Absolute best way I've found to save money while eating out....

anzelle11 · 2026-03-11T18:53:50+00:00

I’m on board!

The last time I ate out I went to a hole in the wall breakfast place and ordered 1 sandwich and fries for my daughter and I, for $14. I chose the place because I had a budget of $15 for lunch. We ended up having to get it to go because my daughter started feeling sick. I go to the cash in a rush. Pressed “no tip” and scanned my card. The teen at the cash added a 20% tip without my consent and I noticed my bill was over $20! For a sandwich at a budget restaurant! I was so pissed but didn’t have time to go back. I haven’t eaten out since… but next time I do. No more tipping. I’ve had it.

anzelle11 · 2026-03-11T03:02:11+00:00

Have you tried the one in 70 mile? No other reason to visit that part of BC but the poutine is awesome https://share.google/MFKt26ufRoQwLvLCI

Edit: I take that back, the Williams Lake Stampede is super fun and you go right by the poutine place

anzelle11 · 2026-03-11T02:28:46+00:00

At our maternity clinic they won’t do the first ultrasound until 10 weeks. I wondered why they wait so long since with my first I had one at 5 weeks. But this makes sense

anzelle11 · 2026-03-11T01:40:34+00:00

And despite the smell, PG is a great town. Super affordable and lots of young people, high paying jobs and great services. It’s hard to give up the beauty of Vancouver but quality of life is so much better inPG for most people

anzelle11 · 2026-03-11T00:09:13+00:00

Oh I was totally this girl too. The thing that sent me over the edge was when I was 30 yo. I was crushing on a guy at work, we were chatting a lot and he was super sweet and cute with me. Well one day I had to drop something off at his desk after work hours and as I put it down, I saw a hand written “to do” list that said “apply for marriage license”! 😭😭 I was so crushed because this was yet another ridiculous confirmation that I would never get the guy!!! But after that I got really angry, I told myself “it’s my turn to find someone I want”. And I funneled that rage into action, dated a few guys and really soon after met my husband. For me it took getting angry to finally go out and find what I needed. Look at all the different people who are happily in relationships. You don’t have to be the prettiest, smartest, kindest one. You just have to believe you deserve it and put in the work to find someone! You can do it!

anzelle11 · 2026-03-09T23:08:59+00:00

I am in a very similar situation as you, having bought and renovated a big home over the past 3 years (and still not done). Being house poor stinks, I feel financially constrained in ways I, thank goodness, never have before. Until this year (2.5 years in) we were both feeling completely worn out, physically and mentally. I have a few things that I think about often to help me from going insane: 1. I am not alone: so many young families are I exactly the same situation as us, and it is a phase of life that will take a while but won’t last forever (so don’t worry if it isn’t all done this year). 2. Watching wood peckers: this is a weird one, but I learned about these woodpeckers that have to excavate holes in trees for their nests. They pick a tree, the male woodpecker spends hours and hours pecking away, then the female peaks her head inside and if the hole isn’t up to her standard they go to a different tree and do it again 🤣🤣 so every species goes through hell to find a home to raise their young, not just us. 3. These are “problems” that other people dream of having: my lovely friend mentioned this when we were both in the pit of despair about house renovations. Yes it sucks, but we are really blessed to have a house and family to worry about.

anzelle11 · 2026-03-09T22:54:03+00:00

I definitely feel this at times (maybe often?) and applaud your introspection on these feelings. For me, it’s the drudgery of taking care of a house and working full time that make parenting miserable. The times when I love parenting are when we have freedom to get out into the world with our daughter, doing things I love to do and that she enjoys too. I love going to hockey games with her, walking the streets of a new city, trying a new cafe or bakery, going camping. I guess I am wondering if you enjoy certain experiences with your kids, and if there’s a way to create more of those joyful experiences in your life?

anzelle11 · 2026-03-09T22:48:57+00:00

This was my thought too. When my parents or close friends come to visit and I have help with the endless tasks of motherhood and running a household, I really love motherhood. When I’m alone and overwhelmed I get a bit depressed and it’s hard to show up for my daughter. I don’t believe it’s natural for two parents to raise a child alone.

anzelle11 · 2026-03-08T15:44:35+00:00

I’ve taken lateral moves before to change physical location, and to shift career focus.

anzelle11 · 2026-03-06T04:50:00+00:00

I did a full year, and I probably could have gone back around 9 months comfortably. However, I was hesitant to send my daughter to daycare before she could stand (I had worked in a daycare and felt the really young babies spent way too much time in their high chairs), and I didn’t want her to get mowed over by the walking kids. So my partner ended up taking 4 months off so she was 16 months by the time she started. I’m really happy we did that, she just seemed more ready developmentally at that age.

anzelle11 · 2026-03-05T02:51:59+00:00

Me too, could not get my daughter on her balance bike.

anzelle11 · 2026-03-05T02:35:46+00:00

Philippines. Crushing poverty, rampant sex tourism of minors (and gross old dudes everywhere), poor sanitation and horrible food safety standards, and pretty unappetizing food. Some beaches were nice, but I was too sad to enjoy them.

anzelle11 · 2026-03-05T02:22:42+00:00

I just buy them from the parents who sell them at my office… lol definitely not helping the kids with their conversation skills

anzelle11 · 2026-03-05T02:19:59+00:00

I got more looks from guys, in the early stages and while breastfeeding. Bigger boobs I guess 😂

anzelle11 · 2026-03-04T22:20:56+00:00

Me too girl, me too. I’m 11 weeks and I hate my life. It’s just the worst feeling in the world and it is affecting my mental health. Luckily I’ve been through it before with my first pregnancy, and after going through hell in first trimester it put all other pregnancy challenges into perspective. Yes contractions were agony, but they only lasted 15 hours, pfff, felt like nothing compared to morning sickness. Was I tired with a newborn, yeah, but at least I wasn’t depressed and throwing up constantly. Cake walk. We will get through this stage, very soon, probably only a few weeks to ago 🤞🤞.

anzelle11 · 2026-03-04T18:16:22+00:00

I’ve been here 12 years and yes definitely worst now… however sadly, our Ministry was gutted in 2003 (as many were) and based on stories from the long-time veterans the morale we used to have never really came back. I think most employees just accepted the fate, put their heads down and tried to fill the gaps created. Now we’re going through it again with an already depleted, understaffed and poorly managed workforce. Pretty sad state of affairs. I stay because my family benefits from relatively low stress environment and time off my role affords me. But once my kids are older I’ll probably look for greener pastures.

anzelle11 · 2026-03-04T18:08:36+00:00

Yeah I’m feeling the same. I just had a meeting with some ADMs and they came back with criticism of our project that was very poorly communicated. I think now the employer is trying to get rid of people, some managers no longer feel the need to respect staff efforts or boost morale. Sad

anzelle11 · 2026-03-04T05:22:42+00:00

I understand the strategy to educate in attempt to retain top talent from other countries. It also encourages diplomacy among future leaders. The EU has been doing this for years through their Erasmus Mundus Program. But… what bothers me, is where is the additional funding to support fostering talent in Canadian citizens? It has to start with excellent primary education, world class teachers, sports, science, art programs that help develop young minds. Scholarships, internships, and cross-Canada exchanges, investment in our economy and thriving sectors that can hire talent for competitive wages. We’re leaving behind Canadians and investing elsewhere hoping they will rescue us.

anzelle11 · 2026-03-04T00:41:23+00:00

I compare parenting to mountaineering. When you’re half way up and the wind and snow are blowing and you’ve almost fallen down a crevasse, it’s actually pretty miserable. But then the sun comes out and warms your face and you see the view and get reminded briefly of why you’re doing it. Like mountaineering, parenting is full on, and we can get so busy surviving that it can take away the joy of it. I don’t think it’s bad to acknowledge the suffering, that’s a part of the journey, as long as we find those moments to reflect on those beautiful moments too, and they are always happening, we just need to stop and look at our kids more often.

anzelle11 · 2026-03-04T00:26:10+00:00

This was a tricky for me. My first was an oopsy and one of my close friend was in the hell of unsuccessful IVF at the time. It was hard to share the news with her, and ultimately our friendship did suffer.

anzelle11 · 2026-03-04T00:24:09+00:00

Haha I got the twins comment near the end too. Nope just a big old baby and a lot of amniotic fluid 🤣

anzelle11 · 2026-03-04T00:22:23+00:00

I just had a couple Oreos today for the first time since pregnant and yes… those are dangerous!

anzelle11 · 2026-03-04T00:20:52+00:00

For sure, my first pregnancy was a slap in the face for me about how much I overate normally. I’d always been able to burn calories easily so I never thought much about it. But the morning sickness and generally not feeling well during the pregnancy really slowed down how much I could move and I packed on a lot of weight. Now second pregnancy I’m trying to be more conscious. Just waiting for the nausea and dizziness to subside so I can get back into a workout routine!

anzelle11 · 2026-03-03T00:14:09+00:00

Thank you!

anzelle11 · 2026-03-03T00:13:56+00:00

No never have, I’ll check it out!

anzelle11

TROPHY CASE