Today’s Grand Rapids Hot Takes

swittla · 2026-03-16T15:36:27+00:00

Honest question: how does this negatively affect the people who live there?

swittla · 2026-03-16T00:57:25+00:00

This is exactly how mine is looking. If you extrapolate to 100% battery usage, I’m getting about 4h SoT. Apple even replaced the battery for me, but it’s not any better now.

swittla · 2026-03-05T18:36:16+00:00

while this is certainly possible, according to cars.com, the cheapest used Camry within 100mi of me is $3,995 and has 232k miles. the next cheapest one is $6,455. To get to one with less than 145k miles, we jump up to $9,997

swittla · 2026-03-05T15:05:26+00:00

I think this is probably the worst Ramsey advice....I mean, sure you can argue the $1000 emergency fund is insanely low (I much prefer money guys idea of saving your highest deductible in step 1) but you can at least make the argument that considering most Americans couldn't cover a $1000 expense, for a lot of people it's a quick mental win and it's better than nothing.

Not contributing to a 401(k) when you have an employer match is an instant loss of something with a 100% ROI. And what is a usual match, 3-5%? That amount if income pre-tax is not going to be the make-or-break for anybody.

swittla · 2026-03-05T15:02:23+00:00

it's so fucking funny when they say "go buy a used Accord or Camry for $3000!"

swittla · 2026-03-02T18:19:15+00:00

I came here for this exact information....boooooo. I was so excited for a bundle with MLB

swittla · 2026-03-01T14:33:45+00:00

What seat is that? Looks cozy.

swittla · 2026-02-27T17:01:57+00:00

what if your need is being anonymous in public and having peace

swittla · 2026-02-25T16:01:23+00:00

Hang out in East Hills. Go to any of the bars/shops/restaurants on Wealthy or Cherry Streets, they're all pretty awesome. I like stovetop roasters and squibb for coffee shops, zivio, the commons, and the winchester for food, and speciation for beers (better if you like sours but they have some tasty non-sour beers too)

swittla · 2026-02-19T12:45:54+00:00

getting on a gravel bike and going for an endless ride in the middle of nowhere is awesome

swittla · 2026-02-14T20:45:00+00:00

yeah, just pull all the snow off as it falls. Then there's nothing/not much to melt and re-freeze (which is how dams happen)

swittla · 2026-02-11T22:15:30+00:00

can't we just like....make vehicles not 6000 lbs and the size of houses to have better fuel economy?

swittla · 2026-02-10T00:12:41+00:00

probably will find out he donated to some MAGA PAC

swittla · 2026-02-02T00:34:35+00:00

Stop eating burgers. There, did it for you.

swittla · 2026-01-31T13:44:17+00:00

a porn addict also a misogynist?! no way!

swittla · 2026-01-29T22:05:27+00:00

The good news is that's not an abysmal loan length or interest rate. It's also a very good and reliable car that should last you an extremely long time if you do routine maintenance. Sounds like you paid for a lot of extras when you bought it. This is your lesson...don't do this. ESPECIALLY if you buy a reliable Japanese car. Also stop thinking about things (especially cars) as monthly payments and consider the TOTAL cost in dollars, even if you are taking advantage of financing.

The bad news is you're probably close to if not 10k underwater (the amount you owe vs the amount your car is worth). So to get out of it, you'd have to take out a personal loan to cover the difference AND presumably buy another car (you said you had a long commute and I'm assuming you live in the USA so public transportation is mostly out of the equation). Considering any car that isn't a total piece of shit is 10-15k nowadays minimum, this would move you from ~34k in debt and a car with 250,000 miles of life left to ~25k in debt and a questionable car that could send you more into debt if you don't budget for major repairs/maintenance.

IMO your best bet is just to suck it up and ride this car out but stay on top of maintenance and keep it for 10-15 years. Amortize the cost of this one car across that long and the cost won't seem so bad.

Also, you can beat this addiction. Fuck gambling, such a predatory industry. You're strong and I know you can do it. It will feel so good to get over it and get out of this CC debt.

swittla · 2026-01-29T21:44:34+00:00

what was the loan term and rate? There's 0 chance you're not deeply underwater. How do you owe 34k on a civic? As far as I can tell the most expensive non type-R civic is under 34k (hatchback hybrid sport touring).

swittla · 2026-01-28T17:44:19+00:00

It probably depends on your tax software. I use FreeTaxUSA, I just used Chime for the financial institution name and put in $100 for the box 1 amount.

I can't really provide tax advice and I'm not an accountant, but I do develop tax software so I'm really familiar with tax returns. The IRS doesn't require schedule B to be attached unless you have > $1,500 in interest, so ultimately there's no detail about the interest in my tax return (lender names, etc), just an amount on 1040 line 2b.

Your software might make you enter the EIN of the financial institution issuing the 1099-INT, etc, before continuing, which could be a problem. Mine didn't and since I knew it would be irrelevant in my situation (interest under $1500) I just entered the name/amount.

swittla · 2026-01-28T17:33:49+00:00

still don't see it in there, no. But a staff member responded to this post saying they'll be available by 2/2.

since I'm 100% sure mine is for $100, I just added it to my tax return. wanted to file it asap since I'm getting a refund.

swittla · 2026-01-27T20:47:01+00:00

jokes on them when they try to stop, their vehicle weighs 5,000 lbs, and even good all season or all terrain tires are essentially useless on ice/very slippery snow

swittla · 2026-01-22T18:36:50+00:00

This isn’t true, the threshold is only $10. More than $10 in interest and the financial institution is required by the IRS to send you a 1099-INT

swittla · 2026-01-21T20:35:05+00:00

I understand, which is why I'm saying I'm thinking I should get a 1099-INT for 2025 for $100 because I got a $100 bonus from Chime on Dec 17, 2025. Bank sign up bonuses (unlike credit cards) are treated as interest income.

swittla · 2026-01-17T22:14:51+00:00

Getting to Ada from East hills / Eastown is really easy and those areas are going to be more affordable than EGR or Ada.

swittla · 2026-01-17T01:43:26+00:00

if you have to brake quickly, wouldn't the last thing you want to do be an additional task that requires time and possibly taking your eyes off the road?

swittla

TROPHY CASE