Truth... Look at damn near every trending YouTube video thumbnail. It's insane how many arrows there are. I cant stand it.

I would move out of your parents house but I think you should definitely find something cheaper if you have other options in NY. Good luck

It seems like the state of denial. This person doesn't share any evidence of their allegation.

how much do you have saved up for a downpayment and furnishings? I think the reason behind waiting another year would be to shore up your savings. you're fairly new into this job (which was a significant pay increase) and looking at a house that is 50% of your net income. having additional savings would be a huge buffer and make this feasible

I understand where you're going, but you're trying to figure out how to make a pencil while sitting at a desk with a hundred pencils on it. Use a readily available online amortization calculator. Start to finish, you can have the answer in 30 seconds.

Also, are there any good short term loans that people know about for bad credit?

> credit card processing fees

aka, the cost of doing business. When did it become acceptable for business to pass on every expense as a separate fee hiding the real cost of a product or service?

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You should do it from the IRA provider -- have the IRA provider pull money from your checking account.

If you direct deposit into an IRA and the employer messes up the deposit, they'll also cause unnecessary tax problems for your IRA as well.

Wow, my HOAs never charged a fee to process. ACH saves late payments, gives cash flow predictability, and saves them the wages of whomever processes the check deposits. So the bank may charge an ACH processing fee, but it's less expensive than having an employee depositing checks (wages+employment taxes+benefits). This fee is just a revenue generator for them.

I'd set up a bill pay through your bank (if it's free) or mail them a check (the stamp is still cheaper than the fee). Just to force them to eat the time and expense of processing that check.

I'd go with the screen shot fight, but if it doesn't work, don't withhold your payments. The ramifications aren't worth it. Eat it and move on.

Currently around 3-4%, but obviously what constitutes high changes based on what the Fed funds rate is at the time and in comparison to other banks. Some places are higher but make you jump through hoops to get it (you have to refer people, make a certain number of transactions per month, etc)

How are you suppose to pay without a fee? An e-check is the same as a normal check and has a fee, credit and debit are both charged at 3.25%. I'm sure they don't take cash because places like this seldom do.

What form of payment don't they double dip with? I say go to the HOA meeting and raise hell.

Be careful turdferg with this math..

Of the mortgage, your equity increases just eith principal paydown...taxes, insurance, maintenance (commonly estimated at 1% annually of home value)... Having a mortgage can make sense for a lot of good reasons...but a well priced rental can sometimes be better for the situation.

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• really no way to avoid taxes on any retirement savings that were funded with pre-tax dollars and reduce your load when you are older and at a smaller tax rate based on income level

That’s bc these rates fluctuate. They’re not guaranteed.

Redneck Bank has a money market account with 4.25%. They’re a subsidiary of All America Bank and fully legit (check reviews on Doctor Credit). I’d keep money there- they have higher rates than the usuals (Ally, Discover, Cap One).

What is your definition of high?

Is OP's "partner" a spouse? If not, their joint assets and joint debts could complicate a bankruptcy petition.

We’re in the Age based!

In advertising we call this a BFA (Big Fucking Arrow). Sometimes you get done with a design concept and the client says something like, “I don’t know. Our message should pop more.” Slap a BFA on there and call it a day.

Open up newspaper ads (if newspapers still exist) and you’ll be amazed at all the BFAs being used.

$220 a month!?! Unless they have some amazing common amenities or take care of all your lawn care and such you're being robbed regardless.

Sounds like you mostly understand it, but here a couple more things to know:

Pensions usually require you to work at the employer a minimum number of years to get the monthly benefit. It varies by plan but can be rather long for a government pension. If you leave before then, you should be able to get back the amount that is considered your contribution, but not any of the employer contribution.

You definitely can open your own IRA in addition to the mandatory workplace plan. The workplace might also have another retirement savings plan that you could use in addition to the mandatory one.

This is actually an enormous problem for the HOA and you could successfully press this, including through a law suit. Do not just withhold money from your next HOA payment, though. That will lead to enormous problems for you even if you’re right about this.

All that said:

• Convenience fees are usually a percentage not a flat fee. So someone probably screwed up the website.

• it’s very possible the convenience fee is paid to the bank or payment processor, not withheld by the HOA. So they might not be stealing from you.

• In theory, the HOA is a non-profit coalition of your neighbors. So you should give some leeway for honest mistakes.

So, what I would do is figure out whether they keep the convenience fee or pay it to a third party. Just ask them—you’re entitled to know as an HOA member.

If it’s paid to a third party, I’d advise them to update the website and eat the 3% if you can afford to., or ask for a discount on next months fees if you can not (don’t just unilaterally deduct it—that can cause YOU lots of problems). If they keep the fee, then I would ask for a discount in next month’s fees regardless.

Also keep in mind that many HOAs, especially for larger communities, have a hired manager (who often sucks) and a board of homeowner directors (who often but not always suck less). If you don’t get anywhere with the manager, go to a board meeting and talk to the directors. That’s what the meetings are for.

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