Recent Posts

81

Throw Down the Gauntlet / Re: Continued: Getting rid of stuff / Clearing out clutter! PART 2

« Last post by crocheted_stache on Today at 12:01:52 AM »

Now that graduation is done:
-Passing on the remaining graduation decorations I received on Buy Nothing a few years back
-Also listed two graduation sashes that DS18 ended up with after tennis senior night
-Two "congratulations" signs also posted on Buy Nothing, along with a logo'd high school bag DS18 received at graduation & doesn't want
-Finally, listed DS19's graduation gown on our school alias, to save someone else from having to buy it, but more importantly - reduce waste! Why does each kid have to buy these each year? It's nuts. I'll pass on DS18's as well, but want to double check he doesn't have any last picture requests in it, as graduation day was rushed.

Ah yes, the graduation gown...I actually have to wear mine once/year, when I go to the graduation as faculty, but if you can't get rid of it, it works well for a couple of different Halloween costumes: Judge Judy, Harry Potter (any character), could maybe make it work for a pregnant nun...

Or sew or fold the end under, put a belt around the waist, and add tights and it's a pretty good Renaissance royal.

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Welcome and General Discussion / Re: Thoughts? "Is the US Facing Irreversible Structural Decline? (The Evidence)"

« Last post by TheAnonOne on June 07, 2025, 11:12:30 PM »

Doomer content is perpetually "all the rage", for whatever reason. Yet the world continues to churn on, stocks are at all time highs, and the US continues to lead.

Could this change? Sure, but you're also then in a world where the outcomes are so numerous that it's basically impossible to plan for.

So... that said, personally, these types of things just get a big "ignore" from me.

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Off Topic / Re: US ICE

« Last post by bacchi on June 07, 2025, 09:36:01 PM »

Well they detained a deputy US Marshall at a Federal Courthouse today.

Well, he did "fit the general description of a subject being sought by ICE." That general description might be "hispanic" but there are quotas after all.


Things are heating up in LA. Trump has sent in the National Guard to handle the protestors.

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Throw Down the Gauntlet / Re: DONT Payoff your Mortgage Club

« Last post by Sandi_k on June 07, 2025, 09:05:00 PM »

@Dicey

85

Off Topic / Re: The Silent Generation

« Last post by DoubleDown on June 07, 2025, 09:02:16 PM »

I have definitely also noticed the OP's experience with the "silent aka greatest generation" being treated with rose-colored glasses, and the reference to "Saving Private Ryan!" It's right there in the name, and I thought it was ridiculous when I first heard it. It is very similar to the hero worship that is often afforded to every single member of the military, which I also do not understand. There are so many other people/professions that make sacrifices and do amazing things, but somehow if you're in the military you're instantly a hero that should be stopped on the street and thanked for your service. I have plenty of gratitude for people in the military who have made sacrifices, but I'm also keenly aware that the military is a large cross-section of society complete with murderers, rapists, drug dealers, racists, just a person looking for a job, and plenty of regular folks just getting by. And as Jack Reacher points out at some time in the novel series, there's a non-trivial number who specifically sign up to kill other people. But they are to be stopped and thanked too because, you know, military.

You're welcome, and thanks for your support.

I served for over two decades to help protect your First Amendment right to write paragraphs like that.

This is exactly the kind of reaction I feared and, unfortunately, it kind of proves my point. I do not intend to convey ingratitude. You and other military members do have my support, and those that made sacrifices to protect all of our rights deserve gratitude. I also served (in a slightly different capacity) for about 20 years, right alongside great military members. I don't expect any platitudes about my "service." But why interpret my statement as ingratitude? Why assume I'm not aware of my rights and how they've been protected? My point is that not all military members are great -- that's all.

My apologies that my statement caused offense. I would also invite you to reflect on why my saying that not all military members are heroes causes such a reaction and assumption that I am ungrateful. Some military members have done tremendous things for the country and given their lives in service. Some have been supreme a-holes. And most have been somewhere in-between. Does the current POTUS deserve a very special "thanks for his service" as Commander in Chief (twice, no less)?

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Throw Down the Gauntlet / Re: June Goals

« Last post by WorkingToUnwind on June 07, 2025, 08:41:12 PM »

This is a good idea to set monthly goals
1) plan trip to VT
2) orange theory 2x/week, big gravel or MTB ride once a week
3) get out with girlfriends a couple times this month
4) work on DS's baby book
5) journal
6) enjoy work and try to keep 20 min open for lunch
7) stick with no S diet and don't go overboard on S days
8) don't sweat the small stuff

87

Ask a Mustachian / Re: Help me negotiate please

« Last post by J.P. MoreGains on June 07, 2025, 08:16:21 PM »

Thanks for all of the feedback.

I think there are definite budget constraints so I don't see anything happening soon.

Good news is I had a quick meeting with my supervisor and I'm definitely on track by all the official metrics. Our year end review will confirm this more.

I'm definitely not going to push the subject but I will get an answer as to "what the future looks like".

I'm generally happy hear and only 3 years away from being vested at the minimum 5 years in the pension system. So maybe I'll stay around.

I may end up seriously considering going back to my university position or look for a big salary jump.

But I'm generally happy so I don't have to push the issue.

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Throw Down the Gauntlet / Re: Race from 500k to 1M!

« Last post by J.P. MoreGains on June 07, 2025, 08:07:00 PM »

Thanks for both responses.  I do agree it is not good to receive the money at an age where one is not yet responsible enough for it.  Too much money too soon can ruin people.  My youngest son, made $500k one year as a 22 year old.  He worked hard for it, but paid a price too.  Also, he got the idea that money is easy to come by and was not as frugal as he was taught by his parents.  Fortunately, he still has a lot put back (for someone his age).  I literally told him to invest in all and live poor now.  He just wouldn't listen.  Eventually, I had an epiphany for him.  Go ahead and get those toys you want.  You need to get this out of your system, learn the lesson sooner rather than later, that money doesn't grow on trees.  He is now in the desert of money making (he has a political canvassing company).  He is now back in university and working retail.  He may get another canvassing contract in 2026, but now has a greater appreciation and says he will buy a house cash if he makes it like that again. 

Wow this is incredible! 500k at 22! I bet when he earns a lot more he'll save and buy that house. Sounds like he'll be very successful and just fine.

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Investor Alley / Re: Ascensus site for 401K contributions

« Last post by FL_MM on June 07, 2025, 07:52:50 PM »

https://www.ascensus.com/log-in/

Is this the one you need?

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Do it Yourself Discussion! / Re: Do I have to remove mulch before adding rock?

« Last post by Dicey on June 07, 2025, 07:42:14 PM »

Tagging on to this convo: A few years ago, we dug out the front lawn, put down a high-quality weed barrier, then dumped a full belly dump truck of good-sized slate chips on top of it. We did this because we have Redwood Trees, which are not grass-friendly, and we live in a drought-prone region. We got a great deal by buying a double truckload (the rock from the second hauler went to the side and part of the backyard), and shoveling it ourselves. The rock layer is at least six inches thick. Guess what? We still get weeds popping up from the rocks. At least they're easy to pull, provided you get them before they send their roots down through the rock and the weed screen.

Our neighbors were thrilled when the semi pulled up at 6am in a Friday morning in December. It was a fun weekend.

My point is that there is no such thing as effortless landscaping. Anything you do requires ongoing maintenance, just hopefully less of it.