skeach101

Been married for almost three years. We do NOT combine finances. We split certain bills, have an mortgage with both are names, and have a joint checking account in case we have checks addressed to us both, but that's it. We have separate bank accounts, separate investments, separate IRAs, and separate car payments. We will absolutely never change that system. I don't understand the people who combine everything. What do you do when you need to buy something descretely for your wife's birthday? Besides, I believe a certain degree of privacy is important to a relationship.

Old thread, but I just wanted to say that I read TONS of finance books, but surprisingly, I can honestly say the best book I ever read was "The Complete Idiots Guide to Personal Finance in your 20's and 30's" Get it.

Let me give you some decent advice..... Student loan debt is NOTHING to be concerned with. Here are a few questions I have for you. First off, do you work in the public sector or private sector? If you work in the public sector, I have some great news for you! I want you to google "ibr calculator." There is a program called Income-Based Repayment. This essentially lowers your payments to a certain percentage of your annual income. It may save you some money. You will still eventually have to pay it off though.... UNLESS you work in the public sector. If you do, your loan will be forgiven in 10 years, even on IBR. Also, there are tons of credits and forgiveness programs for certain jobs. I'm a Special Ed teacher in a low income area, so they basically PAID ME to go to school. And that isn't even mentioning the tax deductions you get from the interest. Just some things to think about.

How do you do it? I've just started Paleo + Dairy, and there is NO WAY I would be able to hit my 500+ cal surplus without the milk I drink. Seriously, what do you guys/girls do?

Ok. I went to the gym this morning. I tried to lower the bar further down my back, and I nearly broke my wrist, lol. After that I said "f*** it!" and did it the way I was doing before. To my amazment, it didn't hurt anymore! It was still a little sore, but not nearly as bad, and I felt that I have good form. I'll try to get a video of it on Friday, but I think I just needed to get used to it!

Wow, thanks a bunch guys. You've really helped me alot! Yeah, I think I've had the bar way too high. I've been placing it right on the shoulder. Can't wait to try it tomorrow. The only problem I might have is arm flexibility. I'll let you know how it goes.

When you say moving the bar lower, do you mean, lower down my back? wouldn't that kinda ruin my form even more? I'll see what happens tomorrow.

I'm probably not squeezing enough. I'm not as flexible as I would like to be though.... I suppose I'll see how Wed goes.

I'm pretty sure I am... when I go on Wed, I'll double check my placement

Also, as far as bar position... I'm just following SS, so whatever that position is.

It's not on my neck. And yes, it is RIGHT on my bone. Squatting light isn't really ideal. I love pushing myself too much. When you say, "Gym Pad," are you referring to this Manta Ray? Thanks for the advice!

Squats kill my shoulders. They really hurt. I'm fairly certain that my form is good, but they still hurt. Anyway, I was thinking about getting a Manta Ray has anyone had any experience with these?

Hey there everyone. I've migrated over here from the /fit/ board, and this seems like a community that I can really be a part of! Anyway, I'll give some if on myself. I started lifting two weeks ago with straight-forward SS. When I started here were my stats: Male (I don't think that one has changed) 5'8" 138lbs. 11.7% bodyfat I start a 500 calorie surplus diet(roughly 3100 calories or so. the BMR +multiplier says around 2800, but people have told me to go a bit further to 3100), tracked my diet with FatSecret, and tracked my lifting progress in a notebook. In the past two weeks, I have made significant n00b gains. I have also gained 6 lbs and now weight around 144lbs. I eat fairly healthy, but I'm not exactly following any specific diet restrictions other than avoiding sugary stuff, excessive fat, and fast food. I have been drinking about half of a GOMAD (2%), in order to hit the 3100 cal I need. I also haven't really avoided the grains either (I don't know if that's good or bad). I don't eat alot of it, but i'll usually throw half a cup of steel cut oats in my protein smoothie in the morning. I'll also have a sandwich every now and then. Anyway, I'm happy to be here, and hope to learn and progress with all of you. If anyone sees any glaring problems with anything that I'm doing, please let me know! Thanks! Skeach Anyway, it's about 6am, and I'm sitting here drinking an