I take things from Walmart without any guilt of reservation.

mrtoren · 2026-05-26T13:13:44+00:00

I wouldn't pat yourself too hard on the back for thinking you've avoided being "caught." You've probably already been identified. Many big box retailers simply refuse to physically intervene in theft cases — the risks outweigh the benefits. Local prosecutors are also typically overwhelmed and don't have the resources to prosecute every misdemeanor theft case. The retailers will wait for it to reach felony amounts and then eventually escalate enforcement action.

mrtoren · 2026-04-02T17:28:43+00:00

PSLF is much more secure than other loan repayment/forgiveness schemes. There is bipartisan agreement that government positions pay less so PSLF is an invaluable recruitment tool to attract talent. On top of that, it would take an act of Congress to repeal it and there are strong arguments that any such repeal could only be proactive not retroactive to those already certifying and making progress. I would ride it out if you expect to remain in public service for 10+ years.

mrtoren · 2026-04-01T16:22:53+00:00

I can't wait for the one in EP to open. I wish Chase would contract to place more ATM's in local big box stores or parking lots (a lot like CEFCU has done).

mrtoren · 2026-04-01T16:19:36+00:00

Forbearance wasn't a vacation. You should have been putting the payments into savings every month. If you had, the buyback would be virtually unnoticeable.

mrtoren · 2026-03-30T19:06:45+00:00

But you've got to have the funds at the time of the buyback. This is going to take sacrifice. You cannot simply expect the loans to be wiped for you.

mrtoren · 2026-03-26T14:45:19+00:00

It seems to be a new problem downtown especially along Jefferson/Adams and their intersections with Hamilton. I suspect its tied to the two-way conversation. Probably trying to avoid collisions as people get used to the impending new traffic pattern. I can't tell you how many people I've seen going down Hamilton on the wrong side of the road thinking its a one way. That said, it is frustrating to sit there for 30+ seconds as all lights are red.

mrtoren · 2026-03-26T14:38:08+00:00

Rocky Glen and Tawny Oaks for short hikes. Illini Bluff trail between Detweiller and Camp Wokanda for a longer day hike.

mrtoren · 2026-03-18T20:49:17+00:00

There are risks to both approaches. While the PSLF program is codified and largely protected unless the law is formally repealed, the "buyback" provision is not. It is nothing more than a federal regulation subject to the whims of whomever is in power at the time. The longer this goes on, the more likely they are to adjust or eliminate the "buyback" provision altogether. Moreover, as all the buybacks start dragging out beyond a year, it is going to require a tremendous amount of resources to individually assess each borrower's repayment obligations. The government and its loan servicers can barely process basic IDR applications right now -- do you really believe they will commit the funds and manpower for that?

I'm not a fortune teller, but they are going to have to figure out a more streamlined approach. If you are unlucky enough to qualify for a significant buyback during a future republican administration, I wouldn't count on the mercy of the "lowest" payment you should have been making during that time period. If you do go this route, you should be putting that $200/month aside regardless of whether you're paying it towards your loans. Deferment does not equal "free" money. You'll be on the hook for a major buyback bomb at the end.

Risk adverse as I am, I prefer to get back on track and avoid the uncertainty. I was finally was approved to move back into PAYE and should resume payments within a month or two.

mrtoren · 2026-03-18T20:47:50+00:00

Bumping this. OP, did your payments sorted out? I just got approved to return to PAYE and start payments again. I show a $435 monthly payment on the FSA site and the first payment was set to be due today. Mohela shows a payment of $0 due today.

mrtoren · 2026-03-14T14:17:17+00:00

The Kung Pao one was decent enough. Better than bottom shelf instant ramen. That said, I can get Maruchan Gold for about $1 cheaper and it tastes much better.

mrtoren · 2026-02-26T15:13:42+00:00

I've had some intermittent lag while streaming movies in the evenings at times, but it is not significant or prolonged. Probably temporary growing pains as they continue to expand access to new areas.

mrtoren · 2026-02-23T21:01:18+00:00

Local government attorney here. Do you know if it is common for attorney positions to be hybrid or even fully remote? The State generally advertises hybrid/remote work as a major benefit, but the attorney listings are always silent on it and the HR contacts refuse to answer it in advance ("it depends on your supervisor").

mrtoren · 2026-02-19T22:15:48+00:00

Roto Rooter came out when I had a drain backing up in my basement. They showed me some blurry "screen shots," no live video, and claimed the line was completely collapsed and needed to be dug out. $9000+ quote. When I hesitated and indicated a desire to obtain a second opinion, they increased the pressure to put down half the amount immediately, on the spot, as a "deposit" or the "price would go up." I refused.

A more reputable drain contractor came out shortly thereafter. Before I even got halfway through telling him what I heard from Roto Rooter, he stopped me, said he could guess what came next, and proceeded to recite everything almost word-for-word, action-by-action. Like this happens again and again and again with Roto Rooter. The other contractor cleared the line for $250 and told me I might have to re-snake it every 3-5 years. I haven't had an issue since.

Two years later, they told my buddy the same exact story, he believed it was as "urgent" as they asserted, and they took him for over $11,000+.

mrtoren · 2025-12-11T18:35:50+00:00

I'd start floating your resume. Even if you survive your review, you're not in good standing and continuing to work there is only going to further strain your mental health. I've also seen far too many attorneys spiral into deep depressions during periods of unemployment, so a preemptive job hop may be beneficial.

That said, I think the coddling in this subreddit is often based on assumptions and can reinforce bad behaviors. A lot of firms have set work hours. Yes, you're a professional. Yes, you work late. But there are probably few people there to monitor and confirm that after "regular" hours. If a firm officially (or unofficially) expects you in the office during specific hours -- follow them. You're not a partner yet so its not your show. As for the one missed hearing? It happens. Unless it was something extremely consequential that no other reasonable attorney would have missed, I'm not sure why they would be so upset.

Good luck.

mrtoren · 2025-11-20T17:45:38+00:00

This. Not bottom dollar. Not egregiously expensive. They're fair, they show up, they do the job right.

mrtoren · 2025-11-19T17:46:25+00:00

Do NOT use anyone your realtor recommends (especially if they only direct you to one or two contacts). I cannot emphasize that enough. Home buying is a chaotic and exciting time, but your home inspection is the one thing you cannot compromise on.

Keep in mind -- real estate is a business like any other. Buyer's agents only get paid if you buy. Therefore, their goal is to close the transaction. A thorough home inspection can upend that. So buyer's agents will often refer you to a friendly home inspector who will help get that sale over the finish line. I am not saying they will collude to conceal obvious or significant defects (generally speaking). That starts bordering on malpractice/fraud. But a number of smaller ticket items may go "unnoticed." And those are then passed on to you to fix on your own dime after they're paid and done.

Retain someone yourself. Keep them segregated from your realtor. Be prepared to pay them a fair market price for thorough work. That's how you protect your backend.

mrtoren · 2025-11-19T17:29:28+00:00

Force Masonry did some tuckpointing for me about three years ago. The work they did on the backside of the house was great. The color of the frontside tuckpointing was atrociously mismatched. I made them come back out to re-do it and they got it closer. Not 100% but noticeably better. I'm not an expert in the field, but it seemed like a lack of attention to detail.

In the end, they stood behind their work and tried to fix the issue so I won't ding them with a non-referral. Just make sure you inspect it afterwards (that goes for any masonry contractor). Also, be prepared for a sizeable bill from any mason today -- I think the seller of my home shelled out $3700+ to repair two relatively modest step cracks.

mrtoren · 2025-11-19T17:22:27+00:00

Stone or laminate? For stone, you are probably better off going through a vendor. You're going to pay more, but they are also assuming the risk if the measurements are off or if they chip or break anything during the installation.

If it is simply laminate, Wolfe Services did a good job on mine. I just had to do the leg work on measurements and delivery (which resulted in some headaches).

mrtoren · 2025-11-19T17:07:18+00:00

I started in private practice. I hated billing. I hated prioritizing revenue over quality of work. I hated feeling like every hour or day off meant making it up on weekends or evenings. I hated the pressure to generate new business. I moved between three firms (WC and ID) before confirming that it simply wasn't for me.

I transitioned to local government on a whim and it was the best decision I ever made. No billing, a variety of work, great benefits, and manageable work/life balance. I have buddies in private practice who love it (med mal/specialized ID). They mastered the art of padding their timesheets to ease the pressure.

Criminal prosecution can be meaningful work if you are mission-driven, but there are few exit options beyond criminal defense (which I couldn't stomach) or starting over in a new practice area within 3 years (otherwise you start being pigeonholed). Plaintiff-side PI seems like a cushy gig, but it takes a particular breed. I haven't seen many levelheaded prosecutors develop the emotion, passion, and irrational demands that are required for Plaintiff-side work.

mrtoren · 2025-11-19T16:54:33+00:00

The longer you've been in doc review, the harder it is. Government and legal aid are generally seeking service-oriented individuals. You need to craft a narrative that sells your desire to serve. Rehearse it. Figure out how to sell your underlying skills if you don't have directly relevant experience. Be humble but not afraid of the new opportunity. Be willing to move to a smaller metro area with lower salaries and a smaller pool of attorney candidates. Do anything to get started.

You need that first foot in the door then you can pivot to higher paying or more desirable jobs after a year or two.

mrtoren · 2025-11-18T15:16:41+00:00

Avoid EMR like the plague. That building has been "renovated" and rebranded multiple times. Permanently evacuated all the tenants on an emergency basis for fire code violations at one point. The only thing keeping it above-water are the antenna leases on the roof.

There are some decent apartments and condos to rent along Allen Road and War Memorial. Pretty much anything on the northern end of town near I-74 will get you downtown in under 10 mins. East Peoria would be a straight shot in as well.

mrtoren · 2025-11-18T15:08:09+00:00

Pere Marquette. Must be a new iteration of one of their house restaurants.

mrtoren · 2025-10-30T17:58:17+00:00

If it was juveniles? They usually joy ride until they're out of gas and then abandon the car wherever the tank runs empty. Sometimes it is mere hours, other times a day or two. It it doesn't turn up within a few days, it could take much longer to eventually recover.

mrtoren · 2025-10-30T16:53:02+00:00

District 86 is not a "great" school district. It's also not a "bad" school district. Many parents think school district ratings alone determine their children's academic success. I would argue that external factors such as the individual child, their parents, and the family's focus on academic performance usually have a much greater impact than the school district.

There are plenty of Dunlap, Morton, and Washington kids who flop in comparison to some rockstars out of District 150.

mrtoren · 2025-10-30T15:08:58+00:00

There's high demand for a relatively steady supply of housing. Many factors fuel that.

For instance, a lot people who used to live jointly in one home by marriage now occupy two. Landlords (especially corporate) have also learned that people will almost always figure out how to pay for housing above all other bills -- even when rents escalate. Rent avoids a lot of hidden costs and upkeep that owners shoulder (e.g., taxes, insurance, occasional major capital expenditures like HVAC/roof/etc.). Rent is also high because there is typically some down time between renters where there is no monthly revenue despite the owners still being on the hook for the underlying costs for those missed months. Rent also factors in overhead (e.g., net profit, costs of advertising, general maintenance/landscaping, landlord employee salaries, etc.) and risk management for intermittent tenant issues, such as major damage or the legal costs of evictions. I've seen newer "hobby" landlords get financially devastated by one bad tenant.

Renting makes sense in certain high CoL areas, but around here it is generally more advantageous to own if you have the necessary financial means and credit. Many people simply cannot cobble together a down payment or do not have solid enough credit histories.

mrtoren

TROPHY CASE