u/Hodltiltheend

Ill keep this short, i (32m) have a pension, when i retire in 30 years if everything stays how it is i should have a minimum of 15k/month before tax based on my pension amount via the calculation from our benefits dept. it isnt an employer pension, its a union contributed pension thats managed by a 3rd party.

My wife and i have 5k-5500 extra per month after our bills are paid. Were currently paying off debt but will be done with it in January. My question is what do we do with the money after that and after our emergency fund is full. Do we max out 2 roth ira’s and not a 401k? Do we trust the pension will be there and do no roths or 401k’s, do we max 2 roths and at least 1 401k?

Traveling is very important to us, but we also wanna save for a new car and a home. If we just max out the roths, what prcentage of the 5500 should go into brokerage, how much should go into the other 3 categories i mentioned. Or do we just realistically not make enough to do all that?

Any advice is helpful, thank you!

Hello, im having some trouble figuring out what union you guys belong to up there? Currently working in SF , plan on moving back up there. Have some other questions as well.

Whats the pay like? Do employers pay for pension and health insurance? Are contracts building to building or is there something like BOMA? What do yall work on up there? Any special licenses, i have my epa universal, nfpa and high rise fire, thats all we really need down here. Thanks!!

Edit: hows cost of living in comparison to your wage.
Also what are your positions up there, we have utility, journeyman, asst chief and chief

(Original post linked on bottom)
So after some incredible responses and a few extremely rude people, my wife (33)and i (32)sat down to look over our expenses and come up with a plan.

Our budget is 10k/month. I took our smallest paychecks(take home amount) in the last 6 months and based it off of that. Id rather undershoot than overshoot for this. I also recently got a raise, but until i have an average for that im gunna pretend it hasnt happened. Any extra money outside of this budget will be put into a savings.

Our absolute bare minimum base monthly expenses are 3500/month. Thats our required money to live without anything else. I.e. utilities, rent, food, etc. thinking if i lose my job, or get hurt and am unable to work, we can cut out other things if need be.

Our full budget is 4500, this includes things like our gym, my wifes hair, public transportation, bridge toll etc. in that 1k there are some creature comforts, we have cut out around 750-1k worth of other things, whats left are things we agreed to keep in there because they help us feel some sense of normal, and physically and mentally healthy.

In total, our cc debt is 15k. We hadnt really grasped the scope of it until we sat down and looked over everything. We just kinda saw the individual accts and that was that. 2 of them have high interest rates, 1 of them has an ok but not great rate, and 2 of them have 0 interest for 5 more months(balance transfers).

We have about 5k in savings, a bunch of debt and a good attitude so lets get this going! This is our plan to get started and could use some advice. Let me know if i got it, kinda got it, or if i still need some adjustment to it please!

Over the next 4.5 months pay off the cc’s. Use 3500/ month and pay them. The current 5k we have for savings will be turned into our emergency savings and the remaining 2k plus whatever else is left over.

After the cc’s are done we will be putting the entire 5.5k i to the emergency fund until we get to the 20k goal.

After that im not sure what to do. For retirement i have a pension. My employer contributes 2k/month and my pension amount is dependent on how much is contributed. If 2k is consistently contributed over 30 years(27-57) ill be getting (720,000x2.25%) 16200/month if i start pulling at 65. Theres also an annuity, employer contributed, 750/month over 30 years is 270k, this doesnt include whatever interest is made over the 30 years. With the annuity and whatever money i have, when i retire i can inject money into my pension. For every 50k i put in its another 375/month until i die. I will add that th pension contribution is the same with any location i work at that is contracted to my union. So regardless of where i go, its the same.

I never really though about my future but i guess im just kind of banking on that pension amount. When i first posted i was told not to just bank on that so what do i do. I wanted to hire a financial advisor, a few people said not to, but i almost feel like i need to since im so far behind and not well educated on the subject until im more educated on it and can take over it myself. Whats hard as well is wanting to travel, save for a house, save for a new car, save for any household repairs, or furniture replacements, all while still trying to prepare to try and retire early. I guess the big question i have is how much money do i need to put away each month to catch up to what i wouldve had if i started sooner. Then i can figure out the wants.

Ill also add that there is some inheritance for me when the time comes. I generally dont count this because, well you never know, but theres about 500k-600k in stocks, savings and life insurance as well as 3 properties that will come to me one day.

Link to original: https://www.reddit.com/r/Fire/s/dylNSRFTmv

Currently i make $73/hr, garunteed 40 hrs a week qnd 2.5x/ hr on holidays which i normally work all holidays. I dont really know where my money goes so im going to start keeping track of all my spending. I have a few grand in savings but thats all. My wife makes 30/hr on average but only works 26 hrs a week. Her wage does fluctuate from time to time because she makes commission.

Her money goes towards taking care of animals, car insurance and phone bill, i cover all other expenses. My bills are 1110/ month, rent is 1500/ month, cc payments(i messed up i know) are minimum 220/month but were putting 550 per month to pay them off. I spend around 50/week in gas and 20/week on public transportation, between 30-45 a week parking, i spend around 150 a week on food, we eat out once a month for around $100, but we do like to travel.

For my retirement, im part of a union, i have an annuity and pension, all my healthcare and dental is covered. Talking to my union rep, he mentions that after 25 years in my union as long as wage increases follow current percentage trends i should be getting around 16-18k per month not including whatever my annuity is going to be. Idk if its true or not, but who knows. Could be bs, could true. I dont know the retirement calculation for my union but im sure i can get it. I should mention that my retirement package does not include healthcare.

So what can i do, how do i get started on my journey to retireing early and financial independance? If tou need anymore info lemme know and ill post it.

(Reposting, ised the f bomb my bad)

Currently i make $73/hr, garunteed 40 hrs a week qnd 2.5x/ hr on holidays which i normally work all holidays. I dont really know where my money goes so im going to start keeping track of all my spending. I have a few grand in savings but thats all. My wife makes 30/hr on average but only works 26 hrs a week. Her wage does fluctuate from time to time because she makes commission.

Her money goes towards taking care of animals, car insurance and phone bill, i cover all other expenses. My bills are 1110/ month, rent is 1500/ month, cc payments(i fucked up i know) are minimum 220/month but were putting 550 per month to pay them off. I spend around 50/week in gas and 20/week on public transportation, between 30-45 a week parking, i spend around 150 a week on food, we eat out once a month for around $100, but we do like to travel.

For my retirement, im part of a union, i have an annuity and pension, all my healthcare and dental is covered. Talking to my union rep, he mentions that after 25 years in my union as long as wage increases follow current percentage trends i should be getting around 16-18k per month not including whatever my annuity is going to be. Idk if its true or not, but who knows. Could be bs, could true. I dont know the retirement calculation for my union but im sure i can get it. I should mention that my retirement package does not include healthcare.

So what can i do, how do i get started on my journey to retireing early and financial independance? If tou need anymore info lemme know and ill post it.

Replaced a comp that died on a walkin freezer, as well as the evap. Had everything sized out so im going to assume that isnt the issue since the original evap had 0 information on btuh, model numbers, serial numbers, nothin. But it was all sized to match closely with the new comp as well as the size of the space. Was previously a 404a system. System held at 150 psi nitrogen overnight, Triple evac’d, pulled down to 450, etc.

So heres the problem, got everything going, freezer is down to temp, holding around 6 degrees but the pressures are off. Ambient air temp going into cond is around 115, high side off the comp(large semi hermetic) is 400, line temp is 136. So its right about 1 subcool. Sight glass is about 2/3 full. Took temp readings in 3 diff places and theyre all right +\- 1 degree. Made sure my clamp and thermometer was calibrated to be sure my temps were right. Low side pressure is 20 psi and line temp is 15 degrees. I made sure that everything was clean and free of debris, bulb for txv is in right spot, fans blowing right direction, kind of at a loss right now. I really dont wanna bring the pressure up too much more by adding more refrigerant in, kinda seems like everything pointing to it being low. (Fresh virgin refrigerant in it as well)

Hello, ive recently started to eat better and lose weight and one of the things i noticed was my asthma getting better. Ive had asthma my entire life (33 years) and up until about 6 months ago id have to use my inhaler several times a day. When i changed my diet and began losing weight it started getting better. Im now to the point to where i only have to use it once a week.
I know that certain foods can be triggers, excessive gluten was one of mine, and other health issues, acid reflux which i also have, but Can it go into remission by changing those habits? Ill add that i havent had to take my acid reflux meds in about 2 months so i know that has improved significantly. I also take the highest dose of wixela as a preventative.
I havent been in a situation like this where ive had any type of improvement in YEARS when i stopped having to use a nebulizer around 16. My asthma used to be severe to the point where i would go to the ER to receive treatment as well. Has anybody else experienced this or have any idea why this is happening?

Edit: Information and wording correction

You passed! Fantastic and congrats! I am, however, Sorry to say that getting a call isnt as easy as youre hoping. If youre not in top 40 youre unfortunately not going to get a call most likely. Each cycle is different, but based on history its how it is.

Most of the apprenticeship spaces are filled by utility engineers that have been employed by a building for a year(minimum) AND passed the test regardless of position. Each semester there are between 8-15 placements from the test takers into classes, each cycle is 2 years between tests. Please take in mind that there is no garuntee that a building has to promote you to apprentice from utility either. Some places dont have a need for one and some places would rather hire from the list.

Just because you passed does not mean youll be taking classes, you have to be hired by a location first then youll be enrolled in the next set of classes beginning with Basic Electrical or Welding.

Your placement is reflective of your test score and your sign up number. The sign up number only matters if you tie with somebody. It is possible to get a high placement with a low sign up number. When i took it i signed up on thursday with 5 mins to spare and got 10th on the list. Realistically you just need to make sure and study for the test to try and do the best you can. The training center may still offer refresher courses before the test, im not really sure though, have to check with them in 2 years.

If you have bad interview skills, they will help you with interview skills and updating your resume. They are good people and all about your success.

If you want to go the utility route you need to keep something in mind. There are at least 100 other people fighting for that spot and you need to set yourself apart. Get your NFPA25 and EPA 608 Universal at a minimum. Any other certificate courses(safety courses cough cough) you take with or without the union are a plus. Unfortunately there are people who get brought in through people they know vs skill, and theres nothing we can really do about that.

You can absolutely be hired as a journeyman right off the bat, you can also be promoted from utility to journeyman. You can also become something called AOS(apprentice over scale) where you are required to go to classes but paid and treated as a journeyman. That requires a minimum of 2 years as an apprentice and trust from your chief. It doesnt happen often, it happened to 2 people in my class of 30 when i was an apprentice.

If you have questions feel free to ask, ill answer them best i can. Good luck everyone, sorry for the bad news. Either way passing and getting a number, regardless of what it is impressive.

Sorry if its the wrong flair but i believe it fits?

My wife and i have gone on our weight loss journey with a lot of success, ive lost 30 pounds now and shes lost 20. I havent been this thin since we first got together when we were in our mid 20’s and while we have some ways to go we are so happy with the progress weve made.

That being said i havent gotten considerably larger, but i have gotten larger, and its been causing her some issues.(she has an apt to see her dr to make sure that theres nothing Medically wrong, that was the first thing she did when this began happening.) her booty has also gotten a bit smaller so im assuming that this may be a depth problem. When weve had sex recently weve had to be careful and not be too hard or rough because when we have it causes her really bad cramps and pain with what she describes as a painful pressure. I dont think im hitting her cervix like i would when we first got together, but maybe because i go in deeper now her body isnt used to it and thats causing it? Idk, this is a bit awkward to talk about and im really trying to not come off as insincere about this all but i feel like it is. The last thing i want to do is cause her pain or hurt her. Intimacy is important to both of us and its not a good feeling to know thats hurting her.

Aside from a medical issue causing this, is this something anybody else has experienced? Is there something i can do to help her or not hurt her? Is there something i can get to not go as far? Again, sorry if it seems like im being in genuine , were just not sure what to do and could use some advice

In total im down around 50 lbs. went from 270 to 230, then up to 250 and now down to 220. Im about 20lbs to my minimum goal weight and im struggling more now than i was when i started and its shown me that im not as strong as i thought i was mentally. Ive 100% made progress on healing my relationship with food, and ive come to terms that i need to stay away from my trigger foods entirely for now, but i feel like im just developing more trigger foods that i just cant say no to and its the most horrible feeling. These past few weeks have been so stressful and schedule changed to where im doing an off-shift now and it messed up my dynamic.(should also note that i work in a place that serves its employees free serve yourself buffet style lunch and salad bar. Has 2 protein, 1 starch, 1 veggie and steamed rice for hot food and the salad bar is a full salad bar)

Before this new schedule id have a small potato, 2 eggs and maybe a sausage link for breakfast, then lunch would be greens, veggies and rice with a small amount of protein and dinner would be a large salad, sweet potatoes, and usually some legumes and small amount of meat. Id stay between 1800-2000 cal per day and it was easy. I made a ton or progress and was very happy with how things were going. I think part of ehat was keepi g me in check was being able to eat with my wife, being busier in the day time at work, and there being a lot of people in the cafeteria at all times and being scared of the shame/embarrassment of binge eating. Now we come to the past few weeks where in on swing shift. 3pm-11:30pm

I struggle constantly at work now. My entire time there im thinking of the food. Its just a CONSTANT screaming voice to consume. My willpower to say no to it is almost non existent and i feel so powerless to it. Yesterday i went back 6 times during my shift. I feel so much shame for that and each time i felt myself getting smaller and smaller like i was retreating into myself. Ive tried bringing my own food, ive tried eating only veggies and steamed rice so i can eat more, ive tried avoiding it entirely, ive tried bring snacks, ive tried eating before i go in, ive tried fasting through my shift. Sometimes it helps, most times it doesnt. Its not about being full, enjoying the food or eating either, its more so just about consuming to consume, to feel that feeling of being extra full and to quiet that voice in my head that wont stop telling me about the food thats out there for me to eat. No matter how good or bad it is.

Im not giving up, right now is just part of the journey and i need to figure out how to get through this. I know not everything is going to be the perfect scenario catered to me and my eating disorder, so i need to press myself to make it through this but its so hard. And i still have 3 more months on this shift. 3 more months of trying to get this under control before i lose all of my progress ive worked so hard for. I wish my wife could just come to work with me, i feel so much stronger when shes around. Unfortunately i just feel too much shame to talk to her about it even though i know i should.

Im 6 ft, 200 lb, have a rectangle shape torso and thin. I have a bulkier build, and i have a similar body shape as jason mamoa, not muscles and what not but just the shape itself of his torso. (It felt super cringe to type that, i promise im not comparing myself to him lmao, just someone whose recognizable)

I could use some suggestions on where to look at for fashion ideas, i like some of the alt styles i see, but i dont want it to look like im still in high school. Something more adult and casual but still having the vibe itself. I also like some of the utility/workwear styles i see, but i dont really know where to look.

I really just need a jumping off point and im kinda lost on where to look. Any suggestions?

We have a 82 trane sidewinder chiller at my site, with a “Low Differential Oil Pressure” alarm that triggers a shut down. Whenever we have a tech come out to try and diagnose it, theres nothing wrong, it runs fine, or theres no information they can gather that shows its too far off from where it should be. Then it mysteriously works totally fine for a few months like nothing happened. Tech yesterday noticed that the pressure was all over the place, jumping from 14psig to 19psig. Normally it runs around 21 psig.

Ran it for a while and it eventually shut down again, started it back up after a few hours and it was fine until about 10 hours. Now last night when i was looking at the graphs it looks like it does well until it reached around chilled water setpoint((52f)doesnt hit it though), jumps up about 10 degrees, then drops 5 very quickly then shuts down. I did notice yesterday that it sounded like rushing air was flowing through the oil lines that run to the filter, filter was recently replaced, and it was vibrating pretty aggressively. Oil temp was above 120, oil heater was functioning fine, there is oil in it, but were just not sure whats happening. Any ideas or information i can share?
(Large water loop, dont know the size but its for 36 flr building with 700 fcu’s, cooling tower set to 68, chiller setpoint set to 52, chiller is 450 ton)

My wife and i (32m) have recently gone on a weight loss and health journey and have been regularly going to the gym now for a few months on top of dieting in a calorie deficit.(500/day cal deficit)I usually go to the bike first and do that for 45 (started at 30) mins at a specific rpm range to keep my heart rate between 100-115 because around 120 i start getting pvc’s. I started taking a liquid IV before i worked out to keep my electrolytes up hoping that would help, which at first i thought it did but past 2 days i feel like its gotten worse. Thoughout the day 2 days ago i noticed a little more pvc’s than usual during the day which i dont really get, same with yesterday, still went to the gym yesterday and had to stop the bike early because i was getting them every 30 secs if i even tried to push myself. Today ive felt a few, but i feel like im a little short of breath which i feel is something that happens with pvc’s.

I do have a history of Paroxysmal AFib, ive had 2 large incedents where i need the dfib to correct, but those 2 incedents were 3 years apart from each other. The other times ive had afib they correct by themselves. Its really frusterating already having to feel like i need to limit myself when im trying to get healthy and more fit, but as of yesterday im almost nervous to hop on the bike again because of how frequent the pvc’s were. I have a drs apt next week, but previously ive just been told “its normal, a lot of people gets it, its only serious if its every other beat so come back itlf it gets to that point”. Any suggestions of what i can do to help or things i should mention/ask from my Dr.?

What are some calorie mindful sides? My wife and i are losing weight in a calorie deficit and in need of some good side dishes to go with things. Any suggestions?

32m, 6ft, losing weight in calorie deficit, down from 250-229 as of now. Have asthma and afib

I go to the gym 3 days a week (wed, fri, sat), sometimes more, but the 3 days i dont skip are the other ones. I usually do bike for 45 mins on random, i keep the rpms around 75 on a tough resistance for myself, ive gone up a few times now on the level, from 10-12 and now at 15. I keep my hr above 100 but below 120 since i start getting strong heart palpitations around the 120-125 range because of my afib. After that i usually just do arms. Do the bicep curl machine, the preacher curl machine, the tricep push down machine and the shoulder press(i think) machine. Im not crazy concerned with my legs, i already have large thighs and calfs, but i do want more functional upper body muscle since i do have a more labor oriented job. I have noticed that my arms have been a little more defined and that ive been able to see more veins in my arms and shoulders, but im fairly sure thats because im losing fat and not because my arms are getting any bigger.

I also want to work on my cardio endurance, as it seems like it hasnt been improving much. I still get kinda winded going up stairs at my job. I used to run in my late teens/early 20’s, was able to run around 12+ miles at one point in time. Im not looking to break any records, but id like to eventually run a marathon, even if it takes me all day. I also want to be able to feel comfortable hiking and exploring when my wife and i travel to places that are very hiking oriented.

Any suggestions on what my workout routine should be?