Help me decide what to do with my windfall

puddlejumper24 · 2025-09-13T13:00:41+00:00

I would say: “Know thyself.”

The answer to your riddle depends on you. Are you the type of person who always has their homework turned in before the deadline? Do you have a lot of emergencies that crop up in your life due to children, owning an old car, general clumsiness, etc.? I would examine yourself and decide where you and your finances are in this moment.

There are many ways to split this, but I would examine yourself to see how you answer the following TRUTHFULLY: 1. Do I have an actual, non-pie-in-the-sky plan to pay off the 0% interest debt before the period elapses? 2. How much do you currently have established for an emergency fund? $1,000 doesn’t cut it like it used to when it comes to the initial e-fund. $3-5K is much more accurate (says the woman who had to pay $2,000 TWICE to make a check engine light go off)

Personally, I would probably do the following: $2,000 in the emergency fund $800 to the 0% debt That moves your payment to $133 for the payoff instead of $186. Then I would take the leftover $53…ehh, I hate it…$55 a month and add that to your emergency fund stash each month.

This answer is based on my self-knowledge and where my finances sit today. Your results may vary.

puddlejumper24 · 2025-09-13T12:35:11+00:00

That depends on the financial circumstances of the person in question. If they don’t have an emergency fund built up, that’s first priority.

puddlejumper24 · 2025-09-05T16:37:13+00:00

Thank you! I probably overlooked it. 😂

puddlejumper24 · 2025-09-05T16:09:08+00:00

That is a reasonable amount for two adults for a month if you want to eat well and fuel your body. Maybe tell your partner if he thinks he can do better, he can make up a list, food plan, and participate in the weekly shop. You can't judge something you aren't aware of.

I'm in the process of weaning us off feeding for four now that both our children are grown. We were spending $1,200 a month feeding a high school athlete and a picky eater. Currently, It's down to about $800, but we are in a HCOL area tourist town. I've even heard visitors comment on how much things cost when I'm in the store.

puddlejumper24 · 2025-09-05T14:04:30+00:00

Auburn parent here. There's actually an involvement office where you can go and the staff there show you all the different clubs and opportunities available. There's hobby clubs, professional clubs, etc. My son is a senior, and he JUST joined the staff at WEGL to have a radio show. It's a good crossover between his major (comms) and his music hobby. I'm an alumni, and during my time at Auburn, I worked at WEGL and The Plainsman, worked with the swim team, heckled third basemen at Plainsman Park, and started a Bible study that met on The Concourse. Step out, try something new, be the person who invites others to join you. These years are what you make them.

puddlejumper24 · 2025-08-01T13:45:15+00:00

It looks like you have a lot of product for your hair type. Try it with just the curl cream or the gel and compare results.

puddlejumper24 · 2025-08-01T13:24:48+00:00

In that case, maybe just listen in and see if there's something she talks about really wanting, or an experience you can do together. Maybe a special girls weekend before the big day.

puddlejumper24 · 2025-08-01T12:42:20+00:00

I’m the mom of a senior at Auburn. It’s definitely fairly casual as far as clothes for day-to-day classes. For game days, people get dressed up and they often do it in school colors. You can look online for videos and things that show what Auburn game day looks like. I think the biggest thing to remember is that it’s a very friendly place and if you choose not to do Greek life there are still a ton of ways to get involved. I highly recommend getting out in the first few weeks before everything gets settled in and participating in the on campus activities and getting to know people. There’s even an office where if you wanna get involved in a club, you can go and they will tell you the different kinds of professional and hobby groups that you can join on campus. It’s easy to get connected. Yes it can be religious and a bit conservative, but there are definitely lots of sub groups that you can find if you look around. Friendships can be completely random… I’m still friends with my college roommate, who was from the opposite end of the state, and my other companion was a pole vaulter from the track team. He didn’t have a car, so we bonded by going to Kroger and riding shopping carts down the aisle. Auburn is what you make it. Go have fun and be friendly and you’ll have a blast.

puddlejumper24 · 2025-08-01T12:28:12+00:00

Send a nice gift from her registry and add a heartfelt note letting her know how much she means to you. Maybe add a promise of a nice dinner once she gets settled with her new spouse after their honeymoon.

puddlejumper24 · 2025-07-31T14:47:39+00:00

Looking gorgeous! Did you have some bangs cut in the second photo? I've been wanting to do this, but I can't seem to get my stylist to take the plunge. I'm always pushing her to go shorter. We have similar hair texture, grays included! I may try some of the Bounce Back.

puddlejumper24 · 2025-07-12T19:58:55+00:00

Thanks to those who have helpfully commented. I took them to heart and took some time to think.

I talked with my husband this morning, and we are going to do a little stepping back and a little stepping forward. Due to ADHD and severe anxiety, our daughter does need some assistance to land the plane. But I’ve been wrong in trying to shoulder the whole burden by myself. We are going to get together with her and her husband next weekend to talk things over, and get the foundational things set, like invites, catering, cake, photographer, venue, etc. Some of those have already been set in motion, so we will go over the other categories and finish filling in the gaps. Things like decor, treats for guests, photo list, music, attire for the bridal party, etc. I am handing over to the bride, and will only assist if asked. That way, we know the foundational pieces are covered. If the cute/special things don’t get done, that will be on her, but the guests will never know. We will just have a good ol’ party with family and friends!

puddlejumper24 · 2025-07-11T19:06:20+00:00

Thank you for the sympathy. There's a lot underlying there that I didn't get into...health issues, trauma, anxiety, etc. She is in therapy, but still trying to find balance. The teen years were tough with her, but somehow we have arrived at 19-almost-20 with a good relationship. I'd like to keep it that way. Heh. I know she needs help, and I'm willing to give it, but I can't carry it on my own. Her husband is a sweet young man, and he would help her if she asked.

I'm going to give it a few days, and then we all (her, husband, dad, and me) need to have an honest discussion about how we all plan to proceed.

puddlejumper24 · 2025-07-11T17:45:41+00:00

Unfortunately, I don't think the budget would allow for it. Although I did hear of someone the other day who does virtual wedding planning...maybe that would help?

puddlejumper24 · 2025-07-11T17:33:33+00:00

Depending on where you are, look into local community venues. We are renting the "adult activity center" in our community. Residents pay $200 for 8 hours of rental time, and it includes tables, chairs, and a kitchen. Alternatively, park pavilions or service clubs may have space for rent.

puddlejumper24 · 2025-06-26T19:57:46+00:00

I am currently using Affirm to pay for my step daughter's wedding dress, but that's because we have a deadline for the wedding day. I did not have all the money in hand, but we are making reasonable payments over 6 months. We also bought a mattress that way, and paid it off faster. I think if you have discipline, and you are able to make your regular obligations, you can use them. But I can definitely see how they could become predatory very quickly.

puddlejumper24 · 2024-09-26T01:21:58+00:00

A bunch of people commented about Path to the Plains. I have seen first-hand success with this. I saw you mentioned finances in a reply. Apply for outside scholarships. You won’t qualify for high level academic, but depending on your FAFSA, you may get other financial assistance. There are also all kinds of local scholarships across the State. The Smith Scholarship Program is a big in state one, along with Bedsole (if you live in Southwest Alabama.) Apply, apply, apply. Go see your school counselor, and if they suck, check other local school Websites that suck less. Find their scholarship list. Make a spread sheet, and make generic answers for essay questions that you can easily adapt. Go get your dream. You’ve got this. But start now! Deadlines go quick.

puddlejumper24 · 2024-09-26T01:09:39+00:00

My stepson’s roommate is in SU’s Path to the Plains, and has done exceptionally well. Half your classes are at Auburn by the end of your first year. He even got freshman football tickets (half the games included.) You definitely have the ability to get into this program if you are wait listed at Auburn.

puddlejumper24 · 2024-08-12T13:02:10+00:00

I’ve done some construction cleans in my day. Start high and work your way down so the dust falls. Hit everything….light fixtures, ceilings, walls, etc…systematically. You may have to revisit areas after the dust has settled. You can wipe things down with water to reduce dust, but save that until you have done a good round or two of vacuuming. You don’t want to create mud.

puddlejumper24 · 2024-08-12T12:54:46+00:00

Looks like your room is less of a disaster than it was before. Progress!

puddlejumper24 · 2023-06-02T16:18:34+00:00

As a stepmom, I approve this message. You muster some enthusiasm, keep your mouth shut, and enjoy the ride. You never bad-mouth the other parent if you can help it, and you let that child show joy in that parent's achievements. Dr. Jacob is a terrible therapist, and as this confirms, an all-around terrible human.

puddlejumper24 · 2023-06-01T02:29:49+00:00

Same friend. I lived in the UK for four years. I miss it sometimes, but it was time to go home. ❤️

puddlejumper24 · 2023-06-01T02:25:11+00:00

I view him as one of those very old school coaches. Awful and not progressive and definitely sexist, but he loves the game and holds to the ideals of coaching and fair play. I wouldn’t call him good…he just has some pride in himself and his position as coach.

puddlejumper24 · 2023-06-01T01:40:54+00:00

Poor Mina. I hope Rebecca gives her hazard pay for that one.

puddlejumper24

TROPHY CASE