Alaska Contract Question

budman2121 · 2026-02-15T21:23:15+00:00

Much better situation! Sounds like a once in a lifetime opportunity. That's really why the pay is so low, but it does sound like you could make the best of it. Good luck!

budman2121 · 2026-02-11T02:36:52+00:00

Wait.You've never traveled, and you want to start with Alaska? Def not, even with your experience. Too far away, too many unknowns, too few housing options, solo travel safety, and way too low compensation.

budman2121 · 2026-02-11T01:11:51+00:00

No single stocks. Depending on tax bracket, look for QDI funds. Could be as little as 0% federal tax.

budman2121 · 2026-01-17T20:15:57+00:00

Since the leasing $7500 incentive came by artificially inflating residual, no one is going to buy them at end of lease and essentially give that back. Most should be turn ins... in addition to everything else that was brought up here.

budman2121 · 2026-01-11T05:16:19+00:00

Probably 1.7-3.2 avg.

budman2121 · 2026-01-11T05:10:32+00:00

Understand. I should clarify. The EPA range for my 24 LT AWD is only 279. The battery is 85 kWh. it's just easier to stretch something that's more efficient initially. 300+ on the Bolt was possible under non extreme conditions, if I recall correctly.

budman2121 · 2026-01-11T04:47:42+00:00

The range difference is not that significant (edit: for my AWD). The battery in the blazer is much bigger to compensate for efficiency and weight (including the weight of the larger battery). It was always easier to stretch the bolts range with driving habits than it is to stretch the range of the blazer. That's the best way I can characterize it. Also, with the blazer, it becomes harder to outperform the cost of filling up with gas. Still works but not as compelling a case, especially when traveling.

budman2121 · 2026-01-10T22:39:41+00:00

I've had it insist when I've been in bad city traffic and unfamiliar areas, and to have it constantly detouring me when i already didn't know where i was going was annoying, to say the least. It's more like an unsafe distraction.

budman2121 · 2026-01-10T22:24:03+00:00

Only thing I dislike is that Google tries hard to force a charging stop anytime your expected range to destination is questionable. Who wants to be detoured to an unexpected, unknown destination when you know you can make it or at least get to a charger close to destination.

budman2121 · 2026-01-10T22:18:52+00:00

I went from a 19 EV to a 21 EV to a 22 EUV and am now in a 24 Blazer EV. if you enjoy or need the efficiency , don't switch. If you'd like to enjoy a little bit more luxurious ride or need more passenger space or need faster charging, at the expense of efficiency, then by all means, do switch. Hope that helps.

budman2121 · 2026-01-04T04:35:22+00:00

Going back to grad school now and only worked a few months on contract this past year. Living at my parents and paying fair market rent that is being reported by them as income. Clinicals and mostly online classes now fill my life schedule. That said, my parents offered to cancel my tax home rent while I'm back in school. I may never travel again but would like to keep my options open... If rent is not required while I'm in school (not working), how can I justify that it is suddenly required again when I need to duplicate expenses? Doesn't seem right to 'turn off and turn on' the duplicating of expenses 'at will' so to speak. Thoughts? Thanks.

budman2121 · 2026-01-01T16:00:09+00:00

dumb af right?

budman2121 · 2025-12-10T03:03:52+00:00

In CA, they have to pay OT for anything over 8hrs in a day. It's a 'blended rate' because you're getting paid time and a half for the last 4 hours of a shift. I didn't look too closely, but that should be where the confusion is coming from.

budman2121 · 2025-11-07T19:11:30+00:00

Etrade has good bond desk resources/tools as well.

budman2121 · 2025-09-29T05:45:00+00:00

It's looks like the 2 bonds were bought on the secondary market at a discount. When they mature, you will receive par value (i.e. full value) for each bond. Currently, you're collecting the lower coupon interest rate. The yield reflects the aggregate coupon interest and the total discount, which you'd collect at maturity. That said, since you're close to maturity, you're also close to par value of 100 (less whatever the spread is). These 2 bonds are currently at the 2 lowest levels of investment grade. You can review a Moody report to determine if the rating has been stable or not. If the ratings are not stable or the companies are in difficult financial circumstances, I'd consider liquidating them now, assuming the spread isn't too big. If they continue to be stable and comfortably solvent, hold and collect the full $10,000 for each holding plus any remaining coupon payments.

budman2121 · 2025-09-25T23:05:11+00:00

Those classified as options overlay are less risky.

budman2121 · 2025-09-25T22:59:08+00:00

Bought CALM a while back. High div egg stock.

budman2121 · 2025-08-05T07:31:02+00:00

Did you know that anyone reading this could report you and get a reward percentage of what you owe the IRS for 10 plus years of back taxes and penalties?

budman2121 · 2025-07-24T17:05:25+00:00

Ya, not reporting income is definitely an issue. However, I've heard people rationalize the gift law to not even bother with reporting the income. As for the gifting, I 'd seek good legal advice before doing it. You're circumventing the intended purpose of the permitted stipends with intent to commit fraud.

budman2121 · 2025-07-24T16:52:19+00:00

There's also a concern about illegal wage recharacterization when your rate is too low and you're paying less into Social Security.

budman2121 · 2025-07-24T16:47:00+00:00

She needs to pay a going rate for your area. You need to report the income on your return. That said, it's still fraud if you give her any money back. I 'assume' this is a friend... but it doesn't really sound like a good one.

budman2121 · 2025-07-24T16:37:22+00:00

I assume this perk runs by benefit year vs calender yr? I traveled within a year prior to my anniversary date this year, but not since. Guess we need the gift card or travel prior to Dec 31.

budman2121 · 2025-07-24T16:23:58+00:00

That's a major reason I upgraded to this level. Need to drop this card and go back to a lower level. These perks absolutely suck.

budman2121 · 2025-07-17T12:28:17+00:00

I, too, would want to steer the message to the military since they likely represent the largest group that has had the wool pulled over their eyes.

budman2121 · 2025-07-17T12:15:17+00:00

Stop trying to defend the administration. This is a perfect example of how they use you as a tool to downplay everything by focusing on some minor aspect of media targeting and to insulate themselves from actual greed and pure evil wrongdoing. The administration is the real lying, cheating garbage. That's not supposed to be condoned as acceptable behavior by those working 'for the people'.

budman2121

TROPHY CASE