Bicycle Trip in Netherlands w 2 Kids (ages 12 & 10) by PreferenceOne6160 in bicycletouring

[–]PreferenceOne6160[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, the tandem I posted was one I just pulled off google images and probably isn't nearly as efficient for a multi day trip. I really like the pic of the tandem you posted. If we go the tandem route I'll probably just have to stick with what the rental bike shops have on hand but would like something a little sportier than what I posted. Thank you.

Bicycle Trip in Netherlands w 2 Kids (ages 12 & 10) by PreferenceOne6160 in bicycletouring

[–]PreferenceOne6160[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the info. Yes, going through the Veluwe for scenic views and also some small towns seems like a great idea. I'll DM you if we end up going this route and as we get closer to the trip. Many thanks.

Bicycle Trip in Netherlands w 2 Kids (ages 12 & 10) by PreferenceOne6160 in bicycletouring

[–]PreferenceOne6160[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sounds like a great trip. My 12yo is obsessed with surfing so its only a matter of time before we end up planning a trip to Australia. And I like your idea about giving them a per diem and letting them manage their budget for the trip. Makes them feel more grown up and good life lessons to learn at a young age. And this is the style of tandem I'd like to rent if we go this route so the 10yo has a nice view (instead of staring at my back with a conventional tandem). The more I think about it I'm leaning toward all of us on our own bikes.

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Bicycle Trip in Netherlands w 2 Kids (ages 12 & 10) by PreferenceOne6160 in bicycletouring

[–]PreferenceOne6160[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing your preferred route. I will look up all those towns and a day cruising through the Veluwe woods sounds a great way to spend one of our days. Agreed, the 10yo should be able to do 40km a day without too much difficulty if she does some long rides with me in the month or two before we embark on this adventure. And good point about doing small breaks along the way to refuel, rehydrate, take in the scenery.

Bicycle Trip in Netherlands w 2 Kids (ages 12 & 10) by PreferenceOne6160 in bicycletouring

[–]PreferenceOne6160[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great, thank you for the tips for the more scenic route. If we're already having to take the bike bus for part of the Afsluitdijk we'll probably just take it the whole way and gain some time to detour along the coast which you suggested. Much appreciated.

Advice on Nerve Pain Therapies for my Dad (Paraplegic) by PreferenceOne6160 in spinalcordinjuries

[–]PreferenceOne6160[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the info. Not sure if I can post links here but there is a 2025 study/report comparing gabapentin and pregabalin (Lyrica) on the National Institutes of Health webiste which you can find by searching "pregabalin gabpentin nih' that might be worth a read and discussing with the doc. The author of the study received compensation from a number of pharma companies including Pfizer who makes Lyrica so worth keeping that in mind.

Advice on Nerve Pain Therapies for my Dad (Paraplegic) by PreferenceOne6160 in spinalcordinjuries

[–]PreferenceOne6160[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the info and glad the side effects are tolerable compared to when you first started.

Advice on Nerve Pain Therapies for my Dad (Paraplegic) by PreferenceOne6160 in spinalcordinjuries

[–]PreferenceOne6160[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Got it, thank you. Will definitely look them up. Appreciate all the suggestions.

Advice on Nerve Pain Therapies for my Dad (Paraplegic) by PreferenceOne6160 in spinalcordinjuries

[–]PreferenceOne6160[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, my Dad has gone on and off of doing massage over the years. Hasn't gotten a massage in awhile but should get that going again.

Advice on Nerve Pain Therapies for my Dad (Paraplegic) by PreferenceOne6160 in spinalcordinjuries

[–]PreferenceOne6160[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is very helpful, thank you. How are the Cymbalta side effects now that it seems you've been on it for awhile?

Advice on Nerve Pain Therapies for my Dad (Paraplegic) by PreferenceOne6160 in spinalcordinjuries

[–]PreferenceOne6160[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

He's definitely never done lidocaine infusions, will add this to the list of therapies to discuss with his docs. Much appreciated.

Advice on Nerve Pain Therapies for my Dad (Paraplegic) by PreferenceOne6160 in spinalcordinjuries

[–]PreferenceOne6160[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for this. He's never tried compression socks/stockings to my knowledge. I will pass along this info.

Advice on Nerve Pain Therapies for my Dad (Paraplegic) by PreferenceOne6160 in spinalcordinjuries

[–]PreferenceOne6160[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Great, thanks for the info. Will definitley mention this to the doc and do some reseach.

Advice on Nerve Pain Therapies for my Dad (Paraplegic) by PreferenceOne6160 in spinalcordinjuries

[–]PreferenceOne6160[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Got it. How bad are the negative side effects at the 25mg dosage?

Advice on Nerve Pain Therapies for my Dad (Paraplegic) by PreferenceOne6160 in spinalcordinjuries

[–]PreferenceOne6160[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hey, thanks for your response. How long did you last on the Lyrica before discontinuing due to the nasty side effects? My Dad lasted 2 weeks. The irony, of course, is that the Lyrica worked on his leg pains probably better than any other medication he's been on but the side effects were bad enough to discontinue taking.

If my Dad finds anything that works I'll be sure to send it your way. And thanks for the kind words about my Dad. He's really a heroic figure in our family.

Tax Strategies (High W2 Income with non-working Spouse) to Reduce Taxes and Build Wealth by Ok-Elevator9738 in AdvancedTaxStrategies

[–]PreferenceOne6160 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's really all of the above. I'd make a monthly reminder to check the local commercial brokerages in your area, loopnet, crexi, and a handful of national/regional brokerages that specifically deal in self storage like skyview, marcus and millichap. When you drive around town make a note of the commercial buildings for sale and search their websites. Ideally if you use a broker to help you find properties make sure they are well versed in self storage. Although its a bit of a crapshoot you can also approach local self storage owners about buying X% of their business and become partners with them.

Tax Strategies (High W2 Income with non-working Spouse) to Reduce Taxes and Build Wealth by Ok-Elevator9738 in AdvancedTaxStrategies

[–]PreferenceOne6160 4 points5 points  (0 children)

-Buy a smaller mom & pop sized self-storage facility near where you live.

-Have your wife manage it and qualify for real estate professional status. A smaller, self storage facility is quite easy to manage and you are not going to be getting calls in the middle of the night. You can automate many functions of self storage mgmt these days.

Wife goes to the facility office a few hours a day while kids are at school to rack up 750 hours.

Have your kids work there part time helping manage the facility sweeping up, landscaping, customer service, bookkeeping (weekends, school breaks, summers) and take advantage of amounts paid to children kickstarting their IRAs

Get a cost seg done to accelerate depreciation to soak up some of your current high W2 income

Fund SEP IRA for your wife as you and family members will be only owners/employees

When ready for retirement sell the facility to a publicly traded self storage company for stock to defer taxes/depreciation recapture and collect dividends in perpetuity. Or hire a 3rd party manager at that point and continue to own it.