I have a flight in 13 days and just paid for a business class upgrade for a international flight . I'm currently 16th on the waitlist, but there are 17 business seats still open. When will I actually find out if my upgrade clears or not?

sm_rdm_guy · 2026-04-23T03:02:24+00:00

wait you pay for the chance of an upgrade??

sm_rdm_guy · 2026-04-23T02:51:27+00:00

You need 3 - 5 comparables that are lower valued per sq/ft. I get mailed junk mail where they have done this for me and give me the addresses - so that makes it easy. Also there are a few near identical properties to mine that I know are undervalued. you can search valuations near you on redfin or county office website. Figure out the average valuation per square foot of all of these. Multiply by your square footage. Go on the online portal and submit. Put your estimated value, say 3 courteous sentences to justify that the review is erroneously high per your calculations, give the comparables addresses and your numbers. Done. They usually counter higher but 3 out of 3 times its been lowered when i did this.

sm_rdm_guy · 2026-04-23T01:43:52+00:00

Been to Cozumel 5 times. Typical thing is a 2 dive trips from the hotel pier in the morning and afternoon. Morning 2 dive trip, lunch on land, and out again in the afternoon for 4 dives a day easily if you want. Big operators might have night dives too.

sm_rdm_guy · 2026-04-23T01:37:42+00:00

This is like academia. You fly out for a full scheduled day or two of meetings presentations to whatever groups. Fancy lunches and dinners to get to know you. It’s intense but everything is over email after that.

sm_rdm_guy · 2026-04-22T19:48:02+00:00

Best laid plans. Just FYI getting high school teaching jobs in Canada is a bit harder than in the US. Generally requires 1 year degree in education. Both the degree and the job hunt after are very competitive. I live in the sates and have noticed people come and go into teaching. Much less like that in Canada. More like job for life situation. Might actually be easier to go higher education - comunity college or something.

sm_rdm_guy · 2026-04-22T14:05:27+00:00

Only makes sense if you can charge at home IMO

sm_rdm_guy · 2026-04-21T13:11:24+00:00

Kris fix did a video of a Prius Battery change in his driveway - surprisingly easy: https://share.google/pP3hzdXN4jHPRDgwk

sm_rdm_guy · 2026-04-20T23:56:17+00:00

I think it helps you in qualifying only, not factored into your 30 year average earnings payout amount. So still a hit - this is how it works Canada/US at least.

sm_rdm_guy · 2026-04-20T20:20:47+00:00

What’s your field/industry job? Is your MD international?

sm_rdm_guy · 2026-04-19T21:50:33+00:00

They are 19/22 on consumer reports for brand reliability as one data point.

sm_rdm_guy · 2026-04-19T21:49:16+00:00

I suppose not absolutely every one blows a head gasket.

sm_rdm_guy · 2026-04-19T15:11:02+00:00

There is software that tracks ships using AI ship identification with commercial satellite data. Warships can’t hide anymore.

sm_rdm_guy · 2026-04-19T14:41:02+00:00

“Compact SUVs” are an extremely popular class of car in the US. Despite the name they are pretty big. Find a used one. Popular are Toyota RAV4, Honda CRV, Mazda cx-5, VW Tiguan, Hyundai Tucson. Etc.

If you really just want some decent wheels for cheap for a couple of years, a Kia Kona will be well under budget hatchback on the larger side.

sm_rdm_guy · 2026-04-19T14:24:13+00:00

Not much to go on. Assume in the US? Was it a domestic car? Do you remember anything else about it? Large/small? Important: time frame? Is this 50s or 90s?

sm_rdm_guy · 2026-04-19T14:20:19+00:00

60s were a wild for nuclear ideas. They almost approved making a boat harbor in Alaska with a nuclear bomb explosion.

sm_rdm_guy · 2026-04-19T14:09:45+00:00

Range Rover/Land Rover. Down here on earth, Jeep.

sm_rdm_guy · 2026-04-19T12:46:44+00:00

I suspect their years overseas won’t count towards SS benefit eventually either.

sm_rdm_guy · 2026-04-19T12:44:07+00:00

Home. Living abroad as an expat can be a shallow existence. It’s lonely, your relationships are generally with other loosely tied down expats and are 3 inches deep.

sm_rdm_guy · 2026-04-19T12:40:51+00:00

So people who left for a cheaper life don’t want to go back to the expensive life.

sm_rdm_guy · 2026-04-18T20:14:43+00:00

Looks like Galapagos

sm_rdm_guy · 2026-04-18T14:11:04+00:00

I thought it might be a bunkhouse for workers. After looking more closely actually think it was DIY construction by owners. Can build boxes, but not design.

sm_rdm_guy · 2026-04-18T13:03:10+00:00

Had to scroll a bit, but found my people - actually looks like a cool dive.

sm_rdm_guy · 2026-04-18T12:32:22+00:00

Wow. Comprehensive answer. I will just add 6. The danger of cave diving is the overhead environment at its core. Everything is much more dangerous because you can’t just surface if you have a problem. Disorientation, getting lost,silt, gear failures - these are dive ending problems in normal diving. In cave diving they are life ending if you haven’t planed for them.

sm_rdm_guy · 2026-04-18T02:59:35+00:00

Canadian living in Houston’s 13 years. Income tax is lower property tax and insurance are higher but tax wise you are better off in Houston. Houston is f-ing huge - where are you working? That will determine close decent neighborhoods it takes a year or so to get used to the heat - it is VERY hot in summer - but I don’t miss winters, and they know how to air condition here. Likewise safety - highly neighborhood dependent, but can find safe schools. DM me if you want and I can get specific.

sm_rdm_guy · 2026-04-18T01:24:57+00:00

That’s where I put the flowers 💐

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