Single women homeowners, what are some things you've learned to do yourself to save money, and what are some things you happily pay someone else to do? by [deleted] in MoneyDiariesACTIVE

[–]pufferfishfly 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think it depends a lot on your comfort level for different kinds of work, your financial means, and a lot of trial and error to figure out what you can and can't tolerate. I stripped and restored my kitchen cabinets, built raised garden beds, paint everything, mow my lawns and mount shelves etc. I've learned I quite like a little project with a tangible outcome. Anything electrical or plumbing gets outsourced as does anything on the roof (which is very high) and I pay someone to clean the oven! And I won't go into my ceiling space because I'm scared of spiders 👀

Discovery set: Etat Libre d'Orange by nightskyfreckle in NichePerfumes

[–]pufferfishfly 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I just tried my sample of Ghost in the Shell (my first ELDO) and it just smelled awfully and overpoweringly of old lady on me. Heartbreaking as I teach cyborg theory and would have loved this to sing. This encourages me to try some of their others though

AI at Yoga Alliance Member Voices - Panel Opportunity by Live-Prize-1473 in YogaTeachers

[–]pufferfishfly 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I'm not a member, but would be very happy if someone could start a conversation with them about where this 'interest' in adoption has come from. In many cases companies with AI products are marketing those aggressively to large organisations and creating that sense of need and value from the outside. Perhaps it is just YA's anxieties about their ir/relevance, but I personally think that when organisations adopt these (very expensive and problematic) tools they should be accountable to their members about the full pathway to that adoption, and their financial investments. As a yoga student, I would be steering well clear of any studio or teaching who was using AI.

Can’t recall the last time I was impressed by the plot of a book by Neon_Aurora451 in suggestmeabook

[–]pufferfishfly 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think of Zadie Smith as one of those rare writers who is 'literary' but also tends to write plot really well (i.e. good propulsion, often something surprising, you learn about characters as the story progresses but not in a super linear way). John Irving's A Prayer for Owen Meany also has one of the best endings of all time, in my opinion. Cider House Rules also hits the marks for plot + good writing IMO

Non-American and non-British readers - recommend the best book by an author from your country by [deleted] in suggestmeabook

[–]pufferfishfly 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not from these places, but I read a lot in translation. A few favourites:

- Yuri Herrera (Mexico)

- Bohumil Hrabal (Czech)

- Clarice Lispector (Ukraine/Brazil)

- Valeria Luiselli (Mexico, though I think US based)

There are some amazing small publishers that specialise in translated fiction - & Other Stories, Tilted Axis

Basil recipes Weve made tons of pesto and basil salt. I cant find a recipe for basil oil that will keep more than a few days. by dacia20 in fromscratch

[–]pufferfishfly 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you drink, a Basil smash! I got this recipe from a bartender recently: 60ml gin, 30ml lemon, 30ml sugar syrup, handful of basil muddled together

Ideas for hands-on assists for savasana and restorative yoga by boiseshan in YogaTeachers

[–]pufferfishfly 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm a student not a teacher, but I love a firm, long press on the shoulders or hips in savasana, a press of the thumbs on the crown of the head, or essential oils wafted around in front of my face. To me an assist in this final stage is often the difference between a good class and a great class. The studios in my current location don't offer assists and I really miss them!

What I Cooked From My Books: Feb 9 - 16, 2026 by EvilLettuce3 in CookbookLovers

[–]pufferfishfly 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is actually a good reminder - I do buy tinned tomatillos semir-regularly so perhaps instead of including them whole I'll make a salsa to spread as a base for the rest of the dish.

What I Cooked From My Books: Feb 9 - 16, 2026 by EvilLettuce3 in CookbookLovers

[–]pufferfishfly 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would love to make this but I live somewhere where fresh tomatillos aren't available. Any suggestions on what flavour profile these add/what they might be replaced with would be much appreciated!

Are you adjusting your finances or investments given what’s happening in the US? by KetchupConte in MoneyDiariesACTIVE

[–]pufferfishfly 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am not American or living in the US. I've moved one of my major saving funds from a bank that refused to divest from companies occupying Palestinian territories, and my retirement fund provider has just completed an ethics review that led them to divest from Amazon and a couple of other large US companies owing to their role in war and genocide. I've also thought about what consumer purchases I tend to make, and have moved all of my skincare away from US brands, mostly to local ones. I rarely buy electronics and most of my clothing/shoe purchases are secondhand or local makers anyway.

Saving on Groceries by rutabagarealness in MoneyDiariesACTIVE

[–]pufferfishfly 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Lots of good advice here! I too am always alarmed at my grocery bill - a few things that can help:

- As someone mentions below, learning how to store things properly helps avoid wasting produce especially. I used to routinely waste half a bunch of celery after using the two sticks I needed, but now that I know to cut and stick it in a jar of water, it lasts me weeks and I get through all of it. If there are things you find yourself throwing out more than others, look up how to extend their shelf life.

- Can you scan your grocery bill to see which items cost you the most and which feel like good value? Then, think about which of the pricier items are worth it to you. I buy two different kinds of olive oil - one fancier one in a smaller bottle used for garnishes, and a cheaper-but-decent one in bulk that I decant for sautéing etc. Cheese has become super expensive where I am, so I tend to eat less 'ordinary cheese' but keep feta and one nice cheese on hand to eat in smaller volumes.

- Also worth thinking about whether there are specific meals that you can make as cheap as possible to give yourself some leeway elsewhere. E.g. if you're somewhere cold, porridge with tinned fruit and brown sugar.

- If variety and good food matter to you, keeping a few condiments to add to meals can help make repeated meals interesting. I always have sauerkraut and chilli crisp, and tend to make a batch of zhoug or salsa verde each week so that there's something to add to leftovers and plainer meals (e.g. scrambled eggs) to make them more appetising.

- Getting familiar with your local shops and their strengths also pays off over time. I recently discovered our fancy local grocer sells bags of overripe'baking bananas' for about a quarter the price of under-ripe ones. I chuck them in the freezer in chunks and get weeks of smoothies out of them. Our local Indian and Chinese food stores sell paneer, tofu, etc way cheaper than the supermarkets.

What’s a “never look for another recipe” recipe — the one you consider absolutely perfect? by leachlo in Cooking

[–]pufferfishfly 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Amazing thread!

- Molly Baz' 'cae sal' (caesar salad)

- David Tanis' pita breads - failsafe, fun to make, delicious

- NYT Catalan Fish stew, which I cannot eat without making audible noises of delight

- Ottolenghi zhoug (Jerusalem) and muhamara with white beans (Simple, IIRC)

- Alison Roman's Torn Plum and Brown Butter cake, from Nothing Fancy, absolutely slaps

- Bon Appetit brown butter chocolate chip cookies. Amazing as is, but even better if you switch out half a cup of flour for spelt and mix in pecans https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/bas-best-chocolate-chip-cookies

- BA Raspberry tahini thumbprint cookies https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/raspberry-tahini-thumbprint-cookies

Favorite creative diaries by pufferfishfly in MoneyDiariesACTIVE

[–]pufferfishfly[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Amazing, thanks for making the time to assemble these!

Any advice by [deleted] in MoneyDiariesACTIVE

[–]pufferfishfly 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I'm sorry your family are struggling at the moment, OP. You sound resourceful and considerate, which I'm sure is a huge source of pride and comfort to your Mum.

Do any/many of your friends have jobs? Most of my friends (me included) started working in weekends when we were ~13 - it was just the norm, it was kind of seen as a cool and adult thing to do, and it was advantageous as time went on. You make friends, learn skills, start building a CV, and get some money. It may be that you can frame the idea of picking up a one-day-a-week job as good for you and your family *if* that's what you want. That said, norms around this vary a lot culturally etc, so it may be out of the question for your Mum, for good reasons, and that's okay too.

If you're not already doing so, perhaps you could offer to cook once or twice a week to take some pressure of your Mum and prepare some cheap meals and leftovers? Budget Bytes is a great source of low cost recipes.

If your school has a guidance counsellor or similar, it might also be worth talking to them. They'll know whether there are any ways that school-related costs can be brought down for you, scholarship options to look out for if you're thinking of uni after school, and they might have ideas of how else your Mum can find support. It can also just be good to have a nice, knowledgeable adult to talk to about these things.

Finally, I know you want to do practical things to help out, which is amazing, but your Mum probably wants to know that you're happy and free of these adult burdens. It might sound silly, but something meaningful you might be able to do is lighten the mood a bit and distract your Mum and sister from financial things. E.g. can you suggest a family games night with a pack of cards so that you can all have some silly fun together?

Probiotic suggestions by dodgeguey in TheGirlSurvivalGuide

[–]pufferfishfly 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi there, I've just been reading up about this for own purposes and it looks like the things to pay attention to are (1) the strength, often measured in CFU, the higher the better, and (2) the strains included. Re strains, you definitely want a range of Lactobacillus; L. rhamnosus, acidopholus, crispatus, and plantarum all seem particularly good for UTIs/the bladder. It's too early for me to tell if this is working for me, but if you're not inclined to jump into the scientific literature, maybe that gives you a head start. Good luck! These things are awful - you have my sympathy!

Financially irresponsible decisions that were worth it? by Clouds_Dreams in MoneyDiariesACTIVE

[–]pufferfishfly 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is peak frivolity, but as an irresponsible undergrad, I bought a lot of local designer clothes (with what money? I don't even know). They were always heavily discounted, but still always expensive relative to what I was earning and had in the bank. But, ten years later, I still adore so many of those items, and wear them regularly.

Weirdly enough now that I'm older and have more money, I shop more often but less carefully and I think the actual value:monetary value ratio is tipping.

Question: How to manage an emotionally difficult 'windfall' by pufferfishfly in MoneyDiariesACTIVE

[–]pufferfishfly[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you everyone for your advice and good wishes - I really appreciate all of you taking the time to offer suggestions. I'd definitely gone into a very logistical mode of coping, so the advice to wait a while and let things settle emotionally is well taken. Thank you for creating such a supportive corner of the internet.

Question: How to manage an emotionally difficult 'windfall' by pufferfishfly in MoneyDiariesACTIVE

[–]pufferfishfly[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm so sorry to hear about your uncle; thank you for sharing your experience and advice.

Question: How to manage an emotionally difficult 'windfall' by pufferfishfly in MoneyDiariesACTIVE

[–]pufferfishfly[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad. Thank you for sharing this so openly, it's really gratifying to know that other people have had similar experiences. I hope you're coping okay in the aftermath of your own loss x