fefellama's recent activity
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Comment on Europa Universalis V | Trade and economics in ~games
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Comment on Investment club? in ~finance
fefellama Link ParentTrue for things like money market funds, treasury bills, and hysa's that are tied to the federal interest rate, but those 2-3 years could have been much better spent by being invested in an SP500...True for things like money market funds, treasury bills, and hysa's that are tied to the federal interest rate, but those 2-3 years could have been much better spent by being invested in an SP500 index fund like VOO or SPY.
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Comment on Investment club? in ~finance
fefellama Link ParentThat's part of the problem though. I too had an assignment like that in middle school where we had imaginary incomes based on our grades in the class and we had to create and stick to budgets and...In fact, the game was a competition among area schools. Which my team won! Though being so young, and playing with fake money, it's not like I retained a lot of that knowledge.
That's part of the problem though. I too had an assignment like that in middle school where we had imaginary incomes based on our grades in the class and we had to create and stick to budgets and plan vacations and discretionary spending. But like... it was all a game to us. Everyone just fucked around with it. I remember purchasing llamas as my discretionary spending because 13-year-old me thought it would be hilarious. It's hard for kids to grasp the seriousness of interest and debt and credit cards and investment returns when they're probably not going to need to use that knowledge for at least another few years.
Around the same time, I'm pretty sure I learned about compound interest in middle school Algebra class. But like when the fuck is a 13-year-old going to use compound interest in his daily life? So I learned it, passed my tests. Then forgot it all by the time it would actually be of any use to me in my 20s.
In high school I took an AP economics class and really all it taught us was supply and demand and Adam Smith. More theoretical than practical day-to-day knowledge.
Then in college I remember taking an intro to business course and it focused on those same things that you mentioned: P/E ratios, dividends, stock splits.... A bunch of stuff that might be useful to know as a manager of a large company, but not so much for the average Joe.
Yet despite taking all these finance/business/economics related classes throughout my life, at no point did anyone ever explain to me what an APR was. Teaching kids/teens about credit cards, compound interest, different types of debt, and maybe a little bit about taxes would go a long way towards helping kids not fuck up their lives as soon as they start earning a little money (or even before then in the case of student loans for college).
Side note, but this all reminds me of a Spanish teacher I had in elementary school. He would introduce some vocab words on Monday, then spend Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday ranting about stuff, then quiz us on those words on Friday. Sounds dumb, but the stuff he would rant about was often real-life problems and issues. Like how the school bought pizzas for $5 each and then sold each of the 8 slices to kids at the end of the school day for $1 a slice. Or how unhealthy pizza was in general and how it was irresponsible for the school to be feeding it to us constantly and hyping it up with pizza parties. He taught us to read the nutrition labels on the backs of food products and how to understand what serving sizes were and how food manufacturers can trick you by making the serving size super low. To this day I still actively check the nutrition labels on everything I buy or consider buying in the grocery store, watching out for saturated fats and trans fats thanks to this wacky Spanish teacher I had when I was like 8. He got fired a few years later (probably for not teaching much Spanish, lol) but he had more of an impact on my day-to-day life than most other teachers I can recall.
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Comment on Investment club? in ~finance
fefellama Link ParentFair enough. After reading through a lot of the other comments in this thread, it seems that I have mistaken what the aim of the club would be. I thought it would be more like the weekly 'what...Fair enough. After reading through a lot of the other comments in this thread, it seems that I have mistaken what the aim of the club would be. I thought it would be more like the weekly 'what movies/shows/books/anime/manga/games have you been watching/reading/playing" threads but maybe with a little bit more direction. But seems like the consensus here is more about researching individual stocks and/or etfs and analyzing whether they are wise investments or not.
Heck maybe both types could coexist. Like there could be a weekly "what have you been investing in?" thread or something like that as well as an investment club focused on specific picks.
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Comment on Investment club? in ~finance
fefellama Link ParentPerfect! Yeah my first real job out of high school I earned a little money in a 401k, then I left that job and rolled what little I had in there into a roth ira. But like.... no one ever told me I...Perfect! Yeah my first real job out of high school I earned a little money in a 401k, then I left that job and rolled what little I had in there into a roth ira. But like.... no one ever told me I needed to do anything with that. So for like 2 or 3 years that money just say there, no different than if I had cash under my mattress. It was only after I started learning about stocks and investments and interest and all that stuff that I realized my mistake and actually invested it into VOO or something. Wish they would teach this sort of thing in schools more, rather than letting people trial-and-error their way into financial literacy.
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Comment on Investment club? in ~finance
fefellama Link ParentA roth ira is definitely a great start! And yeah I'd definitely do something with that money in the taxable account. You might want to check out if said taxable account (I'm assuming a brokerage...A roth ira is definitely a great start! And yeah I'd definitely do something with that money in the taxable account. You might want to check out if said taxable account (I'm assuming a brokerage account?) has options for where to park your cash. Some give you the option of just holding it in cash (meaning it won't grow or shrink or anything), vs investing it in some sort of money market fund (which provides you with ~4% interest annually). Usually it's a simple as a few button clicks in your options or preferences or wherever, but that way you won't feel like you're missing out on anything since you'll be actively getting something in return for having cash in the account.
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Comment on Investment club? in ~finance
fefellama LinkI happen to enjoy this stuff a lot, and I would love to see more investment-based discussion on Tildes. There are a few problems that I can see though, relating to the scope and intent of the...I happen to enjoy this stuff a lot, and I would love to see more investment-based discussion on Tildes. There are a few problems that I can see though, relating to the scope and intent of the 'club'. How exactly would this club look like? would it be similar to the other ones on here, like the Book Club or the Retro Games Club where each month or so there's a new topic to discuss?
However, different people have different goals, comfort zones, experience levels, preferences, etc., so it's hard to have a one-size-fits-all approach to investment. I think the scope of this club would need to be pretty general to cover people in various situations. Like a 20 year-old in college will probably have very different goals than a 60 year-old thinking about retirement. Or someone that makes 30k a year vs someone making 200k a year. Or someone with no experience investing who puts all their money in a savings account vs someone who day-trades options contracts for a living.
If it is to be a regular thread (weekly? monthly?), maybe having an ongoing vote somewhere as to what the next topic should be to keep things adaptable to what people are interested in talking about rather than having a fixed list like the Book Club or Retro Games Club. In those other clubs, it makes more sense to have a fixed list, since people need time to acquire and read/play those titles that will then be discussed, which doesn't necessarily apply to an investments club.
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Comment on Looking for some video game suggestions based off some specific parameters in ~games
fefellama Link11/10 game but it is indeed all story. There are some gwent-based puzzles in there, but like you said, they are to serve the story. Another great game, but yes it is very similar to Slay the Spire...Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales has interested me since I've heard good things about Gwent, but since it's a Witcher game I don't know if that means it's mostly a story-based game and the gameplay is just a means to server the story.
11/10 game but it is indeed all story. There are some gwent-based puzzles in there, but like you said, they are to serve the story.
I've heard good things about Monster Train, but the fact it gets compared to Slay The Spire has led me to skipping it.
Another great game, but yes it is very similar to Slay the Spire and Balatro.
It sounds to me like roguelikes would be totally up your alley except for the rng nature of them. Maybe there are some roguelikes out there without too much rng? (can't think of any off the top of my head though)
Here are some games I've played recently that seem like they might fit your requirements:
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Beat Saber - vr game, pure skill based, can pick up and put down whenever, not really any microtransactions or powerups or whatever
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Bridge Constructor: Portal - fantastic little game, lots of levels, very strategic, can pick up and put down until you beat all the levels, then maybe replay to improve your scores
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Hexcells trilogy / Tametsi - minesweeper games with no rng, just pure thinking, clever and well-designed levels, can pick up and put down whenever (saw someone else recommend pictocross-like games, this would be in a similar vein to those in terms of casual and relaxing, yet very thinking-heavy)
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Comment on What's a question you could ask to determine if someone is an expert in your line of work? in ~talk
fefellama Link ParentHell, if someone knows there are different types of oak woods then there's at least a 50% chance of them being a woodworker or in some other type of trade that deals with wood. I'd wager most...Hell, if someone knows there are different types of oak woods then there's at least a 50% chance of them being a woodworker or in some other type of trade that deals with wood. I'd wager most people just think of oak as a singular species.
For woodworking you could probably also ask something like "End grain or edge grain?" and the correct answer would be something like 'depends what you're building'.
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Comment on Offbeat Fridays – The thread where offbeat headlines become front page news in ~news
fefellama Link ParentPotential? Buddy, I don't know much about the anatomy of wild pigs, but I'm pretty sure they aren't supposed to be neon blue on the inside. What amazes me is that these pigs survived long enough...Game hunters have found startlingly 'neon blue' flesh inside of wild pigs in California, triggering advisory statements on potential contamination
Potential? Buddy, I don't know much about the anatomy of wild pigs, but I'm pretty sure they aren't supposed to be neon blue on the inside. What amazes me is that these pigs survived long enough to get hunted rather than just succumbing to the pesticides directly.
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Comment on Europa Universalis V release date announced (Nov 4th) and prepurchase now available in ~games
fefellama Link ParentOh definitely. I'm the other way around, I love EU4 but tried Stellaris a couple times during some free weekends and felt overwhelmed. I think a weekend is not enough time to truly familiarize...I think I'll still get a lot of mileage out of 4. ;)
Oh definitely. I'm the other way around, I love EU4 but tried Stellaris a couple times during some free weekends and felt overwhelmed. I think a weekend is not enough time to truly familiarize myself with it. I'm sure one day I'll pick it up for good, but maybe by then there'll be a Stellaris 2, lol.
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Comment on Europa Universalis V release date announced (Nov 4th) and prepurchase now available in ~games
fefellama Link ParentThe best version of EU4 is the one you have. In the beginning there were a few DLC that were considered pretty essential, but Paradox have mostly learned their lesson throughout the last decade...The best version of EU4 is the one you have. In the beginning there were a few DLC that were considered pretty essential, but Paradox have mostly learned their lesson throughout the last decade and the DLC that comes out nowadays are more region-specific. They'll have a free update with major bug fixes and game changes, then some regional content and maybe a unique mechanic or two. So like the 3 proposed expansions in the EU5 roadmap are for Byzantium/Ottomans, Iberia/North Africa, and France/UK. But I agree, a fresh start is nice!
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Comment on Europa Universalis V release date announced (Nov 4th) and prepurchase now available in ~games
fefellama Link ParentAgree on the diplomacy part. No other game has a deep and customizable of a diplomatic system as EU4, so I hope they expand on that in 5. And the trade system being more flexible as opposed to the...Agree on the diplomacy part. No other game has a deep and customizable of a diplomatic system as EU4, so I hope they expand on that in 5. And the trade system being more flexible as opposed to the rigid nodes in 4 would be amazing.
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Comment on Europa Universalis V release date announced (Nov 4th) and prepurchase now available in ~games
fefellama Link ParentI’m all for the Imperator-style trees, those felt a bit more role-playish to me. And yeah I’ll miss the abstraction of mana. I can appreciate the realism of modeling all pops like they do in Vic3,...I’m all for the Imperator-style trees, those felt a bit more role-playish to me. And yeah I’ll miss the abstraction of mana. I can appreciate the realism of modeling all pops like they do in Vic3, but it’s gonna be weird after over a decade of mana, lol.
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Comment on Europa Universalis V release date announced (Nov 4th) and prepurchase now available in ~games
fefellama Link ParentNo arguments here. But I will say that I had similar reservations about CK3's and Vic3's art style and after a few hundred hours in each I've come to love them just the same. I'm the kind of...As a die-hard EU4 player I'd take enhanced performance over a new visual style every single time.
No arguments here. But I will say that I had similar reservations about CK3's and Vic3's art style and after a few hundred hours in each I've come to love them just the same. I'm the kind of person that plays EU4 on low settings (and with the Fast Universalis mod) despite having a more-than-capable computer, just because I care way more about performance than looks. So I thought the more 3D and realistic art style of CK3 and Vic3 would throw me off, but got used to it pretty quick. Hoping it's the same with EU5!
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Comment on Europa Universalis V release date announced (Nov 4th) and prepurchase now available in ~games
fefellama (edited )LinkI know there are a few fans of Paradox games on here, specifically EU4, so figured this might be interesting to some of us (@cfabbro, @CptBluebear, @davek804). Honestly this release date is quite...I know there are a few fans of Paradox games on here, specifically EU4, so figured this might be interesting to some of us (@cfabbro, @CptBluebear, @davek804). Honestly this release date is quite a bit earlier than I would have expected, which would have been some time in 2026.
For those who haven't played EU4, it's a grand strategy game with an absolutely insane amount of detail and mechanics. It can be overwhelming to new players because of that, and because of the vast amounts of DLC available, but those DLC are how the game has continued to be in active development for 13 years since it was first released in 2012. EU5 will be on a newer engine (similar to CK3 and Vic3) and seems like it will have even more mechanics now that they are modeling population numbers.
Here's hoping it's a smooth launch like CK3 rather than a troubled one like Vic3!
edit: wait I just realized I will be on vacation when this game comes out and will have to wait another week or two to play it, fuck.
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Europa Universalis V release date announced (Nov 4th) and prepurchase now available
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Comment on Viking longship to sail through Tower Bridge – the Saga Farmann departed Tønsberg in Norway and has been sailing around Europe (with a few land transport gaps) in ~humanities.history
fefellama LinkCool article (and image), OP. Thanks for sharing! I know the article is mostly tongue-in-cheek, joking about a viking invasion, but if I recall correctly, longships were used by all types of...Cool article (and image), OP. Thanks for sharing!
Lock up your maidens and hide your gold (or the other way round), as the Vikings are coming to London.
Well, one longship’s worth, but that was usually enough to terrorise the local population when they saw its distinctive prow and square sail approaching.
I know the article is mostly tongue-in-cheek, joking about a viking invasion, but if I recall correctly, longships were used by all types of Vikings. And Vikings weren't always raiders and warriors, but mostly fishermen and traders. We tend to think of the warriors and the looting and pillaging and sacking of churches and what not, but I think a single longship pulling into Lunden would probably not have been all that ominous.
In fact, I did a little more digging (via Wikipedia) on Viking longships specifically and found this about the "Klåstadskipet", the ship that these replica ships are modeled after:
The ship is probably a cargo ship, a knarr, and is dated by the tree rings of 998
The knarr was a cargo ship; the hull was wider, deeper and shorter than a longship, and could take more cargo and be operated by smaller crews. It was primarily used to transport trading goods like walrus ivory, wool, timber, wheat, furs and pelts, armour, slaves, honey, and weapons.
Knarrs routinely crossed the North Atlantic carrying livestock such as sheep and horses, and stores to Norse settlements in Iceland, Greenland and Vinland as well as trading goods to trading posts in the British Isles, Continental Europe and possibly the Middle East.
They did sometimes accompany actual warships thought, but usually just carrying the supplies.
So instead of locking up their women and gold, maybe Londoners can go get some stuff to barter with for that sweet walrus ivory and honey.
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Comment on What are your favorite and least favorite airports? in ~transport
fefellama Link ParentYup, I grew up going to large airports and the mentality that I need to be at least 2 hours early for a domestic flight and 3 hours early for an international one. And let me tell you, sometimes...Yup, I grew up going to large airports and the mentality that I need to be at least 2 hours early for a domestic flight and 3 hours early for an international one. And let me tell you, sometimes that 2/3 hours was cutting it close.
Then I was talking to a coworker last year (about this smaller airport that I didn't have much experience with) and he mentioned that he doesn't bother leaving the house until like 30 mins before his flight since it never took him more than 5-10 minutes to get from where he parked his car to sitting down in front of his gate. I was shocked, and I still would never leave it so close, but I totally get it now having experienced it first-hand.
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Comment on What are your favorite and least favorite airports? in ~transport
fefellama (edited )Link ParentThose are all fair points. I guess the location of said airport matters a lot too. Like in your case you said a small airport is 2 hrs away, which I would agree negates most of the positives I...Those are all fair points. I guess the location of said airport matters a lot too. Like in your case you said a small airport is 2 hrs away, which I would agree negates most of the positives I mentioned. But in my case it's the inverse. The small airport 5 mins from my house is incredibly efficient, vs driving 1.5 hours away to the nearest 'big' airport, then having to pay double the price in parking, then having to get from the massive parking lot to the terminal, through the security line, then to the gate, and having to do all that on the return flight as well. So the 5 mins that it takes me to get to the airport, plus another 5-10 mins to park and get past security, then even a layover of 1/2/3 hours is much more hassle-free and worth it for my particular situation.
Which was a surprise to me before moving to where I am now. I grew up in major cities and only really experienced large international airports (because my parents also greatly preferred flying direct). So I never would have considered this tiny airport a few miles away from us when flying halfway around the world if I hadn't heard so many good stories and experiences about it from coworkers who have lived here their whole lives.
Fuck me they actually did it. They fit the entirety of Victoria's economic system into Europa Universalis. I look forward to EU6 when they fully incorporate Crusader Kings' character and title mechanics into EU as well. By 2100 there will just be one singular Paradox game that will start at like 600BC and go all the way to intergalactic colonization.
Jokes aside this shit is going to be daunting as fuck for new players. I really hope their tutorial is up to par at release because boy are we going to need it. Victoria has a notoriously difficult learning curve, even more-so than other Paradox games (which is saying something) and throughout this whole video I was just thinking to myself "oh cool, just like Vic3...".
Gonna be spending a lot of time reading the wiki in my first few weeks of playing this game, that's for sure.