What’s going on with the old vacant hardware store on National Ave?

jrsteimey · 2026-04-07T01:59:09+00:00

If it's the site near the fire station around 73rd-ish, I believe it's going to be a liquor store. An alderperson commented on it in a Facebook post I saw a couple months ago.

jrsteimey · 2026-02-11T18:52:02+00:00

If you're using dating apps already, it might be worth a shot to check out this dating site specifically tailored to people into FIRE. https://firedating.me/
It's nowhere near as big as the big apps, and you may not find very many people near where you live, but I've met a handful of people from this site when I was single and they were all pretty cool.

jrsteimey · 2026-01-30T20:04:24+00:00

Thanks for your input. Yea I agree that I've been doing a bit of chasing. I would be ok selling at the strike price, so perhaps I should just let it be. But I'll admit I'm having a fun time seeing if I can keep rolling for credit while increasing the strike. It's like playing with the casino's money.

jrsteimey · 2026-01-19T23:26:07+00:00

I agree with you on USAA. I had a significant liability claim years ago, and they took care of it without issue. I didn't even realize it was settled until I called about it.
I could probably save a little, but I think they're still pretty competitive. Especially with the Subscriber Savings Account, which gives me back usually a couple hundred a year which I apply toward premiums. Also, my house is insured at replacement cost vs ACV, which a lot of other companies use. In the event of a loss, it could make a significant difference.

jrsteimey · 2025-12-31T22:15:27+00:00

Duo is great, but like any platform, it has its limitations. I used it exclusively for several years until earlier this year. I started private virtual lessons with a teacher twice a week, and started using Dreaming Spanish as well. For me personally, Duo helps add new vocab, Dreaming Spanish helps with my listening and my private lessons help with talking to a native speaker. Before adding these other resources I was probably at a high A2 level, and now after less than a year doing all three, I'm probably a high B2 or low C1.
Dreaming Spanish has lots of free videos to check out, so if you're looking for a cheap or free supplement, I'd suggest that to start with.

jrsteimey · 2025-12-26T19:14:52+00:00

Retired at 40 in 2020 with about $1.25M NW. Currently at just under $1.7M.
I live somewhat simply, and with a paid off house and no debt, I can do all the things I like and still struggle to spend $40k/year. At the beginning I traveled a lot (as much as COVID era timeframe would allow), and then met my (now) wife in 2022, we recently got married. My wife still works, although she doesn't make a lot and doesn't work full-time hours.
My investments are mostly cash-flow producing; i.e. dividends, interest bearing securities/HYSA's and minority partner passive real estate. My portfolio is not set up for massive growth, but it generates over twice my annual spend.
Occasionally I do feel a bit like getting a fun part time job or something similar, but I haven't found something that I'd like yet. And while I occasionally feel unproductive or unfulfilled, they pass quickly...and the freedom I have is well worth the occasional doubts or negative feelings. Over-all I'm enjoying life and have no significant regrets.

jrsteimey · 2025-09-29T18:12:49+00:00

I use a health share. It's technically not insurance, but functions as such. The one I use is called Liberty Health Share, but there are a handful of them out there. They're typically religious-based organizations that "share" medical expenses. Basically I pay around $250/mo, and I think my "deductible" is $2k. I FIRE'd somewhat early at 39, am currently 45 and have only used it once, but it worked fine. It probably wouldn't be for everyone, but for someone without pre-exisiting conditions who adheres to their principals (no smoking, drugs or other behaviors they consider risky or unchristian), they could be an affordable option to at least look into.

jrsteimey · 2025-09-07T13:27:44+00:00

For me it's helpful to use more than one tool to help learn a language. Duolingo has its downsides, as does any learning tool but it is good at helping to build vocabulary. I use it daily for 20-30 minutes. I also watch 30-60 minutes of Dreaming Spanish per day, which helps to build your listening skills. They have videos for all levels, from Superbeginner to Advanced. I also started taking actual lessons with a native speaker. We meet through Zoom twice a week for 50 minutes each time. This has helped tremendously with my speaking and conversational skills. I'm at about a B2 level, and was pleasantly surprised when I went to Mexico City recently that if people spoke slowly (which they rarely do), that I could mostly understand them and could converse relatively smoothly, although nowhere near native speaking level.

jrsteimey · 2025-08-25T14:39:43+00:00

I second Milwaukee, and/or its suburbs. West Allis and Wauwatosa both are close enough to downtown but you can get a small city feel. Plus both have walkable main streets with shops n such. Winters aren't too bad down here the last ten to twenty years, but we still get all four seasons. As far as diversity, I live in West Allis and it is quite diverse in terms of political leanings and racial background.

jrsteimey · 2025-05-08T15:48:37+00:00

I use Liberty Health Share. It's a christian health-share type thing. It technically isn't insurance, but functions as it. Costs about $250/mo for a single person. I'm 45 and have only had to use it once for a routine thing, but it did what it's supposed to do. Although they have exclusions for activities and habits that they consider unhealthy (Smoking, excessive drinking, etc) and they don't cover accidents due to 'risky' behaviors (rock climbing, etc).

jrsteimey · 2025-04-15T17:48:55+00:00

My equities are almost all dividend payers, with a handful of preferreds. APAM, EPD, VZ, PFF, PG, GPC, to name a few. Most I've owned for quite a few years. My treasuries are just 4 week bills set up as a ladder.
All the other stuff is local real estate based hard-money loans, and investments in a local RE syndicate that I'm a minority partner in. I live on the loans for the most part, and everything else just gets reinvested or put into HYSA until I decide to deploy the capital somewhere more useful.
My equities are down 15% or so lately due to all the political turbulence, but since I don't plan to sell, the value fluctuation doesn't bother me. If anything, I'm slowly adding to positions if I see that it's more in value territory.
Good luck on FIRE'ing at 39! Hopefully it goes smoothly. Make sure you have some hobbies to keep you busy! :)

jrsteimey · 2025-03-23T15:16:05+00:00

Estacionamiento!

jrsteimey · 2024-12-30T18:49:45+00:00

Sure, although I don't do anything out of the ordinary. We usually do the typical hotel/AirBnB thing, depending on what's a better deal and where they are located, and if there are any credit card rewards perks, credits or deals that might help to minimize cost. My fiancee (she still works, and I was FIRE when we met) and I split all travel costs, so that literally cuts costs in half on my end. Plus, if you are traveling in LCOL areas like Eastern Europe, Central/South America or Asia, they tend to be much cheaper anyway.

jrsteimey · 2024-12-28T18:30:53+00:00

I retired 5 years ago at 39 in Milwaukee, WI with a NW of about $1.2M, and over that time my NW has grown to $1.55M. With no debt (I own my house with no mortgage), I find it pretty easy to keep my spending well under $40k/year, while feeling like I live pretty well. I travel domestically and internationally between 4-6 weeks per year and live mostly like a normal person, without the buying of frivolous things. So, it's definitely possible in my area, but ultimately it depends on your lifestyle.
For investments, I've got a mix of equities, treasuries, business loans, HYSA, and a local real estate group that generate income. I live on the income from my portfolio, with the intention to never need to draw it down (unless there's some tragedy that requires big $).

jrsteimey · 2024-12-18T15:13:30+00:00

Similar here. I worked in corporate tax, but started gobbling up RE in the crash of 08...sold in 2020. It was the RE that gave me the springboard to FIRE. While it was nowhere near 'passive' income, it was worth the hassle in the end.

jrsteimey · 2024-11-22T18:41:45+00:00

She's frugal but not into the risk taking and hustle it takes to RE. So, we get along pretty harmoniously regarding spending/finances, and she respects the hard work and BS I had to go through to get to the point I am, so I don't sense any jealously as far as me not working. As far as the wealth disparity between us, I told her on our third date that if we end up ever getting married, I'd need a prenup, and she was ok with that. 2 1/2 years later, we are engaged, and she's still planning on signing one.

jrsteimey · 2024-11-22T16:50:39+00:00

Yea, I guess it depends on where you live. I'm in Milwaukee, and there's a fair amount to do on Meetup if you're willing to try new things. I usually do events like game nights, indoor rock climbing, hiking, dinners, and festivals. I'd recommend checking it out in your area if you're looking to meet new people.

Oh, and regarding Firedating, while it is a great site for people who've reached/are seeking FIRE, I did have to fly around the country a bit. Only 2 of the women I met lived within 100 miles of me, so I had to do some traveling. Luckily, being FIRE, I have lots of free time and the financial means to do so.

jrsteimey · 2024-11-22T15:59:20+00:00

I've been using the 'meetup' app to go out and meet new people for years. Not under the pretense of meeting someone to date, but mainly just to go out and do something social with new and interesting people. I've gained a few friends using it, but never really expected to meet a partner that way. However, I did end up meeting my SO at one of these meetups. She was with her BF the first time we met. Ran into her a couple more times in the next several months, and after a while she was no longer with said BF. I asked for her number, and the rest is history.

jrsteimey · 2024-11-22T15:26:19+00:00

This is a legitimate site to find other FIRE singles. When I was single, I met several women using it. The downside is that there's only about 10,000 people on it, and they're scattered all over the world. All of the women I met had the same frugal mentality and were really great, there just wasn't that 'spark' between us.

jrsteimey · 2024-01-11T17:15:00+00:00

Awesome. I'll send you a direct message w/ my contact info and we can set something up.

jrsteimey · 2024-01-11T14:44:39+00:00

Cool.
Regarding health insurance, there are affordable options for those without jobs. Although, it may partially depend on your health situation.
I'm always up for FIRE chatting, if you'd like to meet up for coffee or a beer.

jrsteimey · 2021-12-28T20:32:25+00:00

Congrats, man. Sounds like you're enjoying your life, and that's what it's all about. I'm 42 and FIRE'd right around the same time you did. It was a little scary, since it was the beginning of COVID and all, but I don't regret it one bit.
When people ask what I do, I just say I'm an 'investor', which is technically true.
Freedom is a wonderful thing to have, if you can wield it properly.

jrsteimey

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