DECISIONS
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Joined: Feb 2003
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From: The (S)Low Country
In my list of Toughest Decisions I listed "Finding comfortable chairs that meet our requirements."
Today was a good example. We have an Ethan Allen recliner that will be 30 years old in a few months. It was a grand back in 1986 but its held up grand as well. We want to replace it, as it gets used every day by either my wife or son. We drove to the Ethan Allen store in Lansing today. Sat in $3k leather recliners that we didn't like as well as a $1.5k recliner we found in Indiana but the one in Indiana came with an ottoman rather than a foot kickoff. That style will not work for us.
If I thought someone could re-do what we have, springs and all I go that route. Searching Goggle turned up nothing for our area. I doubt if Angies List would be any better in a 50 mile range - does anyone have experience with using it?
Today was a good example. We have an Ethan Allen recliner that will be 30 years old in a few months. It was a grand back in 1986 but its held up grand as well. We want to replace it, as it gets used every day by either my wife or son. We drove to the Ethan Allen store in Lansing today. Sat in $3k leather recliners that we didn't like as well as a $1.5k recliner we found in Indiana but the one in Indiana came with an ottoman rather than a foot kickoff. That style will not work for us.
If I thought someone could re-do what we have, springs and all I go that route. Searching Goggle turned up nothing for our area. I doubt if Angies List would be any better in a 50 mile range - does anyone have experience with using it?
In some areas I think it is a very valuable tool. Here, not so much. Patty has had good results I believe.
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 23,403
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From: Kuna Idaho
Punched my Cayman S into the side of a mountain during the hill climb. Porsche made me pay them for the entire car since insurance wouldn't cover it since it was a race ($26,000 repair bill). I needed $36,000 in a month to pay the car off or we were gong to court. Borrowed on my retirement and this March it is finally paid off. Oh yeah, I sold the car "as is" back in 2011 for $9,000 so I have been paying on a car that I won't have in the end.
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Joined: Feb 2003
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From: The (S)Low Country
Originally Posted by dlq04' timestamp='1444008720' post='23766174
[quote name='gomarlins3' timestamp='1443996550' post='23766046']
Worst- Not lifting on turn six at Bogus Basin 5 years ago. Still paying for that one, literally.
Worst- Not lifting on turn six at Bogus Basin 5 years ago. Still paying for that one, literally.
[/quote]
OMG! Sorry to hear that. I feel for you.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 46,065
Likes: 8,522
From: Mish-she-gan
Originally Posted by dlq04' timestamp='1444008720' post='23766174
[quote name='gomarlins3' timestamp='1443996550' post='23766046']
Worst- Not lifting on turn six at Bogus Basin 5 years ago. Still paying for that one, literally.
Worst- Not lifting on turn six at Bogus Basin 5 years ago. Still paying for that one, literally.
[/quote]
OMG, that definitely qualifys as a worst decision.
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 100
Really like this thread and hope it continues much further.
I am only 31 but love hearing these sorts of insights from wiser people than me. FWIW, here is mine to this point in life:
BEST
Married my wife (exactly one month ago)
Saving/investing over the years, can credit my parents for starting me on that habit
Traveling a good amount
Working out (health + confidence)
Buying my Integra, which served me well through racing, snow, and life for 13 years
Buying my E39 M5 at the confluence of 2009 recession and $5 gas
WORST
Certain stock market decisions - still haven't learned my lesson
Staying with an ex-g/f too long - very nearly missed my wife
Working too much during college - fun jobs, but missed out on a lot for little $$
TOUGHEST
Selling my E39 M5 two months ago - adored that car for 6.5 years, but got a great deal from a friend (much more than I paid) and was time to move on
Switching careers (slightly) post-MBA - still don't know if it was right
Deciding not to buy a house in California last year (has only gone up, and now priced out of anything desirable)
EASIEST
Dating/moving for/marrying my wife. Didn't even have to think about any of it. Once I could only dream of a date with her, now I get to start and end each day with her.
Buying a condo in Seattle with my parents - even though the timing wasn't great (2006), it was a perfect location and has paid off
I am only 31 but love hearing these sorts of insights from wiser people than me. FWIW, here is mine to this point in life:
BEST
Married my wife (exactly one month ago)
Saving/investing over the years, can credit my parents for starting me on that habit
Traveling a good amount
Working out (health + confidence)
Buying my Integra, which served me well through racing, snow, and life for 13 years
Buying my E39 M5 at the confluence of 2009 recession and $5 gas
WORST
Certain stock market decisions - still haven't learned my lesson
Staying with an ex-g/f too long - very nearly missed my wife
Working too much during college - fun jobs, but missed out on a lot for little $$
TOUGHEST
Selling my E39 M5 two months ago - adored that car for 6.5 years, but got a great deal from a friend (much more than I paid) and was time to move on
Switching careers (slightly) post-MBA - still don't know if it was right
Deciding not to buy a house in California last year (has only gone up, and now priced out of anything desirable)
EASIEST
Dating/moving for/marrying my wife. Didn't even have to think about any of it. Once I could only dream of a date with her, now I get to start and end each day with her.
Buying a condo in Seattle with my parents - even though the timing wasn't great (2006), it was a perfect location and has paid off
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,395
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From: Worthington, Ohio
I would say that you have a very good head on your shoulders for someone only 31 years old.
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 33,189
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From: Randolph, NJ
Originally Posted by white98ls' timestamp='1444173449' post='23768125
Really like this thread and hope it continues much further.
I am only 31 but love hearing these sorts of insights from wiser people than me. FWIW, here is mine to this point in life:
I am only 31 but love hearing these sorts of insights from wiser people than me. FWIW, here is mine to this point in life:
I would say that you have a very good head on your shoulders for someone only 31 years old.
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,395
Likes: 1,366
From: Worthington, Ohio
TOUGHEST
Deciding to leave a job that I had had for 12 years. I enjoyed the work, and liked the boss, but the environment was becoming very toxic because of a co-worker. The stress level just became too much and I finally decided that I had enough, and found another job at the same university.
Deciding to retire was a hard decision for me to make.
BEST
Buying our first home in 1977, a very small home of about 1000 square feet. We owned it for only 3 1/2 years before we had to relocate to another state, and the house just about doubled in price in that time.
Transferring to other jobs at The Ohio State University, rather than finding a job in the private sector, which would probably have paid more, but would not have had as good benefits. I knew that in the long run it would not be good to have split my years between state jobs and jobs covered by social security. So, since I had so many years already into state jobs, I only considered state jobs when looking for a new job.
Working at OSU for almost 31 years at 3 different jobs.
Purchasing 5 years out of state credit into the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System. I had worked at another state job in another state from 1968 to 1974, and I was allowed to purchase those years of service credit, by paying something like $8500 into the Ohio system. This was in the 1980's and that was a large sum of money then, but I figured it was just as good an investment as putting the money somewhere else. It was one of the best things I ever did because I was able to retire from OSU with almost 36 years of service and a very good state pension.
WORST and EASIEST
I can't really think of any worst or easiest decisions. I tend to take a while to make decisions, but I usually make a good decision once I finally decide.
Deciding to leave a job that I had had for 12 years. I enjoyed the work, and liked the boss, but the environment was becoming very toxic because of a co-worker. The stress level just became too much and I finally decided that I had enough, and found another job at the same university.
Deciding to retire was a hard decision for me to make.
BEST
Buying our first home in 1977, a very small home of about 1000 square feet. We owned it for only 3 1/2 years before we had to relocate to another state, and the house just about doubled in price in that time.
Transferring to other jobs at The Ohio State University, rather than finding a job in the private sector, which would probably have paid more, but would not have had as good benefits. I knew that in the long run it would not be good to have split my years between state jobs and jobs covered by social security. So, since I had so many years already into state jobs, I only considered state jobs when looking for a new job.
Working at OSU for almost 31 years at 3 different jobs.
Purchasing 5 years out of state credit into the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System. I had worked at another state job in another state from 1968 to 1974, and I was allowed to purchase those years of service credit, by paying something like $8500 into the Ohio system. This was in the 1980's and that was a large sum of money then, but I figured it was just as good an investment as putting the money somewhere else. It was one of the best things I ever did because I was able to retire from OSU with almost 36 years of service and a very good state pension.
WORST and EASIEST
I can't really think of any worst or easiest decisions. I tend to take a while to make decisions, but I usually make a good decision once I finally decide.
Great thread and you are a very wise young man!