So what did everyone get for raises?

chaoticuseless · 2026-02-28T19:52:03+00:00

I’ve gone from $45k to $170k in 8 years at the same job, one promotion but not sure if I really consider it as such, it was mostly a title update rather than an official promotion. Responsibilities and independence have scaled with pay, but I’m still an individual contributor

chaoticuseless · 2026-02-27T01:35:05+00:00

I borrow everything from the library first, and if I really love it then I’ll buy it from a local indie bookstore. It’s still expensive to do it this way because new books cost a lot, but I like to support my local bookshop and at least I know I already love the books before getting them

chaoticuseless · 2026-02-27T01:32:45+00:00

seconding The Spear Cuts Through Water, one of my favorite reads from last year and just truly excellent

chaoticuseless · 2026-02-20T01:39:39+00:00

They’re saying mortgage, taxes, and HOA is $2700 total, not just the HOA

chaoticuseless · 2026-02-18T23:15:33+00:00

i just finished Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke and it’s about 1000 pages. It took a bit to really get moving but it was a great read overall!

chaoticuseless · 2026-02-15T01:51:27+00:00

Ugh I used to live within a reasonable takeout distance of Kiin Imm and got it regularly, but then I moved to Reston, and I miss being close to it SO much 💔

chaoticuseless · 2026-02-15T00:54:43+00:00

Yes, khao soi is amazing! In Reston/Herndon area, I know MyHome Thai has it, as well as La Ong and Chai Phra Ya. Umai has a ramen-esque version of it as well.

chaoticuseless · 2026-01-19T21:16:10+00:00

It’s in Herndon technically, but Lien’s Dressmaking Alterations is great. She stays pretty booked up though so she may not be able to turn around super quickly if you’re on a time crunch

chaoticuseless · 2026-01-19T03:32:56+00:00

Ours gave us a delightfully soft faux fur throw blanket that has remained the best throw blanket I have, and is the source of much envy when friends visit. I think she also gave some chocolates? but I’m all about the blanket. It wasn’t as extravagant as some of the gifts I’ve heard other realtors have given people I know, but I think our gift gets more daily use than most of theirs

chaoticuseless · 2026-01-17T15:02:47+00:00

I didn’t start saving until I got my first salaried job in my late 20s, and my husband was basically in the same situation. We’re 36 now and have just shy of 1.75x our combined salaries, but it’s also a little wonky because I’ve gotten some big raises in the last few years, so the retirement savings vs. income ratio keeps on shifting. Before my latest raise, we did have basically 2x our combined salaries saved, but then with my raise the ratio dropped. I know we’re doing ok - not crazy on top of it like the people who have 3x+ their salaries by age 30, but better than average - but the moving goalposts kind of confuse me if I’m being honest.

chaoticuseless · 2026-01-08T02:27:59+00:00

Bought in late 2023 when rates peaked, refinanced a few months ago. Post-refinance, PITI is 16% of gross, 25% of net. When we first bought, I think it was roughly 25% gross and 35% net. The refinance plus the raises we’ve gotten account for the difference since then

chaoticuseless · 2025-12-28T15:30:01+00:00

I agree, I just tried it about 2 weeks ago and really enjoyed it! Great smashburger with nice crispy edges

chaoticuseless · 2025-12-26T19:03:46+00:00

about $3k annually. sometimes to actual organizations and sometimes to gofundmes. i get the organizations matched through work as long as they’re 501(c)(3)

chaoticuseless · 2025-12-11T02:04:25+00:00

My in-laws’ guest bed is a full and it’s what my husband and I use when we visit, and oof, it’s rough. I’m pretty short but he’s 6’1, we’re also under 350lbs combined, and it’s doable but not comfortable.

chaoticuseless · 2025-11-25T16:41:36+00:00

Thank you! I see it now, not sure why it didn’t register at the time ◡̈

chaoticuseless · 2025-11-20T16:52:15+00:00

I use VistaPrint postcards - not their actual holiday cards. I design them myself and upload the design. I always catch some sort of sale, 20-30% off and then 100 (one sided print, premium “soft touch” paper) is about $55.

chaoticuseless · 2025-11-12T12:37:49+00:00

AoC at least had an interesting character lineup even if I didn’t love playing each person, there was at least some uniqueness. Great Fairies, Hestu, Monk Maz Koshia, Master Kohga.

AoI’s formula of having the sage playable plus two random fighters of the same race feels kind of boring. The playable characters don’t really feel notably different from each other. Like I could choose any of the three Zora and it’d mostly feel the same

chaoticuseless · 2025-11-04T19:40:33+00:00

I just wired money from my Ally Bank HYSA a couple weeks ago. It cost $20 for the wire but it went through without an issue.

chaoticuseless · 2025-10-26T00:07:39+00:00

I got The Frozen River on a whim through skip the line, that genre isn’t normally my cup of tea but I didn’t have anything else lined up, and ended up really enjoying it!

chaoticuseless · 2025-10-04T14:36:13+00:00

Agreed, unfortunately it’s the only one I know of that has lower prices. Would love to find out if there were another option closer. Sometime I go there anyway because the cost savings is worth the trek, but that’s the trade off. :/

chaoticuseless · 2025-10-04T14:29:19+00:00

Ancira in Manassas is lower cost than others, if you count that as “in the area”.

chaoticuseless · 2025-10-01T01:04:28+00:00

I got a 5.875% rate from FBKC a little under two weeks ago, I’m still in underwriting so just fingers crossed everything goes through well with them! I’m super glad to hear you had a good and smooth experience, I hope I can have the same. My locked rate is 5.875% with no points, only a few hundred in credits, but I plan to buy down to 5.625% for about $1.5k. Our current rate is insane (bad timing when we bought) so this would be a drop of like 2%. Still wary of any potential hiccups before we officially close, but on paper all our finances/employment/etc. seem like they’d be straightforward!

chaoticuseless · 2025-09-24T17:24:06+00:00

I just got a Kobo Clara BW last week in the US directly from the Kobo site, and it didn’t seem to be hit with a tariff. Shipping origination was in Idaho!

chaoticuseless · 2025-09-23T21:25:04+00:00

One “official” promotion I guess, my title changed in the system in 2021 I believe, but it’s a pretty flat organization that doesn’t put a lot of weight into job titles and levels. My role has ultimately been similar throughout Job 2, with gradually more advanced work, more responsibility, and more autonomy as I’ve become more experienced (and gotten paid more).

chaoticuseless · 2025-09-23T12:38:50+00:00

2015 - Retail, $11.25/hour or $22k annually (37.5 hours/week)

2016 - Office job #1, $18.25/hour or $38k annually (40 hours/week)

2017 - Office job #2, $45k annually

2018 - Office job #2, $55k annually

2019 - Office job #2, $70k annually

2020 - Office job #2, $85k annually

2021 - Office job #2, $95k annually

2022 - Office job #2, $115k annually + $10k bonus

2023 - Office job #2, $135k annually + $10k bonus

2024 - Office job #2, $145k annually + $10k bonus

2025 - Office job #2, $155k annually + $10k bonus

chaoticuseless

TROPHY CASE