Need financial advice.

FUMoney · 2023-12-09T16:47:13+00:00

I am a frequent Hawaii visitor. For months at a time.

Recognize the costs are exorbitant: huge income taxes, sales taxes, housing costs, property taxes, utilities (out of control), gas, food — everything. You’re in the middle of nowhere, no population center nearby, shipping shit in skyrockets costs beyond any reason. Because of this, tourism is one of the only viable private businesses. Either that, or you better have a valued trade skill the Islands need: construction, electricity, etc.

So, my analysis: the only way I make this move is if I can get a Hawaii government job with health care and significant pension included. At least a government job will cross off two huge problems with living on the Islands. And if not government, brother, you better be in a well-compensated trade with high demand, where employers simply have to pay high to get shit done. Those cost-plus contracts are gravy, and that is your meal ticket.

You better also make sure you can handle it. After a couple months, I start feeling the need to leave, that Island fever they call it. A better term is Island isolation, or Island lock. What you realize is this: I’ve got the Pacific Ocean in front of me, a huge volcano behind me. Fuck me dead, my entire life is this single road encircling the island which I can navigate in an hour, two at most. And, goddam, I am beyond sick of these huge lines at Costco and Wal*Mart. Yup, get ready for all the locals piling into the same few retailers. It happens — you will realize your useable space is a very thin strip of coast in the middle of nowhere, and two or three single-location big retailers are your absolute lifeline, and you will be at them a lot, because there are no alternatives that are affordable (unless you can grow and make shit yourself). Honolulu is a bit better due to population, state capital, and the naval base, Big Island a bit more space. But that’s the only exceedingly minor reprieve.

Heed this advice. If you cannot slot in to one of the favored Hawaiian niches, don’t go. Do not. The Hawaiian government won’t give a damn about you, and neither will most private employers, who will shitcan your ass at the first sign of a tourism downturn (it’s already happened on Maui with the Lahaina fire). Make sure your shit is on absolute lock before you buy that one-way plane ticket.

Solid_Exercise6697 · 2023-12-09T15:06:06+00:00

I’d wait until your finances are in order. Hawaii is a very expensive state to live in. You’re never going to get ahead living there and will never be able to afford to live, let alone get custody and provide for your kids. Especially as a car salesman.

Your wife won and she’s taking your family, you are beaten, don’t submit to her will. She will control you forever as a this sad puppy she throws scraps to in the form of visitation. You will be kept poor.

You need to plan for the future. You need a way to afford a life and get out of debt. First off, no one is going to blame you for missing your kids and not being around for a bit. Moving them to Hawaii is a huge bitch move and everyone knows it. Move to the place that is cheapest. A friends couch, a cheap city, a van, it doesn’t matter but you need to get in control of your finances.

You need regular income and a career. You are in a good position to find the type of high paying job where they expect long hours on and long hours off. You know what can do that? Trucking. Long haul truckers can easily make 6 figures a year and trucking school is relatively cheap and easy. There is also a massive truck driver shortage in America, further driving up pay and allowing truckers to be picky about the routes and hauls they do.

Get your life and finances in order, then get your kids and family in order.

mauimikes · 2023-12-09T15:06:38+00:00

Learn to surf, don’t stress too much about the debt, everybody has debt. Pay it off as fast as possible.

Signal-Dot2326 · 2023-12-09T16:16:13+00:00

ReReading your last posts about this, If I was a betting man I bet this whole spontaneous marriage and move is gonna BLOW up in your ex's face and they'll be moving back within a year or two tbh

dnbndnb · 2023-12-09T19:20:38+00:00

Likely your cheapest living in HI might be on a boat. I’d look into slip rentals there & then getting a used sailboat. You could learn to sail & also make it an adventure for fathers/kids.

captainchippsixx · 2023-12-09T21:17:57+00:00

Side hustle after work or non work hours.

RevolutionaryLaw8854 · 2023-12-09T15:48:07+00:00

I consider financial planning and budgeting a hobby. It actually gives me pleasure. I also give lectures to medical residents (usually have hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt) about financial planning and budgeting.

First, in the scheme of things $20,000 is not a lot of money. It seems like it is to you- but it really isn’t.

I have strong feelings about your current plan to use a debt consolidation plan that you are using. Don’t. It’s a scam.

I would strongly suggest that consider other (better) options.

What they do is very simple. You stop paying your credit cards. Your credit rating tanks. They collect money from you every month. Once your accounts get really behind the credit card companies sometimes will agree to a settlement. Say you owe $10,000 to a card company. They try to get them to accept less. Sometimes as little as 20 or 30 cents on the dollar.

You can do this yourself. Or, pick up some extra jobs. DoorDash, flip cars, side job like - handyman, declutter people’s houses (yes people pay for this - we have a person that we pay $50/hr that is a ‘organizer’ 🙄. You get the point.

Also, I don’t agree with Dave Ramsey on everything (his investing advice is wrong) but his getting out of debt plan is exactly what you need.

You should binge watch his YouTube and listen to his podcasts. His advice to managing debt and huge changes to your life are exactly what you need.

I’ll even send you his book the “The total money makeover” just PM your address or email.

Godspeed.

yarsu777fgg454 · 2023-12-09T19:11:27+00:00

Assess your debt and explore relief options. The new 2024 National Debt Relief Assistance Program might be applicable for you. It could potentially cut your credit card debt in half. Worth looking into given your situation.

Moving to Hawaii is costly. Prioritize debt management and consider remote or transferable job options. Stability is key before making such a move. Mental health is important, but so is financial health.

Visit debtcalculatorproject.com to evaluate how much debt you could eliminate. A clear picture of your finances can inform your next steps. Consider this as part of your overall strategy to relocate and be with your kids.

Signal-Dot2326 · 2023-12-09T15:58:50+00:00

It's really disgusting, that the courts would let someone take away someone else's children, we shouldn't be allowing horseshit like this.

BaldieGoose · 2023-12-10T15:32:47+00:00

Bro I know this isn't easy, but DO NOT go to Hawaii. For all the reasons everyone already described.

Title	Need financial advice.
Author	OncomingSlayerStorm
Upvotes	9
Comments	28
Date	December 9, 2023 2:46 PM UTC (2 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/Divorce_Men
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/Divorce_Men/comments/18ef278/need_financial_advice/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/Divorce_Men/need-financial-advice.1240193 https://theredarchive.com/post/1240193

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