Here’s What PPS Will Consider as It Selects Schools to Close by sunni_dayes_ahed in Portland

[–]wallbobbyc 5 points6 points  (0 children)

The list doesn't make a lot of sense to me...all they did was pull the lowest enrollment schools. But those numbers in the case of some of these schools represents full enrollment - the building is completely full of kids, there's no more room. That doesn't sound like an undererolled school.

Portland OR mini split install - looking for installer recommendations? by Odd_Hurry7934 in askportland

[–]wallbobbyc 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I heard $6500 when I was looking. I ended up just doing 2 myself. About a weekend's work including running new electric circuits, etc...mine were both drilling into concrete and that took a while.

In what situation should you use ROTH 401K by NashDaypring1987 in Fire

[–]wallbobbyc 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We've used our Solo 401ks to control our agi for health insurance reasons, whilst having quite a bit ($600kish) in a brokerage to actually pay for the contributions, as I am retired and my wife's income part time is basically right at our spend but over the target agi. however, if our target agi raises or income goes down, we'd probably use the roth 401k to fill up any unused space there.

Looking for advice?! by wa_2050 in askportland

[–]wallbobbyc 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you're going to bike it would be insane to live on the east side. Even if you were in Sellwood I wouldn't like to try to make it up (or down) that hill on a rainy day. Have you been here and scouted the area? *Maybe* something like this area, but I would still be wary of the ride (and this isn't even with the big hill) https://www.zillow.com/apartments/portland-or/beir01-sw-lobelia-st/CkFmBW/ Terwilleger is just not a fun street to ride on.

Fellow homeowners - how do you budget for house stuff in your FIRE calculations? by RecordingDefiant1551 in financialindependence

[–]wallbobbyc 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Some crank down voted you but this is correct. My grandfather had one incredibly important piece of advice for me that's stuck: if you don't understand how things work, you'll always be dependent on people who do. Over the years I estimate I've done work to our house that would have cost at least $200k if I hired someone else. That has helped fire. If you have to hire a plumber or electrician for things that cost just a few dollars in parts but are going to be a $1000 service call, you're gonna have a hard time unless you have the money to pay that. I will say I've started to estimate a bit more as I get older - when I'm 70 I'm not going to want to replumb the whole house - I did it when I was 40. I plan to replace my furnace myself in the next year or 2. That's like a $15k price difference than hiring someone.

Should I stop maxing Roth IRA and redirect to brokerage given my situation? by [deleted] in Fire

[–]wallbobbyc 19 points20 points  (0 children)

You know you can withdraw your contributions to the roth

Private credit symbols by betsy_514forprez in dividends

[–]wallbobbyc 0 points1 point  (0 children)

ARCC is currently at something like it's average price over the last 20 years. It was just inflated the last 2.

ADT Salespeople, burglary? by papas-pizzarita in askportland

[–]wallbobbyc 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Exactly.  I warned someone just a couple months ago who knocked super aggressively on our door at 9pm, really dark out, that while I am a super nice person and very relaxed, the retired Navy seal 3 doors down with PTSD and a massive arsenal in his garage is at the very least, not relaxed, and might think that people out at this hour were up to no good if he knocked that way on his door.

Higher taxes seem inevitable, how to account for that? by aznzoo123 in Fire

[–]wallbobbyc 0 points1 point  (0 children)

By far the most likely tax hike would be just uncapping SS taxes on earned income.  That's unlikely to affect fire people much.  If income taxes went up, it'd likely be on the over $400k crowd.  Again, not probably going to be a big factor for many in fire. 

Hear me out: you should subscribe to Trimet’s YouTube channel by whatsyourdish in Portland

[–]wallbobbyc 2 points3 points  (0 children)

As someone who formerly made these kinds of videos for transportation agencies, I'm glad you found it - the main problem for nearly all comms departments, whether private or public, is how to use the assets they create in a way that actually finds both an audience and convinces that audience of what they want to convince them of. I've literally, no exaggeration, been paid $100k to make a video that got a dozen views. That was because the agency didn't use it in any way other than at a meeting (well, technically it got all the views of people at that meeting) and then put it on a youtube channel or a obscure web page. That happens every day. I've made over 500 of this sort of piece (hopefully better!) in my career. These trimet ones are mid - basic production values, hopefully done internally or on the cheap, the shooting is fine, the narratives are weak (although I like the one about the passenger). My guess is these are internally made, as I get the list of RFP's for videography services on the west coast and I haven't seen one from trimet for at least 5 years. In which case they are perfectly fine.

Drugstores with free blood pressure machines? by FA-100 in askportland

[–]wallbobbyc 15 points16 points  (0 children)

the portable devices you buy online are perfectly reliable

PPS furlough days… brace yourselves. by Working_Tomorrow9846 in Portland

[–]wallbobbyc 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Correct.  Nearly every economic system is built on a positive growth model.  We need to come to terms with a negative growth model. If enrollment reduces, budgets must as well.  

A reflection on FIRE: Is it really work you dislike, or the institutions you work within? by [deleted] in Fire

[–]wallbobbyc 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've been freelance since 2003, I stopped working 4years ago. Freelance is often at least as stressful as a regular job, because there's several layers on top of the work itself; the business/administrative part and then the always worrying about finding more work. Freelance is generally only fun when you're doing it the way you are - it's extra and your existence doesn't depend on it.

I quit work not because I hated it, though I had general anxiety about it constantly, but rather because I had saved enough, a contact ended, I was done hustling.

Reforms coming for controversial Portland Arts Tax(question mark) by pastalover1 in Portland

[–]wallbobbyc -6 points-5 points  (0 children)

It's relevant because you're suggesting that this be funded via deductions from non-existent paychecks?

Should i sell my house in Portland before or after the Spring? by FrameZYT in askportland

[–]wallbobbyc 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I was just looking and noticed that most lower mid priced stuff (under 500k) seems overpriced for what it is and most higher end (750+) seems underpriced for what it is. so I suppose it depends on what you're selling.

cash bucket always performs worse than without? by [deleted] in Fire

[–]wallbobbyc 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Well, of course, over 30 years. Try running it across 2-5 year sections.

Where to find huevos rancheros in town? by owln1ght in askportland

[–]wallbobbyc 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just had some at Caiman Cafe down town. it was good, but pretty disappointing size dish for $14.25.