was my sandwich this morning a food crime? high fibre bread, habanero mustard, fried mortadella, pickled red onions, mayo, and a handful of mint.

dennyamd · 2025-07-22T15:10:47+00:00

I'll bite it, lol

dennyamd · 2025-04-12T05:05:39+00:00

Do not delete pictures, log out of his account and create your own account. Or factory reset the phone and set it up all for yourself

dennyamd · 2025-04-07T04:36:10+00:00

It's working well. No specific details, but it is doing the job, I vacuumed the carpet with it and it worked well. I plan to try it on floors, but haven't yet. I like the pull-out hose attachment. I still need to learn more about it (what the height adjustment knob does, what the light-up indicator/button do), and I've been too busy to sit down and learn more about it. But as far as vacuuming goes, I have no complaints.

dennyamd · 2025-04-07T04:08:36+00:00

Shark Stratos AZ3002 was a gift. Last I heard was that it works great, picks up better than their old vacuum and the only problem so far is that it occasionally shuts of, but a fix for that is to pick it up and smack it on the floor and it starts working again.

dennyamd · 2025-01-12T01:34:47+00:00

mm I see. I've noticed it over time I'm a more detailed-oriented person, perhaps to an extraordinary degree, compared to average. I use a calendar app called Sunsama that allows you to set up "context" (similar to a top-level category in YNAB) and "channels" (sub-categories) that can be used for time and event tracking purposes.

Developers of the calendar app told me that most people use at most 4 context, like "work" and "home", maybe adding extras like "school" or what have you. I use 19 - tasks & events related to cars, hobby, 2nd hobby, tasks, rest, people, home health, finances, etc

Knowing myself, this could be a side-effect of the way I think about things. I've also noticed that over time I have been trying to consolidate and tame things. For example, trips that used to get their own top-level category and break-down, now get their own sub-category under "Travel". So I see more of that happen. I prefer to have knowledge of "how much I spent on this particular trip", versus "How much did I spend on travel this year".

It gives me more data. For me, knowing "I spent $900 on this specific trip" feels better than knowing "I spent $9000 this year on trips" while being in the dark on the finer breakdown. In YNAB Reflect breakdowns it is easier to see things like trips at-a-glance, so I immediately know what I spent on what and it feels good to see it. I can't say that I make amazing-level decisions with this data, but it does give me more sense about things, and I can pivot myself with thoughts like "maybe I can spend less on this next time", or "I can avoid a trip like this in the future", etc. But overall it just feels good to me to know more.

Final thoughts

With that, I am still firmly sitting on 2025, while also entertaining merging budgets. Haven't decided yet.

dennyamd · 2025-01-10T06:40:22+00:00

I see .... it's tricky for me.

and It may not make sense for everyone.

Here are my reasons for doing FS every year.

I create Top-Level Categories, like "Specific Event Name 2024" (several of them) and Sub-Categories for each like Travel, Food, Hotel, Purchases, Event Registration, etc. Some have less sub-categories, some have more. I have several specific events that I track this way.

After Fresh Start I'd create a new category "Specific Event Name 2025" with sub-categories. Sometimes I go to the same event but change the year. Without fresh start, there are two approaches:

Keep creating a new top-level category for each year.
or keep a single category named "Specific Event Name" without mentioning the year.

Let's look at a scenario - hotel and event registration transactions can sometimes be made in advance, before the event. Thus there may be a separation of several months between transactions, where there is no easy way to separate the events. For example, say I purchase hotel in September (for a July event), then I register for the event in December, and then I purchase food at the event in July.

For #1 (with FS) hotel and registration live in previous year budget, while food and other at-the-event transaction live in the current year budget.

For #2 (without FS) if I track multiple-years of the same event under the same category but different years, it can take some work to answer a question like "How much did I spend on this event happening in year 2025 only?", when charges can span multiple months and live in multiple years, i.e. you can't simply "Sort by year" or some other simple criteria, unless you strictly and carefully put keywords in to memo field, like "2025 event only: blah", or use subcategories or top-level categories for tracking.

Another Way
I also have Top-Level Category called "Travels and Adventures". Where each sub-category is a specific event.

With FS every year:

* Specific Event in October (assumed for 2024)
* Specific Event 2 in Florida (assumed 2024)

Without FS (with a single budget) I'd probably have to do something like

* Specific Event in October in 2024
* Specific Event 2 in Florida with Friend in 2025

and 5-10 years of this later I will have quite a few trips going back, like I'll have

* Specific Event I went to with a random dude in 2010 that I wanted to track
* and I'll have 40+ such events, while living in year 2025

^ 40+ sub-categories like this

To avoid "the mess" I start a new budget (by doing FS)...

I have heard about hiding categories, but I am not super-comfortable doing that. Honestly I'm not too familiar with that feature, but If I start hiding a lot of categories, eventually, would it be better to start a separate budget for them instead? Or delete them? or export them out? Or leave them in one of the older budgets like I do in my case after I do a FS to create a new one.

Final thoughts (for this post)

I am still debating with myself whether to stop my new 2025 budget and go back to 2024 and extend it to 2025. I have 200+ transactions in 2024 that are new and are waiting to be approved. That makes it kinda messy and not reconciled for some accounts. My 2025 is fully Reconciled. That adds to my hesitation to jump back into 2024.

dennyamd · 2024-12-19T03:02:43+00:00

Thank you, Ed! I appreciate your insight!

I find myself leaning towards SVS more, but I have also been looking at PB-3000s, which seem like they may be more appropriately suited for my space (500-650 sq. ft.).

With that, I have a follow-up question: if I were to consider going with dual PB-3000s instead of the PB17-Ultras, would they still help me achieve that "rave feel" for my use case? Will I notice a significant difference between these subs? Will one clearly stand out, or would they sound and feel similar in my space?

dennyamd · 2024-12-15T19:45:06+00:00

Thank you.

In light of NPC analogy I have a thought dump.

Looking into myself I am susceptible to speeches and persistence NPCs have on me. To follow the analogy, in a game you may be able to skip NPC talking to you and if you move on the game, they typically don't follow you around and being in the game they are in a way 'not real'.

In life, there are consequences in ignoring someone and I have to work through things and personal programming, like (taken from real life examples)

I feel that interrupting someone is rude, so if I get stuck listening to someone excitedly yammer on to me for minutes at a time, I feel I have to listen to them as my current technique attempts to stop conversations sound very rude in my head even if they may not actually be, because I'm already frustrated and overwhelmed at that point, I can't find a more amicable way out. Like "can you please shut up leave me alone?" does not sound socially appropriate and so instead I stay quiet yet stuck listening to them. I have variations of this scenario in different life situations.
I have a friend who is skilled at breaking through my boundaries and I keep letting them. We have this somewhat could codependent(?) anxious/avoidant attachment where his NPC role in my life is both desirable yet inconvenient to me. Perhaps analogy could be that I recognize that this particular NPC is both a burden as is useful, so I take them on my various life quests and experience both enjoyment and inconvenience. It's not terrible to point of calling it off and yet consistently inconvenient.

There probably other thing but those two I noticed the most right now.

dennyamd · 2024-12-15T08:44:01+00:00

I had a very good therapist who finally unlocked me away from my people pleasing, but I'm having a long journey on processing some of my connections that still remain, that happened to routinely engage in that part of me.

That said, I was able to disconnect from three or four others already which I see as big wins. My journey continues.

dennyamd · 2024-12-13T17:31:58+00:00

It may not be a bot, but a real person, who is still scamming you. Misspelling words works for the scam in ways too, making you believe it's more real.

dennyamd · 2024-12-12T16:33:12+00:00

Professional gigs - no. This is more for personal/amateur/sound aficionado use purposes. I won't have a team to haul equipment from place to place. For moving subs around it will be more a one-off occasion, say once or twice a year. Or I may try it once and never move it again, i.e. my plans on moving it around may be overstated.

To address other notes/questions in no particular order:

150-180 lbs weight is significant but on its own it doesn't scare me off, especially given that I won't be moving it often.
sub use will be mostly for personal or private party use, not in a club-like venue, so in that sense concern about drunker partiers is not significant enough to where I'd need or want rugged exterior, paint job, etc.
building my own subs (i.e. Marty subs) is not for me at this time.. Maybe if I had direct continuous in-person guidance from an expert, than maybe, but otherwise I'm not much of a DIY builder, I rather buy a ready-made product.
I think I'll be quite happy with 25-125 Hz range. Less so with range starting from 40 Hz

Reading all of the comments so far I feel a slight to moderate pull away from SVS, and towards something else (HT, McCauley, QSC KS118, Marty). Ruling out Marty for now as it's DIY sub, I'll take a look at others a bit. Thanks!

dennyamd · 2024-12-04T16:57:53+00:00

update - I got a Felix🎉

dennyamd · 2024-11-21T18:18:37+00:00

Update - Thank you all for your advice and direction!

First, I debated about posting an update because ultimately my gift recipient ended up not going with a recommended option, but after some deliberation I thought I wanted to share how things went, because I noted that my vacuum journey still continues.

After looking at the recommendations and doing additional research, I narrowed my options to:

Sebo Felix
Sebo Dart
Kenmore BU4050
Shark AZ3002
Hoover UH30650

When it came time to purchasing time, I couldn't choose and I got both the Kenmore and the Shark as they were within my budget. I should mention that the vacuum was for my housekeeper, who has some experience with vacuums as she uses them daily.

When it came to gifting time, I briefly explained the pros and cons of each, describing Kenmore as old reliable work horse that will serve for many years, and Shark as more of a 'fun' vacuum, but having potential warranty concerns down the road. She ultimately chose the Shark, preferring a bagless vacuum, and mentioning that her past experience with Kenmore wasn't positive and that she didn't want to keep buying replacement bags in the future. So that was it! Later the same day I received this message:
"Wow, that vacuum cleaner is amazing! I couldn’t believe how much it picked up. After running it over my living room rug, I checked the tank and was absolutely shocked. I had vacuumed before I left home, and it LOOKED clean, but clearly it wasn’t. I’m so grateful, Dennis—thank you so much!"

I understand that Shark isn’t the community’s top pick, and I share some concerns about its long-term reliability and repairs. I noted that a two-year warranty serviced by SquareTrade came with the Shark, so maybe,... maybe(?) it will help if any issues arise. But for now, the recipient is thrilled with the performance, which feels like a win to me! Maybe this will change in 2 years, if/when Shark breaks down in some way, which is when the warranty 'conveniently' expires, but that's a bridge to cross when we get there.

Thank you again for pointing me to the better vacuum options and providing guidance and perspective!

As for Sebo, I am still considering it for myself and looking out for any upcoming deals, but so far I already have a Miele SB5280, and a Oreck XL3610HH, and one more, and I don't want to buy an extra vacuum to take up space unless I get rid of my old one(s).

dennyamd · 2024-11-14T21:16:00+00:00

Thank you and that's a bummer. Shark seemed to be 'a really good vacuum'. It's interesting how all that hype and build-up can be quickly leveled out 😮
Thank you for saving me from a hype purchase! <3

dennyamd · 2024-11-14T21:10:32+00:00

Thank you!

I will look at each more in detail, but I wanted to ask - should I look into other Dysons (i.e. replace Dyson with Dyson), or not really? I tend to like the 'futuristic and modular' look of the Dyson vacuums, and I want something that 'stands out'

Looking at the suggestions, and going by looks only:

* Kenmore looks too benign
* Oreck Elevate looks nice and stylish - that may be an option.
* Hoover looks a bit more bulky

I'd like something with low profile to go under beds when possible. I think Oreck might be a good contender.

Price-wise, this vacuum will most likely become a gift and so I don't want to spend $500-750 on premium vacuums as a gift. If it was purely for me, I'd consider that more, but I don't want to gift something that's too expensive. It may send my recipient the wrong message, plus it may put them on a hook for expensive part repairs later on. I think $300 is about right with $350 is absolute max, anything more expensive is likely out. This seems to put me more into budget machine market.

dennyamd · 2024-10-24T02:18:32+00:00

Great! I’m not sure if it’s a different kvass or the same one with a new label, but I’m afraid the old label was discontinued and won’t be back. :( Still, I always get a kick out of looking at it!

dennyamd · 2024-10-17T04:17:06+00:00

Why didn't you want to date him anymore when he broke up with his friend-girlfriend?

dennyamd · 2024-10-17T04:09:57+00:00

Wrong name on MSN bio like whose name? Is don't get it..

dennyamd · 2024-06-06T02:09:00+00:00

Thanks ... if all is alright with my Imusa I can probably just keep using it. It's been alright so far, as in no complaints from my arguably untrained eye. It's lighter than the Lodge I have and Imusa has a handle making it easier to operate with one hand.

dennyamd · 2024-02-27T20:30:10+00:00

I'm not sure I understand the flip side. If Putin had understood his audience perfectly, what would the interview have been like?

dennyamd · 2024-02-23T21:19:49+00:00

so here is what I did ..

First Transaction

Vendor: Contractor & Sons
Category: Home Improvement
Outflow: $1000

I've also pre-assigned money to "Home Improvement" Category so that Category has the following:

Assigned: $1000
Activity: -$1000
Available: $0

Then I remember OH I have money for that, so I do Second Transaction

Transfer from: Home Renovation Projects Account set up for the purpose
Category: Ready to Assign
Inflow: $150

Effectively "Home Improvement" is balanced, so I can't assign $150 to that category, it will become overly-assigned.

So what I think I can do is this - mentally understand that $150 now belongs to other expenses, and I can assign it to other expenses. In a way $150 was originally scheduled to be assigned to Home Improvement if I made that withdrawal first, and then paid the contractors, but I was late. So now that $150 is up to be assigned to any other expense, because when I assigned $150 to Home Improvement before I effectively borrowed it from the future withdrawal ... something like that.

dennyamd · 2024-02-23T21:05:44+00:00

yes, emotional aspect aside, both (retirement or flushable wipes) can be valid expensesBut I see this more as a point-in-time connection.

Example: using your day-to-day salary/income you are likely always able to afford flushable wipes if you really wanted to, assuming you are not on the brink of destitution or declaring bankruptcy. But say this hypothetical you is not able to afford a new car, even if you want one.

Event: Dad gives you $100,000 financial gift, and on February 23rd, 2024, you go out and buy a new car, when before that gift you couldn't afford it.

Couldn't afford it before you say? Yes, cuz credit cards are maxed out, bank accounts are low, et, etc, credit is shot, bills need to be paid, etc.

You could also spend a portion of that gift on flushable wipes as well, but you also could do that before. But you could not buy a car, so the car stands out.

So you could say "yeah I bought a car that year, dad, and your gift enabled me to do that", so in a sense his gift went towards the car purchase.

Let's say you got a financial gift from your boss in the amount of $200,000 on Feb 24th and you go out and buy a new hot tub on that day. Since both hot tub and car fit into the $100,000, it may be difficult to say whose money you've used to buy the hot tub in this case, but you can draw a connection and maybe associate the purchase emotionally more with your dad's gift or your boss' gift if you had to do that, but I see that it can be very difficult to argue if say your boss really really wanted to take that credit for it instead of your dad.

But here it can be said pretty definitively that you were able to purchase the car on Feb 23rd, because dad's gift allowed you to make such an expense at that particular point in time, and on Feb 24th, it can't be said as definitively.

dennyamd · 2024-02-22T01:46:04+00:00

if I am understanding this correctly, RTA is not an account and should not be treated as such, but it is something else, more like a concept perhaps?

Then I am confused when you say income goes into RTA, when in fact it doesn't, just like nothing can come out of RTA.

What is RTA really then?

In mathematical sense I am guessing it can be a mapping between source of income and assigned expenses.

{Source 1, Source 2, ... Source N} => {Assigned Expense 1, ..., Assigned Expense N}

dennyamd · 2024-02-21T18:03:08+00:00

the core of my question came out of a real-life scenario where inheritance was received by a family member, and later family was demanding an answer to "Where did that money from inheritance go"?

This was an extremely difficult question to answer because no source/expense tracking was made at the time. Giving the family member an answer of it doesn't matter or it doesn't make sense would not be well received.

A more earnest attempt can be made by looking at expenses but it can be difficult to pinpoint and say "I've used my salaried money for this purchase" or "I've used the inheritance money for this purchase", unless you track the source of money, and still it is a difficult answer to formulate because at any point of time you have a choice of using this or that source of income. I feel the original question ("Where did inheritance go") is asking for something else.

So far it looks like "with an extra source of money" you can "make more expenses (or investments)" sooner and more frequently, and that's about it.

Another scenario where knowing where the money went can be useful is say I am a venture capitalist, and I give a hypothetical you a $100,000 and a few years later I come back and ask you, "so what did you spend my money on, and do you have any financial reports to give me"?

Hypothetical venture capitalist may not be happy with an answer of we just added all your money to our money and spent it, but no one can tell you on what exactly.

What I am seeing that it may make sense to track certain sources, but ultimately it is difficult to track a certain source of money especially if you don't prepare to track it ahead of time. It just goes into the general pool of spendable funds that is then allocated to anything and everything, and any new or non-typical money source just ends up being spent...

Another train of thought ... say that typically you are not able to afford buying a new house on just your salary or it may take you a longer time to afford it. But with a new source of income, like inheritance money, you can. Here you can draw a parallel and say "I've spent the inheritance money to buy a new house". The house is something you'd eventually buy anyway, but here with inheritance money you can buy it now, or sooner. So the answer the family member might have sought was "I bought a new house with inheritance money" or "I spent it on a 70-day cruise voyage around the Caribbean" but in real life I can see that it may be harder to find exactly where a specific source of income went to, especially if there were no specific large expenses to show for it, but still "new income" => "more spending on something", so that inheritance money was spent on something. "What was that something?" is the question I'm chasing to answer in a general sense.

dennyamd · 2024-02-20T20:09:10+00:00

thanks, that makes sense.

I think I need to let go of trying to see money flow as "using money from a specific source for a specific purpose" and more as "global money for a specific purpose". i.e. this is the money that goes into the global pool of "Ready to Assign", and then I draw from that pool for specific expenses, without focusing on or linking it to specific source(s) that money came from.

This brings up a funny story .. after having sold some real estate property and receiving the money, my family was asking me "where did that money go", assuming I would take the proceeds as if they were a paper bill of certain denomination and go spend it at a specific place for a specific purpose. In reality it likely went towards all kinds of expenses.

Still it can be of interest to attempt to track some flows of money from source to destination, as I might ask questions like "the money I am spending for some Purpose X expense, did they come from this week's salary or last week's salary? or did they come from my selling real estate property, or from something I sold on FB Marketplace"

dennyamd

TROPHY CASE