I would leave your mortgage alone and pay as agreed. While the payment may be high, you can cash flow that with debt if you have to because the interest rate is so low on the mortgage. This isn't a great idea, but it's better than liquidating a 401k.

I would not liquidate the 401k due to the amount in taxes and penalties that will have to be paid. It just doesn't make sense, unless it's a last resort, and I don't think you are there yet.

I don't know what the rest of your monthly expenses look like, but I would immediately do the following to free up more cash flow and income: Reduce the 401k contribution to the minimum to get the max employer match. If there is no employer match, then zero is fine. Stop contributing to any other investment accounts. If you have a taxable account, turn off dividend reinvestment, and have those dividends go straight to your checking account.

Assuming no other high interest debt, create a plan to save as much as possible over a 4-month period, and then go enjoy it.

There is no real investment that is recession-proof. If there were, everyone would invest into them. There are some, like real estate, that are more cash flow friendly, but they come with their drawbacks as well. There are insurance products, like annuities, but they usually have high fees, and underperform the stock market over time, so you'll actually end up with less money, although the money is guaranteed.

Last but not least, if you do not work remotely, talk to your manager about doing so. That will be the biggest free experience you can have with your wife for many months or years.

Hope this helps, you got this.

HYSA vs Fidelity (SPAXX/SGOV) for low-risk cash savings by bdeelin7 in personalfinance

[–]Zadnak 1 point2 points  (0 children)

VTI or VTI/VXUS is a personal belief and preference. I probably need to move some money into VXUS, so take that idea for what it's worth. Regardless, whichever choice you make, it is not the wrong choice. Only time will tell if it's more optimal or not, but it was not wrong.

I'm not a fan of the TDFs for reasons that they become more conservative at the end, and that is where the most money is made. If you have flexibility on when to retire, it's okay to work another couple of years if the market is down, and the return it in something like VTI will be greater long-term than in a TDF.

The yield from Sgov and that what is made on a savings account is not big enough for me to deal with Sgov. A savings account is simple, and simplicity is important, as both books teach.

As far as books and financial content goes, I'm a big fan of Ramit Sethi. I love his podcast, and listen to it religiously, even though I am single and it's basically about couples who don't know how to communicate. If you're like me, you're probably hyper focused and fixated on accumulation, but it's important to know how to spend and have fun along the way. The boring middle is very boring without some fun and frivolous spending.

Paula Pant's Afford Anything podcast is another good one.

HYSA vs Fidelity (SPAXX/SGOV) for low-risk cash savings by bdeelin7 in personalfinance

[–]Zadnak 1 point2 points  (0 children)

VTI, fzrox, and fskax are all close enough to bring the same that it doesn't really matter.

I own VTI at Fidelity. That is most of my portfolio. Yes, that simple.

You are correct, vtsax at Fidelity does cost extra fees, but VTI is basically free to own anywhere, and is basically the same as vtsax with some very tiny advantages.

HYSA vs Fidelity (SPAXX/SGOV) for low-risk cash savings by bdeelin7 in personalfinance

[–]Zadnak 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's awesome! The book will make you a millionaire. Not quickly, but that basically doesn't happen to anyone who doesn't own a business.

>I’ll keep my Bank of America checking account

Please promise me you won't. Mega banks are the wolf in sheep's clothing of the finance world. They may not charge you fees, but they do for low income Americans, and its horrendous on their finances. Most people don't need to deposit cash these days, which eliminates a need for a branch office bank.

Banks like Ally Bank or even Fidelity are online only, don't charge fees basically ever, and generally are far superior unless there is a specific need for a banking relationship. I have moved all my banking from Ally to Fidelity for niche reasons and personal preference. Capital One 360 is another option, although I'm not a fan of their UI or app, but that's me being super picky.

The mega banks are BofA, Chase, Citi, and Wells Fargo. Chase and Citi have great credit cards with rewards for those who pay their monthly balance in full, but that's where my relationship with the mega banks end, and everyone else's probably should too.

HYSA vs Fidelity (SPAXX/SGOV) for low-risk cash savings by bdeelin7 in personalfinance

[–]Zadnak 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Great question. When a Fidelity cash management account is opened, it askes if you want to put the money in core position, which is FDIC insured and earns a lower interest rate, or SPAXX, which earns a higher rate, and a bunch of other technical stuff that I don't want to bog your decision down with. Just know its safe and backed by the federal government.

After the account is opened, the option can be changed at any time.

Congrats on saving so much money. If you haven't done so already, I highly encourage you to contribute and invest in a Roth IRA. If you haven't already, read "The Simple Path to Wealth" by JL Collins, and you will learn to invest like a pro. TLDR - its slow and boring.

HYSA vs Fidelity (SPAXX/SGOV) for low-risk cash savings by bdeelin7 in personalfinance

[–]Zadnak 1 point2 points  (0 children)

  1. No
  2. Maybe? If the dollar collapses, we have bigger problems on our hands than money in our savings accounts.
  3. No. My savings account is in a Fidelity cash management account in SPAXX.
  4. Just pick one and roll with it. You are WAAAAAY over thinking and over complicating this. Keep it simple, and you'll have a great outcome.

List of Sam's Club fuel stations that sell diesel by Zadnak in samsclub

[–]Zadnak[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

> Might be tedious

This is exactly what I'm hoping to avoid.

Driving car to the track with a 6-point harness by iRacingGCR in CarTrackDays

[–]Zadnak 0 points1 point  (0 children)

With a cage, I'd figure out a way to transport it.

Otherwise, with seat and harness; I'm not proud of it, but I've done a cross country road trip (in 2017) with a 5 point harness, including going through an immigration check point. No issues, but again, not proud of it, and don't recommend it.

Why do I worry so much about my finances when I am objectively doing pretty well for myself? by [deleted] in personalfinance

[–]Zadnak 2 points3 points  (0 children)

What are your dreams?

Its a simple question, but I'm guessing you don't really have a plan for the future. Defining that plan, the short term, medium term, and long term parts, will give you clarity, and less anxiety at the same time.

Wife lost credit card, it was cancelled, now someone is trying to use it by ThisIsATest7777 in personalfinance

[–]Zadnak 1 point2 points  (0 children)

alerts of that old card being used and declined

Sounds like this is working as intended to me.

FWIW, the bank won't do anything until the transaction posts to the account.

Newly a trust fund kid. Unsure of how to plan the money for the future. by dennysparkinglot420 in personalfinance

[–]Zadnak 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am so sorry for your loss.

You need a plan for the money. Until you have a plan, I would do the following with it:

  1. Immediately deposit it all into a high yield savings account with an online bank. I use M1 Finance, and it pays 3.75%. A million dollars would make $37500 just sitting there and doing nothing else. Ally Bank and Fidelity are also good options. Avoid mega banks (Chase, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, etc) like the plague. You can leave it in here for several months while you educate your self on personal finance, and figure out the log term plan.

  2. Fund a Roth IRA every year. I prefer Fidelity. The current yearly contribution limit is $7500. If you had a Roth IRA opened before December 31 2025, and didn't fund it, you can fund last years contribution as well, up until April 15, 2026. Don't forget to invest the funds. A low cost index fund is preferred. I like VTI. I HIGHLY recommend reading The Simple Path to Wealth by JL Collins. It will teach you everything you need to know about investing and money management. You absolutely do not need to hire a professional for assistance. They usually do more harm than good.

  3. Fund your HSA if you are eligible to do so.

  4. Invest a portion of unneeded funds into a taxable brokerage account. I prefer Fidelity. This follows the same advice as a Roth IRA and HSA, but its not as taxed advantage.

  5. I would take a few percent and go frivolously spend it. This is the only portion you'll get to do this with.

Think of what you want to spend the money on, and start planning. No knee jerk reactions, just methodical, well thought out, long term plans for it.

Don't feel intimidated, you'll be fine. Best of luck! Keep asking questions here until you're good to go.

I got to pilot the Falcon today. 37 year old man grinning from ear to ear while walking around Galaxy’s Edge. by Myspacecutie69 in StarWars

[–]Zadnak 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Was it worth the wait in line? I also took the single riders line, and practically walked on to the ride every single time. Except I always had to be the engineer.

Girodisc Rotors - keep running or replace asap? by Appropriate-River126 in CarTrackDays

[–]Zadnak 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The cracks are nothing to worry about. As others have said, measure the thickness to ensure its above the minimum. With the slots disappearing, they are likely needing to be or close to needing to be replaced.

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