Search found 62 matches

by allones
Tue Mar 05, 2024 8:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Kitchen Cabinet Cost
Replies: 37
Views: 3268

Re: Kitchen Cabinet Cost

Last year I worked for a high-end residential builder in a MCOL area project managing and estimating. For custom cabinets (I'm assuming new countertops are going on your new cabinets) and high-end appliances, $100k is not bad, especially if you have someone with a reputation for quality doing the work. The last kitchen remodel I managed was a larger kitchen than yours, but a similarly priced home. The estimate came out to $400k, with some cushion not because it was high-end (high-end companies know they work on high-end projects and don't need to add extra), but because it seemed like the client was going to be difficult and make changes once the project was going, and surprise, surprise, he did. I'm sure you can find someone cheaper, but t...
by allones
Sat Oct 28, 2023 10:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Design Build?
Replies: 7
Views: 978

Re: Design Build?

I work for a design-build firm at the moment. I think it varies from firm to firm on wanting to do both the design and the build of the project. I think we would only do the design side but probably mark it up quite a bit since the build side would miss the revenue. If I've learned anything at this job, it's how much the construction industry will tax you for being difficult.

A reason they might want 100% upfront is to prevent you from taking plans at the SD or DD phase to another architect or builder and moving forward with them. We recently had someone take schematic drawings with our logo to the city and try to get a building permit, which not only violated the contract but reflects really poorly on the firm.
by allones
Fri Sep 15, 2023 9:39 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: My son and I are getting into golf...
Replies: 39
Views: 4184

Re: My son and I are getting into golf...

I played competitive golf in high school and college. I started with no-name brand clubs, took a lot of lessons from the pro at the local course (pro bono because I also picked up a summer job at the course), and once it was clear that this was a thing that was going to stick, upgraded to a nice set of Pings. Individual lessons can get pricey. Most public courses have junior golf camps that get into the basics. Also, access to putting greens is free. Putts and chips are just as important as bombing a drive. My dad ended up getting back into golf once I picked it up. He's no longer around, but it gave us years of a shared activity, and he got to be a proud dad around his golf buddies as I won state championships and paid for college with golf.
by allones
Thu Aug 10, 2023 9:21 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Portable travel hotel room, and travel, coffee making ideas?
Replies: 120
Views: 11063

Re: Portable travel hotel room coffee making ideas?

We've started bringing an aeropress and, because I like a latte, a Bodum Barista Electric Milk Frother (it's two pieces so it's a little easier to pack).
by allones
Sat Aug 05, 2023 9:38 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Remodel - Seeking window advice
Replies: 15
Views: 1729

Re: Remodel - Seeking window advice

I had Andersen's Renewal product/service installed in my remodel last year. Customer service was excellent, installers were professional and very tidy, quality of the windows is great.
by allones
Sat Jul 29, 2023 9:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Glacier National Park mid June
Replies: 22
Views: 2858

Re: Glacier National Park mid June

Bears are no joke. You need bear spray and need to know how to use it. For some reason Many Glaciers seems to have more than the other places we went. A woman was mauled to death in Yellowstone the week we were in Glacier. It is rare, but happens. By far the most dangerous animals in Glacier are on two legs, however. It would not change my mind about hiking, but you need to be aware. Hike in groups, make noise and be mentally prepared to deploy the spray. A suggestion: buy some inert spray from Amazon and get a few practice deployments with the spray before your trip. I live in western Montana. +1 to this comment. You probably won't have a grizzly bear (or black/brown bear with cubs) encounter but you 100% want to be prepared if you do.
by allones
Wed Jun 07, 2023 2:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Career Change - Architecture or Construction Management
Replies: 32
Views: 2962

Re: Career Change - Architecture or Construction Management

Best of luck! Thank you so much for your real-world insight! You mentioned that you found a "Construction Management programs which run for about 1.5 years." Is that online ? City College ? University ? Could you please share more details? I am looking exclusively at online Master's programs. Here are some of the schools that are on my shortlist, but you can find more if you google it. - University of Washington (they have a Certificate program as well that I'm entertaining rather than the full-blown graduate degree) - Louisiana State University - University of Oklahoma - University of Southern California Since you have a background in tech and enjoy designing I would suggest looking into the cell industry, where a good engineer ...
by allones
Mon Jun 05, 2023 11:12 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Career Change - Architecture or Construction Management
Replies: 32
Views: 2962

Re: Career Change - Architecture or Construction Management

Sandtrap wrote: ↑Mon Jun 05, 2023 8:36 am To op:
Can you get a legitimate university degree in structural engineering????

j🌺
A long while ago a tried out an engineering program and couldn't cut it. My strengths are more people- and creativity-oriented.
by allones
Mon Jun 05, 2023 11:10 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Career Change - Architecture or Construction Management
Replies: 32
Views: 2962

Re: Career Change - Architecture or Construction Management

Thanks for the replies, all. It is really helping me iron out some of the wrinkles. One motivation for pursuing the CM degree would be to feel more confident having some expertise, especially being a woman in the field. The comments on architecture have confirmed my suspicions. I know one successful, happy, and encouraging architect, but I suspect she is the exception. Chasing a dream job/ job I love is a never-ending thing for me. My partner and all of my peers do work that is deeply meaningful to them and it seems so nice to have work that aligns with one's identity. I feel like I have two lives, but I do have a very, very active creative life outside of work (music, woodworking, golf, occasionally remodeling houses). Unfortunately, I don...
by allones
Sun Jun 04, 2023 2:54 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Career Change - Architecture or Construction Management
Replies: 32
Views: 2962

Re: Career Change - Architecture or Construction Management

I will just say it’s not a career that seems to deliver on most aspirants’ wishes. This is a concern for sure. Hi - You might also consider a career of tech in the construction sector, either working for a construction-focused software or tech company (e.g., Autodesk and Bentley Systems) or the tech/innovation department of a major general contractor or design firm (e.g., Skanska, DPR, Turner, Gensler, AECOM, Jacobs). Happy to answer additional questions. If you'd share your general geography I might be able to help further. This is where my head is at with pursuing the CM degree, and I've sent out some resumes in these areas but no bites so far. I am located in Montana, but will likely end up back in Seattle in 5 years due to DW's job. Wh...
by allones
Sun Jun 04, 2023 11:38 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Career Change - Architecture or Construction Management
Replies: 32
Views: 2962

Career Change - Architecture or Construction Management

Hi folks, seeking career/life advice here. Background - I'm 45, female, and have been working in tech for the past 15+ years. It has been an unintentional career, as it started out as a way to pay the bills while I pursued music, but once I accomplished what I wanted in music then tech became my career. I've climbed the ladder but I've never been truly interested in or passionate about it despite trying to focus on the positives (well, just one positive - the money) and trying to get myself jazzed up to stay in the game. I'm just smart and ambitious and it's worked for me, but it's run its course and I need a change. Second to being a rock star, my other childhood dream was to be an architect. I've taken a handful of design and drafting cou...
by allones
Fri Apr 07, 2023 8:57 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Laid off from tech job
Replies: 84
Views: 11324

Re: Laid off from tech job

I voluntarily left my tech job in early February (toxic new manager). I was in an IT senior management position. I am currently interviewing with 5 different companies and am close to an offer from one. I am 100% remote, so my options feel less than if I were on a coast. I've intentionally been looking outside of pure tech roles - other industries that have technical teams. The pay is less, but I have saved enough that I am looking forward to working at a slower pace for less money. I've revised my resume about six times and seem to have found a format that works. I have applied for over 100 jobs. Being a hiring manager myself, you never know the intangibles some other human is looking for. Hang in there - smart companies want to scoop up ...
by allones
Fri Apr 07, 2023 11:47 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Laid off from tech job
Replies: 84
Views: 11324

Re: Laid off from tech job

I voluntarily left my tech job in early February (toxic new manager). I was in an IT senior management position. I am currently interviewing with 5 different companies and am close to an offer from one. I am 100% remote, so my options feel less than if I were on a coast. I've intentionally been looking outside of pure tech roles - other industries that have technical teams. The pay is less, but I have saved enough that I am looking forward to working at a slower pace for less money. I've revised my resume about six times and seem to have found a format that works. I have applied for over 100 jobs. Being a hiring manager myself, you never know the intangibles some other human is looking for. Hang in there - smart companies want to scoop up t...
by allones
Wed Mar 29, 2023 6:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Athletics pathway to college
Replies: 110
Views: 10853

Re: Athletics pathway to college

I played D1 golf for my in-state university. I didn't take up golf until my freshman year of high school, but by the time I was a junior, I was one of the top 3 in the state and #1 my senior year. I participated in many national summer tournaments outside of school which helped prepare me for some tougher competition and also raised my visibility. College coaches definitely track the regional, and probably national, talent. I was recruited after my dad reached out to the university golf coach and expressed interest on my behalf. My academics were decent but I don't think I would have received an academic scholarship. I still had to apply and all of that. My hunch is since my tuition was in-state, my scholarship was an easier sell. The lands...
by allones
Sat Feb 25, 2023 3:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: job loss in sight
Replies: 62
Views: 7940

Re: job loss in sight

I just went through a slightly similar experience - also Bay Area tech company. Maybe some of what I planned and went through will help. I was recruited last fall into a senior manager role by former colleagues. A req for my future manager was open for my first three months. The team I joined had been overhauled by the person who hired me, so morale was very low and the company's culture was quite adversarial. I came from a much more collaborative workplace, so, in addition to the challenges of my own role, I also covered for the future director for three months until she was hired. She and I had very different managerial approaches. She's a micro-manager, I'm more trusting. We butted heads a lot and I quickly felt like I was being managed ...
by allones
Thu May 26, 2022 6:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Transition from DBA to a Data Scientist / Engineer
Replies: 15
Views: 1841

Re: Transition from DBA to a Data Scientist / Engineer

Data Scientist and Data Engineer are usually pretty different roles (unless you're at a very small company doing everything data-related). I work for a mid-sized tech company as a data manager. Data Scientist - if you've done any analytical work as a DBA and can get some experience with statistical modeling through online courses, that should get you started in that direction. A heavy SQL background is great, but companies will expect proficiency with Python or R. Python is more common. You'll also need some familiarity with AI/ML. Data Engineer - this type of role is more about moving data between systems. The Data Engineers that I work with are comfortable with Python, Java, APIs, but also familiar with tools like Fivetran, Talend, Muleso...
by allones
Thu Mar 10, 2022 12:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should annual pay increase meet/beat inflation?
Replies: 32
Views: 3342

Re: Should annual pay increase meet/beat inflation?

It's interesting to hear the experience from MegaCorp folks. I'm at a 3000-person tech company that is transparent about being above average for market pay ranges. So I anticipate this pay cycle to reflect what the broader market is doing for my industry.

Like a lot of companies, we've had a ton of attrition this year and now I'm one of the more tenured employees. My morale is low due to having most of my cohort leave and not enjoying the cultural shift brought in by the new folks. But my manager praises my work and the team appreciates my institutional knowledge, so I really don't know what to expect.
by allones
Thu Mar 10, 2022 10:33 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should annual pay increase meet/beat inflation?
Replies: 32
Views: 3342

Should annual pay increase meet/beat inflation?

My company is going through its annual compensation cycle and I'm trying to mentally prepare for this conversation. In the past years, my company has done cost-of-living in addition to merit increases, so my worst increase in the past few years was 5%.

With annual inflation announced today as being at 7.9%, are folks expecting a 7.9% cost-of-living pay increase? It seems wild to possibly expect up to a 10% pay jump if I factor in a merit increase as well.
by allones
Mon Dec 13, 2021 11:25 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Selling RSUs to tax-loss harvest - question
Replies: 12
Views: 1915

Re: Selling RSUs to tax-loss harvest - question

Update in case it's helpful for anyone in the future - with ETrade I was able to select the lots of shares to sell based on the vesting date and respective cost-basis in order to get to almost exactly a $3000 loss with selling as few shares as possible.

I will roll these into a total-market mutual fund, per my IPS.
by allones
Mon Dec 13, 2021 10:55 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Selling RSUs to tax-loss harvest - question
Replies: 12
Views: 1915

Re: Selling RSUs to tax-loss harvest - question

I'm referring to vested RSUs. So, stock that I own for the company that I work at, but with complexities like black-out dates and such.

ETrade shows me an estimated cost basis. I guess what complicates things is that my shares vest every 6-months. I have sellable shares from June 2021 and last week (Dec 2021). Both have lost value relative to their estimated cost basis. I'm not sure I can select which vesting period to sell from.
by allones
Mon Dec 13, 2021 10:01 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Selling RSUs to tax-loss harvest - question
Replies: 12
Views: 1915

Selling RSUs to tax-loss harvest - question

Hello - I'm hoping to take advantage of a price dip in my company RSUs to offset the capital gains tax I'll owe for the sale of an investment property this year.

The current stock value is down about 10% from the grant cost basis. The capital gain status is short-term.

I've tax-loss harvested mutual funds before but am unclear how this works for individual stocks. Would I need to purchase a similar individual stock? Or could I buy a sector-specific ETF? Am I even thinking about this right?

Thanks in advance.
by allones
Thu Dec 09, 2021 9:47 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Have you changed jobs to go full remote?
Replies: 20
Views: 2271

Re: Have you changed jobs to go full remote?

I changed jobs to go full-time remote in 2018 and am never going back. My company is internationally distributed, and where I'm currently living there's no local office to go to even if I wanted to. It is an adjustment to make a different sort of effort to build relationships via Slack and Zoom, but it does happen organically just like IRL. Other remote folks want that connection as well and make the effort. Everything else about it is perfect for me. As someone else mentioned, I can take care of small personal chores in the time I would have been using to chat with co-workers. So not only am I saving myself two hours of commute time every day, but also another hour or so in getting life stuff done. I have a small home gym and can easily fi...
by allones
Tue Nov 30, 2021 10:55 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Estimated taxes for RSUs / stocks
Replies: 7
Views: 1184

Re: Estimated taxes for RSUs / stocks

At my company, the administrator/company withholds the number of shares needed to cover taxes based on my W4 elections at vest, and then the remaining shares are transferred to a brokerage account for me to do with what I wish. At tax filing time, that amount is included in my federal taxes withheld (I'm in a no state income tax state).
by allones
Fri Jun 25, 2021 12:41 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Changing careers from tech to therapy - want to hear your advice
Replies: 54
Views: 7042

Re: Changing careers from tech to therapy - want to hear your advice

Hello, fellow mid-management tech person here also on a 5-7 year retirement trajectory. I am a creative and the career switch I dream of is interior design. The content of what I do is boring, but the people that I've worked with have either made it bearable or intolerable. Currently, it's alright - the company is solid and the culture is authentically good. The silver lining of Covid is that I'm getting an online master of interior architecture from a reputable school, so I can keep my current job until I'm ready to flip the switch and coast with a new career. I'm currently building relationships in the local construction and design community to facilitate that change. I also have friends who are LICSWs with private practices. Like any ind...
by allones
Tue May 18, 2021 9:46 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Schwab survey: Net worth of $624k is all that's needed to be “financially comfortable”
Replies: 152
Views: 21323

Re: Schwab survey: Net worth of $624k is all that's needed to be “financially comfortable”

The study results state that the sample of 1000 respondents were "nationally representative of the US population." I take that to mean that younger people are more represented than people at or near retirement age.

As someone with roughly that net worth and 20+ years until social security is an option, I feel very comfortable letting time do its thing with the funds that I have, even if I stopped contributing tomorrow.

Also, the fine print on page 13:" Q.1: At what level of personal net worth would you say a person in your area could be considered financially comfortable?" It would take a pretty hefty study to normalize for location, so you gotta kind of take the thing for what it's worth.
by allones
Sat May 08, 2021 4:19 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What "substantial" issues have you seen/heard of housing inspections flagging
Replies: 63
Views: 6877

Re: What "substantial" issues have you seen/heard of housing inspections flagging

A house with a wood foundation. The interior basement walls were finished and the exterior siding went to the ground. It didn't occur to me that there wouldn't be poured concrete underneath, but the inspector caught it.

The opinion of the inspector was that it could last 25 years but at some point would need to be replaced.
by allones
Wed Mar 17, 2021 10:36 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Work from Home - Most Tax Friendly States (Not Cost of Living)
Replies: 87
Views: 9906

Re: Work from Home - Most Tax Friendly States (Not Cost of Living)

I, too, have a "work from wherever I want" job and have been working remotely for few years prior to the pandemic.

I am primarily based out of Seattle, which is favorable because there is no income tax in WA, but spend a lot of time elsewhere.

At my company salary is based on the local market. While my COL may be less elsewhere, so will my salary, to the magnitude of 20% or more. The advantage of having a Seattle address is two-fold - 1) taxes and 2) salary.

As companies get more comfortable with remote work going forward, I feel like location-based compensation will become the norm. Tax friendly may not be salary friendly.
by allones
Mon Jan 18, 2021 2:37 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Family support for an artist
Replies: 188
Views: 13995

Re: Family support for an artist

One more thought (because this topic hits close to home for me :) -

It may be helpful to differentiate between "support" and "safety net"?
by allones
Mon Jan 18, 2021 2:29 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Family support for an artist
Replies: 188
Views: 13995

Re: Family support for an artist

The problem with most of the Artists is they are not commercially minded. They enjoy doing their arts. They are not interested in getting the most money out of their Arts. This statement could not be further from the truth. People who make art without thinking of making money are hobbyists. Anyone who is able to make money and build a business around their art, such as the OPs son, is doing the impossible - squeezing money from products and services people think should be free. In my experience, earning money as a musician in a time where music is expected to be free was the most intense business bootcamp there was. Any other venture I've done selling things is a cakewalk because customers expect to pay for what they are getting. allones, ...
by allones
Mon Jan 18, 2021 10:24 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Family support for an artist
Replies: 188
Views: 13995

Re: Family support for an artist

KlangFool wrote: ↑Mon Jan 18, 2021 8:34 am The problem with most of the Artists is they are not commercially minded. They enjoy doing their arts. They are not interested in getting the most money out of their Arts.
This statement could not be further from the truth. People who make art without thinking of making money are hobbyists. Anyone who is able to make money and build a business around their art, such as the OPs son, is doing the impossible - squeezing money from products and services people think should be free.

In my experience, earning money as a musician in a time where music is expected to be free was the most intense business bootcamp there was. Any other venture I've done selling things is a cakewalk because customers expect to pay for what they are getting.
by allones
Mon Jan 18, 2021 10:15 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Family support for an artist
Replies: 188
Views: 13995

Re: Family support for an artist

I spent about 15 years as a professional musician in my 20s and early 30s, however I lived an exhausting schedule of working a full-time job during the day and spending nearly every evening and weekend at shows, networking, performing, practicing. Every 2 or so years I had an opportunity to tour which meant quitting the stable job for about a year to be on the road. Then I'd struggle to go back to a traditional employer because of the year-long gap in my resume. I was eventually able to make music my full-time job that fully covered my bills, but by the time I got there I was totally burnt-out from the hustling and I quit music. The people I know who are able to make a living, and did it sooner, were supported by family in some way. All of ...
by allones
Fri Jan 08, 2021 5:33 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Paid-off House for Retirement Strategies
Replies: 22
Views: 2285

Re: Paid-off House for Retirement Strategies

Agreed. Seems like you are making a problem where none exists. If you think you’ll want to purchase a home in Montana that costs more than the equity you’ll have in the Seattle home, then start putting money into a taxable account to make up for the difference so you can be mortgage free in retirement. You answered a question I left out of my original post, which was basically wondering if I even need to be planning for a retirement home right now. I keep my real estate equity out of my portfolio balances, but having funds earmarked in a future home savings account in taxable makes sense to me. I'm not currently convinced that I'll be that far ahead in equity with my primary home when the time comes to move. I've considered a land purchase...
by allones
Fri Jan 08, 2021 11:29 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Paid-off House for Retirement Strategies
Replies: 22
Views: 2285

Paid-off House for Retirement Strategies

I'm trying to figure out a good approach to having a paid-off house by the time I'm 65. The complication I face is that I will likely not live in the place I want to retire full-time until I'm at least 55. Some specifics about my situation: My partner and I (41 and 42) currently live in Seattle, WA, which I would say is a VHCOL city and own a home here with about 40% equity at the moment. We've agreed that we will retire to a MCOL city in Montana where I am from, and we may even move there before we retire, but not anytime soon* however because of her government career and all of the perks that come with her work here. I currently have a tech job that has always been remote, so I will always be able to work from anywhere but would move to M...
by allones
Thu Sep 17, 2020 10:13 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Vastly different quotes for wallpaper removal and painting job
Replies: 39
Views: 3195

Re: Vastly different quotes for wallpaper removal and painting job

Contractors will bid high for jobs they don't want, or if they're a larger company with a lot of overhead like a big office space, administrative staff, advertising, etc. If you got an estimate for removing the wallpaper and painting, it will include repairing the drywall (unless they're real scammers, which doesn't seem to be the case given their high ratings). A large part of any painter's job is surface preparation. The drywall will be dinged up in the removal process, even if the current paper is falling off the walls. There's likely old glue they have to skim over to get to a level 4 surface. (https://constructiondesignworks.net/levels-of-drywall-finishes/) Also, the contractor that recommend semi-gloss in your bathroom is right. The h...
by allones
Tue Sep 15, 2020 10:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Coping with Wildfire smoke
Replies: 111
Views: 8617

Re: Coping with Wildfire smoke

Escapevelocity wrote: ↑Tue Sep 15, 2020 10:14 am How about Idaho or Montana? Maybe rent a cheap house on Craigslist for a month. I would definitely go SOMEWHERE. No way I would want to breath smoke for weeks at a time.
The smoke has been heading east for the past few days. I'm in western Montana and the AQI has been between 150 and 200 since Saturday. Better than the coast, but still not a situation one should be doing any fun outdoor activities in. Most folks here are staying indoors and waiting for it to pass.
by allones
Sun Sep 06, 2020 9:55 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What Method of paying cash for car: EFT vs check?
Replies: 31
Views: 4524

Re: What Method of paying cash for car: ECF vs check?

In the last few years, I've bought two cars from dealerships with cash, both times paying with personal checks. The most recent time I offered to have the money wired but the finance person said they prefer to have something physical once I walk out the door.
by allones
Mon Aug 17, 2020 2:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Thinking of moving Seattle or Vancouver, WA
Replies: 88
Views: 8337

Re: Thinking of moving Seattle or Vancouver, WA

I've lived in Seattle for 16 years and would not recommend it for you. I am on my way out myself. I've only stayed here so long for work. As others have said, you won't be able to find a livable property anywhere within biking or walking distance to stores or activities at $650k. There are far-out suburbs around the city that might meet your needs, but they do feel isolated and very residential. I feel the demographic skews young all around the county, so it might be difficult to find folks to socialize with. The sentiments about the winters are real. I would say the weather is a factor even for Portland or Vancouver, WA. It gets very dark, both in the weather and people's dispositions. That said, the temperatures are not as extreme. It rar...
by allones
Sat Aug 15, 2020 10:12 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: $20,000 windfall- Help!
Replies: 71
Views: 6464

Re: $20,000 windfall- Help!

I have a 10% rule for any unexpected chunk of money. I allow myself to spend 10% on anything, no guilt. The rest goes into taxable.
by allones
Tue Aug 11, 2020 10:48 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I caulk this area on a shower door?
Replies: 30
Views: 5814

Re: Should I caulk this area on a shower door?

Yes. Seal any seam where you don't want water to go.

I would also be concerned about the opening between the wall and tub to the left of your arrow. That's a great spot for water to get into your wall and do some real damage.
by allones
Mon Aug 10, 2020 11:25 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Thinking of buying a vacation home in NC mountains and doing Airbnb. Bad idea?
Replies: 66
Views: 9271

Re: Thinking of buying a vacation home in NC mountains and doing Airbnb. Bad idea?

I am embarking on a similar scenario. My situation and numbers are a little different, but here's how I'm approaching it: - The property is a stand-alone townhouse, so low maintenance. I've spent almost two years looking for the right place. - It's an 8-hour drive away, but 2 hours door-to-door on a regional flight. - Purchase price was ~$250k, which is a monthly payment I'm comfortable with totally on my own. - It's in the town I grew up in - a mountain town that has always had strong tourism and is doing great right now because people want to get away from cities. I have a community there who will check in on the property when I'm not there. - My job is fully remote, even pre-COVID, and I've spent about 30%+ of my time there in the past 1...
by allones
Wed Jun 10, 2020 6:16 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Rent or Sell Townhouse in Seattle
Replies: 42
Views: 3747

Re: Rent or Sell Townhouse in Seattle

The Queen Anne neighborhood is not near the current epicenter of Seattle protests on Capitol Hill. It's in fantastic proximity to tech companies downtown and in SLU. Easily walkable or bikeable on fair weather days. I faced a similar situation in 2017. I had a single-family home in Greenwood that had doubled in value since I purchased it in 2007. I had renters for just under two years that covered my mortgage and then some. Seeing rents increase at such a rapid pace year after year definitely made me consider the potential huge upside of hanging on to the house as an investment property. But, I decided to sell and have no regrets. I DCA'd the proceeds into a ETFs and feel great, especially in this covid world, that I have liquidity and am n...
by allones
Tue May 26, 2020 7:37 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: 1:1 salary and stock jobs?
Replies: 80
Views: 8154

Re: 1:1 salary and stock jobs?

Senior Analyst at a SF based tech company here. The mid-point for my role is 135k salary with 50% of that value granted in RSUs at hire that vest twice a year over four years. We get an annual refresh based on performance that adds to that account balance and extends the vesting clock.

After one year at a company that's doing alright, my RSUs are about 75% of my salary. At vest they are taxed as regular income. I sell on vest for diversification purposes :happy
by allones
Sat May 23, 2020 3:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should I go to grad school?
Replies: 24
Views: 2256

Re: Should I go to grad school?

birnhamwood wrote: ↑Sat May 23, 2020 3:21 pm It's hard to imagine the "highly ranked" school you describe, unless only night and weekend schools are ranked. Frankly, the school sounds a little Trump Universityish. Hope I'm wrong.

I do not think you can get the good advice you need unless you name that school.
It's the University of Washington Master of Science in Information Management program. https://ischool.uw.edu/programs/msim

This particular program offers evening and weekend classes for working professionals.
by allones
Sat May 23, 2020 1:26 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should I go to grad school?
Replies: 24
Views: 2256

Re: Should I go to grad school?

My objective for going into the program would be to solidify my ability to be in a tech management role. The degree is like a tech MBA. Would there be any possibility that your employer would pay? My employer will chip in $2500, which doesn't really move the needle for me. Are you sure this is a good program? Yes. It's local to where I live and has a good reputation. I'd be entering a mid-career version of the program. There's a 2+ year version for people without substantial professional experience. Folks who graduate get recruited directly into FAANG positions. The program is upfront about the schedule being rigorous. I think you should ask this question in places other than this forum, which I think has something of an anti-higher ed (and...
by allones
Sat May 23, 2020 11:01 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should I go to grad school?
Replies: 24
Views: 2256

Should I go to grad school?

I have been accepted to a highly-ranked graduate school for Information Management. I have been on the fence about needing to go to grad school for years, and now I'm on the fence about accepting. I applied when the pandemic started out of fear of losing my job. The program is 1 year, evenings and weekends, and costs ~$35,000 which I would pay for out-of-pocket. I am 42 and have worked in IT for a Silicon Valley tech company for the last year, and in tech for 15+ years. This job was remote from the beginning and remote work will always strongly be my preference, but I do live in a tech hub. The company is doing well (my panic seems to have been unwarranted), takes very good care of its employees, salary is generous and barring any changes f...
by allones
Tue May 12, 2020 11:09 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to consider home improvement expenses
Replies: 25
Views: 1738

Re: How to consider home improvement expenses

It depends on what your improving, the extent of the improvements, the local market, etc. I'll contradict most of what folks are saying. I bought a house last year that needed major renovations. I put $125k + into new wiring, plumbing, HVAC, water heater, and remodeling rooms with custom materials, but as stylistically neutral as possible. I put just 10% down for the purchase to make sure I had extra room for unexpected costs, and there were plenty. It was my plan from the start to refinance after the remodel on the assumption that improvements would increase value so I could eliminate PMI. I had my fingers crossed to get a dollar-for-dollar increase in equity. To my absolute shock, the refinance appraisal came back $300k above the purchase...
by allones
Thu Jan 02, 2020 12:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Balances over Time (Vanguard website)
Replies: 3
Views: 611

Re: Balances over Time (Vanguard website)

I thought it went missing, too, but I found it under My Accounts -> Personal Performance. That is, assuming we're referencing the same link that disappeared.
by allones
Mon Jun 03, 2019 2:50 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should All Grandkids Be Treated as Equal Members of Same Class?
Replies: 104
Views: 13427

Re: Should All Grandkids Be Treated as Equal Members of Same Class?

I was the only child in an almost identical scenario that the OP presented. Grandparents had two children. The oldest had 4 children, the youngest, my dad, had me. Grandpa passed away a few decades ago. Unfortunately, my dad predeceased my grandma. Grandma's house was in my dad's and my uncle's names, which, as the sole beneficiary left me with the "gift", but also the financial responsibility of the house for the next ten years until Grandma passed. I felt that my dad left me with a responsibility that I intended to, and did, honor. Grandma had already distributed her estate prior to my dad's death, so the house was the only real piece of inheritance, and even at that, it was a small house in a small midwestern town that hadn't b...
by allones
Mon Apr 22, 2019 7:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: House with Permanent Wood Foundation - Would You Buy?
Replies: 13
Views: 3778

Re: House with Permanent Wood Foundation - Would You Buy?

Thank you all for the thoughtful replies. We ended up not going forward with the purchase of the home. Better safe than sorry :sharebeer
by allones
Thu Apr 18, 2019 11:28 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: House with Permanent Wood Foundation - Would You Buy?
Replies: 13
Views: 3778

House with Permanent Wood Foundation - Would You Buy?

I am in the process of purchasing a 2nd/vacation home and it was revealed yesterday in the inspection that the foundation is wood. I have not encountered this before and my internet research is offering conflicting opinions ranging from "if it's done correctly it can last as long as a concrete foundation" to "will need to be replaced in 25 years because moisture and insects are inevitable, even with treated wood." I'm wondering if anyone has had experience with this or can offer informed opinions. Additional info: the house was built in 1986 and is located in city in Montana. The sellers are the builders/original owners and chose to go with a wood foundation for heating efficiency. There are other old school heat preserv...