The rate the bank sets is based off of the Prime Federal Interest rate. That moves (in general) very slowly as drastic alterations up or down can be gruesome to the economy. I'm pretty sure the Fed just increased it in either Q4 2016 or Q1 2017 (I have lost track somewhat being away from the banking industry). I would not worry too much about the rate going up super high, super fast (do not lose sleep over it), but do pay it aggressively as it is nice to have debt off for a variety of reasons...as I am sure you know based on this OP. Have fun with those projects! Good idea doing the HELOC!

An online calculator may be able to help you figure this out. You could take the principal amount, and divide that by 60, which is the number of months in five years. Then add your interest payments to that for a monthly payment. If your loan is for $10,000, for example, that is the principal amount. Divided by 60, that's a monthly principal-only payment of $162. Add it to what you owe in interest. When you make payments, you need to specify you want the payments to also go toward principal. Treat it like a mortgage, which has principal and interest factored into the payments. Just curious, what made you decide to do a line (HELOC) versus a loan (HELoan).

I feel really sad about Otto and heartbroken for his family. But I am angry too. I would like for the U.S. to revoke Dennis Rodman's U.S. citizenship. He was over there partying with Kim, eating cheese and drinking beer. Ugh. Disgusting. People can say there could be have been an element of diplomacy going on, but I doubt it. Plus, Rodman gave Kim a copy of Trump's book, the Art of the Deal, which even if you detest Trump, that is like sharing a piece of someone's strategy with the opposition - a vile opposition. This is just a pipe dream and probably not even legal or governmentally feasible, built up on my own frustration, but wouldn't that be great?!

If you like mystery and easy reads, check out the Agatha Christie books and the Cat Who books. I have been a fan of Nancy Drew too!

All this has been really helpful and interesting. For my own clarification, the actual fault line in the Cascadia Subduction Zone is in the seafloor, off the coast, correct? So when it shifts (earthquake), that is what sends out the tsunami? I read in some of the information that they estimate the tsunami in 1700 was 100 feet high. If there were a repeat of this and another tsunami came that was of similar height, how far inland would the wave's momentum reach? And where do they say it would crest and break? After it breaks, how much further inland will the wave surge (not sure if that's the proper name) go? Sister, BIL, and his whole family are in the Tacoma area (just moved there from Seattle). But, I know they all have homes that are up higher at like 370 feet elevation. Is that a safe zone? I know they are west of I5; that is a drawback.

Do you know what caused the bug in May? Were other people in your home ill? Or her friends I'll? Or just her? The timing of the whole thing is what seems off...bug and now ongoing problems. Like the bug never left? Sorry to ask but what does her stool look (color and any mucus?) and behave (loose formed or liquid) like?

In general, I always tend to trust my gut instinct. If something does not seem or sound right, it probably isn't. I say you handled this well. Maybe his boss will keep an "eye" on him more or maybe this will alert them to a potential problem. I find it odd that he "changed" out in the parking lot and out of hear shot of any other co-workers.

I think that totally makes sense. In the climate of DC, politically/socially and with the terror threat, all I could think of for a reason for you to prep was a Shelter in Place (SIP) situation, sort of like what they had near Boston after the Marathon bombing. Or, a "get out of town" situation. BFF's dad was with the State Department at a variety of Embassies. For awhile, her family had their US home in N.VA. But, due to that proximity to D.C., they had an emergency family meeting location picked in the Western VA mountains. Just a place to gather if they ever had to leave D.C..

They like Canada, have family there, have traveled there and are collecting flag patches, they are on a world-wide tour and Canada was the first stop, they are on the Amazing Race. They like maple leaves? Their favorite colors are red and white? They admire your nation? At one time they were Canadian, but aren't now and wanted a piece of the homeland? I don't know. Would you enlighten us?

When you are a world traveler, act like a citizen of the world, carry whatever flag makes you happy and makes you connected to the places you are visiting, or represents your nationality, or the nationality to the north of you, or the nationality you like the most. You all have a pretty flag. See it as a compliment.

But bring hand sanitizer...

When we lived in town (suburbia on the outskirts of a major city), one of our main focuses initially was having a plan to leave our home and where we would go and what we would take with us. Following guidelines, we made those 72 hour bags, which remained packed all the time in an accessible spot (on a shelf in the basement) and contained items we would need for leaving our home - clothing, water filters, knives, first-aid, cash, MREs, . We also had a subsequent list, written by room, of what we needed to grab to go (it was things like contents of the fire safe, and checkbook, as well as the cash we have on hand, and some other valuables). DH is a pilot and modeling flight decks - all their important stuff is listed on paper for emergencies. They have checklists, so in an emergency, they can simply read the list and act, and not have to recall what they have to do. We thought that was a good MO for the house too so we would not have to recall what we needed to grab. We also made a list of things like "turn off water, lock doors, draw curtains, etc." and who was responsible for doing those things as to not have confusion.

It sounds like you might... As I stated in my PP, I am not refuting your experience, but I was just sharing my experience as I travel a lot and my mom is also Canadian. I have lived in Ohio, Finland, Spain, the UK, Colorado, Kentucky, Iowa, and now Minnesota and I have traveled to nearly every state in this nation too. I have my favorite places and I have some places I would prefer not to visit again. I can, without a doubt tell you that you cannot make such broad, sweeping generalizes about Americans as you have in your PPs. I do agree with you though, that sometimes Americans can be louder than other cultures people, which is why we might stick out in foreign nations. But is loudness and different dress a reason to generalize everyone? Or, are they wrong? And, tourists are tourists. LOL. I recall a Chinese woman touching, with her bare hand, a painting in the Louvre and getting reprimanded by the guard. But this still does not cause me to generalize all Chinese travelers. I sense that you have and actively do generalize all American travelers, which is not fair. I think there is a lot of pride in one's own country AKA patriotism. As a Canadian, you have a lot to be proud of, so I can see why an American wearing your flag might upset you, but seriously, what is so wrong with wanting to "fit in?" That whole....when in Rome...

You're braver than I! Reading about supermarkets in disaster zones - they are emptied of all edibles in 12 hours or less. And, there is rioting and beating people up to get to that food in those 12 hours or less. It would be like the hot new holiday gift craziness we see occasionally with people getting beat up and trampled, except worse because it would be about food, life, and keeping kids alive and well. NOLA after Katrina, had lots of people crammed into the Superdome too - massive resources...but they struggled with sanitation and ended up fighting off dysentery and other sanitation-related problems. I have to disagree (politely) that counting on "massive resources" would be the way to go. I think I would be high-tailing it out of town in search of a secluded camping ground instead.

I "sell" MK. I put that in " " because I hardly do it and I mostly do it for my mom and myself. Anyway...it's been like 11 years for me and I only use a few items and can't stand some things in the MK line like scents, most of the body care, and some facial and cosmetic items. The Ultimate Mascara has been my favorite since I began. I LOVE Lancôme lipsticks! You should buy and use what feels best for your skin and your wallet. Taking care of your skin is the main thing...so buy whatever products best guarantee that you will. IMHO, MK consultants who "push" are annoying and I would never advise anybody to be guilted into buying from ANY consultant for any product line of consumables (food or cosmetics) or non-consumables (candles, purses, leggings, etc.). My sales director/friend, has the pink caddy and our unit does like $800k annually. But she lives and breathes it every single day. At one time, I was like that and was nearly to earning a car, but I got so tired of selling for my FT job and then go into selling mode also once I was "at home in my free time." If you are having a tough time disengaging from the family MK consultant, just say that you support her in MK and if you ever hear of anybody needing a consultant you would tell them about her, but that the products just are not working for your skin. Also, IF you still want to support her, but modestly - you could buy the tubes of Hydrating Lotion and/or Body Wash for small gifts. I've given those to my kids' pre-school teachers and the post lady for Christmas. They are $14 each (not including tax) and not a huge cost. I keep a few on-hand to give out as needed.

My mom is Canadian. I never heard her mention anything like this. We have just always had an alliance as a family between our Canadian and American family/friends. As a world traveler myself, I can't recall a time when I saw or perceived anyone to be offended by a flag displayed by someone who was a non-native to that nation. It is interesting. Obviously what you are saying is a real thing. So I'm not refuting it. Just never experienced it personally.

Before kids, when we lived in CO near Denver, there was a massive snow storm. Many people were trapped in their cars for days. Several died. I nearly was one of these people. I had nothing in my car to help or sustain me. Since then, we've prepped our vehicles for emergencies (water filters, dried foods, first aid, changes of clothing, a knife, folding shovel, folding saw, various ties, duct tape, etc.) with the goal of being able to live in or at the site of our vehicle for several days. We did similar things at our home. We see this as a physical form of insurance. And better to have than not need than need and not have. It's been a cool family thing too as we can share these things and skills with the kiddos. I suppose it's easy too since we camp a lot and there's overlaps in camping/prepping gear. We're not those types that you see on TV though. Just more following the lead of FEMA and how even our HOI company advises emergency preps. Does anybody do similarly?

Yes, you're so right. Also it's like Yellowstone being a super volcano. If that erupted 2/3 of the US would be wiped away in some way by the explosion or resulting gases/toxin rains/clouds, etc.. pretty sure that's a lot less likely than Cascadia though. But still...

Again it's hyperbole. It's meant to be an exaggeration. Kind of like "it's raining cats and dogs." Did we ever see that happen? That's not scientifically possible. All non verbal communication is lost while online, so you may think she was serious based on her words alone. But I guarantee that if she said it in your physical presence you would "get" her intended meaning.

sorry. Duplicate post.

We moved last year. We have 4 kids. The previous home was 3200 sq ft. 3 bedrooms upstairs. 2 bedrooms in the basement (where we live walk out basements are quite common so the bedrooms have full windows). One bedroom we used as our school room. The other was a guest room (we had many guests). The upstairs included the master. Then two DS shared and DD had her own. We got pregnant and the thought of a young child living in the basement room away from us, wasn't working, which would've happened due to the baby needing her own room on the master level. The new house is smaller (around 2800) with four bedrooms upstairs. DS still share. Still have a school room in the basement. Both homes were/are in good school districts. But where we are all the PS are good (MN) pretty much. Plus we have open enrollment here, meaning families can send kids into other districts if they desire. My advice would be to find the home that fits your needs first. And if it is in an excellent school district, great. If not, don't sweat it. As long as it's not a gang central or really poor, I think you'll be okay on resale. But all this is so locale specific so it's tough to know for sure.

No advice. Just wanted to say I think you're kind and faithful for considering all this.

I see it as a compliment of to the nation of the flag the American uses on their bag or bike or wherever. It would mean the American liked it, had ancestry there, received it as a gift (maybe from a host family), or genuinely was impressed by it. Maybe it's just a simple souvenir.

I think she means the tectonic plates would shift and move CA away from the rest of the land mass. It's not a literal "falling into the ocean" and I've heard the phrase used to demonstrate the severity of this happening. It is hyperbole.

Are you also saving for retirement?