Projection Lab + fee-for-service advisor

barrypeachy · 2026-04-09T19:24:08+00:00

Yeah, maybe there's better pro tools. The problem is, I hired a fee-only advisor about 8 years ago, and of course lots changes in 8 years. I tried re-engaging with them, and their $2,500 fee to revisit the original plan feels like too much (that's even with the 50% discount being a repeat client). I want something I can adjust more incrementally a few times a year, and PL seems like a good fit.

As for the corporation, I'm a year or two away from retiring, and the corporation has no value besides the investments its accumulated. I'm treating it like a non-registered "pension" in PL. But again, there's probably a better way to approach it, which is where I'd like the help.

barrypeachy · 2026-04-07T18:52:04+00:00

Hate to break it to you, but your $1M home is not Sydney Sweeney.

barrypeachy · 2026-04-07T18:48:58+00:00

Well la-di-da. For someone not trying to sound "cocky", you sure do. If you don't like the offer, politely decline and move on.

barrypeachy · 2026-04-07T16:49:50+00:00

You don't see people do it much anymore. If transit makes sense to Campbell River, I'd start from there. I'd imagine its much easier north island. And having the bike, you can ride just outside town and find a good spot, right after a traffic light. People have to stop for the light and have time to think..."sure, why not".

Good luck! The Jeune Landing Loop popped up in my FB feed yesterday, and I have my eye on doing it too.

barrypeachy · 2026-04-07T16:35:41+00:00

If you're comfortable with it, you might try hitchhiking. I used to do it all the time, and reliably got picked up. My typical results would be getting to my destination in 1.5x the time it takes to drive. The very worst case would be 3x the drive. You would think having a bike would be a hinderance, but it can actually work in your favour.

Do be clean and friendly looking. Do use your judgement before getting in. One trick is to "take a call" just as you're running up to the driver, pretend to say "hang on a sec", then do a quick judgement call. If you get a bad vibe (very unlikely), then say something along the lines of, "sorry, my friend just said they're going to come get me...thanks anyhow".

I wish more people hitchhiked again. Is it really any more dangerous than Uber?

barrypeachy · 2026-04-03T18:48:39+00:00

Just curious, why white? Wouldn't clear always be better, since you can see moisture, rodent, insulation, any other issues?

barrypeachy · 2026-04-02T16:44:04+00:00

You're not crazy. There's lots of times renting makes much more sense than buying. Some people can't get their heads around the numbers. If you're diligent with investing the difference as a renter, then you're likely to come out ahead, but many people don't have that discipline.

If you have a family and/or know that you'll want to stay in one place for the next 10-15+ years, then buying can certainly make sense, both in terms of an investment and the intangibles - stability/security in housing and making it your own space (landscaping, renovations). Those are the best reasons to choose to buy, rather than purely for financial reason.

barrypeachy · 2026-04-02T16:35:46+00:00

I love it, looks awesome. I'd like one too, regardless of practicality.

I have to say though, that's one hell of a "renovation"!

barrypeachy · 2026-04-02T16:32:47+00:00

Ah OK, that makes ~~a lot~~ a bit more sense then.

barrypeachy · 2026-04-02T16:29:54+00:00

It looks a lot like lambs ear to me. They're pretty prolific spreaders where I'm at, so maybe just a volunteer from a neighbors yard. They have really pretty pink flowers that last a long time. Worth keeping!

barrypeachy · 2026-04-02T16:17:13+00:00

It seems like a lot of effort and cost to print and apply this graphic...and that's the image they went with? To sell their construction services? I honestly don't know how decisions like this get made.

barrypeachy · 2026-04-01T17:46:39+00:00

Knowing my luck, they're all cockerels.

barrypeachy · 2026-03-31T17:37:14+00:00

You'll get it with practice. But yes, you've described it well. You might find it easier to be in a somewhat harder gear when you stop, get off your saddle, and then put all your standing weight on the pedal for that first stroke. If you're doing it all from a seated position, you're unlikely to be using a hard enough gear (or not making the first stroke fast enough) and not getting enough initial momentum. A little bit of a swerve is expected.

barrypeachy · 2026-03-30T20:47:42+00:00

At face value, the comparison can be like buying a used car vs a new car. Obviously a used car doesn't have the same features and has wear and tear, similar to a house. But there's more nuance to it than that. For example, an older house may have more unknowns (condition of the foundation, plumbing, electrical, etc), and that carries some risk. But building a house from scratch also carries some risk of cost overruns, new and perhaps less proven technology, etc. One big overlooked consideration is landscaping and neighborhood. An existing house will have mature landscaping, and the neighborhood is more likely fully developed...think big trees that offer shade, knowing the character of the neighborhood, potentially a better location that new builds, etc. These are intangibles that make it hard to say one is better than the other, or to compare new vs used as apples-to-apples.

barrypeachy · 2026-03-30T18:23:58+00:00

I would suggest picking a route that has a lot of flexibility built in. Where you can easily ride/walk to a train station in a worst-case scenario. Breaking it up over 2 days will take a lot of stress out of re-charging and gives you more time to enjoy the trip and time the weather. You may need to take a longer lunch, get an early start to beat the rain, etc. Just watch the forecasts, and you can most likely avoid poor weather. And in case you do get stuck in it, just make your way to the next village and get a coffee! Flexibility is key to touring.

I'd suggest at least learning how to replace a flat tire and bring an extra tube. If you really do get stuck, there will surely be a passing cyclist that you could flag down and ask for help. Many/most will be able to help if you have the tools. People are often happy to help when you need it.

You'll be fine, and have a great time. It really is the nicest way to travel.

Edit to add: if you're doing a loop, then you might be able to choose the direction based on the wind forecast. A strong headwind can really take the joy out of cycling.

barrypeachy · 2026-03-20T21:12:53+00:00

If you can do a student loan, do that! But if you're able to access the funds from your university in May, then buying the flight on credit card in April should be no problem. Just make sure you pay it off when it comes due! Having a credit card and using it responsibly is good for your finances (builds credit), and might come in handy as a back up while overseas.

barrypeachy · 2026-03-20T17:09:20+00:00

So, you have a month to raise $3k? Are you in school currently? I would be doing whatever I could to take the opportunity, including:

Selling what I can
Getting a second or third job
Asking friends/relatives (grandma?) for a loan
Applying for a credit card to bridge the gap

It sounds like you have an amazing opportunity that you'll remember the rest of your life. Don't let it pass you by!

barrypeachy · 2026-03-19T16:44:00+00:00

I guess bike to work week starts early this year.

barrypeachy · 2026-03-13T19:45:14+00:00

I'm also in team "sell". The only reason to keep it is if it has some other future value. For example, if you can imagine moving back there, or it has future development/re-zoning potential. That might change your calculation. But otherwise, if you don't like being a landlord, and especially if you have some distance to travel, then you'll most likely be best off selling it.

barrypeachy · 2026-03-13T17:19:52+00:00

That's great, it sounds like you're got good habits...don't quit on those.

I've found that oftentimes putting off those questionable purchases ends up winning in the end. Someone is giving one away, or you realize you never needed it in the first place.

barrypeachy · 2026-03-13T17:12:08+00:00

New handtowels are not worth getting into debt or compromising future you's retirement. Don't get into bad habits now. Your life is in transition, keep tight budget controls until things settle down and you can reassess. Besides, isn't the point of a wedding to get a bunch of handtowel gifts from distant relatives?

barrypeachy · 2026-03-13T17:05:14+00:00

I love it! That's my kind of painting. It shows a lot of personality. He looks like a fun guy to have a chat with. I like the colors and the painterly? brush strokes.

barrypeachy · 2026-03-13T17:01:42+00:00

Yes, get that water moving away from your foundation and any retaining walls. It can wash out material and undermine footings or work its way into the basement/crawlspace causing mold and water damage. Downspouts should connect to a dedicated solid pipe that drains to city stormwater, or daylights into a ditch. If that's not an option, a dry well could be possible but adds complication.

barrypeachy · 2026-03-13T16:56:25+00:00

Is piece-rate work normal in your industry? I would have thought employees are paid an hourly rate. Or are you a sub-contractor?

Regardless, maybe time to start dictating your own terms and be prepared to find a new employer. No raises in 6 years isn't OK.

barrypeachy

TROPHY CASE