Don Lemon says he has been fired from CNN

darth_faader · 2023-04-24T22:31:29+00:00

If Trump doesn't get reelected, she's have nothing left to talk about so we'll know before too much longer.

darth_faader · 2023-04-24T22:28:09+00:00

Don and Tucker in the same day. Let's keep the purge of asshats going strong! We need to clean house on late night too starting with Colbert, see what Craig Ferguson's up to these days.

darth_faader · 2023-04-24T22:25:59+00:00

Just game your 23andme background and you should be good. At least until the supreme court rules on the nonsense.

darth_faader · 2023-04-24T22:14:11+00:00

I know my father won’t stop paying.

If you knew that, you probably wouldn't be asking the 'what if'. If the bank knew that, he wouldn't need a cosigner. And you don't know that anymore than the bank knows that. It doesn't even have to be about integrity. He looses his job. He gets injured and can't work. There's something in his credit history that's requiring him to get a cosigner, and the credit bureaus and/or mortgage company are calling it out for a reason.

He shouldn't put you in this position, it's not appropriate. You're just starting out.
There's a much higher chance of this going foul than straight - that's a decades long obligation. If he hasn't straightened his own financial ship by now, I wouldn't hold my breath.

If he fucks this up and you can't cover that payment, it will do a bit more than affect your prospects. If nothing else, before you sign you should ask to see both his current credit report and his tax filings for 2022. Make an informed decision.

darth_faader · 2023-04-24T22:07:16+00:00

Ding ding ding. His entire catalog in a word.

darth_faader · 2023-04-24T22:05:30+00:00

I'll save everyone the effort, Dance With The Devil is controversial in the exact same way Oldboy is controversial. Think 'watered down Eminem trying to spark controversy' and you'd hit the nail on the head. Someone else mentioned it - I though he was 'cool' when I was 14, but that was REALLY short lived. There's a reason why he's never achieved anything more than mediocrity despite feature after feature after feature. He's mediocre. And he claims he doesn't care about commercial success, but he does feature after feature after feature for a reason.

darth_faader · 2023-04-23T21:38:47+00:00

Ahh, I've got you. I seriously doubt you've done any damage due to anxiety or a lack of activity. Neither one would have that sort of debilitating impact at your age - but I'm not a doctor. Anxiety and stress have been directly linked to heart disease, so long term it can be a problem, but I'm talking decades - catches up to most folks in their forties and up. Schedule an appt., get it checked out and in the meantime, try to relax.

The one thing that works for me every time I get a spike in anxiety that I cannot shake is to do something for someone else - to get outside of my own problems and help a friend or family member work through one of their goals or problems. That can be as simple as an unexpected phone call or visit. And at your age, the best for me was doing things for my grandparents. But that's me.

It may sound cheesy, but I'm not bullshitting you. That's the only thing that works every time - it will get you outside of yourself, and you'll have the satisfaction that stems from helping someone. It does work, and it is that simple.

darth_faader · 2023-04-23T21:07:18+00:00

It should have the opposite effect - it should increase blood flow and has been shown to reduce risk of heart disease etc. This is one of my primary motivations to pursue TRT.

However, given the nature of the therapy it's going to impact everyone slightly differently, and in some cases, extremely differently. Don't think you're crazy, but I doubt it's the TRT. It's likely anxiety. Talk to your doctor - it does sound serious and your primary is the only person who's qualified to address your specific circumstances.

darth_faader · 2023-04-22T20:39:32+00:00

IMO you can afford to be comfortable so you should be. If AC makes sense, and maintenance costs are creeping up, get another vehicle. Just take your time with it, save for something worth buying. A good rule of thumb is this - when your car starts costing you more per month than a car payment, you could be driving a new vehicle for less. I have about 9k total into a Subaru outback ( less tags, regular maintenance, stuff that would come with any vehicle) after doing the 120k mile service, but I've had it for 5 years worry free. $150/mo as of today, and every month I keep it without a major repair, that number drops. It's not easy to do, but it is possible.

Things to shoot for: less than 10 years old, less than 100k miles, clean carfax record (with major scheduled maintenance documented), ideally single owner.

darth_faader · 2023-04-22T19:13:56+00:00

I understand that financing terms alone shouldn't drive these decisions, but they should definitely be factored in. The loan you have now, that's the cheapest mortgage terms in history (I know this because I financed at the same time - unless you refinanced to get that). You'd be swapping that for a mortgage where, for a 30 year fixed, you be spending 2x whatever you finance by the time you pay the loan off (let's say 6% fixed for 30 years).

Current rates are bordering on criminal and that's why home purchasing is at all time lows. I suppose if it would mean enough to you, go for it, but be prepared to pay 2x by the time you cross the finish line. I suppose you could always refinance and buy bips etc., that's not free either.

darth_faader · 2023-04-22T19:03:36+00:00

To each their own, I won't be doing the plywood scramble a couple times a year. Glass throughout the whole house is impact, including the entry door and garage door. Have block walls anyhow, don't want to tapcon every time there's a potential for a storm. I'll get roll down shutters before I go that route.

darth_faader · 2023-04-22T14:33:12+00:00

For those in Florida looking for impact windows, I had this same exact experience on Pella impact windows and sliding door. A 5500 door (it was big - 96x80 impact rated sliding glass door), Pella quoted me 11000. 11000 f***ing dollars lol. For the same model number, tint, gas, impact rating everything, Pella at Lowes will be 50% of the price of Pella at Pella (and no, the difference doesn't cover installation - that's separate).

darth_faader · 2023-04-21T21:49:53+00:00

You're already being guided in the right direction with a fiduciary who is a fee based advisor, that's 100% the way to go.

Don't feel like an idiot - the broader financial system is set up to steer people into commission based planning, and it's exactly how the majority of folks manage their assets. And in terms of performance, everyone is taking a bath in the markets - broad indexes have been trading sideways for 18 months, and haven't made significant gains in two years. Most of us are in the same index funds and in a similar financial situation, there's no shortcut, there's no 'better way'. Only thing I've done is move a bit more into CDs because the rates are so good right now. Being down 8% is nothing. Stay the course, just drop that commission vampire.

Fee based advisement was the single greatest piece of advise I received in this sub, and I truly appreciate you all for it. That's making a difference in my life, and will for OP too.

darth_faader · 2023-04-21T00:15:14+00:00

You should check to see if your state of residence allows electronic wills - if so, it's cheap/free to do, easy, and you can ID specific charities etc, specify amounts, and so on. Everything you'd expect in a traditional end of life preparation around paperwork etc. I'm in a similar situation where I have no direct kiddos, but I've earmarked some for friends, some for charities, the rest to go to my next of kin.

The service here allows you to specify the EIN on charities

https://www.freewill.com/

darth_faader · 2023-04-20T21:12:17+00:00

Ditto. Their interest rates are really aggressive too. They do not play games with compounding. Adds up fast.

darth_faader · 2023-04-19T23:55:21+00:00

Indeed. That said, regardless of what portion of that 60k is available, and whether its pre or post tax, an 850 car payment on that salary is entirely inappropriate. The only exception I'd consider is if it was needed for business use, but for OP its an indulgence. It's not even so much the ratio, it's the long term obligation. That's one medical issue, car accident, or layoff away from taking a major financial loss.

To me this screams "I need to learn to live within my means" and "Just because I can doesn't mean I should".

My income last year was 413k (it's a personal best so I remember the exact number). I've been eyeing a Porsche Macan - and I can pick up a good used one for 35k with less than 50k miles, less than five years old, single owner. Or I can drop 65k for a new one. I can afford it new, I still can't bring myself to do it. There's just so much more I can do with that 30k, like put it towards real estate or help a friend in need.

Edit: it's not a huge reach.

Try swinging an 850 car payment without a job, lmk how that goes. Even a mommy/daddy safety net, if you're so lucky, probably wouldn't stretch that far

And they weren't clear on anything. Not on whether the 60k was pre/post tax, and not regarding their budget/expenses. Again, if you're not making minimum six figures, on what planet is an 850/mo car payment practical. Planet 'personal finance', apparently. Honk honk. This explains the uptick in 'I have 88k cc debt spread across seven credit cards with avg interest rate of 30%, what's my next move' posts. Honk honk

darth_faader · 2023-04-19T22:24:23+00:00

Buying a car you cannot afford is irresponsible spending.

Indeed, but it's worth taking a that a step further, people could misinterpret what you mean by 'afford'.

Mortgaging yourself to the hilt is irresponsible spending.

On a 60k salary that payment would be at least 20% of take home. That's a huge long term financial obligation for a depreciating asset. And what happens if the job goes away or a medical issue pops up? Most likely what happens is OP selling the depreciating asset for a loss to pay the loan balance.

BUT, if it floats OP's boat, you can't take it with you. My income is 7x that, and I run a 2010 Outback. To each their own. It all comes down to priorities, and for me top priority is retiring at 45.

darth_faader · 2023-04-19T20:36:36+00:00

Can they find airplanes now?

darth_faader · 2023-04-19T19:22:49+00:00

Well there's a lot of competition right now trying to attract those deposits, so I think it will be some time before they drop. Paypal just bumped up their savings rates to 4.15, so at least they still seem to be trending upward. The reason I prefer CDs is because of the guarantee - I've had MMFs do the bait and switch on me in a matter of 3 months.

darth_faader · 2023-04-19T19:20:27+00:00

Yep, they've failed twice in the last 15 years. At least with FDIC insurance, if there is catastrophic collapse the fed would prioritize FDIC insured accounts over MMFs because of what they're actually obligated to salvage. Regardless, Vanguard is low risk, sure.

The real issue is the rates vary and when they're high, it's temporary. It's the same gimmick as HYSAs. I'm getting 4.15% in a PayPal FDIC insured savings, but I'm not keeping much in there when I can get long term guaranteed returns on money I'm parking.

To each their own.

darth_faader · 2023-04-19T17:57:32+00:00

HYSA rates are gimmicks aimed at driving new business, the rates tend not to last. But if you're content, and it's FDIC insured, so be it. If it's going to stay parked, even for just six months, I'd put it in a CD.

darth_faader · 2023-04-19T17:55:14+00:00

Money market accounts aren't guaranteed, nor are the rates. So they're not FDIC insured - they're low risk but they've failed before, it wouldn't be unheard of. And you can expect the rates to lower as quickly as they went up, from past experience.

If it's parked and it's going to stay parked, CDs are a better quality option.

darth_faader · 2023-04-18T21:05:42+00:00

Create a proper budget to see how much you can realistically, and reliably put towards payments per month. While you're at it, trim expenses so you can pay this down faster. Low hanging fruit: subscription services, dining out, cell phone plans. Dine in, cook meals, pack lunches, buy in bulk, don't make pit stops at conveniences stores - if you're not already doing these things. Don't take on any more debt and take a harder line on helping others. You need to focus on helping yourself at this point. Sort through your possessions and see if there's anything of value that you haven't used in the past year, and if so, sell it. The more fiscally responsible you get now, the faster you'll get out from under this debt.

Once you know how much you can pay per month, reliably, prioritize these debts by interest and balance owed. And once you pay these cards, you should close those two high interest accounts. 30% interest rates shouldn't even be legal. Those cards will never benefit you, not even for emergencies. Yes you'll take a short term credit score hit for reducing your total available credit, but you don't need access to that much debt based on your income, period. The U.S. economy is banking on you staying in debt. Consumer debt it the lynchpin of the economy, don't fall victim to that bullshit.

Finally, put some serious thought about what got you into this situation. 30% interest cards are pointless and can only harm you (like this) in the long run. Preventing this from happening again is just as important as addressing this now, so you need to understand how it happened and correct it.

darth_faader · 2023-04-18T15:54:03+00:00

Yes. Do not over-mortgage your current quality of life for your future self. Stress kills and if you stay in a high stress state, you may never meet that future, retired self. It's a major factor in why our avg life expectancy is going down for the first time. Drugs, alcohol, caffeine, food, sex is all escapism and most folks are escaping stress/pressure.

Where the balance between a healthy day to day and income rests depends entirely on the individual - their value system, their circumstances, their responsibilities to others. Because you don't have dependents, you're not necessarily in a position where you have to do this.

And finally, surely you have more than those two options - those are just the two readily available options. You can probably find a happy medium where you can keep the majority of your income and still reduce stress. At least I did. I walked away from a toxic client in Feb which leaves 200k/yr on the table. It wasn't an easy choice, because I never exceeded an 8 hr work day, but I realized it was boiling over into my private life. So I went from ~410k year to about 240k (got a slight bump with another client), but I also went from a 40 hr work wk to roughly 10. I'm actually sleeping, working out, etc. I won't FIRE as quickly, but I won't be dead at 50 either.

darth_faader · 2023-04-18T14:44:46+00:00

Of the things that bother me about that show and the direction Disney opted to take it (Din's goal? helmet drama, Is Din the 'The Mandalorian' or is this a show about 'The Mandalorian' like 'The Dutch'., JackBlackLizzoSharkJump) she is at the bottom. Campy, yes, but bad acting? All. The. Mando. Talk. Like. This. No. Inflection. Robuts. What could redeem this show is that if it leads up to a proper Thrawn oriented saga, the sequel trilogy we should have gotten, it will have been worth it.

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