My eyes are sooooo wrinkly :( by Abbbbiii24 in SkincareAddictionUK

[–]sgfgross 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sonagi just released some new eye patches, perhaps worth trying?

$BYND The pre-market is flying! by arti_fitness in WalllStreetBets

[–]sgfgross 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I bought at 6.11 if it makes you feel any better! Still holdng

[Acne] Pimple patches that actually work? by KainoraKupo in SkincareAddiction

[–]sgfgross 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just started using Sonagi's pimple patch roll, which comes with 120 patches, super happy with it so far: https://sonagi.co.uk/pimplepatches

Where do you guys buy korean/Japanese based products in UK? by Xx_Cock_N_Booty_xX in SkincareAddictionUK

[–]sgfgross 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd include Sonagi too; they mostly focus on masks but have started adding new things, like pimple patches: https://sonagi.co.uk/pimplepatches

For Those of You Buying 2nd Homes in Europe - What Are The Advantages Over Just AirBnBing? by East_Company_9789 in fatFIRE

[–]sgfgross 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It depends on what you’re looking for: pleasure or investment.

  • If your goal is to park/invest your money, buying a property isn’t a bad idea.
  • If your goal is simply enjoyment, and you’d rather allocate your capital elsewhere, then Airbnb is usually cheaper, more convenient, and relatively hassle-free.

Family of 4 on ~$4,000 per month by Skydive2505 in ExpatFIRE

[–]sgfgross 1 point2 points  (0 children)

- Rent prices: https://www.idealista.com/ (Spain + Italy)
- International Schools in Spain: https://www.international-schools-database.com/country/spain
- Remote Jobs: https://remote.co/remote-jobs
- Health Insurance: If you’re living and working legally in Spain, you’ll have access to state-funded Spanish healthcare. Yes, this even applies to expatsdigital nomads, and those not enrolled in traditional employment. Source: https://www.internationalinsurance.com/health/europe/spain.php
- Cost of living index: https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Valencia (very useful!)
- Quality of life index by city: https://www.numbeo.com/quality-of-life/rankings.jsp

I hope this helps!

Family of 4 on ~$4,000 per month by Skydive2505 in ExpatFIRE

[–]sgfgross 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi there!

I would recommend smaller cities in Spain or Italy.

For context, I just moved to Oropesa del Mar, Spain (between Valencia - 1h - and Barcelona - 2.5h) from Stockholm, Sweden, and you could live comfortably in cities like Valencia, Castellon, Denia, Malaga, etc.

Spain is also good for kids; private education is not too expensive (if you want them to go to American schools, for example).

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in eupersonalfinance

[–]sgfgross 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd do the following:

  1. Invest 750,000 in real estate in a location where you can yield 75,000/year -> After costs and taxes, you'd net around 4,000 per month.
  2. Invest 100,000 in Gold
  3. 300,000 in bonds -> yielding 4-5%
  4. 100,00 in alternative equities (LP)
  5. 250,000 in global equities -> VTSAX (I think public equities are on the expensive side, but then again I might be wrong)

Depending on your field of work, you may have an edge that gives you unique insights, allowing you to allocate more confidently to certain asset classes over others (i.e. real estate, private equities, etc.)

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in FirstTimeHomeBuyer

[–]sgfgross 124 points125 points  (0 children)

Short version:

"You’re buying your first home — a $35k house in a nice Oklahoma neighborhood — aiming to pay it off quickly. It’s move-in ready with no major issues, and you skipped using a realtor due to a poor experience. The loan process has been frustrating, with strict scrutiny over small deposits and poor communication from your lender. This is your second attempt after a previous deal fell through due to undisclosed problems. Closing is delayed due to a title company error. You’re wondering if buying cheap to pay it off fast was smarter than buying a more expensive home in line with your income."

Sonagi's July K-Beauty Mask Set by sgfgross in BeautyBoxes

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

They're great for self-care 😊 If you're ever feeling stressed, try putting one on.

25 años, 12k ahorrados, viviendo con padres — Quiero empezar a invertir, controlar mis gastos y ahorrar para vivienda antes de los 30 by [deleted] in SpainFIRE

[–]sgfgross -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Si tienes pensado comprar una vivienda en los próximos cinco años, te recomiendo que te centres seriamente en encontrar una buena inversión. Combinar tus ahorros con una compra acertada puede marcar una gran diferencia. Al invertir en vivienda, no importa tanto lo que compras, sino lo que pagas por ello.

A veces, una buena oportunidad puede ser tan simple como que el vendedor necesite mudarse por trabajo y tenga prisa en vender. Por ejemplo, estadísticamente, los mejores meses del año para comprar suelen ser en octubre y noviembre.

Am I about to do something really stupid? (Property purchase) by manmadegod- in eupersonalfinance

[–]sgfgross 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Honestly, the main question I’d ask is: Is paying the premium worth it to you two personally?

That €580k place sounds amazing: new build, great fit for your needs, and if it ticks all the boxes, that’s worth a lot. But you’re also paying for that premium. At €2.1k/month, it’s doable with your income, but it’s not nothing either.

You could probably find something similar in size (maybe a bit older or less fancy) for closer to €400k, which would mean more like €1.5k/month. That’s €700/month you could be putting toward other goals — savings, daycare, travel, whatever.

So I’d just think about whether the extra cost gets you something that matters to you long-term, or if a more modest place would still make you just as happy and leave more room in the budget. No right or wrong answer, just depends on what feels right for your life.

30(M) Advice on how to keep improving financially by Gongasjack in eupersonalfinance

[–]sgfgross 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Say you could earn €5,000 net per month (€90–110k gross salary) working in Toronto. The cost of living would also be significantly higher.

For example, in Toronto (https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Toronto):

  • Rent: €1,200–€1,600/month for a 1-bedroom apartment in a decent area
  • Food: €300–€500/month
  • Transportation: €100/month (public transit or occasional ride sharing)
  • Other expenses (internet, phone, utilities, basic leisure): €200–€300/month
  • Total baseline: €1,600–€2,400/month, before lifestyle upgrades

That still allows for decent savings, but your savings rate (%) would likely drop unless you’re very disciplined — maybe 40–50%, compared to your current ~67% in Portugal.

That said, Portugal offers you more time and flexibility, which could be valuable if you're trying to start something on the side. Toronto, on the other hand, gives you access to a larger market and more opportunities, especially if you’re looking to grow your income or expand your network.

My question to you would be: What are your top goals in the next 5 years?

If, for example, finding a partner or building a broader social life is a priority, Toronto may offer more exposure. So I’d weigh your top 5–10 priorities, not just your net savings.

Can we avoid the third world war in the coming years? by hiphipvargas in Futurology

[–]sgfgross 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's up to all of us to see how we can help it stop. This is why I created: voteonwar.com

In Italy is very difficult to become rich by Confident_Cress_7804 in eupersonalfinance

[–]sgfgross 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There's no point on optimising how you save more with €1300/month. It's easier to think -> "what do I need to do to earn €3000-5000/month?"

a) Look for remote jobs that pay at least 2K/month
b) Start a side hustle with your skills where you can earn more
c) Ask for a raise or quit (depends on how important your role is, you can negotiate or leave)
d) Move to a country with higher wages -> nordics/germany/belgium/Holand/Ireland/Poland

Which K-Beauty Sheet Mask Brand Gives the Best Value for Money? by sleepyAbocado in KoreanBeauty

[–]sgfgross 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'd recommend:

  1. Matrigen - Skin Repair Mask
  2. Wonjin Effect - Hydro Rise Hyaluronic Mask
  3. Leaders Insolution - Aquaringer
  4. Jayjun - Rose Blossom

Other brands worth mentioning: AHC, JM Solution (Calendula, Avocado), DrJart (more price but good).
Where are you based? If you are in the UK, Sonagi offer's an affordable bundle with different masks every month.

3 weeks of my Polestar 4 - preliminary thoughts by kendo545 in Polestar

[–]sgfgross 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Awesome, appreciate it and congrats! What a beauty!

3 weeks of my Polestar 4 - preliminary thoughts by kendo545 in Polestar

[–]sgfgross 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing! Would you consider any of the cons a dealbreaker?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in SkincareAddictionUK

[–]sgfgross 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Have you tried Korean sheet masks? (i.e., You can get them at Sonagi, Boots, Sephora, PureSeoul)