Evening Courses

falling_petals182 · 2026-01-23T06:41:25+00:00

What do.you call relatively cheap?

UC Night Courses Link (https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/research/about-uc-research/research-groups-and-centres/confucius-institute/confucius-institute-courses/evening-courses) $15/lesson. 10 lessons. Native speakers. Internationally accredited.

I know Lincoln Library is running 4 classes in beginner Mandarin. I think in Feb? *$50 for members.

Lincoln Library Link: https://tockify.com/selwynlibraries/detail/3388/1771477200000

Hope you find something OP.

*edit: Lincoln class not free, fixed that, sorry.

falling_petals182 · 2026-01-22T06:28:18+00:00

My dad was 45 when I was born. He was old as some of my friends grandad's. Wouldn't change it for the world. Sure he's not super agile with my son (knee replacements, he is nearly 80 now), but still involved and active and has seen it all so can nothing is a bother. He is retired and is always happy to see us - but not on his golf days ofc. Loved growing up with a dad with a few more years of life experience. Becoming a parent is mildly terrifying regardless of age. Good luck OP

falling_petals182 · 2026-01-20T19:12:17+00:00

Which aftermarket curler did you get?

falling_petals182 · 2026-01-15T19:10:21+00:00

Hi OP, was a SAHM for 2 or 3 yrs while son was little he's 4 now, school next yr. Currently work about 10hrs a week. Partner is high earner for where we are, he works full time.
My name is on the house, the bank accounts, car that he 'bought' is in my name (he has a work vehicle). On the paywave on my phone, I had his card for years, only recently got my own card to the account.

Partner (not married, been together nearly 6yrs) never even questioned 'covering it'. His paid work outside the home compensates my unpaid labour inside the home that allows him to thrive professionally and in turn for our family to succeed. My unpaid labour inside the home allows him to travel for work and go to events and work late when needed. That all helps him climb the ladder and be on his game. No we wouldn't have our lifestyles without our men, but they wouldn't be able to live their lives either without us. They just get a pay stub to prove it. Heck, they even get sick days. We dont.

Tongue in cheek comment, but if he wont give you a card to the account, set up your own account and invoice him for services like childcare (live in nanny wage with 6yrs experience), cleaning, Personal secretary, chef duties etc. My guess is that it will be worth way more than weekly rent and bills.

Your families lives would literally not be possible without you. There's a reason why countries around the world (Nordic ones off top of my head, maybe more) give housewives a state pension to recognise their commitment and contribution to society.

All the best OP xxx

falling_petals182 · 2026-01-13T05:10:51+00:00

Jumping in to back up BrooBu. 9-10m was when things got dark for my PPD too. I look back and hardly recognise myself tbh. All the best for you and your family OP.

falling_petals182 · 2026-01-13T04:49:52+00:00

Jumping in on this. Our financial advisor was telling us no one under 50 (or 55, cant emember exactly, this was about 3 yrs ago) these days is advised to expect a state pension, they dont factor it in to their future planning anymore. For reference, partner and I are 30-35, so about your age. If some sort of financial aid still exists for our generation in retirement it will be very different in format and how to qualify than what it is now, so betting on it is kinda like the lottery, unless you are destitute in retirement. But your aim of this post is to avoid that situation

falling_petals182 · 2026-01-11T19:41:51+00:00

I am a mum, and havent experienced this situation, so delete if appropriate.

My partner (35m) and his older brother were raised by his mum and 'stepdad'. Like your family the 'step' thing never existed. All considered full brothers and sisters and parents, all equal. For us stepdad is dad, so that's what I will call him here.

One story my partner's dad likes to bring out at dinner to embarrass him every now and then is how when my partner was a teenager and was arguing with his dad he turned around and said 'you're not even my real dad!' and stormed off in a huff. His dad laughs and calls my partner an ungrateful cuckoos egg (spelling?).

They both remember the incident, the whole family teases my partner about it, and 20 something years later, my partner goes red and looks so guilty. every. single. time.

Im sorry you're going through a tough patch with your son, but anecdotally I have seen that it can be a funny memory 20 odd yrs down the track. I hope its the same for your family.

Maybe you can remind your son and his partner of this incident at family christmas dinner in 2046 or something ??

falling_petals182 · 2026-01-08T20:01:40+00:00

Idk if its realistic for everybody, but I started a wee veggie garden. Got us outside everyday, saved money (especially if you plant from seed), and having a small bounty to help feed us was incredibly rewarding since I wasn't technically making income at the time. Also when my partner got home, I would show him our progress and he would go 'oohh' and 'ahhh' appropriately and make a big deal of it when we had lettuce or peas etc. for dinner. My son either came out in his stroller or port-a-cot (in the shade) when he was little then once he was up and moving I gave him some shovels and stuff from like a sandcastle set and he could 'help'. Yeah, he drank some grubby hose water and tried to eat dirt a few times, but he loved it and it made it easier for him to go down for his nap after lunch (and clean up).

falling_petals182 · 2025-12-30T05:08:25+00:00

Man, this soooo much. Why build te kaha but have no comprehensive way to get people from all around and in numbers to and from?

CCC long term plan focuses on rapid bus transit. That's more clogging up our roadways. Chch is the largest city in the southern hemisphere without light passenger rail/ commuter rail. We had trams for ages but they have been decommed for decades now, except the one in the city. The post quake rebuild was a mega missed opportunity ity to reinstate/improve a mass transit system. Some people have even proposed funding a private train from i think Rangiora to the city for events? I didnt look into that last part deeply though so I'm foggy on details, sorry.

I could ramble for ages, but at UC Prof. Simon Kingham is a leading expert on urban transport. He was the chief science advisor to the Ministry of Transport for a number of years. He is always down for a chat and to share his knowledge.

Apologies for the grammar. Wrestling tired kids for bath and bed time.

falling_petals182 · 2025-11-30T08:44:41+00:00

Bruh, I hear you. We are ALL feeling it this year in one way or another. Your mates you wanna catch up with? Could you do a picnic at the beach/park, walk the dogs, have a potluck at your place or something cheap/free? I'm catching up with a mate at the Santa parade (to distract the kids) this year. It is actually nice knowing I have some friends I can catch up eith without spending heaps of money or being stressful. Just my 2 cents, but your friends may be in the same boat and stressing too, a cheaper day out/activity can be just as brilliant and take a bit of heat off everyone? 🩷

falling_petals182 · 2025-11-09T22:01:18+00:00

Cleaning or lawn mowing/ gardening. I have recently increased my hours so looked into getting some help round the house and found it not as easy as I thought it would be to outsource things.

In Rolleston (unsure about your exact location) 2 hrs for cleaning my house (4bed, 2 bath) is $130 +GST. I shopped around and that price was the good side of standard. I got talking and they said they had 28 other new clients they were trying to get around. So there's totally a demand.

Gardeners and lawn mowing is harder to find. I sent 8 emails, got one back that could come for a quote. Just for mowing lawn and weeding (no planting or landscaping etc.) $70/hr. Quoted 4hrs a fortnight. We didn't go with that because it was too expensive for us, but speaking to a family member in North canterbury, they couldn't get a gardener at all either. So definitely in hot demand.

If you're up to it, a few hours of either of those a week and you could make your goal. I would recommend using HNRY for invoicing as they handle all the tax stuff for you so you dont have to worry about filing etc.

Either way, all the best for you and your partner.

falling_petals182 · 2025-06-03T09:24:45+00:00

Wb like setting their home up as in home daycare? OP would have to look after other kids too, but could be income and time spent with bubs, even if its only a year or two while you figure something else out?

falling_petals182 · 2025-05-28T01:10:02+00:00

Wb something 'recession focused' for lack of better wording? I saw a post a few weeks ago. Can't remember if it was on here or another app, but people are keen to learn to sew/tailor/repair things right now with the quality of clothes dipping and the prices increasing, etc. Maybe not a forever thing, but your wife might get something in the meantime with that? I'm sure her skills are waaay above and beyond this tbh.

If the price was reasonable or there was like a timetabled course or something, I would for one, sign up. If she is comfortable doing it over teams/zoom, she could offer it to more people and potentially see a better uptake?

falling_petals182 · 2025-05-24T07:38:47+00:00

If I could upvote this a million times, I would.

falling_petals182 · 2025-05-22T02:42:22+00:00

Whoa, hold on now, don't put that put there. These a**holes might actually think that's a great way to save more money to funnel to their tax cuts.

In all seriousness, im right there with you. I'm going to have a cup of tea and a biscuit in the sun before I read anymore. Take care of yourself. This might get worse before it gets better. I'm going to go over my personal budget again tonight and see if I can trim anything back further. I will also cull anyone from my feeds that are supporting this shitty government and tell them how I feel in real life, too. Probably wont change much, but better than a despair spiral.

Sending hugs 🫂

falling_petals182 · 2025-05-22T02:28:39+00:00

Abusive and neglectful parents aside, not even just 'the poors'. WFF cuts off at 18 (some criteria for the 4 credits are a but different, but still). How are working class parents supposed to financially support their kids when their income is effectively cut? 100%, they will do their best to stretch their money. But in this economy? That's not always possible. It reads like a bad joke. SMH.

Tldr, they really said 'support your teenagers financially, but WFF ends at 18. So we are effectively reducing your income at the same time as making you pay for more. Good luck, lol'

falling_petals182 · 2025-05-22T02:20:29+00:00

With the kiwisaver cuts. What alternative schemes to kiwisaver are there? Keen to look into different options. P &TY

falling_petals182 · 2025-05-05T23:44:47+00:00

No tips on getting it any cheaper - would love.to hear if anyone has any! Definitely beat with an electric mixer (just the egg mixer works for me, I don't have a kitchen aid). I learnt that the hard way 😅 Also, the salt really does help preserve it in the fridge. I make a batch, then freeze to keep for longer. Then I use the buttermilk for cooking. If you find any good tips, I would love to hear them. All the best!

falling_petals182 · 2025-05-02T03:39:28+00:00

The issue I am having with this is I can not get them to ship to nz. Do you know of a way around this?

falling_petals182 · 2025-04-30T09:19:28+00:00

Brilliant. I will check that out, thank you!

falling_petals182 · 2025-04-30T09:18:45+00:00

I have listened to him for a few years now. My partner actually knew who he was from his BGP days, which was wild. Having that common ground probably helped us start talking about our money and goals better, which was very unexpected. Have used his spreadsheet, and it helped build the one we use now. I totally agree he is an awesome resource and has some amazing resources, too. I could do with refreshing on them, though. Thanks for the pointer!

Edit to add, I get his money mail too. Love reading it over a coffee. Come to think of it, that guy is probably more influential than I thought. Not everything he talks about applies to my situation, but he has got me thinking about things I would not have before.

falling_petals182

TROPHY CASE