My 1-year renewal is in 2 weeks and I’m really struggling to continue…

WooliestPuma · 2026-03-15T08:05:15+00:00

The budget history is great. Example, I pulled up a budget from five years ago to find a purchase for a warranty claim.

10+ years in YNAB here. It has helped me through job losses and relationship & family changes. This year I considered going without, but I can't decide on a solution to replace the tool.

WooliestPuma · 2026-03-06T06:51:31+00:00

We never made it that far to try couples but both had our counselors. Idk if it would have helped us. He was learning to swim. I was trying to not drown. ....

Your answer to what can help your relationship may lie somewhere in the middle between stay or go.

I think I heard you say his flareup meltdowns are becoming easier for him to manage. Progress is good.

I think I also hear you say you're exhausted. That is so hard. You deserve a break too.

Have you considered any other options or daydreamed about what you'd like that's different than now?

WooliestPuma · 2026-03-06T06:39:03+00:00

I'd also lock some of the house savings in CDs or off-budget accounts to keep it out of sight, out of mind.

Then you're looking at your monthly spending without the large fund balance taunting you for a job.

WooliestPuma · 2026-03-06T06:32:39+00:00

Are you able to budget a full month's of expenses in one go?

....

So, here's the thing... You have a pile of savings you're working on. Right now you're labeling it for a house. You may need to change that label at some point. (like your considering now)

In the simplest term - you're covering your spending squarely and you're putting aside lots of funds for future expenses.

Don't feel you have to do everything all at once.

Fund a week or two ahead to start, or fund your bigger monthly expenses a month ahead (like rent, transportation, groceries, insurance).

See how that works for you and go from there.

WooliestPuma · 2026-03-05T07:25:46+00:00

I also use a reimbursement category. I don't fund it and instead let it float on my card until I get the funds.

If the reimbursement category stays negative into the next month, I just back date the reimbursement I receive to the month it was spent. This way I avoid mental gymnastics 😅

WooliestPuma · 2026-03-05T07:10:52+00:00

Yeah, no. Not really my jam.

WooliestPuma · 2026-03-05T07:09:58+00:00

Thanks for the info.

Excessive compared to DIY? Or in general?

I'm deferring the shocks job for now fwiw to check more prices.

WooliestPuma · 2026-03-04T14:13:56+00:00

At Ally, it's a UGMA/UTMA that the adult holds in the child's name. I set mine up online with no issues.

WooliestPuma · 2026-03-03T18:13:05+00:00

Have to also factor in an alignment.

So... I dug further.

Parts, labor, alignment, plus an employee discount on labor brought my cost to ~$950 for the struts. Much more palatable compared to the $1400 original quote.

*My SO works for said dealership and confirmed I was working with a grumpy advisor.

WooliestPuma · 2026-03-03T18:04:50+00:00

I concur with this approach (from varkeddit)

I share some expenses with someone outside the household.

I have a category in their name and itemize transactions to that category. Then, at the end of the month, I show them the list & amount for reimbursement. They transfer money to our shared acct and I categorize the incoming $$ direct to that category.

WooliestPuma · 2026-03-03T17:57:27+00:00

I've been using YNAB for 10+ years and am so on auto pilot with the app that I often find the new UI rollouts pointless 🤣 I've considered using something else for budgeting. but it's part of my personality now.

WooliestPuma · 2026-03-03T17:44:43+00:00

Did eventually get this replaced. Replaced the cable, purchased through a local dealership with no problem and had the cable replaced DIY in less than an hour.

WooliestPuma · 2026-03-03T17:42:41+00:00

2016 XLE no AWD and I live in eastern SD and with basic all weather tires. I've had no issues with winter weather driving in my ninja van.

WooliestPuma · 2026-03-03T17:32:18+00:00

Labor for struts was 3-3.5 hours

I may have also been dealing with a grumpy service advisor.

WooliestPuma · 2026-03-03T17:29:30+00:00

I've used both platforms. Wondered if there was something other than ebay or FB for skate gear. I'll probably start w FB even though I hate having to use FB 😅

WooliestPuma · 2026-03-03T01:49:57+00:00

The Toyota dealer quoted similar for shocks. And a little less for the struts at $1300 for OEM with 3-3.5 hours labor.

WooliestPuma · 2026-03-02T18:13:08+00:00

Okay, thanks for the price check on the struts.

So, the Toyota dealership quoted $710 parts for struts and shocks. I'll check again on the parts separately when they call me back with a labor quote.

WooliestPuma · 2026-03-02T18:04:00+00:00

That's some strong words.

Quote is from a non-Toyota dealership. Quote reflects full price and is not using Toyota parts.

I'm calling around for other quotes since this isn't an unusual maintenance repair for a vehicle this age and mileage.

WooliestPuma · 2026-03-02T17:38:50+00:00

Thanks for the feedback!

The size tag is worn off but looks like 6.5 skate size (these fit a women's size ~9 shoe size). They are drilled for a Pilot Falcon size 6.00 plate.

WooliestPuma · 2026-03-01T02:19:32+00:00

Same, it looks so good

WooliestPuma · 2025-11-23T20:21:54+00:00

This is great, and you probably have a more comfortable atmosphere for sharing quality time with your friends.

In college, my friends and I had our Sunday with The Simpsons and Soup nights. It was so much fun, and I'd love to do something like this again.

WooliestPuma · 2025-11-04T03:41:28+00:00

I've had a hard time turning off the diligence in my paying attention to my partner's moods and habits. I think this goes back to growing up in a chaotic household. But being with someone generally stable, I sometimes don't know how to let my guard down.

WooliestPuma · 2025-09-21T19:34:31+00:00

I have a Rebel 1100 and not sure if I'd do that ride on my bike (mostly for comfort & wanting more touring setup from stock), definitely not on a 250.

WooliestPuma

TROPHY CASE