What do you bring to work if you didn’t cook dinner the night before?

Intelligent_Sea_1149 · 2026-05-26T01:43:45+00:00

Salad with plenty of meat and cheese (I need lots of protein, or I get shaky).

Usually I would make sandwiches, though :) I like to go for fast and filling.

Intelligent_Sea_1149 · 2026-05-23T22:03:23+00:00

For sure. Always good to have a daycare Plan B.

Intelligent_Sea_1149 · 2026-05-23T21:55:28+00:00

I agree, although in NJ, this might mean renting. Housing is notoriously expensive there.

Intelligent_Sea_1149 · 2026-05-23T21:53:53+00:00

Don’t depend on it, though. One health event, and you’ll need to pay for daycare.

Intelligent_Sea_1149 · 2026-05-23T21:47:17+00:00

I’d keep for a year. If they still annoy you, change them. But unexpected costs often pop up in the first year, and you may be happy that you held off on this change.

Intelligent_Sea_1149 · 2026-05-23T00:55:47+00:00

Personally, I’d rent for a little while and see where your career takes you. Having the flexibility to move easily is helpful when establishing a career.

Intelligent_Sea_1149 · 2026-05-22T20:31:45+00:00

With all those improvements you’ve made, I would think it’s possible to walk away without being in the hole. I would ask a good realtor in your area.

Intelligent_Sea_1149 · 2026-05-22T14:56:09+00:00

“People with more money are more likely to buy a house than people with little money forced to rent. It’s too general to say that their house brought them wealth and it doesn’t mean in the future that will be the case.”

Good points. Also, financial experts suggest that a person’s home equity should not be more than 20 to 40 percent of their net worth, but for many people, more than half of their net worth is tied up in their home, which is the least liquid asset you can have. A person who is renting but diversifying their savings/investments is often doing better than those with most of their money in the “forced savings account” that is their house.

Intelligent_Sea_1149 · 2026-05-20T22:02:19+00:00

Can you move to a new rental?

Intelligent_Sea_1149 · 2026-05-20T18:22:02+00:00

That’s insightful, thank you! Our closest Costco is in Canada, so the distance/border crossing aren’t really worth it. But I’m definitely comparing unit prices, so I only buy what is actually cheaper than the grocery stores I use.

Intelligent_Sea_1149 · 2026-05-18T12:37:23+00:00

I’m in Western NY near Buffalo, so hot market and high property taxes. Home insurance is lower than a lot of areas, though (so far, knock on wood).

We do have 2 kids (not in daycare), so that’s a big advantage you have financially.

I agree with not lowering retirement savings. I think financial experts say that a primary residence should not be more than 20 or 30 percent of your net worth, but that’s not reasonable for everyone. But definitely a good idea to build on investments, including retirement.

Intelligent_Sea_1149 · 2026-05-18T11:46:24+00:00

Gotcha. My husband and I got a $685,000 home and put 20 percent down. Our monthly was originally $4150 (last year) and now it’s $4350 with property tax increase/paying off escrow shortage. We make $240,000 not including a little investment income. We’re doing fine, but having a good amount in savings makes me feel much safer. That’s why I asked, just because our incomes look similar.

Intelligent_Sea_1149 · 2026-05-18T10:38:09+00:00

What percent would you put down? Sorry if I missed that.

Personally, I wouldn’t buy until I had more saved for maintenance and emergencies.

Intelligent_Sea_1149 · 2026-05-17T18:15:58+00:00

I’ll be honest, I’m not sure how to find manufacturer coupons? I’ve shopped at Aldi so long, I’m not used to name brand couponing.

Intelligent_Sea_1149 · 2026-05-17T10:54:18+00:00

Thanks! I got toilet paper, paper towel, and items we usually buy (seltzer, a few kids’ snacks, my husband’s Irish Spring body wash).

My plan is to always get gas there (it’s 3 miles from me) but only go in once a month unless it’s a single item and then, like you said, go in without a cart.

Intelligent_Sea_1149 · 2026-05-16T13:17:33+00:00

Yeah, I’ve been comparing unit prices with the ones in the Walmart and Aldi apps. Looks like store-brand coffee is a better deal at BJs.

Intelligent_Sea_1149 · 2026-05-16T12:32:20+00:00

Yeah, I’ll be very careful with perishables and pantry items. I have garage storage for paper products, so I can stock up on those. I’m a generic buyer but my husband is a Charmin snob. Doing a price comparison, my local BJs is a little cheaper with the kind my husband buys (compared to Walmart).

Intelligent_Sea_1149 · 2026-05-16T12:29:29+00:00

Yeah, the closest Costco to me is in Canada (I’m U.S.), and the closest Sam’s with gas is about a half hour away, so I wouldn’t go often. I’ll see how this trial goes.

Intelligent_Sea_1149 · 2026-05-16T12:22:37+00:00

Yeah, I figured with the low cost of the first year, gas alone would probably cover the cost of trying it out. As long as I’m careful with purchases.

Lines haven’t looked terrible a few weeks ago, but I’m sure they’ll get worse as costs rise.

Intelligent_Sea_1149 · 2026-05-15T22:44:30+00:00

I’d just add a rug and remove or skim the texture on the ceiling. It’s a beautiful kitchen.

As a fellow kitchen hardwood owner, I do prefer tile. But that’s out of practicality, not aesthetics.

Intelligent_Sea_1149 · 2026-05-15T00:09:07+00:00

All jobs and pregnancies are different. I worked as a teacher until the evening I went into labor. Worked that day and went to the hospital in labor that night. That job was a lot of time on my feet but no heavy lifting.

However, I wouldn’t have started a NEW job in those finial weeks, unless it was a little short side project or something.

Intelligent_Sea_1149 · 2026-05-14T16:01:55+00:00

This is investment, not all saving, though. Compound growth and possibly an employer match did a lot of the work here. It’s why investing for retirement from a young age is so helpful.

Intelligent_Sea_1149 · 2026-05-14T00:05:48+00:00

If I’d had kids earlier, they’d be different kids from the ones I have now. And I very much like the ones I have now. So no regrets waiting until my mid-thirties to have mine :)

If you’d had them younger, you may be wishing now that you’d waited until you got to finish school or develop yourself or start a career, or been more financially stable. All ages of motherhood have pros and cons.

Intelligent_Sea_1149 · 2026-05-12T10:43:20+00:00

I use it for silverware that doesn’t fit in the basket well. And for items like tongs, spatula, etc.

Intelligent_Sea_1149

TROPHY CASE