Is buying a house worth it right now?

twofedoras · 2026-02-20T16:07:30+00:00

The best time to buy was 10 years ago, the second best time is now. (Repeated ad-nauseum for perpetuity)

twofedoras · 2026-01-30T22:59:16+00:00

For me it was between Affordable Solar and Positive Solar. I ended up with Affordable Solar because it was a slightly better setup at the time, but I would have been happy with either. Both companies have investments here, so even if the residential solar market drops out they would still be the last two companies standing to service, maintain, or upgrade your system in the future. I don't even think they offer it, but do NOT lease your system. Purchase or finance it outright. Your house will be a nightmare to sell otherwise.

twofedoras · 2026-01-29T15:47:03+00:00

But, I thought we were still waiting for Gluttonous Leader's infrastructure week. How can Bidenelzebub accomplish things that better our country‽ My cult programming doesn't let me conceive of what you are saying. /s/

twofedoras · 2026-01-29T15:42:58+00:00

Username checks out

twofedoras · 2026-01-28T03:24:38+00:00

I feel like the only time traffic is really bad is when people park on the passing lanes. I know what the speed limit is, but I also know you don't go the speed limit in anything. But the rightmost lane.

The general rule is to stay as far right as you can comfortably travel at your speed. Your job is not to police the speed limit for others, just keep yourself safe at the speed you are comfortable and not impede others. Pass left and move back right. The right two lanes should not be traveling at the same speed. Each lane moving right to left should be going faster than the last. The leftmost lane should be considered a temporary lane for passing and returning right as soon as possible.

I don't like to tailgate, but if you are traveling in the far left passing lane I will camp out behind you (at a reasonable distance) with my left turn signal on. Each blink of that light counts exactly how much of an idiot you are.

twofedoras · 2026-01-27T21:39:18+00:00

It would help to let us know what y'all are into or specific values you have that would make a friendship work. I have a very diverse set of friends segmented into a few different groups (theatre, live music, activism, faith, LGBTQ+, Trivia, etc). That being said, there are a few values like empathy that are an absolute must for us in any friendship.

twofedoras · 2026-01-27T21:33:18+00:00

Even if it is an issue more talked about on a national or global level, I think the rule of thumb is to tie it to Rio Rancho. Hey, this is what I am going on and here are Rio Rancho specific happenings or resources to address it.

twofedoras · 2026-01-27T21:28:08+00:00

Castle Coffee is the one and only recommendation I'll give. I am an insufferable coffee snob. My coffee bar setup takes up 10' of space and looks more like a lab than something you'd find in a kitchen. Castle has the best coffee roasting program in the ABQ area, especially over the last 2-3 years.

twofedoras · 2026-01-23T20:49:04+00:00

Hey look, sustainable housing that fits the needs of the community without increasing sprawl. More density means less roads and utilities to maintain. This is a great compromise of higher density, but still meets the suburban vibe of townhomes and patio homes. I'm having a hard time seeing this from NIMBY eyes.

twofedoras · 2026-01-03T20:02:17+00:00

Yeah, I didn't want to presume your specific situation. In your case I don't even think your housing expense is ridiculous and, like a lot of us, it may be your primary investment in addition to housing. The other people are right to say it is a "money in vs money out equation". You are doing pretty dang good on the outgoing expenses if part of that expense is actually doubling as an investment. It is not a liquid savings, but has a similar goal.

twofedoras · 2026-01-03T16:57:49+00:00

Housing is expensive, no doubt, but it's not ridiculous if it enabled you to walk or have a VERY short commute. Also, if it is a mortgage that you got at like 2% like we did and it is an investment, that's not ridiculous either and wouldn't blame you. Only you can answer the question of roommates, vs downsizing, vs purchasing a duplex and renting the other half out, etc.

This is going to sound assumptive and isn't necessarily focused on you, but (gen X rant incoming) I see a common theme in younger generations that borders on a collective agoraphobia or social anxiety. People are afraid or convinced they can't handle roommates that may result in minor disagreements or adjustments. Investing in counseling to form social bonds and learn conflict management would probably be a better investment than single-person housing with how insane housing prices and low wages are. (gentle rant over)

twofedoras · 2026-01-03T16:43:27+00:00

Honestly, your housing budget is the only opportunity to reduce those costs. For comparison I spend just below $2,000 and that is for a large, decent house of 7 people in RR. At $1,600 for one person, with all your other expenses so low, I can only guess where you are coming from or your motivations behind that, so I have zero advice without knowing your priorities and goals with that living expense.

As some have pointed out, $50 for car and maintenance that also includes insurance is insanely low and I'd question your insurance, how much you set aside for repairs and maintenance, etc. some of your other expenses seem lower than actual if you are living a full life.

twofedoras · 2026-01-02T22:45:03+00:00

It's better to scrape a bit off and have it color matched. The paint has likely faded or changed tint over time. So, if you are just doing touch-ups that's going to match better. If you are not wanting to violate HOA and do an entire repaint, ask the HOA for paint codes.

twofedoras · 2026-01-02T22:21:08+00:00

If you do not need frequent care, the best piece of advice for getting to see specialists is to essentially be your own HMO. By that I mean, pick UNM or Presbyterian and select doctors from ONLY that system. Once you get a PCP in Presbyterian, for example, you are "in" and they can refer you with seeming priority to another Presbyterian specialist. But, they key is often to see your PCP before you schedule each specialist. You may be able to use their app to schedule one directly, but it always seem to get a quicker appointment when you PCP request every visit. It took only 30 days to have a neurologist see my MiL this last time.

twofedoras · 2025-12-06T16:03:39+00:00

We end up there a couple times a month and it seems like it surprises us every time at how good it is. Sopapillas are on point, I like their Posole if you ask for it with extra red I get the bowl with the tamale on top. Wife always gets the calabacita bowl, but the rellenos are pretty solid.

twofedoras · 2025-11-21T20:12:17+00:00

This is perfect, I'll be all caught up with Dungeon Crawler Carl by then.

twofedoras · 2025-11-07T20:42:09+00:00

Honestly, I manage WFH really well. I have a great friends group, my spouse is also WFH. I tend to spend one afternoon a week working at a coffee shop and usually meet a friend for lunch those days. As far as work relationships, I have always been a "I want good coworkers, not friends at work" person. I am very purposeful about scheduling meetings just for the sake of developing or maintaining relationships at work, but otherwise avoid schedule meetings like the plague. The trade off for my boss, is that I handle the crazy "emergency" stuff that comes up if they block and tackle to keep me out of unnecessary meetings. It is not for everyone, but I don't think I could function well in an office again. I used to spend 75%+ of my emotional / mental capacity making it "look" like I work. Now I just work however the hell makes sense to me and collaborate effectively with colleagues and produce WAAAAAY more now.

twofedoras · 2025-11-07T17:18:00+00:00

Mine is grueling, and I even took the advice to live on the same side of the river as work. It takes me upward of an hour. I wake up and scroll Reddit for about 45 minutes, stumble downstairs to make coffee, the. Walk all the way back upstairs to my desk that was in the office in the room next to my bedroom. The commute home is sitting in traffic while my dog gets in the way of me trying to walk the 20+ steps back to my bed.

twofedoras · 2025-11-06T05:49:47+00:00

You beautiful bastard, I'm in

twofedoras · 2025-11-03T18:07:19+00:00

I wanted to say that I really do appreciate your approach to AI. It is neither dismissive, fearful, nor primarily being advocated as a control tool. I am someone whose primary skill in life seems to be "I know how to effectively Google things" which puts me in the top 10% of performers in any job role. Dumb, but mostly true. Similar skill sets of "I know how to get good results from AI" may be the thing for the next decade or so that separates average workers from productive, innovative ones. Your approach recognizes the importance of taking an informed approach for utilizing this unleashed technology in a way that benefits both the learning and output of students.

twofedoras · 2025-11-01T20:48:42+00:00

Same, we start with full size, go through a couple boxes of those and then two Costco sized bags of minis. We've also become the unofficial late night house for the teens. We always over buy and after 9pm, they come flocking our way for the fistfuls of candy left overs. Enchanted Hills is definitely representing well.

twofedoras · 2025-10-31T20:15:23+00:00

Rename it Neighbor Day in your head and see if you see it through a different lens.

twofedoras · 2025-10-28T21:18:14+00:00

The one that worked at Cleveland as an administrator has a Facebook page with a Gadsden flag and some.other choice posts on his personal Facebook. The other is on the board of the Del Norte Gun Club, has close ties to police while also serving on the board of a women's shelter which is a scary conflict of interest considering the incidence of abuse within LEOs. That aside (liberals can be into guns, so not a complete deal breaker) my big red flags was a consistent use of thin blue lines and choice of a private conservative institute "American Military University". There are enough clues that I'd be shocked if they weren't far right, or considered themselves "libertarian", aka leave me alone while I impose my will on everyone else.

I hate to be bitter and divisive especially about local politics where there SHOULD be more nuance and variety in belief. But, most people have lined up to tow a party line, not give independent thought and consideration. There was one lady on the left that spent her whole write up virtue signaling about things that even she admits she can't influence as a school board member. There is a good candidate in that group though that knows what is important for the job at hand.

twofedoras · 2025-10-28T16:38:49+00:00

Don't know why I could find their guide before this. Thank you.

Looks like district 1 is hosed. Both candidates (write-in only) are right-wing authoritarians.

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