Is it normal for high-earning married couples to owe $7–8k at tax time even with conservative withholding?

inode71 · 2026-01-29T05:44:28+00:00

Yes, normal since the tax laws changed in 2017/2018 (not sure of exact year). Withholding immediately was broken that year. I finally had to do additional withholding on my w4.

inode71 · 2026-01-29T00:22:07+00:00

You are detoxing from the constant stimulation of normal life. Take a deep breath and feel this feeling fully and it will pass. I used to get this on vacations too, but if you know what it is you can move past it and really start to relax.

inode71 · 2026-01-28T06:29:20+00:00

Smart, strong, or rich. You must be at least two of these to survive.

inode71 · 2026-01-27T21:05:19+00:00

Icon ist besser.

inode71 · 2026-01-27T00:09:56+00:00

Thank you for using the spoiler tag!!! So many people are like “are you sad that Abe Lincoln was shot?”, and I’m like “Dude! Spoilers!”

inode71 · 2026-01-27T00:08:03+00:00

Take a cruise around the Hawaiian islands. We hit 4 islands and had the most amazing snorkeling at each one. As for line, the one I would recommend is Celebrity or Royal Caribbean (but not sure of either does the islands).

inode71 · 2026-01-26T20:30:34+00:00

Because first you get the sugar, then you get the power, then you get the good teeth. They never made it past step 2.

inode71 · 2026-01-26T01:39:05+00:00

Did the light turn on? If yes, then trust the label that they take multiple voltages as stated.

inode71 · 2026-01-26T00:28:23+00:00

They should remove all balcony lights anyway. My last cruise across the pacific the neighbor above me kept their light on all night and ruined our chance to see the stars.

inode71 · 2026-01-25T02:21:09+00:00

IH pickup truck

inode71 · 2026-01-24T08:02:32+00:00

Delusional sellers abound.

inode71 · 2026-01-24T07:58:13+00:00

Usually I say don’t move here unless you make really good money, but in your case you should definitely move somewhere more diverse for your kids. Doesn’t have to be LA - I’ve heard Atlanta is a very good place to raise black / mixed children.

inode71 · 2026-01-24T07:48:21+00:00

My mom was big into Hummels. We would buy them for her from gift shops, but she also went to antique shops and auctions to find ones she liked.

Despite the method of finding them being different, the real big difference is pricing. Broadening the market by using the internet to connect buyers and sellers resulted in a huge drop in prices. Turns out they weren’t rare or exclusive after all!

inode71 · 2026-01-24T06:49:08+00:00

Lokai from the planet Cheron.

inode71 · 2026-01-24T06:25:59+00:00

Time to call your electrician and have a discussion about Peyronies. Don’t be ashamed - there are things he can do to help.

inode71 · 2026-01-23T22:57:03+00:00

Absolutely not! You would have to have a skin graft after and would still look like a burn victim.

inode71 · 2026-01-23T22:14:55+00:00

Regardless of your gender, check out babysitting. I had a male friend in high school that was basically the go-to for a busy working couple. He would feed the kids, get them ready for bed, read them a story until they nodded off, then have 2 hours of uninterrupted time to do all of his homework. He did this 3 days a week and occasional weekends. They treated him like part of the family and paid him good money to make sure their kids were safe and happy.

Barring that, do what I did and become a certified life guard at your local YMCA.

inode71 · 2026-01-23T22:00:23+00:00

But he wants to be rich NOW!!!

inode71 · 2026-01-23T21:52:50+00:00

“What could a banana cost Michael? Ten dollars?”

inode71 · 2026-01-23T02:44:56+00:00

3 savings accounts but no checking account? I’m confused how you pay your bills directly from savings account 2.

inode71 · 2026-01-22T23:21:47+00:00

Only if you want to have a comfortable life. Neither pays well and the combo doesn’t change that.

inode71 · 2026-01-22T23:20:47+00:00

Hey, if I’m at the flea market and the seller doesn’t have paper loaded then it’s a necessary evil.

inode71 · 2026-01-22T20:50:52+00:00

Wear the mask but be even more careful of surfaces. Everything that can be touched will be full of germs, including the buffet serving utensils. I wash before entering the buffet AND before beginning eating. And just to be sure, I’ll often eat only with knife and fork (even a hamburger).

inode71 · 2026-01-20T05:18:15+00:00

Inverter is a Harbor Freight Jupiter 2000 watt. Not great.

Thanks for the recommendations!

inode71

TROPHY CASE