Recent content by HatePayingTaxes

I'm in my early thirties and have 2 young kids. Similar to other posters mentioned, max out your retirement savings and then put some money towards kids education. I do have some extra cash in my taxable acct and my goal was to put away 100k each (present value) for a full ride but, now, I'm...

Chase slate card offers 0% for 15 months and $0 balance transfer fee.

I think money gives you options, which gives you comfort/less stress but not happiness. For example, my wife can stay home with kids on my salary alone and not juggle between career/kids. I don't have to take that next job with high stress to afford our lifestyle. Happiness is when my kids...

DR says you can earn 14% easily by looking at Morningstar and searching for funds that generated at least that much return over 15+ yrs. He really believes this. He says market return has been 11% so it's ok to use SWR of 8%. Obviously, I wouldn't listen to his investment advice. However, I...

I'm pretty bummed. Even though I'm 90% equity/10% bond allocation on most of my portfolio, I was hoping for low return or even double dip. Another reason is because traffic's been lighter. If the economy gets back to 4% unemployment, traffic's really going to suck again. I was thinking...

Same experience as FIREd. A friend asked where to invest his money and gave him general diversified funds advice. He followed it but, when the market tanked, he blamed me. Since then, I'm much more careful with giving advice. I still do but mainly in LBYM talk.

Agree with Hamlet but this is a good opportunity to decrease that fixed monthly expenses. Yes, it's tough, very tough for most people but, if one can raise monthly living expenses due to rise in income, decrease is possible due to decrease in income. Hopefully they learn their lesson and can...

Didn't read all the comments on here but just chiming in b/c we're in similar life situation (1 and 2 yr olds). 1. I often think about quitting and staying home with the kids but they're off at preschool and they enjoy it so don't want to pull them out. It's not really a full retirement b/c I...

Just goes to tell you that amount of money is not the issue here. One can have millions but, if can't LBYM, you're screwed. It's the life style that's more important than money.

Seems it's unanimous I should go. I think I already knew it but have a hard time letting go of my current gig. I know about the new job boss/co-workers only through the interview. Of course, nothing's certain but I have a pretty good feel from multiple interviews and the fact that their...

Current job: No stress, pays enough money, stable, good hours, good co-workers/boss, acceptable commute. Negatives are no growth and no learning. My boss personally told me I won't go anywhere unless he leaves. Other Opprotunity: Little stress, 20% more money, stable, good hours, good...

We live in an urban area that's walking distance to most of our needs. Good commute for LA standard as well. We love this area. However, we do have 2 small kids and would likely move to the suburbs when they're school age. That's pretty much the only reason. If they had good schools here...

Went to Wal Mart at 10:30pm (opened at 10pm) and parking lot was PACKED!! Some people parked elsewhere and walked over. Took awhile to get my fake christmas tree b/c of all the people blocking the aisle with their shopping carts and those people couldn't move b/c they were blocked by other...

It always amazes me the kinds of justification people come up with to feel like a victim. Like your dad and stepmom's embarrassment from the community, I'm sure they truly feel that they're the victim. It's really amazing and sad.

If it's difference of 5 yrs, I would go with less stress and hours. You have 10 more yrs to go at your current job... think about it, that's a long time to be miserable/stressed out/long hours.