The World Map is hanging on my wall 😂

I can usually hold out on the new sets but when something I want is retiring I struggle to help myself. I’ve bought a few retired sets and I don’t wanna fall down that rabbit hole.

Lego Masters definitely doesn’t help! I follow too many Lego YT channels too.

Slippery slope indeed … it’s become a line item in my monthly budget 😂. Though inflation threatens its funding

This is just a budget question. You need a budget. How much do you need/want?

Let’s say $50,000 in 3 years. That’s $1388 a month. Can you save that monthly? Adjust accordingly. $30,000 is $833. This depends entirely on how much you need and how much you have left over monthly

The best thing I did for my relationship with money was form a zero based budget. It let me responsibly decide how much I could spend on frivolity without sacrificing big picture goals. It’s a very useful exercise, i highly recommend it.

There are several software options that can help you set it up - or Excel. I use YNAB4, but they don’t sell it anymore. I highly recommend it if you can find a copy online

There are a few similar systems I haven’t tried

r/actualbudget r/AspireBudgeting r/Budgetwithbuckets r/everydollar

The new r/YNAB is subscription based and IMHO, overpriced. There are threads there about alternatives from time to time

They hold their value too well to be the culprit. Or so I tell myself…

I’d put the money towards the e-fund and get on YouTube for hair tips. I admit I have straight hair but that seems like a crazy amount to “need” to spend on a haircut

D’oh. It was too early for me to be reading correctly

I’d still get a quote before trusting KBB in this market

What about a low paying side job? Seems like any side job would help here

Have you even tried to sell it yet? Try. Based on the KBB values you posted, it’s entirely possible you break even. Don’t hold the car for 7 more months while it depreciates because you assume you’ll get under 18k now. You said KBB goes as high as 22k. It doesn’t cost you a dime to take it by Carmax or Carvana and at least find out.

Make your decisions with facts, not assumptions

Can you find a side job there teaching English? That typically doesn’t actually require you to be proficient in the language your students speak, oddly. I’ve had many US students support themselves for a year or two in Asia by teaching English as a foreign language

It honestly sounds like you mistakenly opened a dispute instead of an actual fraud investigation. Which is a common mistake

It was tragic. Now I have no choice but to plan another trip so I can utilize it 😉

It’s actually not up to you. The IRS has rules that decide

https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/whom-may-i-claim-as-a-dependent

I’d suggest filling out their worksheet

My Chase Disney was delayed too and I only even got it for the merchandise/dining cardholder discount on a trip that’s already over 😂

So you aren’t alone

Double check with SSA but the default is to not withhold taxes from that, so in most cases they do not need to file and would get nothing back

But, it’s always easy to answer the questions on FreeTaxUSA and see what the actual return would be. It costs nothing but a little time

I really enjoyed the quality of life in the RTP area in NC

The older I get, the more I value those relationships.

So much this.

If OP has a good relationship with their parents the time can be such a blessing

Yes, it’s definitely a broke life, without a partner to subsidize. 😂 I’m not familiar enough with the field to say if it pays off over earning experience

Definitely only do it if the program will fund you.

Awesome. Then I’d just focus on excelling in your current role & always looking for better jobs in the field

Bonus points - Ph.D programs are usually funded w/stipend.

Sometimes taking entry level jobs is a good financial choice because of the growth potential in the career. So I’m not sure I agree with your decision to ignore the career field your existing degrees opened for you.

This sounds like a timeshare …

What are the things you could do with 40k?

Have a downpayment for a home

Have a chunk of cash to invest and begin growing wealth.

Have a downpayment for a duplex and begin house hacking

Take a journey around the world

Piss it away at roulette (don’t recommend)

If you can do this, it’s a great opportunity to set your adult life off on a great foot. The wiki has a lot of great advice