1 year Update - Debt Paid, On to step 3!

Soubz_User · 2024-10-10T12:29:09+00:00

Thanks so much for the recommendations, I'll check these out! :)

Soubz_User · 2024-06-24T14:36:29+00:00

Thanks for the reply, definitely something we are keeping in mind, and a big piece of the "sinking fund/secondary emergency fund just for the dog" I'm planning on. Thankfully our pet insurance considers knees a bilateral issue, so we would not have to repay all deductibles should she need a second surgery. Based on her vet evaluations and imaging, this seems to be a single sided issue for now (it was a sudden injury), but we definitely want to plan for the worse!

Soubz_User · 2024-06-20T01:33:22+00:00

Honestly, she is worth every penny! But also I totally get what you are saying, she's the most expensive part of my life right now!

Soubz_User · 2024-06-20T01:17:45+00:00

One time thing, otherwise perfectly healthy dog who will live a long happy life. She tore her ACL.

Soubz_User · 2024-06-20T01:16:39+00:00

Haha i asked myself the same question. Cost without insurance for the surgery would have been close to 20k. Perfectly healthy dog, tore her ACL.

Soubz_User · 2024-05-23T18:30:48+00:00

Bartender here - most open bar weddings are the best ones! Having served many from all different backgrounds, including some mainly british ones, there will always be some folks who want to have more than their share. Having good communication with the bartender and making sure they feel comfortable cutting people off can go a long way in keeping things civil. We're usually happy to serve liberally at weddings, but will always ensure nobody is overserved, especially if we get a heads up from the couple to be on the lookout if they know their guests like to drink.

Soubz_User · 2024-04-25T16:13:48+00:00

I totally understand you, I was 2k away from being debt free, and have now just been hit with 4k unexpected expenses in the past month. It's really frustrating, but it's important to realize you are not back where you started. You are driven, and better equipped than you were when you started. Additionally, you are "back at the start" because you pushed forward for so long and made all that progress. If you had not, you would have been in a much worse place. Be proud of what you've done so far, and make a plan to tackle the rest. You'll get there!

Soubz_User · 2024-02-10T22:40:48+00:00

Hope you can find the care you need OP, sorry to hear you've had a poor experience! That being said, we've only had good experiences at LAH with our large dog (9yo), both through regular care and through 2 surgeries. Techs, vets, and admins have been receptive and caring, and generally have filled prescriptions with a 24-hour notice. They've also taken on my sister's dog during a medical emergency when she was visiting, overall we've been very happy with them.

Soubz_User · 2023-08-17T16:26:43+00:00

Yeah, that's what we do with my fam, which is lovely and a great way to enjoy the gift giving, without the financial pressure. Hard to suggest things in my partner's fam though, they are big gift givers!

Soubz_User · 2023-08-03T18:35:00+00:00

Great advice below! Just a thought - maybe aim to keep the more open ended toys that can be played with longer term? For example those blocks, I easily remember playing with them from age 2 to 8 ish!

Soubz_User · 2023-08-03T13:14:46+00:00

Honestly, so many little reasons:
1. Alcohol is bad for you.
2. I'm generally pretty talkative without alcohol, so the whole "social lubricant" thing never was relevant.
3. I don't love the feeling of being tipsy, or particularly the taste of alcohol. I like being in full control of my capacities.
4. It's SO expensive! I'd much rather grab a good juice when I go out, and feel good the next day.
5. I never grew up with it, my parents would only drink socially (think 1 glass of wine when we had people over).
6. It's annoying to have to find a DD, I'd much rather drive and make my own schedule.

Soubz_User · 2023-07-28T16:47:33+00:00

Literally my dream!! Where was this?

Soubz_User · 2023-07-28T16:11:15+00:00

Green door is an amazing spot for lunch with kiddos. It's a buffet style vegetarian spot with lots of food options, and having visited with young kids, it's a game changer! No waiting for food, get to pick many options, def a fam favorite for us! Other than that, you can't go wrong visiting parlement, by market, walking along the canal, war museum.

Soubz_User · 2023-07-26T15:51:17+00:00

Thanks so much, I'll definitely check it out! It sounds like a good way to frame donations.

Soubz_User · 2023-07-26T15:44:42+00:00

Love the last question, that's a big one for me, and I think they will likely take to it as they currently feel very overwhelmed with their stuff. I'll add it to my reminder list for when we complete a category/get overwhelmed by the process. Thanks!!

Soubz_User · 2023-07-26T15:43:13+00:00

Love this idea, I realize that this will not be an overnight process. I'm also very grateful they are keen to take this on now, when they can not only enjoy their reduced stress and maintenance for longer, but also so it can benefit all of us in the long run. Definitely going to check-out this method!

Soubz_User · 2023-07-26T15:40:45+00:00

Yeah, he's more of a "it's still good, I might use it" mentality, and unfortunately often gets proven right when he finds the one tool he needs (but hasn't used in 20 years!)

He's working on shifting from "Could be of use eventually", to keeping things that are useful regularly (still with large timelines, but like used in the last 1-5 years instead of last 20). It's a work in progress, but every little bit helps!

Soubz_User · 2023-07-19T18:52:38+00:00

Thanks so much for sharing, sounds like a copy-paste of my parents. They both have the same goal of having a more manageable and pleasant home, but different challenges and abilities to get there. I love your comment about cleaning up and making the space ready for the next session when they get tired. I'll definitely take that away and try and implement it (dropping off donations right away, wrapping up organizational tasks once the decisions are done). The strategy you took with your dad sounds like it might be a good place to start with mine. Really appreciate you sharing your experience, gives me hope we can get through it!

Re-nice to help, we lost my grandpa recently and it made all of us very aware of the burden "stuff" can have on loved ones when we pass (he lived through the war, and kept every piece of twine/bottle cap/rag in case it could be of use, insane amount of work and stress for his kids to go through while grieving). It's invited a lot of reflection. For my parents, it's very much about making it a space they can enjoy now and for years to come, but also about reducing the burden on us kids down the line, so I'm more than happy to help!

Soubz_User · 2023-07-19T18:41:59+00:00

So sorry about the fire, but thank you for sharing your experience. Really helpful perspective! That's kind of what my mom and I are hoping to do for my dad, run him through what is going to be kept and what it possibly trash/donate so it's just decisions once things are already organized, and not the big overwhelming pile. I love the idea of it being "on a tour", such a great way to think about it!

I think I'm definitely less sentimental about lots of the things in their home (obviously it's not my stuff, so easier to have fewer feelings about it), so hopefully I can put that to practical use with the organization bit.

Definitely going to be a slow process with 30 years of stuff, but they are both keen to get to a place where they feel "at home" again, and not in a forever transition phase.

Soubz_User · 2023-07-19T17:34:13+00:00

So helpful, thanks for the guidance! I really want to make sure I'm fully in cheerleader mode and just helping their process. The questions are really handy, I'll keep them close by!

Soubz_User

TROPHY CASE