gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Jan 3, 2015 22:39:55 GMT -5
Interesting, they look like my maternity pants...which, are of course, extremely comfortable.
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Jan 2, 2015 15:49:39 GMT -5
Also, it has served me well to remember that most people's intentions are good and there is usually something that you do not know. Sometimes I have to shift my perspective and try to figure out what that thing might be.
In your case, no, I would not have felt comfortable lying, but I like to think I would have gotten in early enough to prevent the meeting from happening. I can't imagine what it would be like to work for somebody that is straight-up corrupt. I couldn't.
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Jan 2, 2015 15:32:13 GMT -5
Every situation is different. You learn how to influence in a way where everyone saves face. You said you were in a lose/lose situation, but there is almost always a way to steer. I used to always get high reviews on getting results, but I had a lot of work to do in how I got results. It took some humbling situations, but now I get it. I've achieved the ultimate- results while not pissing people off. Several years ago, I pissed off the wrong person in an ultimately innocuous situation, and to this day I believe I was 100% right, but it took that person leaving for me to finally get promoted. I do not believe it was coincidence as my "eyes and ears" in the private meetings told me I was getting black-balled.
Watch Game of Thrones and build your alliances. Sometime you have to plant seeds or whisper thoughts in peoples ears (not literally). With sensitive situations, I've learned not to lay all my cards on the table in a conference room of decision-makers who are leaning a difference direction. You can put your feelers out by diplomatically stating your case and then shut your mouth if it's going the other way. I also make darn sure my direct reports tell me about everything so if I need to put a spin out and mitigate early, I can. Believe it or not, you can still keep your integrity- and you should as this is a critical quality in a good leader.
At the end of the day, "the military," "the government," "the corporations" are all just made of people. It's the same everywhere. I'm sure I'll have another moment, but feel like it's not so bad out there- despite how this might read.
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Jan 2, 2015 14:47:53 GMT -5
Not to be a big baby, but I am so sick of being sick. I feel like I've been sick since September. I used to never get sick. In the past 4 months, I've had norovirus, pink eye, various colds, various undiagnosed viruses that caused fevers and fatigue, and bronchitis, to name a few. But, I don't go to the doctor for these things- so who knows what else. For the first time in my life, I went to the drugstore and attempted to buy an immune system supplement, but the product rang up as recalled. They couldn't sell it to me. ![](http://syonidv.hodginsmedia.com/vsmileys/angry2.png)
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Jan 2, 2015 13:04:23 GMT -5
I switched from a comprehensive family plan to a single high deductible plan, so my premiums go way down- but $3350 will go to the HSA, which is about the difference. I might get a 2% raise if I'm lucky, but won't know until the end of the month. Also, 401K limit increased to 18000, so that's another $500/year. Plus, I enrolled in a prepaid legal plan, so that another $400/year. Since some of these things are pre-tax, I'm too lazy to do the math to know if my paycheck will be less or more than last year. Probably a little less.
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Jan 2, 2015 9:54:51 GMT -5
Some friends and I were playing a nice pick up game of flag football on a county-owned public soccer field. A cop came and bullied us to stop. He looked through our coolers too, but they just had Gatorade. In the cop's defense, there was a sign that said reseeding and to stay off the grass, but we weren't actually playing on that part of the field. He was jerk to us. A cop was hanging out off-duty with some mutual friends. He was wasted and waving his gun around at a public outside-free concert. He was also a jerk and really could have hurt someone An undercover patrol car sped up behind me on my bumper and my reaction was to speed up to get him off my bumper (of course, not knowing it was a cop), that put me closer to the car in front of me and the next thing I know I have a ticket for reckless driving. He was jerk too. I got busted for streaking a football field at night when there was no game. He let me put my clothes back on and gave me a ride home. He was not jerk. But, he was a campus police, so I'm not sure if he was a real cop.
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Jan 1, 2015 21:54:53 GMT -5
Phil would probably tell you that you're better off putting as much as possible in an SP500 low fee brokerage account, letting it grow at 11% and keeping your options open. That's a good plan assuming capital gains tax stays at reasonable 15% and you don't raid the fund for things you'd otherwise be able to figure out without it- like home improvement projects.
That said, we set up 529's for both kids as soon as we had their SSNs. Worse case scenario we overfund it and pay the 10% penalty and normal income tax rate on the earnings (assuming that tax structure doesn't change).
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Jan 1, 2015 11:09:50 GMT -5
but for Joe to just to apply for a bank manager job - I think would get passed over. Not necessarily, if he had proven experience successfully managing a team and it sounds like he does.
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Jan 1, 2015 10:55:32 GMT -5
it will be interesting to just walk in to a place of business applying for a management job from the outside. I am not so hopeful you can just get a job as a Bank Manager without having the experience and knowledge of already being a Bank Manager. ![](http://images.proboards.com/new/tongue.png) The hundreds I trained didn't necessarily have bank experience. They came from all different areas. I'd say half came from other banks while the other half had experience managing other stores- pizza restaurants, insurance branches, mall stores, etc. Still it's a very stressful job that takes a lot of patience, energy and competence. You have to deal with angry customers and underpaid employees. And, it's a job with no overtime eligible, a modest salary and that's nearly impossible to work less than 60 hours/week. I'd probably choose managing a call center over managing branch, but it would be a tough choice.
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Dec 31, 2014 15:07:11 GMT -5
I used to train a manager in training program for a bank. Yes, you could easily do that job. No, I don't know anybody who is happy doing that job. The staff does not get paid well, turn over is super high as a result and employees can be immature. Also, Saturdays were normally required (depending on the branch) and limitation on number of vacation days taken in a row. And, it's a highly regulated industry, so you better know your policies and follow them to a t.
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Dec 31, 2014 14:51:40 GMT -5
On the other hand, I LOVE the heavenly beds the Westin hotels have. So comfy. You could do a hotel tour and test out mattresses.
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Dec 31, 2014 14:49:01 GMT -5
Ours is the one I bought after my divorce in 1997. No popping springs, no backaches, so we'll stick with it. I don't remember what I paid for it; at the time I felt the whole sales thing was smoke and mirrors because you couldn't compare prices. The manufacturer assigned a different name to the same model for different retailers.
DH and I stayed in one hotel that had the Sleep Number bed; not all that impressed. Radisson Hotels have sleep numbers. I too was not impressed. It felt like sleeping on an crinkly air mattress, but maybe when you buy it's different. People who own them, all seem to love them. ![](http://syonidv.hodginsmedia.com/vsmileys/idunno.gif)
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Dec 31, 2014 12:25:04 GMT -5
Huh? I saved up for a new car thinking my 17 year old car would be done by now. The money isn't sitting at home. It's in the bank.
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Dec 31, 2014 12:02:18 GMT -5
I have 10 year warranty on my mattress. It did cost about $2500. But, I think Costco has some really good deals on mattresses that we should have considered. Regardless of what you buy, make sure you get a quality waterproof mattress protectors and pillow protectors.
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Dec 31, 2014 11:38:28 GMT -5
We'll probably end up with a minivan. Everyone who has one seems to rave about it, even the ones who had no desired to drive a minivan. That said, my car is a 1998 sedan and my husband's car is a 2000 sedan. We have two car seats in both cars and have been making do just fine. That extra $500/month goes to the girls' 529s.
I'm thinking the swagger wagon:
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Dec 31, 2014 9:09:09 GMT -5
I think the opposite is true - ie, the job in the private sector will be more stressful. They have more leverage - the boss can fire you at any time (not subject to cause, reviews, appeals, buerocracy. And the boss can cut your pay, cut your hours - or demand extra hours. In the military, your pay is protected via the 'grade' system, and you cannot be fired. Time in the brig is about all that can happen.
ahhh....... I agree and disagree.......they can't deploy me to a war zone, force me to move somewhere every 3 years and stuff like that.....and I also have the option to quit / look for other work........but I agree with your point about being able to fire me, cut my pay, etc......
Just to warn you, shady, political crap happens in the private sector as well. There are horrible bosses, toxic co-workers, difficult customers and so on. If you are lucky, you'll find a place that isn't dysfunctional. I witnessed a very similar scenario to the one you posted on messed up at work. It wasn't me, but my boss. Like you, he did the right thing and went to bat for his direct report and ended up demoted. Next thing we knew, he was out on a 6 week leave of absence for stress. He was passed over for numerous promotions and it took him 4 years to get back to the level of his old position. Not surprisingly, it wasn't until after his former boss left the company. It's not always so easy to just go out and find a new job, so you learn to walk the walk and talk the talk.
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Dec 31, 2014 9:07:24 GMT -5
duplicate post
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Dec 30, 2014 16:58:13 GMT -5
When I was able to fully max my retirement accounts, I felt like I could spend guilt-free. Although, I will admit that even when I really need something, I still struggle over just buying it. Right now I need a new pair of running shoes. I know brooks are awesome, but I'm tempted to buy a $60 pair of saucony instead and hope they are good enough. Sigh.
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Dec 29, 2014 14:09:40 GMT -5
Just about everyone I know in the D.C. area gets paid via the defense budget. They work for private companies on government contracts. No, you are not too old. If you can get a foot in the door, you will make good money. Good luck!
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Dec 28, 2014 22:05:13 GMT -5
My husband's family sells stuff. Some of them are retired while others stopped working regular jobs to sell stuff. Their whole houses, garages, sheds and more sheds have been taken over with inventory. They are up all night doing stuff with their inventory. God help them, they love it. Shudder, you couldn't pay me enough.
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Dec 28, 2014 17:21:26 GMT -5
Just a reminder since you're new to Roth IRAs, you have until April 15 (tax day) to fund for 2014. So, that $11,000 should be your priority. You can easily open an account on vanguard or fidelity. Just go to the website and follow the instructions. And then shop some funds!
It sounds like you might owe taxes so between the roths and taxes, there may not be a lot left over for debt repayment. If I were you, I'd put anything left over aside until after tax day and after you've gotten comfortable with the roth investment to see what if anything can go to debt. It would suck to find out you owe a big amount and then had to take out more debt.
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Dec 28, 2014 16:50:23 GMT -5
Yes, for the exact reason Phil articulated in an earlier post. Your $22,000 to roths will be worth way more than paying off the $25K in debt immediately. The $25K in debt should get paid off, but not before funding the roths. Phil button computes...a lump sum investment of $22,000.00 bearing an annual return of 11% could grow to $503,630.52 in 30 years! Imagine what it would be if you're adding $12K to it every year. ETA, you don't have to imagine, just hit the phil button... According to my Phil Script, a yearly investment of $12,000.00 bearing an annual return of 11% could grow to $2,650,958.09 in 30 years! Ok, so a better plan for 2015 is to spend the first quarter funneling as much a s possible into a 2014 Roth for myself and one for DH, then spend the rest of the year putting approximately $1200/month into a 2015 roth for each of us, and use the remaining $800 a month for those 9 months to pay off debt? Yes, but if something has got to give, make it the debt repayment. If you find yourself getting stressed and anxious again, you'll end up taking 2 steps forward and 4 steps back. So, don't be overly ambitious with the debt repayment. Just try to cut back your expenses and spending without it hurting your quality of life. You got this!
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Dec 28, 2014 16:38:06 GMT -5
The only place to cut would be the debt repayment, so should I be less agrees I've on the repayment? I could drop it to $1500 a month repayment and free up another $6000,to be used for vacation, party, and entertainment. ![](http://syonidv.hodginsmedia.com/vsmileys/headbang.gif) sigh, I'm so excited at your opportunities to build wealth and still have a good life, but then after 16 pages you post this. ![](http://images.proboards.com/new/sad.png)
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Dec 28, 2014 16:33:17 GMT -5
I agree that paying off debt, opening Roths for 2014 and 2015 for both of you $5500 each x 2 = $22,000 and cutting your spending habits is really ambitious. If it were me, I'd prioritize the roths and reducing spending. Any overtime should go to funding your roths, not vacations. Create a budget to accommodate affordable vacations within your non-overtime income. The Roths can be your emergency fund if you find yourself in a crisis. See how that goes through 2015 and then tackle the debt in 2016. Good luck! You are young and taking the steps now will make a world of difference! Wait another year to tackle debt? I was more planning to just do $6000 in retirement vehicles and put a ton towards debt. When the debt is paid off I can be more aggressive with retirement Yes, for the exact reason Phil articulated in an earlier post. Your $22,000 to roths will be worth way more than paying off the $25K in debt immediately. The $25K in debt should get paid off, but not before funding the roths. Phil button computes...a lump sum investment of $22,000.00 bearing an annual return of 11% could grow to $503,630.52 in 30 years! Imagine what it would be if you're adding $12K to it every year. ETA, you don't have to imagine, just hit the phil button... According to my Phil Script, a yearly investment of $12,000.00 bearing an annual return of 11% could grow to $2,650,958.09 in 30 years!
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Dec 28, 2014 16:09:47 GMT -5
I agree that paying off debt, opening Roths for 2014 and 2015 for both of you $5500 each x 2 = $22,000 and cutting your spending habits is really ambitious.
If it were me, I'd prioritize the roths and reducing spending. Any overtime should go to funding your roths, not vacations. Create a budget to accommodate affordable vacations within your non-overtime income. The Roths can be your emergency fund if you find yourself in a crisis. See how that goes through 2015 and then tackle the debt in 2016.
Good luck! You are young and taking the steps now will make a world of difference!
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Dec 27, 2014 22:53:42 GMT -5
When it comes to buying "used" toddler shoes, they aren't really used at all. They are resells from someone whose kid grew out of them too fast or were gifted in the wrong size or somebody who had 13 pairs of shoes so never wore one particular pair, etc.
I buy pretty much everything second-hand and stuff is rarely "used" at all. It just doesn't always have the tags or original packaging. But, then I buy off local facebook swaps, not Goodwill. And, I don't have time for yardsales. $5 is the max I'll pay for an outfit or pair of shoes. Somebody wanted $6 once and I said I was interested and would take all her outfits for $5 each. I had no idea I was low-balling her, she wrote back her price was firm and I said, okay thanks anyway. And then she wrote back she would do it because she didn't want to lose the deal over $1. When I got home, I took a closer look at the tags and they were over $100 each. I still didn't believe it and looked up the brand, totally legit.
I don't have time to do this kind of bargain shopping a lot either. So, I just buy up a whole season or two a couple of times a year from somebody (probably like this poster) who pays attention to detail and puts cute outfits together- complete with hair bows/matching socks and keeps them in perfect condition.
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Dec 27, 2014 16:21:33 GMT -5
The mommies in our neighborhood went silly a few years ago - had a guy with ponies for one baby, one rented a rubber-room, one rented a bowling alley, a city park with a train, one rented a pizza place, the baby was about 6 months crawling around looking confused. I'm guessing that most of those b parties cost north of $1000. I think the mommies finally embarrassed themselves with the waste of time/money. Hey now, I rented a pony and petting zoo for my daughter's 3rd birthday this past October. We had 30 guests. I spent $100 on pizza and cupcakes and $150 on the petting zoo. Total expense for the party was $250. I easily spent that on kegs and food for my parties before kids. Trust me, you can do this stuff without spending a fortune. ![](http://images.proboards.com/new/wink.png)
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Dec 27, 2014 13:20:42 GMT -5
I am so glad I have a son. One pair of shoes that he wears nearly daily, and one pair of boots. We got away with one pair of boots for over a year (he's 3 1/2) because I bought them a size up and he had thicker socks for days when he needed them. He also is expected to take care of his things. All shoes and clothes that he's outgrown have been saved for future siblings. I have a 3 1/2 year old girl. She gets one pair of boots, one pair of sneakers, one pair of dress shoes and one pair of sandals per year. She had no shoes before she was 1.5 years old. I also buy a size up. If her shoe size grew faster, of course I'd buy her replacements, but so far it hasn't been an issue. She is as happy and as adorable as any other little girl. Over indulging is not a girl toddler problem, it's a mom problem.
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Dec 26, 2014 16:20:37 GMT -5
Workaholics? She works 2-3 days a week with 4-5 days off every week. That's my dream job. I'll grant the husband's full-time job, plus grad school, plus volunteering to be a bit much- but that sounds temporary.
|
|
gooddecisions
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 13:42:28 GMT -5
Posts: 2,418
|
Post by gooddecisions on Dec 26, 2014 15:25:47 GMT -5
I said I am willing to compromise and give up Chicago for $3000 if need be That, plus the $1000 lunch savings, plus cutting way back on the shopping, should be more than enough to allow the September disney trip. You would have a point if you were successfully living within your means while saving for retirement.
|
|