Stupid Poll Monday!

[[AK]Nuts]

Well guys, it's another year and once again many of us have set either formal or informal New Year's Resolutions. What is something that you've been trying to accomplish and really want to focus on during this year?

(Sorry for the typo in poll. Yes, I know how to spell 'religion', but I can't figure out how to edit the poll)


As for me, although the wife and I bring in very good money, we still can't afford a $510,000 starter home in the San Francisco bay area; hence, we're still renting a house ($2195 a month). We decided that we're tired of feeling like transients so we are painting the inside and putting crap up on the wall to make it feel more like home as it looks like we'll be here for a while. Yesterday we painted the entry way and living room in tans and chocolate brown. It's amazing what a $19 gallon of paint can do to a room. Next weekend we do the dining room and kitchen then start shopping for a new entertainment center, mirrors and artwork for the walls. Later this year (with bonus money and tax refund) we'll replace our bedroom and living room furniture with REAL furniture... not Ikea crap)

[[AK]Camelwalk]

I am staying true to my resolution, I have not smoked any cigs in 10 days. It has been harder than....well you guys know! The first three days I went cold turkey, too hard, so now I use the patch. Much better!

[[AK]Bribo]

As for me, although the wife and I bring in very good money, we still can't afford a $510,000 starter home in the San Francisco bay area; hence, we're still renting a house ($2195 a month).

$2195 a month! That's nearly double my mortgage!

I think your resolution should be to move somewhere cheaper to live.

[[AK]Hylander]

$2195 a month! That's nearly double my mortgage!

I think your resolution should be to move somewhere cheaper to live.

Ditto.. and that includes Taxes and Insurance.

[[AK]Nuts]

I've been looking for work outside of California for over a year (mainly in Houston or Minneapolis) but all the job offers I've received come for California based companies. Plus my current employer offers the best benefits, 8% of my pay into a 401k plus full retirement. Not many corporations offer both retirement and a good 401k plan. So while the present kinda bites, I'm stocking a butt-load away for retirement. Meanwhile my company may be relocating to Houston in 5 years anyway, so I've just got to ride it out a bit.

San Francisco is nasty expensive. For example HERE is an example of a nice, simple, home in a neighboring community. 3bd/2bath, 1260sq ft on a 5361sq ft lot for only $579,500. And I guarantee that it's single pane windows, and needs a lot of interior work to bring it up to date. So you can imagine what a normal house (3/2.5, 1700 sq foot) would go for.

Or perhaps I could go with a cheaper condo? Sure you don't own the property but at least your not renting, right? Well,

HERE is a nice new condo, 3bd/2bath and a whopping 1230sq ft for only $549,000. What a deal!

Or maybe you're looking for a newer home. Something for your growing family. 4bedroom, 3 bath at 2300 sq ft. How much for that? How about $920,000. Oh, and don't forget you don't bid low on a house. Most houses are blind bids where you submit the bid and compete against all other bidders. So add about 10% to any price if you hope to get it. Also, it's not a bad idea to flower the home owner with gifts. There are stories of cruises and vacation packages be given to home owners to woo them into a deal with prospective buyer. EEEK!


On the other hand, Tahoe is only 3 hours from my house. Got to love it.

[[AK]Hylander]

Plus my current employer offers the best benefits, 8% of my pay into a 401k plus full retirement. Not many corporations offer both retirement and a good 401k plan.

That's the truth in regards to retirement plans and 401Ks. I'm pretty happy with ours. One of the reasons I took less than market wages at my current employer back when I started 9 years ago was the benefits package. I get 3% matching 401K (I obviously put in a more than 3% along with a Roth IRA I have), but I have a complete pension plan (Annuity) that is designed to pay me 50% of the average of my 3 highest earning years. I'll probably take a lump sum payout though. (All assuming I retire from here... Im only 33 after all - Well, I'll be 34 on the 28th of this month.) But I plan on "retiring" at 55. To me, that doesn't necessarily mean sitting on my rump.. but more so doing either a second career such as starting a small business or doing financial planning, teaching, taking over as GM/Head Coach of the Seahawks, etc.

But I also get free health/dental/vision with $100K in life insurance. I get 3 weeks paid vacation (4 weeks starting in 2006) and they also paid 100% of my MBA tuition costs. IMHO, Bennies are often underestimated compensation considerations by employees.

During the 'dot com' boom I had friends who jumped at the lucrative wages and stock option bids and they kept telling me how I was stupid for not taking the job offers I had coming in through head hunters. 2 years later they were unemployed with worthless options. The grass isn't always greener.....

[[AK]Choozoo]

must.... stop.... smoking............

[[AK]Bribo]

must.... stop.... smoking............

Yes you do! For your kids sake!

[[AK]DiscoStu]

Nuts, since you are a San Fran resident, I was wondering if you knew anything about San Francisco State University. Nice campus? Nice neighborhood? I have already been accepted and have been thinking about going there so I wanted to get input from a San Fran regular.

Speaking of college, my resolution has been to finish out school well and then keep the same mentality in college.

[[AK]Nuts]

SFSU is a nice campus and a good school. As you live in SoCal you're familiar with how costly things are in California, so just add about 10% more to what ever you're buying now and that would equal NorCal prices. If you drive be warned... parking is tough around the campus and surrounding neighborhoods. MUNI and BART are great for getting around town (we usually leave our car at home and take BART into the city). I'm not sure how parking permits work on campus, but I recommend finding out about costs and parking availaibility at your domicile. (by the way, dorm or rental?)

SF itself is a great city. Although the homeless and the heroin addicts are a bit much (and the worst I've seen around the world) the city itself has a ton to offer and I certainly wouldn't mind living downtown (except of course for the $$$)

I'll check with the Mrs. about the school as she does health fairs their through her employer (health insurance)

On a side note, and a personal one: You won't find a more liberal college. The college Republicans club has been assaulted on numerous occasions and you should be ready to be blasted with radical liberalism at every turn. If you're a tree-hugging, pot-smoking, prius driving, kerry voting, anti-democracy, socialistic, Che-lovin', global-warming preachin' liberal... you'll love it.

[[AK]Hardnok]

Move to Houston..or right outside of it ..Somewhere like Cypress,TX. Houses are really nice and CHEAP!

[[AK]Nuts]

I used to live just outside of the Compaq Campus near Tomball. Nice area

[[AK]Gunny Highway]

BART in in otherwords (Bay Area Rapid Transit) is the way to get around SF, damn been a while since I have heard someone talk about BART. I grew up in San Jose, as for price of Homes out there welcome to the heart of the silicon valley and it's pricing. The most amazing part is houses sell quick even at those prices, the demand is still high.

[[AK]Abaddon]

San Antonio is quite nice here in Texas. Our 3BR, 2ba house, which is about 1400 sq. ft., cost $87,000.

Steer clear of Austin, which has skyrocketing home prices, abysmal traffic and an overabundance of moonbats with too much time on their hands.

[[AK]Squidly]

I resolve to become a better blacksmith.

(I'm assuming this list is about WoW.)