u/PumduMe

Hi San Mateo neighbors, where do you usually buy groceries around here?

I’m looking for recommendations.

Ideally places with good produce, reasonable prices or hidden local favorites.

Would love to hear what stores you like and what each one is best for.

I’m looking for constructive input on how to rebalance from a more tech/growth-heavy portfolio into something broader and more rules-based.

I realize the allocation below is still aggressive and not a classic Bogleheads three-fund portfolio. That is partly why I’m posting here. I respect the Bogleheads emphasis on diversification, simplicity, costs, taxes, and staying the course, and I’m hoping to get feedback before making changes.

Context:

I’m mid-career and roughly 10 years away from a possible retirement / semi-retirement goal. This would apply across both brokerage and retirement accounts, though I understand taxable vs retirement account placement may matter. I’m trying to think in terms of long-term allocation rather than short-term trading.

I currently have meaningful exposure to QQQM / growth-oriented holdings and am considering gradually moving toward something like this:

VOO / SPLG: 50%
VGT / XLK: 20%
SPMO: 20%
XSD: 5%
Cash / stable value: 5%

The rough thinking:

• VOO / SPLG gives me the broad S&P 500 core.
• VGT / XLK gives me an intentional tech overweight, though I realize VOO already has a lot of tech exposure.
• SPMO adds a momentum factor tilt, so I’m not only betting on one sector but still leaning into market leadership.
• XSD is a small semiconductor satellite position. I know it can be volatile, so I’m keeping it small.
• Cash / stable value is mostly for optionality, rebalancing, and psychological comfort.

Mostly trying to think through the tradeoffs before making changes, especially overlap, concentration risk, and whether this is simpler/broader in practice or just a different version of the same tech-heavy exposure.

I’m looking for input on how to rebalance from a more tech/growth-heavy portfolio into something broader and more rules-based.

Context: I’m mid-career and roughly 10 years away from a possible retirement / semi-retirement goal. This would apply across both brokerage and retirement accounts, though I understand taxable vs retirement account placement may matter. I’m trying to think in terms of long-term allocation rather than short-term trading.

I currently have meaningful exposure to QQQM / growth-oriented holdings and am considering gradually moving toward something like:

VOO / SPLG: 50%
VGT / XLK: 20%
SPMO: 20%
XSD: 5%
Cash / stable value: 5%

The rough thinking:

• VOO / SPLG gives me the broad S&P 500 core.
• VGT / XLK gives me an intentional tech overweight, though I realize VOO already has a lot of tech exposure.
• SPMO adds a momentum factor tilt, so I’m not only betting on one sector but still leaning into market leadership.
• XSD is a small semiconductor satellite position. I know it can be volatile, so I’m keeping it small.
• Cash / stable value is mostly for optionality, rebalancing, and psychological comfort.

Mostly trying to think through the tradeoffs before making changes, especially overlap, concentration risk, and whether this is simpler/broader in practice or just a different version of the same tech-heavy exposure.

Curious if anyone here is using an open-source alternative to Granola for meeting notes/transcription?

I’m especially interested in tools that can capture local/system audio without needing a bot to join the meeting. I’ve come across Meetily and Anarlog, but would love to hear if anyone has tried those or has other recommendations.

Hi everyone ... I’m looking for some local advice and perspective.

For those familiar with residential areas in San Mateo, near downtown/ Shoreline parks, how do you feel about overall safety and security there?

Have you noticed any incidents in the area over the last few months or years?

Would appreciate any honest experiences, advice, or suggestions on what to watch out for and how people generally stay safe around there.

Thanks in advance.

Looking for recommendations for top-down/bottom-up cellular shades for a single-family home.

I like the privacy and flexibility, but I’m trying to find options with minimal visible cords/strings. I have already searched Google / Youtube. I checked out Veneta ClearFit at Home Depot and looked into Norman SmartFit as well ... both seem to avoid cords in the middle, but they use side guide cords that are visible all the time. I’m now wondering whether a more regular cordless TDBU shade might actually look cleaner, since the strings may only show when the top is lowered.

Has anyone compared these options in real life? How did you decide between “no middle cords but visible side strings” vs. regular TDBU shades with occasional visible cords? Also open to brand/installer recommendations: Bali, Levolor, Graber, Hunter Douglas, Veneta, Norman, etc.

Any recommendations on where to try / buy ?

Has anyone recently renewed their Indian passport from the US and dealt with the “Indian address / last known Indian address” requirement?

My previous passport has my old Indian home address, but no one currently lives there. The application instructions say to use a relative’s Indian home address if no one is staying at your own address, but the document checklist also asks for a self-attested copy/proof of the last known Indian address.

For those in a similar situation, what did you submit? Did you use the old passport address, a relative’s address, or include any explanation/affidavit? Trying to avoid delays or rejection. Thanks!

Has anyone recently renewed their Indian passport from the US and dealt with the “Indian address / last known Indian address” requirement?

My previous passport has my old Indian home address, but no one currently lives there. The application instructions say to use a relative’s Indian home address if no one is staying at your own address, but the document checklist also asks for a self-attested copy/proof of the last known Indian address.

For those in a similar situation, what did you submit? Did you use the old passport address, a relative’s address, or include any explanation/affidavit? Trying to avoid delays or rejection. Thanks!

Has anyone renewed their Indian passport recently through the government website + VFS?

I submitted my renewal form but realized afterward that I missed entering my ZIP code and country. Is there a way to edit the submitted form, or do I need to create a new one?

Also, I’ve already paid the VFS fees. If I need to start over, is there any way to get a refund or transfer the payment?

Would really appreciate advice from anyone who has dealt with this. Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I’m helping a friend renew his Indian passport here in the US. His passport expires literally tomorrow, so we are rushing to get his Tatkaal application sent off to the VFS Global center in USA.

We have all the paperwork, notarizations, and fees sorted out, but we are completely stuck on one detail that seems to have conflicting information online: the passport photo size.

Here is the confusion:

• The Indian Government Portal / Printed Form: Mentions the standard Indian passport photo size of 45mm x 35mm.
• The VFS Global Document Checklist: States that we need US-style 2x2 inch (51mm x 51mm) photos.

Given how notoriously strict VFS is about rejecting applications for minor discrepancies, we are terrified of sending the wrong size and getting the application returned, especially since he's applying at the last minute.

For anyone who has recently renewed their Indian passport through the VFS San Francisco center:

1. Which photo size did you actually send?
2. Did you just get standard 2x2 passport photos taken at a place like Walgreens/CVS, or did you have to custom-cut them to 45x35mm?

Any recent experiences or advice would be hugely appreciated to help us get this shipped out correctly today! Thanks in advance!

TL;DR: Renewing Indian passport via VFS in SF. Government form says 45x35mm, VFS checklist says 2x2 inches. Which one does VFS actually accept without rejecting the application?