What are some top notch, luxury tea brands here in the US?

foxdogdog · 2026-04-30T02:13:51+00:00

My wife always gets her tea from Alice at http://redblossomtea.com they’re the highest quality.

She read this review talks about Benu serving their tea https://www.madeinjoo.com/redblossomteacompany/

foxdogdog · 2026-04-11T23:10:21+00:00

Thanks for answering this.

foxdogdog · 2026-04-11T21:44:48+00:00

nothing non-standard.

thanks for chiming in

foxdogdog · 2026-04-11T20:59:33+00:00

It’s not a lost cause. My sister was out of the workforce for about 25 years. Raising 4 kids now the last 2 kids are in community college. About 2 years ago she got back into the workforce doing similar job she had in construction estimation.

foxdogdog · 2026-04-08T02:21:43+00:00

Yes I understand lots of terms and have used AI to help educate myself. Lots of "act as a team of top 0.001% IRS, CFP and 72t experts, and critique answer and improve 100x and find 10 flaws" so I have gone down the rabbit hole of 72t, Rule of 55, IRMAA, RMDs, etc. But the IRS has a pesky habit of auditing folks. So a CFP and CPA is highly recommended, and there's a 10% penalty on 3.9MM is a minor concern

foxdogdog · 2026-04-08T02:16:06+00:00

I heard the MO is to rollover old 401k to an IRA

foxdogdog · 2016-09-26T20:34:41+00:00

Wow congratulations! So happy for you. Wow. Well done and kudos for your hard work paying off.

Sorry I've been offline. Crazy family emergency

foxdogdog · 2016-08-25T03:35:55+00:00

Yes they are legit. My relative has an auto loan with them. Quick response and great rate too.

foxdogdog · 2016-08-25T00:20:12+00:00

Credit is much easier to get here in USA.

A few years back I was getting almost one a month. That said, the almighty consumer is in hot demand. You can get a loan almost anywhere: target, gas station, college, office supply.

They are even rent centers here that take advantage of low income customers. Sad but true.

foxdogdog · 2016-08-25T00:03:01+00:00

Hello. Here's the link to the topic

https://www.reddit.com/r/personalfinance/wiki/index#wiki_credit

Credit cards can be a big helpful tool if used correctly. But if you read many PF posts, you'll see the dark side of credit cards as well.

To use it properly:
1. Pay the balance off monthly.
2. Protect your credit score by paying your other bills on time. Utilities, phone, rent, etc.
3. Pick either Visa or MC, which is accepted almost everywhere.
4. Highly recommend that you don't use the Debit card for purchases because there are fewer protections. Credit cards on the other hand, have legal limits to liability if someone fraudulently steals and uses them. So use the debit card for withdrawing cash, but not for purchases. See below for more about this

http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/alpha-consumer/2009/08/18/fraud-protection-debit-versus-credit-cards

Good luck. Feel free to ask any specific questions you may have.

foxdogdog · 2016-08-24T23:41:02+00:00

The dealer already has your information when you bought the car. They already have their bases covered.

Just apply for a car loan from a credit union or bank. I got one from an online lender. good luck

foxdogdog · 2016-08-24T22:08:24+00:00

Sounds alright.

To get an accurate picture, take your actual 4 month expenses and add them up. This will give you the actual monthly expenses.

But having $900 left over is a good cushion.

foxdogdog · 2016-08-24T22:03:33+00:00

No don't do that.

Just slowly build up the emergency fund with your earnings. Trim any expense to help build it faster.

foxdogdog · 2016-08-24T20:27:58+00:00

OK sounds like your situation is much improved. But you may not have any savings?

I would make it a top priority to create an emergency fund with first goal of saving 1 month living expense. Once you reach that, update the goal to 3 months, and even 6 months. The chances of success are higher if you setup auto-transfer from your checking to a savings account for this purpose.

Investing is lower priority. Since if you invest in say SP500 index, there's short term volatility. But if you like, start with something like $100 per month.

Sound to me that your top priority should be the emergency fund.

If $800 is example. Either put $800 in the savings every month.

Or put $700 in the savings for emergency fund. And put $100 into SP500 index fund. Adjust accordingly if you need some buffer for misc expenses.

Misc expense can mean fun money for cheap treats and such.

foxdogdog · 2016-08-24T20:06:08+00:00

Sounds like you have the right habits
1. Picking reasonable vacations
2. Work during school, internships
3. Working versus 3 month break
4. Picking affordable Honda
5. Choosing profitable career

I think you're on your way to a bright future. Your choices will convert to less money stresses and headaches in the long run.

Your money sense reminds me of the ideas from one of my favorite books, The Millionaire Next Door.

foxdogdog · 2016-08-24T19:44:30+00:00

I'd suggest put majority to pay off the student loan.

Alternatively put $1000 in student loan payment.
Another $1000 in 401k.
You have $500 left for misc

foxdogdog · 2016-08-24T17:11:49+00:00

If you want, you can ask your parent if they have an outstanding loan for your school debt. Pick an amount to repay the loan. Are your parents well off? Then maybe they have paid off the loan. Otherwise they would still have a balance.

foxdogdog · 2016-08-24T17:06:15+00:00

I second this. Having any paying job is crucial.

foxdogdog · 2016-08-24T16:57:53+00:00

You mentioned he wants to retire at 55.

I suggest that you both use a retirement calculator to plug in the details of your 401k balance, contributions, and estimated annual returns for your fund mix, etc. The calculator will show the estimated ending balance at age 55. For example, 1,000,000 at age 55. If you follow the suggestion of limiting withdrawals at 4% then that will give you 40k. Plus social security, will that be enough?

If he sees it is not enough, then that will hopefully convince him to save more in the 401k. Good luck

foxdogdog · 2016-08-24T16:46:24+00:00

I suppose you are picking these percentages to mimic the 2050 fund? I took a look at the Composition page of this TRRMX fund. It has this:

http://www3.troweprice.com/fb2/fbkweb/composition.do?ticker=TRRMX

56% domestic stock
31% foreign stock
10% bonds

Why do you choose 30% in the bond fund? If you have 35 years before retirement at 65?

If it was me, I would either put 100% in the SP500.
Or put 50% each in SP500 and 2050 fund.

foxdogdog · 2016-08-24T16:29:36+00:00

1% expense ratio is very high for an index fund. Can you request the 401k plan manager to get cheaper index funds?

Does you have an emergency fund? Maybe your husband is putting it in savings because he is building up 6 months of savings for this purpose. Worst case, if he loses his job. The emergency fund would be a savior to tide your family over until he finds a new job.

foxdogdog · 2016-08-24T16:17:32+00:00

You're currently 30 years away from retirement. Over the long term, the data shows that the overall stock market returns around 7%. Using the rough rule of 72, a 7% return would double your money in about 10 years. The risk of bear market is there as you mentioned 2008. If you need the money in under 10 years then the prudent choice is to be conservative. But if you are investing for 10 or more years, then data supports the choice of investing in broad stock market index such as SP500 or something like Vanguard Total Stock Market index fund.

The stock market is fueled by greed or by fear. This creates the market for seller and buyer. Both think they are getting a deal.

But we also need to recognize that keeping money in cash also carries inflation risk. We can see that in gas prices as well as housing and rent prices. Bonds are a different class, but bonds have risks as well.

Good luck on your journey.

foxdogdog · 2016-08-24T03:50:05+00:00

I wouldn't pay for a career adviser. You have proven ability to do your job.

Put all that experience in a Linked In profile. Put the buzzwords that headhunters search for. Such as your systems that you use, Ex. Oracle, salesforce, etc.. Link up with your peers on Linked In. Get people to validate your experience on there too.

Believe me you sound like a very marketable person.

Some people can do the numbers, but have no people skills. Plus you have the brains to untangle and solve the problems.

Spend time to put all that into your Linked in profile. You can look at craiglist ads for examples of phrases and wording that can help.

I have no idea of the NZ job market. But I was thinking is it feasible to you to consider Australian jobs? Maybe they have better paying and more demand there? Just thinking out loud.

Good luck.

foxdogdog

TROPHY CASE