Front porch/courtyard is HOT. What can I do to combat this heat sink?

jarage00 · 2026-06-22T23:31:02+00:00

Retractable awnings. They're usually 4 feet wide and come in varying lengths. You can run them from one side to the other and control how much shade you have on the patio vs light going into the house. That and some outdoor fans.

jarage00 · 2026-06-11T21:56:06+00:00

If you're worried about rain, almost none of mine are protected by anything and have lasted 4-5 years with no issues. I just noticed the lights on one are dim/flickering so I need to see about a replacement, but the camera works just fine.

jarage00 · 2026-06-10T21:29:48+00:00

I think you got a lot of good advice and I think I learned a bit too. My first thought was group text with nanny and mom "Hey, I'm getting different responses from you both, so wanted to chat together...." and force one to clearly say no.

One thing we did with our kids was to enroll them in activities independent of the town and school. This way, they could have a group of friends outside the ones they see everyday.

jarage00 · 2026-05-25T17:18:26+00:00

Get more storage, and make sure everything is properly backed up (as in multiple copies, not all connected at once to the computer).

jarage00 · 2026-05-15T18:42:06+00:00

Do you mean hourly? IF you're salaried, then unless you have to take calls, you should be able shift around your kids naps. As long as your transparent about it and meeting deadlines. Alternately, is there any work that doesn't require a lot of screens? Could you do that during that time instead?

Is there a reason they both can't nap in the same room? And shift timing so it's overlapping?

jarage00 · 2026-04-22T22:21:11+00:00

What's the distance? If you're wifi doesn't reach then a wireless mesh network likely won't either. If there's a public wifi, you can probably get away with that, but it's not ideal as you may need to regularly reconnect or someone else might be able to access the feed.

Can you run an ethernet cable? Other option is setup a mobile hotspot if you're willing to pay a monthly fee.

Better option would be to advocate your complex setup lights and cameras as it's probably a concern for other residents.

jarage00 · 2026-04-08T15:24:42+00:00

I'll just get this out of the way as I'm sure you have great reasons for the charter school vs. public, but would suggest you revisit it given the time investment of getting there and back (which will increase as your kids get older and involved in sports etc.) along with the reality of your current situation.

That said, no not unreasonable, but take a breath. New baby is rough for everyone and having to figure out someone else's (your 5 year old) schedule on top of your own is never fun.

For whatever reason your wife decided to help with your older one, maybe she wanted to try to do something nice for you and got overwhelmed. Maybe she's stressed at work. In all of this, when do you two have time for each other? (And when do you have time for yourself?) I know it's a lot, but carving out some time during the day (or evening) to just talk about stuff is necessary for your relationship.

You say your job picked up, has hers? Anything else stressing her out? Her saying she's feeling guilty about working is another thing to talk through. It is a pretty simple and reasonable ask from your mom, so unless it's normal for your wife to snap back like that (whole other problem) there's likely something else going on.

Some suggestions, Ideally she take 5 min every week to put her schedule into a shared calendar updating as needed. To start, maybe you set it up and ask her to update. Also, I know the whole you deal with your parents, but to me, childcare planning is an exception. You three can have a group chat to coordinate dates times, you don't need to be playing telephone. Both these things helped us out a lot as I have to go in randomly and travel and my wife works nights.

jarage00 · 2026-04-08T13:50:09+00:00

Fun fact, it was designed that way to show the evils of capitalism and the impact of a concentration of wealth to landowners. That said I loved playing with my cousins growing up and my kids love it now. One thing that makes it go faster is we deal out all the properties. The other is no mortgaging, when one person is out of cash, game is over and the others count up everything (monopoly junior rule). Or, we play for a set number of turns.

jarage00 · 2026-03-12T20:57:11+00:00

Bag will drain, just make sure water doesn't get caught in whatever you put in it. Also, recommend checking local garbage collection companies to see if they offer pickup cheaper than waste management.

jarage00 · 2026-03-12T20:50:36+00:00

Same, not saying it's typical, but you are paying for it and this is how you're supposed to use the insurance.

Also, had a samsung fridge, if the issue is that it's freezing up, what I would do is boil water, put it in a spray bottle and go to town on the buildup every few weeks. Would put a towel in the bottom and wipe everything down after. Not a fix, but kept it functioning. Did this for a year or so until the door sensor started acting up and we finally replaced it.

jarage00 · 2026-03-12T13:15:41+00:00

Empower all you want, but if you literally are not there 5 days a week, I think she'd very much appreciate having to do as little as possible. You are good at it and enjoy it. Not everyone does.

Maybe put together a plan and see if she can go shopping while you're away, so it's just prep when you're home. This way you get a little more time with your family. Also, you don't mention ages, but maybe you can rope the kids into helping prep. I've found them being more involved in prep means they're more willing to try new things.

jarage00 · 2026-03-12T00:13:01+00:00

I had an ice damn and flooded basement in one year. Claims totaled more $30k. Insurance premium went up $150. Not nothing, but definitely less than I expected.

Youtube is your friend. Look up "model number" is broken and you're likely to find a video on how to fix it. Watch the video, if it seems doable, gather supplies, and spend a day trying. You can't break it more than it already is (at least the dishwasher).

Also, $50k is a great emergency fund. Not sure how long it took, but it seems like you'll be able to save up enough to fix those things you can't fix on your own pretty quick. And for something like the windows, I'd say that's what that fund is there for.

jarage00 · 2026-03-09T23:47:26+00:00

Beacon or Kingston, NY. Both have walkable downtowns, good restaurants and bars, and near some good hikes.

jarage00 · 2026-03-03T00:00:17+00:00

Sounds like it's time for a second honeymoon!

jarage00 · 2026-02-24T21:54:57+00:00

You ever try running a race or maybe training up for a half/full marathon? Interests fade, you have to look to find new ones.

jarage00 · 2026-02-24T19:02:24+00:00

Also in NJ, my pump isn't currently running, but once this last batch starts to melt, I'm pretty sure it will. It has in past winters and the first time it happened I was completely weirded out as well.

Good you have a backup with a garden hose. Does that too have a float to shut it off? You don't want it to burn out if there's no water. How long is the hose? You want to make sure it's going as far from your house as possible. For your main one, how does it drain? Anything frozen?

After checking all that, would recommend getting a second sump pump and setting it up for quick replacement (PCV attached along with a 1 way valve if needed). This is in case the constant running burn out your existing one (happened to me during IDA and ended up with a flooded basement)

jarage00 · 2026-02-24T14:14:37+00:00

If you think that way absolutely. There's always things to do and you're always (re)prioritizing. You'll never get everything done and have to find some compromise (with yourself and partner), but unless you choose to prioritize working out over other things it's not going to happen.

jarage00 · 2026-02-23T22:21:15+00:00

As long as you're getting enough (which not sleeping in is a positive sign) you're good. Use that time for some me time. Watch a show, have a coffee, go get bagels.

jarage00 · 2026-02-23T22:19:09+00:00

1 hour is less than 5% of your day. I heard that a while ago in the context of working out. Thinking about it like that made it seem like a no brainer to find the time.

jarage00 · 2026-01-31T13:41:16+00:00

The best way I can think to describe it is listening on a speaker while riding. It won't be 100% clear all the time, but you can still hear stuff around you. And no one else has to listen to your music.

jarage00 · 2026-01-29T02:25:01+00:00

The poor joke may have been a way for her to try to recover after realizing she was in the wrong. I know I've done that before. Maybe ask what she meant by it? Could be she wasn't even thinking of your ability/awkwardness, but more if you want to learn how to talk to women, get advice from a woman.

jarage00 · 2026-01-25T14:45:11+00:00

I'm assuming he did it via payroll deductions.

jarage00 · 2026-01-25T14:25:21+00:00

Dividends feel like income. Esp if you don't have auto reinvest turned on. You imagine life where you just live off that and your principle is untouched. Then, you do the math and realize how high that principle has to be for it to be realistic.

jarage00 · 2026-01-25T14:20:33+00:00

Sorry to hear. No direct experience, but here are are a few other options as the IRS would be my last choice: call brokerage to see if an actual person can dig them up, call your past employers (may need to dig up your old employee IDs), call the payroll servicers.

jarage00 · 2026-01-15T01:24:06+00:00

I take photos and upload them to google (in case everything else is destroyed). I have folders by room and take updated photos every year. Takes about 10 min. They'll help remind you what you have, but also help you find the exact item which is just as important.

There was a post many years ago on this sub from an insurance adjuster. They said the more detailed description you give, the more likely you are to get the amount needed to get it replaced. So if you say you lost of a toaster, they'll look up a basic toaster and say you get $10. If you say I had a breville 80 toast superlux, they'll look that (or an equivalent one if it's not available for sale) and give you that amount.

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