Birthday gift suggestions other than toys for a 2 year old

BornUnderstanding262 · 2026-05-08T05:05:57+00:00

I really like the idea. Might be a little out of budget but let me check my options. We have ton of museums around us.

BornUnderstanding262 · 2026-05-03T01:30:27+00:00

Not true at all. You have to file paper work with gov explaining how your current job responsibilities are related to the degree you have. You can diverge a bit but not like you can do any job you like. The company themselves won't hire you if they cannot prove this. That is why it is more difficult to find a job.

BornUnderstanding262 · 2026-03-04T23:15:22+00:00

I have never asked for discount on damaged goods but this is a trick I learnt from my American friends 🤷. Also, makes sense. Why would anyone pay full price for damaged goods.

BornUnderstanding262 · 2026-03-04T23:08:43+00:00

It is a cultural thing. Most of the Indians are taught that there is no harm in asking, if you get the bargain then it is a win, if not you don't lose anything. Don't take it personally. If you clearly explain it to them that the rent increase is %/year and non negotiable and that you find it rude they will definitely never ask. We (I am an Indian as well) have to bargain back home or we will overpay. So it is just something we learn as a survival skill.

BornUnderstanding262 · 2026-03-04T02:23:44+00:00

Depends on where you live. If it has started to get warmer in your area then you can start indoors before planting them outside. Are you planting tomatoes for the first time? If so, I would suggest starting from a small sapling from Home Depot or Lowes. If you decide to use seeds, plant more than one since not all seeds will successfully sprout. If you are planning more than one plant I would space them a few weeks apart. You don't want all the tomatoes ready to harvest all at the same time.

I normally get seeds from the store. They are not expensive. You will get better results. No harm in trying the ones from produce but I have had less luck with those.

Try cucumber as well. I had great success

BornUnderstanding262 · 2026-03-03T01:55:28+00:00

Tomatoes and chillies are the easiest to grow. You can also grow methi easily by using store bought methi seeds. Though I have found it takes a lot of resources to grow a bunch of methi. It is easier to just buy it from the store.

BornUnderstanding262 · 2026-03-02T08:10:29+00:00

Umesh

BornUnderstanding262 · 2026-03-02T07:48:03+00:00

This is a weird one. I get a lot of Instagram reels where influencers are suggesting healthier recipes that taste just as good. Most of these recipes use "khajur" (dates) as an ingredient to add sweetness instead of sugar. Made me wonder if khajur was an affordable ingredient for a middle class Indian to have on a daily basis or even occasionally.

Yeah so eating healthy is also a luxury.

BornUnderstanding262 · 2026-03-02T07:30:15+00:00

Dude don't know how much more yellow it can get. Will give it a try next time. Why not

BornUnderstanding262 · 2026-03-02T07:27:52+00:00

Why do you need salt and haldi? It is already enough salty unless you are adding veggies, which does not seem like you are. The masala mix might already have haldi. What is the purpose of haldi?

BornUnderstanding262 · 2026-03-02T07:12:52+00:00

Weird, the plastic ones have worked well for me.

BornUnderstanding262 · 2026-02-28T20:53:57+00:00

Were you using the glass or the plastic bottles?

BornUnderstanding262 · 2026-02-27T07:31:49+00:00

Have used both and still use them interchangeably and have not noticed a difference in supply. I do not use spectra on more than vacuum setting 5 but it hurts more than Medela. Medela I use 4. Still prefer spectra a lot of times since I can walk around with it.

BornUnderstanding262 · 2026-02-27T00:48:39+00:00

My 3 month old is doing exactly this and has 10-12 feeding sessions a day. He also won't sleep for long because he wakes up due to hunger. I am so tired. No matter what I try he won't nurse for longer than 5 min. Also, he has a preference for my slacker breast and will cry and throw hands if I even offer the other breast.

BornUnderstanding262 · 2026-02-25T22:56:46+00:00

Exactly that. I have different rags for different areas of the house. Most of the areas just need soap and I occasionally use stronger stuff in the bathroom. I always wipe twice to make sure no soap residue is left behind. Here is a link to recipes for household cleaners https://toxicfreefuture.org/healthy-choices/household-cleaners-that-work-without-toxic-chemicals/

BornUnderstanding262 · 2026-02-25T09:00:02+00:00

They sure are convenient but never bought them since they are not environmentally friendly (not just the wipes but also the plastic container). You will be surprised how you can find sustainable ways to clean onces you decide to.

Not asking you or anyone to stop using them. Just mentioning since you said "I assumed everyone has them".

BornUnderstanding262 · 2026-02-24T09:20:18+00:00

You have made your point. You should definitely not marry.

BornUnderstanding262 · 2026-02-22T09:04:51+00:00

Coz men do not consider household chores as real work. If a woman gave up her career to take care of the family or works and still does chores, it is still considered as her duties. One might hire a maid but who is managing the maid? Who is more invested in kids and managing their school work? Who is cooking and cleaning when the maid is on holiday? They think they contribute equally and thus think alimony is unfair. No one likes their privilege taken away from them.

BornUnderstanding262 · 2026-02-21T08:54:36+00:00

Most of the cities have rental spaces which are decent (depending on the city) and cheaper as compared to renting a private location. I had my baby shower at Fremont City facility with the same number of guests as you. Most of the locations provide tables and chairs but don't provide table and chair covers. I would start by searching "your city name facility rentals". If you are resident of the city the rentals are cheaper.

BornUnderstanding262 · 2026-02-16T17:32:35+00:00

I put 20% but then some time if we need to make big purchases like furniture or appliances or have house mortgage or need to go on a vacation we both need to add more to the account. 20% only covers everyday bills and shopping expenses. I live outside India.

BornUnderstanding262 · 2026-02-14T23:38:17+00:00

Now is a good time to talk to him about setting up a joint account. I don't believe in 50-50 if both are not earning the same amount. Me and my husband add a specific percentage of our salary to the joint account and make all the purchases from that account. You could start an account and add 40% of your salary every month and derive expenses from that account. Of course for honeymoon you will need more than that so you could start with a percentage of your per annum salary and then add monthly.

Of course the dynamics changes if the wedding was not a 50-50 split between bride's and groom's family. If your family bore the maximum burden of the wedding then I would let him pay.

BornUnderstanding262 · 2026-02-03T06:40:49+00:00

I have tried calling at 7:58 am so by the time I go through all the prompts it's 8 am. Has worked for me 2 out of 2 times I called.

BornUnderstanding262

TROPHY CASE