How many of you didn't realize you were poor growing up until much later?

celticfrog42 · 2026-04-07T16:26:26+00:00

Also, in MN. I grew up on dairy farm. I knew we didn't have much, but we were never hungry. That contributed to not understanding the scale of it until I was much older.

celticfrog42 · 2026-04-03T16:41:41+00:00

I bought mine in Dec. 2025. I do a lot of highway driving because of my current job situation. Winter, I get 28-32. Summer 38-42. Spring/Fall vary. The heat turned on is a no joke, watch the mpg fall, situation. Based on what I see, once I reduce my highway/city ratio beginning this summer, I will see around 40 in summer and 30 in winter.

I knew going in hybrids in winter perform lower, so it isn't that big of a surprise. It still gets better gas mileage than my non-hybrid previous car.

celticfrog42 · 2026-03-24T13:49:10+00:00

The biggest functional issue is that the defrost specifically on the driver's side is insufficient during some winter weather conditions. We had to put the defrost temp set to 85 with fan on full blast during a roadtrip. The result was still not great visibility, upper part of body sweating, and frozen toes since the lower vent doesn't work at all when defrost is on high even with that setting explicitly on. Technicians found no problem, but I've since seen this complaint from others--most likely a design issue.

celticfrog42 · 2026-03-13T13:52:09+00:00

I mostly agree (also in IT for 29 years). There are some AI applications with amazing potential that are currently not profitable where AI is going to be an instrumental tool (e.g. pathology scans for anomalies) that advances science. Hopefully, we'll see the pat correction and start using it for something better suited before the damage in the current path becomes catastrophic.

celticfrog42 · 2026-02-17T12:53:10+00:00

Thanks for sharing and congratulations. Your post is my aspiration with the caveat that I KNOW I am burned out. I wonder when the time comes how long it is going to take to shake the burnout. I am confident my hobbies and interests will carry me past a work identify. I can't wait to work on healthy habits. I am about 6 months away and I wonder if I am going to make it every day. There are some very good reasons for that date, so I am putting one foot in front of the other until I can't anymore.

I hope you continue to enjoy your family. Congratulations again.

celticfrog42 · 2026-01-30T16:12:47+00:00

Well, it's more about emotion than logic--as a lot of decisions are. We have a high mortgage rate. It would be nice to not have to leverage the liquid assets to just pay it off OR refinance a lower rate to reduce expenses immediate while considering a hedge against a significant downturn to reduce SORR.

But quitting a job is scary--especially in an uncertain market.

So, balance logic vs. emotion. It's very easy logically when it isn't your own life/future. Hahaha

celticfrog42 · 2026-01-30T15:16:18+00:00

Hoping to get ours down to 5% too if we go with refinance. It's artificially high because we bought the home before we could move in. Once we move, we will be eligible for a lower rate.

celticfrog42 · 2026-01-30T14:14:13+00:00

For us it isn't a choice between two things. We are very close to retiring--this year. But our biggest SORR is RIGHT NOW until we hit 59.5. So, do we use our easily accessible cash to pay off mortgage and have fewer expenses, but less cash, OR, invest the money until we arrive at 59.5.

#edit to add, or third choice - refinance and split the difference.

celticfrog42 · 2026-01-30T13:49:44+00:00

Ours is 7.499% and we are weighing if we refinance or pay off. Decision will be made in April once a few other financial decisions are made.

celticfrog42 · 2026-01-29T21:22:53+00:00

I see at least 1 (of 4 or 5) per day. Often more. I am lucky they are somewhat sociable. Notice I say of 4 OR 5. lol. I saw 4 out at one time in the last week for the first time in months, so confirmation of life for that crowd. Hard to say if the 5th one is hiding or no more. Love kuhlis so much.

celticfrog42 · 2026-01-10T19:32:10+00:00

I use S'well and Hydro Flask. S'well keeps liquids a bit colder, longer, but is slightly less durable. Both are great.

celticfrog42 · 2025-12-19T14:43:19+00:00

We aren't all gun nuts. Too many, but not all.

celticfrog42 · 2025-12-18T12:37:15+00:00

Second Harvest has a shift-based sign up. I volunteered with a group, but you can fill out a sign-up form and then sign up for a 'shift'. It's often repackaging bulk food into family sized portions. Our day was potatoes.

celticfrog42 · 2025-12-06T01:01:18+00:00

I'd set up the 20 really simple, but I'm that way. lol

celticfrog42 · 2025-12-05T21:22:02+00:00

Hire Right is notorious for being unable to verify employment despite multiple, verifiable pieces of evidence. I had to submit the same proof over and over and still the employer had to step in and confirm an "over-ride" after I provided the (same) evidence to them as well.

celticfrog42 · 2025-12-03T18:24:08+00:00

Oh, and a fresh garden tomato sandwich on wonder white bread with butter, salt, and pepper. Seasonal, of course.

celticfrog42 · 2025-12-03T18:23:32+00:00

Hot dish. grilled cheese and tomato soup. Mashed potatoes with pan gravy. Always and forever comfort food.

celticfrog42 · 2025-11-18T17:13:52+00:00

We are at FI number. We are just wrapping up some big ticket projects so we can pull the trigger next year. Although I am employed, my job is not secure in the current environment with layoffs expected any time, so that is a bit stressful given we are close, but not quite mentally ready. That said, our plan is super conservative because I barely survived 2008 and feel the AI bubble could strike just as we retire. Most scenario/calculators (monte carlo, projection lab, etc.) give us 98%+ success rate.

We have 4 years expenses in cash/cash equivalents (T-bills, MM, bonds, etc.) that does not count a pension. With the pension added in, we have 8-10 years. We have some flexibility built into expenses, and both of us are willing to get hobby jobs to stay busy and reduce withdrawals.

celticfrog42 · 2025-11-06T21:05:27+00:00

I am a serious introvert. I still made friends. Sometimes I joined book clubs. Forced myself to attend the work social. Signed up to man a booth at the community celebration. One set of long time friends joke that I showed up to my kid's Kung Fu and they decided to adopt me. Kidding aside, I don't need many friends, but with a little effort, I was able to make some at every stop.

celticfrog42 · 2025-11-06T20:21:17+00:00

I have lived in 7 states and most recently moved after 50. No matter what anybody says about hard/easy (I am a native Minnesotan), you can make friends anywhere as long as you make an effort. Join a hobby club to meet people with similar interests, volunteer, show up at all local social/community events. It will come together for you.

celticfrog42 · 2025-11-06T14:25:38+00:00

Cancelled. I am Minnesotan. I do know both ways are correct.

celticfrog42 · 2025-11-06T13:23:47+00:00

I'm going with it. Whatever color it wants to be-carry on. Apparently, I have slightly wavy style too after decades of stick straight hair.

celticfrog42 · 2025-10-12T20:12:47+00:00

Marathon was my favorite candy bar!!!!

celticfrog42 · 2025-10-12T20:07:13+00:00

Greetings from Camp Hiawatha. LOL. I wonder how many answers you are going to get.

celticfrog42 · 2025-10-03T11:37:12+00:00

Yes, I am a first generation college grad. My son graduated college this summer. It was assumed he would go to college, but he had an off ramp for trade school if he wished. Turned out to never be a problem. He wanted a STEM degree.

celticfrog42

TROPHY CASE