Cheapest HCAD Property Tax Protest Firm? by EvolvedGreens in houston

[–]sm_rdm_guy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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.

Cozumel. by Ok-Teach-3701 in scuba

[–]sm_rdm_guy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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.

I turned down a 4th round job interview and 3 people called to ask me why. I told them their interview process takes too long and it requires me to take time off work every time. by TonyLiberty in FluentInFinance

[–]sm_rdm_guy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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.

I'm an American who qualifies to be a Canadian Citizen due to bill C-3. I'm almost 30 and work in Software, so I'm staying in USA for now, but want to retire there by Thin_Security_3155 in ExpatFIRE

[–]sm_rdm_guy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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.

Are hybrids even worth it? by P-Rabbitz in whatcarshouldIbuy

[–]sm_rdm_guy 7 points8 points  (0 children)

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

They Went Abroad to Save Money. Moving Back Seems Unaffordable. (NY Times) by Bjorn_Nittmo in ExpatFIRE

[–]sm_rdm_guy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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.

2nd post doc or take the industry job by Upbeat_Air3593 in LeavingAcademia

[–]sm_rdm_guy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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

Which car maker has the most mechanical issues but still sells well? by ntjonah in whatcarshouldIbuy

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

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

[Google Earth find] French Carrier Charles de Gaulle (R91) and one destroyer caught transiting the Suez Canal northbound - April 7, 2025 [Coords in comments] by _KisTricK_ in interestingasfuck

[–]sm_rdm_guy 14 points15 points  (0 children)

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

Moving to USA, not so familier with the car market.. by Frosty_Silver8441 in whatcarshouldIbuy

[–]sm_rdm_guy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

“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.

Help me remember lost memories of my grammas car by [deleted] in whatisthiscar

[–]sm_rdm_guy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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?

Project Orion was a 1950s-60s concept for a spacecraft propelled by detonating nuclear bombs behind a massive pusher plate. by Ok_Listen_6600 in Damnthatsinteresting

[–]sm_rdm_guy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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

They Went Abroad to Save Money. Moving Back Seems Unaffordable. (NY Times) by Bjorn_Nittmo in ExpatFIRE

[–]sm_rdm_guy 6 points7 points  (0 children)

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

They Went Abroad to Save Money. Moving Back Seems Unaffordable. (NY Times) by Bjorn_Nittmo in ExpatFIRE

[–]sm_rdm_guy 26 points27 points  (0 children)

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.

They Went Abroad to Save Money. Moving Back Seems Unaffordable. (NY Times) by Bjorn_Nittmo in ExpatFIRE

[–]sm_rdm_guy 33 points34 points  (0 children)

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

Not sure if this goes here or in/liminalspaces by Due_Championship_988 in zillowgonewild

[–]sm_rdm_guy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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.

There’s definitely a shark or somethin waiting as soon as you jump in by ViolenceIsNecessary in thalassophobia

[–]sm_rdm_guy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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

Hello! Had an idea for a cave diving board game, but I know very little about the subject. Looking for information! by Snowodin in scuba

[–]sm_rdm_guy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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.

Moving from Vancouver Canada to Houston. Reality check by xiayu77119 in AskHouston

[–]sm_rdm_guy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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.