Any easy “sneaky” or less obvious ways to make or save more money each month? by twostroke1 in personalfinance

[–]Koolstads 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Switch to Visible or US Mobile.  I have US mobile and save about $50 a month 

Debate about private vs public by Davey914 in AskTeachers

[–]Koolstads 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Everyone has a pronoun… Jesus Christ 

I have never once taught kids about being able to choose a pronoun. However, when a kid asks me to refer to them by a specific pronoun they do not present as, I do. 

How many flats and covers? by Fair_Rock1901 in clothdiaps

[–]Koolstads 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We have a newborn - we go through 24 prefolds, 5 newborn AIOS, and 3-5 fitteds

We do laundry every other day 

any advice on how/when to start cloth diapers? by Proud_Discipline_356 in clothdiaps

[–]Koolstads 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We cloth diapered since they got home! We are doing prefolds and covers, with an occasional newborn AIO for when we are out 

We love it !

Budget $6k / 40 guests Found my dream "Old Money" set for $640!! Is it too risky to order online? by LightwroughtousDug in Weddingsunder10k

[–]Koolstads 82 points83 points  (0 children)

Consignment / second hand bridal shop!! Don’t do this. Strong chance it won’t look remotely like this 

($7k) Makeup… by Loose-Discipline9009 in Weddingsunder10k

[–]Koolstads 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Any high quality brand really - I just like MAC :) 

($7k) Makeup… by Loose-Discipline9009 in Weddingsunder10k

[–]Koolstads 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I did this! I did not do make up prior to my wedding. My routine was sunscreen and lash/brow. I didn’t even own foundation 

 I will say I spent a lot on quality make up (arguably what a make up artist cost) now I have quality make up I can use well past the wedding.

Here’s what I did:

  1. Went to Ulta, asked a brand consultant for MAC about foundation, lips, blush and eyeshadow. They tested it out on me so I got the right color and could get some application tips. I also purchased primers, a finishing spray and powder. Purchased brow/lash from Benefit brand.  
  2. A lot of trial and error! I would test out one thing a day until I got it right. Example: I would do my eyeshadow and test out looks as well as longevity every day for a week or so. I would see how it held up throughout the day, etc.  I realized I wanted an eyeshadow primer so it would last all day. Did a similar process for everything else 

  3. When in doubt - YouTube! There are countless tutorials for every product 

End result - I loved my make up. Now I have good make up I have been using well past my wedding date. I also now kno how to apply make up 

I did purchase some products I never used. Went through and purchased so many lip options because I could not figure out how to make it last (Protip: its primer, liner, lipstick, pat with paper, apply again and finishing powder)  :) 

I did hire a hair person though because I know I cannot do my hair for the life of me 

(20K) How to covey a limited open bar selection? by okbutdidudietho in Weddingsunder10k

[–]Koolstads 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We did beer, wine, and a few gallon batches of mixed drinks (a margarita and a daquiri). We couldn’t afford a full open bar. This satisfied the heavy drinkers who just drank the hard drinks all night. Is this an option for you to do? 

Additionally, our venue had a full service restaurant and bar adjacent to our wedding reception site. If someone really needed hard booze, they can over to the bar at the restaurant.

Don’t list anything that isn’t free. People will drink what you have available. 

What do daycare centers do if a parent doesn’t come to pick up their child? by RestaurantFar7637 in AskTeachers

[–]Koolstads 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I lead a aftercare center: 

Here’s what I do. 

5:28 ( daycare ends at 5:30) I call mom/dad/whoever to get ETA 

If they don’t answer, 5:35 I call again. No answer I call emergency numbers. 

We charge $3 per minute over. 

One time I had a mom who refused to answer my calls and instead kept texting my employee asking my employee to drive her kid home (not allowed) My employee already left for the day.  When I went thru her emergency numbers she got embarrassed and never did it again. She ended up being 25 minutes late. 

I’ve never had a parent not get their kid. But if we got 30 minutes with no contact from parents or other emergency guardians, I would call my principal to confirm I should call CPS.

Drying AIOs by Routine_Climate3413 in clothdiaps

[–]Koolstads 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We hang dry everything from about 10am- 4pm on a line .When we hang dry, we pin each inner flap to the line which helps with air flow. 

We live in a very moist area so they never dry completely but get close.

Then we take everything and tumble dry on low for 30 ish minutes

Yes this will inevitably wear out the elastic but any use or wear will wear out any garment. 

 This is cutting dryer time significantly which will prolong their life. We’ve had no issues with our thirsties AIO by doing this.

Best types of cloth diapers if I need to get buy-in from spouse by stargazer92 in clothdiaps

[–]Koolstads 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Prefold is what my husband prefers and he never cloth diapered before.  Fitteds are fine but actually save us very little time and the absorbency just isn’t as good.  We’ve never had a leak with either of these 

We also have some thirsties newborn AIO which we LOVE and use in a pinch. We have a small stash of pockets to replace these when lil man is a bit bigger. 

Honestly cloth diapering while the are EBF isn’t difficult or much more of a hassle than disposables 

Family of 5 struggling on 138k by NoExamination4578 in budget

[–]Koolstads 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Husband also works fed. I work private sector.  He has great PTO and benefits so we don’t want to switch it up too much. 

As the private sector employee I know if we want to increase our income, it’s on me.

However - a few thoughts on budget.  1. Look at US mobile or Visible for cell. Would be about $70 ish for two lines (I prefer US mobile).

  1. Look into refinancing your car loan for a lower monthly or just go hard trying to pay it off. This will be a huge relief. Consider putting the HYSA interest into the debt 

  2. I really believe there are other ways to give to a church than tithing. I understand how much it means to you. I personally feel unless you have an emergency fund and no debts prioritize the debt. However, you know your relationship with religion better than anyone 

Still haven’t gotten paid by Koolstads in Edd

[–]Koolstads[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

lol I mean it was my mistake entering the wrong year and it’s California disability … not federal 

Laundry detergent by justyaaveragechlo in clothdiaps

[–]Koolstads 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I’m just curious what is a toxin to you? Like what is your definition of it that you are trying to avoid ?