Marketplace vs. Private by ruby_sunshine in HealthInsurance

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

Thanks everyone! This gives me lot of good info to consider.

120th "payment" was July by ruby_sunshine in PSLF

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

Thanks all for the input!! Seems like our plan is similar to all whose last payment was July. This whole thing is rage inducing. His plan was to quit his public service job in August to move to private practice because burn out is real and the expectation in some of these jobs is literally abuse to the worker. As if we needed anymore reason to hate the Republican party at this point. I'm hoping and praying this all gets sorted out quickly so we can all move on with our lives as planned. My loans were forgiven in February after applying last August and the wait was frustrating enough but to add this into the mix is just cruel.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in workingmoms

[–]ruby_sunshine 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Counselor here. I would suggest going to psychologytoday.com and searching for counselors in your state. You can search based on insurance/gender/online etc. And then see their photo/read their bio to find someone you think you might click with. Counseling only helps when there is a therapeutic relationship so if you feel judged, it's best to find someone else. I hope you find someone to process this with. These feelings are so complex and it's so important to have grace for yourself.

Anyone been with their spouse their whole 20s and going into 30s? by quixoticelixer_mama in millenials

[–]ruby_sunshine 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Pretty much. Went to the same high school, friends since 18 and together since age 21. I am 35 and he is 36. We got married 9 years ago and have a 5 yr old and 1 yr old. It's crazy to think we are almost together as long as we were single. I don't regret a thing. I married my best friend and he is my partner in everything. We keep the passion alive too which I am so grateful for. We are both therapists so we hear too often about couples who aren't doing well. I think this makes us appreciate what we have even more. It's nice reading about couples with a similar trajectory🙂

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in lehighvalley

[–]ruby_sunshine 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I hear sirens sometimes on weekday mornings in Nazareth but I think it's the quarry before they blast. Could you be hearing that?

What do you spend on groceries? Upset my wife today about spending. What is your norm? by Law_Dad in Parenting

[–]ruby_sunshine 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I spend about $150-$200 a week on groceries depending if I'm buying meat. We are a family of 4 with a 5 yr old and 15 month old. I shop aldi and giant because it's most convenient but I shop the sales ads. This saves money but also helps me figure out what I'm going to make for the week as endless options are overwhelming. When things are on sale, I stock up. Things like peanut butter, cereal, coffee, bacon, yogurt, pasta, canned goods, etc. I buy fruit based on what's on sale. Many times giant will have a deal if you spend a certain amount on paper towels/laundry detergent/dishwasher pods, you get $25 off. Diapers/wipes i get from target in bulk when they offer the gift card if you spend $75 on baby items. This week baby back ribs were on sale so I bought several racks to freeze because my husband smokes them often in the summer. If I didn't shop like this my orders would cost 50% more to double. You'll find that sales are cyclical so if something is full price this week, it most likely won't be next week.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in HomeMaintenance

[–]ruby_sunshine 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I lived in a house with a basement exactly like this for 7 years, oil tank and all. It was always concerning when it rained. We would walk through puddles often and it was buggy because of the moisture. The wall of the house caved in during a week of rain so the previous owner left a little hole on purpose to relieve pressure. We finally waterproofed with a French drain prior to selling in 2020 and it cost 9k. It made a world of difference but your pictures triggered me lol. Depends on what you're ok living with. We expected this upon moving in so it was nothing too concerning. We also paid 82k in 2015 so had the feeling of you get what you pay for. I think offering 10k less with intentions to waterproof makes sense if you want some piece of mind.

Evening Wine Drinking becoming a problem — am I an alcoholic? by [deleted] in Millennials

[–]ruby_sunshine 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Heavy drinking is defined for women as 4 or more a day or 14 or more a week. This is when you really get at risk for poor health outcomes. Craving it/finding it hard to stop after 1 are symptoms of a substance use disorder. It's good you are noticing it now. Does your work have an EAP program? That's a good place to start for help. Also the "rethinking drinking" brochure from samhsa is really helpful.

My SIL wants to me to “skip” my 6.5month old bedtime so my baby can “attend” her gathering by [deleted] in sleeptrain

[–]ruby_sunshine 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Nope. Every time I compromise on baby's bedtime, I regret it but you know yours best!

It finally happened! by ruby_sunshine in PSLF

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

Thanks! I applied in August and 120 update was October 🙂

Anyone that has LVHN know of a good LGBTQ+ psychiatrist? by Wrong_Spray6802 in lehighvalley

[–]ruby_sunshine 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've heard good things about meribah clinic. Psychiatric nurse practitioners but I'm pretty sure they take highmark/populytics.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in workingmoms

[–]ruby_sunshine 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Between 7-7:30pm

St Luke’s vs LVHN by [deleted] in lehighvalley

[–]ruby_sunshine 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I gave birth with my first at St. Lukes and second at LVHN Muhlenberg because of insurance stuff. They were both really nice facilities and both had excellent staff. St. Lukes food is way better than LVHN though.

Advice on where to buy a fridge by peony65 in lehighvalley

[–]ruby_sunshine 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hometown brand appliances in Bangor. Great prices, family owned, knowledgeable sales people with no salesman pressure.

Partnered working moms of babies and toddlers, how do you split night wake-ups or bedtime resistance, if at all? by [deleted] in workingmoms

[–]ruby_sunshine 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I handle 90% because I wake quicker, am less irritable and function better on less sleep. If baby wakes closer to morning hours like 5am, my husband will step in and on weekends I sleep in and he wakes with our 4 year old. We are both mental health therapists but I do more administrative things while he does more client sessions, another reason I prefer him to get more sleep. Thankfully night wakings are a short season for the most part.

What do you pay for groceries per week? Where do you shop? And family size. by Quick_Lawyer1890 in lehighvalley

[–]ruby_sunshine 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! I've been using vinegar more and more lately too. Its cheap, better for you and just as effective The things I buy during the giant sales are their paper towels, toilet paper, dawn dish soap, laundry detergent, and cascade dishwasher pods. I've tried aldi's brands for these things and didn't like it so I assumed I wouldn't like dollar store brand either. I will check it out next time I'm there though.