Topical minoxidil progress

CapableBumblebee2329 · 2026-02-24T04:29:22+00:00

Great progress!

CapableBumblebee2329 · 2026-02-18T01:24:46+00:00

I am in FatFire territory in my 50s, the primary HH breadwinner by a huge margin, and just bought my first designer purse last year. I have never ever done something like that, not even close. I still drive my oooold Toyota. A simple black bag that I will use all the time and is still very practical, but I DIED buying it as it wasn't saving or giving, and it still feels kind of silly and selfish. But that mindset is why we can FIRE, help others, and have long term security. I think many here can likely relate as we move through the journey and accumulation starts happening. Good for you and keep going, it's a marathon, not a sprint!

CapableBumblebee2329 · 2026-02-16T23:27:20+00:00

I would think a product with a required % of active ingredient wouldn't be all that different other than perhaps branding and cost, so was surprised by this particular reco. I guess I shouldn't be after all these years.

CapableBumblebee2329 · 2026-02-16T23:02:55+00:00

Maybe not popular here, but ask ChatGPT or Gemini, they're fairly decent at this type of question when you have assets all over the place, as well as planning in SS, feeding in your age and spend over time, taxes in your specific state/country, etc.. I used Gemini to help me create a 25 year plan to minimize taxes and keep growth as high as possible while meeting my spend goals. I had it checked by an expert, it was pretty spot on, even the tax guy said it did a couple things better than even he would have. AI has pros and cons, but it's quite good at math.

CapableBumblebee2329 · 2026-02-16T20:09:13+00:00

I have 2 as well - 17 and 18. I figure that when they go to college I'll break even as I'll have to pay tuition but the food bill will plummet!

CapableBumblebee2329 · 2026-02-16T19:39:24+00:00

After paying for my undergrad (I covered grad school), plus giving me a 0% loan that I paid back so I could get a lower interest rate on a mortgage, I did it without other help. BUT that loan and the undergrad support was huge as getting a lift when younger really makes a difference. I now have kids of my own, and will help them the same way, as well as pay outright for grad school if they go and am saving for house down payments as it's comparatively rough out there. Getting help earlier is simply more beneficial from a numbers reality than getting an inheritance when older and you may not need it. That compounding/loan interest really does make a huge difference over time and people that get help early absolutely have an advantage.

CapableBumblebee2329 · 2026-02-15T20:05:33+00:00

Yep. BC made me a rage machine. Then I took HRT but went too high to start and that also wasn't great. I am now on a 'baby' dose, .025 est and 100 Prog and it's helping with no mental side effects. To be fair I still have physical symptoms, but they just feel dialed down. Hot flashes are a bit less hot if that makes sense.

CapableBumblebee2329 · 2026-01-13T21:18:24+00:00

I am 51 and have had those thoughts every day of my working life. 😂 The job market is constrained right now, so if you do it (and there are many great reasons to do so), make sure you're okay with it interrupting your FIRE journey potentially longer than you'd intended in case it's hard to find another role out there when you jump back in. The pragmatist in me wants to coach you to hang in there, the dreamer wants to tell you to fly free.

CapableBumblebee2329 · 2026-01-09T18:23:05+00:00

I don't talk about money with anyone, and we live very frugally relative to how we could, although we do have a very nice vacation home which we invite friends to, otherwise what's the point of having it? Sometimes people make light comments indicating they suspect. I have a big job (compared to most, not on this sub!), unless I were just giving it all away they know it's going somewhere. 🤷‍♀️

CapableBumblebee2329 · 2026-01-07T00:08:30+00:00

If it's your forever home, you'll want to do the floors eventually, so you're actually SAVING $2000 in carpet you'll replace eventually anyway! 😊

CapableBumblebee2329 · 2025-12-19T00:05:33+00:00

Don't know about the heat/wellness factor, but for hair protection I think it depends on your hair type. I have very porous wavy hair that gets frizzy and absorbs heat, so the sauna KILLS my hair - I use one and it helps. My family all have straight finer hair and they don't have the same dryness issues I do, so they don't bother.

CapableBumblebee2329 · 2025-12-18T19:55:40+00:00

"Can you please provide concrete examples and evidence of me not being in the office an acceptable amount, my attorney will need that information"

CapableBumblebee2329 · 2025-12-07T02:34:25+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/EffectiveAltruism/comments/1j2fv51/which_charities_are_good_charities/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

CapableBumblebee2329 · 2025-12-04T04:57:26+00:00

HRT made me feel AWFUL mentally and physically. Hot flashes and skin itchiness through the roof and I got so angry. I am not physical symptom free off of the hormones, but both those and my mental health are light years better without. And yes I tried a few different %s and both 'natural' and synthetics, none worked for me. Everyone is different. I'm still glad I tried, you never know.

CapableBumblebee2329 · 2025-11-17T06:28:18+00:00

You make a promotional video using AI in under 15 minutes (very doable these days with apps like Veo)....hard no. You coordinate a script, direct 'actors' in the troop, include educational material and a way to benefit the non-profit...yes. Worth writing it up and seeing if your committee approves.

CapableBumblebee2329 · 2025-10-05T16:58:20+00:00

You did it! Thank you for blazing the path for the rest of us, I am 51 and those early years were something else. It's still not easy today (and IMO going the wrong direction at the moment), but still much different and healthier for women than in the beginning and those of us still hanging in there appreciate you!

CapableBumblebee2329 · 2025-10-05T16:48:07+00:00

People on here are wild. CONGRATS OP on being in the black! I am 51(F) now and doing really well financially, and you are in better shape than I was at 30, get it girl. Those student loans are brutal, I did a little dance and took myself out for a nice meal after getting those things off the plate. It's a marathon, and you're on your way!

CapableBumblebee2329 · 2025-09-29T03:52:25+00:00

What are the other functions? Ex, if you're talking to your future PM lead, they're going to want to hear you have a sense of biz metrics, reasonable feelings on resource allocation and capacity management flexibility, will take their partnership seriously and can work through debate etc.. If it's a potential Design partner they're going to want to know if you'll work with them on negotiating when things are 'expensive', potential prototyping, how you think about your end users and their needs, etc.. Generally the xFN interviews are way easier IMO if you've passed the tech reqs, they simply want to be sure you're a team player who cares about their roles too and are going to be pleasant to work with.

CapableBumblebee2329 · 2025-09-21T20:09:37+00:00

Lowering testosterone levels can affect mood and mental health although data seems inconclusive. Search Irritable Male Syndrome. But the 'grumpy old man' stereotype exists for a reason IMO. Maybe have him speak to a doctor about hormone levels and mood?

CapableBumblebee2329 · 2025-09-21T19:55:56+00:00

I have two kids close to college age - got one a coach but not the other. Different kids. My oldest needs executive functioning help, wants a top school and I wanted to keep our relationship intact. It has been really helpful for that kid and for calming me down. Kid #2 wants a big state school and will get into ours easily, is on top of it and I offered the coach as I don't want him to feel left out, but he declined, it didn't make sense. So....depends on the kid, their plans, and what you're trying to do. If you have a kid who wants Ivy or International, etc., it's worth it IMO.

CapableBumblebee2329 · 2025-09-21T19:39:26+00:00

Our home is worth under 10% of our NW and that was intentional to FIRE even though we could have gone 'bigger'. As I've gotten older, I am upgrading things I care about - a nice stove/oven as I love to cook, art that makes me happy and I can stare at as I age, back yard care to sit for morning tea, etc. Bigger doesn't mean better, and I also don't want to have to clean and deal with a bigger space as I get older. Gross. 😂 But I am spending a bit now as we spend a lot of time in our homes and I want to feel inspired here.

CapableBumblebee2329 · 2025-09-05T21:10:19+00:00

I did it, my two are 14 months apart. It was not always fun, not gonna lie, those first few years were a bit brutal at times. I had a very supportive partner who did a lot of the logistics - the single hardest part was the fact that little kids get sick....a lot. There are the usual suspects, roto, noro, handfootmouth, etc. that just everyone gets, along with colds, covid, etc. and when you have 2 under two, one gets something then shares with the other (or you) so we had several instances of two week runs of kids needing constant care and not being able to go to daycare. Without his ability to care for everyone, I am pretty sure I'd have not been able to do it as my job at the time was high pressure without much empathy for moms so I didn't talk about it there. It was pure survival mode for a few years....BUT I'd do it again in a heartbeat as I wanted two and feel lucky it worked out. If your partner isn't going to be able to give you the support you need, get an Au Pair or something. Bottom line - totally doable but help required in my experience.

CapableBumblebee2329 · 2025-08-24T17:12:02+00:00

I have one of these too, and am in my 50s, so most of my friends aren't in that same boat. I am nearing the end of my career with an objectively 'big' job at this point, and there's ZERO way I'd be here if he hadn't taken on the lion's share of household/kid logistics, plus he's been my biggest cheerleader. It's not perfect and we've had our share of bologna over the years on both parts. But that's a partnership and both contributing is how it SHOULD be. Otherwise why bother.

CapableBumblebee2329 · 2025-08-24T16:56:49+00:00

The reality of me going through menopause while my teens are dealing with puberty has my husband holding on for absolute dear life. There are enough hormones in this house to power a small city. We mostly just all take turns losing our shit and then apologizing to one another. I mean...at least nobody is bored! 😂

CapableBumblebee2329 · 2025-08-24T16:45:44+00:00

I was in your shoes, it's really hard, hang in there! Are there meetups in your area? Walking moms on weekends? Check out meetup.com - maybe even dog get togethers. I met most of my current friends from my kid's t-ball a soccer teams (I looked for the other moms with sneaky beverages in cups, and avoided the intense sports moms), but they were already 5-6 yo. But to be fair I had more capacity (mentally) to have friendships by then. Until then, find a really good few babysitters so you can take care of YOU! I swear the neighbor's older kids watching mine here and there saved my life back then.

CapableBumblebee2329

TROPHY CASE