Same. We go to some pretty dinky ski hills (Mohawk etc) most weekends from December to February.

And even those improve my mood tremendously.

That is absolutely ridiculous. I drove into Manhattan recently because it was a complex day where I needed to make multiple stops for work outside and inside the 5 boroughs and there was no realistic way to do it without the car.

It made me appreciate my normal Metro North commute so much. It’s a fantastic and sane way to travel.

I know this feels terrible. But you can manage it. I know this sounds super condescending but it’s way better to take these knocks earlier and with lower stakes like you are now.

You’ll get through this, you’ll probably look back on it as a learning experience. At least that’s how it was for me.

Thanks

Our is also a jumbo. But it’s still being quoted out at 6

Do you mind saying where you’re getting 5.3 on a 30 year? I have a score of almost 800 and just got quoted at 6 on a 30

The best financial decision of my life was upping my 401K contributions to the max as a 20 something in the 2008-2010 downturn. I was making probably 80K so it was a squeeze but it’s put me far ahead of the curve in my early 40s. I have 5x what my spouse has in his 401K. He’s my age but was more scared of the market.

That is a lot of money in cars. I would downgrade one or both of them if it was interfering with my ability to save 20% on a down payment.

I would speak to an accountant here for the specific tax implications. Not crowd source it

I wouldn’t continue with her. You can buy ETFs very easily on your own.

There is absolutely no way I’d be paying someone a percentage for advice like this.

Only flat fee (for example, $600 to create a plan) and a guarantee that they are a fiduciary, meaning they only are working to my benefit not anyone else’s.

A lot of these people get paid twice. By you and then via commission if you buy the product they recommend

You need to know how she’s getting paid.

Read “The Index Card” by Helaine Olen. She says everything you need to know about personal finances can fit on one 3 x5 index card. It shouldn’t be too complicated for most of us.

Too much complexity trips many people up and doesn’t make them smarter.

It sounds like you ARE financially literate. Trust yourself and read things from reputable sources.

The max out IRA + 401K is good advice. I’m a little older than you you and doing a bit more high risk than moderate since I have time and it’s a god time to invest. If you don’t have dependents, I wouldn’t get life insurance or I’d just use whatever is offered through work. 1-2 years salary type of thing