Coffee Break: Lash Sensational Mascara

76 Comments

1. Finance gut check – I can put down 10% or 20% on my mortgage (house is $850k) – both come with a 2.875% interest rate, the 10% down option has a minimal ($85/month) PMI, totaling less than $6k over the life of the loan. This is crazy cheap money, and I should just put the 10% down and invest the rest right?

   1. I would say so, yeah. even if you want to make additional payments to get out of PMI land, you may still come out ahead.

      Because I’m cautious I’d probably put 1 or 2% in to a cash fund since I’d be more heavily levered with only 10% down, but for sure you can do better than 2.8% in the market over the life of the loan.

   2. I would put higher down and see if you can get a better interest rate for the 20% down option. It seems weird it would be identical to the 10% down option.

      1. Also, it depends whether you can swing the higher payments on 10% down comfortably.

   3. who is this loan from with that interest rate? we just got a quote and it was higher.

      1. McLean Mortgage Corporation. They’re a broker that specializes in Northern Virginia but I think they are National now. They’re amazing, and I am highly suspicious of brokers

   4. I would do 10% down to keep cash available to invest, for your emergency fund, and for unanticipated home repairs or improvements. But, I would highly recommend increasing your monthly mortgage payments, as you are able, in order to build equity and pay down your mortgage faster. I don’t know how long you plan to stay in this home, but I’m a huge believer in paying off your mortgage before you retire.

   5. Hmm, so I did some math for you. At 20% down, you’re financing $680K. At 2.875% interest, your monthly interest rate is that divided by 12 (this is how they do it, instead of making the effective annual interest rate 2.875%, which is a nerdy mathy distinction, but anyway.._), so your monthly interest rate is approximately .24%, for a first month’s interest payment of $1,632, not counting any principal pay-down.

      At 10% down, you’re financing $765K, with the same monthly interest rate, which is an interest only payment of $1,836 for the first month. Just FYI, I keep saying the first month, because though your payments will be level, slightly less will go toward interest and slightly more toward principal over the life of the loan, thought the difference can seem negligible for a long time.

      In addition to this $1,836 interest rate, you’re paying $85 in PMI for a total of $1,921. Because PMI doesn’t benefit you, you can think of it as equivalent to additional interest. The PMI is also currently tax deductible, though the deductibility of PMI is not guaranteed long-term, as is your mortgage interest, and this is an important distinction.

      So the additional amount you’re paying every month is $1,921 – $1,632 = $289 in interest and PMI. You’re speculating that for your additional 10% down payment of $85,000, you could do better than an interest rate of $289/$85,000, which is 0.34% per month or about 4% per year.

      Here’s where tax deductibility comes in. If you’re going to deduct PMI and mortgage interest rather than taking the standard deduction, this $289 is deductible and the effective interest rate is actually not apples to apples with investment returns. Because investment returns are taxable, so you really need to ask yourself if you can earn a 4% guaranteed rate of after-tax return on the invested $85,000.

      Another thing to think about is that your mortgage payments are essentially guaranteed with a fixed interest loan, while investment returns certainly aren’t. You couldn’t get an after tax return of 4% or greater right now on $85,000 on a risk-free investment like a CD or a savings account or money market. You can only do better if you take risk, which means you could earn 10%, you could earn 5%, you could lose 5%, you could lose 10%. So another place where it isn’t apples to apples.

      Just make sure you’re considering all of these things when you make your decisions. For me, personally, I’d put the 20% down and not pay PMI.

      1. I’m not the OP, but I just want to acknowledge and thank you the detail and engagement in this answer. This is why I keep reading corporette, the amazing community.

      2. Thanks for taking the time to think this through.

   6. At a lot of places you only have to pay PMI until you’ve paid enough principal down that you have < 80% loan to value. For what it's worth, don't assume you're paying that for the life of the loan. You could just front $400 to get a new appraisal when the time comes to prove you don't need to pay PMI any longer.

      Still, bigger loan means bigger payments. I'd just put the extra 10% down and take solace in the fact I have equity in my home, that is assuming you have plenty of additional cash on hand in emergency funds and whatnot.

   7. A few things to consider: Will your income most likely stay flat or increase, or could it drop? Will putting down most make your monthly payment easier in a meaningful way? I put down over 20% to 1) avoid PMI and 2) hedge against an expected drop in income. However, I’m a single woman, if I had a partner, I probably wouldn’t have

   8. Thank you all so much – this group is the best.

2. Anyone live in Brooklyn who knows the area around the Cortelyou Road subway stop?

   A friend is moving there and I wanted to buy her a few gift certificates to places within walking distance that are great. A great bakery for bread? Coffee place for coffee? A pub for a drink? Or a great restaurant?

   Thanks!

   1. That’s a great area! I like Sycamore Bar, the Farm on Adderly, and Mimi’s Humus.

      1. All good recs!

         1. Perfect. Thanks so much!

   2. Brooklyn artery! Great local store with Brooklyn-made wares. And the owner is a community mainstay- good person to know.

3. Ring vs. Simplisafe.

   We have a single family, 2 story home in a quiet neighborhood. We already have motion sensing cameras on the doors but we need to up our security system. This is specifically to protect from a break in of a known party while we are sleeping.

   We know we want at least glass break detectors, motion sensors, door/window alarms, and a panic button. We want one of the ones where there’s an option to have a contract that you can turn on and off as this is for a specific purpose.

   1. Well that situation sounds terrifying

      1. It really really is.

         I honestly wonder what setups prosecutors have. We know that this person is actively seeking out our address and unfortunately, our job info is fairly accessible.

         (Even without being active on social media!)

   2. we’ve been happy with Simplisafe as a cost effective solution.

      1. +1

         I purchased this after reading recs on this site.

      2. Seconded.

   3. Any way you can move? I had a stalker ex and that was enough to shake him and return to normalish life. (Been 17 years now.)

   4. We have all those items with our Simplisafe system except for the glass break – but I think they offer that.

   5. I have a wired (not wireless) perimeter alarm from a local alarm company (in my case, Bay Alarm.) There are a lot of advantages to a fully wired system in terms of safety, but it can be a tradeoff in terms of convenience, and it’s harder and more expensive to install. Wired means I have sensors in all my doors and windows that connect to the alarm, so if the window or door is opened, the alarm will go off. If the wire is somehow cut, the alarm will go off. If my alarm goes off, the service calls me. If they are not provided with the all-clear word (Which is not “all clear” – it’s a code word) then they send the police. If for any reason I’m being told to disable the alarm by an intruder, there’s a special code that disables the sound but also tells the monitoring company the situation. I need all of this to feel personally safe.

      In your very scary situation, I’d steer away from the DIY solutions and call a local, reputable alarm company.

      1. Thank you. So far, all the companies I’m finding that do work locally are somehow affiliated with our (horrible) giant former cable and internet provider.

         Willing to do more research, but also: this is likely to be an on and off issue.

         1. Ring is also affiliated with a horrible, giant company.

         2. Yes, you need a local business that’s responsive to your particular needs. I have a special needs child and I needed a system that would alarm me if he tried to get outside alone. The business owner came by and we talked and he understood our usual circumstances and was able to set up exactly what we needed. I’m sorry you are dealing with this.

         3. There probably is a local business who does this, maybe primarily for other businesses. Your main street businesses are not all using Comcast alarm systems.

      2. I used to work in the alarm business and I echo this recommendation. You need something super legit

         1. Ugh.

            I hate that you’re right. But also: If I said the actual scenario out loud, I’m pretty sure it sounds… not unwarranted.

            Also, somebody asked about moving: no, this is supposed to be our forever home. It’s in an awesome neighborhood and we adore it. It would involve uprooting our family.

            1. I’d rather move than constantly be afraid of being assaulted in my own home.

      3. I am not sure if something like this exists in your area, but where I live we have a couple of private security companies. They provide alarm installation, monitoring, and armed response. In my large metro city, their response times are much faster than the city police.

         1. +1 I think this is what you need. Sorry, OP, this sounds really scary.

      4. to add a perspective… SimpliSafe does call and ask for your code word if the alarm goes off. My dog mistakenly set off the motion sensor alarm (yay it works – no I shouldn’t have had it on when she was home) and the response was immediate.

4. I like Guerlain Maxi Lash. It provides great definition and does not smear.

5. Pre-pandemic I was a daily full-face makeup wearer and never thought I’d be anything but, and now I’m down to undereye brightener and a little concealer.

   I guess I just wanted to post to say to Kat that I appreciate this post’s “if you wear mascara, this is good” context vs implying it’s some sort of command performance to be made up.

   1. Low stakes reaction but I find it tiresome to qualify absolutely everything all the time. If I don’t wear mascara, I won’t read the post. It’s okay, my feelings can take it.

      1. +1

      2. +1 I’ve never worn makeup and have never been offended by any of the makeup posts here. Obviously everything won’t interest everyone and I just skip what I don’t care about.

         1. It’s not abut being offended, or creating some kind of obligation. Just about recognizing a new normal, which is appreciated by some of us who are working to figure ourselves out all over again.

            1. I see where you are coming from, but in this particular instance, I think not wearing a lot or any makeup is not so radical that it needs to be normalized through carefully chosen language (however strongly it features on here).

   2. I do wear makeup but appreciate the acknowledgment that not everyone does.

      In fact, I’ve been replacing all my makeup lately because my old stuff got so little use during the pandemic, I consider it expired. But really, it’s just fun to buy makeup. Not to be like “makeup is my art” Jennifer Coolidge’s character in Best in Show – but it is something like buying art supplies. All the pretty colors and brushes and packaging. There’s a reason lipstick is still a best seller in economic recessions. Sometimes we all “need” a pretty little personal care item as a pick-me-up, even if we don’t actually need it.

      If I could go back in time, I would start collecting Estee Lauder special edition powder compacts.

6. Best mascara-Benefits Mascara-They’re real. I have dinky eyelashes & they really do the trick–no eye lash curler just this. Love it!

   1. I love Roller Lash from Benefit

      1. +1 Roller Lash is excellent, auto rebuy. I’ve not bothered with any other mascara since I tried this one.

         I do have a couple of They’re real from a Sephora minis haul, but haven’t tried them yet since I just buy more Roller Lash, maybe I’ll give them a go between the next ones! :)

   2. Endorse!

7. Yeah this is my problem with them as well. They read as either entirely made up, or as chronicles of people so deeply out of touch with the reality of most people in the city that it’s almost distasteful. No problem with folks sleeping with whoever they want as often as they want.

8. She doesn’t sound like she’s living her best life. This doesn’t read like a woman who is taking charge; she sounds like she’s struggling to figure out romance and sexuality and has very little idea of what she wants or how to get it.

9. DH and I want to buy a ruby necklace for his daughter’s 13th birthday next month (ruby is her birthstone and she really likes it). I’d prefer to keep the cost under $500 because she is 13. Any suggestions about places to buy something? I usually buy such items at Costco or Bluenile and neither has anything good that fits my specs right now.

   1. I love the Cachet Collection from JeanJean Vintage on Etsy – they’re pendants molded from Victorian/old wax seals that have messages and images. You can add a gemstone to any of them. I’ve bought several for friends as keepsakes – love that I can pick a message that is meaningful to them.
      https://www.etsy.com/shop/jeanjeanvintage?section_id=19827089

   2. Rubies are more expensive than diamonds so finding something that is big enough to tell it’s a ruby might be tough at that price point. Vintage pieces maybe?

      1. I’ve bought rubies for family members and they are WAY less than most diamonds of the same size. I have no idea what you’re talking about. I assume they were relatively low quality stones but sounds like OP is ok with that.

         1. +1 Just google ruby necklace and there are plenty of options right away that are less than $500.

         2. High quality rubies yes – but point taken that this is likely irrelevant for the OP.

   3. If you’re okay with lab-created rubies, Brilliant Earth has some affordable options.
      I like this one: https://www.brilliantearth.com/North-Star-Lab-Ruby-Pendant-Silver-BE4LR201/?=

   4. Depends on what you’re looking for in the stone. If you’re okay with it being less clear, less vibrant, but still a ruby, you can find lots and lots on Etsy and other artesan shops, with dainty and simple styles suitable for a 13 year old, for less than 100 dollars. (Suitable as opposed to the 83 year old dowager’s heirloom style, I mean).

      If what you want is the very JEWELS look, with a vibrant, larger ruby, or a ruby set with little diamonds or crystals, you’ll need to spend more and it might be more fun to find a vintage piece.

   5. I would do a bezel set one. It’s a pretty in look (at least in my mid/late 20s crowd) and it’s more durable than other settings (which is good for younger kids!). No recommendations, but I’ve gotten bezel set jewelry from Bloomingdales and Etsy lately that I liked.

   6. IMO garnets are pretty, like rubies, but a lot less expensive for a real stone that is red.

      1. Agree that garnets are beautiful, especially the raspberry ones, so pretty. They are the birthstone for January, though, so I’m guessing it might feel a bit like getting jewelry with the wrong zodiac sign, if the daughter is very aware that ruby is her birthstone?

      2. hmm, I’m a garnet and my sister is a ruby and neither of us would ever think they look alike. Garnets are brownish burgundy most of the time, rubies are a lighter pinkish red.

         to OP, do you have a local jeweler? I swear by mine and I also swear my prices with him are better than online prices.

   7. A formerly frequent poster on here has an Etsy shop, Gewgaws & Gimcracks, and has several necklaces with a ruby and other stones which would be appropriate for a young teen. I’ve bought several items from her, both for myself and as gifts, and all were lovely and well-made.

   8. I’ve bought several lab ruby pieces from MoissaniteCo – just email them and ask how much it would be to swap moissanites for rubies. It’s way, way cheaper.

10. To some extent, it depends on your plans with the mortgage. If you plan to pay over a typical 30 year amortization period, agree it makes sense to just do the 10%, assuming you will earn more than 2.8% plus ~$6k. But if you are paying it off significantly sooner, it may make sense to put down more to reduce the monthly payments and potentially have lower closing costs,

11. Thank you to whoever recommended Petra mints (THC) — I got a pack and the first one was chef’s kiss amazing!

    1. Describe! It looks like they have a super limited range (location wise)

12. Along the lines of Maybelline — what else do you buy at the drugstore? I like some NYX liner but have gotten away from it in recent years aside from Dove moisture soap…

    1. Cerave hydrating face wash and cerave moisturizing cream in the tub- I buy a pump for the tub online. I use the cream for my face over retin-a and on my body, too. I also use Stridex pads as I live in a very hot climate and get blackheads from sweat in the summer, and Stridex is cheap, easy, and it works. My current makeup routine is super minimal, but pretty much all from sephora, unfortunately for my wallet.

    2. I’m 100% a drugstore makeup and skincare person (well, Target).
       – NYX Epic Ink Liner
       – Whatever Maybelline “the falsies” mascara looks best
       – E.L.F. eyelid primer
       – Maybelline Cheek Heat gel-cream blush (new find, I like it a lot)
       – NYX mineral veil (for foundation)
       – NYX undereye concealer
       – lipsticks from Maybelline, Revlon, and Wet n’ Wild

       For skincare, I use the Aveeno sensitive skin wash on my face and use the Target-brand dupe for Cerave’s SPF 30 face lotion.

13. Do you find that there is any connection between eating/blood sugar and anxious feelings?

    Lately I’ve noticed that when I go hours and hours without eating I feel low level panicky (not jittery/not physically – it’s more panic about life). Like I’ll get stuck in this rut of OMG my job is awful how will I ever find a new one and it’ll feel hopeless. And then I have a meal and obviously still may not like my job but it won’t feel end of the world. I’ve heard of people feeling anger when hungry (hangry) but that’s never been me. I’m more of a – didn’t I just eat, can’t I skip a meal – type of person. Just something I’m noticing lately.

    1. I had a boss once who would “forget” to eat and it was so unpleasant working for her and her extreme mood swings I’ve always tried to eat often myself. She would get frantic, anxious, crazed, loud, sarcastic — just no patience at all. (As I type that: maybe I just really sucked.) Hangry isn’t just angry but hangrzy doesn’t sound as good.

    2. Yes. Hunger can trigger anxiety. Low blood sugar can cause a basic stress reaction in your body which can manifest as anxiety. It’s kind of a cave woman danger body signal or sorts.

    3. Yep. Hunger and thirst can both be triggers for me, as well as heat and level of tiredness. It’s amazing how little it takes to throw the human body out equilibrium.

    4. My partner is like this – he can really start spiraling when he’s hungry.

Comments are closed.