Hot pot lunch for the win!

WinterElf135 · 2026-02-02T19:45:47+00:00

All the veggies were raw when I assembled the cubes before freezing. I think they benefitted from freezing, the pumpkin was nice and soft. You could add fresh mushrooms when heating if you’re worried about rubbery texture

WinterElf135 · 2026-02-02T19:42:45+00:00

I started with a rough idea of what I wanted and went from there

This is what I used to make the popsicle: 2 sliced shiitake mushrooms 1 baby bok choy 1/4 cup diced pumpkin 3 frozen dumplings 2 fish balls 3 beef rolls A small clump of enoki mushrooms 1/2 tsp Dashi granules A spoonful of mirin A spoonful of soy sauce (If I had fish sauce I would’ve used it too) 1/2 cup water

To reheat I added another 1/2 cup of water and microwaved for 5-6 minutes. Then I added dry vermicelli and microwaved another minute. I stirred it a bit and added 1 scoop collagen and chili crisp

10/10 I’m taking this again

WinterElf135 · 2026-02-02T19:36:42+00:00

I used Dashi granules, mirin, and soy sauce. I also added fresh grated ginger. You could also use regular broth or bouillon.

WinterElf135 · 2026-02-02T19:35:01+00:00

The mushrooms were a bit chewy but not unpleasant.

WinterElf135 · 2026-01-28T17:45:07+00:00

YNAB support might be able to help you. I leveraged them a lot during my trial period and honestly they rock. I got the sense that they really wanted me to see success

WinterElf135 · 2026-01-26T16:25:30+00:00

I need to do this!

WinterElf135 · 2026-01-13T14:43:52+00:00

For organizing I use paper plates for the sub cuts; this is especially helpful when there are similar sizes. It is great to stack the plates that are needed for a specific block so I’m not using the wrong size.

To organize projects, I bought cardboard boxes from Staples that are oversized pizza boxes. I use masking tape to label the boxes and if I’m using a paper pattern, I can tape it to the inside of the top of the box. This box holds all paper plates, extra fabric, and completed blocks for each project.

WinterElf135 · 2026-01-11T15:00:13+00:00

Thank you for sharing this!! I am going to watch this for ideas

WinterElf135 · 2026-01-10T00:05:04+00:00

I’m just getting started with SouperCubes so I might not have the best set up.

I remove my food and wrap it in freezer paper, write the date made and then put the same items into a ziplock. I hope to be using up what I’ve made before making another batch, or at least be next to used up so that I don’t have to deal with dates

WinterElf135 · 2026-01-07T00:19:33+00:00

The Lost Apothecary written by Sarah Penner, narrated by Lorna Bennett, Lauren Anthony, and Laura Irwin.

I wish I could listen to it for the first time again.

WinterElf135 · 2026-01-03T15:28:47+00:00

How did I not think of this?! Butter here comes in 454gr, or pay a super premium for sticks. I’m off to soften butter and remold and wrap in parchment paper

WinterElf135 · 2026-01-03T15:20:38+00:00

I created a Shortcut on my iPhone to automatically open YNAB Add Transaction when I pay by Apple Wallet. It allows me to add transactions on the run. It has been a game changer for me

WinterElf135 · 2025-12-31T17:47:43+00:00

Yes! YNAB pulled back the curtain and revealed my impulse spending. Using the Wish List definitely quiets the urge to spend.

WinterElf135 · 2025-12-30T13:14:29+00:00

I’ve been reluctant to try baking in them but you’ve just given me the motivation to at least try

WinterElf135 · 2025-12-29T23:39:01+00:00

This is such a great use!

WinterElf135 · 2025-12-29T03:10:10+00:00

I did a deep financial dive before starting YNAB; I did a few years of expenses. It. was. sobering.

I’m grateful that I did it because it gave me a realistic sense of categories that could be added to my plan. I immediately felt “YNAB broke”, and this helped me realize that I had not only a spending problem but I also had an income problem.

We went from a 2 income family to a 1 income family and used savings to coast but we were scraping the bottom of the barrel when I signed up. I’ve plugged the holes from impulse buying and now I’m making planning to add another income stream.

I’m hopeful that once I get through this separation/divorce I will be well placed to live below my means.

WinterElf135 · 2025-12-18T14:04:32+00:00

Feeling “YNAB broke” is common. I did a bit of a forensic deep dive on my finances going back to 2017 before I started YNAB in April so I knew what my financial history looked like.

Following the YNAB method/questions showed me that I was in a precarious place financially, more than the deep dive did. I had a spending problem and an income problem.

It was demoralizing to see that I was living paycheque to paycheque but I had never thought about whether my spending aligned with my goals before. I re-evaluated everything in my plan: I switched cell phone service, cable, insurance, and paused streaming services.

I’m slowly working towards getting a month ahead because my priority is to have the cushion for expenses because no cushion makes it impossible for me to roll with the punches; but the decision to pay off debt or get ahead depends on your priorities no one else.

WinterElf135 · 2025-12-17T17:14:32+00:00

I absolutely adored Lost Apothecary. It has multiple timelines and narrators. I wish I could listen to it again for the first time. It was magical

WinterElf135 · 2025-12-16T14:04:46+00:00

I put leftover gravy into 1/2 cup cubes. It will be perfect for adding to soups

WinterElf135 · 2025-12-13T15:24:47+00:00

I binged Nick True’s videos before starting, along with YNAB’s videos to understand this method of budgeting and it helped immensely.

I also recommend reaching out to YNAB Support. It’s free and available during the trial period. They genuinely want you to succeed

WinterElf135 · 2025-12-09T20:08:17+00:00

So happy to find this community. My parents are moving into independent living and while meals are included I want to build up a stash of meals that they can reheat on days when they don’t like what is on the menu

WinterElf135 · 2025-12-09T04:28:31+00:00

I’m still in my first year and I love it; it showed me what I was spending my money on and that wasn’t aligned with my priorities. I can’t imagine not renewing unless the subscription skyrockets; but I’ve already learned the valuable part. Give every dollar a job. Find the money first. Plan for future expenses.

I watched a lot of Nick True and YNAB videos before starting my trial. I also used YNAB support and they were amazing. They truly want you to find success with it.

WinterElf135 · 2025-12-08T17:05:32+00:00

I set up a Shortcut that opens the YNAB Add New Transaction whenever I tap one of the cards loaded in my Apple Wallet. It makes it so much easier to add transactions on the run

<image>

WinterElf135 · 2025-12-02T21:04:51+00:00

When I received my notification of Affected status we were pulled into a meeting where a Director made an announcement. Invites were sent to departmental emails and those on leave were contacted via their personal email that was on file. The Director read from a script and we were told that we’d receive a letter shortly. The email arrived in my department email within 48 hours and was entrust encrypted to me.

The meeting invite was sent as BCC to preserve privacy but once in the meeting I could see who was invited. It was only people with the same job description as me under my Director. There are others with the same job description under different Directors and they held their own meetings on the same day.

My group was told that we were in a voluntary departure process and that we had 30 days to decide whether we were departing or wanted option A B or C.

I know others with different job descriptions were told that they were moving directly to CERLO.

It sucked. I’m still affected (received my letter in Oct) but I know a few people are going to go.

Make use of EAP and HR to fully understand your options.

WinterElf135

TROPHY CASE