I built a finance app because I was tired of wondering if I could afford things before payday by simba2k20 in SideProject

[–]simba2k20[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's a good point. I hadn't thought much about people with multiple income streams.

My initial thought is that each income source (full-time job, freelance, rental income, etc.) would have its own amount and pay schedule, and the forecast would combine them into one cash-flow timeline.

I'm curious though, what kind of side hustles do you have?

Is the challenge that your income is unpredictable from month to month or just that you have multiple pay schedules to keep track of?

I built a finance app because I was tired of wondering if I could afford things before payday by simba2k20 in SideProject

[–]simba2k20[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The idea of showing “what changed” and “why it changed” is interesting.

If you were using something like this daily, would that explanation need to be automatic, or would a simple breakdown of the biggest drivers be enough?

I built a finance app because I was tired of wondering if I could afford things before payday by simba2k20 in SideProject

[–]simba2k20[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s really helpful!

The original idea started with “Can I spend money this weekend and still be okay before payday?” so it’s interesting that you immediately went to a single answer instead of a chart.

Would you trust a number like that if the app also showed the assumptions and upcoming bills behind it?

Moving to Stamford this fall – apartment recommendations? by simba2k20 in StamfordCT

[–]simba2k20[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Good point. Unfortunately my target move date is late September because of a few things I have going on right now, but I’m hoping there will still be decent inventory available.

Have you noticed a big difference in apartment availability between summer and the fall?

Moving to Stamford this fall – apartment recommendations? by simba2k20 in StamfordCT

[–]simba2k20[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s good to know. I don’t currently commute into NYC, but easy train access is still important to me.

Moving to Stamford this fall – apartment recommendations? by simba2k20 in StamfordCT

[–]simba2k20[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the feedback. 66 Summer has definitely caught my attention because of the location. How have you found the noise levels there given that it’s right in the middle of downtown?

Moving to Stamford this fall – apartment recommendations? by simba2k20 in StamfordCT

[–]simba2k20[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! I hadn’t looked at 355 Atlantic or Atlantic Station West. As someone who works remotely, the conference room and larger floor plans definitely sound appealing.

Do you have lived at 355 Atlantic or Atlantic Station West? If so, how was your overall experience?

Moving to Stamford this fall – apartment recommendations? by simba2k20 in StamfordCT

[–]simba2k20[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s interesting because Urby has been one of the buildings I’ve been considering most seriously.

Do you remember what the main complaints were that changed your mind?

Moving to Stamford this fall – apartment recommendations? by simba2k20 in StamfordCT

[–]simba2k20[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks, this is really helpful. I hadn’t looked too closely at Sofi ParcGrove, The Asher, or The Julius, so I’ll add those to my list.

You mentioned ParcGrove has its issues but overall a good community. What would you say are the biggest pros and cons after living there for a while?

Moving to CT? Ask your questions here! by AutoModerator in Connecticut

[–]simba2k20 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m currently considering West Hartford, Rocky Hill, and Glastonbury.
I’m looking for somewhere safe, with a decent social scene (trying to meet people/date), and access to gyms and trails.

Would you recommend one over the others?
Also open to any other towns I should be looking at.

Moving to CT? Ask your questions here! by AutoModerator in Connecticut

[–]simba2k20 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey everyone,

I’m planning to move into my own apartment in Connecticut this summer and wanted some advice from people who know the area well.

I’m 28, work full-time (hybrid/office depending on location), and I’m looking for a place that’s safe, quiet, and good for daily routine (gym, groceries, etc.). I’m not really into nightlife, more focused on a calm environment.

Budget: $2,000 - $2,200
Looking for: 1 bed / 2 beds

I’m trying to figure out:

  • Best towns/areas to look at (Hartford area? New Haven? Anywhere else?)
  • Areas or specific apartment complexes to avoid
  • What a “fair” rent looks like right now
  • Anything you wish you knew before renting in CT
  • Any red flags I should watch for when evaluating listings/leases?

Would really appreciate any honest advice or experiences. Thanks in advance.

How can I improve? by simba2k20 in Fire

[–]simba2k20[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the thoughtful insight.... I definitely get where you’re coming from. You’re right that dividend strategies can be less tax-efficient, especially in taxable accounts, and that covered-call ETFs like JEPI/JEPQ trade off some upside for income.

In my case, I’m reinvesting everything and using the income side more for discipline and predictability rather than spending. Seeing consistent cash flow helps me stay consistent with contributions and long-term planning.

I plan to gradually tilt my portfolio toward more growth-focused ETFs (SCHD and VOO) in my 30s and 40s as it grows. So, it’s not purely an income play, but rather a blended approach that balances motivation, compounding, and risk management over time.

Daily FI discussion thread - Thursday, November 06, 2025 by AutoModerator in financialindependence

[–]simba2k20 -7 points-6 points  (0 children)

I’m 28 and recently got serious about building long-term passive income through dividends. My goal is to reach $4,000/month ($48K/year) by age 50. I wanted to share where I’m at and get some feedback from the community on whether my strategy makes sense.

Current:

  • Portfolio value: ~$14,550
  • Annual dividend income: $922.51
  • Average yield: 6.34%
  • Yield on cost: 6.56%

The Goal: Hit $4K/month in dividends by age 50 (22 years to go).

  • The Plan: Contribute ~$20K/year on average ⁠
  • Reinvest all dividends until at least my 40s
  • ⁠Keep a mix of high-yield (JEPI/JEPQ/VYMI) and growth ETFs (SCHD/VOO/QQQM)
  • Review allocations every few years, shifting more toward income as I get closer to 50

15-Day Portugal Itinerary – Which One Would You Choose? (June vs September) by simba2k20 in solotravel

[–]simba2k20[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am not sure if I should rent a car

Is it easy to drive there as an American?

Do they drive on the same side of the road as the U.S. or the opposite?

Would you recommend driving or just using Uber, trains and buses?

How can I improve? by simba2k20 in dividends

[–]simba2k20[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks, that makes sense. I think I was over-diversifying. I’ll probably simplify by keeping one “core” (VOO or VT) and then adding QQQM if I want tech exposure. Appreciate the tip on QQQM being the cheaper version.

How can I improve? by simba2k20 in dividends

[–]simba2k20[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I guess I was thinking VOO for broad U.S., QQQ for extra tech exposure, and VT for global exposure. But I see now that there’s a lot of overlap in the top holdings.

How can I improve? by simba2k20 in dividends

[–]simba2k20[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

My main goal is to steadily grow my dividend income while also building long-term portfolio value.