The blog post is an incredible read.

I still don’t get the butane reference? (kidding)

Totally agree.

I sure wouldn’t say ‘all’. The first years of your mortgage you are paying the bank more in interest than you are knocking off the principal.

A $300k home with 20% down and an interest rate of 3.5% on a 25 year amortization schedule will see the buyer paying $8k in interest versus $6k towards the principal at the start. Over the course of the mortgage, the $300k home will cost $420k thanks to the $120k in interest the bank takes.

I’m okay as long as I don’t doom scroll too much.

I’m Canadian and middle aged. I was braced for a rough Trump 2.0, but the last month has truly exceeded expectations for suck. Our country is under economic attack by our biggest trading partner. Human rights and trying to help and support each other are suddenly considered bad things. Our window to address climate change is snapping shut as our leaders around the world move in the wrong direction. I’m feeling really good about my decision to not have kids at least.

On the plus side, my sick cat is responding to treatment, and my partner and I have just set up a nursery - we’re going to start fostering wee kiddos whose families are going through rough spots. I’ve got some financial flexibility so I’m treating myself to a stack of coffee gift cards each week that I hand out to folks who look like they could use it. Sorta makes my day to be able to make sure someone unhoused gets a warm drink and some food.

Yea, I’ve looked at that. The issue is when I break it - and I always break my phones. I wouldn’t be able to quickly fix my phone because I’d need to order the parts via a shipping forwarder. I use my phone for work and going a couple of weeks without a device isn’t viable.

The SECOND Fairphone starts shipping to Canada, I’ll buy one…

I tackle this two ways.

I ensure that I have a progress pride bracelet, pin, or other clearly visible symbol of allieship on me at all times. I also have prominently displayed safe space signage around my office. There should be zero ambiguity of my support - my hope is that this both makes 2SLGBTQIA+ and any other marginalized individuals feel welcome around me, and I also find it reduces inappropriate jokes or comments from the broader organization. People KNOW that I will make a stink if they are assholes. I try to ensure a safe bubble around me.

The other thing I do is try to make it clear to my team that I care about them as people - they aren’t cogs in a machine.

Ultimately, it’s up to my team members to decide if talking with me will help or hurt. I just try to make sure that my door is wide open.