Disqus - Latest Comments for Red/Brian

Re: Letter to California

Red/Brian — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 00:51:44 -0000

I'm 100% with you on the housing.

All I hear is "housing market collapsing" and "prices plummeting", but we still can't afford even a starter home or a condo on two tech salaries.

Call me when a condo is in the $200K range.

Re: Treat

Red/Brian — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 23:45:11 -0000

I definitely am with you on this one.

I make significantly more than my theatre major sister and I've gotten used to spoiling her. But with my new budget, there just isn't room for that kind of generosity so often.

I just bought tickets to a show for us, and I'd like to pay for her, but that would mean I'd have to cut it really, really tight for the next week. She offered to pay me back and I might have to take her up on it this time.

Re: Gas, oh, gas

Red/Brian — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 02:35:35 -0000

Last summer until late November I biked the 10 miles to work and back, and up till that point I was out of shape and obese. Not only did I get a ton of exercise and feel great, but I looooved only having to pay for gas ~once a month.

Then it got cold and I became a wuss. It's warming up now, and these rising gas prices are convincing me to get back on two wheels.

I know for some people it's just not a possibility for reasons of no proper facilities at work, but is biking something you've considered?

Re: Our budgets, ourselves

Red/Brian — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 00:14:43 -0000

Re:SJean

Yeah, the privacy thing is a tough one, the trick of putting something into a yearly dollar amount really helps me.

If it's $700/month you're saving, would you rather have a roommate or $8400/year. There probably reaches an income level where it makes sense for each individual, but I'm not sure what it would be for me. $8400 is past halfway to my new car!

Re: Our budgets, ourselves

Red/Brian — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 23:04:27 -0000

Good job not having cable! It's so expensive, i can't imagine paying $600/year+ just to watch tv. Cutting out TV more than pays for your massages.

Also, good job on holding off 5 years to replace your laptop. I admit I'm saving up to replace my desktop that's only 3 years old, but that is partly due to my line of work (and other valid excuses as well).

I don't calculate explicit budgets, but I looked at my last three months of expenses and it averaged out to $2270/month, and I'm also a CA native, I'm guessing we live in comparable areas based off of previous posts. Maybe my short term goal will try and get my monthly spending down to $2000 as well, it's a nice round number. Also, I could use that extra money to put towards a down payment as well as a car.

Re: Xtreme!! Retire at 30?

Red/Brian — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 22:55:42 -0000

It is interesting, until I read that I was perfectly happy to work until 50-60, just because "that's how things are done", but he's got me thinking. I think I'm the type of person who will always be doing some type of work, but it would be nice to to need to.

Re: I just peeked at my accounts…

Red/Brian — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 02:44:47 -0000

Hi FIVE! And something more mature...

That is quite the milestone.