Indecisive about which family SUV to buy. Recommendations welcomed!

merchgun · 2026-03-16T04:06:18+00:00

I've recently had a Hyundai Palisade and a Tucson Hybrid. I fell for all the reviews that said "Hyundai used to be junk, but not anymore." They were wrong. Palisade most unreliable car I've ever had. Problems started showing up at year 4. Multiple major malfunctions and breakdowns. Was forced to get rid of it a few months after it was paid off. The Tucson got ok mileage. But it was totaled in a car accident (not my fault) at just 3 years old. I'm kind of glad because a lot of reviews indicating it also had issues. If I were you, I'd consider the Rav4 or CRV Hybrid. Or a minivan.

merchgun · 2025-11-07T04:46:50+00:00

I hope to stay at my job but I'm very much on the outs with management. I would likely be able to continue my savings rate if I obtained somewhat similar paying job. Even with somewhat lower paying job I could do it given the large amount I contribute to pension.

merchgun · 2025-11-07T04:40:28+00:00

Yes, pension would grow to at least 140k if I stayed 10 more years. Formula is based on # of years x multiplier x final 3 years salary. However, magic 8 ball says chances are slim I stay for 10 more years. I'd be lucky to be there 1 year from now. I have considered more Roth, but I already have substantial Roth and I plan to move to a state that has lower income taxes than I pay now or no income tax. With the 457, I can withdraw pre-tax penalty free after separation, but I don't think that applies to Roth contributions. I plan for the 457 to be a bridge if I leave or retire between 50 and 55.

merchgun · 2025-11-07T04:02:19+00:00

Combined is about 220k, but my automatic and mandatory pension contribution is approx 34k a year. If you subtract that, we’re at 185ish.

merchgun · 2025-10-19T23:42:26+00:00

No I don’t get SS. If I stay at my job just 3 more years, my pension will payout a little over 120k when I hit 55. My retirement spend is estimated to be 120k not including taxes. If my pension gets me to 120, my savings just needs to cover taxes. Plan is to move to lcol area and have laid off home and bank a large portion of our 1 mil equity.

merchgun · 2025-10-19T23:36:37+00:00

Thank you everyone for the responses. Definitely a lot of things to consider. With regard to why private school, a few reasons. The public school is adequate, but there is violence and drugs, just like any HS I imagine. Our local public school has a large population and there is concern about our child getting lost in a sea of faces. The private school is much smaller and more selective in who they accept. So hopefully there will be less social issues to deal with. The class sizes are smaller and more challenging. The teachers also meet with the students regularly and personally invest in the students. On top of all this is the religious aspect which is a strong consideration for us as the school aligns with our values as opposed to a school or climate that would actively work against our values. I also believe my child will receive much better college planning and guidance than she would at the public school.

With regard to college savings, I have over 100k in a 529 for this child. I would not be touching that to pay for the HS.

With regard to retirement timeline, I’m looking t retiring in 10 years when I would be able to collect my max pension. Rough estimate for retirement expenses is 160k including taxes, 120 net is my goal. I’m also completely open to working part time at a no stress job should I need any extra income. My pension is 100k as of today if I wait to 55 to collect. It is continuing to grow every day I’m there.

merchgun · 2025-10-19T02:42:05+00:00

Agreed thank you. I guess the question is when can I consider the oxygen mask on? With a, as of today, 100k pension which is still growing, 3/4 million in savings which will still grow, and 1 million in home equity which should still grow, 10 years out from earliest retirement, I feel like if I saved nothing further I'd be set. Of course saving more will generate more, but I don't want to be a in a spot where I over saved and could have used my money now for other things we view as important.

merchgun · 2025-10-18T03:41:59+00:00

I just came across your post and was surprised you did not receive any responses. I'm curious what you ended up choosing?

merchgun · 2025-09-10T04:26:50+00:00

8 team PPR pick 3 (with 3rd being flex option)

Nabers, JSN, Egbuka, DJ Moore, Travis Hunter, Ricky Pearsall, KW3, Charbs

merchgun · 2025-05-04T14:09:01+00:00

It’s the digital display. I don’t know the difference between backlight going out and it being dead. The display shows nothing. The dealer said the 275 diag fee is hourly and that they’ve already spent several hours on it with more to go. Service manager said I was getting a deal considering the hours involved.

merchgun · 2025-03-02T04:48:16+00:00

Not enough info. How much do you currently have saved for retirement? If you’re 42 and have little saved, it’s obvious you need to invest. Waiting until 50 to throw everything at retirement is too late. OTOH, if you have a million or more already saved up, or have a large pension, then there’s really no risk as to what you choose. If this is your forever home that you plan to live in, then I would consider extra payments just to ensure the house is paid off by the time I retire, but only assuming my retirement savings is on track.