GlockSpock

In all honesty I wish I'd purchased the house we have been renting 4 years ago if it were possible. It was possible truly but I didn't make it priority. I've been pre-approved twice for more than I'd ever want to spend. The math as to what I can afford depends somewhat on what sort of loan I get and whether PMI is applicable. USDA is probably the smartest choice if I can find a house for it. Otherwise, FHA (or THDA) are about my only other options, both with PMI and slightly inflated interest rate. As originally stated, if obtaining financing through a local credit union could possibly avoid PMI, that would likely be a preferred option. I suppose I will just have to discuss it with a credit union, but I was hoping someone may have experience with this here. As stated above, it is very likely my landlord is going to put our house up for sale. I haven't had a rent increase since we moved in 4.5 years ago. I'm underpaying on rent truthfully, all the other rent in the area is $200 or so more for a compatible house, or it isn't as nice an area. I can continue saving, but if the interest rates are raised and the market generally increases, to some point those savings are null. I myself have listened to Dave Ramsey a lot and have heeded much of his advice. I'm also human and have ignored some of it. It is due to him that I have a Zero-Sum budget. I have a very, very stable job and just recently received a nice little pay jump. I wanted to save enough for 3.5% of a $150,000 FHA loan, just in case. I'm steering closer to $100,000 though if I find a nice place with what we need. I'm doing all of this from the monthly payment standpoint of what we can and cannot make work. While we could technically make $150,000 work we'd be closer to house poor than I'd like to be. Closer to $100,000 we'd be so close to breaking even or even potentially coming out cheaper than current rent. That means all the money I have been saving for a house fund can be funneled into a home repair fund. So, has anyone used a local credit union for a mortgage, and if so, what sort of PMI and closing costs did you have with a lower down payment?

My Wife and I are close to purchasing a house, we just don't know which one yet! I've did quite a bit of reading about FHA and USDA loans over the years and generally know how those programs work. USDA seems great if the house you purchase is eligible. However, if it isn't and FHA is the only option, I don't like the idea of PMI at I believe .85%. This leads to this discussion. I'm a member of two credit unions (Bowater Employee Credit Union and Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union). How do these mortgages generally work? For example, I notice that BECU offers "up to 97% financing". I'd love to put down 20% but it has taken forever to save the 3.5% I've saved for a $150,000 home. Do these credit union loans work supplementary with something like FHA or as another option entirely? Can I possibly avoid PMI through a credit union? I assume closing costs could be cheaper through one, is this true? I have plans to speak to a loan officer at BECU and TVFCU soon, but I figured TGO might could save me a lot of research time by forewarning me or recommending me towards certain things.

Yeah, down here in the Chattanooga area we had some ~20 year old running around starting some fires. Most people wouldn't obviously but one person can do a lot of damage before, if ever, they get caught. My fear was that this guy would inspire a few copycats. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I think I really really want one. I have consolidated down to only Glocks but the CZ P-01 I had still wakes me up from time to time. Does anyone know whether it takes standard 75 Compact magazines or something else? If it takes standard 75 magazines I may get one. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

But it's a reproduction. I looked at it extensively while at the Outpost Armory one time:) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It actually is not a machine gun. Could be purchased by anyone legal to own a firearm on a 4473 and you could walk out the door with it today. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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I do love me an M9. Don't have one but did. Got rid of it simply for the number of parts compared to alternatives. That being said I wouldn't mind having another someday. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Or, one could just buy a Glock because it is practically the same thing I love Glocks by the way.

That's awesome. Now, if someone wanted to do it right, they'd print each piece individually and then fit/assemble. I'd love to have one that is 1:1, all major parts removable, etc, and be able to buy a few real springs so that it felt operational other than the fact it isn't. Have the barrel 1:1 but do something like leave the chamber solid/filled so no round could go in it. Sure, you might say it doesn't have a firing pin, etc but someone else might say lets drill a hole and make one in zipgunesque.

Ha! Those gyro balls or Powerball are great. I too have one.

Of the "MasterGrip" or the specific version I posted?

So, at work I "discovered" something I had purchased a long time ago. It's a "GripMaster" hand exerciser. It's unique compared to some other hand exercisers in that it has individual tension for each finger, allowing you to individually exercise and improve the grip in each finger. You know, one of those things you buy, use a time or two, and then stick in the drawer for rediscover 7 years later. As a novelty I decided to go to their website to see if they are even still in business. They sure are, and I discovered this product which must be somewhat newer. ProHands "Tactical" Supposedly you aim the laser at a fixed object and then work on keeping the laser stationary while working your hand. For shooters that "pull" their handgun down while firing due to the them gripping the firearm and pulling the trigger, it seems to me like this would work. Supposedly the laser should work with any of the exercisers. I may see if I can just pick on of those up for trying. Thoughts? Seems like it would go hand in hand (pun definitely intended) with dry firing.

I'm down again. Never a bad experience, only good so far for me. Lots of good people here. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

But I'll do it over the phone for $9.99! Just have him give me his bank account information.

One thing I've noticed in life is that some people don't mind spending more money as long as a third party is willing to tell them that everything is going to be ok as long as they spend that money.

Glock basically offers a lifetime warranty with their free lookover and what not. Wow.

Buy one and mail it to me:)

For anyone interested I'm selling the very same flash used in the above photos on the classifieds here at TGO. Keep in mind these photos were shot at nighttime in the dark:)

I already drank my coffee but it hasn't completely kicked in. In other words, I posted in the wrong section:)

Again, today (10-24), Lifestraw products are on a decent sale on Amazon.com's Deal of the Day LifeStraw Personal Water Filter LifeStraw Family 1.0 Water Purifier LifeStraw Go Bottle LifeStraw Mission

Played around some tonight with rear curtain sync.

Update: Peak Design Slide SL-2 works great! Shot with it some this weekend. Very comfortable and easily adjustable. I love how easy it is to add and remove from the camera. The only downside I have regarding the issue is that it stores quite largely. If I had a bit larger bag it would be fine. Well, since it is a padded strap with decently large buckles it does take up some space. That's a trade-off I'll gladly make for all of the other things it brings to the table. Now, some pictures from this weekend.

I purchased two items recently that I think some of you may be interested in. The first item I purchased was to eliminate the common issue of my camera strap being frustrating. The stock Canon strap is hard to adjust, uncomfortable, and too short to use as a sling. I found this: Peak Design Slide SL-2 I think I'm really, really going to like this. I use my camera for video sometimes on a tripod and it will be nice to be able to easily remove the straps. Supposedly it is much more comfortable than stock straps. Review pending after I try it out. The second item I purchased was more of a spontaneous purchase. While shooting video over the weekend I noticed some sort of something blocking the picture slightly. I had one of these years ago but misplaced it: Giottos Rocket Air Blower These are great, not only will the get dust/debris off your lens but also the more important sensor.

Show it to Ebay.