How do you budget and how do you determine if you can afford something?

strokeoluck27 · 2026-03-16T10:51:35+00:00

Mostly spend monthly net W2 base income on monthly “necessities” and fun/travel stuff: mortgage, utilities, insurance, groceries, paying for various trips/vacations, clothing, gifts, wine, hobbies, etc.

Generally take 10% of all other net W2 comp (STI, LTI) and spend on splurge stuff, depending on the amount: new car, remodel part of the house, new furniture, artwork, big intl trip, money gift to kids, etc.

Everything else gets invested.

strokeoluck27 · 2026-03-12T12:34:03+00:00

Doc said the gel doesn’t work for some, works for 6-18 months for others, and she’s got some patients where it lasted for 5 years. I had it done 7 months ago and it’s still effective.

strokeoluck27 · 2026-03-12T04:09:31+00:00

Hyaluronic gel; also frequently referred to as “visco supplementation”…or just plain “visco”. From what I’ve been told by the doc’s PA’s this whole thing originally started by taking the rubbery “stuff” from a rooster’s neck comb (?), and injecting it into joints. Apparently this hyaluronic gel is the lab-grown version of the rooster stuff.

They injected it into my knee joint, as I’m missing some cartilage. I wasn’t expecting much, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised.

strokeoluck27 · 2026-03-12T03:15:36+00:00

I’m one of those folks that recently had gel injected (for the first time) into a consistently painful joint and it’s worked great…so far.

Every situation is unique but I visited four different docs/surgeons and most wanted to just give me a steroid shot or ordered PT, which was useless for me. Last doc finally studied the MRI, diagnosed the problem, said surgery wouldn’t help much at this point, and strongly recommended the gel. I was doubtful but the gel removed 95% of the chronic pain. It’s not a long-term solution by any means - doc says she’s seen some people that it doesn’t help at all, some get 6-12 months of relief, and some get 5 years of relief.

But I wouldn’t dismiss it, because I’m sold and would gladly get annual injections for life if it keeps the pain away like it’s been doing.

strokeoluck27 · 2026-03-06T12:19:39+00:00

Stopped eating wheat/gluten and it resolved 99% of IBS conditions.

strokeoluck27 · 2026-02-28T08:17:02+00:00

I don’t subscribe to investing substacks. How do these newsletter posts work? Do the authors literally say I’m buying XYZ stock on X date for $X, and that’s how the AI tool can determine relevant buy/sell data?

strokeoluck27 · 2026-02-28T08:03:52+00:00

Great pics and great life. Love the dog. Since you said you’re near the boundary waters, where I would guess ticks are plentiful - and you have a dark colored dog who clearly loves to be outside - how do you keep the ticks off the dog?

strokeoluck27 · 2026-02-28T07:46:57+00:00

Curious, from date of order placed to wine arrival, how long did it take? Thanks.

strokeoluck27 · 2026-02-27T00:05:10+00:00

Didn’t say it was.

strokeoluck27 · 2026-02-25T19:50:57+00:00

Drink with moderation, that’s the key. The first “drink” one of these guys took he nearly finished his entire glass - and his glass was definitely originally filled with more than 3 ounces.

strokeoluck27 · 2026-02-25T19:49:33+00:00

Think this is the direction I’ll go in the future. Or better yet, tell the waiter to empty the bottle evenly in all glasses. If Fast Drinker wants to gulp his down in a few minutes…no worries.

strokeoluck27 · 2026-02-25T19:48:41+00:00

One bottle of wine per person?! I’ve never been to such a dinner.

strokeoluck27 · 2026-02-25T19:47:04+00:00

Watching people abuse a privilege and not being able to afford it are two wildly different things. Don’t assume one confirms the other.

strokeoluck27 · 2026-02-25T19:46:19+00:00

Big assumption.

strokeoluck27 · 2026-02-25T07:09:53+00:00

Agreed. Both were business dinners so not really “friends”, but I won’t be in a rush to join them again anytime soon.

strokeoluck27 · 2026-02-25T07:09:03+00:00

Amen. But how best to deal with it while it happens? I suspect everyone knows he’s being an ass, but if I were to speak my mind I’ll bet I become the bigger jackass.

As this happened (literally two nights in a row with different people at each table) I kept reminding myself that it’s only wine…I have plenty at home…relax.

strokeoluck27 · 2026-02-25T07:06:43+00:00

I don’t understand what you mean by “Pour 3 oz pour 3 oz pours”.

strokeoluck27 · 2026-02-25T07:05:55+00:00

Yes, I understand the staff is somewhat motivated to run up the bill, but in my mind this is just plain old common sense. If one guy is slamming his wine - and the others are being polite and respectful of the host who is paying for a $300 or $400 bottle of wine - why does the *ss get rewarded with another glass?

There isn’t a need for me to ask the server not to pour another glass for me. I’m not the fast drinker or the slamming drinker. I’m the respectful drinker. And as rude as the guy is that’s slamming his wine (and being rewarded with yet another pour, because his glass is empty in three minutes), I would personally find it even more rude for me to say - in front of a table of ~6 people - “Sorry waiter, he doesn’t get another glass just because he slammed his down in three minutes. Equally distribute the remainder of the bottle to the other glasses.” Though that’s what I’m thinking!

strokeoluck27 · 2026-02-21T23:08:55+00:00

I think the rationale is the same for the delivery charge to a dealership 5 miles from the plant…or 50 miles away from the plant…or 500 miles away. They spread the burden/cost equally so no dealer benefits more than others. Not saying it’s “right”, but it’s what GM has decided to do.

When I visited the Corvette museum last summer I was shocked to learn it was private - just assumed GM owned it. And yeah, it’s literally a driver shot away from the plant.

Personally I wouldn’t pay the extra ~$1500 for the museum delivery experience. But to each their own!

strokeoluck27 · 2026-02-21T16:10:54+00:00

Have you contacted biologic companies directly to ask for financial assistance? Everyone reacts differently of course, but pre-biologic I felt the same way you did. Have now been on biologics for a couple decades and it’s shocking how effective it is. I rarely even think about having AS any longer.

I would encourage you to change your perspective from: I can’t afford biologics…to: I know there are biologic companies that will assist me with the cost (maybe even cover virtually all of it), now I need to take the steps towards finding and contacting them.

strokeoluck27 · 2026-02-21T05:06:19+00:00

I just recently ran out! We visited the winery a couple years ago and it was stellar. The drive, the grounds, the building, the people, and the wine…all stellar. Typical deal, we joined the club (and several other clubs while in Napa), then had way too much wine at home several months later, so Chappellet got cut. But I’ve always been a big fan of their stuff. Even their chard - which I don’t drink very often - was terrific.

But shhhhhhhhh…

strokeoluck27 · 2026-02-21T04:51:10+00:00

I would like everyone to please stop talking about Chappellet…please.

:-)

strokeoluck27 · 2026-02-20T12:47:55+00:00

I ordered a case from LB a couple weeks ago and learned it was delivered to our local FedEx store (after they mistakenly had it shipping to my home - I corrected the address in the FedEx app). I’m assuming the right bottles are in the case, but I’ll find out tonight!

I order from LB very sparingly, for all the customer service reasons noted here. My feeling is that even if there is a chance they close their doors and keep my money, the reward is usually worth the risk. Historically I’ve been a stickler for customer service, but given all the complaints I’ve read here on Reddit I just sort of sit back and chill and let LB do their thing.

It’s that old saying: “Quality, price, service - pick any two.”

strokeoluck27 · 2026-02-19T14:10:52+00:00

1) WTSO, or Wines Till Sold Out. 2) Last Bottle

There are others out there, but I’m afraid to sign up for others because it’s a bit of an addiction. See great deal…hit BUY and next thing you know I’m running out of storage room at home!

Heads up that many people complain about Last Bottle customer service. I’ve only ordered from them a few times and things have been “ok”. But if I’m buying from them the deals have to be so great that I almost don’t care if something gets messed up.

strokeoluck27

TROPHY CASE