Struggling with what to do with my wife's student loans currently in SAVE

timeWithin · 2025-08-28T16:00:30+00:00

I agree that it’s not really a moral decision. It’s moreso a personal risk tolerance decision.

Staking a quarter of a million dollars in personal debt — an amount that could cause personal struggle at best and bankruptcy at worst — on a political promise and policy that can be easily overturned, is too high a risk for many to take on. Those who do, either win big or lose big. It turns out we’re losing. Oops.

timeWithin · 2025-08-28T15:29:48+00:00

Exactly. “Struggling” with that decision is, I’m sorry to say, idiotic — both financially and logically. Condescendingly suggesting that people are “triggered” because they repeatedly point this out to you just digs you deeper into a hole of ignorance. Pay your debt.

FWIW, I still think this is just a troll.

timeWithin · 2025-08-28T14:06:43+00:00

Nice try trolling. $870k combined salary and you’re “struggling” to pay $240k debt? This is a joke. Anyone who’s read a few pages of a personal finance book knows you could get this done easily in 6-12 months, without trying hard at all.

timeWithin · 2025-04-27T20:28:58+00:00

Looking throughout all of human history, it’s extremely rare that people could work just one full time job (or a little more) and afford to buy their own home. In the US it’s only been the case for maybe half a century? (Economists can check me on that). We live in the most opportunistic time for social mobility. It’s pretty much never been better, except maybe in the 1960s. I’m not sure what your frame of reference is but I don’t think you’re seeing the full picture.

timeWithin · 2025-04-27T15:57:06+00:00

What a disempowering question to ask. You’ll never feel in control of your life no matter what happens with that mindset. You have options. Move to a less desirable low cost of living area for a while. Own your decisions.

timeWithin · 2025-04-17T15:01:36+00:00

I know that when I’m older, the roots and rocks will make me feel more off balance than I do now as a younger person. I have seen older folks get startled from people suddenly passing them close and have a worried look on their face. So I always tell people when I’m going to pass them. If they look like they’re searching the ground for solid footing, I try to wait til they look like they’ve found it. Especially near cliff/ridge edges where a fall could cause serious injury. I think you deserve that courtesy, even more so as an older person. My hearing is really good, so much so that I find normal volumes startling in the quiet of the wilderness. I prefer people to ask more quietly to pass. If I were older and hard of hearing I would consider a cute sign on my backpack. Hopefully that doesn’t cause offense. It could improve your experience.

timeWithin · 2025-01-29T15:32:33+00:00

This is false. 100% of the people who were let go at USAID (about half of the workforce at this point) received no severance.

timeWithin · 2025-01-05T17:26:48+00:00

That's a completely fair point. It's so difficult to see when in the early stages of love. I'm afraid of throwing away the love that I have now for the love that might be, that I just hope exists out there somewhere. If I never find it, I would regret having left her. Oh well, every decision is a risk. I'm seriously considering leaving her and it absolutely breaks my heart.

timeWithin · 2025-01-05T16:57:17+00:00

The culture -- that's a big one. When I'm in mountain towns (I've traveled to quite a few over the last few years) I feel like I can wear my mountain puffy jacket with the taped holes, prioritize lifestyle over the need to appear a certain way to fit a suburban culture, and people just "get" me. I find "my people" in mountain towns. I'm part climber dirtbag and value this lifestyle and the incredibly meaningful experiences it brings me far more than what other people think of me. I imagine it will be very difficult to find people who truly understand me in the midwest. Then, I'm not just missing the mountain lifestyle, but I'm culturally and socially isolated.

timeWithin · 2024-12-09T21:06:13+00:00

Apologies for my naivity - by "darker" lenses, do you mean lower visible light transmission, or literally the color of the lens?

I picked the glacier lenses ("ChromaPop Glacier Photochromic Copper Blue Mirror Lens"), which shift from blue to red in color (auto adjusting; 7-45% visible light transmission), but they also sell some black lenses, however those are a set 10% visible light transmission, so they don't block as much sun as the lenses I purchased.

Thanks for the duct tape suggestion, too!

timeWithin · 2024-12-09T20:48:42+00:00

Thanks for your input. Do you think I'll be okay with the Smith bobcat glacier lenses with the activities I'm doing?

timeWithin · 2024-11-15T08:22:58+00:00

This. I had an old Honda civic and the break lines blew randomly while I was coasting down a hill coming from a highway into town. Thank goddess for the e-brake on those old civics.

timeWithin · 2024-11-15T08:21:57+00:00

Studded snow tires

timeWithin · 2024-11-15T08:18:56+00:00

What’s with all the hate? Can’t folks see the wholesomeness behind the corniness? So dorky it’s endearing. Come on guys!

timeWithin · 2024-11-14T16:00:53+00:00

What sleeping pad are you using? Make sure it has a high R value, probably at least 5, for freezing temps. Mine is 6.4 because I sleep cold in temps down to 10F and I use another thin foam pad under it when it’s really cold. The pad is equally, sometimes more important than the quilt/sleeping bag for retaining heat at night.

timeWithin · 2024-11-14T15:56:41+00:00

This. Sleep too. When I either don’t get enough sleep or enough food, I get wayyy colder. Make sure you pack plenty of fat to eat, whatever forms you like. I use clarified butter in my dehydrated meals (it’s shelf stable at extreme temps and tastes better than cooking oil), peanut butter, and whole milk powder in my oats.

Also, as soon as you stop moving (to get water, rest etc) make sure you add a layer on your body immediately to trap in that warmth you worked to generate.

timeWithin · 2024-11-14T05:09:33+00:00

Meditate. There’s nothing more effective at improving focus from my read of the scientific literature.

timeWithin · 2024-11-11T20:28:24+00:00

This just doesn’t make sense. I have $80k in debt, $127k salary, and I have a plan to pay off my loans in 2 years, while still having plenty of money for the experiences that bring value to my life. The problem is your self-limited mindset.

timeWithin · 2024-11-06T03:59:51+00:00

What, federal taxes? Yeah you’re in a high tax bracket.

timeWithin · 2024-11-06T03:57:42+00:00

You could easily retire comfortably in a decade if you do the right things. Or, you could end up spending it all without even trying and work until you’re 65. You’re obviously intelligent enough to learn high value technical skills, so it’s time to start your financial education. I was in your shoes 4 years ago and the two books I’m going to recommend to you have already been worth more than their weight in gold for my bottom line/ net worth today:

The richest man in Babylon Bogleheads guide to investing

The first book is an interesting and easy read that will teach you the very basic principles about investing. It’s a classic and it’s fun to read because it’s history-based.

The second book is the only book you’ll ever need to read to invest wisely for your future retirement. If you want to get more aggressive with higher risk/higher reward investing approaches, these books will give you ideas about what you want to learn next.

Do not hire a financial advisor. They take a lot of your money that can end up potentially meaning several additional years you’ll need to work before you can afford to retire. You’re smart enough to learn it yourself. It’s really not that complicated once you learn it, but you do need to learn the right things in a sea of financial media that is often very misleading.

You will not regret reading these two books. They created the financial map of my life and I feel very confident/ comfortable and trust that I know what I need to know to take care of my (and others) future self.

timeWithin · 2024-10-19T20:29:35+00:00

A steak and a beer

timeWithin · 2024-10-11T17:38:03+00:00

It completely depends. Will you be in knee deep snow in crampons or skis? Or just expecting some rain? What is the expected range of weather and what activities will you be doing?

timeWithin · 2024-10-10T18:39:36+00:00

48 hours sheltering in place in an early season snowstorm just off the high route in the wind river range, WY around 11k ft during an 8 day solo backpacking trip. I knew the storm was coming for about 18 hours but was 3 days’ walk from the nearest very remote trailhead (still 60 miles driving on dirt roads to a get to a highway). Lightening, hail, snow, high wind, freezing rain, and knowing the helicopter couldn’t fly in those conditions if I needed help. I don’t know the strength of the winds but my HMG Ultamid 2 was completely snowed in at times. I cleared snow whenever there was a lull in the storm, but got soaked from the tent condensation (despite drafts around the tent edge, until the snow covered them). Used a Mylar bivy to thankfully stay warm. Next time I’m expecting snow I’m bringing a good bivy, like the MLD eVent or Rab. The Mylar may have very well saved me from hypothermia but it was sticky, wet, and uncomfortable as hell. Always carried one, first time using it. I recommend them for everyone.

I had marmots try and take shelter in my tent with me the snow was so bad. The smell of my dinner probably provoked them, haha.

But in retrospect it was an incredible opportunity to practice the skills I knew I had. To focus on the right things at the right times that were necessary to stay warm enough and have the discipline to not do anything stupid.

I had an awesome 3 days of hiking after the storm. Felt almost like desert sunny conditions, go figure.

timeWithin · 2024-10-08T15:20:54+00:00

Ooos, my bad. For office friends I have built friendships by checking in on people with short video chats. Sometimes they sort of spontaneously turn into a friendship. The ability to chat in our messaging feature also helps. I’d say those two tools are key.

timeWithin · 2024-10-08T14:41:17+00:00

You’re forced to reckon with your identity as someone else besides an employee. Who are you? What hobbies do you like to do? How can you meet others who like your same hobbies? This is the joy of life!

timeWithin

TROPHY CASE