u/jumping-llama

Ate at my favorite Indian restaurant in Bellevue, the server showed me the tablet for payment and literally said the words "20%".

I'm wondering if this is coming from the restaurant management or that particular server? If there's tip pressure on servers I can imagine maybe the owner is keeping a cut. Alternatively the server was being obnoxious with the pressure to increase their own earnings.

I'm inclined to not go there anymore but the food is amazing. Anyone else have a similar experience? It's a sit-down, not very fancy but not ultra casual either.

It was NOT Banaras but another restaurant with similar pricing/sit down aesthetic.

I tried a lot of tables at REI and they are all too short.

Even picnic tables at campgrounds are too low for me to comfortably chop and prep and cook food.

I could use a riser but it seems risky to place my dual burner on it and it would be more bulk anyway.

Are there any camping tables yall recommend for tall folks that are more of a standard counter height? Like 34 inches+? Most adjustable leg tables top out lower.

People out here saying $700 / sqft is insane for Kirkland but the houses I have liked so far are about that price (best schools, elementary and middle). I keep second guessing myself because of comments in this group.

I have some fear of overpaying of course but clearly folks here know a lot more than me.

Say we like a house, can afford the price, then comps show it's $100-200k overpriced. But we like it, should we still go for it or offer low/lose out because we are trying to get the best/most fair price?

I feel there are too many intangibles that contribute to the offer or not offer decision.

We are shooting for $1.5M-$1.8M.

I'm going to travel from the US to Europe and economy round trip in Sept/Oct on Delta is 85,000 points compared to Virgin Atlantic at $60,000. Virgin Atlantic taxes are about $80 more ($200 vs $120). I know it's not amazing but cash prices at the moment are $1200.

What are the risks on booking this on Virgin Atlantic? Points being stuck there? Points transfer not being instant?

If there's a flight cancellation or change, does it matter whether I booked with points? Because very few reward seats are available on Virgin for Delta flights.

I will be transferring from Amex. Thanks!

Edit: thank you everyone for the encouraging comments. I really appreciate it 🙏 I know I'm doing well and I will try to not be hard on myself.

41M married with kids in VHCOL. After graduating in 2013 I built up my career as an IC in tech (capped out at level 6 SWE and no longer ambitious to grow).

I built up my wealth in the boring way. Mainly growing public tech companies, went through one very mediocre IPO and invested in VOO/VTI and used robo advisors for a few years.

I made many many mistakes, bought condo that has depreciated, holding post IPO stock too long until it crashed to 1/4th, leaving a company that was growing (stock has tripled since), choosing a smaller company.

I feel bad because I reached $2.5M DESPITE these and many other missteps. I stress over how I could have easily been at $5M+ if I wasn't this dumb.

My only plan now is to cruise as IC6 and collect paychecks until I get laid off or company folds. (Stock is less than half from when I joined so my comp is already depressed). I keep thinking I should join a high growth company like openai, anthropic or any of the gazillion AI startups or series c/d but I am feeling very averse to the grind and worried about burnout.

Anyone in a similar situation and have any advice?

I can't see anything wrong with this house for the price

What's going on with this magnolia house? 3 garage spots are wild. https://redf.in/ScAWdy

Just realised its possible to create an awning using the front rainfly rectangular section of the Marmot limestone 6P? Any tips on how to do this? I always wondered why both sides of the zipper have grommets. the Manual did not have instructions for this.

And then be surprised it changes every few months?

My mortgage is fixed and I pay insurance and property tax myself on the side.

Any advantage to looping it into a single escrow payment that I'm missing?

We are preparing to hire a buyers agent and searching in $1.5M budget. Most agents I talked to are asking for 2.5%.

What leverage would I even have to negotiate a credit or lower commission?

Hello, we are trying to pick an agent and we are down to two options after a few interviews.

They're both great but only one of them has children and since we have a toddler, I was wondering if there's a big advantage of going with the agent that has children if they can see things from a parents perspective - layout, yard, topography etc.