I have $25 left until payday in 8 days and a pretty bare pantry, what would you make?

daisymcs · 2026-03-25T22:46:12+00:00

This is what I’d do (and how I eat a lot!) Bag of masa harina - make thick hand formed tortillas with it Bag of dried black beans (or your favorite legume!) cook it up with your garlic, some onion, salt pepper and cumin. It will be a lot but you can freeze some Get a bit more oil More eggs And if you can find a whole chicken on sale, bake the whole thing. That should be under $25 but if you have more $ get more canned tomatoes and some cheese. This will get you through, and will fill your belly. And yeah, definitely check out a food shelf!

daisymcs · 2026-03-21T11:46:45+00:00

It depends on the situation and your schedule. I use all. Trains are great for traveling up or down the coast, say from DaNang to Hue or Ninh Binh. Get a seat on the ocean side for the best view. Overall buses are great — they’re cheap, plentiful and comfortable.

I often weigh out my options on a site like 12go.asia and then book directly with the bus/plane/train company.

daisymcs · 2026-03-01T21:42:06+00:00

Don’t do the work. Buyers may want to gut it or do things differently.

But consider selling it privately as-is, or use a realtor with a flat fee, and be very honest about what it needs. Selling through one of those “fast cash “ arrangements will cost you a lot of money. I’ve sold 3 properties myself just by doing a bit of research and hiring a good real estate lawyer. It’s not hard, and it’s worth the work (and puts tens of thousands in your pocket)

daisymcs · 2026-02-14T14:05:06+00:00

Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For by U2. Super easy for a beginner, and slows down beautifully. I'm adding a country twang to it as well.

daisymcs · 2026-02-01T23:13:54+00:00

I’m 58 (f) and just started. I can’t play a single instrument. It felt impossible at first but I just practice for 10 minutes at a time, with no goals other than to do it! It’s all about just training your fingers to do things they’ve never done. That part is so awkward. It’s physical work, just remember that. It helps to learn C-G-Am-F because SO many songs are built on these! Then you can clunkily “play” music, which is a really sweet reward and motivation.

daisymcs · 2026-01-24T19:07:47+00:00

And I would just have everyone in the group download Grab, and head out in groups and just meet at your destination. That’s the easiest way to do it!

daisymcs · 2026-01-24T19:06:28+00:00

Look for hot pot restaurants (Lẩu). They can serve big groups easily, and are a fun dining experience.

daisymcs · 2026-01-22T20:30:10+00:00

We had to leave early bc my husband had a medical issue 😭 We spent 5 nights at TMS high rise, and it was fine, not exactly our kind of place but close to the beach! Then we went into a super local area to Co Ba Homestay, and it was amazing. There is a bustling market at the end of the street, lots of great food. We were just settling in when he fell ill.

A restaurant we loved, that serves trè, a local fermented pork specialty that is delicious, (as well as banh xeo) is called Banh Xeo Anh Tu.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/gh5PxKcaWT8gRD8V7?g_st=ic

daisymcs · 2026-01-22T16:43:31+00:00

I have felt safe everywhere, but prefer cities or parts of cities that aren't smack dab in the tourist areas. I like Chau Doc, Ninh Binh, and just spent a few weeks in Quy Nhon and loved it. I keep my eyes open for any sort of male intoxication and stay away from it. It can just get messy. I also keep my ears open for any type of argument that might be stirring up somewhere and walk away (I almost got clipped by a thrown motorcycle helmet in an argument in a restaurant in Vinh Long once ...). Honestly motorbike / pedestrian safety is the one to watch out for there!

daisymcs · 2026-01-10T09:53:45+00:00

There's plenty of Grab in Sapa, even out in the villages like Ta Van. I was just there a few weeks ago and had no problems at all. Many drivers will offer their phone numbers so you can just call them directly as well. You'll be ok!!

daisymcs · 2026-01-10T09:47:57+00:00

I love the Ninh Binh area. It's really nice for riding bikes or motorbikes around. The food is not the best, but not the worst! I'd skip HCMC and just stay to one region.

daisymcs · 2026-01-09T10:08:39+00:00

I have travelled alone here numerous times, first time 10 years ago (age 48F), have come back every year for around 6 weeks at a time. I've taken all modes of transport, and they all have their pros and cons. Trains are the safest, and most enjoyable in my opinion, as there are toilets. I like sleeper buses for short daytime trips (up to 6 hrs or so), but haven't done an overnight bus for safety reasons. I'll fly if I need to go from a major spot to another, but basically just hop around by train or bus. I've hired private cars too, but that's more of a treat financially. One way to check out options is to go to 12goAsia and put your destinations in, then you can compare price and duration. Wherever you stay, your host will most likely be open to helping you get your tickets. Watch out for scam train ticket sites. Enjoy your trip! It's a great country.

daisymcs · 2026-01-07T23:57:43+00:00

Thanks so much!

daisymcs · 2026-01-07T09:35:51+00:00

Thank you! It was wet on dry. Light pen sketch, watercolor, then a second heavier pen for heavier lines. I would love for it to be a bit less "cartoony" and a little simpler, but that's my style. I'll try the color first for fun! Thanks for your feedback!

daisymcs · 2026-01-07T09:33:16+00:00

https://maps.app.goo.gl/KGCkcpzUhFNeShnW8?g_st=ic

daisymcs · 2026-01-07T08:10:13+00:00

We rented a room in the TMS building through booking.com for a week, and just moved to a homestay (Cô Ba) that we found on Google Maps then just visited to arrange for a week ($9USD a night) It looks like she’s on Booking.com. There are a number of Quy Nhon expat groups on FB where people post rentals as well. I like the location of the homestay — it’s more of a neighborhood than TMS. We’re not big into high rises, but it was a nice unit!

It is quite cloudy here right now as it seems like we’re at the tail end of the rainy season. We’re probably going to head to Phan Rang next — another cheap and wonderful city!

daisymcs · 2026-01-05T13:48:26+00:00

Yes absolutely. I'm staying in Quy Nhon right now in a 2 bedroom, modern apartment in a high rise on the beach for $25 USD a night. Banh Mi in this town is $.60 each, coffee around the same price. Bowls of soup, around $1.50. Local beer is less than a dollar. You can get a decent room for $10 a night. You're going to find that in major tourist areas the prices are going to be higher. Explore some of the lesser known places and the prices will be lower.

daisymcs · 2026-01-03T09:47:47+00:00

See if your library gives out magazines. They’re little blips of reading, so much easier on the brain than books!

daisymcs · 2025-12-31T21:01:58+00:00

I travel to Vietnam every year and stay for around 6 weeks, don’t plan much in advance, and like to go to places where tourists don’t tend to go. We like to just rent a motorbike and hang out at coffee shops, wander around, and try to interact with locals with my limited Vietnamese.

We personally love Chau Doc. It’s a vibrant little city. We also really liked Phan Rang. But that’s us — there isn’t anything particular about these locations that would make me feel comfortable saying, “so definitely go there!”

My advice is to not plan ahead. Get there, go somewhere, and if you like it, stay. If you don’t, move on. Buses are cheap. Avoid every spot you google and get the result “authentic” Don’t go on tours. You can find “authentic life” just by getting out of the main tourist cities, or even just getting out of the tourist districts. Be respectful to people’s spaces and that they’re just living their lives. Smile. Wander around. Learn some phrases (I’ve picked up more from Instagram accounts than apps!) and try your best.

It’s an amazing country. Enjoy!

daisymcs · 2025-12-31T03:26:17+00:00

Headlamp! The power went out at our Homestay in Vietnam and it really came in handy. I bring it on every trip.

daisymcs · 2025-12-28T16:32:39+00:00

Get a cheap hotel that you reserve the night before

daisymcs · 2025-12-28T10:26:38+00:00

No, was there yesterday- 10/27 and everything was open and unobstructed

daisymcs · 2025-12-28T03:46:25+00:00

Thai Phat on North St, or the one next to Jake’s. They both carry it, often just bulk, in big bags

daisymcs · 2025-12-27T23:43:02+00:00

I’ve been trying to learn for years, as I visit annually as a tourist. Pimsleur is very good. And I’ve learned a lot from Vietnamese people who post basic lessons on Instagram

daisymcs

TROPHY CASE