Search found 305 matches

by Hikes_With_Dogs
Thu Feb 02, 2023 12:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Spending money and living now VS saving and living better later?
Replies: 103
Views: 24699

Re: Spending money and living now VS saving and living better later?

Sorry to bring back an old thread but the discussions in this thread really speak to me and the OP and I have a lot in common. My wife and I are late 30s and debt free and have about 7x current salaries saved in retirement accounts. However, it's still difficult for me to spend extra money here and there and the main reason is that I just want to retire or cut way back at my job as soon as possible. The constant Monday-Friday 9-6 grind and high stress work environment I'm in is just exhausting. My wife and I enjoy traveling more than anything and we make sure to take vacations, but I find myself spending way too much time trying to "save" money on a hotel or finding cheaper places to stay in less ideal locations when I could just...
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Wed Jun 01, 2022 11:35 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Rent or buy in Seattle
Replies: 28
Views: 3457

Re: Rent or buy in Seattle

Have you considered (slightly) less expensive neighborhoods on the north side (e.g., Phinney Ridge, Wallingford)? Easy access to Aurora means your commute to SLU will be 10 min max. The public schools are generally good too. It might not be totally updated with views of the Cascades, but a 3 bed / 2 bath for 1-1.2 million is doable. Montlake and surrounding neighborhoods are absurdly expensive. I don't think you need to limit your search to those neighborhoods, based on the requirements you mentioned. My thoughts exactly. I’m not up on current prices, but if I had those two commutes and a kid, that’s where I would be looking. Or Green Lake. Another option for the commute would be to go south on the light rail, but then you run into school ...
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Thu Jun 24, 2021 1:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Mattress Debacle
Replies: 52
Views: 5415

Re: Mattress Debacle

What does the return policy state? What is "suddenly you can't return it" mean, why is that? Did something happen to the mattress? Is it under or over 90 days? Bait & Switch between what the salesperson told us and what is in their written policy. There is nothing wrong with the mattress and we are under 90 days. I should have read their policy but my husband checked us out as I was wrangling our 1 & 4 year olds. You might have to cough it up as a lesson. When I buy a mattress (bad back too), when I go into the store, I say to the rep "Let's sit down and review the mattress policy before I look around". The return policy is the most important part, at least for me because my back is very finicky. I would talk to...
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Tue May 18, 2021 11:55 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should I Give Up My Earnest Money
Replies: 146
Views: 19777

Re: Should I Give Up My Earnest Money

Knowing the Seattle market, if you ever want to buy a house, you're going to have a LOT of heartache and headaches. At your income level, isn't it worth it to be "done" and move on? If you want a house, buy it. If not, good luck. Things in this area are not going to be easier or cheaper any time soon.
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Wed Feb 10, 2021 12:55 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What events might derail your retirement (or plan)?
Replies: 47
Views: 2970

Re: What events might derail your retirement (or plan)?

Probably nothing other than medical issues.

If the economy goes to the toilet, I'll still have more money than most other people. That's the thing about getting to the top- usually you can stay there.
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Thu Jan 21, 2021 1:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Millionaire kids: Do your parents know you’re rich?
Replies: 54
Views: 6429

Re: Millionaire kids: Do your parents know you’re rich?

I'm sure they know we are ok and doing well. The extent to which we are doing well... No. I'm sure they really couldn't grasp that kind of money at their age.
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Mon Dec 07, 2020 3:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Have you reduced vacation travel if you move to a nice place in retirement?
Replies: 23
Views: 2101

Re: Have you reduced vacation travel if you move to a nice place in retirement?

I live in a great place (PacNW) so many of my previous trips and vacations when I lived in other states have been replaced.

I still take say, ski trips, but there are many more done locally. Same with camping. Used to have to fly somewhere for gorgeous camping. Now I can just load up my car and go for a weekend (or a week). So it is certainly more accessible and I get more of it than I used to.

So when I retire, I definitely want to stay in the area, though maybe not in the VHCOLA that I'm in now. Just because of a)beauty and b)accessibility.
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Wed Dec 02, 2020 10:13 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: after 1 million, what makes a difference?
Replies: 162
Views: 22461

Re: after 1 million, what makes a difference?

We have about double that net worth and recently inherited around 300k. We just stuck in funds and went on with our lives. It will help in the long run but doesn't change anything in our lives, really.

The sibling who also inherited 300k (who also still owes on their house, boat, etc) immediately retired.

It's definitely a perspective thing. It's not that I don't think 300k (or 100k or even 3k) is a lot of money - it just doesn't change the processes. For someone who probably had a net worth of 300k and just doubled their lifetime savings.... well... it was life changing. :sharebeer
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Wed Nov 25, 2020 12:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Purchaing 1.3M house, advice needed regarding finances
Replies: 11
Views: 2893

Re: Purchaing 1.3M house, advice needed regarding finances

I live in Seattle and own a 1M+ home with a mortgage still. We do not have earthquake insurance. We have a relatively new house (like you) that has been built to modern earthquake standards. The amount of earthquake damage that would take out my house would probably be enough to level the entire Seattle proper. We found the cost exorbitant through our insurance provider (USAA) that we decided to pass. I think if we owned it outright, we might be more inclined to protect our large asset thru earthquake insurance. In terms of your 529 - I would try to bump up the 12 year old's account if possible. Can you contribute maybe 500$/month for that child and $250/month for the younger one? I personally do not do a lot of complex investing other than...
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Wed Nov 18, 2020 11:55 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Spouse diagnosed w/ Cancer
Replies: 108
Views: 14462

Re: Spouse diagnosed w/ Cancer

Look into caregiver support groups if you are interested. I found them to be enormously helpful.

Your spouse will probably also be given information on cancer support groups.

You don't have to go through it alone.
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Tue Nov 10, 2020 11:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cat surgery cost accumulating
Replies: 27
Views: 2160

Re: Cat surgery cost accumulating

You're already out 4k. A few more days in the hospital to make sure the cat lives seems reasonable to me. If it dies, you've basically wasted that money. I would think as long as the outlook and recovery for the pet is good you would continue down this path. Saying wasted is -not entirely correct. In medicine and vet care there is always a certain risk to any undertaking. The guarantee doesnt exist. Thats how it is. So when you go in for a hip replacement or a cat surgery there is undeniably the expectation care wont pan out in some cases. Its only a ‘waste’ if the failure is expected and we do it anyway. Otherwise it is an unfortunate outcome. Calling it a waste implies that the attempted treatment for the pet was itself a foolhardy endea...
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Tue Nov 10, 2020 11:46 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cat surgery cost accumulating
Replies: 27
Views: 2160

Re: Cat surgery cost accumulating

runner3081 wrote: Tue Nov 10, 2020 11:26 am
Hikes_With_Dogs wrote: Tue Nov 10, 2020 11:23 am You're already out 4k. A few more days in the hospital to make sure the cat lives seems reasonable to me.
Sunk cost fallacy, isn't it?
I don't believe so. Not when a living, breathing being is at stake. With a car or a phone or inanimate object is being discussed, fine - yes, sunk cost is a huge issue. But there seems to be no reason to indicate in the post that the cat is not doing well. It is pound foolish to pay 4k to save a cat's life and then balk at $500 to give it the medication and aftercare it needs when there is no indication that it will not survive. If a cat is worth 4k to survive, surely it's worth 4.5k?
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Tue Nov 10, 2020 11:23 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cat surgery cost accumulating
Replies: 27
Views: 2160

Re: Cat surgery cost accumulating

You're already out 4k. A few more days in the hospital to make sure the cat lives seems reasonable to me.

If it dies, you've basically wasted that money.

I would think as long as the outlook and recovery for the pet is good you would continue down this path.
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Thu Nov 05, 2020 1:47 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Safe winter escape
Replies: 41
Views: 5823

Re: Safe winter escape

If you were absolutely going to go somewhere, maybe rent an RV and drive to a small park in Arizona, Florida, etc. Stay away from others, cook your own meals. Take walks and enjoy the warmth. Golf is actually ok as it is outside and socially distant. But stay away from indoor places and stay with your own family and you should be ok.
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Thu Nov 05, 2020 11:45 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Overstretched and under contract for 1.3M house.. should I back out?
Replies: 79
Views: 13095

Re: Overstretched and under contract for 1.3M house.. should I back out?

Seattle is nuts. If you only paid 100k over asking or so, you're fine.

There's a house near me, zillow lists the expected value at 1.6MM. (Zillow is extremely reliable/accurate in Seattle)
They listed it at 1.1MM. They WANT the bidding war to go crazy on purpose. I'm guessing it'll sell for 1.7MM.

Consider yourself lucky you've locked something in. We also looked at ~800k houses and ended up going higher- you end up leaving behind more desperate folks if you go up in price. Seems like you can afford it. Don't worry about it.

Seattle RE is a strong market.
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Tue Oct 06, 2020 11:01 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Campground res. via recreation.gov
Replies: 19
Views: 1371

Re: Campground res. via recreation.gov

Others are correct that you must use the spot you reserved.

Try browsing campsitephotos.com (not affiliated) and see if you can see which photo is the site you wanted at Canyonlands. I typically try to stay away from the roads, at least 1 site away from the potties, and look for a nice shade covered site.
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Wed Sep 30, 2020 11:58 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Indoor bike trainer options
Replies: 23
Views: 2141

Re: Indoor bike trainer options

I also have a kickr snap and Zwift. Did 90% of my training for my ironman on the trainer (early season race, I live in the PNW). I like the foam mat that you can get under it, and the desktop option as well. It offers sound dampening and a nice platform to place your laptop/ipad on. I think they sell a package deal with all 3 (snap + mat + desk). The kickr upgraded option of the core I think is great for *serious* bicyclists. Like you, I just want a wheel on trainer that is easy on/off. And it completely serves the purpose. If you are just looking for a beyond basic and economic option, you could get a 'dumb' trainer (e.g. a Bell trainer on Amazon) for ~$100. This will not synch with Zwift as well unless you have power pedals (even a speed ...
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Tue Sep 29, 2020 12:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Do you have any hobbies for a long winter? I bought a Sony A7 III mirrorless camera.
Replies: 72
Views: 5685

Re: Do you have any hobbies for a long winter? I bought a Sony A7 III mirrorless camera.

I bought snowshoes for the whole family. With skiing a big ???? in my book, this will allow us to get outside and burn off the crazy.

I bought them early this year because I fear all snow equipment will sell out this winter, similar to bikes and SUPs, etc. this summer.
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Fri Feb 28, 2020 1:36 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Will recovery be possible?
Replies: 41
Views: 5472

Re: Will recovery be possible?

trickon wrote: Fri Feb 28, 2020 9:48 am I have about $7,000 in a Roth VTSAX and have lost about $500 this week. I am 19 years old and am in it for the long haul. Would selling or transferring be a mistake?
Yes.

Please look at how the stock market has done since 2008 when many of us lost 30% or more.
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Tue Feb 25, 2020 10:50 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Selling a house with a safe
Replies: 26
Views: 2943

Re: Selling a house with a safe

smitcat wrote: Tue Feb 25, 2020 8:34 am Never disclose any personal items to outsiders for showings.
Lock the closet for showings, consider locking up other items as well.
I'd never buy a house that I couldn't look at areas in- including closets.

Personal/$$$ items should be removed from the home when it is being shown. Not the areas where they are kept hidden.
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Fri Feb 14, 2020 11:37 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: $2-2.5M House?
Replies: 80
Views: 10601

Re: $2-2.5M House?

Our current net worth is $2.2M. We have no debts - house, cars, credit cards are all paid. The $2.2M is roughly $600K real estate (primary residence), 800K in combined 401Ks, and 800K in taxable/cash. All retirement and taxable accounts are in low cost diversified index funds. My personal opinion is that yes, you can afford it, but for high income earners, you really don't have all that much in terms of assets. Even with 500k+ of income, you're looking at a 10-12k PITA a month with a 1.5MM mortgage. You have less than a mil in 401 and less than a mil in other assets. My belief is you'd be spending too much on a house and not enough in asset accumulation. If you really do live in AZ there is no way I'd pay that much for a house. So my sugge...
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Fri Jan 17, 2020 1:17 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Realized we made a major mistake and feeling really sick.
Replies: 162
Views: 17117

Re: Realized we made a major mistake and feeling really sick.

Imagine how sick you'd feel if you were holding onto Enron....
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Thu Jan 16, 2020 10:07 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: strong role model books for 8 YO girl
Replies: 53
Views: 4735

Re: strong role model books for 8 YO girl

Parent to an 8 yr old here:

There's a great series from Andrea Beaty: Rosie Revere, Engineer. Ada Twist, Scientist. Iggy Peck, Architect. All very nice illustrations and have a science/hard work spin. My daughter has all of them. They are about 6-9$ each on Amazon.

Also 2nd the Rebel Girls suggestion.
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Wed Jan 15, 2020 10:31 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Daycare Provider Wants to Charge $20/week for Receipt
Replies: 145
Views: 11932

Re: Daycare Provider Wants to Charge $20/week for Receipt

wilked wrote: Tue Jan 14, 2020 7:31 pm She charges $160 per week. You won’t accumulate $5000 of charges til July. Mid July ask her for a receipt year to date. If she insists on charging $20 pay it. File and collect the $5k. Done
Agree. You just need 1 receipt. Not one a week.
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Fri Jan 10, 2020 12:08 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: At what point do you donate/trash/sell/gift your junk?
Replies: 75
Views: 13599

Re: At what point do you donate/trash/sell/gift your junk?

I do a lot of gifting through our neighborhood buy nothing group on FB.

I have given away many items and received some really great ones. I appreciate the items are being used and enjoyed instead of stuffed in a box somewhere waiting to exist.
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Fri Jan 10, 2020 12:04 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Carrying to much cash to Ecuador
Replies: 53
Views: 5173

Re: Carrying to much cash to Ecuador

ATMs work just fine in Ecuador. You'll have no problem pulling out your cash.

When you leave for the islands, maybe split the places where you are carrying it or divvy it up between individuals.

Bad things do happen, but the worst thing that happened to me in the weeks I spent in Ecuador was that my umbrella was stolen (probably by tourist).
Just be smart and you'll be ok.
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Tue Jan 07, 2020 10:27 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Exercise machine for a small apartment
Replies: 56
Views: 4442

Re: Exercise machine for a small apartment

If she already has a bike you could buy a bike trainer which is relatively compact.
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Fri Nov 01, 2019 10:59 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How often do you allow your dentist to x-ray your teeth?
Replies: 19
Views: 2272

Re: How often do you allow your dentist to x-ray your teeth?

I eat a banana every day and don't worry about the radiation.
I fly every month and don't worry about the radiation.
Same with dental x-rays. The rewards from having healthy teeth far exceed any risk from a tiny dose.
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Fri Oct 04, 2019 10:03 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: [When my children marry, should they sign a pre-nuptial agreement?]
Replies: 95
Views: 9950

Re: Daddy I'm engaged! Pre-nup?

HomerJ wrote: Thu Oct 03, 2019 2:28 pm

By the way, Inheritance is completely different from pre-nups. You can use a trust or something if you want to make sure the inheritance stays with your kid and doesn't get co-mingled.
This is the most important comment in the thread. A pre-nump will protect current assets. Inheritance can always be kept separate as long as the $ stays un-joined.

Plus, 500k is not that much to inherit or worry about in reality. Especially in (hopefully) 20+ years time?
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Tue Sep 24, 2019 11:14 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: DFW to Tasmania - 15 hour time change
Replies: 51
Views: 4248

Re: DFW to Tasmania - 15 hour time change

You definitely have the right approach. I've flown several times to Aus/NZ and found this works well for me:

- usually flights from LAX leave around 9 or 10PM in the evening, so you're good and tired already depending where you came from.
- stay awake until dinner service on the airplane.
- Have a glass of wine (or two) with dinner. I like to take a benadryl. :)
- sleep on plane as best as you can. Bring a mask, earplugs/sound cancellation, etc.
- flights usually arrive in the morning. The daylight will bounce you back to reality to start the day.
- Try to take a walk in the early afternoon. This is the hardest time for me to stay away. If you must nap, nap only for an hour. Set an alarm.
- Early bed time.
- Awake refreshed the next day!
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Wed Sep 18, 2019 10:18 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Blue Apron for a sick friend?
Replies: 41
Views: 3219

Re: Blue Apron for a sick friend?

Seeking BH's collaborated wisdom for ... A friend of mine is having surgery next month and will be immobile for about a month. Her husband who works full-time, is not known to be proficient in/around the kitchen. I am entertaining the idea of getting them a Blue Apron/Hello Fresh meal plan. However I understand there is still some level of prep/cooking involved, which could overwhelm the husband further more. I am wondering, is there a better way to help them with the meal needs (BTW I am 50 miles away). Thanks in advance for your time and input. Does your friend have a local group for support (friends, coworkers, faith community)? When a friend had a baby in NICU, a mutual friend set up a Meal Train . People provided fully prepped cassero...
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Fri Sep 13, 2019 11:58 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Whistleblowing / Going Rogue at Work
Replies: 122
Views: 9521

Re: Whistleblowing / Going Rogue at Work

greg24 wrote: Fri Sep 13, 2019 11:05 am 50% chance of promotion
50% chance of firing

are you feeling lucky?
Agree. Do you have FU money?
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Fri Sep 13, 2019 11:55 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best Triathlon Bike?
Replies: 32
Views: 4110

Re: Best Triathlon Bike?

I have an entry-level Felt S25 that is over 10 years old. Looking for a fast, comfortable bike for 70.3 or full IMs. My coach says Cervelo is the way to go but I have no experience with that. I like Shimano components. Already have good race wheels. Do not want to break the bank here, I am a BH triathlete! How much do you have to train to attempt a 70.3? I’d like to try one next year, and not sure what I’d be getting myself into. Try getting the book Be Iron Fit (for the half distance) from the library. It has 3 types of training plans in it: Just finish, Intermediate, and Competitive. If I recall correctly, the intermediate plan tops out around 10-12 hours a week. The base phase will be 5-6 hours a week, build in the 6-9, peak 10+ hours a...
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Fri Sep 13, 2019 11:52 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best Triathlon Bike?
Replies: 32
Views: 4110

Re: Best Triathlon Bike?

I have a used P2. Works great. Shimano 105 components. Standard (non-race) wheels.

I passed guys on 10k bikes wtih 2k wheels going up the hills on my last Ironman. If you've raced before, you know it's 90% about the engine.

Personally, I'd prefer a cheaper bike and a nicer trainer (depending on where you live) and a decent power meter and a Zwift subscription! :D
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Fri Aug 23, 2019 10:06 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: FMLA combined limit for spouses with same employer
Replies: 15
Views: 1234

Re: FMLA combined limit for spouses with same employer

Yes, this is appropriate application of FMLA. It sucks. :( See if you can combine any medical leave with FMLA or if there are any other combinations that work - speak to HR, they can help you. Some companies allow you to take sick days THEN FMLA so you can kind of double dip.
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Thu Aug 22, 2019 10:44 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: First time traveling to Seattle this weekend. Advice?
Replies: 35
Views: 2741

Re: First time traveling to Seattle this weekend. Advice?

Pike's place is a great place to get some food. There are some very nice places to get chowder and other little bites to nosh on. There's also a fantastic spice store. Chihuly is nice. It'll take about 1-1.5 hours to go through. They have a nice cafe attached as well. The space needle IS fun if it is a clear day. The tourists should be tapering off this week with schools starting and our unseasonably cold weather (it was 58 this morning). You could take a clipper boat ride and spend some time on the water. Green Lake is very busy- but it's just a man made lake that you can walk/jog around with your starbucks. Not so much a tourist destination but something the locals do. South Lake Union at Gas works park is a great place to have a picnic a...
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Wed Aug 21, 2019 10:31 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Hiking in the PNW (Seattle) next weekend. What do I need?
Replies: 29
Views: 2067

Re: Hiking in the PNW (Seattle) next weekend. What do I need?

Bob Sacamano wrote: Wed Aug 21, 2019 5:10 am hi all, this is the hike in question:

Lake 22
https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/lak ... twenty-two

Thanks!

Lake 22 is relatively easy; I did it with my 4 year old. Your chaco sandals will be fine though it may be slippery if it's rained recently. It may be cold and wet. I suggest a rain coat and insulation layer depending on the day you go. It's not high elevation at all, but it is "in the mountains". There's a map at the trailhead, take a picture of it, but its hard to get lost and there will be 500 other people with you on the trail. It's a great little hike though. You can eat a picnic lunch at the lake if you are so inclined. Enjoy!
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Thu Aug 15, 2019 11:13 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Things to see in Walla Walla, WA?
Replies: 15
Views: 1195

Re: Things to see in Walla Walla, WA?

The downtown area is cute to walk around, wine taste, shop, get some good lunch.
It has really undergone a modification to cater to tourists the past 10 years or so. It's quite quaint.
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Thu Aug 08, 2019 11:13 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mortgage Lender won't give rate with pre-approval
Replies: 11
Views: 880

Re: Mortgage Lender won't give rate with pre-approval

Never heard of this before. I've always gathered rates from various lenders, pitted them against each other, and then locked in with the best rate.

I can't imagine forking over $$ without knowing what I was getting. If you aren't desperate, demand a manager, and if you don't get what you want, walk. Mortgage rates are really low right now; it's not going to be hard to find something appealing.
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Tue Jul 09, 2019 10:57 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: St. Louis Travel/Tourism
Replies: 31
Views: 3237

Re: St. Louis Travel/Tourism

Hah, I lived in STL for many years and didn't get murdered.

St Louis really is a great place to visit and tour around. Also any of the sporting events are a blast. You can take the train into downtown, watch the blues, go to a jazz club, etc. Or maybe you like baseball instead. It's a very sports-centric town.

Also, the tower grove south asian/indian/multi-cultural influence is not to be missed. One of the best in the mid west if you ask me.

Just stay away from the provel cheese and the toasted ravioli. It's really not worth it.
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Tue Jun 25, 2019 11:09 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: British Columbia summer vacation
Replies: 17
Views: 1873

Re: British Columbia summer vacation

The options are pretty much endless depending on what you like to do and how much time you have.

From Vancouver you can do:
-trip to Whistler. You can ride the gondola and do hikes, boat on Lake Alta, etc.
-take a ferry over to Victoria. Botanical gardens, beaches, hiking. Beautiful place.
- road trip up to to Prince George, stopping along the way at Lynn Canyon park, Hell's Gate, etc.
-road trip to Banff, though it is a long drive from Vancouver and probably you should start in Calgary instead.
- stay in Vancouver. There's more than enough to do there for a week!
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Thu Jun 13, 2019 10:31 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Retired at 35 and have no friends :(
Replies: 113
Views: 15911

Re: Retired at 35 and have no friends :(

If not a troll then...


- join meetup.com and find groups with your hobby interests. Ideas: Chess club, cross fit, hiking, open water swimming, etc.

- join facebook groups. For instance, I'm in a PNW hiking group. There are ALWAYS posts about people wanting to hike on Tuesday at 9AM because they work weekends. Sadly, I'm reading the post from work.

- walk dogs on Rover. It'll give you something to do.

- work as a barista 2 days a week. You'll talk to lots of people.

- Volunteer: ASPCA, senior citizen groups, soup kitchens, libraries, etc.

- Travel and stay in hostels and meet new people.
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Fri Jun 07, 2019 10:17 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Chewy IPO
Replies: 43
Views: 4565

Re: Chewy IPO

My thoughts are: I've never heard of it before. Found this, https://www.marketwatch.com/story/chewy-sets-terms-of-ipo-to-raise-up-to-1064-million-2019-06-03 and their website https://www.chewy.com/ My next thought was, can't I already order pet stuff from Amazon.com ? What does Chewy.com offer that makes them unique from any other retailer that sells the same brands of pet stuff? I don't see how this will be a successful competitor to Amazon or Walmart.com Kind of reminds me of Pets.com from the tech bubble days... except I had actually heard of Pets.com ... on further browsing, aparently Pets.com now goes to PetSmart's website... apparently they sell both online and at their retail outlets.... more competition for whatever that other onli...
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Tue May 21, 2019 10:35 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Recently promoted - how to match image with title?
Replies: 54
Views: 6110

Re: Recently promoted - how to match image with title?

Not a woman, but I did spend a significant amount of time in a profession where I was always the youngest person in the room for meetings (e.g., making presentations to F500 boards in my mid- to late-20s). More than anything, the key (in my mind) is that when you speak you need to speak with authority. Be prepared and know your stuff and that will give you confidence. There's nothing more obvious than someone who doesn't know what they're talking about (at any age). Congrats! I agree with a lot of this. Sounds like you have good ideas on your physical appearance. I agree with shoulder length/lowlights, etc. I always wear minimal make up as well. I suggest getting one nice blazer and then mix and match pants and blouses. If you wear a dress...
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Tue Apr 23, 2019 12:25 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What, if anything, do I owe this guy?
Replies: 82
Views: 9793

Re: What, if anything, do I owe this guy?

mrc wrote: Tue Apr 23, 2019 11:59 am 2%? Do not feel bad about never speaking to this person again.

Read this site, and ask for help here. You'll be fine.
Agreed. He's a scam artist. You owe him nothing.
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Fri Apr 19, 2019 11:33 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Home Purchase Feasibility
Replies: 22
Views: 1590

Re: Home Purchase Feasibility

This sounds like a terrible idea.

You can't afford the house, and you can't afford your car, either. 30k in misc debt and a newborn on the way?

This sounds like a disaster in the making.
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Fri Apr 12, 2019 12:06 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Purchasing a rental house for ex-wife
Replies: 29
Views: 4349

Re: Purchasing a rental house for ex-wife

You’re already paying her way too much. Why pay her more? No kid needs $2800/month. That is more than lots of families (5+ people) live on. And you came to this conclusion.... with what data? The OP appears to agree that it is a massive amount. What 5 year old needs $2800/month? That’s enough to support a large family. Doesn't matter what the OP thinks, it is based on a state calculator and OP said he is actually on the low end. We have full-custody of my 7yr old step-daughter, we receive $42/month (no, I'm not forgetting a 0) from her birth father. The algorithm has little to do with "need", the primary determining factor is the financial situations of the the individual parents. Exactly. It's supposed to make based off of incom...
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Fri Apr 12, 2019 11:07 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Ingenious Way To Find Reasonably Priced Painter
Replies: 57
Views: 8262

Re: Ingenious Way To Find Reasonably Priced Painter

DTalos wrote: Thu Apr 11, 2019 2:40 pm Yes, I have asked neighbors for recommendations and either the bids were too high or the bids were higher than what my neighbors paid for the exact same tract house, despite me having done most of the prep work. I don't like to be price discriminated against. Is there an ingenious way to find a reasonably priced painter? I come across to the painters as pleasant but somewhat informed and educated.
I'm always amazed when people want to hire someone for a job they lack the skills and equipment for but demand that the prices being charged to perform that job are too high. You get what you pay for usually. There is no magic.
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Fri Apr 12, 2019 11:04 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Purchasing a rental house for ex-wife
Replies: 29
Views: 4349

Re: Purchasing a rental house for ex-wife

RollTide31457 wrote: Thu Apr 11, 2019 6:22 pm You’re already paying her way too much. Why pay her more? No kid needs $2800/month. That is more than lots of families (5+ people) live on.
And you came to this conclusion.... with what data?
by Hikes_With_Dogs
Mon Mar 25, 2019 3:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Family man who misses driving a fun car
Replies: 181
Views: 18149

Re: Family man who misses driving a fun car

How about a Subaru WRX? Speedy, stick shift, and will fit the kids in back.