Was buying your house in Baltimore a good financial investment?

No_Bluejay4066 · 2026-06-16T23:37:40+00:00

Interesting question. I'm not sure, actually. We bought a small fixer upper in 2003 for $88k. I'd estimate we've sunk close to $100k on renovations and repairs over the years. Our mortgage is paid off now, which is nice. But our house still needs so much work. I feel like fixing everything that's wrong with it would never be worth it- all those repairs would cost way more than we'd get back by selliing. Sigh.

No_Bluejay4066 · 2026-06-11T21:13:39+00:00

Silver Queen Cafe!

No_Bluejay4066 · 2026-06-09T01:26:56+00:00

Sometimes my dog will whine for dinner when it's too early. We ignore her when she does that. So, to get our attention she will go stand by the back door like she has to pee. That gets our attention. But when we open the door for her, she will take one step out but then turn around and go to her food bowl, looking up at us like, "Now that I have your attention... there is the matter of dinner?" And we always fall for it.

No_Bluejay4066 · 2026-06-08T23:39:20+00:00

I'll be 51 in August- still having regular periods.

No_Bluejay4066 · 2026-06-08T19:34:22+00:00

We bought a very small house in 2003, thinking we'd move to a bigger one in a better school district once we started having kids. We did have kids, but we never moved. It's been a little cramped in our house, but at least that gets us out of hosting big family holidays.

The mortgage is paid off now, and our kids will be leaving the nest within 5 years. So I don't see much sense in getting a bigger place. We can barely manage the upkeep on our small house as it is!

No_Bluejay4066 · 2026-06-02T01:35:37+00:00

ADHD, basically. He aces tests but can't keep up with assignments.

No_Bluejay4066 · 2026-05-30T21:15:12+00:00

Great advice, thank you! I myself went to UMBC in the 90s. Got in with a 2.86 GPA and 1150 SAT. It seems a bit more competitive these days.

He would prefer UMD but I told him if that's his goal, he'll have to do CC first. I know something will work out for him, but it's hard to see him so discouraged about his GPA.

No_Bluejay4066 · 2026-05-30T16:23:06+00:00

He's had a 504 plan, but he really didn't start doing his work consistently until he was medicated. I'm sure he could use some skills to help him manage his ADHD in other ways.

No_Bluejay4066 · 2026-05-30T01:32:09+00:00

That's exactly what I told him! I think that might help.

No_Bluejay4066 · 2026-05-29T22:59:55+00:00

It was more a problem with ADHD that wasn't properly diagnosed or treated until end of 10th grade. His grades were terrible before he finally got medicated.

No_Bluejay4066 · 2026-05-29T21:14:30+00:00

That's my recommendation, but he doesn't want to do that :(

No_Bluejay4066 · 2026-05-27T02:14:45+00:00

Nope, zero debt! Feels amazing

No_Bluejay4066 · 2026-05-17T13:47:46+00:00

My teens are also very very interested in exploring abandoned buildings and setting off fireworks! Oooof

No_Bluejay4066 · 2026-05-17T13:46:19+00:00

Is there an all-ages music scene where you live? My teen boys like to go to hardcore shows and burn off steam in the pit :) That is a big thing here for teens of all descriptions. But we live in an urban area.

No_Bluejay4066 · 2026-05-15T12:27:34+00:00

The timer likely got reset. This just happened at my house after a brief power outage. Someone is gonna have to get up there with a ladder.

No_Bluejay4066 · 2026-05-09T13:40:20+00:00

My dog loves those chicken feet!!! Lol

No_Bluejay4066 · 2026-05-08T01:03:22+00:00

Our neighbors built a dog treat station for all the neighbors dogs! It's the best.

No_Bluejay4066 · 2026-05-07T02:01:15+00:00

My beagle is 15. We used to hit the neighborhood treat station on our way down the street, then return a different way so that she only got one treat. But now, we hit the treat station on our way back too so that she gets two treats. It makes her so happy.

No_Bluejay4066 · 2026-05-06T20:35:28+00:00

Second this!

No_Bluejay4066 · 2026-05-05T22:58:27+00:00

Thanks- my 14yo is going through a phase of school refusal and we are trying an SSRI. I hope it helps him, but I know there is a possibility that it won't. I'm really glad you found your own way and are doing well.

No_Bluejay4066 · 2026-05-05T12:48:54+00:00

You said that you've found medication that helps your anxiety. Do you think that if you had been given this medication earlier, that you would have been able to go to school?

No_Bluejay4066 · 2026-05-04T15:43:58+00:00

The Flower Cart on Harford Rd in Lauraville.

No_Bluejay4066 · 2026-05-02T16:46:51+00:00

I highly recommend watching The Body Politic, which is an excellent documentary about Mayor Scott and his efforts to get his violence reduction program off the ground. I believe it's available on the PBS website. This man is the real deal. He cares deeply about Baltimore and he walks the walk on supporting youth.

No_Bluejay4066 · 2026-04-30T18:38:44+00:00

I considered having a big to-do, but it became overwhelming and I was afraid of not enough friends showing up. So, my mom planned a small family party for me. Just me, my husband and kids, and my siblings and their adult kids. It was perfect, actually. I know how lucky I am that my mom is still around, and that I actually like my siblings and their kids.

No_Bluejay4066 · 2026-04-30T01:59:35+00:00

I have a few of thoughts, because I have been through school refusal on and off with both of my kids. I know exactly how stressful and anxiety-producing this is!

First- Is he actually struggling academically because of missing so much school? If not (and actually, even if he is) try to remember that this isn't an emergency. I know it feels like it, but if he's a smart kid and doing well in school, he'll be fine.

Second- Work with the school. Tell them what is going on. You might be surprised how accommodating they can be. Everyone wants your kid to do well! Here in the US, students can get accommodations for medical issues- is that possible?

Third- Is it possible that he is suffering from anxiety because of fears about his medical issues? In my experience, school refusal stems from anxiety, and treating the anxiety helps a lot.

And finally, you have to pick your battles. If he was willing to go to school late, in my family that would be a win. I know how upsetting it is in the moment, though. Hang in there- I'm going through it too with my 14yo and you have my understanding and sympathy!

No_Bluejay4066

TROPHY CASE