lynxcat

ETFs and mutual funds. Broad market. I do not trade stocks.

Being a TSA agent is one of the easiest jobs in the world. Especially the ones that just sit at the exit and don’t let people enter. It’s ridiculous we even pay someone to do this.

It’s awesome. The energy and competitiveness was great. Always opportunities to improve but don’t act like this is broken.

Is this a MTB thread or was this on the OT and then pulled over here?

"They don't make more of it" is an odd way to evaluate a financial decision. As important as the valuation of the land itself is the opportunity cost of what you want to do with the proceeds from the sale.

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You don't hold the cards here, your wife does. If she decides she wants a larger laundry room, or she doesn't like your cabinetry in five years, you'll drop $60k on a reno or move house. This isn't me woman hating, it's just the truth of how most marriages work.

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This version of marriage sucks. I’m thankful my wife is a partner financially versus the scenario you painted. Of course we can daydream about “what if” but she’s very grounded.

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Treat the 30% gross like the diamond industry telling you that you need to spend 1/4 of your annual income on a ring that nobody will notice after it gets shown off the first week of the engagement.

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30% gross is arbitrary. Percentage of take home is a better measure and I would go a step further as decisions should be made on actual dollar basis not percentages.

The advancing a millimeter at a time makes this lose its shine. Good for him but this feels like a stunt to just keep him in a headline.

+1. Strong post. I just assume we are hitting our healthcare out of pocket max every year now.

Emergency fund has even more importance when you are worried about your family rather than just yourself.

Insurance. Term life is affordable…get it not just for yourself but also your wife. Either one of you passes, this gives you some flexibility to mourn, hire outside help to assist. If you both pass, then make sure it is enough for your next of kin to be setup to take care of the child.

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Mortgage: 2175
Car Notes: 480
Car Insurance: 350
Groceries: 550
Student Loans: 375
Utilities: 410
Gas: 115
Credit Card/Spending: 2700 (need to lower this - we pay it off every month)
Health Insurance: 300
We also priced out daycare for 800 dollars a month. Already got accepted for next year.

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Unless you pay for groceries some other way than a credit card, you are double counting that expense.

Need more of a breakdown of the $2700 to understand what's in there.

Assuming you have some travel, vacation, entertainment that isn't showing up here.

Car notes...this looks like one car. How much is left?
Student loans: Rate and how much remaining?

Car Insurance seems a bit high...accidents and/or tickets during that up? Have you price shopped this?

Mortgage of $2175 (assuming that's total escrow) on $9100/month is fine.

How much are the bonuses? This doesn't seem to be factored into your $9100/mo calculation which is a good thing.

Portugal is pretty great. And, Italy.

It’s $5,000 annually. Tax code still a little unclear longer term on how Roth conversions will be treated. $5K a year for 18 years is an unbelievable head start if possible to afford the contributions.