@au1994 We're on schedule to return to the office 3/14. It will be a hybrid model, 3 days in. My role is easily done remotely. I am not looking forward to all the additional expense as you mention as well as losing 3 hours a day to commute. It will be nice to see some of my colleagues but that's about it.
Completely agree. Its not decided if ours will be 2 or 3 days in, I’d prefer 1! I’ll lose a little over an hour a day commuting but they will actually lose more than that. On days I have to go in I won’t be hitting the computer at 6:15. I’ll have to wait my turn in the shower, dress and drive so they won’t get productivity out of me till about 8. Same on the back end. I may step away from the computer at 5 ish but I still check it from time to time till about 7 and respond as necessary. I don’t see me logging in at 5:30 when I get home.
Some jackwagon has suggested that Mondays and Fridays be the mandatory office days. He’s not real popular right now.
That’s not a jackwagon, that’s an a-hole. There are some folks who deserve to wake up dead.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis Ultimate just like jmonroe's. '18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
@au1994 We're on schedule to return to the office 3/14. It will be a hybrid model, 3 days in. My role is easily done remotely. I am not looking forward to all the additional expense as you mention as well as losing 3 hours a day to commute. It will be nice to see some of my colleagues but that's about it.
Completely agree. Its not decided if ours will be 2 or 3 days in, I’d prefer 1! I’ll lose a little over an hour a day commuting but they will actually lose more than that. On days I have to go in I won’t be hitting the computer at 6:15. I’ll have to wait my turn in the shower, dress and drive so they won’t get productivity out of me till about 8. Same on the back end. I may step away from the computer at 5 ish but I still check it from time to time till about 7 and respond as necessary. I don’t see me logging in at 5:30 when I get home.
Some jackwagon has suggested that Mondays and Fridays be the mandatory office days. He’s not real popular right now.
That’s not a jackwagon, that’s an a-hole. There are some folks who deserve to wake up dead.
jmonroe
That escalated quickly.
2025 Jetta GLI Autobahn, 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xE
Nice color combo in that Volvo, works quite well. Betting a Volvo would be a pretty nice vehicle even as it ages. Have only driven a couple but did like the way it drove and the seats were pretty good for my compromised spinal issues. Finally got to call back the Toyota sales guy in Delray Beach and gave him what I'm basically looking for. A 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross XLE in the Windchill Pearl color with the 2-tone interior, black & white. The two must haves are the JBL audio system plus a moon roof. He admitted that what I'm looking for is a "unicorn" right now but assured him that I'm in no hurry here as I want what I want and not going to settle for anything less. I've always settled on something in each vehicle I've had and them days are over. I want what I want even if it means paying a bit more. I would possibly consider the red color or even that new green color I was told they have. Not sure if I want blue this time around but will just have to wait & see what pops up. To be honest, wouldn't mind waiting till fall or even a bit later but will just sit back & wait. Hoping the finance rates are decent when I do pull the trigger as I don't want to touch the portfolio at the moment as the markets are a bit on edge right now so would rather things just sit where they are. Starting to see more & more of the Cross out there and definitely like the size, more like a 3/4 Rav4. Haven't mentioned a word to the wife yet as why open that can of worms before I must. I don't want any negativity right now and it would just be a lot of noise to deal with. Doing this is purely a want for me as don't really need to swap vehicles but since the Golf has been behaving as of late, might be best to cut it from the herd before any warning lights come on. No way do I want to put any $ into it going forward if I don't have to...it's taken me a long time to get to this point as y'all surely know. But am finally ready and if all the stars align correctly, I'm ready to swap out my keys for some new ones!
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
Am at the point where I'm working only part time since leaving the post office. Work Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday and it's a great schedule. Do work the occasional Sunday but it's not too often though I wish it were. Never realized how much I like Mondays off as it makes for a nice weekend if we want to go visit the kids in Orlando for a few days. But for now, my 3 days/week are just about perfect. My pharmacist daughter just started a new job at a different hospital in the same company on January 3rd and has a dynamite schedule. Works Wednesday through Tuesday one week from 5 pm to 3:30 am and then has a week off. Sure, those 10 hour work days can be a bit long and having to change ones sleep pattern can be a challenge but having the next week off is a blessing. She now has a greater ability to schedule stuff as she knows exactly when she'll be off. Sure, there will be times where she might be asked to work an additional day, has already happened once, but she's a real team player and is very happy that she was able to transfer out of South Miami up to Boca Raton, which is the next town north of us. Having one child that close is a blessing and she likes coming home when she can. She's already mentioned about buying something within the year instead of paying such high rental rates. Might as well get a condo or small house and pay less in a mortgage. So, should be an interesting year for us all.
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
I was already permanent WFH before the pandemic so no change to me. Other than having other people in the house during the day so no privacy!
my wife went from FT office (with an occasional day home as needed) to all WFH overnight. Still has not gone back (other than 1-2 days for a meeting) and has zero desire to ever do it. Her company has discussed implementing an office policy but nothing came out of it yet. At this point, they took away all private desks/offices, so even if she is required to go in 2-3 days per week, it will be for a hoteling arrangement of some sort, and few of her teammates will ever be there. So basically driving 1/2 hour each way, to sit and do the same work and have conference calls, and see almost nobody.
She actually would prefer to just retire and not worry about it at all, but not biting on that one yet!
I might finally try a case this month. An arson case where two ladies tried to make the fire look like a break-in. The security cameras put the lie to that, and a bottle of the same accelerant used to start the fire was found in one of the defendant’s cars. Should be fun.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
@stickguy said:
I was already permanent WFH before the pandemic so no change to me. Other than having other people in the house during the day so no privacy!
my wife went from FT office (with an occasional day home as needed) to all WFH overnight. Still has not gone back (other than 1-2 days for a meeting) and has zero desire to ever do it. Her company has discussed implementing an office policy but nothing came out of it yet. At this point, they took away all private desks/offices, so even if she is required to go in 2-3 days per week, it will be for a hoteling arrangement of some sort, and few of her teammates will ever be there. So basically driving 1/2 hour each way, to sit and do the same work and have conference calls, and see almost nobody.
She actually would prefer to just retire and not worry about it at all, but not biting on that one yet!
That’s the thing with return to office. My wife goes in occasionally and other than one in person meeting she basically sits on Teams all day like when she is home.
In March of 2020 when everyone at my old work place started working from home, they cut the pay of all contractors by 20% across the board. Company employees, no cut in pay. This was not a popular move, as you might imagine. Mostly they got away with it as it was nearly impossible to run around job hunting and interviewing. I was talking to two head hunters about a job change, but instead decided to just retire. No way was I going to work more than another year or two, and it didn't seem worth while to change jobs for that short a period of time.
In March of 2020 when everyone at my old work place started working from home, they cut the pay of all contractors by 20% across the board. Company employees, no cut in pay. This was not a popular move, as you might imagine. Mostly they got away with it as it was nearly impossible to run around job hunting and interviewing. I was talking to two head hunters about a job change, but instead decided to just retire. No way was I going to work more than another year or two, and it didn't seem worth while to change jobs for that short a period of time.
kinda the same place I am in. Not quite ready to retire (well, mentally yes, practically no) but hopefully in another couple of years can actually do it. So ideally would just be able to stay where I am and not get bothered too much. Basically not looking for excitement or some big advancement opportunity. And definitely not looking at jumping to a new company for a "real" job that is likely to bring stress and more hours. So if something happened in the next couple of months and I ended up cut loose, not sure what I would do.
I was on vacation the week of March 9, 2020. Returned home, and never left... I've not been back in the office since. And, shan't be going back. My company has been excellent in communication and concern for employee well being (at least as concerned as a major international co. can be!). My local office, which is the US HQ, is opening April 1. However, returning to office is optional (unless the job description requires in-office attendance). As the leadership of the company is describing it, they want to make our offices magnets, not mandates. Nice.
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
I put in 30 years with Chevron (well, Gulf for 13 years and then 17 years with Chevron after the buyout). Chevron is pretty good to employees. Not so much to contractors. I walked out the door after 30 years with 2 years severance pay, and after they pay you that much to leave, they are not going to put you back on the payroll.
After being retired for several years, I went back to work for Chevron, contract, and put in another 10 nearly 11 years. They were paying me good money to play with computers, which I like to do anyway, so why not? But the job I was doing slowly morphed into meetings and paperwork, less and less playing with computers. Chevron is going all in on the cloud, which means Microsoft (really Microsoft contractors in India) are now doing the actual computer work. And they’re doing a really miserable job of it, which just made my life more stressful. Combine that with a 20% pay cut, and it was time.
Well done, Henry. I haven't figured out the retirement thing yet. Two folks i work with, both a few years younger, are retiring. Gotta find out how they did it!
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
@henryn - our shared folders are now in the cloud in addition to being mirrored locally on a server in case the internet goes out. It takes forever to open a folder or file or save anything because it waits until it can sync everything to the cloud. Then if you are opening a file, you get a warning that you're opening a potentially dangerous file "from the internet" that may not be secure, even though it's already in our company's cloud and on our local server.
It's enough to make me miss the good old days when storage was expensive, bandwidth was nonexistent, and nobody backed up anything. If your hard drive went kaput, your life was just going to suck for a while.
Well done, Henry. I haven't figured out the retirement thing yet. Two folks i work with, both a few years younger, are retiring. Gotta find out how they did it!
I started out in private practice; anything that came through the door- I absolutely hated it.
I ran for judge in 1985- three years after passing the Bar. I lost by around 100 votes. I ran for a newly created division a year later and won- by about 100 votes. I retired in 2008 but still worked as a special judge for 600 days in order to retire at 100% of my base pay. I finished up in 2014.
18 months later I was hired at BMW as a product specialist/salesman. In 2018 I resigned at BMW and was hired as city attorney for my hometown (while simultaneously running for Commonwealth's Attorney). I had a ball campaigning, since unlike my judicial elections if I lost I wasn't losing my job. My opponent outspent me 2 to 1 and I beat her 53% to 47%.
I like the prosecutor gig a LOT more than being judge, but this is definitely my last hurrah- at my election night party an attorney friend asked my wife if she thought I would run for a second term and my wife replied, "If he does, will you handle my divorce for free?"
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
@roadburner you did it backwards. We were taught in law school that nearly all judges were former prosecutors.
Funny that you mention that; there are two other Commonwealth's Attorneys who had previously served as judges; one was a district judge like me, while the other had actually served on the KY Court of Appeals.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
keeping100% of your salary is definitely going to make easing into retirement smoother!
and on a side note, I still don't understand why judges are elected positions. Just seems highly strange, considering the importance of the position and the supposed knowledge requirements. Unlike most other elected positions that have none.
living in the Philadelphia TV market will really make you question things like this.
@stickguy - coroners, too... would people really vote for Dr. Henry Lee (the forensic scientist) because they think he'd make a really good coroner, or do they vote for JimBob with no medical training because they went to the same high school?
I was "fired" back in the end of 2010 by the postal service after having been on limited duty since my accident in mid 2005. Retired officially on 1/1/12 after using up all my annual & sick leave plus the 5 months of disability I received. Crazy as that may seem, our class action suit is still winding it's way through the courts after like 13 years. Funny how life works out though, as while others were asked to come back to their previous positions, I was not one of them. I had always said I want ed to retire when I became 64, but that never happened. I was 56 when they "let me go" and was almost 58 when I took full retirement. Spent a little over 2 years at home retired while dealing with some very painful spinal issues but in January 2013, found a part time gig in the rental car business. And the rest is history as I'm still doing the rental thing, but now with Enterprise. Am as happy there as I've ever been and even though the pay/hour isn't the greatest, works for me. Look forward to working my 3 days and am always up for the occasional Sunday.
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
Stick, you are perfectly correct that a test drive is something I should do, even bring one home for the "garage test" and I will. But I'm content with going into a Corolla to be honest. Those extra couple of inches in height that the Cross has should be fine as I had that in the 2013 Tucson and it made ingress/egress so much easier. I do struggle sometimes getting into and out of the Golf so any CUV or small SUV will be good. Also need to seriously consider the Hyundai Kona & possibly the Denim Edition Venue. Like the Kia Seltos but not thrilled with having to get AWD & not sure it'll fit as it is bigger in person then it is in pictures. Being in no specific hurray is probably why I haven't gone into the dealer to test one yet. And finding my exact combination of options might be an issue according to the sales guy at the Delray Toyota store I'm dealing with. But like I said, I'm in no hurry to make a move yet, the later in the year...the better.And if it turns out that I have to get a 2023 model, so be it...don't really care. Might forgo the moon roof though I'd rather have one to be honest but the JBL audio option is non-negotiable like I told the guy today, won't even consider a unit without it. He did mention that it would probably have to be the top of the line XLE model which is fine with me. Just know I'm finally ready to purchase.
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
I’m so happy to work for a company that embraces WFH/Hybrid with no restrictions.
One of my team floats between Pittsburg and Florida… makes zero difference in her work.
I’m with a good company and as I said, the culture is great so I hope they will take the pulse of the company and the market and do the right thing. IE no crazy mandates. As per typical much of the Sr Leadership team is from the Old School.
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Limited Velvet Red over Wicker Beige
2024 Audi Q5 Premium Plus Daytona Gray over Beige
2017 BMW X1 Jet Black over Mocha
Ran some numbers and we could lease a new S60 for what amounts to $16k over 3 yrs. I guess that’s not horrible to make the wife happy. About $1800 more than the Wrangler. She seems excited, although I have major reservations about her being happy long-term in a sedan. Granted, yes, she’ll have the Sprinter, too. This will take more pondering. Maybe I can convince her to wait it out a little.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
@henryn - our shared folders are now in the cloud in addition to being mirrored locally on a server in case the internet goes out. It takes forever to open a folder or file or save anything because it waits until it can sync everything to the cloud. Then if you are opening a file, you get a warning that you're opening a potentially dangerous file "from the internet" that may not be secure, even though it's already in our company's cloud and on our local server.
It's enough to make me miss the good old days when storage was expensive, bandwidth was nonexistent, and nobody backed up anything. If your hard drive went kaput, your life was just going to suck for a while.
In 2011 (if memory serves) the place I worked at made the decision to try to centralize all files and records using MS Sharepoint. It made sense in theory because we had over 100 locations and those folks needed access to lots of stuff. But what a disaster it was. Very few people could tolerate it because the interface was so clunky and slow, and the software itself was user-unfriendly and very hard to get your head around, especially if you didn't have much IT experience already. I don't know what MS was thinking when they released that turkey. The guy who pushed for it and spent millions trying to convince people it was both useful and usable ended up getting fired the next year. After that it quickly seemed to lose whatever momentum it had. I know I never used it myself unless I had to. That hadn't changed much by the time I retired in 2014 but I gather it is still there and they are still trying to get people to use it. Just a terrible product.
It’s funny about professional titles, sometimes you really have no idea what a person does. When I say my title people look a little cross eyed… then I just say I make retail stores look pretty or “I run the remodel department”
I tell people I’m a transportation specialist.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Ran some numbers and we could lease a new S60 for what amounts to $16k over 3 yrs. I guess that’s not horrible to make the wife happy. About $1800 more than the Wrangler. She seems excited, although I have major reservations about her being happy long-term in a sedan. Granted, yes, she’ll have the Sprinter, too. This will take more pondering. Maybe I can convince her to wait it out a little.
She's driving the Escape, right?
When the Jeep shows up, stash it someplace else, and tell her as soon as it shows up, you'll do something about getting her a car... Then, see how long you can make that last.
I might finally try a case this month. An arson case where two ladies tried to make the fire look like a break-in. The security cameras put the lie to that, and a bottle of the same accelerant used to start the fire was found in one of the defendant’s cars. Should be fun.
Not exactly master criminals, are they?
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
In March of 2020 when everyone at my old work place started working from home, they cut the pay of all contractors by 20% across the board. Company employees, no cut in pay. This was not a popular move, as you might imagine. Mostly they got away with it as it was nearly impossible to run around job hunting and interviewing. I was talking to two head hunters about a job change, but instead decided to just retire. No way was I going to work more than another year or two, and it didn't seem worth while to change jobs for that short a period of time.
kinda the same place I am in. Not quite ready to retire (well, mentally yes, practically no) but hopefully in another couple of years can actually do it. So ideally would just be able to stay where I am and not get bothered too much. Basically not looking for excitement or some big advancement opportunity. And definitely not looking at jumping to a new company for a "real" job that is likely to bring stress and more hours. So if something happened in the next couple of months and I ended up cut loose, not sure what I would do.
You sound like Enterprise material. Let me see if you qualify….are you old? Do you like hanging out with other old people and laughing all day? Are you able to sleep in the back of a minivan while getting paid?
If yes to the above you’re a good fit.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
and on a side note, I still don't understand why judges are elected positions. Just seems highly strange, considering the importance of the position and the supposed knowledge requirements. Unlike most other elected positions that have none.
living in the Philadelphia TV market will really make you question things like this.
I am reminded of this quote attributed to Winston Churchill:
“democracy is the worst form of government – except for all the others that have been tried.”
One thing to note; in Kentucky you have to be an attorney for at least two years to be a judge in District Court, and eight years for the three higher courts, and four years to be a Commonwealth’s Attorney. Contrast that with the US District, Circuit, and Supreme Courts, where a law degree is not required. Ditto for the US Attorney General.
I was initially appointed to the bench- prior to the election where I won. I also sought to be appointed as Commonwealth’s Attorney to serve out the year remaining in the term(the prior CWA had retired one year early). In both cases the appointment process was totally political.
In the case of the judicial appointment I was a lock; a friend’s mother was the contact person for the Governor. There was a “nomination process” but there was no doubt who would get selected.
In the CWA appointment process I was given misleading information and just generally jerked around(which is one of the reasons I decided to run).
I am absolutely certain that any appointment process would be just as riddled with political machinations as an election- the only difference is that in an election at least, those machinations are in plain view.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
@roadburner you did it backwards. We were taught in law school that nearly all judges were former prosecutors.
In Traffic Court they sure act like it! Might as well face a Prosecutor; it'd be just the same. At least then you might get a right to a fair jury trial.
In the rare case, I have to admit it sure did feel good and satisfying when a judge did care about justice, and served justice by granting my Motion to COMPEL Discovery on the DA and Santee Sheriffs Department. I was salivating on the trial date to ask the Judge to sanction those entities for disobeying and ignoring his HONORABLE orders. Of course, I already knew no one was going to show up to allow me the chance to grand stand, and the case was dismissed for lack of prosecution or witnesses.
Like Tom Hanks says in the movie Philadelphia, it really is something when justice is served.
'18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
@qbrozen said:
Ran some numbers and we could lease a new S60 for what amounts to $16k over 3 yrs. I guess that’s not horrible to make the wife happy. About $1800 more than the Wrangler. She seems excited, although I have major reservations about her being happy long-term in a sedan. Granted, yes, she’ll have the Sprinter, too. This will take more pondering. Maybe I can convince her to wait it out a little.
Never mind. Spoke with 2 brokers and any discounts they had in Feb are gone. Now, even with the $2k bonus cash and $500 Penfed, payments are $100/mo more. Go figure.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
@qbrozen said:
Ran some numbers and we could lease a new S60 for what amounts to $16k over 3 yrs. I guess that’s not horrible to make the wife happy. About $1800 more than the Wrangler. She seems excited, although I have major reservations about her being happy long-term in a sedan. Granted, yes, she’ll have the Sprinter, too. This will take more pondering. Maybe I can convince her to wait it out a little.
What spec?
@qbrozen said:
Never mind. Spoke with 2 brokers and any discounts they had in Feb are gone. Now, even with the $2k bonus cash and $500 Penfed, payments are $100/mo more. Go figure.
I had a feeling things were going south from what I read. I was wondering how you got a sub $500 payment!
@tifighter as @breld mentioned I did cancel my Rivian reservation Tuesday evening. I was already on the fence about having a full EV for my primary car, as was discussed a few pages back the charging infrastructure just doesn't support the driving I like to do.
I had also grown very frustrated with Rivian's complete and utter failure at communication. Last October there were pre-order holders who had been told earlier in the summer they would be receiving their trucks in October. They went the whole month and heard nothing and comically even in the first few days of November they would reach out to Rivian and be told "everything is still on track for your delivery" I don't mind the delays themselves but they have had the worst communication and the way they handled the price increase was the final straw.
Now as you and @breld mentioned they've rolled all that back, I'll likely reinstate my order. Not because I want the car but as @breld said it's instant equity so might as well get something for giving them an interest free loan for 3+ years.
Comments
I’m so happy to work for a company that embraces WFH/Hybrid with no restrictions.
One of my team floats between Pittsburg and Florida… makes zero difference in her work.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
a-hole. There are some folks who deserve to wake up dead.
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
Finally got to call back the Toyota sales guy in Delray Beach and gave him what I'm basically looking for. A 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross XLE in the Windchill Pearl color with the 2-tone interior, black & white. The two must haves are the JBL audio system plus a moon roof. He admitted that what I'm looking for is a "unicorn" right now but assured him that I'm in no hurry here as I want what I want and not going to settle for anything less. I've always settled on something in each vehicle I've had and them days are over. I want what I want even if it means paying a bit more. I would possibly consider the red color or even that new green color I was told they have. Not sure if I want blue this time around but will just have to wait & see what pops up. To be honest, wouldn't mind waiting till fall or even a bit later but will just sit back & wait.
Hoping the finance rates are decent when I do pull the trigger as I don't want to touch the portfolio at the moment as the markets are a bit on edge right now so would rather things just sit where they are. Starting to see more & more of the Cross out there and definitely like the size, more like a 3/4 Rav4. Haven't mentioned a word to the wife yet as why open that can of worms before I must. I don't want any negativity right now and it would just be a lot of noise to deal with. Doing this is purely a want for me as don't really need to swap vehicles but since the Golf has been behaving as of late, might be best to cut it from the herd before any warning lights come on. No way do I want to put any $ into it going forward if I don't have to...it's taken me a long time to get to this point as y'all surely know. But am finally ready and if all the stars align correctly, I'm ready to swap out my keys for some new ones!
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
My pharmacist daughter just started a new job at a different hospital in the same company on January 3rd and has a dynamite schedule. Works Wednesday through Tuesday one week from 5 pm to 3:30 am and then has a week off. Sure, those 10 hour work days can be a bit long and having to change ones sleep pattern can be a challenge but having the next week off is a blessing. She now has a greater ability to schedule stuff as she knows exactly when she'll be off. Sure, there will be times where she might be asked to work an additional day, has already happened once, but she's a real team player and is very happy that she was able to transfer out of South Miami up to Boca Raton, which is the next town north of us. Having one child that close is a blessing and she likes coming home when she can. She's already mentioned about buying something within the year instead of paying such high rental rates. Might as well get a condo or small house and pay less in a mortgage. So, should be an interesting year for us all.
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
my wife went from FT office (with an occasional day home as needed) to all WFH overnight. Still has not gone back (other than 1-2 days for a meeting) and has zero desire to ever do it. Her company has discussed implementing an office policy but nothing came out of it yet. At this point, they took away all private desks/offices, so even if she is required to go in 2-3 days per week, it will be for a hoteling arrangement of some sort, and few of her teammates will ever be there. So basically driving 1/2 hour each way, to sit and do the same work and have conference calls, and see almost nobody.
She actually would prefer to just retire and not worry about it at all, but not biting on that one yet!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I might finally try a case this month. An arson case where two ladies tried to make the fire look like a break-in. The security cameras put the lie to that, and a bottle of the same accelerant used to start the fire was found in one of the defendant’s cars. Should be fun.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
That’s the thing with return to office. My wife goes in occasionally and other than one in person meeting she basically sits on Teams all day like when she is home.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
My company has been excellent in communication and concern for employee well being (at least as concerned as a major international co. can be!). My local office, which is the US HQ, is opening April 1. However, returning to office is optional (unless the job description requires in-office attendance). As the leadership of the company is describing it, they want to make our offices magnets, not mandates.
Nice.
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
After being retired for several years, I went back to work for Chevron, contract, and put in another 10 nearly 11 years. They were paying me good money to play with computers, which I like to do anyway, so why not? But the job I was doing slowly morphed into meetings and paperwork, less and less playing with computers. Chevron is going all in on the cloud, which means Microsoft (really Microsoft contractors in India) are now doing the actual computer work. And they’re doing a really miserable job of it, which just made my life more stressful. Combine that with a 20% pay cut, and it was time.
I haven't figured out the retirement thing yet. Two folks i work with, both a few years younger, are retiring. Gotta find out how they did it!
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
It's enough to make me miss the good old days when storage was expensive, bandwidth was nonexistent, and nobody backed up anything. If your hard drive went kaput, your life was just going to suck for a while.
I ran for judge in 1985- three years after passing the Bar. I lost by around 100 votes. I ran for a newly created division a year later and won- by about 100 votes. I retired in 2008 but still worked as a special judge for 600 days in order to retire at 100% of my base pay. I finished up in 2014.
18 months later I was hired at BMW as a product specialist/salesman. In 2018 I resigned at BMW and was hired as city attorney for my hometown (while simultaneously running for Commonwealth's Attorney). I had a ball campaigning, since unlike my judicial elections if I lost I wasn't losing my job. My opponent outspent me 2 to 1 and I beat her 53% to 47%.
I like the prosecutor gig a LOT more than being judge, but this is definitely my last hurrah- at my election night party an attorney friend asked my wife if she thought I would run for a second term and my wife replied, "If he does, will you handle my divorce for free?"
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
and on a side note, I still don't understand why judges are elected positions. Just seems highly strange, considering the importance of the position and the supposed knowledge requirements. Unlike most other elected positions that have none.
living in the Philadelphia TV market will really make you question things like this.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
What is this “retirement” you all speak of?
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
Spent a little over 2 years at home retired while dealing with some very painful spinal issues but in January 2013, found a part time gig in the rental car business. And the rest is history as I'm still doing the rental thing, but now with Enterprise. Am as happy there as I've ever been and even though the pay/hour isn't the greatest, works for me. Look forward to working my 3 days and am always up for the occasional Sunday.
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
Being in no specific hurray is probably why I haven't gone into the dealer to test one yet. And finding my exact combination of options might be an issue according to the sales guy at the Delray Toyota store I'm dealing with. But like I said, I'm in no hurry to make a move yet, the later in the year...the better.And if it turns out that I have to get a 2023 model, so be it...don't really care. Might forgo the moon roof though I'd rather have one to be honest but the JBL audio option is non-negotiable like I told the guy today, won't even consider a unit without it. He did mention that it would probably have to be the top of the line XLE model which is fine with me. Just know I'm finally ready to purchase.
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Limited Velvet Red over Wicker Beige
2024 Audi Q5 Premium Plus Daytona Gray over Beige
2017 BMW X1 Jet Black over Mocha
Ran some numbers and we could lease a new S60 for what amounts to $16k over 3 yrs. I guess that’s not horrible to make the wife happy. About $1800 more than the Wrangler. She seems excited, although I have major reservations about her being happy long-term in a sedan. Granted, yes, she’ll have the Sprinter, too. This will take more pondering. Maybe I can convince her to wait it out a little.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
When the Jeep shows up, stash it someplace else, and tell her as soon as it shows up, you'll do something about getting her a car... Then, see how long you can make that last.
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2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
If yes to the above you’re a good fit.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Once I move and am ready to cut back I’ll let you know!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I am reminded of this quote attributed to Winston Churchill:
“democracy is the worst form of government – except for all the others that have been tried.”
One thing to note; in Kentucky you have to be an attorney for at least two years to be a judge in District Court, and eight years for the three higher courts, and four years to be a Commonwealth’s Attorney. Contrast that with the US District, Circuit, and Supreme Courts, where a law degree is not required. Ditto for the US Attorney General.
I was initially appointed to the bench- prior to the election where I won. I also sought to be appointed as Commonwealth’s Attorney to serve out the year remaining in the term(the prior CWA had retired one year early). In both cases the appointment process was totally political.
In the case of the judicial appointment I was a lock; a friend’s mother was the contact person for the Governor. There was a “nomination process” but there was no doubt who would get selected.
In the CWA appointment process I was given misleading information and just generally jerked around(which is one of the reasons I decided to run).
I am absolutely certain that any appointment process would be just as riddled with political machinations as an election- the only difference is that in an election at least, those machinations are in plain view.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Limited Velvet Red over Wicker Beige
2024 Audi Q5 Premium Plus Daytona Gray over Beige
2017 BMW X1 Jet Black over Mocha
laughs in 38 gallon fuel tank
In the rare case, I have to admit it sure did feel good and satisfying when a judge did care about justice, and served justice by granting my Motion to COMPEL Discovery on the DA and Santee Sheriffs Department. I was salivating on the trial date to ask the Judge to sanction those entities for disobeying and ignoring his HONORABLE orders. Of course, I already knew no one was going to show up to allow me the chance to grand stand, and the case was dismissed for lack of prosecution or witnesses.
Like Tom Hanks says in the movie Philadelphia, it really is something when justice is served.
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0 / 03 Montero Ltd
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Limited Velvet Red over Wicker Beige
2024 Audi Q5 Premium Plus Daytona Gray over Beige
2017 BMW X1 Jet Black over Mocha
What spec?
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
What spec?
I had a feeling things were going south from what I read. I was wondering how you got a sub $500 payment!
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
I had also grown very frustrated with Rivian's complete and utter failure at communication. Last October there were pre-order holders who had been told earlier in the summer they would be receiving their trucks in October. They went the whole month and heard nothing and comically even in the first few days of November they would reach out to Rivian and be told "everything is still on track for your delivery" I don't mind the delays themselves but they have had the worst communication and the way they handled the price increase was the final straw.
Now as you and @breld mentioned they've rolled all that back, I'll likely reinstate my order. Not because I want the car but as @breld said it's instant equity so might as well get something for giving them an interest free loan for 3+ years.
gotta say, it looks very cleanly down. And incredible how much room there is in the engine bay to get at everything.
https://classics.autotrader.com/classic-cars/1980/ford/pinto/101646311
and this is actually a neat idea. Never saw this conversion before. and who doesn't love a cruising wagon?
https://classics.autotrader.com/classic-cars/1977/ford/pinto/101693780
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.