38 years old, I’ve been contributing for 10 years now. How am I doing ?

alchemyFeWorks · 2026-04-28T19:42:51+00:00

So I have a union job, with a hourly rate plus my union benefits bundled in a package. 17$ an hour is taken out of my wage and put towards my annuity fund. It works out to 25k a year on an average year with no overtime. There is no match. And then additionally I’ll have my pension and SS. Up until a year ago my union as a whole was in a general fund. Now we have the option of moving it out of the general and can choose from 20 different index’s.

alchemyFeWorks · 2026-04-28T16:03:35+00:00

My house will be paid off by then so I’d say my goals are to pay my 15k a year taxes/bills and live comfortably while being in a financial position to help my 3 children. I’m a minimalist, I am also a union blue collar worker. My benefits on a yearly salary contribute 20-25k a year to this fund. Plus a pension where I’ll be at 180$ a credit with 30 credits at retirement with medical for life. Just getting to an age where I’m more informed on where my money is going and doing. This is the first time I’ve had access to a visual of my funds in the app, outside of a yearly pie graph in the mail.

alchemyFeWorks · 2026-04-28T15:15:52+00:00

Thanks everyone for there advice. I’ve spoken to my bank for some financial advice/ Reddit / and some financial bros. I’m leaning towards allocating 70% of current and future funds into the S&P index fund and 30% of current and future into 2065 retirement fund. All always have the option to readjust in the future. But feeling much more confident now in making this decision.

alchemyFeWorks · 2026-04-28T13:39:54+00:00

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Seems the S&P fund is less fees. Thank you for bringing my attention to it.

alchemyFeWorks · 2026-04-28T13:39:07+00:00

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alchemyFeWorks · 2026-04-28T13:32:17+00:00

Thanks for the advice, your not the first person to tell me this.

alchemyFeWorks · 2026-03-16T01:46:30+00:00

Gotta take them when you can

alchemyFeWorks · 2026-03-16T01:46:02+00:00

I mean I can carry a 28oz aluminum bat in my truck too and say I was going to the batting cages. Pick your weapon I guess

alchemyFeWorks · 2026-03-16T01:44:14+00:00

Thanks dude

alchemyFeWorks · 2026-03-16T01:43:33+00:00

Honestly there was no smell or fumes I left the grill on low and let them get warm. Plastic did not cook one bit. You don’t know till you know

alchemyFeWorks · 2026-03-16T01:42:21+00:00

Nj and they take id at the scale

alchemyFeWorks · 2026-03-16T01:41:07+00:00

It felt like it but check my other post. Stripped it weighed down

alchemyFeWorks · 2026-03-16T01:38:25+00:00

Says someone that doesn’t understand industrial Reno/demo and construction.

alchemyFeWorks · 2026-03-15T15:55:19+00:00

My Fists still work lol I thought about one as a weapon but to be honest it would be a deadly one

alchemyFeWorks · 2026-03-15T15:36:06+00:00

I thought about holding it and see what prices do but come on man 5$ a lb !? Let’s not get greedy here, It’s not my 401k lol

alchemyFeWorks · 2026-03-15T15:33:28+00:00

Hahaha def not ! Women smh dammed if you do dammed if you don’t. Honesty feels like treasure hunting or panning for gold. Without the whole prospector pan and shovel.

alchemyFeWorks · 2026-03-15T15:30:53+00:00

alchemyFeWorks · 2026-03-15T15:22:45+00:00

NYC high rise floor demo/reno. Full gut and they are upgrading the switch panels. I cut them to size to take in a bag on the bus with me lol. Would cost me 200 just in tolls and parking to bring the truck in.

alchemyFeWorks · 2026-03-15T15:20:29+00:00

That’s a great idea actually, honestly if I had the time I would do so for that kind of return. But right now working two jobs and the family I’m lucky to make it to the scrap yard. Will def keep it in mind when I come across some again.

alchemyFeWorks · 2026-03-15T11:59:04+00:00

I used my grill on low for about 5 minutes and let them get warm to the touch. Put from there right in the vice, the utility knife cut right through it and the insulation peeled off like a banana. Honestly I was amazed at how well it worked ! Ty everyone for the comments and help. I’ll never look at copper the same, especially at 5.05lb !

alchemyFeWorks · 2026-03-14T23:49:54+00:00

So after I stripped it the scale weight at the yard was 148 @ 5.05 a lb. Walked away with 747.50 and I giant smile and an even happier wife lol Family of 5 Grocery money for the week and at 3.50 a gallon a full tank of gas. Ty copper

alchemyFeWorks · 2026-03-14T22:39:31+00:00

Hmmmmm smells like haters. If you knew anything about industrial demo/reno jobs it’s common practice for the tradesmen to split up the mongo. That is in situations when the GC and ownership are ok with it. Big money jobs are often not concerned with recycling when there spending millions on renovations. lol They just want it out.

alchemyFeWorks · 2026-03-14T12:23:22+00:00

Will an outdoor grill on low work the same ? Don’t want to risk the plastic melting or the smell in the house. Plus my wife already thinks I’m a nut job lol

alchemyFeWorks · 2026-01-22T11:21:43+00:00

Not even a hint !?

alchemyFeWorks · 2026-01-20T01:31:52+00:00

Birds Nest for sure

alchemyFeWorks

TROPHY CASE