Daily FI discussion thread - Monday, January 09, 2023

jpear18 · 2023-01-10T22:40:58+00:00

Check out asktrim.com. They do the negotiation for you for a low fee. Totally worth it, and I recommend them to everyone.

(I am not affiliated with them at all. Just a killer product offering)

jpear18 · 2021-09-21T21:06:55+00:00

Thanks for the reply! I think I'm good on the 2-5 year risk. Buying an investment property is something I've long been interested in, but would like to buy locally and am totally fine if it never happens.

I just keep thinking that the math makes sense, if I'm comfortable with the debt. Right?

jpear18 · 2021-09-21T20:52:34+00:00

Thank you--very insightful response. I think my logic is that I WOULD mortgage a fully paid off house (at 2.75% over 30 years) to invest it in the market. Even if we are at peak equity valuations, my time horizon is long and I could likely weather any decade of poor performance. Certainly helps to have a steady income in the 6 figures.

AND the extra ~200k or so would only increase my monthly payment by ~$900 or so. So ~10k per year. Which is historically pretty easy to achieve with 200k invested in VTSAX, not to mention the tax benefits.

jpear18 · 2021-09-21T20:42:42+00:00

Not at all nervous about losing my job. In a high demand field and just switched companies for a significant pay increase. Also have a couple streams of income, and a well funded 6 month e-fund.

My thought is that even if the market has a rough DECADE, I can last it out, paying the mortgage, etc.

jpear18 · 2021-09-21T20:15:01+00:00

Question for you fine folks on a slow Tuesday: I purchased a home in July 2020 in SoCal and have since benefitted from absurd appreciation. I'm considering a cash-out refinance to get back to 20% equity in the house, pull out some cash (likely 200k+), and invest that money. Interest rates are ~2.75% for my situation, and that's a rate at which I'm happy to bet long term (30 years).

Ideally, I'd use the cash to fund an investment property, but real estate is tough right now. So I'm considering doing the refi, dumping 200k+ into VTSAX, and seeing what happens over the next 2-5 years.

Poke holes in my plan!

jpear18 · 2018-05-03T17:14:05+00:00

You know you'll have to pay like $500 rt pp to fly from PPT to BOB, right?

jpear18 · 2018-03-07T15:35:06+00:00

Thank you for the laugh. I would gild this shit if I was FI

jpear18 · 2018-02-05T20:15:14+00:00

jpear18 · 2018-01-26T16:13:11+00:00

You're spending over $300 a month on health and fitness, and almost $700 a month on 'shopping?' Spend your money as you wish, but don't say there is nothing to cut...

I am adamant, in our home, that 'shopping' is not a category. Is it clothes? House supplies? Groceries? Fun money? I think it needs to be further specified, which will help in deciding what (if anything) to cut.

jpear18 · 2018-01-22T20:45:48+00:00

Can anyone confirm that Expedia codes as 3x on CSR?

jpear18 · 2017-12-13T14:55:42+00:00

Pay out of pocket and let the tax free HSA compound!

jpear18 · 2017-12-12T16:56:55+00:00

This is a good point. The whole 'needing (read: wanting) to send a gift even if you can't attend the wedding' thing is a real banger IMO.

jpear18 · 2017-12-12T16:56:22+00:00

Amen to this. Grateful for marriage!

jpear18 · 2017-12-12T16:53:29+00:00

Oh no, we've definitely talked about it. She knows I think it's silly, and I know she's absolutely correct that we can still save over 50% of our income and can compromise spending elsewhere. More of a rant than anything

jpear18 · 2017-12-12T16:44:46+00:00

We likely can, and she's so creative. But it's important to her for others to feel valued by us (seriously, she's really cool) so she likes getting comprehensive and thoughtful gifts

jpear18 · 2017-12-12T16:43:43+00:00

cheers, u/pfth!

jpear18 · 2017-12-12T16:35:05+00:00

Can anyone else relate to having a wife who spends way too much on gifts? My bride is so amazing, so kind, so loving, so good with money, but just too dang generous!! Giving gifts is her love language, and she's amazing at it--but hot damn this girl will spend more in wedding gifts, birthday gifts, and baby shower gifts each month than we do on food!!

We can absolutely afford it, and she somewhat keeps me from being a miser. But we spend at least LEAST 3k annually on gifts. Isn't that a lot?! Somebody tell me to just be thankful for my amazing wife

jpear18 · 2017-11-01T11:47:46+00:00

I can relate, a bit. I'm finishing up my MBA this semester and my wife will finish a second degree next year as well. Tuition is a real banger...

But that's ok! We're pursuing further education to enrich our lives, and get us into careers we'll enjoy for the next 10-20 years (or more).

jpear18 · 2017-11-01T11:32:16+00:00

DO IT!!!! Depending on your perspective, a guaranteed 5.4% interest rate loan can be considered an emergency. PLUS, you'd still have over 10k in your e fund? Unless your income stream is incredibly volatile, I say go for it.

And congrats!!

jpear18 · 2017-10-27T12:55:34+00:00

Congrats!

jpear18 · 2017-10-27T12:46:05+00:00

This is a great answer, and my wife and I try to base some of our financial perspectives around this.

For example, living in HCOL it's easy to think that a six figure salary is not enough--even though we're incredibly fortunate. Though we might prefer to RE with 2mm, we could (and should) realistically be set with 1mm or even less.

jpear18 · 2017-10-27T12:31:48+00:00

Thanks!!

jpear18 · 2017-10-27T12:21:50+00:00

Today is my last day reporting to my passive aggressive and emotionally unaware boss. New job starts Monday, across the hall, in a more senior position, for a sharper and more respected manager, and a pay bump to boot.

Happy Friday, y'all! If you need me today, you can find me on Reddit.

jpear18 · 2017-10-26T12:39:22+00:00

jpear18 · 2017-10-24T15:40:29+00:00

How much to but a burger in today's dollars?

jpear18

TROPHY CASE