Ex-CTLawyer

@none

You make a choice to be constantly running.

The late Mrs.CTL and I ran our professional practices/businesses from offices attached to the home when we had minor children.

They never were in the care of a nanny and were raised by us not the school teachers.

We could have earned more working for large firms but family came first.

Yes we ran, to see our daughters in school plays or sports, etc.
BTW, living out of town meant a trip to a kosher restaurant was at least 40 minutes each way. So, there was no grabbing takeout. Every night there was a home cooked meal for family dinner (I cooked, she baked) and in more than 40 years of marriage we never once bought Shabbos or Pesach.

Living in NY now, I am appalled at the number of children being raised by non-Jewish nannies, while both parents work and one salary pays childcare. I live directly across the street from a park full of frum children and the nannies all sitting in the benches on their cell phones. It is no wonder that the youngsters are so poorly behaved.

@CoffeeAddict
Three weeks ago caught a special on Jet Blue on their nighttime flights.

I don’t mind a flight that arrives at 1am in FT Lauderdale

Borenstein Caterers is owned by El Al preparing all their meals for flights originating in the USA as well as proving kosher meals to other airlines and transportation. Companies
Reliable hashgacha, Glatt kosher under OU with cross endorsement by Volover, universally accepted chasidiche hashgacha

@gadolhadorah

Sorry, you are incorrect about garters.
They are used to hold up hosiery, not just by women.
Long before American men wore stretch socks, a garter was used to cinch or secure the sock near the top to keep it from falling down.
I still own our cotton lisle dress socks that are size specific and have no elastic in them (binds circulation) that are held up by garters under my trousers.

Being both old and having grow up in the clothing business I know about these things.

@ujm
You need to get a life

Dishes, flatware, glassware are not fabric and are washed in hot water

As for hotels (I don’t use the often) but pack a vinyl mattress cover and pillow covers in my suitcase. I tip the housekeeper to strip the bed, put these covers on and place freshly laundered bed linen and blankets on the bed.
I will use the freshly laundered towels in the bathroom.
We went away for a Pesach program this year, traveling via car and stopped at Home Goods and bought new pillows to take with us to avoid dust mite issues

I previously answered your car rental question; and I don’t take Uber or car services.

I no longer do much travel

None

I never used the term dirty clothes.
Not all used clothing comes from wealthy people.
I explained that I do not take chances on used fabric items for health reasons.
You are free to do what you want.

@UJM

I don’t drive other people’s personal cars.
As you renting a car. It is something I do when traveling on business and I check to see that the car had been thoroughly cleaned and specify that it have vinyl or leather seats (not cloth).
This occurs a few times a year at most.

I can’t totally avoid contact with others furniture etc. such as a meeting in another attorney’s conference room.
But that casual contact is different than bring the used item into my home or regular use such as a car.

None
You don’t know me or my lifestyle

I drive a 6 year old car that I bought new and paid cash for. It replaced a 15 year old car that is still being driven by one of my grandchildren.

Yes my suits and shirts are made for me but they are classic in style and last a very long time. The suit and shirts are made I wore this past Shabbos were made in 2007.

Not being an off the rack size, the cost of remaking someone else’s clothing eould cost more than new.

I worked and paid for my own college and law education made my way in business and family.
I am not extravagant but do enjoy comfort.

I don’t enjoy being criticized by youngsters who haven’t experienced life.
Not only did I pay for all of my children’s educations, but quite a few others as well.
I currently am providing stipends to a number of yeshiva boys and seminary girls whose parents manage to come up with the tuition but not that necessary pocket money.
I do this because HaShem makes it possible

Sorry
I am perfectly able to go into a store with far more money that the cost of the item I seek to purchase; and not spend any of the extra money.

I make a list of what I want to buy before shopping and do not add impulse items to my cart.

Buying secondhand is not the answer to everything. I don’t want clothing or bedding used or worn by others, same with upholstered furniture. Not taking a chance on what might be inside to make me sick.

I prefer a full manufacturer’s warranty on automobiles, and high end appliances, HVAC equipment, etc.

No difference in a new versus used diamonds and I buy used serforim regularly.

It’s about buying what you can afford comfortable while meeting all you obligations such as maaser.

I find it interesting that many posts talk about the inability of therapists to cure xxxxx.
Medical professionals treat and sometimes cure diseases and illnesses.
Therapists help one cope with emotional and mental health situations. These are not things which can be cured. One cannot cure anger, grief, jealousy, resentment, etc. a good therapist can help one to deal with these feelings/issues.

Therapy need not be a long term thing. It does not have to break the bank.

There are all kinds of therapy practiced by people with far different training, experience, education and degrees.

I would not consider the therapy offered by Clinical Licensed Social Worker (who may only need a Batchelor’s degree in some states) to be the same as that offered by PHd. psychologist.

When I received a designation as a Marital Law specialist, the university granted me a Counseling Certificate. In no way did I consider the 15 credits sufficient to provide marriage counseling/therapy despite being allowed to do so by law.
My holding the Certificate allowed my divorce clients to avoid the mandatory (Connecticut) court employee provided marriage counseling in order to obtain a civil divorce.

@AAQ

You write about the need to have the highest paying renters in my response to not renting to students; a group I label as destructive and transient,

So, if I can rent a 3br to six students for $4800 month plus utilities or a couple with 3 children for $4100 per month. I’ll take the family. The wear and tear from 6 students far exceeds the family. They tend to move friends in without permission. They tend to leave after the academic year and the unit needs painting every time. They have no pride in the place.
The family wants to live in nice surroundings and does not generally trash the place. Typically only have to paint after 4 years if they renew leases. They want stability, don’t trash the grounds, etc.

Yes property is expensive, but I look at the rental market and aim for 85%of market rate on a new purchase that is financed. If it can’t carry at a 10% return, not worth buying,
Typically, landlord loses a month’s income every time there is a change of tenant. Lease expires 11:59:59 pm and can’t expect to have it ready for move in at midnight.
Outside of NYC, landlord pays real estate agent, typically one month’s gross rent on a year’s lease.
I don’t use agents, we own an in house Real Estate Agency. Mostly get my tenants by referral from happy existing tenants whose friends and families are anxious to live in my properties.

BTW you talked about appreciation in deterring your profit. You neglect to mention depreciation, that wonderful accounting system that throws off tax saving snd profit. After 29 years (used to be 15) and depreciation to zero one doesn’t sell and have a huge taxable capital gain from reduced cost basis. Instead one doesn’t a like kind property swap, avoids the tax and gets to start depreciation again. I’m

Epithets belong on gravestones

Let’s wait until he is dead to assign one

Appropriate during different points in his life:
Adulterer
Felon
Deadbeat
Barker
Liar
Charlatan
Presidential Victor
Presidential Loser

@fakenews
B”H my properties are not financed, so I am not subject to fluctuations in interest rates.

In 2007/8 when the markets imploded, real estate values dropped. Many with mortgages found themselves underwater and lost their properties.
AND: my real estate taxes dropped for a year when my town made the next year’s budget. I passed the savings along to my tenants by lowering their rents proportionally for my tax savings for the renewal one year leases.

When taxes and insurance and maintenance are stable I do not increase rents at renewal time. This year real estate and fire taxes are increasing 2.5% based on the grand list of Oct 1, 2025 (payment due in January 2026-we pay taxes in arrears in CT). Tenants will get a proportional increase when lease renews. Example 2 family house with $600 tax increase, each tenant will get a $25 increase for the coming lease year. I don’t increase their $2500 month rent by 2.5% which would be $62.50 unjustly enriching myself.
I set a 10% net ROI for myself (7% which I could get in a stock dividend<which I do regularly for clients and self for 40 years >, and 3% for my efforts/labor time in managing the properties, doing bookkeeping and taxes, etc.)

If I had to pay a mortgage those 3Br 2 bath central A/C modern apartments would have to bring in $3800 mo rent, which is comparable in the area.
I’d rather have long term stable families as tenants who can afford the rent on dad’s income while mom can raise the children and watch over the property.

Not unusual for me to get a text from a tenant stating that the kitchen faucet broke and the bought a mid price replacement from Home Depot for $40 and they asked their son in law to install it so as not bother me to get a plumber. I immediately Zelle them the cost of the faucet and express my thanks.

Long term good tenants are the key to financial sucess as a landlord, turnover is a killer.
Today is the last Friday of the month bc and many of my tenants have already paid rent for July. I have not had to bring an eviction action in about 20 years and I”H will never have to do so again

I have been a landlord for many decades. When my expenses (taxes, maintenance, insurance) rise then rent has to increase at renewal time. I keep my net constant, but why should you expect me to subsidize my tenants?

I do not look at what the current rentals in my local markets are to set rents. They are set based on expenses and a reasonable Return on Investment.
In years when taxes and insurance does not go up, I renew at current rental amounts.

This may be one reason that most of my tenants have been in place more than 10 years.

Since I only drive through the Bronx and Queens when going to and from Nassau and Fairfield County homes I doubt I will make changes in my life.
No reason to visit the city for business, entertainment or shopping.

@ujm

Major error in headline and your post.
The female was not YET (and will now not be) the diplomat’s fiancée. He bought the ring and was about to propose.
This is typical goyische method, buy and show the ring to entice girl to say yes. Does not say much for the midos of the women swayed into marriage by the sparkle of a stone

@Lakewhut

Always do sure and always so wrong.

There is no requirement that a Democratic candidate running for office be a supporter of the party platform.
In fact a new platform is voted on at every National Party Convention for the purpose of electing a President.

Candidates run for election in years when there is no platform.
Some state parties have a platform, some don’t.

A vote for a Democratic candidate I. A local election in no way means you are supporting a national platform (that doesn’t exist in 2025).

@Neville
I am talking about NY
I did not daven in my small CT town Chabad but they had the banners and picture in the lobby, not shul

@CoffeeAddict
Too long

I’d like to make a few comments after reading this thread.
I have never been through the tuition/scholarship application process. B”H I am was able to afford paying for mine and other children as well.
That said, having been onThe boards of Yeshivas, Day Schools and Camps; I detested the committee system.
It is demeaning and unhealthy for fellow parents and school staff to have access to and make judgmental decisions about the finances and lifestyles of families. Too much information was leaked/shared and discussed that was hurtful to the applicants.
Years ago in a local city the boards of 6 of these type of institutions turned the process over to the local Jewish Family Service. They set up a committee of professionals who handled the process for all 6 institutions. They received the cost to attend, but not the name of the institution. They received handled each applicant discreetly. The offices had separate entrances and applicants were never in A waiting area where they could see others coming for the interview.
The operational costs was provided by a grant by Federation.
It worked well for more than 20 years. The school administrations were relieved not to be in the position of negotiating and dealing with unhappy parents.

Next: Parsonage
This is a misunderstood concept, it should not be applied to teachers.
In the old days the local church provided a place for the Parson to live. American synagogues followed suit owning a house used by the Rabbi. When clergy started buying and supplying their own homes, the IRS code allowed them to consider a small portion of their salary as parsonage. Often they met privately with congregants in their homes, hosted learning groups and the wife might teach a woman’s class.
Today Parsonage is a term often used by those in their homes religious education world to justify a system of tax avoidance. It is definitely a grey area

@SquareRoot
Grasping for draws. Admit you are wrong.
Article 4 of the Constitution is not about the powers anc obligation of the President/Executive Branch.

@AAQ
Foreign relations has always been the Roman of the Executive Branch of the Federal W as specified in the Constitution, never the States
The Constitution states that all powers not specifically assigned to the Federal Government are reserved to the states (States Rights), but the Feds use thing such as carrot and stick to get control: want Highway funds we can set speed limits, etc.
Private college takes federal dollars for research, scholarship, hello requirements for Title 9 compliance, same for day schools taking Federal money for school lunch programs

@amom
In carpentry they teach to measure twice and cut once (avoids mistakes and waste). You read a post quickly and incorrectly and attacked me wrongly.
Square Root will not own up and admit the Constitution does not order the President to secure the borders as he posted. That is a falsehood.

My post is not for or against any individual who occupies the Presidency, it is about honesty and accurately stating what is in the Constitution. I put my bona fides out there and Square Root cannot refute the truth.

@anom
Wrong, wrong, wrong!

When hiring you are required to have the employee fll out a W-9 which requires providing you (the employer) with the listed forms of ID showing eligibility to work; such as birth certificate, passport, drivers license, social security card, etc.
You sign that you have examined these ids and person complies with the law and keep copies of there ids,
You also have to have them fill out a W-4 for tax withholding. You must withhold applicable taxes and Social Security and Medicare and file tax returns remitting the withholding and your employer’s obligations as well.

Follow the law!

@Neville

I did not write public schools are above any and all corruption. Please don’t put words in my mouth.

I addressed the fact that the typical adjunct teaching community college is likely to be working full time in his/her field and less of an ideologue than the full time university academics.

Out of state tuition to state universities is much cheaper than private universities.

In New England to save taxpayers money the 6 state university systems try to avoid duplicative programs with limited enrollment and high cost and admit students from the other 5 states at in state tuition cost.

This has been around for decades.

As for student loans, the borrower voluntarily signed a promissory note, received the services and should pay for it.
I am willing to make some accommodations for students who were defrauded by for profit schools who closed down, and student stuck with no transferable credits.
Also loan payment credits for working in areas of great need for wages below the going rate in more popular areas (teachers, doctors, nurses in remote underserved locales).

Many in the CR are aware that I may be a social liberal, but am a fiscal conservative.
In my grandparents’ time (1910s) an 8th grade education was sufficient to earn a living and perform most common work tasks), in my parents time (1930s) a high school education sufficed, today a college or technical education is needed. I believe society as a whole benefits from a dictated workforce and am willing to pay for it through my taxes.

BTW, for those who will raise the issue of ‘illegal aliens’ receiving free college education: the Connecticut plan for free community college for high school graduates requires the student fill out the Fafsa form and all grants are paid directly to the school. The Fafsa is only open to US Citizens