Recent content by North80

I live in Washington, not California. While it's not as cold as Main, it's definitely not sunny most of the year like a lot of California. I've lived all over, including places like Colorado and Montana, where it's actually colder than Main. The problem here is that so many people from...

A duplex is about a million dollars around here, and if you find a property like that, you'll be in a bidding war with a reality company or a construction firm with investors. A distressed property is the same thing. You have to have cash for something like that around here because the housing...

I really love working for myself because of the freedom it gives me, but believe me when I say that I've been thinking about a career change for a bit in regards to something that will put me in a much better position for retirement. My great grandpa worked for the railroad, and he had a killer...

I've definitely turned a corner in my thinking. Been reading and doing research on the advice you fine people have been giving me in this tread all morning. I plan on listening to some investment podcasts while at work in the coming months. First thing I'll be doing is building up my savings...

This is all good advice. Thanks for the response.

I actually did that yesterday and was shocked. My benefit at 67 as of right now is $1,437 per month. It was interesting looking at my yearly income all the way back to the 90's. I had a few years with zero, while I had one year in my late 20's where I made over 50k.

I did? You're mistaken. Thank you for the advice. I definitely did not ignore what you said.

I had about a 6 month period last year where I had multiple friends and acquaintances either die or get severely injured to unusual circumstances. One of them was extremely intoxicated while walking home from a dinner and was found dead in someone's driveway the next morning. This was in rural...

Huge difference between what you're talking about and a contractor with no employees asking a very black and white question like "can I write this off" to an accountant that works for a chain accounting firm. My accountant would have nothing to gain and everything to lose by not going by the...

Truth 100%

This is something that really applies to me that needs to change. I definitely am not the most responsible when it comes to wants vs needs. I'm much better about it than I was when I was younger, but improvements could be made that will pay off for me in the future.

If you're using a tool for your business and have proof that you've made money with said tool, it's pretty hard to not be able to justify it as a legit expense even if it's used for personal stuff as well unless we're talking about a vehicle or something. I think the golden rule with stuff...

Very true At the end of the day, my accountant is who says what can be written off. I don't do my own taxes for that reason. She's found deductions for me that I would never have thought of, but also has advised me on things that cannot be written off or are red flags. I play it much safer than...

My eyes have really been opened to this from some of these responses.

Biggest one this year is a machine I use for a personal hobby and possibly fir another business down the road that I would have purchased regardless that has barely been used for my current business. I didn't need it for my business, but being able to legally write it off was a heck if a...