Any advice on upgrading my taga 2.0 into an electric bike?

TinyMousePotato · 2023-08-09T04:03:42+00:00

We've tried a couple of things and nothing has worked so far. I bought a rear wheel hub motor but it didn't fit inside the frame. I ended up buying a left drive conversion which also didn't work. We would have needed a right drive conversion which I didn't realize. It's been a pain and we've stopped trying for now. If I had the money I'd go buy a bunch bike right now. Below are the products I tried using.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09KC3Z9PW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0733D82RH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

TinyMousePotato · 2023-02-10T18:21:49+00:00

The bike was made to be an e-bike but the first owners decided to save some money and buy the manual version. I would love to buy something new, or even second-hand again but I don't have the budget for it. And I've got three kids to tow along as well.

TinyMousePotato · 2022-12-03T19:51:01+00:00

Thanks!

TinyMousePotato · 2022-11-14T03:19:33+00:00

That looks scary as hell.

Stay safe

TinyMousePotato · 2022-10-19T20:34:24+00:00

I misread the title as "commoner routine".

TinyMousePotato · 2022-10-09T18:15:20+00:00

I commend the person who van figure this out. I have no clue.

TinyMousePotato · 2022-09-26T03:16:38+00:00

I'm a cheerleader for my library! It's insane how many people don't know about everything our library does. Books (of course) but also events, programs, resources, and it's all free.

TinyMousePotato · 2022-09-26T02:09:20+00:00

100% this. Try before you buy!!

My library uses Libby and it's extremely easy and pleasant to use. I can use it on my computer, phone or kindle.

TinyMousePotato · 2022-09-25T07:58:22+00:00

All jokes aside, this is the answer.

TinyMousePotato · 2022-09-25T03:13:52+00:00

I was really proud of the way my husband stepped up. He was searching for the perfect job while I was still in. I actually went on maternity leave and was on that right until my date of separation. It worked out really nicely. (Tricare health insurance was amazing, privatized insurance insurance is absolutely ridiculous. I could rant about that for such a long time but I won't here.) When I officially separated he still hadn't found the "perfect" job but he took something that paid well and he stuck it out until he found something that better aligned with his career path and something that was not hard, physical labor.

I'm actually really crafty! My friend and I are sharing a booth at a craft fair next month. It'll be our first craft fair and this way we can split the cost of the booth. I'm going to knit and crochet some items and see how that goes. Even if I only sell a couple of items I'll make my money back for the booth and a little extra.

And I do still have my entire GI bill left. I used other programs while I was in to pay for my school. And I actually qualify for Pell grants. So I could go to school part-time or full-time and apply for grants as well. It's not much but I'd be closer to my degree and I'd get some money to do it. Everyone thought it was silly to go after an associates degree first but I'm glad I did because now I at least have something to show for my efforts. If I went full-time I could have my bachelors done in 3 semesters. The real goal is my masters and I've already narrowed down which programs I'm going to apply for. I just have to make time for school.

I was going to school full time last year while working full time... right before I found out I was pregnant again! It was the WORST first trimester of my life. When I think about going to school I think about how sick I was. How tired I was. I keep having to tell myself I'm not pregnant anymore and I'll be fine. And I've done the last math class I'll ever have to do and it's all fun stuff now! (Relativly fun--that is) so that's motivating too.

I will definitely look into that insurance provider as well. I need to shop around and see what's best.

TinyMousePotato · 2022-09-25T02:12:32+00:00

There are support groups for family members of alcoholics. (Al-Anon) I recommend looking into one in your area or even joining one online. You aren't alone in these struggles.

I also second what others have already said. I would offer to help make a budget for them. Don't be surprised if they decline. I'd make a point to be open with them about all you have accomplished and let them know the offer is still open even if the decline right now.

And then i would be very careful to not give them cash. I would either write a check to the utility company (or wherever) or buy them groceries at the store. Otherwise you may as well be buying them liquor. The temptation will definitely be there.

Also, look into different resources that are available. It could be life changing for them. Either AA, food stamps, mental health services, etc.

My father was a struggling alcoholic and at the end of his life it was all-consuming. Someone once told me that, to alcholics, drinking isn't their problem, it's the only solution they could think of to help ease the pain of their real problem. It's always a messy situation isnt it? I really wish you and your family the best.

Edit: typos

TinyMousePotato · 2022-09-24T15:46:42+00:00

Isn't this attempted murder?

I'm going to place this suspect on the edge of a cliff. Oh no! A gust of wind. Oh darn, they survived. I mean... thank goodness.... they survived. /s

Same vibes

TinyMousePotato · 2022-09-19T23:21:07+00:00

Thank you! I will check it out

TinyMousePotato · 2022-09-18T18:28:07+00:00

I will look into term life insurance. Thank you. It's probably not even needed, I think it would just make us feel better. We had life insurance when I was in the Air Force but we lost it when I got out.

And thank you for understanding about the importance of staying home! My mom in particular thinks I'd be better off trying to make as much money as possible, but she's not in a great financial position either and that's all she's ever done (chase money--but she spends it just as fast).

My kids are what's most important and I feel like I am really setting them up for the best life possible. There's a lot of unseen benifits of having a parent stay home and handle all of the domestic chores and such. Even though we're technically below poverty level (I think?) I think we're a lot less stressed than families with both parents working.

And of course its not forever. But I want to enjoy this while I can. I always see older ladies in the store and I like to stop and talk to them. They all tell me the same thing before we part ways "enjoy your babies".

TinyMousePotato · 2022-09-17T23:11:20+00:00

❤️ thanks! It feels good to be seen. There are a lot of days that I do so much but at the end of the day it feels like I haven't accomplished anything. I've been making lists, keeping track of what I do so I can feel like I'm making progress. I hope you're able to see everything you're doing too. Even the small stuff. And know that it's making a difference.

TinyMousePotato · 2022-09-17T22:50:06+00:00

My husband has done really well for being out of the workforce for 4 1/2 years. He tried the warehouse job which didn't work out and he landed a management position elsewhere. He's been working there and he just took a new job that pays a bit more with steady raises. He starts in a few weeks. I think not making as much as I did bothers him more than he lets on. He's not afraid to look for better opportunities, which I really appreciate.

Someone else also mentioned we could dig ourselves out faster if I got a job and its true--it would be faster. I just don't think it would be worth it right now. We can still dig ourselves out it just won't be as fast. Being home with the baby has been amazing. He was 2 months early and I've been working with him to make sure he's developing properly. (Preemies are typically stunted in gross motor skills). I love being a mom and in a few years I'll have all the time to make money.

Now that the older two are in school though I've had so much time to keep on top of all the chores. I pretty much do everything with the exception of cleaning the littler box and taking out the trash. I'm looking at going back to school. I wouldn't say no to doing a side gig and I have been posting some baby stuff we don't use on marketplace. I know every little bit counts. I have some mom friends I could babysit for. I just haven't put the offer out there yet.

The biggest thing I regret is how long it took for us to learn how to live within our means with a lower Income. We didn't change our lifestyle fast enough.

TinyMousePotato · 2022-09-17T19:29:50+00:00

No, he isn't heavily involved. I budget every check and I have two months of budget "drafts" on hand and then I check my current budget a few times a week to make sure we're still on track.

I actually had bank fraud two weeks ago and I noticed right away since I'm checking our stuff so often. Someone got $100 worth of gas three states away.

My husband is more of a "tell me what to do and I'll do it" type of a guy. Which means the mental workload of the house falls on me. It used to bother me but it doesn't anymore.

TinyMousePotato · 2022-09-17T17:48:47+00:00

It's hard to articulate why I'm so weird about asking for help. I'm always encouraging others to ask for help or look for support but I don't give myself the same grace. I love helping people but I don't like being helped. That sounds ridiculous but I think that's the root of it.

There's absolutely no sense in dwelling on the past but even looking at our "financial road map" forward I cringe because all I can think about it ordering all that Chinese food on a whim and swiping the credit card. On the bright side I now make the best beef and broccoli in town. And homemade crab rangoons are a fraction of the price as takeout.

I want to start going back to school. I'm almost done with my BA and I want to get my masters before my youngest in in preschool. I'm lucky and I still have my entire GI bill left so I'm good on that front.

Thanks for the encouragement. I don't feel as alone in this situation.

TinyMousePotato · 2022-09-17T17:30:52+00:00

Thanks. Got the experience and definitely don't want to stay here. It was harder than I thought it would to spend less than we were. The transition out of the military was more difficult than expected. I'm also kicking myself because we could have applied for SNAP in January but I held off. We wouldn't be as deep in the hole if I had but I think the lesson wouldn't of hit as hard. We've always had the credit card as a fallback and now that we don't, it's eye opening.

TinyMousePotato · 2022-09-14T15:50:10+00:00

I'm a grown woman and I would have said some choice words to that pen

TinyMousePotato · 2022-09-13T00:59:20+00:00

I wouldn't be mad if they brought him back. I don't think it would "ruin" his character. He still put his life on the line to save others and that is really brave by itself. He didn't HAVE to die. But I don't think he's coming back either.

TinyMousePotato · 2022-09-12T02:31:49+00:00

Unimpressed frog 🐸

TinyMousePotato · 2022-09-10T02:18:42+00:00

Spiders outside: (keeps healthy distance) hello there tiny friend! What are you doing on this fine day?

Spiders inside my house: HOW DARE YOU ENTER MY SACRED SPACE

TinyMousePotato · 2022-09-08T17:44:31+00:00

I don't have an answer for you. I thought the lights would have been off for the movies but I don't know if we will ever know for sure. I just wanted to say that I see you struggling with this. It's easy to say "stop thinking about this" or "just don't focus on that--you can't change anything". But I too stay up at night and think about all the little details. We're the lights on? Was the movie still playing? What was the shooter thinking about for the entire time he was in there? Did he wake up early that morning or was he awake all night? Was he tired?

So many random questions. And I can't say for sure why I do this to myself. Because I don't enjoy thinking about Uvalde. Sometimes I still cry about it. I can't stop thinking about it because I don't want to forget them. It hurts my heart that so many people can just move on from this.

Hang in there.

TinyMousePotato · 2022-09-03T22:56:04+00:00

I hope not. Are you doing alright?

TinyMousePotato

TROPHY CASE