u/Dull_Alarm6464

I’m wondering if the most common supermarket toothpastes and toothbrushes are safe or optimal to use, given their cheap prices and effectiveness. I prefer non-electronic toothbrushes, even though most dentists recommend them. Regarding toothpaste, I’ve met multiple people that bother to make their own toothpaste (coconut oil+baking soda+calcium powder+hydrogen peroxide+essential oils) and a few people that strictly use non-plastic toothbrushes. Are they right to do so?

This is somewhat normalized, or common. Wondering how it happens. I’m sure those people aren’t evil. Just hard to wrap my mind around it. I’m usually indifferent towards another person’s mood. Perhaps not towards my wife’s, usually.

I feel like I’m overestimating the difficulty of the first exam. Can anyone who had a nearly perfect gpa in their finance+economics undergraduate say i’m wrong so i don’t overestimate myself?

Would appreciate any experiences or insights.

Currently stuck between becoming an actuary and FRM certified. I have 2 YOE as an insurance financial analyst. The actuarial cert would take me about the same amount of time, costs about the same and is only recognized in my country (Balkans). FRM seems more fun to me, but don’t know how many doors it opens abroad (EU, UK).

Both cost about the same amount. I generally like econometrics, risk and work in insurance 2 YOE as a financial analyst. I’ve also published 2 econometric papers as an undergrad and do a lot of risk-related reporting and calculations in my daily work.

At first, I wanted to do a Master’s in the EU, since it was feasible, but it seems like it’s financially more responsible to certify and develop professionally locally.

I’m also wondering if anyone knows if GARP would accept my work experience for certification.

I have worked at this company as an FP&A for nearly 2 years and they hired me just before graduating in finance. I make the average salary and have received bonuses for 2025 amounting to ~2.5 salaries (1.5 due to the company’s profitability and 1 due to my own contributions).

I keep getting offers and they start to offer juicy salaries and much better benefits. Plus I’m kind of bored of how slow this job is moving (I spend many days warming my seat and talking about unrelated topics with my colleagues) and most of my colleagues are much older and not very tech savvy. Company also has questionable retention strategies (mandatory teambuildings which you have to cover yourself if you ever leave). I also can’t shake the ever-increasing feeling of stagnation in my skill/knowledge level. I try to make up with courses and certifications, but it doesn’t help much.

I still feel a bit guilty, but most people tell me i’m doing the right thing for my career.

How are the work ethics in Northern Italy?

How easily can you fit in as a (South) Slav?

How much would you realistically need to make to live there as a couple (I would even buy real estate in the outskirts of a North Italian city)?

I wouldn’t like a work-yourself-to-death culture, but also dislike the lazy coffee culture that’s prevalent where I live. People talk and complain about work all the time, reading and studying is looked down upon, and rarely is anyone interested in improving themselves professionally/academically. There are many positive aspects to living in my culture- I just don’t fit in it. I’ve lived in central Europe and found it much easier to navigate there socially, academically and professionally.

I’m targeting Italy because I could get high-rated, cheap study opportunities later (ex. quant/econometric finance Master’s in Bologna/Milan) if I’m already making money and living in Italy. I prefer this to moving with my spouse there on a student visa right away.