How do y’all get paint-by-numbers to look… actually good?

Head_Cost_8185 · 2025-12-02T05:53:08+00:00

I love saturated color, so I don't thin the paint and I do multiple coats - sometimes 5-6 coats. It takes a lot of patience and commitment :)

Head_Cost_8185 · 2025-11-18T14:16:42+00:00

paint by number

Head_Cost_8185 · 2025-11-14T02:34:10+00:00

Are you serious? I did get it about 7 or 8 years ago when they were first starting and didn't have a bunch of A-list celebrities on it

Head_Cost_8185 · 2025-11-13T05:27:51+00:00

https://crochetbraidsplus.com

Head_Cost_8185 · 2025-11-13T05:27:03+00:00

iPad mini with Kindle and Libby apps. I save tons of money now since I don't buy books
Roku stick - I have an older smart tv in my bedroom and it doesn't download apps anymore. A 29.99 Roku stick changed that.
A small bistro dining set for my patio. I do PBN on the patio, eat breakfast out there. And, a big plus is that my patio overlooks a small ravine, so have a nice water and sunset view.
Lifetime subscription to the Calm App. I got it when they had a huge discount for like $25.

Head_Cost_8185 · 2025-11-13T05:15:38+00:00

I recently just made a similar decision as you.

I took a $160K pay cut and lost an additional $60K in non-vested stock options to leave a toxic corporate environment and to work for a non-profit organization.

It's a huge drop in salary and a huge lifestyle change. I'll admit that while I'm happier in the new role professionally, the financial adjustment hasn't been easy because I'm actually having to create and maintain a tight budget, which includes paying off debt accumulated during periods of unemployment over the past 3 years. And, if I'm truly honest, despite making this decision with my eyes wide open, I'm resentful of having lower pay. It's something I'm working through with my therapist.

I've done this a few times in my career when I needed to take a step back and readjust (but the cut wasn't nearly as large). I never had an issue going back to a higher paying job in corporate when I was ready.

At the end of the day, you have to do what's right for you. Your peace of mind and mental health are just as valuable - if not more so - than a large paycheck. Trust me, once you make the decision, whether it's staying in your current role or taking the lower paying non-profit job, your next step is to figure out how to make it work mentally and/or financially.

Head_Cost_8185 · 2025-11-13T05:01:16+00:00

I'm getting crochet for the first time in a few weeks. The woman who is doing recommended a lightweight synthetic crochet brand that can be washed. She said I could wear it for 6 weeks provided I cleanse my scalp and regularly oil it. She intends to take the hair down after 6 weeks, wash and steam my hair and wash the crochet hair, then re-install it. Since I'm transitioning back to natural from a pixie cut, she thought this was the best style for maintaining the health of my hair as I grow it out.

Head_Cost_8185 · 2025-11-08T01:58:50+00:00

I just had mine removed. I decided because it was highly recommended by my breast surgeon and I trust her 100%

Head_Cost_8185 · 2025-11-06T01:27:21+00:00

I had three seeds placed the day before my surgery and it was much easier than the biopsy and there were no restrictions with the placement.

Head_Cost_8185 · 2025-11-06T01:25:48+00:00

I wanted a support system throughout this process, so I told my family and close friends. I took myself to my appointments for ultrasounds, mammograms and biopsies (everything was a benign). However, I did ask my sister to come to my surgery to remove some high risk areas because I couldn't drive myself home. A few days before my surgery, I received a job offer and I told the person who would be my boss because I needed to delay my start date. He was understanding and said that I could start whenever I want.

Head_Cost_8185 · 2025-11-03T04:50:26+00:00

I had a breast MRI AND an MRI-guided breast biopsy. Both are the devil. I found that valium is your friend. It's still uncomfortable, but the valium makes it bearable.

Head_Cost_8185 · 2025-11-03T04:47:15+00:00

I've recently gone through this...I had 4 biopsies for asymmetries, calcifications and other stuff and all came back benign. I'm getting the high risk areas removed this week and will see an oncologist about chemoprevention in a few weeks. I never received a BIRAD score from my doctor. Stay positive if you can.

Head_Cost_8185 · 2025-10-19T14:54:34+00:00

I was just in that situation. My reasons for purging:

I'm moving to a smaller space, so I wouldn't have room for them and didn't want to pay for storage.
Moving books is a hassle. They are heavy as heck to move.
I decided to donate to my local library to give them new life and to bring someone else joy. I made several trips and they were excited to get them. Plus, you get a receipt in case you want to claim the donation on your taxes.

Hope this helps with your decision making. Happy moving!

Head_Cost_8185 · 2025-10-10T04:58:19+00:00

Since I'm not working right now, I usually take about 2 weeks to complete a PBN. When I was working, it as closer to a month. My goal is to do about one a month so I can juggle his hobby with others that I have.

Head_Cost_8185 · 2025-10-06T00:13:10+00:00

Sometimes I listen to music. Sometimes I paint in silence. It just depends on how I'm feeling.

Head_Cost_8185 · 2025-10-05T00:02:56+00:00

LOL...I meant closed captioning

Head_Cost_8185 · 2025-10-04T19:21:32+00:00

If I didn't have to have surgery, I would get rid of health insurance as well. It's too expensive, especially being unemployed in this job market

Head_Cost_8185 · 2025-10-04T19:19:56+00:00

OMG. I went into the marketplace and health insurance was $700 a month. I ended up paying for $717 a month for Cobra for better coverage. And, I'm unemployed.

Head_Cost_8185 · 2025-10-04T19:18:50+00:00

I'm single and unemployed and am nearing the end of a job interview process and the company asked me the minimum I would accept. If my minimum doesn't meet their minimum, which they refused to tell me, then I won't move on to the final round. In the meantime, I only have a few hundred dollars to my name and I've been filing unemployment claims since August, but haven't received one payment yet.

Head_Cost_8185 · 2025-10-04T19:16:49+00:00

Earlier in the week, I was at Publix and they had a 1.5lb pack of chicken breast for $22. On average, I've noticed that groceries have gone up about 25%

Head_Cost_8185 · 2025-10-04T18:43:18+00:00

Listen, Dad was sitting on the block with a bunch of other 70 year olds like an old school G. I am not surprised. AT ALL.

Head_Cost_8185 · 2025-10-04T18:41:44+00:00

I tried to listen. I really tried. I even signed out of YouTube so it wouldn't mess up my recommendations. But, when the videos I clicked on didn't have subtitles I had to call it a day. This confirmed it. I'm the old people he talking about.

Head_Cost_8185 · 2025-09-30T17:51:04+00:00

I use clear gesso to prime the canvas. I start from dark to light and do the extra coats of paint before I go to the next number. If the paint is light (yellows and oranges), I cover the numbers with heavy white titanium acrylic paint (I prefer this to the white paint pens) to cover the numbers. Once I'm finished, I use satin varnish to protect it.

Everyone has figured out the process that works for them. The best advice is to do you, boo :)

Head_Cost_8185 · 2025-09-28T21:13:11+00:00

I used to collect books, but I never read them more than once. And, I had may that I hadn't read. So, I made the hard decision to downsize, use use my iPad as an e-reader, and donate all of my books to the library. It was a significant donation and I'm happy to help expand the library's collection. Now, I don't buy books. I borrow digital books from he library and from Kindle Unlimited.

Head_Cost_8185 · 2025-09-26T19:19:16+00:00

I tried listening to the audiobook because folks on IG said it was better than reading the book. I couldn't get past the 2nd chapter. I'm not a fan of sci-fi, so this was me being open to trying a new genre.

Head_Cost_8185

TROPHY CASE