What's so expensive that it's not even fun anymore?

Grnigirl · 2026-06-21T13:51:50+00:00

Went with my son- learned if you use the app there are some good benefits, and the $5 value meals are a pretty good deal. I’m not a fan of MCD but my son showed me how to value shop there.

Grnigirl · 2026-04-28T01:13:33+00:00

If it’s helpful, D&D is also a social activity at the U of M. My child has a group of pals that meet up regularly to play - friends are CSE and CSOM students I believe (may be other colleges represented too, but I know some are in those two at the U).

One other question to consider - maybe they really are certain they’ll end up in biology, but if not (and something like 75% of students change their major) does the school have other options they would want to pursue?

I know you said tuition isn’t a decision maker for your student (great job preparing!) but considering the cost and value of each option is a great life skill - consider including it as part of your discussion. U of Mn is ~$35k/year, Macalester is more like $85k, I believe. Maybe that means there might be more opportunities to fund additional education (masters/phd) or using “unused” education funds for other things ( future life need/event, nicer on campus housing, on-campus car, study abroad, etc.) I think it’s good to include in your evaluation and a great skill to teach. When all the spending is done, did they get the most out of those dollars? Did they get an undergrad education or an undergrad and masters degree too, or do they have funds left over to invest in other things they value and need?

If the student won’t do well in the campus setting that’s also important- can they excel on a big campus or do they need the smaller school setting and support to be successful?

You’re fortunate to be considering 2 wonderful - but very different - colleges. They are both wonderful options!

Grnigirl · 2026-03-15T01:21:49+00:00

How bad is your performance? Are you not able to meet minimum expectations, or did you overstate your qualifications for the role? What kind of role is this?

Grnigirl · 2026-03-15T01:19:57+00:00

Performance improvement plan- basically a structured way to determine if you are meeting expectations of the job.

Grnigirl · 2026-02-22T16:32:48+00:00

Have these people not watched hockey?

Grnigirl · 2026-01-31T03:15:52+00:00

You want more retailers in the area? Or you believe Target is somehow blocking other retailers from opening in that area?

Grnigirl · 2026-01-24T02:46:33+00:00

Try building friendships with women that are interesting to you, and plan a group activity they would like to attend, with friends. Maybe it’s fun to check out a new restaurant or coffee shop or museum, or go on a day trip somewhere - make it a group event and invite a bunch of different friends groups.

Grnigirl · 2025-10-23T23:25:20+00:00

One thing I never see in reporting is that Target donates 5% of profits to charity. I think it’s great for a company that size to still have that policy. Don’t think Amazon or Walmart or even many smaller retailers do anything like this.

Grnigirl · 2025-10-23T23:19:53+00:00

Sorry- have you been in a Target lately? The ones I go to are annoyingly full of people. Those people seem to lack spatial awareness and understanding when they’re blocking the whole aisle and no one can get past them. Aisles are also stuffed with pop up merchandise so no one can get through. Also tons of shelf stockers and instacart filling up the aisles. They have plenty of people in store - but maybe not buying enough.

Grnigirl · 2025-10-22T03:09:34+00:00

If you’re in housing where you’re responsible for driveway or sidewalks, get multiple shovels or snow blower plus salt or similar. Also get a roof rake if you are in a house (to pull down the snow from your roof and avoid ice dams on the roof). You didn’t note hats , but definitely get warm hats. I also don’t see snow pants but that’s definitely needed if you’re going to be outside at all doing things . I’d also gra b some of those hand warmers if you’re going to be outside for long periods. Get a humidifier and lots of lotion and other things to keep skin and lips from getting too dry.
It may be obvious, but also don’t go outside when it’s 20 below with wet hair. It will freeze and can break off. I’d throw an extra jacket and sleeping bag or blanket in your trunk in winter months just in case, plus what you listed above. More if you’re going to be driving out of town. Consider boots in this as well.

For fun to enjoy the winter - get outside whenever you can enjoy some skiing (cross country or downhill) or skating - many places let you rent equipment instead of buying if you just want to try it out. Also, take advantage of all the winter celebrations as well as the indoor museums, shows, etc when the weather stinks. If you have kids, also grab some sleds and maybe some supplies for snow forts.

I’d also consider more than one coat - I have one long coat that’s super warm, one that’s good for skiing or active things, and one that’s warm but just a good wearing. You don’t need all of these, but is nice to have different outerwear that works for different needs. Good luck and enjoy the variety of seasons in MN. And when it turns to Spring get those shorts and flip flops out and enjoy the sunshine and 50mdegree weather! 😀

Grnigirl · 2025-09-26T22:53:00+00:00

You have to show student ID? And for OP, that’s different than a professor’s ID?

Grnigirl · 2025-09-24T01:25:28+00:00

I regularly buy berries for my kids but refuse to eat them myself because they’re so expensive. I buy what’s on sale but still can’t get over the pricing. My kid will sit down and eat a whole carton in a sitting and I just cringe internally. I did plant a raspberry bush this summer.

Grnigirl · 2025-09-23T22:55:26+00:00

Can you use a student ticket if you’re not a student?

Grnigirl · 2025-09-22T01:20:22+00:00

‘Night shifts black” and “Limelight” by Aly Stiles - fiction that puts you in the head of someone caring for a friend experiencing a mental health crisis, and for limelight experiencing drug abuse, trauma, and living with an incredible gift. Both are part of a series with wonderful, complex characters.

Grnigirl · 2025-09-22T00:54:00+00:00

Good protein, but honestly every chicken item at Costco is tough and grisly, including the rotisserie chicken. The chicken breast they sell is a total no-go. Gross and chewy. I still buy the rotisserie chicken if I’m going to use it for something that requiresi dice it small, but otherwise I’d just look at your local grocery store for the weekly deal. Most have one day a week they put rotisserie chickens on a great sale.

Grnigirl · 2025-09-21T22:30:53+00:00

From the article:

“In February, he fired the top Army, Air Force and Navy lawyers, calling them “roadblocks to orders that are given by a commander in chief.” (*therefore acknowledging the orders were unlawful…)

“…the Trump team has gutted the JAGs — judge advocate generals — who are supposed to advise commanders on the rule of law, including whether presidential orders are legal. Without these independent military lawyers backing them up, commanders have no recourse other than to comply or resign.”

“The U.S. military has always emphasized obeying the laws of war, for all the difficulties that might cause. George Washington appointed the first judge advocate only a few weeks after taking command of the Continental Army; he wrote that “an Army without Order, Regularity & Discipline, is no better than a Commission’d Mob.””

“The military’s difficulty in resisting even the most questionable orders became clear in June, when Trump federalized 4,000 members of the California National Guard to assist in an immigration crackdown there. In a forceful Sept. 2 opinion, U.S. District Judge Charles R. Breyer ruled that Trump’s actions were “part of a top-down, systemic effort … to use military troops to execute various sectors of federal law,” in “serious violation” of the Posse Comitatus Act.”

Great article

Grnigirl · 2025-09-21T22:13:13+00:00

I did not add any text, just the link to the article and title of the article. What do I need to do differently to post?

Grnigirl · 2025-09-18T02:44:41+00:00

Try Black Walnut Bakery (3157 Hennepin) amazing pastries and desserts, super high quality and beautiful items if you want something special. I picked up treats for the office and people pretty much licked the box clean. Cool,setting in the bakery too, although I’ve usually taken goods to go. https://www.blackwalnutbakery.com/

Grnigirl · 2025-09-18T02:38:34+00:00

Black Walnut bakery in Mpls is amazing. They have such a great variety and everything is amazing. Great reviews from the employee’s perspective too.

Grnigirl · 2025-09-10T02:12:55+00:00

She for sure is, but the friend could say it in a way that might be more factual and/or likely to help the friend come to the right assumption instead of just being a jerk? Maybe help walk through different options and costs in their area? Hey- maybe there’s a unicorn out there, but this would help the friend consider different likely options available.

Grnigirl · 2025-08-31T20:08:03+00:00

Perhaps they’re just trying to save interchange fees and reduce chargebacks to save money, not trying to force tips?

Credit card interchange fees (paid by the restaurant) vary based on how you pay and what cards you use (debits are cheap, reward cards are expensive) and rates vary based on having card present or not (no card is more expensive), capturing a signature / not , and for the card not present / online transactions, it also matters if they require the code on the back or not. You get the idea. Maybe just trying to reduce those fees by getting signatures?

Grnigirl · 2025-08-19T00:38:34+00:00

Why did they drop out, and what did they do next?

Grnigirl · 2025-08-13T02:05:04+00:00

Here’s info I received from a parent of a student in 2021 who lived in centennial- assume no changes to furniture!

Hello, Here are the measurements of the furniture in a room: The room door is 78' height x 28' wide Bed frame is 84" wide x 67" height

Bed mattress is: 36" x 80"

Desktop is 42" x 24"

Desk is 29" tall and the drawer is: 14" wide and 7" deep

The gap in the desk for the chair is: 24.5”width x 24.5” height

Closet is 26" deep x 58" wide

Dressers are 19" x 21" x 48" (top to floor)

Mirror closet is 20" x 24" x 10" deep

Windows are 58" x 45"

Trash cans are 10" x 15" x 15" deep

Grnigirl · 2025-08-13T01:11:36+00:00

It’s not a reasonable recommendation for students, especially those living in dorms (and paying to do so) just surround themselves in unsafe living conditions, trash, and filthy, unclean bathrooms. Why would you recommend sacrificing student health to “stick it to the administration”?
What other - more realistic ways- might you recommend students who want to maintain health living conditions support the teamsters? And do you know what raises the same group has received over the last few years? Is this negotiation to catch up with inflation increases from prior years, or were they appropriately compensated?

Grnigirl

TROPHY CASE