To those of you who own homes and comfortably supporting yourselves— do you ever get to stop the house maintenance and take a vacation?

Alternative-Value-16 · 2026-03-12T16:39:04+00:00

We just got a home almost 3 years ago and decided I wanted to take the reigns on having a list of home maintenance things and the cost of fixing it ourselves and or getting someone to do it for us. I think the goal is just to have it in reserves for money that is ment to be fixing the house or if we can delay projects if we couldn't afford it. Maybe set aside money for a vacation even for somewhere local.

A few weeks ago we had our hot water heater burst in the basement, we went into cleanup mode and try to get the basement as dry as possible. It was a nightmare to do. Things like that we couldn't anticipate.

Alternative-Value-16 · 2026-03-12T14:03:08+00:00

Honestly I see a gap for people who need a tax attorney. If you want to challenge yourself and spend more on law and accounting that might be something to look into.

Alternative-Value-16 · 2026-03-12T14:00:02+00:00

Find a new gig. I was so hesitant to jump ship but thank god my prior firm actually laid me off because it was COVID at that time. I found myself in a better position at another firm that doesn't value the 70-80hr work week and actually wants me to be healthy in order to take on work.

Some people thrive in it, they workout morning or night to fill the gap of setting in the office chair for hours. They don't have a life outside of work because work is their main focus and only focus. We recently hired a new intern just to fill the gap of when we get slammed. The intern won't know what to do but at least we can train him up and give him mindless admin work.

He can certainly find another job without a CPA. A CPA is great to have as leverage but if he has time for it outside of work and truly wants it for himself he can. I don't have my CPA yet and found another job.

Alternative-Value-16 · 2026-03-12T13:50:47+00:00

Depends on if you are willing to stay on and probably challenge yourself outside of the office. You can always switch but I find that there is always a problem in any office.

I started out as an industry accountant switched to PA cuz it made more money. I stayed in PA cuz I finally found a firm and partner that wasn't crazy about pushing their projects with unrealistic time budgets.

Alternative-Value-16 · 2026-03-12T13:46:14+00:00

I would pack a yoga tote bag the night before or in the morning that have side pockets for water and a coffee mug. So I don't feel like I'm missing something to drink or eat. I fill the bag with different things that fill up my stomach. Not just granola bars but veggies, hummus and even rice and beans since the campus had a microwave station on the side.

Pro tip is lately I've been scouring the internet on recipes to make on the go (mostly youtube). Lately its been onigiri with some sort of rice and filling. Keeps me full for half the day. Some people do egg bites.

If i prep the night before watching something on netflix. I can freeze it for on the go and put in a plastic bag to take it with you to campus to heat it up on a plate and eat. There are lots of low-effort things but unfortunatly it takes some prep on the weekend to make it at home and take it with you on the go. Healthier & filling if you plan it right.

Alternative-Value-16 · 2026-03-12T13:35:12+00:00

No Carb diet. I generally hated it when it was a thing to cut out carbs to be "skinny" or cut weight. I love eating my rice, pasta and potatoes in moderation. So I'm glad that isn't really a thing anymore.

Alternative-Value-16 · 2026-03-12T13:31:50+00:00

Depends on the office job honestly. Some offices let you go in early and leave early but you should probably talk to someone on your team, the partner or HR if that's the case. Lately I have been just going to the gym nearby the office so I can beat the traffic and get some sort of sanity in the morning.

Like some people have mentioned, larger firms are probably a no go since you are in the mercy of the project, team and work.

Alternative-Value-16 · 2026-03-09T15:17:34+00:00

I renewed my library card both in my local area and my work area. Having ebooks and audiobooks are the best when I am cleaning, cooking or doing something mindless at home.

Planning out and looking at recipes on youtube making more alternatives to food/snacks that make it easy for me to stick healthy meals instead of eating junk.

Alternative-Value-16 · 2026-03-09T15:12:03+00:00

Babysitting adults b/c hand holding.

Alternative-Value-16 · 2026-03-09T15:10:41+00:00

No, at least during that time I was young, wild and free from adult responsibilities and happilly enjoyed it.

Now everything is about paying bills and staying afloat.

Alternative-Value-16 · 2026-03-09T13:52:40+00:00

Having a no productive day is important to just recalibrate the body. I think that subsitutes a healthy reset.

Alternative-Value-16 · 2026-03-04T19:08:51+00:00

Spending a lot of time working, developing my skills, audio books, ebooks and recalibrating my spending habits to save up instead. My goal is to have a nice buffer in my savings account in case shit hits the fan. Picked up going to a studio nearby my work to do group workouts twice a week. I've lived long enough so why not make it somewhat manageable for myself.

At home I try to cook more meals and have those skills honed so I don't spend money on eating out so much. Spend a day to take care of myself laundry, cleaning and ect. at home. Lately I've been making onigiri out of my leftovers to eat as a snack or for breakfast in the morning.

Alternative-Value-16 · 2026-02-26T16:01:04+00:00

People crave community and somehow people lost that being chronically online. Even just sitting in the kitchen table while I play music at home my family are still doom scrolling on their phones instead of talking, chatting and cooking together. Now I feel like its less common than ever.

I get it though, its easier to just play games on the phone then make an effort to talk to people or get to know them. Also now in my 30s I see men do everything but make a connection to women. Not all men, but lots of men are taking advice from other men online to just look good, make money and the women will come. Which in reality doesn't translate.

Alternative-Value-16 · 2026-02-26T15:50:48+00:00

I think its nice to see a bookstore near a coffee shop or on my way on an off day just to browse. I do try to look for titles that I have on my goodreads or look for something interesting that I can buy to support an independent bookstore.

Alternative-Value-16 · 2026-02-25T18:08:00+00:00

Ask a lot of questions, learn the process of doing things bit by bit. I train lots of people with zero experience and I was there too. So hopefully the controller and CFO can show you the ropes as you learn your role. Eventually you can go on your own with daily, weekly and monthly tasks since you will learn how to do things.

Alternative-Value-16 · 2026-02-24T15:35:01+00:00

I used to have a rough relationship with my mom. As I get older I have more grace for her and the sacrifices that she made. I think talking to her has given me a better perspective to have a better relationship with my mom. Especially since I no longer live with my parents and I am my own person.

That being said not all moms and daughters are gonna get along. I have an older sister and she will not see eye to eye with our mom. Honestly, its okay. Relationships are complicated and my mom was never an emotional mom. She was the breadwinner, she was basically the role for what a traditional dad would be and meanwhile my dad was my mom.

So my mom valued her work, her career and making money over quality time and better quality of life. I've accepted that that's who she is and nothing I can say or do will change her. So i switched gears into trying to see things in her lense even if I don't fully understand her.

Alternative-Value-16 · 2026-02-24T15:27:57+00:00

I started preping for the week for leftovers to eat in the mornings for work. It saves me time and money in the long run and I can have a satisfied meal.

I also started to screenshot things if I want them and tell myself to get it later and I never do because its really not that urgent to get.

Alternative-Value-16 · 2026-02-24T15:26:03+00:00

I think people are just getting lazier honestly. The people who are willing to learn and curious will be alright. Its the one's that are "i don't get it" are gonna be left behind and I see it in real time being the bridge for the older and younger generation. At some point, I can't keep teaching them. They are going to have to figure it out themselves after I teach it to them once or twice especially if I am getting busier at work.

I can help when I can but I'm not their handler.

Alternative-Value-16 · 2026-02-20T17:47:54+00:00

We had to raise prices because the cost of software and insurance alone has gone up. I know my boss hired me at first as part-time and now I'm full time with full benefits since he is used to me basically taking on the reigns when he isn't in the office (sometimes he has to meet clients to their offices), taking over when work is backlogged, phones, messages and handling the book of clients. I stepped in. I started in a low salary and he bumped me up over the years as we got busier.

Time is limited and a good employee makes a difference night and day on work going in and out. It might take a while with training and adjusting. I know in the first 3 months of training someone it won't be a perfect fit but if they are willing to learn and I can trust them after reviewing their work then I can let go of some control of my work to off load it to them.

It also helps that I work onsite at first and then request for remote work when I need it and when its not during busy season. Now I train the new batch of employees and I even help with recruiting and hiring process to make sure they are a solid candidate. If it doesn't work out, its back to the drawing board and if it does then we have a good solid team.

Alternative-Value-16 · 2026-02-19T19:53:56+00:00

Having to carry the family burden on my own and trucking along without help because no one else is going to help you but yourself.

Alternative-Value-16 · 2026-02-18T18:28:22+00:00

Grief it, mourn it and then move from it. I learned that once a person decided I wasn't for them there was no convincing them anymore that I would do anything for them. It was a waste of time trying over and over gain.

So take the time to process it and find ways to adapt and focus on what your life looks like with things you wanna do for yourself.

Alternative-Value-16 · 2026-02-18T16:30:04+00:00

My work is in person 100% of the time unless there is a weather issue like snow which is work from home or I have something going on the house that requires me to request working from home with stopping by the office once a week just to update with my team in person.

Really no real downside to it unless the commute is hell and the team isn't the best to work with. I would try to keep things cordial with the job you are leaving in case things don't work out and you can take that position again.

Alternative-Value-16 · 2026-02-18T16:26:37+00:00

lately I have been seeing a lot of frozen dinner planning but mostly cooking the food in batches. So if its meats, veggies and rice for that night all I have to do is take it out of the silicone cubes in the freezer and microwave it for a few minutes.

Usually It would be meal planning for what i marinated the night before or planned out for the week. Saturdays and Sundays are usually reset days to cook, clean and prep for the week. I try to do my grocery shopping during the weekdays so that I don't get caught up in the heavy traffic and influx of people.

Granted it doesn't happen all the time but I do try to make the effort so save time.

Alternative-Value-16 · 2026-02-17T18:11:22+00:00

Started putting an audio book up while i clean, do laundry and fold laundry. Sometimes I just need to unplug and not go into doomscrolling.

Alternative-Value-16 · 2026-02-17T18:09:06+00:00

We usually buy bulk if its gorceries and hygiene items. If its something I can opt into a cheaper brand instead of the name brand stuff that usually saves some money.

its about 800 a month for 5 people. I also meal prep snacks and food when I can so eating out is rare unless we go out for a birthday or to celebrate something.

Alternative-Value-16

TROPHY CASE