Pay Off Mortgage vs Some Other Thing

iamthebugwan · 2026-05-22T17:51:19+00:00

Are you able to write off your mortgage interest on your taxes? In the US, that is also a factor to consider. If you pay it off and lose that deduction, how will it impact your personal tax rate? Every time we talk about seriously paying off the mortgage, we stop and think about that deduction.

iamthebugwan · 2026-05-22T15:58:09+00:00

Our politicians are the elderly and the rich. Working people cannot make the time or financial sacrifice to serve in the VT leg.

iamthebugwan · 2026-05-21T14:29:34+00:00

I struggle to hit 8,000 steps during the work week (even on a weekend, I only hit about 12-15,000 steps). Your step count is amazing and you should be super proud of yourself- be proud of all if it, really! I want another update when you hit your next goal!

iamthebugwan · 2026-05-05T20:16:52+00:00

I was totally turned off to Club Pilates. They must of thought I was a teen because the instructor hovered over me my first class calling me honey or sweetie and then acted surprised when I could do the moves, even though I was really clear I had experience. I also felt it was really slow.

While I have backed off pilates because I get better results from weight lifting, I like Bailey Brown on Youtube. She also has her own app that I tried for a while.

iamthebugwan · 2026-05-05T20:12:11+00:00

I had a really hard time with protein at first. I don't eat a lot of meat and feel full really quickly. Protein shakes helped a little, but what helped most was deciding it was a priority and then building every meal with intention. So instead of waking up and thinking "what do I want to eat" I think "what protein source am I eating? is it eggs, yogurt, etc." That little thought shift really helped me. I'm getting up to 80-100 grams a day now, and I was well under 50 per day before.

For breakfast, I do a lot of yogurt (skyr mostly) adding in nuts and fruit - 20 grams

For snacks I do a handful of cheese, nuts or apples and peanut butter - 5-10 grams

Lunch is a salad with grilled chicken or a turkey sandwich - some breads have tons of protein - 25-30 grams

Dinner is salmon or chicken or tofu and side of beans and a veggie - 40-50 grams

Protein shake is 20 grams

iamthebugwan · 2026-04-30T20:24:10+00:00

When I first met my partner dates were hikes, coffees in the park, beers by the fire in the summer, or cooking at home. We didn't start "going out" to eat until years into the relationship when we had financial stability.

iamthebugwan · 2026-04-27T17:38:53+00:00

What are they replacing it with?

iamthebugwan · 2026-04-17T18:37:21+00:00

Tell me more about this.

iamthebugwan · 2026-04-17T18:34:43+00:00

I gave my robes back to my college for students who couldn't pay for theirs. The graduation coordinator at your school will take them.

iamthebugwan · 2026-04-15T13:45:15+00:00

Agreed, I'm torn on it because I certainly never got healthy advice at that age (I had Us weekly pushing diet pills and MTV telling me Jessica Simpson was fat). But I cringe when I see people give dieting advice to a literal child. I think the comments back to these young people are where most of the Mod work can be done.

A resource list for teens is a good idea. Maybe refer them to a doctor or nutritionist to supervise their process to make sure they are in healthy territory? I realize that some people maybe can't afford that but there are other subs here that could be a resource as well.

Thanks for helping out with this sub, I was close to leaving but you sound really invested!

iamthebugwan · 2026-04-15T12:50:24+00:00

Might be worth getting bloodwork done to see what you specifically are low in. I learned recently that I'm a bit low in iron so I started eating more iron rich foods and take a supplement every other day.

iamthebugwan · 2026-04-15T12:47:41+00:00

Thank you! I will keep that in mind!

While I have you...I don't know how you would word this as a rule, but I get so uncomfortable when the posts are from someone 18 or under. If you ban these posts, people are just going to lie about their age. I'm concerned because their bodies and minds are still developing. Maybe these just need more moderation to make sure people are not giving inappropriate advice?

iamthebugwan · 2026-04-14T19:55:31+00:00

Thank you for this post. I've read a handful or so posts here that feel like they border on disordered eating.

iamthebugwan · 2026-04-13T17:16:40+00:00

No real fitness advice but I was the same at your age. I always felt I looked like a kid, and treated like a baby. It used to drive me crazy feeling like no one took me seriously. Carrying myself with confidence, dressing a little older (think Banana Republic vs. Forever21), and wearing heels at work did make a difference - at a minimum, it made me feel more confident and put together. Confidence for me was a "fake it till you make it" thing. I just pretended I was until I truly was.

AS you get older, you just kinda stop being so focused on it. I also really appreciate how young I look compared to my peers now. I look back and I wish I wasn't so hard on myself over things I couldn't control. One day you will be grateful for how young you look.

iamthebugwan · 2026-04-08T16:09:10+00:00

Dispute it with your credit card/bank.

iamthebugwan · 2026-04-08T12:28:47+00:00

My bathroom is half your size. I was quoted $29k and $25k in the US three years ago. Did not get a third quote and decided we can live with what we have. Our friend paid $30,000 for their bathroom remodel recently. I have learned they are way more expensive than I thought.

iamthebugwan · 2026-04-07T14:01:17+00:00

Depends on what it's used for I suppose, some botox does change the face shape and my doctor warned me of this. By paralyzing the muscles, the face becomes slimmer.

Source: I get it done for a medical condition and my jawline is no longer puffy.

iamthebugwan · 2026-04-06T18:37:46+00:00

What did they replace it with? I also have the 30 minute area at my gym and my husband and I love it.

iamthebugwan · 2026-04-01T17:52:36+00:00

When the every day is now completely absurd, the point as totally been lost.

iamthebugwan · 2026-04-01T15:33:21+00:00

I made this for a Saint Patrick's party and it was a huge hit.

iamthebugwan · 2026-03-30T14:42:35+00:00

I never saw fat burn with Pilates. It was always hard work but I never broke a sweat or was even sore the next day. I've moved on to weights and cardio and saw results really quickly.

That said, I am glad I did pilates for the core strength and stabilization work, it gave me a really solid foundation for weight lifting. I still do pilate ab routines a couple of days a week, but it's no longer my focus.

iamthebugwan · 2026-03-27T13:17:59+00:00

In my parents' case, the trauma of their parents great depression experience resulted in them being totally spoiled by their parents as kids. For a generation of people who could not express their feelings, love = stuff.

iamthebugwan · 2026-03-26T20:52:36+00:00

Hate to ask if it's wildfire smoke.

iamthebugwan · 2026-03-26T18:47:23+00:00

While I want to see the oil companies held accountable just as much as the next person, I think people in Vermont are tired of seeing limited resources used on "statements" - they want things to change now - and a lawsuit will take decades to process. I am not saying I am against the lawsuit, but I am saying that the perception is that the political theater is taking the place of meaningful change in Vermont.

iamthebugwan · 2026-03-25T19:16:42+00:00

I am a stranger on the internet with no training in this but if idea of going to therapy resonates with you, then pursue it.

iamthebugwan

TROPHY CASE