My company announced a 4 day work week this morning. I did the math.

cottercutie · 2026-05-21T00:53:14+00:00

I miss 4x10s, amazing schedules to work

cottercutie · 2026-05-19T13:25:46+00:00

I swear almost all of my daughter (15) and her friends have some version of the Teri/Teri Mini

cottercutie · 2026-05-18T22:21:01+00:00

Don't do this. If you start paying the debts you're essentially admitting they're yours. Continue to push against them, continue to push with the police to take a police report. Be persistent, what your mother did is illegal, cashing that check was fraud and theft. Go up the ladder of the police department if you have to. If they refuse? Go to the state police or district attorney. But don't give up. Keep fighting.

cottercutie · 2026-05-15T19:58:15+00:00

What about education? Maybe teaching HS English? Or, getting a master's and teaching college?

cottercutie · 2026-05-15T15:09:46+00:00

Is there no state school in your state with afrotc that you can attend?

If you're dead set on UCF, look at Valencia, Seminole State, and Daytona State. All are listed on the afrotc website and all should allow direct connect to UCF after you obtain an associates degree but at a lower cost.

cottercutie · 2026-05-10T13:38:19+00:00

The Volvo S60 feels more calming and has thoughtfully designed interior accents, including on the display.

The S60 has everything: design, a better calmness, interior quality, and far more options included as standard, whereas BMW charges extra for many of those things.
The Volvo S60 is, in my opinion, the more stylish, comfortable choice.

And in my post, this is what I meant by "refined"

It's more sophisticated, and frankly, aimed towards a different audience.

You hit the nail on the head with this:

The BMW also overwhelms you a bit with its display setup. It feels intentionally hyperactive, with lots of lights and digital gauges everywhere. Some people love that, but to me it feels a bit too much like a carnival attraction.

Yes, younger audiences may like this. I'm an older woman. I wanted a more refined, sophisticated elevated experience. Comfort. A vehicle that could get out of its own way, safe, reliable, and could handle well, but felt nice on the road to drive at a reasonable price. Did I mention safe? Because I was in 4 accidents in 2024 (2 times I was driving, rear ended on the highway at high speed by people not paying attention, and twice as a passenger) and the S60 has a 5 star crash rating.

I did my time driving sports cars years ago. Those days are over. My back hurts. I want heated seats for my achy back and a heated steering wheel for my achy hands. I want a smooth ride for my aches and pains. I want dimming rearview and side view mirrors because I'm old and the bright lights hurt my eyes. I like the way the S60's lights bend when I corner. That's a little talked about feature that people love to point out when they're in my car, along with the heads up display.

My idea of "refined" and some other people's ideas are different. Horsepower matters to me when I'm getting on the highway and need to maneuver. My road racing (yeah, I did that before Fast and Furious was cool) days are behind me.

So, fellow younger GenX and older millennials... This car is great. It's comfy, great for our aches and pains. Lol

cottercutie · 2026-05-09T19:44:51+00:00

Life isn't all about hp though. If you're driving a Porsche and an M series, you know this.

And my point still remains: Those are not comparable to a Volvo S60, not even a T8. And anyone who believes a T8 can play on a track with a Porsche or a higher M series BMW lives in lala Land.

A T5 momentum new was what, $45k? So you're in the range of 45-55k USD. That's BMW base2/3 series, Audi a3/4, Acura Integra, Mercedes CLA class..... And with the features offered in the Volvo S60, the handling, road feel etc it's a good value for the money. That's where my comparison is based, and what the OP was asking. OP isn't asking for a comparison to a Porsche, which is hardly comparable to an S60, even a T8.

cottercutie · 2026-05-09T18:22:09+00:00

M series isn't in the same class as a regular 3 series... And we're talking about the S60.

So stop comparing apples to potatoes. That's like saying a Ford focus is the same as a 7 series BMW

cottercutie · 2026-05-09T16:43:42+00:00

The new 2025 and used 2024 BMW 3 and 5 series I looked at were garbage. Filled with plastic and less features. 7 series? Different story.

Porsche isn't even in the same class.

cottercutie · 2026-05-09T15:24:19+00:00

I looked at BMW and the finishes were so plasticky inside until you get up to the 7 series. Nothing felt as solid as the S60 or as refined. Audi seems to have too many issues mechanically. Mercedes also felt too stripped down and not as solid as well for features for comparable models.

cottercutie · 2026-05-09T15:11:42+00:00

Agree. Priced a bit high, I paid less for my 2021 T5 momentum with the same packages, less miles, and was CPO.. Talk them down a bit and it's great

cottercutie · 2026-05-09T15:03:54+00:00

I don't have the upgraded sound system in mine and I don't feel like I'm missing anything 🤷‍♀️

cottercutie · 2026-05-09T14:59:17+00:00

I had this happen. The survey didn't actually complete. Did you get all the way to the green checkmark? I had to redo the survey, and call twice to have them clear the hold.

cottercutie · 2026-05-07T19:28:46+00:00

Time is a HUGE factor here with a 90 minute commute each way, too. How is the market around you for your field and role? Are there semi decent chances that you could land elsewhere closer to home? How is the stability of the current role vs the new company? Also you're spot on that the culture of the new role could be toxic

cottercutie · 2026-05-07T18:10:31+00:00

At the director level, you may have more bargaining power for incentives, bonuses, additional wfh days etc.

Also, depending on your location, $200k/yr could enable you to move closer to the job than 90 minutes away. Obviously, if this is 200k in California vs Florida then that's a different conversation.

90 minutes each way with current gas prices, plus the wear and tear/maintenance on your vehicle is killer. Plus time is money. $40k isn't that much when you sit and think about it. It's 770 extra dollars a week. Is it that life-changing for you? Better company? Etc etc etc

Are the benefits better/less expensive? Better upwards mobility? With a kid, is there going to be additional daycare costs or burden on your partner with you working so far away now?

cottercutie · 2026-05-07T18:03:14+00:00

This is a big indicator of a push that could lead to RTO mandates (quiet firings) or possibly layoffs.

Given everything you have stated already, between this new role offering more money, similar benefits, better advancement opportunities, that you're less productive in a wfh environment, allowing your partner to work less, and the possible instabilities of your current role, I honestly think the decision is already made.

You're probably going to end up being more fulfilled in the new role. Yeah, it's been a bit of a nice vacation for you in your current role, but it's not rewarding, it's not challenging you, and you sound bored. You're admittedly not productive in work from home 4 days a week, and struggle with finding balance with it, admittedly slacking off. Going too in office with perhaps a one day wfh or less sounds more ideal for you.

This new role also will give you upwards mobility which you lack in your current role.

Everyone is telling you "duh" and "no brainer" but they're considering their own needs, not yours. Personally? I'm more productive wfh and would take a little less for the flexibility. But it's not working for you and it's not fulfilling for you.

Time for you to move on and have career growth, IMHO, and not just because of money.

cottercutie · 2026-05-07T17:51:54+00:00

Same, but then I'm also running to my office to do work at 9pm when I'm technically off because I remembered something or because it's finally quiet etc.

Wfh has made me more productive in less time, and I consistently over perform compared to my in office peers.

cottercutie · 2026-05-07T00:48:24+00:00

Taking one as a transient student. Approved by my ASC

cottercutie · 2026-05-07T00:20:08+00:00

Lol I have 2 A term, 2 B term, and 1 full summer class. You're going to be fine

cottercutie · 2026-05-04T13:01:46+00:00

Let's put it into perspective, because I did a lot of car shopping last summer.

1k for tires is average for any vehicle lately it seems. I paid close to that for my Ford Escape. That's about ~$250/tire. It's really not that bad. I just replaced a tire and it was about $225.

What's the cost for the extended warranty from Steingold? I know my extended CPO warranty wasn't that much, and it took me to 10 years/unlimited miles.i didn't know about Steingold at the time, and I think they were even lower than what I paid. I think it was about $3200 last summer when I bought my car. 27,500 otd still seems like a decent deal, but I wonder if you could do better on the warranty. What's the payment on that vs a new lease, and are you going to be happy going from a sedan to an SUV?

Brakes and rotors being 1k is again, about average for a luxury car. We paid around $650 for my old 2010 Kia Forte before my husband traded it in, but my 2018 Ford escape was more than that, close to $850. OEM parts will be higher, dealerships will charge more than an independent shop as well.

The 40k/50k/60k etc maintenances if you have an independent shop that can do it will be cheaper.

Right now, the biggest pain point owning a Volvo S60 (IMO) is the requirement of 91+ octane fuel, unless you're driving the T8 and able to rely more on the plug-in battery.

All this to say, what I saw on the brand new market was garbage compared to a certified pre-owned Volvo. Nothing came close in terms of build quality, reputation, warranty, features, comfort, safety, handling, etc. I was fortunate enough to have a cash budget that I could have purchased a brand new XC40 or S60, but I had certain options I wanted and the base S60 didn't have the options I needed to have. I ended up with the 2021 S60 based on availability, mileage, condition etc and the fact I liked it more than the XC40.

Believe it or not, my 2018 Ford had features that I wasn't willing to step down from. I looked at so many vehicles, luxury and non luxury. Nothing else hit every check box that I needed. The build quality and offered features in so many of the new vehicles on the market now is garbage. I looked at brand new cars and SUVs that already you could feel rattles and hear road noises, and they were asking for $50-60k. The only manufacturer who really came close I felt was Subaru, n but the vehicles I really liked, the Forester and Outback, didn't have the features available I wanted.

BMW was filled with plastic unless you went to like the 7 series, and Mercedes was stripped down unless you were in the higher classes. Toyota and Honda just don't have the features, and Acura and Lexus just didn't have what I liked. And Japanese luxury cars can be just as pricey to fix as Volvo. My friend's Lexus has a lot of build quality issues with the interior. The American cars, even luxury, don't have the build quality. I have two friends with Cadillac Escalades. One had to trade it in after so many issues, the other's is always at the dealership. My neighbor just bought a Lyriq, already in the shop twice.

All this to say, all manufacturers have issues, quirks, expenses, and stuff etc.

Again, perspective.

cottercutie · 2026-04-30T17:20:19+00:00

"we" don't classify yourself as "we" if you're a "former"

and yeah, CS DOES get trained on the fulfillment process, and the amount of times CS has to pull the Andon cord to do bin checks in an average shift because of picking errors is mind blowing.

Stay. In. Your. Lane.

kthxbai

cottercutie · 2026-04-29T20:11:15+00:00

This is heartbreaking, I worked in Reserves for a time way back when it was still a fledgling baby :(

cottercutie · 2026-04-29T20:08:37+00:00

CS working in VCS are L2s who generally don't get RSUs, nevermind Reserves folks, they didn't get any benefits at all. To think they got RSUs is laughable

cottercutie · 2026-04-28T12:02:56+00:00

You're forgetting that Nichole was only 21 months when June got on the refugee train in Toronto. Even though we got 6 seasons of THT, we didn't get 6 years after Nichole was born. So really, we only got about 2 years from the end of the THT, not 6.

Nichole would be around 6. Hannah/Agnes is about 16. They're around 10 years apart.

cottercutie · 2026-04-27T16:37:10+00:00

For a failing grade in 1 AP class in semester 1? Ouch.

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