u/Either-String5608

I am interviewing for a job out that way and my current commute would be 1hr 15min (currently driving 58min for current job and have been for 7+ years).

I am sick of having to drive so far just to get to office and I know 1hr 15min isn't sustainable. Although I'll likely have to do it until apartment lease ends in May of 2027.

At any rate I am trying to get an idea of the schools out there performance wise. Is the town safe?

Aidvantage website says that department of education will contact impacted borrowers...but the department of education notices have said that our loan services will contact us.

I really dont think they have the slightest clue

Anyone else hoping they take forever to send out notices? I have zero desire to start paying until absolutely have to. In fact I find it ridiculous that some will be forced back in to payment earlier than others. They should just have everyone pick a plan and have it all go active on 1st of 2027 or something

Just an excitement post. I have been trying to talk my wife into a cruise for an anniversary for years now. I finally got her to agree after showing her the vibes of Celebrity. This will be my 3rd cruise with my other 2 being in grade school on Carnival.

The recent sale got us Aqua Class and drink packages for $2,300 total for 4 nights. Key west and Perfect day Coco Cay.

The drink package doesn't include all drinks that is my only gripe. Debating if I should stick with the $12 and under drinks or upgrade to premium when I get the chance.

I would love to hear any feedback people have about how to spend time at Key West, and if anything worth paying for at Coco cay. Also if the packages they offer for anniversaries are worth it or not...

Just an excitement post. I have been trying to talk my wife into a cruise for an anniversary for years now. I finally got her to agree after showing her the vibes of Celebrity. This will be my 3rd cruise with my other 2 being in grade school on Carnival.

The recent sale got us Aqua Class and drink packages for $2,300 total for 4 nights. Key west and Perfect day Coco Cay.

The drink package doesn't include all drinks that is my only gripe. Debating if I should stick with the $12 and under drinks or upgrade to premium when I get the chance.

I would love to hear any feedback people have about how to spend time at Key West, and if anything worth paying for at Coco cay. Also if the packages they offer for anniversaries are worth it or not...

I have $73k of student loan debt. $10k is 8% interest (I am probably going to pay this one off ASAP). So I will have $63k of 5% interest loans after this.

I am 17 years away from Old IBR forgiveness. I am trying to determine if after I take my employer 401k match (6% invested for a 3.5% match), if I should do the usual Roth IRA advice people give....Or if I should bypass the Roth IRA and do what I can to maximize pre-tax 401k contributions.

The 401k will lower the amount I owe on Old IBR plan and I don't plan on retiring until 60 anyways. So the age requirement of the 401k isn't a problem.

Long term math is when the forgiveness hits I will have about a $16k tax bomb which I will have ready to pay for in a HYSA. And with a 2% increase to my 401k every year till I hit 20% contribution will leave me nearly $3.5 million or more in a 401k at age 60.

Anyone on here live in any of the new townhome communities going up? I saw one in Mebane listing for $280k.

My family is tired of neighbors above us in apartments (don't mind neighbors on other side of walls). We are considering taking advantage of the $15k NC 1st time home buyer assistance and buying a townhome early next year.

My only hesitation is how the actual communities feel. It looks like they are quickly being bought up and turned into rentals rather than owners staying in the units.

I am 33M and just finally got to a point that I have enough margin in budget to be able to save a little while taking full advantage of employer match of 401k.

In a few months I will have only two types of debt:

Student loans - 70k at 5%

Car loan - 31k at 4% (4 years left)

For the student loans I will be doing the RAP IBR plan and I have about 22 years left until forgiveness + tax bomb (Will be age 55).

Anyways I have considered buying a townhome next year because the mortgage would only be $150 or so more. But I am also hesitating because I don't know if the equity generated by staying in the home for 5 or so years is worth the lack of flexibility in life. However the down payment would destroy my fully funded emergency fund as well.

My mind is telling me that I am better off either saving the difference in HYSA with other money or adding that to my 401k or opening a roth IRA.

I make 90k currently, and by my calculations, my 401k will be at minimum $4 million when I retire at age 65 (assuming 7% rate of return). I think I am fearful of having a rent payment or mortgage in retirement...but I suppose it doesn't matter if I have the money to cover it...