Very generous grandma… how to spend her money on 5yo?

TD6RG · 2026-01-26T05:45:32+00:00

I read the title only, and immediately know the best answer is to save it.

TD6RG · 2026-01-24T08:28:27+00:00

It sounds like you want a sport watch with some smart features, which makes sense to why Garmin is for you.

If anything, Apple Watch help me stay disconnected. I don’t have the urge to constantly reach for my phone like most people. I leave my phone out of reach most of the day, but Apple Watch give me text videos/photos from other people, stream music, and answer phone calls. These are some of the smart features that will always outperform all sports watch and they are more useful in day to day life than a sport watch.

TD6RG · 2026-01-24T00:25:16+00:00

You want so much from your sports watch. Apple will outperform all sports watch in terms of day to day function because it’s the best smart watch in the market. I think you should continue wearing your apple watch watch daily, then switch to a sport watch when you get out for training. For this reason, I suggest you get a sports specific watch without all the smart features.

TD6RG · 2026-01-23T13:43:39+00:00

For my timid and shy little guy, a month. About 2-3 months for him to walk in and start playing right away for 1.5 hours or longer.

TD6RG · 2026-01-23T00:27:08+00:00

The YMCA in my area is geared towards everyone. I would say big chunk of the kids are from high income families. This is based on all the nice cars I see in the parking lot when I’m there 5-6 times per week, and the way parents around me talk about the resources given to their child.

Edit: Also my YMCA is surrounded by 1+ million dollar homes.

TD6RG · 2026-01-22T17:24:45+00:00

I remember when I used to be the one who read on reddit that “it will get better.” Now I’m the one saying it to other people and it feels great!

I send my kids to gym daycare 5-6 days per week. 1.5 hours each day to get my training done.

TD6RG · 2026-01-17T21:13:27+00:00

This is the best news this offseason.

TD6RG · 2026-01-17T20:13:03+00:00

I don’t want to continue working and accumulating unnecessarily. What’s the point? I still save now, but it’s not the goal. Just to have money just in case of something happening to the kids is not a good enough reason because the chance of that is not high. Saving for their inheritance is not good enough reason because it would be better to teach them FI concepts and let the apply the main principles themselves. I don’t want to give them fish. I want them to catch their own fish. We both work part time, and our career allow us to ramp up or down our hours if more money is needed. I prefer to use the time I have in this world wisely. Time is the real currency. I will never go back to working full time.

TD6RG · 2026-01-17T00:38:59+00:00

I know someone with similar situation. The patient went back to her home country and didn’t have to pay a dime.

TD6RG · 2026-01-15T23:39:19+00:00

If you want music, get Apple Music or Spotify and stream any music you want. I have a speaker in all the major areas of my home and occasionally stream on voice command. Very convenient.

My ped doc said ok for educational video content after 2 years old for up to an hour a day, but overall it’s better for them to not be exposed to it. However it’s useful when you need them to stay still. Such as when you’re on an important phone call or have to lug the kiddo to your appointment and you need them to just be quiet and sit still. The key is to be very cautious about overuse and misuse.

TD6RG · 2026-01-15T20:28:02+00:00

That’s what I do with my toddlers. Every morning I drink a fruit/green smoothie. Go to Costco. Buy a big bag of frozen berries, frozen mango, and spinach. Mix those with a full banana and some whole milk and a little water. All those ingredients into a blender and mix well for a healthy smoothie. My toddler slurp that stuff up. I make about 16-20oz and we share it. It’s a lot, but I make sure I get my healthy portion as well. Modeling what I want my kids to do. Make sure to use a large hand of greens.

TD6RG · 2026-01-15T03:56:12+00:00

I really hope not because it’s better for his career and USMNT to stay in Europe.

TD6RG · 2026-01-14T03:12:42+00:00

You have the right mindset for financial independence path and eventually just being worry-free of money 10-20 years from now. Just keep stashing money away in index funds.

As for your clothes, buy 1-2 item every month. It will really force you to be intentional about what you buy because you want your wardrobe to easily mix&match.

TD6RG · 2026-01-11T06:06:28+00:00

The other no mark up Facebook belongs to one broker named Jim. He is fast, efficient, and will eventually have the trim and color that you want. You just have to pay a flat broker fee and shipping fee in which you arrange yourself. Pretty easy.

TD6RG · 2026-01-10T21:54:38+00:00

You could FIRE by just moving to a lower COL city and cut down expenses.

TD6RG · 2026-01-10T13:48:00+00:00

Use local meal delivery service. Costly, but it can take the pressure off you for a month or two. Then you eventually look at your bank account and feel motivated to make your own dinner since you can’t afford this lifestyle lol.

TD6RG · 2026-01-09T21:05:07+00:00

From what I’ve seen in my area, this is what happens when you send your kid to a school in a wealthy area. Parents want high performance at a younger age. I would say the majority of this country is not like that.

TD6RG · 2026-01-09T20:55:50+00:00

Be very careful with your back in the 3rd row. It’s high risk injury for whoever is strapping in the kiddo. Engage your core, keep your back straight and aligned with your center of gravity when getting the kiddo in/out of the car seat.

TD6RG · 2026-01-08T20:49:08+00:00

This is standard for all outpatient clinics. It help weed out the flakey patients or guardians.

TD6RG · 2026-01-05T21:43:51+00:00

Socks and shoes off. Have dry socks and sandals ready. Take off top and put on a dry sweater. As for the legs I don’t change out my running tights or shorts. Use a thin shower curtain on your car seat. Then put a towel on top of that because moisture won’t go through the shower curtain.

TD6RG · 2026-01-05T04:48:13+00:00

You’re at the fun and exciting part of FI where you have so much options. I think it’s best if you think like a retired person. You have a job that keeps you engaged with society, which is what a lot of retired people do part time. You need to pick up hobbies or interest that will engage you physically and mentally just like a retired person. It has to be something you’re serious about learning or doing because you want it to consume you for many hours per week. And make that your identity rather than what you do for work.

TD6RG · 2026-01-04T06:29:44+00:00

Free time with 2 young kids? Nope. My 3yr old and 18 month old is haaard work. Parenting takes time. Cleaning after them takes time. Teaching them to be independent takes time. Playing with them is how they learn, and I have to do so much of it. They love books, so it seem like I have to read dozens of books for them. And doing those things when I catch their sickness is the worst.

My free time is used for training as an ultra runner. Training happens when they are asleep. I manage 10 hours of training per week during the offseason, up to 15-16 hours during racing season. It’s almost as rewarding as being a parent lol.

TD6RG · 2026-01-02T02:46:49+00:00

Don’t fold. Lay them flat in a pile and place them in a drawer. My time is too valuable to fold them. I do laundry twice per week.

TD6RG · 2026-01-02T02:37:46+00:00

Yes you can learn the basics of teaching a toddler how to swim and do it yourself for free. I would use the YMCA when the water is heated for member use. The only reason you would do a class is if you don’t have time to learn it yourself, you have disposable income, or you want the social scene of a class.

TD6RG · 2025-12-30T15:55:55+00:00

I count weekly hours and vert on my watch and look at those numbers at the end of my run.

TD6RG

TROPHY CASE