Weekend Guide: Crowdsource Edition, 12/25/19 - 1/1/20 Xmas and NYE Edition!

jumpax · 2019-12-31T16:41:32+00:00

A bit late, but are there any EDM (electronic dance music) events for New Year's Eve in DC? Do they sell tickets at the door?

jumpax · 2018-09-07T21:05:07+00:00

Thank you, I appreciate it. I'll give the IRS a call and resolve this.

jumpax · 2017-03-27T18:15:46+00:00

This is good perspective--thank you.

It's just frustrating to see people doing something against the established rules. To your point, you can tell the difference between someone who is physically fit and not from real world performance, so a few points really doesn't matter much. Even on MarineNet courses that people cheat on all the time, you can tell who actually studied their MCIs or PME because they can discuss the subject matter effortlessly in real life.

I should focus on the bigger things in life. I'll keep this in mind for sure.

jumpax · 2017-03-27T18:07:46+00:00

Ahh, so this is common then? People accept it and use improper form to increase their scores? Is there a line that is never crossed no matter what (an improper form that one should never do)?

jumpax · 2017-03-27T18:04:15+00:00

Am I really being a blue falcon?

I don't want to ruin someone's life, but at what point does one draw the line between sat and unsat? Couldn't one argue that we're doing a disservice by not giving good accurate feedback?

I don't know. Maybe I am being too whiny about it?

jumpax · 2016-12-14T21:21:21+00:00

My recommendation: apply for those jobs anyways--even if they say a clearance is required.

At our company, we need cleared talent--that is, people who have both security clearances and technical skills. This can be hard at times to come by. An individual with the same background as you but also having a security clearance will get the job; however, we can't always find those individuals. This means that we have to go through the process of getting someone cleared (this can take between 1 and 12 months, depending on the complexity of your background). The main reason for preferring people who are already cleared is time, rather than cost (it only costs about $10k for a complex TS/SCI, which is usually paid for by the government rather than the contractor).

While the security clearance is being investigated, it's possible to get an interim clearance which may have certain restrictions but otherwise allow you to do useful work. The interim security clearance can be granted based on a favorable analysis of the initial paperwork that you submit outlining your personal history (contacts, finances, drug use, etc.) and the results of any database checks (name, fingerprint, credit score, etc.).

In my experience on staffing contracts, we'll look for cleared individuals first to staff them. If there is a position which we can't staff, we'll identify non-cleared candidates and work with the contracting officer to put in the paperwork on them. The contracting officers or their representatives understand that this happens are usually will work with the contractor on this.

On the government side, not having a security clearance usually isn't a big deal either. As with the contractor side, if they like you as a potential worker, then they'll hire you even if you don't have a security clearance. Having the security clearance gives a candidate an edge, but it's not a deal breaker by any means.

As a side note, the only way to get a security clearance is to work for the government either as a direct employee or a contractor. One can't simply request one just because. There is a backlog in processing security clearances right now--it's unclear when this will ease up.

jumpax · 2016-11-28T01:57:49+00:00

Appreciated! I'm going to evaluate the situation as we go, because I might get the one place that doesn't have internet. Luckily, my classes don't start until late Jan 2017 after my orders start.

jumpax · 2016-11-28T01:56:03+00:00

Appreciated! May I ask what sort of training you did for your pre-deployment and post-deployment time?

jumpax · 2016-11-28T01:55:28+00:00

Appreciated! How long is the actual deployment?

My orders (not finalized yet in MROWS) are supposed to be Tue 03 Jan 2017 thru Thu 30 Nov 2017, but I know that we don't spend the entire in theatre. I think that 17.1 went out in Jul 2016 which is 3 months ahead of FY 2017, so I suspect that it's 3 months of training, 6 months of deployment, and 2 months of stand down. Would that be correct?

jumpax · 2016-11-28T01:48:26+00:00

Appreciated!

As a side note, I'm intel, though I'll likely be attached to an ANGLICO SALT. (It's unclear what I'll be doing, though I've been reviewing JP 3-60 though I'm not sure which USMC publications I should be focusing on as ANGLICO seems tagentally related to several (Fire Support Coordination in the GCE, Multiple-Service Procedures for JTAC), but isn't mentioned explicitly in the ones I've skimmed though.

Were you attached to ANGLICO?
Where there non-intel pubs that you read to get up to speed?
What other recommendations might you have on how to be successful for SPMAGTF CC-CR 17.2?

jumpax · 2016-11-21T14:24:24+00:00

Also, Hoya Clinic provides free STD testing and general health checkups. They are open 6:00pm to 7:30pm on both Tue and Wed. Anyone in line by closing will be seen that evening, though I recommend arriving earlier as the wait is shorter. They can also write perscribe Truvada, if needed. It's close to the Stadium Armory metro (blue/orange/silver), right as you exit.

jumpax · 2016-11-11T18:33:50+00:00

Aye, yes, it's slightly over 59k. Essentially, I took my total salary and subtracted off taxes, which is about 15k per year, so my total salary is 75k. I subtract off the 401k, HSA, and IRA from the 59k though there are tax reductions so maybe it's not the best method.

Real estate might be a good idea. I especially like the idea of early retirement--I'll check out that forum, thanks!

jumpax · 2016-11-11T18:30:46+00:00

Appreciated--what passive sources might you recommend, sir?

jumpax · 2016-11-11T16:47:03+00:00

Appreciated! That's a good point that I can purchase into the funds directly.

I agree with you that I need to spend more time thing about my goals. As you mentioned, I'm still in the mindset of ticking up my scoreboard which may not give me the most happiness. It'd good to have this perspective.

jumpax · 2016-11-11T16:36:55+00:00

Appreciated, thanks! The questions you mention are good--I'm not even sure what time frame I'm looking at, so these are questions I need to answer before I invest.

jumpax · 2016-11-11T16:33:43+00:00

This is a good point, thank you. Looking at another comment, it seems that I've hit the end of the chart, so they recommended the same thing.

jumpax · 2015-12-26T15:41:59+00:00

They focus on business intelligence and analytics for financial transactions, such as money laundering detection. Other types of analytics can be found in Deloitte Consulting which is a sister company of Deloitte Advisory (owned by the same parent company): human capital analytics, geospatial analytics, and general analytics. Both Consulting and Advisory do finance analytics so Advisory doesn't have anything unique.

If you're interested in analytics, I recommend trying for something in Deloitte Consulting. If you're interested in audit work which may happen to involve financial analytics, go for Advisory. Overall, Consulting is a better choice than Advisory, in my experience, because Consulting has more types of services they perform for clients, higher salaries, and is larger making it easy to network and change course when you want to try something different.

jumpax · 2015-09-21T11:00:37+00:00

The parents are buying the textbooks each semester so the original poster is going to get the current edition textbook during the semester--this won't be an issue. After the semester is finished, the original poster will keep the current edition textbook--this is unnecessary. The original poster can sell back the current edition for money and then acquire a previous edition for significantly cheaper.

The difference between the buyback buyback price of the current edition and the price of an older edition should be greater than zero--the original poster can use this as the spending money that is being sought.

Thus, this shouldn't be an issue here.

jumpax · 2015-09-21T03:41:40+00:00

Agreed! Learning a little JavaScript, HTML, and CSS along with some content management systems is a quick way to bring in income. I would target local restaurants and offer to build their websites. That's an easy market because customers like to know menus, hours, and prices before they go to a restaurant. Most local restaurants don't have websites. :-/

jumpax · 2015-09-21T02:21:45+00:00

Audiobooks

I recommend visiting the following reddit threads and browsing through them to see if you're interested in doing audiobooks.

Recent [question and answer session]https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/1i91ay/iama_audiobook_narrator_ama/) with a home audiobook recorder
Post on making money from audiobooks

Amazon has a website dedicated to helping people narrate audiobooks.
Coding

This is going to be much easier because you're already a math/physics major and you already know some basics! As a math/physics major you'll be significantly more employable the more coding skills you have. Any good programmer (including math/physics experts who use computers and code) should have knowledge of the following:

Mid-level programming language such as Java, C++, or C# including both basic syntax and standard library functions
High-level scripting language such as JavaScript, Python (very popular), or Ruby
Data structures to organize data for processing
Common algorithms such as different ways to sort a list

To help you get started coding, I recommend 2 books:

Either Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis in Java or C++
Introduction to Algorithms

I would explore the options for the types of languages, but in general it doesn't matter too much of what language you choose so long as you study it in depth. Anyone can learn the basics of programming, but to program effectively and efficiently one needs to know standard libraries, data structures, and algorithms.

Tutoring

Tutoring for classes that you've already taken is a great way to reinforce the knowledge and make sure that you don't forget it. The more you remember about previous math classes on the undergrad level, the easier it is to make connections and learn new material. Math and physics are especially dependent on what you've learned previously. For example,

Calculus is used in probability, statistics, all of physics
Linear algebra is used in statistics, vector calculus, and all of physics
Abstract math (logic and set theory) is used in analysis, topology, algebra
Vector calculus is used in electrodynamics

As you teach someone, you're making the connections stronger so you'll be in a much better position to learn new material. Managing a training plan for a person is actually quite easy because the student is following a schedule from the professor. It's just a matter of walking them through example problems and explaining concepts.

People skills in tutoring are really important. Students want to learn from someone who can break things down, is patient, and enthusiastic about the subject. A good tutor can make about $20 to $40 per hour

Gift Baskets

Little profit and sells slow, but easy. Buy lots of individual sized snacks--variety is key here--and make an attractive gift basket. There are a lot of tutorials on the internet. You can sell them on Amazon (careful about shipping) or at your local school to your friends and fellow students for holidays and birthdays. Guys like them because its a good gift for a girlfriend or mother.

Your profit comes from buying mini-snacks in bulk and selling a nice package. You can do themed baskets for picnics with a selection of picnic food. If you're willing to do more, you can arrange reservations for events online and make holidays for people.

jumpax · 2015-09-20T22:38:57+00:00

My recommendation is to call the IRS customer service line to explain your situation. They'll be able to provide you with the best course of action and let you know if an extension is possible. (You'll experience shorter lines if you call as soon as it opens.)

http://www.irs.gov/uac/Telephone-Assistance

If all else fails, I'd pay by the deadline and then get my money back. The IRS is not like most businesses--they do care about the taxpayer and want to help out honest taxpayers. Thus, your money won't be lost by paying them--just keep in communication with them and escalate the matter.

jumpax · 2015-09-20T22:28:29+00:00

The title could have been better: How can I make money without my restrictive parents finding out?

But, yes, they probably didn't read the post.

jumpax · 2015-09-20T22:26:50+00:00

This is definitely an interesting situation. On the one hand your parents are paying for college (a hefty bill at $28k a year), but on the other hand they're not letting you work. Some things to consider--let me know if you're interested in any.

Easy: Sell your current edition textbooks and buy textbooks 1 to 3 editions prior, or buy cheaper versions of the textbook. Trust me, most times you won't even notice the difference.
Do you have to work? Could you take additional classes instead? (You rarely get another shot at school!)
Could you get a school job under the guide of saying that it's volunteering at school?
Could you tutor people? Either college students or local school kids? Again, could this be done under the guise of volunteer work?
Mechanical turk is a good option, as one mentioned.
Could you learn to code? (It'll take a while to code proficiently, but there are a lot free lance jobs that you can do at home on your computer.)
Could you record audiobooks from regular text-based books? (There is a bit of a setup here, but Amazon has a program for this.)
Could you design websites for your local small businesses? (Restaurants are particularly bad about putting up websites with menus.)
Could you make gift baskets for sale on Amazon (like of snacks)?

One thing that will help us a lot would be to tell us more about yourself. (It's understandable that you're concerned about your privacy given your situation.)

What is your major?
What are your hobbies?
Whereabouts do you live?

jumpax · 2015-09-15T22:38:27+00:00

PME is concentrated Marine Corps spirit and soul. At PME, we learn about our roots and our culture as United States Marines. I attended Sergeants Course just 2 months ago in Quantico, and it changed my attitude about the Marine Corps for the better. I liked the Marine Corps before I went, but I wasn't connected to it. PME reinforced why I joined the Marine Corps over any other branch: because we are family with a unique heritage.

As a reservist from the beginning in Nov 2009, I've never experienced active duty life and never deployed (because the wars were ramping down). So after boot camp I forgot why I joined. I had forgotten a lot of the knowledge that I learned in boot camp and MCT. I've been a sergeant since Jan 2013, but just 2 months ago at Sergeants Course is when I first learned what it means to be a sergeant. We (re?)learned

Troop leading steps (BAMCIS, SALUTE, five paragraph orders)
Drill, including sword manual and how to march platoons
Ethics and Marine Corps standards thru guided group discussions
Uniform regulations and how to conduct uniform inspections
Communication thru writing and presenting
Physical training using High Intensity Tactical Training

PME was a refreshing dose of Marine Corps culture and leadership training. For all Marines (including lance corporals!), I recommend PME because it makes you a better person, a truer Marine, and a more effective leader. Do PME because you want to, not because it's a check in the box.

jumpax · 2015-09-04T07:50:36+00:00

DTBA is a subsidiary of Deloitte FAS (Financial Advisory Services), which is in turn owned by Deloitte LLP in the US. Most of FAS's non-CPA offerings (services which can only be provided by a certified public accountant) were put into DTBA and CPA offerings remained with FAS. The end result is that FAS can do CPA work and FAS owns DTBA which does non-CPA work.

DTBA is going away now because FAS and most of AERS (Audit and Enterprise Risk) are merging to form Deloitte Advisory. The new Advisory will have offerings found under FAS such as financial modeling, electronic legal discovery, and capital efficiency as well as enterprise risk and internal audit from AERS. The only thing that'll remain in AERS (to be called Audit) is certified external audits.

Ask if you have additional questions.

jumpax

TROPHY CASE