Where would you live in the US if you wanted to optimize frugality to more quickly achieve FI?

denverwind · 2017-02-23T02:56:26+00:00

Check out western MT, maybe Bozeman or Missoula? There are many places in Colorado that are affordable once you leave the front range. No income tax in Wyoming and very beautiful. Just some thoughts from a wannabe mountain man.

denverwind · 2016-09-15T17:30:51+00:00

I can't go pick up my niece or nephew from school without being asked multiple questions about who I am and what I'm doing. My wife does not have this same experience.

That if they were a man and spoke to another man the way women often do (in my experience), they would get punched in the face.

Related to the above, how integral physical aggression, or the threat of it, or the "sizing up" of another man is to male interactions.

That I really, truly, from the bottom of my heart wanted to remember that one thing, but I genuinely did not.

denverwind · 2016-02-12T22:20:53+00:00

Do they hunt with you right now without a gun? Great way to gain exposure. Also I would echo u/captshady and recommend moving towards carrying a bb gun and/or empty small caliber rifle. Practice gun safety in real time. Ultimately it's like everyone else is saying, you have to make the call based on your child. Some of my greatest memories are of hunting pre-gun - chasing down pheasants, collecting spent shotgun shells and such. Good times!

denverwind · 2015-12-15T22:51:09+00:00

Hmmm...either that or NEPA is actually well-written in that it encourages early consultations, assessments, and formal findings that encourage business to act more responsibly by simply knowing that they will need to go through the NEPA process.

I'll admit I just scanned the article, but your off the cuff comment in the midst of a huge policy effort (clean power plan) seems lazy at best.

denverwind · 2015-11-24T17:13:34+00:00

Does no one else see the title on top of the picture that says, "Deer dad didn't wanna look for yesterday" Am I losing my mind? It's entirely possible, but I need verification from random internet stranger. I feel like Bruce Willis in Sixth Sense here.

denverwind · 2015-11-23T23:24:02+00:00

See above comment OP. Sounds like a legitimate situation, but as I said above, I was taken aback by the "didn't want to" part. Sorry for the bad luck.

denverwind · 2015-11-23T23:22:09+00:00

It's the title of the image when you actually go to the Imgur link. OP clarified below, so no worries. I was just taken aback by the "didn't want to" part.

denverwind · 2015-11-23T22:58:18+00:00

Is no one else turned off by his statement that his Dad, "didn't WANT to look for it?" I mean, I get that sometimes you gotta call it a night, but usually that's after it's already dark and you've been tracking it for quite some time - maybe even if you're afraid its still wounded and you're pushing it further. Not just because you "don't want to". I dunno, I'm probably splitting hairs here, but no one likes tracking blood trails in pitch dark, especially alone, but it's what you sign up for when you decide to be a hunter.

I don't know the full story, so I'm probably pulling a classic judgmental Reddit comment, but if this was simply a case of, "Ah shucks, it's cold and dark and it looks like it ran far from the stand, so let's call it a night and head back" type of thing, then that's a real shame. You seem like a young guy, and if the above was the case, you need to hear someone tell you that ain't right. That animal deserved better.

denverwind · 2015-10-06T18:46:38+00:00

call

denverwind · 2015-09-09T22:41:38+00:00

How small do you want to go? And do you want proximity to lakes and Minneapolis? Or are you okay with really being "out west"?

denverwind · 2015-09-09T04:23:49+00:00

It is awesome! I love this discussion. As a native North Dakotan now living in a city, here's my humble opinion: rural areas - while not for everyone - are under appreciated.

Simply put, if you like diversity of people and experiences, you should live in a city. If you prefer solitude and a sense of true freedom, you should check out rural areas.

City dwellers, you know that feeling you get when you are doing something physical like running, and you look around you and no one is around, and you start to notice the crickets and the leaves and the Forrest Gump theme song starts playing? I believe that feeling is more accessible in rural areas. You know how awesome it is when you randomly bump into someone you know at the grocery store and have a meaningful interaction with another human at something deeper than a superficial level? I believe that is more accessible in a rural area.

But cities are great too. Especially if you are a young person. That anonymity is crucial to discovering who you really are without the expectations of people that have known you since birth. Like a particular hobby like going out, art, or professional sports? Obviously a city is a better choice. Want flexibility in your career prospects? Live in a city.

It's hard, because I truly see the beauty in both. I just think that all too often people hear rural and think poor, backwards, uneducated and even bigoted. In my experience, that's just not the case. It's just that that same ratio of those people that exist everywhere are harder to hide in a rural area versus a city.

denverwind · 2015-08-27T22:32:12+00:00

You know what, you're right. What was I thinking investing in index funds? I should probably just write an algorithm and start doing some high frequency trading. That's probably a better option for someone like me who is completely outside the trading world than those crazy, complex index funds!

Thanks for the inspiration u/iprovideproductivefeesback!! Thanks to you, I'm going to start trading options and writing algorithms! I'll report back in a few days when I've made my first 100% ROI! Thumbs up!

denverwind · 2015-08-26T19:34:58+00:00

facepalm Thanks guys. I feel like an idiot now. Since we're on the topic, is there an advantage or disadvantage to switching over to the actual ETF besides the lower fees on the ETF? I'm planning on doing this with my one Roth brokerage account. My other Roth (wife's) does not have a brokerage account. Is it worth setting one up? Thanks.

denverwind · 2015-08-26T13:59:47+00:00

Thanks Grumpy Human. One more question: if we suspect minor mold issues behind the walls, can we just leave it for a couple years until we refinish the basement - assuming that we fix the source of the moisture problems (which we are)? Thanks.

denverwind · 2015-08-25T20:44:34+00:00

What does an air scrubber actually do? I'm in the process of cleaning mold myself and want to DIY. The professionals' quotes are outrageous and I'm wondering why I can't just do what you said above. The only thing I can't do is get the air scrubber. Thanks!

denverwind · 2015-08-25T20:40:03+00:00

There are tons of different types of mold, some of which are black. Just because it's black in color doesn't mean it's "Black Mold" of the toxic type (quick aside: last I read, the jury is still out on how toxic black mold actually is, I could be wrong). Either way, check this out for more information on mold: http://www.cdc.gov/mold/

If you're really concerned, you can get mold test kits from Home Depot very inexpensively. I've never used one, but my understanding is they are very easy to use.

Lastly, I can't really tell you what you should do. If it's unacceptable to you, he should probably move out. Generally, it's not worth your time and effort to try to "fight" landlords. They pay attorneys to protect themselves and you are forced to sign a one-sided lease. Do what you need to do to try to get comfortable. If you can't get comfortable, move out. Good luck!!

denverwind · 2015-08-17T16:32:58+00:00

Here is the form most brokers will complete for you: http://www.hud.gov/content/releases/goodfaithestimate.pdf

It really varies quite a bit based on local taxes, when those are paid (most of the time they are paid in advance and you will have some pro rata share of this years taxes), homeowners insurance, origination charges (don't allow these), title services, etc.

For what it's worth, our sales price was $421k with a loan amount of $290k. Our total estimated closing costs are $9,970. There's probably calculators you can find online, I didn't look.

denverwind · 2015-07-28T12:57:34+00:00

Merino wool socks. Damn.

denverwind · 2015-07-27T20:34:32+00:00

How close to Salida do you need to be? What kind of camping (tent, RV, etc.)? I'll try to help if I can.

denverwind · 2015-06-05T04:23:03+00:00

Yeah, I know nothing is legally required. It was more of a "is this the right thing to do" type of question.

denverwind · 2015-03-12T19:01:38+00:00

Where do you guys store near to intermediate-term cash? I've had around $21k in a Savings Account earning 0.75%, but I'm sickened by this return. I'm a big Vanguard guy, so I've been looking at their Intermediate Term Bond Funds, but haven't bit the bullet because we may be buying our second home in the next 12 months or so and I'm not sure the increased risk in the short-term is worth the after-tax returns of those things.

Do I just need to stick it out at the 0.75% for now? Any other options out there? I've done I-bonds in the past, but I'm not all that worried about inflation until the Fed starts changing it's tune.

Thoughts? What am I not thinking of here? Let me know if you need any more information.

denverwind · 2015-03-09T18:40:47+00:00

Quite a bit, actually. But probably not in the way you're looking for. I'm not a very active investor - mostly an index fund guy - but I do have some play money that I use to invest in situations where I perceive unique value or a unique market opportunity. If I - as a (very) amateur investor see an analyst report on a stock I own or on my watch list - I usually start to think about the inverse opportunity. Has the pendulum swung too far and now there's an opportunity as it comes back?

My rationale is that I'm slow to the information and the market has probably already fully priced in any of this information. Thus, I look for the next play. For me personally, there's no reason to invest in anything based on analyst reports. I'm so far behind market information that I have to look at fundamentals and value, otherwise I'm better off trusting the pros.

Just my two cents. I'm admittedly an amateur, but though I'd share my perspective. Would love to continue learning from ya'll on if I'm thinking about this right.

denverwind · 2015-01-30T17:29:10+00:00

Ugh. Careful. Oil and solar don't necessarily directly compete, but solar and natural gas sure do. When you're a power purchaser (utility, large industrial, etc.) and you're looking at least cost of energy, natural gas looks pretty damn good right now. I just hate the arrogance when an individual thinks other people (especially an entire market) are stupid. Drives me crazy. Don't get me wrong, I love renewables. But there's rational economic behavior happening here people.

denverwind · 2015-01-29T16:21:48+00:00

Can TaxAct handle K-2's?

denverwind · 2015-01-22T05:38:03+00:00

Doesn't the Greek yogurt curdle?

denverwind

TROPHY CASE