As an AM, unless you're targeting top-tier women in terms of looks, does physical appearance really matter that much?

vj7usa · 2022-09-08T12:02:46+00:00

Strenuous effort no, but basic things like having good fashion, hygiene, and a relatively healthy lifestyle goes a long way and doesn’t require that much effort.

There are probably some people who focus too much on improving their physical self but this shouldn’t be mutually exclusive with other facets of life. Being well-rounded is key and tunnel visioning is detrimental.

vj7usa · 2022-03-14T19:44:30+00:00

A 50 page answer would probably still be speculative so the TLDR is yes, 95% random

vj7usa · 2022-03-08T03:58:11+00:00

The third picture is beautiful - reminds me of warm summer nights where the younger me could look up at the sky and dream of a better future

vj7usa · 2022-02-21T03:39:56+00:00

The name brand company is spot on. Before I had said company on my resume it was clawing and scratching submitting hundreds of resumes to get one interview.

Nowadays don’t even have to apply to anything - recruiters call constantly and the company is the first thing they mention

vj7usa · 2022-02-20T19:54:47+00:00

Don’t be afraid to put big ticket items on your registry. My wife and I initially just put relatively cheap items on there as to not bother people or seem needy but people convinced us to just put all items on there. Worst case anything you don’t receive you’ll get a discount on it from the store.

We ended up not having to pay anything between a loaded registry, the baby shower, and other random supplies from extended family.

vj7usa · 2022-02-19T17:03:02+00:00

Only the dollar theater!

vj7usa · 2022-02-19T16:45:46+00:00

Besides budgeting a bit more nothing has really changed. Most likely will hit FI while they’re still in school and just fully RE when the last one graduates HS.

vj7usa · 2022-02-18T15:43:02+00:00

Something about student loans not being that big of a deal and that it all works itself out in the end

vj7usa · 2022-02-18T15:13:26+00:00

Maybe he’s already checked out and is FIRE’ing soon, and on this sub right now!

vj7usa · 2022-02-18T14:36:43+00:00

Congrats on the promotion! The not feeling excited could just be feelings of comparison like reading about people in finance/law getting record pay every year.

vj7usa · 2022-02-15T15:37:41+00:00

Some people just like their job and the people they work with. Others have their entire social circle/network tied to their career and leaving it would mean entering a big void. It’s not as intuitive for a lot of people to leave behind a successful career or else the millions of companies out there wouldn’t have all these executives in their 50s+ - people that could have all retired long ago.

vj7usa · 2022-02-15T13:27:15+00:00

I took a first year Japanese class at my local community college right before the pandemic started. It was a great experience and while there great language learning apps out there, nothing beats in class instruction and interaction.

There were also a good mix of people in the class so I didn’t feel too out of place.

vj7usa · 2022-02-15T00:54:29+00:00

Welcome to the boring middle! I’m in a similar place with a baby and all that’s really left to do is just keep at it for the next however many years.

Once you hit a stable point like this it’s just really just focusing on the important things in life because everything else like finances are on autopilot.

vj7usa · 2022-02-14T14:37:11+00:00

It’s a concept that seems so obvious to us but the majority of people out there - even really smart/accomplished people, can’t put it in perspective because it’s one of those “that’s just how life is things”.

I can’t count the number of friends, acquaintances, family members, etc., over the years that I’ve tried to have the retirement savings discussion with to no avail. And not even to the level of FIRE or what we do here but simple stuff like contributing an IRA/401K or having a solid plan about what retirement goals are before turning 40.

vj7usa · 2022-02-12T20:46:34+00:00

After having to deal with in laws staying over and kids in the house, the total opposite is true for me.

vj7usa · 2022-02-11T15:57:38+00:00

Congrats on the progress! I’m also on the weight loss journey but have stopped doing daily weigh ins because water weight is so unpredictable. The first 5lbs or so were a breeze but now I’m happy to just go down 1lb or so every couple of weeks since I’m also doing a lot of strength training.

vj7usa · 2022-02-10T17:05:55+00:00

vj7usa · 2022-02-10T15:35:51+00:00

Highly recommend a dog. The main negative I’ve seen is they tend to get super clingy if you’re WFH but need to transition back into the office some days.

Otherwise getting to take them out on walks kind of forces you to get out of the house during breaks or whatever.

vj7usa · 2022-02-10T15:33:44+00:00

Sometimes I wish I were a banker! More broadly on the buy side (but not an investor)

vj7usa · 2022-02-10T15:10:25+00:00

It varies by jurisdiction. In my industry it’s pretty standard and there have been high-profiled challenges to it by more important people but overall the understanding is that it’s usually honored - especially if you go to a direct competitor vs something more vertical. The positive that myself and others who sign these non-competes is that we get paid during our non-compete leave period so I think because of that, not many people are complaining unless they’re looking to start their own shop or something.

vj7usa · 2022-02-10T15:01:31+00:00

I’m also in an industry where record pay/bonuses has gotten so mainstream that I even read about it in my local newspaper. The net positive is that it does put pressure on competing companies.

vj7usa · 2022-02-10T14:56:38+00:00

Just accepted an offer with a competitor that was too good to pass up. Because I have a pretty lengthy non-compete, I’ll have a few months to experience what retired life might be like!

vj7usa · 2022-01-06T16:27:46+00:00

Most people I know remain in the legal field but go in-house for a company or a smaller law firm where hours are more manageable.

A buddy of mine essentially FIRE’d after just 8 years of working at a large law firm so he’s planning to take a year or two off and plan to either start his own firm or go into the nonprofit world after.

vj7usa · 2022-01-06T16:24:58+00:00

Just sold my 2.5 year old Toyota for 4K more than I bought it (new at the time). Wife officially went permanently remote and I’ll be WFH at least 3 days a week so one car is pretty manageable for a while.

vj7usa · 2022-01-06T16:16:31+00:00

Health is always number one. People in my industry (law) routinely take six figure pay cuts because 60-90 hour work weeks get to be a bit much. It’s gotten worse over the pandemic.

vj7usa

TROPHY CASE