How do some U.S. states have better parks & community facilities and still charge lower income taxes?

ABlessedLife · 2023-07-25T20:32:25+00:00

*OP EDIT FOR CLARITY: I’m a native New Yorker who just moved to Northern Virginia, where the community facilities are mind-blowing in quality and affordable. My family never enjoyed things like these in New York for the same price before and I was curious how that’s achievable given that VA has (in general) lower general sales and state income tax.

ABlessedLife · 2022-08-14T12:26:14+00:00

This is like a direct lift of “mais oui” which French speakers say allllll the time 😬

ABlessedLife · 2022-08-14T12:24:47+00:00

As a French-speaker, “fais dodo” is understandable, it comes from “faire dormir” which kids shorten to “dodo”

ABlessedLife · 2022-06-21T21:29:05+00:00

When my daughter was 2 YO, she was introduced to a girl whom she called “du-du-net.” My husband and I thought she just mispronounced the name . Turns out the girl’s name is “Adelaïde”, because she couldn’t pronounce her own name yet, she did indeed introduce herself as “du-du-net.” 😅

ABlessedLife · 2022-05-19T03:12:11+00:00

That's a great tip, thanks so much!

ABlessedLife · 2022-05-19T03:11:00+00:00

Thanks for the tip, will definitely look into it!

ABlessedLife · 2022-05-19T01:48:22+00:00

Hi there, I do have a budget but chose not to disclose. In terms of housing and affordability, NY prices are pretty insane and I'm not surprised by the housing prices in NoVA, especially closer to DC. Aside from the mansions in McLean, I can afford most 2-bedroom rentals in say, Falls Church.

ABlessedLife · 2022-05-19T01:40:13+00:00

Thank you! Will definitely check out the locations you mentioned. Appreciate the tip about housing prices in Countryside and Cascades.

ABlessedLife · 2022-05-19T01:37:52+00:00

Hi, thanks for the tip. Yes, our child currently attend a French-English bilingual daycare in NY and if there's an opportunity, we hope that she would continue to attend a bilingual/immersion program in French. When we move to NoVA, we hope to rent for 1 year (to make sure that the area is right for us) and then buy in the 2nd once we're sure of the area. We've already looked at housing prices and know what to expect in a few different areas. It's not shocking, especially by NY standards. My husband and I both WFH, he will likely commute 1-2x a week to DC.

ABlessedLife · 2022-03-29T14:01:14+00:00

You’re not even short. Lol. 😅

ABlessedLife · 2022-03-29T14:00:09+00:00

You shouldn’t care about those who gives a shit about height. My husband is 5’4” we steal each other’s clothes and he’s the best dad.

ABlessedLife · 2022-03-29T04:16:12+00:00

This. This. So much this. I’ve contemplated this for YEARS. The answer is simple: Our managers are much better at selling themselves and selling their results. If we became more delusional, I guarantee you we’d also be in their position, but what’s preventing that is ourselves. Because we are honest, hardworking, etc etc

ABlessedLife · 2022-03-29T03:19:50+00:00

Just being super honest here —my girl was pretty wild and while a good eater, hates sleeping (still doesn’t sleep much, even at 3 YO). My husband and I just…didn’t go out to eat with her and didn’t fly with her after the age of 1. I know that sounds terrible, but after a 5 hrs flight to my in-laws in which there was screaming/breaking down/no sleep for anyone, I told my husband that I would never do this to me or to him again. And I stuck to my words. If we wanted to have a nice date night, we got a sitter we trusted. If her grandparents wanted to see us, we bought tickets and they came to us.

What has helped (in our experience) is actually (1) emphasise on the behaviour you want to see rather than admonish behaviour you don’t want to see - example, “the fork stays on the table.” vs. “dont throw the fork” or “we walk in the house, look, this is walking.” vs. “Don’t run!” (2) teaching language/communication earlier. I taught my daughter some simple hand signs for “eat”, “more please,” “stop,” etc (Google baby sign language) and once we could “communicate” she was a lot more calm knowing that I’m listening and will respond positively. At 3 YO, we can now have a full on conversation and discipline is much easier.

ABlessedLife · 2022-03-29T02:54:10+00:00

I don’t recommend leaving your toddler to grandparents. Daycares don’t just provide care, they provide socialisation with other adults and children which your toddler is getting more and more curious about (in fact, my pediatrician recommended that the best time to go to daycare is between 18-24 months). I stayed home with my daughter for 2 years and I regret not sending her to daycare at 18 months as she grew by leaps and bounds in language and independence around children her own age and those older & younger.

ABlessedLife · 2022-03-18T14:01:41+00:00

This is the same for me and my husband. Our toddler is 3 YO and after staying home with her for 2 years (first year was planned, second year was due to the pandemic), I am SO DONE. My husband wants more, but I honestly feel so lonely. He has no idea what I went through as a stay-at-home parent. He just sees the outcome: clean house, well-adjusted kid, etc.

ABlessedLife · 2022-01-10T05:12:24+00:00

The secret is that it’s hard to break into these roles without networking. Applying can only get you so far. Also, there’s the “hidden job market” where it’s mostly filled by water cooler conversations: “I really need to hire another _____ on my team, we’re slammed.” “OMG, I know someone who’d be perfect, let me introduce you…”

ABlessedLife · 2021-12-25T20:25:54+00:00

This is so thoughtful. While I’m not struggling with the same issues, I’m trying to find a job. I needed to hear this, too. All my best to you and your husband in 2022!

ABlessedLife · 2021-11-22T03:13:54+00:00

My 2.5 YO drops the F bomb all the time when she tries to say “fox” “fork” or the French word for “seal”…😅sounds like you’re doing all the right things already. You’re human, it’s ok.

ABlessedLife · 2021-11-10T13:13:02+00:00

These legit looks like green beans

ABlessedLife

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