Search found 1476 matches

by kjvmartin
Thu Nov 30, 2023 2:46 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Non-Profit Tech Startup - Risk / Reward - Job Considerations
Replies: 9
Views: 782

Re: Non-Profit Tech Startup - Risk / Reward - Job Considerations

It's not really clear from your post, but what exactly would your responsibilities be? Would you be expected to contribute to their product at a technical level (AKA write code or build infrastructure) or is this more of a project management role? I lot of people seem to think that "working in tech" is tantamount to tinkering with computers all day. Depending on what kind of skill set this company is expecting you to have, you might be in for a surprise when you get handed your first project. And yes be prepared to lose all sense of job security if you make the jump to tech, especially if this is truly a startup in sense that the company is not financially stable without outside investors. In my experience the tech workers who re...
by kjvmartin
Thu Nov 30, 2023 2:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Non-Profit Tech Startup - Risk / Reward - Job Considerations
Replies: 9
Views: 782

Re: Non-Profit Tech Startup - Risk / Reward - Job Considerations

GreendaleCC wrote: Thu Nov 30, 2023 11:27 am
They have an opening for my counterparts role, working with another state to implement the software there. I have an "in" who would be a glowing reference and has encouraged me to apply. They all come from such strange backgrounds compared to what I am used to. Everything from filmmaking to academia and in between.
This sounds like a Customer Success Manager or Implementation Consultant role. Most SaaS companies have this role. If you gain this experience and the company doesn’t work out, you learned how to do something that practically every software business needs.
Yes, the title is slightly different, but it seems a very similar role to those two you mentioned. Interesting.
by kjvmartin
Thu Nov 30, 2023 11:22 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Non-Profit Tech Startup - Risk / Reward - Job Considerations
Replies: 9
Views: 782

Re: Non-Profit Tech Startup - Risk / Reward - Job Considerations

Being able to justify wifi and create PDFs mean to me that you aren't a Luddite, not that you have skills beneficial to an IT professional. That being said, if you can be successful at this new opportunity, you will be starting to build your resume in a direction that seems attractive to you. Be aware that not all tech jobs are cushy. I have a brother who maintains the POS machines at a grocery chain. Mediocre income with lots of regional travel and long hours. It suits him, but it isn't for everyone. Duly noted, thanks for the reply. Everything is relative, in my field. We have a great number of people who still dictate their typing on a cassette and hand it to a secretary to transcribe. I have been called to an office where someone can’t...
by kjvmartin
Thu Nov 30, 2023 10:21 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Non-Profit Tech Startup - Risk / Reward - Job Considerations
Replies: 9
Views: 782

Re: Non-Profit Tech Startup - Risk / Reward - Job Considerations

As a tech wiz IT manager I wouldn't be concerned about job options / security but I'd be concerned I'm selling myself short making less than $100k / year. Do you ever shop around for jobs? You might be able to get an even more attractive offer than $131k. Good luck with whatever you decide Thank you for the encouragement! A criminal justice degree and my current resume seems to mean very little in the tech world. I wouldn't even know where to start. I have heard sentiments like yours from well meaning (generally older) family members before, they feel like my talents I have had since childhood are going to waste, but I have never felt able to monetize being "good at computers." This comes after I help them setup their WiFi, home ...
by kjvmartin
Thu Nov 30, 2023 10:07 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Non-Profit Tech Startup - Risk / Reward - Job Considerations
Replies: 9
Views: 782

Non-Profit Tech Startup - Risk / Reward - Job Considerations

I'm a 40 year old mid manager in a state law enforcement agency. I supervise about 10 and my gross is $96,000/year. The job is not very challenging to me but infrequently stressful. No pension. Annual 1-2% COL raises, no promotion potential. Without tooting my own horn too much, I am a tech wiz. There aren't many like that in my field, so I am often called for things tech related, training, committees. As an example, when we were trying to get WiFi access for our regions staff, I wrote the memo explaining why it was requested. I am not sure if my name stayed on the letter, but it was presented to the congressional budget office for our state by our director. When we got a new statewide data operating system, I created several checklists and...
by kjvmartin
Wed Sep 07, 2022 4:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Mid Size SUV
Replies: 6
Views: 1199

Re: Mid Size SUV

bcc1234 wrote: Tue Sep 06, 2022 6:59 pm Looking for a Mid Size SUV (CX9 or similar) with the most width in the front seats for a larger driver. I'm 6'2 and on the heavier side of the scale. With all I've looked at, they all have the center console that narrows the front seats; not only where the seats are, but it narrows the leg room also. Mini vans have the shifter on the dash, so it opens up the leg room area, but I don't want a mini van. Any suggestions?

BCC1234
Why don't you want a mini van? I wouldn't trade mine for ANY SUV.

Honda Odyssey is probably the best consumer item I've ever purchased in my ~40 years of living.
by kjvmartin
Thu Jul 14, 2022 2:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Out of Pocket Work Expenses
Replies: 10
Views: 896

Re: Out of Pocket Work Expenses

My manager for a job which is also government non-federal is able to get reimbursed for these type of expenses. We have a few happy-hour celebrations each year that can add up to a similar amount. I believe we even have an expense tracking app to help with this. It does seem like a bit of an encroachment, but if the expectation is really that it's part of the cost of the higher salary, maybe it's worth it. If there's a way for you and the other managers to bring up the topic as a group, that might work better than trying to address it alone. Yes, I've brought it up. They kind of get us because there are enough to peer pressure into it. We have some "upwardly mobile" who really want to impress the powers that be. If I don't partic...
by kjvmartin
Thu Jul 14, 2022 2:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Out of Pocket Work Expenses
Replies: 10
Views: 896

Out of Pocket Work Expenses

I promoted to manager (government non fed) a few years back and learned some surprising thing about out of pocket expenses. I was making $31.50 an hour before promotion and just capped out at $43 an hour supervising this year. First - Every year, there is an appreciation week for our profession. The administration sends an e-mail asking what we (the 9 managers) have planned in terms of activities for that week for our staff. Administration wants to show up at one or more of those days at each office in the area, greet the staff, and make appearances. "Nothing" is not an acceptable answer. As an individual staff, I never realized that my managers paid for this stuff. Offices do things like Pizza Monday, Ice Cream Tuesday, Catered B...
by kjvmartin
Tue Jun 21, 2022 9:11 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best examples of rock 'n roll music genre ?
Replies: 185
Views: 13677

Re: Best examples of rock 'n roll music genre ?

Start with what sparked your interest.

Example - as a kid in the 80s I really liked the Beach Boys. I still do, but when I first heard some Nirvana in the 90s I started being interested in grunge. Distorted guitar sounds opened the door for some metal acts, and eventually lead me back to the earlier Led Zeppelin type music.

If someone was never into rock and you played them Smells like Teen Spirit, it might be a bit much out of the gate. For my 3 kids, it's interesting. I've tried to expose them to some Beach Boys. One seems to be just like me, the other is just like her mother and will likely never "get it" in terms of loving music.
by kjvmartin
Mon Mar 28, 2022 8:21 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Should I invest in I-Bonds?
Replies: 119
Views: 15641

Re: Should I invest in I-Bonds?

If it were me, I'd convert some of your emergency fund to I-bonds over time.

You'll end up with a ladder of purchases and in 12 months you can use them, if needed. My emergency fund is currently $12,000, which is 3 months of minimum expenses. $4000 of it is in I-bonds, but I can't quite redeem all of it. They will become more accessible each month and I am slowly converting more of the $12,000 into I-bonds on a monthly basis.
by kjvmartin
Tue Nov 23, 2021 10:53 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cash Back and Rewards Cards - Just Say No?
Replies: 237
Views: 19794

Re: Cash Back and Rewards Cards - Just Say No?

Dave Ramsey gives good advice in a lot of areas, but this is not one of them. He is anti-plastic 100%.

I have to pay my utilities each month, they accept a credit card, and they do not charge extra for credit card payments.

I have to buy an unholy amount of groceries for my family each month. I attempt to get the best prices, but they accept a credit card, and they do not charge extra for credit card payments.

Why wouldn't I try to maximize my savings cash back? I track it, and earn at least $2000 in rewards each year. Why wouldn't anyone do this?
by kjvmartin
Thu Sep 02, 2021 6:48 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medical Billing when the Provider Goofs
Replies: 15
Views: 1911

Re: Medical Billing when the Provider Goofs

As your daughter is 3 years old, I'm assuming somewhere along the way that your child has been evaluated through your local school district? If the school district determines that your daughter has autism and the "team" (you are part of that team) agrees that your daughter needs speech and OT, then they will provide that service to you. Our track for services was: Pediatrician > Neurologist (MRI and other studies ruling stuff out) > Autism Diagnosis Center (approved by HMO) > Services. The diagnosis step was s l o w during COVID and everything was over teleconference, 3 interviews over 3 months. I wonder if I should also contact the school district. I see on our local district website they do offer an evaluation and a full array ...
by kjvmartin
Thu Sep 02, 2021 4:43 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Medical Billing when the Provider Goofs
Replies: 15
Views: 1911

Medical Billing when the Provider Goofs

Our daughter (3) with autism attends speech therapy two days per week, occupational therapy one day per week, and applied behavioral analysis (ABA) therapy 4 days per week, partially in our home. We've just reduced off the ABA for a while as a cost saving measure (see below). To keep it brief, to get all of this approved and arranged via our HMO was an epic task which took months and most of our services began about 6 months ago. There are $20 copays for most of the visits. The problem: We were authorized for a number of visits for speech, but those elapsed and the provider did not tell us they were not re-authorized since June. They were supposed to submit something before the visits expired to request approval for additional sessions. The...
by kjvmartin
Fri Jul 23, 2021 10:46 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: "Target-Date Deep Dive: Vanguard" by Morningstar
Replies: 55
Views: 7057

Re: "Target-Date Deep Dive: Vanguard" by Morningstar

100% Target Date in my 401k at work and Roth IRA at Vanguard. The expense ratios are still pretty low at work and I don't think to think too much about it.

If this doesn't get me where I need to be, probably not much else would have either.
by kjvmartin
Thu Jul 22, 2021 12:14 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: First time home buyer strategies against investors..?
Replies: 21
Views: 2681

Re: First time home buyer strategies against investors..?

bberris wrote: Wed Jul 21, 2021 7:00 am
Hypersion wrote: Mon Jul 19, 2021 7:48 pm Over bid and then renegationate when it appraises for a lower price.
I think the point of the cash offer is that it does not entail a financing contingency. Some of them don't even have an inspection. So it is next to a dead certainty that the sale will close.
Yes indeed. Inspections are not welcome in bidding wars. Those who are buying with cash are typically better at looking at the houses during the showing and performing their own cursory inspections. They may have contractors on staff.
by kjvmartin
Thu Jul 22, 2021 12:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: First time home buyer strategies against investors..?
Replies: 21
Views: 2681

Re: First time home buyer strategies against investors..?

daleddm wrote: Wed Jul 21, 2021 8:48 am Gotta at least try to look thru the situation longer term ... and recognize the hype. Todays WSJ has a list of 50 of the hottest housing boom markets, and there's not three places on there I'd want to live (having been to virtually all of them). A lot of rust belt and sad places that might well be on there due to investor buy-ups or some other artifact. So you moved to Billings MT to hide from the virus. Or Waco, Yuma, Akron, etc. Now what.
Not anyone can just move, but many of the markets you are listing are quite tough as well

https://www.wsj.com/articles/montana-bo ... 1626773400
by kjvmartin
Mon Jul 19, 2021 8:04 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: First time home buyer strategies against investors..?
Replies: 21
Views: 2681

Re: First time home buyer strategies against investors..?

Why do you need to pay all cash? It's a little hard to believe that someone who has $480,000 in cash wants to live in a house that costs only that much. If that's the way the real-estate market is going at moment, I'd wait until 20% down is the accepted norm again. I don't think they're being bought mostly by people that want to live in them. That maybe somewhat the case. My friend is able to live/work remote from anywhere, so he is pocketing his equity and moving way out to the country where he will pay cash for a $250,000 house there with $250,000 to spare. Great deal. The person buying his old house is a company. I don't know if it's an REIT or private. It's a cash market right now, for whatever reason. https://apple.news/AjPK9MtXFQO-gc...
by kjvmartin
Mon Jul 19, 2021 5:51 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: First time home buyer strategies against investors..?
Replies: 21
Views: 2681

First time home buyer strategies against investors..?

A friend bought a basic starter house for $240,000 three years ago. The house is now listed for $480,000 and has received multiple cash offers over asking from investors. We are firmly in the midwest, not a HCOL area. Per our Realtor, who is also a friend, it's basically a cash only economy right now in our area. Is anyone else dealing with this? I'd need about $350,000 to pay cash for a very basic/inadequate house within 45 minutes of where I need to be. I have $70,000. I make $90k and have no debt but considerable medical expenses. $350k.....This would take me around 10-15 years to save while I'd need be neglecting retirement accounts and forgoing vacations. We've attempted to buy around 20 homes so far with the same result. We are financ...
by kjvmartin
Mon Jul 19, 2021 9:05 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New Toyota Sequoia?
Replies: 42
Views: 5467

Re: New Toyota Sequoia?

A lot of folks completely overlook the Tahoe or Yukon.

I was placed in a rental GMC Acadia and it was an eye opener. What a great ride! If I were looking for something more substantial I would at least test out a Tahoe or Yukon.
by kjvmartin
Wed Jul 07, 2021 2:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Invisalign vs Braces + Palate Expander at 40 - Worth the cost and effort?
Replies: 11
Views: 1526

Invisalign vs Braces + Palate Expander at 40 - Worth the cost and effort?

I really should have gotten braces as a kid, but it was never in the family budget. My top teeth, I have always thought, looked good enough and cosmetics have never been a concern. No one ever sees the bottoms, but they are very crooked and crowded. Lately, because of my overbite, there's some chipping occurring because things aren't lined up as they should be for chewing. I have no cavities and impeccable oral hygiene. I had no idea just how narrow my jaw is, or that this could cause these problems, or I might have done it earlier in my adult life.. They showed me a render of what I *should* look like after and it's night and day. Previously, I had no idea my severe crooked bottoms were even eligible for Invisalign, since I thought it was ...
by kjvmartin
Sun Jun 27, 2021 7:29 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Dave Ramsey on his way out?
Replies: 22
Views: 4969

Re: Dave Ramsey on his way out?

If there were 2 choices: 1. No financial aim 2. Follow Dave Ramsey's advice fully You'd likely end up better for #2. Our wonderful forum takes a lot for granted. Myself include, people know almost nothing about the financial side of life. I was driven to the forum after making a catastrophic financial blunder out of ignorance (no home inspection on my first house). I ended up thousands in debt, wiping much of my 401k to survive and basically starting over in life at 32. I got a lot of responses when I posted here... but... TBH, the Bogleheads don't really have answers for this kind of stuff and some of the responses were well intended, some were not, some were harmful. It's a personal finance forum heavily centered on those kinds of situati...
by kjvmartin
Mon Aug 31, 2020 7:27 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: 2016 Mazda 3 Sedan no longer fits!
Replies: 29
Views: 2690

Re: 2016 Mazda 3 Sedan no longer fits!

We have 3 under six. The benefits of the small SUV are tangible and very real even for one kid, but if you're planning to expand your family further I implore you to please skip the small SUV and get anything with 3 rows. We were good with 2 kids in a CR-V but had a surprise 3rd. My long term car goals were disrupted since I had to get back into the car market at an inopportune time for me. Meaning, I still had a pretty new car and had to take a depreciation hit to get rid of it. I would have preferred to drive the wheels off. With 1 kid, it's still more ergonomic to secure in any carseat higher up off the ground. In and out of a compact car is hard on the knees and back. We are a little older than average first time parents and I started g...
by kjvmartin
Sat Aug 29, 2020 1:16 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Employers - Will you comply with EO request to defer payroll tax?
Replies: 54
Views: 7601

Re: Employers - Will you comply with EE request to defer payroll tax?

My employer does all payroll in house. It's a giant government organization, which I would think has every intention of following government orders.

My next check arriving in Sept. does not have any reduction or removal of taxes and, in fact, nothing has been said about it. I wonder how they'll plan to catch up, since they can zero out my contributions in the future but would have to give me extra money to fully comply. No one in HR knows any answers yet. Assuming direction will come from the state-house.
by kjvmartin
Thu Aug 13, 2020 11:38 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Ally Bank savings interest rate dropping from 1% to 0.8%
Replies: 82
Views: 11213

Re: Ally Bank savings interest rate dropping from 1% to 0.8%

With bond yields so low, does it make sense to increase your Cash Reserve and move your bond holdings into a Stock Fund? Just a thought. To me this artificially inflates the market. People with fewer savings options will be more likely to invest. I am already hearing that kind of chatter at work from armchair day traders. That's basically the plan. Keeps rates so low for so long that you artificially inflate the stock market. News loves to hype an inflated market, middle class think that means things are going well, and at the end of the day the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. I think this is a perfect time to be fearful when others are greedy. Not saying time the market or change plans, but I do think it's wise to maintain (or ev...
by kjvmartin
Thu Aug 13, 2020 7:08 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Ally Bank savings interest rate dropping from 1% to 0.8%
Replies: 82
Views: 11213

Re: Ally Bank savings interest rate dropping from 1% to 0.8%

grobertj wrote: Thu Aug 13, 2020 6:32 pm With bond yields so low, does it make sense to increase your Cash Reserve and move your bond holdings into a Stock Fund? Just a thought.
To me this artificially inflates the market. People with fewer savings options will be more likely to invest. I am already hearing that kind of chatter at work from armchair day traders.
by kjvmartin
Sun Aug 09, 2020 11:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New hybrid SUV? Talk me into/out of it
Replies: 33
Views: 3586

Re: New hybrid SUV? Talk me into/out of it

Sticker on my 2019 Ford Escape SE was $27,000. With no haggling, I purchased the car at $ 20,500 . It has a full array of safety features including AWD, lane-keep, radar cruise, cross traffic alert, and more. 1.9% financing. Very comfortable seats. A Honda CR-V AWD EX will have similar features at $29,160 MSRP. I was able to find some around $28,000. They do not have incentives. Wow, that's impressive. You'd be looking at a several year old Toyota to get to that price. Looking at the prices of late model used Toyotas, I have been wondering if their reliability is overrated/over valued. Is the gap between Toyota (and Honda) reliability and the rest really that big any more? To be fair, it was an outgoing model year before the refresh and I ...
by kjvmartin
Sat Aug 08, 2020 6:15 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: AMZN & AAPL - time to bail?
Replies: 196
Views: 23997

Re: AMZN & AAPL - time to bail?

I am of the opinion that if you already *have* a holding of a good company and it won't make or break you either way, I would at least hold some of it perpetually. I enjoy stories like the guy who had a couple shares of Coca Coal in the early days. That family made millions off of that. I like to imagine that one day my small investment in Apple could pay off a kids mortgage, pay a grandkids college, or something like that. These are things I would not otherwise likely accomplish given my means. Like a side hobby to go along with our usual mix of index funds. Whatever happens to Apple (and in my case, Costco) I will retire in the same time frame. Of course, I don't have the same anxiety of you (nor anywhere near the size of investment). If ...
by kjvmartin
Sat Aug 08, 2020 6:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New hybrid SUV? Talk me into/out of it
Replies: 33
Views: 3586

Re: New hybrid SUV? Talk me into/out of it

For all the love Honda/Toyota receive, It seems like they've priced themselves out of being a reasonable choice to buy and hold. I found that I could get a comparable domestic SUV for so much cheaper than a Honda/Toyota. The discounts off of sticker at Honda/Toyota were very small. I wanted a mid-trim basic crossover. Sticker on my 2019 Ford Escape SE was $27,000. With no haggling, I purchased the car at $ 20,500 . It has a full array of safety features including AWD, lane-keep, radar cruise, cross traffic alert, and more. 1.9% financing. Very comfortable seats. A Honda CR-V AWD EX will have similar features at $29,160 MSRP. I was able to find some around $28,000. They do not have incentives. How many repairs will I need over about 10 year...
by kjvmartin
Sat Aug 08, 2020 9:45 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New hybrid SUV? Talk me into/out of it
Replies: 33
Views: 3586

Re: New hybrid SUV? Talk me into/out of it

For all the love Honda/Toyota receive, It seems like they've priced themselves out of being a reasonable choice to buy and hold. I found that I could get a comparable domestic SUV for so much cheaper than a Honda/Toyota. The discounts off of sticker at Honda/Toyota were very small. I wanted a mid-trim basic crossover. Sticker on my 2019 Ford Escape SE was $27,000. With no haggling, I purchased the car at $ 20,500 . It has a full array of safety features including AWD, lane-keep, radar cruise, cross traffic alert, and more. 1.9% financing. Very comfortable seats. A Honda CR-V AWD EX will have similar features at $29,160 MSRP. I was able to find some around $28,000. They do not have incentives. How many repairs will I need over about 10 years...
by kjvmartin
Sun Aug 02, 2020 11:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Does a couple really "need" an SUV?
Replies: 225
Views: 16433

Re: Does a couple really "need" an SUV?

If I were a single guy I would need an SUV or truck. I'm 6'4 and tried my best to fit into a reasonable car. Pain/numb/tingles.

You may need one, you may not. It's totally up to you.
by kjvmartin
Fri Jul 24, 2020 11:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: iMac Refresh in 2020?
Replies: 75
Views: 6627

Re: iMac Refresh in 2020?

I like a MacBook and buying a QHD or 4K Monitor.

Use a USB-C enabled monitor which will both carry the video feed and keep your laptop powered. The monitor has additional USB ports for peripherals and dongles. It's very elegant if you manage the cables right.

I don't see the appeal of an iMac anymore. Check out the i5 MacBook Air at Costco with a 512gb SSD under $1000. Wait for a sale on a USB-C Monitor, there are many. MicroCenter is your friend. Dell refurbished works.
by kjvmartin
Wed Jul 22, 2020 8:58 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: top suvs for tall driver & good mpg
Replies: 36
Views: 4637

Re: top suvs for tall driver & good mpg

6'4 with a back/knee issue. I bought just under a year ago with seat comfort as a priority and test drove almost everything with 2 rows. The MPG requirement is a bit tricky, not sure what to tell you. Hyundai Santa Fe was like sitting in a La-Z-Boy. Very comfortable. The Tucson as well was a contender, really liked that one. Ended up with a Ford Escape and would recommend. The CX-5 was too narrow in the leg box. The CR-V seat design baffled me, rock hard. (and there are some QC issues). Equinox was fine for the lower cushion, but the back rest is very weird with side huggers. Traverse was better but I didn't need the larger size, kind of like the Santa Fe. I don't care for Fiat products, so mostly avoided, but the Grand Cherokee was passabl...
by kjvmartin
Tue Jul 21, 2020 11:09 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Article claiming 401k no longer "makes sense"
Replies: 74
Views: 9441

Re: Article claiming 401k no longer "makes sense"

My family is fairly low income for our size (5). I use my 401k/457 through work, sometimes over and above the match.

One of the key advantages of a 401k is that you can't easily or painlessly take a distribution. If you're trying to save for retirement, this is a useful function. Even a Roth IRA can be plundered without penalty as long as you don't touch the gains.
by kjvmartin
Mon Jul 20, 2020 9:06 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Received wrong chair from Herman Miller
Replies: 30
Views: 3964

Re: Received wrong chair from Herman Miller

Terrible time to try and buy anything Office Equipment related! I sympathize. I have a "theme" from Ikea in my house and needed to add a decent desk. Every... single... useful item... is gone until at least August. I ended up with the cheapest thing I could find from Amazon as a placeholder. Then, don't get me started on Brother Laser Multifunction devices. I'd love to have gotten some Staples or Best Buy Rewards, but I had to pay full retail from the manufacturer due to inventory out of stock at resellers. What else? My IT friend recommends a wide monitor he paid $325 for in February. It's "3rd Party Only" on Amazon now and out of stock elsewhere. $600 minimum. I'm stuck with a sub 1080P Dell out of my storage when I am...
by kjvmartin
Mon Jul 20, 2020 8:59 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Just Ordered Peloton Bike
Replies: 194
Views: 23468

Re: Just Ordered Peloton Bike

I remember when my wife had to have a treadmill.

We went to Sears. I asked the salesman how long one typically lasts. He said "forever.... since no one really uses it after they buy it."

$750. We finally gave it to some friends when we moved. They have since given it to some of their friends.
by kjvmartin
Sat Jul 18, 2020 2:24 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mom Has $2K Net Worth at 62 - Want to Help
Replies: 120
Views: 13065

Re: Mom Has $2K Net Worth at 62 - Want to Help

That all said: get your mom public assistance immediately. Get her on SNAP (food stamps) if she qualifies, Medicaid, meals on wheels, senior home services like laundry, anything you can do to keep costs down. I've worked for governmental agencies that administer SNAP. We are talking about a degreed professional nurse with a $2800 mortgage. To obtain food stamp benefits in my state the income limit is well under $2000 per month for a single person household. Around $18,000/year. Once she gets her pension + social security, not counting rental income, she still exceeds the limits for any public assistance. Medicaid typically is for those who make $16,000 per year or less, as well. Meals on Wheels requires a needs assessment to qualify and is...
by kjvmartin
Sun Jul 12, 2020 9:26 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Speakers for basement
Replies: 43
Views: 4661

Re: Speakers for basement

I live in Wisconsin. We spend a lot of time indoors in the winter. We just moved to this new house and we are getting the basement finished. We are doing 1800 sq feet. There’s going to be a huge bar and a 77 inch LG TV on the long wall in addition to a bedroom and a nice bathroom. We are excited to watch TV downstairs. I’m wondering if I should buy some kind of speakers for this TV. I’m looking at Bose and they have a lifestyle system. We are not that much into music and stuff but I wouldn’t mind having some pandora playing while we entertain people at the bar. And of course watch football and have good sound effects when the Packers score. Does anyone have suggestions as to what speakers would be best. And not crazy expensive. Thanks for ...
by kjvmartin
Thu Jul 09, 2020 5:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Apple Airpods vs. Airpods Pro?
Replies: 33
Views: 3401

Re: Apple Airpods vs. Airpods Pro?

I do not like the Pros and how they fit inside my ear. I don't notice much difference in terms of tone. I switched back to regular AirPods.
by kjvmartin
Mon Jul 06, 2020 7:21 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Management Strategies - Entrenched Bad Staff
Replies: 23
Views: 2341

Re: Management Strategies - Entrenched Bad Staff

Is this something unique to government? No, I moved from the public sector to private 5yrs ago. Private is 1000x better (IMO), but this isn't one of the reasons. To make a long story short, I have a handful of employees (out of 27) that are probably a net-negative for the company and (for reasons not allowed to be discussed on this board) it is literally impossible to get rid of them. I am fortunate that I have managers under me who actually have to waste their time dealing with them (so I don't have to, for the most part), but they are still on my budget. I can certainly relate that there seem to be a lot of unwritten rules in the staffing process/HR process. One area where I do sympathize is that we have a fair number of employees who ha...
by kjvmartin
Mon Jul 06, 2020 7:13 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Management Strategies - Entrenched Bad Staff
Replies: 23
Views: 2341

Re: Management Strategies - Entrenched Bad Staff

You have my sympathy. Managing even a single low performer is painful and takes a lot of time. Have you heard of the Situation-Behavior-Impact framework for delivering feedback? It's a way to deliver critical feedback that is specific and applicable. In the case you described, you might try delivering feedback in this way: Situation - "Last week when you submitted that report..." Behavior - "There was an error in the report..." Impact - "That caused [lost client/$XX lost/angry grand-boss]." "I understand that everyone makes mistakes. How can we make sure serious mistakes like this don't make it through our review process in the future?" There's a book called Crucial Conversations that can help you st...
by kjvmartin
Sun Jul 05, 2020 6:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Management Strategies - Entrenched Bad Staff
Replies: 23
Views: 2341

Management Strategies - Entrenched Bad Staff

I've been promoted to management for about 3 years. I was a top level performer in a huge government organization and got passed over for various reasons until I finally got it about 10 years into my career. I learned things are not always done based on merit. I'll leave it at that. I was assigned an experienced mentor in my new role and given a team where I was forewarned about one employee that had some performance issues. "Everyone gets one" was the explanation. It turned out that there were two, and due to some transfers I now have 3 out of 10 direct reports that struggle with their jobs. They each have decades of seniority, 4 year degrees, and are unionized. They take up most of my time. After a particularly bad error by my w...
by kjvmartin
Fri Jul 03, 2020 4:18 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What to do with all this MONEY ?
Replies: 201
Views: 24672

Re: What to do with all this MONEY ?

My grandfather passed with a seven figure net worth. He was very frugal and no one would have ever guessed his net worth earned based on his possessions. Local government pension and held dividend utility stocks. A cautionary tale about legacy: Other than advice, he never helped a living relative financially for 88 years. We are talking when dirt-floor-poor teenage grandson bikes over lunch, he would break out the calculator to split the cost. You sound a bit more generous. On the other hand, my grandmother (his ex wife) had no bank account at death but would give you the shirt off her back (she probably bought it on sale, lol). Let me tell you which one was taken in by the kids and which one passed in a nursing home. I implore you, make a ...
by kjvmartin
Wed Jun 24, 2020 12:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New 4K TV: LED, QLED or OLED?
Replies: 121
Views: 9466

Re: New 4K TV: LED, QLED or OLED?

I really like the vibrant bright colors of QLED. You'll need a Q80 or Q90 to get a really impressive screen.
by kjvmartin
Sat May 30, 2020 9:39 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: I'm evaluating Quicken 2019 vs Personal Capital
Replies: 20
Views: 4395

Re: I'm evaluating Quicken 2019 vs Personal Capital

mancich wrote: Sat May 30, 2020 6:16 am For those who have a Microsoft 365 subscription, there will soon be available a "Money in Excel" template that will connect to financial institutions and bring everything into Excel. Don't know how much functionality it will have but looks interesting and I think it will be free.
This has been "coming soon" for a while. I have been checking weekly.
by kjvmartin
Mon May 25, 2020 4:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Robot vacuums
Replies: 30
Views: 3026

Re: Robot vacuums

If our room layout changes frequently. For example we have a large L shaped living and dining room. On the exterior wall is various kids toys, shelves, play kitchen, etc. It changes depending on what's out of the closet or storage. There's so much hair in our house, and I have loved the idea of time saving if we could get a robot vacuum. I just don't know how well it would work for us?
by kjvmartin
Mon May 25, 2020 12:20 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Mortgage Experts: "Workshare" Unemployment/DTI
Replies: 0
Views: 280

Mortgage Experts: "Workshare" Unemployment/DTI

My wife and I had an offer on a single family home accepted, appraised, and inspected ($850 out of pocket). We were set to close. To put it in perspective, we have been in and out of the market out of frustration for a couple years and this was pretty much our dream house. Currently have 3 kids 6 and under in a 2 bedroom apartment and we are pretty much dying of lockdown. Our local playgrounds are all closed. The house was perfect, large yard, above ground pool, finished basement/4th bedroom, and built recently. It was within Dave Ramsey's affordability, though at 30 years instead of 15. There was no bidding war, which is unusual for our locale. It isn't the prettiest house on the block, but it's a nice dead end with a cul-de-sac and close/...
by kjvmartin
Sun May 24, 2020 3:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: If Jeep has such poor reliability, how come they are everywhere?
Replies: 174
Views: 18336

Re: If Jeep has such poor reliability, how come they are everywhere?

I have a colleague who bought her Grand Cherokee after lease and has bragged about how the purchased lifetime warranty has paid for itself. "I'm just a Jeep girl..." She has owned many.. My mother received an inheritance has next to no living expenses + a pension, and after driving Chevrolet Cavaliers, Cobalts, and Cruze's for the past 20-30 years she paid cash for a Jeep Cherokee. The Grand Cherokee was her dream, but she felt like it was too much money. She drives around 1000 miles a year. This car has had more recalls than I ever thought possible. I feel like for some, their families perpetuate it. "Jeep Family." It's hard to shake that influence. In certain regions, it's about being connected to the Big 3 and support...
by kjvmartin
Sat May 23, 2020 5:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Personal spending out of control after Covid-19
Replies: 124
Views: 12960

Re: Personal spending out of control after Covid-19

I was on my way to the "Quarantine 15". I'm not a runner (knees) and don't have room for an indoor bike/elliptical. Gym remains closed and probably won't go back after they open. I decided to re-calibrate my Apple Watch fitness goals and I'm somewhere between sedentary and active by taking a 30 minute walk each day to close my rings. I can't stress how much of a difference the goal of closing your rings can have. It forces you to get up and move at least once an hour, exercise at least 30 minutes, and burn a certain number of calories each day. I find that once I've completed those goals, I'm less likely to "throw all the work away" by snacking heavily/bad choices in the evening. I've been making coconut oil popcorn on ...
by kjvmartin
Sat May 23, 2020 11:18 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Personal spending out of control after Covid-19
Replies: 124
Views: 12960

Re: Personal spending out of control after Covid-19

I was on my way to the "Quarantine 15". I'm not a runner (knees) and don't have room for an indoor bike/elliptical. Gym remains closed and probably won't go back after they open. I decided to re-calibrate my Apple Watch fitness goals and I'm somewhere between sedentary and active by taking a 30 minute walk each day to close my rings. I can't stress how much of a difference the goal of closing your rings can have. It forces you to get up and move at least once an hour, exercise at least 30 minutes, and burn a certain number of calories each day. I find that once I've completed those goals, I'm less likely to "throw all the work away" by snacking heavily/bad choices in the evening. I've been making coconut oil popcorn on t...
by kjvmartin
Thu May 21, 2020 3:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Can I afford to buy an expensive guitar?
Replies: 34
Views: 1988

Re: Can I afford to buy an expensive guitar?

Purchased my Martin before getting married, before having kids, and before I could really afford it. It was about a months pay at that time. I have had it 8 years and I use it almost every day.

It's just one of those things. Lord willing, 50 years from now, I still won't care that it was an "irresponsible" purchase. My grandkids will thank me. I view it as an heirloom. They've been handcrafting these guitars in the USA since 1833. I believe it's the best production guitar you can buy, and holds well to boutique builders. They don't lose value and tend to keep with inflation. Lifetime warranty for the original owner.