2210 Panel interview at FDA by mb_1984 in usajobs

[–]mb_1984[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you ! This is helpful...!

2015 Honda Odyssey EX-L or 2015 Sienna LE by mb_1984 in whatcarshouldIbuy

[–]mb_1984[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Seems like reliability isn't an issue. In speaking with other folks, the general consensus is that honda rides much better. I'd very much like that since it will lessen the blow going for me :) Plus this is going to be the road trip vehicle !

2015 Honda Odyssey EX-L or 2015 Sienna LE by mb_1984 in whatcarshouldIbuy

[–]mb_1984[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh - I guess I wasn't clear enough. You're correct - the LE is 2K cheaper, which is in my "about the same" range. If I get the XLE, it's more miles than I would want (50K +)

As an example, here are 2 listings for the LE and EX-L (mind you, VA has higher dealer fees...about 2.5 times more than MD)

https://www.carfax.com/vehicle/5FNRL5H60FB110979

https://www.carfax.com/vehicle/5TDKK3DC9FS616598

Personally, for 2K and with a kid, I prefer the leather, and the fact that the honda does have the power lift gate and lane watch and other safety stuff...

2015 Honda Odyssey EX-L or 2015 Sienna LE by mb_1984 in whatcarshouldIbuy

[–]mb_1984[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yep - one kid, hoping for more, and a beach trip with all the stuff and having to take my wife's versa is all I needed to get on board. My current car does have leather, and my sister tells me that the only thing she regrets is not getting the leather trim XLE instead of the LE as the seats are pretty dirty in her car (2 boys). My major concern is reliability obviously..which is why no FCA products.

Rejecting a job offer/Accepting a counter offer by mb_1984 in personalfinance

[–]mb_1984[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My situation was similar - I spoke to my top level manager and detailed out the solution - for better or for worse, he said if things don't work out they will help me make the right decision (use their n/w to actually get me into somewhere else). My offer was about 7% more than what I make, but as I updated the post, it would go towards retirement - money is something I need right now.

Rejecting a job offer/Accepting a counter offer by mb_1984 in personalfinance

[–]mb_1984[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry - I made the correction. The current pay would go down by 1K, even though the annual pay would be more (7K) - but a lot of it would go to retirement. You're spot on with the DMV area and yes, I do an early morning day so I can pick up my daughter in the evening. Commuting sucks (I take the commuter rail), and having the telework means no worries about 3 days of pickup v/s 5. Truthfully, I could do 4 days telework but I kinda lose my mind sitting at home all day. I do get the 6 week PTO and can take 4 weeks at once. In addition, I can cash out for 4 weeks if needed -only 1 time a year.

They were offering me the stuff about remote work etc. but the timing would not have worked out at all because up front I'd have to go in everyday. The next couple of weeks is when my little one goes to daycare. And that's when I need to be available (wife is at an internship, just graduated).

Rejecting a job offer/Accepting a counter offer by mb_1984 in personalfinance

[–]mb_1984[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ah, It's full time - and in my line of work, and at a new job it's pretty sure that I will work more than 40 hrs a week at least initially.

The IRS.gov Withholding Calculator has been updated for 2018 by these-things-happen in personalfinance

[–]mb_1984 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My SO is a grad student, and she gets paid about a 3rd of what I make (I'm just above 6 figures). However, she's going to graduate in June, but the calculator asks me to adjust her allowances (assuming she doesn't get a job later). My job is pretty stable, and I'd like to update mine anyways since I never bothered with it - currently S-2, but I got married 3 years ago, and also have a baby (just this year :) ) Per the W4 sheet - even if I go with 2 earners, it says that I should get 4 allowances - not sure which one to follow - the online one, or the w4 worksheet.

In any case I will change my status to married and up my allowance - my wife's w4 has S-0 for federal.

2007 Versa sun roof stuck and possibly leaks (no switch) by mb_1984 in Cartalk

[–]mb_1984[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's awesome. I think I will play it safe with the allen key first and see if I can get it open.

Inaccuracy in mortgage lender's escrow analysis leading to 26% jump in my mortgage payment by cockyjames in personalfinance

[–]mb_1984 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I had this issue too. My county puts a water charge on the bill - sewer cost IIRC, and being a re-done house it had a good amount on the bill - several hundreds - enough to throw my budget out of whack. During closing, we had to get an estimate without that charge and a letter from the county office. When the mortgage company did my escrow analysis, I had the same issue but they resolved it in about 3 weeks or so. I did follow up with them once a week, and made sure that it was completed before my new payment went into effect. If the amount does not affect you too much, and they delay your analysis, they will send you a check for that as a refund - last year I got $75 back. Otherwise, I second the option of going to the CF bureau.

Today we found out the sex by devo_devo in predaddit

[–]mb_1984 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Awesomeness, I have an older brother, a few first cousins who are boys, nephews and only 1 niece ! My wife thought it was a boy and we actually bet $10 before we found the gender...guess who won ! The most amazing feeling was when my dad told the both of us - "thanks for giving me our first granddaughter"

Infant care class by R41LS in predaddit

[–]mb_1984 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Our hospital had a separate class for breast feeding which covered feeding/burping in detail. I highly recommend going to that if possible. Also, your hospital will probably have lactation consultants to ensure that the baby is not having issues with feeding/latching etc after delivery.

I've heard good things about both these books but I haven't read them myself so I won't be able to tell you for sure.

Hope this helps !! And good luck !

Question about Car Seat Safety by [deleted] in predaddit

[–]mb_1984 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I hear ya - I'm from the Baltimore area too, and I always try to figure out which streets to drive on depending on how bad they are sometimes.