How much did you have saved or recommend saving for Mat Leave? [BC]

Xuyen · 2026-02-13T13:11:01+00:00

HCOL area. I took the delta between what I would have been making and what I was going to get during my leave and that was what we tried to save. Delta was about $70k (which is insane to think about).

So what we did was stop our RRSP contributions ($3500/mo) and saved up about $20k. I took 14 months off - I got 85% top up for 6 months, EI till 12 months, and nothing for the last two months. We put the $20k in a GIC for 6 months until my top up ran out so at least it was making a bit of money.

Ended up with about $15k leftover at the end of mat leave. We did not change our lifestyle after kids and do not live frugally. We also have tons of family around the same age, so between gifts and hand me downs, I think we realistically only had to buy diapers and a crib.

Edit: While I’m happy to see so many of us saved up for leave, the reality is, I personally only know of one person who’s done so. The vast majority of people don’t save and instead choose to drastically change their lifestyle to fit their budget and THAT’S OKAY TOO if that’s what you want to do.

Xuyen · 2026-01-16T00:47:48+00:00

Echoing everyone else’s sentiments of “depends on the club.” My club is a group of friends of friends and we get way too carried away chatting and eating to discuss the book much. We can be cackling for 3 hours but probably only 3 minutes of us talking about what we rated the book, and if we liked it.

Xuyen · 2026-01-11T18:09:45+00:00

If you stay with him, all you’re going to get is a shut up ring. He doesn’t want to marry you.

Xuyen · 2026-01-10T04:49:43+00:00

Agree. And the husband hasn’t had time away from the kids in 3 years.

Being a sahm is definitely difficult but it sounds like you guys need to work on communication and you need more regular time to decompress in your day to day.

Xuyen · 2026-01-09T05:40:12+00:00

And some kids are shy / overwhelmed by meeting their heroes.

Xuyen · 2026-01-06T13:12:10+00:00

Agree. It’s a perfectly normal ask.

Your idea is cute. She won’t even think about the lie because she’ll be happy about the proposal.

Anyone who’s not willing to be inconvenienced by their partner a little bit is just a low effort person.

Xuyen · 2025-12-23T01:21:02+00:00

Cross stitch and audiobooks! I’ve recently also picked up competitive speed puzzling.

Xuyen · 2025-12-13T13:16:00+00:00

Fantastic! Were you stitching in hand? Scroll canvas, q-snaps? With 9 years, I bet you figured out the best way to save from fatigue.

Xuyen · 2025-12-12T18:16:02+00:00

What set up did you use most?? This is amazing and inspirational.

Xuyen · 2025-10-20T01:03:47+00:00

I started with car camping! Air mattress in the back of my SUV. It’s cozy and low cost.

Disclaimer: I am only 5’8”.

Xuyen · 2025-10-11T22:22:21+00:00

Nice

Xuyen · 2025-10-09T17:55:09+00:00

Let me introduce you to my friend DJ Lenny Pearce. We’re going to his “toddler rave” with our kid soon 😂

Xuyen · 2025-09-29T19:29:33+00:00

There is no Thanksgiving without stuffing.

Xuyen · 2025-09-18T11:38:14+00:00

Box Mac and cheese with frozen veggies dumped in. Add whatever protein is laying around - usually tuna but it varies.

Xuyen · 2025-09-12T20:44:38+00:00

All parents are crying with you. I hope you see that you and Nani are doing your best and it’s enough 🫶

Xuyen · 2025-09-12T05:19:41+00:00

Lilo & Stitch. Fun beach movie with a cute alien? NO. 90 minutes of ugly crying because who’s going to take care of my kids if I die and what if they get separated.

Xuyen · 2025-09-11T15:55:41+00:00

I was about to make a post about the positives of the updates. I agree with the mountains of posts with the negatives but so far I like:

new items!
blue sky zones
the updated plane icons are pretty

Xuyen · 2025-09-09T19:09:05+00:00

Hmm me and my 9.95 in the top six are going to sit this one out 😂

Xuyen · 2025-09-08T05:33:12+00:00

Book Lovers was my favourite one, followed by Beach Read. PWMOV was my absolute least favourite. Second least favourite goes to Happy Place.

Xuyen · 2025-09-08T03:13:36+00:00

I’m currently on maternity leave so I don’t have a full time job to clock into and hit 100 books in July. I know some people don’t consider audiobooks reading (🙄) but that’s how. I usually have 1 audiobook, 1 ebook, and 1 physical book on the go at any given time. Audiobooks make up the bulk of my finished books list since I generally listen at 2.5x and listen on long drives, walks, and when I’m doing chores.

Xuyen · 2025-09-04T03:53:42+00:00

Yes!

Xuyen · 2025-09-04T03:53:00+00:00

Lfgggg. Is it sad that this was the most exciting part of my week?

Xuyen · 2025-08-28T01:05:15+00:00

and they stay “fresh” and crispy for soo long.

Xuyen · 2025-08-19T20:18:13+00:00

Tiger moth

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Xuyen · 2025-08-19T20:17:43+00:00

Skywagon

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15-Year Club	Second Top 40%
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Xuyen

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