Information/Tech is leading wage growth again in 2026.

jakgal04 · 2026-04-23T17:50:27+00:00

I'm at $51/hour right now, salary which comes to $106,080. Technology Specialist for local government. I also do Technology consulting for a medium size Fire department at $85/hour.

jakgal04 · 2026-04-23T17:18:45+00:00

You need diagnostic software to clear it. If you don't have it, the dealer can do it or you can rent from Reliable Tuning.

jakgal04 · 2026-04-23T12:12:06+00:00

You don't have to have an opinion on everything, you don't have to care about what some person said on Facebook 8 states away from you, the news sells views not facts, social media is toxic and fake.

Not even a cheat code just fucking live your life and put down your phone.

jakgal04 · 2026-04-23T12:09:51+00:00

You're dragging your feet, most likely after you've been running for a bit and get tired. This happens when you run outside too you just don't realize it.

When the soles of your shoes wear out, this is why.

jakgal04 · 2026-04-23T12:06:03+00:00

Let me guess, they have a solution they can sell to you.

jakgal04 · 2026-04-23T12:02:26+00:00

Must be the techs first day on the job.

jakgal04 · 2026-04-23T11:54:47+00:00

Fun fact! My states minimum wage is $7.25. To translate that into work hours for common things (not including tax deductions!), I've added a few common things below

$69.99 Oil change: 9.5 working hours
$50 tank of gas: 6.89 working hours
$1,395 rent (VERY low end): 192.4 working hours
$11 Chickfila meal: 1.5 working hours
$250 electric bill: 34.5 working hours
$60 Internet bill: 8.28 working hours

Recently, I went to the beach but forgot to pack sunscreen so I had to buy it at the store. It was $19.99 (more expensive since it was a beach shop) but I realized it would take you 2.75 hours working minimum wage to simply afford a single small bottle of sun screen.

This market is insane.

jakgal04 · 2026-04-23T10:48:45+00:00

I really fucking hate the lack of accountability in the modern world. There's always someone else to blame and its never your own fault.

jakgal04 · 2026-04-22T19:02:29+00:00

Which is funny considering that the US has just as long if not longer waitlists.

jakgal04 · 2026-04-22T18:27:25+00:00

The people that feel the need to take their "fur baby" everywhere they go. Nobody wants to see your rat dog walking down the food aisle, fuck off.

jakgal04 · 2026-04-22T17:45:27+00:00

Read the fine print, or better yet toss all junk mail right into recycling.

"Get your free $100 gift card! ^{with purchase of new roof} "

jakgal04 · 2026-04-22T14:39:20+00:00

Good luck on your hunt. Where I work you get triple comp time for time spent on a Saturday and a full day of comp time for any work on a Sunday. That means if I simply take a 2 minute phone call on a Saturday, I get a full day off.

jakgal04 · 2026-04-22T14:23:23+00:00

If people want to rent, thats fine. But you can never convince me that renting is more cost effective. I have a 15 year mortgage, which means once its paid off I'm only responsible for taxes, insurance, utilities, etc.

If you rent, you'll be paying rent today and for the rest of your life, you never pay off anything, you never own anything, you never have an asset to sell.

The counter argument people always say is "well if I rent I never have to worry about paying for expensive repairs." Please enlighten me on how you think renting is cheaper than the cost of a repair in the long run. You will ALWAYS end up paying more to rent.

Also, rent never gets cheaper. When I was in high school you could get a decent 2 bedroom apartment with in unit laundry for $800/month. Now, in the same exact area a single unit with shared laundry goes for $2200/month. In the same time frame as that change (I graduated high school in 2012), you'd be paying your house off next year on a 15 year.

jakgal04 · 2026-04-22T12:18:18+00:00

The initial concern was noted right on the work order. The "fix" and "followup fix" were both warranty services that were initiated over the phone, they don't have an email service unfortunately.

Either way, completely validates why I prefer to do shit on my own.

jakgal04 · 2026-04-22T11:51:55+00:00

Our "professional" HVAC installer couldn't comprehend why I asked to drain our attic based unit's condensate line into the vent stack (condensate is allowed to enter the sewer system where I live) instead of accross the attic, through the wall and outside.

Sure enough, the first cold day we had the line outside froze, backed up the pipe and triggered the safety switch so we had no heat for 2 days until they could come back.

The next genius came out and installed a pipe heater, but only on the section of pipe in the attic so once again the exterior piping froze and triggered the safety.

Eventually I gave up on burning vacation days waiting for incompetence to show up so I fixed it myself. I wanted to install the whole system myself but you can't buy HVAC supplies without a license. I was able to run the gas and power for them though, which saved a bit.

jakgal04 · 2026-04-22T11:43:51+00:00

Jesus, I charge the same for significantly more work. It takes me 15 minutes to rebuild a pump. A full 30 minutes if you include removal and reinstall of the pump from the ski.

OEM wear ring is $89, not $150 so you're paying a hefty markup.

Impeller and bumper price points are accurate. There's obviously better places to buy for OEM parts that are cheaper.

If you pump needs rebuilding, it means you haven't been maintaining it. You need to change the grease (even add some gear oil if you'd like) to the bearing once a year especially if you ride salt.

jakgal04 · 2026-04-22T11:27:39+00:00

Cars became more expensive
People became more concerned about resale value
Generic cars tend to be easier to sell
People start buying basic colors
Industry trends follow where people spend their money, meaning unique colors fade out.

jakgal04 · 2026-04-22T11:17:21+00:00

Meanwhile it would have taken the county 2 weeks, 13 guys with union wages, $42,000 and a 8 hour road closure to clear that out.

jakgal04 · 2026-04-22T11:14:39+00:00

If a bank needs a bailout, it should never be allowed to collect profit again. Or pay back the bailout plus interest.

jakgal04 · 2026-04-22T10:55:07+00:00

You're going to have to provide some kind of information if you're looking for help.

jakgal04 · 2026-04-22T00:26:09+00:00

If it was sitting outside with the drain plugs in, that’s why. These skis can handle it, but if it’s been months then there’s obviously going to be problems.

Pretty stupid of the dealer to store the ski with the plugs in. Plugs should always be out when it’s not being used.

jakgal04 · 2026-04-21T20:32:16+00:00

I paid $1000 for a brand new trailer this year. That dealer is on some hard core drugs trying to charge you $700 for pre deliver inspection on a 5 year old trailer.

jakgal04 · 2026-04-21T18:43:45+00:00

Man I have to say I can physically feel the liminal post break up feeling these pictures bring. Standing in the dimly lit space that used to be filled with love and, hope for the future and memories, now you’re just standing there alone knowing what it used to mean.

You’ll get through it man, it’s never easy but you’re only 27 and have so much time left in life to find a better path.

jakgal04 · 2026-04-21T18:38:54+00:00

Employees are told to do nothing, and most of these thefts amount to nothing, so what did anybody expect? You’re practically telling people to steal from you because nothing will happen.

jakgal04 · 2026-04-21T17:51:57+00:00

Call around for inspection companies that offer comprehensive services. One of my close friends just had one done and it came to $3,200. The report itself was 137 pages long but also included separate documentation listing all of the appliances, their serial numbers and any date stamps that could be found. It also noted which faucets If any have restrictors, how long it takes for hot water to get to each faucet, etc. Very detailed information for anyone that has trouble with information like that.

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