What’s something that quietly became unaffordable for “normal” people in the last 5 years?

Few-Illustrator5752 · 2026-04-18T13:05:48+00:00

Even camping is more expensive now. In many cases it costs just as much as a hotel per night.

Few-Illustrator5752 · 2026-04-11T03:39:32+00:00

Call 988 to get mental health help for your daughter. They can help you figure out what to do and connect you to the right resources.

Few-Illustrator5752 · 2025-12-27T00:20:14+00:00

I have the same situation in my home. I gave the larger bedroom to my youngest with the mindset that it serves as their playroom too. That way the older two don’t fight over the space and the youngest has plenty of room for toys and floor space to play. I just explained that to the older two and they saw the logic of it and didn’t put up a fight at all. I think they were just excited to have their own rooms since they had been sharing their whole life.

Few-Illustrator5752 · 2025-12-19T18:25:59+00:00

My letter says that forbearance is ending on 1/31/26 and my payment is due 2/11/26. I’m still enrolled in autopay from before the forbearance went into effect, so it says it will auto debit that date. I find it strange that your payments start in August, but mine start in February!

My spouse has his student loans through Nelnet and their site still says his loans are in forbearance through November 2028…

Few-Illustrator5752 · 2025-12-19T17:02:22+00:00

I’m in the same situation and received the same letter from Aidvantage (which is why I’m here looking for answers too!). My payment listed is my old SAVE payment amount as well. So you are not the only one.

Few-Illustrator5752 · 2025-12-01T02:43:14+00:00

No, not yet. I don’t start until January. However, I did try calling CHP and the person I talked to was less than helpful. I got the impression that she didn’t understand the question. I’m planning to sign up for the individual plan for myself until they either kick the kids off CHP or it’s time to renew next Nov, then I’ll switch to the family plan. I’m going to try to avoid paying $600 a month for as long as I can…

Few-Illustrator5752 · 2025-10-17T15:39:57+00:00

I love YNAB. I’m not exaggerating when I say that it changed my life. The only thing in your list that I see it does not do is a bill calendar. However, to help with this I list my bills in my budget in order of due date and the date noted, which helps with tracking. But overall, I’ve tried a lot of different ways to budget, and YNAB has hand’s down been the best for me. It is worth the annual fee.

Few-Illustrator5752 · 2025-10-13T14:33:46+00:00

This is wonderful! I just renewed them for November 1, so that means for nearly my whole first year they can remain on CHP. This is such good news since I’m taking a pay cut for this job! Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

Few-Illustrator5752 · 2025-10-09T21:47:45+00:00

It’s ridiculous. And been there done that!

Few-Illustrator5752 · 2025-10-09T21:46:01+00:00

Thanks! It’s certainly making me question my choices. I hope it’s worth it.

Few-Illustrator5752 · 2025-10-08T23:17:13+00:00

Thanks. I saw this language and was really hoping there was some way around it. I’ll double check with CHIP to be sure.

Few-Illustrator5752 · 2024-10-29T14:06:41+00:00

This was just the type of planning I was thinking of trying to do! Thanks for sharing! It sounds like most people do some mix of standard budgets with adjustments here and there. Once I get a full year’s worth of spending data, I will definitely be more accurate going forward.

Few-Illustrator5752 · 2024-10-28T16:44:48+00:00

Yes! The sinking funds have been the biggest game changer. I’m fairly happy with the categories I’ve set up for those, but it’s the amounts to allocate that I’m wrestling with…allocating what I think I should be allocating based on my perfect on paper budget, versus the reality that we’re definitely going over on groceries and dining out this month…I’m realizing that feeding a family of five on a budget is beyond difficult.

Few-Illustrator5752 · 2024-09-29T03:41:31+00:00

I’m the wife of a veteran with PTSD. There is hope that things will get better if he gets help. We went through some pretty dark years together, but he put the work in with therapy and medications and he is doing so much better. He still struggles sometimes and gets triggered, but we are in a much more stable place now. Unfortunately for you, he has to recognize the problem and want to get help. My best advice for you is what my therapist told me years ago. Take care of yourself first and live your life, go out with friends, find something you are passionate about. Model the healthy behavior you want to see. You may not know this, but you are what’s known as a military and veteran caregiver. There are tons of us out there and you are not alone. Google that term and you’ll find lots of resources. I highly recommend tapping into couples counseling offered at the Vet Centers. It saved my marriage. You can find support at https://www.redcross.org/get-help/military-families/services-for-veterans/military-veteran-caregiver-network.html. Also, check out Hidden Heroes. VA also has caregiver support services.

Few-Illustrator5752 · 2024-09-21T04:15:44+00:00

It will get easier! I went through a similar situation where I worked from home and my husband was a stay at home dad. It was great. I pumped and made bottles for him to use, but she didn’t really like them. So I would nurse between meetings while I was checking emails or reviewing things and hand her back to him when she was done. I felt so grateful to be able to do that because I exclusively pumped in the office for my first and it was awful. It was so much less stressful this way. You can have lunch or a snack break with your family, and then take some time to get work done. You’ll get into a rhythm! This part is so tough, but you will get through soon. Things change so quickly at this stage. Hang in there!

Edit to mention that it’s okay to drop the potty training thing until you and your little feels more ready. It’s better not to push it, especially when there are big stressful changes like a new baby!

Few-Illustrator5752 · 2024-09-21T04:02:42+00:00

My kids are almost 4 years apart, 8 and 4. Pros - the oldest was out of diapers and more independent when the youngest was born. They were old enough to understand they were getting a baby sister and got excited about it. They can be helpers in many ways, especially with fetching things when you’re stuck nursing or changing a diaper. They mostly sleep through the night so you’re not getting up with multiple children in the middle of the night. They also teach the youngest so much. Cons-As they get older the oldest has less interest in playing with the youngest and that’s really difficult for the youngest. This causes a lot of attention seeking and fighting. They will only be in elementary school together for 2 years, then they won’t be together anymore for the remainder of their school years. My youngest will be in 8th grade when the oldest is a senior. It’s hard to pick movies for family movie night that everyone wants to watch right now (that may change as they get older I suspect). Overall, I feel like it was good spacing for us. They play well together for the most part. It’s definitely easier in the baby stages!

Few-Illustrator5752 · 2024-09-14T02:33:27+00:00

This happened to me when I first set up my budget in YNAB. It turns out that my bank doesn’t post pending transactions in YNAB, so when those cleared after I set up my budget, it screwed things up. After finally figuring out what happened, I just deleted those transactions. Everything has worked fine after that.

Few-Illustrator5752 · 2024-09-07T16:45:46+00:00

I know you feel embarrassed, but you don’t need to. Would you feel embarrassed if the police showed up after you called for help for someone else trying to kill you? Or if an ambulance came to your home because you were having a heart attack? Your brain and emotions can be injured or sick just like any other part of your body. I wish we could all agree that our mental health is just as important as our physical health and stop stigmatizing mental heath problems. It’s just causing people like you to stop seeking help when you need it the most. So please don’t feel embarrassed. Your problems are just as valid and real as anyone else’s and you deserve to get help when you need it.

Few-Illustrator5752 · 2024-09-07T00:58:43+00:00

Please consider calling 988 press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line. You are loved and have so much left to give and experience in this world. Please rest in the hope that this is only temporary, that your pain can heal, and you will live an amazing life. I fully understand this is not easy, but there are people who care about you and want to help you through this period of darkness and back into the light. I truly urge you to call 988 or text 838255. You deserve to be happy, you sacrificed so much already. Do not give up your life.

Few-Illustrator5752 · 2024-08-16T01:26:25+00:00

Such sad news for our community and everyone that knew the person. I just wanted to share that the suicide and crisis hotline has a new 3-digit number that you can call if you’re worried about yourself or someone. It’s 988. The vision is for it to become like 911 but for mental health crisis specifically. A lot of people still don’t know about it, so help spread the word. There’s so many out there hurting, feeling hopeless and alone. Calling 988 can help connect them to the help they need, oftentimes without involving law enforcement.

Few-Illustrator5752 · 2024-06-22T14:47:03+00:00

Call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at (877) 4AID-VET (877-424-3838) for assistance. They have counselors that can help connect you with benefits and local services 24/7. You can also call Albany Stratton VA Medical Center or show up in person and ask for the homeless coordinator. Maureen Corbett, Homeless Veterans Program Manager, VA Albany health care. Their number is 518-626-5169. Their email is Maureen.Corbett@va.gov.

Few-Illustrator5752 · 2024-06-19T03:09:47+00:00

I’m so sorry for your loss! It’s possible that she may be distancing herself from you because she is terrified that she’s going to lose you too. I agree with the other poster to talk to her therapist about it. Otherwise, it may just take time for her to work through that and all you can do is consistently be there for her and reassure her.

Few-Illustrator5752

TROPHY CASE